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L.A. IVERSON FAMILY
REUNION
A-Z RANCH
1996
For some years now two families have headed up the
reunion at a time. This has worked out quite well. However it seems the
right time now for the younger generation to become the driving force of
the reunion. Therefore this is what has happened by decree.
(You never thought this was a democracy, did you?)
REUNION 1997: President Tina Hatch. Two
vice-presidents, Rod Iverson, Cyle Iverson.
Anyone wishing to challenge this may take it up with
the Indian Tribunal.. If you get three descendants of Echo Piney to
accompany you to a hearing atop Diamond Butte. You shall be heard!
Otherwise forget it!
These three officers may solicit help from whom ever
they please, and I am confident they will do a terrific job. If the
reunion as a whole wants to hold an election next year, that’s fine too.
Give your three officers some input.
Three weeks before the reunion, a group went to the
ranch to prepare for pouring cement. I even talked Arnie into going along
to help with the shovel work. Was he ever relieved when we topped the
hill, and he saw that Rod was there with his Bobcat. I don’t think it hurt
Cyle, Max, or Garn’s feeling either, as Rod make short work of getting the
ground ready. Then the guys set the forms and such. Meanwhile Barb, Nita,
Stacey, Mitch, and myself cleaned the house and cooked for the crew. Let
me tell you it was a real pleasure using our new cook stove!
Duard came later in the afternoon, then he, Rod,
Cyle, Stacey, and Mitch went back to town for the night. Garns, Maxs, and
myself stayed out for the night. We spent an enjoyable evening around the
campfire. As we said good night, Garn told me that no matter how early I
woke up on Saturday morning; I should bring the coffeepot and come to
their camp. So at the crack of dawn that is just what I did. Can you
believe it he was still asleep! Good thing we got an early start though as
Boyd showed up at 7am. The cement arrived at 7:30, with Paul close behind
him.
You really should get Anita to tell you about the
ride out from town—after Paul discovered (through modern technology)—that
the cement truck was ahead of them.
I can’t do the story justice, however I do recall her
saying something like, “Even if it is Memorial Day you’d think that some
people could still tell the difference between the Arizona Strip and
Indianapolis. Duard, Rod, and a couple of their boys came a little later.
After that there was much activity gong on for several hours. The result
was excellent!
Reunion morning: I had sent some of my stuff out with
Boyd the night before, but there still wasn’t room in the back of Kurt’s
truck for the rest of it, as he was taking along quads, motorcycles,
Ping-Pong table, and a bunch of stuff like that. So I borrowed Arnie’s
truck, loaded up, and at a reasonably early hour, Kelli and I hit the
road. When we arrived at the ranch Max and Shawn were over at the mailbox
gate, putting up a sign-in box. Kelli and I were the first ones to sign
in—in fact we may have been the only ones; from what I learned of the
success rate on that project. Oh well better luck next year. You know what
they say about new tricks and old critters!
Lees had arrived from the mid-west on Friday. They
flew into Salt Lake City and rented a car to drive down from there. In St.
George they rented a 12-passenger van to take to the ranch. That turned
out to be fun, as large groups of us had neat rides in it out there.
Steve, Susan, and Bill came with Lee and Marge this
year. It was great. Where were you Lee Alan? Lee could have had
100% attendance! I think Max was the only one to achieve that this year.
Both Boyd and Lee were close though.
Although they have been in the family for some time
now, this was the first time we had met Susan and Bill. It was worth the
wait, as we liked them both a lot. We’ve always liked Steve a lot-so that
was nothing new. We found Susan to be a very attractive lady personable,
friendly, and very adaptable. She adjusted to the Arizona Strip just like
a veteran. In fact the A-Z Masters (that’s a golf game, folks) was her cup
of tea. When it was mentioned that one of our family rules is to bring
your intended to a family reunion before the wedding, Steve declared-he
just didn’t want to take a chance! Now I know he wasn’t concerned about
Susan making the grade, so guess you know group, who that leaves in
doubt!
Bill is the two-year-old son of Steve and Susan, and
the number one grandchild of Lee and Marge. Past years our roving
reporters have tuned an ear for the famous quote, or profound statement of
the reunion. This year the honor goes to Bill. I heard this report from
three different states, so there is no doubt, he is the winner!
It seems that Boyd had taken Bill and Lee on a
sightseeing tour. I’m not sure just which scenic route they took, but it
included a stop at Camp Ohno to see Boyds chalet. Then saving the best to
the last they went to the corral to see the family treasures. Bill very
politely looked them all over, then turned to Lee and said, “When does the
garbage truck come, Grandpa?” Is this one of those times when we can
truly say, “Out of the mouths of babes?”
Congratulations Bill, dubious as the honor may be,
you are now in the reunion “famous quotes,” hall of fame! Hey, I think
you did really well, as some of us never get there—but you made it your
first time out of the gate! From now on I suggest that all anyone will
have to do to express an opinion on whether it is a true treasure, and
therefore a keeper-is to say, "when does the garbage man come?" All
hall of fame quotes are closely guarded, so as not to let them be stolen
by other reunions up and down the valley!
Saturday we had a fine dinner as usual, all the good
stuff. That evening we had hamburgers that were furnished by Garns family.
Later there was the auction and program but Maxs family were the only ones
who had prepared anything for the program. I mean where was Garns banjo—or
his poem? No where in sight! Where was Radlee and Tiah’s keyboard? I
didn’t hear it. Nor did I hear a song from Amber. I don’t think the
neighbors were kept awake by the dance music either. What kind of a deal
is this? Now that we have some officers, we expect some serious program
reforms next year!
RAG ON ‘EM GROUP!
Quite a number of people returned to town to sleep
Saturday night. Most of my family did. All except Matthew—he wanted to
stay out there. The next day I heard on the grapevine that after we had
left, he told the other campers that he had been abandoned! Felt like he
was probably worse off than Hanzel and Gretel lost in the forest- with
only the wicked witch for a guide! He was only putting them on though,
because after checking out all the campsites, he decided to sleep in the
house where Mike had kept the fire going all night. Yes it was cold; it
snowed that day near Diamond Butte, just ask Lee.
We had some fun rides in Steve’s big van. On Saturday
it was out in the back to see the sights, and Sunday the van filled up
plus three other vehicles, and off we went to Point Lookout—to enjoy the
spectacular view. Once there we had to hike up the last quarter of a mile
or so through the forest, to look of into Hell Hole. When returning to our
vehicles, our leader, Paul, got us lost. Yep, Ol Jim Bridger Jr.
himself. Can you believe it!
I tell you if it hadn’t been for Taylor yodeling to
the top of her lungs (like a true mountain girl) we might still be
wandering in the woods. But because she was so loudly protesting her
forcibly interrupted plans to scale to the bottom of Hellhole, we were
saved! Thanks Tay. We saw several head of deer, stopped at Nixon, and
also visited Mt. Trumbull schoolhouse. It was a fun afternoon!
Darkness had fallen by the time we got back to the
ranch. Most of us left that night. I think Maxs, and Rods families were
the only ones still out there for another day.
Max tried to explain this to me so see if you
understand it. It’s not that he doesn’t appreciate the extra food that
seem to befall him, when they are the last ones left out there, But this
year he thought we’d gone a bit overboard. He solemnly told me that he had
taken out four dozen eggs, used twelve dozen while there—and brought eight
dozen home. And he really believes that we did that to him! However I am
quite certain there is another explanation. I think it was the phantom
chicken! Remember the one that lived in the cellar? Who was it that dug
up the cellar, with a shovel no less! Who was it that destroyed poor Ol
chicks’ safe haven from the coyotes? We all remember whom it was that did
that! Now I feel it is only right that phantom chicken finally got her
revenge. I took a quick straw poll and four about of five interviewed
thought it served him right, so what can I say Maxie you brought this
influx of eggs on yourself.
Our count was sixty-eight attending the reunion. I
think a good time was had by all, and I hope the reunion just gets bigger
and better year after year. There have been two marriages: Paige married
Keith, and Tom Married Shelly. Congratulations and welcome to the family.
One new baby which is Duard and Glenna great grandchild Trisha. She is the
granddaughter of Ron and Ramona. Good grief how is that possible, are we
getting old or what?
We had quite a group of little ones there-age five
and under. Max and Nita had eight grandchildren there. Mary had one. Garn
and Barb had one. Also Harley and Merna and Lee and Marge with one each.
Oops I forgot one of Harley’s. All fifteen of them are cute bright kids. I
heard a rumor that if they play their cards right, Uncle Boyd might build
them a train, complete with Troll Bridge to ride across. Sounds like fun
to me.
Boyd expects to get a granddaughter very soon.
We felt bad Peggy that you had to miss the camp-out
since you like them so much! We missed you. Good luck in your new
business.
Hope to see everyone next year…….Love Carla
Please forgive all mistakes; remember I’m still in
the typewriter age!
AN Appendage: As I look this over I find that my
fingers have been remiss in typing all that my brain wished them too—and
just when you though you were finally through! Well I just wanted to say
that I thought it was a swell reunion, and to thank the families in charge
this year.
To Mary, Jamie, Shauna, Dick, Cheri, and Shawn
thanks for the quilt and the helpful booklet on our Indian genealogy.
To Max, Nita, Tina, Kevin, Debbie, Mike,
Chrissie, and Brad for all they did. I thought the invitation was
especially innovative and cute—and so was the family tree. I really loved
the logo on the tee shirt; it was very imaginative. Wish I could think of
things like that! For those that didn’t get to see it—it said LEVIS
ORGINAL GENES.
I see I left the i out of original-oh well you get it
anyway don’t you?
LATE BREAKING BULLETIN: (Boyds family) Bob and Nicki
baby girl made her grand entrance June 6, 1996, Her name is Bret Nicole.
Baby, Mother, Dad, and Grandpa Boyd, are all doing
well.
REUNION FUND
1995—lumber, tin for patio and
outhouses……………………………..$805.00
stove ……………………………………………………………$325.00
1996—lumber, cement for patio… …$682.00
Quilt material, misc.…$ 65.00
Copies, ranch supplies, misc… $ 40.00
Reunion account: balance forward… …$1592.66
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