Members of the Emmett R. Whipple family are pictured at their family reunion held in August at Midway State Park. Submitted photo

Descendants of the Emmett R.Whipple family met on Sunday, Aug. 19, to celebrate 98 years.

The gathering took place under mostly cloudy but warm weather at Midway State Park. Corey and Kali Stearns, hosts, welcomed 71 family members and guests.

A blessing was given and a moment of silence was observed by Elaine Stearns King before the 1 p.m. buffet meal was served with grilled hot dogs by the hosts.

A 2 p.m. business meeting was conducted by Jerry Stearns, president. Joan Lisa read the minutes from 2017 and gave the financial report.

The youngest member present was 16-month-old Mason Lusk, son of William and Natasha Lusk. The oldest member present was again Zelda Kittell at 89 years. There were three marriages to record: Scott and Tracy Stearns’ daughter Stephanie Daniels to Richard Knighten on June 9, 2018; Ray Stearns to Ann Bloomquist on July 28, 2018 and Zina Kittle Weidows’ son Nicholas to Jessica Conil on Dec. 30, 2017. The family also had three births to record: Mason Kristopher Stearns on Oct. 27, 2017 to Kevin and Jessica Stearns, son of Ray Stearns; Monroe Louise York on July 11, 2018 to Elisabeth and Devin York, great-granddaughter of Jerry and Pam Stearns and Sawyer Sampson Stearns on Nov. 2, 2017, son of Jason and Brooke Stearns, grandson of Jerry and Pam Stearns. There was a tie again with the family, with the most members present at 16: the Daughenbaugh and Stearns families. Traveling the farthest were Grant and Elaine King from Pineville, La. — 1,400 miles. Others traveled from Florida and North Carolina.

Ken Vogt was officially named historian, crediting him with the many photos he takes and compiling of the family newsletter. Vogt gave up dates on genealogy and presented Jerry Stearns with the Charles Fowler Brown biography. Vogt welcomed and introduced friends Boyd and Christy Nielson from Batavia, Ill., who are their family historians.

Lydia Galati, vice president, is still collecting family recipes and memories of past reunions for the 100-year celebration. Galati sold decals and took orders for purple T-shirts with the family crest on them. A discussion was held regarding activities for the 100-year reunion. Officers for 2019 remained the same: Stearns, president; Galati, vice president and Lisa, secretary/treasurer.

Games and the auction will be done by Rick and Deb Stearns’ families. An auction concluded the afternoon. A quilt tree of neckties was made by Marilyn Chambers and won by Jim Lisa. Amber Gee won the 50/50 giveaway. The candy jar guess game was won by Katie Lusk, who guessed at 310 pieces. There were 307 in the jar. A special thanks to ticket sellers Ashley Stearns and Tauron Smith.