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Wood family comes together for reunion in Fort Scott
From California, Texas, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas, descendants of Charlie and Cora Wood gathered in Fort Scott, for a two-day family reunion on Aug. 4-5. Charlie and Cora watched several of their grandchildren grow up in the Hammond community, and assisted in the family farms of two of their children, Clarence Wood and Mae Peters. All five siblings and their spouses of Clarence and Lena Wood were in attendance for the 2007 Wood Family Reunion.
Two sons of Charlie and Cora Wood married two daughters of R. Byrne and Rosa Query from the Catt School area south of Fort Scott. Fellowship in both families has been enjoyed over the years. On Saturday, Aug. 4, the Wood Family Reunion joined the Query Family Reunion at noon for a bountiful dinner and sharing at the Buck Run Community Center.
Always one of the highlights of the Wood Family Reunion is the Wood Reunion Choir, directed by Byrne Wood. Saturday afternoon was rehearsal time for those who love to sing. Another highlight: the awards ceremony. Cyndee Cole, granddaughter of Henry Wood, traveled from Sacramento, Calif. to win "furthest distance," Fred Hoeger 79 won "oldest attendee," Sawyer Richardson 3 won "youngest attendee," Leland Wood and Cyndee Cole both won "name your ancestor" contests. Other activities continued at the Buck Run Community Center of basketball, scrap book reminiscing, sack races, and jump rope contests. Events were captured for posterity, as interviews were recorded on video by Larry Jent. Family members were asked to share memories of past gatherings, recollections of family members who have passed on, or to tell an amusing or interesting story about a grandparent.
Submarine sandwiches and watermelon followed the full afternoon in the air-conditioned center. Cousins from California who could not attend, JoAnn and John Byrne, reserved the Fort Scott swimming pool for the family to cool off in the summer evening. Remembering family fun in the pool at previous reunions, they also provided dilly bars from Dairy Queen to be enjoyed afterwards.
On Sunday morning, August 5, the traveling Wood Reunion Choir sang at the Hammond United Methodist Church and First Church of the Nazarene, Fort Scott. More cousins from Missouri joined the family for a Sunday buffet dinner at Mayberry's Restaurant.
Laughter, good food, previous reunion videos, and reliving memories continued on Sunday afternoon at the family farm, hosted by Kenneth and Jennie Wood. Barbecued ribs, corn on the cob, and home-made ice cream were enjoyed by all. The reunion ended and the participants prepared to journey back to their far-flung homes -- but with a heartfelt desire to reassemble again in 2009.
Attendees were: Leland and Wanda Wood, Cove, Ark; Walter and Georgia Wood, Amarillo, Texas; Kenneth and Jennie Wood, Fort Scott, Kan.; Byrne and Rosalie Wood, Russell, Kan.; Larry and Loreta Jent, Shane Jent, Bloomington, Ill.; Kecia Jent, Normal, Ill.; Fred Hoeger, Georgetown, Calif.; Cyndee Cole, Sacto, Calif.; Lonnie and Melody Richardson with Carter, Alexandra, Davis, and Sawyer, Overland Park, Kan.; Stanley Wood with Reagan and Graham, Shawnee, Kan.; Roy and Esther Snellings, Kansas City, Mo.; Glenda DeHerrera, Olathe, Kan.