C. A. Hughes Family Reunion | August 1-3, 2003 | Strawberry Point, Utah

August 1

   The reunion started off with a family get together and supper (hot dog/hamburger roast). It was very well attended and the food was good. There were several salads and chips and drinks, along with s'mores for dessert. The best part was the visiting after the food was eaten. Seeing family members and meeting new ones. All of the kids. It was great. Those who did not come for that really missed out. We have a nice new permanent pavilion to meet under, thanks to Melvin, Tony, and many others. I couldn't even begin to name everyone that was here, so I won't even try, but it was wonderful to see everyone. During the night we were treated to a thunder and lightning show and a nice cooling, dust settling rain.

August 2

   Today started off with a breakfast of ham, eggs, pancakes, and drink. It was prepared and served by a few hardy souls that were willing to get up early and work hard to make sure our day started off right. Thanks to those of you who helped with the breakfast. It was delicious. Once the breakfast was eaten and cleaned up, the day started in earnest. There were carnival booths for the kids. Nail pounding, golfball horseshoes, balloon/dart throw, ring toss, fish bowl toss, fish pond, face painting, country store, stilts, hoop rolling, pyramid cup toss, sack races, horseshoes, white elephant toss, a clown making balloon animals, homemade rootbeer, and other things I have forgotten about. Visiting with the older family members as they moved from place to place following kids, the shade, or the sun, whichever suited them. At each booth, the kids were given a prize and a stamp on their card. When a card was full of stamps, it could be redeemed for a bigger prize. I think that everyone had a great time, and it seemed that everyone had lots of prizes.
   At noon the tables were set for a dinner of roast beef, green beans, applesauce, potatoes, salad, roll/butter, pie, and drink. Again the food was delicious and I think that everyone got plenty to eat. A great big thanks to those that set up and served and cleaned up. Aftger the noon dinner, we held and auction. There weren't many auction items, but the ones there were seemed very popular, and raised a couple of hundred dollars. All during the day they were selling raffle tickets on quilts.
   After the auction, the area was cleaned up and Aunt Vida's family set up for a Mardi Gras event, a taste of Lousiana. They started with a Mardi Gras parade, complete with beads, masks, things to throw, and other decorations. Then they served Jumbalya, a dish made with sausage, chicken, shrimp, rice, and ?. It was very good. they also served King Cake. The cake had little toys baked into each one. The tradition is that the one who finds the toy will have a year of good luck, and has to throw the Mardi Gras party the next year. There was a cream of potato soup for those who didn't/couldn't/wouldn't eat the Jumbalya. There was constant visiting, visiting, and more visiting. It was great to see/hug everyone. About 6 the party started to break up. Most everyone was beat, but was a great day.

August 3

   Sunday was a beautiful day. As the family gathered for Testimony Meeting, it was interesting to see them all seek the sunny spots for their chairs and the back of the pavilion area. Everyone wanted to sit in the sun on the back row. (giggle) Melvin conducted the meeting and many family members shared their thoughts and feelings with the family. All expressed a strong love for the family, and a strong belief in God and Jesus Christ. As was expressed there, we are so blessed because of the heritage we have in the Hughes Family.
After the meeting was over, the final round of cleaning up was completed and most of the family left the mountain for home. A few lucky souls were able to spend a little more time there.
   It was a wonderful reunion. I feel bad for those of you who didn't/couldn't attend. Please plan to be with us next year. A great big thanks to those responsible. Especially, Roxie & Bob, Aunt Vida and Aunt Mele, and Aunt Vida's family.

   It was decided that for the next reunions, we are going back to the committees. Aunt Luella's family will chair the committee for next year, and the committe members will be from Aunt Luella's family, Aunt Angie's family, Uncle Esmond's family, and Uncle Dee's Family. Please let us know as soon as possible which family member will represent the family on the committee.

MORE INFORMATION TO COME...