Family Reunions: A Great Time to Record Family History

"God gave us our memories so that we may have roses in December.

        ~James Matthew Barrie

I recently attended a family reunion, otherwise known as the official event of summer. I would venture to guess that our family reunion was no different than one you may have attended this year: potato salad, at least three different varieties of baked beans and several jello concoctions. Our reunion had several new family members to pass around and there were a lot of photographs of grand and great-grandchildren to enjoy as well. Sadly, there were also several members no longer living, with their passing means the end of many wonderful family stories and, if you love genealogy, missing vital clues about your family's past.

As a family historian and the "keeper of everything" in my family, I cannot stress enough the importance of talking with our older relatives while they are still around. But what I find is often overlooked is the younger generations as they oftentimes know more or different snippets about the family. Grandparents often have more time to spend with their grandchildren than they did with their own children, so tales of their childhood and family may skip a generation.

Thank heavens for name tags!

I have yet to attend a reunion where I knew all the living relatives. It's possible to have a name or two of a distant relative but that may be all you know. However, it is possible that these are the very family members who hold the key to knowing more about your family and the keeper of your family stories.

How you approach your relatives depends on a number of different factors: How well do you know them? Where do they live? Are they active on the Internet? Do you prefer telephone conversations or writing? The choice is yours. I've had a fair amount of success with a combination of the telephone and writing.

If it is someone who lives out of the area, I will drop them a note introducing myself with a date and time when I will be calling. During the conversation I ask if I could send them a questionnaire about the family for them to complete and return, in a postage paid envelope.

The questionnaire is very simple and I try to keep it as brief as possible. I state what family question(s) I would like resolved. These questions are very specific: names, dates, places, etc. I also ask general questions: where did Uncle Delancey go to school or if he served in the military and what he may have done for a living. 

Don't forget to ask if they know of any letters, photographs and, of course, that family stories do they recall?

Don't try to get too much information during your initial inquiry or you might put the relative off.

Be sure to emphasize that you merely want to fill in the blank spaces in your shared family history. This is not part of a scheme to cheat someone out of their inheritance but rather an endeavor that will help build an accurate picture of the family for posterity. Many people are understandably, protective of their own history and need to be reassured that what you are doing is not going to undermine that.

Stories and memories of events and people oftentimes contradict each other - including your own memories! A wise family historian will keep notes of where each piece of the information came from and will check everything in the records whenever they can.

Don't blindly dismiss those unlikely family stories. There may be a claim that the family descends from a famous person, such as Abraham Lincoln, but upon further investigation, you might discover your ancestor ran the Lincoln Hotel. Somewhere in the story is a grain of truth.

The important thing is to ask the questions while there is still time. Not only will you uncover a wealth of family history that may be 'new to you' but you will also have an opportunity to spend time with the elder members of your family. As they say, that's priceless.

North Haven Assisted Living Salute to our Flag

On Saturday, June 18, 2011, a celebration of the Flag of the USA was held at North Haven Assisted Living. Residents, families and loved ones gathered together for a social time following which the AMS VETS 1051 presented the Flag Folding Ceremony. This ceremony is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor the flag.


As described by the Uniformed Services, the flag folding ceremony "...represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform..."


The stripes, representing the 13 original colonies, are folded toward the stars which represent the 50 states. When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust."


The 1st fold in our Flag is a symbol of life.


The 2nd fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.


The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.


The 4th fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in ties of war for His divine guidance.


The 5th fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she be always right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."


The 6th fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our hearts that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.


The 7th fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our Flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.


The 8th fold is to honor Mother - a tribute to the one who entered the valley of the shadow of death that we might see the light of day, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.


The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.


The 10th fold is a tribute to Father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.


The 11th fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.


The 12th fold in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents and emblem of eternity and glorifies God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.


After the Flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

A presentation of a new Flag to the North Haven Assisted Living Homes preceded a gun salute. A picnic lunch was enjoyed by over 200 attendees all of whom took time out of their day to show respect for our Flag.

The End of Alzheimer's Starts Here

The Alzheimer’s Association has proudly announced the new name for its annual Memory Walk, the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care support and research.  Now known as the ‘Walk to End Alzheimer’s’, our new name captures the energy and strength of our participants, volunteers and donors, and the momentum of our cause and vision that drives why we participate.  The event will take place here in Stevens Point, September 17, 2011.  

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is held annually in hundreds of communities across the country, this inspiring event calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Thousands will come together to support the work of the Association raising critical funds for education, counseling, support groups, the 24-hour Helpline and research to find a cure.  Each event offers a unique environment of inspiration and comfort as loved ones and friends living with Alzheimer’s are honored and remembered. This year, more than 200,000 participants will Walk to End Alzheimer’s, by teaming up with the Alzheimer’s Association, you can walk with a purpose – and move us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s. 

Since 1989, Alzheimer’s Walks across the country have raised more than $300 million to help those battling Alzheimer’s disease.  Stevens Point raised almost $11,000 and had 100 walkers attend in 2010.  Every 70 seconds someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.  Currently, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050.  Our future is at risk unless we can find a way to change the course of this disease.

When Alzheimer’s touches your life the Alzheimer’s Association is here for you.  Wherever you are, we’re nearby with community programs and support services.  Anytime day or night, call us for reliable information and support.  Online guide helping individuals and families find the right care options.  Help in locating licensed facilities in your area when placement of your loved one is needed.  Our library provides a variety of research and reference services. .

I challenge this community to ‘Lead the Way’ and help us change the course of the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death.  Be a part of something big.  Start a team, join the movement and reclaim the future for millions of Americans.   We are determined to end this disease and provide support for those affected now and in the future, and we are committed to advocating for the 5.3 million people with Alzheimer’s until there is a cure.

Together, we are an unstoppable force against Alzheimer’s.

Join us:  www.alz.org/gwwi/ or call 715-393-3950

Lori Schuler is activity and marketing director for North Haven Homes

Celebrate & Salute Our Nation's Flag at North Haven Assisted Living

We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity, representing our liberty.

 ~George Washington, attributed

On Saturday, June 18, 2011, Central Wisconsin Senior Living will host a Celebration of Independence. The event is open to the residents as well as the family and friends of your loved ones.


The event begins at 11:00 a.m. with a social time at North Crest.


Also at North Crest, Flag Presentation/Salute at 11:30 a.m.. A picnic lunch will follow the salute.


North Ridge will be the setting for afternoon entertainment at 1:30 p.m.


We would appreciate a RSVP by Monday, June 13, 2011, at your loved ones home.


We look forward to sharing this special Independence Celebration with you.

CWSL and Pacelli High School Host Senior Prom 2011 at North Haven

While we all associate Fall with crisp, frosty mornings, football, and Homecoming, spring is when couples everywhere anticipate that gala event known simply as Prom.

Everyone is caught up in the excitement of selecting that special dress and the trip to the salon to insure your hair and make-up is perfect. When you arrive, you are greeted with balloons and a refreshment table laid out with amazing canapes and punch; standing along the sidelines are the guys dressed to the nines. We all share the same memories of attending Prom and for the residents of North Haven Homes, their memories of Prom from decades ago are now shared with new memories of Prom 2011.

Eight years ago the idea of hosting a prom for the seniors at North Haven Homes was brought to Pacelli High School in Stevens Point. With the assistance of the students at Pacelli and the staff at North Haven Homes, plans were made for a (truly!) Senior Prom. 

Some residents wore either prom dresses with a few arriving for the event in elegant evening attire. The students arrive in their formal attire in collaboration with the North Haven staff. Every year the cooks at all the homes have pulled out all the stops to create an amazing refreshment table which includes punch, bars and a beautiful cake created for the occasion.

At this years event, North Haven's very special friend, Gene Hershey, provided the entertainment, performing music from the Big Band era fulfilling requests from the residents for songs that hold special meaning.

What would Prom be without having a King and Queen? Jim S was chosen as King of the Senior Prom 2011 and Marge W was selected as the Queen. The royal couple and two members of Paceilli's senior class took to the dance floor to an a acappella version of "Over The Rainbow."

This event is very special to the residents evident in the attendance: almost every resident attended the prom. There were sixty-six residents and twenty Paceilli students who enjoyed this years Senior Prom. Several family members of the residents and a few students who attended the event also joined in the festivities, taking to the dance floor.

It's true what they say about dancing: "you can dance anywhere, even if it's only in your heart."