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With a sense of expectation, 56 members of the GFA began gathering on July 11 [2004] at the Best Western Regency Hotel and Conference Center
in Binghamton, NY for the ninth biennual GFA reunion. Expectation became reality because of the hard work on the part of John Goodnough,
Reunion Coordinator, in preparing for this reunion. Along with many who have participated in past reunions we welcomed first timers and
missed others who were unable to attend.
What did we do all week? All the fun things that have traditionally become a part of our reunions. Sightseeing trips included the Mark Twain Museum on the campus of Elmira College in Elmira, NY and the Corning Glass Museum in Corning, NY. On the way back to the hotel we stopped at the Lakewood Vineyards & Winery for a tour and wine tasting session, as well as making some purchases. A second trip took us to Cooperstown, NY where we visited the Fenimore Art Museum and the Farmers' Museum as well as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. A special treat that day was a bountiful buffet lunch at the prestigious Otesaga Hotel. These bus trips always provide time for good fellowship and lots of laughter. There were local places to visit in Binghamton including the Roberson Museum. Some found time to do family research in the local library. And, of course, we visited cemeteries, finding a number of Goodenow/ Goodenough, etc. graves. On Wednesday evening at the Welcome Dinner Hal Cutler showed pictures from the GFA trip to South Africa last summer.
On Thursday it was time to tend to the business matters of the Association. These meetings are always characterized by lots of lively discussion, but President Stan did a remarkable job keeping us on track. The prize moment of the meeting came when Stan asked for the Treasurer's report. Shawn replied "We have money." Stan then asked if she could elaborate on that. Her response - "We have lots of money!" That became the by-line for the rest of the reunion.
I think everyone would agree that the highlight of the week was on Thursday evening when we enjoyed a program entitled "Opera in a Nut Shell" presented by five young members of the Tri-Cities Opera Company. I am sure that with their incredible talent and winsome personalities any non-opera lovers were converted. It was truly a delightful evening.
At the Farewell Dinner on Saturday evening the officers for 2004-2006 were introduced. Prizes were given for the oldest and youngest
attendee as well as for the submission of the oldest photograph of a Goodenow descendant. Hal showed pictures from the Seattle reunion
and Alaskan cruise. At our Memorial Breakfast on Sunday morning it was hard to realize that a week had passed. It was time to get ready
to head for home. Our parting words were "See you in Oberlin (Ohio)", the site for our 2006 reunion. Kristin Peterson will be the
coordinator for this reunion with Kathy Truesdell as her assistant. So begin now making your plans to attend!
Writing this recap of the reunion and thinking about what makes this kind of gathering significant, I was reminded of someone once saying "We dare not spend our lives in the village of our own century alone." Several times during the week Stan reminded us of not only the rich heritage we have and value, but also what should be the mission of our Association - to pass on to coming generations the history and values we have received from the generations behind us. God does work through the generational flow of family and nation.
At the Farewell Dinner on Saturday evening the officers for 2004-2006 were introduced. Prizes were given for the oldest and youngest
Another enjoyable, productive and memorable edition of the GFA reunion has passed. The July 14-18 programs and activities were headquartered
at Binghamton, NY in New York State's Southern Tier, past and present home to many Goodenow families. Our base of operations was
the Best Western Regency Hotel. "Early Bird" arrivals began on Sunday, July 11. There was ample time for local touring and visitation
of regional repositories for family genealogical researching on Monday. That evening John Goodnough, Chair of the event, provided a slide
program on local history and several families of Goodenows/Goodenoughs of yesteryear. On Tuesday, attendees boarded a tour bus and headed west,
with first stop at the Mark Twain exhibit on the campus of Elmira College. Members also saw the well-preserved octagonal "study" where Sam Clemens,
under his pen name, wrote many of his famous fictional stories. Our bus also took us to Woodlawn Cemetery where members were able to
stand by the small plot where the famous author, his wife and several other family members are buried. Then it was on to the Corning Museum of Glass,
where we saw an impressive history of the glassmaking industry and specimens created by workers and artists in the craft. From there we
motored to a winery on Seneca Lake, in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes region, where we tasted samples, saw how wine is produced
from grapes, and had opportunities to purchase various vintages, flavors and hues of the product.
Wednesday was the official beginning of main reunion activities.
That evening, President Stan Goodenough welcomed all to a superb dinner
served by the Regency Hotel, and we also saw examples of how the GFA's computerized database works, through a demonstration by member
Virginia Doyle. Members Hal and Betsey Cutler showed us nearly 300 slides from Association members' visit to South Africa in the summer
of 2003.
Thursday was mostly business. Committee meetings, a meeting of the executive Board, and the Bienniel Meeting of the GFA membership filled most of the day. That evening we were treated to a concert OPERA IN A NUTSHELL, provided by four vocalists and their piano accompanist from the local TRI-CITIES OPERA. A superb performance it was! Several more members were also able to see demonstrations and instruction on the GFA database, given by member Virginia Doyle.
On Friday, virtually the entire group of attendees boarded another tour bus to see "Leatherstocking Country" attractions at Cooperstown, NY. Among them were the Fenimore House Museum, the Farmers' Museum, and the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Saturday was mostly a "free" day, with local touring options including the Roberson Museum and Science Center, and a Civil War Reenactment
program.
Our traditional Farewell Dinner was held Saturday evening. President Stan Goodenough recognized many members who have given unselfishly
of their time and talents to maintain the many programs and services of the GFA since the organization began in the 1980s. There were awards
for the oldest and youngest members present at the reunion, and a vintage photo contest saw first, second and third place winners. The evening
was "capped off" by a showing of scenes, narrated by members Hal and Betsey Cutler, from the GFA 2002 Reunion which was held in Tacoma, Washington.
Our Memorial Breakfast was held on Sunday morning, July 18. Attendees took a few moments to remember our extended family ancestors (over 45,000 now accounted for in the GFA database) who have gone on before us; we also remembered those who were unable to attend the reunion. After sad good-byes and wishes for safe passage back to their homes, members departed Binghamton. The 2006 Reunion will be held in the vicinity of Oberlin, Ohio.
Photos courtesy of Hal and Betsey Cutler.
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