SpencerBenhamReunion

More coming in September

2009-08-06T16:03:00.000-07:00

I am new at this blog-stuff. By September, I hope to have a better blog site so we can exchange comments and ideas.
Judy

2009 Reunion

2009-08-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

2009 Spencer-Benham Reunion
Spencer-Benham 113th Consecutive Reunion
On June 22, 2008, the 113th Reunion of the descendants of Naaman & Diantha Benham Spencer gathered together on a very windy, but warm day, at the causeway in Thomson, IL. There were 57 members and 2 guests in attendance.
Receiving the gift for the oldest, “Most Cherished” member present for the third time in a row, went to Harold “Teen” Spencer, 81 years of age, son of Floyd & Myrtle (Spencer) Spencer. Myrtle was the daughter of Adelbert and Bertha (Johnson) Spencer. “Teen” is the 4th generation descendant of Naaman & Diantha.
Harold “Teen” presented the annual baby spoon to the youngest baby present, Jaykob Robert Lehman, born, June 2, 2009, son of Justin and Lindsey (Doan) Lehman. Justin is the son of Robert and Darla (Keefer) Lehman, Darla the daughter of Merle and Lois Jean (Spencer) Keefer Jacobs. Lois Jean is the daughter of Halie “Red” and Stella (Kauffman) Spencer, “Red” was the son of Adelbert and Bertha (Johnson) Spencer. Adelbert was the grandson of Naaman and Diantha.
The gift to the member traveling the farthest went to Ronald Spencer, traveling from Stover, MO, 430 miles, son of Floyd and Myrtle Spencer.
The election of officers was held and all were re-elected: Co-Presidents: Dan Witt, Mt. Prospect, IL and his mother, Judy (Bruns) Witt, Dixon, IL. Vice President, Alexandra Desparois, age 12, granddaughter of Steve Schack, from Circle Pines, MN, the youngest member ever elected for an office; Treasurer, Lois Jean (Spencer) Jacobs, Rock Falls, IL; Secretary-Historian, Vada (Spencer) Waites, Galena, IL, Assistant Historian, Cheryl Scykes, Rock Falls, IL.
Our family genealogist, Steve Schack from Circle Pines, MN, brought his laptop computer and gathered our family information, entering it on his Root’s Web of Ancestor Families and Their Descendants.
It was voted to hold our next reunion again at the Causeway in Thomson, the Sunday after Father’s Day.
After the meeting an auction, a raffle, and a cake walk ended the day of fun.
Respectfully Submitted, Vada Waites, Secretary

2009-06-26T13:59:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,
Well, the weekend is finally here. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Spencer-Benham Reunion on Sunday.
Judy

2008 Reunion Minutes

2009-06-12T02:08:00.000-07:00

Spencer-Benham 112th Consecutive Reunion

On June 22, 2008, the 112th Reunion of the descendants of Naaman & Diantha Benham Spencer gathered at the Thomson American Legion Hall in Thomson, IL. This reunion was to be held at The Causeway in Thomson, but it had to be closed due to the flooding of the Mississippi River.
There were 78 members and 2 guests in attendance.
Receiving the gift as the “Most Cherished” member present was again, as last year, Harold “Teen” Spencer, born July 7, 1927, 80 years of age (he had received the baby spoon in 1927 himself). Teen, the son of Floyd & Myrtle Spencer Spencer, is the 4th generation descendant of Naaman & Diantha.
This year we were privileged to give the baby spoon to two babies. Teen presented the first baby spoon to Katie Briar McCoy, born June 20, 2007, daughter of John & Patricia (Trish) Connell McCoy, John the son of Robert & Norma Spencer McCoy, Norma the daughter of Floyd & Myrtle Spencer, Myrtle the daughter of Adelbert & Bertha Johnson Spencer.
Teen, in turn, presented the second spoon to Autumn Rose Schleuning, born June 20, 2007 (she had also received the baby spoon last year). Autumn is the daughter of Roger & Brandi Smith Schleuning, Roger the son of the later Roger & Bonnie Spencer Schleuning Ayala, Bonnie the daughter of Charles & Lenna Rice Spencer, Charles the brother of Myrtle.
The gift to the member traveling the farthest went to Staff Sgt. Blaine LaShelle, traveling from Ft. Richardson, Alaska. He was home on leave before being shipped to Fort Polk in Louisiana to begin his new tour there. He mentioned that he had tours of duty in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, Alaska, and now in Louisiana. He has received many medals and decorations. Blaine is the son of Frank & Joyce Spencer LaShelle, Thomson, IL.
The election of officers: Co-Presidents: Dan Witt, Mt. Prospect, IL and his mother, Judy Witt, Dixon, IL. Vice President, Alexandra Desparois, age 12, granddaughter of Steve Schack, from Circle Pines, MN, the youngest member ever elected for an office; Treasurer, Lois Jean Spencer Jacobs, Rock Falls, IL; Secretary-Historian, Vada Spencer Waites, Galena, IL, Assistant Historian, Cheryl Scykes, Rock Falls, IL.
Steve Schack, the family genealogist, brought his laptop computer and a camera. His granddaughter took pictures of each family member holding a card with their name. Steve entered them in his computer, and then showed each picture while we were eating. He is entering them on his Root’s Web of Ancestor Families and Their Descendants.
It was voted to hold our next reunion again at the Causeway in Thomson, the Sunday after Father’s Day, 6-28-2009.

Respectfully Submitted, Vada Waites, Secretary

June 28 2009 Reunion Coming

2009-06-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

Plan to attend the 113th annual Spencer-Benham Reunion on June 28, 2009. It will be held at the Causeway in Thomson, IL. To find the location, go to the west end of Thomson and toward the Mississippi. Signs will show you the way. Contact me at judithannwitt@gmail.com or Vada Waites at 815-776-9127 if you need further directions.
WHAT TO BRING: Your entire family!; meat dish and a dish to pass; your own table service; and a cake of your choice for "The Cake Walk". Coffee and iced tee are furnished.
WHAT TIME: We eat at 12:30. Must be present by 12:30 to receive awards described below.
AWARDS: Gifts for "Most Cherished" (eldest) member present, Youngest member present, and the member who travels the farthest.
ACTIVITES: Games for children. Cake Walk for all. Raffles.
FAMILY HISTORY archives: There are many, many albums available with old photos, newspaper clippings, and other memoriabilia to look at. Learn more about YOUR family.
HOW YOU CAN HELP: Bring ONE nice item to be raffled off to help support our treasury. Bring old and new photos that you wish to donate to family reunion alburms. Bring lists of address changes, births, deaths, and marriages. Please include with the lists the person's parents and grandparents--that helps keep the geneology straight.
SEE YOU THERE. COME AND ENJOY.