MINUTES OF THE GERKING FAMILY MEETING
August 9, 1998
Port of Cascade Locks, Oregon, Marine Park
Seventy-five(!) members of the Gerking Family signed
the guest book at the 39th Annual Gerking Family Reunion held at
the beautiful Port of Cascade Locks Marine Park on the banks of the
Columbia River. This more than doubled last year’s attendance, and it
was wonderful to see so many families and children present. A special
welcome was extended to Bob and Will Gerking, who had come from Iowa to
visit with western family members and attend the reunion.
A list of those who signed the Guest Register is below.
The Bixby family minus Bob Bixby, who was home
recovering from surgery, led the group in singing grace
prior to the traditional potluck meal. As usual, there was
wonderful food for all. The Bixby family again furnished soft
drinks for all and Beth Johnston furnished the coffee.
Business Meeting
There being no President of the group,
Secretary-Treasurer Beth Perry Johnston led the business meeting.
Special thanks were given to to Lisa Perry, who made the Gerking
reunion signs (penance for choosing to attend a Spice Girls concert
rather than the reunon), and to Arnold Cox, who found a way to put up
the signs so they showed the way to our part of the park, . Special
thanks were given to our family historian Florence Bowe, who is always
to willing to share her knowledge and answer questions during the
reunions.
Secretary Beth neglected to read the minutes of the previous year’s meeting, so no approval was called for.
The Treasurer’s report showed income for the year
from August 1, 1997 through July 31, 1998 of $251.63. and
expenditures of $556.65, leaving a July 3, 1998 balance in the Gerking
savings account of $550.26.
Beth said the largest expenditure during the year
were newsletter expenses, which include copying and postage costs.
Postage costs will rise again the beginning of the year, and new
additions are continually being made to the mailing list as children
grow up and new Gerkings are found. If the family wants to continue the
newsletter, a way needs to be found to pay for costs before the
newsletter “breaks the bank.”
Consensus of the group was to present the problem to
family members via the newsletter and ask for donations to help support
the newsletter. Also suggested was that the newsletter carry a form
which could be returned indicating whether each person currently on the
mailing list wishes to continue receiving the newsletter. The
newsletter also is posted on the Internet, and if some people choose to
receive their newsletter only via that method, it will help reduce the
costs somewhat.
Election of Officers
Evaline Bixby moved that Susan Dreske McBurnett be
nominated for the office of President. The motion was seconded. It was
moved Susan be elected by acclamation and the motion passed. Florence
Bowe was re-elected historian, and Beth Perry Johnston was re-elected
secretary-treasurer.
1999 Reunion — Our 40th
Next year’s reunion will be the 40th consecutive
reunion for this group, and the group discussed ways to make it a
special event. Kim Grayson volunteered the host next year’s reunion at
Oxbow Park near Troutdale, and the group approved this idea. [Note: the
reunion location was changed to Blue Lake Park near Fairview].
Due to a great deal of noise from wind and passing
trains, several people noted they had trouble hearing the speakers this
year, and it was suggested a portable sound system or at least a
microphone of some type be used at next year’s meeting. Other
suggestions for next year’s meeting included having actual prizes for
various categories, such as the oldest, young, traveled the farthest,
etc.
Book / Index Update
Beth reported 25 book orders have been received
since last year’s announcement of a hoped-for reprint, which would be
enough orders to keep the price per book in the $25-30 range. Ten
people have orderd and been sent Indexes at a cost to them of $4.00
each.
Florence said she is in the process of correcting
known errors in the book and would like to have more time to finish
that project before it is reprinted. No further action was taken on the
book reprinting.
Historian’s Report
Florence said she hopes the 40th reunion can feature
lots of sharing among the family. She thanked everyone for the
information they’ve given her and asked that people stay in touch with
her about family events.
Recognitions
The oldest person present was Mick Burnett, and the
youngest was Michael Grayson, 1½ years. No decision was
made on who traveled the farthest, so Bob and Will Gerking from Iowa
and Wally Cox from Hawaii shared the honors.
Program
Bob Gilliland of Weston, OR, made a visual
presentation about improvements and upgrades that have been made to
Blue Mountain (formerly called Kees) Cemetery. The cemetery lies in the
hills between Weston and Athena. Bob has been very active in the
restoration of the cemetery and all were grateful for his attendance
and presentation. He spent time following the meeting talking with
various family members and even discovered a “cousin” of his was
present at the meeting.
Conclusion
The hat was passed to help defray family
expenses and Bob Gerking, being an impartial soul, was selected
to count the money. He announced that the treasury was now $286.00
richer, and Beth thanked everyone for their generosity.
At popular request the Bixbys sang again and received a rousing round of applause from the group.
Many people had brought Gerking material for
sharing, which was displayed or laid out on tables adjacent to the
area. Everyone was urged to take time to look around and get acquainted.
Beth said she is glad her stint as acting president
is over and thanked Susan for accepting the position. The meeting was
then adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Beth Perry Johnston, Secretary
- Joe L. Bixby Tacoma, WA
- Frank H. Andrus (guest) Fossil, OR
- Ceridwen Atwood Bremerton, WA
- Chitlin Atwood Bremerton, WA
- Colin Atwood Bremerton, WA
- Jamie Atwood Bremerton, WA
- Maria Barrera Salem, OR
- Selena Barrera Salem, OR
- Karrissa Barrera Salem, OR
- Aleah Barrera Salem, OR
- Jay Bixby St. Helens, OR
- Evaline Bixby St. Helens, OR
- Bob Bixby St. Helens, OR
- Gabrielle Bixler Portland, OR
- Jacob Bixler Portland, OR
- Nicole Bixler Portland, OR
- Florence Bowe Troutdale, OR
- Larry Bowe Troutdale, OR
- Mick Burnett Stanfield, OR
- Kathy Burnett Stanfield, OR
- Bill Burnett Stanfield, OR
- Arnold Cox Bridgeport, WA
- Celeste DeJong Keizer, OR
- Cole DeJong Keizer, OR
- Dowe DeJong Keizer, OR
- Jacob DeJong Keizer, OR
- Eddie Dreske Portland, OR
- Ed R. Dreske Portland, OR
- Jacquelyn Dreske Portland, OR
- Gloria Dreske Newberg, OR
- Mike Dreske Newberg, OR
- Helen Gerking Milton-Freewater, OR
- Laverne Gerking Milton-Freewater, OR
- Wilfred Gerking Sioux City, IA
- Leslie Gerking Federal Way, WA
- Haley Gerking Federal Way, WA
- Gina Gerking Carnation, WA
- Ashley Williams Gerking Federal Way, WA
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- Bob Gerking Lawton, IA
- Bob Gilliland (guest) Weston, OR
- Michael Grayson Oregon City, OR
- Michae Grayson Oregon City, OR
- Meghan Grayson Oregon City, OR
- Andrew Grayson Oregon City, OR
- Allie Grayson Oregon City, OR
- Kim Grayson Oregon City, OR
- LaRae Grayson Oregon City, OR
- Lucille Gerking Heinrich Portland, OR
- Rosanne Holm Portland, OR
- Janelle Jackson Portland, OR
- Beth Perry Johnston Newport, OR
- Daniel L. Kilkenny Portland, OR
- Marcia Dreske Lackland Rockville, MD
- Darrell Leabo The Dalles, OR
- Kitty (Edith) Leabo The Dalles, OR
- Margieann Leaming Olympia, WA
- Paul A. Lewis Eugene, OR
- Lara Burnett Looman Bend, OR
- June Lundeen Las Vegas, NV
- Susan Dreske McBurnett Aloha, OR
- John A. McElhattan Olympia, WA
- Dwayne Palumbo Milton-Freewater, OR
- Janice Gerking Palumbo Milton-Freewater, OR
- Rachel Perry Hood River, OR
- Maddi Perry Hood River, OR
- Charlotte Perry Hood River, OR
- Bob Perry Hood River, OR
- Virginia Pruett The Dalles, OR
- Betty Gerking Roach Fossil, OR
- Betty Rowlands Olympia, WA
- Ralph Sikes Friday Harbor, WA
- Janelle Stahlnecker Newberg, OR
- Phyllis Burnett Whittington Portland, OR
- Amanda Williams Federal Way, WA
- Wally Young Kauela, HI
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