Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 12, 2010

The annual reunion for the relatives and descendants of the late Chester and Doris WALLACE was held in Mount Ayr July 9, 10 and 11.

BIllie STRINGHAM and Kerry SANDERS were hostesses for the fun-filled event.

The theme for the reunion this year was "WALLACE Family Fair."

Friday evening was spent in Billie's large backyard with the older generation having a chicken frying contests. The chickesn were cut and then fried over gas camp stoves as the younger generation watched and laughed. Everyon enjoyed eating the chicken after it was fried. Corn on the cob, watermelon, homemade ice cream and mashed potatoes and gravy were served with the chicken. The evening ended with a pie baking contest. The winning entry was Penny SPENCER'S pecan pie. The men in the family played poker in the backyard until late into the night and laughed and enjoyed fellowship with each other.

Saturday Kerry and Billie served breakfast at Poe Hollow Park near Mount Ayr. The afternoon was free time. Most people went for a swim at Judge Lewis park during the free time. The family attended the monthly biscuit and gravy supper at the Waubonsie Center in the evening and then most went to the movie at the Princess Theatre. At 8:30 p.m. the family gathered at Pow Hollow Park for s'mores and a fireside chat.

Sunday morning began at Judge Lewis Park but a storm caused a need for a change of plans. Billie invited everyone to spend the day at her house so everyone could stay dry due to the rain. Robert GAITHER led a family church service that morning in Billie's home and led praise and worship with his guitar. The reunion ended Sunday with a potluck lunch.

Those in attendance were Bill, Norma and David STRINGHAM of Benton; Billie STRINGHAM and Mollie WALTER of Mount Ayr; Mark and Penny SPENCER and Brittany and Paige SITES of Bedford; Donna STRINGHAM of Creston; Jim and Linda MADISON and Melinda and Makena RUMPLE of Mesa, AZ; Ken and Donna WALTER, Ben and Laura WALTER, Cody, Conner and Casey WALTER and Ryan and Anna, Evan and Sara COLLINS of Afton; Joe and Erin WALKUP, Isabel and Madison of Afton; Roxanne WALTER and her children, Jacob, Marissa, Chasity, Abby, and Braeton of Afton; Beverly REDLINGER, Kevin, Kerry, Lucas and Christian SANDERS, Lisa and Kyle REDLINGER, Ryan REDLINGER, Steve and Tara BARSETTI and Tyler, Tanner, Sonny and Drew BARSETTI of Des Moines; Brendon WALTER of Pueblo, CO; Tim and Mary MALLOY and grandson Brody of Sioux City; and Robert and Wanda GAITHER and Danny, Amanda and Jaxon VIZCARRA of Des Moines.

The 2011 reunion will be in town again with Mark and Penny SPENCER and Donna STRINGHAM hosting the event.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2010