On a very hot and humid day, July 23, the descendants and friends of the late Isaac and Lucy Vandevander Hartman gathered for their annual two-day reunion, July 23 and 24.
Despite the 93° weather, everyone was ready to go on the hayride, as well as side-by-sides. This year’s ride went to the beautiful property owned by Preston and Joan Simmons, which was the former homeplace of Woodrow Hartman, and to the Hartman Family Cemetery on the farm of the late Bill Hartman. The tractors were furnished by Lynn Warner and Larry Armentrout with Matt Pennybacker furnishing two wagons. Tractors were driven by Adam Hott and Seth Chapman.
The blessing for the evening meal was given by Jennifer Huffman Dudley. Despite a storm of high winds and rain, all of the attendees stayed calm. Family and friends were able to get in line for the food, which consisted of hot dogs and pork and was prepared by Jasper, Jay, Jacob and Jed Hartman and Joseph Calhoun. Family members were assigned side dishes for Saturday.
Evening entertainment, which was to be provided by Mika and Tiffany (Hartman) Ah Loe and family, was canceled due to the rain.
The attendance for the first day was 141.
On July 24, Garry Simmons gave the lunch blessing. This year’s meal was catered by T&K Markets with salads and desserts provided by family.
Joyce Calhoun, president, and Betty Kimble, vice president, shared their appreciation to everyone who had helped with any reunion preparation.
Adam and Katie Hott furnished the wagon for the main stage.
Rebecca Hedrick, family photographer, captured family group pictures and random pictures of children and families.
Cindy Hartman, historian/secretary, reported family updates for 2021-2022. There were 12 births, eight marriages and four deaths.
The following people were recognized: Woodrow Hartman, 105 years of age, the nephew of Isaac Hartman; oldest male first cousin, Garry Simmons, 84; oldest female first cousin, Ann Shirley Hyde, 87; youngest baby, Jack William Price, 3 months; longest married, Bobby and Pat Bodkin, 54 years; newest married, Sydney Hoover and Seth Butcher, 13 months; traveling the farthest by plane, Rob and Latrisha Frye and family of Nappa, California; and traveling the farthest by automobile, Somner and Elizabeth Price and family of New Hampshire, 11 hours.
This year’s raffle consisted of the following: Carla Hartman – Thirty-One bag with items donated by Betty Kimble; Stephanie Aschcraft – Every Moment Matters Scentsy warmer donated by Betty Kimble; Jodi Miller – decorated table lantern donated by Cindy Hartman; Emily Conley – Country Living Scentsy warmer donated by Betty Kimble; Brittany Amtower and Joyce Calhoun (one each) – pioneer bonnet from pattern of Lucy’s made by Diana Crawford; Lori Simmons – Night Sky Scentsy warmer donated by Betty Kimble; Cindy Hartman – framed photo of ducks on South Mill Creek Dam made by Jodi Miller; Brooklyn Smith – framed photo of Kile Knob made by Jodi Miller; Brittany Amtower – framed photo of dogwood tree made by Jodi Miller; Riley Frye – framed photo of fall trees made by Jodi Miller; Betty Kimble – framed photo of barn in Mauzy Gap made by Jodi Miller; Brooklyn Smith – framed photo of Fall at South Mill Creek Dam made by Jodi Miller; Brittany Amtower – framed collage prints of wild flowers made by Jodi Miller; Rugar Hartman – kid boys basket with items donated by Natalie Chapman; Riley Frye – kid girls basket with items donated by Natalie Chapman; Jared Simmons – afghan donated by Bonnie Simmons; Becky Hedrick – homemade apple dumplings made by Linda Simmons; and Stephanie Hartman – handmade quilt by Judy Simmons.
The M&M count winner was Emma Hartman, who guessed 302. The total number of M&Ms was 311.
The Calhoun family furnished prizes for the duck pond, ages 0-3. Perry and Linda Simmons provided toys for treasures in the hay, ages 3-12.
Kid water balloon toss winners were Destry Mellott and Tyler Hartman. Adult water balloon toss winners were Bryce Hoover and Seth Butcher.
Kid egg toss winners were Viliamu Ah Loe and James Smith. Adult egg toss winners were Brooklyn and Ryan Smith.
Attendance for the day was 162.
