Thirty-two Gordons registered for the 65th annual Gordon reunion which convened at the Recreation Lodge overlooking Lake San Marcos. The business meeting was called to order by President Kris Kittleson Aller at approximately 2:00 p.m. following dinner. Having reviewed past issues of Gordon Clansman, Kris noted that the traditional order was 1) eat, 2) business meeting, 3) play games and award prizes, 4) eat again.
Three-year-old twins Kirsten and Lauren Aller led the group, holding hands in a circle, in the singing of a table prayer,
Several members of the group attended the morning church service in the same facility before it was set up for the Gordon Reunion.
Bob Creager opened with a blessing. Kris then called on all adults to introduce themselves and identify family members, and trace their lineage. To aid in this, Kris had created a chart depicting the lineage from our original Norwegian ancestor, Hans Larson Gordon. Decendants were present from two branches of the second generation; the Andrew Gordon branch always has the largest contingency at reunions. Michael Gordon represented the Gilbert Gordon branch.
Gordons represented by generation:
4th
5th
6th
7th
In her opening remarks, Kris commented on childhood memories, "Going to the Gordon Reunion was a lot like going to church--it's what we did whether we wanted to or not." As a child, she said she endured it. But now from an adult and broader perspective, she has come to appreciate the rich history and the familial ties that have been preserved through our annual reunions and Gordon Clansman publications.
Prizes. Attendance prizes were awarded by Bob Creager and Kris Aller as follows:
Minutes. Minutes of the 2000 reunion were read and approved as printed in the Gordon Clansman.
Financial Report. Warren Creager reported $193 balance brought forward from 2000. He spent $37 mailing one newsletter, leaving a fund balance today of $156. Gary Gordon also has Gordon funds.
A collection taken was given to Jan Kittleson to cover cost of printing this year's Clansman ($105 for 40 copies) and to assist with the cost of food and beverage provided over a period of four days. Kathryn Graf sent $20 to pay for three bulletins sent to her and her sister Olive Ann.
CASS LAKE - NORWAY BEACH
SUNDAY, JUNE 23, 2002
PRESIDENT BRUCE GORDON TO RESERVE SHELTER
New Business
1) Motion by Michael Gordon, seconded by Andrew Gordon, and passed THAT THE DATE FOR FUTURE REUNIONS BE THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN JUNE, THE WEEKEND AFTER FATHER'S DAY. It was agreed that a set day was easier to remember than a random date.
2) David Creager invited Gordons to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the 2003 reunion, seconded by Tom Creager. Klamath Falls and McMinnville, Oregon, were suggested as meeting sites but were rejected when Jan Kittleson said that the invitation should come from someone who lived at the proposed location.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, JUNE 21-22, 2003
3) Motion by Suzi Yasi, seconded by Alden Kittleson, and passed THAT FUTURE REUNIONS BE TWO-DAY EVENTS (SATURDAY AND SUNDAY), WITH A KICK-OFF ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY BEING THE "OFFICIAL" DAY FOR THE BUSINESS MEETING.
4) Tom Creager, who had participated in Saturday's golf tournament as well as golf events in past years, recommended that golfing and/or some other activity be included as part of the reunion agenda.
Websites.
Michael Gordon remarked on the two websites available to members of the Gordon clan.
1) http://www.orneveien.org/slekt/gordon (which means The Eagle's Way) is a repository of Gordon history. Michael owns the website and the server. A password is required (so that the information contained therein is not available to the whole world--only to Gordons.) Pictures from the 2001 reunion will be posted to this website.
Password to site: user: "gordon" password: "clansmen"
to access back issues of Clansman: user: "family" password "norway"
2) http://www.MyFamily.com is a free website, therefore one must sort beyond the advertising to get to Gordon information. This is for current information and also requires a password.
Password: "clansmen" username "Gordon 2001"
Golf Tournament.
Alden Kittleson and son-in-law Andrew Aller planned the Saturday golf outing.
Teams:
Prizes were awarded as follows:
Officers for 2002.
Kim Whelan and her brother Bob Creager capably entertained all the children on the lawn while grownups conducted the necessary business.
Tom Creager complimented Kris Aller for creating the ancestral chart and coded name tags and recommended continued use of both at future reunions.
Following adjournment on motion by Andy Creager, a group photo was taken by Michael Gordon. This will be on his website, http://www.orneveien.org/slekt/gordon/2001reunion/slides-big/1reunion-2001-group.jpg.
Michael Gordon also rented a boat and took a full load of passengers to the end of the lake in his search for photography opportunities. Pictures will also be posted to his website.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Kittleson, Secretary, 7/28/2001
Approved by,
Kris Aller, President, 8/4/2001
GORDON REUNION REGISTRATION
July 15, 2001
San Marcos, California
(Address, phone and email, when provided, will be shown only on the private areas of any Gordon website)
KRIS and ANDREW ALLER, Kirsten and Lauren
BEVERLY and CHUCK DEGEN
RICK and LINDA DEGEN
ROB and LAURIE DEGEN
JAN and ALDEN KITTLESON
