Letter from the 1984 Reunion

This was a letter sent to the family for the 1984 Reunion that was held at the Taplett's home in Wenatchee. My mom found it along with other things at her home.

Dear Family,

What a great thing it was to see all of you. We thank you for coming and helping to make this reunion such a special time.
We want you to know our guest book showed that 125 Vaughn's attended and 5 guests. Quite a family Joe and Eva began!
We are so much indebted to Eveleen's girls, especially Dottie, for all the research and the books the prepared. Our family history and nostalgic pictures were given to each of the 9 family heads. One was shared at the reunion and added so much for us!! Also I am mailing out pictures of the family crest, which Dottie had prepared for us. The fish in the center depicts that they were horsemen.
We are also sending out copies of the recent article about the trip that Aunt Chris (Uncle Bill's Wife) took to New York City with her sister in 1924. Marj Ambler made it possible for us to have this.
Uncle Dan has written some of his memories of life on the Entiat-We wanted you to read them.
An article was sent to the Wenatchee paper, but so much was cut away that there are about "3 bones" left. We are disappointed but have included it for you.

Did you know that......
Uncle Dan's heirloom bell, that he rang to call us to dinner, was one belonging to his great, great grandfather, Rev. George R. Hand? Pastor Hand was the Founder of the Central Christian Church in California, following the Gold Rush!

Did you know that.....
Grandpa Joe Vaughn taught his boys to hunt and that Uncle Bill (at 84) still goes hunting with his son, Gary? Fitting thing that Gary was gifted with Grandpa Joe's hunting Gun!

Did you know that.........
The Gold-headed cane cherished by Alfred is the one that Father Joe Vaughn presented to him just 2 days before he died? Joe had received this heirloom from his grandfather, Cornelius Vaughn Jr., and handed it down. Takes you back, doesn't it?

Did you know that.........
Two of Joe Vaughn's boys fell in love with Entiat School teachers?? After his service on the battlefields of France (World War I), Stanley returned to make Florence Rice his bride. David Vaughn was later captivated by Dorothy Harmon and they were joined in marriage too.

Did you know that.......
As a teacher, Florence observed David as a mischievous, fun loving boy. She has commented, "He was the last boy of the family that I would have expected to become a minister." "But God moves in mysterious ways", for David was the man He could use and David became a preacher of the Central Christian Church. Shades of the Past? David's Daughter, Velma, had rescued the Joe Vaughn family Bible and graciously shared it with us.

Did you know that........
Grandpa Joe Vaughn related to his grandson, Jim, that the first note he cast helped to make Washington a state? Joe and Eva Vaughn were early pioneers int he Entiat Valley and Mr. Vaughn helped to build the first school and the first church.

Did you know that............
Virena Thiemans, a beloved cousin attending our reunion, can still rememeber having Joe Vaughn family come from Entiat to visit her family at Medical Lake, WA. Joe and Eva had met and married while working in the hosptial there. Virena has recently discovered that one house where she lived as a child was the former home of Joe and Eva and it is where Stanley and Flora were born.

Did you know that......
Whent the 30 quarts of home-made ice cream were served, Uncle Herb said, "My this takes me back! I remember every Sunday morning, we boys had to help make 2 gallons of ice cream. Mother always had chicken and people came from all over for Sunday Dinner. Mother started preparing on Wednesday for the expected Guests on Sunday."
Can we ever come close to the things that the woman accomplished? She cooked and washed and cleaned for 9 children. She kept a vegetable garden as well as her beautiful flower garden, she canned and baked for her family and held house for her friends and neighbors on Sunday.

Did you know that......
The 5 remaining boys still remember the music they enjoyed as a family. Father Joe taught almost everyone to play an instrument and they all sang and shared many musical evenings together. This gift of music has come out in grandchildren, great grandchildren and now great, great grandchildren!!
Maybe it would be fun someday to hold a "Musical Reunion" and hear some of the talent?(Be sure David makes it!)
We had a ball doing this and we want to thank you again for making it a great time!

With love to you all,
Mary and Rollie Taplett
Jim and Jean Vaughn
Caroline Carley
Homer Vaughn
Gary Vaughn
Dottie (Ambler) DeRosa
Barbara (Ambler) DeRosa