WHAT A TIME WE HAD!!!
As we were flying home to California last Sunday, Joani and I were talking about how much fun we had at the reunion. We reviewed all the various "events" and came to the conclusion it was just about as good as it could have been. With the possible exception of the restaurant service at the Grand Central on Tuesday evening, we felt everyone and everything came together and it all turned out fantastic.
I was so thrilled that so many people made the effort and came, and it was so great to have all that fun and share a wonderful experience with everyone. For those of you who had never been to Cottonwood Falls, I hope you weren't disappointed. It's such a charming place to have our "roots" and amazing how little it's changed over the years.
I spoke with Ruthanne's friend in Lawrence and she said Ruthanne seemed happier than she had seen her in months, certainly since Phil's death. I think the reunion (and Lex's wedding) did a lot toward pulling her out of her depression.
I know I have a few thank you's to write, and am hoping some of you will join me in doing that. Also, everyone owes Dick Hoffine $10/head for food ($5 for kids) and I know most of you paid that when you were there. If you didn't, please take care of that so that he and Carol can have a Christmas this year. Both of them put in so much effort to make the reunion happen, much of it behind the scenes, and I, for one, am very thankful for all their contributions.
Also, my cousin, Karla, gets big kudos for all she did in hosting us for the evening, homemade ice cream, squiring us through the schoolhouse, and helping me with all the local arrangements ahead of time. And she's technically not even a Finley!
Sharon and Steve Griffin were so kind to open Gagie's house for us to tour. It was a real treat and trip down memory lane for many of us. They're clearly taking great care of that wonderful old house.
Don Evans was so kind to spend the entire morning of the 4th at the golf course, making sure that everyone had all the equipment they needed--inlcuding loaning us his clubs and cart. He also generously gave us pointers on how to manage the sand greens. That's got to be a dying art. Peggy Stephenson and Tom Bell also loaned us their carts and clubs.
Apparently we're the first renters in the history of the new community building that were not able to return the keys. If any of you happened to find them (3 keys on a yellow twist-tie) in your pocket when you got home, let me know and I'll give you the address to send them. If no one finds them, we're getting stuck with a whopping $10 charge--and the wrath of Shirley, the City Clerk, who seems like someone we don't want to mess with. She did say her pet project is the restoration of the old bridge, so hopefully we'll be back on her good side when I tell her E. H. Finley is listed as one of the sponsering town councilmen on the bridge plaque, circa 1914.
I'm setting up a photo site on Snapfish for everyone to share reunion photos, and also an internet email group for mass communication. The Snapfish site is: http://finleyreunion.snapfish.com/snapfish
If you just want to upload, look, or download low resolution pics, you can use the Finley group email if you want to log on:
finley-family@googlegroups.com
The password is: Finley
If you want to buy prints or download high resolution pics, there's a fee, so you'll need to set up your own account.
If for some reason you're not posting to the site, consider picking a few favorite snapshots and sending them to Ruthanne. She doesn't have internet access and really enjoys photos and the memories they hold.
There were many moments that were special for me, and I wanted to share a couple of them with you. And I'd love to have any of you who have any moments of your own you want to share, send them to me, either on this blog, or via email, and I'll post them.
It knocked me out when we were sitting at the Emma Chase cafe on Thursday morning and Leola Evans came up and introduced herself. She wanted to meet us and say hello to Ruthanne. She is 91 years old, sharp and spry, and still lives out on her farm most of the year--though she does have a small place in town as her "ace in the hole." (her words) She just happened to be in the cafe that morning. Said she grew up with Hal and Ed, knew Monnie and Ruthanne, was a friend to Blanche, and she knew Hugh. She knew Hugh! Hugh Finley died in 1931! I did the math, and she would have been about 15 at that time (about Hal's age). Plenty old enough to remember him. But where else could you stumble onto someone who could say they knew your grandfather. (By the way, Mary Lou, she's not the same Leola that was Hal's girlfriend, is she? I think her maiden name is Childs.)
The other moment was when Bob Hoffine and Daria and I were in the library of the schoolhouse. Bob was pointing out the size of a grade school library in Kansas--I assume as compared to Louisiana?--and was talking about the importance and priority Kansans have always placed on education. That they would almost go without food before they would allow their kids to go un-schooled. Then, he gave voice to something that I wish had been said the day before at the gathering. He said that the entire legacy of our family rests solely on the shoulders of one person, Blanche Finley. Blanche Finley was the exceptional person that held her own family together, modeling the strength of that bond. And she was the one who gathered all of her grandchildren around her and passed along the stories and values of this family--in the sweetest way, demanded that we listen. She told us about our grandfather, and about his parents, who they were, what they were made of, and what had defined them. And in doing so, she told us who we were, too. For those of us who knew her, this reunion was a much a tribute to her and her legacy as anything else. And it was great to hear Bob saying that out loud. Amen, Bob.
Again, thanks to all for a fabulous time and all that everyone contributed. I really felt the spirit of a strong, vibrant family when we were all together. And that's the thread we're all carrying forward from humble beginnings on the Kansas prairie.
Let's make sure we don't wait another 50 years for another reunion.
Love to all! Come see us in San Francisco.
Bruce
Dick & Carol Hoffine
14514 W. 91st St.
Lenexa, KS 66215
dhoff@everestkc.net
Karla & Dean Edmiston
97 Main St.
karla_edmiston@sbcglobal.net
Sharon & Steve Griffin
324 Cherry St.
Don Evans
321 Elm St.
Peggy Stephenson
200 Oak St.
Tom Bell
405 Spring St.
Cottonwood Falls, KS 66845
Ruthanne Lacey
1429 Kasold Drive, #125
Lawrence, KS 66049
Bruce Lacey
7 Grove Hill Ave.
San Anselmo, CA 94960
2laceys@gmail.com
Josh Hoffine's photography can be viewed at:
http://www.joshuahoffine.com/
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
Lost yet?
I put together some maps of Cottonwood and the area with some of the key points of interest. They're pretty small on the site here, but I'll have prints of them with me for anyone who wants one.
I'M PACKING MY BAG...
See you all soon. Bruce
I'M PACKING MY BAG...
See you all soon. Bruce
Monday, June 25, 2007
Cottonwood Falls Here We Come!
The reunion is just around the corner and the plans are firming up. Thanks to all of you for your patience.
Here's a rough schedule of events (condensed schedule at end of this entry):
Joani, Grant, Caitlin, and I plan to roll into Cottonwood about midday, with Aunt Ruthanne with us. We'll probably head for the Emma Chase Cafe on Broadway (that's the main drag in CWF) for lunch. Then we're going to check into our rooms at the Millstream Motel, which is at the opposite end of Broadway from the Courthouse, down near the river.
Please plan to come by and we can all meet and greet--and have a cold drink or two--anytime after lunch (1-2p.m.) We'll plan to hang out there until suppertime (remember, it's Kansas, where dinner is in the middle of the day and supper is in the evening.) I'm thinking we'll send our kids over to Strong City for hamburgers and we'll adjourn to the Grand Central Hotel for supper about 6 or 6:30.
Sharon and Steve Griffin are the current owners of the old Finley house (324 Cherry Street) and have graciously agreed to host a tour of their house. We've tentatively set that up for 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, so those who have memories of that house and would like to see it again should plan to come take a tour. All family members are welcome and we can go over there after we've had our supper.
Wednesday is the Fourth of July, so we might as well get an early start. Early is likely to be the only tolerable temperature of the day, so all you Finleys, golfers or not, are on for golfing at the Cottonwood Falls Country Club. Experience is not necessary. We'll whack a few balls around the pasture and try our hands at putting on the "sand greens" they have there. I have it on good authority that Edgar and Harold spent the better part of their youth on this golf course, and Monnie and Ruthanne logged a good many rounds there, too. It's truly a unique experience and not to be missed. For those family members who are traveling locally, please bring a set of clubs if you have one to share with the travelers from afar.
As a bonus, the property that the course in on is part of the original Alexander D. Findley homestead--the land Lucinda and A.D. settled on when they first arrived in Chase County in 1858! I suspect the land itself doesn't look a lot different from what it looked like to them, so we can all experience the setting and imagine what it was like to be there 150 years ago.
When we finish with golf--and that may be determined by the heat rather than the number of holes completed--we'll adjorn and head back to town. Get cooled off, cleaned up, whatever's necessary...
Next, around noon, we can all head over to Swope Park, where we'll rendezvous in the Community Building there. We'll plan to have the air conditioner blasting. Also, keep in mind the swimming pool is right there, so anyone who feels like a swim should bring their suit. The caterers will arrive sometime between noon and 1 p.m. and will be serving a traditional summer meal of barbecue with all the fixings (vegetarians, beware).
We can all visit and get to know each other a bit better. Reminisce about "the good old days". Plan to spend the afternoon.
I encourage all of you to think a moment if you have some FAMILY MEMENTO that is small enough to bring along and share with the others--it would be fun to see what might show up. OLD PHOTOS would be a kick, too.
I've placed an announcement in this week's Chase County Leader News that we are holding this event, so no telling who among the local crowd might show up to say hello. That is, if we haven't all been forgotten by now.
If we haven't had enough to eat and drink by the end of the afternoon, we'll plan to put out some more food, since we know a true Finley would hate to miss a meal and we're not sure any restaurants will necessarily be open on the holiday.
Next, as the sun begins to sink and hopefully the day cools into evening, our Lacey cousin, Karla Tuley Edmiston and her husband, Dean, have invited us to their house nearby in Cottonwood for fireworks and homemade ice cream. There will be plenty of fireworks, but if you want to buy some of your own and set them off, you're welcome to join in. We'll keep the party going as long as all us old folks can hold on.
Thursday morning, Karla (who works as a coach and teacher in the school system) has offered to take any of us who would like to the Grade School to see the old regulator clock that came from the G.E. Finley and Son jewelry store. The clock was donated to the school when the jewelry business was sold at auction after Hugh Finley's untimely death in 1931. The clock is technically still owned by our family, and if the school district ever decides it doesn't want or need the clock any longer, it will revert to our family. But don't count on it. It is a magnificent piece and worth taking a little time to go see it. And, of course, it's in the school house where Edgar, Harold, Monnie, and Ruthanne were all "schooled." I think we'll do that about 9:30 a.m.
We ( the Bruce Laceys) plan to hang around Cottonwood the rest of the day on Thursday. We'll probably make a trip to the cemetary and anyone that would like to join that excursion is welcome. Then, in the late afternoon, it will be time for us to head on to McPherson and begin the events culminating in Alexia Lacey's wedding on Saturday.
As I write all this out, it's clear that the time together will pass very quickly. But I hope that it will be enough time for each of us to connect with one another and get to know each other just a little bit. I'm so excited that that so many are planning to come, and wish you all safe journeys.
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL!!!
Love,
Bruce
I'm hoping my cell works in Cottonwood. Here's my #: 415.713.0748 Don't be afraid--call me!
TUESDAY - July 3
Lunch at Emma Chase Cafe
Meet and greet at Millstream Motel
Supper - Grand Central Hotel (on Broadway in CWF)
or Flint Hills Restaurant (on Hwy. 50 in Strong City)
8 p.m. - Tour Finley house (324 Cherry St)
WEDNESDAY - July 4
7 am & on - Golf - CWF Country Club (S. of town on Hwy. 177)
Noon-6 Reunion - Community Building, Swope Park (swimming available)
7:30 p.m. - Homemade ice cream & fireworks (Karla & Dean Edmiston, 1st house S of new 177 bridge, east side)
THURSDAY - July 5
9:30 a.m. - School house clock tour
10:30 a.m. - Prairie Grove Cemetary visit
Noon - Lunch (Emma Chase Cafe?) and farewells
I'll plan to have some maps I can hand out to anyone who wants or needs one.
BEYOND... Unfortunately, the courthouse is closed for a major rennovation. I believe the Ronniger museum behind it will be open, for you history buffs, and there are a few items from our family there. We can point out the building where the old jewelry store was. The Bells were longtime family friends of the Finleys. They no longer own the store, but any of you who want any westernwear, Jim Bell and Son is the place people come to from miles around. Souvenirs, anyone?
Here's a rough schedule of events (condensed schedule at end of this entry):
Joani, Grant, Caitlin, and I plan to roll into Cottonwood about midday, with Aunt Ruthanne with us. We'll probably head for the Emma Chase Cafe on Broadway (that's the main drag in CWF) for lunch. Then we're going to check into our rooms at the Millstream Motel, which is at the opposite end of Broadway from the Courthouse, down near the river.
Please plan to come by and we can all meet and greet--and have a cold drink or two--anytime after lunch (1-2p.m.) We'll plan to hang out there until suppertime (remember, it's Kansas, where dinner is in the middle of the day and supper is in the evening.) I'm thinking we'll send our kids over to Strong City for hamburgers and we'll adjourn to the Grand Central Hotel for supper about 6 or 6:30.
Sharon and Steve Griffin are the current owners of the old Finley house (324 Cherry Street) and have graciously agreed to host a tour of their house. We've tentatively set that up for 8 p.m. Tuesday evening, so those who have memories of that house and would like to see it again should plan to come take a tour. All family members are welcome and we can go over there after we've had our supper.
Wednesday is the Fourth of July, so we might as well get an early start. Early is likely to be the only tolerable temperature of the day, so all you Finleys, golfers or not, are on for golfing at the Cottonwood Falls Country Club. Experience is not necessary. We'll whack a few balls around the pasture and try our hands at putting on the "sand greens" they have there. I have it on good authority that Edgar and Harold spent the better part of their youth on this golf course, and Monnie and Ruthanne logged a good many rounds there, too. It's truly a unique experience and not to be missed. For those family members who are traveling locally, please bring a set of clubs if you have one to share with the travelers from afar.
As a bonus, the property that the course in on is part of the original Alexander D. Findley homestead--the land Lucinda and A.D. settled on when they first arrived in Chase County in 1858! I suspect the land itself doesn't look a lot different from what it looked like to them, so we can all experience the setting and imagine what it was like to be there 150 years ago.
When we finish with golf--and that may be determined by the heat rather than the number of holes completed--we'll adjorn and head back to town. Get cooled off, cleaned up, whatever's necessary...
Next, around noon, we can all head over to Swope Park, where we'll rendezvous in the Community Building there. We'll plan to have the air conditioner blasting. Also, keep in mind the swimming pool is right there, so anyone who feels like a swim should bring their suit. The caterers will arrive sometime between noon and 1 p.m. and will be serving a traditional summer meal of barbecue with all the fixings (vegetarians, beware).
We can all visit and get to know each other a bit better. Reminisce about "the good old days". Plan to spend the afternoon.
I encourage all of you to think a moment if you have some FAMILY MEMENTO that is small enough to bring along and share with the others--it would be fun to see what might show up. OLD PHOTOS would be a kick, too.
I've placed an announcement in this week's Chase County Leader News that we are holding this event, so no telling who among the local crowd might show up to say hello. That is, if we haven't all been forgotten by now.
If we haven't had enough to eat and drink by the end of the afternoon, we'll plan to put out some more food, since we know a true Finley would hate to miss a meal and we're not sure any restaurants will necessarily be open on the holiday.
Next, as the sun begins to sink and hopefully the day cools into evening, our Lacey cousin, Karla Tuley Edmiston and her husband, Dean, have invited us to their house nearby in Cottonwood for fireworks and homemade ice cream. There will be plenty of fireworks, but if you want to buy some of your own and set them off, you're welcome to join in. We'll keep the party going as long as all us old folks can hold on.
Thursday morning, Karla (who works as a coach and teacher in the school system) has offered to take any of us who would like to the Grade School to see the old regulator clock that came from the G.E. Finley and Son jewelry store. The clock was donated to the school when the jewelry business was sold at auction after Hugh Finley's untimely death in 1931. The clock is technically still owned by our family, and if the school district ever decides it doesn't want or need the clock any longer, it will revert to our family. But don't count on it. It is a magnificent piece and worth taking a little time to go see it. And, of course, it's in the school house where Edgar, Harold, Monnie, and Ruthanne were all "schooled." I think we'll do that about 9:30 a.m.
We ( the Bruce Laceys) plan to hang around Cottonwood the rest of the day on Thursday. We'll probably make a trip to the cemetary and anyone that would like to join that excursion is welcome. Then, in the late afternoon, it will be time for us to head on to McPherson and begin the events culminating in Alexia Lacey's wedding on Saturday.
As I write all this out, it's clear that the time together will pass very quickly. But I hope that it will be enough time for each of us to connect with one another and get to know each other just a little bit. I'm so excited that that so many are planning to come, and wish you all safe journeys.
CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL!!!
Love,
Bruce
I'm hoping my cell works in Cottonwood. Here's my #: 415.713.0748 Don't be afraid--call me!
TUESDAY - July 3
Lunch at Emma Chase Cafe
Meet and greet at Millstream Motel
Supper - Grand Central Hotel (on Broadway in CWF)
or Flint Hills Restaurant (on Hwy. 50 in Strong City)
8 p.m. - Tour Finley house (324 Cherry St)
WEDNESDAY - July 4
7 am & on - Golf - CWF Country Club (S. of town on Hwy. 177)
Noon-6 Reunion - Community Building, Swope Park (swimming available)
7:30 p.m. - Homemade ice cream & fireworks (Karla & Dean Edmiston, 1st house S of new 177 bridge, east side)
THURSDAY - July 5
9:30 a.m. - School house clock tour
10:30 a.m. - Prairie Grove Cemetary visit
Noon - Lunch (Emma Chase Cafe?) and farewells
I'll plan to have some maps I can hand out to anyone who wants or needs one.
BEYOND... Unfortunately, the courthouse is closed for a major rennovation. I believe the Ronniger museum behind it will be open, for you history buffs, and there are a few items from our family there. We can point out the building where the old jewelry store was. The Bells were longtime family friends of the Finleys. They no longer own the store, but any of you who want any westernwear, Jim Bell and Son is the place people come to from miles around. Souvenirs, anyone?
Monday, May 21, 2007
May Update
SAD NEWS As most of you know, our family suffered a loss at the end of March when my brother, Phil Lacey, died from melanoma cancer. That, amid all else, has thrown me a bit off in keeping this site up to date, BUT,
never fear, the REUNION is still on.
We will very much miss Phil's presence at the reunion, especially because he was such a wealth of family history and lore, and he would have really enjoyed sharing that with all of you who will be attending.
ACTIVITIES I am in touch with the people who now own the old Finley house, and they are open to idea of hosting a tour for all of us who are interested. That will probably happen the afternoon of Tuesday, July 3, or morning of July 5. I haven't scheduled it yet.
I saw in the Chase County Leader that the courthouse was closed as of last week for renovation, so I will be speaking with someone at the Chamber of Commerce about a tour on either Tuesday or Thursday, and hopefully whatever renovation that is will not preclude our getting in there. We will also go to the grade school and view the old regulator clock from G.E. Finley and Son, Jewelers.
ON THE DAY Dick Hoffine is arranging for catering on July 4, at the community building in Swope Park. I think we'll try to do some golfing in the morning, and gather around noon in the park. We'll plan to be there for the afternoon, and in the evening we can set off fireworks. My cousin, Karla Edmiston, and her husband, Dean, have offered their backyard if we would like to gather there. The river borders the north of their property, so if the fireworks get out of hand, hopefully the fire wouldn't get beyond the river. If it does, well, no one cared so much about Strong City anyway.
LODGING Here is information on lodging in the area:
The old Grand Central Hotel right in the middle of downtown, has been completed renovated and is a first class operation now. The have a total of 10 rooms, though this is not the place for any of you who are on a budget.
The old Millstream Motel down by the river has been put back into operation, and seems to have nice, simple accomodations. I know some of the family are talking about staying there.
Close by is the Prairie Fire motel, in Strong City. It's right on the highway, but reasonably priced, and has a masseuse on staff. I know I'm hoping to book a room there.
In recent years, a number of B&B's and guest ranches have sprung up in the area. If you a larger group, that might be a nice idea.
Clovercliff Ranch in Elmdale.
www.clovercliff.com/
1874 Stonehouse
www.stonehousebandb.com/
Carol Country Inn
www.chasecountyks.org/lodging/carols.htm
Tallgrass Prairie Lodge
www.tallgrassprairielodge.com/
Pilgrim Ranch ( this is a hunting operation of some sort)
www.pilgrimranch.com/
Beyond those, there are many regular chain motels in Emporia, which is only 20 miles distant. I think as many of us as can will try to get in the Millstream and the Prairie Fire, and I don't know that everyone will fit into those.
www.discoverourtown.com/KS/Emporia/Lodging-3223.html
I don't know about everyone else, but we, the Bruce Laceys, are planning to drive to Cottonwood Falls with Ruthanne on Tuesday morning, and will plan to be there until Thursday afternoon.
WEDDING BELLS Also, for any of you who would like to stay in the area longer, Sharylyn would like to invite you to daughter Alexia Lacey's wedding in McPherson on Saturday, July 7. If you are planning to come, please let me know so that Sharylyn can send you an invitation, OR you can email her directly at: sharyphil@sbcglobal.net They would love to have extended family attend.
DON'T MISS OUT For those of you who are late planners, or have been on the fence about whether to come or not, we all sincerely hope you do. Now is the time to step up and buy those plane tickets and make those lodging reservations.
We're certainly hoping that all the surviving first cousins will be there, and at this point it looks like that will happen. For all you younger people, this is your chance to come see this charming little Kansas town that your family pioneered and was home to family members for over 100 years. I don't want to say this is your ONLY chance--I don't think the town is going anywhere--but for a gathering of the relatives who have the memories and know the stories...
never fear, the REUNION is still on.
We will very much miss Phil's presence at the reunion, especially because he was such a wealth of family history and lore, and he would have really enjoyed sharing that with all of you who will be attending.
ACTIVITIES I am in touch with the people who now own the old Finley house, and they are open to idea of hosting a tour for all of us who are interested. That will probably happen the afternoon of Tuesday, July 3, or morning of July 5. I haven't scheduled it yet.
I saw in the Chase County Leader that the courthouse was closed as of last week for renovation, so I will be speaking with someone at the Chamber of Commerce about a tour on either Tuesday or Thursday, and hopefully whatever renovation that is will not preclude our getting in there. We will also go to the grade school and view the old regulator clock from G.E. Finley and Son, Jewelers.
ON THE DAY Dick Hoffine is arranging for catering on July 4, at the community building in Swope Park. I think we'll try to do some golfing in the morning, and gather around noon in the park. We'll plan to be there for the afternoon, and in the evening we can set off fireworks. My cousin, Karla Edmiston, and her husband, Dean, have offered their backyard if we would like to gather there. The river borders the north of their property, so if the fireworks get out of hand, hopefully the fire wouldn't get beyond the river. If it does, well, no one cared so much about Strong City anyway.
LODGING Here is information on lodging in the area:
The old Grand Central Hotel right in the middle of downtown, has been completed renovated and is a first class operation now. The have a total of 10 rooms, though this is not the place for any of you who are on a budget.
The old Millstream Motel down by the river has been put back into operation, and seems to have nice, simple accomodations. I know some of the family are talking about staying there.
Close by is the Prairie Fire motel, in Strong City. It's right on the highway, but reasonably priced, and has a masseuse on staff. I know I'm hoping to book a room there.
In recent years, a number of B&B's and guest ranches have sprung up in the area. If you a larger group, that might be a nice idea.
Clovercliff Ranch in Elmdale.
www.clovercliff.com/
1874 Stonehouse
www.stonehousebandb.com/
Carol Country Inn
www.chasecountyks.org/lodging/carols.htm
Tallgrass Prairie Lodge
www.tallgrassprairielodge.com/
Pilgrim Ranch ( this is a hunting operation of some sort)
www.pilgrimranch.com/
Beyond those, there are many regular chain motels in Emporia, which is only 20 miles distant. I think as many of us as can will try to get in the Millstream and the Prairie Fire, and I don't know that everyone will fit into those.
www.discoverourtown.com/KS/Emporia/Lodging-3223.html
I don't know about everyone else, but we, the Bruce Laceys, are planning to drive to Cottonwood Falls with Ruthanne on Tuesday morning, and will plan to be there until Thursday afternoon.
WEDDING BELLS Also, for any of you who would like to stay in the area longer, Sharylyn would like to invite you to daughter Alexia Lacey's wedding in McPherson on Saturday, July 7. If you are planning to come, please let me know so that Sharylyn can send you an invitation, OR you can email her directly at: sharyphil@sbcglobal.net They would love to have extended family attend.
DON'T MISS OUT For those of you who are late planners, or have been on the fence about whether to come or not, we all sincerely hope you do. Now is the time to step up and buy those plane tickets and make those lodging reservations.
We're certainly hoping that all the surviving first cousins will be there, and at this point it looks like that will happen. For all you younger people, this is your chance to come see this charming little Kansas town that your family pioneered and was home to family members for over 100 years. I don't want to say this is your ONLY chance--I don't think the town is going anywhere--but for a gathering of the relatives who have the memories and know the stories...
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
For you lightweights...
...who don't enjoy boiling hot weather, you'll be happy to hear I spoke with Shirley, the city clerk of Cottonwood Falls, today and reserved the new community building in Swope Park for our gathering on July 4th. It's large (could hold about 300 Finleys), has tables and chairs, a full kitchen, bathrooms, and, best of all, AIR CONDITIONING! It also right across from the swimming pool, so there's another way to cool off very near.
I'll be posting information on lodging options in the area soon--when we get all the information rounded up. My cousin Karla (on the Lacey side) lives in Cottonwood Falls and is a good source of information. Dick Hoffine is talking to Tom Bell who has a total wealth of knowledge of the area. (Of course, the Bells have been friends of the Finleys for 3 or 4 generations now.)
I'll be posting information on lodging options in the area soon--when we get all the information rounded up. My cousin Karla (on the Lacey side) lives in Cottonwood Falls and is a good source of information. Dick Hoffine is talking to Tom Bell who has a total wealth of knowledge of the area. (Of course, the Bells have been friends of the Finleys for 3 or 4 generations now.)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Hello Everyone!
I was in Lawrence the weekend of January 13-14. It was Mom's (that's Aunt Ruthanne to many of you) 82nd birthday, and Dick and Carol Hoffine, and Sue and Jim Marvine were kind enough to brave an ice storm and drive from Kansas City to Lawrence for Ruthanne's birthday party. Phil and Sharylyn Lacey (my brother and his wife) were there from McPherson, Kansas, as was our sister, Jean, who lives outside of Boston.
Dick and I have been talking about a Finley reunion in Cottonwood Falls for a couple of years now, and Phil (my brother) and I had been thinking about one for a while before that.
So, one of the topics at the birthday party was the reunion, and we decided we'd better get in gear if it was going to happen this summer.
We're just getting started on this page, but I wanted to get the flyer out in the mail and have a place all could go to get information.
I'll add links for lodging in the area. Many of us will plan to be in Cottonwood for more than one day, but July 4th is the day we'd like everyone who can to be there.
We're planning a catered picnic, and are looking for the perfect location for that.
We'll also create a map for self-guided tours, with all the historic points of interest. Of course, we don't want anyone to get lost in Cottonwood.
We'd like to have a golf tournament at the country club. Many of you have never played on sand "greens". And some of you have maybe never played at all. But if you have any Finley blood in you, we'll want to see you out there on the links. Don't worry about clubs--if we have a bag or two to share from, we'll do fine. A set of lefties would just make it that much more fun. And since the golf course is the same land A. D. and Lucinda Findley settled on in 1858, evreyone will want to visit this site anyway.
Feel free to email or call me with any questions: 2laceys@gmail.com or 415.256.9500 (& that's in San Francisco, Pacific time)
Really hoping to see everyone this summer!
Bruce Lacey
Dick and I have been talking about a Finley reunion in Cottonwood Falls for a couple of years now, and Phil (my brother) and I had been thinking about one for a while before that.
So, one of the topics at the birthday party was the reunion, and we decided we'd better get in gear if it was going to happen this summer.
We're just getting started on this page, but I wanted to get the flyer out in the mail and have a place all could go to get information.
I'll add links for lodging in the area. Many of us will plan to be in Cottonwood for more than one day, but July 4th is the day we'd like everyone who can to be there.
We're planning a catered picnic, and are looking for the perfect location for that.
We'll also create a map for self-guided tours, with all the historic points of interest. Of course, we don't want anyone to get lost in Cottonwood.
We'd like to have a golf tournament at the country club. Many of you have never played on sand "greens". And some of you have maybe never played at all. But if you have any Finley blood in you, we'll want to see you out there on the links. Don't worry about clubs--if we have a bag or two to share from, we'll do fine. A set of lefties would just make it that much more fun. And since the golf course is the same land A. D. and Lucinda Findley settled on in 1858, evreyone will want to visit this site anyway.
Feel free to email or call me with any questions: 2laceys@gmail.com or 415.256.9500 (& that's in San Francisco, Pacific time)
Really hoping to see everyone this summer!
Bruce Lacey
Some Finley history
From Phil Lacey:
The A.D. Findley homestead was the Northwest Quarter of Section 33, Township 19 South, Range 8 East, Chase County, which is located at the very southeastern edge of the platted city of Cottonwood Falls. That is the location of the municipal golf course. (I think I verified the legal description years ago in the courthouse records, but didn't write it down. I couldn't find any maps on the internet that would verify other than the section location, and that the creek flows through it.) Anyway, it's close.
Gideon, born in Johnstown, PA in 1857, was brought to Kansas by Alexander D. and Lucinda his wife when they settled in the area (which was in about 1858, prior to passage of the Homestead Act by Congress in 1862). They spent about a year at Prairie City (Baldwin) after coming from PA before going on to Chase County. The claim is that Gideon was the first white child in Chase County. He was NOT the first white child BORN in Chase County, because he wasn't born there.
Gideon changed the spelling of the family name to Finley. I don't know exactly when that was, but I suspect about the time he became of age. His wife was Elvira (Ella) Seaman, and they were married in 1882.
I can supply about anything you want to know about the Finleys from my extensive archives saved from destruction in 2005!
The A.D. Findley homestead was the Northwest Quarter of Section 33, Township 19 South, Range 8 East, Chase County, which is located at the very southeastern edge of the platted city of Cottonwood Falls. That is the location of the municipal golf course. (I think I verified the legal description years ago in the courthouse records, but didn't write it down. I couldn't find any maps on the internet that would verify other than the section location, and that the creek flows through it.) Anyway, it's close.
Gideon, born in Johnstown, PA in 1857, was brought to Kansas by Alexander D. and Lucinda his wife when they settled in the area (which was in about 1858, prior to passage of the Homestead Act by Congress in 1862). They spent about a year at Prairie City (Baldwin) after coming from PA before going on to Chase County. The claim is that Gideon was the first white child in Chase County. He was NOT the first white child BORN in Chase County, because he wasn't born there.
Gideon changed the spelling of the family name to Finley. I don't know exactly when that was, but I suspect about the time he became of age. His wife was Elvira (Ella) Seaman, and they were married in 1882.
I can supply about anything you want to know about the Finleys from my extensive archives saved from destruction in 2005!
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