Ray Crookston 2013 Reunion Report

What a wonderful and successful reunion we had last weekend (June 27-29) at Fish Lake. With members of 10 of the 16 families either present or represented we had over 120 people! A special thanks goes out to Anita and Camille for taking charge of the food and to Russ and Merry who did a wonderful job with the crafts and activities for the children.

Each day began with Merry pulling out crafts and games for the kids to play. There were even quite a few adults joining in on the craft making. A little creek right next to the pavilion provided a calming sound of water and had a little bridge that the kids could dangle their feet in the water from.

Saturday Ken and Roxanne rented a boat and took many of the kids out on the lake for a boat ride. The adults had ample visiting time while helping prepare meals, cleanup and in between meals.

Mack took groups of kids out on a nature walk and got them to sample some fun stuff along the way. He also showed them how to start a fire without matches.

Russ brought a remote control drone that he controlled via the iPad and the kids loved it, as soon as Russ pulled it out they went running to the parking lot to watch.

There were many more activities throughout each day and into the evenings. The feedback received was outstanding, many expressed their gratitude and satisfaction for how well everything went. It truly was a reunion that will be remembered and talked about for many years to come. For those that were unable to make it we missed having you there and hope next year you will be able to attend.

If you have any pictures, videos, or stories you would like to share of the reunion please email mackayc@me.com - here is a link to the video shown at the reunion and one of the reunion

Mack leading an adventure hike with the little ones

Preparing the Chili

Kids cooling their feet in the creek

More food preparation

RAY CROOKSTON REUNION 2013 - RSVP NOW

The Ray Crookston Reunion 2013 is a reunion you'll be hearing good things about for years to come!

 

All those coming to the Crookston reunion need to get their reservations made and send MacKay Crookston (email mackayc@me.com for address) their check for $50 for their families lunch and dinners. We are coming up with more fun activities for the teens and young adults, so we have an amazing agenda.

Activities that Merry already has stuff for:  see photos at this site:  more are going to be added for teens and adults!  

http://www.merryphoto.com/clients/?client=reunion&page=1

WHEN & WHERE

Dates June 27, 28, and 29

Place: Fish Lake, Utah

Come spend your summer vacation with your parents, cousins, aunts and uncles on a beautiful lake in Southern Utah!  

RESERVATIONS 

For cabins call: Cabin reservations at:  435-638-1000

http://www.fishlake.com/ordereze/Content/2/Summary.aspx

 

Here are some options for you to choose from:   (Prime means Friday, Saturday and Sunday night rentals)

 

http://www.utahsfishlake.com/camping/

 

You can camp in a tent or get an RV reservations: call here :    

By Phone:	877-444-6777 (National Forest Rec. Service)
Online:	www.recreation.gov
Reservation Fee:	$10; Cancellation Fee: $10

 

Twin Creek Pavillion is where we�ll eat  as a group for lunches and dinners.

Mackinaw campground is the closest to the pavilion although the others are still in walking distance. 

The places book quickly so you should decide if you can come and make the reservations very soon

 

FEES & COST

 

We need to ask for $50 from each family to feed you for three lunches and 2 dinners (see possible menu below)  Breakfast on your own with your family at your site or eat any/all your meals in the lodge.

 

Come for all three days or just one, what ever you can manage but you won't want to leave.  Dress warm for the nights!  Altitude is nearly 9,000 ft. but it's perfectly pleasant during the day.  It's on a lake so bring swim suits and water toys.  

DRIVING TIMES

 

driving time from Dallas is:  18 hours, 36 minutes

driving time from Longmont CO is:  7 hours 54 minutes

driving time from Bloomington is:  22 hours, 42 minutes

driving time from Provo is: 2 hours 33 minutes  

 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE/AGENDA

Thursday

Arrive between 10 and noon,

1 pm lunch

Eat lunch with all family at pavilion

Visiting, activities, games, check in and settle your campsite etc. at 3 pm

Dinner 6 pm

Visiting, games, activities

Campfire

Quiet time at 10 pm (camp rules)

 

Friday

Breakfast with your family at your site

Visiting, games, activities

Lunch 1 pm  eat with everyone at pavillion

Visiting, games, activities

Dinner 6 pm

Visiting, games, activities

Campfire

Bed

 

Saturday

Breakfast with your family at your site

Visiting, games, activities

Lunch with everyone 1 pm

Break camp if you�re going home

Dinner on your own if you stay,   nearest LDS church services in Koosharem Sunday

FOOD

 

3 lunches,  (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)

Lunches cold cuts, buns, fresh veggies or fruit, chips, water melon, water, cookies

 

2 Dinners (Thursday, and Friday)

Chicken stew, bread,

Canned Chile, crackers, cheese, corn chips

Ray Crookston Reunion 2013 - Announcement

Contact MacKay Crookston - mackayc@me.com with questions/RSVP

4th Cousin look-a-likes

There was a little confusion at the Alleman, Byron, and Ray reunion with keeping Jeremiah Allemen and Jeff Crookston apart. Amazing resemblance 3 generations down the line. I believe I even heard Jeremiah's wife say she was a little confused at first. 

Jeff Crookston and Jeremiah Alleman

Commercials

As most of the family knows Marvel Crookston along with much of the family was in a Maytag magazine ad. After that Mack and Sherry also appeared in an ad for Maytag. What some do not know is that there was also a TV commercial made by Maytag featuring the same story. Recently I have come across the 16mm film and have been able to crudely digitize it thanks to Mack lending a projector to me.

Along with the Maytag ad, Marvel was also in an Ivory Liquid Soap commercial, however this time Marnita also played a key role. This commercial in my opinion is far better then the Maytag, because we get to really see and hear both Marvel and Marnita in prime times of their lives.

Seeking out opportunities to do these commercials and other advertising was one of many way Marvel helped contribute to the family's financial needs. However this was not her only motivation, she also felt that as members of the LDS church we are to let our light (talents) shine in an effort to help share the gospel message. I think in these commercials we see that its not so much about the acting she is sharing as it was about her talents to seek out unique ways to help the family, and raise and take care of such a large family.

Please check out the videos here - http://mackaycrookston.smugmug.com/Family/Crookston/MarvelSHARPCrookston/

Byron F Crookston and Ray Crookston Reunion

We had a fun time at the combined George Allemen, Byron Frank Crookston, and Ray Crookston Reunion. The reunion took place at Adams Park in Logan Utah on August 4 2012. Dutch oven chicken and potatoes were prepared by the Allemens and Mark and Camille Crookston. The Allemens held a silent auction, Donna Jenkins and Lynn Crookston both brought many historical items from the Crookston and Allemen families for display. They also spent a few minutes each presenting the items and giving a short history (videos of presentations coming soon). Lynn Also read a short history of Emeline Crookston.

Of the 16 children of Ray and Marvel the following were present or represented: Marnita, Gail, Christeena (Kay), Richard (Byron), Mark, Scott, David, Kelaine.

Of the 5 children of Byron F Crookston we had all either present or represented. Lynn and Donna were in attendance with many of their children, George, Ray, and Lola all had a child or grandchild attend. Melva, Lynn's wife and Virginia, George's wife were unable to attend due to poor health, we ask that you keep them in your prayers.

Please enjoy a few photos, if you have any you would like to share please submit them to MacKay Crookston at mackayc@me.com

We kicked off the Ray Crookston Reunion Friday night (Aug 3) with a informal get together at MacKay and Becca Crookston's house. Below - Sherry, Gail, Marnita, David, Nona (Marvel's sister) and Doug.

Kids playing on the playground next to Adam's park in Logan UT

Lynn and his son Wayne walking.

Group shot at Adam's park

Scott sporting some stylish glasses

Purpose of this blog

This blog is for the decendents of Ray and Marvel Crookston to keep in touch. A blog is best when lots of people contribute with posts and comments. Please get involved. Send me an e-mail at mackayc@me.com if you would like to be able to contribute to the blog.