Recollections of the 18th Annual MS Craig Reunion
July 20, 2002
by bob craig
On July 15, 2002, we decided the trip to Indiana, Pennsylvania was a go! We would make every effort to be in attendance at the Craig Family Reunion this year. One of the first things to do was find a map or get directions. It has been some time since we had been to Pennsylvania so we wanted to find the best routes. Then, we panicked. What about a Motel with an available room. This was indeed a chore. After several calls we found a room at Comfort Inn.
One delightful encounter on our trip happened at a road-side-rest area. I had accomplished what I had went in the building to do and was outside beneath a tree - - just enjoying the view of the hills surrounding the area. I was startled for a moment by a voice right behind me. The gentleman, he was likely 80 years old or so, made the statement, -Ya know, I was just standing there, looking down at that highway and the beautiful view caused me to drift off in thought. He looked at me as though to ask, -Do you want to hear more?- But he continued (I had a feeling he would), -I recall the days when there would be 300 or more people attend our family reunion. They all drove horse drawn carriages and I bet there were more than 80 of them.- Not asking if I wanted to add anything or hear any more, he went on: -Looking at all those automobiles down there (on the 4 lane highway below), can you imagine any way in which they could keep the path clean enough to travel on?-
How he knew I was headed for a family reunion (or if he knew) - I have no idea. After a brief smile, and a chuckle, we discussed our reunion destinations and, how the Pennsylvania Department of Highways would have to hire a bunch of Government Employees to clean off the road - that is if we were all riding horse drawn carriages.
After several wrong turns we finally made the 7 plus hours trip and arrived at our Motel. This was an experience we have not had the pleasure of doing - - staying in a Hotel, for a considerable time. Our last was 1992 when attending the Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. So, we re-discovered some things we wish were remembered from the past. Pack things in a LARGE suit case - - we had everything in several smaller bags and when you have it all spread out like that it really looks like one came to stay for a month or more. It also causes one to make several trips to the car and back up to the 4th floor. After we smuggled our pile of junk into the room, got settled a bit, the idea struck us that we would, as we had reserved, only be staying one night. That could not be! So we called the receptionist and ask if we could stay another night.
Alas, she said that all rooms were taken. However, she said, if there is a cancellation she would call us in the morning. Well, we slept soundly that night. We were both exhausted, being quite un-accustomed to traveling any further than to the corner Wal*Mart.
What do you know! She called us in the morning saying that there was a cancellation and we could stay another night. It cannot be said how relieved we were. Even though we slept well, the activities of the Reunion would take up most of the day and both of us knew that the trip back to Newport News, Virginia, would be a Day-In-Itself!
We had to do some things before going to Getty Park and the Reunion, but we leaned back on our laurels and put off getting out on the town. We simply enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of our room. Hay! We have to find some food to take.- Food presents a problem when one has to travel a day, the day before, and then have something to place on the table. We went to Wal*Mart, our usual haunt, and was able to find some things, and especially the fired chicken. The problem was - - we had started late and by the time we got the food we were running late. Well, we arrived. The family was all seated at the tables and with some consternation and embarrassment, we approached the tables.
What a joyous experience! We were met with great love and affection from all our Craig relatives - - some not seen for ten or more years! My work on the Madison Stoner Craig Family Tree, begun in August 09, 2001, has offered me a deep sense of belonging to a family. A sense that has been lost over the years. Oh, yes, we have our family here in Virginia, Jeff & Roger and their families, however, this family - - The Craig Family at the 18th Annual Reunion, - - seeing them brings out memories we had left slip from our consciousness. As I started to say, the effort to put together a Cyber Craig Family Tree has brought to the table many, many pictures. Some I had put away were drug out, dusted off, scanned into a file, and placed in the huge database containing almost everything there is to know about our Craig Family. Those photos prepared me for meeting my delightful family: Aunt Peg, what a pleasure to visit with her again.
Aunt Peg Mannors Craig and my mom loved each other but there was always that bare thread that would be exposed when they were together for more that 5 minutes. I recall a discussion the two of them had at Parkwood during one of the Christmas get-to-gathers. Somehow the question of the date of my birth (December 14, 1937) came up and after a little back and forth, Aunt Peg ask my mom (Hannah Jemima FLEMING Craig), -You and LeRoy were married June 22, 1933 . . . ?, and there was a bit of silence while Aunt Peg looked on, knowing she was thinking about something, and then she ask, -And when was Bobby born? Everyone observing this exchange had a great laugh. And, that is about as rasey as the Craigs ever got . . . I have no idea what was implied by the question or why it was ask. I do know about my Aunt Peg - - She tells it like it is. I have a treasured letter she wrote me some eight or nine years ago. I wrote to her about something and in reply she gave me the -what for- about Glenda and myself being able to travel all over the United States, but not being able to come visit her.
Then Uncle Ward (Sam) came up and hugged Glenda and I, and after greetings he introduced me to a Dr. Howard Blair Anderson. At first this was a bit distracting. As I glanced around there were so many loved ones I was anxious to meet. But as I spent some time with Dr. Anderson, most everyone that I knew (recognized many only because of the recent photos of them that I had scanned) came up and Anderson and I would pause our conversation so as to speak, hug and enjoy all of the Craigs. While at first my being introduced to Dr. Anderson seemed a distraction, what I was not aware of was the advantage my conversation with him was.
I have been retired from the United Methodist Church since 1992, on disability leave. I have a mental block. A Fobia, if you will. My difficulties began when I became extremely uncomfortable while near to more than two or three people at a time. It is something like being clostrophobic. One just wants to get away . . . It is not good to try and be a pastor to a church if one can not stand to be around groups of people. It often has been said that a pastor makes every-one happy. Some members, of any given church, are happy when a pastor is selected, others are happy while a minister pastors a church, and yet others are happy when he leaves. I tried too hard to please all three of these kinds of people - - all the time. It did not work for me and I burnt out like a candle.
Talking with Dr. Anderson in some way helped me conquer my own problems. I spoke to him about my admiration of his Ancestors - - how so many of them kept in-depth records of their family members: most all of the Anderson Family, because of good records, have available their full names, (first, middle & last), dates of birth and deaths. But more than that, I came to respect the Andersons for their dedication to the faith. So many of them endured extreme hardships to serve as Missionaries all over the world, especially in India. Their families suffered immensely. So many of the babies died in child birth, and in their first years of life due to the diseases extremely prevalent in that part of the world. What devotion, dedication & efforts to serve others in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
When we first arrived at the Reunion everyone, as I said, was setting at the tables eating and we felt an awkward moment. It didn't last though. We met everyone, had a great lunch, and while Glenda and I were finishing up our plates, the meeting began and so much was discussed. That part of the Reunion will have to be reported on by others, say, Carolyn Ann CRAIG Sackett. I do seem to recall that the count was about 64 Craigs, and 4 guests. Uncle Ward (SAM) gave the awards out and named which of the M B Craig families presented the greatest percentage of attendance. We shall have to get up with him to get these figures. I will attach all that information as soon as it becomes available. Carolyn Sackett showed a graphic that is being worked on - - I meant to enquirer about it but it slipped my mind. I think it is that of a new Craig Coat Of Arms. That too will be added as soon as it is available.
I was back in a conversation with someone when, as I think back, Uncle Sam (WARD) ask if I would like to join in a game of BINGO. By that time I was so enthralled in conversations with everyone that I dismissed the offer. I should have played at lease one round of BINGO. It is possible that paying a game would involve more possibilities in conversations with the younger people that were there. I did not get to meet many of them. I especially remember taking pictures of some of them (not at all thrilled with my camera) . . . must have seen themselves on the internet? I did catch Carolyn & Ron Sackett holding M. Ward Furtney, Uncle Sam Craig great grandson, and got a couple of good snaps of them for our Family Tree! Carolyn is still the bundle of happy smiles she has always been. There is just something about her smile and friendliness that warms the heart all over. Ron is a pleasant person also.
Yes, and I had a great time talking with Aunt Peg, Aunt Helen, Uncle Art, Uncle Tom, Aunt Hazel, Aunt Ruth, all my first cousins . . . Everyone there was so wonderful and I appreciate every one of them and how their lives have had positive effects on all Craigs and Glenda and myself as well. Glenda went along -for me- more than anything. After everything was over, she offered - - you know, I really enjoyed being here.- Glenda does not like a trip to Pennsylvania. We made too many of them in years past, I reckon, and she has a bad taste concerning PA. This time it was different for her!
All good things have to come to an end. Regretfully the day sped on and the time came to leave. When we came to the road that would have taken us Left toward the Comfort Inn, we went straight ahead. I did want to get to Parkwood, West Union UP Cemetery & Shelocta, if time would allow. After a time of driving I began to believe we were hopelessly lost. But, man like, I kept right on driving - - a small narrow country road. We came to a sign that had something on it like Shelocta. So, we continued on the road and lo and behold we came to a nearly unrecognizable cross road. It was smack dabble in the middle of Parkwood, PA. I could not re-trace that trip if it meant life and death. But, there we were. I recognized the old Grange Hall up a sight grade and stopped right in the cross roads to take some pictures. What was once an open field between the cross road and the Craig Homestead is now all grown up in trees. Tall trees! I remember Grandfather (Bert) Craig opening a window in his shop and shooting at a target up on the embankment between his garage/shop and Uncle Paul Craigs home. It is interesting to note that the Street Sign at Parkwood is called Craig (Street/Drive/Road ?)! Amazing, a wonderful idea.
I do, however, still have an unanswered question about these Craigs and Fleming families that so populated the Shelocta, Stewartsville, and Parkwood, PA areas. When the Beers Map of Indiana County was drawn up (1850's), there was NO Craigs anywhere on the land notations. There WAS however, 2 districts named for Flemings. No Craigs anywhere. That map even shows where the coal was. There was no Craigs. My lifetime arrives and all I know Parkwood for is -The Craig Family.- Then, a boy named Robert LeRoy Craig finds a Lady named Hannah Jemima FLEMING! Was she and her family from or related to a Fleming family in the Parkwood, PA area? Or was Hannah just visiting a Fleming relative in the area and just happen on to find LeRoy Craig? How did this happen? It wouldn't be as easy as one might think. Either case, LeRoy would have to had driven fifteen or so miles to Clymer, PA, to have found Hannah. Or Hannah would have to had done the reverse. Considering the times, 1932-1933, then or about, there was not very many automobiles around. Did they meet by way of horse-back, or horse and buggy? Well, that was then, and this is now. When I was young, such things were of no interest. Today, Oh how I wish I had ask! You young Craigs - - one day, you too will ask, -Why did I not care enough to pay attention, or ask?- What was so important that I did not have enough time to spare to inquire about all those things?
After we stood there for a while letting memories refresh in the hall-ways of our minds, we drove down by the N B Craig Homestead and took the road to the right that passes next to the home. The Garage/Shop is now a home. The pond is still there - - Granddad had me convinced that there was a huge trout in that pond. We slowed to nearly a stop then drifted slowly down - - There! To the left, up on top of the embankment - - Yes, it is! There stood the old, old Out House. We stood in line for ever trying to get our turn as kids at Christmas to make a personal visit to the Out House. I think there was even a scuffle or two concerning who it was that needed to be closer to it at any given moment! Memories. I tried to take a picture of it. It seemed to be clear enough to have registered an image on film. Alas, the dense trees and undergrowth clouded it out. All my picture shows is what looks like a forest. Memories - - that photo will mean much to me, even though nothing would appear to be viable.
The sun was close to setting for another summer day and we felt the necessity to move on. We drove down to the bottom of the hill and stopped on the rail tracks. I had thought the old wooden bridge that was so famous was torn down. However, there was a bridge - a concrete bridge in its place. It is just as high off the rail road track as the wooden one was. Memories. I was able to drive across that bridge, and even though it was smooth and solid, I could almost hear the rattle of those old planks that always meant we were only a moment from Grand Father and Grand Mothers house once more.
Driving around the area left me with a feeling that Glenda and I were not alone. Dad was there, somehow, Mom was there . . . Ken was there, and we were almost at the end of our journey! We drove back again by the place where Craig home once was, and as we passed by I was able to picture in my mind, Madison Stoner Craig standing there in the front yard - - his automobile parked there behind him. Oh, how proud he must have been of that car! Uncle Ward told me at the reunion that when I was but 2 years old, mom handed me to Great Grandfather Stoner Craig and he is reported to have said, -You better raise him!- I suppose that was his way of saying, -He is a keeper.-
Then, it was on to find the West Union United Presbyterian Church, and the place of solitude where so many are resting until that glorious day when we shall all rise up together to meet the Lord, the West Union UP Cemetery. We drove toward Shelocta and came to a sign directing us to the right. The sign said the road went about two thirds of a mile . . . we drove and drove and drove. Soon we found ourselves well off the road and in the middle of a reclaimed strip mine flat. Relieved at the space, we were able to turn around and we drove all the way back to the Shelocta road. I only remember myself being at the church one time in my life - - someone was married and we were there for that.
We did the same thing two other times before I accidentally saw, out of the corner of my eye, a head-stone. We had to once again drive all the way back to the Shelocta road, turn around, and then take the path to the left before we finally arrived at the cemetery. I have spoken to Susan Clark Craig and reported the same experience recently happened to her.
There can not be enough said about how well kept the yard is. Magnificent! I took as many photos as possible before the sun set too low. Amazing, though, the photos that I took when we thought it too dark really turned out the best. You can see those photos by going to the following Web Address:
http://photomail.photoworks.com/sharing/roll.asp?Key=8590530508400601
I have sent a copy of the photos to Dr. Howard Blair Anderson in the hopes he can offer additional information on some of our families shown in them.
As I was saying, the sun had set rather low, and my hopes of going on to Shelocta, PA, was dashed. One needs to spend a week or so in Pennsylvania to do it all. I would love to get to Tidal, PA; to Tannersville, PA; Learn Settlement, PA; Cookport, PA. I would especially been grate to have had the time to visit my brother Kenneth Merle Craig, Hillsdale, PA. Myrna, his wife, has a reunion on her side of the family the same day.
We have not seen each other in . . . must be ten years. We are not estranged, or anything . There is the Time Share for vacations, and there is sickness. There is nothing I understand about it, but there is a lot of things about life that cannot be understood. Do I love my brother. An unconditional yes! Does my brother love me? I would think the answer to be the same. As years began to creep up on us, there were things that stood in the way of adult conversations . . . but that is a thing of the present day. I recall Grand Father Craig saying - children are to be seen and not heard.- Today, the opposite is the case. Has anyone else noticed that, when there are children in the family, it is absolutely impossible to carry on a conversation about anything any where. It may have something to do with my illness. I accept that. However, when one cannot hold a conversation with one-s own son without the children being present, asking questions, wanting to do something, go somewhere, I think that means that the family is in trouble. Can anyone imagine at all, as many grand children as there were to Martin Burton Craig, any of us being allowed to interrupt the -men talk- - the woman talk? I do not think so! Oh well, this is today, that was yesterday, and there are Whispers of Memories . . . And they will be immortal in time.
Reunions and happenings: The next morning Glenda and I carried everything back down to the car and packed up to leave. I finally found all those CDs with the Craig Family Tree Maker files. I had several and intended to hand them out. Uncle Ward and his family stayed at the same motel, so I was able to get them to him. (Oh, by the way, they were in the car all the time. That CD is immortality for the Craig Family and Name! The more people that have a copy the better chance will be had of our descendants being able, when they get old and spent, to pay a bit of attention to whispers from the past.
You can have a copy of the Craig Family Tree Maker Data File simply by asking. It would give me great joy to share what I have already done, and up-date occasionally as time gives us the gift of a future . . .
Bob Craig
164 Cherokee Drive
Newport News, Virginia 23602-4428
(757)886-1524
Please visit YOUR Craig & Fleming Home Pages
The Craig Family Now Have A Domain!
http://www.tribalpages.com/tribes/rbchopper
http://familytreemaker.geneaology.com/users/c/r/a/Robert-b-Craig/