2001 GENEALOGY GET-TOGETHER & ST. GABRIEL'S HOMECOMING!

THE ANNUAL GENEALOGY GET-TOGETHER FOR 2001 will be held on SATURDAY, JULY 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the SUGARLOAF SCHOOL MEMORIAL BUILDING, School House Road, off Route 118 near Grassmere Park. THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO EVERYBODY!!! Some known names of descendants in the area: BRITTAIN, BUTT, COLE, COLEMAN, DAVIS, DILTZ / DILS, FRITZ, FRUTSCHIE, GODHARD / GODDARD / GOTTHARDT, HESS, KLINE, KILE, KRAMER, LARISH, LAUBACH, LONG, MAUSTELLER / MOSTELLER, McHENRY, MOORE, PARKS, and many more!!! Lots of room to spread out our information. Note: no copier is available, so please bring plenty of paper to write down information.

Directions from St. Gabriel's church to the school building: exit church driveway, turn right on Route 487 North to the bottom of the hill; turn left over the metal bridge on Camp Lavigne Road; drive a few miles to Route 118, turn right, and continue a short distance; turn right opposite the sign for the Grassmere Park onto School House Road; cross the metal bridge to the school building.

THE ANNUAL ST. GABRIEL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH "HOMECOMING" will be held on SUNDAY, JULY 22, with an open worship service at 11:00 a.m. (visiting and light refreshments follow the service) at the St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church (P.O. Box 347, Benton, PA 17814), Route 487 at Cole's Creek (3 miles north of Benton; about 2 miles north of the Benton Gold Course), Columbia County, PA. Services will be by the Rev. Alan C. MEAD, Vicar of St. Gabriel's Church, and by the Rev. Joseph W. HESS, retired Episcopal Priest & HESS Pioneer Descendant.

For those of you who have never visited the low-lying MOUNTAINS OF PENNSYLVANIA to see this beautiful PIONEER CHURCH in its old grove of pines, you owe yourself a visit! The names of some of the pioneers of the area are inscribed on the stained glass windows (seen only from inside) and the church's interior is made entirely of chestnut wood. The special service is lovely, often including live guitar music and singing. Warning - seating is limited, so come early. Also, although the church is cooled by large ceiling fans, there is no air conditioning, so you may want to wear cool clothing or "layer" your dress. The very old ST. GABRIEL'S CEMETERY flanks the church. Come for the service, or just to visit your Columbia County "cousins!"

NO RSVP is necessary - - EVERYBODY is welcome to both or either events, and everything is free! Donations to the church as very much appreciated, but are not required.