Reunions of the
1990s and
'80s
The
Minerd-Miner-Minor Reunions have been held every year since 1986, on the second
Saturday of each July. Here are summaries:
1999
- "Coal, Coke & Steel" -- At
what may have been the first of its kind in Western Pennsylvania, we saluted 330
family members who have worked in our nation's coal, coke and steel industries
since the 1840s. The two-day
reunion featured a picnic lunch in Somerset County, a speech by an actor
portraying industrialist Andrew Carnegie (seen here), and a tour of a restored coal
mine in Tarentum. In a quiet ceremony, a memorial roll was
unveiled bearing the names of 14 cousins killed in workplace accidents.
Portrayed by actor Allen Nesvisky of the Senator Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center, Carnegie shared his thoughts on the Homestead Steel Strike, how he created his wealth and how his empire built landmarks such as the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building and Panama Canal. He had his photo taken with a number of cousins who brought old miners' lamp-hats, lunch pails and pay stubs.
1998
- "Our Military Heroes" -- We saluted more than 300 known
cousins who served in the US Armed Forces during wartime. Two cousin-veterans
spoke about their significant wartime ordeals -- Robert E. Minerd, who at age 22
was the senior surviving officer of the torpedoed and sunken U.S.S.
Frederick C. Davis; and Donald L. Plants, who survived several months as a
Nazi POW in Germany. The Color Guard of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of
Somerset, Post 554, and the Somerset Marine Corps League led a stirring ceremony
which included presentation of the flag, a 21-gun salute and the playing of
taps. With the 15 cousin-veterans
in attendance standing side by side in a semi-circle, our reunion president
recited President Reagan’s moving speech honoring the 40th anniversary of
D-Day, and read aloud the names of the 14 known cousin-servicemen killed at war.
During the weekend, reunion officers placed flowers and plaques at the graves of
cousins killed in action who are buried in Fayette, Westmoreland, Somerset and
Washington Counties, PA.
1997 - "A Sense of Wonder" -- Honored more than 220 cousin-educators in the family. Retired teacher Freda (Miller) Channing provided insights into her own career as well as those of her mother, aunt, uncle and others in her immediate family.
1996
- "9,000 and Counting" -- A
crowd of 90 people attended the reunion at the Kingwood IOOF Picnic Grove
despite the threat of rain from Hurricane Bertha.
The reunion also was highlighted by a group photograph, clowns (seen at
left in colorful costume) and
childrens' games, softball hitting, speeches by Eugene Podraza and Melda
Bittinger, and a noon picnic meal.
1995 - July 8 - "Minerd-Fest '95," a celebration of the German heritage of the family. The Connellsville (PA) Daily Courier said, "If drawing crowds of more than 100 makes a family reunion a success, then count the Minerd-Miner-Minor family reunion among the successful. The family's latest reunion ... drew more than 100 people for the second straight year." Commenting on our reunion, the Uniontown Herald-Standard said, "It's hard to realize to what extent a family can grow in a little more than 200 years." Joe Malone, a popular German folk musician, seen at right, entertained with authentic music played on his old-time alpine button accordion and while wearing a traditional alpine costume. Our German Connection booklets, authored by cousin Eugene Podraza, provided an update of his extensive and at times frustrating research of our clan's German roots. Minerd-Fest Cookbooks also were distributed, containing many delicious recipes provided by a number of cousins, including tasty German delicacies handed down over the generations. Mark A. Miner of Wexford, PA, was elected president, succeeding Deborah Miner Covell of North Canton, OH, who stepped down after eight years of service.
1994
- July 9 - "Civil War" -- Twenty-two Civil War soldiers who
were members of the Minerd-Miner family were honored at the annual reunion at
the Kingwood Picnic Grove. The agenda included remarks by various descendants of
the soldiers and a picnic lunch. Everyone in attendance received a special
booklet containing biographies and photographs of the soldiers. There was no
charge to attend, but a freewill offering was taken to offset costs. After
lunch, actor Bill May portrayed a
Union Army Civil War soldier, seen here, dressed in an authentic uniform of a private and
performed a 45-minute monologue as if he were on his way home after several
years at war. Just as he was finishing, a
storm hit and a small tornado brought down several large trees around our picnic
pavilion. Fortunately, though we had a record crowd of 125,
including several elderly cousins and young children, no one was
injured.
1993
- "80th Anniversary of First Reunion" -- Donald Harbaugh,
seen at right, recited the Minerd history prepared in 1913 by his great grandfather, Allen
E. Harbaugh. The group took a driving tour of the old Minerd farm and
other old landmarks. Everyone received a copy of Harbaugh's speech.
1992 - July 11 - After a picnic lunch, held at the Kingwood Picnic Grove, there were remarks by President Deborah (Miner) Covell, introductions and an explanation of how each attendee was related to the rest of the group. Guests were encouraged to stand and share a little about themselves and their families. Mark A. Miner was elected vice president. Later, the group embarked on a driving tour of old nearby family landmarks. One stop was the old farm settled by Jacob and Catherine (Younkin) Minerd Jr. in the early 1800s near the Old Bethel Church. Other stops were cemeteries, including the Odd Fellows Cemetery where Civil War veteran Ephraim Miner is buried, and the site of the old Fairview Church, where Jacob Minerd Jr. is buried. The group paused at the Fairview site to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Jacob Jr.'s death, in November 1842, after being crushed while chopping down a tree. Later in the afternoon, the group re-convened at the Kingwood Picnic Grove for a short business meeting and visiting.
1986 to 1991 - Click here to read a special memoir by Melda (Miner) Bittinger, treasurer of the reunion from 1986 to 2001.
Copyright © 2000, 2005 Mark A. Miner