75th Annual Speed Family Reunion Held in Muldoon

On Saturday, June 8 the Bob, Tom and Frank Speed descendants gathered at the Muldoon Mercantile in downtown Muldoon for the 75th annual Speed Family Reunion. There were twenty-four who made the trip to meet up, visit with and just get to catch up with each other. The ones coming the farthest was Michell and Tommy Mitchell and their two children Adeline Grace and Oliver James, who flew in for the weekend from Fort Colins, Colorado. The youngest attendee was Ira James Ivy, who was two, and the eldest attendee was Billie Jean Rightmer.

Julia Speed presented some new information on how the Speed family immigrated to Fayette County in 1859. A whole display of the family roots was on display taking up tables down an entire wall. Everyone got a chance to check it out and see all the additions to the list and see who all had passed in the this past year. Plans also were laid for next years’ cousin gathering with hopes those who were unable to make it this year will once again be able to come next year.

Weather 

Muldoon has seen some spotty showers recently. Not much in the total rainfall amounts. Temperatures have been in the nineties during the day and cooling into the 70s at night. When the rain showers around the area, we have benefited from the cool air that drops the temperatures down.

The current weather has brought on a bumper crop of veggies in the area. Many have had bumper crops of zucchini and cucumbers this year. It is so wonderful to enjoy the benefits of all the fresh veggies that are being shared, especially the zucchini, as recipes and ideas for how to prepare all the wonderful bounty being grown and shared.

Neighborhood Watch 

As summer begins that means we need to watch out for our neighbors more. Not only for heat related problems, but also to help keep everyone safe. Let a trusted neighbor know if you might be out of town on vacation. Have them check on your place regularly. Also if you are passing by and notice a strange vehicle, please call them and check to make sure it is someone they want on their place. One call can prevent a crime.

Out and About 

A few weeks ago, Ron and Pam Knotts drove to Laurel, Mississippi, to celebrate their anniversary. Being fans of the TV show “Hometown” on the Magnolia Network, they were excited to see many of the landmarks featured in the show. Downtown Laurel has small restaurants serving southern favorites and several restored old buildings housing a variety of shops. Of particular interest was the workshop where lots of the filming is done for the TV show. Ben Napier and several of his close friends do woodworking projects for the show and produce goods to be sold in the Scotsman General Store. While downtown Ron and Pam visited the Mercantile Co. which features products for the home and a new shop called the Scent Library which has candles that tell a story. The town is a living history lesson of a kinder, gentler time and made for a great spring get-away.

Debra and John Schwartzenburg enjoyed having their grandkids; Adeline Grace and Oliver James; and daughter Michell and her husband Tommy Mitchell came in from Fort Colins, Colorado just for the Speed Family Reunion.

James and I enjoyed having our grandson Ira James Ivy come with his mom, Jenny Clair for the Speed Reunion. Ira got to drive the tractor with Grandpa and Uncle Bobby took him for a ride in Jeep.

Have News? 

If you have news for the columnist, you may email Joan at muldoonaggie@yahoo. com.