Baggenstoss 1999 Reunion

BAGGENSTOSS GENEALOGY
copyright 1998-1999 by J. Hall Backenstose, all rights reserved
[Baggenstoss Genealogy Home]

The reunion was held 1999 Aug 7 Sat in the Berks Leisure Area, Reading, PA. Attendance was on par with previous reunions, perhaps a few more. It was interesting to see several elderly men in wheelchairs - dispite the difficulties they had to get there, we had a generous supply of our patriarchs!

The usual reports by the President, Treasurer, and Historian were given. Election of directors was held. An attempt was made to set the site of the 2000 reunion, and just as everyone was reaching a consensus to vote, the historian made a remark that the directors should be the ones to decide, the view which was eventually held by the president, and so no vote was held.

This year featured a moderated discussion about Backenstoss traditions, stories, characteristics, and such. It was fun to see Roy Backenstose, one of the senior men there, begin to reminisce about life on the Backenstoss homestead - it appeared that the discussion moderator was a little unprepared for such a response to her questions. As nobody else seemed to be recording his stories, the author jotted down as much as he could. A lady who has attended at least last year's reunion as well even though she is not a relative related a story about researching ancestors who hid confederate soldiers in the attic.

In addition to the ususal foodfare, E. Musni was motivated to try some extra food to see the response. She prepared and marianated chicken which she barbequed and which recieved a very warm welcome. Several were the toasts to her efforts.

The author brought examples of medieval German toys (handcrafted throw tops) and several wooden shields displaying Baggenstos Coat-of-Arms (one boy wore one for the entire reunion and it became an occasion for some tears when the time came to part with it). Woody brought a flag displaying the coat-of-arms of Rafz, Switzeraland (as he always does). Someone brought a framed display of letters, pictures, and such relating to an early Backenstoss.

In an attempt to reintroduce scholarly presentations to the reunion agenda, the author brought handouts of the Baggenstoss Homepage, a brief discussion of medieval German throwing tops, and copies of several German recipes of the 13th century (it had been the author's intention to bring one or two 13th century dishes for tasting by attendees, but other preparations left no room for this).

The 'regular' attendees were happy to have the attendance of two new families at this reunion, the families of Judi Bacastow and Steve Bagenstose. Steve, in particular, was exciting for the Historian as his line had not been connected back to the family genealogy yet. Both found out about the reunion partially via the internet and this website.

The author took several group photographs which turned out well.