Report of the 2011 Milo Andrus Family Reunion

Upon my arrival early on a cool, slightly overcast Saturday morning the Liberty Park maintenance crew was just finishing their clean up of the Rice Terrace Pavilion.  Gary Ball and family (Margaret Boyce wife line) were already busily engaged in preparing a delightful breakfast.  Don Andrus (Jane Munday wife line) and his group of volunteers—mostly members of his extended family—were preparing for reunion registration.  During registration, special color-coded name badges were given to attendees, identifying them as members of their specific wife lines.

As attendees arrived, they were greeted with friendly smiles at the registration tables along with the pleasant aroma of pancakes, eggs and ham cooking nearby.  Pictures of the several wife lines were also spread out on tables for all to see.  An opening prayer by Craig Anderson (Jane Munday) got things officially started.

 

 

Following the all-you-can eat breakfast, I conducted our family business meeting (see official meeting minutes for all details).  The main order of business was to elect a new president and vice president for the organization.  Craig Jensen (Sarah Miles) was elected president, and Andy Andrus (Jane Munday) was elected vice president.

Newly elected president Craig Jensen (Sarah Miles wife line) and vice-president Andy Andrus (Jane Munday wife line).

Brief reports were then given by the following:

• Don Andrus (Jane Munday): Financial report
• Dean Andrus (Jane Munday): Information/Mailing lists
• Laura Anderson (Jane Munday): Research

Laura also asked each wife line to visit with her in their wife line meetings to discuss ongoing research needs within the wife lines and to encourage further participation.

Family genealogist Laura Anderson gives a research update.

Outgoing president, Brent Andrus, conducts the business meeting.

I reviewed the progress of the organization, including research, communications, expansion of social media, and the need to reach many more of Milo Andrus’s descendants.  Mark Andrus (Abigail Daley), who chaired the reunion committee, then reviewed the events for the remainder of the day.  Don Jensen (Sarah Miles), maestro extraordinaire and game organizer, reviewed the musical and game events for the day.

Wife line meetings immediately followed the business meeting, and then people were off to participate in many activities, including guessing contests, organized games, kiddie rides and paddle boats on the lake or just relaxing for awhile.  I chose the last option and relaxed while listening to Don Jensen’s exceptional string orchestra as they practiced.  Others took advantage of the free time to have individual family picnics or to visit various Milo Andrus historical sites around the Salt Lake Valley.

Newton Andrus conducts the Jane Munday wife line meeting.

Family members discuss genealogy.

Displays of thousands of historical family photos.

Pioneer games.

Three-legged races.

Getting to know new cousins. 

The guessing contests were a challenge for both young and old.

Paddle boats.

Amusement park rides.

Cotton candy, mmmmm.

For dinner, Gary Ball and company returned and cooked up another great meal of hamburgers, hot dogs and all the fixings.  We were treated to delightful music from Don Jensen and orchestra during the dinner hour.  Then precisely at 5:45 pm (well almost) we gathered for group and wife line pictures.  Try getting 200 people moving in the same direction and lining up so all can be seen in the picture!  Thank goodness for the color-coded name badges! My daughter Lori Barnhurst (Jane Munday) was the official photographer for the day, taking the group photos as well as numerous candid photos.

Dinner was great! It was hamburgers, hot dogs and watermelon, followed by mint brownies (yum). 

Everyone was able to talk and get to know each other over dinner.

The innagural Andrus Family Orchestra under the baton of Don Jensen (Sarah Miles wife line).

Following the group photos (or group chaos, if you prefer) we all settled down for the highlight of the evening, the re-enactment of the play presented at the last reunion, The Life and Wives of Milo Andrus, written and directed by De Lane Andrus Hyer (Ann Brooks).

Performers in the readers’ theater play: The Life and Wives of Milo Andrus.

Following the play, we sang the hymn Come, Come Ye Saints.  After my concluding remarks and testimony, we ended the day as we began, in prayer.

I offer my heartfelt thanks to all who helped in any way with this reunion.  By every measure it was truly a successful event.  It was wonderful renewing old acquaintances as well as making many new ones.  I will sincerely cherish the memory of this event throughout my life, and will always be grateful for the privilege of serving as your president these past four years. 

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