Caudle Reunion Report

OCTOBER 22-23, 2010

DUBLIN, TEXAS

The 2010 Caudle Family Reunion was held on Friday and Saturday October 22 and 23 at the Senior Citizens Center in Dublin, Texas.  It was another successful, interesting, and fun event.   A total of 66 people attended including several who came to the reunion for the first time.  It’s always nice to see new faces and get to know more of our “cousins” from far and wide.   Attendees ranged in age from 17 months old to 89 years young.  Cody Woodward from Fredericksburg, TX was the youngest in attendance, and Mae Tanner from Conroe, TX was the most senior person there. This year we had 11 young people under the age of 12 in attendance.  It’s good to know that the younger generations are interested in learning about our shared family heritage.  Caudle relatives from California, Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas attended the reunion.
 

On Friday afternoon, folks began arriving at the Dublin Senior Citizens Center where we relaxed, visited, got reacquainted, and had refreshments.  Later in the afternoon, a small group of folks decided to visit the Caudle Cemetery and Pecan Cemetery because weather forecasts for the next day called for thunderstorms and heavy rain.  The group was led by Mae Tanner and included Jean Tanner Muñoz, Frank & Betty Caudle, Junior & Mary Cofer, Gene & Darlene Wright, and Dan Caudle. 

On Friday afternoon, folks began arriving at the Dublin Senior Citizens Center where we relaxed, visited, got reacquainted, and had refreshments.  Later in the afternoon, a small group of folks decided to visit the Caudle Cemetery and Pecan Cemetery because weather forecasts for the next day called for thunderstorms and heavy rain.  The group was led by Mae Tanner and included Jean Tanner Muñoz, Frank & Betty Caudle, Junior & Mary Cofer, Gene & Darlene Wright, and Dan Caudle.

Pictures

Michele Mudryk was our “official photographer” again this year.  She took pictures of individuals and family groups as well as candid photos during the reunion and the visit to Caudle Cemetery.  She is in the process of putting a CD together with all of the pictures on it.  She will send it to me.  I will make copies of the CDs and distribute them to anyone who wants one.

Cemetery Visit and Rain

On Saturday morning a caravan of 8 vehicles left the Senior Citizens Center under threatening skies to visit the Caudle Cemetery and other cemeteries as time and weather permitted.  By the time we got to the Caudle Cemetery, it was sprinkling.  On the walk to the cemetery from the cars, a light rain began to fall.  The group did manage to spend about 20 to 30 minutes in the cemetery, taking pictures, locating graves, reading the inscriptions on the headstones, etc. before a steady rain began to fall.  Everyone made their way back to their cars without getting too wet.  As we were leaving the Caudle Cemetery, we made a brief stop at the Hancock Cemetery which is also located on the Flying B Ranch.  It also has a Texas State Historical Marker, but that cemetery is not maintained like our Caudle Cemetery is.

On the drive from the Caudle Cemetery to Pecan Cemetery, the sky opened up and a heavy downpour made it impossible to visit Pecan, Turnbow, Alexander, Bowman Ridge or other cemeteries as planned.  The caravan made its way back to the Senior Citizens Center in Dublin.  By the time we got back to the center, a full-blown thunderstorm was in progress and it rained hard most of the rest of the day. 

Other Activities

Some of the reunion attendees who did not go with the group to visit the cemeteries on Saturday took the opportunity to tour the Dublin Dr. Pepper Plant or the Veldhuizen Dairy and Cheese Shop on Saturday morning.  They enjoyed their tours. 

Lunch and Door Prizes

At noon we enjoyed a catered barbecue lunch from Tumbleweed BBQ from Stephenville. Following the meal a few awards were presented.  All of the youngsters under 12 years old helped with the drawing for door prizes.  Door prizes included a Caudle Family Heritage Cookbook donated by Brian and Dottie Caudle from Katy, TX, as well as several items including a framed close-up photo of an iris in full bloom from the Caudle Cemetery, two potted irises from the Caudle Cemetery, a Texas shaped gift basket of mixed nuts, a carton of Dublin Dr. Pepper, a leather covered thermos from the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, and a plant identification book.   

Awards

Weary Traveler Award- This year, two awards were presented for those who travelled the furthest to attend the reunion.  Gene and Darlene Wright travelled over 1600 miles from their home in Hayward, California to be with us.

A second award was presented to Cheri, Michelle, and Ross Mudryk from Bakersfield, California.  Hayward is actually a few hundred miles further from than Bakersfield, but the Mudryks drove from California to Kansas to visit relatives, then to Dublin for the reunion, and then back to Oklahoma to visit more relatives before driving back to Bakersfield. 

Elder Statesman Award – this award is presented to the eldest person in attendance at each reunion.  This year, Mae Tanner was the eldest person in attendance, but with Mae’s blessings, the award was presented to Jarvis Daniel “Dan” Caudle from Tucson, Arizona.  Dan had planned to make the trip, but at the last minute did not feel well enough to make the long drive.  His daughter, Ann Floyd from Tucson, accepted the award on his behalf.

Special Recognition - Mae Tanner received a Special Recognition certificate and a framed photo of irises in full bloom from the Caudle Cemetery.  The award was presented in recognition of her many years of dedicated and loyal service to the family in her efforts to initiate the family reunion, establish the Caudle Cemetery Association, and provide leadership in restoring, preserving, and maintaining the Caudle Cemetery.
 

Business Meeting

Leadership – Bruce Cunningham from Decatur, TX and Ray Caudle, Jr. from Venus, TX were selected to be co-leaders of the group for the 2011 reunion year.  Kathy Ray from Pauls Valley, OK agreed to help them as needed.  Dan Caudle from Weatherford, TX agreed to remain as treasurer and contact person for the Caudle Cemetery Fund.

2011Reunion- the next reunion will be held in Mt. Vernon, TX in October of 2011.  More than likely it will be held at the first Baptist Church Activities Building again.  Hopefully it will include a visit to the Providence Cemetery and possibly the Glade Springs Cemetery as well as other sites of interest.  Frank and Betty Caudle from Maud, TX agreed to handle local arrangements for the reunion with help from Mary and Junior Cofer from Winnsboro, TX.  It will be another great opportunity for our family to get together.

Communications- Ray Caudle, Jr. has started a Facebook Group called James Caudle Clan to facilitate communications between family members about items of interest. 

Until Next Year

The meeting adjourned and everyone said their goodbyes until the next reunion. 

Please send any donations to the Caudle Cemetery Fund, requests for reunion picture CDs, or cookbooks to me.  My contact information can be found below.

See you next October in Mt. Vernon.

Dan Caudle

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