Harper Family Picnic Recap

Harper Family Picnic Recap

Saturday, August 19, 2008

Owens Park in Beallsville, MD

www.oneharperfam.com



Family members and friends were treated to one of the Harper family’s best events on

August 19th. The weather cooperated b-i-g time and those who came celebrated, reminisced

and got back in touch. Children played, conversations and food were plentiful, as were the

sounds of laughing, talking and playing. It was definitely family time and great seeing and

meeting old and new family members and friends.

Some of the words used to describe this year’s picnic included “momentous”, “fabulous”,

“incredible”, “enjoyable”, “heartwarming”, “awesome” and “fun”. In the end, the day’s

rewards were plentiful. We tried counting them and came up with 128 rewards of our own!

(Your count may differ.) And check out the Thank You listing. (We counted them too, and

listed 40!)





1-107 We begin with a count of every participant—107 at last count! The opportunity to be

with family and friends was “golden”. We appreciated the attendance of those who

came. After all, what’s a picnic without you! We truly missed those who weren’t

there and hope to see you next year! (See list of attendees on the back page.)



108 A clean, bright and well decorated pavilion was in order for a successful picnic, and

that's just what we had thanks to the best start-up and clean-up crew around!

Christine did her usual bang-up job decorating—this year with help from Ursula.



109 The food! The food! The food! Great and plentiful! We had everything you could

ever want at a picnic—and more.



110 The pastries! Including cookies, cakes, pies! Caramel, lemon meringue, pound and

chocolate cakes; chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin cookies.



111 The fish! We missed Reto on the grill, but Shirley’s relatives, Hattie Harris and Nina

Hill drove up and back from Virginia on the day of the picnic to fill the gap.



112 Speaking of Reto, $310 was raised in his honor.



113 Arthur Williams, friend of Milton Harper and the person who passed out, was

admitted to Suburban Hospital the day of the picnic, released two days later, and is

said to be doing okay. Kudos to Ariel Dominguez, Sr. (Maryland fire-fighter) and

Fred Murray (Philadelphia Fire Marshall) who performed emergency medical

procedures before paramedics arrived.

Fun Picnic Facts

 First to Arrive:  Last to Arrive:

Norma and Lacey Smith Marie Lee

 Oldest Member in Attendance:  Youngest Member in Attendance:

Evelyn E. Harper Antonio Dominguez





114 There will be plenty of video and photographic memories from this year’s picnic

thanks to Timothy Harper, Charles Harper, Jr. and Fred Murray! Charles and

Timmy’s photos are on the website. Take a look if you haven’t already.

115 Sports! Okay. The games were not as organized as in the past. But there was just

enough basketball, softball, tennis and horseshoe activity to keep sports-minded

family members happy. (Including the hecklers. Right Delores?)

116 We hit the jackpot with BINGO! and there were lots of prizes to be won! Denise

Herbert did a great job as the caller. And the winners and their prizes were:

 Celeste Jones - Weegie Board

 Elsie Copeland - Journal Booklet

 Evelyn M. Harper - Scented candle with warmer and African American picture

 Laurie Brooks - Greek jigsaw puzzle and Black Americans of Achievement Game

 Pat Feeney - Photo album and African American Picture

 Sharrita Buckner - NFL Window Film Decals for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia

Eagles and Washington Redskin teams

 Tracey Gray – Washington Redskin NFL Window Film Decal

117 The youngest Harpers faced off, and the winner of the Baby Crawl was Jordan Lee –

even though all of the adorable participants were winners (including Sekea

Murray).

118 Arts & Crafts included face painting by Megan Harper (who did an excellent job!),

finger painting, popsicle stick crafts, decorating foam sunglasses and foam

bookmarkers. Adults were able to decorate bags and hats.

119 The Harper Family Book Fair included over 150 books for all age groups, on a

variety of subjects for selection by picnic attendees. Books remaining after the

picnic were given to Paola Velasquez, second grade school teacher (Jason Walton-

Harper's fiancé), who planned to share the books she could not use with other

teachers/students in her school. Remaining adult books were donated to a Rockville,

MD men's shelter.

120 Harper Elder Salute – We wanted to find an appropriate way to acknowledge our

Harper elders during family events. So we created a Harper Family Elder Salute, our

very own version of the military’s “sound off” chant. Everyone lent their voices –

loud, clear and strong. And judging by the faces of family elders when we were done,

they enjoyed the tribute.

121 The Harper Gold Star Award for family members who go above and beyond the call

of duty to see that the Harper Family Legacy continues to grow, strengthen and

prosper, was announced and presented for the first time at the picnic. This year’s

recipients were awarded not only because they have been loyal members of the

Planning Team since 1989, but because they have unselfishly bestowed upon us

their individual time, money and resources, while instilling wisdom, knowledge and

encouragement.

 Beverly A. Harper  William (FedX) Harper

 Roland C. Harper  William Lee

 Sam Harper

122 The Next Generation Award for young family members who work to continue the

family legacy (and to keep them encouraged) was announced and presented for the

first time at the picnic. This year’s recipients were:

 Keisha Morris-Dominguez  Michael George

123 Two students received Harper Family Education Program Rewards:

 Jamierah Murray earned 32 grades this past school year, 31 of which were A’s

and B’s. She received $31 in $1 an A or B Rewards.

 Megan Harper, Montgomery College student studying Television Broadcasting

received a $250 Scholarship that she will use for books and school supplies.

124 We sold 50/50 Raffle tickets 1 for $1, 3 for $2, and an arms length for $5. The 50/50

Raffle grossed $157 and the winners were:

 William Davis, $79  Harper Family Reunion Fund, $78



125 PTMs put together 50 Back to School (B2S) Starter Packs that included:

 vinyl drawstring backpacks with Gideon’s Army logo

 pencils, pens and rulers engraved with the HARPER name

 calculators and computer memory sticks in older student bags

 crayons in younger student bags  spiral notebooks

 composition books  3-ring binder paper

 glue sticks  computer paper

Remaining B2S Packs were donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington,

Germantown Branch.

126 Toddler Goody Bags were distributed for the first time this year – and they were a

BIG hit with the littlest attending family members. The bags included:

 3 packs of fruit snacks  1 Capri Sun Juice drink

 2 packs of animal crackers  1 Alphabet-Number Foam Puzzle

 1 Jell-O fruit cup

127 Grandma’s Rules were a big hit, and family members referred to them by number

when reminding one another of what rule they were in jeopardy of breaking. A

couple of the men folk even claimed reverse discrimination on Rule #14 regarding

men taking their hats off indoors. (Don’t make Grandma have to grip you up!)

128 Surveys regarding our 20th Anniversary Reunion were completed by many family

members. Responses will help the Planning Team shape our upcoming reunion. See

the website for the survey results.



Picnic Fact : Tracey Owens Gray, sister of Gary Levale Owens—the person

for whom Owens Park is named, was an attendee at this year’s reunion. She

thought of Beulah Harper as “one classy lady” and remembers her as “always

involved with church and the community”. Though young at the time, Tracey

recalls her parents “cutting the ribbon” when the park was named for her

brother, and “the expression on their faces”. She is “thankful and honored that

her brother was acknowledged in that way”.

Cynthia Murray Milton Harper

Cynthia Ford-Davis Nahum Addison

Cynthia Thomas Nickie Addison

Damien Harper Nikia Davis

Debra Jackson Nina Hill

Delores Harris Norma Smith

Demetrius Britt Norman Lee

Denise Herbert Paola Velasquez

Dennis Witmer Pat Feeney

you came. Dominique Bander Ralph Underwood

you saw. Elsie Copeland

Elsworth Payne

Ray Robinson

Raynita Addison

you played. Evelyn E. Harper Rendell DeBrew

Evelyn M. Harper Ricky Wright

you ate. Faith Harper Roland Harper

you stayed. Fred Murray Ron (Lonnie) Harper

Gabriel Harper Rosa Benlizar

❤ Hattie Harris Sam Harper

Isis Dominiguez Sandra Ford

Thank You Janet Tibbs

Jason Walton Harper

Sekea Murray

Sharitta Buckner

for coming! Jean Underwood

Joaquin Davis

Shirley Harper

Shynia Underwood

Joe Hoy Stanelle Prather

Jordan Eichorn Stephon Harper

Alfred Draper Jordan Lee Sylvia Ford-George

Amina Colburn Joshua Metcalfe Timothy Harper

Angel Harper Joyce Johnson Tina Lee

Angela Collins Justin Brooks Tolqueenia Quarles

Antonio Dominiguez Karen Copeland Witmer Tracey Owens Gray

April Eichorn Keisha Morris- Trevor Kincaid

Ariel Dominiguez, Sr. Dominiguez Troy Jackson

Ariel Dominiguez, Jr. Kevin Underwood Tyara Battle

Arthur Williams Lacey Smith Tyria Bander

Bernard Harper Lance James Ursula Harper

Betty Harper Laurie Brooks William Davis

Beverly A. Harper Linda Edwards William (Bill-Bill) Harper

Beverly Harper-MD Linda Ford William (FedX) Harper

Brandon Addison Lisa James William (Philly-Billy) Harper

Britney Addison Marie Lee William Lee

Cameron Eichorn Marvin Ricketts William (Little-Billy) Roy

Celeste Jones Megan Harper

Charles Harper, Jr. Melissa Lee

Cheryl Harper Collins Michael George

Chester Harper Michael Metcalfe

Christine Clarke Michelle Galindo

Harper Family Picnic Thank You’s

Saturday, August 19, 2008  Owens Park in Beallsville, MD

We owe our deepest gratitude to everyone who helped make the 2008 Harper Family Picnic a

success. And as hard as we tried, we know we're missing some names. So pardon the

omissions, and P-L-E-A-S-E give your name to any Planning Team Member so that we can add

you to the list.



Thank You to...

1. YPTMs* for stepping up to the plate to plan the picnic.

2. PTMs* for helping the YPTMs out. (We hope to see more YPTMs next year.)

3. Sam Harper for securing the park permit.

4. Sam Harper and Bill Lee for paying for the park.

5. Faith and Sammy for cleaning the bathrooms.

6. Christine and Ursula for cleaning and decorating the pavilion.

7. FedX for the extra tables.

8. Christine, Cindy, Cinny, Faith, Linda, Mike, Sammy, Sandra, Sekea, Sylvia and Ursula for

pavilion set-up.

9. Cinny and Nikia for cleaning the playground equipment.

10. Christine, Cinny and Sylvia for the signage.

11. Charles, Fred and Timmy for photographing and videographing the reunion.

(P.S. Check out Charles' website: www.csharper.zenfolio.com)

12. Ariel, Bernard, Cindy, Fred, Lonnie, Melissa, Michael, Ricky and Will for getting the

basketball, softball, horseshoe and tennis games “started”.

13. Everyone who brought sports equipment.

14. Everybody who made a “Reto” donation.

15. Everyone who brought fruit, food and pastries into the pavilion, including Sammy,

Roland, Bernard, FedX Billy, Betty, Elsie (who’s fruit salad was the bomb!), Shirley,

Cheryl and Karen.

16. FedX for getting the fish and donating soda and water.

17. Hattie Harris and Nina Hill for cooking the fish.

18. Cindy for organizing the great Baby Crawl.

19. Bernard, Evelyn Mae and Faith for BINGO gifts.

20. Evelyn Mae and Faith for the Arts and Crafts supplies.

21. Megan for the face painting and help with other arts and crafts activities.

22. Delores for purchasing over 100 books for the Harper Family Book Fair.

23. Cinny, Melissa and everybody else who donated books for the Book Fair.

24. Faith, Linda, Sandra and Sekea for setting up the Book Fair.

25. Bev-MD, Bill-Bill, Cindy, Evelyn Mae, Faith, Fred, Linda, Lisa, Lonnie, Mike, Sandra and

Sylvia for purchasing the Back2School supplies.

26. Linda, Sandra and Sekea for packaging the Back2School Packs.

27. Evelyn Mae and Faith for purchasing contents for and packaging Toddler Goody Bags.



*See list of names after Thank You #40.

28. Sandra for donating Gideon's Army vinyl drawstring bags for the Back2School packs and

Toddler Goody bags.

29. Lonnie for bringing the camera and purchasing film for pictures with family elders (even

though we had technical difficulties and couldn't take the photos).

30. Mike for bringing his laptop for viewing the family website (even though we forgot to set it up).

31. Beverly-PA and Sandra for note cards (even though we didn't use them).

32. Beverly-PA for stamps (even though we didn't use them).

33. Cinny and Sandra for selling raffle tickets.

34. Will and everybody else who purchased raffle tickets.

35. Sylvia for creating and leading us through the Harper Elder Salute.

36. The anonymous donor for the Harper Star and Next Generation Awards.

37. On behalf of Jamierah and Megan, for the Education Reward and Scholarship, respectively.

38. All the students for giving us their names and grades (even though grown folks talked

through it).

39. Everybody for helping to keep the park clean.

40. Bernard, Bill-Bill, Cheryl, Cindy, Cinny, Delores, Faith, Little-Billy, Lonnie, Michael,

Ricky, Roland, Sammy, Sylvia, Trevor for clean-up after the picnic.



YPTMs (Youth Planning Team) PTMs (Planning Team Members)

 Mike  Faith  Billy Lee  Lisa

 Sekea  Cinny  Cindy  Lonnie

 Little Billy  Bernard  Delores  Roland

 Melissa  Bev-MD  Evelyn Mae  Sammy

 Ricky  Bev-PA  FedX  Sandra

 Trevor  Bill-Bill  Linda  Sylvia

Remember, if you helped in anyway and are not listed PLEASE LET US KNOW WHO YOU ARE

so that we can add you to the list. DO NOT CALL Aunt Evelyn or Shirley saying you can't

believe we didn't list your name. (Okay, call them if you must, but give us a call too. Thanks!)



Do you have a favorite or special reunion moment that you'd like to share? Do you have

reunion photos we can add to the website? If so, call any PTM member or email us at

oneharperfam@yahoo.com.



Reunion Moment: My favorite parts of the picnic were Aunt Evelyn fussing at Bernard

(picture Bernard underfire and helpless!), Linda and Sekea (two family “babies”) trying to

get along (are y’all talking yet?), sister-cousins Linda and Marie who still manage to amuse

me when they get together, (what really happened to those balloons?), Billy Lee on the

tennis court with mis-matched shoes, and how apropos it was that Will won the 50/50 raffle

after lending his long arms countless times for folks wanting to get their money's worth on

the "arm length" tickets. (How many times Will?) I was glad to see everyone who attended,

but happiest to see Junior, Norma and Lacey, Aunt Evelyn, Sekea, Cheryl and Reggie. I was

glad to finally meet Ellsworth and Angela/Bunnie. And, the most annoying relative at the

picnic was Norman Lee! (And yes, he knows why.) - Sylvia



Reunion Fact: Gideon's Army is the name of the children's choir Sandra Ford directed at

her church. They were so named to keep them encouraged as young people and because

their membership was small. Biblically, it's an inspiring story of how God takes weak,

humble, sometimes fearful people and uses them to do wonderful things. Gideon's Army is

the story of Gideon, whose army of 32,000 soldiers was reduced to 300, but yet they still

managed to conquer an army of Midianites. Harper students can look to the story and

their bags for hope and encouragement this school year. And, we expect wonderful news

and more Educational Rewards to be distributed in 2009!