Puffinbargers hold reunion
On Sunday, August 15, 2021, ancestors of Douglas and Arilda Puffinbarger gathered together for a family reunion at the Amorita-Byron Fire Station in Byron, for a business meeting, potluck dinner and social discussion.
Those present were R.L. and Tricia Coday with Erica, and Debbie Tucker, Alva; Beverly Hankey, Claudette Parker, and Monte and Shelly Stewart with Logan, Amorita; Andrea Angle with friend Kolby Burtner, Andy Angle, and Bill Angle,Blackwell; Don and Denise Dupuis, Broken Arrow; Rodger and Jan Hill, Burlington; Leon Boyle, and Jace and Rachael Smith with Cade, Cole and Emma, Byron; Dan and Teresa Smith, Camargo; Kelli Arnold with Kaysen and Kendrick, Ross and Lynetta Cressler, Chase Puffinbarger, Edward Puffinbarger, Kyle and Kendra Puffinbarger with Jaxon and Landry, Lloyd (Chub) Puffinbarger, and Phyllis Puffinbarger, all of Cherokee; Randy and Loretta Doak, Fairview; Elicia Roedel, Kingfisher; Tammy Puffinbarger, Midwest City; and Patricia Cross and Larry McPherson, Newton, Kan.
At the business meeting, donations were given to help cover the cost of venue, postage, and office supplies. It was voted to have another reunion in 2022 in the same location and to donate money to the Amorita-Byron Fire Department.
Monetary prizes were awarded to Bill Angle, Oldest Family Member Present; Kendrick Arnold, Youngest Family Member Present, and Denise Dupuis, Member Present Who Drove The Farthest to Attend. Phyllis Puffinbarger received special recognition for having the most members of her immediate family (children and grandchildren) in attendance.
There were many covered dishes present for the potluck dinner of which some favorites were brisket, chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, baked beans, deviled eggs, peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream, and fudge brownies. Everyone present enjoyed visiting while eating the delicious food.
Except for 2020 (due to Covid), the Puffinbarger Family Reunion is traditionally held every year on the third Sunday in August. None of the family members present could remember what year the first reunion was held but several said they had been attending every year for over 60 years.