NEW SHARON — The descendants of Frank Arthur and Clara Minnie (Hanson) Russell gathered for a family reunion at the Congregational Church vestry on Aug. 8, with 44 members present.
A potluck luncheon was served at noon, with the Rev. John Russell Tolman, grandson of Frank and Clara Russell, leading the group in prayer.
Family pictures, stories and much more were on display. Genealogy information was available for those interested in their family roots. Updates for the family’s births, deaths and marriages for the past two years were available to all those that keep their Russell genealogy books updated. Several messages and pictures from those family members living away and unable to attend were shared with the group.
An auction was held outside in the afternoon, under the huge maple trees. Several homemade items were donated, and were quite popular. Steve Russell, great-grandson; Jeff Pottle, his brother-in-law; and Sandra Wyman-Krebs, great-great-granddaughter of Frank and Clara Russell, were the auction crew, as they have been for many years.
The auction proceeds help pay for the use of the vestry, postage for the annual newsletter and any other expenses to help make the day a success.
The oldest member present was Carrie Follett Brann Harnden; she observed her 95th birthday on July 3, 2010. She is a granddaughter of Frank and Clara Russell and their oldest living descendant. The youngest member present was 7-year-old Caleb Tolman.
Those attending were: Scott and Carol Routhe, Rochester, N.H.; Lester Townsend, Londonderry, N.H.; Darlene Beardsley, Nashua, N.H.; Christopher Mercier and Amanda, Bonaire, Ga.; Audrey Luke, Oxford; Charles Barr, Gorham; Gail Wood, Portland; Linda Barr, Gray; Esther Russell, Peru; Georgia Tolman, John and Jane Tolman, Jeff and Kris Pottle, all of New Sharon; Frank, JoHelen, Nathaniel and Caleb Tolman, Pittsfield; Tom and Judy Grace, Casco; Henry and Nancy Doughty, Pittston; Kenneth and Frances Brann, Industry; Joseph and Beverly Russell, Augusta; Ralph and Frankie Oulton, Cumberland; Debra Mason Dugay, Farmington Falls; Fred Nadeau, Livermore Falls; Steve and Gladys Russell of Farmington; Harland and Carrie Harnden, Richard and Monie Russell, Karen Russell, Tim and Sandra Wyman Krebs, Roger and Kathy Wells and Joanne Page, all of Wilton.
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