September 20, 2009

Once again we are in Indiana. Yesterday we went to the Coates Reunion at Char’s brother Bill’s farm. Family members from five States, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Florida (Char) were there. It was great to see Char’s cousin Sharon and her husband Steve from Arkansas. It had been over twenty years since we had seen one another.

Everyone enjoyed the pictures from yesteryear that Sharon brought.

The potluck dinner was great as was expected. Recipes are to be shared with everyone for Norma’s fantastic Peanut Butter Pie. Afterwards, Bill gave rides in a Model T. With the temperature in the mid seventies, it was a pleasant day for a ride around the farm in a car with no windows.

Left to right: Dave, Bill, Steve, and Dick

Left to right – Sharon, Bill, Roger, and Norma

Left to right: Char, Ray, Donna, and Bill

Of course a visit wouldn’t be complete without a tour of Jeanette’s sewing room to see her new sewing machines and a trip to Bill’s shop to see his current projects.

Here Bill is describing how the gas gauge works on a Model T. In this picture you can see it is a piece of wood. This is a special stick with different markings to indicate the level in either oval or square tanks. Technology was a lot simpler then.

We had a great day and everyone had a great time catching up on the past.