More than 200 area pioneers take part in Old Timers’ dinner, dance

MEEKER I More than 200 Rio Blanco County Pioneers Association members, including many former Meeker residents from across the nation, traveled to Meeker on Saturday for the 101st “Centennial Plus 1” Old Timers’ reunion dinner and dance held at the Fairfield Community Center.
Rio Blanco County Pioneers Association co-presidents Kay and Bob Bivens extended a warm welcome to the pioneers who attended. Reunion festivities began at 3 p.m. with a reception and socializing, some of whom had not been back for many years.
The first reunion was held in 1912 and has continued each year since then. Many prestigious Rio Blanco County citizens have served as presidents of the association and were listed on the program.
Sydney Main, accompanied by her grandfather, David Main, entertained pioneers with a special litany of popular music during dinner, catered by Kris and Henry Arcolesse of Ma Famiglia restaurant.
Group and individual photographs were taken by Jack Mohnhaupt for pioneers, and a montage of photos will be available on DVD and on the www.rbcpioneers.org website as centennial memorabilia.
A special feature of this year’s gathering was the “Capturing Our Culture” (COC) oral history interviews of individuals, families and groups. Interviews with teachers, members of class reunions, family reunions, regional groups and many others were documented on video and may be transcribed to DVD as a basis for possible future publication by the Rio Blanco County Historical Society, in cooperation with the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council and the Rio Blanco County Pioneers Association. Many interviews were conducted, providing a documentary of early-day and contemporary history of the residents of the Meeker area.
Anyone interested in scheduling future COC interviews is encouraged to contact the White River Museum at 878-9982 to set an appointment. The COC team will meet in any venue to conduct the interviews. Ellene Meece, president of the RBC Historical Society, and David Meece coordinated and videotaped the interviews.
A special all-class reunion was held for classmates of Meeker and Rangely high schools. Among the classes holding reunions were the Class of 1953’s 60th class reunion coordinated by Emma Lou and Dale Frisby with classmates Fred Hahn, Ann Schram, Rodney Smith, Duane Service, Ernie and Judy Coats, Zane and Jacklyn Gray. Class of 1961 classmates attending were: John Green, Lewis Anderson and Rita Trinich, Gary and Becky Dunham and Bob Amick. The Class of 1963’s 50th reunion included classmates Wayne Joslin, Terry Drake, Kathleen Drake, Jeff Leblue, Teresa Leblue, Connie Theos and Sandra Bradfield. Community reunions included the Little Beaver Community coordinated by Geri Camera.
Recognitions of special pioneers were made as follows: oldest pioneer lady, Norene Holland, 96; oldest pioneer gentleman, Joe Sullivan, 93; youngest pioneer lady Haley Kracht, 44; youngest pioneer gentleman: Jeromy Main, 41; pioneer couple married the most years: Glen and Phyllis Wigington, 70 years; pioneer trails award (pioneers traveling greatest distance), Rodney Smith of Anchorage, Alaska.
Attorney Frank Cooley celebrated his 90th birthday during the reunion and a tribute to his years of distinguished service to the community was made. Frank’s family, the Rev. Andrew Cooley and Karen Cooley shared in the celebration.

The nominating committee, chaired by co-vice president Sandra Bradfield, nominated Mary Kay Krueger and Margaret “Sparky” Pappas as co-vice presidents for the 2014 reunion. Co-presidents will be Sandra Bradfield and Robert Amick. Haley Kracht is secretary/registrar, Connie Theos is treasurer and Mary Ann Wilber is strategic chair. Nominations were approved by the membership and officers were installed. Appreciation was expressed to retiring co-presidents Kay and Robert Bivens.
A souvenir “Centennial Plus 1” commemorative program included the names of all pioneers who had passed away during 2011-2012 and who were remembered in a moment of silence led by Phyllis Lake.
The dance that followed was enjoyed by all with particularly fine music from the Yampa Valley Boys. A midnight supper provided by co-vice presidents Sandra Bradfield and Robert Amick concluded the 2013 festivities.