The English call their handy booklet of day-to-day activities, appointments and obligations, “ A Diary.” We, in America, call the same thing “Our Daily/Weekly Planner.” The planner is most likely to be found inside a breast pocket or a purse. At a meeting or a friendly gathering, when dates are discussed or in question, the participants whip out the little calendar to see whether the day or time “is open” or already taken.

Of course, having such a reminder is the best way in the world of to keep up with one's self. I've had dozens of them in vinyl, leather and cloth, but seldom write in them, therefore, they don't do me much good.

For instance, once, I showed up for an Artists' Attic monthly board meeting promptly at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the planning session started at 2. And also, I showed up at Pine Mountain Settlement School for a Gillis B. Nolan family reunion a week too early one year, while another year, I showed up a week too late.

With regards to the family reunion, I think I've got the handle on that. It is an annual event held on the- next- to- the- last “full weekend in June.” The 27th such gathering occurred this past weekend. Let me share with you how this one-family “get-together” got started.

My father's brother, Gillis Bernard Nolan, owner and operator of Hill Crest Dairy at Cumberland was a widely-known and much- respected farmer, dairyman and citizen. His wife, Dora Blair, was known for her beautiful flower gardens, her barnyard full of chickens and her work with the county's 4-H programs. Together, Uncle Gillis and Aunt Dora reared a family who grew to adulthood admiring their parents' industry and legacy.

When Aunt Dora succumbed to Parkinson's Disease, her daughter, Lorraine, a retired county teacher, had been her mother's care giver for seven years. At the funeral, the remark was made, “It's a shame the family only gets together when one of us dies. We never all get to visit with each other at any other time.” The seed was planted for Uncle Gillis' and Aunt Dora's family to get together once a year under happy circumstances.

The next year, the first family reunion took place at Pine Mountain Settlement School. Lorraine was especially honored that year for her unselfish devotion to their mother during her long illness. Subsequent reunions have always paid tribute to their parents. The purpose of the reunion is to hold the family together and for members to know each other and to cherish their heritage.

That first year, my sister and I encountered our cousin Kathleen Hogg on the way to breakfast in Laurel Lodge. Kathleen waved us aside and said, “Sorry, I can't stop and visit right now, there's a dead frog out here I have to look at.” Her grandson, Jeremy, had her undivided attention. Kathleen has since died and Jeremy is a grown man with a family of his own. Also, that first year, baby Betsy, was carried over her mother's shoulder constantly, so that all we saw of her was her “bottom.” And that is precisely where her name tag was affixed. Betsy, too, is grown and married.

Through the years, the number of attendees have waxed and waned, depending on the health and happenings in the individual families. The old Grim Reaper has taken his toll and debilitation has caught up with some of us.

In spite of that, this past weekend, the three-story dormitory was full to overflowing with cousins by the dozens, who came in all sizes and from many different states. Adults, yes, but more importantly, we had a “rug rat,” some creepers and wobblers; lots of little boys playing with tiny trains, cars and trucks; girls of all sizes, ages, heights and temperaments. One little group of enterprising cousins sold lemonade for a dollar a glass to the basketball players and horse shoe pitchers during day-long tournaments. They had a fruit jar full of bills at supper time. The money was for a good cause - the perpetual care of the Nolan Cemetery at Chad.

It was gratifying to see so many fourth-generation cousins getting to know each other, playing together peacefully and unselfishly. Second- and third-generation cousins talked and talked and talked, laughed, told family stories and just savored every moment they were together. It came as a delightful surprise that one of us cousins, Sandy Frazier Waddell, has published a darling children's story about a turtle and which has been whimsically illustrated by her son.

The cousin who would have had stories to tell and who would have enjoyed the occasion more than anyone, and who was the first honoree, Lorraine Nolan, was not well enough to attend. She was there in spirit and sorely missed. Lorraine contented herself to stay at home with her cat, Puck, and to await accounts of what happened as kinfolk drop in during the next few days and weeks.

The settlement school is such an ideal place for large overnight and weekend gatherings. In rustic Laurel Lodge, cooks serve delicious meals in the morning, at noon and at 5:20 in the evening. Linens are available in the dormitory, which is air-conditioned and has ample shower and washroom facilities.

There are enough black snakes to keep little boys fascinated and enough bats hanging on the outside of buildings to make little girls squeal. There's plenty of running and playing space in a huge meadow bordered by shade trees. Nearby is a rippling brook perfect for wading and refilling water soakers.

After Sunday morning church service in the stone chapel and a final noon meal, the families connected to Gillis and Dora Nolan packed up and headed out in all directions, vowing to meet gain next year, “If the good Lord's willin' and the creek don't rise.”