Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, August 11, 2005

The last weekend in June, the decendants (sic) of the James and Nellie TAYLOR family once again invaded the Diagonal area. On Sunday, June 26, the potluck dinner was held at the Diagonal Community building. There were 105 present for dinner, visiting, picture taking and story telling.

There were nine births, six marriages and two deaths since the last reunion a year ago. Jan and Larry DALBEY had come the farthest distance; from Tucson, AZ. Velma AVERY and Lorabel TAYLOR were our leaders. Only two of the new babies were present: Caitlin BRUCH and Anna Claire NEWTON. Many pictures were taken of each family.

Those presents were:

Velma AVERY of Des Moines;

Verla Dean's family: Verla Dean TAYLOR of Mount Ayr; Brad VARNER of Oak Grove, MO; Tanner and Tray WHITE and Tyson BANKS of Clarinda; Jan SLAYBAUGH of Independence, MO and Lori, Gregory, Libby and Sara of Lenexa, KS.

Clifford's family: Lorabel TAYLOR, Jack and Dixie TAYLOR, Jim and Lisa TAYLOR, Jacob, Ty and Bailey, all of Diagonal; Larry and Jan DALBEY of Tucson, AZ; Gary TAYLOR of Springfield, IL; Sharla and Owen McCARRON and Owen of Cedar Rapids; Mike WARIN and Darla and Gary SOBOTKA, Cody, Matt and Alex, all of Mount Ayr; Shon and Karren BERRY, Austin and Lindsay of Creston; Patty and Chris EASON, Connor and Logan of Overland, KS and Mike and Michelle WARIN, Amanda and Lydia of Pella.

Bessie's family: Bob and Margo JONES of Des Moines; Rob JONES and Alex of Desoto; Edna JONES of Mount Ayr and Stephanie JONES of Ames.

Harold's family: Sandy TAYLOR of Mount Ayr; Helen Mae TURNER of Grinnell; Curt TURNER, Katie STRIDER, Kyle and Cole, Callie BRUCE, Evan and Caitlin, all of Creston; Caryl and Phil DUKES of Marathon; Staci GIFFORD of Des Moines and Maxine NORRIS of Creston.

Floyd's family: Mary and Dave McCALLEY of Cedar Falls; Dick and Janis TAYLOR, Judy and Claire NEWTON, Jim and Patty NEWTON, Nolan, Danielle, Jeremy and Grace, Steve and Terry NEWTON, Ethan, Emily and Anna, all of Diagonal; Mike and Jean Ann TAYLOR, Blair TAYLOR, Bill and Joni TAYLOR, Colby and Jenna, all of Creston; Doug NEWTON of Elk Horn; Ryan TAYLOR, Janel BANTA, Scott and Niky TAYLOR and Brittlyn, all of Waukee.

Wayne's family: Dixie and Jim LINKEY, Tami LINKEY, Kyle SEYLLES, and Deborah and Ron CAPPS, all of Kansas City, MO; Annie and Clark JENSEN and Whitney JENSEN of Grinnell; Doug and Anna TAYLOR, Brian, Preston, and Chelsie of Saint Joseph, MO and Annabel WALKUP of Redding.

Saturday, June 25, 32 men golfed at the Mount Ayr Country Club and 11 women golfed at the Lenox Country Club. All enjoyed the morning and met in Mount Ayr for lunch. Some continued to golf in the afternoon. Many golfed who didn't attend on Sunday.

Saturday evening, around 75 people met at G&L Bar in Diagonal for karaoke with Randy TROST. Many took part in the singing and also the appearance of Montgomery Gentry was enjoyed. A good time was had by all.

Plans are to meet again next year, the last weekend of June 2006. Many could not attend due to busy schedules or health reasons. Hope to see you next year!

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2012