McCroskey House

When we rolled into Garfield, Washington last night, I think that about 150 of my 85 third cousins (of the Kerns/Gwinn/Espy branch) were on hand to greet us!  Of the sea of smiling faces, we knew maybe five or six – Cuzzin Ralph, Hostess Donna, her son Austin and several of Donna’s sisters.  The group has been gathered here since Thursday.

We’ve heard about this periodic event for years now but this is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to participate, even slightly.  There have been non-stop activities since Thursday, apparently.  Some, like the five hour softball game, involved the local school building and facilities which Donna managed to ‘acquire’ for the day.  Ditto the afternoon of swimming at the local pool.

‘Headquarters’ is the historic McCroskey House in Garfield – a bed and breakfast owned and managed by Donna.  The bedroom suite on the lower floor had been ‘reserved’ for us, but we were trumped by 96-year-old Arlene Mullin who extended her stay by a day to meet us!  She had been to Oysterville years ago and had met my uncle “Willard-the-Author” and she wanted to tell me all about that.

Lebam Post Office

But… we found an even more interesting connection (of sorts.)  When Arlene said she was born in the Willapa Valley in Lebam, I automatically responded “That’s Mabel spelled backwards!” She, couldn’t get over the fact that I not only had been to Lebam but that I knew the story of  early settler J.W. Goodell who named the town after the reverse spelling of his daughter’s name, Mabel. Arlene, it turns out, is descended from that very family!  Once again, a little knowledge of Pacific County history (on my part) triumphs!

Relatives are staying all over town and as far away as Palouse and Colfax and Pullman – in B and Bs, in RVs, with friends and relatives.  We are told that the general store in Garfield has a big “Welcome Kerns/Gwinn/Espy Family” sign in the window!  And did I say that there is more delicious food available than you can imagine.

Pinky and the Brain

Although things are winding down today, the plan for this afternoon is a four o’clock matinee to see episodes of “Pinky and the Brain.”  Apparently, there are many fans among the cousins and when they learned (via Donna) that my son Charlie was Story Editor on the series, we were asked to bring some CDs.  “They even know the theme song,” enthused Donna (who has yet to see any of the episodes)!  “They’ll be singing along!”  I can’t think of a better way to spend The Glorious Fourth!