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Bolden Family celebrate reunion
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JOURNEYING WITH THE BOLDENS (SECOND FAMILY REUNION)
After much laughter, hugs and kisses descendants of the late Eli and Belle Massie Bolden celebrated the second biannual family reunion at the Washington Recreation Park on Saturday, June 30th. At the registration table you were graciously greeted by Lydia Bolden Dillingham, Livian Brooks Lovett, and Vicky Johnson Bolden. Table tops were draped with white linen cloths and accented with various arrangements of silk chrysanthemums. The Bolden family journey began on September 20, 1869 when Eli and Belle Massie jumped the broom and to this union 14 beautiful children were born; namely, Belle, Eli Jr., James Madison, John, Lewis, Marry, Robert, Sarah, William, Anna Mae, Horace, Hattie, Elizabeth and Alice. Approximately 225 individuals were in attendance which included five generations. Individuals were represented from Africa, Rhode Island, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Virginia, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Michigan, California, Maryland and Kentucky.
Young children under the direction of Monica Johnson Burns began the celebration by singing 'Jesus Loves the Little Children'. Debra Bolden Reeves extended a welcome followed with a scripture and prayer by Kelly Bolden.
Excitement filled the air as the 'little ones' eyes twinkled and their faces beamed with joy as they watched the horse drawn buggy driven by our Amish neighbor, Joseph Coblentz trot down the gravel path. As a special treat, each child had the pleasure of taking a fun-filled ride throughout the town of Old Historic Washington.
Once Vinson Bennett of Cincinnati, Ohio began to DJ with his charismatic delivery one could not help but to be energized! Sounds of jazz, blues and motown echoed throughout the arena and was a delight to all.
The family tree was unveiled which included seven generations. The tree was originally started by Dr. Cheryl Maureen Rose French and the late Dr. Henry Grant Foley. Ruby Ann Bolden, historian/genealogist for the family history with the assistance of other family members continued researching the family lineage.
The guest artist was Ruth Ann Turner, aka The Poet I, a former Maysville native and author of 'The Collective Works of Ruth Ann Turner Visions. After being introduced by Jessica Foley, Ms. Turner took the podium and charmed the audience with several of her poetic readings. Moreover, the audience applauded when she dedicated and wrote two of her poems about family members, Ruby Ann Bolden and Debra Bolden Reeves.
Linda Susan Bolden Smith, chairperson of the scholarship committee reminded everyone about the importance of education and a love offering was collected for a recent high school graduate who will be entering college this fall. Brandi Commodore a junior at Western Kentucky University majoring in Elementary Education expressed her gratitude for her scholarship that she received at the 2005 reunion.
Special accolades went to Little Miss Bennett from California for being the Youngest Bundle of Joy, Mary Belle Bolden Gilmore of Cincinnati, Ohio for being the Senior Rosebud, Posthumous Unsung Hero recipient was the late Paul William Lofton (accepting this accolade was his sister, Anna Duke Lofton) of May's Lick, The traveler award went to Dr. Cheryl Maureen Rose French of Africa, Pillar Awards went to Ruby Ann Bolden of Holyoke, Massachusetts and Charles Edward Bolden of Cincinnati, Ohio and the Eli and Belle Bolden Family Award went to Lillian Lofton Whaley Family of Maysville .
Special 'tokens of love gifts' were presented to Chairperson Vietta Bolden Yates for her vision, dedication, wisdom, knowledge and devotion in guiding and directing the past two reunions. Words of kindred thoughtfulness and appreciative accolades were showered upon her by the Bolden family reunion planning committee, her brothers, sisters, daughter, granddaughter, eldest niece, and co-chairperson of the reunion, Ruby Ann Bolden.
During the spirit filled memorial tribute led by Minister Rochelle Hattie Hill of Southfield, Michigan a collection of dedication poetry was read by the author, Roberta Perry Foley of Lexington, Kentucky.
Livian Brooks Lovett, chairperson of fundraising distributed the following door prizes: a portable DVD player, MP3 player and $50 Visa Card. Livian stated any excess funds that were raised will be donated to the scholarship committee.
Charles Edward Bolden, treasurer /financial consultant gave the treasurer's report and embarked upon the importance of family, love and devotion.
The evening continued with a jazz wind down at Chandler's Restaurant . The sultry ambience along with the sounds of jazz artists Kirk Whalum, Kim Waters and Althea Rene, only to name a few, certainly set the mood for an evening to remember!
The activities concluded on Sunday, starting with the Bolden family tour. Family members were amazed as they began the tour organized by Ruby. Jerry Gore, Founder of Freedom Time Museum served as the narrator. Twenty-one Bolden sites were visited The highlight of the tour was the old homestead location of Bell and Eli, as well as visiting the May's Lick cemetery where many of the Bolden ancestors are laid to rest. The Underground Railroad Museum of Maysville was also visited under the direction of Nona Mae Marshall. The culmination of the tour was the Freedom Time Museum. The weekend finalized with a brunch at Caproni Restaurant overlooking the beautiful Ohio River.
Vie stated , "this was another successful reunion; however, without the help of my co-chair, captains, treasurer/ financial consultant and anyone who assisted, this day would not have been possible. Your commitments, dedications and efforts were not in vain! " Special acknowledgement was given to Sam Bolden of Cincinnnati, Ohio for sharing his talents as the chief photographer.
Kudos were extended to the following individuals on their accomplishments/achievements since the last reunion:
Happy Retirements! Vernon Bennett, Jr., (June), James Edward Bennett (Jimmy), Charles Edward Bolden and Ruby Ann Bolden
2007 Graduate: Leslie Francine Yates – Received Doctor of Pharmacy Degree – University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
Upcoming Novel on Fashions – Author, Christina Kay Bolden of Cincinnati, Ohio
Ordained Ministers – Rev. Hattie Rochelle Harris & Jerome Harris of Detroit, Michigan
The next reunion will be hosted by the family of the late Vernon Lee, Sr. & Louetta Bolden Bennett. Those in attendance voted to have the reunion at the Washington Park. Special thanks to Gordon Lee Bolden, Leroy 'Tuie' Belona, and William Thomas 'Billy' Bolden for their support as environmental specialists.
A collective CD containing 155 pages of historical documents which includes the family tree can be purchased by visiting the website (www.BoldenReunion) for $25 + $3 for shipping and handling. Proceeds will be used for the upcoming reunion.
Co-writers:
Vietta Bolden Yates, Chairperson
Ruby Ann Bolden, Co-Chairperson
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By: Vietta Bolden Yates
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