05/11/2020
It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. Several weeks ago the Bell Fork Homes Reunion Committee Members (Linwood Cobb, Todd Holland, Ryshauna Thompson, Rhonda Willingham, Renee Durr Wiggins, Billie H. Burden, Linda Smith, Sonja Williams, Marquita Brazier, Clarence Thompson and Lorrie Raikes Smith) all unanimously agreed to cancel the Reunion this summer, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. We had been working diligently and were awaiting your arrival. All venues had been booked; hotels had been reserved; theme and colors selected and we were in the process of sending sponsorship letters and arranging PayPal and other payment arrangements through the bank. Simply put, were on track for the July Reunion. Unfortunately, God had other plans for us and we will not question that.
We felt strongly about family members and friends' ability to travel here, as well, we considered the health precautions and the financial situations, as some may have been unemployed. We delayed the decision as long as we could. Besides, what is a reunion without being able to hug each, pat each other in the back, dap and love up on each other? I'm still seeing Earl Travis (Houston, TX) and Michael Lee Raynor (Jacksonville, NC) embrace each other at the 50th Reunion in 2010. They had not seen each other in 30 years. They were excited and happy to see each other after all that time!! Yes, I'm heartbroken over this. When I witnessed that, I realized that the late nights and long days of planning were well worth it!!!
With that being said, I would like to thank those who personally reached out and agreed to assist with the Reunion; agreed to perform a service; be a speaker; DJ; take pictures; sing on the Reunion Choir or whatever we asked you to do. I don't want to try and name everyone for fear of leaving someone out. You know who you are and we appreciated you responding to help make the Reunion a successful event.
After the decision was made to cancel this year's event, we came up with two dates next year, which were the last week in June or Labor Day Weekend 2021. We leaned towards Labor Day. In closing, I pray that everyone is safe and if the Lord delays his coming, I hope to see all of you next year!!!
Please feel free to respond with any suggestions, as we will start planning the 2021 Reunion in late November 2020, but no later than January 2021.