Merry Christmas 2006!

To get you all in the holiday mood, here is a picture of a couple of real party animals, obviously enjoying themselves in a winter wonderland!

I'm also including a couple of clips from the December 8, 2006 Hopewell Valley Central High School winter choral concert. First is "Gaudete," an arrangement based on a 16th century carol, performed by the HVCHS Chamber Singers. Megan Templon is the soloist.

Finally, let's close with that old favorite "Jingle Bells," performed by the 192-voice combined HVCHS choruses.

I wish you all a joyous and safe holiday!

Kara and Sara, the Snavely Twins

Laura Snavely was kind enough to share these outstanding portraits of the twins with us. Kara is on the left, and Sara is on the right.

The spiritual light that shines from the faces of these lovely little girls is almost palpable. I wish them health and happiness, always!

La Dolce Vita!

Betty Davic writes from Florence (Firenze), Italy:

"Hard to complain about going to work when this is what awaits each day! Tutto bene... everything is good."

When Betty looks out her windows, she sees...

"Il Terrazzo"

(Betty's porch)

The Duomo and Campanile (Dome and Bell Tower)

(The Medieval Cathedral of Florence)

"La città al tramonto"

(The city at sunset)

" La Buona Sera..."

(Beautiful Evening)

For those who don't know, Betty is currently in Italy teaching a class in fashion design. I think her pictures speak for themselves. Thanks for sharing, Betty. Be sure to look for the Light in the Piazza!

Minutes of 77th Snavely Reunion

The 77th Snavely Reunion
Sunday, August 6, 2006
Memorial Park, Martinsburg, PA
Attendance: ~75

Rodney Templon led the invocation as we gathered for the meal and Pot Luck at 12:30 P.M. With no age-appropriate children attending, games were suspended until the next reunion when Carol Snavely Zangrilli will lead.

President George Snavely called the business meeting to order at 2:45 P.M. His introductory remarks included this being the 77th reunion to be held.

Recognitions:

• Most Senior Woman: Isabelle Stiffler, 89
• Most Senior Man: George Snavely, 92
• Youngest Child: Kara Jane Snavely, born February 16, 2006, one minute younger than her twin sister Sara Ann
• Largest Family: Aunt Babe and Stacey Family, 16
• Traveled Longest Distance: Donna and Troy Higginbotham from Florida
• Candy Jar Guess: Natalie Robinson, age 15
• Happy Birthday: Diane Lytle, August 6
• Angela Hitchcock, August 7
• Stacey family member, August 7 (Ryan’s? wife)

Betty Davic read the minutes of the 2005 reunion.
Carol Snavely Zangrilli, Treasurer, provided the following report:

• Balance Brought Forward: $405.05
• Expenses: about $80 for games and gifts

Announcements/Good of Order:

• Donna Higgenbotham passed along greetings from Ada and Steve Munchak who were unable to attend this year. Both are doing well. Sonia’s son Josh is traveling all of the US with a competition drum and bugle corp this summer. He graduated with many awards and honors and will be attending Florida Central University.
• Stacey’s announced that Lucy was married this year, as was her daughter Trista.
• Dick and Linda Stacey shared that youngest granddaughter Mikayla had emergency open heart surgery at 7 weeks old and now at age 1 is doing fine.
• Bob Lytle announced the passing of his father John Lytle on July 18, 2006. On behalf of his mother, Shirley, and all of the family they wish to thank everyone for their thoughts, kindness, and prayers. It was especially nice that so many could come for the services.
• George Snavely expressed condolences on behalf of the entire family, and we are glad that he and Shirley were able to attend today.
• It has been an exciting year for George with birth of 3 new grandchildren. Daughter Carol and husband Dave gave birth to a son. Son George and wife Laura gave birth to twin daughters.
• DATE OF NEXT YEAR’S REUNION: SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2007

The meeting closed with the singing of BLESSED BE THE TIE THAT BINDS and was adjourned at 3:05 P.M. Dick and Joe Stacey conducted the traditional auction immediately following the business meeting. The auction raised $202 revenue for the treasury, thanks to all who donated and purchased items.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Kidston Davic, Secretary
Daughter of Gladys Thomas Kidston, Grandaughter of Edith Snavely Thomas

77th Snavely Reunion

For the 77th time in the past 79 years, on August 6, 2006 the descendants of Albert and Emily Snavely held their annual reunion. The place was, as usual, Morrison's Cove Memorial Park in Martinsburg, Pennsylvania. This year about 75 folks attended, down from the 110+ that has been the norm for the last few reunions. The children of Albert and Emily attending this year were George Washington Snavely (93), Isabelle (Izzie) Louise Snavely Stiffler, Frances Millicent Snavely Woomer and Florence (Babe) Irene Snavely Stacey. The other surviving daughter, Ada Fern Snavely Munchak, was not able to attend.

This year we were honored to have Shirley Evans Lytle, wife of our late cousin John Lytle, in attendance. Shirley brought news and photos of the family members who attended John's funeral. We all mourn John's loss, and we thank Shirley for being with us. We greatly admire her strength of spirit.

The families pooled their goodies to form a delicious luncheon buffet, which began at 12:30 PM. After the meal we had a family meeting (which your correspondent skipped out of to observe the bowling). Official minutes of the meeting will be posted as soon as I get them from Secretary Betty Davic.

At the auction emceed by Dick and Gary Stacey, some spirited bidding raised about $202.00 for the family treasury. As usual, Aunt Frances counted the money and made sure we all paid up!

I believe the decision has been made to hold the 78th reunion at Memorial Park on August 5, 2005. In conjunction with next year's events, arrangements are being considered for a car tour of the family genealogical sites in the Southern Cove, led by Uncle George!

We hope that everyone can come next year, and make it a record turnout.

We Need a Games Coordinator!

Carol Zangrilli writes:

"Hi cousins!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I've got the kids' games pretty much organized with the prizes and candy bought, list of games to play, and supplies for those games. Again, I'm unable to actually run the games this year and am looking for someone who can. I will volunteer to run the games in the near future (either starting next year or the year after) so that special someone for this year won't be stuck for the indefinite future. I love having the games for the kids and have some wonderful memories of playing the games when I was a kid and Donna & Joyce ran them.

So...if you or someone you know can help me out, please try to see me before lunch at the reunion. Also, think about "volunteering" one of your siblings or children!

Thanks so much and see you Sunday!

Carol"

John Albert Lytle -- Funeral Arrangements

Tina Lytle writes:

"Thank you for your prayers for John and our family. I am so sad to write this email but wanted to let you all know about his passing. John passed away on July 18th in the afternoon, at home, with Shirley and the family by his side. He fought his battle with lung cancer bravely and with determination. As our 5 yr old Leslie said "He's with God in Heaven now and that's a good place."

There will be a visitation for friends and family on Sunday, July 23, from 5-8 pm at Demaine Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 24 at 11:30 am, at John and Shirley's church, Sleepy Hollow United Methodist Church, 3435 Sleepy Hollow Road, Falls Church, Virginia Click here: Sleepy Hollow Methodist Church. The burial service will follow at Mt. Comfort Cemetary with a reception to follow back at the church fellowship hall.

If you are able to come be with us we would love to see you. We understand that you may not be able to come due to other obligations. Thank you for your prayers and support. Let us know if you have any questions. Please help us share this sad news among the family."

The funeral home address is:

Demaine Funeral Home
5308 Backlick Road
Springfield, VA 22151
Phone:(703) 941-9428

Click here to view John's obituary in The Washington Post.

John Lytle

It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of John Albert Lytle, son of Albert and Emily (Snavely) Lytle and husband of Shirley (Evans) Lytle and father of James Evans Lytle, Robert Edward Lytle and John David Lytle.

Diane Lytle writes:

"John Lytle (middle son of Aunt Emily) passed away this afternoon (Tuesday, July 18th). He was at home and died peacefully. We have been with Shirley and Jim, Bob, and John David and their families this evening.

Shirley wanted folks to know of John's passing...No arrangements have been made yet. As soon as we know details for the service, etc. I will let you know."

Snavely Reunion is August 6, 2006

This is a reminder that the Snavely reunion date is August 6, 2006, at Morrison's Cove Memorial Park, Martinsburg, PA.

At last year's business meeting, we agreed that the 2006 reunion will be a potluck affair, with all dishes shared in common.

Watch this space for the name and number of the dinner coordinator, and a list of who's bringing what.

News from the Templons

Graduation Saturday, May 13, dawned clear and sunny in Washington, D.C. While the clouds eventually rolled in, the threatened rain was held at bay just long enough by the combined prayers of the clergy, faculty and students, and their families and friends. Thus blessed, the 117th commencement exercises of The Catholic University of America proceeded with all the pomp and ceremony a loving parent could wish for, in a glorious setting on the east steps of the huge Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington, and CNN senior reporter and author Wolf Blitzer received honorary doctorates from CUA. Mr. Blitzer gave the keynote address, including some very insightful remarks on the duties of the media to the public and to our service men and women in a time of war.

At the ceremony our son John received his BA in physics, magna cum laude, with a minor in economics. On hand were John's brothers Matt and Andrew, his sister Megan (the Templon sibs are shown in the picture) and of course, Mom and Dad. Also attending were Grandpa Henry Fiore, Great Uncle Billy Fiore and Wife Olla, Grandmom Joyce Anderson (shown with grandson John) and Husband John, Aunt Cyndi Thurston, and Cousin Lana Brown, with Husband James and baby Angelina. After the ceremonies, almost everybody congregated at the Brown residence in Alexandria for hors d'oeuvres and a light dinner prepared by Michelle.

On the previous Friday we were thrilled to see John receive his designation as a University Scholar, one of only twelve such awards in a class of over 700 undergraduates.

In an interesting coincidence, an old friend of Michelle's, Etti Butters, also received her Masters degree in architecture at this ceremony. Her husband Jerry, whom we hadn't seen in many years, chose to sit right in front of us, out of a crowd of about two thousand!

On Sunday, yours truly had a delicious Mother's Day breakfast with the Browns and Andersons (masterfully prepared by James), and then drove back into D.C. to help John with the last details of packing up his dorm room. After shoe-horning a room-and-a-half's worth of stuff into our Focus wagon for John's homeward trip, I took his leftover food and some other furnishings in my car, and drove them over to Matt, who needed to get his belongings from a hotel near Dupont Circle to Marquette University's Les Aspin Center, just four blocks from the Capitol. Matt will be spending the next five weeks in Washington, interning in the offices of Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey. He is already pumping his brother for inside info on the Washington nightlife.

John is now home with us. He has chosen to seriously pursue an avocation that he fell in love with while serving this last year as Sports Editor for "The Tower," CUA's weekly student newspaper. Starting tomorrow, he will be covering the central New Jersey scholastic sports scene for the Times of Trenton, our daily newspaper, and perhaps serving as their local sports statistician. "The Times" will tell if the reporting bug will trump the call of physics and economics, but maybe having Wolf Blitzer as an honorary member of the CUA Class of 2006 is an omen.

News from the Davics and Kidstons

Betty Davic reports that her mother Gladys Kidston discovered that Uncle George was in the hospital, but Gladys didn't hear of it until George was at his daughter Carol's recuperating. He told Gladys that Carol and husband were keeping him on a short leash...not letting him drive, etc., but he was feeling good....

Betty also writes...

"Aunt Izzy was also hospitalized and very ill... but, she has rallied
and now moved to assisted living. Mom talked to her and she is very
happy, says the food is great and she doesn't even have to wash the
dishes :) Her new address is:

Isabelle Stiffler
Saint Mary's Home of Erie-East
607 E 26th St Apt 111
Erie PA 16504
814 454-2164

The Davic's and Kidston's are all doing fine. I went to Madison WI
for Spring Break to stay with the boys... Lisa and Bill appreciated
some help as he has been out of town a lot, as he was that week.
Michael is 6, Nick 9, and Carter 13. Highlights were bowling,
McDonald's for lunch, and Ice Age II... woo hoo! I live on the edge,
don't you think? Richard has been literally working all over the
world... was in Australia last month, and scheduled for Freeport New
Guinea this month, but there was a riot and the plant was burned
down! I kid you not! Neither of them like to travel and they are
both out of town more than home it seems.

Melissa was offered a research appointment at U or R and plans to go
back for PhD beginning Fall. And here I thought most people who
weren't excited about their job just looked for another one! Steven
finished year 4 and tells me he thinks he will graduate in 2007. He
leaves Saturday to spend 3 months at a U in Dresden Germany. 18
credits and he is supposed to earn TEFL certification (Teaching
English as a Foreign Language).

I'm not teaching this summer, so I'm planning some serious basement
and garage cleaning. Ask me in August if I get any of it done, ha
ha. Steven gets home Aug 10, I leave Aug 16. Bob will come for 3-4
weeks in October.

Take Care
Betty"

News from the Lytle Family

Diane Lytle writes...

"This message is being sent to update friends and family on what is going on in the lives of the Al Lytle Family members. Lots of you ask periodically about the girls and what they are up to, so I thought I would give an update. My apologies for the "form letter" approach, but sometimes that is just easiest!

Tracey finished her first year at James Madison University on May 5th and is now home for the summer! It is great to have her here - she is so much fun! We have all remarked at how incredibly fast her first year went. When we moved her into her dorm last August and watched her wave goodbye as we drove away, I thought the time would drag until she was home again. Even though there were many times when I thought I would die because I missed her so much, the time did go quickly and now she has one year down - who knows how many more to go????? She ended the Spring semester on the President's list with all "As" in her classes and a GPA of 3.51 overall for the year. Pretty good for her Freshman year with all the adjustments and transitions to college life! She worked really hard and it shows in how well she did. We are very proud of her! This summer she will be working as an Office Automation Clerk (fancy title for a Girl Friday) in my office. She and two of her friends are moving into an off campus apartment at JMU next year so her goal this summer is to make as much money as she possibly can because she knows she will have expenses over and above the money that we will be willing to pay for her food and housing. I have already told her when she sees me in the hallway at work she has to call me Mrs. Lytle and she is not allowed to pretend like she knows me any better than she knows anyone else there! Her biggest concern was whether or not she could wear open toed shoes in the office and why they would take out money for retirement and taxes when she is only 19 years old! I guess she still has a lot to learn about working! If anybody has any extra kitchen appliances, dishes, silverware, household goods of any kind that you were planning to give away or throw away, she and her girlfriends are looking for things for the apartment!

Michelle did really well in her classes at Northern Virginia Community College this year also. She was on the Dean's list for the Fall semester and finished the Spring Semester with an "A" and two "Bs". She is working for the Fairfax County Public Schools Office of Adult and Community Education office for the summer and is thinking about continuing to work for them in the Fall as well as continuing her classes at the Community College. Even though she is living at home, we don't see a lot of her as she spends a lot of time with the young man she is dating - an MP for the Air Force. He is a very nice polite person and they seem to get along well, so we will be interested to see what the future holds for that relationship. He is getting out of the service in September and may move back to Massachusetts to pursue his education. Only time will tell.

My office is going through an extraordinary number of personnel changes with people being reassigned and moved to different off site locations and a lot of people retiring. I just recently was given a promotion to a position which will mean having to work in an office in Crystal City at least two days a week. I'm not wild about having to do that, but I couldn't turn down the promotion, so I will make the best of it.

Al continues to work for Virginia Power and is presently in an office in Herndon. He is not crazy about his commute with gas prices being what they are, but what are you going to do? This past weekend, he finished getting the boat painted and spring maintenance completed, and now it is in the water for the season. So we are looking forward to some fresh fish and enjoyable times on the Chesapeake Bay.

We hope all of you have a great summer and please do keep in touch. We are looking forward to seeing family members at the Reunion in August - Betty or Rodney, maybe you could tell me the exact date for that. It's a little confusing since it was in July last year after being in August for forever. (Folks, the reunion date is August 6, 2006)

Thank you all for your interest in how we are doing and for your continuous support in hard times and the ability to share laughter with you in good times. We really treasure the close friends and family we have and realize that is you guys that make life so meaningful and enjoyable.

Love to all of you and to your families,

Diane"

Blest Be The Tie That Binds

Folks,

I was just sitting here thinking of you all, and contemplating some of the milestones in my own life that seem to be flitting by faster and faster. The mounting pace of life and its distances -- not only of space, but of emotion and experience -- seem to irresistably push us away from each other, like the widening ripples on the surface of a pond. This thought moved me to post the words of our family hymn, in hope that those who read them will take comfort and inspiration from the fact that we are all in this together. We are here to comfort and support one another, whatever life holds. In that thought, perhaps we can all draw closer to one another...for at least a little while.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other’s woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.

New Snavely Twins Arrive!

I am very pleased to announce the births of Sara Ann Snavely and Kara Jane Snavely, born February 16, 2006. Although the girls were born prematurely (about 28-1/2 weeks), and are not too large (Sara weighed 1lb., 5oz. and was 12 inches long, Kara was 2lb., 10oz. and 15 inches long), you can see from the pictures that they are doing very well. Mom Laura and Dad George also seem to be doing just fine. The first picture shows Mom and Dad with Kara, and the second picture shows Dad with Sara. It looks like the Snavely family is on a roll...the Staceys better watch out! A new set of Snavely sisters! I know my Grandma Eleanor and Aunt Emily are looking down and smiling, too!