Dear Rangers,

I'm writing to tell you about the Rangers' Anniversary celebration held on Saturday June 18 at Jim Hayes' house in Connecticut.

Well, to start with, I have to note that we had perfect weather — not too hot nor humid, and no rain, so it was just right for a picnic! I got there a bit early to find that all the work was done already, as Jim and Kathy Hayes, Dave Shaw, Paul Stevens, and others had been setting up already. The invitation said 1:00 but everyone chose to be fashionably late and arrived well after.

Those invited, aside from our current company, included Dave & Ruth Bernier, George Bray, Scott & Holly Carey, Bruce & Jeanette Clark, Jack & Norrie Salisbury, Gerry and Carol Siter, Tim Todish, Leo & Kathleen Tucker, Gary & Cora Zaboly, Scott & Wendy Harvey, Harold & Betty Johnson, Terry & Susan Modzelewski, Gary Gaglione, Bruce Shumway, Ron Ashworth, Warren Stevens, Philip Tierney, Joe Zakrzewski, Fred Zobel, Peter Wigginton, Chris Hatch, Eric A. Berical, Richard J Hoffmann, John J. Blascik, Bruce Major, Gary A. Rodiman, Thomas D. Wolenc, Edward J. Pichulo, Neil G. Yeager, Joe & Chris Lesko, Neil and Morgan Sorenson, and Horst Dresler.

Of those, I knew or met only Jim and Kathy Hayes (of course), Bruce and Jeanette Clark, Ron Ashworth, Scott & Wendy Harvey (and lots of kids), Harold and Betty, Gerry and Carol, Philip and Jackie Tierney and Dick Berglund, and Terry and Susan, and probably others I didn't know and didn't meet. I think the total body count was about 45-50. Of our own Rangers who attended was Mike with Anna and Travis, Paul Stevens, Sean and Debbie Kavanaugh, Dan and Marie Williamson, Dave and Geri Shaw, Ed and Marie Gagnon, Loren Harris, Dave Granton, Jay and Rose Fiedler with Ian and Shayla, and myself.  Interestingly, of those who dressed for the 18thC, all except Pvt. Chauncey chose to wear their "dress up and go to a party" clothes -- e.g., fine clothes rather than their normal Ranger duds. Thus Dan, Dave G., and Jay were all duded up. Sgt. Stevens showed up but then disappeared when Squire Raner came out. Very festive of you, gentlemen! Well done!

During it all, we had a fine band called Irish Mountain who playing Irish and folk music. They were quite good and they played forever. I wonder how they remember so much music. They seemed to like us and were interested in coming to see us at Pound Ridge. We were also treated to an a cappella solo by the young son of Scott Harvey, which was nicely done. 

And we ate largely. Due to the fact that a number of people said they were going to be there and then didn't show up, we had considerably more food than those there could manage. But it was good: corn on the cob with butter, chicken, hotdogs and hamburgers on the grill, and lots of homemade salads (no 3-bean salads ... hmmmm... lots of pasta salads instead) and desserts (including Rose Fiedler's strawberry and rhubarb pie .. mmmmmm).

Many thanks to Loren Harris for purchasing, marinating and then cooking all the chicken, Dave Shaw for getting the corn and and cooking the hotdogs, Terry Modzelewski for cooking the burgers, to several people for the loans of grills, and to everyone who brought food. And a very special "thank you" to Jim and Kathy Hayes for doing so much work and hosting the party for us all!

And then we had a small presentation ceremony, led by Paul. To Jim Hayes, we (as in, all of us in Rogers' Rangers) gave a plaque in commemoration of his 25 years with Rogers' Rangers. 

Word is those who were there enjoyed themselves and the reunion very much. The "legacies" were evening planning on picking an event next year they can attend together, which would be a wonderful thing. It's a shame more of the current crew wasn't there, especially those who live nearby (no one expected you long-haul Rangers to make it!), to support and thank these folks for getting going something which gives us all so much pleasure. But I was glad to see a few Rangers so nicely cleaned up!

Thanks again to everyone who helped out!

YO&HS,
Pvt. Chauncey Goodrich