Counts Reunion - August 3, 2024

President Brett Compton opened the meeting; he welcomed everyone to the reunion.

Everyone was asked to stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Then a YouTube version of America, the Beautiful was played and all were encouraged to join in.

The Secretary/Treasurer Report was prepared by Carol Deel. Brett Compton gave the report as Carol was attending by Zoom and it was easier to hear him. He gave the Treasurer’s Report and there was balance of $1616.00.

Other Business

There was a discussion about the bench for the cemetery. Brett suggested that further discussion could be had at the cemetery this afternoon after lunch. No official decisions were made, and the topic was tabled.

It was decide that the 2025 Reunion would be held at the same location, the Town of Lebanon Recreational Center.

Election of Officers – Nominations were taken from the floor and the election results are as follows:

Phyllis Counts – President

Brett Compton – Vice President

Carol Deel – Secretary/Treasurer

There were gifts given for different categories

· Oldest Person

· Most Reunions

· Come from the farthest distance

Program Continued:

1. Brett read a 1936 poem on John Counts of Glade Hollow which was read at the first Counts Reunion in 1937.

2. Charley Barnett, after giving his genealogy, talked to us about doing the upkeep on 30 cemeteries as well as the cemetery headstones. He uses a product called D-2 that can be ordered from the Washington County Historical Society. You use a soft-bristle brush.

3. Brett talked about our ancestor, Dr. Ralph Stanley, and his legacy of music. Brett’s son, Easton Compton, played the banjo and sang using the clawhammer style.

4. Chad Counts gave a demonstration and explanation of GEDMatch

5. Lauretta Janine Cole Ferranti talked about the Counts Family in Montana. She had a PowerPoint presentation to share with many pictures and stories.

6. David Farley talked about his visit to Montana with Bryan and Sally Wells, our Counts’ kin.

7. Gail Marney recognized all of the veterans. We generally have a flag for the oldest Veteran, but Raymond Compton who usually donates the flag is ill with cancer and is in Hospice, so there was no flag.

8. David Farley blessed the food.

The meeting was adjourned, and a Potluck Meal was enjoyed by those attending.

People went to the John Counts of Glade Hollow cemetery which was about one (1) to two (2) miles away