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Published: August 9th 2013
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THE ATKINS FAMILY
Tom, Susan, Linda, Mike, Teresa, Betsy, Steve, Mary, Judy, Roberta, Annette They came from near and far for the Atkins reunion. Roberta from Green Valley, AZ; Judy from San Luis Obispo, CA; Linda from Northville, SD; Susan and Kevin from Sausalito, CA; Mike from Sioux Falls, SD; Annette and Tom from London, UK; Tom and Leila and granddaughter Aleila from Sioux Falls, SD; Mary and Bob from Sioux Falls, SD; Betsy and Tim from Minneapolis, MN; Teresa and Matt from Des Moines, IA; Steve and daughter Ellie from New Plymouth, New Zealand. Our sister Peggy was there in spirit from heaven.
After lots of searching, we found just the right place for the reunion: the Black Hills of South Dakota. We rented three houses with four bedrooms each. The Gilded Mountain Residences were just the right size for our daily get togethers and our nightly dinners. Each house had a bbq, fully equipped kitchen, a hot tub and there was a pool at the club house. The Mickelson Trail was nearby for hiking and biking and all the historical sites were within easy driving distance. We were fortunate to have perfect weather for our five day gathering. We were so happy that everyone could make the trip. Especially Judy, whose doctor
MOM & DAD
They started it all! rearranged her chemo treatments so that she could attend the reunion.
Each night a different house hosted a gourmet dinner. There was so much food brought that we could easily have survived being snowed in for a week by a South Dakota blizzard. Betsy’s husband wanted to know if she was the only one bringing food since their car was so jam packed with tasty treats. And you can never have too much cervelat…the John Morrell Meat Company famous summer sausage which can only be found around South Dakota.
During the days, various groups headed out to visit Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse Monument, Lake Sylvan, Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon, the old west towns of Deadwood and Lead, Sturgis--home of the legendary motorcycle rally, and Walmart. Well, touring means different things to different people!
Deadwood was a notorious gold mining boom town in the 1800s filled with saloons, houses of ill repute, and opium dens. Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok were a few of its noted residents and are buried at the nearby Mount Moriah Cemetery. Wild Bill played his last poker game in Deadwood and was holding a pair of black aces and a pair
TOM & LEILA with ALEILA at RUSHMORE
"South Dakota--great faces, great places!" of black eights when he was shot by Jack McCall. That card hand is now called “the dead man’s hand.” Many people have seen the HBO show “Deadwood” which depicts the wide open nature of these frontier towns fairly accurately. While still retaining many of its original buildings, the gambling halls are now owned by more reputable folks like Kevin Costner.
Brother Tom arranged for one night out on the town. We went to a local casino for gambling and dinner. We took over several black jack tables and had great fun winning. Even the normally taciturn dealers joined in the family frivolity. We had dinner in a private room and ended up reminiscing about family events. Each person told a story about their favorite Atkins memory. It was very heartwarming to share these common experiences. Even the brothers-in-law chimed in with their antidotes. We also took our family portrait that night.
Many rounds of golf were played, lots of swimming and hiking ensued over the four days but mostly we spent time talking and sharing and dancing and playing cards. We come from a long line of card players and as it turns out all of our
CRAZY HORSE
65 years in the making spouses also like to play cards and board games. One of the first questions my Mom would ask our prospective suitors is if they played cards. The jokes knows no bounds as one person tries to top another. Many siblings brought gifts for the others such as homemade rhubarb jam and banana bread, scarves, vases, books and travel bags.
In the year since our father Robert C. Atkins passed away, Tom put together a book about Dad and he presented one to each of us. It tells the story of a farm kid growing up during the depression and Dust Bowl years on the plains of South Dakota. How he worked his way through college on football scholarships, played semi-pro baseball, married my beautiful mother, Betty, produced 12 happy children and ended up as General Manager of 4000 employees at the Morrell meat packing plant in Sioux Falls. Job well done! Dad and Mom could have written their own book on the joys and challenges of raising a large family. They couldn't have titled it "Cheaper by the Dozen" since that one has already been used.
All too soon it was Sunday morning, time to pack up and
scatter to the wind. Recently I was reading about the importance of family, especially siblings, and it is so true. I feel fortunate to be part of this large group of loving individuals whom I am proud to call my sisters and brothers. How blessed we are!
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Mal Myers
non-member comment
Nice Reunion
Thanks for letting me see and have some fun looking at your wonderful family Reunion I hope you are all blessed with good health and long life. Regards, Mal Myers