Tenney Family Association Reunion & Annual Meeting 2002

updated August 12, 2002

Tenney Family Western Jamboree 2002

June 21-23, 2002

Hosted by the Lewis N. Tenney, Sr. family

2002 Group Photo     Photo Collage

Dear Tenney Family,

I want to thank all those who made the trip out to Arizona to attend the Tenney Family association Annual meeting.  I consider it a huge success despite the last minute changes and other circumstances.  Here's a brief summary of what happened:

Tuesday June 18th - Rodeo Fire Started near Cibecue Arizona about 25 miles southeast of Heber -- planned location of the reunion.

Wednesday June 19th - Fire spreads rapidly but wind blowing the fire east of Heber allowing us to think that Heber would be safe.

Thursday June 20th - Second fire the Chediski Fire is started by a lost hiker looking for help approximately 15 miles southwest of Heber. Quickly spreads by winds pushing fire directly towards Heber.  Heber is placed on evacuation alert and decision to move reunion was made.

Friday June 21st - Reunion begins at new location in LDS church located in Phoenix near Missouri and 16th Streets.  Officers’ meeting was held at 3:30 pm and Dinner (Pizza and salad provided by Warren Tenney Family) was held at 5:00 pm with an outstanding Talent Show held after dinner. There were about 10 acts performed ranging from piano playing to skits to singing.  A video show was presented by Eric Hancock showing highlights of the reunion held at the Tenney Ranch in Heber in 2001.  It was a stirring video as it brought many to tears knowing of the trouble looming in Heber.  All had a great time and we laughed despite the wildfire approaching Heber.  Heber is evacuated.

Saturday June 22nd - Paul and Armeda Stapley provided an outstanding breakfast consisting of Bacon, Eggs, Pancakes and Hash Browns at 8 am. Group pictures were taken at 10:00 with 105 people being in the picture I took.  There were more people there that didn't get in the picture. Kathryn Tenney Hancock and Wanda Tenney provided a virtual tour of Arizona (the day trip was cancelled) doing an excellent job of providing stories and maps of places and people of interest to the Tenney Family in Arizona.  Lunch was provided by the Diana Tenney family consisting of sub sandwiches, pasta salad, chips and melon.

After lunch Sylvia Tenney Allen presented a play on the history of the Tenney family in America and a tribute to Tenney Veterans.  It was a moving musical with outstanding acting and singing especially considering that there were cast members up in Heber working to battle the fire.  Most were moved to tears as Sylvia was given a standing ovation.

Following the play was the business meeting where members voted to adopt the new office descriptions and to make the mail order manager an elected position.  It was also determined that next year's reunion will be held on August 2 and 3rd in New England.  Debbie Montgomery will head the reunion committee.

Dinner was provided by the Kathryn Tenney Hancock and Joe Tenney families, consisting of hamburgers, chips, watermelon and pop.  The reunion was adjourned.  Many stayed to watch the news of the blaze on the television.

The success of the reunion was a miracle.  No, we didn't get to do all that was planned but hearts and families were brought together.  We learned about our heritage and our relatives.  We made new acquaintances and friendships.  We gained a better understanding of why it's important to know our families.   We gained a deeper appreciation for our ancestors.  We gained a deeper appreciation for who we are.  We gained a deeper appreciation for what is really important.  We now can unite and call upon our God and ask for a crowning miracle--I know it can be done.

Submitted by Greg Hancock, TFA Vice President

I Love Arizona ~ I have been to every reunion for the past 10 years, all which have been in New England. Each reunion was very different and I always came away with a renewed sense of joy to meet my old and new Tenney friends and cousins, and of course proud to be a Tenney. But the Reunion of June 2002 will especially be dear to my heart for life. We all enjoyed all the events, the meals, and the wonderful special talent show by the children that left us with smiling hearts and meeting our Tenney cousins new and old. The way our host, the Tenney-11 Family cousins, pulled this event off without a hitch, despite many of their homes in the path of the raging fire, will have an everlasting effect on me.

Sylvia Allen’s play left the house in misty and tearful eyes. The story began about the hardships that Thomas and Ann would have, leaving to go to a new country, to Benjamin & Ruth (Blanchard) Tenney and their hardships of losing 3 children days apart in 1777, while he was serving his country.

Slides of patriotic images clicked away, as these very talented singers and actors stole our hearts. Call me a softie, but because we were visitors and could only slightly imagine what all were experiencing, the play could not have been more fitting. Thank you, Sylvia, and all those that worked so hard: Paul Stapley, with all his barbequing in the 110-degree temperatures, his wife Armeda and the many others whom I did not get a chance to meet.

To all my newfound cousins of the west coast, it was a great treat to meet you. Thank you all for the most memorable reunion I have ever attended. 

Submitted by Debby Bianchi, TFA Curator/Treasurer