First Reunion: Family Matriarchs

The first Poughkeepsie Reunion(1987)was built around three family matriarchs, Edna "Miss Sis" Lyons(top), Leona "Miss Sister" Lyons(middle), and Mary "May" Lyons(bottom). From these three are many roots and branches to this family tree. We also acknowledge other matriarchs and patriarchs as we come together this year.

12 days and counting.........

Remember these words from one of the family matriarchs (played by Cicely Tyson) in Madea's Family Reunion?



Family reunions are about uniting the family, bringing together the young and old. Singing and dancing and thanking God, giving him the glory. Thanking him for getting us over. As we marched up the road this afternoon, what we saw were young men gambling, fighting, cussing. Women with no clothes on gyrating all over on this land. Do you see this shack. The man and woman we were born here gave birth to this generation. They were slaves. They worked this ground, but they bought it from the widow of the slave owner and that's the kind of blood we have running though our veins. That's the stock we are made of. What happened to us. What happened to us. Who are you. Do you know who you are. What happened to the pride and the dignity and the love and respect that we had for one another. Where did it go. And how, How do we get it back. I'ma tell you. Young Black men, take your place. We need you. Your sons and daughters need you. Did you understand what I just said. You were sold off and had no choice, yes but now it's time to stay. Take your place. Now. Starting now. Starting now. Young black women, you are more than your thighs and your hips. You are beautiful, strong, powerful. I want more from you. Take your place. I want every single one of you, young man, young woman, turn to the next person standing alongside of you. Grab them and hug them and tell them that you love 'em. Tell them, 'If you need anything, come to me.' 'If you need somebody to talk to, come to me.' 'I'll give you the shoulder, I'll give you the hug. I'll feed you, I'll clothe you if you need it. That's how you start from this moment. When you leave this reunion today, you take that with you.

Reunion Registration and Tee-Shirts

Scroll down the page for information on Reunion Registration. We have extended the deadline.

Tee-shirts may be ordered by contacting Ruby Hurry. We have already placed one order; arrival for late orders may be delayed but we'll try to have them for the Reunion. The color is Texas Orange and the text looks like the photo above above. The cost is $10 for children's sizes and $11.00 for Adults.

"Family Reunion" by the Ojays

Click on arrow to play.

Last Year's Reunion

Family photo from last year's reunion in Maryland. Reunion Chair, Barbara Lyons-Wright.


SCROLL DOWN FOR REUNION SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION.

PITTMAN FARM

Before coming to Pougkeepsie in the mid-1950s, the Pittman Lyons Bunn families lived and worked on Pittman Farm in Whitakers, NC. The families worked plots of land owned by white families (known as sharecropping) which was not profitable for us at all. Each family had their reasons for leaving the farm for Poughkeepsie. Usually a son, daughter, aunt, cousin, etc. left and then sent back information about jobs and housing.

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY REUNION PAGE

PITTMAN LYONS BUNN FAMILY REUNION 2009

JULY 10-12,


FRIDAY, JULY 10
Family Cook-Out
12NOON - 7:00PM
(Bowdoin Park, 85 Sheafe Rd. Wappingers Falls, NY)



Family Bowling
8:30pm - 11pm
Hoe Bowl Mardi-Bob
45 Taft Ave.
Poughkeepsie
(Price to be determined)

SATURDAY, JULY 11
Family Banquet
4:30 PM
Full Buffet Dinner and Program
(Mercury Grand Hotel, 2170 South Road-Poughkeepsie)

SUNDAY, JULY 12
Family Buffet Breakfast
8:00AM
(Mercury Grand Hotel, 2170 South Road-Poughkeepsie)


Registration fee includes the Friday Cookout, Banquet, and Sunday Breakfast.

Adults/13 and Over………………$55.00
Ages 6-12……………………..$35.00
Ages 5 and under………………Free

Payment deadline extended. Contact Ruby Hurry at Rhurry1@verizon.net

REUNION HOTEL
Mercury Grand Hotel
(Formerly Best Western Inn & Conference Center)
2170 South Road-route 9
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
(845) 462-4600
The rate for all rooms is $119.99 per night (plus 12.125% tax).
Please reference the Pittman, Lyons, Bunn Reunion when making reservations.


REUNION REGISTRATION

Contact Ruby Hurry, Poughkeepsie Reunion Registration Chair
Rhurry1@verizon.net