Centennial Activities

A committee of Robl cousins has been meeting to plan activities for the Centennial Celebration, and we welcome others to join us and assist with planning. We have tried to include activities for a variety of ages. Here are some of the activities we have planned so far:
Katherine’s Voyage: Several years ago, Sarah Stetter wrote a short story about Katherine Robl’s voyage to America. We plan to have children act out that story and to share it with all attendees. Grandma’s Trunk: I have an old trunk that I believe came to the USA with either Grandma or Grandpa Robl. I will bring that trunk along with some family artifacts to illustrate what their life was like. Likewise, Albert’s daughter, Cindy, will bring along some items she has. We invite anyone who has a family object to bring it along, and to share how it might have been used. We think “Grandma’s trunk” activity will be especially appealing to young children. Family stories, traditions, secrets, and trivia shared: Why did the Robl sisters have frogs in their nylon stockings? How did they get the hickory nuts out whole? Who made the rye bread for the Christmas ham gathering? Who was older, Aunt Rosie or Aunt Margaret? What does it mean to peck an Easter egg? Search your memory for a tidbit told by your parent or grandparent, and add to the stories we will share. Family crafts: Aunt Margaret was by far the craftiest in the family, and luckily, her granddaughters, Cindy and Karla, will bring along samples of her work to display. If you have something else to display, we’ll have a spot in the family crafts area. We might even get a lesson on how to make a yarn-covered coat hanger or tie a quilt. How many of us had to crawl underneath the quilt frame to push the needle back up? Family games: Sheepshead, Pollyanna, Yatzee, cribbage and Dart Ball were all popular past times for the Robl family. Any of us old enough to recall Grandpa Robl playing sheepshead with his cronies will remember no “table talk” and the slamming of cards down on the table. Sally Robl promises sheepshead instructions will be available, and Kenny Robl will show interested attendees how to play dart ball. The other indoor games will also be available. Outdoor games for children: We plan to have some active games for the younger kids or for anyone who needs to burn off a little energy after listening to all those stories. Photo sharing and identification: If you have stared at a photograph wondering who the people are, there may be some one at the Celebration who can help. Bring along other photos you would like to display too. Be sure to place your photos in plastic sheet protectors to prevent damage by handing. Displays of family documents & photos: I have Grandma’s passport and baptismal certificate. We hope to have these, other documents, and family history available on a DVD for all to see and perhaps take home a copy. Recipe exchange: We have not yet figured out how to do this, but it was one of the early suggestions on this blog. Your input on how to set up a recipe exchange will be appreciated, especially by those who still crave some of the Robl family foods. With that thought in mind, please post or send any other suggestions as well. We think these activities will help us to explore our shared heritage while getting to know each other and reconnecting. Kathy