When and how did our annual Mattimore family reunion start, you ask? Well, as much as anyone in my generation knows or can remember, it was started by brothers (and our grandfathers) Harry and Joseph Mattimore.

It probably started sometime around 1960 or early 60s… or thereabouts. Incredibly, that means it’s been going on for in the neighborhood of 65 years. Has it happened every single year since then? No, but likely almost all. Covid interrupted the gathering, and it’s feasible that here may have been a few other years when something prevented it from happening. But on the whole, it has been a tradition on the 2nd weekend in August for decades. And now, generations.

Here’s my theory: around 1960/early 60s, all of grandfather Harry’s children were living in the Buffalo area except for Harry Jr. and Kathleen’s family, who were living in Vestal, New York. Having an annual gathering would provide an occasion to get everyone together, including out of town family. At that point, all of grandfather Joe’s children were also still in Buffalo, except for son Henry, who was in the seminary in Washington DC (and ordained in 1961). Early August probably felt right as it was the height of summer and before kids went back to school. And so, the tradition was born.

The Elwell clan of 10 at the Mattimore Picnic, circa 1968

The earliest memories of the picnic for Fr. Jack date back to second or third grade. That sounds about the same for me (and Jack and I are the same age). Harry Jr. and family made the trip from Vestal every year to be there, of course. Their daughter Jane (Hashey) says she can’t ever remember NOT going, she was so young when it started.

As it settled into a tradition, the main organizers of the gathering early on seemed to be Hirschs — Kathleen and Bob. They organized the volleyball game and brought all the fun stuff: horseshoes, wiffle balls, baseball bats, etc. Organizing the food started early too: bring beverages and meats for your own family, but also bring a dish to share with all.

Others have taken their turn in organizing the event in the years since, with a special shoutout to Colleen and Fr. Jack. There's also Jane Hashey and Kathy Shaw and Sue Hirsch, Lorie Deacon and Trish Lewis and, well, I don’t really know everyone who has helped to organize, so I’ll just say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has had a hand in keeping the picnic going over the years.

Some of the flyers from over the years are below (you can click on an image to see it larger).

Bob Hirsch, a professional photographer, began the tradition of taking a group picture each year. I’m told you had to be in the vicinity when he made the photo call, lest your presence was not documented. After his passing in 2013, someone has always managed to get a group photo. (NOTE: There's a video slideshow from over the years, including the group photos from several years at the end of this post.) 

I’m guessing that it was sometime in the early 90s that Fr. Jack started saying mass at the picnics. At that time, I never thought about the fact that the mass was always said at 4:00 pm or later, and not before. D’oh! Of course, then it would count for the Sunday obligation for mass!

One special mass stands out to me. That was the one in 2015 that included the baptism of little Luke Mattimore from Chicago.

Of course, there have been many special moments and memories. Our parents’ generation enjoyed singalongs with songs taught to them by their parents — When Irish Eyes are Smiling, Blackbird in a Thorn and Danny Boy to name a few. With later generations came Wild Rover, Mari’s Wedding and The Parting Glass.

In 2016 when Fr. Jack couldn’t make it to the picnic, we had an impromptu talent show instead of a mass. How’s that for creativity? We enjoyed songs by Jen and Joey Mattimore (on guitar), group singalongs, and even a dramatic reading. We were also fortunate to watch a comedy routine by Maryanne Donnelly, who only about four months later sadly passed away.

We’ve played every conceivable outdoor/picnic game imaginable and held many competitions (the donut eating contest was particularly inspired). One year, I gave an ancestry talk about our family history. And in 2018 we listened to a new song by Joe Mattimore, Change the World With Kindness, written to honor the life of Natalie Lewis.

2022 was especially bittersweet with the memories of Mike Hirsch, who passed away just 10 days prior to the reunion. Fresh off his memorial, the Hirsh family still came out in force. 

We've remembered others who have passed (RIP Tom Mattimore) and celibrated births and birthdays along the way. Always through the years, there's been music, camaraderie and laughter.

Looking back, at that young age when I just wanted to hang out with my friends, I remember saying to my mom something to the effect of: “Do we really have to go this? Who are these people (other than my 1st cousins) that will be there again?” Ah, familiar sentiments from a kid. But as I aged and began to appreciate family, I began to see the gatherings differently. With my love of genealogy (inherited from my mom), the reunions were my opportunity to connect with not just my cousins and aunts and uncles, but with 2nd cousins, with whom we share great grandparents and all of their associated history. It is rare that extended families have a tradition such as this one that we have — and have had for some six decades now.

So this year, the picnic at Chestnut Ridge will be Saturday, August 9th. Whether traveling by plane, train or automobile, hope to see you there!

BONUS: For those around in the days before and after Saturday, here are two events of note by family members:

1. Thursday AUG 7, Jeff Shaw and his Celtic rock band The Muckers are playing at Nietzsche's in Allentown, 6:00pm

2. Sunday AUG 10, my sister Jennifer Comeau has an author talk about her new novel A Moon in All Things at Dog Ears Bookstore, 11:00am

Now, here is the promised video slideshow. I pulled photos from Facebook and other sources, and added the group photos that I had from over the years at the end. You can pause the video at any point to see everyone's faces. You will need to click the URL below (enjoy!):

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGsnkYUFzE/-s0O8ujqdIGxkofBfma2NA/watch