We can do better!

Hi Family,

At the recent Rolan Reunion which was held 9/4/22, we started a fund raiser to generate enough money to purchase a new headstone for our 2nd, maybe your 3rd or 4 great-grandmother, Catharine "Kittie" (Lee) Wallen, Ferguson, Hart, Butterfield. Yes, great, great grandmother Kittie was married 4 times and widowed 3. Kittie's maiden name was Lee and she was the daughter of Eleanor and James Lee. Kittie was first married to our great, great... grandfather F.O. Wallen and they had great-grandmother Ellen Catharine Wallen.  Ellen Wallen married our great...grandfather Andrew Jackson "A.J." Rolan.  Ellen and A.J. lived on the hill above the previous-Rolan Reunion Campground. So great, great...grandmother Kittie Wallen, Ferguson, Hart, Butterfield is our great, great...grandmother.

This all started because David Brune and I were at the Salty Cem. and I showed him where his great-great grandmother Kittie is buried. David's comment was, "We can do better than that!" and I thought... we certainly can! So hence, the reason for the fund raiser!

David has checked on the cost of purchasing a new headstone from Rockdale Memorial and it will cost us anywhere from $140-up. David has agreed to purchase the stone for us and have it placed, when we have collected the funds we need.

If, you would like to join us in raising funds to purchase great great...grandmother Kittie a new headstone, you may mail me a check to Joyce Wyatt, PO Box 1071, Brenham, Texas 77834. Or pay by Zelle at joycew0222@gmail.com, be sure to indicate what the Zelle donation is for, please!.

Attached is a pic of the homemade-concrete headstone that marks her grave at Salty Cem.. (The pic of her stone is abt. 10 yrs old and it is looking very weathered, now!) 

Hey Guys,

Just a reminder, the Rolan Reunion is this Sunday, Sept. 4, in Thorndale, Tx. Come early and visit lunch served at 12 pm., business at 1 pm. 

302 E. Moerbe Dr.

Thorndale, Texas 776577

Reunion Happening Thorndale Sept 4th

Hey all in the family. Hopefully nobody as grumpy as what’s-his-name. Paul Rolan here.

The reunion is coming up fast; Sept 4th at the Thorndale VFW hall. Last year there was a good crowd to eat all the BBQ; this year more. We really did not eat ALL the BBQ. There were 2-3 briskets left and sold. These were cooked by Buff’s BBQ & Grill in Springtown TX. The sauce was oh so good too.

As mentioned before plenty of parking, plenty of air-conditioning, plenty of food, and more cousins. Put it on your calendar. Sept 4th with gathering starting at 10AM, 12:00 meal, 1PM business meeting, fellowshipping afterwards.

See you in about 4 weeks.

Paul E Rolan
Jimmie E Rolan
James B Rolan
Andrew J Rolan
Richard Rolan from Inverness Scottland

Labor Day Reunion Sept 4th

Well the traditional Rolan Reunion work weekend is coming up soon…… Wait, there is no Memorial Day work weekend; plumbing to fix, grass to mow, trees to clear, sheds to fix…… getting worked up just thinking about the times. The traditional times were Memorial Day work weekend and Labor Day Reunion weekend bookending the start and end of a HOT HOT summer. Those times will be remembered well.

Now the only work is taping a sign on the truck @ Thorndale’s Veteran’s Hall. Those attending last year probably remember needing a jacket the air-conditioning was blowing so cold. Yes, the new place is very nice. The room/tables/chairs will hold probably 200 folks and add another 25 kids… The super nice air-conditioned bathrooms did not even have spiders or other varmints.

The silent/live auction tables are at one end for everyone to bid on. Last year was fun. This year should be “funner” as long as you are coming.

The only negative (there has to be one) is the building is not free. It cost $$$. Not a considerable amount but still funds are needed for the reunion costs (paying for reservations for next year, BBQ, etc).

The date and location for this year’s Rolan Reunion is Sunday September 4th at 302 E Moerbe Dr (right next to the FireHall), Thorndale, TX 76577

Can’t wait to see everyone there.

Paul E Rolan
Jimmie E Rolan
James B Rolan
Andrew J Rolan
Richard Rolan from Inverness Scottland

What a Time @ 2021 Rolan Reunion

Jan Negrete our new treasurer

No sand, no ants, no sweating, no broken plumbing. WOW! What else is there to the reunion? Good fellowshipping, fantastic food and I won the quilt. YES!

Really check out all the picts. And there was plenty of room for social distancing.... right. The VFW will hold 75 folks easily.

Jan Negrete was unanimously nominate to be the new treasurer. We also agreed to have the same Sunday and venue next year.

Speaking of food.... Buff's BBQ & grill (Harold Buffington related to Ellen Florence) of Springtown TX provided sausage, chicken, and briskets. Super job and pls thank him Ellen.

The weather cooperated with another 100 degree day. But I had to go outside and warm my shaking knees. So no more excuses that "I just cant stand the heat". I may bring a sweater next year.

See you all in 362 days. Paul Rolan

Reunion 2021

I did have hair way back when

Hey family, Paul here. Glad to talk to everyone.

Summary:
The reunion is A GO!!!!
This reunion is in the air-conditioned VFW hall in Thorndale. From Thorndale head north on 486 (Main St) and curve around approx. ½ mile, VFW and Fire Hall will be on the right.

If you can’t make it, please donate what you can through the on-line donation link listed on the www.RolanReunion.com website. We need funds for next year.

Details:

There will be brisket, chicken and sausage. Bring a side dish and desert to share.

ONE LAST TIME…..RSVP……going once, going twice……NEED a count to PURCHASE MEAT!

Bring stories and pictures

Bring something(s) (new, gently used, or handmade) and funds for the auction.

Bring outside chairs and tables if you’d be more comfortable sitting outside under the pavilion to eat, due to COVID precautions.

Lunch is at 12:30.

So, what about COVID?
That is a good question! And the world has lots to say about it. I checked with the local school district, nothing unusual. They are following the CDC guidelines; social distancing, wear a mask when social distancing is difficult in a large group setting, stay home if you are sick, etc.

So, we (the reunion) will do our best to do the same.

Enough said!

 See ya on 9/5

Paul E Rolan

Son of Jimmie Eugene Rolan

Son of James Buchannan Rolan

Son of Andrew Jackson Rolan

Son of Richard Rolan

Sad but True 2020 Reunion Cancelled.

On the left..Raymond, Gladys, Jimmie, me, Dee Lois

Remember when we all bunched together for a boat ride and there were no thoughts of wearing a mask or social distancing rules? At least I didn’t.

I’m the little guy on the left between Mom and Dad. So we have Dee Lois, me (Paul), Jimmie Rolan, Nanny (Gladys Rush; mom's mother) and Raymond Rolan. What a line-up!!!!!

Yes, those days are gone and only to be remembered in pictures.

As you probably have heard the 2020 Rolan Family Reunion has been cancelled. This is the 1st time in 70 years there will be no BBQ, family stories, Good-Times Saturday night, and NO jalapeno poppers. It makes me sad; first losing the campgrounds and now no big gatherings due to social distancing guidelines. What is the world coming to?

BUT, there is a solution (sort of). I propose a contest with a big money pay off at the end. Instead of an in-person reunion, have the contest promote massive Rolan family chatter on all the social network sites by posting family pictures with the top poster getting $100. Let’s do this the week that the reunion is normally held. The contest winner and top Rolan clan with the most pictures also gets special recognition as being the most socially acceptable Rolan clan. I know some of us have trouble spelling Facebooke. Just have your grandkids help you.

So here is the contest. The contest will start on Saturday Sept 5 and run until Friday the 11th. Post a picture on The Reunion Facebook page or on the Rolan Reunion website saying who is in the picture and the Clan lineage; same picture can’t be posted twice and can only post 2-3 at a time. That counts as one point per picture. Post again, again, again, again. By mid September we will celebrate the individual winner and the most sociable clan.

Stay safe, healthy and also have some fun….

Paul E Rolan

Son of Jimmie Eugene Rolan

Son of James Buchannan Rolan

Son of Andrew Jackson Rolan

Son of Richard Rolan

Reunion Resceduled for Labor day weekend

Marlon and Paul Rolan

Hey everyone Paul Rolan here.

Everyone has felt the impact of the pandemic. The Rolan Reunion is not an exception. You probably heard the date in June has been rescheduled. Below is the new date.

The postponement was seriously considered and pros/cons weighed. The planning committee has no crystal ball. Hopefully by June all is back to normal and everyone is back to work making money. Maybe not!

The Rolan Reunion could not take that chance and go broke due to minimal funds coming in. If the pandemic negatively affects the funds 30% this could happen.  The 2020 RR will be the most expensive ever; due to renting a place. Yes it is $$$ but the Thorndale hall has air-conditioning and no need for a work crew (WHAT?? nobody knows the campgrounds had a "free labor" work crew?). That is worth some $$ right!!! The new cost for having the reunion is just under $1000.

Sure we could meet at a park somewhere; when the temperature is less than 91 degrees. That was looked at way back when and decided not to.

The new  Rolan Reunion date is the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Sept 6th at 12:00. Does this sound familiar? Yes, just as it was for 60+ years.

Have a Blessed summer, less fear and stay well...

Paul Rolan

Son of Jimmie Eugene Rolan

Son of James Buchannan Rolan

Son of Andrew Jackson Rolan

Son of Richard Rolan

Renunion Venue Options

The details below show the indepth work the Venue committee showing options for the next Reunion venue. Yoiu can pull up internet pictures of the various locations.

Please go to Facebook and vote on the choice you like the best.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rolan-Reunion/146880895403196

Paul Rolan Family President

The venue committee has searched every VFW, SPJST, American Legion, Apache Trails, Rockdale Fairgrounds and parks; essentially 35 different places. They went to Rockdale, Thorndale and Taylor to look at the venues that might foot the bill.

It seems that the VFW in Thorndale or Murphy Park are our best values, both with a lot of amenities for the adults and children. But, there are no RV hook ups at either place; but there is plenty of RV parking at the VFW. If we decide to go with a venue that has a swimming pool, we will have to move the event since the pools don’t open until early June.

The VFW in Thorndale (mile north of 79) is a nice air conditioned-hall, with a small kitchen, a serving bar and enough tables to seat 200. The cost is $200 for 16 hrs. with a $50 dep. and $75 cleanup fee or we clean. There is a large bbq pit available next door at Fireman’s Hall for $75 and we supply the wood. The hall is at the Fireman’s City Park with a swimming pool (open 1-5:30p), basketball court, nice kids’ playground, horseshoe court and lots of shade.  Only drawback is the nearest motels are in Rockdale or Taylor, abt. 10 miles, either way and RV parks in both. The City Park is where the annual BBQ cook-off is held; 100s of RVs/BBQ pits show up the 2nd weekend in June.

Salty Church next to Salty Cemetery inexpensive but has no amenities. We would also need to rent a port-a-potty since there is only one bathroom. There are also lots of grass burrs all over

Murphy Park in Taylor is open from 4:30 am to 11 pm. There is a split-level open air pavilion available, the lower level (200 cap.) is $130 for a resident or $160 for non, w/a $75 ref. deposit.  The upper level (larger) is $162.50 for resident or is $187.50 for non w/a $100 ref. deposit. A bbq pit is available upon request. The park has a large (bank only) fishing lake, miles of trails, tennis courts, sand volleyball, swimming pool, basketball courts, playground areas. The draw back here is there is no air conditioning in the pavilion. There are RV parks close by and several nice motels, in Taylor.

Fair Park in Rockdale, has nice RV hookups w/grills $25 and a pavilion, the cost is $100 for the restroom usage, we pay electric bill and $750 ref. security fee. There is also New Salem Hall to rent, inside the park, for $350 for 8 hrs., w $250 dep. and security (if alcohol is consumed). But, no playground for the kids, (there is a city owned skate park a few fields over). The draw back here is the $750 refundable security fee, that we would probably have to pay now, to reserve the park for next yr., no playground.

Apache Pass in Rockdale was reviewed. It has a river but no swimming is allowed. Limited availability in July and August. $2 per person, RV $23-30, tent $10 open air pavilion

Reunion 2019

The 70th Rolan reunion went off without a hitch. Well...except for a couple of ladies that followed their GPS and end up on the old road, on the other side, of Alcoa's locked gate. We had a total of 63 people sign-in, plus a few more. It was a little hot and humid, but the weather was clear, the dinner was great and we had great fellowship. As, always the silent action was a lot of fun! Vaughn Brune had some wonderful 70th reunion caps made and Jane's handmade quilt sold for $150. Wayne Tolson is the caretaker of the Alligator Rock and R. C. Roland is the owner of the famous Water Barrel. Paul Rolan took me on a rough and bumpy ride to the old Rolan home place, that due to the overgrowth is no longer visible. I must say it is a beautiful area, we did find a nice place to erect Ivey May's cross. We are hoping to get Alcoa to acknowledge we have a grave in that area and give us access, forever.

Now, to find a venue for next year!

If you have any ideas, please let me know.

Joyce

Important Campground Property News

Hello family and welcome to 2019.

Paul E Rolan here.

As the Rolan Reunion president (don’t remember who tasked me with that title) I have some sad and disturbing news to share. This May 19th will be the last reunion held at the campgrounds. The Rolan Reunion is a historical event since 1949. It has been held at the campgrounds since 1950 and will be remembered for lifetimes.

The reason for this is Alcoa (really the electric plant) forced us to sell the property. Yes this may be close to illegal but the county/city has always sided with this big business. We could spend $100k on lawyer fees and still lose the case. BOTTOM LINE: We no longer own the property and have been granted one last reunion at the place the Rolan clan’s roots will always be.

Let’s make this last campground Rolan Reunion one to be remembered. Bring stories, history, memorabilia, and kids. Tell the kids your campground story of good times and the hard times. It was so hot. It was so dirty. It was so wet. It was so much food. It was so great….. You get the idea.

Future Reunion locations:
We are collecting future site ideas for the 2020 Rolan Reunion. The plan is to pick a location close to Rockdale, Thorndale, Taylor, Lexington, etc. These ideas need to have details like: location, cost, and venue contact info. All options will be explored so help us out with your ideas.

Please forward this news to everyone since not all are on social media and have an email account.

Paul Rolan
Rolan.Paul@gmail.com 
512-296-3419
Son of Jimmie Rolan
Son of Jim Rolan
Son of Andrew Rolan
Son of Richard Rolan

Acknowledgements

Built 1958 Rebuilt 1994
Immortalized 2019

Much thanks to Paul Rolan for his relentless dedication to making sure the Rolan Reunion continues, year after year.

A thank you to Wayne Tolson for making sure we had a place to meet for many years.

To Danny Nathan, and J Roy for barbecuing, every year, it's always great.

And a special thank you to the work crew for making sure everything is in working order and the grounds are nice and neat.

We appreciate all of you!