Festivities begin on Friday morning, July 31, as the Association’s annual “Thomas Hughes Gentry Memorial Golf Tournament” will get underway at the Boots Randolph Golf Course at Lake Barkley State Park. Registration will begin at 8:00 a.m. Teams draw at 8:40 a.m. and the shotgun start is at 9 a.m. for the four-person scramble. All proceeds from the event will go to the association’s scholarship fund for Trigg County seniors.
At 6 p.m. Friday evening, the “Welcome Home Wiener Roast” will be held at the Cadiz City Park. Plenty of time will be available for family socializing.
The James Thomas Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution will sponsor a program on Saturday, August 1st, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The program, Tribute to Our Ancestors, will be held in the Ohio Room at Lake Barkley Convention Center. Joyce Banister, a past president, of the Thomas-Bridges Association and contributing editor to the TBA Newsletter and member of the DAR Chapter, will give a talk, “Tribute to our Ancestors” along with other DAR members. Thomas Harper, son of Janie Sumner Wall, and vice-president of the Association will give a welcome. Mrs. Wall and Clara G. Lawrence, members of the reunion committee are assisting in the planning the TBA weekend events. Mrs. Lawrence is an officer in both DAR and TBA organizations. When the local DAR chapter was organized, 90% of the 32 organizing members were descendants of James Thomas; therefore the National DAR approved naming the chapter the James Thomas Chapter. All TBA members and others who descend from the two families are urged to attend.
On Saturday evening August 1 at 5:30 p.m., events will begin at the Convention Center at Lake Barkley State Park with the meeting of the TBA Board of Directors, followed by the annual business meeting at 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. special entertainment will be provided by the Ron Sholar Family and Friends. Ron Sholar from Hopkinsville plays the hand bells and his daughter Jill Sholar Casado plays the harp. They will be accompanied by special friends that are in the Murray State Band. Everyone is welcome to attend the performance.
On Sunday, August 2, the Annual Family Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m. at lake Barkley Convention Center. All lunch reservations must be purchased in advance, as meals will only be prepared for those with reservations. Your check for you and your family should be mailed to: The Thomas-Bridges Association Reservations, c/o Virginia T. Alexander, P.O. Box 609, Cadiz, KY 42211. The cost is $12.25 for each adult and $7.00 for children. Late tickets for the lunch may be purchased at the Welcome Home Weiner Roast on Friday night.
The Sunday afternoon program will include a roll call of state, visitor recognition, recognition of the oldest and youngest attendee and a memorial service for all who have passed away since the last reunion. The reunion will close with the group singing, “My Old Kentucky Home.”
The Association send out a special invitation to all members of these two families to attend any and all of these events. You don’t have to be a member to attend. Memberships will be available for all those who want to join.
For more information, conctact Thomas Harper, Vice-President, Thomas-Bridges Association.
