October 24, 2009

For some time the three VanSant sisters took it upon themselves to write a family newsletter several times a year.  This newsletter had news of all the VanSant siblings children and grandchildren, as well as news about what they had been doing themselves.  Here are a couple of excerpts from a couple of those newsletters in 1995

In January, Emily wrote the newsletter:

Gene and I spent Christmas in Atlanta with our children.  All the children and grandchildren except Shelley were with us for Christmas dinner..... We had a wonderful time.  Gene and I attended Christmas Eve services at Saint James Methodist Chruch.....a very meaningful part of the (Christmas) celebration for us. 

Our children and grandchildren planned a 70th birthday celebration for Gene in Atlanta on Sunday, the 22nd.  Russell arranged for us to have dinner at the Roswell Founders' diners club, and it was a wonderful gathering for alleighteen of us.  They provided a nice private room for us with long tables, cnadlelight, and a fireplace.  All the grandchildren sang a happy birthday solo for their PaPa and he loved it.  The everyone gave a brief comment about why PaPa/Dad was special to them.  Of course it was very moving for him.  Then Gene made a few remarks that climaxed the event for all of us.  We feel greatly blessed by our precious family.  There was a fax message from Bob and Frances, a card from Joyce, a trans-Atlantc phone message from Tim and Margaret, and a phone call from Fran to wish him a happy birthday.  Dorothy and Bill, Robert and Beth, and Richard and Ginger all came to Steve's to give their salute to Gene.....Gene and I will be spending most of February in Sarasota, Florida with his sisters.....We are really looking forward to the extended visit. 

Joyce composed the newsletter that went out that May (1995).  She wrote:

Emily and Gene took a relaxing and exciting trip with Gene's four sisters on an ocealliner cruise to Mexico in February.  They were able to miss all the winter weather in Kentucky for that month.  They have visited their families in Atlanta and Chattanooga frequently.  Grandchildren have spent time with them while parents go on business or pleasure trips during spring break...