When the children of Johnie and Olene Brown Hardin buried their aging parents two years apart, a decision was made to remain close as a family.
The nine children – Shelda, Burl, Jack, Nita, Helon, Melba, Marjorie, Becky, and Derry – all lived in five states with their own families spanning Colorado to Florida. They wanted a sense of “coming home” so they began looking for a facility in or near Calhoun County where they could meet once a year.
Dorroh Lake Baptist Assembly, a local Christian retreat typically rented for youth and children’s camps, had recently built what was known as the couples’ building. With 20 private rooms and dorm style men’s and women’s bathrooms, it was the answer they were looking for.
The collective nine families met for the first time Thanksgiving week 1989. Thirty years later, the Hardins can still be found meeting once a year at Dorroh Lake.
“A family friend recently made the comment that our gathering was a true testament of how our parents reared us,” said Nita Hardin West, the fourth child and residing Calhoun Countian. “I’d like to think they would be proud of our tradition.”
The family celebrates both Thanksgiving and Christmas during the week. A large tree is decorated with fall items, ornaments with each family member’s name, and a paper turkey as the topper.
Their days are filled with many memorable activities – a large game of Dirty Santa (White Elephant), a skeet shoot, kickball, volleyball, and horseshoe games, gingerbread house building and crafts, talent show, and what has grown to be a favorite for children and adults alike, a visit from the Shiny Rock Monster.
Children of all ages bundle up, snap on their glow-in-the-dark accessories, grab flashlights and bags, and set out on a journey through the woods to find a shiny rock path that will eventually lead to a large stash of candy.
“Since my youngest is five, I tagged along with her to not miss the excitement,” said Charlotte West Nanney, a family member and current caretaker of Dorroh Lake. “While I was traipsing through the woods, I began counting the number of people who decided to come along. We had over 40 people dodging branches and briars just to be in on the fun!”
With the nine siblings referred to as the first generation, the family has now grown to four generations. Thanksgiving lunch was prepared for 68 people with only a few family members unable to attend this year’s 30th anniversary celebration. They enjoyed the usual Thanksgiving fare with another family favorite – homegrown vegetables – and continued to feast on other great meals including a large country-style breakfast and weenie roast for the kids. Responsibilities are divided with each meal having both a prep and cleanup team.
The Hardins have kept photo albums each year to see how everyone has grown and changed as well as the many new additions through marriages and births. For a few years after they began meeting, the nine children and their families hosted an open house to visit with extended family members and friends still nearby, but as the family grew, it was discontinued due to the increased size of and time needed to visit with just the immediate members.
As with any family, the Hardins have had to say goodbye to a few, including brothers Burl and Jack, and usually set aside a time during the week to have a small memorial or remembrance of those they have lost. They have done balloon releases in the past as well as videos recounting those lives.
The family has also given monetary memorials for specific needs, improvements, or projects at Dorroh Lake as a way to remember those and to hopefully continue to enjoy the campus for many years to come. A popular project and favorite spot is the fire pit and swing-set.
“My husband, sons, and a Colorado cousin built it with monies given in memory of my dad, uncle, and father-in-law,” said Nanney. “We love to be out there, whether roasting marshmallows or sharing funny memories. It’s extremely special to me.”
Clay Hardin West, family member and county resident, says he sees their family gathering continuing for many years to come.
“We know what we have is pretty special and rare. We’ve never had a cross word, never considered not being together,” Clay said. “As far as family traditions go, family is our tradition.”