From left to right: Whitney Renn, Parker Renn, Ken Gavigan, Mary Eichas-Gavigan, JoAnn Renn, Katia Beart.Many descendents of George B. and Magdaline Eichas gathered for their 58th Annual Eichas Family Picnic in July. The family consisted of parents and six children, when they moved to Peck Road on October 31, 1929. In the following eleven years, they had five more children. Today, there are over three hundred descendents.
These poor, hardworking, German farm folks, raised their large family to be responsible, caring, contributing citizens who grew deep community roots. While pictures and memories reveal many celebrations and gatherings and picnics, the first attempt to name the event “The Eichas Family Picnic’ took place on Labor Day 1956. Actually, Mr. Eichas never attended any of these celebrations as he passed away earlier that year.
Originally the family took turns hosting the annual event at their homes. At that time, the date and menu changed as needed and desired. But, early on, private homes were outgrown as the 49 grandchildren were born.
As public facilities were rented, the date and menu stabilized. Predictability made planning for the families more livable. In time, these pavilions and lodges, also, were outgrown and larger facilities were constantly sought in a nearby location as the dairy farmers needed to return home for evening chores.
This year a new site was selected where the building and the surrounding picnic tables and portable seating held the 215 attendees. Many feel this event continues as a tribute to and in respect of the salt-of-the-earth upbringing George B. and Magdaline Eichas gave their eleven children.
Lively activities were packed into a few short hours in addition to the virtual feast. Upon arrival there were card games, baseball games – covering several generations, races, stilt races, soccer games and this year a dinosaur excavation site, a playground area and a small pool. Water is always a delight. Organized and impromptu games and bags of prizes completed the memorable day. This year a granddaughter made a banner as a water balloon toss game and as a family icon.
Mary Eichas-Gavigan, whose family hosted this year’s picnic stated: “We number well over three hundred now plus, always invited, friends and fiances. While Mom and Dad are no longer with us, we now have my generation, our children, our grandchildren and our great-grandchildren. With each generation, we basically double in numbers. Mom and Dad would be so proud as they look down and see most every profession and many, many walks-of-life represented in their descendents.”
