Members of the Smith Schmidt-Krawiec family recently held their annual reunion.

The Smith-Schmidt-Krawiec family celebrated their 61st reunion on Aug. 5 at the Russell Joy Park on Howard Street in Fredonia.

Andrew Schmidt (Smith) came to America on Aug. 31, 1903. His wife Aniela (Angeline) Krawiec Smith followed with their son Michael Smith on April 21, 1905. Eight more children were born in America – Paul Leo Smith, George Thomas Smith, Peter P. Schmidt, Keatherine Bishop Frost, John T. Schmidt, Joe Smith, Stella San George and Josephine Jakubowski.

The guests were greeted by the American, Canadian and Polish flags. There were two surprise couples, Rick Krawiec and his wife June and Debra Tuske (Krawiec) and her husband, Ron. Other guests from Florida were Lillian, Paul Sr., Paul Jr., and Debbie Giambra and Colleen Schmidt and family from Kentucky.

The registration table was manned by Tracy and Rowan Schmidt. Displayed were the 50-50 and assorted baskets to be raffled off.

The committee consisted of Colleen Schmidt and family Lee and Tracy, their children Rowan and Nolan, Steven, Luke Ross and Rick Jensen.

A large assortment of Polish and other dishes included pierogi, kielbasa with sauerkraut, dill pickles, roasted chicken, roasted corn on the cob, roasted pork, calico beans, macaroni salad and pizza. On another table were desserts including an ice cream cake, peach cobbler, zucchini cake, homemade cookies and brownies.

The game of balloon toss was won by Kevin Siracuse and Pete Leone. Maddy Smith won the wet t-shirt contest. The last game was a sort of “name that tune.” They played a tune for a few seconds and you had to name that tune. There were several winners.

The sound system was supplied by Steven Schmidt. A variety of music was played most of the day.

In memory of our deceased loved ones, we were given a packet of butterflies that were dormant. Once they warmed up and got some air, they flew away, each one representing one of our family.

Angie Leone read a short passage in memory of our nephew Chris Smith, who passed away recently. He was the son of John Smith and Nancy Smith. On display was a tri-fold of pictures commemorating his life.

Also noted were the deaths of Norman Schmidt of Dunkirk on Dec. 30, 2022 and his niece Jennifer Schmidt of Dunkirk on May 6, 2023. She was the daughter of James Schmidt and Marylou Dieteman.

The youngest child there was Mikie Granata, son of Michael and Jessica Granata of Jamestown. The oldest family member was Lillian Giambra of Florida.

The 25th anniversary of Louie and Kerry Leone of Valparaiso, Ind., was noted. They celebrated in Italy with their children Gillian and Pete Leone.

The day of the reunion, Aug. 5, was the 27th anniversary of Laurie and Ronald Siracuse of Fredonia.

Assisting with taking photographs of the different activities was Stella Granata. Many photo albums were on display along with a family history album. The genealogical and history information was compiled by Mary Ann Burgess in November 2005. It contains birth, immigration and the deaths of Andrew and Angeline Smith. Copies of Ellis Island, passenger records and ship manifests and copies of the declaration and naturalization papers of Andrew Smith (Schmidt) were included.

The next reunion will be Aug. 3, 2024.