In the summer of 1947
In the summer of 1947, Luigi Careatti, Pietro Girolami, Gaetano Galie and Pietro Galie decided to have a picnic at Idlewild Park. A picnic that turned into a yearly family reunion and continues through five generations.

It was a “family” get-together. The relationship follows: Luigi and Pietro Girolami were brother-in-law (Pietro and Luigi’s wife, Rosa, being brother and sister); the two Galies were nephews of Luigi-their mother was a Careatti, a sister of Luigi. Included in the first event were just two generations – Luigi and wife Rosa (nee Girolami) and their children, Wedo, Milio, Edith, Andrew and John; Pietro Girolami and children Vincent (Jim), Leo (Nave), Emma, John (Jupek) and Joseph; Gaetano and children Carl (Chas), John, Dominick and Mary; Pietro Galie and wife, Antonette (nee Franks), children Geano, Albert, Anthony, Regis and Ronald. Pietro Girolami’s wife, Philomena (nee Tarabassi) and Gaetano Galie’s wife, Argia (Egidi) were deceased in 1947.

In the early years, each family brought their own picnic baskets. The location was changed to please everyone, one year meeting in the Charleroi area and the next near Brownsville. Later as more descendants arrived, it was decided to all pitch in and have one meal together. The first one didn’t prove satisfactory, so a decision was made to have the dinner catered, giving the women more leisure.

Since 1973, the reunions have been held at Cedar Creek Park in Rostraver, a convenient site. The day begins with a continental breakfast, followed by a catered dinner with plenty of delicious desserts brought by the guests, and an evening hot dog roast. Entertainment features a discussion of family happenings, a variety of games including bingo, bocce, horseshoes, ball and an all-time favorite of egg tossing.

The families have grown. The original founders and some of the children have passed away, but the reunion continues to be enjoyed by the remaining children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great great grandchildren. The members are now settled throughout the United States, arriving not only from Pennsylvania, but California, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Indiana. The largest number attending was in the nineties, when relatives of the Tarabassis came from Connecticut.

Others

Email Me!
Maret