You missed a great FOAP Reunion!

Those of you who were unable to attend the Friends of Aunt Phoebe Reunion on July 24th missed out on a great event! We didn't have quantity (only 16) but definitely had quality. Bob McDermott unveiled his bronze bust of Phoebe Goodell Judson..actually she was unveiled by a great-great-great-great granddaughter, 6 year old Phoebe Judson Allyn (through Phoebe and Holden's daughter, Mary Judson McTaggart.) We were also privileged to have Phil Dougherty of Washington History Link to meet with all of the Judson/Goodell cousins and me, an "honorary cousin" since the first FOAP Reunion in 2006. The food at La Vita e Bella was scrumptious..their lasagne light as a feather thanks to their handmade pasta..yum! And the desserts, heavenly. I had the "grandmother's cake" but hear tell that the "limoncello gelato" was both tart and creamy. I am attaching some photos of the happy participants.

Next year we will be off to Vermilion, Ohio, where the Judsons' Oregon Trail journey began in Spring of 1853. So far, the response has been good and we expect to have a big crowd next September for that unique event. Stay tuned for details, if you want to attend, Sept. 16-18, 2011.

The Fifth Annual Friends of Aunt Phoebe Reunion is nigh!

The time is nigh for the Fifth Annual Friends of Aunt Phoebe (FOAP) Reunion! On Saturday, July 24th, a group of Judson/Goodell descendants, some historians (like me) and just plain "fan"-atics will gather for the fifth time since our original gathering on Memorial Day of 2006 at the Lynden Pioneer Museum. It's not too late to come down to La Vita e Bella in Seattle for dinner and a planning session for our trip in 2011 to Vermilion, Ohio. All you have to do is call me at (360) 201-7373 or e-mail me at michaelsonmary@yahoo.com in order to join the fun.

A special treat this year will be the debut of the bronze bust of Phoebe Goodell Judson, recently completed by sculptor, Robert "Bob" McDermott, who also created the "Dirty Dan" Harris sculpture in Fairhaven and "Vigil" in Blaine. Bob is currently working on a life-sized bust of Holden Judson, which we hope to have completed within a couple of months. Meanwhile, the bust of "Aunt Phoebe" will be on display at the Lynden Pioneer Museum following the FOAP Reunion and until it is placed atop the completed statue of the Judsons.

Also on display will be a brand-new artist's conception of the "Mary Woodruff," the little sidewheel steamer that brought Phoebe and Holden from Whidbey Island to Whatcom in March of 1870. We can thank Don Carver, direct descendant of Phoebe's older brother, William, for locating the marine artist and coordinating all of the artwork and photos which allowed this wonderful drawing to be created. Don and his wife, Kathy, will be there to tell us the story of how it all came about and will bring along some of their historical photos and albums.

And, of course, we will get to see the original camp kettle used by Aunt Phoebe to mix her salt- rising bread as they journeyed across the Oregon Trail in 1853. John Hamilton and wife Ada, owners of the camp kettle, are also keepers of the FOAP Scrapbook, as well as a rare photo of Phoebe, an album of remembrances from 1854 and other precious artificacts. Those who come to the event will have a chance to examine these items up close and exchange stories, experiences and personal memories with other Goodell "cousins."

It's not too late to join us for the fun!!

The Bust of Phoebe Goodell Judson

The life-sized, bronze bust of Phoebe Goodell Judson is complete and mounted on a marble base. It will be delivered to the Lynden Heritage Foundation (Lynden Pioneer Museum) within days and will be displayed in "Aunt Phoebe's Kitchen," along with other material relating to the Judson Memorial Statue Project. Bob McDermott and I had several consultations as he was sculpting her in oil-based clay. With the use of numerous photos of Phoebe and my deeply ingrained instincts about her personality and appearance, "we" made her look lifelike and absolutely beautiful! Such a warm and glowing countenance. She will smile and look over Lynden and its inhabitants for hundreds of years to come. I have posted a photo of this beautiful sculpture, which will untimately be added to her body, next to that of her beloved husband, Holden, when the project is finished. Congratulations to Bob McDermott for a job well done!

Linked at last to LPM !

Yes, I have been "linked" to the Lynden Pioneer Museum since July of 2004, but never on the net. Yesterday we brought this relationship into modern times by clicking, selecting, entering and..voila! "Aunt Phoebe's Corner" and "Museum Museums" are linked. I will be able to dig into my monstrous collection of research and historic photos and find wonderful things to post to the museum's blog and website. It may take a few days to get everything fine-tuned, but if you stay tuned and tune in often, the rewards will be great! History awaits!