Brown-Fisher Association Annual Reunion

The Brown-Fisher Association held its annual reunion on Saturday 16th September 2017 on the grounds of the Old Stone House, home of Michael Braun/Brown.  One hundred members and friends attended.

Registration began at 10 a.m. Attendees were greeted by Juanita Fisher Lagg, and Debbie Brown Taylor.  At 11:30 a.m. a picnic style luncheon of hot dogs, hamburgers, baked beans and all the trimmings, prepared by Sarah Z. Brown, Norman Ribelin, Larry Brown and Doug Pruitt was served. 

After lunch, President Stephen Brown greeted everyone to the reunion.  He talked about the relationship between the Browns and Fishers and how the two families have supported the  renewal and continuing upkeep of the Old Store House. The next project of the Association is to make use of the caretaker’s house which is now vacant.  A committee has been appointed to  evaluate the house and make a plan for its future use.  Treasurer Larry Brown gave the current financial standing of the Association.  He stated that the parking lot debt has been paid off and the Association can now proceed with its next project, the caretaker’s house.  The Association has an Old Stone House Improvement Fund. 
 President Stephen Brown recognized special guest to the reunion.  Oldest persons attending:  James “Jim” Brown age 91 of Salisbury and Juanita Fisher Lagg  age 91 of Salisbury; youngest person attending:  Skylar Menster one year old daughter of Randy and Kelly Brownell Menster of Salisbury; persons who traveled the farthest:  Elizabeth Shepherd Bliss of Brigantine, NJ and Nate Ribelin of Alpharetta, GA. Three families  had three generations present:  Larry Brown, Doris caudle and Ann Brown Kesler.  The family of Walter Lee (Jack) Brown, a descendent of Michael Braun/Brown thru his son James had 30 descendents attending the reunion.  8 persons attended the reunion for the first time.  Children attending were:  Olivia VanPelt, Jacob Helms, Natalie Helms, Emma Clifton, Summer Butterick, Aiyanna Covington, Summer Menster, Berkley Brown, Riley Adams,  and Skylar Mentster.

Juanita Fisher Lagg recognized new life members since the 2016 reunion:  Patricia Bonds Beck, Salisbury; Rodney Dale Kesler of Salisbury, Cathy Kirchen of Granite Quarry; Nathaniel Ribelin, Alpharetta, GA; Mr and Mrs William Charles Lewis of Wilmington; Phillip M. Brown of Wilmington; Dan Hicks Satterwhite, Inca, NC; Lauren Haynes O’Brian of Huntersville And Josh Haynes of Denver.

A copy of the book MICHAEL BRAUN  (BROWN) OF THE OLD STONE HOUSE, HIS INFLUENCE AND DESCENDANTS was auctioned by Larry Brown. The highest bidder was Terry L. Brown of Advance, NC.  

President Brown also recognized Juanita Fisher Lagg for her many years as Coordinator for the Brown-Fisher Association.  She keeps track of membership and reservations for the reunions.  

An election was also held for the Board of Directors.  President: Stephen Brown of Durham; Vice-president: Dean Brown of Spartanburg, SC; Secretary: Patricia B. Beck of Salisbury, Treasurer: Larry Brown of China Grove; Coordinator: Juanita Lagg of Salisbury: Editor: Cathy Kirchin of Granite Quarry; board members: Rod Kesler of Salisbury; Sarah Brown of China Grove; Doug Robinson of Salisbury; Linda Shelton of Salisbury; Carolyn Miller of Salisbury; Candace Brown of China Grove; Keith Wolf of Albemarle; Norman Ribelin of Salisbury; Debbie Brown Taylor of Salisbury, Paul B. Walker of Concord; Sandra Phillips of Granite Quarry; and Ken Clifton of Salisbury.

The reunion was closed with the singing of The Lord’s Prayer by S. Dean Brown of Spartanburg, SC.  

Persons attending the Brown-Fisher Association reunion enjoyed visiting The Rowan Museum sponsored GermanFest activities also held on the grounds of the Old Stone House that day.