At least two big family gatherings got to enjoy this last amazing bit of summer-like weather at the beginning of their stay. Nine Putnam women, spanning three generations, are having a “girls’ week” in Omena. Doris Putnam Gilbert, from LaGrange, Kentucky, and her sister Mildred Putnam Connell, from Tooele, Utah, were here with their daughters and granddaughters. Mildred’s two daughters are here - Kristin Gardner from Manti, Utah, and Karen Johnson and her daughter, Kate, from Stansbury Park, Utah. Doris’s daughter, Felicia Hastings, is here from Stafford, Virginia with her three daughters, Lizzy, Amber and Paige.
Doris and Mildred grew up on the Putnam Farm on Putnam Road, and attended Northport School. Their ancestors, Rinaldo and Mary Putnam left Canada and came to Omena by boat in 1871. They purchased land from General George Custer and his wife Libby one mile south of Omena, where the Villa Marquette is now located. In 1876 they built a frame house to accommodate their growing family. The house was moved to downtown Omena in 2004, where it became the Omena Historical Society’s Putnam Cloud Tower House Museum.
Nineteen members of the Rule clan are gathered in Omena to participate, to varying degrees, in the semi-annual Rule Cottage Work Week. There are seven first cousins, eight second cousins, and four spouses. It is the most members of the fourth Rule generation in the cottage to make a Work Week, and the first time that the second cousins have outnumbered the first cousins. They came from seven states around the country. The main work crew, who also all came from out of town, included brothers Steve and Mike Hessel and Mike’s sons, Scott and Colter, all from Oregon; Will Cromartie and Jo Pennock from Golden, Colorado; James Wickemeyer from East Leroy, Michigan, and his nephew, Jim Wickemeyer, from Westchester, Ohio; Luke Robinson from Cincinnati; Ben Powell from Mukilteo, Washington; and John Cromartie from Decatur, Georgia and Traverse City. They were joined at times through the week by Craig Smith, who has just moved to Omena from Butte, Montana; Omena residents Rink and Karon Smith and their daughters, Jenny and Molly; and Les and Debby Disch.
