H.O. Smithwick Family Reunites in Glen Rose
The 2025 H.O. Smithwick annual family reunion was held July 2527, in Glen Rose at Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn and Suites.
On Friday evening members arrived and enjoyed dinner on their own at several different restaurants. After dinner members were introduced to Annabelle Kania, from Deltona, Florida, a 2nd cousin twice removed. Connection had been made with Howard Mc-Daris through ancestry. com. Members were then entertained by “the dancing dinosaurs and chicken” to the songs “Baby Sharks” “The Hokey Pokey” and “The Chicken Dance”. Performing as dinosaurs were Clif Carnley, Carla Inge and Matthew Inge. The chicken was performed by Howard McDaris. The game of the evening was a version of “The Newlywed Game” with couples who had been married more than 30 years. Kerlene and Butch Ross were given a bye since they had been married the longest-61 years! Other couples that were drawn to participate included Carla and Larry Inge (46 yrs.), Kristi and Kent Gray (36 yrs.) and Dianne and Al Carnley (33 yrs.). There was a tie for the win between Kerlene and Butch and Carla and Larry. The evening was completed with visiting.
Saturday morning several members enjoyed playing golf at Harbor Lakes Golf Club in Granbury. Some others enjoyed visiting Bull Lion Winery, shopping and visiting. Children and other family members enjoyed visiting Dinosaur World which included life-sized sculptures, a train ride, a fossil dig, gem mining, a playground and a splash pad and the breaking of the family dinosaur piñata. Saturday afternoon members spent their time swimming, visiting and resting at the hotel.
On Saturday evening the traditional family banner was signed and family pictures were taken. Dinner was enjoyed at Los Primos Mexican Restaurant. Dessert included the traditional decorated cake honoring family members with decade birthdays, anniversaries and recent graduations. Birthdays honored were Maegan Thrasher (20 yrs.), Brittany Pugliesi and Dyllon Culp (30 yrs.), Sheryl Ciaccio and Teresa Halfmann (60 yrs.), and Kerlene Ross (80 yrs.). Anniversary honorees were Jill and Mike Mc-Daris (30 yrs.). University graduates were Hannah Carnley of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida with BSME and Dr. Jonathan Ciaccio of Texas Tech University with PharmD.
Members completed Saturday evening visiting at the hotel.
Sunday morning family members began departing. Some members enjoyed a tour bus ride at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center before departing.
Family members who are currently serving our country were missed. Those include in the United States Air Force, Christopher Ciaccio and Blake Gray, the United States Army, Steele Culp and Harper Culp, and the United States Marine Corps, Grace Carnley.
Among those attending were Yvonne and Keith Holloway of Sherman, Heather and Abe Groves and Penelope of Portland, Oregon, Kimberly and David Bridgers of Nacogdoches, Matthew Inge of Wichita Falls, Howard and Debbie McDaris, Brittany and Joe Pugliesi and Landrie, Amber and Jacob Barron, Rachel Inge, Kennedy and Finley all of Burkburnett, Janette Ross of Frisco, Teresa Halfmann of Pottsboro, Rajonia and Clif Carnley, Meredith and Ryan Tillett and Rose, Eleanor and James all of Van Alstyne, Sheryl and Joey Ciaccio of Denison, Dianne and Al Carnley of Anna, Kerlene and Butch Ross of Lake Kiowa, Kristi and Kent Gray of Houston, Zoe Gray of San Marcos, Karsynn Edwards of Tanika, Lynnette and Chaz Culp of Gunter, Annabelle Kania of Deltona, Florida and Carla and Larry Inge of Olney.