FAMILY REUNION Sisters' gatherings are still going strong

The family has missed only one reunion in 29 years.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa. -- It was in 1975 when the Clark sisters, daughters of the late Gabriel and Libbie Clark of New Castle, got tired of getting together only at family weddings and funerals.
One of the sisters, Lillian, died that year, and the 10 remaining sisters decided then that they would set aside a time in early October each year to get together on a happy note, and the "Sisters Reunion" was born.
The reunion is rotated among the towns where the sisters now live, and the 28th version will be this weekend with most activities at the Radisson Hotel on Pa. Route 18 in Shenango Township.
Dorothy Clark Townsend of Pershing Street, Farrell, official host for this year's event, said the reunion missed only one year when a nephew living in New Castle was slain in 2001 close to the scheduled reunion date.
Seven of the sisters are still alive but only five are expected to be able to make it to this year's festivities, Townsend said.
Another family
The reunion has been expanded to include more members of their extended families as well as another group of sisters, the Rose sisters of Hilltop, W.Va.
Townsend said her friend, Deanna Rose Yarboro of Hermitage, was helping plan the annual Clark sisters reunion and noted that the four Rose sisters and their sister-in-law were planning their own get-together that same weekend.
Townsend said the Clark sisters decided to invite the Rose sisters to participate in their reunion.
The decision also was made to invite all of the relatives from the region, including nieces, nephews and cousins, to take part in some of the reunion activities, Townsend said.
As many as 50 people are expected to attend a luncheon on Saturday.
A special invitation went out to their only brother and his wife, John and Mary Clark of Youngstown.
Several family members will be honored during the reunion for their contributions and achievements including Isophene Clark Taylor of New Castle, the oldest living sister, will be recognized as being a mentor for the rest of the family.
Donation
The reunions have evolved over the years to the point where the sisters make an effort to make a difference in the community in which the events are held.
This year, they will be making a donation to the Sankofa House for Women Inc., a local organization dedicated to providing transitional housing for female criminal offenders who need help straightening out their lives.
Townsend said one of the group's goals is still to make an appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show to talk about what they've done and how they've managed to stay close over the years.
Two nieces living in Chicago where the show originates are working on that plan, Townsend said.
Schedule
The reunion schedule of events includes a social gathering at the Radisson at 6:30 p.m. Friday, a morning and afternoon workshop on "The Opportunity to Discover Your True Personality Type and have Fun Doing It" on Saturday and the Saturday luncheon.
On Sunday, the sisters will join Townsend at the 10:30 a.m. service at the Cedar Avenue Church of God and they'll then attend dinner at Zion's Daily Bread on Sharon-New Castle Road.
In addition to Townsend, Taylor, Chesley and Rev. Morton, the remaining Clark sisters are: Roszella Clark Cummings of New Castle; Gloria Clark Slaughter of Akron; and Sarah Clark Maxwell of Akron.
In addition to Lillian, Bertha Clark Askerneese of Sharon, Shirlene Clark Harris and Peggi Clark Attia are deceased.
In addition to Yarboro, the Rose sisters are: Rose A. Rose Hosea of Clarksburg, W. Va.; Sharon L. Rose Davis of Las Vegas; and June Rose Ware of Cleveland.