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<p>HARVEYS LAKE &#8212; Four generations of the Rusnak family filled Sandy Beach on Saturday afternoon, for a celebration of family that has been a tradition for 70 years.</p><p>The reunion began in 1949 after the death of Andrew and Julia Rusnak, with their 10 children vowing that they would come together every year.</p><p>And although the Rusnaks were from Hughes Street in Swoyersville, they had relatives living at Harveys Lake and had always enjoyed going there.</p><p>Their children agreed that Harveys Lake, with its natural beauty and open spaces, would be the perfect setting for the annual event.</p><p>And for 70 years, except for 1972 when the Wyoming Valley was hit by severe flooding from Hurricane Agnes and the reunion was held at a family member&#8217;s New Jersey home, the family has gathered at the lake to enjoy food, faith and family.</p><p>About 20 years ago, the event moved from a nearby family cottage to Sandy Beach, which provided an increase in space and easy access to the water. &#8203;</p><p>In 2013, the last of the 10 sibling passed away, with a new generation, evidenced by babies in bright hats and held by smiling parents, on hand to ensure future reunions.</p><p>Jeanne Fehskens, looking at a scrapbook that held photos from previous reunions, said she enjoyed continuing the tradition which her father, Carl Rusnak, had so much appreciated.</p><p>&#8220;He was the glue that held it together,&#8221; she said.</p><p>Fehskens was quick to tell stories about &#8220;mock weddings&#8221; held at the event to honor special anniversaries.</p><p>Pointing to the photo of a &#8220;groom&#8221; wearing a basket on his head, she said, laughing, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know how many guys wore that basket on their (heads) during a mock wedding.&#8221;</p><p>Fehskens also recalled a variety of annual themes that often called upon the creativity of younger members of the extended family for creativity.</p><p>She remembers fondly when someone brought colorful capes to the event and a beloved aunt running through the grass in a cape, leading &#8220;a gaggle,&#8221; of children also decked in capes.</p><p>Janet Rozzi, who helps to organize the event, is called upon not only to put together schedules and plan activities, but to provide historical background for the event.</p><p>Rozzi remembers when Mary Ann Gaydos, 87, now the oldest person at the event, would gather up the children and bring them down for a lake for a swim.</p><p>Kevin Westra recalls Gaydos being in charge of giving out name tags as family members made their way into the event.</p><p>&#8220;She didn&#8217;t let anyone in without a tag,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Gaydos said she enjoys the food and activities, but mostly enjoys being together with family.</p><p>In an age where many are focused on social media, Westra said the reunion provides a chance to get to know family in person.</p><p>&#8220;I know a little bit about every person here,&#8221; he said of the nearly 100 people attending. &#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t be able to say that if it wasn&#8217;t for the reunion.&#8221;</p><p>The event has gradually grown from just one day to an entire weekend of activity.</p><p>Westra, who owns a home at the lake, hosts those arriving on Friday night for pizza and refreshments.</p><p>Before leaving on Sunday, many of those attending will go to services at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, Swoyersville, before heading home.</p><p>The Rev. Mark Ropel, a family member who flew in from Mississippi in spite of a busy schedule, wrote the family prayer which emphasizes peace and hope.</p><p>Ropel said they prayer calls upon the family to rely upon the their faith, even while its members remain a &#8220;work in progress.&#8221;</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Sixteen-month-old Ava Duchensky, being held by Carol Duchenshy, of New Jersey, is one of the youngest who took part in the 70th annual Rusnak family reunion held at Sandy Beach, Harveys Lake on Saturday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>Sixteen-month-old Ava Duchensky, being held by Carol Duchenshy, of New Jersey, is one of the youngest who took part in the 70th annual Rusnak family reunion held at Sandy Beach, Harveys Lake on Saturday. </caption0><photoCredit0>Tony Callaio | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-5.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">With temperatures in the mid-90s at Harveys Lake, members of the Rusnak family play bingo under the pavilion to beat the heat. T </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-5.jpg</photo1><caption1>With temperatures in the mid-90s at Harveys Lake, members of the Rusnak family play bingo under the pavilion to beat the heat. T </caption1><photoCredit1>Tony Callaio | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Four of the eldest descendants of the Rusnak family are, from left: Joan Czarnecki, of New Jersey; Joe Ropel, of Villa Park, Calif.; MaryAnn Gaydos, of Hershey, and Patsy Switzer, of Charlotte, N.C. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-4.jpg</photo2><caption2>Four of the eldest descendants of the Rusnak family are, from left: Joan Czarnecki, of New Jersey; Joe Ropel, of Villa Park, Calif.; MaryAnn Gaydos, of Hershey, and Patsy Switzer, of Charlotte, N.C. </caption2><photoCredit2>Tony Callaio | For Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-3.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Julie Forbes, of Hilton Head Island, S.C., left, and Jennifer Deming, of Princeton, N.J., look through 70 years of family photos. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-3.jpg</photo3><caption3>Julie Forbes, of Hilton Head Island, S.C., left, and Jennifer Deming, of Princeton, N.J., look through 70 years of family photos. </caption3><photoCredit3>Tony Callaio | For Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">The 70th annual Rusnak family reunion held at Sandy Beach, Harveys Lake on Saturday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/web1_Rusnak-70th-Reunion-1.jpg</photo4><caption4>The 70th annual Rusnak family reunion held at Sandy Beach, Harveys Lake on Saturday. </caption4><photoCredit4>Tony Callaio | For Times Leader </photoCredit4></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Geri Gibbons</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><factboxMeta></factboxMeta></div>

Four generations together at 70th Rusnak family reunion