We held our biennial reunion, July 24th through July 27th in Jamestown New York. Forty family members registered at the Reception on Thursday in Jamestown’s historic Gateway Train Station. We came from all across the continent, from California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Wyoming and Ontario.
Genealogically, we represented 9 of the 201 known Fifth Generation Descendants of Philip and Martha, namely; Nathan 122, Nancy (Merigold) 142, Isaac 145, Philip 148, Lydia (Moore) 181, Martha (Moore) 203, Alonzo 252, Harrison Smith 261 and Ansel Manley 270.

This reunion was an opportunity for our Association to join with the municipality of Jamestown in celebrating Buffalo Bill's Wild West and see the authentic billboard-size poster heralding the stage play, "May Cody, or Lost & Won" which was performed in Jamestown on March 14, 1878, in the early days of Bill’s career.

In keeping with our tradition of civic boosterism, Past President Hiram S. Cody donated to the poster restoration and our own President Suzanna Cody canvassed for restoration funds. We are proud to participate in this revival of civic pride and hosted Mayor Sam Teresi, State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, Lee Harkness Executive Director of the Jamestown Development Corporation and WJTN radio talk show host John Siggins together with their crew and Tom Bishop and his posse at Friday’s Honors Dinner.

ICFA President Suzanna Cody and Treasurer Ron Hills, together with the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the Remington Museum and the Ringling Museum, produced an art show of 200 items of Buffalo Bill ephemera from their collections. Spencer Smith screened DVD presentations of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and their activities. Author Sandy Sagala signed copies of her new book, "Buffalo Bill on the Silver Screen." Dwight Cody sold commerative teeshirts while Allan Cody, as Acting Genealogist, traced lineages, hosted the Giftshop table and gave a guided tour of the cody-family.org website.

Terry Cody, Janet Owen and Martha Goodwin passed out nametags, souvenir maps and activity schedules, Ron and Suzanna organized the refreshments with Lee Harkness and his staff and John Siggins of WJTN served as emcee. After a few words of greeting from Suzanna, Ron and Lee, we lined up and were treated to a hearty buffet catered by Elegant Edibles with wine from the Merritt Winery. Roast beef and horseradish!

Satisfied, we loosened up with singer Ricky Lee's Hi-Energy Country Music. His "Music 4 R Vets" mission provides free entertainment to our veterans by visiting veteran facilities such as; veteran homes, hospitals and rehab facilities, including active and non-active military personnel. He proclaimed "Music is healing" and appealed to us to support his mission and to never forget those who secure for us that greatest gift of "Freedom". His "Standing Tall" project was inspired by a song he wrote about the American Flag sending out a message to the world.

As the audience warmed up to Ricky Lee, Suzanna and Ron led off the dancing, here joined by Rick, Judith, Allan, Janet, Stuart and Sandy and made a lively time of it on the dance floor.

As Ricky Lee led us in singing "God Bless America", we formed a Cody Circle for this patriotic moment.

Clockwise from left: Jim, Jeremy, Ina, Dwight, Margaret, Rick, Judith, Jennie Mae, Suzanna, Stuart, Janet, Ricky Lee, Bob, Donna, Darryl and Mark. Click on the picture for the video!

Ricky Lee was accompanied by a special appearance of our own Allan Cody playing harmonica on "Johnny B. Goode".

Friday morning, we toured Desilu Studios, where we saw some sets, costumes, props, and personal effects that trace the career of the comic icon, Lucille Ball. She was born in Jamestown and became a star of stage and screen. "I Love Lucy" was a wildly popular situation comedy in the days of black-and-white TV, and Lucy’s keen business sense made her a sucess as head of Desilu Studios.

Brothers Dwight and Stuart tell Kevin, Kellie Edwards, Allan and Rick warstories about fixing film editing machines like this beast.	Open wide, it’s good for you! Jennie Mae Tome feeds husband Mark his daily dose of humor.	Terry smiles at Janet’s favorite Lucy outfit.

After lunch we walked a couple blocks up the street to see Ed Tomassini’s documentary video of this 125-year old poster’s restoration, introduced by Lynn Warner. It was indeed, a very challenging job to piece that 10’ x 26’ jigsaw puzzle back together from quarter-size fragments! At right, Suzanna and Lynn Warner introduce the "1878 Buffalo Bill Cody Historic Billboard Project". Then it was a short walk to the Reg Lenna Center, home to the restored Wild West poster discoverd by and restored for the people of Jamestown with help from Hiram and Suzanna of the ICFA. The poster hangs in the lobby of this beautifully restored vaudville theater.

Below, in the foreground, William E. Goodman, Rick Cody, Donna and Darryl Lankin, Suzanna Cody and Elizabeth Polatin hang out while the rest of us catch up. In the background, Ina, William, Chris and Colleen Polatin got there first. You can see Lee Harkness and John Siggins broadcasting from the WJTN table.

Since the poster is billboard size, it's hung in sections, visible to the audience as they exit the building.

THE Best Place to see it is from the balcony over the lobby where everybody took pictures. There's Linda, Terry, Paul Schermerhorn, Kevin, YYY, Dwight, Rick, Janet, Mark, Bob and Ina!

What with all the cameras, we took a couple family portraits, one on the balcony and another in the lobby! Left to right; Terry 270/3452, Rick 261/721 & Judith 261/721 (spouse), XXX, Suzanna 148/21311, William 148/231112 & Elizabeth 148/2131111, Stuart 148/3421, Christopher 148/213111, Ron 148/21311 (spouse), Colleen 148/213111 (spouse), Bob Schiffke FOF, Janet Owen FOF, Ina FOF, Linda 145/4433 (spouse), Kellie 145/44331, Allan 148/3422 and Kevin 145/44332. Down front we have; Elizabeth 148/2131111, William 148/2131112 and Christopher 148/213111, Suzanna 148/21311 and Dwight 148/3423. Standing, Left to right; William E. Goodman FOF, Terry 270/3452, Janet Owens FOF, Ina FOF, Darryl 142/19214 (spouse), Allan 148/3422, Donna 142/19214, Jennie Mae 181/2412 (spouse), Stuart 148/3421, XXX, Mark 181/2412, Linda 145/4433 (spouse), Kevin 145/44332, Kellie 145/44331, Bob Schiffke FOF, Colleen 148/213111 (spouse) and Ron 148/21311 (spouse).

As we stepped back outside, there in the street were mounted cowboys and a stagecoach - Announcer Russ Van Clue introduced Tom Bishop and his Wild West Show!

Left to right: Angie Bishop (mounted), Tom Bishop Jr.(lasso), wrangler Bryan Turner (mounted), Mark DeBrinte as Smilin' Dan the Gunman (standing), announcer Russ Van Clue (mounted), Tom Bishop Sr. (stagecoach), Patti Culliton (stagecoach), and wrangler Brandi Whitford (standing). The group around Easter Lillie the minature horse is Martha Goodwin, Elizabeth Polatin, Ron Hills and Calvert Baker, Lillie's wrangler.

Friday night, we returned to the Gateway Train Station for a sumptuous buffet, another look at the poster exhibit and the awards presentations. Diane Bergholtz donated original sheets of Wild West music performed by Buffalo Bill’s Cowboy Band to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Curator Jeremy Johnston accepting. Lynn Warner presented him with the script of "Life on the Border", an 1876 Buntline stage play performed by Buffalo Bill, also for the Center. Jim Johnson of Jamestown’s Robert H. Jackson Center spoke of adopting the horse as the city’s mascot. Also attending were Author Sandy Sagala, Tom Bishop and the wranglers from his 4B Ranch, Lee Harkness and his team and State Assemblyman Andy Goodell.

Above, John Cross strikes up the Buffalo Bill Cody Concert Band to play music from Buffalo Bill's Wild West. They couldn't stay because of another gig that night at the Spire Theater nearby. Left, Mayor Sam Teresi presents the ICFA with the Key to the City of Jamestown with President Suzanna Cody accepting on behalf of the Association. There was some joshing about the "biggest little city" or the "littlest big city", but Sam pulled it all together to say, "If you have something bad to say about Jamestown, tell me; if you have something good to say, tell the world!"

At left, Suzanna thanks Mayor Sam Teresi for Jamestown's hospitality with a Cody Clock. At right, Suzanna thanks Lee Harkness for his work on the 2014 ICFA Reunion with a Cody Clock. Lee was also honored for his work with the Jamestown Development Corporation by James Johnson of the Robert Jackson Center. To the left, Suzanna thanks Editor Terry Cody for his work on the 2013 Genealogy. Here, widow Linda and sister Kellie watch Kevin thank the ICFA for honoring his late Dad with the Kit Cody Fund.

Our Genealogist, Barabara Metalsky, who collected and verified the data for publication in the 2013 Genealogy, could not attend this reunion, so her Cody Clock will be mailed to her with a letter expressing our gratitude and thanks for her work.

Saturday morning, bright and early, we pulled on our cowboy boots to get ready for the parade. Those of us marching gathered at 9AM in the staging area for the procession to the Reviewing Stand at the Gateway Train Station. There, the City of Jamestown adopted the Horse as their municipal mascot and honored Buffalo Bill with a six-gun salute. Click for a video of the Western Parade!

On the right, John Siggins marshalls the parade into formation while Suzanna encourages the littlest piper to catch up. The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums, directed by Pipe Major Pamela Silver was established in 2001. They hosted the Jamestown Highland Tattoo in 2002 and 2003 and the annual Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival & Gathering of the Clans. The 96th is dedicated to charity and raised funds to benefit Katrina victims and families of fallen police, fire and military personnel.

Here, the Red Raiders Marching Band makes the final turn off Lafayette Street toward the Reviewing Stand on West 2nd Street. They have an outstanding tradition of excellence dating back to 1924. Now under the direction of Meghan Murray, they have competed both locally and nationwide. Below, Dennis Wright’s red-fringed surry wheels onto West 2nd Street to pass the Reviewing Stand, just visible in the background. The large white building is the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. Since 2002, they have hosted local sporting events and concerts. Another example of civic boosterism, in a city that won't give up!

After the parade, it was time to honor Buffalo Bill with a presentation by the Blue Star Mothers and six-gun salute. Blue Star Mothers have relatives serving in the military, or who are veterans.

On the Reviewing Stand, Suzanna and John Siggins introduce Buffalo Bill’s great great-grandchildren Kellie and Kevin to the audience. Their mother, Linda Cody widow of our Past President Kit Cody, appears in the background. Then across the street, Anthony J. Constanzo, as Sgt. Major of the firing squad for Vietnam Veterans of America Post #865, barks orders for a salute in honor of Col. William F. Cody, a Congressional Medal of Honor winner. Ready, Aim, Fire! After which Tom Bishop’s Wild West Show performed their trick riding, roping and knife-throwing for the crowd and Calvert Baker put Easter Lilly, the miniature horse, through her paces. The kids loved it!

Next, we carpooled up to Chautauqua Institution, where its unique atmoshere bespeaks a rich Progressive spiritual and intellectual heritage. From the late 1800s through World War II, the halls and corridors echoed with the seminal issues of Prohibition, Sufferage, Equality and War. Our Lindus and Amelia as well as many other Cleveland Codys summered here for rest and relaxation in this uplifting, harmonious religious resort.

As ever, Chautauqua continues to offer diverse programs, concerts and seminars throughout the summer.

Afoot, we wound our way through green pastures and leafy lanes bordered by well-preserved Victorian houses to the open-air Hall of Philosophy. Our party included Bob Schiffke, Terry, Kevin, Janet, Judith, Kellie, Rick, Ina and Dwight. Achivist Jon Schmitz introduced Curator Jeremy Johnston of the Buffalo Bill Center for the West. Jeremy discussed William F. Cody's respect for Theodore Roosevelt and Teddy's love of Buffalo Bill and the "rough and ready" life he symbolized. He told an anecdote about Teddy shooting a mountain lion while suspended over a cliff by Jeremy's granduncle, John B. Goff. How high was that cliff? Well, that's what makes for for a good hunting story!

Below, Kevin, Linda, Kellie, Allan, Stuart, Bob, Brian, Jan, William and others listen to Jon talk about Chautauqua's evolution from a Methodist Sunday school teacher's college and vacation bible camp in 1874, into a Progressive-era adult education institute, giving birth to many national touring lecture troups. In the 20’s, radio broadcasting upstaged these "circuit chautauquas", who disappeared by 1934. Chautauqua itself declined during the Great Depression and WWII, slumbering until the 70’s, but found new growth in the 80’s. Today, with new leadership and a strong focus on the arts, Chautauqua cherishes it’s heritage as it offers a forum for future generations of scholars.

We took in the sights, had lunch and visited on the porch of the Athenaeum Hotel until dinner time. As we lazed about in rocking chairs with cooling drinks, Suzanna recalled Chris and Colleen’s wedding held right here in 2003. Foreground, left to right; Linda, Kellie and Jan; in the background, left to right; Margaret, Jeremy Johnston and Jim talk on the porch. With the lush setting and the soft light of an overcast sky, we rounded up the available people and tried another family portrait on the grand staircase.

Below left to right, back row, Elizabeth FOF and Jon Schmitz FOF, Dwight 148/3423, Ron 148/21311 (spouse), Allan 148/3422, William 148/2741, Brian Baffer FOF, Christopher 148/27412, Chris 148/213111, Colleen 148/213111 (spouse), Megan Smith FOF and Darryl 142/19214 (spouse). Middle row, Ina FOF, Terry 270/3452, Janet Owen FOF, Kevin 145/44332, Jan 148/2741(spouse), Sarah 148/27413, Judith 261/721 (spouse), Mark 181/2412, Donna 142/19214, Jennie Mae 181/2412 (spouse), Jeremy Johnston FOF and Spencer Smith FOF. front row; Suzanna 148/21311 with her grandchildren, Willie 148/2131112, Lizzie 148/2131111, Kellie 145/44331, Linda 145/4433 (spouse), Margaret 148/2761 and Rick 261/721.

Finally, it was time for dinner in a private dining room of this Grand Hotel. We enjoyed the repast and then the festivities. Here, Chris and Colleen, who were married at Chautauqua, relax while the grandparents look after the kids. On the left, at the table sit Linda, Jeremy, Jon and Elizabeth Schmitz, Spencer and Megan Smith and Linda’ s daughter Kellie. At the table behind Chris and Colleen are Terry, Janet, Ina and Dwight with Allan. Behind them sits William Hagel and Margaret Monahan with their families. On the right, near Chris and Colleen are Mark and Jennie Mae. Behind them are Darryl and Donna.

After dinner, Suzanna presented Cody Clock awards to Chautauqua Archivist Jon Schmitz, Buffalo Bill Museum Curator Jeremy Johnston, Spencer and Megan Smith of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Bob Schiffke, Executive Director of the Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire, Iowa.

She then spoke about the Lindus 148/2 and Amelia, and the other Cleveland Codys who came to Chautauqua in the summertime for "edutainment", where education is combined with entertainment. She said Buffalo Bill did the same thing with his Wild West, which he advertised as an educational experience, not a "Show."

We were surprised and then delighted when she sang her version of the children’s song, "Did You Ever See a Lassie" which goes like this...

"The more we get together, together, together,
the more we get together, the happier we'll be.
'Cause your friends are my friends
and my friends are your friends,
the more we get together the happier we'll be."

...and we all joined in!

Later, the Cody Contingent attended the Chautauqua Symphony's performance of "Go West" at the Ampitheater, the acoustics were great, showcasing a sterling performance with Timothy Muffitt as guest conductor. Go West! celebrates the challenging triumphs and devastating struggles that make up the story of the American West. Incredibly, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra members portrayed oxen pulling covered wagons across the prairie!

	Informal Sunday morning services were conducted by Reverend Bob & Linda Lewis. Inspired by Buffalo Bill’ life as a scout, he preached from the Old Testament, book of Joshua (4:7) and thanked God for heros, past, present and future. He reminded us that kids will ask questions - so better have the answers. She played the piano while we all sang "America," "God Bless America" and "Amazing Grace." John Siggins spoke about Jamestown and Buffalo Bill, thanking us for coming and being a part of Jamestown's Wild West Week. Then we had a nice brunch buffet and gathered for our General Membership Meeting.
	To the left, Allan’s got the hot sauce, Stuart goes for the grits while Lance starts with bacon. Nothing like a hearty breakfast in the open air on a sunny morning! The Family Picnic Brunch in Bergman Park concluded with an ICFA Business Meeting presided over by Suzanna Cody, with reports by Dwight Cody as Secretary, Treasurer Ron Hills and Webmaster Allan Cody. The meeting took only an hour, but with all that was said, the transcription runs to 23 pages. Below is page 1, click here for the Minutes in .pdf format.

The original recording is available in .mp3 format by email in six 10-minute segments.

With the General Membership Meeting adjourned, our Reunion came to a close and we all walked to the car show and had a picture taken with our favorite antique automobile, here are some results.

For more about the Reunion and surrounding Western Week events, see the Executive Board's Report detailing the contributions of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Chautauqua Institution, the Pawnee Bill Ranch, the Ringling Museum and the City of Jamestown. Included are many newspaper clippings, samples of the artwork, Mayor Sam Teresi's letter of appreciation and Governor Andrew Cuomo's greetings and warmest regards. It's a reunion scrapbook!

Oh, and it was truly wonderful to meet William E. Goodman, "The Ti-Pi Man," cousin to Hap and Loraine Goodman. Kudos to Margaret Monahan for her generous donation and sharing her Cody Villa scrapbook. Thanks to all of our four photographers, Mark Tome, Ron Hills, Stuart and Dwight Cody for capturing the Reunion action depicted here on this webpage. Last, but not the least, thanks to the City of Jamestown and Chautauqua Institution for hosting our Reunion in such style!

Thanks for the memories! Thanks for the little things, for silver hair and angel's wings, familiar faces and special places... Thanks for the memories!

Happy Trails to you!   ...until we meet again.