The Gardon/Gordon Virtual Family Reunion Recap Date: June 14, 2025, Time: 12:00 - 3:30 PM EST

The Gardon/Gordon Virtual Family Reunion was held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, and brought together 22 family members from across the country for an afternoon of connection, celebration, and reflection. Attendees included: Anne Alberty, Angela Gilchrist, John Earl Alberty, John Gordon Jr., Bianca Gordon, Denise Gordon, Beau Gardon (Jr.), Veronica Aymer, Mason Aymer, Ellis Aymer, Irene Gardon, Byron Overton, Kimbi Overton, Lois McQueen, Kenny Gardon, Miles Gardon, Kevin Gardon, Marion Wilson, Karen Jenkins, Chandra Platts Alford, Kennedy Gordon, and Tim Gordon.

The reunion opened with a heartfelt prayer led by Beau, followed by welcoming remarks from Tim. He acknowledged those unable to attend, called for a moment of silence to honor our departed loved ones, and offered opening reflections to set the tone for the day.

Anne then shared an informative and moving family tree presentation, tracing our lineage back several generations and highlighting our shared heritage and descendants.

We continued with the “Remember When” segment, where Beau, Anne, Lois, and others reflected on life growing up on Piquet Avenue, sharing stories, laughter, and treasured memories from the past. These reflections brought joy and nostalgia to everyone, reminding us of the strong roots we come from.

Anne also led the photo and video slideshow, providing a touching visual journey through the years. It was a beautiful reminder of how far we’ve come and how deeply connected we remain.

Angela energized the group with a lively Family Jeopardy game, featuring trivia questions about our family history. Lois took home the top prize of $25 for answering the most questions correctly, congratulations, Lois!

Next was the “Share Your Hobby” segment, led by John Earl, who spoke about his love for his hobbies and shared a meaningful Christian song with the group. Others followed by sharing their passions, which included gardening, exercising, and reading, a wonderful exchange of what brings joy and peace into our lives.

Following this, Byron revealed the results of the Virtual Cookout contest (see the next section of this recap for detailed results).

Results of the virtual Food Contest:

1. 🍌 Banana Pudding submitted by Kimbi, First Place $50!

   Ingredients: 

   • 2 (8 oz) containers of frozen whipped cream 

   • 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk 

   • 1 (8 oz) cream cheese 

   • 2 cups milk 

   • 2 (3.4 oz) boxes French vanilla pudding 

   • 6–8 bananas, sliced 

   • 1–2 boxes Nilla Wafers 

   Instructions: 

   In a large bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix; blend well using a handheld mixer until smooth. 

   In another bowl, combine the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth. 

   Fold in the whipped cream until smooth. 

   Combine the cream cheese mixture with the pudding mixture; mix until well blended. 

   Prepare your serving dish (glass bowl or pan) by adding a layer of bananas and Nilla Wafers. 

   Top with a layer of pudding mixture. Repeat until you have used up your ingredients. 

   Finish with a layer of Nilla Wafers and crumble some on top if you wish. 

   Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until chilled. Serve and enjoy! 

   

   

   
   

2. 🍽 The Meal submitted by Veronica, 2nd Place $25

   • Wild Caught Salmon — 4–5 large pieces 

   • Large Bag of Asparagus 

   • Buttered Mashed Potatoes 

   • Sauces, Herbs & Spices: Garlic, Honey, Paprika, Butter, Salt, Pepper, Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce 

3. 🥣 Best Vegan Hummus submitted by Anne, 3rd Place

   Ingredients: 

   • 15-ounce can of organic chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed 

   • 4 Tbs tahini (or 2 Tbs ground sesame seeds) 

   • 2 garlic cloves, or more to taste 

   • 1 tsp ground cumin 

   • 1/2–1 tsp salt, or to taste 

   • 4 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice 

   • 2 Tbs avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil 

   • 4–6 Tbs ice-cold water 

   Optional Toppings: 

   • Sprinkle of paprika 

   • Chopped dried parsley 

   • Drizzle of avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil 

   Instructions: 

   1. In a food processor or blender (Vitamix), combine chickpeas, tahini, garlic, cumin, salt, lemon juice, and 4 Tbs ice-cold water. 

   2. Puree for 4–5 minutes until smooth and creamy. If it’s thick or not creamy enough, add additional ice-cold water, 1 Tbs at a time. 

   3. Taste and adjust for flavor, adding additional lemon juice, garlic, cumin, or salt if needed. 

   4. Serve in a bowl and garnish with toppings of your choice. 

   5. This creamy, rich, and versatile dip can be enjoyed with pita bread, crackers, tortilla chips, veggies, or used in a wrap, salad, or sandwich.

      

      

4. 🥗 "Gardon" Southern Salad, submitted by Denise, 4th Place

   Ingredients: 

   • Turkey bacon 

   • Croutons 

   • Egg whites 

   • Shredded rotisserie chicken 

   • Dates 

   • Olive oil 

   • Mandarin oranges 

   • Kale salad mix 

   • Caesar salad mix 

   • Sesame seeds 

     

     

   

5. 🍠 Stuffed Sweet Potato submitted by Tim, 5th Place

   Ingredients: 

   • Sweet potato 

   • Shredded rotisserie chicken 

   • Mushrooms 

   • Olive oil 

   • Bean sprouts 

   • Mandarins 

   • Black olives 

   • Broccoli 

   

   

   
   

   Bianca led an energetic and fun Scavenger Hunt, and Kimbi emerged as the winner, earning a $25 prize for the most hilarious, great job, Kimbi! Second prize went to Veronica, earning $25.

   
   

   The reunion then featured a powerful Mentoring Panel with Beau, Angela, Veronica, and John Jr., who shared wisdom and advice with younger family members. Key takeaways included:

   • Pursue higher education early, if possible, work at your college and let them pay for your extended degrees.

   • Find your voice and step out of your comfort zone (shell).

   • Develop executive functioning skills: time management, organization, and goal setting.

   • Use technology to your advantage.

   • Do your best and nothing less.

   • Think creatively and outside the box.

   • Learn about investing and focus on building generational wealth.

   These were just a few of the many valuable insights shared by the panelists.

   
   

   Anne followed with a practical and empowering Health & Wellness discussion, encouraging everyone to prioritize their well-being. Her tips included:

   • Exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

   • Limit red meat consumption.

   • Drink plenty of water daily.

   • Get routine health screenings (prostate exams, mammograms, colonoscopies).

   • Take vitamins as needed.

   These tips are essential reminders for us all to live healthier, longer lives.

   As the reunion drew to a close,

   
   

   Tim expressed sincere thanks to the Family Reunion planning committee: Angela, Byron, Bianca, Lois, John Earl, and Beau. A special thank you was extended to Anne, who led much of the preparation and research — we are forever grateful for her dedication and love.

   
   

   Closing Remarks – Tim Gordon

   As we close today, let us reflect deeply on where we’ve come from — and where we must go. On June 19, 1865 — nearly 160 years ago and 89 years after America declared its independence from Great Britain — over four million enslaved African Americans were finally freed. That moment marked the end of nearly 400 years of slavery in this country. It was a pivotal turning point, a second Independence Day.

   
   

   But while the chains were broken, true freedom remained out of reach. America had an opportunity to right its wrongs, but instead, it reneged on its promise of “40 acres and a mule.” What followed was another 100 years of systemic injustice under Jim Crow laws, designed to suppress, divide, and silence us, until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 began to push open the doors to opportunity.

   
   

   And yet, nearly 60 years later, we are still fighting for justice, equality, opportunity, and dignity.

   Right now, on this very day, we have a President who carries himself as if he were a king, ignoring our contributions, downplaying our struggles, and making the pursuit of opportunity even harder. That is why we must remain alert, informed, and united, because our progress is never guaranteed.

   As George Orwell, the author, wrote in his book entitled 1984:

“Those who control the present control the past, and those who control the past control the future.”

We must not allow anyone else to tell our story. We must invest in our history, African American history and our family history. We must teach our children where they come from, instill pride in who they are, and remind them that they are the legacy of generations who endured, resisted, and triumphed.

But honoring our past also means taking care of the present.

We must take care of ourselves, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Let’s go to the doctor, seek help when we need it, eat well, exercise, and get proper rest. We cannot build a future if we are not well.

We must take care of our families, show up for one another, listen, guide, forgive, and love. Our families are our first communities, and strong families are the foundation of strong people.

We must take care of our finances, teach the next generation to save, invest, own, and build generational wealth. Let’s stop starting from scratch every generation.

And we must take care of our communities by voting, mentoring, educating, protecting, and lifting each other up, especially when it’s hard.

Being relevant, resilient, and successful in the future begins with how we care for one another today.

Let’s commit, not just to remember our past, but to honor it by how we live, love, and lead moving forward.

Thank you for showing up today. Thank you for your voice, your presence, and your pride. Let’s keep moving forward, together, with strength, unity, and purpose.

Beau graciously offered the closing prayer at the end of the family reunion, bringing everyone together in a moment of reflection, gratitude, and unity as the gathering came to a close.