Mace and Vetter families reunite

NAPLES — Great Northwest Territories was the lovely venue for a Mace/Vetter family reunion hosted by Wally and Lillian Smith of Cushing, Minn. Friday and Saturday, July 30 and 31. Out-of-Boundary County attendees were from Calgary, Alberta; Bothell, College Place, Otis Orchards, Newman Lake and Davenport Wash; Moscow and Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Altogether, over the two days, there were 44 attendees. In 2008, when Gerri and Norm King of Bothell, Wash. hosted a very similar event in the local area, there was double the number of attendees as last week's event, but age, infirmities, death, distance and time constraints accounted for this year’s lower turnout. However, there was still as much reminiscing, loving and laughing. Some who attended from Boundary County are descendants (and their spouses) of Bob Vetter, who was a former Herald columnist. They include: Roberta (and Bob) Bowen and Wilma (Vetter) Kirkendall, Steve and Maureen Shelman, Robin Harriman, Carol Mesenbrink (of Coeur d’Alene), Les and Lois Vetter (Moyie Springs), children of Maynard Vetter.

Many may fondly remember Bob's column "The Way I See It," which was very entertaining. Prior to that, his column was called "State Line News" from Curley Creek. Other attendees from Boundary County included Scott Mace, Sharon McNair, Christine McNair and granddaughter Haley. Enough cannot be said of the beauty of Great Northwest Territories and the graciousness and cooperation of Brenda Liermann -- and the scrumptious food she prepared. Thank you, Bonners Ferry & Boundary County.