Every July, the family of the Diana siblings, Madeline, Clara, Rose, Mary, Anna, Pete, Patsy, and Ralph, gather for a picnic reunion.  It's a time to get caught up, enjoy a summer day, and continue a tradition we all look forward to!

The reunions began in 1952 and were held at Gaston and Cascade Parks in New Castle.  Over the years, we have moved to the Union and Mahoning Township picnic areas.   Each year a committee arranges the site and plans who will bring what to the picnic.  What would the day be without Mary's pepperoni bread, Marie's pizza with the greens and caramel cookies, or Joan's pies?  The festivities begin around noon (there's always a few stragglers).  We then arrange a buffet lunch and sit down and enjoy the meal and share stories of what has happened during the past year.

After lunch, there are many activities to keep us busy.  People may start a volleyball or softball game.  We then play bingo in the hopes of winning a white elephant gift  (didn't we see those dish towels last year?).  The day won't go by without a very competitive game of bocci.  Adults watch the kids on the playground equipment and will usually become kids themselves by joining in the fun.  And when it's hot, there are other ways to pass the time.  Vince, get away from me with that water balloon!  The kids can play egg toss or hide-and-go-seek.  There's always more than enough gifts in the kids basket.

Unfortunately, in most years, the weather doesn't cooperate, and there is an afternoon storm.  We take shelter in the pavilion and try to keep things from blowing away.  The storm soon ends, and it's time for dinner!  For dinner, we break out the grills and finish the day with hamburgers and hot dogs.

Plans are then made for the next year as we decide who's on the committee next.  The annual raffle is held to raise money for the pavilion.

Everyone goes home having had a great time catching up with the relatives and looking forward to doing it again next year.