Sunday, Aug. 4, was the day for the 52nd-annual Baum family reunion, which was held at the Fairfield United Methodist Church’s Family Life Building. Fifty-four family members came this year from Florida, Virginia and all across North Carolina to enjoy a delicious covered dish lunch and, more importantly, to see and visit with one another. The youngest in attendance was six-month-old Lukas Hyde Berry. There were numerous generations present spanning many years as well as some who were attending for the first time having recently become interested in their roots.

Following the lunch, Walter Baum welcomed all to the reunion and Clare Baum touched on the early Baums who came to the Carolina colony in 1709 having left the Palatinate area of Germany. Mention was also made of the Baum-Meekins cemetery on Roanoke Island where many Baum ancestors are buried. R.S. Spencer, Jr. noted available books about Hyde County and highlighted “Currituck Legacy,” the book about the Baum family of North Carolina.

Before leaving, family group photographs were taken and then all departed knowing that the 53rd-annual reunion is planned and, traditionally as always, will be on the first Sunday in August next year.