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Social Media Connects People for a Peru, Indiana Reunion

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SOURCE: Executive Business Services (theNALA)

Peru, Indiana is having a reunion for those on Peru’s Facebook Group page on Saturday, July 21st from 1pm-8pm at the Miamisfort Shelter # 9, West Canal Street (http://www.cityofperu.org/Park_Shelters.html). The reunion came about because of the Facebook Group created, “If you grew up in or around the town of Peru, Indiana.” The group grew within months from 0 to nearly 2500 members, with people from all over the country connecting about their hometown.

Peru, IN (PRWEB) June 26, 2012

“One day on Facebook I saw a post for if you grew up in St. George, UT. I thought that would be fun to do for Peru and had no idea how fast it would catch on and quickly it would grow. My mailbox was bombarded daily with requests to join. I couldn't keep up with it and work at the same time. I set 4 or 5 other people up as the administrators and watched it grow to what it has become today,” said Brett Applegate about creating the page.

Kerry Adkins Baldwin and Karen Tucker York saw the excitement on Facebook and the need for people to connect. They began communicating through Facebook about Peru and felt it would be fun for everyone to get together for a reunion. People of all ages were sharing stories and pictures from decades apart. Questions were asked on the page; did you know my husband, father, mother or were you neighbors with or whatever happened to this particular school, etc.

Karen York said, “I think the idea came as Kerry and I were discussing how it had been about 50 years since she and my husband had seen each other. I have met new friends and found some new long lost relatives as well.”

When Kerry Baldwin was asked why she was returning, she said, “My family moved away in the mid 60's because my dad was transferred to Baltimore, Maryland with the C&0 Railroad. Through the years, I managed to come back every 10 years or so to reunions, eat at the hot dog stand, watch a soft ball game at the park, and see the circus. Through Facebook, I have found lots of Liberty grade school classmates that I haven't seen in over 50 years, plus I made new friends who share so many of the same memories. I had a perfect childhood in a perfect small town called Peru, Indiana!”

There was a need for people to reunite and so it began, a reunion not for high school or college or work, but for a town that captured the hearts of so many; for Peru, Indiana and the people who grew up there. There are over 85 families attending from all over.

Peru is part of Miami County, with a population of over 35,000 and home to the famous Cole Porter, and Frances Slocum. It is also known as the Circus Capital of the World. Peru has been home to seven of the world's major circuses for their winter headquarters. They host an amateur circus performance every summer that brings fans of all ages from all over the world.

Joey Kelly, grandson of Emmett Kelly will be attending and he said, “I am proud of my circus heritage and the history of Peru. No matter where I hang my hat, in my heart, Peru is home. Aside from wife and children, nothing is more precious than my childhood. I derive pleasure driving about town, visiting friends, places and memories from yesteryear. I will always have them, replaying them as often as desired whether in Peru or not. I no longer have my parents to cozy up too, but I feel closest to them when I am home in Peru reminiscing.”

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Contact:
Peru Facebook Group Page

For Press Inquiries: Tiffani Tendell
ttendell(at)thenala(dot)com

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/6/prweb9630139.htm