Cincinnati this past weekend was the scene of several family reunions, including the big one, the Midwest Regional Black Family Reunion, which brought in thousands from four states to Sawyer Point. About the same time, the Henry-Puckett Reunion convened, bringing in about 200 family members from Dayton, Atlanta, Knoxville and St Louis.

        The group had an array of activities at Paramount's Kings Island, Surf Cincinnati Water Park, Argosy Casino, Newport Aquarium, the Cincinnati Zoo, Princeton Bowl and Jazz in the Park Club.

        But family reunions are becoming much more than just social gatherings to see a favorite aunt or uncle, grandparents and new- borns.

        They are a source of history and sometimes a chance to carry on a legacy.

        One highlight of the Henry-Puckett Reunion was to take note of the Gabriel C.E. Robinson Memorial Scholarship.

        Mr. Robinson was the son of Jackie and Paulette Robinson of College Hill. He collapsed and died while playing a basketball game for Walnut Hills High School in 1998.

        His memory is carried on by family members through contributions to a scholarship.

        Walnut Hills has given nine scholarships, totaling $13,500, in memory of Mr. Robinson.

        “Family members contribute to the scholarship fund and we try to attend the annual scholarship basketball playoff in Gabe's memory held at Walnut Hills High school in January,” said William Mack, of Forest Park.

        To contribute, make donations to Greater Cincinnati Foundation, c/o Gabriel C.E. Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund, 200 W. Fourth St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202.

        Some family reunions become a training ground for organizing and managing a group of people, as it was with the Huguely Family Reunion here last week.

        It functions like a corporation under the leadership of Antoinette Miles of North Avondale. Ms. Miles owns Miles Enterprises, a business development company.

        “Our group includes about 1,500 people all over the country,” she said. “When you are dealing with that many people, you have to have some kind of structured organization.”

        The group functions through a set of bylaws outlining its name, purpose and how it is financed.

        Each branch of the family tree elects or designates representatives and alternates to be part of the Representative Council, the governing body of the reunion.

        The Representative Council had to deal with whether to come to Cincinnati in light of the boycott.

        “The council had selected Cincinnati, five years ago,” Ms. Miles said. “The council decided that it was too late to make a change. This was a tough decision because we have family members involved with the boycott.”

        Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahowardenquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.

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