McNeil 2nd Sunday

As far back as time can stretch, there have been reasons to party. When the cavemen invented the wheel, they partied. They probably all took turns sitting inside the wheel and rolling it down from their patios. The ancient Egyptians celebrated the completion of the pyramids with a going away party for the aliens that helped them build them. Columbus celebrated finding America by persecuting the inhabitants of the land he discovered. Abraham Lincoln celebrated the end of the civil war by going to watch a play. All of these are examples of ways that people have celebrated different events over the ages. So we, as descendants, naturally have uncontrollable needs to have such celebration.

Because of this, the McNeil 2nd Sunday was invented.

Almost every month has at least two Sundays....is that not reason enough to celebrate? On these special occasions when the second Sunday of any month comes around, people gather at the Dane and Marianne McNeil household for well prepared home cooking. These gatherings started over 25 years ago when the above party first became official and legally bonded. Over the next 13 years the group increased by a number or two every few years. It peaked at 8 members for the longest time, having some inflation and deflation owing to exchange students, friends and other house-guests. But it has only been within the past few years that McNeil 2nd Sunday really took off.

With a new increase in the age of nephews and nieces, the amount of McNeil blood flowing in the Orem/Provo region increased. Naturally, so did the attendance at the 2nd Sunday's version of the McNeil dinner table. These days were filled with eating, talkativeness, laughter and games in the basement. Since those days, the numbers have grown even more. Many additions were made when one carrying McNeil blood was legally and eternally bound to another. It follows that they would also be able to attend 2nd Sunday festivities with their significant others, respectively.

Along with blood carriers' better halves, roommates of carriers began to attend also. This made for many changes. It increased the amount of food eaten, noise level, laughs and upped the ante on the games that could be played. Unfortunately not everyone can stay living here in the area forever, and many of our number have left us. Though some of our most cherished members have left, the tradition lives on with their memories.

So if you're ever in the area and it happens to be the second Sunday of any given month under the stars, drop on in for some food and good times. Just call in advance so we can save you a seat. If you're not in the area on one of these the second Sundays, just know that you're not having quite as much fun as we are.