39th annual Neil Family Reunion

The 39th annual Neil Family Reunion was held on August 5, 2018 at the home of Cheryl (Powell) and Jean Robidas at 5220 Route 143, Waterville, Quebec. We were greeted with a cloudless, hot, sunny day with only a slight breeze. Though the number of attendees was much reduced (67), the enjoyment was multiplied as seen in the various activities both by the participants and the onlookers.

Lunch began by 12:30 with contributions of casseroles, vegetables, salads, rolls, pickles and meat from all who attended. Drinks, both hot and cold, along with a variety of desserts completed the meal and were devoured in no time.

Then began the fun - a “Slip & Slide” was set up down the length of the lawn to the driveway, water and soap were added and the young and young at heart from 8 to 75 took running starts and headed down the slide on their stomachs, sometimes crashing before reaching the final destination at the bottom of the hill. Variations from single sliders to a train of 11 only added to the shouts and cries from riders and onlookers. This continued for some time, gradually improving the run by adding some protection from the picky hay bales along the way and the sudden stop at the bottom. The only injuries were bruises and scratches, minor consequences compared to the outright enjoyment. Gary Darling provided music as well as giving a play-by-play description of some of the slides adding to the enjoyment.

Not to end the fun with water on a hot day, several ambitious ones did some tubing down the river and jumped from the bridge into the refreshing water, or swam around before heading back to the awaiting crowd who had been enjoying the chance to catch up on news from other family members, while listening to the music. For the little ones a wading pool had been set up and enjoyed while the older ones were away.

A scavenger hunt with some of the teenagers as leaders was begun and besides searching for various items such as coins, leaves, pins and wild flowers, participants had to toss water balloons at a tree, and seek permission from some of the adults to paint their big toe. Prizes were distributed to everyone once the list of things was completed.

Then the children collected a square of material and completed a design of their choosing with the theme of “My Favourite Song,” using cloth markers. A total of 20 squares were done, to later be assembled to make the childrens’ quilt for the 2019 Family Reunion. The winner from last year’s quilt was Abigail Neil, daughter of Adam and Tonya Neil.

Stanley Neil was the winner of the Adult Quilt (made, assembled and quilted by some of the women) with the theme of Stained Glass Window. An instruction booklet prepared by Margot Cowen was used at a bee to initiate the creation of the quilt blocks of this new design. The money collected from the sale of the tickets will be added to the current balance and made available as scholarships for those who had attended post secondary education.

Of those attending it was confirmed that Barbara (Neil) Pozer was the eldest followed by Gordon Pozer and Douglas Neil, all celebrating their 80th birthday this year. The youngest attendee was Victoria Maire, born on September 18, 2017, daughter of Aspen (Neil) and Ludovic Maire, granddaughter of Desmond Neil and France (Gagne) Neil. We were pleased to welcome Joshua Fenton, son of Kynda (Neil), to our gathering as we hadn’t seen him for quite some time.

Once some of the heat of the day was reduced many gathered to play volleyball before the call that hot dogs and corn were ready for supper and the day came to a close.

Thanks goes out to Cheryl, Jean, Kaylee, Nick, Logan and Ben for welcoming everyone to share their home and to Gordie Neil and Ross Neil for supplying the corn and equipment to cook it as well as to Gary Darling for the music which is always enjoyed and contributes to the ambiance of the day.

To extend the day’s enjoyment a bonfire was built and then about midnight 8 cousins plus a dog retired to a 10x10 cabin in the woods to play cards by flashlight, listen to music and hopefully get a little sleep before dawn.

Submitted by Joan Powell