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 Reunion 2007 is now history, but what a great history and what a great event! Over 70 persons from the Marshall and Bowering families and the extended families took part and we had great weather, though a day or two beforehand it didn’t look that promising as we had a severe rainstorm that altered a few of our plans. But, by Saturday, the sunny weather was upon us and it lasted throughout the entire reunion.
While the numbers were a few less than had been anticipated – which we knew beforehand – those that came were from all over - from Pasadena (So. Aust.), Xi’an (Shaanxi, China), Vancouver (BC), Burnaby (BC), Port Moody (BC), Port Coquitlam (BC), Vernon (BC), Lumby (BC), Kelowna (BC), Winnipeg (Man.), Cape Cod (Mass.), Wingham (Ont.), Belmore (Ont.), Newton (Mass.), Concord (Mass), Cohoes (NY), Oakville (Ont.), Oneonta (NY), Pittsford (NY), Ithaca (NY), Chittenango (NY), Kingston (Ont.), and Ottawa (Ont.). And the ages of the attendees ranged just as much - from 9 months of age to 82 years.
Some stayed in hotels downtown, some in motels in the west end, some in campers and tents, and some stayed with friends. Some came by air, some came by car, and a few (not many) lived in the Ottawa area. But, everyone who said they’d come actually came. We took lots of pictures – look for them on the website as (hopefully) everyone posts their own. Many, and perhaps most, of the attendees had never met each other before, even though they were related and, in several cases, lived in close proximity to each other. From all accounts, everyone who came to the reunion really enjoyed themselves and got a lot out of the event – meeting people for the first time, seeing others they hadn’t seen for years, sharing stories about their part of the family, and learning more about each other. We learned what a diverse family we are – involved in so many different professions and activities. We didn’t talk a lot about fame, but we could have. It was, in short, a very interesting gathering of two families. The events took place pretty much as planned. First, we started off with a BBQ on Sunday afternoon at which the Bowerings (originally) from Vancouver Island – Evelyn, and her brothers Cliff, Rick, and Ted - and their spouses – Orma, Sharon, and Lilly – sang grace, a cappella style, in their wonderful harmony. We had a few games, balloons, and movies (for the kids) but we mostly just talked to one another and we ate. It was great to have both families – Marshalls (Metcalfes) and Bowerings together once again – 55 years after the previous/first inter-family reunion was held at the Metcalfe farm in Belmore, Ontario! On Monday, some of the group took advantage of a walking tour in downtown Ottawa – around Parliament Hill (including the statue of “The Famous Five” women), over the Rideau Canal locks, and through the Byward Market – led by Evelyn Stone, a friend of Ken and Sue’s. We met at the Chateau Laurier Hotel just in time to see the Ceremonial Guard and Band of the Canadian Forces marching up Elgin Street then turning left onto Rideau/Wellington Streets on their way to Parliament Hill for the Changing of the Guard ceremony. After breaking for lunch in the Market, we made our way once again up to Parliament Hill where about 40 of us met up for tours inside the Parliament Buildings where we saw the House of Commons, the Senate, and the Library, and where we learned the history of the buildings and a bit about our parliamentary process. Then, some of the group went up the Peace Tower to the 200 foot level observation deck for a panoramic view of the Ottawa Valley and the Gatineau area, seeing and hearing the carillon bells on the way up and down. Meanwhile, others took a second tour to see the original offices of our first Prime Minister (Sir John A. Macdonald) and our third Governor General (Lord Dufferin), as well as that of Sir George-Étienne Cartier, who, along with Sir John A. Macdonald, was a dominant figure in Canadian politics in the mid-1800s. We also saw the original Privy Council Chamber and, through chance meetings with Sir John A. Macdonald, Lady Dufferin, and others – all in period dress – we learned a bit about Canadian politics in 1872 – just 5 years after confederation - and about the confederacy of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia. That evening (Monday) we enjoyed a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant (Villa Lucia) where we were treated to a slide show of pictures from the website as well as those from Sunday’s and Monday’s events and where, once again, the Bowerings from Vancouver Island sang grace. We heard short stories and anecdotes about the families from John Pridham, Andrew Bowering, Bill Bowering, Ralph Metcalfe, Harris Bowering, Dorothy Robinson, and Cliff Bowering. Several people had brought family photo albums with them so we all got to look at those too. The kids had fun, playing a few games and watching movies while, once again, the adults ate, spoke, and listened intently. Other “non-organized” events that some took part in during their “free time” while in Ottawa included boat cruises along the Ottawa River, bus tours of the city, and the Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill. Sunday and Monday had been very busy days and, by Tuesday, the group had reduced in size to about 35 people. We ended the reunion with a very informal “Tex-Mex” picnic at Vincent Massey Park (named after the first Canadian-born Governor General of Canada and a brother to actor Raymond Massey) in central Ottawa. Then, everyone went their separate ways as some returned home while others continued to vacation in eastern Canada and the US. By Wednesday, as we went our separate ways, we were all exhausted, but elated at having been a part of this event. For those who weren’t able to attend, you really missed a few days of great fellowship and good fun - as you’re likely to hear from those who were here. For those who had hoped to attend but couldn’t for various reasons - several of them medical related - be assured that you were with us in spirit and in our thoughts; we missed you. Where do we go from here? Well, several people spoke about the next reunion, perhaps in two year’s time. Where will it be? Who would like to organize it? Volunteers? Suggestions? |
