Early Family Reunion Memories
My earliest memories of the family reunion date from when it was held in Mount Albert, at a church hall. It may have been an old schoolhouse? These memories are probably from the mid-60s.
Beside the hall, there was a baseball diamond, and an area with trees and swings nearby. The church hall had a kitchen downstairs and the upstairs had wooden floors, big windows and a stage at one end. As kids we loved the stage, partly for its elevated position, but also for the stage doors which lead to secret staircases. We were not supposed to sneak into the mysterious stairs, but of course we did!
The hall was set up with long tables, one of which was always laden with the food that each family brought: potato salads, deviled eggs, casseroles, pies and carrot cake stick out in my memories.
The baseball field was a guy place: I can remember my older cousins Norm and Ed Dennis, and Ron and Don James playing baseball with our uncles. I think if I ever did get to play, it was probably way out in left field. But I did get to have some ownership of that field, with the help of my 2nd cousin Penny Ford. For a few years, we were the queens of the three-legged race. There were a lot of fun games in those years, and lots of kids to participate in them: we raced on two feet, we jumped in sacks, we tossed eggs, and we did this stupid race which involved tying a stocking with a ball knotted in one end around our waist, with the ball hanging down the back like a tail. Then we had to use our 'tail' to knock another ball along the ground.... sheesh!
Well, this is just a start. The next Moynihan Family Reunion will be in the summer of 2006. So there is lots of time between now and then to get this blog whipped into shape. That means, oh my cousins, aunts & uncles: time to share your memories!
8 comments:
Hey! this is easy. Just click on the comments link, type in the little box & follow the instructions.
This is a great idea! I only hope I'll remember to check in every once in a while to catch up with the news.
We won't be able to make this year's reunion, but we'll certainly put the 50th in our schedule!
I too remember the hall in Mount Albert: my memories are largely of the baseball diamond. Lots of games. I especially remember Albert, Lena's second husband, and the man I most remember as my grandfather. He loved his sports. I remember when he slid into home plate. Head first. He was only about 65 years old at that time. I remember Grandma watching the game and seeing him slide and remarking, "silly old bugger". I was quite young then and I didn't know grandma's were supposed to say words like that. I laughed so hard I almost made myself sick. Lots of other wonderful memories too, but mainly of people whose faces I remembered but whose names were very hard to bring from the furthest recesses of my mind to my tongue.
See you at the 50th!
Brad Ford
Musquodoboit Harbour, NS
I also remember the Mount Albert Hall site - the baseball diamond, the horseshoe pit (smell of cigars), the hall with the tables laden with food, the laughter, music, and yes Heather, the 3-legged races! I remember we used to practice before the races even started! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the 50th (if not before).
cool blog - Hi Everybody! I remember the kitchen as being right off the hall, not in the bsmt, on the opposite side of the main doors. The piano on the stage was always a bit of fun and the gi-normous tree and what seemed like huge stone gates for climbing. You banged everything else right on the nose.
Heather this is wonderful. Had no idea this would mushroom the way it has. Ida Richards and I decided to exchange email addresses while talking "50th Annniversary Reunion" at the St. Patrick's Day Luncheon. That's were all the older ladies (laws and in-laws) living near Aurora get together on March 17th, wear something green, drink some wine, eat sandwiches and gab. Anyway because I am not a computer geek I passed my addresses to Ida and to everyone else as well. The ball started rolling and is going faster each day. Keep it up.
My memories of the reunions are also about the games and food. The baseball game was big time. If you went to school you played ball. With your aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters and cousins you didn't even know.. until they struck you out or something -
Sometimes even your great uncles or your granddad played - but more often they could be found at the horse shoe pit. Great athletes these Moynihans. There are lots of in-laws who would argue they were better. Thom Leslie, Floyd Billing, Kay Brooks and Henry Ford come to mind.
The bleachers were fun also because the older Aunt's sat there and minded the little babies. The toddlers played behind them in the sand boxes. Those Moynihan girls had fun when they got together - lots of laughing and teasing.
My best food was later - it was Bernice Martin's cabbage rolls. The Recipe is in the family cook-book which was organized, typed and published by Bernice to celebrate our 25th Anniversary.
There is a picture of Con and Cora and their six children on the cover. Does anyone have a good copy to send to Heather?
Bernice is not well right now - but if she could be on this web she would have some ideas for 2008.
I didn't attend every reunion. Some times the dates conflicted with Mosport Races which Thom and I were very involved with for years. Thom still attends most races during the summer.
I do look forward to the 2008 Reunion because the neices and nephews are being put in charge. So all you neices and nephews get talking and planning - we older folk are expecting a great show.
I tried to put a comment in a couple of months ago, but I guess it went MIA on me. Anyway, I too remember the Family Re-unions at Mount Albert Hall. I remember my favorite things as being the swings, climbing on the stone gate, playing on the stage. I also remember 'the throne' ... at least that's what we were told it was. Probably someone was pulling our leg, LOL!! - but we were told that the big chair was for the Queen when she came to visit. Boy were we gullible! I also remember Aunt Ruth and Uncle Charlie. They always made sure Barry, Dorothy and I got lots to eat. Was it Aunt Ruth who made the Shoo Fly Pie? I remember meeting Grandma Moynihan there too. I think it was the only time I ever met her; at least it is the only time I remember meeting her. I remember Dad relaxing with the men under the trees, and playing horseshoes too, and puffing away on his pipe. I still love the smell of pipe tobacco. Mom enjoyed the visits with everyone, and all in all it was a happy, relaxing event we all looked forward to. I remember us all getting spruced up, washing our hair with rainwater in a basin on the tailgate of Dad's truck. Then when everyone was all spiffed up we'd all pile into the truck, dot in front with Mom and Dad and the rest of us in the back, and off we would go. I remember being so excited I had butterflies in my tummy, but it was a good kind of excitement. I also remember how much Bud enjoyed himself. he use to smoke his pipe, and blow on his harmonica, and had lots of fun. And he sure loved all that food. he could really eat. Think he had two hollow legs.
unfortunately,I don't get out to all the re-unions, although I would like to. Sometimes it's just lack of transportation, other times prior committments, or work. I am pleased that my girls are beginning to get out to them, at least Penny is. Jen is way up in Huntsville, and up until recently she had no transportaion herself. Sure hope I can get her to come down this year. I know my grand-daughters, Kennedy and Katy would have a ball. For sure we will all be there next year ..... and I'll bring the cabbage rolls, as well as some other goodies. One thing you can say about the Moynihan women --we can all cook, and love doing so. The men to!
God bless you all, and keep you safe in the palm of His hand. Keep well and smiling. And a very happy St. Patrick's Day to all.
My fondest memories were playing 2 hand touch football. One special time I'll never forget is when we needed to score. Grant Morning looked over at his brother Brent & told us to all surround Brent. The deal was, Brent was in his wheel chair. Grant passed Brent the ball, we all surrounded Brent while Grant pushed him down the field. Needless to say, Brent was bouncing like never before. We all got slapped silly, but we scored & won the game. Now that's team work! I too remember fun times tossing eggs, balloons, & working our way through obstacle courses. Another special time for me was when we gathered at some lake & spent the evening square dancing. I didn't have a clue what I was doing, but did have a blast!
One thing I miss is sitting listening to Aunt Marg (Ford) telling stories of times gone by. No one could recount special family events like she could! She definately had the nack.
Hope to see you at the 50th.
Hi Cousins
Keep the memories flowing.These stories of Gramma are so not the Gramma l remember.....She would often say..Children should be seen and not heard..I remember visiting her in Melvern.She encouraged us to play outside.She did have a delicious grape arbor that Barb and l would sample.
Your stories of the market etc. are so interesting...keep em coming.
Rosemary
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