Dotsie, these reunions began about 18 years ago as an alternative to getting together at Christmas (so my brothers could enjoy staying home with their children and not worry about travelling in that crazy winter weather). The reunions were always just for our immediate family (Mom, Dad, brothers, spouses and children). The number one rule about the reunion is that they had to be held in neutral territory so that nobody got burdened with the bulk of the cooking, cleaning and expense...there is a very good reason for stipulating that particular rule!

So for about 18 years, we've picked a different town in Ontario and stayed at a motel/hotel. Up until two years ago, the reunions were always at Thanksgiving. But the cost of staying anywhere at Thanksgiving was getting too prohibitive for most of us, especially those with children in university. So we cancelled the 2005 reunion in order to change the timing to a weekend in the summer. This year we're going to a lodge in Parry Sound (on Georgian Bay) near the end of August. This will be the first reunion away from restaurants and shopping facilities (eating and shopping together have always been key [and fun] elements of our reunions!) so it will be interesting to see how we manage.

(The year that Mom was in hospital here in Ottawa, we had the reunion here, with most of the family staying at our house. It was very hectic and reinforced our need to re-establish the original number one rule for the reunions! We do have most of the family here for a week every Christmas and often another week in the summer, so hubby and I have decided that twice a year is enough!)

[ June 09, 2006, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: Eagle Heart ]