The Canadian Citrus Park Reunion,
July 24 - 25
Hi All--
The Citrus Park Reunion on Saturday, July 24th at Ken Drake's in Camlachie, ONT, was definitely a "hit". Members of "The Committee" started arriving Thursday afternoon and the planning and laughter began. Pegi had only ten "I Survived the CP Reunion" t-shirts made up and realized she could have had more made up for the many that ended up helping out. Others arrived Friday and Saturday and were extremely helpful in moving tables, chairs, picture boards, umbrellas, games, etc. to the beach area, the lower yard area, and the upper yard area. Bob Spark, Bunnie T. & Bud Clayton were the three people who took the long trip to this reunion on motorcycles. Ed Fielding and Al Del Barone arrived in Al's beautiful motor home in order to set up the "Tiki Hut" grills for the hot dogs and hamburgers. Barb Murray was the Food Coordinator with Ron Blackburn helping. Sue Bergen was the Games Coordinator with Fran Amenta, Jack & Judy Passingham, Jerry Hopkins, and Deb Alexander as helpers. Friday night included a trip to "Skeeter Barlow's" for dinner and then a meeting back at the house with more laughter. Although the canoeing, sailing, and a couple of the games were cancelled due to the wind on the beach, the following people won in the different events: Golf Hole-in One: #1 Bunnie T. and #2 Ed Fielding; Pie Contest: #1 Shiela Tepple and #2 Ray Novin; Hula Hoop: #1 Bunnie T. and #2 Shiela Tepple; Bocce Ball: #1 Barb Murray & Ed Fielding and #2 Deb Alexander & Bob Chatfield; Horseshoes: #1 Bob Noble & Bob Chatfield and #2 Ed Fielding and Don Burtanger. Gifts of golf items, sweatshirts, t-shirts, cups, cards, etc. were given to the winners. There were a few Special Awards given to people such as #1 Hank & Valerie Verberg for arriving the earliest (a whole month ahead of time due to a mix-up of months)--a calendar and a fancy tie for all the times he wears different ties to the dinner dances; #2 Ed Fielding for "bravery" --a blow-up Shark (due to seeing dolphins one time and swimming so fast to shore thinking they were sharks); #3 Dianne MacIver for being a Mountie at the Mardi Gras--another horse (stuffed) to ride; #4 Ron Blackburn--a Boobie Cup (you can imagine why); #5 Deb Alexander for her possible breast enhancement fund--a Loonie and a Toonie; and #6 Pegi Slack for her imagination and creation of this reunion--a Ribbon of Excellence and Flowers. After all the games, eating, announcements, and prizes, people went inside for the Karaoke. Sunday many went to Barb Murray's for subs, swimming in her pool, and shooting pool, then they came back to Ken's for a Marble Shooting Contest on the beach with winners #1 Matilda Wiarda and #2 Ken Drake. After watching the beautiful sunset, we again gathered around Ken's large kitchen table where we discussed future plans for future years with no commitment on the future. Matilda and Pegi found some "dress-ups" in Ken's basement and put on a little show for everyone and there was more laughter. Of the 53 people that came to the reunion, 19 of them were the "Guys & Dolls" singles. We had our group pictures taken at a table made up to look similar to the one you would find in the Rec Hall along with a jug of "beer" and plastic cups. Of the "Guys & Dolls", Ken Drake managed to have 14 people (Ann Huber, Don Burtanger, Jerry Hopkins, Bob Spark, Bunnie T., Bud Clayton, Matilda Wiarda, Fran Amenta, Sue Bergen, Deb Alexander, Ed Fielding, Al Del Barone, Pegi Slack and himself) stay at his house and still had beds left over. Barb Murray had 4 people (Mary Spark, Dianne MacIver, Ron Blackburn, and Barb) stay at her house, while Joan Parkinson lives nearby in Grand Bend. Whether or not there is ever another reunion, we certainly had a good time and feel that everyone pitched in to help it become the success that it was. We'd love any photos forwarded to us for the scrapbook. Thank you for coming, contributing and just being great fun!
Ken, Pegi & "The Committee"