Update - For those that are looking for reunion pictures, I set up another blog site here.
The family reuunion continued on and there was a historical walk led by the Menucha arborist. At the last reunion, he also led a walk but this year it was a little different. He showed us some of the old areas of the garden and mentioned some of the invasive species in the area. (This flower is not one of them) but I thought that I would start this blog entry with a nice flower photo.
One of the Saturday afternoon reunion activities was sushi making. Here are my cousins preparing the ingredients for basic California rolls with a few extra ingredients thrown in. The cousins we visited in Tokyo took charge of preparing the different ingredients. Since we are not allowed by health code to serve food we prepare ourselves in the dining room, we prepared everything in one of the other buildings.
This is the main room in Creavy Hall next to the kitchen area where we were preparing the sushi ingredients. I'm not sure what game they were playing but it looked like it took a lot more skill and energy than I have.
After dinner, one of the cousins taught/led everyone some dancing to honor deceased relatives, Bon Odori (盆踊り). The ones in the middle circle were more familiar or experienced and helped lead. This is the main room in Wright Hall. This is a fabulous reunion location and at a family meeting, it was decided to hold it here again in the summer of 2015.
For some reason, a hat making contest became part of the festivities. It may have started when the cousins were younger but it continues on. Here is the winning entry made from a bin of stuff brought for activities. I tried to make a sock puppet but my artistic skills are lacking.
More dance instruction.
Here is the view from the pool deck. You can just see Vista Point on the left. Menucha actually has a better view up and down the Columbia River than at Vista Point but the views are not being maintained. Quite a few trees would need to be trimmed and it just isn't happening. Just in the 18 years that we've been using the facility, the view has been disappearing.
And, here is a group photo of the reunion attendees.
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What a huge crowd. I could gather my family around a normal size dinner table...
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful vista you got from there. Columbia River almost reminds me of the Rhine, sans the castles and vineyards.
Commented by SonjaM using Roland's account.
DeleteAnd this is just my mom's side of the family. The view from the pool deck actually used to be better than Vista House as it sticks out further towards the river. The trees have grown and the view hasn't been maintained due to outcries from any kind of tree trimming in the area...
DeleteSo I counted near 70 family members, it that a typical gathering?
ReplyDeleteImpressed and envious that you can annually get so many to meet.
This was probably a pretty average turnout though there have been reunions with many more.
DeleteNot annually but every two years. What's that, bi-annual?
It looks like great activities were planned to keep everyone engaged and having fun. No small feat with that many people.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on getting so many family members together.
Thanks for sharing Richard - the venue looks perfect for hosting a gathering.
Lots of activities were planned for this group. In addition to the ones mentioned, there was frisbee golf, origami, sock puppets, jewlery making, tennis, swimming, history walks, nature walk, field games, etc…
DeleteThe organizers get all the credit for getting this event together each time. I think that this was the 12th or 13th reunion.
You know the saying about unhappy families...if I had to wear a silly hat at a family gathering of my clan I'd rather beg off and sit in a shed in barrow WITHOUT. a bear guard. you are lucky to have a good family.
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't wear a hat of your own creation? I think the activity started years ago when many of the participants were much younger. But I believe it has become a "tradition" in addition to many of the other activities.
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