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Despite cold, October like weather, the 2002
Olson Family Reunion was a raging success!! There were
plenty of beers, piles of great food and, most importantly, the
sound of laughter was constantly in the air.
I'd like to ask the attendees of the Olson
Reunion to write a short paragraph on the highlight of the weekend
for them, and I will compile all stories here on this page as a
memento of the weekend. If you have any pictures from the
weekend you'd like me to post here, please email them to me and I
will include them.
Thanks for everybody who was there and
especially the organizers for making it such a special weekend for
Ana and I! It was great to see everybody together in one
place having fun and it made me feel very proud of having the
family that I do.
Click on the name below to see their favourite moment.
Kris' Highlight of the
Weekend
As Ana and I stepped out of
the Fishing Lake Lodge after the 80's disco night (was it me or
did everyone else there just look like cowboys?), we were
awestruck by the magnificent display of Northern Lights.
They may have been one of the best I have ever seen. At
first, there was a thin, bright greenish yellow strip which
began on the north horizon, just over the lake, and ran directly
overhead through the sky all the way to the south horizon,
disappearing into the grain fields, splitting the night sky into
two. The strip then began to widen and widen until it
almost disappeared, when suddenly from directly overhead a bolt
of light like a laser shot across to the northern horizon and
turned into a molten, swirling, florescent green whirlpool of
energy. It then began its dance. From the swirl
would come fingers of green reaching up to the constellations,
as if trying to draw them into its vortex. Occasionally,
slivers of green would appear in other parts of the sky, but
once recognized, they would slink back into the black
nothingness like thieves. My lovely wife and I laid
horizontal with our backs on a picnic table watching this
wondrous show for quite some time and the whole time I was
thinking how utterly impossible it is to explain this phenomenon
to a person who had not experienced it.
Peter's Highlight of the Weekend
My favorite moment at the reunion was the afternoon we all
gathered around a couple bar b q's and cooked sardines and fresh
tuna. The air was filled with laughter from every corner of the
yard as well as within the cottage. As fast as the sardines were
going on the grill, they were coming off and into the eager mouths
of friends and family. The beer was cold and plentiful, John's
Portugese hot sauce complimented the tuna, and life just couldn't
get much better. To top things off we assassinated the garden
gnome!
Mark's Highlight of
the Weekend
One of the best memories I have is when we were all sitting out
around the fire down at the beach. Carrie sang like an angel and
kept us all entertained. It was a real mix of young and old. I
can still picture the cousins lined up on the bench having such a
great time together. I’m sure the laughter could be heard all the
way down the lake.
Another great memory I have of the weekend is meeting up with
Desi and Devan Latimer. I had not seen these cousins in probably
20 years and it was great to connect and get to know each other
again. Devan and the band "Nathan" are making an Eastern swing
this year so hopefully we'll get to see him.
Linda's Highlight
of the Weekend
Despite the cold, rainy weather, the company was warm, the food
fantastic, the wine helpful (against the cold) and many wonderful
memories were made. Ian did a fine job as Vice President of the
SSG, but we really missed our founder and President. Next time
Deb!
Hazel-Ann's
Highlight of the Weekend
O.K. I have two - it's allowed right? I just have to tell all
of you boys that I am down in the comuter room and have discovered
Odin rolling around in Josh's jock strap from his hockey gear.
Thought you's enjoy that. Where is that Frebreeze? My favourite #1
moment was when we were all sitting on the front deck looking out
onto the lake, around the old white table with yet another amazing
meal before us and there we were at the lake together (well almost
all of us) in spirit we were together and then my second is when
we sat around the fire and I haven't a clue what was so funny but
Maxine and Barb and Mark and I were laughing endlessly. Thank you
everyone for being part of such a wonderful family. I have so many
friends that are so envious of what we have and I know it will
always be like this for us and our kids. Just follow Mom and Dad's
example. Love you all.Even you Junior.
Maxine's
Highlight of the Weekend
Well, after much anticipation, the weekend finally arrived. I
guess the best part for me was getting to the Lake on the Friday
night and seeing that Barb and Hazel had managed to drag extra
picnic tables onto the deck so we could all sit down together for
our first big meal--almost able to do a "left-hand circuit"--then
our toasts and presentations-the picture from the grandkids,and
finding out about the swing. Mom always used to say that she was
so thankful that all the grandchildren liked each other so much
and got along so well. Well.I don't think we have to worry--the
next generation will carry on the "Olson Family Togetherness" very
well. It was a Reunion I won't forget, and hope we can do it again
soon. Thanks everyone for making it so wonderful! Hazel and I have
submitted a picture and small write-up to the Foam Lake paper.
Marty's Highlight
of the Weekend
My favorite moment from the weekend was definitely the raising
of the swing. Although it wasn't perfect (right Skinner?) it had
all the qualities of an Olson, strong and true, can bee seen from
afar, and when the beers start to flow, a little wobbly. It was
one of those things that you know is going to be there for a very
long time. Someday my own kids will be able to swing on it. I was
just glad to be a part of it.
Curtis' Highlight
of the Weekend
What about the SKOL????? I think that we damn near tore the
whole roof off of the cabin that night. Maybe we should get Ian to
look into the structural integrity of the cabin after that
reunion. God knows we proved our engineering integrity with the
swing incident...
Also, I discovered a new cure for any sickness that weekend.
It's Michael's Green Sauce of Death that he made for the weekend.
I made the mistake of having a spoonful of it by itself and I
think that my guts are still burning today.
Barbara's
Highlight of the Weekend
Okay, my entry is late, but I keep going back to the first
night we were all together, Friday night. Having the old white
picnic table centre stage - can anyone even guess how many coats
of paint Mom put on it?? Looking around at everyone and
hardly believing we were really together. The meal was wonderful,
and the highlight for me was Curtis presenting the collage of
pictures and the announcement of the gift of the swing. Couldn't
have been better; oops, yes it could,we could ALL have been there.
Next time. Love, Barb
Nicole's
Highlight of the Weekend
That weekend was filled with sooo many fun times it is hard to
pick a favorite! the best thing was just being there with
everyone, eating and drinking and laughing and having a great
time. one of my favorite memories was the raising of the swing
followed by jason flying off the swing and through the air later
that night! i also really enjoyed the sardine bbq and trying johns
fantastic homemade wine and maria's hot sauce. mmmm. oh and how
can we forget the fun with the potato gun? good times all around.
i wish we could do it again this summer! :)
Jen's Highlight of
the Weekend
I'm sure everyone agrees the whole weekend was awesome.
My highlights were: 1)Jason's swing episode and how he got mad
because everyone blamed it on his drunkenness and not the faulty
chain. 2) Curtis and Jason hiding from Marty when he wanted
to go party at the Latimer's. 3)The night of the most
beautiful northern lights I have ever seen. 4)Drinking big beer's
at 10:30 in the morning and not getting in trouble from mom and
dad. 5)Having fun with the most wonderful people in the world-OUR
FAMILY!!! AAAAAWW!!!!
Ana's Highlight of
the Weekend
It is really hard to nail down one fantastic moment because
there were so many. It is a real honour to be part of such a
wonderful family and I am thrilled that my parents got a chance to
go to the reunion and see just why I love you all so much!!!
I think my favorite moment was when we were all sitting around the
camp fire talking and laughing and then Carrie came and sang some
songs.....that evening ended with the most beautiful display of
Northern Lights. Life just doesn't get any better!!
Jason's Highlight
of the Weekend
The night that we all enjoyed the northern lights and not when I fell off the swing.
Erica's Highlight of the Weekend
Like several of my family, I find it hard to pick one moment as
my favourite from the reunion of 2002. I had so much fun that I
cannot wait for the next reunion. One of the best things for me
was being able to pass on the Icelandic sweater that I inherited
from Nicole, who inherited it from Uncle Michael, who got it from
Grandpa. I'm pretty sure that Uncle Mark now has it. :) Family and
tradition mean so much to me and it was "fantastisk" to be able to
share so many days with the best family in the world. There are a
few other great moments that I just have to include here: playing
more scrabble games than I can count, getting burnt on the only
sunny day, laughing so hard I could hardly speak, getting a
picture of the foggiest morning with the new swing, and of course,
a drunk pug (see pic!)!!
Katie's Highlight
of the Weekend
There was lots of favorite moments during the family reunion
but a couple that really stick out in my mind were the potato gun
and the fact that I got to see so many people that I hadn't seen
in a very long time which was soo great. When is the next
reunion!?
Cassie's
Highlight of the Weekend
What i remember is the building of the swing, fun! and
sleeping in the tent on the beach with mika and maia. we were in
the tent talking, and we heard some singing and guitar playing we
went outside, and carrie was singing the "umbrella" (my favourite)
song. it touched my heart and we all stood raptured. even odin
looked thoughtful.... i think. or he was asleep sitting up. any
way, that was the most memorable part cyu!.
Loretta's
Highlight of the Weekend
Sleep, sleep, sleep. After spending 24 hours/day, 8 days/week
at the Care Home for 5 months I had the best sleep at the lake.
Lots of fun between naps but recall few of them.
Maia's Highlight of
the Weekend
The two things I will always remember, are Odin, and Uncle
Peters' Potato gun! First of all, Odin the autistic slug of an
adorable pug being propped up in everyones' favorite chair, and
stuck with a glass and bottle of wine in each paw. The other
is taking the potato gun onto the deck and firing it, hoping to
hit a duck or perhaps if we were lucky, kill a fish! There are
several other things I remember, but I'm sure that someone else
will name them! Can't wait until the next family reunion, maybe by
then, we'll have the so much wanted Newfie!!!!! (see my Dad
for pros on getting a Newfoundland dog, and Mum for the cons!)
Mika's Highlight of
the Weekend
it was great coming to the reunion especially since I live so
far away it was great seeing everyone! swimming in the freezing
water was not the smartest things I have done, but i will always
remember that! Peters' potato gun was so much fun! since the cabin
obviously couldn't fit everyone so Maia, Cassie and I all
had to sleep out in the tent and the funniest part of that
was when there was a thunder storm and we got scared so we came
running into the cabin and slept on the kitchen floor! I start
laughing thinking about that night!! One thing I will never forget
is how much I ate that week!
Michael's
Highlight of the Weekend
strong hugs
hard laughter
how much bacon
can forty people eat?
ten pounds.
The waves crashed in and the magpies screamed as we
battled the elements in typical stoic fashion. Peter had
brought the tuber cannon in case of attack and we were sure to
stock up on provisions to last us through the storm. As I
recall from my youth the Northern Lights may bring fever moods and
thirsty souls to the beach to shout and scream and wonder who we
are.
Anna had never seen the lights before and I woke her
twice to see them and, as we huddled in a blanket on the beach I
felt special that she was seeing something that could not be
explained to any sane person. Just like the energy that one feels
when the Olson tribe is in full drive with laughs, backslaps,
song, lies, and good cheer. Who wouldn't look on in awe to see all
the love and not wonder how to explain it; I guess you just had to
be there.
Anna's Highlight of
the Weekend
No one could believe after having been a part of the Olson
family for seven years that I had never been to the Lake.
But everything I heard about the place proved true. The
coffee tastes better, the smiles beam brighter and the
laughter rings a little fuller. Even a cloudy cold day
brings a sense of anticipation - cards? Archie's? Chat?
Anything and everything is anticipated with enthusiasm.
As Michael said above, my first witness of Northern Lights
defies description.
The Lake is not merely a geographic locale, it is a place in
your mind to which you can escape in the dark of winter, and just
the thought of it will warm you from inside.
Thank you for the warmth.
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