B5

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

William Cole Rideout descendants returned to their Carleton County roots last month for a timely reunion held July 18 and 19.

Approximately 120 people attended, some coming across the continent from Chilliwack, Vancouver and White Rock in B.C, San Diego in California and Tucson, Arizona. Rideout descendants arrived Ontario, Virginia, Massachusetts, Nova Scotia, Maine and all parts of New Brunswick. Some even crossed the ocean from Belgium.

A "meet, greet and eat" was held Friday on the grounds at the home of Ann and Gary Foster. Fortunately, the rain held allowing those who chose to take a dip.

On Saturday, the Saint John Valley Bible campgrounds were crowded on Saturday as relatives gathered for the afternoon and evening. It provided the first opportunity since the reunion in 2003 for the cousins to meet. In addition to catching up on old times, family members browsed the memorabilia and pictures on display.

Carl Peterson conducted a memorial service for the following family members who have passed away since 2003: William Hagerman, Theresa Woodward, Keith Adamson, Arvil and Gregory Crouse, Bernus W. Clark and Tom Wall.

Family members placed carnations in memory of the deceased.

Guest enjoyed a bounteous pot luck supper and door prizes were hand out to 15 lucky recipients.

A silent auction and a live auction were the highlights of the evening. Many were racing to get their names on the final list before the silent auction was halted. The live auction had the larger items.

The most popular item of the night was a quilt made by Theresa Stephenson. It represented the Judson and Ethel Rideout family and included the family crest, pictures of the 11 siblings and Judson and Ethel's wedding picture.

The winner of the quilt was Karen Crouse of Mississauga, Ont., but Theresa has many more quilt orders.

Interestingly enough, Larry and his son Mark Rideout were the only two out of 120 relatives with the Rideout last name. They are the son and grandson of the last Rev. Frank Rideout.

Many relatives left saying, "this was the best reunion ever."