COADY REUNION 1972 – RESUME          Back to 1972 Page

By Vincent Coady

 

SUNDAY, JULY 23rd, 1972:

 

A fine clear day.

 

All members of family and inlaws, etc. gathered at the family homestead in Bras d'Or late afternoon and early evening to discuss the final plans for the week. (David's car arrived with Nelson's personal modifications which he made with the aid of a telephone pole).

 

Week's agenda reviewed, amendments made where required, everybody in jovial mood and looking forward to the reunion with anticipation.

 

Remainder of evening was taken up with chess matches, card games, including bridge for the girls and poker, crib, etc. for the remainder with Nelson contributing quite generously to the overall evening.

 

David succeeded in setting up color TV. set (gift for Mom and Ted). Ted agreed as how he may grow accustomed to it.

 

                        Refreshments were served in abundance and the party broke up at approximately 2:00 a.m.    

 

Members of the family were boarded as follows:

 

Joe and Wanda Coady and Marv Frances, Jim, Cathy, John, Joseph and Billie  in Margaree at summer cabin of Dominic Mancini

 

Cas and Millie Coady and Joseph, Patrick and Paul with Mr. and Mrs. Pero in Sydney Mines

 

Art and Joan Coady and Sherri-Lee  with Mrs. Herve in Florence

 

David Coady and Vincent Coady - with Aunt Mary and Uncle Dominic Mancini in North Sydney

 

Nelson and Eulalia Whitehead and Jimmy - at family homestead in Bras d'Or

 

Bill and Doreen Rybachuk and Shaun and Natasha at family homestead in Bras d'Or

 

Don and Patricia Aker and Kimberley, Sherry, Donald and Catherine - at the home of Mrs. Aker in Sydney Mines

 

John and Donna Coady and Michael - at family homestead in Bras d'Or

 

MONDAY, JULY 24th, 1972:

 

Sort of a cloudy day with intermittent sunshine. All members gathered at the house at approximately noon time. Children's games which commenced early afternoon included numerous games and prizes which the children thoroughly enjoyed. (Never saw such a bunch of compatible kids including the adults who were enthused with passing not too gently around balloons full of water).

 

The adults participated in horseshoes (Nelson and Art the champs), hardball where family members took on the in‑laws resulting in scores in double numbers with little regard for decisions of umpires. The experience of Vince at 3rd base threatened to swing the tide in favour of the family but they were later hampered by the family outfielders who were last seen chasing a ball towards the house.

 

Egg throwing contest participated in and enjoyed (Millie, you are supposed to catch the egg not cradle it, which raises the question how much does an egg shampoo distort a maiden form bra?) as well as target shooting where everybody proved how adept they were at missing the target (could it be because the targets were beer bottles previously emptied by the participants?)

 

Also stilts were used with no winner declared (did anybody ever get up on them?)

 

A lobster supper was enjoyed by all (the old Boarding,.,. House reach), and the evening was spent once again in card games, etc. (do these people ever go to bed?)

 

 

 

 

TUESDAY, JULY 25th, 1972:

 

Bright sunshine day.

 

Men assembled at house "early" in morning (10:00 a.m.) proceeded to gather golfing equipment and set out for the Keltic Golf Course at Ingonish. Slight delay and detour in picking up clubs from Aunt Charlotte and liquid refreshments taken on at Bras dIOr tavern to cure ills of previous night.

 

Trip to Ingonish quietly enjoyed by all, total afternoon spent on Golf Course with Don Aker playing a very deliberate and cautious game (concluded that a well placed kick gets better results), Bill Rybachuk hit the fairway on occasion, Dave Coady excelled as he skipped one across the water onto the fairway and edged up to the green! At least Don had the courtesy to skip his across the bridge; however, one casualty was encountered when John Coady's golf cart gave up and subsequently strung from a tree. (Which foursome had the beer with no openers, better still, which foursome had no beer at all?)

 

                        A banquet thoroughly enjoyed at the Ski Chalet in Ingonish where Cas handed out the various prizes with the appropriate remarks (and we always thought he was such a nice guy) and the group of 8 proposing sufficient toasts to consume 6 bottles of wine (the waitress unimpressed with our aeronautics ability in attempting to pass the tab).

 

To our surprise a Cabaret was discovered in the basement of the Chalet where a swinging band was in session and the group joined in the festivities. (Did I hear someone say "YEAHOO!"  wherever did those golf prizes disappear to Nels and Art?)

 

The return trip was accurately navigated (those damn bridges kept dodging us) Appropriate "HYMNS" were sung along the way but arrived in safety at approximately 2:00 or 3:00 a.m.

 

 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 26th, 1972:

 

Overcast and intermittent rain, everybody assembled at house at approximately 12:00 noon. (Appropriate medicinal liquids distributed to cure the ills from the previous evening.)

 

                        Weather forced cancellation of picnic with accompanying tears of children who were corralled in the attic, thanks to Nelson and Wanda the children (including Patricia) were kept amused with games. Not to be outdone, an adult scavenger hunt was staged with an unusual assortment of clues prepared by Vince. The hunt com­menced to the thunder of stampeding adults (Mom said the house hadn't shook so much since hit by lightning) and ended with Lal under stack of clothes in the chute clutching a bottle of scotch which was the object of the hunt.

 

A picnic lunch was served at the house appropriately prepared by "Lick‑a‑Chick" served in the usual Boarding House style with appropriate refreshments.

 

The evening was devoted to stag night for both males and females with the men (still slightly paled and dazed from previous evenings encounter, but not willing to give up the fight) commencing at Bras d'Or tavern where the management was very democratic and would serve quarts of beer only (eh! Bill). Participated in pool game where Cas and Bill revealed their true talents and thence to Marneilles to take part in shuffleboard and various native dances with Nelson mastering the Highland Fling (when in Rome!) Then on to Beazer Carey's ("we're here, because we're here") (hasty retreat to trailer) for some further refreshments and engage in arm wrestling where Bill Rybachuk Presented. a strong challenge to‑Nelson and Cas (??!)

 

The evening still being young (2:30 or 3:00 a.m.) proceeded to Dr. Legacy's house for further refreshments (how about that over proof rum) and participated in card games until wee hours of morning (David managed to stay for breakfast unknown to anybody including Dr. Legacy and Liz). Wonder what Liz did with the she won from the boys in poker?

 

Ladies enjoyed refreshments at homestead and indulged in latest news for past 10 years (took till 4:00 a.m.) further spice was added with a touch of pizza.

 

 

THURSDAY, JULY 27th, 1972:

 

Cloudy, cool day with intermittent rain and most of day spent preparing for family dinner which was held at the homestead.

 

Tables, chairs, etc. all arranged, including flowers, wines, liquors and dinner prepared by the Bras d'Or C.W.L.

 

During the day it was learned that Aunt Charlotte suffered a minor heart attack and Regis McIntyre was not able to travel from Antigonish.

 

The guests that evening included Uncle Doctor and Aunt Emma, Uncle Dominic and Aunt Mary and Sister Catherine.

 

All ladies appeared radiantly dressed in beautiful gowns.

 

Dinner enjoyed by all with immediate family sitting at main table, in‑laws, aunts, uncles, children, etc. at the other tables.

 

Joe who acted as M.C. proposed a toast to Uncle Dominic and Aunt Mary, and another to Dad (the happy Irishman with the heavy hand until baptized by Art). Dominic replied reviewing the association between the Mancini and the Coady families.

 

Cas gave the toast to Mother and presented her with a family ring, a sentimental moment to say the least.

 

Art presented the toast to Uncle Doctor and Aunt Emma. Uncle Doctor replied and informed us that this was in fact the second Coady reunion he had attended, the other one having been held in 1935 at Andrew Coady's in Millville (Who would think he could ever survive two such reunions in one century?)

 

Eulalia proposed the toast to Sister Catherine, who in turn replied with her blessings.

 

John proposed the toast to Ted Sullivan (whatever did happen to that pony?)

 

Mother proposed a toast to the in‑laws and gave a general thanks, etc.

 

The evening was spent in singsong (song sheets provided by Sister Catherine), square dancing, etc. with Uncle Doctor providing the music at the piano, accompanied from time to time by Nelson (how about that duet by Lal and Patricia) (does anybody remember when it broke up?)

 

(Does anybody recall the last time they saw Bill Rybachuk drinking water? UGH!)

 

 

FRIDAY, JULY 28th, 1972:

 

Cloudy with intermittent rain, complete day spent organizing the evening dance for friends and relatives night.

 

The dance took place at the St. Pius Xth Hall in Sydney Mines and started at approximately 9:00 p.m., all family members in attendance (Don Aker a little late from Halifax but full of cheer when he arrived Air Canada "Cheer"  ).

 

Art welcomed everyone on behalf of the family, etc. and Vince Mancini spoke on behalf of friends and relatives.

 

Old acquaintances renewed, music good and enjoyable and closed off about 2:00 a.m. (Did I hear someone say "YEAHOO" again). (Wonder if "Michael ever got that boat ashore"?)

 

The group reassembled at the house in Bras d'Or, Uncle Doctor on the piano together with singsong, etc. and eventual breakup at daybreak or approximately 7:00 a.m.

 

 

 

 

SATURDAY, JULY 29th, 1972:

 

Overcast day, scheduled as a recovery day.

 

Some hearty souls ventured to Sydney to enjoy the renowned hospitality and good food of the Holiday Inn.

 

Arriving at the Inn without reservations they were subjected to a long dry wait in the lounge ( 1 hour = 1 drink??)

 

Ushered into dining room (stampede---) where had magnificent view of harbour and steel plant.

 

Menu promptly studied and selections made with anticipation (time passes--) orders taken-- (more time passes) cold soup arrives-- (much time passes) food shortage necessitates reordering-- (some chewing on napkins Lal!) some salads arrive - (some visibly drooling) -- time marches on - main course arrives amid confusion as kitchen had arbitrarily changed orders and the food was far from what had been anticipated. Participants consumed enough to regain energy to commence rebellion led by Ted and followed closely by Millie, when smoke of battle subsided a truce had been negotiated at 1/2 price of all the meals; exit the hungry and weary sigh of relief from the staff.

 

Late Saturday evening spent at homestead imbibing in usual drinks, singsongs featuring Dr. Kelly with Irish songs, jokes and stories with Ted joining in with his own repertoire from time to time.

 

ODDS AND ENDS:

 

Sydney Mines liquor commission raided daily by thirsty bandits-- forgot their guns so had to leave money!

 

Patricia; we know our parties are good but do you have to run over your babysitters car in the rush to get there?

 

Ted surely has a way with the kids, kept them running to the store with empty bottles.

 

How about those adaptable house rules by Mom at the card tables.

 

And where did Uncle Doc and Aunt Emma find the energy to participate so thoroughly all week, certainly an inspiration to the rest of us who nearly collapsed mid week.

 

That expedition to pick up the lobsters, so ably led by Chief Scout Ted, thoroughly enjoyed by the participants’ - what expedition with Ted is not enjoyable and enlightening.

 

Doreen must be part magician the way those funds kept disappearing talk about liquid assets!

 

Don't six kids in one car constitute a moving infraction on the highway Joe?

 

8

 

By the way Nelson and John, we understand that the long arm of the law still hasn't solved the case of a truck which disappeared for a short time on the day of the dance, could it possibly have any connection with the one you borrowed (!!) to haul supplies for the dance?

 

And how many ever realized, while we were growing up, that the difference between having steak and bologna on Monday depended on the turn of a card the previous night at the local casino? Seems we had plenty steak!!

 

(GOOD LUCK - GOD BLESS TILL THE NEXT ONE)