Kelsey Kindred Annual Reunion

On September 15th through the 18th a group of 44 Kindred members met in Niagara Falls, Canada for our annual reunion. Our reunion started on Friday evening with a hospitality night in our banquet room in the Oakes Hotel. We shared stories and spoke about past reunions.

Our annual meeting was held at 7:30 pm lasting for about 45 minutes. It was decided that the next reunion would be held in Mystic, CT, leaving the details to be handled by the Kindred board. We voted to create a position called Information Technology Officer of the Kindred. Bob Kelsey has been doing this job for many years without recognition. It involves maintaining and upgrading our website. We also voted to add an honorary vice president for the line of Hester. The title will go to Jayne Craven Caldwell, presently our only Hester descendent, for all her hard work for the Kindred. We enjoyed our evening and spoke of our plans for the following morning. At 10 pm, after ending our meeting, some members got to enjoy the fireworks over the falls.

Saturday started off a little cloudy but we were in luck! By the time we shuttled all the attendees to the Maid of the Mist the day turned sunny. Of course we were all issued the standard raincoats and climbed on board the Maid. The ride was a lot of fun. It was wet but beautiful. The power of the water is amazing. We returned back to the docks and headed back to the upper level. The afternoon was free for all to do as they wished. Some attended the Imax Theater for a special movie of Niagara Falls, others enjoyed the parks, shopping, swimming in the hotel pool and of course the casino!

The banquet happy hour began and group pictures were taken before our meal. The dinner choices of roast beef, chicken or ham were enjoyed by all. After dinner we held our annual trivia contest. This year of course our questions were all about Niagara Falls and the area. We actually offered a number of multiple choice questions because everyone was free to do what they wanted instead of following a regular tour. The trivia was such a hit that the waitresses and waiters were even getting involved. Of course we handed out the big money for each correct answer. The winners of the trivia received the table decorations for their hard work and brain power!

Sunday morning we said goodbye, then pursued other sight seeing or headed for home. Though our time together was short it was enjoyable and we look forward to the next reunion in 2007.

-- Submitted by Paula Carter