2001 Price Family Reunion
Early Friday afternoon, June 29th, family members started appearing at registration desks of the Quebec hotels at which they were staying to participate in the Reunion. By mid-afternoon in the lobby of the headquarters hotel, Auberge Saint-Antoine, groups of family members were greeting each other, some having not seen each other in decades (literally).
Shortly before six o'clock, people could be seen, drinks in hand, on the balcony of Cousin Bill Glassco's rue St. Pierre flat overlooking the back of the Auberge. The invasion had begun! By 7PM the Reunion was well underway, by this time including the younger set, who had taken over the second floor of Bill's digs. The rest of us jammed the enormous main floor, and the decibel level kept rising. This writer had lost track of time when someone announced that the party was continuing at club Maurice, former residence of Sir William and Lady Price, on Grande Allée, more recently the headquarters of the late (but not necessarily lamented) Union Nationale political party. Those of us with the stamina, AKA forty-something and younger, repaired to that destination; the rest of us enjoyed a late dinner or simply collapsed in our hotel rooms.
Saturday morning found us with somewhat changeable weather, but definitely acceptable to launch the walking tour of old Quebec. The most memorable part was the visit to Price House, in which many of us saw the upper floors for the first time. A great deal of history of the Family, including construction of the building itself, was on view for all of us. The building, now owned by the Quebec government, is headquarters for Caisse de Depot, the public employees' pension fund, and is a fully functional office building for this organization. Most intriguing was the state in which the boardroom and several of the senior Price executives' offices were preserved, as well as the magnificent views from those floors. Portraits of both Sir William and Uncle Jack were also on display.
Early in the afternoon a fleet of school buses lined up to transport us to the Island (of Orleans), and we soon found ourselves at Cousin Evan's, confronted with an enormous barbeque, ample bar, and tennis and playing fields in abundance for those so inclined (mostly kids). The rest of us spent a splendid afternoon relaxing in gorgeous weather and continuing to renew old friendships. And the kids (the boys anyway), went at it on the tennis court and football field. At the end of the afternoon they all appeared to have made each other's acquaintance, and upon reflection, the young ones getting to know each other is, in a large sense, what our Reunion was all about.
That evening we were treated to the unusual experience of dining and dancing in l'Ancienne Chapelle du Seminaire, a former church, intact with all the religious symbols, stained glass windows, and altar, located on the old Laval University campus. Following a beautifully catered dinner by the Chateau Frontenac, Cousin/Uncle Tony mounted the podium and led us in a rousing rendition of "Down Where the Saguenay Flows". After some follow-up remarks from members of the Committee, a Chilean band started playing with a vengeance, to which everyone present jumped on the floor and started swaying in rhythm. Then the kids got into the act, and in fact were the last ones on the floor when the band stopped playing.
On Sunday, a few hardy souls gathered bright-eyed-and-bushy-tailed in the lobby of the Auberge for an early morning workout along rue Dalhousie on the waterfront. The rest of us rose at a more civilized hour, in time to attend the 11AM Communion service at the Anglican Cathedral of Holy Trinity. For the older folks it was a poignant and sometimes emotional occasion, with so many memories of previous generations whom we knew so well. The Family was honoured at the service, and the Royal Coat of Arms, refurbished with help from family members, was rededicated. Following the service an attempt was made at a formal family photograph, but au moment critique, just as the photographer had everyone lined up and was ready to shoot, the heavens opened, the instinctive dash for cover ensuing. How many actually appear in the picture remains to be seen (Ed note: as you will see below it appears most of us did).
On Sunday evening, following a reception on the terrace next to the Auberge lobby, we descended to the Cabaret de Champlain for the grand finale dinner. And what an event it was! M. de Champlain himself put in an appearance, and had everyone guessing the make-up of his sword handle. The décor of the banquet hall was exceptional, creating a Nouvelle France ambience, with a menu to match. Following dinner, Cousin Evan conducted a "This Price Is Right" quiz in the auditorium adjacent to the banquet hall, in which the Harrys distinguished themselves by placing first, and even the S.L.U.T.s put in a creditable performance.
Too soon it was all over, but we have memories which will always be present. Thank you from the entire Family to the Committee for a wonderful experience.