by Mel Chamberlain
I recall the year I turned six (1945), several people asked me if I was going to school tomorrow; I had the feeling they already knew and I hadn’t told anyone.
For many years a few senior ladies were in charge of making tea; they set up in the summer kitchen with the wood stove fired up and the steam flying and lots of chatter. I watched, quietly.
Later on I recall the excitement of setting up the tables the morning of the picnic, wrestling them from the upstairs of the machine shed, carrying them up the hill and setting up on the front lawn. Uncle Percy rallied the early arrivers together to make the job easier. On a couple of occasions the weather was very hot and the tables were set up at the bottom of the hill, a cool idea but not very convenient for food handling.
Consistent over the years has been the singing of the blessing “Be Present at Our Table, Lord”. It was led by a few ladies with good singing voices and more recently by a mass choir assembled prior to the meal.
We had races with the cousins; I don’t recall prizes, bragging rights only. I think as growing boys, dinner turned into a bit of a pie-eating contest.
A highlight in the earlier years was an exciting afternoon baseball game held on the horse pasture complete with competitive pitchers and some cajoling. More recently well organized games for the younger relatives have been led by volunteers–well enjoyed by participants and spectators.
Mel (left) and gang catching a ride to the ball field (also known as horse pasture) in 1988.
Of course the greatest memory is the opportunity of visiting with our extended family over the years and remembering those who are no longer with us.
We are so fortunate that our forefathers, particularly Thomas Daniel Chamberlain and Dave Eason, had the foresight back in 1921 to organize the first Chamberlain Picnic for their siblings and their families. It has continued for almost 100 years on the original Chamberlain Homestead, a record that few families if any have achieved.