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Tflfate Volume 2 2004 Number 1 Tflfate Volume 2 2004 Number 1 WHITE FAMILY REUNION TO BE HELD IN OTTAWA FAMILY THEATRE PARTY JULY 28-31,2005 SET FOR JANUARY 15 Ottawa, Ontario is an excellent location for the next White Family On Saturday, January 15, 2005, Reunion! The capital of Canada is a picturesque, vibrant, welcoming city at 2:00 p.m., the White family will that is easy to reach by air, by land... even by water! sponsor a theatre party to Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. to see the The conference committee is working hard to make sure that this musical Hallelujah, Baby! Winner of first-ever Ottawa reunion is an extremely enjoyable experience for the 1968 Tony Award for Best everyone. Here are some of the activities being planned for your visit: Musical, Hallelujah, Baby! follows a young woman from decade to * opportunities to welcome new family members and salute our decade as she dreams of trading in elders her maid's mop for the excitement of * the Family History Seminar the stage. Along the way, she faces * an updated and expanded Family Tree head-on the challenges of a society * the return of the famous White Family Talent Show! struggling with segregation, * the ever-popular, always-exciting Family Auction! economic hardships, two world wars, * Game Night with Lome White and the momentous fight for civil * a celebration of the life of acclaimed concert singer rights. Living legend Arthur Laurents, Portia White who wrote the musical's book and * shopping and sight-seeing excursions directed the Broadway production, * visits to the National Archives and the Museum of will direct Arena Stage's production Civilization of this compelling and engaging * Family Quiz with prizes musical. * dinner in the Panorama Room of the National Arts Centre * a chance to pose for the 2005 Family Photograph Take the opportunity to see the * an evening of music and dancing with a fabulous African band work of one of the masters of * the Sunday morning church service American musical theatre and enjoy dinner with family following the show. Home base for the reunion will be the stately Lord Elgin Hotel (website As a bonus, depending upon the www.lordelginhotel.ca). Comfortable, well-appointed, and recently number of participants, the family renovated, this historic hotel has a new fitness centre, a new indoor treasury may benefit from the event. swimming pool, and a new restaurant, along with excellent meeting facilities. The Lord Elgin is located in the downtown area, close to A flyer for the theatre party is landmarks such as the National Arts Centre, the Rideau Canal, the enclosed with this newsletter. Canadian Parliament Buildings, and the lively Market Area, with easy Encourage family and friends to join access to museums, art galleries, restaurants, and clubs. And just across you for what is sure to be an the Ottawa River in the province of Quebec, Gatineau Park offers a wealth enjoyable day in Washington. of natural beauty. Mark Your Calendar Our special reunion hotel rate is $128 (Canadian) per night... that's for the next less than $100 US. To reserve your room now, call toll-free family theatre party 1-800-267-4298 and mention "White Family Reunion" to receive the April 30, 2005 discount. Reunion registration materials will be mailed to you in early at Arena Stage spring. The Piano Lesson July 28 to 31, 2005... Please mark these dates on your calendar (or by August Wilson your Palm Pilot) right away. And, let's all meet in Ottawa! By Chris White winner of the 2005 Reunion Chair 1990 Putlitzer Prize 2004 Reunion Mghligkts The White Family Reunion "Completing the Circle while Engaging Family members are still basking in the glow of the wonderful 2003 reunion the Generations" weekend. Among the many reunion highlights are: Was the theme for the reunion this year. We are an accomplished, talented and >• The opening ceremony with family parade and multicolored family flags energetic family, Facing each day we live without fear! * The attendance at the reunion for the very first time of the descendants of Hezekiah Rufus White and the descendants of Charlie Harris This is the tenth White family reunion, but, it is the first one for me! * The screening of Honour Before Glory, the documentary film about This is truly an awesome experience! Captain William Andrew White and the World War I Canadian There are so many relatives with smiling Construction Battalion faces to see! * The tour of Spirit of the Motherland, the wonderful collection of African So many times, while talking about my art at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts immediate family, I find my eyes starting to tear! *• The banquet speaker Rex Ellis who educated, entertained, and stimulated My brother Bobby, would especially enjoy this! >• The 300-inch wide family tree that contained more than 1300 names I miss him! He is no longer here! *• The very moving candlelight service in memory of recently departed As I entered the auditorium, on the family members second floor of the hotel, To view the movie that was being *• The church service that we conducted at Zion Baptist Church in King shown, and Queen, the church that counts Andrew and Isabella White among its I looked around at all the people there! founders I can claim each of you as my own! >• The wonderful spirit of kinship and camaraderie that pervaded the entire I think that God will continue, reunion, as expressed in the following commentary by Irene Harris: To bless each member of this clan! We must keep a steadfast faith in God! The reunion was an experience I will never forget. While I was at the banquet, He is the greatest friend to man! there was a moment when I simply paused and gazed around the room that I felt spirits around me and when I looked up toward the ceiling I would swear that I God bless each one of the White family, could see various faces which formed a circle above us and they all held smiles reflecting happiness and pride. IT WAS AWESOME!!!!! And all those I have yet to see! God has been good to us all! FAMILY DUES Now DUE Remember, the best is yet to be! Each adult family member is asked to pay biennial family dues in the amount Leonora A. Wyatt Granddaughter of Hezekiah Rufus White of $25 per person. Dues help to defray ongoing family expenses such as the July 30, 2003 newsletter and other mailings, and the ongoing genealogical effort. Dues also provide the foundation for the family reunion budget, and should be paid by The White Family Focus family members, their spouses, and their significant others. P.O. Box 6009 Richmond, Virginia 23222 Please make checks payable to White Family Reunion. Family members in (804)321-1206 Canada and the United Kingdom should send their checks for $25 to Chris White, [email protected] 20 Adelaide Street, Ottawa, ON Kl S 3S1. Family members in the United States Bessida Cauthorne White, Editor should send their checks for $25 to Lauren Bladen-White, 249 8th Street, NE, Contributors: Chris White, Sheila White, Apt. 101, Washington, DC 20002. Please submit your checks promptly, but at Vivian White, Linda Wyatt-Simpson, least by January 31, 2005. The payment of dues well in advance of the reunion Leonora A. Wyatt Special thanks to all of those persons will allow the reunion planning committee to create a timely reunion budget. who submitted Relative Tidbits Page 2 2004 My Family As we look to the future Bus TO 2005 REUNION Great achievements will be made. Today, I met my family. Just remember from Plans are being made to charter And Oh, what a beautiful sight! whence we started a bus from Virginia to the 2005 There were so many smiling faces Which began with a Negro slave. family reunion. Do consider this With love that shined so bright. opportunity to travel in comfort, at a Who ever would imagine reasonable rate, and in the com- Our welcome was outstanding Having relatives so great. pany of family and friends. For a missing piece was sealed. One who assisted Booker T. The progeny of and another The bus will originate in central Hezekiah Rufus White Who sang opera in New York State. Virginia (likely in Tappahannock as Was finally revealed. in 1999). Again, if there are A film based on the diary interested persons in the DC With arms open to embrace Of Rev. William Andrew White metropolitan area, the bus will stop in Northern Virginia/Maryland. And loving warmth within. A man of courage and dignity Family members and friends in Each family member greeted us Who fought for black soldiers rights. Baltimore, Delaware, Pennsylvania, And wondered where we've been. and South Jersey will also have the The author is a member of the opportunity to join the trip since the As they introduced themselves White Family clan. bus will be travel North on Interstate And of course- their family tie. One who brings great 95. An overwhelming feeling of love "Honour Before Glory" Quickly filled my eyes. of a fine military man. Round trip fare for adults will be $150; for college students and I never thought my family I am fueled by all these findings younger children the fare will be Was any more than I had known. Of the White Family Tree. $90. Registration forms for the bus The stories I was told today Its abundant history revealed trip will be mailed early next year. Showed just how much it had grown. For all the world to see.
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