To pay tribute to the closing schools and the students, teachers, and other key people who played an important part of growing up in these communities, a reunion weekend is planned for August 27-29.  This fun-filled weekend dubbed “Two Schools, One Spirit” features a number of activities including a meet and greet, Teacher’s Tea, and last tours of the closing schools.  The headline event The Last Dance will give former students an opportunity to relive the excitement of prom night.  A full schedule of events is located at www.uppermiramichi.ca.

Committee Co-Chair Sharon Clowater is excited to be part of the planning.  “We’re seeing registrations from BC, Ontario and all places in between,” she said.  “With nearly 150 years of education between the two communities, we are expecting a large crowd coming home and reuniting.”

Registration is required and all forms are located at www.uppermiramichi.ca.  In addition to attending the scheduled events, registration will also provide a variety of prize opportunities.  After all costs are covered, additional monies from the registrations will be allocated to youth and youth programming in the respective communities.

“We see this reunion as an opportunity to invest in the children and youth of these areas,” said Clowater.  “There are a number of youth and school programs that deserve assistance and we hope former students will register and know they have given back to their communities.”

If you are a former graduate, teacher, custodian, bus driver or anyone connected with either of the communities, register and come home for a reunion that will allow you to reconnect with old friends and relive the memories of school days.  For more information, please contact Sarah Carson-Pond at uppermiramichiclerk@nb.aibn.com or 506-369-9810.

L to R: Upper Miramichi Rural Community Mayor, Scott Clowater; Doaktown Primary School principal, Cynthia Mitchell; Upper Miramichi High School secretary, Irma O’Donnell; McNamee Recreation Council president, Ashely Price, McNamee Come Home committee chair, Lorne Amos; Upper Miramichi Elementary School principal, Brenda O’Donnell.

Submitted by Viola Savage

“Come Home to the River – McNamee 2009″ organizing committee finally achieved a hopeful vision we’ve had for the past 16 months. From the initial planning stages, we hoped to be able to give something back to the community and we’ve now seen that hope become a reality.

On November 22, 2009 at the McNamee Recreation Centre, committee chairperson, Lorne Amos, officially presented financial donations to groups and schools in the area. The donations were surplus funds from the August 2009 homecoming event.

Seeing the surprised and happy faces certainly made all the work well worthwhile. We certainly couldn’t have done this without the help of dedicated volunteers and generous contributions by so many. WE THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Presentation Information

1). McNamee Recreation Centre – Total of $4,300.
President of the McNamee Recreation Council, Ashley Price, accepted the following donations:
(a) New kitchen stove
(b) Upgrade heating system
(c) Upgrade driveway
(d) Children’s playground – $2,500

2). Rural Community of Upper Miramichi – $850 for perpetual care of the homecoming monument & flowering crab trees. Mayor Scott Clowater accepted the donation.

3). Upper Miramichi Elementary School – $500 for the school library + $560 to the school’s breakfast program. Principal Brenda O’Donnell accepted the donations.

4). Doaktown Primary (Elementary) School – $500 for the school library + $560 to the school’s breakfast program. Principal Cynthia Mitchell accepted the donations.

5). “Come Home to the River – McNamee 2009” Scholarships
Doaktown Consolidated High School – $750 – Principal Barbara Long was unable to attend. Cynthia Mitchell, principal of Doaktown Primary School, accepted the donation on Ms. Long’s behalf.
Upper Miramichi Regional High School – $750 – Irma O’Donnell, long time secretary at UMRHS, accepted the donation on behalf of the school.

6). Central New Brunswick Academy – New School Library – $1,000 – Scott Clowater, accepted this donation.

7). Commemorative plaques were also presented:
McNamee Recreation Center – Presented by Come Home to the River Vice-Chairperson, Floyd Amos, to Ed Norton, Treasurer of the McNamee Recreation Council.
Upper Miramichi Elementary School – Presented by Come Home to the River committee member, Olga Ross, to UMES Principal Brenda O’Donnell.
Doaktown Primary School – Presented by Come Home to the River Treasurer & Fundraising Coordinator, Viola Savage, to DPS Principal Cynthia Mitchell.
Central New Brunswick Academy – Presented by Come Home to the River committee member, Jimmy Stewart, to Rural Community of Upper Miramichi Mayor Scott Clowater.

Homecoming monument August 16, 2009 L to R: Juanita Long, Doris Stewart, Phoebe Clowater, Perley Clowater, Mabel O'Donnell, John Stewart, Lena O'Donnell

by Viola Savage

In February 2008, several members of the Facebook group “McNamee on the Mighty Miramichi” began discussions regarding a McNamee reunion – perhaps an afternoon picnic at the Footbridge.  Support for this idea provided the momentum that brought us to August 14, 15, & 16, 2009 – a three day event packed with fun and activities, certainly a long way from the initial afternoon picnic idea.  An August 19, 2008 public meeting at the McNamee Recreation Center for all those interested in organizing a homecoming event led to the formation of an ad hoc planning committee.  And, to coin that old expression, “the rest is history.”

During the weekend of August 14, 15 & 16, 2009, more than 600 people descended upon McNamee, NB and surrounding communities (Priceville, Porter Cove, Ludlow, New Bandon, Carroll’s Crossing and the villages of Doaktown and Boiestown) to attend this “first ever” homecoming event.  Attendance numbers alone speak for the success of Come Home to the River – McNamee 2009.  People who attended the homecoming came from not only the Miramichi area and NB but also travelled from all parts of Canada, the United States, Europe, Brazil and Peru.

The weekend opened early Friday morning with onsite registrations and continuous day-long  Meet & Greet festivities.  A Friday evening Jamboree hosted by Waldo Dudley & his band, Miramichi Country, played to a full house at the McNamee Recreation Center featuring numerous and talented artists from the area.

Delicious and extremely well organized meals for the homecoming weekend were provided by St. James Anglican Church, Scouts Canada (BBQ), United Church of Boiestown, McNamee Pentecostal Assembly Church, Ludlow Recreation Council, McNamee Pentecostal Youth Group (BBQ), McNamee Orange Lodge, Carroll’s Crossing Anglican Church, Boiestown Lion’s Club and The Masonic Lodge.

L to R: Helen Allard Campbell, Viola O'Donnell Savage, Lena O'Donnell

The busy and enjoyable homecoming weekend included ball games, canoe races, a golf tournament, jam session at the Footbridge, afternoon tea at the Wilson Family homestead, a Saturday morning Country Market, entertainment by Perley the Magician, continuous weekend activities for children, story telling at the Wilson homestead, interdenominational Church service and gospel concert on Sunday.  Sunday activities also included a memorial tree planting ceremony (2 flowering crab trees donated by Upper Miramichi Rural Community which flank the monument designed by David Price Jr.) and dedication by Rev. Cole Price of the Come Home to the River monument.  The monument houses a time capsule which will be opened in 2044.  Just to name a few items included in the time capsule – stories & paintings by children who attended Come Home to the River event, Rev. Cole Price’s dedication speech, photographs, a copy of Come Home to the River book, and a list of registered homecoming attendees.

The homecoming committee extends a special and sincere thank you to everyone who helped us during this past year.  We certainly could not have done this without your help.

Committee members:

Executive:
Chairperson – Lorne Amos, Gray Rapids, NB
Secretary & Registration Coordinator – Sharon (Stewart) Clark, Fredericton, NB
Treasurer & Fundraising Coordinator – Viola (O’Donnell) Savage, Douglas, NB
Alternate Chair – Floyd Amos, Fredericton, NB
Public Relations – Roger Clowater, Aurora, ON
Volunteer Coordinator – Euphemia (O’Donnell) Black, Boiestown, NB

Committee Members At Large:
Irva (Price) Larsen, Fredericton, NB
Jimmy Stewart, Boiestown, NB
James Dudley, Cambridge Narrows, NB
Olga Ross, Boiestown, NB
Bev Gaston, Doaktown, NB
Karen Swim, alternate member for Doaktown, NB