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Our relatives in the Minto area are quite aware of the Pike Lake location and its facilities which have been changing over the passing years. The lake occupies one hundred acres and has been privately owned since the pioneer days. It is four miles west of Mount Forest and about eight miles (12.6 km) north of the sites originally settled by the Ross immigrants in Minto. The white pavilion, once visible from the road, continued to be popular as a dance hall at the time of the pictures shown. A resort hotel, cottages and a golf course were all developed over the years, and the owners operated a year round business. The first Ross Reunion was held there during the peak period of its popular use as a picnic area. 
One tradition, which began with the first family picnic, was the singing of grace before the pot luck lunch.Be present at our table, Lord; Be here and everywhere adored; These mercies bless, and grant that we May feast in Paradise with Thee.
It is sung to the same music as the seventeenth century doxology (number 625 in the United Church Hymnary). Persons standing close to me may have overheard me singing a variation upon the last line.May with our lives give thanks to Thee.
No, I wasn't at the first reunion, but it was close enough. I was born nine months later, as was my cousin Ruth (Ross) Trafford (A3C3). Since a reunion was cancelled during World War II, we are constantly reminded of our age by the number of the reunion. However, she insists that I'm much older than she is (by eleven days)! |
