For over 50 years (except for the COVID years), we’ve kept our family reunions going strong, and each one has been special in its own way. We are thrilled to share highlights from our unforgettable 2024 Henson/Nevels Family Reunion weekend in Dresden, Ontario at the Josiah Henson Museum of African-Canadian History! To those who couldn’t attend, you were greatly missed, and we can’t wait to see you at the next one!
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Our reunion kicked off with a bit of urgency! The reunion shirts were finally ready after some printing issues, but the last-minute correction added to the excitement. Ron, with Michelle’s help, worked tirelessly into the evening to ensure every shirt was accounted for and organized. After hours of teamwork and setup, the shirt orders were ready for distribution—just in time for the big weekend.
Friday, August 9, 2024
Friday kicked off with excitement and energy as Yul and Michelle started early, ensuring that everything was in place for the reunion’s big afternoon start. The hotel manager generously gifted our family with welcome bags and handy bag clips to be distributed during registration. As committee members arrived at the hotel, they quickly jumped in to assist at the registration table, ensuring a smooth check-in for all family members.
One of the highlights of the day was celebrating Kam’s birthday. Mia introduced us to her son, Kam, and as soon as he arrived, Michelle made his day by gifting him his first $5 bill. It was a sweet moment that set the tone for the rest of his birthday celebrations. While Teresa, Sean, Connie, and little Kam were busy helping check people in and distributing reunion T-shirts, Mia continued to multitask on her laptop, completing some work duties in the hotel lobby.
Emma later joined us to keep Kam entertained while the committee stayed busy with registration duties. As more family members poured in, the atmosphere grew livelier with smiles, hugs, and plenty of laughter as everyone reunited and received their official reunion shirts.
The evening came to a perfect close with an impromptu dinner at JJ’s Roadhouse, where a group of family members enjoyed a night of good food, live blues music, and some unexpected birthday magic. The live band, after hearing it was Kam’s special day, serenaded him with “Happy Birthday” and invited him up to the stage. To everyone’s surprise and delight, Kam got to join the drummer and guitar player for a special jam session. The crowd cheered him on as he banged on the drums, and when his performance was over, the drummer presented Kam with his very own set of drumsticks. As if that wasn’t enough, the restaurant gave him his first tip as a drummer!
It was a magical moment for Kam and the perfect way to end a day filled with family, fun, and love. Everyone left JJ’s Roadhouse with full hearts and excitement for the next day’s events.
Saturday, August 10, 2024
Saturday was a day of reflection and pride as we gathered at the historic Uncle Tom’s Cabin in Dresden. The museum staff gave a moving tour and presentation about Josiah Henson’s role in the Underground Railroad and his connection to our family. Walking the same grounds as our ancestors gave us all a profound sense of our rich heritage.
We were also excited to offer some special commemorative items this year:
- Josiah Henson Coin: A beautiful tribute to Josiah Henson’s legacy, featuring his face and powerful words, “I shall use my freedom well.”
- Family Reunion Wristband: A wearable token to remember the love and unity we shared this weekend.
- Bright Red T-shirt: Proudly displaying the words “From these Roots,” with our family tree design—a reminder of our strong, enduring legacy.
The afternoon brought fun for all ages, with our annual raffle being a major highlight. Kristal Anthony continued her winning streak, walking away with several prizes, and Rick Dunham won the 50/50 cash prize. Games, laughter, and heartfelt moments filled the day as we celebrated together.
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Our weekend wrapped up with a beautiful Sunday brunch at the Hampton Inn. We shared tributes to family members past and present, listened to a thoughtful sermon from cousin Damon Green, Sr., and prayed together, led by cousin Stephanie. Poems, stories, and family memories were shared, leaving us all with full hearts as we said our goodbyes.
Looking Ahead
We’ll be sending out a survey in the coming weeks to gather your feedback and suggestions for future reunions. We also have exciting news to share in our next newsletter, so stay tuned!
Don’t forget to visit our family website: www.hensonnevelsfamily.com for any updates, to view the picture gallery (2024 is not up yet), and to shop for reunion merchandise. We are fully online now, so all newsletters and communications will be sent via email going forward. If you know of anyone who needs to be added to our email list, please have them contact us here: Contact Us.
Thank you to everyone who made this reunion so special, and a big shoutout to the Canadian Family Reunion Committee for their hospitality and hard work. Until next time, let’s carry the spirit of this reunion with us!