Title
To recognize the Ways-Lakes Family on the occasion of their 55th Annual Family Reunion and to celebrate and reflect upon their rich heritage.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus and the members of Columbus City Council are proud to honor and celebrate the rich traditions, culture, and heritage that comes with the benefits of living in and being a part of a family as family represents more than the quality of one’s imagination, family epitomizes the triumph of courage over fear and the very future success of our community; and
WHEREAS, The Columbus Chapter of the Ways-Lakes Family Reunion is proud to welcome the Ways - Lakes Family to Columbus, Ohio - we recognize that representatives will be coming from across the country and we are excited that you have chosen to visit Columbus for this Labor Day Weekend Reunion - a tradition that has continued since 1964; and
WHEREAS, this year, the 2019 Reunion will convene on August 30th and continue through September 1st at the Renaissance Hotel located in downtown Columbus; The theme of this year’s reunion will be “WE ARE THE HARVEST,” reminding us that the heritage of the past brings forth the harvest of our future; and
WHEREAS, this year members of our local family have been busy finalizing plans for a memorable weekend which will include: A Cookout and Fish Fry; A Reunion “Day” Party; a Family Worship Service which will celebrate the Lord’s Supper; a Sunday Harvest Dinner; and many other opportunities to Experience Columbus first hand; and
WHEREAS, 2019 will be the seventh time that the Reunion has gathered to celebrate in Columbus - The Columbus Chapter is rooted in the Gilbert and Irene Lakes branch of the Family, which migrated from Hogansville, Georgia to Ohio during the 1940’s and 50’s - The idea of a family reunion originated from gleaming conversations between two of our families most beloved matriarchs, Mrs. Louise McDowdell and Mrs. Allie Long, who would talk “across their back fences” in Dayton, Ohio - while the course of the initial talk was sadness, sickness, death and things that life has to offer, changing the conversation to more pleasant things came as a result of Louise’s idea for a party to bring the family together to meet and be merry - this meeting was called together at the home of Allie and after much discussion the first family reunion was planned for September 4, 1964 - More than 100 family members and friends would gather at Eastwood Park located in Dayton, Ohio for the first glorious family reunion; and
WHEREAS, the family has gathered annually since this time - reunions have been held in Dayton, Columbus, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Orlando, Las Vegas, and in LaGrange and Atlanta, Georgia; 2016 represented one of the most celebrated reunions as it was held in Washington, D.C. and more than 100 family members came together to visit the White House during President Obama’s last term; and
WHEREAS, in 1997 Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley stated that, “The strength and solidity of family life generate the very heart of our society, and is fundamental to the strength and well-being of our nation,” now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby honor, recognize and celebrate the Ways-Lakes Family on the occasion their 55th Annual Family Reunion and thanks you for celebrating this rich family tradition in our community.