Posted by Fig Tree News Team on September 01, 2001 at 10:31:31:
Annual Harbour Island reunion draws more than 400 people
More than 400 people gathered in Miami recently for the 25th anniversary of the Harbour Island Family Reunion. It was an event months in the making, and during the event
members of the family that originated in Harbour Island in the Bahamas got together for a weekend of fun and reminiscing.
``We need to get together,'' said family member Lena Alma Higgs Canty, who moved to Miami in 1953 from Harbour Island.
The families represented included Albury, Barry, Bethel, Cash, Clear, Curry, Fisher, Grant, Higgs, Johnson, Major, Roberts, Saunders, Sawyer, Stirrup, Sweeting and Walker.
After attending several funerals in Miami year after year, Canty said a group of people from Harbour Island and their descendants who lived in Miami agreed to travel to Tampa for a get-together in 1975. The group was so large that it was the beginning of the ultimate family reunion.
Since then, reunions have taken place in Canada, Nassau, New York and Fort Lauderdale. One year it took place on a cruise ship.
Included in this year's reunion were a family picnic at Oleta Park, a get-acquainted gathering at the Miccosukee Resort and Convention Center, a nighttime event with dancing and games at the Joseph Caleb Center and a banquet at the Miccosukee Resort.
Topping it off was the annual worship service at Martin Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church. ``Or roots are spread throughout the land, and God has been good to us,'' Canty said. ``So let us continue to give Him praise. Let it be known we are a family that really sticks together.''