"Sound Bubbles rippling in the "Goudey" gene pool"

Goudey Gathering 1998
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia

Hello, we want to welcome you to this rather unique listening experience. During July of 1998, after 2 years of exhaustive planning by a few very dedicated people the first "Goudey Gathering" took place in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. This unique union of people proved once again that wisdom comes' more from living life rather than from studying books.

The recording starts with an introduction from "Stephen E. Goudey" of Fredericton, New Brunswick, one of the co-organizers of the event. It should be known that Steve had no intentions of archiving this "Gathering­ on tape for anyone but himself when he pushed the "record" button on the first evening of the first day. It just kind of took on a life of it's own. It was soon realized that this tape should be shared with all of his new global family.

Over the next year with the help of Barry Megquier's production magic and Ken Goudey's digital expertise, the cassette became a reality for us all to enjoy.

After the brief intro, the recording begins at an informal gathering in Jacqueline Goudey-Megquier and Barry Megquier's room at the Colony Inn, Yarmouth during the first evening of the event. All present were trying to pull together some songs for the closing banquet on Sunday evening at the "Yarmouth Golf and Country Club." (Considering the fact that most of these people had never met before it is rather amazing to hear the relaxed and warm tones of the voices)

The next segment takes place at Shannon Goudey-Muise and Ted Muise's home in Yarmouth after the Sunday evening banquet. Cousins meet for the first time, the young bond and a new sense of family is developed.

The next "time bubble" explodes with voices at the closing ceremony at the Yarmouth Museum on the Monday morning after the "Goudey March" through the town, from the hotel. Voices are heard from all people present in the museum during the tea. The closing comments began with wonderful words from the other Co-organizer of this event, Chuck Goudey of California, whose hard work and dedication brought this event from a plan to a successful conclusion in two years. Chuck was followed by Michel Goudey from France and speeches from many other very unique individuals participating in the event. (Again listen to the tone and try to see the faces in your mind. These people had bonded. This was a special time.)

The tape moves forward now to "Mountain Cemetery," among the "Ghosts" of the past few days' memories, 2 days after the "Gathering" when Steve, with chapel bells chiming in the back ground, was trying to draw some conclusions in his mind to the past event.

We then go full circle to where the "Gathering" had begun a few short days' earlier, "Frost Park" where most of us had been introduced as strangers. With the sound of the fountains cascading water shooting wonderfully in the background, we try to capture what began here. Can you hear the sounds and remember the place in your mind?

The last section of the recording captures a special moment in which Uncle Steve gives the final word to the so-called "Anti Goud." Do you remember who that could be? Don't ya love a mystery?

"Life" is about Memories. "Time" is about creating good ones. We hope the "Gathering" left you with a warm, fuzzy feeling that lets you know that you are never ever alone on this big "Blue Marble" we call earth. If you got anything from out time together, "Ya got to love that?"