Weeks Island Reunion — 50 years since ejection

Published 8:00 am Sunday, May 5, 2019

Family reunions come in all forms — direct decendants or mixed families — but the tie that binds is something shared. The multiple family and mixed generations who gathered at Weeks Park in Lydia last Saturday share memories of living as a village cohabitating on an island where the men worked, the women raised children who played together and life was ideal — until it ended.

Nothing in life is perfect, but for the more than 200 residents and their families, a new generation to hear the stories of a simple life drew lots of stories, memories, smiles and best wishes. The organizing committee had a dry run last year for the 49th anniversary of the company owners making the decision to shut down the village. One young girl, now a grandmother, remembers rent was $14 when the 1969 closure took place. In some cases, people had already relocated for other work, or family transitions, but the fondness for life on the island brought many back together for the 50th Reunion April 27.

A brisk wind kept the outdoor pavilion cool while people visited with family members gathering with picnic baskets, listening to speakers and waiting to hear their winning doorprize number called. Children played, old people talked or sat and listened. All ages were delighted to be together remembering simpler times when they lived selfcontained on a beautiful Louisiana salt dome island before school or work forced them out into the world.