Saturday’s reunion of Classic Niagara-on-the-Lake at Legion Branch 124 was a breeding ground for much-needed catch-ups and chats reminiscing on days gone by.

Classic Niagara-on-the-Lake is a Facebook group with around 3,000 members that’s a space for NOTLers of the past and present to reconnect and reminisce. 

This year marked the group’s eighth annual get-together, where groups of NOTLers who once met in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s could reconnect, drink and be merry.

Diane Gee Shrive, one of the group’s administrators, got a surprise visit of her own. 

Among the 150 guests was Gee Shrive’s brother Brian, who drove in all the way from Peterborough. 

It had been two years since the siblings had last seen each other, she said.

“I had no idea he was coming,” she told The Lake Report.

The siblings have a six-year age gap and their family moved to NOTL after immigrating from England, so Gee Shrive spent her teenage years in NOTL while her older brother spent less time in town, she said. 

The siblings weren’t the only ones to make an appearance.

The four Broere siblings could be found in a circle, laughing and sharing memories with friends.

A highlight from the past was Howard McCourt’s parties.

Joanna Broere was never invited to those, McCourt joked.

“No, because I would tell on you,” Broere said.

With a laugh, Phil Broere recalled a party held in the back of McCourt’s Cadillac.

“We didn’t even leave the driveway, we just drank in the back seat,” he said. 

The reunion wasn’t just for NOTLers, either.

While The Lake Report stopped by for a visit, a party bus with a bachelorette party pulled up to Legion Branch 124.

Emma Murphy from Oakville, the bride-to-be, said the gathering looked like one that couldn’t be missed. 

“We passed by and I said we have to stop at the Legion,” Murphy said. 

Everyone was welcome for drinks, food and live music from Don Sexsmith. 

juliasacco@niagaranow.com