Hollywood

Jeff Green | Aug 16, 2012

Back to HomeFeature Article - August 16, 2012 Hollywood reunion in Sharbot Lakeby Julie Druker

Photo: five of the six surviving Hollywood siblings back row l-r, Ronald Hollywood, Russell Hollywood, front row l-r, Gordon Hollywood, Francis Hollywood- Beattie and Ken Hollywood (absent from the photo is Norris Hollywood)

It’s been close to 30 years since the Hollywood family of Sharbot Lake had a family reunion. August 11 was the chosen day to hold it, as it was the 95th birthday of Ken Hollywood, the oldest surviving sibling of his 13 brothers and sisters. The reunion was held at Oso beach in Sharbot Lake and over 75 guests, both friends and family, brought chairs and gathered under the huge oak at the beach front park to get reacquainted. Some came from as far away as Calgary, Toronto, and Ottawa and others from all over Ontario. Emcees Jennifer Tryon and Rustin Hollywood hosted the event, which included a special tribute to family founders Thomas and Julia-Ann Hollywood and their 13 children.

Five of the six surviving Hollywood children gathered for a photograph under the huge oak and throughout the day Ken held court, greeting the long line of birthday well wishers. Born in 1917, Ken has traveled all over Canada and the world and survived a very serious injury while serving in the war, a gun shot to his left eye that also broke his neck. He said it was a miracle to have survived. Ken's eyes misted over as her recalled the love of his life, his wife Ada, whom he laid eyes on for the first time at Sunday school at the Pentecostal church here, and whom he married in 1939. The couple had three children. “She brought me the happiest days of my life,” Ken said as he recalled their 70 years of blissful marriage.

Events throughout the day included a potluck BBQ lunch, horse drawn wagon rides courtesy of Bill Lee of Parham, horseshoes at the beach, swimming for the kids and live entertainment courtesy of Gilbert Riddell and friends. Guests were also invited to visit the Hollywood family farm located across from St. Georges Lake on Hwy 38 for a walkabout and to enjoy a piece of Ken's birthday cake.

What the Hollywood gathering lacked in stars of the silver screen, it well made up for in family fun and friendship. Penny Tryon, who helped organize the event, was pleased with the turnout and said, “Now it is up to the future generations to take up the banner and fly it and hopefully we’ll see this happen again in five years.”