Table Matters

There is a bit of history behind the extra big Harvest Table at 24 Hill Street. The Kingston market with all its crafts people is probably where to start. Who hasn't taken in the market square for a leisurely Saturday stroll and browse? It is/was a favourite spot for Sarah and Mike,Catherine and Eliot(The Frys).

When Grandma 'D' and Granddad came to town, the clan used to gather for Sunday dinner at the 'Frys'. The 'Frys' original dining room table was one they inherited when they purchased their home in Windsor. Back in 2001 Eliot and Catherine moved from Vancouver and settled in Windsor where Eliot went to Teacher's College. The dining table was part of a dining room set that was a throw- in with the house purchase.(The owner didn't want to move it). The Table was the only piece of the set that was worthy of the Frys' next move to Kingston the next year. The table served them well and many a good dinner and laugh was experienced around it. Christmas Day,Thanksgiving etc. As I write this I wonder how many time that old table had its picture taken with all the family gathered around?

After a few years came the need for a bigger dining table to accommodate the growing (in size and numbers) families. This gets us back to the Kingston market(around 2005) where Eliot and Catherine came across the perfect table. It was a beauty Harvest Table made of reclaimed barn wood lovingly refinished to show off the deep rich wood grain. Such a table is also hearty and hardy befitting the new owners.

I recall the first Sunday dinner around the new table involving a gathering of the clan; Catherine,Eliot,Noah,Clare,Sarah,Mike,Lucas,Grandma 'D' and Granddad . There were oooh's and aaaah's about the rich colours, the style and of course how big and accommodating it was for everyone. It was truly a family table.

During this time Mike and Sarah were living at 5 York St. their delightful townhouse that was beautifully designed to maximize every inch of usable space. This is code for small....but beautiful it was. Those size limitations essentially ruled out clan dinners at 5 York so the Frys'place and the new table were a Sunday ritual. Time passed and families grew and along came Emily and the Harvest Table continued to accommodate all.

This gets us to about August 2009 when Sarah and Mike purchased 24 Hill St. and the start of a lot of house oriented planning. The new house had lots of space and especially a large dining room area. The lights must have been going off like fireworks in Mike's head as he contemplated the decorating and furnishing options. One option he and Sarah settled on very quickly was their choice of dining room table. Mike especially was emphatic about his desire for a big table for everyone to sit around for family gatherings;like the Frys. He and Sarah went to that 'got0' place the Kingston Market and there they made contacts for the custom build of a 'large' Harvest Table. Mike wanted everyone to fit around this table so, big it would be. A seven(7) footer!

'Not your average table' meant a custom order and a few weeks wait. It also involved pick up. In such cases that usually required Granddad and his truck. For me this involved another 'memorable' outing with Mike one Saturday morning. He was happy and enthused at the prospect of a leisurely drive east and north of Gananoque into the countryside to pick up his new table.

The day was sunny,the drive relaxing and without difficulty we found the home of the 'tablemaker'. He was a gregarious fellow eager to show us his workshop. Inside, at first glance it occured to me that he made sawdust first and tables as a sideline. Everwhere you looked,sawdust,....everywhere. A tour of the workshop revealed piles of pine boards ready for the next order. Mr. Tablemaker commented to Mike that 'this is one big table you wanted'. Mike laughed and reaffirmed 'Yes I want a big table'.

Loading the 7 Footer into the truck meant lowering the tailgate on the 6 foot box to accommodate Mr.Big who stuck out the back of the truck. Mike commented 'It is a big table isn't it'. 'For sure' I replied.

So back to Kingston we set. But this was too nice a day to just drive back. I could feel Mike wanting to stretch out the morning to make it last,to make it special and with that he suggested we 'stop for breakfast at some local restaurant;bacon and eggs....coffee'. 'Perfect' I said. And so we stopped and had that eggs and bacon and coffee breakfast that we have all known and enjoyed one time or another. This was a 'memorable' breakfast for me , as was all that morning with Mike. Knowing Mike's health I tried as best as possible to soak up the time with him.

Back in Kingston, Mr.Big was all he was meant to be. Now Sarah and Mike entertained the clan at 24 Hill. Room for everyone. Months later in 2010 it was while sitting at Mr.Big that Mike enjoyed many meals that wonderful friends brought to him to show their caring and love for him and Sarah. I especially recall Colleen Reid knocking on the door at supper time - she had mentioned that she was going to drop something off for dinner. That she did and more. Colleen needed the help of her daughter and daughter's friend to carry in the full course meal she had prepared,appetizers,salads,dessert etc. It was a feast. Mike turned to Colleen and quietly said "I am really lucky. Thank you Colleen"

Because of all of this the dinner tables at the Frys and at 24 Hill mean a lot to me.

Neil