The Newfound Lake home of Helen Duchesne in Bristol was the setting for the 116th annual Hersey Reunion, which was held on August 3. Assisting Helen were Margaret and Andre Paquette and Rita and Bob Norander. The 43 descendants of Hannah and Gilman Hersey, and five guests, were blessed with a mostly sunny, comfortable, and rain-free day.

New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts were the only states represented this year, which led to a discussion of who actually traveled the farthest. It was decided the award should go to Alice Broadway, who though technically a resident of Reading, Massachusetts, came to the reunion from Pennsylvania, where she attends Gettysburg College.

The oldest member present was Helen Duchesne, age 84, and the youngest member was her 17-day-old great-granddaughter, Ja’Liyah Brown. There were four generations of Helen’s family present: Helen, her daughter Anne Duchesne Smith, Anne’s daughter Kim Smith Brown, and Kim’s daughter Ja’Liyah Brown!

A delicious pot luck dinner was enjoyed outside, overlooking the lake. Following the meal, the business meeting was called to order by President Margaret Paquette. A moment of silence was offered for the deceased members of the Hersey family, and especially for Roger Hersey, our treasurer for 40 years, who died in May at age 64.

Secretary Rita Norander gave a condensed reading of last year’s reunion, and Vice President Lucy Hersey Twombly gave the treasurer’s report, which was followed by the “passing of the hat.”

Under new business, the secretary relayed messages from members, who though unable to attend, wanted to wish everyone well, as they hoped for a great day and a good turnout.

Ralph Hersey sent a copy of Hersey Family Charts of both the descendants and ancestors of Gilman and Hannah Hersey which he has worked on this past year.

Ray Hersey, age 92 and our oldest member, was unable to attend the reunion because of mobility issues. He has been a resident of Mountain Ridge Healthcare Center in Franklin since October and has adjusted well to his new home. This was the first time in 33 years that Ray has missed a reunion!

Lori Hersey and her family were staying at the Hersey Farm in Andover at the time of the reunion but couldn’t attend due to another commitment. Lori, Roger’s daughter and the new owner of the Hersey Farm, lives in California, but the family has been at the farm several times this year as they give the farm some much-needed TLC.

Wenona Schoolcraft, who grew up on Chase Hill Road but now lives in Missouri, wrote that she couldn’t attend the reunion this year, as she had an opportunity to go on a cruise to Alaska. Winnie, who has visited all of the US state capitals except for Juneau, can now say that she has visited all 50 state capitals. Winnie will be 87 in September!

Officers elected for the coming year were: President, Margaret Paquette; Vice President, Chris Duchesne; Secretary, Rita Norander; and Treasurer, Lucy Hersey Twombly.

Craft projects were enjoyed by the younger children, who also played various ball games and had fun with the available toys. Board games and cards were enjoyed. Because of the cooler weather, swimming wasn’t as popular as some years, but many did take the plunge! Row boat, paddle boat, and kayak rides were fun, too. Ice cream cones were a tasty treat!

Next year’s reunion will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at Helen Duchesne’s Newfound Lake home.