Despite a foggy, cloudy start to the day, the weather on August 2, 2014 turned out to be perfect for the 117th annual Hersey Reunion, which was held at the Newfound Lake home of Helen LaPlante Duchesne. Sixty members and two guests, representing nine states (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, California), were in attendance.
Traveling the farthest were Lori Hersey, her husband Tom Giesler, and their two sons from California, who were spending time at the Hersey Farm in East Andover. The oldest member present was Helen Duchesne, age 85, while the youngest member was her one-year-old great-granddaughter, Ja’Liyah Brown. There were four generations of Helen’s family present.
The traditional pot luck dinner was eaten outside, overlooking the lake. This was followed by the business meeting, which was called to order by Vice President Chris Duchesne. A moment of silence was held for Floyd Covey, Patty Weitsman, Dick Mountfort, and Margaret LaPlante Paquette, who died this past year. Margaret was the reunion president for 35 years and had attended 44 consecutive reunions. Secretary Rita Norander gave a condensed reading of last year’s reunion, and Treasurer Lucy Twombly gave the treasurer’s report, which was followed by the passing of the hat.
Officers elected for the upcoming year were President, Paul Hersey; Vice President, Chris Duchesne; Secretary, Rita LaPlante Norander; and Treasurer, Lucy Hersey Twombly. Paul is the first president with a Hersey name since Myron Hersey was president in 1947.
The election was followed by the children’s favorite part of the meeting – the drawing of the door prizes! Thanks were given to Lisa and Jeff Boucher and to Mark and Lynn Duchesne for donating the prizes.
Before the meeting adjourned, Monique Paquette Scharlotte, on behalf of her family, presented an inscribed gavel in memory of her mother. The inscription reads (in three lines): “Margaret (LaPlante) Paquette; June 10, 1938 – February 1, 2014; Hersey Reunion Pres, 35 years.” Thanks were given for this treasured gift!
Ice cream cones, swimming, paddle boat rides, playing cards and other games, toys for the younger members, and most of all visiting, finished out a very successful reunion day!
Next year’s reunion will be at Newfound Lake on August 1, 2015.