Re: Hannan-Hannon Reunion in Maine
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In reply to:
Hannan-Hannon Reunion in Maine
ISABEL MARESH 7/09/00
What a great time we had at the Hannan~Hannon reunion on August 20th!It was the 7th revised Hannan~Hannon reunion.Many years ago, two branches of the Hannan family [some of whom spell their name Hannon] held reunions at The Sheepscot Lake Fish and Game Assn. Building in Palermo, Me.At that time, one branch claimed no relativity to the other.It turned out that they all descended from John Odell who came to Liberty, Maine following the War of 1812, and changed his name to Hannan.
Gladys (Hannan) Maresh [1900-1974] vailantly kept the reunions going for the last years of her life.For about 20 years, no one held a reunion, until Gladys' daughter-in-law revived them in 1994, first in a Grange Hall, then again at Sheepscot Lake, and then to their backyard in Belmont, Me.It has been interesting.
On the third Sunday in August, the 20th, 2000, a lively group met once again.The weather did not know whether to co-operate or not.After a sumptous lunch in the large farmhouse kitchen, a conversation about Water "dowsing" arose, about the Hannan descendants being very successful at it.Interest was peaked, and the older persons of the group went to the backyard, where the sun had come out beautifully, with a comfortable breeze, to try out the art.
Gloria Wood, who said that her father was so successful at it, that in his last years, when he was too feeble to go to a lot to 'Dowse', when a photo was brought to him, with shaking hand, he would point to a spot in a photo of a houselot, and tell where the water would be found, and how deep it would be, and lo! it would be as he said.Herbert Hannan said that his father was also a successful Dowser, passing the art on to him.
Well, lo and behold!!!Several of the descendants, trying their hand at the art, with Herbert's guidance, found that they, too, could dowse.
Then, as the rain had left the ground damp, the older generation sat in Gladys' Bughouse, a screen house made by Gladys' son, Buster, where a business meeting was held.After the proper business ritual was held, the recently published 'Vital Records of Liberty, Me.', published by Picton Press was viewed, as well as 'The Descendants of John Odell Hannan', both by Isabel Morse Maresh.It was discussed how to publish the book, to protect the rights, as some of it has already been put on the Internet, without permission, in the name of another descendant.The book is Copyrighted, with donations given to ensure that the work is protected.Two copies will be placed in the Library of Congress.Any author knows the anguish of finding their work claimed by another.
The younger generation enjoyed playing in the backyard, getting to know cousins, and just plain having fun.
It was voted to have next year's annual reunion held in a public building, where there will be more room in case of rain.It is hard to determine the weather a year in advance.The Greer's Corner Schoolhouse in Belmont, Maine was voted a place of choice.
Calling all descendants.Come out and join the fun on the third Sunday in August of 2001.Who knows what craft you will learn.May God richly bless.Isabel Morse Maresh, Belmont, Maine.