Sunday, June 15, 2008
Saturday in Blairsville
The Maher Family members gathered in the lobby of the Hampton Inn around 9 am on Saturday and followed one another by car into Blairsville. A walking tour of the town started in the parking lot SS Simon & Jude church and continued into town.
H. Woodruff (Woody) Turner provided excellent historical narrative of the Mahers in Blairsville, pointing out locations of many homes and places of businesses of family members. This former bank remains virtually unchanged from when it was originally built in the 19th century.
The family continued their tour through town hearing many stories, getting a sense for life in 19th century Blairsville.
The walking tour concluded at the Blairsville Historical Society, a three story house dedicated to preserving the history of Blairsville.
From the downtown area, family members drove their cars a few miles to the SS Simon & Jude cemetery to see the burial spots of their ancestors.
The group later enjoyed a delicious lunch including vegetable quiche and fresh fruit in the White Swan Tea Room of Pie Cucina Restaurant in downtown Blairsville. They celebrated June birthdays with cake and song. After lunch, Andrea Maloney Schara (from the Patrick line) gave an inspiring speech about family.
Around 2 pm, many gathered in the Fountain Room of the Chestnut Inn Resort. For hours, they shared stories, passed around old and new photos and compared genealogy lines. Each line's descendants chose a family historian/contact. Later, everyone assembled on the front steps of the inn for a group photo of the 60 or so attendees.
A buffet dinner was served in the Parma Room. Reunion organizers spoke and gave special recognition to several, including the person who came the farthest - Mary Maher Murphy who flew in on a red-eye flight from Arizona to attend. Cameras flashed as more group photos were taken. Relatives shared stories and many, not wanting the reunion to end, talked late into the evening.
H. Woodruff (Woody) Turner provided excellent historical narrative of the Mahers in Blairsville, pointing out locations of many homes and places of businesses of family members. This former bank remains virtually unchanged from when it was originally built in the 19th century.
The family continued their tour through town hearing many stories, getting a sense for life in 19th century Blairsville.
The walking tour concluded at the Blairsville Historical Society, a three story house dedicated to preserving the history of Blairsville.
From the downtown area, family members drove their cars a few miles to the SS Simon & Jude cemetery to see the burial spots of their ancestors.
The group later enjoyed a delicious lunch including vegetable quiche and fresh fruit in the White Swan Tea Room of Pie Cucina Restaurant in downtown Blairsville. They celebrated June birthdays with cake and song. After lunch, Andrea Maloney Schara (from the Patrick line) gave an inspiring speech about family.
Around 2 pm, many gathered in the Fountain Room of the Chestnut Inn Resort. For hours, they shared stories, passed around old and new photos and compared genealogy lines. Each line's descendants chose a family historian/contact. Later, everyone assembled on the front steps of the inn for a group photo of the 60 or so attendees.
A buffet dinner was served in the Parma Room. Reunion organizers spoke and gave special recognition to several, including the person who came the farthest - Mary Maher Murphy who flew in on a red-eye flight from Arizona to attend. Cameras flashed as more group photos were taken. Relatives shared stories and many, not wanting the reunion to end, talked late into the evening.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Maher Family Arrives in Blairsville...Again
Over 170 years ago the first of the Maher Clan left County Carlow, Ireland and began their trek to Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Today, family members gathered once more to celebrate their legacy.
The three day reunion opened with dinner at Chestnut Ridge Inn's Thirty Seven Grill. Reunion organizers, Denise C. Maher and Marguerite Maher Bryce, welcomed the group. A blessing was given then a toast made by Ray Maher. The meal was lively with introductions, greetings and many stories.
James V. Maher introduced H. Woodruff (Woody) Turner who spoke about the geography and development of Blairsville. Providing handouts, Woody created superb visual images of the area in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Editor Jeff Himler of the Blairsville Dispatch published an overview of the reunion in today's newspaper. See his story by clicking on to this link at the Blairsville Dispatch.
More to come tomorrow...
The three day reunion opened with dinner at Chestnut Ridge Inn's Thirty Seven Grill. Reunion organizers, Denise C. Maher and Marguerite Maher Bryce, welcomed the group. A blessing was given then a toast made by Ray Maher. The meal was lively with introductions, greetings and many stories.
James V. Maher introduced H. Woodruff (Woody) Turner who spoke about the geography and development of Blairsville. Providing handouts, Woody created superb visual images of the area in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Editor Jeff Himler of the Blairsville Dispatch published an overview of the reunion in today's newspaper. See his story by clicking on to this link at the Blairsville Dispatch.
More to come tomorrow...
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Reunion Volunteers Needed!
For those who are planning to attend the Maher Family Reunion, Denise and Marguerite can use a few helping hands to handle a few last minute details.
If you can help out, or would like more info, please contact Deb at maherforum@gmail.com .
Many hands make light work....
If you can help out, or would like more info, please contact Deb at maherforum@gmail.com .
Many hands make light work....
Friday, June 6, 2008
Maher Family Descendants Gather in Blairsville, Pennsylvania
On June 13, 14, and 15, 2008, fifty-five descendants of the Maher family will gather in Blairsville, Pennsylvania to celebrate their ancestors' journey from County Carlow to Blairsville in the early 19th century.
Events will begin with a family dinner on Friday night at the Chestnut Ridge Inn's Thirty Seven Grille. On Saturday morning, there will be a walking tour of Blairsville, a visit to the Blairsville Historical Society Museum, then on to the St. Simon and Jude and Blairsville Cemeteries.
On Saturday afternoon, family members will gather for family stories, photos, and genealogical history sharing. Each group will have a spokesperson for their family who will report interesting facts, stories, etc. at dinner that evening. On Sunday, plans are being made to attend mass at St. Simon and Jude Church, the place of worship of the Maher ancestors.
Rooms have been set aside at the Hampton Inn, and members must make their own reservations by June 6th.
Heartfelt thanks to Marguerite Maher Bryce and Denise C. Maher for organizing and arranging this first Maher reunion in recent history.
Information about the reunion as it happens will be reported on this blog.
Events will begin with a family dinner on Friday night at the Chestnut Ridge Inn's Thirty Seven Grille. On Saturday morning, there will be a walking tour of Blairsville, a visit to the Blairsville Historical Society Museum, then on to the St. Simon and Jude and Blairsville Cemeteries.
On Saturday afternoon, family members will gather for family stories, photos, and genealogical history sharing. Each group will have a spokesperson for their family who will report interesting facts, stories, etc. at dinner that evening. On Sunday, plans are being made to attend mass at St. Simon and Jude Church, the place of worship of the Maher ancestors.
Rooms have been set aside at the Hampton Inn, and members must make their own reservations by June 6th.
Heartfelt thanks to Marguerite Maher Bryce and Denise C. Maher for organizing and arranging this first Maher reunion in recent history.
Information about the reunion as it happens will be reported on this blog.
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