Agnes ("Daisy") Maukonen
holding a young family member
at the first Get-Together in 1996
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Kalle Maukonen's Heritage
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A report on the 1996 Maukonen
Get-Together (adapted from Sanoma
Maukonen • Vol. 1 No. 3 Fall
1996)
In 1996, we couldn't properly use
the word "reunion" because many Ontarian
Maukonens had not seen one another for
decades. For some, it was the first time
to meet. I'm sure that a number felt a
bit nervous in anticipation of our
planned gathering as we journeyed to
Orillia on August 3rd.
The family of Neil Jr. (d.) and Mary had
offered to host the event in their area.
Kirk (son of Neil and Mary), his wife,
Linda, and daughters, Stephanie and
Michelle, arranged for us to use the
fellowship hall of St. Athanasius
Anglican Church where they attend.
Sheryl (Bennett; daughter of Neil and
Mary) drew a map for those unfamiliar
with the city and so family of Kalle
Maukonen converged on that place 128
kilometres north of Toronto.
Weather on that Saturday was pleasant
enough to set up chairs in the shaded
backyard of the church where we began
gathering at 10:00. Tables were set up
in the hall for the display of pictures
and other family memorabilia and for two
banks of tables to accommodate the group
of thirty attendees during the lunchtime
meal.
Even as we were in the process of
contacting Canadian Maukonens with
notice of the get-together, we became
aware of a number who had not been on
our mailing list. Other plans for that
day had already been made by some and,
so, regrets were expressed. For others,
the trip would not be practical this
year. Diane (Wise; daughter of Eric and
Jean) who was living in Norfolk,
Virginia faxed photos and a note. Jackie
(Azar; daughter of Neil and Georgina)
was living in Vancouver and had earlier
sent photos with an indication that 1996
would not be the year to make a
cross-continent trip. Even though some
Maukonens could not attend, the quality
of response was encouraging and the
group who met in Orillia were made aware
that those absent were at least with us
in the spirit of the event.
There were a few formalities before
lunch and sharing of messages conveyed
by those who could not attend. Then we
moved into the lunch hour and informal
conversation as people mingled. The
potluck meal showed that our family has
a knack for cooking and Margie (Tom's
wife) made a nicely decorated cake with
the inscription 1st Annual Maukonen
Reunion.
The concensus was that this first
get-together should become an annual
event. As we drove away from Orillia on
that beautiful August evening, we
thought that it had been particularly
good to be together with
"family."
1997
Indeed, the opportunity for Maukonens to
get together was repeated in 1997. But
that year, we could not call it a
Canadian Maukonen Get-Together. After
the one in 1996, we had established
contact with Donna Maukonen (Florida;
daughter of Carl and Jean) and as she
and her sister, Marcia, came north for a
week to joined with us at the Orillia
gathering, it became a North American
Maukonen Get-Together.
The venue for that gathering on July 5th
was again in the fellowship hall of St.
Athanasius Anglican Church in Orillia
and, again, we enjoyed a beautiful
summer’s day for the event. While some
who had been there in 1996 were absent,
we met other "new" people and the
attendance had increased to 34,
including one new birth (Adam McMullen)
and our two guests from the United
States.
1998
The Get Together was held on Saturday,
July 18th for the third time at St.
Athanasius Anglican Church in Orillia,
Ontario. About twenty-five people were
in attendance. Tom Maukonen (Severn
Bridge; son of Norman and Agnes) acted
as Master of Ceremonies for the
afternoon event.
It was decided to hold the next Maukonen
Get Together in September of the year
2000.
The event will likely be for a whole
weekend and the suggested location is
Stanton House Lodge on Sparrow Lake.
With all meals and accommodation cared
for, there will
be more time for socializing.
Are Maukonens in other locations
planning special gatherings for the year
2000? We would like to hear about those
plans and post the information on this
site.
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