Good Day! I just want to get early word out about the "Gathering" in July of 2008. (cross-posted to NS, NB, and Digby Mailing lists) First, the main event is the "Gathering of Loyalist Descendants - 225th Anniversary of the arrival in 1783" (or something to that effect). There is surely a kick-off on 10 July 2008, where I'm currently engaged to speak for a dinner at The Pines in Digby, NS. I'm relatively certain that the main event(s) will be the following Friday & Saturday, with probably some on Sunday, and maybe a few during the prior week, as well. Part of the reason for this e-mail is to seek someone more local to the Digby area who would be willing to help coordinate the logistics side of planning this sort of family reunion. Preferably, someone at least in Nova Scotia, and better yet in Digby County! :-) My THINKING is to have this reunion include not only HANDSPIKER descendents, who surely have Digby ties, but include those with HANSELPACKER lines as well, as they are all one and the same descendants of Loyalist brothers! Once I've finalized a few more details, I'll start putting up a webpage to keep folks up-to-date on any schedule of events, and suggestions for lodging, travel, etc. I will also have a link to information about the book I'll be writing about the family history, which will be made available only through the Admiral Digby Museum (ADM) in Digby. As I've always maintained, my love of genealogy and history is my reason for doing all this work, so I will maintain my not-for-profit mentality. However, the ADM and the staff there have provided so much help over the years, and need additional funds to continue this great service, so they will have the publishing rights to whatever I manage to pull together by Spring of 2008. SO!!! If you're interested in attending a grand Family Reunion next summer, or have been waiting for a published work on the Handspiker/Hanselpacker family, or BOTH... please "stay tuned" and I hope to have more information to provide in the future. MOST importantly, if you, or someone you know would be willing to pick up the gauntlet, and act as the local Reunion Coordinator for logistics in Digby, PLEASE contact me with an "I'd love to" or "I know someone who would be thrilled to" e-mail! :-) Cheers! ------------------------ Jared "Jed" Handspicker jedh@jedh.com