LIVERMORE — Ann and Barry Hammond were surprised to learn at a ceremony Tuesday that the annual town report was being dedicated to them.

The couple were led to believe the dedication announced at the Town Office was for Norma Boothby. When the ceremony started, Ann Hammond said the guest of honor had not arrived.

To her surprise, Ann was handed a copy of the town report with a picture of herself and her husband on the front cover.

“They got me!” she said.

Town Clerk Renda Guild said Board of Selectpersons Chairman Peter Castonguay had brought the Hammonds’ names up for consideration and the couple’s relatives, as well as helping getting the Hammonds to the ceremony, had provided information for the report’s dedication.

Ann Hammond was presented with flowers and photos were taken.

“It is with great honor that we dedicate this year’s town report to Barry and Ann Hammond,” Guild said.

“If you know anything about Barry and Ann, they are dedicated to their community,” Guild said. “They have organized and held numerous benefits to help those in need. Ann spends countless hours volunteering at the Livermore Eagle Pantry, doing whatever needs to be done. They work hard, they are resourceful, and they care deeply about their family and community.”

“Thank you for everything you do,” said Selectperson Timothy Kachnovich, who attended the ceremony along with Selectperson Megan Dion.

“These are two people who go above and beyond,” Guild said. “They’ve been here for everybody in the community. I have worked with Ann on six or seven benefits; one raised more than $27,000. They have done things we will never know.”

“We thank you,” Barry Hammond said in response.

The report’s dedication included some history about the couple. Barry Hammond graduated from Leavitt Academy in Turner in 1960, and Ann graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1962. They met at Bear Pond Park and were married on Sept. 21, 1963.

The couple first made their home on Route 4 in Livermore and moved three years later to a new home on the Bowles Road. They have two sons, three granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.

Barry worked as a millwright at International Paper for nearly 40 years. Ann packed apples for Seamon’s and Kents Hill Orchards and also worked at Brettun’s Variety for Roger Libby. The couple also owned and operated Hamm’s Shot Stop from 1984-1986.

Ann enjoys playing cards with family and both enjoy dancing. On Sundays, the couple often spends time with friends at a local restaurant.

Barry is a member of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and enjoys hunting and fishing at the family camp in Lang Township.

True to his spirit of community service, after the ceremony, Barry Hammond delivered town reports to several local stores. 

The annual town meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, at the Livermore Elementary School.

pharnden@sunmediagroup.net