Book donation at the Cincinnati Library

The Cincinnati Library Main, downtown Cincinnati hosted the Cincinnati Colony, Society of Mayflower Descendants of Ohio, October 13, 2021.  The Colony donated 5 Silver Books to the Library.  The Silver Book Project was authorized by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in 1959. The goal is to provide documentation from primary sources for all statements regarding the first five generations of descendants of the Mayflower passengers. Each Silver book is specific to a Mayflower passenger.

The five books included:

William Brewster Through 6 Generations Part 2 V. 24

William Brewster Through 5 generations Part 3  V. 24

Edward Winslow V. 25

John Alden Part 6 V. 16

Thomas Rogers Part 2 V. 19

The Cincinnati Library has a wonderful History and Genealogy Department. The staff is very knowledgeable and passionate about what they do. Christopher Smith met us and made arrangements for the event. Just like our Society members who made the journey to the past to bring it forward to the present, both the Mayflower Society and the library strive to preserve and promote the study of history in America and around the World.

Starleyne Vondrell – Lt. Governor      Sue Bray – Historian  represented the Cincinnati Colony.  Respectfully, Starleyne Vondrell

Star Vondrell and Christopher Smith
Sue Bray, Star Vondrell and Christopher Smith
New Silver Books
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Cleveland Colony Update

Hello, Mayflower Cousins!

Your Cleveland Colony Board met recently to discuss the status of our 2021 Compact Day Dinner scheduled for Saturday, November 13, 2021. With the surge of COVID-19 and its variants, we are very concerned about the health and well-being of our members. We made the hard decision to cancel the Compact Dinner again this year. We have worked with the Lakewood Country Club and our Compact Day Dinner has been reserved for November 12, 2022. Please mark your 2022 calendar! Our speaker, Lea Filson Past Governor General has confirmed she will come to Cleveland next year. Let us hope the pandemic is over by then.

Please stay safe and healthy. We are planning a Spring 2022 event. Stay tuned for more information.

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Western Reserve Colony Report August 2021

By Christina Wagner Schepis

Our Compact Day celebration will be held Sunday, November 14th.  Our speaker will be Janet Weir Creighton presenting “Dining with the President.”  The location is TBD as our long-time venue has been sold for development. 

Guests are always welcome at our gatherings!

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Toledo Colony Report August 2021

by Susan Fisher

Summer Meeting: Toledo Colony met for a summer picnic at the Walnut Grove Shelter in Secor Metropark in west Toledo on 19 June. A small group met for the first meeting since November, 2019, because of the covid pandemic. Fellowship was especially good as all could hear each speaker easily.

Two new members attended with their June Bug. Carol Tomasic, a descendant of Richard Warren, joined in December, 2020. Edmund Trafford, a descendant of Alden, Chilton, Mullins, Standish, and Warren transferred from Georgia in 2019. Each has received the colony pin and state information packet.


Each person that day shared a family story and/or family item. Carol Tomasic brought glass bottles from her family who owned Trilby Dairy Farm, well known in northwestern Ohio. Edmund brought a walking cane from his family. Other attendees related family stories from Russia, Germany Austria, Netherlands, Italy, and Poland.


Fall Meeting: The Compact Day meeting will be held on Saturday, 13 November, at Ohio Living Swan Creek Retirement Center off Rt. 20 in Toledo. Fellowship begins at 11:30 and the speaker at 1:15 approximately. Peter Wilhelm will present “The Great Black Swamp of Northwestern Ohio” and its influence on settlement. Reservations will be due to Jeff Stoll by Tuesday the 9th at 906-440-5088 or willowcove@lighthouse.net The colony newsletter will go to members and
preliminaries by mid-October and will be posted on the Ohio Society website. All are welcome. A colony board meeting will be held after the meeting.

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Columbus Colony Report, August 2021

by Hilda Pappas

Our Compact Day luncheon is scheduled for Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Clintonville Women’s Club.  Our guest speaker will be John Burke – John Burke’s Living History. His presentation will be an enactment of the Pilgrim’s First Thanksgiving from an Indian Perspective.

Matilda Davis-Northrup has volunteered to work with me to set some criteria and goals for the Jr. Membership Chairperson.

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Cleveland Colony Report, August 2021

By Vicky Heineck

2021 Compact Day:  The annual November 13, 2021 Compact Day buffet luncheon is scheduled to be held again at the Lakewood Country Club located in Westlake, Ohio depending on the status of COVID-19.  Our keynote speaker will be Past Governor General Lea Filson and her program will be published closer to the event.  Our colony is honored to welcome the Past Governor General to our Compact Day dinner.  After the traditional passenger roll call, we will recognize the Veterans again and thank them for their service and we will never forget.

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Dues invoice delay

Membership Dues Collection will be delayed for 2020-2021

This delay is the result of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, in Plymouth wanting to increase the national dues

 This increase with be discussed and voted on at the General Congress Meeting on September 26th. I imagine after much discussion.

Once we learn what was decided, we will forward our membership dues invoice to you.

Please note that the dues of SMDOH and its colonies are NOT increasing from last year.

We are sorry for this delay and the shortened time you have to pay your membership dues.

We hope to mail the membership dues notice before the end of September.

Your dues need to be paid by November 1st, 2020 to remain a member for 2020-2021.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for your patience and understanding of our predicament is appreciated,

Larry

Lawrence Hoyt, Treasurer

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Ohio

treasurer@ohiomayflower.org

7571 Amber Ln.

Brecksville, OH 44141 – 1905

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Western Reserve Compact Day

About seventy members and guests enjoyed a wonderful Compact Day on Sunday, November 17 at Skyland Pines Rustic Lodge in Canton.  The fireplace was lite and the floor to ceiling glass wall provided us a spectacular sunny view.  The staff outdid themselves this year serving us with bountiful portions of traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner. And I heard from one attendee that the veggie dish was the best she has ever had at an event like this!  It did look delicious. Cousins paying their respects from other colonies were Cleveland Lt. Gov. Vicky Heineck and 2020 Committee Member Hilda Pappas from Columbus.   WR Friend Mary Fuller provided the beautiful table decorations.  Cash donations were taken for the Akron-Canton Foodbank and the final call was made for Pennies for Planks to help with the restoration costs of Mayflower II.  Guests were welcomed and Veterans were recognized and thanked for their service. Junior Member Madison Harig was welcomed to her first meeting and helped Sarah Keeler with the materials for the Juniors.  And applicants Robert Stands, Kay Catlett, Jonathan Kittredge, Sharen Jarzen, Judy Shaw, Bruce Shaw, and Jim Fuller were recognized.  Lee Martin led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Mayflower Compact. Officers game reports and those present talked up a storm.  Rollcall determined that the Warren Cousins were most represented at this event.  Friend Mary Fuller provided handout information for those who wanted to know more about the Anderson Tours trip to Plymouth in mid-May next year.

Christina Jill

Incoming Lt. Governor Christina Schepis, Governor General George Garmany, Outgoing Lt. Governor Jill Parker

WR Compact Day capped a full weekend with Governor General George Garmany in town.  Cleveland and Western Reserve Colonies partnered to host The Great Book Signing at the Western Reserve Historical Society. Thanks to SMDOH and Cleveland Treasurer Larry Hoyt for making sure the GG got to the Historical Signing from his hotel. Great and Fun Collaboration.  Saturday was Cleveland’s Compact Day and Sunday was Western Reserve’s.  The GG gave his well-researched presentation on Terrorism in the late 17th century/early 18th century.  He provided a list of books and articles to read for those interested in finding out more about those difficult times in early New England.  He also gave us a preview of events planned for 2020.  WR Colony presented the GG with a wooden anniversary wooded box edition of The Mayflower Maize, an Ohio Society pin and an honorarium which will be given to The Mayflower Society.

George Jill

Governor General George Garmany, Lt. Governor Jill Parker

Compact Day is our annual Business Meeting and this year it was time for Elections again.  Nominations Chair Paul Morehouse presented the slate of candidates to the members present and the following people were elected/appointed by acclamation (to serve from Compact Day 2019 – Compact Day 2022). Congratulations and Thank You to all: Elected Positions – Lt. Governor Christina Wagner Schepis, Deputy Lt. Governor Sarah Keeler, Treasurer Ann Gulbransen, Historian Terri Brown, Elder Pat Van Hoose, BOA Representative Jill Parker; GG George Garmany led the installation of the elected Board with a special. Appointed positionsProgram Coordinator – Paul Morehouse, Friends of Western Reserve Liaison – Mary Fuller.  If you know you can help the Colony in some way (a new role, a backup, an apprentice, etc), please contact one of the Board members…they would be happy to bring you on Board.

new board

New WR Board: Jill Parker, BOA Rep, Pat VanHoose, Elder, Sarah Keeler, Deputy Lt. Governor, Christina Schepis, Lt Governor, Governor General George Garmany, Ann Gulbransen, Treasurer, Terri Brown, Historian

The Junior Table was hosted by Sarah Keeler and son Ryan Keeler and she was buy helping some folks pickup gifts for grandkids! The merchandise / sales table, hosted by member Christina Wagner Schepis and husband Nick Schepis, was busy, with special interest in the coasters!!  A newer popular item. Ann Gulbransen took loads of pictures.

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2019 Annual State Assembly Recap

By Macey Smith
Junior Member
Cincinnati Colony

The Ohio Society of Mayflower Descendants’ 121st Annual State Assembly was held on May 17th and 18th, 2019, at the Cincinnati Marriott North in Westchester, Ohio, hosted by the Cincinnati Colony. The registration started Friday night and continued Saturday morning. Gift Bags that held sweet chocolate Mayflower ships, made by Vikki and Todd Reel, were handed out to all attendees.

At the reception Friday evening, our Mayflower Cousins were able to socialize with each other and get reacquainted.

At 930am Saturday morning, Cincinnati Deputy Lt. Governor, Star Vondrell introduced Mrs. Kathleen Reed, the Program Director & Chair of Hamilton County Genealogical Society DNA Interest Group, presented “DNA and Lineage Applications – Can One Support the Other”. Her presentation offered many fascinating matters as she gave guidance and explained confusing data for her audience. She was able to share her expertise with DNA and lineage uses to make the topic further understandable.

After the morning presentation, Cincinnati Lt. Governor, Shaun P. Smith introduced State Governor, Sandra St. Martin to begin the business meeting. To start things off Rev. David Foster gave the invocation, Captain, Tom Bradford had all stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, Clay Crandall read the Mayflower Compact, and Todd Reel read the Pilgrim Pledge.

Dr. Elizabeth Finley-Belgrad gave the report of the surgeon, with helpful methods to live a healthier life. She provided many articles on these methods, and copies were made available in the back of the room. This was very educational presentation and many attendees remarked on the abundance of useful information that was provided.

Rev. David Foster gave the memorial service, for each member that had passed this year. A representative from each Colony put a pin on the map corresponding to their location. This was a fitting tribute to the members that are no longer with us.

Finally, Historian, Ann Gulbransen preformed the passenger roll call, which is where the Mayflower Passengers are read off and their descendants in the room are tallied. John Alden had the most descendants attending the meeting. After the roll call, members continued to chat as a delightful meal was served.

Cincinnati Lt. Governor, Shaun Smith presented the speaker Ms. Brandon Marie Miller, an award-winning author. She delivered a portrayal of “Good Wives of New England: A glimpse into the experiences of Ann Bradstreet, Ann Hutchinson, Sarah Kemble Knight, Mary Rowlandson, and Martha Corey”, she gave a brief background on each woman and their struggles and their amazing accomplishments in colonial times.

The door prizes for the meeting were beautiful centerpieces made by Susan Davis. Susan picked tickets while Macey Smith handed the door prizes out to the winners. To end the assembly, Rev. David Foster gave the benediction.

Special thanks to the Western Reserve Colony for bring so many interesting pieces of merchandise to the event. The drink coaster and the Mayflower boxes are amazing!

So much goes into planning these annual events, this year the Cincinnati Colony Lt Governor would like to thank many people, but especially the following: Star Vondrell, Beth Anderson, Clay Crandall, Susan Davis, Wanda Langdon, Todd & Vikki Reel, and Macey Smith. These individuals helped enormously in the planning and preparing for this meeting.

The Cincinnati Colony is excited for next year’s meeting in Columbus!

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Toledo Colony Report to B.O.A. 18 March 2019

The Toledo Colony of the Mayflower Society met on March 30, 2019 at Swan Creek Retirement Village with 36 present. Lt. Governor, Susan Fisher, called the meeting to order after a time of fellowship. John MacDonald, Compact Chairman, led the Pledge of Allegiance and reading of the Mayflower Compact with everyone standing. David Martin, Elder, had a prayer before the buffet meal provided by the staff of Swan Creek.

Susan Fisher, Lt. Governor, resumed the meeting after the meal stating the minutes of the November meeting were in the newsletter and the Treasurers’ report was placed on each table for review. A Pennies for Planks jar was on the welcome table and Susan told the group that the Mayflower II is scheduled to be in the Plymouth Harbor again in September and money would still be collected in November.

Judy Rand, Deputy Lt. Governor, read a letter from the Williams County Public Library thanking the Mayflower Society for the donation of 48 Mayflower research books to their History Center. Walter Huffer was recognized by the Lt. Governor for being featured in a Member Highlight in the March State Buckeye for sharing how his family got to Ohio at the Toledo Colony meeting in November. Members present were asked to volunteer to share their family story at a future meeting.

Elder David Martin held a memorial service for: Janis Hoyles who passed away Feb. 2, 2018; Carolyn Wells who passed away April 1, 2018; Jane Mierke who passed away May 1, 2018; Richard Calland, husband of member Janet Calland, who passed away June 20, 2018; Marjorie Waterfield, a longtime Toledo Colony member, who passed away December 27, 2018; and Gregory Stoll, brother of our Treasurer Jeff Stoll, who passed away January 29, 2019.

The Lt. Governor explained the letter that was sent to 21 junior members that were eligible to apply for a grant of $1,000 to travel to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 2019 or 2020. One person qualified and wrote his application letter with language form used in the Plymouth Colony. He will be notified and more information will be given about the recipient in the future.

Information concerning officers who had agreed to serve two more years was on each table for viewing. Nominations were asked from the floor for positions still open. Jeff Stoll nominated Susan Fisher as Lt. Governor again and the members voted to accept the slate of officers: Lt. Governor-Susan Fisher, Deputy Lt. Governor-Judy Rand, Secretary-still open, Treasurer-Jeffrey Stoll, Elder-David Martin, Compact Chair-John MacDonald, Program Chair-still open, Board Member-Paula Niederhauser, Junior Member Chair-still open, and Representative to State Board of Assistants-still open.

Deputy Lt. Governor, Judy Rand, walked around the room with a microphone so each person present could give their name, introduce their guest, tell where they lived, give the name of their Mayflower ancestor and tell what generation they were from the Pilgrim ancestor. New members acknowledged were Carmen Chapman, Julia Janosi and Phyllis Zibbel. They were each presented with a Mayflower ship pin and packet with Mayflower information.

Deputy Lt Gov Judy Rand welcoming new members.jpg

A very informative program about herbs and their uses in Colonial days was given by Patricia James-Hasser. Approximately 100 herbs and plants were brought to the colonies, probably in baskets, inside gourds and possibly in bee hives along with bees. They were very valuable for the colonists to dye clothes, for fragrance and for medicinal purposes as well as cooking. Patricia had many samples of plants and herbs to pass around for the group to touch and smell.

Susan Fisher adjourned the meeting after thanking the guest speaker and inviting those present to be watching for a June newsletter giving information about a summer meeting.

Respectfully submitted by Judy Rand

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