2009 Atlantic Middle States
Conference
Rochester, New York
August 7-8
Photos by Robert L. "Bob" Bowen, President-elect, Virginia Society, SAR - AMS Webmaster
Mid-Atlantic District Vice President General Rick Ashmun of the Pennsylvania Society (L)
and North Atlantic District Vice President General John Moller of the New Jersey Society conducted
the annual meeting of the State Societies represented by their Districts: New York, New Jersey, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The two-day meeting at the Radisson Airport Hotel Rochester was well attended with more than 75 Compatriots and guests in attendance. They came from the seven states making up the two districts, plus national officers and candidates from California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, and Texas. A third day (Sunday) was scheduled for a National Executive Committee
meeting led by President General Ed Butler, and an SAR Foundation Board meeting led by
Bill Allerton, Foundation President.
Friday Night Dinner-Reception
Head Table Honorees at the Friday Night Reception Dinner included (L-R) North Atlantic VPG John and Marie Moller; President General Ed and Robin Butler, and Middle Atlantic VPG Rick and Rosalind Ashmun.
(L) Elementary school teacher Cindy Watson, AKA Col. Watson, was one of three teachers who attended the Friday Night reception and spoke about a "Revolutionary War Soldier Project" they conduct at the Calvin U. Smith Elementary School in Painted Post, NY. Students taking part in the program are known as the "3rd NY". The power point program was well received by delegates to the conference and their guests. (C) New York Compatriot Red Fairley, plate in hand, awaits his portion of roast. (R) Conference Chairman and President of the Empire State Society Bill Woodworth, welcomed those who attended the Friday Reception.
The Friday Night reception buffet featured ham and roast beef with all the trimmings.
Saturday Business Meeting & Luncheon
The Saturday Morning Business session was conducted by Mid-Atlantic VPG John Moller (L), and featured a talk by President General Ed Butler (C) about his upcoming trip to Spain, the Conference's endorsement of candidates for office in 2010-11, (R) a discussion of the SAR's genealogical standards by Genealogist General Joe Dooley, and a briefing of where we stand with our Center for Advancing America's Heritage project by the Project's Fund Raising Campaign Director Sam Powell.
Good food and good fellowship were plentiful during the Saturday Luncheon.
Saturday Night
Banquet
The Color Guard Hat Rack after posting Colors and escorting the PG and the First Lady to their seats.
Everyone cleaned up nicely for the traditional Saturday Night Banquet following the conference business of the day.
The traveling Jersey Devil Plaque, recognizing the state society that traveled the farthest to attend the conference,
using a complicated formula, was won by Virginia. VASSAR President-elect Bob Bowen (L) accepted the plaque from North Atlantic District VPG John Moller. (R) National Trustee Paul Hayes accepted The Thomas J. Bond, Jr. Mid-Atlantic District Membership Award on behalf of the District of Columbia Society from Mid-Atlantic VPG Rick Ashmun. The membership award carried with it a check for $500 to DCSSAR.
Conference Chairman and President of ESSSAR, Bill Woodworth was presented the Meritorious Service Medal
by North Atlantic VPG John Moller. Woodworth presented an Emergency Medical Service Award to Compatriot
Millard "Red" Fairley of the Rochester Chapter. Red also received a Certificate of Appreciation for his assistant in organizing the Conference.
Chairman Woodworth presented Certificates of Appreciation to Arthur Smith (L) and Bob Bowen (C) for their help with the Conference. The President General was presented a book of locations for Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Chemung County, NY.
Chairman Woodworth presented President General Butler a two-volume boxed set of books dealing with the U. S. Constitution. First Lady Robin Butler received a candle holder and bird figurine.
Conference Chairman Bill Woodworth presided at the Saturday Night Banquet and introduced President
General Butler who spoke (below) about what those taking part in his trip to Spain next year will witness, including
a possible audience with a member of Spain's Royal Family.
