2006 Southern Chapter Newsletter

January 13, 2006

Report of the 2005 Southern Association Mershon Reunion
Dateline: April 29, 2005, Savannah, GA

If you missed this reunion, you missed a great one. A good time was had by all. Savannah has a history of Mershon’s, some of whom are buried in its centuries old cemeteries along with American Revolution and Civil War veterans.

Thanks to Roselyn and James Taylor of Waycross, GA, for doing an outstanding job of hosting the 2005 reunion. Roselyn’s ancestors were early residents of Savannah.

A short history lesson: Savannah was originally settled and laid out by British General Oglethorpe in the mid 1700’s. Original settlers were religious refugees and English debtor prisoners .

Some of us arrived on Wednesday, April 27, and after meeting in the motel lobby, we decided to go with Nancy Riviere’s cousin Catherine VanValkenburg to "Tubby’s" restaurant for dinner. The next day we were invited to Catherine’s home on the intercoastal waterway, and after a short visit we went to lunch at a beach restaurant on the Atlantic ocean near the Tybee lighthouse. After lunch some of the ladies went sight seeing, and the rest of us visited the "Mighty Eighth Air force Museum." The Eighth Air Force was formed in Savannah in 1942 during WWII and was sent to England to bomb German targets. That evening a little bull session was held in the motel lobby before everyone retired.

On Friday a very informative tour of Savannah was arranged by our host which began at 9:30a.m. with "Old City Trolley Tours." We returned to the motel at noon. Roselyn did a fine job of coordinating the Friday night dinner at "Lady and Sons" restaurant in the Historic District of old Savannah. We met in the parking lot about 5:00 and convoyed there. The restaurant was made famous by its owner, Paula Dean, who has a cooking show on the food channel.

On Saturday after breakfast, the 2005 Mershon business meeting was convened in the conference room of the motel at 9:30a.m. The meeting was opened by President Jim Butler with a prayer given by Chaplain Glen Roberts and the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag led by Hiram Darden. Everyone was asked to give a short history of their part in the Mershon story which was very interesting. A little business was done. A vote was taken that passed unanimously to have the 2006 reunion in Pigeon Forge, TN on the first weekend of May. This reunion will be hosted by Ann Roberts and Betty Butler.

Nashville, Tennessee was selected as the site for the 2007 reunion.

The nominating committee chairman, Bill Trott, reported that new officers will be elected at the 2006 meeting and that future elections will be for two year terms with a new incoming president appointing the nominating committee for the next election two years hence.

The hat was passed to help defray the association expenses. Betty Butler announced that there was a deficit in expected costs of about $100.00 which will be made up from treasury funds. The treasury funds are used primarily for costs associated with notices and related expenses. We send out several hundred of these. Expenses involve costs of newsletter mailings, copying or printing, envelopes, and stamps. The computer time is gratis as well as the time to prepare the mailings. Please send your e-mail address to Betty (bettybutlr@aol.com), so we can eliminate some "snail mail" costs.

Regina Darden has the minutes of the meeting and will share them with you at our Pigeon Forge reunion business meeting.

Lallie Benkowski gave a talk on the book, Flyboys, by James Bradley, that includes a story about Mershon hero Marv Mershon, an airman killed in WWII by the Japanese after being taken prisoner.
Wally Riviere reported that his father, Walter Elam Riviere, Sr., passed away February 21, 2005, just four days after his 94th birthday. Walter was one of the founders of this organization and a gracious host during the early years of the organization. He also was a very good friend to many of us.
A tasty buffet lunch was prepared by Bars Catering Service which was served at 12:15. So much food was prepared that we also ate supper about 5:30 from the leftovers. The meeting was adjourned at 2:00p.m.

Some of the group had reservations for "Jukebox Journey" at Savannah Theatre at 8:00pm. We convoyed there so as to arrive by 7:45. An excellent musical show of 1950’s music was presented. After another full day, we returned to the motel about 11:30. Because most were leaving early the next day, good-byes were said before retiring.

We had a good time, learned a little more about our family history, and renewed old friendships as well as made new ones.

Our thanks go to Wally Riviere, who is a tenth generation Mershon in America, for helping prepare the above report on the 2005 reunion.

2006 REUNION: The Southern Branch of the Mershon Association will hold its annual reunion in Pigeon Forge, TN on Friday, May 5th and Saturday, May 6th, 2006. Ann Roberts and Betty Butler are co-hosting this event.

Betty has reserved a block of rooms at the National Parks Resort Lodge, 2385 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863, from May 4th to 7th.

The cost of a room is $39.95 for Thursday, May 4th, but increases to $59.95 Friday, May 5th and Saturday, May 6th. Reservations may be made at any time, but must be confirmed no later that April 5th, 2006. Should cancellations be necessary, rooms need to be canceled by April 10th, with a written notice required for a full refund. (FAX notification is OK, 885-429-0159). If cancelled after that date, there will be a charge of one nights’ lodging per room.

To make reservations call Sara Rose, coordinator for our group, at 800-843-6686, and mention the Mershon Reunion. For those desiring a longer stay in Pigeon Forge, days may be added at a cost of $39.99 on week days and $59.99 on weekends. Questions? Call Betty at (816) 358-5313.

Several of us are planning to arrive as early as May 2nd in order to go to DollyWood the afternoon/evening of May 3rd and all day May 4th. A ticket purchased after 3p.m. allows for returning the next day at no added cost. Tickets can be purchased at the lodge after our arrival. We hope many of you will come early and join us.

We will begin the business meeting Saturday at 9:30a.m. in a conference room at the Lodge, break for lunch, and after that continue until we are finished.

Ann Roberts has arranged for our Friday night dinner with entertainment and also for Saturday night’s entertainment. We will be going to the Black Bear Jamboree Dinner Theater on Friday at 5:00p.m.for dinner and a show. She also has arranged for us to go to The Comedy Barn for only a show at 5:00p.m. on Saturday night.

Ann negotiated a group rate for both of these events. The cost is $48.00 per person (one dinner, two shows) provided we have at least 20 reservations; otherwise the higher standard rates apply. In order to secure this group rate, payment has to be made in advance, in one check only. Therefore, Ann will be taking your reservations and collecting the money so she can pay up front. Reservations and money must reach Ann by March 30th. Cancellations must be made not later than April 16th to get a full refund. After that date we are committed; therefore no refunds can be made. Send reservations and money to Ann Roberts, 3300 NW 26th AVE, Gainesville, FL 32605. Her home phone is 352-372-1356 -- Cell phone 352-215-3113.

REUNION 2006 - A GREAT FUN TIME - HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Respectfully submitted by

Jim Butler,
President, Mershon Association, Southern Branch