2007 Southern Chapter Newsletter

Report of the 2006 Southern Association Mershon Reunion

Dateline: May 6, 2006, Pigeon Forge, TN

If you didn't make this reunion you really missed a good one. We had a great time visiting Dollywood, touring Pigeon Forge on a trolley, shopping, and fellowshipping with each other.

I would like to take this time to thank all of you who attended the 2006 reunion in Pigeon Forge, TN for putting your faith in me and electing me as your president for the next two years. If you ever have any questions feel free to call or e-mail me and if I can't help you I will do my best the find the answers for you.

Thanks to everyone for their help in putting this reunion together. A special thanks to Betty Butler who worked tirelessly as usual and to Larry Morton for sending us brochures of Pigeon Forge so we could get some ideas as to where we might want to stay and visit while there. Betty Butler and Ann Roberts were the hosts for this year's reunion.

Some of us arrived on Tuesday May 2 and the others arrived during the week. That evening we overate at the All American Restaurant adjacent to the hotel. We had our usual evening discussions in the hotel lobby each evening. On Wednesday after we took the trolley ride around town some of us visited the flea market and the Pro Bass Shop in Sevierville and the ladies went shopping at the wholesale outlets. We went to dinner at the Apple Barn restaurant and again overate.

On Thursday everyone who had arrived went to "Dollywood" and had a great day at the entertainment shows starting out with the Russian Circus. All had a good day and the weather was great. We arrived back at the hotel in time to have supper at the Cracker Barrel restaurant across the street.

All had a very nice spring vacation and reuniting with old friends and cousins is always a treat.

WR Minutes from the 2006 Southern Association Mershon Reunion:

President Jim Butler called the meeting to order at 9:35 am, chaplain Glenn Roberts led Prayer, and John Kastor led Pledge of allegiance.

Everyone present, there were 23, gave a brief introduction of their ties to the association.

Recognition of those who could not make it due to illness included Lallie Benkowski, and Hiram and Regina Darden.

The vote for new officers results as follows:

A motion to be included in the incorporation of the Mershon Association carried. Our genealogists Bill Trott thanked Betty Butler and Lallie Benkowski for the help they have provided to him to compile our family history during the past few years. Bill stated that he now has over 34,000 names in our genealogy records.

Treasurer Betty Butler gave a report of our treasury, which is in healthy condition. The hat, A Gator Hat, was passed and a significant donation was collected.

It was announced that the old family tavern in New Jersey is for salt. The current owner is looking for a new owner that will carry on the tradition of restoration. A video about it is available from Bill Trott. Nan Cochoran displayed a very good painting that she did of a cemetery side of the old church in Lawrenceville, NJ. Nan and Jim are now officially Southerners as they have moved from the shores of NJ to southwestern Virginia. Thanks were given to Betty, Ann and Larry for their efforts in planning this years meeting. The planning committee for the 2007 meeting was appointed. Betty Butler and Ann Roberts have agreed to do it again next year. Thank you Betty and Ann. It was announced that the committee would only plan for the Friday night dinner meeting and the Saturday business meeting. Any other event for the week will be decided by those present that week. Note: Planning for LARGE MEAL meetings shall be kept to a minimum.

A motion carried to have two mailings before the 2007 meeting. The first will be a letter/e-mail with this year's recap and a short outline of next years meeting. The second will be a postcard with details for the 2007 meeting and request for those planning to attend to return the card with intentions and moneys for planned event. Betty Butler, with information obtained by Larry and Lois Morton from Dallas, TX, made arrangements with the National Parks Resort Hotel for our housing this year. Ann Roberts made reservations for our Friday night dinner party and variety show at the Black Bear Jamboree as well as entertainment Saturday night at The Comedy Barn. We ate at The Old Mill Restaurant Saturday night after the Jamboree. Betty Butler, Nancy Riviere, John Kastor and Lois Morton provided snacks for the meeting. The meet was adjourned at 12:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Wally Riviere,
Recording Secretary

2007 REUNION:

The Southern Branch of the Mershon Association will hold its annual reunion in Nashville, TN on Friday, May 4th and Saturday, May 5th, 2007. Ann Roberts and Betty Butler are co-hosting this event. More information will be sent in the next few months on where we will be staying and Friday night's dinner.

HOPE TO SEE YOU - NASHVILLE, TN IN 2007

Respectfully submitted by
Ann Roberts,
President, Mershon Association, Southern Branch

PS: Some of us are planning on going to the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday night the 6th . We are going to try and get our tickets in the Golden circle area. If you are interested in going, please make reservations. We would love to have you join us. http://www.nashvilletn.com/