Morse Society 1998 Plymouth Convention

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1998 Plymouth Massachusetts

MS Newsletter Issue No. 51

The meeting opened by President Arnold Morse at 10 AM, October 9, 1998. The meeting was held in the Acomacho Room, Plimouth Plantation, Plymouth, Massachusetts. It was attended by 32 members, 22 spouses and guests for a total of 54 persons.

The president welcomed all members and guests. He then thanked Howard Gilson the reunion chairman and all members of the reunion committee especially Martha Mercorelli for placing an announcement of the meeting in the October issue of "Yankee" magazine and asked for a hand of applause for her. Martha quickly informed the audience that the suggestion to insert the notice came from Howard.

Arnie then asked each member to rise, introduce himself, and state which line he comes from, where he came from and introduce his guests. He started by introducing his cousins, Ruth Fay and Barbara Paradisio and her husband Leonard better known as Gino. Eric Morse, Treasurer and Editor of the newsletter introduced his wife Cindy and daughter Meaghan. 1st V.P. John R. Morse stated that Amy his wife had not attended due to the fact that Benjamin their son, had the sniffles. When all members had finished Arnie again thanked them fro coming and mentioned that some had traveled quite a distance several from Californai, Washington State, and Texas.

   He mentioned that all members present today will receive a photo of the Morse Monument. The Council has voted $350.00 to repair and maintain it and he hoped that all will be able to visit it before going home.

   Following that the president said he had some business matters to introduce. He then stated "the most serious matter is that the elections scheduled for this month had to be canceled due to lack of volunteers for the positions of president and treasurer." Further, he said, "I am, today announcing that elections will be held in January 1999. Those elected will take office in March 1999. I urge you to step forward and volunteer." "Also" he said, ""there is a need for volunteers to serve on the Nominating Committee. We need two volunteers who are not members of the Council."

He continued saying "one of the disturbing problems the society has to face is the loss of members. Some of them being long-time members. This year approximately 70 were dropped from the rolls. In October 1997 aproximately 90 members were dropped. Those dropped this month were notified in the July newsletter that their dues had not been paid and the the July issue was the last issue they would receive. One result of the loss of membership is that there is a decreasing number of members to pay the expenses of the society. Through no fault of theirs there was no provision for investing the advance dues payment. I have pointed this out previously and there is no reason to rehash what can't be undone."

"The by-laws approved and voted for in October 1997 established a revised formula for calculating the amount of life dues based on age. Advanced dues will be placed in an interest bearing CD or government account."

"The 1997-98 tax return has been filed. There is one disappointing item reflected therein. That being a penalty of $150.00 levied by the State of Florida. I had been advised that the extention to file granted by the IRS would be recognized by Florida. I was misinformed. I paid $75.00 half of the penalty." Continuing on, he said "I, also, tell you that because I messed up and published the wrong date for this reunion, I had to send out postcards to correct my act of stupidity. The post cards cost $95.00. I paid for them out-of-pocket."

   1st V.P. John R. Morse has volunteered to head the Nominating Committee. Other council members are Robert Tappan and Howard Gilson.

The highlight of the luncheon was the Guest Speaker Richard Pickering, a member of Plimouth Colony who spoke about living the life of a 17th century person. He spoke in the dialect of that time and wore the clothes of that period. His description of the life that they lived was vivid. He answered many questions, when the subject concerned life in the 1620's, he wore his hat. Questions which were about other subjects he answered without the hat and spoke in topical English.

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