Morse Society Portland Convention

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2004 Portland, Maine

MS Newsletter Issue No. 118

    It was a cloudy but festive weekend in Portland, Maine, for our 25th year reunion. Chairman Dick Morse reported that 85 people were in attendance at our host site, the Merry Manor Inn. Members traveled from as far away as California, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee, and Ontario!

   The reunion kicked off at 4:00 PM on Friday with registration and the Research Team's Open House. Line Shepherds helped some members find a Morse progenitor and recorded new information from others. Several attendees brought their immediate family genealogies and photo albums, which generated much interest.

   Next, President Stafford-Ames Morse held a reception in the Grand Ballroom, where everyone had an opportunity to meet new cousins and catch up with family from reunions past while munching veggies and cheese and sipping punch.

   Saturday started off bright and early as our formal business meeting was called to order. The main business items were the election of officers and consideration of the new bylaws. The slate of officers was elected for a new two-year term, and revised bylaws were adopted by acclamation after section-by-section discussion and a few modifications. As part of the new bylaws, elections will be held every 2 years, with all members having the opportunity to vote by proxy. The membership also approved the new annual dues and life membership rates.

   We were honored as Reunion Chairman Dick Morse displayed a handsome plaque that was presented to him by Linda R. Boudreau, Mayor of South Portland, welcoming the Morse Society and commending its dedication to our family history.

   During the mid-morning break, coffee and cookies were served, and raffle tickets were sold for prizes to be awarded after lunch.

   In the second session of the business meeting certificates were awarded to the youngest member, oldest member, most grandkids, most great grand-kids and married the longest. In closing the business meeting, President Morse announced that the next reunion will be held in October 2006 in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

   Following the business meeting, members, family, and friends gathered in the Grand Ballroom for a soup and sandwich buffet lunch. Over dessert and coffee, member Dr. Mary Revenis updated us on our DNA project. Lunchtime concluded with our traditional photo session and the raffle of prizes, which included jugs of Morse Maple Syrup, boxes of Morse's Tea, and caps from the Morse Diving Company. Everyone walked away from lunch a winner, however, as all attendees received a Morse Society mug just for attending the reunion!

   In the afternoon, attendees were treated to two seminars. Malia Rigler and her dad, Stafford-Ames Morse, presented "Genealogy 102", explaining and fielding questions on Morse Society research methodology. Scott Tilmont presented :Gravestone Photography" in which he described how to sweep through a cemetery to scan for Morse stones and how to photograph and submit them to the Morse Society Gravestone Project. Scott demonstrated some of his digital photo wizardry, which can sharpen and clean up less-than-perfect photos. Many attendees took advantage of the late afternoon trolley tour of Portland area attractions, including the Victoria Mansion and the Portland Head Light.

   We assembled again Saturday night for our traditional farewell banquet, with Carl Morse, our English Researcher, as the keynote speaker. Carl presented a slideshow on "Research in England" in which he reported on his summer 2004 trip to England on behalf of the Morse Society.

   The newly elected board met over breakfast Sunday morning to review the previous day's activities and discuss issues on the agenda for the coming year. With all the choices of activities and presentations, opportunities to visits, and excellent food, everyone seemed to have a good time. Thanks to Dick Morse for arranging such a great reunion for us!

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