President’s Report Fall 2023
This post is directly from the Fall 2023, Historical Journal of the More Family, Volume 15, Number 7, Whole number 159
On June 30, 2023, a small but mighty group of JMA cousins arrived in Johnson City, Tennessee. We were excited to meet four cousins who had never attended a More family gathering – Alex and Edna Horony from Tennessee and Bob and Betty Rutherford from Georgia.
Saturday morning we piled in cars and made the trip to Roan Mountain State Park where we had reserved a shelter for the day. After our board meeting and lunch, we left in two groups to explore the park and stopped for dinner on the way back to town. It was wonderful to spend time with former JMA board member Alice Jarrett. Perfect weather. Perfect location. Wonderful memories!
Each fall we begin to plan activities for the upcoming year. The mini-reunion in 2024 will take place in and around Williamsburg, Virginia, July 19 – 21. Use Friday to explore Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, or Water Country USA. Friday evening you’re invited to gather at my home – yes, I’m moving back to my hometown this fall. On Saturday we’ll drive about thirty minutes to spend the day in Hampton, Virginia. A visit to Fort Monroe (a new member of the National Park System) and time along the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads harbor front will be highlights of the day. Plan to stay in the area on Sunday and enjoy a leisurely walk through Colonial Williamsburg and the College of William and Mary, purchase treats in the Merchant Square area on Duke of Gloucester Street, and taste local food or libations. More details will be included in the spring Journal.
With our 2025 reunion in Delaware County, New York, fast approaching, it’s important to begin planning the details for our quinquennial gathering. The dates have been finalized with SUNY-Delhi and the city of Roxbury: July 24 – 27, 2025. Plan to arrive Thursday so you’ll be ready for a full day on Friday. We’ll plan to visit the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, NY – something we didn’t have time to do in 2022.
Make plans to join your cousins in the Catskills in 2025.
Calling all cousins – WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to assist with planning and coordinating activities for the 2025 reunion. Leadership positions available: Chairperson/co-chairperson, registration, activities, ceremonies, church service and meals. We have the dates – but the rest will not happen without a leader and reunion committee. I’ve compiled a notebook with reunion planning details that will be given to the new committee chairperson. I’ve done the leg work – it’s time for someone else to plan the details! Cousins will be sleeping in cars, eating out of their coolers, and watching the clouds roll by if people don’t volunteer to plan the reunion. We need a commitment for these positions by January 15, 2024. Volunteers will also be needed to support these events. VOLUNTEER – it’s the best way to meet new cousins and enjoy the weekend! (Contact Patty or Becky – see page 2.)
Happy fall, y’all!