The 31st Annual Banquet for the Williams County Genealogical Society was held June 16, 2014 at the Moose Lodge in Bryan, OH. The guest speaker was Eric Rotsinger, a living historian, portraying the Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Eric started in 1997 portraying Mark Twain. He has worked on getting into Mark Twain’s head, only to find Mark Twain was a character created and marketed image to sell books and show tickets. Behind the mask lies Samuel Clemens, a man as bright and dark, as ridiculous and somber, as calculating and naïve. Eric brought this man in all of his complicated simplicity to life.
Kim Smith, the First Families of Williams County Chairperson, introduced three new members to the First Families; bring the total number of members to 210. They are Jeffrey W. Thompson, surname: Thompson; Dan Clark, surnames: Armstrong, Clark, Mills, Stubbs, Wilbur; and Kim Brown, surname: Yates.
Pam Lash, outgoing President, presented Alice Shaffer, one of the founding members of the society, who is retiring from the board, with a gift in appreciation for her many years of service, advice and leadership. She then presented the new board: Ronda Garbin, Newsletter Editor; Carolyn Pfiester, Historian/ Board Assistant; Marty Richie, Webmaster; Kim Smith, First Families/Williams Co.; Nancy Chamberlain, Membership Assistant; Fred Strobel, Membership; Pam Lash Publications; Melody Turner, Bookkeeper; Jane Huffman, Treasurer/Librarian; Alice Meuleman, Secretary; Mary Alice Roth, Vice-President; and Patricia Goebel, President.
Patricia then presented Pam Lash, who also was one of the founders of the society, with a gift of appreciations for her many years of expertise, wisdom and leadership. The society has grown and flourished with both Alice and Pam’s leadership.
The next meeting will be in September. Have a great summer and Keep Researching!
The purpose of WCGS is the preservation of county records and family research. Monthly meetings are held on the second Monday of each month, excluding July and August, at 6:30pm, in the conference room of the West Annex of the Bryan Public Library. The public is invited for all the meetings.
For further information concerning WCGS, visit the Website at www.wcgs-ogs.com or write to WCGS, P.O. Box 293, Bryan Ohio 43506.