Wisconsin Society News Archive

Spring 2011 Bulletin

On December 4, 2010, the Wisconsin Society held a festive holiday luncheon at the Venice Club in Brookfield, WI. The meeting, which included such additions as flags, fine wines, toasts and candy canes, was regaled by Governor Thomas P. Curtis with tales from the American Revolution.

As part of an effort to draw together the several patriotic, hereditary societies in the state, members of the Wisconsin Society of the War of 1812 and the WISAR were invited to and participated in the luncheon. Contrary to rumor, it hadn't snowed too much in Wisconsin that day and all enjoyed the occasion.

Fall 2009 Bulletin

Robert E. Clark presenting award to Colonel Michael Conway.

Robert E. Clark, an associate of the Wisconsin Society, presented, on behalf of the OFPA, this year’s Best ROTC Unit Award in the Western Region to Colonel Michael Conway at the University of Minnesota.

On 5 May 2009, The Wisconsin Society of the OFPA held its Annual Meeting at the elegant Wisconsin Club, a tradition of many years standing.

From left to right: OFPA-IL Governor James F. Barr; Governor General John Bourne; WI President, Daughters of F&P Gail Toerpe; WI past Gov. LTC Thomas Pelham Curtis II, and newly-elected WI OFPA Gov, William Plummer at the OFPA-WI annual meeting.

Governor General Bourne honored the Society with his presence and a short talk, encouraging the membership to work with the Daughters of Founders and Patriots and other hereditary societies in building membership. In addition to the many associates and wives/guests present for the occasion, the governor of the Illinois Society of the OFPA, Jim Barr; the President of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots, Gail Toerpe; and the Vice President General of the Sons of the Revolution, Michael Kelly, were in attendance, bringing greetings from those groups. It was an election year for the society and, among others, John William (Bill) Plummer was chosen to be the governor for the upcoming biennium. The Governor General did the honors in swearing in the new board of officers and a good time was had by all.

Spring 2009 Bulletin

Left to right Lt. Col. Michael Conway Commander of The University of Minnesota ROTC, Master Sergeant Mayo Robert E. Clark Wisconsin Chapter of The Founders and Patriots of America is The Presenter.

I, Robert E. Clark of Maple Grove, Minnesota (Wisconsin Chapter of OFPA), was asked by Tom Curtis in October if I could present The famed OFPA ROTC Award to the University of Minnesota ROTC, 11th Brigade as winners for 2007, Western Region. I accepted and had a great time at the Holiday Inn Metrodome in Minneapolis. It was on Friday night, the 21st of November 2008. There were about 132 Cadets present and several guests. There was one other presentation at the Ceremony, for Chaplain Lt. Col. Morris, the Chaplain for Fort Snelling. After the dinner I presented the Founders and Patriots of America Award to Lt. Col. Conway, Professor of Military Science and Department Head and Master Seargeant Mayo, also in charge of the Cadets. I talked to several Cadets and Officers before the Program started and they were all excited about the award, they mentioned they had already made room for the certificate on the wall in their main hall at the Armory on campus.

Fall Bulletin 2007

Illinois Society Governor Jim Barr and Wisconsin Governor Tom Curtis welcome Governor General Mike Phelps to their Summer Banquet at the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee.

As part of his multi-faceted schedule, Governor General Michael Phelps joined members of the Wisconsin Society for a weekend in Milwaukee. On Friday, August 17, the Governor General was wined and dined at the famous Karl Ratzsch German Restaurant in downtown Milwaukee, with Governor Thomas P. Curtis as his host. The following morning, he was given a tour of the city by Secretary Jerry Hill. That Saturday evening, Associates and their wives gathered in the elegant Wisconsin Club (the former home of General Billy Mitchell) for a special banquet to honor Governor General Phelps. Held in the beautiful Deutsche Room, the event proved a great success with a relaxed atmosphere complemented by the meal.

Spring Bulletin 2005

Associate John William Plummer receives his rosette from PGG Thomas Pelham Curtis.

Associates of the Wisconsin Society met for an elegant, formal banquet at the beautiful Wisconsin Club in downtown Milwaukee in 2004. It was an event made particularly pleasant by the presence of ladies and guests, including representatives of the Daughters of Founders and Patriots.

The evening began with a reception held in the richly decorated Deutsche Room and then moved to the candle-lit tables, set with white linen and silverware. There all enjoyed a splendid meal accompanied with the usual toasts and an ambience expected of such an event.

Following the banquet, Governor Thomas Pelham Curtis introduced new members to the gathering and concluded the evening with an entertaining tale of how Paul Revere stole the idea of a Boston Massacre political cartoon from Curtis’ fifth great grand uncle, Peter Pelham, by copying the original etching and selling the pirated version on the street before Pelham could do so. A similar banquet is planned for April of 2005.

Spring Bulletin 2004

Wisconsin Society hosts the Governor General in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. From left: Associates William H. Upham, Jerry P. Hill, Governor General Alden Atwood, Governor-elect Thomas P. Curtis, and Governor Winston C. Williams

The Annual Meeting of the Wisconsin Society of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America was held at the Milwaukee Athletic Club on 29 November 2003. The gathering was particularly festive in that it was held in conjunction with the Society of Colonial Wars in Wisconsin, 1812 and the Sons of the Revolution with the OFPA acting as host society and Governor General Alden Atwood in attendance.

After a sumptuous luncheon Governor Williams held a short business session in which new Associate James Earl Green was formally inducted into the Order and a new slate of officers were elected.

The Governor General then installed the new Board of Officers and gave a short speech concerning the state of the Order.