Spring Bulletin 2008


Ohio officers and councilors with Bonnie.

The second half of our Ohio Society’s year began with Governor John Bourne delivering the rededication address for the third consecutive year at the only Tomb in our country for an Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier. The program, joint with the Ohio SAR, is held at Fort Lauren, Bolivar, OH, each July.

The August Councilors’ meeting to plan events for the balance of the year turned into a complete surprise for our Governor when he was presented the Meredith B. Colket, Jr. Award for Outstanding Service to the Ohio Society. Three of the four prior recipients, Dick Fetzer, Dick Haviland and Keith Sheldon made the presentation. The
only other recipient, Dr. W. B. Cleveland, was unable to be present. The Award is named for the late Executive Director of the Western Reserve Historical Society and Editor of Founders of Early American Families, a volume relied on by all of us to establish our Founding ancestors. It is a reference book owned by many Associates nationwide.

Ohio Treasurer and Historian Keith M. Sheldon was our speaker at the September Membership meeting on the topic of, “Why Am I Here?’ While developing his own ancestry for the Sheldon Association, he had encountered difficulties in reconciling the difference of eleven days between the Julian calendar in use in Protestant England until 1752 and the Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholic countries in 1582, and now used by all nations.

In October, we and our wives joined with the Western Reserve Society SAR to celebrate Archibald Willard Night, honoring the Ohio painter of the famous “Spirit of ‘76.’” The event was held at the Cleveland Skating Club with Western Reserve Historical Society Executive Director Emeritus Theodore A. Sande, PhD, discussing, “The Burning of New London, CT, 6 Sep 1781.”

Our November meeting was a very pleasant fellowship gathering despite the unexpected illness and absence of our planned speaker. In December we held our always delightful Holiday luncheon with our wives included.

Governor John M. Bourne 31649 Shaker Blvd, Pepper Pike, OH 44124-5156 216-831-8700

Registrar Richard L. Fetzer P.O. Box 203 Aurora, OH 44202-0203 330-562-5781