Present: Wanda M., Cheryl M., Cheryl R., Wayne M., Arlie M., Sherry K., Monica H., Annette H., Mikayla H., Randy G., Brenda H., Sharon L., Susan B. Regrets: Lacey L., Marion McD., Wendy C.
Welcome: Wanda thanked all for attending and invited new members to introduce themselves and briefly explain their family connection.
Updates:
Family Tree - A chart prepared by Laurie W. was distributed to everyone. It displayed all the descendants currently identified through Ancestry as Mahon DNA matches. Descendants have been identified from 6 branches of the family, so far. Cheryl R. spoke about the need to help Laurie build the family tree and provide her with any updates on their family.
Communications – Wanda reviewed the importance of our website and encouraged everyone to sign onto the site. Cheryl M. spoke of the local media postings, including a letter to the Editor of the local EMC and in the newsletter for the ABC members, Bolingbroke.
Reunion Committees – Wanda invited everyone to consider joining one of the Reunion Committees. A handout of Committee Responsibilities was circulated and sign-up forms were distributed at the end of the meeting.
Discussion of Ideas & Suggestions: Buttons were produced for an earlier reunion with the Mahon ‘coat of arms’ on the facing. Interest was expressed in putting the ‘coat of arms’ on the name tags for our 2019 reunion. More information is available on this and should be researched before the next meeting. The Higginson Reunion used flags to mark the family tombstones in 3 cemeteries. Members at the meeting liked this idea and suggested doing the same for ours. The reunion is a weekend event for the whole family and it was suggested that we seek out a younger crowd to work on the Kid’s Program. We need to determine our fixed costs and the greatest expense will be the Saturday buffet. It was suggested that we get estimates before the next meeting and approach the Civitan Hall first for their menu and costs. Monies will be payable at registration and to encourage early registration we could have a cancellation policy. The creation of the self-driving map will be lots of fun. A local artist was contacted for an estimate on the cost of producing the map. It can be printed on an 8.5 x 11 and folded like a pamphlet. Possibly have presentations focusing on the careers of early family members. Add area campgrounds to the accommodation list and contact local hotels about discounts. Sharon L. brought the Bible of the Rideau Ferry Mahons for everyone to view. The old photo albums brought by Sherry K. will be copied and brought to the next meeting.
The next General Meeting will be held Saturday, February 16, 2019 at noon in the Commons Room at the Perth Library.