AOI's Most Recent Newsletters
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Here are the minutes approved at our last luncheon meeting:
If you were not at our May 2010 luncheon:
The fourth luncheon meeting of this year was held on May 21 at the Channel Inn. In pointing out that this is our 145th year, President Bill Brown noted that we are but five years away from our own AOI sesquicentennial celebration. There were 83 members and guests present for the luncheon.
Lee Rogers moved, seconded by Al Wheeler, that the minutes of the April 16 meeting be accepted as printed in the newsletter. The motion was approved.
Bill Brown announced three new applications for membership. They are for Joseph C. Akers, Jr., Destinie Jones, and Stacey J. Kornegay. All of the applicants learned about AOI after reading John Kelly's column in the Washington Post. A motion to accept the applicants was moved, seconded and approved.
Treasurer Hulit Taylor presented a brief report on finances and membership. We have 26 new members (of which 12 are the direct result of having read of AOI in John Kelly's column). Bill Brown noted that Rebecca Sheir’s story about “What It Takes To Be Considered a Washingtonian” was broadcast on WAMU’s “Metro Connection” and rebroadcast yesterday on “Morning Edition.” Bill received three membership inquiries as a result.
Bill Brown reported several items of AOI achievement and recognition:
As a partial result of AOI’s resolution calling for recognition of the Centennial of Building Height Act, symposium was organized by the National Capital Planning Commission and the Fine Arts Commission, and was held at the Navy Memorial auditorium this week. Larry Beasley, Vancouver B.C. urban planner, who was a key speaker of the conference, and who is an authority and frequent proponent for tall buildings expressed his view that Washington's height restrictions make the city unique, distinctive, and workable.
As a result of Lee Rogers reporting at our last meeting on the history and plight of DC’s World War I 16th Street Tree Memorial, DC Councilman Phil Mendelson introduced a resolution to mark the 90th anniversary (on May 31, 2010) of the dedication. The resolution states, in part, "the Council of the District recognizes and acknowledges the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants for its efforts in reminding us of our fallen heroes and calls upon all of its citizens to pause and reflect on the supreme sacrifice made by its sons and daughters who gave their lives not only in World War I but in all the wars and military actions of the United States." [Twenty-eight AOI members, neighbors and dignitaries gathered at 16th St. & Alaska Avenue on May 31 to commemorate the Centennial and kick-off a guided walk by Lee Rogers of the 2.3 mile long memorial.]
The Phil W. Ogilvie Award for 2010 was presented on May 13 to Lisa D’ Almeida of the George Washington University for academic excellence in the accelerated Master of Tourism program. The award has a scholarship stipend of $500, contributed annually by AOI in memory of Phil Ogilvie, former AOI president. Lisa had a 4.0 grade-point average. Her name has been added to the plaque for Ogilvie Awardees.
The DC Federation of Citizens’ Associations, at its centennial gala dinner ceremony on May 12, awarded AOI its Sustained Civic Activism Award, citing AOI's dedication to the preservation of the L'Enfant and the McMillan plans; our partnering with the Military Road School Preservation Trust; the Heurich House Museum; the Franklin School Coalition; our participation in the annual July 4th Parade; and our attempt to generate information and possible records of the former Association of Oldest Inhabitants (Colored) Inc., our counterpart organization from the time of segregated District of Columbia.
Today's speaker was not one, but an entire six-pack of speakers. We had the distinct pleasure of experiencing the masterful performance of FREED--the Female Reenactors of Distinction. The six woman acting team recreated the roles of historic figures in African American history as recreated in the Civil War Era. The reenactors were Pat Tyson, Joyce Bailey, Theresa Saxton, Helen Hassel, Nia Kuumba and Alma Harris. Pat portrayed Hallie Quinn Brown, an abolitionist and teacher. She was born in Pittsburg in 1845. She attended Wilberforce College in Ohio. She became known as a lecturer and teacher, traveling to Europe. She lived in England and was presented to Queen Victoria twice. Returning to America she fought for civil rights for blacks and suffrage for woman. Other historic figures depicted in one-woman vignettes were Mary Celeste Chelsea, of Norfolk VA, Charlotte Forten Grimke of Washington DC., Susan Baker King, Elizabeth Keckley (Mrs. Lincoln's confident) and Harriet Tubman. The reenactors were outstanding and the parts they played were fascinating as well as educational. Truly enjoyable…
Respectfully submitted…
Seymour Selig, Secretary