The final luncheon meeting for the year 2011 was held at the Channel Inn on November 18th. President Bill Brown presided and noted that this was the eighth luncheon of our 146th year. There were 116 members and guests attending.
The draft of the minutes of the October 21 meeting was printed in the newsletter (under the heading "If you were not at our Oct Meeting...). President Brown called for additions or corrections for the minutes. Since none were raised, he asked for a motion to accept the minutes and to dispense with their reading.. The motion was made by Joe Grano, seconded by Lee Rogers, and approved.
Bill called upon Phyllis Dunan, Chairperson of the AOI Nominating Committee, to conduct the annual election of officers and directors. The Nominating Committee's report was printed in the November newsletter. The election for officers is for the coming year, and that for directors is for 2012-2013. Director's terms expire on a staggered basis, thus not all director incumbents require reelection now. The Nominating Committee is Phyllis Dunan (Chair), Barbara Drechsler, and M. Jean Lockard.
All potential officers and directors agreed to serve if elected. The Committees selections were announced: For President (incumbent) William N. Brown; for Vice-president (incumbent Director) John P. Richardson; for Secretary (incumbent) Seymour Selig ; for Treasurer (incumbent) Hulit Taylor; for Historian (incumbent) Nelson Rimensnyder. For Directors: Incumbents Jan A.K. Evans (Houser), Sherwood Smith, and Leslie B. White. Following the reading of the candidate names Phyllis asked if there were any nominations from the floor. None were made, and Chairman Phyllis asked for a motion that the nominations be closed, which was offered by Don Larrabee and seconded by Kay Eckles. The motion was approved. Phyllis then called for a motion to approve the slate by acclamation which was moved, seconded and approved with enthusiasm. Phyllis concluded the elections and expressed appreciation for everyone's cooperation.
Bill expressed gratitude for the committees work. He mentioned that John Richardson has become Vice-president and that the unexpired portion of John's director's term will be filled by John Gill, Sr. Directors Carl Cole and Damon Cordom do not require reelection as their 2 year terms continue until next year's election. Bill noted that John Richardson is Chairman of the AOI Sesquicentennial Committee. That event will take place on Sunday December 6, 2015 in the afternoon.
There were 5 new applications for membership. The applicants are David Landers (nominated by George Hutchinson); Ilona Melstrads (nominated by Steve and Esther Timlin); George Mattingly (nominated by John Wigglesworth); James Johnson (nominated by Margo Lyddane); and John McManus (husband of Shirley McManus). Allen Beach moved that the applicants be accepted as members, seconded by Helen Tsintolas. The motion was quickly approved.
Treasurer Hulit Taylor presented our financial and membership data for the period since the October meeting. Non-routine expenses were $500 for the Heurich House Foundation, $100 for membership renewal for Committee of 100, $93.60 for DC Flags for rededication of WWI Memorial, and $14.95 to renew the Domain Name for the AOI Website. At the end of October our investment account had increased to about $175K, still slightly below where it was a year ago. On membership we now have 360 members. The income from membership dues more than covers our major membership expenses(newsletter, postage, telephone). The Board has decided that dues will remain at $15. Bill pointed out that our expenses do not include costs for services such as web site management, newsletter management, program management and all executive staff services are performed by volunteers, predominantly our president, without remuneration or material compensation.
Bill sadly noted the passing of long time cherished member Irving Lindenblad, widower of past AOI Director Joyce Waters. Irv was an astronomer and was retired from the US Naval Observatory. Bill mentioned that AOI member and colleague USNO astronomer Randy Clarke was not here now because he was attending the service for Irv at this very moment.
Bill pointed the importance of some of Joe Grano's activities in regard to saving the DC World War I memorial for the memory of those from DC who served and sacrificed. Joe became a champion for making Pershing Park into the national memorial in Washington for that war. Joe also generated support for honoring Constantino Brumidi for his work as the Michelangelo of the US Capitol, with a Congressional gold medal. Bill expressed how much Joe has contributed with his tireless work in the past year alone.
Bill introduced members’ guests, first timers, long lost returning members.
Historian Nelson Rimensnyder and Bill provided more information on progress regarding the search for records and personal recollections of the history of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants (Colored) Inc., subsequent to James Goode's breakthrough discoveries regarding that organization much like hours in the time of segregated Washington. The story is nicely described in the November newsletter.
Bill brought us further information about the Historical Society of Washington and its substantial progress, and the future which now seems much brighter.
The speaker for today was Dr. Mark Ozer. He is a retired Professor of Neurology at Georgetown Now that he is retired he has returned to another of his passionate interests---the love of History, and Washington history in particular. He spoke to us a year ago and made a big hit after writing of DC. Now he has written a second DC history book about Massachusetts Avenue in the Gilded Age. His presentation was an amazing blend of people stories as well as accounts of architecture and topography, He doled out a most fascinating mix of history, thoroughly laced with information and spiced with widespread touches of scandal. He instantly had our group in the palm of his hand staring to hear tales of those who made it big in DC society and what led them to it. Mark remarked that AOI is the only place in Washington where these names mean something to everybody. He seemed to enjoy his presentation as much as we did. He is a master of timing and we look forward to further success from this amazing speaker!