Irene inquired how Laurie was able to do this. Laurie explained, "All I had to do was look in the Library and he was there waiting for me". She went on, "I am so excited about my discovery, I intend to Organize a chapter in Orange County".

The first known gathering occurred on April 27,1974. It was held at the Saddleback Inn on First Street in Santa Ana. At 2:00 P.M. with no more than a dozen people present the meeting was brought to order. Charter member Frances Diefenbach attended this meeting which she and her mother had only found out about two days prior at a DAR meeting.

On May 9,1974, P. Glenn Smith, the State Governor of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of California, opened a meeting held in the Board Room of the State Mutual Savings in Tustin, California. After Governor Smith offered a prayer and the Pledge to the flag was recited, the meeting was turned over to Mrs. Vincent (Laurie) Musso, Chairman of the Organizing Committee. The By-Laws were read and accepted. Membership fees were discussed and agreed upon as follows; Entrance Fee $10.00, Pedigree Fee $2.00, Annual Dues $10.00, Life Membership $150.00, and Junior Membership $10.00. The Standing Rules were read and accepted. Singing at the meetings would be left to the discretion of the Governor and dependent on the availability of a piano.

Governor Smith suggested that those present give a brief idea of their business and organization experience to determine suitability to fill elective offices of the colony. The following were nominated and elected. Governor - Mrs. Vincent Musso, Assistant Governor - Mr. Donald E. Smith, Secretary - Mrs. Karen P. Glomb, Elder - Mrs. Daniel(Irene) Jordan, Historian/ Registrar - Miss Martha Fuller and Treasurer Mrs. Larry Northecross. Installation of officers would be held once the charter for the Orange County Colony had been obtained. This would take place on May 18,1974 at the San Francisco Annual Board Meeting. A tentative date for the end of June was set for the presentation.

Governor Smith suggested all members write letters of transfer to those colonies involved as well as State Officers. The importance of this was stressed as each colony receives $1.00 from the State Treasurer for each member. Speakers for the meetings were discussed and Governor Smith passed out bookplates and copies of the Compact to members present. June 22,1974 was suggested as a possible date for installation of officers. Mrs. Glomb offered her home for the affair. The Colony was officially chartered on June 29,1974.

Mrs. Jordan's husband, Rev. Daniel Jordan, suggested a donation of money be made to begin the treasury. $16.00 was collected. Members present at this Organizing meeting were Mrs. Vincent Musso, Mrs. William Glomb, Mrs. G. Rymal, Mrs. Irene Bunnell, Mrs. Beverly Hovanec, Mrs. Larry Northcross, Mrs. Milton Broberg, Mrs. Daniel Jordan, Miss Martha Fuller, Mr. Howard Terry, and Mr. Donald Smith. Guests included State Governor P. Glenn Smith, Mrs. P. Glenn Smith and the Rev. Jordan.

The first meeting of the Orange County Colony of Mayflower Descendants in the State of California was called to order by Governor Laurie Musso on September 28,1974. They met at the Revere House in Tustin. The new colony was off and running.

On April 26, 1975 the election of officers was held for 1975-76. The new executive Board consisted of the following; Governor Don E. Smith, Assistant Governor--Ernest Day Carmen, Secretary - Beverly Hovanec, Treasurer - Norma A. Northcross, Registrar - Martha Fuller, Historian - Fran Diefenbach and Elder - Irene Jordan. They were sworn in by State Governor, P. Glenn Smith.

After having placed an item in the July 2Oth edition of the Santa Ana Register, on July 26,1975 the colony held its first picnic. It has continued as a tradition to the present. The first one was held at the home of Mrs. Sidney Graham. Subsequent picnics have been held at Leisure World, or the homes of members like Jim Emerson, Jim Blauer and June Lazich.

On August 29th at 8:00 P.M., August 3Oth at 2:00 P.M. & 8:00 P.M. and August 31st at 2:00 P.M., an MGM film, The Plymouth Adventure, was presented by the officers of the colony at the Orange City Council Chambers, 300 E. Chapman Avenue. This Movie starred Spencer Tracy, Van Johnson, Gene Tierney and Leo Genn. It was free and was part of the Orange International Street Fair and an approved event of the Orange Bicentennial Commission.

The September 1975 and February 1976 meetings were moved to the Marriott in Newport Beach. They met at the Sheraton on April 24,1976. The second summer Picnic was held at the home of Victoria and Sidney Graham on July 31, 1976. The first raffle was held at the Marriott on September 18,1976. The Plimouth Cookbook was won by Mrs. Cunningham. This was made possible by member Fran Diefenbach, who had been authorized at the May 15,1976 Board Meeting to spend up to $50.00 on Merchandise to be raffled off at meetings. To this day the raffle remains a tradition with the colony. With the expansion of the gift table, three items are selected at each meeting. Tickets run three for $1.00 and members and guests have fun hoping they will win one of the prizes. The colony wins also as the money raised goes into the treasury for future use. Those who have helped to run the raffle over the years are Rev. Daniel Jordan, Mrs. John (Ann) Blauer, James Blauer, and Earl Cole.

On February 26,1977 the colony moved to the Airporter Inn in what is today Irvine. The colony continued to meet at this location until a change was made in September 1995 and they moved to the Holiday Inn in Costa Mesa.