At our 1994 Annual Picnic held at the home of Jim Blauer, the colony celebrated its
20th Anniversary. Frances Diefenbach and Ben Clark spoke on the early years of the colony.
Giving us some of this history you have been reading.On April 27,1996, Judy Swan became
our new Governor. She had previously served as Recording Secretary from 1992-1994 and
Assistant Governor from 1994-1996. On May 17th & 18th our colony hosted the State
Meeting for the third time. It was held at the Red Lion in Costa Mesa. The Friday evening
dinner was hosted by the Colony. Jim Blauer welcomed those in attendance by singing "Consider
Yourself" as members of the Orange County Colony presented pink carnations to
the ladies present and welcomed the visiting members and guests from around the state. Dr.
Melinda Burrill spoke on Castles in England, Scotland & Wales. At the
end of the Friday evening festivities Jim Blauer sent everyone on their way to the tune of
'A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening".
Member Ann Manley and husband Leigh were introduced as they were celebrating their 50th
Wedding Anniversary. Justine Boose, June Lazich and Fran Diefenbach handled the
registration. Jim Blauer had the colony's Gift Table available both days and took in over
$1500 for the colony. A bulletin board was set up on which there were placed several
historical write ups on the Pilgrims and Mayflower.
In 1996 & 1997 the picnics were held at the home of June Lazich. In planning for
the National Congress in the fall of 1996, members met at the home of Pat Ansite on July
13th. A Pot luck was served and we were given an idea of what to expect on some of the
issues that would come up. On August 3rd we met at the home of Governor Swan for an
Executive Board Meeting to plan for the next couple years.
At the triennial Congress in September, the colony was well represented with Justine
Boose, Judy Swan, Donna Cole, Arlene Havens, Frances Diefenbach and Jim Blauer. Also
attending from our colony were Keri Lawson and her daughter Kristin, Elizabeth Reidy, June
Lazich and Jim Lewis. Ten Members and several spouses. Our colony constituted 1/4 of the
California delegation of 39.
In September 1996 a program was given by Ellen Robertson on the Jamestown settlement.
In November Assistant Governor Jim Blauer gave a slide presentation on the Mayflower House
and its furnishings. Donna Cole showed what the early colonial housewife wore. In February
1977 Roberta Craig spoke on the Fabulous Jewels of Queen Elizabeth II. The Gift table was
on the move with stops at the San Gabriel Valley, San Diego, Orange County, Pomona and
Golden Empire Colonies.
At our April 26,1997 meeting the new video "The Mayflower Pilgrims" was
shown. In June our members were on the move as well as our Gift Table as we headed north
to Sacramento for the State meeting. Once again we were well represented. Keri Lawson and
daughter Kristin were there. Kristin was part of the Friday night program as she spoke on
her ancestor William Bradford while dressed in a colonial outfit. Also attending were Liz
McLendon and her husband Rod, June Lazich, Justine Boose, Jim Blauer, Judy Swan, Tom
Cooper, Donna Cole and her husband Earl. Governor General Richard Maxwell was the featured
speaker and told of the parentage of the More children that were on the Mayflower. Our
Gift Table was well manned by Earl Cole while Jim Blauer and the others were in meetings.
At our September 20,1997 meeting Donna Cole, June Lazich and Judy Swan portrayed Mary
Allerton Cushman, Priscilla Mullins Alden and Elizabeth Tilley Howland respectively and
told of their experiences in the early years of the colony. At our November 22 Compact Day
Luncheon, Lou Carlson spoke to us on what the rest of the world was doing while our
ancestors were dealing with their lives. He showed several heirlooms that dated to that
time period. It was at this meeting that our newly created Trailing Arbutus Awards were
presented. Earl Cole was given the Trailing Arbutus of the Year Award by Governor Swan.
There were 75 in attendance.
It was noted by Governor Swan that former Governor Mrs. Robert A. (Gene) Nelson had
recently passed away. She served as colony Governor from 1984-86. It was during her term
that the Mayflower Compact project was begun and completed. She gave a program called "Women
of the Mayflower". Her booklet and her leadership will be her lasting legacy
to our colony.
On the morning of December 13,1997 we lost former Governor James Lindley Emerson. Jim
had served our colony in several areas over the years. In the mid to late 1980s he was the
Historian. He served as Assistant Governor from 1988-1990. In 1990 he began his two year
term as Governor. Following his term as governor he was asked to be our speaker on two
separate occasions. The first was to give his talk on "We Are All
Cousins". Here he explained that once we are able to get back 10 or more
generations we will find others who have the same ancestors as we do.
The second program was that on the Continental Marine of the American Revolution and
their uniform. As a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Jim Emerson’s
chapter worked for years to raise the money for the fabric and the sewing of these
authentic replicas. He explained its creation, history and practical uses. His
contributions to our colony as well as the many other hereditary societies he belonged to
shall be his legacy to their future members.
In the first half of 1998 we lost two other members who were just starting to get
involved. In January we lost our Liaison Officer to the Board of Assistants, Arlene
Havens. In April we lost our Recording Secretary Maureen Seely. They were serving for the
first time. The contributions they could have rendered to our colony will be our loss.
At our February 28th 1998 meeting we had an amazing 94 people attending. It was at this
time that Marion De Vol received the Trading Arbutus of the Year Award. While Governor,
Judy Swan was asked by the State to chair the new Scholarship Committee. In the process of
running the State contest, she found one of the Juniors from our colony had written a
worthy essay. The colony awarded Rose McLendon a $500.00 Scholarship.
Another first for our colony. Poetry of the Pilgrims was the program presented by newly
elected Governor Jim Blauer. June Lazich read Pilgrim Hymn and Ode To The
Pilgrim Fathers. Liz McLendon read The Pilgrim Vision and
Governor Blauer read The Mayflower Spirit and A Pilgrim Tribute.
Those chartered members who are still with us include; Frances Diefenbach of Laguna
Hills, Beverly Hovanec of Anaheim, Mr. Donald E. Smith of Orange and Mrs. Richard (Irene)
Bunnell of Fullerton.
Colony Governors over the years are as follows (X denotes deceased).
