The 1998 Reunion and Annual Meeting
Part One
by Arlan Willard, President
Our 90th Annual Reunion and Meeting of the Willard Family Association of America was held in Cromwell, Connecticut and the historical district of Old Wethersfield.
At the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Cromwell we began getting together on Friday afternoon, the 31st of July. Your Officers and Directors were provided a meeting room for their Board Meeting late in the afternoon. (This is one of the three meetings we hold each year.) From 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. 46 of us registered and met old and new friends at a very pleasant social hour. Our group appreciated the fine dinner in a private banquet hall at the Radisson. We did not all take advantage of the indoor pool, whirlpool, or sauna but we did enjoy the companionship, laughs, and interesting stories provided by many who gathered after dinner in the Radisson's lounge. A special thank you to Anita Spooner and my wife for their help with registration and sale of Willard articles.
Saturday morning, August 1, 62 members of the WFA family met at the Keeney Memorial Center in the historical district of Old Wethersfield, Connecticut. Coffee and pastries were served and the Annual Meeting called to order at 10 a.m. I am pleased to report that out of the fourteen members on the Board, twelve were in attendance. We had participants from twelve states -- from California to Vermont.
William L. Willard, Sr., of South Windham, CT was introduced as our newest Director. Bill was appointed to this position by our Board until the next election. Glad to have you aboard, Bill. It was also my pleasure to announce that Karen E. Willard of Buckley, WA, a Director, will also be recognized as Co-Editor of the Newsletter. She joins Marjorie Travis, of Lexington, MA, our excellent Newsletter Editor of long standing. Thanks, Karen, for the great job you are doing. My final announcement informed those attending that Alan C. Spooner, of Scituate, MA, President for six years and most recently a Director, is now 3rd Vice President and Auditor. Thanks, Alan.
Ruth Willard has a report immediately following about all other Saturday activities.
And, speaking of Ruth... how fortunate this Association is, and especially how fortunate I am, to have Ruth H. Willard of Wethersfield, CT as a member of WFA, the Historian of WFA, a member of our Board and surely an exceptional, responsible and successful Chairperson for the Willard Family Association's Annual Meeting and Reunion.
Ruth, thanks to you and your wonderful family, our 90th Reunion was great in every way.
Part Two
by Ruth Willard, Historian and Hostess for the Reunion
At the conclusion of the annual meeting, a delicious buffet luncheon was served. After an enjoyable meal, we assembled in the lecture area of the hall to hear Nora Howard, author of Stories of Wethersfield, the latest publication on Wethersfield history. Nora gave us a very interesting talk and slide show about the local history, and she told some fascinating anecdotes -- including a number relating to our Wethersfield Willards.
Luncheon and lecture were followed by a walking tour conducted by Betty Arnold, an experienced local guide. She showed us the 1761 Meetinghouse of the First Church of Christ with the newly acquired sundial, donated by a branch of Wethersfield Willards in memory of their mother and former WFA Board member, Virginia Willard (Mrs. Howard Willard).
Next we toured the cemetery behind the Meetinghouse, and Betty pointed out the Ephraim Willard stone which is the oldest Willard stone in the cemetery. The walking tour ended at the oldest house in town, the Buttolph-Williams House, built in 1720.
For those who wanted a tour of First Church of Christ in Wethersfield, Roger Willard, a custodian of First Church, opened the Meetinghouse, and Roger and I pointed out the various features of this wonderful 18th century building.
It was a gorgeous day, and after all the touring when everyone was warm and tired, they enjoyed lemonade and cookies at my house. This also gave members an opportunity to view the Willard archives in the basement -- lots of scrapbooks, files, books and articles.
A little later we met at Amici's restaurant for Saturday night dinner.
On Sunday morning some of our group attended services at the Meetinghouse of First Church.
Great reunion, enjoyed by all who attended.
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