National Conference of State Societies

Pizza, Coke, and Vote Meeting is 6:30 pm Tonight

The National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) invites state society presidents, officers, delegates, or alternates to come for your share of the pizza pie at 6:30 pm on Thursday, May 15 in Room 383 of the Hall of States at 444 N. Capitol Street, NW.

After pizza and soft drinks, we vote on the report of the Nominating Committee for NCSS Officers for next year and head home fast to enjoy the rest of May.  NCSS Bylaws require a quorum of at least 18 state societies represented at this annual meeting to hold elections. Please make sure your state society is represented by an officer or delegate.  Nominations may be made from the floor for any office.

The nominating committee met by conference call on May 7. The members are Bill Christian of the Texas State Society as Chair, Paul Sweet of the California State Society, Rachelle Schroeder of the Mississippi State Society, Angela Hope of the Kentucky Society, and Mark Rhoads of the Illinois State Society.  The committee nominates the following people for 2008-2009 NCSS officers:

Re-election of Lourdes Barrett of the Guam Society for President; Lorna Daniels of the Hawaii State Society for First Vice President; Robert Hoffman of the California State Society for Vice President External, Aaron Cohen of the Nevada State Society for Vice President Internal (subject to confirmation), John Magnuson of the Minnesota State Society for Vice President of PR and Marketing; re-election of Brad Mantel of the Ohio State Society for Treasurer; and re-election of Peggy Sue McNulty of the Wisconsin State Society for Secretary (subject to confirmation).

The committee also extends special thanks on behalf of NCSS to current First Vice President Elizabeth Clement Webb of the Tennessee State Society whose work schedule will not permit continuing her outstanding service in the coming year.  Thanks also to Ian Rose of the North Carolina State Society and to Jim Clarke of the California State Society for their strategic help and advice last year.

Florida State Society Barbecue is Wednesday, May 21

Save the date.  Please Join the Florida State Society of Washington, DC for Barbeque Happy Hour!  The time is 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at The Florida House, Number One Second Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.  This event is for members only but if you want to learn how to join the society, please CLICK HERE to visit our web site.

Life Goes Fast, Texans East Dessert First--June 15

The Annual Father's Day Picnic of the Texas State Society of Washington, DC will be held on Sunday, June 15 at Smokey Glen Farm, 16407 Riffleford Road, in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  CLICK HERE for a map and directions.

There will be Shuttle Service to Smokey Glen from Shady Grove Metro stop on the Red Line from 11:00 am-7:00 pm (last shuttle will depart Smokey Glen at 6:45 pm)  Take the right side exit from the Metro and the shuttle will stop straight ahead.

11:30 am-Registration begins.  Main meal 12:30-3 pm (BBQ chicken, ribs & brisket), apple pie & Blue Bell ice cream.  Hot dogs served 5 hours along with the usual beverages (Shiner Bock).  CLICK HERE for more information about Texas State Society events, to purchase tickets for the picnic, and to join the society.

California State Society Picnic is June 21

Save the date.  Sunday, June 21 from 11 am to 4 pm is the date of the annual California State Society Picnic at the Polo Grounds between the FDR and Lincoln Memorials. More information will be posted soon on the California State Society web site.  CLICK HERE to learn how to join the society and for information on other upcoming events. The Polo Grounds are bounded on the north by Independence Avenue, SW, on the west by Ohio Drive,SW, and on the south and east by West Basin Drive, SW.  CLICK HERE to see a map of the area just south of the Lincoln Memorial.

Washington State Society Potlatch is Friday, May 16

Pictured at left is a decorated blue felt travel pennant from Seattle celebrating the gathering of native northwest American and Canadian tribes in 1913.  The Washington State Society will host the 48th Annual Potlatch on Friday, May 16, 2008 at The Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Avenue NW.

Tickets are $49 per person for reserved seats and tables are $650. Event sponsorship is also available. For sponsorship questions or to purchase tickets, please contact Stephanie Scroggs (stephanie.scroggs@gmail.com) or Michelle Van Hoff (michelle_vanhoff@yahoo.com).

Josephine Eckert and Katy Quinn are Co-chairs for the Potlatch Dinner. To learn more about this event, how to become a sponsor, and how to join the Washington State Society, please CLICK HERE.  To learn more about the "Potlatch Dancers" painting, please CLICK HERE.  To learn more about the Potlatch custom, please CLICK HERE.

State Society of Arizona Chat with Sen. Kyl is May 16

This event is limited to members of the State Society of Arizona only and is free to members.  To learn how to join the State Society of Arizona please CLICK HERE to visit our web site. Please note that the start time has been changed to 8:15 am from an earlier invitation.

Maine State Society Lobster Dinner is Saturday, May 17

The Maine State Society of Washington, DC will host its 63rd Annual Lobster Dinner on Saturday night, May 17 at the Elks Lodge at 8421 Arlington Boulevard in Fairfax, Virginia.  The location is one mile west of the beltway on Route 50.  Tickets are going very fast and pre-paid reservations must be received by May 9 so there is not much time to get your reservation form mailed to the Maine State Society.  The price is $40 per dinner and the alternative offering to lobster is filet mignon.  Please CLICK HERE to see more details on the Maine State Society web site.

Movie Stars Are Coming to Washington, DC for the 2008 GI Film Festival May 14-18 at the Carnegie Institution

The National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) invites all state society members to help celebrate Armed Forces Weekend.  Left to right: Robert DuVall, Gary Sinise, Jon Voight, Karri Turner, Kelsey Grammer, and Capt. Dale Dye are some of the TV and movie stars coming to Washington, DC during Armed Forces Weekend for The Second Annual GI Film Festival, May 14-18, at the Carnegie Institution, 1530 P Street, NW facing 16th Street in Washington, DC.  CLICK HERE to find out how to see a movie premiere or listen to a panel discussion that celebrates the positive role models and their families who serve our country in the American Armed Forces. Photo credit for DuVall photo is Glenn Harris, PR Photos for Exposay.com and for the Voight photo is wireimage.com.

Wisconsin State Society Tailgate Party is Sat. May 24

26th Annual Brewers Game & Tailgate Party

Breakout your Brewers gear and join us on Saturday, May 24 at 7:10 PM to see the Milwaukee Brewers play the Washington Nationals at their new riverfront park.  This year we will be joined by the Washington area alumni clubs of Marquette, Wisconsin and Purdue.  At 4:30 PM preceding the game, we will be hosting one of our famous tailgate parties in Parking Lot #7 at RFK Stadium.  There will a FREE Shuttle to and from Nationals Stadium. In addition to genuine Wisconsin beer and brats, we will have 100 percent beef and meatless hot dogs and all the fixings.  The cost for the tailgate party and game is $25 for paid up members and guests.

CLICK HERE for more details on our WSS web site.

Connecticut State Society Still Has Gold Cup Tickets

The Connecticut State Society still has a few tickets left for the Virginia Gold Cup races on Saturday, May 3.   Ticket price is $55 for members and $70 for non-members.  Price includes bus that will leave Washington for The Great Plains in Virginia at 10 am on Saturday and return at the end of the day.  Please call Neil McKiernan at 202-675-3052 or send an email to Neil at CTSocietyDC@gmail.com. To learn more about how to join the Connecticut State Society and what events are coming up, please CLICK HERE to visit our web site. 

Divided Loyalties at Illinois State Society Baseball Night

Kristine Cornils, at left wearing a Washington Nationals hat, and Cheryl Rhoads wearing a Chicago Cubs hat, agree to disagree on who to root for at the Illinois State Society baseball night on Saturday, April 26 at the new Nationals Park.  This picture was taken from the Miller Lite Picnic Area where society members joined Northwestern University Alumni for a pre-game supper. But one thing that everyone agrees on is that the new park is terrific with a great view from every part of the stadium.  The New Jersey State Society also attended games last week to see the Mets play the Nats.

Hawaii State Society Party is Saturday, May 31

The Hawaii State Society will host a "Lei Day" Party on Saturday, May 31 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Beth El Hebrew Congregation Social Hall at 3830 Seminary Road, Alexandria, Va. 22304.  A musical theme of the party will feature the radio programs of "Hawaii Calls," a popular show that was broadcast each week from 1935 to 1975 from the courtyard of the Moana Hotel (pictured above) on Waikiki. Admission price is $8 per person for HSS members and $10 for nonmembers.  CLICK HERE for more information. 

Maine State Society Volunteers at Gettysburgh on May 3

Members of the Maine State Society of Washington, DC will travel to Gettysburgh National Battlefield Park in Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 3 to take care of Maine Civil War Monuments. Under the leadership of former society president Foe Meader, The Maine State Society joined the National Park Service Adopt a Position program in 1996 and agreed to help clean-up and maintain monuments that are dedicated to the 5th Maine Battery and the 17th Maine Infantry.  CLICK HERE for more details on the trip.

Wisconsin and Connecticut Societies Help DC Schools

Two State Societies are contributing volunteer helpers for "Hands on DC" on Saturday, April 26. Members of the Wisconsin State Society of Washington, DC and alumni from the University of Wisconsin and Marquette will participate in the annual Hands On DC work-a-thon on Saturday, April 26, from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. To participate, e-mail your name and phone number to Peggy Sue McNulty at peggysue.mcnulty@gmail.com. CLICK HERE to watch a five-minute movie about the Hands on DC project.

Four months ago members of many state societies answered a call from the Maine State Society to help lay holiday wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. The event was a big success.  Now the Connecticut Society of Washington, DC needs helpers who can volunteer on Saturday, April 26 from 9 am to 4 pm to help paint a DC school classroom.  CLICK HERE to learn about "Hands On DC" project to help DC Schools.  Both the Connecticut and Wisconsin State Societies worked on this worthwhile project last year in 2007. Please CLICK HERE to register to help or donate money at the team page.  If you have any questions you can send an email to Liz Muro, Team Leader for the Connecticut Society Volunteers, Hands on DC Workathon. The email address for Liz is calilizmuro@yahoo.com. 

Mississippi on the Mall will be on Saturday, June 14

Save the date of Saturday, June 14--Flag Day--for the 2008 Mississippi on the Mall.

CLICK HERE for upcoming events information from the Mississippi State Society.

New York State Society Centennial Dinner is July 23

Two hundred and fifty thousand people in Times Square cheered as dozens of rugged cars started their engines near the New York Times Building on Feb. 12, 1908 to start the epic Great Auto Race.  The race ended for a hearty few 169 days and 22,000 miles later the long way around the world in Paris.  New Yorkers in the nation's capital that year were organizing the New York State Society of Washington, DC.  The society members will celebrate 100 years of history with the New York State Society Centennial Dinner celebration on July 23, 2008 "celebrating the Spirit of New York" at the Willard Interncontinental Hotel. CLICK HERE for early details, more to come soon.  Below: Immigrant children at Ellis Island in 1908 from the National Archives.

Oklahoma Congressional Reception is Tonight

REMINDER:  The Oklahoma State Society Reception for the state Congressional Delegation is tonight, Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 6-8pm - The reception will be in the Senate Caucus Room (SR-325) Russell Senate Office Building. Please RSVP by sending an email to okssmail@okstatesociety.org with the names of people planning to attend.  Also, don't forget OKSS tickets to the Virginia Gold Cup Races on Saturday May 3. CLICK HERE to get OKSS tickets.

Next NCSS Board Meeting is Thursday, April 24

The next Governing Board Meeting of the National Conference of State Societies (NCSS) will be held this Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 pm in Room 283 of the Hall of States at 444 N. Capitol Street, NW.  NCSS President Lou Barrett has appointed Texas State Society President-elect Bill Christian to chair the NCSS Nominating Committee for the coming year.  A report will be sent by email to state society presidents and delegates before the annual elections meeting on Thursday, May 15.  Nominations are always permitted from the floor as well.  Please circle May 15 now on your calendar.  NCSS Bylaws require that at least 18 state societies be present on May 15 to have a quorum for elections.  If you want to volunteer for a committee or serve in an elective or appointed office next year, please send a short biography to Bill Christian at wmc1963@comcast.net.

South Dakota State Society Party on May 1st

Brad Mollet of the South Dakota State Society sends us a reminder that the next South Dakota party is on Thursday, May 1st at the American Legion Hall on Capitol Hill (3rd and D, SE). To avoid crowds at the door, we are urging as many folks as possible to mail their checks for $20 prior to the event. This will help expedite the process at the door, and it will ensure a faster line for all those craving Taco John's. We would appreciate receiving your checks no later than Monday, April 28th. Please address checks to The SD State Society, and mail it to: 428 3rd ST, NE Apt 201, Washington DC 20002.

If you are unable to send a check at this time, we would appreciate if you'd RSVP if you haven't already done so. This will allow for us to print off name tags, and it will help in determining how many taco's and potato ole's we'll need. And the open bar will consist of beer and wine. To RSVP, please send an email to SouthDakotaSociety@gmail.com.  We would like to thank Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLC, and The Bockorny Group for helping in sponsoring this event. (Photo above shows falls of the James River in South Dakota.  A tributary of the great Missouri River, at 710 miles, the James River it is the longest unavigable river in the world.)

Illinois State Society Still Has Cubs v. Nats Tickets

The Illinois State Society of Washington, DC still has tickets for the Cubs v. Nationals game on Saturday night, April 26 at Nationals Park.  For more information contact Gerry Frank by sending an email to IllinoisStateSociety@verizon.net or call 703-461-3610.  Leave a message and Gerry will return your call or email.

New Jersey State Society Plays Hookey for Mets

The New Jersey State Society of Washington, DC still has a few tickets for the Mets v. Nationals game at the Nationals Park on Thursday, April 24.  NJSS members and sponsors will meet before the game at 6 pm at Bullfeathers Restaurant on the House side of Capitol Hill at 410 First Street, SE.  Tickets are $31 each. If you want tickets, send an email to jersey@njstatesociety.org or call 202-333-5750. 

Kentucky Society Pre-Derby Party is Now Sold Out

Tickets for the 27th Annual Kentucky Society pre-Kentucky Derby Party set for this Saturday, April 26 at the Collingwood Estate near Mount Vernon are now sold out.  But the Kentucky Society has other fun events planned during the rest of the year so if you're from the Bluegrass State, visit our web site to find out how you can join us for other activities. Please CLICK HERE to visit us.

Sociedad del estado de Arizona Recepción para Cinco de Mayo Se llevará a cabo el Dos de Mayo

Rep. Jim Kolbe of Arizona will open up the hospitality of his Capitol Hill neighborhood home to members of the State Society of Arizona for a Cinco de Mayo reception on Friday, May 2 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Admission is free to members of the society who RSVP but non-members may attend for $35 which will include the cost of membership for one year and a chance to purchase tickets to the Route 66 Inaugural Ball next January.  For more details on these events and to find out how to join the society, please CLICK HERE.

Mexicans and Americans of Mexican heritage celebrate Cinco de Mayo as the day in the struggle for independence from Europe when Mexican militia troops led by General Ignacio Zaragoza and loyal to President Benito Juarez won a great victory over the French occupation forces paid by Napoleon III.  This year the day marks the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

Louisiana State Society Crawfish Boil is Sat. May 3

The Louisiana State Society will sponsor the absolutely delicious, scrumptious, and terrific annual Crawfish Boil on Saturday, May 3 from 1 to 6 pm at Fort Hunt Park near Alexandria, Va. For directions to Pavilion A at the picnic grounds and to order tickets online, please visit our LSS web site and CLICK HERE for more information.  On other web pages, you will find information about how to join the Louisiana State Society of Washington, DC.

Georgia & South Carolina Gold Cup Event Is Sold Out

The Georgia and South Carolina State Societies are sponsoring a party at the Virginia Gold Cup on Saturday, May 3.  This event is now sold out.  But keep watching this page for other state societies that are sponsoring Gold Cup parties. Several still have tickets and there are contact details above and below this post. If you are from Georgia and would like to learn more about the Georgia State Society and how to join, please CLICK HERE to visit our web site.  If you are from South Carolina, please CLICK HERE. 

A Letter to NCSS from Lynda Johnson Robb

The Honorary Chair of the 2008 Ball and  guest of honor was the 1961 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen, Betsy Howard Jefferson.  Betsy was 19 when the wheel stopped on Kentucky, the state she represented.  On April 11, Betsy returned to the NCSS Grand Ball to spin the wheel for the First Runner Up, Elinor Rushforth of New Mexico.  On the night in 1961 when Betsy was chosen as Queen, she was asked for the first dance by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson.  Lynda Bird Johnson, daughter of the vice president, is shown on this page in a black and white photo presenting flowers to Betsy.  Betsy is also pictured in a color photo as she looks today wearing the Mikimoto pearls she received in 1961.  While Mrs. Lynda Johnson Robb, a former First Lady of Virginia, could not attend this year's ball to recreate that 1961 moment, she did send a warm and gracious letter to all the guests at the NCSS Ball.  Here is the full text of that letter which was addressed to the MC of the ball:

Andrea Roane

News Anchor for WUSA9

Dear Andrea and Friends:

I regret my schedule prevents being with you all tonight as you celebrate the 60^th Anniversary of the Princess Program.  As a former cherry blossom princess for the Texas State Society (let’s not be specific on dates, but just stick with “former”) I have wonderful memories of that time when my father was Vice President and agreed to spin the Wheel of Fortune.  The Wheel stopped on Kentucky and I presented flowers to Betsy Howard before Daddy asked her for the first dance.  I am so pleased tht Betsy is with you tonight as Honorary Chair and I thank you for sending me pictures from that long ago evening.

 

Spring in Washington, DC is a special season, particularly because of the cherry blossoms that adorn the trees donated to America by Japan as a symbol of goodwill.  The blossoms help us enjoy the beauty of nature, something you know was so important to Mother.  The blossoms also continue to promote goodwill between our two countries year after year.  The 60^th anniversary of the Princess program is a testament to the continued success of that goodwill mission and I’m proud to have been a participant. My best wishes to Betsy and to all the former and current cherry blossom princesses from the embassies and across the United States. I hope you enjoy the parade on Saturday and am sure you have had a wonderful week of getting to know each other and sharing a little of your own local goodwill with your fellow princesses.

   

With warm regards,

Lynda Johnson Robb

Greetings from the Class of 1948

The recently-concluded National Cherry Blossom Festival was also the 60th Anniversary of the NCSS Cherry Blossom Princess Program that started in 1948.  Joan Lovering Boos and her husband Fred Boos (pronounced Bows) were two special guests at the NCSS Grand Ball on April 11.  Joan was in the very first class of princesses in 1948.  She is pictured at left at the ball with Japan Cherry Blossom Queen Megumi Yoshida of Saitama, Japan.  Not only did Joan attend the ball but she also saw her 2008 counterpart, Emily Little, become the Cherry Blossom Queen when the wheel stopped on Maine. (Photo courtesy of Maine State Society President Carl Bouchard.)

More Gold Cup Parties--New Mexico and Idaho

The Idaho State Society and The New Mexico State Society of Washington, DC will jointly host a Virginia Gold Cup Party on Saturday, May 3.  Tickets priced at $50 each include food, drinks, transporation to and from The Plains, Virginia as well as access to the track-side tent for the steeplechase horse races. Busses will leave and return to the Santa Fe Cafe in downtown Rosslyn.  If you are from Idaho or New Mexico and want to find out more about how to join our state societies, please contact us.  If you are from Idaho, please send an email to idahostatesociety@gmail.com.  If you are from New Mexico, send an email to info@mnstatesociety.org.

Oklahoma Society Congressional Reception is April 22

Tuesday, April 22, 2008, 6-8pm - The Oklahoma State Society Congressional Reception will be in the Senate Caucus Room (SR-325) Russell Senate Office Building. Join us for a wonderful evening with Congressional Members, food, drinks and lively conversation. Please RSVP for the reception by sending an email to okssmail@okstatesociety.org with the names of people planning to attend.

AND -- OKSS Tickets to the Virginia Gold Cup Races on Saturday May 3. CLICK HERE to get OKSS tickets.

1,600 Photos of Cherry Blossom Princesses Posted

Photographer Bobby Singh has posted 1,600 pictures of the 2008 NCSS Cherry Blossom Princess Program from April 6-April 12.  All are available for purchase direct from Bobby.  To see photo albums for each day and event:

CLICK HERE.

 

Ford Mustangs Return to the Parade

Left to right: Nevada cherry blossom princess Jennifer Cooper, Maine Princess and 2008 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen Emily Little, Ohio princess Shelly Horn, and Nebraska Princess Abby Helman, pose in the back seat of a 1972 Ford Sprint Mustang that was first used for princesses in the 1972 National Cherry Blossom Parade.  More than fifty 1972 Mustangs were part of a special promotion that year by the Ford Motor Company. (Photo courtesy of Rex Turner of the Ford Mustang Club.)

Maine President Carl Bouchard photos also posted

CLICK HERE to see photos from Maine State Society President Carl Bouchard.

COMING SOON! More NCSS Cherry Blossom Photos

Photos by Bobby Singh will be posted very soon.  For information on the exclusive group photo on the night of the ball, April 11, send an email to info@photobybobby.com.

International Princess Chair Joan Neiman gives a hug to Maine Princess Emily Little as the Wheel of Fortune stops on Maine to make Emily the 2008 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen.  Just minutes before, Emily had been voted by the other princesses as Miss Congeniality.

Illinois Society Gives Award to Mr. Justice Stevens

On March 20, 2008 the Illinois State Society of Washington, DC gave its Lifetime Public Service Award to U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice John Paul Stevens. Justice Stevens was born in the Hyde Park neighborhood on Chicago's south side in 1920. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1941, served with distinction as a Navy intelligence officer in World War II, and graduated from Northwestern University School of Law in 1947 where he received his Juris Doctor degree.  He practiced law in Illinois until 1975. He has now served the Court for 33 years. He will observe his 88th birthday on April 20.

Left to right: John Buscher, President of the Illinois State Society; Anna Buscher of ISS; Justice Stevens, Bill Horin, past president of the Northwestern University Alumni of Washington, DC; and Michael Bloom, president of the University of Chicago Alumni of Washington.