MGS-MEMBERS-L Archives

From: "Kevin Sellew" <>
Subject: [MGS-MEMBERS] WFGS Spring Seminar
Date: Wed, 9 May 2007 06:38:02 -0500

Hey Guys and Gals,


I thought I'd tell you about the WFGS conference that was held last Saturday in Pensacola, Florida. MGS was represented by Beverly Dennis, Jane Everest and myself. We left Beverly's house at 7:15 a.m. and arrived at the site of the seminar, Bayview Senior Center, at 8:15 a.m. Now that sounds like a normal trip to Pensacola, but you should know that we were held up for almost half an hour once we got off I-110 onto Cervantes Street by the Fiesta 10K Race. So, bottom line is that we got from Beverly's house to the Bayview Senior Center in downtown Pensacola in about 40 minutes. If you EVER need to get somewhere in a hurry, call Beverly Andretti, uh, Dennis! She can get you there before you even leave! Of course, I'm exaggerating (not), but if you ever ride shotgun with Bev, you'll know what I mean. <grin>

The Bayview Senior Citizens Center is located in Bayview Park on the banks of Bayou Texar. The room was large, well-air-conditioned and the screen on which the presentations were projected was HUGE! I couldn't find any photos of the Center online, but you can view some photos of the Bayou at http://www.brownmarine.com/BAYOU_TEXAR.htm. If you click on the one titled "Bayview Park" you will see the Senior Center way off in the distance just left of center in the photo. While I LOVE genealogy, it was everything I could do to keep from spending the morning out on the huge landing/pier that is right outside the Center.

However, Pamela Boyer Porter fully kept our attention with her topics for the day:

a.. Developing a Research Plan
b.. Rogues and Rascals: Divorced, Litigious, or Downright Criminal Relatives!
c.. Some Real Research Sites on the Internet
d.. Library of Congress Online Resources

She was informative and very entertaining. I'm really glad I didn't miss this event.

Now, with all that said, let me tell you another reason I was impressed with this seminar -- the hospitality of the members of the West Florida Genealogical Society. The flyer for the event said that the entry fee included continental breakfast, lunch and handouts. Allow me to share with you what these people call "continental" breakfast:

a.. Jimmy Dean sausage patties
b.. Homemade Cheese grits
c.. Banana Nut muffins
d.. Fresh Blueberry muffins
e.. "Drop Supreme" cookies
f.. Assorted sliced bagels (with a toaster on the table)
g.. Whipped butter
h.. I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spread
i.. Cream Cheese
j.. Strawberry Cream Cheese
k.. Fresh cut up mixed fruit and melon
l.. Cherry Crunch casserole
m.. Hershey Kisses with Cherry Cordial filling
n.. Tomato, Orange, Apple, Strawberry/Orange and Orange/Pineapple juices
o.. Fruit Punch
p.. Regular and Decaf Coffee
q.. Assorted flavored tea bags and a coffee pot of hot water
r.. and a Partridge in a Pear Tree (not really, but you get the idea)

We were expecting some sort of pastry or doughnuts and coffee. Needless to say, we were not only filled up, but FUELED UP for the morning sessions.

Lunch consisted of Subway Sandwich box lunches with our choice of Ham, Roast Beef or Turkey sandwiches with chips and a big cookie, plus all kinds of 2-liter soft drinks.

SO. We got there fast. We had a great breakfast and a great lunch. The room was large and comfortable. Everyone could see the presentations no matter where they were sitting. We were informed and entertained. The view was beautiful. The event started and ended on time. And they even gave us ball point pens with the Society's name and logo on them.

The only downside was that there were only about 40 people in attendance. Too bad more people didn't share in this great day. Maybe next time.


--
Regards,
Kevin Sellew, Public Relations & Publicity Chairperson
Mobile Genealogical Society, Inc.

251-666-3452

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