112th Annual Meeting 

The Annual Meeting of the Piscataqua Pioneers was held on July 23, 2016 at St. John's Episcopal Church, Thaxter Hall, 100 Chapel Street, Portsmouth, NH. President Tylene Jousse officiated the 112th meeting. There were approximately 45 members in attendance and the assembly met the quorum requirement of 25 active members being present. First Vice-President Charles Tarbell and Carla Mueller read the Mission and Objects of the Society. The minutes of the 2015 Annual meeting were accepted, the Treasurer presented his report and the Auditor approved the financials. No new members were nominated for membership at this time but three new members had been inducted over the course of the year. Committees reported out that our book had been donated to several college and town libraries during the year. President Jousse passed on a number of recommendations for action to the incoming Vice President. These recommendations are listed along with details of the business meeting in the December 2016 newsletter. 

Then the meeting floor was opened to genealogical sharing. This is always an entertaining time at these meetings. Members will often tell stories found in records or handed down through their families of the activities and sometimes “antics” of their ancestors. Members also spoke to the benefit of having DNA tracing available to them now, and of how to write your families “Story” in a format that would interest others to read. The value of Ancestry.com was lauded by the members and how this website is assisting others in tracing their roots so that they may join the organization. 

After the conclusion of the business meeting, members and their guests toured St. John’s Church. Carrie Ann Carleton was our tour guide. She highlighted the history of the church, the different plaques on the walls listing important past members and the architectural interests of the building. Then the members returned to Thaxter Hall for a luncheon. After lunch was concluded, Sandra Rux, chairperson of the Warner House Association Board of Directors, gave a presentation on the three hundred-year old Warner House in Portsmouth, NH.

To close the 2016 Annual Meeting, the 2017 slate of officers was nominated, elected and sworn in. Finally, the new President, Charles Tarbell adjourned the meeting.