Mary O’Shei, left, Registrar Alice Putnam Chapter Colonial Dames XVII Century and NYS Registrar Colonial Dames XVII Century and NYS Coat of Arms Chairwoman Colonial Dames XVII Century receives a certificate for the most junior members admitted into a Chapter from Brenda Johnson, state President of the NYS Colonial Dames XVII Century.

The Alice Putnam Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century met at the Elma Towne Grill. The meeting was called to order at 11:17 a.m. by President Barbara Pietro. The Invocation was given by Chaplin Elizabeth Mourer followed by the Opening Ceremony and roll call. Seventeen members were present.

The secretary’s minutes from April 1, 2025 were approved as distributed by Myra Johnston, Secretary by a motion from Bonnie Larkin and second by Deborah Ayers. Treasurer Bonnie Larkin gave printouts and reviewed the finances to May 5, 2025 with no monetary changes.

Mary O’Shei, Registrar, introduced Cheryl Mackiewicz as a new member to our Society and stated one more application is in process in Washington.

O’Shei shared that Alice Putnum Chapter placed third at State Conference for the most junior members. And the Alice Putnum Chapter has several members serving at the State and National levels. Those individuals include Brenda Johnson as state President, O’Shei as state Registrar and state Coat of Arms Chairwoman, Larkin as treasurer, Linda Kuzara as state Secretary and Deborah Ayers will serve as state Membership Chair and as National Defense Chair at National. Ayers retired as state President and was nominated by O’Shei to be an Honorary NYS President for life. Marcia Hutt seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously. This will be proposed at the State Conference in November 2025.

Ayers gave a report on the by-law changes from the National Conference. Details can be found online.

Pat Ruggerio presented on the National Defense article about the Oklahoma City Bombing. We all remember that day.

Historic Markings and Preservation Chair Brenda Johnson reported that plans are complete for our field trip to Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo to mark Alice Putnam’s grave. Members will lay a wreath and flag on her grave on May 20th, 2025. She distributed maps to the cemetery plot.

Larkin presented a draft of the Member Directory she is preparing and passed it around so members could make any corrections.

Scholarship Chair Jean Isloe is retiring and Pietro is serving temporarily.

The next meeting is June 3 at the Elma Towne Grill at 11 a.m.

Those who would like to join can email moshei@roadrunner.com for more information.