Semi-Annual Luncheon Photos

GBOA Meeting, September 4-7 2025

The General Board of Assistants meets during the two years when the The Mayflower Society's General Congress is not in session. This year's meeting of the General Board of Assistants (GBOA) was held at the historic Menger Hotel, not far from the famed River Walk in San Antonio, Texas.  The meeting was hosted by the Texas Mayflower Society.

Featured speaker at the main dinner session was Genetic Genealogist, Blaine T. Bettinger. Activities included a San Antonio Missions tour.

Five of our Michigan Mayflower Society leaders attended: Michigan Society Gov. Craig Rich; Treasurer, Thora Goodnight; Historian, Char Tavarozzi; Assistant-Membership, Lydia Vierson; and Deputy Historian, Aaron Card.

  • The Mayflower Society's General Congress will meet next year in Plymouth from September 11-15, 2026

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Michigan leaders attending, left to right: Craig Rich, Thora Goodnight, Char Tavarozzi, Lydia Vierson, Aaron Card
Mission Concepción Church
Luncheon
Pilgrim Reenactors
GBOA Session
Alamo at Night
GSMD Governor, Lisa Pennington and Texas Society Governor Nancy Freeman Powers
San Antonio's Scenic Downtown River Walk

Spring Luncheon, May 17, 2025

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in Michigan held its annual Spring Luncheon on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The meeting was well attended with 113 members and guests. Guest speaker was Malka Benjamin, Director of Colonial Interpretation  & Training at Plimoth Patuxet Museums in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Malka, whose flight to Michigan was unexpectedly cancelled, presented via Zoom in a wonderful presentation. She was dressed as Alice (Carpenter)(Southworth) Bradford, second wife of Governor William Bradford. After the presentation, Malka answered members' questions both as Alice Bradford, and herself.

SMDM Governor, Craig Rich at the podium
John Howland descendants were attendance winners with 15 at this meeting.
Malka Benjamin, Director of Colonial Interpretation & Training at Plimoth Pataxet, shown on screen via Zoom, performing as Alice (Carpenter) (Southworth) second wife of Governor William Bradford.
Members & Guests at Spring Luncheon Meeting in Lansing, MI

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Thanks to Karen Braddy Lambert, Lee Bennett and Brian Dewey for the photographs!

Compact Luncheon, November 9, 2024

Connor Curtis, 1st Place Scholarship Winner
Jane Schleinzer, GSMD Board Member at Large, speaking on "What's new at the General Society?"
Stephanie Smith Throne, accepts special certificate honoring her mother Grace Bliss Smith, PhD
DAR Members attending the 2024 Compact Luncheon.
SAR Members attending the 2024 Compact Luncheon
On-line photo of Craig Rich accepting Grace Smith's award at GBOA.
Descendants of Stephen Hopkins are attendance winners!

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Thanks to Karen Braddy Lambert for her photographs!

Spring Luncheon, May 18, 2024

SMDM Governor Craig Rich with Spring Meeting Speaker, Allen Lambert
SMDM Governor Craig Rich with Spring Meeting Speaker, Allen Lambert
Spring Meeting Winners - Alden Cousins (20)
Spring Meeting Winners - Alden Cousins (20)

Compact Luncheon, November 5, 2023

Howland Cousins (Tie) - November 5, 2023
Alden Cousins (Tie) - November 5, 2023

Prior Attendance Winners

Warren Cousins - May 13, 2023
Warren Cousins - November 5, 2022
Howland & Tilley Cousins May 15, 2022