Diane Huckabay
Diane Huckabay of Ellensburg has been appointed the WSGS Education and Outreach Chair by President Virginia Majewski. Diane, a past president of the Kittitas County Genealogical Society, will assist and support Regional Representatives and local societies in promoting genealogy in Washington State.
Diane will be featured in a future “Meet the Board” story. Welcome to the Board, Diane!
The Washington State Genealogical Society wants to recognize your good work! We know your society has great members doing great work — and we’d like to celebrate that. Below are the deadlines (and website links) for our recognition awards and special programs.
For more information about the WSGS recognition awards, contact Roxanne Lowe at roxanne@thekeeffes.com.
WSGS Board of Directors, June 2016 Back row: Roxanne Lowe, Karen Struve, Roger Newman, Frank McLean, Mikal McKinnon, Charles Hansen, Melonie Liening, Janet McKinnon, Donna Potter Phillips. Front row: Opal Myhres, Patti Olsen, Kathy Sizer. Missing: Ginny Majewski, Sue Ericksen, Patrick Bundy.
As 2016 comes to a close, we want to reflect on the accomplishments of the Washington State Genealogical Society over the past 12 months. While there’s always more to do — and we’re going to continue working on improvements — we still celebrate what we’ve done and are getting ready to be bigger and better in 2017.
Here are a few of our most important accomplishments.
WAGS Coyote
Hello, Mr. Coyote, how do you fare
Sitting and reading on the museum stair?
You are so handsome—really, quite dapper
Completely absorbed in your candy wrapper.
This excerpt of a poem written in 1996 by Mrs. Ella Dillon, a local writer and poet, was the perfect coda at the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society’s (WAGS) recent “adoption ceremony” of “Coyote Reading a Candy Wrapper.” Renamed the WAGS Coyote, the sculpture by renowned Northwest artist Richard Beyer, was originally installed in 1995 by Art on the Avenues, a non-profit promoter of the arts in the Wenatchee Valley. That same year, the coyote was voted Wenatchee’s favorite sculpture, purchased by the city and placed on the steps of the Museum Annex at 217 S. Mission Street — the home of the Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society Library.
Since 1996, Coyote has been “fostered” by Terry and Suzanne Sorom, supporters of the Art on the Avenues program. At the adoption ceremony, the Sorom’s were delighted to officially transfer to WAGS their baton of care and concern for WAGS Coyote.
Using their 2016 Innovative Grant, WAGS hosted the not-so-serious adoption ceremony and celebration as the WAGS Coyote became their official mascot. The event was also an excellent opportunity to promote WAGS and its resource library with approximately 600,000 pieces of information. Local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Wenatchee, attended the unique event and toasted the occasion with Tree Top apple juice, a local favorite.
The WSGS Innovative Grants, up to $100, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Up to five grants will be awarded in 2017.
In addition to WAGS, last year’s grant awards were made to:
• Jefferson County Genealogical Society – upgrade software designed to index and preserve more than 400,000 local records.
• Whitman County Genealogical Society – assist with the purchase of a new society computer, 22” monitor and portable hard drive to ensure back-up of files.
The deadline for the Innovative Grant application is March 1, 2017. The simple application is only ONE page and is available here. Additional guidance on the program is here.
The Washington State Genealogical Society’s “Innovative Grant Program” is accepting applications. The deadline is March 1, 2017.
The grants, up to $100, are designed to support the inventive and creative efforts of WSGS-member societies and organizations. Up to five grants will be awarded in 2017.
Last year’s grant awards were made to:
• Jefferson County Genealogical Society – upgrade software designed to index and preserve more than 400,000 local records.
• Wenatchee Area Genealogical Society – promotion of adoption of “Coyote Reading a Candy Wrapper” sculpture. This project will be featured in an upcoming Blog post.
• Whitman County Genealogical Society – assist purchase of new society computer, 22” monitor and portable hard drive to ensure back-up of files.
The deadline for the Innovative Grant application is March 1, 2017. The simple application is only ONE page and is available here. Additional guidance on the program is here.
For more information, contact Roxanne Lowe, WSGS Recognition Chair, at roxanne@thekeeffes.com.
If your ancestor was one of the 350,000 people who lived in the Washington Territory when it became the nation’s 42nd state on 11 Nov 1889, you may be eligible for a Washington Pioneer certificate. Or if your ancestors arrived a little later — before 31 Dec 1900 — you can get a First Citizen certificate. What a great gift for yourself and your family members!
books entitled “Washington Pioneers” in 1992. A third volume, published in 1993, included Pioneers and First Citizens (those in the state on or before 31 Dec 1900). The three original volumes are out of print, but an index is available here. WSGS members have access to family lineages in the Members’ Only section of the website.Local genealogical societies:
The deadlines for WSGS awards to local societies have been set. We are encouraging you to promote your society’s activities and accomplishments by submitting a nomination.
Outstanding Communication – The WSGS Outstanding Communication Award is awarded to a local society that promotes its society and/or genealogy and family history to its members and/or the public. The award includes all forms of communication, including websites, social media, newsletters, lectures, videos, podcasts, etc. The nomination deadline is 01 Feb 2017. The application is available here.
Outstanding Project – The WSGS Outstanding Project Award is awarded to a local genealogical society or organization in recognition of exceptional genealogical or historical projects implemented during the past year. The nomination deadline is 01 Feb 2017. The application is available here.
President’s Award: The WSGS President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement is designed to single out that rare individual, society or organization who has demonstrated exemplary service above and beyond expectations. The nomination deadline is 15 Feb 2017. The nomination form and additional details are available here.
For more information, contact Roxanne Lowe, Chair, Recognition Committee at roxanne@thekeeffes.com.
Leilani Lucrisia
Leilani Lucrisia has been appointed Region 1 South Regional Representative by WSGS Mikal McKinnon. In his announcement, President McKinnon expressed his appreciation to Leilani for her willingness to serve. Her experience and enthusiasm will a great asset on the Board.
Leilani is an active member of the Stillaguamish Valley Genealogical Society in Arlington where she served as newsletter editor. She has also been a member of the Northwest Genealogy Conference planning committee, responsible for the fabulous Syllabus. She is also a member of a genealogy society in Marysville and the Seattle Genealogical Society.
In a recent move by the WSGS Board, Region 1 (Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties) was split into two regions to ease geographical issues. Leilani, the Region 1 South Representative, will be assisting societies in part of Island and Snohomish Counties, including Comeford (Marysville) Camwood (Stanwood), Sno-Isle (Lynnwood) and Stillaguamish Valley (Arlington).
The Board is still in search of a volunteer to serve as the Region 1 North Regional Representative which encompasses Island (part) Skagit, Snohomish (part), Whatcom and San Juan Counties. More information on the responsibilities of a Regional Representative, click here or email WSGS Vice President Donna Potter Phillips at Donna243@gmail.com.
This is berry season in Washington state and that means berry pies!!
WSGS First Lady, Janet McKinnon, wife of President Mikal McKinnon shares the BESTEST EVER berry pie recipe for NO-BAKE BERRY PIE:
Mix: 3/4 c. water, 3/4 c. sugar, 2 1/2 TB cornstarch, and dash of salt in pan on the stove; bring to boil and add 1 c. berries; cook until thick.
In bowl, mix 8 oz. cream cheese with 1-instant pudding mix (with only 1 c. cold milk). Pour into larger-size graham cracker crust. Stir remaining 2 c. berries into the cooked mix, cool slightly and pour over cheese-pudding. Chill until serving time. Enjoy! And thank you, Janet!
(Picture was from Google. You could divide the berry mix top and bottom.)