2008 Gathering of Friends

Every other year the Friend Family Association of America holds a Gathering of our organization and members to research our genealogy, hold seminars, and to elect our Board of Director positions that are due to expire.

The FFAA would like to give a special thanks to Col. Donald Friend and Dr. Don Fritz, along with the Gathering Committee, as well as to the staff of the Lancaster Inn,  for the excellent Gathering held in Lancaster, Ohio June, 13, 14, 15, 2008.

The Show and Share program was filled with many special stories and antique items presented and demonstrated by those attending. The three day event was spent meeting old friends and making new friends. Many people brought photograph albums, framed photographs and genealogies to share and compare with others.

This Gathering was special too in the fact that a local newspaper article announced the event and this in turn brought in several new faces and new members to the organization.

Speakers, Judge Kathy Mowry and Barbara Rowles, gave very informative  talks about the area of Lancaster and the descendants of Joseph H. Friend, respectively.  Mary Inman and Louise Pence gave a very interesting demonstration on how our ancestors dressed. Becky Korns’ presentation about the Eastern Woodland Native Americans was a real lesson in history and everyone enjoyed viewing the many pelts, replicas of Native American tools and weapons she had on display. 

To those who were unable to attend this Gathering we would like to say that we hope to see you in 2010.

This year we had over 60 attendees at the 31st Friend Gathering. We wish to thank everyone for their  participation and for your continued support of the Friend Family Association of America.

The Friend Family Association of America is proud to announce twelve (12) new books that are only available through our organization !

"Friendsville, Maryland: A Brief History"

"A Brief History of Friend's Delight, Sang Run, Maryland"

"Joseph Friend, Sarah Green and Their Descendants of Friendsville, Maryland"

"William Edmundson Friend of Friendsville, MD (The Gun Maker)"

"Collection of Obituaries"

"Elijah Friend (1814 to 1869) of Sang Run, MD"

"Cornelius Ward Friend"

“John Friend Sr. of Friendsville, MD”

"John Friend Jr. of "Friend's Delight" Sang Run, Maryland"

"Andrew Friend and His Family: The Earliest Pioneers of the Potomac River"

"Selected Cemeteries and Gravestones of Garrett County, Maryland:

"The Maps and Papers of William H. H. Friend"

Group picture of the gathering

Group picture of the gathering
 

FFAA President, Becky Korns, presented FFAA Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hugh Friend, a plaque for appreciation for his many years of service to the association.
 

FFAA President, Becky Korns, presented  FFAA newsletter editor, Board of Trustees and Chaplin, Dr. Don Fritz a plaque for appreciation for his many years of service to the association.
 

Carlos Friend shares a wooden xylophone, believe to have been from maple, and demonstrated the sound created when it was played.

The Friend Store was open during the Gathering

MC, Dr. Don Fritz leads the group through the events of the 2008 Gathering.

Karl Friend tells of the first Friend Gatherings.

Group picture of the gathering
 

Registration Day. The lady on left is member Maxine Johnson. The quilt was the wall hanging made by Florence Boyer and won by Louise Friend.

Busy at one of the many seminars at the Gathering
 

Ina Claire Hicks, former Librarian with Louise.
 

Ina Claire Hicks, former Librarian with Pat Smith, FFAA 2nd Vice President

Group picture of the gathering

Group picture of the gathering

The Friend Family Association of America
P.O. Box 96
261 Maple Street
Friendsville, Maryland 21531
(301) - 746-4690
ffaa@pennswoods.net

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