Following supper at individual homes the business meeting of the sixth annual family reunion of the descendents of Ransom and Minnie Nichols, was called to order by President, Derwin Alberding.

The secretary’s report was read and approved

The treasurer’s report was read and approved, showing a balance on hand of $19.85.

Ruth Tilford, Chairman of the Memorial Committee gave her report of expenses during the past year.

Roland Nichols made the motion which was seconded by Esther Nichols to form a committee to look into, during interim of next year, a permanent memorial instead of flowers for the church altar on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.

It was a majority vote to continue the CARE packages.

By-laws of the Standing and Special Committees were reviewed. Following a discussion of CARE and Flower contributions in memoriam, it was decided to turn it over to the Memorial Committee for future changes.

However, in any future discussions of Memorials for the nine children of Ransom and Minnie Nichols, it was emphatically made known by Louise Danforth, that she wants something for herself personally.

Ruth Tilford gave an Historical Committee report, and stated that she would like more family pictures and suggested that each one send any newspaper articles about their particular family, to put into the family album. Louise Danforth suggested that Mother Nichols’ favorite poems be recorded in the album also. Ruth also reported that she has received a John Whittemore autobiography, and suggested that it be circled around the family to read. The motion was made by Dorothy Alberding, and seconded by Florence Stanley, that the secretary send a note of appreciation for this book. Kenneth and Shirley McKernon, Union St., Hudson Falls.

Following this, there was a short discussion of a proposed amendment of Article III, sections A and B of the constitution and Article IV in the By-laws. These proposed amendments are to be written up by Roland Nichols, and sent to each member, to be acted on at Xmas 1958.

The slate of officers for 1958-1959 was then read as follows:

President – LeRoy Nichols
Vice president – Florence Stanley
Recording Secretary – Roland Nichols
Treasurer – Theodore Stanley
Corresponding Secretary – Jane Nichols

The motion was made and seconded that Patricia Nichols Kintzing replace Jane Nichols as Corresponding Secretary, as this officer must live with in a 50 mile radius of Argyle. The motion was made by Louise Danforth and seconded by Leslie Nichols, that the secretary cast one ballot for the amended slate of officers. Carried.

The motion was made by Patricia Kintzing (Donald 2nd) and seconded by Florence Stanley that the hostesses meet to discuss a plan of rotation for outside quests. Motion carried.

Roland Nichols made the motion we adjourn and Ted Stanley seconded it.

The meeting was followed by slides.

Dot, David, Billy C, Elsie and Russ

Annual Meeting Aug 9th, 1958

Ruth and Lester Tilford
Roy and Elsie Nichols
Donald and Jean Nichols
Reese and Pat Kintzing
Theodore and Florence Stanley
Red and Louise Danforth
Leslie and Esther Nichols
Derwin and Dorothy Alberding
Harold and Jane Nichols
Roland and Barbara Nichols

Clam Steam – 1958

Ruth, Lester Tilford – Nelson, Charles, Helen Louise, Carl and Lois Cameron
LeRoy, Elsie Nichols – Merwin, Dianne and David
Donald, Jean Nichols – Claire, Sheila, Kalista, Scott, Laura, Pat and Reese Kintzing
Theodore, Florence Stanley – Sharon, Sharlene
Lawrence, Louise Danforth – Beth, Butch, Jim and Russ
Leslie, Esther Nichols – Warren, Mac, Merle, and Ralph
Harold, Jane Nichols – Sandra, Ransom and Doris
Derwin, Dorothy Alberding – Johann and Myron
Roland, Barbara Nichols – Judy, Ken and Kathie
Guests. Mrs. Lewis Stanley, Miss Irene Tilford, and Mr. Adelbert Nichols, Mr. Fred Rosbrook, and Miss Jean Keith

Guest List Through 1963

Hostesses	Guests
Ruth #1		’59	’60	’61	’62	’63
Elsie #2	Leslie	1	2	3	4	5
Florence #3	Harold	3	4	5	1	2
Jean #4	Dorothy	4	5	1	2	3
Louise #5	Roland	5	1	2	3	4

Aunt Edith and Donald

Myron, Charles and Scott

Pat and Reese

Ransom, Butch, Ken and Jim

Ted, Roland, Barb, Les, Ransom and Harold

PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NICHOLS FAMILY

1. Present Article III Membership
   1. Regular:
      All adults (over 21 years of age), direct descendents of Ransom and Minnie Nichols and their spouses are eligible
      to regular membership. Direct descendents of the same couple, under 21 years of age, but who are married,
      are, together with their spouses, eligible to regular membership.
   2. Junior:
      All minor, unmarried, direct descendents of Ransom and Minnie Nichols are eligible to junior membership.
      Junior members will have all the privileges of the regular members except those of holding offices and voting.
      Proposed Article III Membership
2. Proposed Article III Membership
   All direct descendents of Ransom and Minnie Nichols and spouses sixteen years of age and older shall be eligible for
   membership in the association.
   Members in good stand shall have the power to vote and hold office.

PROPOSED CHANGE TO THE NICHOLS FAMILY BY LAWS

1. Present Article IV – Dues
   The annual dues of all regular members shall be______ and for all junior members_______ They are payable to the
   Treasurer on or before June 1 each year.
2. Proposed Article IV – Dues
   Dues in the amount of per year shall be due and payable to the Treasurer on or before June 1 each year.
   Disbursement of the funds collected for this source is at the sole discretion of the executive committee and, or by
   action of the entire Ransom Nichols Family Association.
   Motion was defeated by a vote of 9-7.

Following a hot dog roast at the home of Ted and Florence Stanley, the business meeting of the seventh annual family reunion of the descendents of Ransom and Minnie Nichols was called to order by President, LeRoy Nichols.

The secretary’s report was read by Dorothy Alberding in absence of Roland Nichols, Recording Secretary, the report was accepted as read.

The treasurer’s report was read and everyone was informed we were flat broke and in the hole.

Ruth Tilford, Chairman of the Memorial Committee, gave her report of expenses during the year; $10.00 to CARE in Korea, $10.00 to cancer fund for Jay Story, card to the family of Eunice McNeil. Chairman also said she got some diabetic food for Uncle Del. Amount still due Chairman $13.45. Report accepted and carried.

Old business: The proposed change in the by-laws was voted 9 for and 7 against.
(This is a contradiction to what was reported earlier, but it is in the minutes. ED.)

New Business: Louise Danforth suggested the 9 sons and daughters contribute to a special fund to be used for memoriam. It was tabled until next year.

Election of officers:

President: Florence Stanley
Vice president: Louise Danforth
Recording Secretary: Joyce C. Nichols (Roy-Merwin 2nd)
Treasurer: Theodore Stanley
Corresponding Secretary: Jean Nichols

Secretary cast one ballot for the slate of officers.

Meeting Adjourned

Beth and Linda

Martha, Kevin and Kathie

Following supper at individual homes the business meeting of the eighth annual family reunion of the descendents of Ransom and Minnie Nichols was called to order by President Florence Stanley, at the home of Donald Nichols.

The secretary’s report was read and approved. (this makes the constitutional changes official E.D.)

The treasurer’s report was read and approved showing a balance on hand of $2.00. Approved by Harold Nichols, seconded by Louise Danforth.

Chairman of the Memorial Committee gave her report of expenses during the year.

Old Business: The suggestion that was tabled last year regarding the 9 sons and daughters contributing to a special fund to be used for memoriam was again discussed. A motion was made by Dorothy Alberding that $2.00 be contributed. This motion was amended by Leslie Nichols that $5.00 be contributed. Motion was seconded by Harold Nichols and carried.

New Business: Discussion was held on suggestion by Louise Danforth that the Christmas list be cut to just brothers and sisters. Louise Danforth and Dorothy Alberding delegated to contact everyone at clam steam.

Election of Officers:

President – Louise Danforth
vice President – Nelson Tilford (Ruth 2nd)
Recording Secretary – Barbara Nichols
Treasurer – Theodore Stanley
Corresponding Secretary – Elsie Nichols

Secretary cast one ballot for the slate of officers. Motion made by Louise Danforth, seconded by Esther Nichols.

Roland Nichols introduced his guest Bernard Chanat from Paris, France, who was staying in the United States for 8 weeks under an experiment in International living.

Leslie Nichols invited Mr. Allen Hayner of Troy, New York to give a talk on his family reunion. This family had a scholarship fund and an annual Bar – B – Q was held to raise money for this fund. Mr. Hayner showed slides on his African trip after the meeting was closed.

Motion made by Louise Danforth, seconded by Theodore Stanley that meeting be adjourned. Carried.

The Brothers

Denise, Sandy, Doris, Harold, Ransom and Jane

Les and Esther

Donald and Jean

Joyce

Front Row: Ransom, Ken and Jim
Back Row: Mark, Scot, Butch, Myron and Merle

Following supper at individual home, everyone adjourned to Forest Ridge Farm to hold the business meeting for the ninth annual family reunion of the descendents of Ransom and Minnie Nichols.

Preceding the business meeting a group of beautiful characters enacted a mock wedding in honor of the 25th wedding anniversary of Donald and Jean Nichols.

The wedding party consisted of Bride – Ted Stanley; Groom – Esther Nichols; Preacher – Nelson Tilford (Ruth 2nd); Flower Girl – Roland Nichols; Ring Bearer – Sharon Stanley (Florence 2nd); Father of the Bride – Leslie Nichols; Mother of the Bride – Louise Danforth; Conscientious Objectors – Harold Nichols and Ruth Nichols

Needless to say everyone enjoyed the skit immensely.

The meeting was called to order by President Louise Danforth.

The secretary’s report was read and approved. Our treasurer, Ted Stanley, in all his nervousness over being the bride, forgot his report, but said we had a little money on hand anyway, but that we could always use more.

A motion was made by LeRoy Nichols that we transfer the Reunion account from the Argyle bank to the Greenwich bank (as long as he, Ted, doesn’t build up too much stock). Motion carried.

Next the President read a letter from Uncle Myron Whittemore, expression his regret about not being able to be one of our guests at the reunion this year.

The only committee report was about flowers. $10.00 was collected in 1960 and disbursements were $24.00. A motion was made to boost individual contributions for this flower memorial fund an additional $12.00 to $18.00 ($2.00 per descendent in 1st generation) to be paid anytime before the 1962 Reunion. The vote was 6-5. Motion carried.

Elsie Nichols named the officer nominees for 1961-62.

President – Nelson Tilford
Vice President – Dorothy Alberding
Secretary – Pat Kintzing (Donald 2nd)
Treasurer – Ted Stanley
Corresponding Sec – Ruth Tilford

Motion carried to accept slate of officers as read.

The President led a brief discussion about what the Executive Committee had been doing for 25th wedding anniversaries in the family.

The practice in the past has been that the brothers and sisters contributed $2.00 toward the $25, and that Mother Nichols had put in the remainder, so now they were taking the remainder from the reunion fund, and the President, speaking for the Executive Committee, wanted to know if the family approved of this practice and wanted it to continue. No motion was made but everyone seemed to be in agreement.

Jean Nichols expressed thanks for the money given to the Heart Fund in memoriam of her father.

Harold Nichols made a motion that the meeting be adjourned, and Esther Nichols seconded it.

The tenth annual meeting of the Ransom Nichols Family Association was called to order in the Argyle Firehouse meeting room on August 11, 1962 at 6:35 P.M. by Nelson Tilford (Ruth 2nd), president.

The minutes of the 1961 meeting were called for and read by Secretary, Patricia Kintzing (Donald 2nd). A correction of these minutes was mad in order that the sentence which had read, “A motion was made to booster individual contributions for this flower memorial fund to an additional $12.00 to be paid anytime before the1962 Reunion” doe now read ” … and additional $12.00 to $18.00 ($2.00 per first generation descendent) to be paid …”. The minutes were accepted as corrected.

The treasurer’s report was called for and, having nearly emptied every pocket, Treasurer, Ted Stanley located and presented the report that there was a balance on hand of $34.75. This figure is supported by the Bank’s accounts and, if Roy’s check did not bounce, the report was accepted as read.

A report of the Memorial Committee was called for and made as follows:

Report accepted as read.

The president called for the Nominating Committee’s slate of officers. Leslie Nichols, spokesman, said that, “after many laborious hour” this “most competent Committee” nominates the following slate.

For

President….. Dorothy Alberding
Vice President….. Ruth Tilford
Secretary….. Sandra Steele (Harold 2nd)
Treasurer….. Theodore Stanley
Corresponding Secretary….. Jane Nichols

There being no additional nominations from the floor the slate was elected by voice vote. (Harold Nichols was appointed auditor, there being some misgivings about the treasurer’s pocket capacity.)

Louise Danforth moved that the Memorial Committee make funds of up to $10.00 available to the Altar Guild of Zion Episcopal Church to be used in memoriam Ransom and Minnie Nichols as the Altar Guild has need throughout the year. Motion passed. Louise Danforth was appointed to execute the motion.

Under some apparent coercion, Harold Nichols asked that there be discussion of the present gift exchange between the first generation descendents of Ransom Nichols. He also suggested that one possible alternative be that each individual make a $5.00 donation to the charity of his choice. After each of these nine members was given opportunity to express his or here view and ensuing discussion the motion was made by Donald Nichols and carried that each of these nine descendents would write a Christmas letter to the brother or sister whose name her got by drawing names. Donald Nichols was appointed to administer drawing.

There being no further business the motion to adjourn was made and carried.

Following the meeting a program of slides and commentary was presented by Leslie Nichols with material gather on some of his trips abroad.