Past Annual Meetings


SUMMARY OF CALLAWAY FAMILY ASSOCIATION’S 48TH ANNUAL MEETING
     CREVE COEUR ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI , OCTOBER 12TH-OCTOBER 15TH, 2023

The 48th Annual Meeting of the Callaway Family Association was held October 12th-15th in Creve

Coeur, St. Louis, Missouri. It was a time to renew friendships and make new friends. Six  attendees, some of whom had been CFA members in the past, were attending their first Annual Meeting. Our newcomers are Diane KohmJim Terry, Harry OsbornDavid CallawayMary Callaway, and Patrick Callaway.

At the Board of Directors’ meeting, we discussed CFA business and some new proposals, which President Don Callaway shared.  Even though it was a lengthy meeting, it was very productive.

Thursday evening, we gathered to “meet, greet, and dine with one another.” Our evening’s speaker was  Diane Rademacher, author of two books about St. Louis, aka the “Gateway to the West.”  The titles of Diane’s books are Still Shining! Discovering Lost Treasures from the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair and Famous Firsts of St. Louis.  Friday’s tour included driving around the Fair’s location at beautiful Forest Park and seeing some of the 1904 buildings. Diane showed us a series of pictures and even a “moving picture” of people riding in a gondola on the Park’s lake.  Diane’s presentation was fascinating, and her pictures illustrated the monumental task that was undertaken to bring the 1904 World’s Fair to St. Louis. Diane’s pictures and descriptions really came to life when we toured Forest Park. Early Friday morning, I received an email that thanked us for welcoming her so warmly and making her feel that she was a part of our group.  Of course, I asked her to join us!

When our tour bus arrived on Friday morning, clouds were hanging low. I was afraid that we would be unable to leave the bus. Fortunately, the rain held off. We toured Forest Park with its many attractions, including museums and the Zoo. All attractions are free to the public. Our first stop was the Visitors Center, which was the train station during the Fair. As we left the Center to return to our bus, several people noticed a stone imprint of a picture we had seen the night before. Next stop was the Zoo to see the wire bird’s nest which was a part of the World’s Fair. The World Fair’s Pavilion was our last stop in the Park. It is the same structure and in the same location where it was in 1904. The Pavilion has a gorgeous overlook of the Park with a beautiful fountain. For me, it was even more special because of Diane’s Thursday night presentation.

After leaving the Park, we traveled to the downtown area to see the Arch and visit the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. Originally, this beautiful Catholic Cathedral was to be built In the late 1890s, but a tornado decimated much of St. Louis. Although one million dollars had been raised to build this Cathedral, it was decided that the funds should be used to help St. Louis’ people rebuild their homes and businesses. Finally, by the early 1900s, another million dollars had been raised to build the Cathedral. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 1st, 1907, and the Cathedral was completed in 1914.

Upon entering this structure, one sees the shiny interior. The  sanctuary is covered in 400,000 pieces of mosaic tiles depicting the mission of the Church and Biblical scenes from the Old and New Testaments. Although the installation of mosaics in the Cathedral’s interior began in 1912, the completion of the Cathedral’s mosaics was finished in 1988. The guide reminded us that everything leads to Christ’s Cross and is a reminder of what He did for us.

In 1997, this Cathedral was designated as a Cathedral Basilica by Pope John Paul II, who honored the Cathedral Basilica with a visit on his history-making visit in January 1999 to the United States.

After leaving the Basilica, we traveled to St. Charles, Missouri, which was the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition to map the West for the United States. St. Charles’ Main Street has a historic past and many eateries and wonderful shops.  Everyone had time to eat and shop on their own. Afterwards, we boarded our tour bus, and a guide shared the area’s history. The Missouri River is just a few hundred yards from the town, and it looked very swift to me! Our guide explained to us that this is not a river that can be easily traveled, because there are many obstacles in the Missouri. She told us about the city’s historical significance. After this tour, we headed back to our hotel.

Friday night, everyone was on their own for dinner and entertainment (or some rest). Some members played games. When I checked on the game players, there was a very raucous game of Mexican Train going on! One person had to leave early Saturday morning for another “meeting of ladies.”  I heard from a reliable source that this lady bought a Mexican Train game to play with her friends.

Our annual Business Meeting was Saturday morning. President Don Callaway welcomed us, and the business of the CFA was presented: approval of the minutes from the 2022 Annual Meeting; committee reports; motions for discussion; and votes from CFA members in attendance. This information will be on the CFA website and included in the 2024 Journal.  Don shared some of CFA’s exciting plans for the future, including the choice of Lynchburg, Virginia for our October 17th-20th, 2024 Annual Meeting. The Planning Committee also shared that Nashville, Tennessee has been chosen as the 2025 location for the  50th Anniversary Celebration of the Callaway Family Association.

After the Business Meeting, there were two presentations. David Callaway shared pictures of his recent  trip to England where he visited St. Neot Church in the Cornwall Region. Callaways attended this church, and there is a triplet window which was given to the Church by Callaways. “The windows are beautiful, and seeing the Callaway name was so touching. The middle window had Callaway in it, while the other two were more difficult to read but represent the Family.”

Harry Osborne then shared  a slide presentation  about  DNA research and how Callaways “traveled” to become our ancestors. Harry works with Revis Leonard on the DNA Committee.  It was so neat to see a timeline of how we can trace our lineage today. Harry and David both had time to answer our questions, and we asked quite a few.

While Saturday night came too soon, we had a great time being together for dinner, recognition, and entertainment. Our entertainment was a little different this year. We had a magician!  Timothy Shegitz, who is from St. Charles, travels and performs throughout the States. He and his wife joined us for dinner. Then Tim began going around the tables and astonished all.  It was fun to watch him, and I noticed a couple of guys watching him very closely. Well, Tim fooled us all. His slight of hand was so slight none of us could catch it!

Sunday mornings are always a little sad, because it is soon time to return home.The best part of the morning was having Tarone Claybrook, our CFA Vice President and Chaplain, lead us in our devotions. He always challenges us in our personal relationships with God and encouraged us to quickly answer when called.  We really appreciate that Tarone can touch our hearts in such meaningful ways.

Soon we will have more information to share about next year’s 49th Annual Meeting in Lynchburg, Virginia. Look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Barbara Cantley, 2023 Creve Coeur/St Louis Co-Host
badacantley@icloud.com

Summary of Callaway Family Association 47th Annual Meeting
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, September 29th – October 2nd,  2022
Beautiful Lancaster, Pennsylvania, both the city and the county.  I will always remember the friendly people, Amish farms, and the horse-drawn buggies on the highways.  The CFA Annual Meeting was held at the Holiday Inn Downtown, Lancaster.Thursday evening, we gathered to “meet and greet” one another and enjoy our buffet and entertainment.  We met new friends and ones we have not seen in a few years.  We welcomed two of our first-time attendees, Reverend Mike Cantley and his lovely wife Brooke.  The Cantleys serve churches in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Mike, a very accomplished classical guitarist and  storyteller, provided the evening’s entertainment. He also shared some music history and family connections.

Jan Fendley brought her sister, Judy Ertel. Many will remember Jan and her husband Darrell, who were with us for many years.  We were saddened to learn of Darrell’s death, but we were thankful to see Jan and meet her sister.  Also visiting us for the first time was Rick Gehlhaus, Margie’s husband. The couple live in East Greenville, Pennsylvania.

Margie and Rick, who participate in living history re-enactments, welcomed us in period costumes. They described their outfits, as well as the time-period and relevance of their representation.  WOW–they were great!

Friday morning, we boarded the bus at 8:30 and traveled through the countryside to Landis Valley Village Farm & Museum.  The Landis brothers donated their entire farm to the State of Pennsylvania with the provision that the State let them live in the House for the rest of their lives. It is a living history of the people and times when our country was formed.

We met some of the presenters in the Workshop. A leather shoemaker demonstrated his craft which he still works.  He takes orders for shoes, boots, belts, etc.  A “hotel,” more like a “B&B,” showed  a woman cooking over an open fire.  She told us that an arriving traveler would purchase “space” in an available upstairs room and receive one or two meals.  If travelers had animals with them, the animals would also be given barn spaces and food.

The Landis brothers’ house was also open, and the guide told us stories about the brothers and their mother. The trio loved collecting “things,” ranging from farm items to their mother’s teacup collection. Next on the tour was the General Store, where many of these items were displayed. The tinsmith was also very interesting. She was teaching an apprentice. While there were other places to see in the Village, we had to move on.  Somehow, Joe managed to look in the Barn Museum where he saw a full-size replica of a Conestoga Wagon that carried many immigrants to their new homes in America.

Our bus driver, who was born and raised in Lancaster County, drove us down some beautiful side roads so we could see farms, buggies, and even a covered bridge. We saw the Pinetown Bridge, which was planed and built in 1867.  As we headed toward our lunch destination, we saw several Amish farms.  Apparently, it was “wash day,” and the coveralls, shirts, and dresses were hanging outside on clothes lines. We saw several  horse-drawn buggies and wagons. These horses were handsome, and our driver told us that a good buggy horse might cost $3000 – $5000! Soon we arrived at Shady Maple Smorgasbord.  Good food and too many choices. Food and Callaways always make for a fun time!

After a rather sumptuous lunch, we reboarded the bus and traveled to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania.  Several years ago, Joe and I visited this museum, but it was not indoors as it is now.  Friday’s tour was a great way to see trains up close. I had my picture taken, which showed me ready to “operate” s train. There were various kinds of train cars and engines from all parts of our country. All appeared shiny and new. Each row had at least two observation points– either from inside a railroad car or from a platform where one could look inside. I was  impressed by the number of dials, valves, and gauges the engineers had to use.  Of course, I loved seeing the dining cars with tables set with china dishes. While the plates and cups looked “thick,” the sign said the extra weight of these dishes helped them “stay put” while passengers were eating. The sleeping berths on the cars reminded me of the sleeping arrangements seem in “Some Like It Hot,” a classic movie starring Marilyn Monroe and Jack Lemmon.

On the way back to the hotel, our driver pulled the bus into a parking space on a very narrow street near an old store where some of us bought delicious homemade ice cream. Traditionally, Friday evenings are for members and guests to eat on their own or just relax after a day of touring.

Saturday began with our Annual Business Meeting.  Don Callaway, CFA President, welcomed all and recognized our Veterans and thanked them for their military service.  Business of the CFA was presented–approval of the minutes from the 2021 Annual Meeting; committee reports; motions for discussion; and votes from CFA members in attendance. This information is on the CFA website and will be included in the 2023 Journal. Don did an excellent job keeping the meeting on track, and he was assisted by Dianna Callaway, his talented wife and CFA Historian.

Following the business meeting, there were two presentations. The first presenter was Lloyd Callaway from Naperville, Illinois, our new Journal Editor. Using PowerPoint, he compared and documented the lives of two Callaway cousins from Missouri. His excellent presentation will be in the 2023 Journal.

Our second presenter, Bryan Godfrey, lives in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He gave each attendee a sample of a chart with findings about his personal Callaway line. He told which sources he finds most helpful while searching genealogical records. Bryan, now a high school math teacher, is a great teacher and presenter.

As we started our lunch buffet, our hotel hostess brought the chef into our room to meet us. Why? Her reply—all of us had all commented on the excellent food.  As usual, the Callaways were generous in their comments. Later that evening, I was told that servers and other hotel staff had mentioned “how nice those Callaway people have been.”

To become better acquainted at Saturday’s banquet, Nancie and Seve Rineer from Yorba Linda, California, placed different kinds of candies by each plate. Yes, the Rineers were up to something. Later they divided us into groups according to type of candy or candy wrapper (since some ate their candy early)!  Each group shared personal information. Nancie is CFA’s Recording Secretary.

Don Callaway introduced the First TimersJudy Ertel (Oklahoma); Mike and  Brooke Cantley (West Virginia); Lloyd Callaway (Illinois); and Rick Gehlhaus (Pennsylvania).  This year, Robert Baker (Virginia)  joined us for everything! Previously, he attended the dinner in Hampton, Virginia.  Once again, Heide Ann Stephenson, CFA Technologist and Co-Editor of the 2022 Journal, donated one of her beautiful quilts to be given as a door prize.  Congratulations to William Baker, this year’s lucky winner!

The evening’s entertainment was provided by Steve Courtney and his Band of Friends.  Each of the three instrumentalists was a great musician, and they played original pieces and many oldies. As each song began, we sang along, and some of us even danced. What a fun time with fun people! Tarone Claybrook,  CFA’s Vice President/Chaplain, and his wife Danetta can really dance!

Sunday morning always brings a little sadness as we prepare to say our goodbyes until next year. After a Board Meeting, we gathered for devotions and farewells. Chaplain Tarone Claybrook led us in our devotions, and Mike Cantley shared some thoughts and music.  We Callaways are truly blessed to be cousins.

Now it’s time to plan for 2023. Watch for more details soon!

Barbara Cantley, Meeting Director
badacantley@icloud.com

Callaway Family Association Annual Meeting, Berea, Kentucky
October 14th-17th, 2021

Well, we finally made it to Berea!   After three years of trying, we arrived at the Historic Boone Tavern Hotel in Berea!  Was it worth the wait? YES!  The Committee worked for nearly four years to put the 2021 meeting together.  It all began when co-hostess Joyce Campbell invited us to Fort Boonesborough.

Initially, our main contact was Patrick Houston, who is now the hotel’s Assistant Manager. His new assistant, Melissa Harrison, became our “ go to” person.  I am providing these names, so you will know who to contact if you would like to take a group to this historic hotel, which is located directly across the street from Berea College.  Some of the attendees toured the college, and three of our “first timers” actually graduated from there.

Due to the pandemic, we had a smaller group in attendance than at past meetings.  However, the Callaways/Calloways always make it special!  We became well acquainted with our first timers, and we had more time to visit with returning members.  Hopefully, we will get all of them involved in CFA.

We began our meeting registration sitting in front of the elevator! Yes, there was one elevator, so everyone had to pass it to check in! This area was comfortable, and several CFA members sat with me and greeted others as they arrived.  That evening we met in the Event Center for our buffet.  When I selected the special meatloaf with blackberry catsup, I chose it by past reviews.  It was excellent!  If you visit the hotel, please  give it a try.  Our entertainment for the evening was Jemima Boone (aka Betsy Smith) from Kentucky Humanities Programs.  She told us the story of growing up in the Boone family, her kidnapping by the Indians, and her marriage to Richard Callaway.  While she was seated at her bench seat, she mixed a batch of cookie dough. I really felt that I learned about pioneer life from the perspective of someone who lived during that time.

Friday was Tour Day.  When we first started planning, we were invited by Joyce Campbell to visit Fort Boonesborough.  She was the inspiration for Berea.  We stayed at the Boone Tavern Hotel, visited Fort Boonesborough State Park and the replicated Fort, and ate a meal at Hall’s On the River. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it?  Due to scheduling problems, the pandemic and floods, everything changed in October.  We did not get to drive into the State Park where we planned to see a cabin’s original stone foundation or visit the site by the Kentucky River where the Indians kidnapped Jemima and the two Callaway sisters.

We did, however, make it to the replica of Fort Boonesborough.  It is a wonderful place to sit, bring your family, and learn more about your Callaway/Calloway history.  There were several resident artists dressed in pioneer costumes.  They presented the fort’s history, while demonstrating some18TH  century crafts and skills.  The two I found most fascinating were the weaver and the blacksmith.  One of our members has a loom her father gave her, and she  helped me understand how much work is involved with weaving.

The blacksmith was making brackets like the ones that were used in the original Fort.  Now the brackets are made into hooks and light fixtures that are sold in the gift shop.  I was told that the blacksmith’s location in the original fort would have been between the Callaway and Squire Boone’s cabins.  In the original fort, a covered walkway was built between these two cabins for access and space for chores, etc. Fascinating!

Now it was time for lunch.  Previously, I mentioned a restaurant’s name and a flood. Our first choice, Hall’s on the River, was historic. It was the longest continuously serving watering-hole in Kentucky and had a Callaway connection.  Well,  the great Kentucky River Flood of 2020 wrecked the restaurant.  It was being rebuilt, and the reopening date was planned for late summer 2021.  A few weeks before we were to arrive, we received  a call.  Disaster struck again!  Unfortunately, the restaurant’s roof caved in– taking one of the piers holding up the building with it!  Now we needed another great place to eat. Once again Joyce came to our rescue, and a local historian recommended and helped us find Proud Mary’s BBQ, a Honky Tonk!  Yep, a Honky Tonk right on the side of the Kentucky River!  We had a catered meal, and we were the only guests.  While the meal was great, the company was even better!  We didn’t stay to see the Honky Tonk part!  Back on the road again, we traveled to The White Hall Historic Site, a home originally built by Mr. Cassius Clay in the 1700s.  The Clays were friends of the Todd Family, whose daughter Mary became the wife of President Abraham Lincoln.  The son of Cassius Clay became the ambassador to  Russia.  After he returned from Russia, he formed a regiment to protect the White House during the Civil War.  After more remodeling, this house now contains four stories. The tour guides showed us all four!  Traveling back to Berea, we stopped at the Kentucky Artisan Center, which houses a collection of artisan creations from all over the State.

Saturday began with the Annual CFA Business Meeting. Don Callaway, our President, did an excellent job presiding.  His wife, Dianna Callaway,  CFA Historian, did our presentation of the flag and led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Two of our veterans, Bob Garnett and Scott Callaway. held the flag,  Scott is the husband of Jan Callaway, CFA Secretary.  Bob and Faye Garnett are former board members
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After the business meeting, Joyce Campbell gave an excellent  presentation on the connections of the Callaway descendants and the Boone family.  We adjourned for lunch, and then returned for our genealogy workshop led by genealogist Judy Callaway Ostler.  Judy is helping us learn how to find and source information to verify our Callaway connections.  As usual, Judy did a great job!

Saturday evening is always a fun time and again the food was great!  The carrot cake was such a hit.  I think I saw one gentleman get a couple of extra pieces of this cake and another piece of derby pie!  I won’t tell on him here, but if you need to know his identity, just private message me.  Ha! Ha!

Our entertainment for the evening was Carla Gover and the Corn Maize String Band.  Wow, they were excellent! Each of the four band members is an excellent musician in his or her own right, but together they are even better. Carla explained her purpose in sharing the history of Kentucky music as it was written. She visits schools and shares the history of the music and the flat-foot dancing of Kentucky.  She tried to teach some of us the dance steps. Sharon Johnson Callaway and Jan Callaway were great! I fell back on what little clogging I know. The music that was shared was written by the group’s members.  During the pandemic, Carla began using social media  to keep the music and flat-foot dancing alive and strong.  She is also writing a children’s book about her relationship with her grandmother.

Sunday at the Annual Meeting it is always a good and sad time for me. While I finally feel like I know people better, it is soon time to leave for home.  After our board meeting, we all joined together to say goodbye.  Because Tarone Claybrook, Vice President and CFA’s resident chaplain, was unable to be with us this year, I was privileged to share a few songs.  Then President Don Callaway shared some very special ending moments with us.  What a beautiful way to say “Until we Meet Again” in Lancaster, PA, September 29-Oct 2, 2022.

Barbara Cantley, Chair
Annual  Meeting Committee

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CFA Family Association
45rd Annual Meeting done virtually
Oct 13 – 17 2020


  • All “virtual” Meetings – It was great that people from all over the country, and even from across the pond, were able to participate in the events. Not just sitting on the sidelines watching something, but actually sharing their smiling faces and voices with us. The open conversations and bonding that we were all able to have, before the meetings began, were outstanding. In our normal annual meetings you’re only able to participate in small group conversations. In our virtual meeting format this year we were all able to participate in full group discussions, that was wonderful.
  • Board Meetings – Having Lesley Haigh be able to participate in our meetings was a real plus. Great conversations and discussions, and enjoyed getting to spend some time together renewing, rebuilding and growing the family bonds between our CFA Board members. You guys are great. We got the business done that we needed to complete.
  • Business Meeting – Having Lesley Haigh and Bill Piper participate in our meeting was another plus. We had great attendance on the business meeting, including several members who have never attended before. Had a little issue with the Zoom polling feature on my end, but it seemed to work well for everyone else. The memorial slideshow, song by Barbara and message from Tarone flowed so well together, I think it really touched our members, I know that it did me. And, last but certainly not least, we voted in some outstanding new Officers and Directors, with the exception of that new President you elected. Hold on to your seats, it’s going to be an exciting & interesting few years!!! 😊

 

  • Genealogy Workshop – We had nearly 45 people participate during the workshop and they were very engaged asking lots of good questions, and sharing great comments. Thank you Judy for a great event, and I also wanted to say thank you to Revis for responding to many of the questions in the group chat channel, that was great to see. We had a non-member in the meeting who signed up for membership immediately following the meeting.
  • Saturday Celebration – We had nearly 50 people participating in the celebration at one point in the meeting, as several of the Zoom connections had 2 people watching. The videos of Barbara singing worked better than I could have hoped, and it was almost like we were right their listening to her beautiful voice, thank you Joe and Barbara. Wow, wasn’t it fantastic to be able to meet and talk with NINE “First Time Attenders” and hearing some of their own family stories. I had been hoping that we would have had more participants from our Facebook and Newsletter members, but it worked out very well with the attendance we had as it allowed us a little time to get to know each of the first time attenders a little better. I wish we would have had an opportunity to say thank you in person to Joe and Barbara for all that they do, but it worked out well that we could all see them open the beautiful quilt that Russ, Heide & Heide Ann sent to them.

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CFA Family Association
The 44rd Annual Meeting in Hampton, VA
Oct 10 – 13 2019

The Callaways met in Hampton, VA in the Hampton Marina Hotel.  The rooms had views of the marina opening onto the Hampton River!  A beautiful setting.

On Thursday morning the CFA Board met, and we had a desk set up to hand out and take registrations!  A special thanks to “the Florida girls”, Iris Brannon and Juanita LeCroy for handling the desk and letting me go to lunch!

Because of the beautiful location of our hotel to the water, the group took a boat tour of the area on the Miss Hampton.  It was located just steps from the hotel.  After having many rainy days, the sun came out and the area was bathed in sunlight.  Our tour guide was almost unbelievable in his knowledge of this area.   As a Navy man, he was able share with us about the Norfolk Naval Base across the bay from our hotel.  I must say I was in awe as we got closer.  Naval Station Norfolk is the world’s largest naval installation.  75 Ships and 134 aircraft are home ported here.  We were able to see aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, submarines, supply ships, etc.  Fascinating to see them this closely from the water. We then turned back toward Fort Morgan, which was built in 1609 and was known for centuries as the “Gibraltar of the Chesapeake.”

Returning to port (my naval talk!) we passed the beautiful Hampton University.  It began aa a historically black college.  It traces its existence to the American Missionary Society around 1899.

That evening we gathered in the ballroom to meet and enjoy our family.  We had a wonderful group of family that were new to CFA.  Some were from the area and some who belonged to the Kermit Bridges line of Callaways.  Thank goodness we have name tags.  Our own William Baker spoke to the group to help prepare them for our tour the next day.  Let me say here that William is most of the reason this meeting worked so beautifully!  He was out feet on the ground in preparing for our time.  He lives in Hampton, retired from the service and retired from teaching at Hampton University.  Not only that but he has written a book on his genealogy and ours.  A special man and I hope he understands how we very much appreciated him.  Maybe next year he can relax a little more!  After William spoke to us, he introduced our entertainment for the night, Karla Crump Reaves.  A singer extraordinary, songwriter, and a woman with a heart of gold.  Besides writing and performing, Carla is the Director of the Victim and Witness Services in the Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.  One of the songs she shared with us was “Rumors.”  That song spoke volumes to me personally and told me that this woman is inspired to help others.

Friday was bright and sunny and so were we!  As we left the hotel, we got on the freeway headed to Jamestown Settlement.  This is a replica and re-enactment of the original Jamestown, which is just down the road.  The group was divided into two separate groups and each had a guide to show us around.  Each group got to visit the museum and learn more about the Indians and how their society was set up.  Then we traveled outside to see the authentic replicas of an Indian village.  The Powhatan Indians interacted with the newly arriving settlers.  When the English first came, there were approximately 30,000 members located close to the settlement.  One of the “Indians “ showed us how they made the bows and arrows from the local wood and stone.  We walked through the homes of the Powhatan and saw how masterful they were.  From there we headed to the river.  The replicas of the 3 ships that arrived with the first colonists sat by a pier on the James River.  What an awe inspiring site this was, to look across the river and know this is how we got here!  The ships are amazingly replicated and “small!”  You could go on all the ships and they had “sailors” present to show you around.  How these people made it here at all is amazing.  I am more in awe of my history now than ever.  These boats are a must see!

From the boats the guide led us to the replica of the first colony, Jamestown.  It was a Fort as you would expect but walking inside you could see the English influence.  In the cooking house two cooks were showing how the fish was covered in salt and dried to make it last through the winter.  From there you could go to the other businesses and houses that supported the lives of the people.  We visited the church which sat in the middle of the village.  At each corner of the Fort an elevated structure enabled the people to keep watch.  If you heard a loud boom you knew the school children had been treated to a cannon going off.  So many things to see and learn in the wonderful historical place.  We left to go to lunch at St. Martin’s Church.  The Rev. Cathy Tindale Boyd had invited us to use their facility for lunch.  She is a member of CFA and was a wonderful hostess.  Our lunch was provided by The Carrot Tree, a local establishment known for their Carrot Cake!  Yes, we did have some cake!

After enjoying our lunch, we traveled back to Fort Monroe, remember we had seen it from the bay on the boat tour.  Did you know there are only two forts in the US that have a moat around them?  One is Fort Monroe and the other is the Fort at………..

St. Augustine, FL.  When we first checked into having a guide for the group, we discovered that usually they were not available on Friday, but Ranger Aaron Firth wanted to share the story with us!  He was great, so knowledgeable and humorous!  After he spoke with us, he encouraged us to visit the museum.  Many did, and some climbed the walls surrounding the Fort.  In the museum, the displays were excellent.  One of the displays showed where Jefferson Davis was incarcerated after the Civil War.  After leaving the Fort we traveled back to the hotel for dinner on our own.

Saturday morning, we held our annual meeting. Did you know that the bylaws require the CFA to have an annual meeting?  Yes, our founders were very thorough when they put this organization together.  After the business meeting, Susan Chiarello spoke to us about the Bridges/Calloway connection.  She is a niece to Kermit Bridges.  She had done her homework.  In showing where the connections were, she was able to paint the picture of life in her history.  One of the facts she shared with us had to do with land that was “given” or “granted” to a family in the early settlements.  You actually had to pay the government for the gift!

After the meeting some of our members stayed to help those with questions.  Others went to lunch and to explore the beautiful downtown area of Old Hampton.

That evening we met back in the Bayside Ballroom located facing the water.  As we visited, it came time to eat and Tarone Claybrook gave thanks for this time together.

After eating, we began with some announcements from our President, Joe Cantley, and a welcome from William Baker.  After dinner we began our entertainment presented by Benjamin Garner and his “family band.”  Benjamin is a keyboard teacher at Hampton University.  He brought his dad to play bass and trumpet and anything else he wanted, and his brother to play percussion. He had shared with Joe and I that he felt his musical ability and love for music came from his grandmother!  Well, she had played drums and was now 95!  You guessed it, she came to!  She played a tambourine almost the whole time.  Benjamin’s selection of music came from our members themselves.  On the registration forms we asked for 3 favorite songs, then sent the list to Benjamin.  That evening he performed or played or had recorded all of them.  He also brought us another cousin….Arianna Calloway.  She is a student at Hampton University, and she sang for us! Benjamin played a “guess that tune” a few times and our people are very smart! I also had the honor to sing with the band, loved it.

He also presented everyone present a CD of some of the songs from the list!

During one of the breaks Joe Cantley presented the 2019 Callaway Journals to the first-time attendees!  We had a lot of new people, you will be able to see their picture in next year’s journal.

Joe also presented two Spirit Awards this year.  The first went to our great helper this year, William Baker.  Without his help we could not have had such a great meeting.  He invited several people to the meeting, and we were so privileged to have several members of his family with us.

The next Spirit Award Joe presented to Kermit Bridges.  Kermit holds a special place in our hearts as we have come to know and appreciate him through the years.  He has been a staunch supporter of the CFA and this year brought his family from all over the United States to join us. Next came the biggest surprise for him, and such a joy for all present.  His niece, Patsy Snodgrass, had contacted and told Joe how she and Kermit had reconnected after several years and that she wanted to present him a “Quilt of Valor.”  Of course, Joe said yes, what a privilege.  Dianna Callaway, a qualified Quilt of Valor presenter, made the presentation and thanked Kermit for his service to our country as Pat presented the quilt, she had made for him.  Our hearts were full at this magical moment which we were privileged to be a part of.

As we often do on this evening, we drew numbers and presented some gifts to those present.  For our final gift that evening, Heide Stephenson had made a gorgeous lap quilt to give.  Of course, we all wanted it, but it went to a new attendee, Lenny Montoya, whose wife Is Cynthia Calloway!  He was so pleased, and we do hope to see them again.  As the night wound down, we said goodbyes to many friends, no longer new to us but now a part of the CFA family.

Sunday morning, we came together for our devotional service.  Tarone Claybrook once again inspired us and shared his love for God and how to share His Word.  We are so grateful for his being with us and sharing.  He gave us a medal with a seed on it, looking closer it is a mustard seed!  It only takes faith the size of a mustard seed.  God will grow that faith.  When you come again plan to come and hear the words he shares.

Well this was end of our 2019 meeting, but we are already preparing for 2020 in Berea, Kentucky.  We will be there October 15-18, staying at the Boone’s Tavern Hotel.

Check the newsletter, this Journal and the CFA webpage for information.

See you next year,

Barbara Cantley, CFA Meeting Coordinator Committee

______________________________________________________________________________

Family Association
The 43rd Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX
Oct 4 – 7 2018

 The annual Callaway Family Association Meeting met along the beautiful downtown Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.  We stayed in the Holiday Inn Riverwalk located about 4 blocks from the Alamo and two blocks from the San Fernando Cathedral!
At our Thursday evening dinner it was, as always, so much fun to see many whom we have not seen in a year or more and to meet new ( relatively speaking) Callaways.
As the city of SanAntonio was celebrating it’s 300th anniversary, we started the journey with a pioneer named Tom Jackson to share some of the history of the Mission Trail and the beginning of the city.  Tom dressed in authentic clothes that a pioneer would have worn from the late 1800’s including knife and rifle.  Many enjoyed getting to know him and have pics made with him.  His presentation on the city and the Mission helped prepare us for the next days tour.
Friday morning we boarded a bus and began our trek to the Mission San Jose.  We drove past many of the city sites so we could see just how walkable the city, but of course we pointed out trolley’s along the way.   We were fortunate to have one of our Callaway Kin, Katherine Callaway Smith, on board to point out some of the beautiful architecture of the city and share some stories with us.  Katherine is well steeped in the history of the Texas Callaways and the state itself.  She has served on many historical committees and on the board of the Alamo.  We visited the beautiful, almost totally restored Mission San Jose, where history comes alive and the work of the early pioneers still continues.  As you entered the Mission Church you could see and feel history surrounding you.  Leaving the church we traveled out in the country for a real taste of Texas, brisket.  Thanks to my Cousin YA and his partner John, we tasted the “best” brisket in Texas…..oh yes, YA has many awards to back up this statement.  I also had the privilege of introducing our Callaways to my Polish Aunts; Margaret, Gladys, Betty Jean, and my Uncle Rudy.  One of my aunts, Gladys, had spent two days making cookies for the whole bunch.  We were entertained by two cowboys full of country music!  From here we traveled back to town and the Alamo.  The crowds were staggering, but we managed to see a little!   A lady inside explained that Friday has now become one of the largest downtown days for tourists!  The why of this is because each Friday there is a military graduation from boot camp and parents and family come from everywhere to see their graduates!  It is also the day more people get married in San Antonio than any other day…….then they all try to visit the Alamo!  Well, we saw a bit then boarded our bus and returned to the hotel.  Many chose to ride the riverboat and enjoy the atmosphere of the Riverwalk that evening on their own.
Saturday was a busy day!  We held our general meeting and welcomed some more newbies to our group.  What a pleasure to meet new people, learn a little more about them and our own history.  This annual business meeting always provides an opportunity for us as a group to see the workings of this organization and how well it has done  for the last 43 year and how we plan to continue to the next 40 + Year’s.  Our founders were great organizers.
As we seek to provide and garner more and more data on our families we try each year to have speakers and workshops to help each other understand genealogy better.  This year, one of our genealogists, Revis Leonard, provided us with an excellent presenter.  Kathrine Graham is a specialist in DNA and provided a wealth of information about how to use all this info we are receiving.  As a novice in all this, even I was able to understand a little better…..and that is saying a lot!  After her presentation, she and several of our members were available to answer questions and give connections to others, so that they can continue to learn about their own families.
Saturday night started with a historical bang!  The SanAntonio Living History Association presented “6 Flags Over Texas”.  Each person was dressed in authentic costume and carrying the flag of the country that once flew over Texas.  One of their members, 92 years old, also brought some of his collection of artifacts of the history of Texas.  After dinner, we were treated to another gem of Texas, country music.  Camille Sanders and a couple of her band entertained us!  Camille is only 22 but has been singing around the state since she was 3!  She had just returned from her first European tour and came to entertain us.  Camille is a rising star and her association with Dolly Parton through a movie, led Dolly to give her a couple of songs to record!  She is the fresh face of country music and you should be hearing and seeing more of her!
Sunday is always such an uplifting day but a little sad.  Once again our special brother, Tarone Claybrook, led us in a devotion and challenged our hearts and souls.  We are and have been fortunate through the years to have those among us share faith and love.  Well, here is the sad part, it was time to go home!  It is always sad to go but fun to look forward to next year’s meeting!
We look forward to seeing you next year in Berea, KY.
Meeting Coordinator, Barbara Cantley

Callaway Family Association
The 42nd Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City, UT
Oct 5 – 8 2017

Our meeting was held at the Salt Lake City Plaza Hotel and hosted by Don and Dianna Callaway.

Thursday – We had our Welcome Dinner followed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Rehearsal across street.

Friday – Tour of Park City, Utah which is where the 2002 Olympics were held. We had lunch at Grub Steak restaurant and returned to attend the hotel Family Research Class prior to a tour of the Family History Library.

Saturday – Family History Library assisted Research followed by the Annual Business Meeting and a fun quiz on the CFA History. Saturday night we held our 42th Annual Banquet and were entertained by Gary Allegretto as he taught us each to play the harmonica. which we got to take home.

Sunday we had the Devotional Service given by Tarone Claybrook and then we all departed for home.


Callaway Family Association
The 41st Annual Meeting in Roanoke, VA
Oct 13 – 16 2016

The Meeting was held at the Holiday Inn Valley View in Roanoke and hosted by Joe and Barbara Cantley

This year we visited Bedford, VA and toured the private Callaway/Steptoe Cemetery, built for the James Callaway family where the New London Historical Society provided a historian to speak with us.  From there we traveled to the Old Liberty Train Station for lunch.   After lunch we traveled to the Bedford Historical Museum and heard about our family history and visited the archives.  Then we visited the D-day Memorial, the only D-day memorial in the United States.

Saturday began with the General Meeting of the CFA.  When that concluded, we loaded up into vans. The tours divided up to visit each of the 3 Callaway homes.  In Rocky Mount is the Home of Dr. Amos, who shared the history of his family and the area.  In Callaway we visited the newly restored “Henry Tate” house, where Charles Perry spoke about the house and area.  The third home is the “Boxwood Manor,” the country home of our esteemed Russ and Heide Callaway, our editor and treasurer.  Russ will share the history of his Callaway home built around 1850.  We had a “Pig Pickin” for lunch at the site of an old church close to Boxwood Manor. 

Saturday night was our annual banquet, where we enjoyed the Allen Messinger band. 

As always, we closed the meeting on Sunday with a wonderful opportunity to have Bro. Harold Cantley share the devotional.


Callaway Family Association
The 40th Annual Meeting in Callaway Gardens, GA
Pine Mountain, Georgia
Oct 8 – 11 2015

Meeting host: Samuel Taylor Geer
                     callawayjournal at aol.com
 
For our 2015 annual meeting the CFA is returning to Callaway Gardens ( http://www.callawaygardens.com/) in Pine Mountain, Georgia (http://www.pinemountain.org/about ) where the family association first met in 1975.  We will celebrate 40 years of fellowship, research and volunteer dedication which has brought numerous individual stories into one large Callaway family history.
 
Our tour day, Friday, October 9th will take us to the ancestral roots of the Callaway descendants  of Troup County, Georgia (http://www.troupcountyga.org/) and the city of La Grange (http://www.lagrange-ga.org/).  We will stop first at the Legacy Museum on Main (http://www.legacymuseumonmain.org/ ) and the Troup County Archives ( http://www.trouparchives.org/ ) which houses the CFA’s historical papers and records.  After a drive by of the Callaway Memorial Monument (http://www.exploregeorgia.org/listing/687-callaway-memorial-tower) we will head to Hills & Dales Estate (http://www.hillsanddales.org/) for lunch and afternoon tour of the Fuller E. Callaway family home and gardens (http://www.hillsanddales.org/index.php/house_garden/home).
 
Our annual business session on , DNA update, genealogy workshops and historical presentations will be held on Saturday, October 10th. The 40th anniversary banquet will be the highlight our activities on Saturday night where we will honor the individuals that have contributed their talents to CFA.
 
Our Sunday morning devotional, October 11th will be delivered in the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel (http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do/attractions/ida-cason-callaway-memorial-chapel).
 
Thursday, October  8, 2015
 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.      Board of Directors Meeting
                                     On your own Callaway Garden activities (http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do ) 
 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.     Various Callaway Garden activities (http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do) for early arrivals / spouses
 3:00 p.m.   Hotel Check-in Mountain Creek Inn (http://www.callawaygardens.com/where-to-stay/mountain-creek-inn )
 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.       Registration / Welcome Package
 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.       Hospitality / Meet & Greet
 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.       Welcome Dinner and Program
 
Friday, October 9, 2015  TOUR DAY
 8:00 a.m.                        Registration / Welcome Package
 8:00 a.m.                        Board Bus
 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.       Travel to LaGrange, GA (http://www.lagrange-ga.org/). 
 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.    Troup County Archves (http://www.trouparchives.org/) and Legacy Museum
 10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.   Drive by of Callaway Memorial Monument (http://www.exploregeorgia.org/listing/687-callaway-memorial-tower)
 10:45 to 11:00 a.m          Travel to Hills & Dales Estate (http://www.hillsanddales.org/)
 11:00 a.m. – 3:45 p..m.     Tour Hills & Dales Estate
 11:00 a.m. – 12 noon        Welcome and Film: ￿History of Hills & Dales￿
 12:00 noon                     Lunch (cost included in tour)
 12:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.     Tour Fuller E. Callaway family home and gardens (http://www.hillsanddales.org/index.php/house_garden/home)
 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.     Board Bus
 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.       Return to Callaway Gardens( http://www.callawaygardens.com/)
 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.             Hospitality / Meet & Greet
 7:00 p.m.                       Dinner at your leisure
 
Saturday, October 10, 2015 -Meeting Day
 8:00 a.m.   Registration / Welcome Package
 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.    Hospitality / Meet & Greet
 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.   Annual Business Meeting  
 10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.  Break
 10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.  Callaway DNA Project Presentation (https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/callaway/about/background )
 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Lunch at your leisure
 12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.   Registration / Meet & Greet
 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.    Historical Presentation or On your own Callaway Garden activities (http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do ) 
 2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.    Break
 2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.    Genealogy Workshop or On your own Callaway Garden activities (http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do ) 
 3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.    Break
 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.    Genealogy Workshop or On your own Callaway Garden activities (http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do ) 
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Hospitality / Meet & Greet
7:00 p.m.   40th Anniversary Banquet
9:00 p.m.   Entertainment   
 
Sunday, October 11, 2015
 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.  Board of Directors Meeting
 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Devotional Service – Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel (http://www.callawaygardens.com/things-to-do/attractions/ida-cason-callaway-memorial-chapel).
 12:00 noon    Hotel check-out.

Callaway Family Association
The 39th Annual Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas
Oct 2 – 5 2014

Meeting host: Joe and Barbara Cantley


Callaway Family Association
The 38th Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida
October 10 – 13 2013

CFA 2013 Annual Meeting on Facebook
Meeting host: Clay Callaway, CFA President


Callaway Family Association
The 37th Annual Meeting in Athens, Georgia
October 11 – 14 2012

Meeting host: Samuel Taylor Geer
 
Our 2012 annual meeting was held in the “Classic City” of Athens, Georgia , best known as home to The University of Georgia .  This historic area, however, has a rich Victorian history that can be seen today in the downtown architecture and the many magnificent homes that still line the streets behind huge oak and magnolia trees.  Our host hotel, was the site of an 1800’s iron foundry that produced the classic arch entrance to the University and the double-barreled cannon that is on display outside Athens city hall today. 
Athens has an active music scene which The New York Times called “Live Music Central” . Callaway descendant Pete McCommons is editor of the weekly Flagpole Magazine that covers the music venues and up and coming artists.
 
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia at The University of Georgia is a “living laboratory” for university students and faculty who utilize the collections and natural plant communities for studies in a variety of disciplines. The Garden is free and open to the public where visitors are welcomed in the Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center & Conservatory .  It’s well worth a visit on Wednesday or Sunday while you are in Athens.
 
Our annual meeting, genealogy workshops and historical presentations were held on Friday, October 12th and covered interesting topics on Georgia, Athens and Washington-Wilkes County history including the Kettle Creek Battlefield Revolutionary War Historic Site and how our family participated and continues to contribute to their community and the state. 
 
Our tour day, Saturday, October 13th took us to the ancestral roots of many Callaway descendants in Washington-Wilkes Co., Georgia .  We experienced the by gone era in a southern town, dotted with historic homes and architecture that date to the 1700’s. Our stops included the family cemetery at the Enoch Callaway homestead, The Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum and the famed Robert Toombs House Historic Site followed by an afternoon of activities at Callaway Plantation where we attended the 32nd Annual Mule Day & Southern Heritage Festival.  Our family banquet highlighted our activities on Saturday night and was an enjoyable and memorable occasion.

Our Sunday morning devotional brought our meeting to a close.

 
Thursday, October  11, 2012
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.            Board of Directors Meeting – Hoyt House private dinning room
On Your Own Activity Suggestions for Members Arriving in Athens, Georgia early
10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.     – The State Botanical Garden of Georgia and
the Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center & Conservatory (free)
1:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.       – Museum Mile Tour @ 2 hrs. ( Athens Welcome Center )
3:00 p.m.                             Hotel Check-in – The Foundry Park Inn & Spa | Athens, Georgia
3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.            Registration / Welcome Package
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.            Hospitality / Meet & Greet – Galleria One
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.            Welcome Dinner and Program – Galleria One
9:00 p.m.                             Live Music | The Melting Point (free with room key)
 
Friday, October  12, 2012 – All Meetings in Galleria One
8:00 a.m.                            Registration / Welcome Package
8:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.           Hospitality / Meet & Greet
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.         Genealogy Workshop –
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.       Break
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.       Genealogy Workshop / Historical Presentation
11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.       Lunch at your leisure
12:45 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.         Registration / Hospitality / Meet & Greet
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.           Annual Business Meeting
2:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.           Break
2:15 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.           Business Meeting / Genealogy Workshop
3:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.           Break
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.           Historical Presentation – Wilkes County / Kettle Creek / Callaway Plantation
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.           Hospitality Hour
7:00 p.m.                            Dinner at your leisure   
8:00 p.m.                            Live Music | The Melting Point (free with room key)
 
Saturday, October  13, 2012
8:00 a.m.                           Registration / Hospitality / Meet & Greet
8:15 a.m.                           Board Bus
8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.          Travel to Wilkes Co., GA
9:15 a.m. –  10:00 a.m      Kettle Creek Revolutionary War Battlefield
10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.      Tour historic Washington, GA
– The Washington-Wilkes Historical Museum                                           
                                            – Robert Toombs House Historic Site
12:15 to 12:30 p.m.           Travel to Callaway Plantation
12:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.       32nd MULE DAY & SOUTHERN HERITAGE FESTIVAL
(Lunch and Activities at your leisure)
3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.       Board Bus
4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.         Return to Athens, GA
6:30 – 7:00 p.m.                Hospitality / Meet & Greet – Galleria One
7:00 – 10:00 p.m.              Annual Banquet and entertainment at hotel – Galleria One
10:00 p.m.                        Live Music | The Melting Point (free with room key)
 
Sunday, October  14, 2012
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.      Board of Directors Meeting – Galleria One
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.            Devotional Service – Galleria One
12:00 noon                      Hotel check-out
On Your Own Activity Suggestions for Members extending their stay in Athens, Georgia
12:00 noon                      – The State Botanical Garden of Georgia and
Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center & Conservatory  (free)
1:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.       – Athens Heritage Tour @ 1.5 hrs. ( Athens Welcome Center )

Callaway Family Association
The 36th Annual Meeting in Raleigh, NC

The 2011 CFA Annual Meeting was held in Raleigh, NC from Oct 13 – 16.

You can make your reservations through the website listed below or call the hotel directly.
       Embassy Suites Hotel Raleigh – Crabtree
       4700 Creedmoor Road
       Raleigh, NC 27612
       919-881-0000
 

Here is the agenda:

 

On Thursday we greeted our Callaway family members and had a dinner to welcome everyone.  

On Friday for our tour, we set out from the Hotel and traveling to the Duke Homestead where we learned about the history of tobacco. From there we visited the world famous Duke Gardens and Duke Chapel. We proceeded to the famous barbeque restaurant called Bullocks. They have served their Carolina treats to many famous people, so we added our names to the list. Then we proceeded through historic Durham on our way to downtown Raleigh, where will got a tour of the Legislative Building. And on our way home we made one final stop at Krispy Kreme donut shop where they were making donuts and we watched and even bought some to eat. After all that we returned to the hotel to relax.  

Across the street from the hotel is the Crabtree Mall. The hotel will provide you with a shuttle if you choose not to walk. This mall has many known stores such as Belks, Sears and Macys. There are several restaurants including Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs, McCormick and Schmick, Panara Bread and a full food court to name a few.

Saturday night at our annual dinner we were entertained by a local blue grass band. It was a night to remember.


Callaway Family Association
Held its 35th Annual Meeting in Branson, MO.

 

October 14th thru 17th 2010

Your total Branson lodging experience awaits at Lodge of the Ozarks nestled in the heart of Branson’s famous ’76 Strip’. Come experience the Jewel of Branson hotels, with luxurious accommodations within walking distance of a variety of entertainment venues appealing to all ages. Enjoy outlet shopping, theatres, White Water theme park, go-carts, mini-golf, museums, and fine dining and lots more.

Meeting Planners: Joe and Barbara Cantley, Contact us at jbcantley @ windstream.net. (Remove the spaces)

2007 marked the 100th anniversary of the publication of one of the first million-copy selling books in the U.S., The Shepherd of the Hills. Based on actual events, the book sparked the beginning of tourism in Branson, Missouri and the Ozark Mountains. We will be attending the outdoor reenactment on Friday evening.

Today the great Titanic lives on. A towering symbol of hope and courage recreated in all its glorious splendor in Branson. Here guests will relive the last hours of that fateful voyage. Make haunting emotional connections to passengers and crew through their words and stories. And feel their spirit presence in the galleries where over 400 personal and private artifacts are on display. Thursday evening we start things off with a Buffet Dinner, special guest and a tour of the Titanic.

Come prepared to enjoy a fun filled tour on Friday with three meals, three shows and tour of Hard Work U. Saturday following the general session, you don’t want to miss the noon lunch and great entertainment by a local Ozark Group. You might select the show or venue of choice for Saturday evening, just don’t forget to come to the Sunday morning devotional before you head home or continue your stay.

 

Enjoy a great Ozark breakfast and see a Branson exclusive. Take a powerful journey through the rich history and heritage of the region with the GIANT-screen IMAX￿ adventure, ￿Ozarks Legacy & Legend.￿ as we start our Friday tour.

Then on to the College of the Ozarks campus, called Hard Work U for a reason.  All full-time students work rather than pay for their tuition. History comes alive at The Keeter Center, a beautiful facility with remarkable architecture and interiors recalling memories of old Dobyns Hall. Its rustic lodge design will take you back to 1906. The Keeter Center is home to some of the Ozarks￿ finest dining. I encourage all of you to partake of a sumptuous Sunday brunch if possible. It offers a perfect blend of personal attention and warm, rustic elegance. Tour will lunch there Friday. Williams Memorial Chapel is an outstanding example of neo-Gothic architecture. The Ralph Foster Museum, dedicated to the history of the Ozarks, is one of the most interesting I’ve seen. College of the Ozarks produces its famous fruitcakes on campus, and today bake more than 40,000 a year. Edwards Mill is powered by a twelve-foot water wheel turned by runoff water from nearby Lake Honor. The C of O Greenhouses, east of Edwards Mill, is home to the Clint McDade orchid collection.

 

That afternoon we step out of the present, away from modern hassles and headaches, and into the “Old West” with the Sons of the Pioneers. This cowboy show includes a delicious chuckwagon supper of chicken, beef, corn on the cob, and other authentic “Old West” dishes which you will partake of Friday, if you choose the full tour. Then mosey on over to the theater for the show of a lifetime with old cowboy songs and some of your other favorites. Fill this is a little much? Skip this and the bus will return to the hotel for you in time for the outdoor drama that evening.

Then it’s over to the Sheppard of the Hills outdoor drama, taken from the novel that started it all. Set in the very hills where the story took place down the “holler” from Old Matt’s cabin. As the story begins and the breeze blows through the leaves, listen closely and maybe you can hear the “haint” whose spirit drives the story until the mystery renders it’s secrets before your very eyes!


The 34th Annual Callaway Family Association Meeting
was held in Birmingham, AL
October 15th – 18th 2009

Hotel Information:
Place: Birmingham, AL, Wynfrey Hotel which is located on Hwy. 31 So. (off I-65) at the Galleria in Hoover.
Free Shuttle bus from/to Airport
There will be sit-down, plated dinners both Thursday & Saturday evenings.
Bus tour Friday includes:
Linn-Henley Research Library
Alabama Theatre; Guided tour with Organ Recital
The Peanut Depot and ￿windshield￿ tour of Historic Buildings Downtown
Lunch at Historic Rucker House
Vulcan Park Tour
Museum of Art exhibit of Yale University collection on ￿Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness￿


The 33rd Annual Callaway Family Association Meeting
was held in Nashville, TN
October 16th – 19th 2008
 

Hotel Information  –
The meeting was held at the Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville, Tn.

Meeting Agenda  –
7:00 P.M.  CFA Board Meeting  –  Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008.

9:00 A.M.  CFA Board Meeting  –  Thursday, Oct. 16, 2008
3:00 P.M.  CFA Registration
6:30 P.M.  Welcome Dinner (Speaker)

8:00 A.M.  CFA Registration  –  Friday, October 17, 2008
9:00 A.M. CFA Tour of Nashville & Belle Meade Plantation
3:30 P.M. Tour Return to Hotel

8:00 A.M. CFA Registration –       Saturday, October  18, 2008
9:00 A.M. CFA Business Meeting
12:00 Noon – Lunch on your own
2:00 P.M. – Genealogy Workshop
6:30 P.M. – Banquet/Entertainment   

8:00 A.M. – Board Meeting –     Sunday, October 19, 2008
9:30 A.M. – Devotional Service     


The 32nd Annual Callaway Family Association Meeting
was held in Atlanta, Georgia
October 18th – 21st 2007

The Doubletree Hotel, in the famed Buckhead District, was our base while in Atlanta. A beautiful small hotel, completely renovated with a lovely and competent staff, located near the sites for Friday￿s Tour.

 


The 31st Annual Callaway Family Association Meeting
was held in Roanoke, Virginia
October 12th – 15th 2006

WYNDHAM  ROANOKE  HOTEL
2801 HERSHBERGER RD. NW
ROANOKE, VA 24017 

CFA President:                                   Judy Callaway Ostler
2006 CFA Meeting Coordinators:        Russ and Heide Callaway
Pat Schnurr
Connie Sherrill
Judy Ostler

            Welcome to ￿Callaway Country,￿ the home of many Callaway descendants.  The meeting coordinators have worked hard to plan this special return of the CFA to Roanoke, Virginia, where many members of our organization have their roots. 

            The CFA 31st Annual Meeting will be held at the Wyndham Roanoke Hotel, 2801 Hershberger Rd., NW, Roanoke, VA, 24017.  The hotel, surrounded by the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains, is located one mile from Roanoke Municipal Airport and seven miles from downtown.  Shuttle buses are provided to and from the airport. 

            The hotel has 320 guestrooms in two towers.  All rooms feature view balconies, pillow-top mattresses, multi-line phones with voice mail, video game consoles, and available high-speed Internet access (surcharge).  Refrigerators and microwaves are available upon request.  Other amenities include cable/satellite TV, pay-movies, blackout drapes, coffee/tea makers, housekeeping, iron/ironing board, electronic/magnetic keys, rollaway beds, smoking rooms, premium TV channels, climate control, hair dryer, electronic check out, wake-up calls, desk, and cribs/infant beds available on request. 

            There are three on site dining areas: 

Lily￿s  – The casual yet refined restaurant serves American cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Charades ￿ Serving dinner, this lounge features music and satellite sports.
Whispers ￿ Here guests can enjoy their favorite drinks in front of the fireplace.  Lunch and dinner menu. 

            Recreational activities available on site or near the hotel are:

￿        Golfing nearby                               

￿        Golf ￿ driving range nearby

￿        Swimming on site

￿        Tennis on site           

31st  CFA  ANNUAL  MEETING  SCHEDULE 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2006

1:00 ￿ 5:00PM       CFA Meeting Registration – ￿Calloway Girls￿

3:30 ￿ 5:30PM       CFA Board Meeting – CFA President: Judy C. Ostler

6:00 ￿ 6:30PM       CFA Welcome Reception

6:30PM                  CFA Buffet Dinner followed by program :  MC, Heide Ann Callaway Stephenson 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2006 

8:00 ￿ 9:00AM       CFA Registration – ￿Calloway Girls￿

9:00AM ￿ 4:00PM    Historic Tour/Lunch – Tour Director, Patricia Schnurr

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2006 

8:00 ￿ 9:00AM        CFA Registration – ￿Calloway Girls￿ 

9:00 ￿ 10:30AM      CFA Business Meeting – CFA President, Judy C. Ostler

10:30 ￿ 11:00AM     Coffee Break

11:00AM ￿ 12:00PM    Guest Speaker, “Callaway Country”, Charlie Perry, Local Historian 

12:00  – 2:00PM       Lunch                                                                                       

2:30 ￿ 4:00PM         CFA History/Genealogy/DNA –  Sherrill Williams, CFA Genealogist

                               Workshops and Reports – Sherrill Williams, CFA Genealogist  

6:00 ￿ 6:30PM         CFA Reception

6:30PM                   Buffet Dinner

7:30PM                   Entertainment – Blue Grass Special 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2006 

8:00 ￿ 10:00AM       CFA Board Meeting – CFA President

10:00 ￿ 11:00AM      Devotional Service:   Rev. Harold Cantley

                                                               Music:  Lucy Cantley     

CALLAWAY FAMILY ASSOCIATION, INC.
Historic Tour
Friday, October 13, 2006
Pat Schnurr, Coordinator 

VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION
304 Norfolk Avenue
Roanoke, VA 24016 

Located in Roanoke￿s historic N&W Freight Station, the Museum is home to the largest collection of locomotives in the Southeast, with over 40 pieces of rolling stock in the rail yard, including diesel and steam locomotives and featuring the Class J No. 611 and Class A No. 1218 locomotives.  Also on display are antique carriages, cars, trucks, buses, and trolleys; a miniature traveling circus, a large ￿O￿ gage model train layout with four levels for viewing by all ages; aviation equipment and interactive exhibits. 

OLDE LIBERTY STATION RESTAURANT
515 Bedford Avenue
Bedford, VA 24523
 

The tour will include lunch in this restaurant situated in a Colonial Revival building which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON￿S POPLAR FOREST

￿When finished it will be the best dwelling house in the state, except that of Monticello; perhaps preferable to that, as more proportioned to the faculties of a private citizen.￿ ￿ Thomas Jefferson 

Poplar Forest, Jefferson￿s summer retreat in Bedford County, VA opened its doors in 1986 for tours on a regular basis.  Through the years, Thomas Jefferson￿s cherished retreat underwent many changes as the families who lived there remodeled the home to meet personal needs and changing fashions, and provide modern conveniences. 

In the 1840￿s, the Hutter family who owned the house took advantage of a fire and replaced Jefferson￿s Revival balustrade on the roof with a Greek Revival style and dormers.  They also converted Jefferson￿s rotunda space in the dining room to two stories, and tore down parts of the wing of service rooms on the side of the house.  Still, the house retained its original octagonal design and walls, and parts of the wing and its foundation survived.  

The restoration of Jefferson￿s villa is being done in phase for two reasons.  In-depth research precedes hands-on work, and funding from mostly private sources is secured before the start of a major project. 

Read all about Roanoke here.


The 30th Annual Callaway Family Association Meeting
was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 13th – 16th 2005

The Theme for this meeting was “We The People”

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Historical District Philadelphia.  It is right in the center of the historical district at 400 Arch Street so it was easy to access all of the historic sites there by walking.  There is indoor parking and shuttle bus available from the airport.

Read all about Philadelphia here.


The 29th Annual Callaway Family Association Meeting
was held in Charleston, South Carolina
October 7th – 10th 2004

The theme for this meeting was “The Heart of the Old South”

and the location, tours, and hotel certainly fit that description. The meeting was held at the Charleston Riverview Hotel, 170 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, South Carolina 29403. (Toll free phone # 1-800-968-3569) It is located on the Ashley River and just one mile from the historic district.

The tours included:
– tour of the city of Charleston and the Edmondston-Alston House
– buffet luncheon at Middleton Pavilion (traditional southern and “Low Country” food)
– tour of Middleton Plantation
– tour the location where the Civil War submarine H. L. Hunley is being preserved and studied
– a Full Dress Parade at The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina


The 28th Annual Callaway Family Association Meeting
was held in Salt Lake City, Utah
October 9th – 12th 2003.

The theme for this meeting was “The Crossroads of the West”

A wonderful meeting was planned, starting with the Thursday Family Night Buffet and opening and followed on Fri. by an all-day tour by bus in the Salt Lake area. Lunch was served during the tour at the Joseph Smith Memorial Bldg. 

The annual business meeting was on Saturday – with speakers and a genealogical report of the English research Sat. afternoon. 

The Sat. night Banquet and entertainment was at the hotel and the meeting closed on Sunday morning after the Devotional service. 

Besides the wealth of genealogical resources to be found at the LDS Library,
Salt Lake City has much to offer. Read all about it
here.


The 27th Annual Callaway Family Association Meeting
was held in Baltimore, Maryland in October 2002.

 


Callaway Family Association
26th Annual Meeting
October 11 – 14, 2001
The Richmond  Marriott  Hotel
Richmond, Virginia

Read all about Richmond, Virginia and see where our 2001 Annual Meeting was held.
The Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Richmond
The Floating Folk Festival in Richmond
Shockoe Bottom Arts Center in Richmond
Historic Scenes of Richmond

 

Callaway Family Association 26th  Annual Meeting Agenda

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Thursday,  October  11th
9:00 – 3:00 P.M. CFA Board of Directors Meeting
2:00 – 5:00 P.M. CFA Registration
6:00 – 7:00 P.M. CFA Welcome Reception
7:00 – 7:30 P.M. CFA Opening Ceremony
7:30 – 9:00 P.M. CFA Family Buffet Dinner
9:00 P.M. Entertainment: Russell Wilson,  Classical Pianist,  Richmond Symphony

Friday, October 12th
8:30 – 9:00 A.M. CFA Registration
9:00 – 4:00 P.M. CFA Historic Tour of Richmond, Virginia  (Lunch included)
4:30 – 5:00 P.M. CFA Registration

Saturday, October 13th  —  An Evening With Thomas Jefferson
8:00 –  9:00 A.M. CFA Registration
9:00 – 10:30 A.M. CFA Annual Business Meeting
10:30 – 11:00 A.M. Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:00 Noon CFA Annual Business Meeting
12:00 –   2:00 P.M. Buffet Luncheon / Guest Speaker
2:30 – 4:00 P.M. CFA History / Genealogy Workshop
6:00 –   7:00 P.M. CFA Reception
7:00 –   8:30 P.M. CFA Annual Banquet
8:30 –   9:00 P.M. CFA Closing Ceremony
9:00 – 10:30 P.M. Entertainment:  String  Quartet,  Richmond Symphony

Sunday, October 14th
8:00 – 9:30 A.M. CFA Board  of  Directors Meeting
10:00 – A.M. CFA Devotional  Service:  Dr. Hugh P. Callaway & Rev. Harold Cantley

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Callaway Family Association
25th Annual Meeting
October 12 – 15, 2000
Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA

Visit Callaway Gardens web site, and see where our annual meeting 2000 was held.

Here are some of the details of the sightseeing tours.

Friday, October 13 Tours:

Callaway Gardens:

Callaway Gardens covers 14,000 acres in the foothills of the Appalachians. Founded by industrialist Cason J. Callaway, in the 1930s, the area features beautiful horticultural displays and miles of scenic woodland drives. A large man-made sand beach borders Robin Lake. Other attractions include an early 1800s log cabin, Mr. Cason’s vegetable garden, the Ida Cason Callaway Memorial Chapel, an information center and facilities for picnicking, golf, miniature golf, bicycling, walking, racquetball, swimming, fishing, paddle boating, sailing and tennis. The gardens contain what is purported to be one of the world’s largest collection of native azaleas, once plentiful in the natural woodlands of the Southeast. These rare varieties are usually more pure in color than cultivated shrubs. Greenhouses are filled with native and tropical floral arrangements. The grounds are the site of many events, including a steeplechase, fairs, concerts and the Buick Challenge golf tournament. The five mile Scenic Drive winds around Mountain Creek Lake, where canoes, fishing boats and sailboats are available for rent. Robin Lake Beach is the site of shows that include the Florida State University Flying High Circus.

Little White House, State Historic Site at Warm Springs, GA: 

After contracting polio, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, visited the springs in 1924 hoping to improve his health. A few years later he established the Warm Springs Foundation for the care and treatment of fellow polio victims who could not afford such medical help.

Springer Opera House:

The restored 1871 Springer Opera House is just outside Columbus’ 26 block historic district. The opera house, which once featured such prominent figures as Edwin Booth, Oscar Wilde, Lily Langtry and Irving Berlin, now offers productions on a seasonal basis. 

Fort Benning:

In addition to being the only U.S. Army training center for infantry, it also trains airborne troops. Visitors can go to the drop zone and watch the paratroopers land.

Callaway Gardens
P.O. Box 2000 (Hwy 27 S)
Pine Mountain, GA 31822
(800) Callaway
Fax: (706) 663-5090

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CFA Annual Meetings Locations for 1976- 1999

1976 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA
1977 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA
1978 – Roanoke, VA
1979 – Roanoke, VA
1980 – Louisville, KY
1981 – Shreveport, LA
1982 – San Diego, CA
1983 – Athens, GA
1984 – St. Louis, MO
1985 – Austin, TX
1986 – Williamsburg, VA
1987 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA
1988 – Sacramento, CA
1989 – Orlando, FL
1990 – Philadelphia, PA
1991 – Knoxville, TN
1992 – Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA
1993 – Little Rock, AR
1994 – Frankfort, KY
1995 – San Antonio, TX
1996 – Boston, MA
1997 – Savannah, GA
1998 – Denver, CO
1999 – New Orleans, LA