Registration for the 60th Annual Chenault Family National Association Reunion commenced at 1:00 p.m., Friday, July 17, 2009,at the Holiday Inn West, Augusta, GA. The Hospitality Room opened providing hospitality and informal visiting during the reunion, as well as displays covering both family and reunion history, silent auction items, and souvenirs.

The Reception and Informal Get-together convened at 7:30 p.m. Friday with President Elizabeth Ann "Libby" Chenault calling the meeting to order. Margaret Penick Stockton led the attendees in reading the Chenault Prayer. Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Chenault MacManus, welcomed attendees to the reunion on behalf of the planning committee. She then read a poem submitted by Peggy Miller, entitled "The Elusive Ancestor", by Merrell Kenworthy. Tommy and Linda Brown, the local hosts, welcomed attendees to Augusta, and invited everyone to get out and see the sights during their visit. President Libby made several announcements and gave an overview of the reunion activities. She acknowledged the loss of Chris Shinall after his long battle with cancer and announced that a memorial recognition will be drafted for him to be presented at the 2010 reunion. She also indicated that a few copies of the new edition of the Red Book were available for review in the hospitality room where order blanks were also available for copies that would be shipped to those purchasing copies.

President Libby then invited Jean Chenault Logue and James Logue to come forward and participate in the introduction of the family groups. Following the introductions and a few stories of family interest, the session was adjourned, and everyone was invited to move to the hospitality room for visiting.

President Libby Chenault opened the Saturday morning session with the call to order at 9:00. The invocation was given by Rev. Nan Cushing. President Libby made a few announcements including details for a group picture to be taken immediately prior to the dinner Saturday evening. She then invited Barbara Chenault MacManus to come forward and present the first part of the morning’s program.

After touching briefly on the correct pronunciation of "Huguenot" and a bit about the formation of the National Huguenot Society and some of difficulties being experienced due to the aging of members, Barbara gave a very interesting review of a book entitled, Three Voyages, which traced the adventures of Rene Laudonniere, who participated in three French voyages to the New World in 1562, 1564, and 1565. Hearing about such intriguing individuals as Gaspard de Coligny, Jean Ribault, and Chief Satouriona and his appearance, as well at places like Pt. Royal Sound and the encampments of the settlers, was very enlightening and entertaining.

Following a brief break, President Libby Chenault presented a well-received slide presentation entitled, "Appealing Images." The subjects of the images were posters created during WWI appealing for help for the troops, creating awareness of their needs and awakening America to how they could join together to those needs for everything from reading material, food, and fuel to animals such as horses, dogs, carrier pigeons. It was such a wonderfully entertaining subject that a request was made to have her return in 2010 with a similar presentation of WWII material.

Following President Libby’s presentation, the session was adjourned for a brief break before convening for the business meeting.

The business meeting of the Chenault Family National Association was called to order by President Libby Chenault.

She asked Secretary/Treasurer Barbara MacManus to give her report. Barbara indicated the minutes as shown on the web site and in newsletter had been made available for everyone’s review and asked if there were any changes. The minutes were approved as written. She then covered the Financial Reports and asked if anyone had any questions, changes or corrections to the reports. Motions were made and seconded to approve the Financial Reports as covered.

President Libby then called for the Committee Reports, beginning with the Red Book Committee. When Gus and Donna Mellick and Sue Chenault came forward, the attendees extended their appreciation for the work of the three, as well as their families, who had contributed their efforts to get the new edition published. Gus provided information about registering the book with the Library of Congress and its copyrighting.

Before leaving the podium, Sue provided an update on the chenault.org internet web site. Inquiries continue to come in through the site as more cousins are locating it. It is a valuable asset to the association for many reasons and the investment has been beneficial to the membership of the association. The web site has resulted in new members for the association and attendees at the reunion. Expansion of some of the information is being considered in response to some of the inquiries. Suggestions for changes are welcome and should be addressed to Sue.

President Libby Chenault introduced Jerry Chenault, chairman of the Site Selection Committee, who announced the proposed site for the 2010 Reunion as Richmond, VA. He indicated that although the hotel that was their first choice cannot accommodate our reunion on the dates desired, efforts are being made to locate another site that can. However, if the members would like to move the date to a week earlier or a week later, the hotel could accommodate us. This suggestion was not pursued. Following a motion being made and seconded to go to Richmond, it was approved. Jerry then announced that he is doing preliminary work to scout out St. Louis, MO, for the 2011 Reunion, Chattanooga, TN, for 2012, and Dallas, TX, for 2013.

John Blackwell Chenault, chairman of the Nominating Committee reported the slate of officers recommended for the coming year. The recommendation proposed and approved included Jerry Chenault, President; Ed Chenault, 1^st Vice President; John Blackwell Chenault, 2^nd Vice President, Barbara Chenault MacManus, Secretary/Treasurer. He indicated that he would be willing to continue to chair the Nominating Committee for the coming year and would be joined by Jean Chenault Logue, Bill Iley Chenault, and Peggy Miller in developing a slate of nominees for presentation at the 2010 reunion.

When President Libby solicited new business, Rev. John Chenault suggested that the officers consider extending an invitation tp Fred Coffey and some of the Coffey cousins to attend the 2010 reunion since they are so closely related. Following a short discussion and agreement to consider this matter, Libby adjourned the meeting when no other new business was offered.

The Annual Banquet began at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, July 18 2009 with President Libby Chenault presiding. Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the invocation was given by Dr. John Cabell Chenault, III.

Luisa Chenault gave the results of the Candy Challenge, with winners that included Claire Schaefer, Taylor Mellick, Barbara MacManus, and Greg Mellick taking the overall prize. President Libby Chenault then introduced the keynote speaker, Janice Johnson from the Augusta Genealogical Society, who gave a presentation from her extensive research of Emily Tubman. She provided an interesting picture of a young woman who became a huge benefactor and humanitarian in the Augusta area and beyond.

The results of Silent Auction were announced and Certificates of Appreciation and Special Awards were presented by President Libby Chenault, assisted by the Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Chenault MacManus.

Following the "Passing of The Bread Basket," the newly elected officers were installed by Judge Jean Chenault Logue. Out-going President Libby Chenault expressed her appreciation to all those who had worked with her during the year. She then invited the newly installed President, Jerry Chenault, to speak to the members., He said he looked forward to the coming year as President and, in typical "Washington" fashion noted he would be "tapping" a number of the attendees for key positions in his administration.

The annual Chenault Family Memorial Service began at 9:00 a.m., Sunday, July 19, 2009, with a few words from Rev. John. The Chenault choir led the attendees in singing "America the Beautiful." Margaret Stockton gave the invocation followed by the choir singing "Hymn of Promise." John Blackwell Chenault read the Memorial Honor Roll. Cabell Chenault led the group in prayer followed by Libby Chenault reading a passage of scripture from the book of Isaiah. Judge Jean Logue read a Native American poem entitled, "Do Not Stand at My Grave." After the choir sang "Le Cevenole," Rev. Nan Cushing led the group in The Lord’s Prayer and gave a dismissal benediction.

The Reunion was adjourned until the third weekend of July 2010.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Sue Chenault