15-17 July 2011, St. Louis, MO

The Reception and Informal Get-together convened at 7:30 p.m. Friday with President Ed Chenault calling the meeting to order. Following the invocation delivered by Jerry Chenault and a few brief announcements, Ed introduced Angie Chenault, daughter-in-law of James Artelle and Gloria Chenault, who, as a co-host with her husband, Richard, welcomed attendees to St. Louis and explained that Richard was flying in from out of town and would be joining the reunion a little late. President Ed then called on Libby Chenault, program committee chairperson, to introduce the guest speaker for the evening.

Barnes M. "Barney" Bradshaw, who is the special events coordinator and a historian with the Missouri Historical Society, is a noted storyteller and well versed regarding Civil War events especially in the St. Louis vicinity. He entered the room in period costume to deliver a presentation where he portrayed Absalom Grimes, who was a Confederate spy and mail carrier who was imprisoned and escaped a number of time with cunning and bravery. Eventually pardoned for his Civil War deeds, he continued to deliver mail and raise his family.

Following the presentation, President Ed invited Elizabeth Ann "Libby" Chenault and Jean Chenault Logue to come forward and handle the introduction of family groups. James Logue photographed each group at the conclusion of their introductions.

President Ed invited attendees to enjoy the light refreshments at the back of the room and to spend some time in the Hospitality Room just down the hall where souvenirs were available, as well as several history displays and the silent auction items. The sessions was adjourned.

President Ed Chenault opened the Saturday morning session with the call to order at 8:30 a.m. Following the invocation by Rev. Nan Cushing, President Ed shared several quotes and stories from Will Rogers. He then asked Libby and Jean to introduce attendees who were not present for introductions Friday evening.

President Ed then introduced the first speaker for the session, Carolyn Sue Chenault, historian of the association, who presented information about the Confederate Prison and Cemetery located at Alton, IL, which lies just a short drive from the hotel across the Mississippi River. After covering the history of the prison and the horrible conditions of the site that led to the death of many prisoners, both military and civilian who sympathized with the Confederates, she paid tribute to two distant cousins who died while imprisoned there.... William N. Shinault (11143.11), the eldest child of Isaac C. Shinault and Lucinda Webster Reagon and grandson of William Shinault and Hannah Moore Yeary, and John Chenault (11367.1), the father of five children who enlisted in AR, the eldest child of William "Buck" Chennault and Nancy Huchingson and grandson of Reuben Chenault, the twin of Stephen.

At the conclusion of Sue’s presentation, President Ed invited Rev. Nan Cushing to make an announcement concerning the Memorial Service on Sunday. Then, Barbara MacManus also made an announcement concerning the auctioning of several Huguenot Mereau replicated tokens she was offering to attendees, with the proceeds to go to the association. She explained that the tokens were used by Huguenots in France from about 1550 until the mid 19^th century during holy communion to signify those who qualified to receive the sacrament. A moment was taken to pass out bid sheets and collect them for Barbara to determine the recipients of the tokens. Results, she said, would be announced at the dinner Saturday evening.

The second speaker for the session, John Blackwell Chenault, continued the theme of honoring accomplished cousins with his presentation, "Remembering Samuel Norman Mockbee, Jr." (11145.15111). He began by pointing out that we are fortunate that an alert cousin had shared several articles about this cousin with June Walters. Ultimately, the articles found their way to Sue for inclusion in the historian’s files. The achievements of Mockbee, who is a descendant of John Versa Shinault, were quite extraordinary. His gift of in the field of architecture coupled with his altruism, concern for the poor, social conscience, and spiritual comfort enabled him to "erase the boundary between experimental design and social consciousness" as noted by the MacArthur Foundation, who awarded him their 2000 "genius grant’ of $500,000 only a few short months before his death from leukemia. He was the recipient of a number of other awards including the Mississippi Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the "Use Your Life Award" from Oprah’s Angel Network. John gave attendees a good idea of the man behind the honors through the material he covered.

President Ed then 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 Ed Chenault.

He invited 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. A motion was made to accept the minutes as recorded. It was seconded and passed.

Barbara covered the Financial Report and asked for changes, corrections or clarification to the report. She also announced that Carolyn Sue Chenault has been set up as her alternate on the association’s accounts in the event that she is unable to manage the accounts. A motion was made to approve the financial report as covered. It was seconded and passed.

President Ed called for the Committee Reports, beginning with the Bylaws Committee. Jean Chenault Logue, chairperson, opened discussion of a request that had been received in regard to Article IV. It is desired by some members to change the start time of all morning functions at the reunion to no earlier than 9:00 a.m local time. Following discussion, a motion was made to accept the change pending any valid objection raised by membership before the start of the next reunion. It was seconded and passed.

The Site Selection Committee was requested to make the next report by President Ed. Jerry Chenault, committee chairperson, reported that a favorable proposal for hotel accommodations has been received from the Chattanooga Marriott Hotel Convention Center for the 2012 reunion. The room rate would be $109 per night, which is an excellent rate for the summer in Chattanooga. A motion to accept the proposal was received, seconded, and passed. Acting on the previous suggestion to go to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in 2013, Jerry indicated that a request for proposal has been forwarded to a local hotel in close proximity to the airport and other desirable local attractions, but the response is pending. A motion was made to accept Dallas as the site for 2013 pending a favorable rate from a local hotel. The motion was seconded and passed. Jerry indicated he is seeking input from association members regarding sites for 2014 and 2015. In view of the declining attendance levels, he indicated that he is interested in getting input from those who would commit to attending if it was held in the city they recommend.

Carolyn Sue Chenault covered the committee reports for the Website and Genealogy Committees next. She said updates are pending and nearing completion to add several features on the website including recent findings on the Cheneau coat of arms and a history of the tablecloth signed by all reunion attendees over the past 20 years or so. Also, the Facebook page has been established for the Chenault Family National Association referring to the website for more information. She also indicated that she plans to pursue using the photo feature of Facebook to share photos of ancestors since it does not cost to add them to the site whereas the cost of space on the website prevents adding them there and potentially having to increase the association’s monthly cost of the site. Guidelines for the photos are being prepared. As for the Genealogy Committee report, the first supplement to the 2008 Red Book is planned for the summer of 2012. Guidelines for submitting new and change information will be posted on the website in the next update.

John Blackwell Chenault, chairman of the Nominating Committee reported that he has been unable to confirm the status of Cabell Chenault assuming the position of President for the coming year. He proposed that we move forward with the consideration that he and Cabell are rather like co-Presidents so that in the event that Cabell cannot serve, he, John Blackwell, would step in and do so. Further, he would offer a full slate of officers recommended for the coming year by the dinner session Saturday evening. Note: The recommendation proposed and approved that evening included Cabell Chenault, President; John Blackwell Chenault, 1^st Vice President; Carolyn Sue Chenault, 2^nd Vice President, Barbara Chenault MacManus, Secretary/Treasurer.

All committee chairpersons agreed to continue to chair their committees for the coming year.

President Ed asked if there was any further old business to discuss. He asked for new business. None was brought forward, so he adjourned the business meeting for 2011.

The Annual Banquet began at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, July 16 2011 with President Ed Chenault presiding. Following the Pledge of Allegiance led by Judge Jim Chenault, the invocation was given by John Blackwell Chenault.

President Ed Chenault introduced the people seated at the head table, as well as a few who had joined attendees for the dinner. James Artelle Chenault and his wife Gloria were honored for their many contributions to the reunions and the preservation of Chenault heritage by being named the honorary host and hostess of the 2011 reunion. President Ed asked Libby Chenault to introduce the keynote speaker for the evening.

Bobby Norfolk, an internationally known story performer, three-time Emmy Award winner, and a Parents’ Choice recipient, as well as several other awards of excellence for his storytelling and teaching efforts, entered the room in period dress as York, who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their trek to the Pacific. Having began his career as a stand-up comedian and then working for ten years for the National Park Service as a ranger at the Gateway Arch, he was able to recreate an informative and entertaining story of the historic effort, which kept the audience laughing for most of the performance.

Carlisle Chenault announced the results of the Silent Auction.

President Ed Chenault presented the Certificates of Appreciation and Special Awards, assisted by the Secretary/Treasurer, Barbara Chenault MacManus. Then, the results of the bidding for the Huguenot mereau tokens was announced. Every person who placed a bid ended up with a token.

The drawing for the two "door prizes" was announced with two paid 2012 reunion registrations going to Howard Logue, and a copy of the 2008 Red Book going to Gus and Donna Mellick’s daughter-in-law, Kari Mellick. Note: Subsequent to the dinner, Kari indicated she would like to donate the book to a deserving library who has not yet received a book. Carolyn Sue Chenault suggested that the Grapevine Library, Grapevine, TX, has an outstanding genealogy section that had been an enormous help in her researching and compiling material for the 2008 Red Book. Kari accepted that suggestion.

Following the "Passing of The Bread Basket," the newly elected officers were installed by Judge Jean Chenault Logue, assisted by Barbara Chenault MacManus. Out-going President Ed Chenault expressed appreciation to those who had helped him during his term and welcomed the newly installed Co-President, John Blackwell Chenault, who briefly addressed attendees. A plaque of recognition and appreciation was presented to Ed.

Barbara announced the results of the bread basket donations and said the hospitality room would open immediately following the adjournment of the dinner session.

The session was adjourned.

The annual Chenault Family Memorial Service began at 9:00 a.m., Sunday, July 17, 2011. Following a greeting from Rev. Nan Cushing, a program of prayers and readings was handled by various attendees. After the reading of a prayer of remembrance, the Memorial Honor Roll was read by John Blackwell Chenault. Following a period of silent prayer and petitions, the service was closed with a final prayer.

The Reunion was adjourned until the third weekend of July 2012.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Sue Chenault