National Conference of State Societies

West Virginia State Society Will Celebrate 145 years of Statehood on June 19

President Theresa Phipps and other officers invite you to please join the members of the West Virginia State Society and officials of the West Virginia Division of Tourism and other sponsors as we celebrate the 145th Birthday of The Mountain State on Thursday, June 19 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Resources Committee Room, 1324 Longworth House Office Building. The event is free for WVSS members.  To register, please RSVP by June 13 to wvstatesociety@gmail.com.

The final state quarters will circulate in 2008

On May 17 production began  on the first Arizona Quarters to celebrate the 48th State.  The program that started in January 1999 with the issuance of the quarter for Delaware is wrapping up with production of quarters for New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii in order of their admission to the Union.  Now, with the U.S. Mint's 50 State Quarters program in its 10th year, the 48th state's design became the 48th state quarter as the Grand Canyon and saguaro began their minting run in Denver.  The Arizona coins will enter circulation in June according to Michael White, a U.S. Mint spokesman. Officials at the Mint estimate that 500 million Arizona Quarters will be made with the Grand Canyon and a saguaro on the reverse side.  The New Mexico quarter is already in circulation.  The mint also estimates that 140 million Americans are collecting the state coin series. 

Richard Snow, who has written three coin-collecting books and operates Eagle Eye Rare Coins in Tucson said last week that "Artistically, for the Mint to put the Grand Canyon on a small coin is really a challenge." The quarter program has brought in some new people to the hobby of numismatics, said Richard Smith, owner of the Coin Gallery in Phoenix. When Smith got into the hobby as a kid, there were all types of coins, made out of several different metals, in circulation. Coins became standardized in 1964, bringing on the "dark days" of the hobby.

"This (program) has brought in 12-year-olds and 15-year-olds," Smith said.

A kid who started collecting when the program started would now be a teenager or young adult. By now, Smith said, they could have acquired a lifelong hobby. "Or," he said, "at least they have $12.50."

Emily Little Meets Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda

2008 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen Emily Little of Mount Desert, Maine meets Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda at his official residence in Tokyo on May 23.  In back is Ms. Sonoko Kudo of the Japan Cherry Blossom Association.  Emily was accompanied by NCSS President Lourdes Barrett and by 2008 Japan Cherry Blossom Queen Megumi Yoshida to the Prime Minister's office and to other offices of top Japanese officials last week.  Barrett and Little left for Japan on Tuesday, May 20 and will return to Dulles Airport in Virginia on Friday, May 30.  Photo courtesy of Getty Images and office of Prime Minister Fukuda. Emily was sponsored by the Maine State Society of Washington, DC to be the 2008 Maine Cherry Blossom Princess.  At the NCSS Grand Ball on Friday, April 11, she was voted as Miss Congeniality by her fellow princesses from other states.  A few minutes later, the wheel of fortune landed on Maine to select her as the 2008 U.S. Cherry Blossom Queen.  She was invited to visit Japan by the Japan Cherry Blossom Association, a key strategic partner for NCSS in Japan.

New York State Society Party for 140th Running of the Belmont Stakes will be Saturday afternoon, June 7th

Will Big Brown be able to win The Triple Crown for the first time in thirty years in spite of an injured hoof?  Join friends and members of The New York State Society of Washington, DC on Saturday, June 7th to find out.

NYSS invites fellow New York expatriates in the national capital region to join us to watch horse racing history and the 140th running of The Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7th from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm. We will meet at Ireland's Four Courts at 2051 Wilson Boulevard in Arlington, Va. close to the Court House Metro Stop on the Orange Line. Admission price of $10 at the door includes Hors d'oeuvres, one "Belmont Breeze" - the traditional beverage, a White Carnation, cash bar for additional drinks.  RSVP by June 5th to bafpff@verizon.net.  If you wish to linger after the race with friends, a post-Belmont dinner is available at cost.  Details for upcoming events can be found at our web site.  CLICK HERE to visit the site.  August 13 we will watch the Nationals play the Mets.  On Sept. 24th, come to our annual Buffalo Nite in Washington, DC.  On Dec. 16th, NYSS will celebrate our 100th Anniversary Gala.

Texas Two Step is Thursday, May 29

The Texas State Society of Washington, DC would like to invite you to join your fellow expatriate Texans for Two-Steppin’ with The Wil Gravatt Band this Thursday, May 29, on Capitol Hill. Head out to the American Legion Hall at 3rd and D Streets, SE at 8:30 p.m. and get warmed up because the Wil Gravatt Band will take the stage at 9 p.m. This week there is an extra special treat for you true country music fans; Bob Spates will be the Special Guest playing the Fiddle!  Doors open @8:30 p.m., dancing starting at 9:00 p.m. $6 Cover (This is a 21+ event.) Metro: Capitol South.  No Reserved Seating.   Any questions or concerns? Please contact Brittany at brittanyeck@gmail.com.  For more information on how to join the Texas State Society, please CLICK HERE to visit our web site.  Our next event will be the Father's Day Picnic on June 15.  Please see notice below.

Mississippi Day is May 25 at The National Cathedral

Members of the Mississippi State Society of Washington, DC will attend Mississippi Day at the National Cathedral this coming Sunday, May 21st.  Please CLICK HERE for more information.  All Mississippians in the national capital region are invited to attend the worship service on Sunday, May 21 at 11:15 am.  The service will be web cast live from the Cathedral.  Also, don't forget to circle the date of Saturday, June 14 for the Mississippi on the Mall picnic.  CLICK HERE for more details on the picnic.

Florida State Society Barbecue is Wednesday, May 21

Save the date.  Please Join the Florida State Society of Washington, DC for Barbeque Happy Hour!  The time is 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 at The Florida House, Number One Second Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.  This event is for members only but if you want to learn how to join the society, please CLICK HERE to visit our web site.

California State Society Picnic is June 21

Save the date.  Sunday, June 21 from 11 am to 4 pm is the date of the annual California State Society Picnic at the Polo Grounds between the FDR and Lincoln Memorials. More information will be posted soon on the California State Society web site.  CLICK HERE to learn how to join the society and for information on other upcoming events. The Polo Grounds are bounded on the north by Independence Avenue, SW, on the west by Ohio Drive,SW, and on the south and east by West Basin Drive, SW.  CLICK HERE to see a map of the area just south of the Lincoln Memorial.

Washington State Society Potlatch is Friday, May 16

Pictured at left is a decorated blue felt travel pennant from Seattle celebrating the gathering of native northwest American and Canadian tribes in 1913.  The Washington State Society will host the 48th Annual Potlatch on Friday, May 16, 2008 at The Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Avenue NW.

Tickets are $49 per person for reserved seats and tables are $650. Event sponsorship is also available. For sponsorship questions or to purchase tickets, please contact Stephanie Scroggs (stephanie.scroggs@gmail.com) or Michelle Van Hoff (michelle_vanhoff@yahoo.com).

Josephine Eckert and Katy Quinn are Co-chairs for the Potlatch Dinner. To learn more about this event, how to become a sponsor, and how to join the Washington State Society, please CLICK HERE.  To learn more about the "Potlatch Dancers" painting, please CLICK HERE.  To learn more about the Potlatch custom, please CLICK HERE.

State Society of Arizona Chat with Sen. Kyl is May 16

This event is limited to members of the State Society of Arizona only and is free to members.  To learn how to join the State Society of Arizona please CLICK HERE to visit our web site. Please note that the start time has been changed to 8:15 am from an earlier invitation.