The July MVGS meeting was excited and proud to have as its speaker, genealogy lecturer, Dr. John Colletta.  He discussed three 19th-century case studies drawn from his book, "Only a Few Bones, a True Account of the Rolling Fork Tragedy and Its Aftermath" demonstrating how to use multiple sources to assemble vivid accounts of ancestral events and generate biographies that portray individualized ancestors.  In other words develop a story about ones ancestors from several information sources, bringing to life the events and happenings of an individual who lived many decades ago.  His presentation methods were humorous, presented in a logical manner leading to easily understandable stories.  To  quote his website "I teach diverse audiences nationwide how to  reconstruct their family’s past from scraps of information found in old written records, maps, newspapers, photographs, tombstones and heirlooms."  His entertaining, energetic and yet very educational style makes him a favorite presenter.  "Bambino, Bambino, Bambino."

Those of you who have been to our RC know that we have windows along the northwest side of the room. Not a big thing unless you also know that we have tables with seven computers, their peripheral equipment, connecting cables and a very heavy safe all under those windows.  Hollin Hall did have movers to assist, but we wanted to ensure our computers were carefully relocated. Thanks to our members Leo Dougherty and Larry Dempsey we made sure that our computer equipment was cared for and properly reconnected.  I believe the heavy safe stayed in its original location, under the windows, during replacement.

Hollin Hall is not a new building.  It housed school classes beginning in the fall of 1949 as part of a national response to the post-World War II baby boom. By 1981, the baby boom was over, and the Mount Vernon community population had matured. The school was closed and on 31 Jan 1983, the building surged back to life as the Hollin Hall Senior Center, with 35 seniors using three rooms. Today, that daily population averages over 200, with diverse activities in 17 rooms and even a child care center.

We now have white vinyl trim, double pane windows to look out onto the central courtyard of the building, that is until our computer users close the blinds because it will make it easier to view the computer screens.  They do make the room cleaner and brighter looking; should also help the heating and cooling bill.