August 15 & 16, 2025
This weekend was full of information, camaraderie, and progressive insight for the future for the SAR as an entire organization. The Atlantic Middle States Association Conference for 2025 was hosted in York, PA by the Pennsylvania Society. This society is made of up seven societies that meet once a year to discuss each state society’s recent events and outlooks, vote on National leaders, and make everyone in attendance aware of the opportunities that exist with the SAR.
The first meeting on Friday consisted of introductions as well as the already mentioned voting of National leaders. There was good debate and discussion, with a key highlight that the current and proceeding two President Generals are aligned with similar goals and paths for the SAR. In Harris Ferry Chapter news specifically, President Lemon was in attendance in continental attire, participated in Color Guard, provided the flags outside the registration desk for the entirety of the conference, assisted in setting up the Lafayette banners, and helped with registration of members.
The morning meeting on Saturday involved the state societies discussing their accomplishments and pitfalls in the previous year to present. An overall consensus, relayed also by National, was that the retention of existing members is proving to be an issue. New membership seems to be steady, better for some and worse for others, but making the SAR attractive to continue membership is something that needs addressed. HF President Lemon also attended this meeting.
The final meeting on Saturday night was the conference dinner, with York City Mayor Michael Helfrich guest speaking and portraying as Thomas Paine. The topic was Paine’s stay in York, PA during the time of the Revolution, helping to relay and communicate updates in a hectic time and area for the colonists. Following his presentation was one by author and Harris Ferry compatriot Lawrence Knorr, who discussed his own book The Congress at York. The book describes and provides biographies of the various attendees from the Continental Congress that stayed in York, PA. Lemon assisted Color Guard.
