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Shall We Hold a CSAA Conference Near You?
A question for you...! Where shall we hold CSAA conferences of the future? The 26th annual conference will be held in Tampa, Florida at Cracker Country on the Florida State Fairgrounds from June 13-15, 2027. This venue is entirely unique in that we historically hold the gatherings on college campuses, while choosing a pioneer museum in Texas, a national monument in Nebraska, and a retreat center in Maryland as our chosen location in past years. Cracker Country, Tampa, offers an entire village of original structures dating back to the late 1800s reflecting Florida's rural past, and our attendees will be presenting in the very heart of this history. Details are published on this website under the tab WHAT WE DO Annual Conference Information. We've held our conferences in over 22 different states and keep our antennas up for possible sites for 2028 and beyond. We encourage our members and readers to suggest suitable venues that would offer a number of country schools within a reasonable distance for our annual full day tour. Preservationists across this country are proud of their restored schoolhouses and this is a chance to bring visitors and national attention to your local efforts. Offer a Suggestion! If you believe your state or your local area offers such an opportunity, check in on our information page to learn how we can bring the CSAA conference to your area! The key is to have your local schoolhouse group work closely with our volunteers to handle all the logistics. All our conferences have been huge successes bringing together a community of schoolhouse enthusiasts. All have been memorable and mostly a lot of fun just meeting like-minded preservationists. Email me at [email protected]. (Susan Fineman, Conference Liaison) As examples, our list of venues includes the following: Rivier University, Nashua, NH Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA Miami University, Miami, OH Pioneer Museum, Fredricksburg, TX College of the Mines, Golden, CO Millersburg University of PA, Lancaster PA Rider University, Lawrenceville, NJ Homestead National Monument of America in Beatrice, NE Berry College, Berry, GA Hobart & Williams College, Geneva, NY
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Photo left: President-Chuck Stennett, Vice-President-Clare Adkin, Secretary-Sally Stevens, and Sergeant at Arms-LeRoy Hogle.
QUESTION: Do you know any country school alumni group that has been meeting for more than 99 consecutive years? Well, the Idles All-School Reunion is already planning for their 100th gathering in 2027. The Report Card introduced you to this resilient group in a 12/31/2025 post "Still Gathering," submitted by Clare Adkin, Vice-President of the group. They met in July for #99! The Iddles School is located in Allegan County Michigan, and while the schoolhouse may no longer appear as an icon of education, its alumni certainly remain loyal to the memory of school days gone by. Clare has shared his report on this milestone reunion below: Iddles Reunion #99 It’s the third Sunday in July, the traditional date for the annual Iddles all-school reunion. Alumni are hurrying home from church to put the finishing touches on a dish to pass for a potluck luncheon. This country school reunion has convened every year since 1928—first held in front of the school on 109th Ave., a quarter of a mile west of 62nd St., Casco Twp., Allegan County, MI. Closed in 1965, the now crumbling vine-covered building is obscured from view by surrounding trees and bushes. Be that as it may, this one-room school house, Iddles, lives on the hearts and minds of those who once attended there. As alumni, families and friends gather in the early afternoon, a whiff of excitement fills the air, not to mention tantalizing aromas from tempting favorite recipes displayed cafeteria style. Since 2018, alumni president, Chuck Stennett, has opened his barn for this assembly. Attendees agree it’s the perfect setting for such an important countryside event and plans are immediately being made for next year’s Centennial Reunion, Sunday, July 18, 2027 at 1:00 PM-- where else but in Chuck’s barn! President Chuck rings a cow bell to call the group to order and then leads the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll Call follows with class members stating their name and the years of attendance. Vice President Clare Adkin offers special recognition to Chuck Stennett and LeRoy Hogle who served as members of the last school board. Linda Stennett Wauchek is thanked for holding twelve reunions at her home. Secretary Sally Stevens is recognized for her steadfast service as alumni secretary. An appreciative round of applause follows. Sally then conducts a brief business meeting. An alum is heard saying, “She’s the glue that holds us together.” Since 1928 there have been only three official Iddles alumni secretaries. Position longevity has never been questioned. Following the business meeting, Brian Iddles, the great great grandson of the school’s first builder, offers a heartfelt blessing. On the heels of “Amen,” a cacophony of excitement rises to the barn’s rafters and continues all during the meal. Happy memories of school days and early childhood connections flow to and fro. There’s lots of friendly banter and a sporadic, “Yes, that really happened!” Whether true, false or embellished, it is all savored. Chuck rings his cow bell, the congregation slows down. Sally shares a particularly poignant poem, “The Land That Made Me, Me” by Carolyn Jones Modica. All are captured in rapped attention. Chuck calls on Clare to make an announcement. “Put Sunday, July 18, 2027 at 1: PM on your calendar!” Chuck rings his cow bell and the meeting is adjourned. All go outside to have a group picture taken. “See you next July!”  Hornbine School, Rehoboth, MA Birthplace of Public Education? From the Hornbine School in Rehoboth, Massachusetts: "When people think about the birth of public education in America, they often think of Boston. But historians say the story actually starts farther south, in Rehoboth. The town lays claim to one of the earliest publicly funded school systems in the colonies." Retired teacher, Dave Downs has asked that we share the video offered by NBC Channel 10 WJAR. Some fun history here... The schoolhouse will be featured during Apple Days September 13th, 27th, and October 4th from 2-4 P.M. at 146 Hornbine Road in Rehoboth, MA. |
