AMS News - April 2024

AMS President's Message

The food was good and the conversation at our St. Patrick’s Day lunch at Finnegan's Grill & Irish Pub in Ashburn, VA was very fun. If you missed it, your next opportunity is our Spring Luncheon on May 15that Dutch’s Daughter in Frederick, MD. Join us and catch up with past friends and make a few new ones while your there. After all, that is why, in 1974, employees of the Army Map Service established the private social organization we know as the Association of Mapping Seniors (AMS).

If you have done the math, you know 2024 marks the 50th anniversary year for the AMS. That’s right, for the past 50 years almost 2,000 former coworkers and their spouses were “keeping in touch and having fun!” I retired several years ago and attended the Annual Meeting/Holiday Luncheon to see what it was like. I had a good time, and continue enjoying the food, conversation, and comradery at the events I attend.

Do you know a former coworker who enjoys good food and conversation? Share our website address www.mappers.org with them and invite them along to an upcoming event.

Or, if they are on Facebook, maybe they would enjoy connecting with the 640+ members already on the AMS Facebook page. You never know, you could help them make some new friends online or in person.

While planning your activities for the rest of this year, save the dates for our Summer Picnic Lunch at Hiddencroft Winery on July 17th, the AMS 50th Anniversary Celebration luncheon on September 11th at Rosensteel Hall, and finally the Holiday Luncheon/Annual Meeting on December 4th at Dutch’s Daughter. Check out the Events tab for more information. Hope to see you there!!!

Remember too, we are gathering members’ work recollections as short stories for the AMS 50th Anniversary Storybook. See the AMS 50th Anniversary​ Storybook Guidelines information on the home page about the process, rules, and guidelines for submitting a story for review and consideration.

Take care of yourself and each other.

AMS Summer Picnic Lunch

The AMS Summer luncheon is again being held at Hiddencroft Vineyards at 12202 Axline Rd, Lovettsville VA 20180 on July 17 at 11:00 am. The vineyard owners are AMS members Clyde and Terry Housel. Folks enjoyed themselves so much last year, the desire is to return and the Housel’s accepted your request. The day may include their popular Local History Tour! If you aren't familiar, think of it as a log building crawl with wine and food along the way. They may discuss the history of the property and the vicinity of Loudoun County. The property has many seating areas to relax and enjoy the lovely scenery. You can learn more about the winery at their website: www.hiddencroftvineyards.com

Interested members should look for information on the plans, menu and costs in future emails and updates on the AMS website for the reservation form.

The event will be held rain or shine since there is a barn that everyone can gather into if the weather turns inclement.

AMS Facebook Page

AMS is on Facebook, and you are invited to join other members there and include your contributions! You can share your vacation and retirement adventures, and other activities you enjoy. Or just read the posts from other members while also keeping current with AMS activities. Members are permitted to post directly, but must keep content appropriate for our membership and consistent with the AMS purpose, by-laws, Terms, policies, and guidelines.

If you are not already a Facebook friend, go to the search block in Facebook and enter "Association of Mapping Seniors" or simply "AMS"  and from the drop-down list select "Association of Mapping Seniors". Once on the AMS page select “Join” and answer the 3 pertinent eligibility questions for “Keeping in Touch and Having Fun!”