by Nancy Holbert

Question for our Historical moment…

How many ABW Conventions do you remember being held in Binghamton?

The answer is FIVE including this years convention.

1959

In 1959 the 11th Convention was held at the First Baptist Church, which is now the site of the “One Hundred Chenango Place” high-rise senior and disabled housing. There isn’t any program book in the Historical stuff so details are not available.

1974

Fifteen years later in 1974 the 26th Convention was held April 29th-May 1st at the Conklin Avenue First Baptist Church. The congregation from the First Baptist Church had merged with the Conklin Avenue Baptist Church and then it was renamed the Conklin Avenue First Baptist Church. It was held Monday to Wednesday. The theme was “Members One of Another”.

Among the many named participants very few are still with us. But one to note is Janet Barnes was leading Fellowship Guild. Luann Ketchum was President

Mildred Ross was Convention Committee Chair

Local Committee Co-Chairs were – Ethel Schaumberg and Marilyn Gunsauls.

The President of ABW of Broome Tioga Assoc. was Ethel Schaumberg.

1988

Another 14 years passed.

In 1988 the 40th Convention was held May 13-15th at the Main Street Baptist Church for the programming. The attendees made hotel reservations of their choice from a list of hotels that were included in the registration packet and housing in local homes was also still available.

The program theme was “We are Light, Salt, and Leaven in the World”. Edna Pincham, President of ABC of Ohio and member of National ABW Board was the Bible Study Leader and Keynote speaker.

President – Elma Wright

Convention Committee Chair – Janet Barnes

President of ABW of Broome-Tioga Assoc. – Diane Schaumberg

Local Committee Co-Chair – Carol Seidel and Oleeta Pratt.

2001

After 13 years the 4th Binghamton Convention was the 53rd convention. It was held April 27-29, 2001 at the Binghamton Regency Hotel and Conference Center.

The convention theme was “Vital Signs: Love, Hope, Faith”, taken from the National ABW two-year Theme “Vital Signs: Strengthened by Love, Faith and Hope”. Following the Friday evening service there was an Ice Cream Social and Hymn Sing hosted by Upstate Homes for Children & Adults. Winnie Allen and Jackie Brown, now Lottermoser, were the music leaders. The Keynote Speaker was Rev. Dr. Gloria Gay and Rev. Karen Selig was the Bible Study Leader.

President – Gail Carlsen

Convention Committee Chair – Joyce Whittaker

Local Committee Co-Chair – Daisyanna Fritz and Betty Fortran.

2018

And now another 17 years and here we are on the same dates and at the same hotel for our 70th Convention.

This weekend is the 5th Binghamton Convention and is being held at the same facility as the 2001, but you may have noticed the name has changed to the DoubleTree by Hilton at Binghamton.