1988: Maryland Free-Staters Club organized by residents of Orange Blossom Gardens. Meetings were held at the OBG recreation hall or sometimes in a tent located in LaPlaza Grande. Dues was set at $2.50 per person. Meeting notifications were placed in the OB SUN.
1989: Club voted to open membership to those OBG residents who had previously lived in Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.
1990: Club meetings were held in Lady Lake Community building. Membership had grown to approximately 140.
1991: First anniversary dinner held in January. Outreach was made to MD clubs in neighboring communities for possible joint activities. Dues raised to $5 per person.
1992: Name changed to Maryland/Delaware Club. Meetings held in Orange Blossom Gardens Recreation Center.
1993: Name evolved into MD/DE/DC Club. Club meetings moved to Paradise Recreation Center. Held a bowling and golf tournament with the VA Club. Club had its own PO Box at Lady Lake Post Office and stationery.
1997: Crab Feast was held at Chula Vista. The club contracted with a caterer to provide this event.
2000: Monthly meetings were held on Thursday in the Rita Hayworth Room, Paradise Center. Crab Feast moved to the Polo Grounds and club members will perform all tasks, except the steaming of crabs. Chicken dinners will also be offered.
2001: Meeting day and time changed to first Monday of month, 6:00 pm, Judy Garland Room, Paradise Center.
2005: Began asking for email addresses of members so they could receive club notes and updates.
2006: Meetings moved to the Laurel Manor Lincoln Room. Meeting time changed to first Wednesday of the month.
2009: Dues increased from $5 to $10 per person.
2010: Due to a significant increase in renting the Polo Ground, the crab feast was moved to Hacienda Hills Country Club. The Country Club, owned by a former Marylander, provided a buffet and steamed crabs. Cost to members was $35 per person.
2011: Club name changed to the Mid-Atlantic Club. This change was voted on by the general membership in November 2011. Membership now open to all who are former residents of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, DC, or interested Villagers that may have, at one time or another, passed through any state bordering the scenic, CHESAPEAKE BAY.
2019: Dues was increase from $10.00 to $15.00 per person and guests fees were raised from $3.00 to $5.00 per person. Increase needed to cover the rising cost of providing entertainment and member activities.
2024: It was decided by the current Board of Directors and other interested members that we will change the "management" of the club to an "Executive Committee". Any member can be on the "committee" and assist in the choosing of events etc.
1989: Club voted to open membership to those OBG residents who had previously lived in Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware.
1990: Club meetings were held in Lady Lake Community building. Membership had grown to approximately 140.
1991: First anniversary dinner held in January. Outreach was made to MD clubs in neighboring communities for possible joint activities. Dues raised to $5 per person.
1992: Name changed to Maryland/Delaware Club. Meetings held in Orange Blossom Gardens Recreation Center.
1993: Name evolved into MD/DE/DC Club. Club meetings moved to Paradise Recreation Center. Held a bowling and golf tournament with the VA Club. Club had its own PO Box at Lady Lake Post Office and stationery.
1997: Crab Feast was held at Chula Vista. The club contracted with a caterer to provide this event.
2000: Monthly meetings were held on Thursday in the Rita Hayworth Room, Paradise Center. Crab Feast moved to the Polo Grounds and club members will perform all tasks, except the steaming of crabs. Chicken dinners will also be offered.
2001: Meeting day and time changed to first Monday of month, 6:00 pm, Judy Garland Room, Paradise Center.
2005: Began asking for email addresses of members so they could receive club notes and updates.
2006: Meetings moved to the Laurel Manor Lincoln Room. Meeting time changed to first Wednesday of the month.
2009: Dues increased from $5 to $10 per person.
2010: Due to a significant increase in renting the Polo Ground, the crab feast was moved to Hacienda Hills Country Club. The Country Club, owned by a former Marylander, provided a buffet and steamed crabs. Cost to members was $35 per person.
2011: Club name changed to the Mid-Atlantic Club. This change was voted on by the general membership in November 2011. Membership now open to all who are former residents of Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, DC, or interested Villagers that may have, at one time or another, passed through any state bordering the scenic, CHESAPEAKE BAY.
2019: Dues was increase from $10.00 to $15.00 per person and guests fees were raised from $3.00 to $5.00 per person. Increase needed to cover the rising cost of providing entertainment and member activities.
2024: It was decided by the current Board of Directors and other interested members that we will change the "management" of the club to an "Executive Committee". Any member can be on the "committee" and assist in the choosing of events etc.
