The Bates Association would like to welcome Sandy Bates, who has taken over the Membership Chair for 1999, as well as position of Librarian. Sandy was born and raised on a farm, in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Born Sandy Kauffman, her ancestors; Amish Mennonites, came to Pa. in 1717 from Switzerland to escape religious persecution. Her ancestors broke away from the Amish Mennonite religion, after four generations. Sandy is married to Harold Bates, a third generation Bates, running the Bates Dairy Farm in Greene Maine. They have 5 married children and 12 grandchildren. Sandy helps to hay and run the farm, and do the bookkeeping. Sandy also owns and runs Sandy's Craft & Greenery, doing all kinds of crafts, and plant raising and has been doing this for 35 years. Education, a high school graduate and attended collage, horticulture, and flower arranging courses as well as many other craft seminars. Had four years of Librarian work, in High School. Sandy started working on the Bates Family, Genealogy 16 years ago. She has quite a collection on the Bates. She also helped start the Historical Society in her town of Greene, Maine, and is the Secretary, and Head of Research and Genealogy, and a Trustee. Also has the Society's Library Collection in her home. She writes History stories for three local newspapers, as well as articles on the Society. She is currently working on a book on each cemetery in town. Documenting each stone and doing research on the person and putting data together to put into book form. Her goals are, to become a Professional Genealogist, and to put onto Family Tree Maker all the information she has collected in 8 Hugh file cabinets. Another goal is to help folks who belong to The Bates Association, to connect their family lines. We wish her luck in her new endeavors.