Board and Committee Members
FLORIDA OFFICERS
PRESIDENT – BARBARA MAGNUSON – Originally from Connecticut, I relocated to New Smyrna Beach over 30 years ago. I am fortunate to have my two children and their families, three grandchildren and one great grandchild living near me. They found they loved Florida as much as I. While talking to a Garden Club member who had collectibles and was a member of a Lovie Pritchard Chapter I found I was hooked. We were able to get six more members together and decided to start a chapter in New Smyrna Beach. Turnbull #1486 was chartered in 2010 and I was their first Treasurer. I then served as Vice President for a year then became President and I have been President ever since. I also served as Chairperson of Bardens Angels for two years. In 2017 I had the honor of presenting a Bess Bardens Seminar on Cricket Cages at the International Convention in St. Petersburg. Besides Cricket Cages I collect Noritake Apricot Lusterware, Teapots, Pitchers, Polish Pottery and Decanters. Over the years I have developed many great friendships with fellow Questers. I look forward to my term of office as your State President.
1st VICE-PRESIDENT – NOREEN BROWNSON – I would like to start by thanking my friend Barb Magnuson for asking me to serve on the State Board. I look forward to working on her goals over the next two years. I became interested in Questers when a dear friend mentioned an organization that was involved in historic preservation. Upon learning about Questers and it’s emphasis on Preservation/Restoration and involvement in adopting local Community Projects, I believed through Questers I could make a difference in my hometown of New Smyrna Beach. In 2008 I worked with a dear friend to create and receive a Charter. To date I have been instrumental in forming two successful Chapters on the east coast of Florida. I refer to Questers as my Sisterhood. Thanks to Questers and very talented Chapter members, I have successfully co-written numerous grants to restore and preserve our adopted community project. Members of Smyrna Colony spend countless hours serving as docents and volunteers for special community projects. In my past life I was an educator, having been reared in New York State as well as a family winter home in Florida. I am now single and have one daughter and two grandchildren.
2nd VICE-PRESIDENT – OPEN
CO-TREASURER – PATRICIA TOWNSEND – After graduating from Michigan State University, I worked at the IBM Corporation for 49 years with 13 of those years as I.T. Consultant , specializing in operating systems, subsystem implementation, debugging and performance analysis. I also served as an officer in various clubs and organizations, from President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. I was also a director on the Board and Junior Achievement Advisor. I joined Questers eight years ago, originally with the Cherry Hill Chapter #32 in Michigan. My collections include Russian Boxes, Lladros, Royal Doulton Pretty Ladies. I then branched out to dolls including Madam Alexander, Alfred Mann, Effanbe Storybook Dolls and Cabbage Patch Dolls. I joined Survey Creek #1392 and have added collecting China pieces and continue to enjoy all kinds of historical pieces from furniture to pottery.
CO-TREASURER – LYNN CARR – I have been a Michigan Quester since 1972. That’s 52 years of Questing! I supported Michigan Questers as their State Treasurer and went on to Michigan State President from 2003-2005. From 2009-11 I served as International Treasurer attending board meetings at Quester HQ in Philadelphia. I am a snowbird. I joined Survey Creek #139 25 years ago and continue to maintain Michigan ties as an Associate Member of Cherry Hill #32. Royal Doulton Figurines are my favorite passion closely followed by the romance of tea including any item used to serve tea. The list includes tea caddies, tea caddy spoons, cups and saucers, biscuit jars, jam jars, and linens. I am always interested in learning more about the world in which we live.
RECORDING SECRETARY – PAT DODGE – After a life of discovery (lived in Taiwan for 8 years) then sailed halfway around the world in our family sailboat, I found that joining Questers in 2008 satisfied my need to keep learning. I have been Chapter President for 4 years in Nautilus #909. I held one Florida State office as Corresponding Secretary. I hope to be of service in my tenure of Recording Secretary for the Florida State board.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY – JANET WRIGHT – Being the new kid on the State Board Block, I am also likely the newest to Questers. I joined Nautilus #909 in 2022, shortly after several friends from our sailing club joined. Although new to Questers, I have many years of experience with Toastmasters International from Club President through Area then Division Governors. Originally from Ontario, Canada, I arrived in Florida in December of 2011 aboard my boyfriend’s 33’ Morgan sailboat. This was my first sailing adventure, which took me from Buffalo, NY to Ruskin, FL and lasted 2 ½ months. We had everything from 6” of snow in Kingston, NY to sun and 80 degrees, to what I affectionately referred to as “Repair du Jour.” Arriving safely in Florida, and realizing I was in good hands, we were wed on Madeira Beach in 2013. After retiring in 2024, I decided it was time to start getting more involved in Questers. My family home in St. Catharines, Ontario was full of antiques and I have always treasured and had an appreciation for them. My collections include Tim Bit ornaments, Ontario Milk calendars, and Christmas tree ornaments from our travels. This opportunity to serve on the State Board is greatly appreciated and I look forward to many years of service within the organization.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PARLIAMENTARIAN – OPEN
PRESERVATION & RESTORATION – JUDITH ANNA KOUTSOS – Originally from Long Island, NY, my husband, James and I built the Spartan Restaurant in New Port Richey in 1970. We have 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. As the owner of a popular Bridal Shop for 25 years, I also did all the baking at the restaurant and was organist and choir master in local churches in Florida and New York for 55 years. With a Masters in Music, I also served as conductor of an orchestra and choral society in New Port Richey for 15 years. Having played pipe organs in the U.S., Germany, Austria and Switzerland in large cathedrals, I also performed in world tours. While a teenager, I was organist for the Billy Graham crusades in Madison Square Garden, NY (1956-1957). I’ve been the recipient of many awards including Eminent Pioneer for Pasco County and Penelope of the Year for Florida. My collections include Bells, Lighthouses and Bridal Dolls-2 of which are Princess Diana and Princess Kate in exact replicas of their wedding gowns. I joined Questers in 2012 and have served as Secretary and Chapter President, Hospitality Chair for the 2017 International Convention, VP for 2 years and State
NOMINATING CHAIR – OPEN
PUBLICITY – FRANCINE WEBB – As a Canadian transplant, the first thing I did when moving to Florida was to search for a local Quester chapter as I had enjoyed Questers in Windsor, Ontario for many years. After retirement, my husband and I moved to Florida so that we could enjoy one of our most pleasurable activities, sailing, throughout the year. The Sailing Club has been our second home/family when celebrating holidays as our family is “up north”. Past sailing trips have included the Florida Gulf coast, the Bahamas, the BVIs and Isla Mujeres, Mexico. We also take pleasure in touring the countryside in our T-Bird with our local Sports Car Club and I’m active in the Weavers’ Studio while hubby volunteers as a Captain for the Security Patrol. Between these activities, we find time to travel to other countries to soak in different cultures and their histories. I admit I’m a bona fide (i.e. addicted ) collector as I have amassed a variety of collections from antique fans to vintage beaded purses, hat pins, perfume bottles, hand mirrors, Kokeshi dolls, kaleidoscopes, bird cages, cricket cages and a binder full of Absolut ads (they’re so creative). I don’t own my “things”… they own me! In the past, I’ve served as Chapter President in both Canada and in Florida, then as Florida State V.P. and President. From there, I chaired the 2017 International Convention which took place in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg. It was a challenge to say the least but my background in the Tourism industry working on both the Convention side of the business as well as Group Tours was a definite asset. I was extremely lucky in that the Convention Committee was a super group of cooperative ladies working together to host a successful and memorable event. Finally, my involvement with planning the Bardens’ Angels outings just goes to show that you can’t take the tourism out of my blood. My current and dual role as Publicity and Bardens’ Angels Chair keeps me active in this great organization. The bottom line is that Questers has been a significant part of my life for many, many years allowing me to meet wonderful people who share similar interests and, more important, who have become friends.
HISTORIAN – SANDRA GHERING – In 1974 a friend asked me to attend a meeting of the Kings Path #435 Chapter of Questers in Doylestown, PA. I valued the meetings so much that when I interviewed for employment (Elementary teacher, professional Girl Scout and Travel Agent) my stipulation was that I would not be able to work the first Thursday of each month. My husband and I were Florida Snowbirds for 22 years. I attended Nautilus #909 as well as maintaining my King’s Path Membership. We moved to Florida permanently in 2019. Never able to say “no” I have supported both Chapters and filled every position more than once. Currently I’m Treasurer and Historian for Nautilus # 909 as well as President of my Condo Association in Sun City Center. It’s been a joy attending 24 International Quester Conventions and organizing the Bess Bardens Seminars for the 2017 Convention in St. Petersburg. I have 5 children and 5 grand-children living in PA,NJ and CT. We zoom every Wednesday night and they visit me here in Florida. I also fly north to celebrate family events. Currently I collect pocket match safes, toothpick holders and Native American Storyteller Dolls. My hobby is Genealogy where I collect ancestors which is time consuming and habit forming.
EDITOR OF THE CRACKER CRUMBS NEWSLETTER – LINDA GOSHORN – The Questers Organization has been a part of my life for many,many years. I’ve served the organization in many areas from the Florida State Executive and Apointee Board to serving on the International Executive Board and finally serving as International President from 2002-2004. Upon saying yes to the organization once again, I began as International Chairman of the Special Revision Committee for Bylaws. At the present time, I am the Editor for the State Newsletter, the Cracker Crumbs, and enjoying the new challenge. I highly recommend saying “Yes” to the organization. It is a challenging and rewarding experience.
RESOURCES AND SALES – SANDY THOMPSON – I am a Quester Snowbird. I spend most of my time in Pennsylvania when I’m not in Spring Hill or traveling. I’ve been married for 43 years. I have two grown children and one wild and crazy grandson. I have been a Clayton Woods Chapter #808 Quester for ten years and currently am serving my final year as president. I got involved with Questers trough my aunt who was the North Carolina State President. I’m so glad she introduced me to Questers. I have made some wonderful friends in the organization. We are a group of like-minded ladies who share the love for antiques, traveling to historic sites and learning the history of places and things.
TELLER – OPEN