Daughters of American Revolution chapter meeting notes
The Dubois County Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held a chapter meeting on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, in Hickory Meeting Room B of the Jasper Library.
Keynote speaker for the evening was Lindy Heath, Ph.D. candidate in history, Indiana State Chair and East-Central Division Vice Chair of the American Heritage Committee, who shared with chapter members the National Society’s American Heritage arts contest for 2022-23. DAR members are invited to submit entries in a broad range of arts-related categories that relate in some way to America’s historic trails. The National Park Service lists 19 such trails in the United States, including the Iditarod in Alaska, the Oregon Trail, the Trail of Tears, and the Selma to Montgomery civil rights march trail. Ms. Heath encouraged the Dubois County Chapter to enter the contest, which had only seen seven total entries last year, yet Indiana has stood out in the past, winning on the national level more than once.
Ms. Heath also shared her plans to travel the following week to Lexington, Kentucky to help put together the Society’s America 250! National Quilt. Chapters had submitted designs to their state societies, with a state winner being chosen for the final quilt. The Mary Penrose Wayne Chapter in Fort Wayne was the Indiana winner.
In other business, the Chapter will conduct a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Gift Giveaway on Saturday, November 19, at Shiloh Church of Jasper, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. All Vietnam War era veterans are invited to attend this event, which will include the presentation of a special hardback book and DVD by the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans organization headquartered in Indianapolis. Lunch will be provided at no cost to attendees. Chapter volunteers will also be available to present gifts upon request to any homebound veterans unable to attend the event. Anyone with questions may contact event coordinator Angie McDonald at 812/630-2885; angela.k.mcdonald@gmail.com.
The Chapter held its Centennial Open House on Sunday, October 16 at the Old Town Hall, which was attended by several DAR chapters as well as state officers. State Regent Cheri Baxter welcomed Mary Bradley of Jasper and Mary Ellen Young of Ferdinand into the Dubois County Chapter. Chapter Regent Karen Adams also presented Phyllis Menke with a National Society certificate honoring her for her unbroken 75 years of active DAR membership since she joined in 1947.
Also attending were Cheri’s husband Rob; State Organizing Secretary Cindy Frederick; Southern District Director Diana Ray; Capt. Henry Vanderburgh Chapter Regent Vannetta McDowell; DAR members from the Francis Vigo and Gen. Thomas Posey chapter; two prospective members; and 12 Dubois County Chapter members . Huntingburg Mayor Steve Schwinghamer, who had presented the Dubois County Chapter with a proclamation at the October 11 Common Council meeting, also attended, as did Huntingburg Library Director Lisa McWilliams. The Huntingburg Library is also celebrating its 100th year this year, and Ms. McWilliams displayed the portrait of Huntingburg’s first librarian and Dubois County DAR charter member “Miss Gen” Genevieve Williams to the chapter event, as well as other library-related items.
In other business, several prospective members are working on their applications to the Society. Two displays had been placed at the Vincennes University Jasper Campus library and Dubois public library for Constitution Week. The American History essay contest information has been sent to all local schools in grades 5-12, with all entries due by November 1. Regarding other veteran-related projects, chapter members are sending birthday cards and writing letters to veterans when notified, and the Chapter hopes to participate in the Wreaths Across America event again this year.
Founded in 1890, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is a women’s service organization that promotes education, historic preservation, and patriotism. Any woman aged 18 and over who can verify her lineage back to a Patriot of the Revolutionary War is eligible, with the Chapter providing support and encouragement in the application process.
The next meeting of the Dubois County DAR will be held on Tuesday, November 15 at the Jasper Library, Cherry Meeting Room A, at 6:00 p.m. To learn more about membership, please contact Angela McDonald, Membership Committee Chairman, ph. 812/630-2885; email angela.k.mcdonald@gmail.com.
