The Urbana Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution met at 1:30 p.m on Monday, September 18, 2017 at the Champaign County Community Center Auditorium.
Members present: Pat Detwiler, Kim Snyder, Carol Tong, Margaret Denzer, Jeanne Evans, Judy Brooks, State Vice Regent Kathy Dixon, Janet Evans, Janet Ebert, Claudia Foulk, Susan Gregg, Judi Henson, Susan Fornof-Lippencott, Peg Neiswander, Becky Shultz, Lana Seeberg, Becky Thissen, Ina Mae Wagner, Cheryl Walter, Barbara Ward, Dolly Wisma and Megan Snyder, CAR member.
Regent Pat Detwiler welcomed members and informed them of the exciting news from NSDAR which occurred on June 28, 2017. The group announced a donation of $380,000 to the National Park Service to underwrite planting and care of 76 trees at Independence National Historical Park. This gift will be to honor the Spirit of ‘76 that inspired the Colonials to declare their independence. Regent Detwiler then led the group in the opening DAR ritual.
President General’s Report: Vice Regent Kim Snyder encouraged members to take advantage of NSDAR President Ann Turner Dillon’s message available on NSDA website.
National Defense Report: Margaret Denzer reminded members that it is Article VI of the Constitution that requires officials to take an oath “to support this constitution.” As citizens we should teach children about the rights they are granted in the First Ten Amendments which is The Bill of Rights.
Chaplain’s report: Rev. Carol Tong reported that just as the Bible has been a very important book for those in our military, it can be the same for each of us. State Regent Nancy Schirm Wright encourages DAR members to read their Bible daily. Of local interest, members were encouraged to attend the Faith Encounter being held at the Gloria Theater September 17-19, 2017.
The installation of Jeanne Evans as Recording Secretary was then conducted by Regent Detwiler and Chaplain Tong.
A review of the highlights of Continental Congress held in Washington, D.C. in July 2017 was given by Urbana Chapter DAR members who attended. It was a most inspiring and exciting experience for Pat Detwiler, Kim Snyder, Dona Tullis, Judi Henson, Janet Evans and Jeanne Evans. The 2018 Continental Congress will be held July 18-24 and registration forms are now available.
Regent’s report: Regent Detwiler gave a special thank you to Margaret Denzer for her yearly donation for Fall Fun Fair. Margaret contributes a beautiful handmade table runner for the $10.00 gift table which is purchased before it makes it to the gift table!
Important dates coming up for Urbana Chapter DAR are:
September 23-Hoopla Parade downtown Urbana
October 11-Day of Service for First Responders
October 15-Joseph Vance gravemarking
October 29-Visit to Christian Waldschmidt House
Regent Detwiler read a thank you card from Neil Evans expressing his appreciation of cards and letters given to him from Urbana Chapter DAR as a part of his recent participation in the Honor Flight Program.
First Vice Regent report: Kim Snyder discussed appropriate fund raising for Texas areas affected by recent disastrous hurricane Harvey. She mentioned Texas Baptist Men/Disaster Relief and Salvation Army as possible contacts. Most needed gifts include donations of blood or cash rather than supplies.
Recording Secretary: August minutes were presented and approved as printed.
Registrar report: Regent Detwiler read this report as filed by Registrar, Dona Tullis. The current status is 86 members and 10 associate members. Currently, there are 9 perspective members.
Historian report: Janet Ebert reported on final details for Sunday, October 15, 2017 recognition ceremony for Governor Joseph Vance. Chapter members will gather at 1:00 p.m, program at 2:00 p.m. to be followed by police escort to Oakdale Cemetery to Vance gravesite. Unfortunately, unexpected expenses with this project have been encountered and financial support is welcomed. For future consideration is the need for Urbana Chapter DAR to be involved in maintaining the markings of our DAR gravesites at Oakdale. In addition, Historian Ebert stated the need for a representative from our Chapter to the Champaign County Cemetery Restoration Project. (Urbana Chapter is one-third of this project.)
Librarian report: Lana Seeberg reported from the Office of the Librarian General that a recent to the Library included a cache of letters received from an estate in Alaska written during the Revolutionary War. They make reference to General Washington and give details of conditions at the camp for prisoners of war.
American History: Peg Neiswander reported that applications to all Champaign County schools for the American History Essay project for grades 5-8 have been delivered. In addition, Janet Evans mentioned that applications have been placed with the St. Paris Library. The title of the essay will be “World War I: Remembering the War to End All Wars”.
Public Relations: Becky Shultz stated she is working on a brochure for Urbana Chapter DAR which will be useful in placing in our community to better inform the public as to “who we are and what we do.”
Service to America: Judi Henson reported that our Chapter has reported 1.948 hours of service to date. She encouraged all members to participate. It was also reported that Urbana Chapter DAR earned a second place for attendance at Fall Fun Fair for the Southwest District.
Volunteer Information Specialist: Kim Snyder, who serves on State VIS Committee, reported she manned the booth at Fall Fun Fair. In addition, she has updated our website and Facebook page.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Hostesses for the event were Judy Brooks, Margaret Denzer, Susan Gregg, Judi Henson, Lana Seeberg and Cheryl Walter. The next meeting will be held Monday, October 16, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church, Urbana, Ohio.
At 4:00 p.m members moved to Freedom Grove Memorial Park for the Constitution Day Program and Bell Ringing with C.A.R. This meaningful program was chaired by Susan Fornof-Lippencott and speaker for the event was Urbana City Mayor Bill Bean.
