The Urbana Chapter DAR met Saturday, March 18, at 1:30 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church for Community Service Awards presentations. Twenty DAR members attended, along with associate member Kathy Dixon, State Vice Regent; C.A.R. members Camille Brinnon and Megan Snyder; honorees Sue Markley and Mike Melvin; Bill Bean, mayor of Urbana.
Regent Pat Detwiler greeted everyone and then began the opening ritual. State Vice Regent Kathy Dixon led everyone in The Pledge of Allegiance.
The business portion of the meeting was suspended for the awards ceremony.
Honored for community service
Historian Janet Ebert began the program by honoring Elmo Layman, a long-time former Urbana resident, for his volunteer work in the environmental community. Mr. Layman had moved to Arizona and passed away in 2016.
Award recipients Sue Markley and Mike Melvin were honored for the many areas of their volunteer work which was described by Mrs. Ebert. They each received a framed certificate from Urbana Chapter DAR. Urbana Mayor Bill Bean also honored them with certificates from the city. Many friends and family members attended this presentation. After pictures everyone went into the fellowship hall for refreshments.
The business meeting resumed at 3 p.m.
President General’s Report – Vice Regent Kim Snyder told us that a membership goal of 250,000 is set for the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 2033. All chapters are encouraged to recruit new members.
National Defense – Margaret Denzer gave us information concerning Fort McHenry. Its design is of a 5 point star and is best known for its role in the War of 1812.
Officer reports
Regent – Pat Detwiler reported that next weekend is the State DAR convention. Kathy Bentley, Lineage Research State Chairperson, will be at the April meeting. Hostesses are Freda Roesser, Kay Petty, Fonda Lou Eaton, Mary Pollock and Janet Evans.
Vice Regent – Kim Snyder reported that we have 45 points for our Cardinal Points awards. Also if you are interested in seeing the Continental Convention this summer, there will be a live stream available.
Chaplain – Carol Tong read scripture Titus 2:7. She told us that State Chaplain Gwen McGuire completed a 30 hour famine project with her youth group to learn what it is like to live in countries that don’t have clean water, food, housing and health care like we do.
Secretary – Judy Brooks passed out the February minutes. With no corrections the minutes were approved as written.
Treasurer – Judy Brooks reported on the chapter finances and the report will be filed for audit. She also reported that we received $126.34 from our Kroger awards. A bill from Kim Snyder for $21.78 was presented.
Registrar – Dona Tullis reported a membership of 86 and 10 associate members. She is working on 5 prospective members.
Historian – Janet Ebert reported on the Heritage Project which involves a clean-up of 174 cemeteries in Champaign County. This does not include city or municipal cemeteries. She is very excited about the help that will be given by various organizations in the community. She also reported that the Vance celebration will take place October 14, 2017. Please reserve this date.
Librarian – Lana Seeberg reported that the DAR National Library has many books that relate to women and girls who were active in the revolutionary war.
Committee reports
American Indians – Carol Tong told members about the Pow Wow Dances. These dances are very important to each Indian Tribe and today they are considered to be more of a social dance.
C.A.R. – Kim Snyder told us that her daughter Megan (C.A.R. President) is interning at the Champaign County Historical Society. She also thanked Megan and Camille Brinnon for helping out today.
Community Service – Regent Detwiler thanked the hostesses Dona Tullis, Suzanne Selvaggio, Jeanne Evans and Peg Neiswander for the wonderful refreshments and decorations and also thanked others who were helping today.
Constitution Week – Susan Fornof-Lippencott recited the Preamble which is read at each meeting.
Lineage Research/Membership – Dona Tullis reported that members from other DAR Chapters are reaching out to help prospective members from any state to search for genealogy records for their patriots.
Public Relations/Media – Becky Shultz reported that she had sent in two articles for award consideration at the State and National levels. She also reported that the scrapbook was up-to-date.
Service to America – Judi Henson reported that we had 297 volunteer hours as of today. Don’t forget to put in your hours.
Volunteer Information Specialist –Kim Snyder reported that the web site is going well and we are getting feedback from our Facebook page.
Waldschmidt House – The barn was passed around for loose change donations. State Vice Regent Kathy Dixon announced that a 504-piece puzzle had been made of the Waldschmidt House and she had some with her. The cost is $20.00. The puzzle will also be available at the State Conference this next weekend.
Unfinished Business – Becky Shultz brought up the subject of having a few more meetings on Saturdays which would enable those persons who work the availability to attend.
New Business – The next meeting will be April 17, 1:30 p.m. at the St. Paris Library.
Announcements – Cate Brinnon invited members to a 90th birthday celebration for her father, Clarence J. (Bud) Brown, Jr., on June 18, 1-4 p.m. at BrownRidge Hall. (The old Urbana Daily Citizen building.)
Being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 4:12 p.m.
