DAR News – Active group meets monthly

The regular monthly meeting of the Lt. James Sheppard Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met on February 18 at the McMinnville Country Club with Cynthia Campen and M.A. Higgs serving as hostesses. Two guests, who are currently working on their DAR papers for membership, were present. They are Donna Thornton and Sally Shelton. Refreshments of strawberry shortcake and coffee were served prior to the meeting. Members present were Higgs, the chapter regent; Jane Sribney, Livy Hoover, Betty Lively, chaplain; Rachel Killebrew, Elizabeth Hoover, Cynthia Campen, vice Regent; Jean Marsh, Janie Bragg, Bette Myers, Shirley Douglass, Angela Brock, Wanda Gant, Charlotte Boyd and Pat Brown.

The meeting began with the call to order by the regent Higgs, welcoming of the guests and the DAR ritual, which includes a prayer from the chaplain, the Pledge of Allegiance and the American?s creed.

The regent then asked for nominating committee, headed by Cynthia Campen, to announce the slate of candidates for next year?s officers. They are Higgs for regent, Campen for vice regent, Lively for chaplain, Killebrew for recording secretary, Medora Willmore for correspondence secretary, Hoover for treasurer, Jenny Mullican for registrar, Lynn Davis for historian and Marsh as librarian. Bragg made the motion to approve the slate of officers as presented, with Sribney providing a second to the motion. The vote was unanimous from the members and the slate of officers were approved.

As the first item of business, Higgs reviewed the success of the Quilt Show and the Tea Tasting sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church and the DAR. This event was held as the first officially sanctioned event of the Warren County Bicentennial Committee, chaired by James Dillon, the county historian. There were 58 quilts displayed and more than 150 visitors who attended the show and 23 visitors attending the Tea Tasting. M.A. also told the members that the Bicentennial Committee was pleased with the show and requested that the DAR hold a second similar event in July of 2008.

The treasurer?s report was given for the year 2005 (August 30, 2004 ? August 30, 2005 and 2006 (August 30, 2005 to August 30, 2006). It was voted and approved to reimburse Killebrew for expenses incurred for the special paper and copying of the 200 Quilt Event Brochures, which she designed and developed. The February meeting is always devoted to preparation of reports to send to National Society of DAR (NSDAR) headquarters of Community Outreach Activities of the DAR members during the last year. These reports are used for the headquarters to review from each chapter and present awards to various clubs based on these activities. Last year, the Lieutenant James Chapter of the DAR won 38 state awards and 3 divisional awards. Some of the activities recorded are participation in historic organizations and events, books donated the Library, native American Events, patriotic events, assistance and contribution to groups such as Families in Crisis, Kids of the Community, Wings Prison Ministry, Habitat for Humanity, etc, and assistance and contribution toward environmental organizations and events, such as Savage Gulf Preservation League, Friends of South Cumberland Mountains, National Resource Defense Council, etc.

During this reporting effort, an announcement was made by Jean Marsh that her son, Wallace Marsh, recently graduated from Yale University in theology and has been ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. Janie Bragg was nominated for the literacy award, which has the “Teach One” theme. The meeting adjourned at 5 p.m.. The next meeting will be held on February 15 with Katie Campen as speaker about her People to People trip to new Zealand and her trip to Japan.