Ketoctin Chapter, NSDAR
Ketoctin Chapter, NSDAR Minutes of the Regular Meeting
1 April 2008
The regular meeting of the Ketoctin Chapter, NSDAR, was the 58th annual Anniversary and Spring Awards luncheon held at the River Creek Country Club. Regent Wanda English called the meeting to order at 12:06 p. m. and welcomed the 28 members and 21 guests present. The Opening Ritual was conducted by the Regent and Chaplain Patricia Miller, assisted by Historian Jane Bogel and 1st Vice Regent Joan Whitener. As this was the 58th Anniversary of the Chapter, the Regent gave a brief overview of the history of the chapter, beginning with the entourage of cars at Martha McComb’s home, White Hall,” in Bluemont, Virginia, where twelve ladies met for tea on April 12th, 1950, to found Ketoctin Chapter, NSDAR. This was the first organization in Loudoun County based on pride of ancestry and pride and patriotism of country. Historian Jane Bogel is the daughter of one of those founding members. With justifiable pride, Ketoctin Chapter can say it has flourished and today has over 100 members.
Regent Wanda English introduced special guests at today’s luncheon, beginning with Mrs. Marie Yochim, Honorary President General and Centennial President General, NSDAR; Mrs. Victoria Raabe, State Resolution Committee Chairperson; and Mrs. Gail Adams, Genealogy and Preservation State Chairperson. Past Chapter Regents were then introduced including, Chaplain Patricia Miller, Corresponding Secretary Gail Adams, National Defense Chairperson Victoria Raabe and American History Month Social Science Fair Chairperson Judith Lindsay. Chapter Officers were then introduced: 1st Vice Regent Joan Whitener; 2nd Vice Regent Melanie Torrance; Chaplain Patricia Miller; Recording Secretary Suzan Davis; Corresponding Secretary Gail Adams; Treasurer Belle Ware; Assistant Treasurer Susan Webber, Historian Jane Bogle; Librarian Dolly Hammond; and Parliamentarian Linda Sittig.
The President General’s Message was not read due to it’s not being available on line at this time. Regent Wanda English next had other special guests introduced: American History Month Essay Contest Chairperson JoAnn Hartman introduced Maxwell Scott Waterman, his parents Mr. and Mrs. Scott Waterman, his brother Jack Waterman, and Maxwell’s History Teacher at Smart’s Middle School Mrs. Mona McClannahan. American History Month Social Science Fair Chairperson Judith Lindsay introduced Allison Turchan and her parents Mr. and Mrs. Damian Turchan. DAR Good Citizens Chairperson Wendy Bye introduced James William Hardey and his mother Mrs. Michael Harding and his brother Kevin Hardey; Donald William Schaefer, III, and his parents Mr. and Mrs. Donald Schaefer; and Anna Carol Brawley and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jay Brawley. Other guests introduced included prospective members Pat Sharp and Suzanne Larry and Hallie Rallas, daughter of Librarian Dolly Hammond. Chaplain Patricia Miller then gave the blessing prior to lunch.
At 1:40 p. m. the meeting resumed following luncheon. Regent Wanda English thanked today’s hostesses Historian Jane Bogle, Carol Browning and Ann Thomas. American History Month Social Science Fair Chairperson Judith Lindsay spoke about the Social Science Fair Program and introduced Allison Turchan, Dominion High School senior, who won the Social Science Fair Contest with her work in the “Wars and Revolutions” Category. Miss Turchan researched women in the Revolution. She thanked our chapter for their sponsorship and explained she became interested in history from her mother and grandfather who loved our geographical area and all of its history. She said “Women were the backbone of the American Revolution,” and were involved in all aspects of the fight. From their position and responsibility for domestic duties, which confined them to the house, they were in perfect position to become spies. She citied, for example, Lydia DeRow, who listened in to British War planning in her dining room and later reported to revolutionary soldiers. She also cited Deborah Sampson, who fought as a man in the Revolution for one and one half years until a doctor discovered she was a woman while ill with a fever. Regent Wanda English presented her with a copy of the book “Patriots in Petticoats,” by Shirley Ray Redman and Judith Lindsay presented her with an awards certificate. She also encouraged all attending to look at Miss Turchan’s display, on view at the rear of the room, and to remind all members that all awards given will need presenters when the awards assemblies are held.
American History Month Essay Contest Chairperson JoAnn Hartman then introduced Maxwell Scott Waterman, whose winning essay was selected from “quite a few entries.” Mr. Waterman likes sports and science, as well as history. He thanks our chapter for their sponsorship and also his history teacher, Mrs. Mona McClannahan. He read his essay on the Boston Tea Party, entitled “I Spy—Espionage during the American Revolution,” written from the point of view of a British spy infiltrating the colonists ranks. He wrote how involved he became with Patriot Sam Adams plan to send 100 men, dresses as Mohawk Indians, to dump English tea overboard into Boston Harbor. He included his participation in the act, as well as final return to England following the Revolutionary War. For his efforts, Regent Wanda English presented him with a check for $50.00 and a certificate.
Good Citizens Chairperson Wendy Bye introduced the winners of the DAR Good Citizens Essay Contest. These three high school seniors were selected by faculty from their specific schools and met the requirements of “Dependability Service Leadership and Patriotism to an Outstanding Degree.” All three students wrote on the topic “Our American Heritage and Our Responsibility to Preserve It.” The first recipient, Donald Raymond Schaefer, III, from Heritage High School, enjoys playing Lacrosse and plans on attending James Madison University in the fall. The second recipient, James William Hardey, from Loudoun Valley High School, is captain of the wrestling team and also mentors elementary school children, plans on attending Virginia Military Institute in the fall followed by a career in the military. The chapter winner, whose essay was sent along to the district contest, is Anna Carol Brawley from Loudoun County High School. A recipient of the Girl Scout’s Silver Star Award, she also does sign language interpretation for disabled students, and plans to attend James Madison University in the fall. All three of the essay contest winners received a scholarship check in the amount of $500.00 each, plus a certificate from Regent Wanda English. At their senior award’s assemblies in June, they will be presented with a medallion and will receive recognition from their peers.
At 2:05 p. m., the Regent announced a short recess while students and their guests departed prior to the start of the regular business meeting. The meeting resumed at 2:22 p. m.. The Regent announced that Mrs. Yochim had departed also, but had thanked us for the lovely invitation and she had enjoyed the luncheon and awards presentation very much.
The Regent announced that the May meeting will be held at the Purcellville Train Station. At this time the slate of officers will be announced and our election of officers held. We will also be learning how to make “Tussie Mussies,” colonial and Victorian nosegays, and have our annual plant sale.
Regent Wanda English thanked all who attended the State Conference recently in Roanoke: National Defense Chairperson Victoria Raabe, Treasurer Belle Ware, 1st Vice Regent Joan Whitener, Corresponding Secretary Gail Adams, and herself. She gave a reminder that this year’s Continental Congress will be held from 9 – 13 Judy in Washington, D. C., and the Virginia Commonwealth Luncheon will be held on Friday, 11 July, at the National Press Club. She will also be marching in the Fourth of July Parade and welcomes any other members who would like to join her to do so. You must wear all white, with good walking shoes and a hat. Plenty of hydrating water will be available along the parade route. Call the Regent if you would like to participate.
A picture of the Comte de Grasse brick walkway is attached to these minutes. The bricks pictured were all purchased by members of our chapter. Mrs. Marianne Philyaw, Regent of the Comte de Grasse Chapter, is hosting a champagne reception for all who purchased a brick in late April. Please contact the Regent if you are interested in attending this event in Yorktown, Virginia, and possibly spending the night in Williamsburg.
The Virginia State Conference, held at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, was reported by 1st Vice Regent Joan Whitener. Those in attendance from our chapter included Regent Wanda English, 1st Vice Regent Joan Whitener, Treasurer Belle Ware, Corresponding Secretary Gail Adams, Registrar Terri Coleman, National Defense Chairperson Victoria Raabe, and Sue Murray. There were many activities and awards presented during the conference. A Memorial Wreath for deceased members Juanita Swedenburg and Meg Nichols was placed at the Andrew Lewis Memorial in Salem, Virginia, by Regent Wanda English. Virginia State Regent Bana Caskey will visit our chapter for our March 2009 meeting. Her project to restore the Bell Tower at Capitol Square in Richmond is well underway with $30,000.00 raised so far. Ketoctin Chapter was well represented with three of our members also being state officers. Regent Wanda English explained the “Patriots in Petticoats” Project during her report on how our chapter is “Making a Difference.” 1st Vice Regent Joan Whitener’s full report is attached to these minutes.
Corresponding Secretary Gail Adams said that with the rising costs of college education today, any and all scholarship possibilities that we know of should be publicized and explored. Chaplain Patricia Miller announced that her grandson, Lt. Chuck Ostendorff, is due home very shortly for some well deserved “R and R.” Treasurer Belle Ware announced that her grandson will be joining the Marines following graduation from high school.
Regent Wanda English thanked all for coming and adjourned the meeting at 2:40 p. m.
Submitted for Approval,
Suzan Woltz Davis
Recording Secretary
ADDENDUM:
Following the meeting, the following three members volunteered to serve as the Approval Committee for these Minutes:
Wendy Bye
Belle Ware
Joan Whitener
