The August meeting of the Pemaquid Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution took place Aug. 13 at the Lincoln Home in Newcastle. There were nine members, three guests and four associate members present. Cheyenne Travers, age 9, member of CAR (Children of the American Revolution) and granddaughter of associate member, Pat Franz, led those present in reciting the Preamble to the Constitution and The American’s Creed. Nancy Dean led the group in singing “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Following the ritual, Jennifer Pierpan and Elizabeth Printy were installed as new members. The welcome ceremony was performed by visiting guest, Gay McClelland Chatham, national vice chair, Southeastern Division Historic Preservation, NSDAR and North Carolina State District 8 director, NCSDAR with 15 chapters. She summers in East Boothbay. The President General’s message was read by Shirley Peverly. Gay Chatham gave a presentation about her ancestral background and the new President General Denise Doring VanBuren. She stressed the importance of writing down your own history to keep it alive. Patricia Viles mentioned that she has been a member of DAR for over 50 years. Barbara Belknap, chapter treasurer, gave the treasurer’s report. Mary Lee Merrill was able to attend this meeting and commented on what a vibrant and growing chapter we have become.

Nancy Dean, regent of the Elizabeth Wadsworth Chapter, invited all members to attend a celebration for the chapter’s 125th anniversary in Portland on Oct. 5. Discussion focused on the fact that women veterans are the largest community of homeless in this country and what the chapter can do to help them. Giving our support to the Betsy Ross House in Augusta was suggested as a way to help them. Regent Miller has updated the chapter yearbook to include Beverly Foster Robbins, the new Maine State regent. Her project is “the cabin in the woods” at Togus. Shirley Peverly reported that Mildred Ricker Vannah, mother of member, Eleanor O’Donnell, was a founding member of the Pemaquid Chapter. The DAR history minute was a recognition and review of the life of Geraldine Laberee Smith Marks, former state regent, who passed away on July 4, 2006.

Sept. 17-23 is National Constitution Week. Louise Brown, chairwoman of the Constitution Week committee, will be obtaining proclamations from town fathers in Lincoln County. The chapter will be putting displays in local schools and libraries to help draw attention to this event. Sara Crespi brought the directions for knitting wool “skull caps” for our soldiers to wear in their helmets during combat. She encouraged all who knit to make one. Pat Franz gave a quick overview of the DAR Schools committee’s plans for the new administration with the theme of “Hooked on DAR Schools.” All six schools were begun in rural and disadvantaged areas where public education was not accessible. Each school has a different focus with a variety of programs including adult literacy, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia and children in family crisis. Regent Miller showed those present the newest creations of “poppy fascinators” and “poppy pins.” The pins are put on cards with the poem, “In Flanders Fields” and sold as a fundraiser for $5. Regent Miller presented one as a gift to Gay Chatham. Pat Porter reported that she has been volunteering her time to help with the purchase of the Pemaquid Mill and the Caring for Kids program in Bristol.

Discussion included the important role of Native Americans helping the underground railroad through Maine to Canada and the chapter is pleased to have as a member, Neana Neptune, one of the first Native Americans to become a member of DAR. Box tops for education can now be done with your smart phone. Sue Hochstein sent a photo of the Blue Star Memorial plaque in Newcastle on Route 1 stating that it needs attention. The weeds are taking over. Elizabeth Printy volunteered to help clean it up. Susan Wilson of Boothbay reported that she only needs one more document for her membership application to be complete. Mark your calendars for the fall State Meeting, Oct. 25 and 26, at the Ramada Inn in Lewiston, Maine. Plan to come support our chapter.

The next meeting will be on Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Lincoln Home Library. The Pemaquid Chapter, NSDAR, is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer women’s service organization.  It is dedicated to preserving American history, securing America’s future through better education and promoting patriotism.  DAR members come from a variety of backgrounds and interests but all share a common bond of having an ancestor who helped contribute to the securing of the independence of the United States of America. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible to join. This chapter has proudly served our communities in Lincoln County since 1932. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PemaquidDAR/ or visit our website: www.mainedar.org/pemaquid

If you would like to become a member and join us in service to our communities in Lincoln County, please contact Regent Audrey Miller, 633-7089.