The George Clinton Chapter, NSDAR met recently at McCoy’s Catering for their May meeting. Regent Frances Sharp welcomed 25 members and two guests as chapter members took time to “catch up” while partaking of a delicious luncheon at the beautifully decorated tables decorated by Suzanne Madison and Linda Barkey.
It was a nice time with friends after so many digital meetings.
“Catching Up” was the theme of this first in person meeting since the pandemic began. Regent Frances Sharp and Chaplain Barbara Scarboro led a memorial service for members who had passed over the last year-and-a-half. With the help of chapter members Suzanne Madison and Nancy Bernard, the service paid tribute to Lois Hackney, Eva Botts and Ann Brown.
Two new members, Jane Bosworth and Ronza Stanford, were welcomed in to the chapter as they took their oath of membership and received their welcome gift bags.
Judy Sargent introduced guests Randy and Debbie Riley. Randy was then presented with the Community Service Award in recognition of all that he does for our community.
Election of officers for upcoming term of office was held. Those elected include: Regent Leslie Holmes, Vice Regent Linda Barkey, Chaplain Barbara Scarboro, Recording Secretary Susan Henry, Corresponding Secretary Karin Kratzer, Treasurer Shannon Peters, Registrar Frances Sharp, Historian Claire Ropp, Librarian Bony Kanyuck, Assistant Secretary Nancy Bernard, and Assistant Treasurer Karen McKenzie. They will be installed in office at the June meeting.
Joyce Peters read the President General’s Message in which President General Denise Doring Van Buren stated that the Continental Congress, the DAR national convention, will be held virtually as Washington, D. C. is still under COVID-19 restrictions that prohibit a large gathering.
Linda Hamilton shared the conservation minute providing water conservation ideas such as allowing clover to grow in one’s yard, clover does not use as much water as many of the grasses that are usually planted in lawns. Clover also provides much needed pollen for local bees. If one is watering their lawn a more efficient method is to use a soaker hose and not a sprinkler as the much of the water from the sprinkler will evaporate.
For her National Defense Report, Barbara Daulton shared how Armed Forces Day, May 15, was created thanks to the efforts of President Harry Truman.
Ballet dancer Maria Tallchief was the subject of the Native American Minute.
Dates to remember include May 27 at 2:30 p.m. when members are welcome to help decorate the grave of our chapter’s first regent, Elouisa King Nichols, at Sugar Grove Cemetery and then at 3:30 George Clinton Chapter will be dedicating and presenting a flag to Clinton County History Center. Members are encouraged to attend both events.
The June meeting will be June 19 at the Clinton County Senior Citizens Center.
The Patriot Profile was presented by Lea Ann Dick as she told of Israel Ward who enlisted at the age of 15 in his Uncle Israel Ward’s militia. Israel and his family first settled in the Madisonville area of Cincinnati where Israel’s father, Joseph Ward, another patriot, had already established himself and had been credited as the founder and first settler of Madisonville.
In 1853, Elon Bramble Ward a descendant of Israel’s moved to Clinton County and established the family home on Farmers Road. George Clinton members who descend from Israel Ward include Lea Ann Dick and Mary Alice McConnell.
