Three attendees at the Elizabeth Wadsworth 125th anniversary: (from left) Sara Fahnley, Audrey Miller, and Barbara Belknap.
The October meeting of the Pemaquid Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution was called to order on Oct. 8 at The Lincoln Home’s library in Newcastle. There were 10 members, three associate members, and one guest.
The invocation was read by Chaplain Diane Randlett. The ritual opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, American’s Creed, the Preamble to the Constitution, and the singing of the National Anthem.
The President General’s message was read by Shirley Peverly.
October is National Domestic Violence Awareness month. Regent Audrey Miller asked everyone to remember to wear the color purple on Oct. 24 to draw attention to this important issue.
The Daughters of the American Revolution welcomed Amy Dickinson as its newest member on Oct. 5. She received the Daughters of the American Revolution National Number 1,000,000 during the monthly approval of new Daughters of the American Revolution membership applications. This officially propelled the total number of women who have joined the Daughters of the American Revolution since its founding in 1890 to more than one million.
Dickinson is best known for her nationally syndicated advice column, “Ask Amy,” which succeeded the Ann Landers advice column that ran for almost a half-century.
Associate member Patricia Viles has been a member of Daughters of the American Revolution for 59 years.
The chapter will be supporting the Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope in 2020. This organization supports homeless female veterans and their children in Maine. Betsy Ann Ross House of Hope founder and Executive Director Martha Everatt St. Pierre will speak at the November meeting.
The Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent’s project will support the “Cabin in the Woods” at Togus, which provides permanent housing to homeless male and female veterans.
Sara Fahnley, Miller, Peverly, and Barbara Belknap attended the 125th anniversary celebration of the Elizabeth Wadsworth Chapter in Portland on Oct. 5th.
Miriam Buckley reported that Wreaths Across America will be stopping at Lincoln Academy on Dec. 8.
Seated from left: Audrey Miller, Patricia Viles, and Shirley Peverly. Standing from left: Patricia Franz, Elizabeth Printy, Sue Hochstein, Diane Randlett, Sara Fahnley, Barbara Belknap, Patricia Porter, Jennifer Pierpan, and Susan Wilson.
October historical highlights include:
Oct. 13, 1792: The cornerstone was laid for the White House.
Oct. 19, 1781: Gen. Charles Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown, all but ending Britain’s claims to govern the 13 colonies.
Oct. 27, 1787: The first of 77 essays explaining the new Constitution and urging ratification appears in a New York newspaper. Signed by “Publius,” the essays are written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. They are later published collectively as The Federalist Papers.
Belknap presented a Constitution Week program to her grandson’s second grade class. Fourteen proclamations celebrating the drafting of the constitution were returned to the chapter by town fathers in Lincoln County. The chapter is creating a study group to take the online course offered by Hillsdale College.
The Indian Minute: The Great Smokey Mountain National Park has opened park land to the Cherokee nation so they may forage for medicinal plants.
Nancy Prisk is a new associate member of the chapter. Wendy Gunnison Emelianoff, the daughter of Melba Gunnison, is a new member of the chapter.
Peverly reported that planning is underway now for important 2020 commemorative events that include: the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower, the 350th anniversary of the Boston Massacre, the 200th anniversary of Maine statehood, and the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. The first woman allowed to vote in a federal election voted in Maine, as Maine’s elections were held in September.
The benediction was offered by Diane Randlett and the meeting was adjourned at 1:13 p.m.
The next meeting will be on Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. in The Lincoln Home’s library.
The Pemaquid Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer women’s service organization. It is dedicated to preserving American history, securing America’s future through better education, and promoting patriotism.
Daughters of the American Revolution 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 communities in Lincoln County since 1932. Find the group on Facebook, facebook.com/pemaquiddar, or visit mainedar.org/pemaquid. To become a member and join in service to communities in Lincoln County, contact Miller at 633-7089.
