Molly Foster Berry NSDAR

The March 21, 2008 meeting of the Molly Foster Berry Chapter NSDAR was held at the DAR Room in Memorial Hall. The meeting was called to order by the Regent, Mary Ann French with the opening ritual, Pledge of Allegiance, and the Americans Creed.

The President General's Message was read by the Regent, National Defense Report was given by Nolene Whiteside. The Secretary and Treasurer reports were approved as read. An Indian fact was by Bernita Hill on Seminole Tribal garments. A Constitution minute was given by the Regent.

Thank you notes were presented from Bacone College by Bernita Hill and Stamps for the Wounded by Avis Stradley. The Regent announced that new DAR colour brochures have been placed in the Public Library and Old Fort Genealogy Library.

A motion was made and seconded to accept Rachel M. French, Danielle M. Herman, Ashley N. Herman, and Victoria A. Herman as Junior Chapter members when their application papers are approved by the national Society. Motion approved.

Plans for attending the Four Winds Chapter meeting on April 12 in Garnett and State Conference in Topeka on May 2-4 were discussed. An invitation was also read from the Atchison Chapter for the 100th Anniversary marker re-dedication ceremony. Southeast District Director Jackie Casey may hold a seminar for Southeast chapters concerning genealogy research and application preparation later on in Pittsburg, more info. will come later. Books on various DAR sponsored schools across the United States were distributed by the Regent.

Bernita Hill gave the program on Jamestown. A company composed of 101 men and 4 boys arrived on the coast of present day Virginia on May 14, 1607. Their mission was to find gold, the lost colony of Roanoak, and a southern route to the Pacific Ocean. Starvation and disease plagued the settlement. Ninety percent of the settlers had perished by the time reinforcements and provisions finally arrived from England. Soon after tobacco was found growing in the area, the native tribes explained how it was used during their ceremonies. Tobacco was shipped back to England, where it found great popularity. It became a major export for the colonies and also became the first crop to require the intense manual labor that became slavery in the colonies.

Jamestown's location was chosen for it's military advantages. The site of the first capital in the new world was abandoned, however, in 1698 after losing the buildings due to fire for the fourth time it was moved to Williamsburg. The Jamestown Celebration in 2007 marked the 400th anniversary of the settlement.

Chapter members were reminded that the April 18th meeting will be held at the Linn County Museum in Pleasanton. Program to be on National Parks. Carpool will be at the first United Methodist Church East parking lot at 10:30 a.m.

The Meeting was closed with the Daughter's Pledge.

The club would like to remind the public that any woman of 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 for membership. For more information contact www.dar.org or (202)- 628-1776.