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Apache Trail DAR Chapter
Happenings Along The Trail

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November Apache Trail Chapter Meeting

To celebrate Veteran's Day, Colonel Anne Fairchild spoke at the Apache Trail November chapter meeting to honor women's service in the military.  Colonel Fairchild has had 3 remarkably successful careers in a "Man's World."  She started out as a campus police officer, moved to the US Air Force where she spent over 28 years and is now the business manager at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Prescott, AZ. 

 

 

Left, Regent Diane Ward installed new officers, Sandi Wilson, Registrar, and Patricia Brenner as Chaplain.  To the right, to celebrate American Indian month, members were asked to wear their turquoise jewelry.  Pictured are left to right, Diane Schmidt, Karen Barks, Becky Buck, Sue Verley, Patty Williams, Sandi Wilson, Diane Ward, Pat Crawford, Patricia Brenner, and Ann Pollack.

 

 

 

Left, Sandi Wilson presented Marge DeGear with a National DAR award for her outstanding work in Genealogy Preservation

Right, Prospective member, Karen Gregorski, signs her application paper .  Her mother, member Janet Garner was also proud to sign her application

 

The ASDAR Fall Forum convened in Tucson, Arizona at the Doubletree Hotel, October 22-24.  All Arizona DAR members were invited for this three day Board of Management meeting.  Special workshops on elder care, DAR record preservation and DAR awards were presented.  There was a banquet Friday night and an awards luncheon on Saturday.  Awards which had been given in July at Continental Congress were awarded to the various chapters.  Apache Trail was honored to receive awards for the following:

Apache Trail members who attended Fall Forum in Tucson are left to right, Alice Cobb, Jean McLane, Becky Buck, Diane Ward, Sandi Wilson and in the back, Pat Crawford and Karen Barks.

 

Left, Okalahoma State Regent, Mary Duffe, gave the keynote speech at Fall Forum.  Right, Arizona State Regent Jo Andress holds her own insignia case purchased from Apache Trail.  Her comment, "I love it."

 

Left, Karen Barks and Pat Crawford show off items the Fund Raising Committee had for sale.   Sandi Wilson furnished a beautiful quilt donated by a neighbor  that the chapter is selling raffle tickets for and to be announced at Spring Conference.  Right, Regent Diane Ward is showing off the beautiful beaded bracelets that member Jean McLane made for the sale.

 

 

Left, Jean McLane, Diane Ward, Karen Barks and Becky Buck assisting at the sales table.

Right, Becky Buck, demonstrating a "we can do it", "Rosie the Riveter."

 

APACHE TRAIL OCTOBER CHAPTER MEETING

 

The Apache Trail DAR chapter held their first meeting of the Fall, October 3rd.  The meeting opened with a delicious breakfast buffet.  Below members are making their way through the serving line.  To the left, in white sweater, is Patty Williams and in the background are Eva Hoffman and to the far right is Sue Verley.  To the right, is Jane Godwin and Diane Schmidt.

 

Left Diane Schmidt introduced Wayne Wipple, local resident who spoke about his survival of 911.   Right, Regent Diane Ward presented DAR awards to Pat Crawford, left and right, Sandi Wilson.  Pat Crawford won third in State for an entry to the "Opening Doors" membership contest and Sandi Wilson won for 1st in state and 2nd in Divison for her entry in the membership essay contest.

 

We have two mother-daughter members this year. To the left is Tracy Callahan and her mother, Margaret Sims.  To the right, sitting in the middle, is Janet Garner and her daughter, Denise O'Brien.  To the left is Mary Clark and far right is Ann Pollack

 

CONSTITUTION WEEK

Gilbert, AZ celebrated constitution week, September 19th.  This being one of the largest constitution week celebrations in the United States.  Our chapter set up a booth to promote patriotism, DAR and information for prospective chapter members.  Below (left) is the replica of the Washington Monument surrounded by United States flags.  To the right, are L>R, prospective member, Regent Diane Ward and Karen Barks standing in front of the booth.

 

Apache Trail Makes 162 Ditty Bags for the Arizona Veterans

Soldiers in the battlefield and also in the medical centers need small bags to keep small items in their backpack or attached to a wheel chair.  Our Service for Veterans Committee Chairman, Becky Buck, got in gear with a number of Apache Trail members to satisfy this need that the state committee requested.  After these bags were finished they were delivered to the three state veteran's hospitals and also a Phoenix veteran's nursing home.  More are being planned as the need is great. 

Various patterned prints were use to make the ditty bags.  All fabric was donated by thoughtful citizens.  Also a label was ironed on each one to let our veterans know that our DAR chapter was supporting them.

 

 

 

To the left, Jane Fender shows off the beautiful sewn ditty bags that she had made over the summer.  Right, Becky Buck and Pat Crawford also shows how the finished bag looks.

 

Grand Canyon and Paradise Valley Chapters NSDAR
Hosts Flag Day 2009 Luncheon

On June 13, the Grand Canyon and Paradise Valley Chapters ASDAR hosted a lovely Flag Day luncheon at the Arizona Country Club.  Red, white and blue balloons floated above centerpieces of American flags and red and white carnations.  Guests were given bright red, white or blue necklaces and an American flag as souvenirs.  Regent Kandy Wagenbach, Grand Canyon Chapter, welcomed the guests and SAR members of the Phoenix Chapter presented the Colors.  A lovely luncheon of various salads, muffins and freshly baked breads were enjoyed followed by delicious cake.  Following drawings for door prizes and their presentation to winners by CAR members, Molly and Abby Sutton, a program of patriotic songs featuring the "Little Women Singers" and the "Generations" was presented.  To close the luncheon, all daughters stood and sang God Bless the USA as they waved their flags.   It was a most enjoyable day and fun to see our DAR sisters again. 

 

Left, Regent Diane Ward attends luncheon.

Right, State Regent Jo Andress won a door prize at the Flag Day festivities.

 

 

 

 

Left, Phoenix SAR Chapter members served as honor guards

Right, C.A.R. members, Abby and Molly Sutton helped distributed door prizes.

 

 

The "Generations" and the "Little Women" singers dressed in period costumes entertained.

 

ASDAR ATTENDS HISTORICAL SOLDIERS  RELOCATION CEREMONY IN SIERRA VISTA, AZ

 

Several years ago, while extending the Pima County buildings in downtown Tucson, a cemetery containing 1800 graves, was uncovered.  During the excavation, it was discovered that a small military cemetery was also included in the larger one.  57 Union soldiers and three Indian Scouts were discovered buried with three children and a civilian employee.  It was decided that these remains be relocated to the Southern AZ Veteran's Memorial Cemetery located in Sierra Vista.  An Arizona veteran, Joe Smith, volunteered to handmake a small wooden coffin for each individual  who had been buried there in the small military cemetery between 1860 and 1880.  As part of the Arizona Centennial Legacy Project, a foundation , Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Foundation was created.  Larry McKim is president and worked closedly with Joe Larson the administerator of the Veteran's cemetery to raise money and awareness and bring this historic event to fruition.

On May 16th, 2009 a dedication ceremony was held at the Southern AZ Veteran's Memorial Cemetery to memorialize these soldiers and to rebury the 61 sets of remains in this "honorable and beautiful place."

 

 

 

Left, in the middle of the new historic cemetery, a memorial monument with a 35 star flag flies  at  half mast in recognition of the 57 Union soldiers who fought for their country during the Civil War.  Right, Wooden caskets draped in 35 star flags were lined up at the service .  The 35 star flag was the flag of the time these soldiers lived and died. 

 

 

 

Left, State Regent Jo Andress attended the service to represent all of the DAR daughters in Arizona.  To the right, an honor guard stands at attention while waiting for the service to begin. 

 

Left, Following the service, two servicemen standing at each coffin performed a beautiful flag folding ceremony.  The folded flags were given to honored guests who were descendents of the dead or had contributed to the building and rededication of this small historic military cemetery.  Note the white coffin with a teddy bear.  The three children found with the soldiers were also reburied with them.  A few descendants were identified.

 

 

 

Left, Regent Jo Andress accepting one of the folded flags for the ASDAR.  Right, every soldier's grave will have a unknown soldier headstone.  These headstones were of the 1800's period and provided by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Historical documents identified the names of the soldiers, but not the individual graves.  A plaque naming all these soldiers will be displayed in the new historic cemetery.

 

 

Left, following the service, each coffin was picked up and carried to the new cemetery.  At the cemetery, each coffin was lowered into it's final resting place.  It was indeed a beautiful and moving service.

 

 

ASDAR STATE CONFERENCE
APRIL 30-MAY 2

 

 

 

Left, State Regent Jo Andress presided at the state conference held in Phoenix, AZ,

 

Right, Apache Trail Regent Diane Ward gave chapter reports at the conference. 

 

 

 

Left, Registrar General, Donna Santistevan, spoke at the Friday luncheon about what happens to application papers when they arrive in Washington.  It was very informative.

Right, Carolyn Weis and Patty Williams

 

 

Left, Pat Crawford and Karen Barks dressed as "Rosie" selling insignia cases, ribbons and pins at State Conference

Right, Karen Barks, Sandra Wilson and Jean McLane helping sell and enjoying the conference.

 

 

Left, Registrar Diane Schmidt stands beside the welcoming State Conference sign.

Right, Sandra Wilson was awarded 1st place in the State for the Membership essay contest and 2nd in the Southwest Division.  Hooray for you, Sandi!

 

 

 

 

Left, Regent Diane Ward stands beside the Apache Trail Chapter flag at State Conference

 

Right, Darcy Lightfoot and her daughter, Briana attended the Abraham Lincoln program on Saturday at State Conference

 

 

Left, C.A.R. members Nick Weis and Briana Lightfoot hold flowers to be presented to guests at the Education luncheon.

 

 Right, Vice Regent Carolyn Weis introduced Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln as presented by Larry and Mary Elliott of Louisville, Kentucky. The Elliott's have presented the Lincoln's at more than 100 events.

 

 

Birthday Party for Kathryn Cheyne

Kathryn Cheyne, long time member of DAR celebrates a special birthday. 

 

<Kathryn and Regent Diane Ward.

 

>Eva Hoffman and Edith Miller

 

 

<Patty Williams, Karen Barks and Marge deGear

 

>Kathryn, Jackie Evans and Pat Crawford celebrate Kathryn's birthday.

 

April Apache Trail Chapter Meeting

Tracy Callahan and Regent Diane Ward start off the meeting with a delicious brunch

 

<Carolyn Weis thanks Dr. Jerry Howard for his program on his Minuteman ancestor

>Pat Crawford gave the annual memorial service honoring Billie Lollar and Dorothy Young.

 

 

<Mary Rubin, donated both the Apache Trail DAR flag and an American flag to Apache Trail Chapter in honor of her mother, Marian Schwartzmann, who was a member of Apache Trail also.

 

>Mary and Regent Diane Ward show off the Apache Trail DAR flag.

 

Apache Trail Puts On History Day for the Students at
Desert Vista Elementary School

Students and parents sitting on the grass in front of the stage where  History Day began,
 with the posting of the Flag , saying
the Pledge of Allegiance and singing "God Bless America."

 

<Linda Cowley, center,  Bill Wilson, right, and Nick Weis, left posted the Betsy Ross flag

>Bill Wilson (center) show the children how to  hold their "guns." and march in step. 

 

 

 

 

<Bill Wilson dressed in costume told stories about the early frontier

 

>Sandi Wilson in a frontier camp directed the History Day at Mountain Vista Elementary School.

 

 

 

 

<Gil and Sue Verley making biscuit dough.

 

>Gil Verley placing biscuits in the Dutch oven to cook over the fire.

 

 

 

<Shelly Verley helping students cut biscuits. 

 

>Tracy and daughter, Claire, mixing biscuit dough.  

 

 

 

<Dorothy Gordon (in white) showing the students how to quilt as was done in a traditional quilting bee.

 

>Jane Fender with great grandson participated in Bible reading at the family table.

 

 

 

 

<Briana and her mother, Darcy Lightfoot, who taught her at the kitchen table to read the Bible .

 

   >Carolyn Weis dressed as Martha Washington,  taught the students to decipher secret spy war messages.

 

 

<Linda Cowley dressed as Betsy Ross.  She told the story of the American flag and helped the children cut out stars for the flag. 

 

 

>Regent Diane Ward passed out the story of the Pledge of Allegiance to the children 

 

 

 

<Rob Weis, president of Hohokam C.A.R. told students about George Washington and the Revolutionary War.

 

>Nick Weis, a member of C.A.R., dressed in uniform was an honor guard.

 

 

To introduce genealogy, children were asked to begin their family tree by writing down names of the members of their family. Many genealogy books were on the table so parents could look up their ancestors.

 

 

<Pat, Diane and Patty dressed for the occasion

>DAR members, husbands and children helped create the Early American atmosphere

 

Apache Trail Attends American Veterans Traveling Tribute

 

 

<Regent Diane Ward laid a wreath in memory of all veterans at the Viet Nam Wall.

 

> Regent Diane Ward stands in front of the wall after laying the wreath

 

 

 

<Sue Verley stands beside, a helmet, gun and boots,  a way of remembrance for a fallen soldier.

>Darcy Lightfoot and a veteran "helper" fasten the DAR wreath.

 

<, Darcy Lightfoot looks for a name on the Viet Nam Wall

>The Scottish American Military Society explained their "Remembrance Table", for all branches of the military.

 

 

Several veteran motorcycle groups participated in the service.  L, The Legion Riders had a special emblem on their vests.  "The Nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten."

Right, Motorcycle Group, Buffalo Soldiers, also were present.

 

March Apache Trail DAR Meeting

 

Karen Barks and Jane Fender welcome guests.

 

Regent Diane Ward ready to open the meeting.

 

 

<Regent Diane Ward and Catering Director of the Windemere Conference Center, Joe Vojacek

Right, Cheerful staff putting out our delicious buffet.

 

 

Left, A group of members enjoy lunch.  Sue Verley, Helen Stowell, Jackie Evans and Alberta Gasser.  Right, Sandi Wilson leads the line at the buffet. Karen Barks far right

 

 

Left, members going through the buffet line, Sondra Garman, Tracy Callahan and Patty Williams.

Marie Smith celebrated her birthday at the meeting.

 

 

< Ann Pollack and Nancy Smith enjoying the meeting.

 

>Sandra Wilson presented a program  "Women Physicians of the Old West."

 

 

Left, Guest, LaVera Edick, chats with Jane Fender and Ann Pollack.  Right, Long time friends and DAR members, Kathryn Cheyne and Marie Smith

 

Apache Trail Celebrates the 200th Anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Birth

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is remembered as the President who successfully led our country through the Civil War. 

 

On the left, First Vice Regent Carolyn Thornbro-Weis shows off Abraham Lincoln's picture and Civil War artifacts.  At the right, Carolyn thanked Howard Strouse, who spoke about the Trent Affair and other events of the Civil War.  Mr. Strouse has been interested in history since boyhood.  He is a Civil War re-enactor and a very active member of the Civil War Round Table.

 

Chapter members all enjoyed visiting with one another during a delicious brunch.

 

 

State Regent Jo Andress Visits Apache Trail DAR Chapter
"And the Beat Goes On"

Karen Barks looks at the many items Marcia Whipkey is selling for the State Regent's Project

 

Left, Rob Weis, president of Hohokam C.A.R., speaks of their fund raising projects.

Right, Carolyn Weis, Regent Diane Ward, Rob Weis and State Regent Jo Andress/

Left, Regent Diane Ward, Becky Buck and State Regent Jo Andress.

Becky Buck, Chairman of DAR Service for Veteran's and DAR Project Patriot, spoke about the many projects that the chapter is participating in and urged members to support the Wounded Warriors programs.

Right, Diane Ward conferred to Becky Buck a Certificate of Appreciation for her many efforts in the Veteran's programs.

 

Diane Schmidt and Sondra Garman (at the podium) install new member, Lynda Martinez.  Diane Ward in the background.

Right, Regent Diane Ward congratulates Linda Martinez.

 

 

State Regent Jo Andress presented a program on music during the Revolutionary time.

 

 

Left, Regent Diane Ward presents State Regent Jo Andress a check for her State Regent's Project.

A group picture of the chapter officers.

 

Desserts featured were chocolate dipped strawberries and triple layer chocolate cake.

Left, Becky Buck visits dessert table and Right, Dee Battista also looks over the desserts.

Apache Trail's Newest Member, Lynda Martinez, celebrates with a Tamale Party

 

 

Karen Barks and hostess Lynda Martinez serve at the tamale party

Lynda prepared delicious deserts, enjoyed by all.

Mary Louis Clark, Lynda Martinez, Jane Godwin, Alice Cobb and Mr. Clark enjoying Lynda's excellent cooking and conversation.

Pam Greene and Karen Barks enjoying tamales.

 

Pat Crawford, Jane Fender Beverly Speed, Nancy Smith and Diane Ward toasting the hostess, Lynda Martinez

Patty Williams,  Alberta Gasser, Boni Ihns, Sonia Holbrook, Jean McLane and Diane Schmidt all enjoyed socializing at the tamale party.

 

December Apache Trail Meeting

 

Left, Christmas tree center piece at the buffet table

Right, Alice Cobb, Treasurer, signs member, Becky Buck, in at the meeting.

 

 

Left, Vice Regent, Carolyn Weis thanks Alice Duckworth (far left) for her program on Pearl Harbor Day

Right, Regent Diane Ward installs officers, Sonia Holbrook, Karen Barks and Pat Crawford