(click on any picture to enlarge)
Regent Karen Barks presented Caitlin Kesler with the Goood Citizens Award at Apache Junction High School.. Caitline has written an essay titled "Our American Heritage and Our Responsibilities for Preserving It".
Apache Trail met Saturday of Easter weekend. We were so pleased to have Joan Sisco in attendence who gave us an update on Mary Ellen's Place, an affordablle housing complex for homeless women veterans. We honored two of our longtime members with a memorial service and awarded Parlimentarian Stacy McSwain with a certificate of appreciation and a gift card for her dedicated service.
Chaplain Patty Williams honored members, Betty Preston and Alberta
Gasser with a memorial service.

Regent Karen Barks presented Parlimentarian Stacy McSwain with a
Certificate of Appreciation for her service throughout the year

Left, Carol Pearson, 2nd Vice Regent introduced Joan Sisco (center). Joan
founded Veterans First, Ltd, a 501 (c) 3 non profit organization. This
organization has assisted and collaborated with other organizations to
create affordable housing for women veterans. Standing to the right is Regent
Karen Barks.

Sallie Carroll, retired veteran, attended the chapter meeting.
Sallie's Place, planned housing for women veteran's with children, will be will be named after her in honor of her service.

At right, is the announcement of Jeanne Copeland's donation of quilts.

Left, Jeanne Copeland made and donated quilts to Mary Ellen's Place.
Jeanne's husband was a career marine who was a POW throughtout WWII and
continued to serve following the war. Pat Crawford accepted the quilts
for the chapter.

Jeanne Copeland spends her days quilting to benefit various veteran
services.

Joan Sisco holding one of the quilts contributed by Jeanne Copeland for Mary
Ellen's Place.

The Windemere Conference Center greeted the members with a
beautiful ice sculpture of a Saguaro on the buffet table

Officers attending the March chapter meeting were L to R Historian,
Dorothy Gordon, Secretary, Sue Verley, 2nd Vice Regent, Carol Pearson,
Chaplin pro tem, Sonia Holbrook, 1st Vice Regent, Jean McLane, Regent, Karen
Barks, Treasurer, Alice Cobb and Registrar, Pat Crawford

Regent Karen Barks introduced the speaker, Sandy Hornbaker. Sandy
is an authority on birds. She works at Usery Park giving bird
watching tours and educational seminars
Three new members were inducted into Apache Trail. They were L to R, Shannon Brown, Sandra Tolnai and Marsha Perkins. Regent Karen Barks, Chaplin, pro tem, Sonia Holbrook and Pat Crawford, Registrar.
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At the February meeting three new members were inducted. To the right are (l to r ) Regent Karen Barks, Chaplin Patty Williams, New members, Judie Wenk, Linda Fox and Anna Roberts, Registrar, Pat Crawford
Fran Davidson planned a field trip to the Olive Mill located in Queen Creek, AZ. An educational tour of the mill and lunch was offered. To the right, Apache Trail members are sitting at a table waiting for lunch. (left side) Jean McLane and Karen Barks, (right side) Sonia Holbrook, Dorothy Gordon, Julie Roering, Judith Dunn, Fran Davidson and at the end, the server.
Nanci Anderson (left), Community Service Chairman nominated Carolin Lowy (center) for the Community Service Award, Regent Karen Barks (right) announced that Carolin won one of the top State DAR awards. HOORAY !!
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Apache Trail members were very happy to see one another following the holidays. Robert Cooper, Director of he Superstition Search and Rescue group in Apache Junction presented a wonderful program about the efforts of this group to go to the aid of anyone lost in the in the Superstition Mountains or any other emergency where they might be needed..
Regent Karen Barks presented Robert Cooper a check to help the funding of the Superstition Search and Rescue group.
Regent Karen Barks presented Todd Verley with a Certificate of Appreciation for the help he frequently gives to Apache Trail including furninshing a trailer and truck for floats in parades and offering help from his company.
At left is pictured new members which were inducted into Apache Trail. L, Pat Crawford, Registrar, New members, Jacquie Italiano, Bonnie William and Kimberley Heath, Regent Karen Barks and Chaplin, Patty Williams
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Apache Trail is a sponsor of Mary Ellen's PLace. Mary Ellen's Place is low cost housing for women veteran's. It opened in May of 2011 in Phoenix. Our chapter sent a donation to Mary Ellen's Place with a card signed by all attending members. Joan Sisco, director, framed the card and it is hanging in the house.
Women Veterans, residents of Mary Ellen's Place, L, Sherri Wilson and R, Charlene Franco.
Taking a “bite out of crime” will be little sweeter this Christmas at the Apache Junction Police Department, thanks to the members of Apache Trail. Fifteen members of Apache Trail delivered more than 40-dozen homemade Christmas cookies, 8 pounds of fudge and other miscellaneous holiday treats to the department in thanks for their service to the community. "Our Police officers do not have the luxury of taking Christmas or New Years off,” said Chapter Secretary, Sue Verley. “They are out there 24-7, 365 days of the year and we hope that these cookies will in a small way let them know we appreciate their dedication and service to our community” The holiday treats were delivered Wednesday, December 21 by Chapter representatives, Sue Verley and Fran Davidson pictured with Police Chief Jerald Monahan and Captain Arnold Freeman.
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Regent Karen Barks presents Pat Brenner with her 40 year membership certificate

Denise O'Brien won high bid on a basked donated by member Bonnie
Williams to help raise money for chapter projects To the left is
Janet Garner

Stacy McSwain also won high bid on a basket donated by member Bonnie
Williams.
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Apache Trail celebrated their 7th birthday as a chapter this November

Organizing members of Apache Trail were honored at the birthday party.
L to R sitting are Beccie Reed, Marge DeGear, and Boni Ihns. Those
standing L to R are Edith Miller, Eva Hoffman and Diane Ward.,

Janet Garner presented a program about her family patriot. Also she
offered the book about the patriot for members desiring to read more.
It is titled "Betty Zane" by Zane Grey

Lori Steadman presented a program about her ancestor, Sgt.John
Shepard.He was the longest living
veteran of the American Revolutionary War. He lived to be 117 years old.and
was from Pennsylvania

Lynn Crawford was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for all the
computer help he has given different members in Apache Trail
Apache Trail Chapter entered a float in the Apache Junction Veteran's
Day Parade. City Signs provided the trailer and truck.
Member, Sue Verley's son, Todd pulled it in his truck

Left: Members who put the float together were Sue Verley Carol
Pearson Karen Barks, Virginia Ross, Tracy Calahan and Maureen Brook
Sue Verley's grandson jointed the fun.
L to R Members, Maureen Brook, Tracy Callahan and Virginia Ross

Apache Trail members attended a naturalization ceremony in October. They handed out American flags and patriotic bookmarks to new citizens. L to R, Jan Waters, Judie Wenk, Charlene Sloan and Patty Williams
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Every Year in the Fall, Apache Trail has a garage sale to raise money to
help fund the Chapter's projects This year it was held at Jean
McLane's home.
Alice Cobb, Karen Barks Janet Garner and Jan Waters unpacking and
putting items out for sale.

Julie Roering inspecting some sale items

Peggy Manseau and Beccie Reed putting out linens for sale

Fran Davidson waiting for a sale.
At the end of the sale, members were very happy as a fun time had been had and over $1000 was made to fund projects. Hooray!!!.
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L to R, Alice Cobb, Carol Pearson, Karen Barks and Jean McLane welcoming members and guests to the meeting

Guest speaker, Matthew Scott, presented a program about the selection
and burial of the "Unknown Soldier" at Arlington Cemetery. Regent
Karen Barks presented Mr. Scott with a thank you gift from the chapter.

Rebecca Reed was presented a 40 year member certificate by Regent Karen
Barks.
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Apache Trail was excited to start a new chapter year and greet DAR daughters after a long hot summer. Members were served a delicious brunch followed by Regent Karen Barks presenting awards given to members at the State Conference in May.

Jean McLane and Peggy Manseau led the buffet line. Standing
behind Jean is Charlene Sloan and behind Peggy is Stacy McSwain.

Regent Karen Barks gives an award to Joe Vojacek and Lupita Martinez for helping our Flag
Day Luncheon be a success.

Regent Karen Barks presented Betty Anderson and Linda Kewell an award
for all their hard work on Project Patriot Betty and Linda
collected, recorded and mailed over $110,000 worth of coupons to service men at the base in Okinawa to be used for
their personal needs. L to R Patty Williams, Betty Anderson,
Linda Kewell and Regent Karen Barks.

Member, Lynda Martinez was presented an award by Regent Karen Barks for
her outstanding service to the library. Lynda has published over
30 genealogy books.

Regent Karent Barks greeted Nadine Brunhofer and gave her a certificate
of appreciation for her donation of a quilt to the DAR museum plus she
donated books and jewelry to our chapter.

New members Virginia Ross (red bag) and Charlene (blue bag) were
welcomed to Apache Trail. (L) Patty Williams as chaplain swore them in and (R) Regent Karen Barks
welcomed them
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On June 11th, the Apache Trail Chapter invited all Arizona DAR Chapters to celebrate Flag Day with a luncheon and wonderful program featuring Dr. Lance Hurley impersonating George Washington. Betsy Ross protrayed by member Patty Williams and member Sue Verley did a flag retirement ceremony. It turned out to be a very festive and enjoyable occasion.
Left, The Flag Day Committee,Carol Pearson, Patty Williams,Carol Shepherd, Sue Verley, Audra Glines,Jean McLane and Pat Crawford, Right, Audra Glines sits at the check in table with name tags. We welcomed over a hundred guests.
Left, The ballroom is set for the celebration. Right, The desert table.
Left, State Regent, Stephanie Troth and Chapter Regent, Karen Barks. Right Dr. Lance Hurley dressed as George Washington
Left, Chapter helper, Flinn Lund, Dorothy Hurley and Dr. Lance Hurley. Right, Diane Ward and Dr. Lance Hurley
Left, Dr. Lance Hurley, Carol Shepherd, Audra Glines and Carol Pearson. Right Patty Williams and Sue Verley retiring a worn flag.Carol Shepherd in back reading the flag retirement ritual. State Regent Stphanie Troth to her right.

The Apache Junction Junior ROTC presented the flags at the Flag Day
Celebration
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Regent Karen Barks attended the ASDAR State conference held in Tucson,
Arizona, May 19 throught May 21st.


Left, Marge DeGear with award winning afgan. Right. Nadine Brunhofer and Karen Barks with book for DAR library.
L to R, Lynda Martinez received award for her outstanding service to DAR library. Lynda is the author of many books which she has given to DAR and our local libraries. Also in picture is center, Pat Crawford and regent, Karen Barks


Fund Raising Chairman, Carol Pearson, worked at the sales table at the State conference. There were many lovely items on display.

Regent Karen Barks welcomed our State Regent Stephanie Troth who spoke
at the meeting.

Kandy Wagenbach, Grand Canyon Chapter, sold products to raise money for the State
Regent's Project

We were very happy to welcome 3 new members into Apache Trail. L to
R, Jan Waters, Jean Coons, Registrar Pat Crawford, Peggy Manseau, Regent
Karen Barks

Left, Chapter member, Maureen Brook, presented Apache Junction High
School student, Sierra Aulik, with the DAR Good Citizen Award on April
27. Sierra will graduate this month. She has been active in
athletics and is a three sport Varsity athlete in volleyball, basketball
and softball. She is a student council member, a member of the
National Honor Society and Anytown Club. She has volunteered in
community events, Relay for Life and Rock and Roll Paint a thon.
She was in charge of the Adopt a Family program at Christmas.
Anytown Club is a school diversity club that helps to unite the student
body and the community. She was selected for a position on the
state basketball team. Sierra's essay was written on the assigned
topic, "America a Melting Pot of Heritages. She was presented with a
certificate and a check.
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At Christmas, .Apache Trail Chapter purchased 35 wreaths that were
placed on graves at the Arizona National Memorial Cemetery located in
Phoenix. This state veterans cemetery was dedicated in 1978.
Several Apache Trail Chapter members have family members buried there.

Apache Trail members, (L to R) Linda Kewell, Betty Anderson, Karen
Gregorski and Janet Garner visited the_Arizona National Memorial
Cemetery at Christmas.
