Staff Reports
KNIGHTSTOWN — The Major Hugh Dinwiddie Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) recently held its March meeting at Historic Knightstown Inc. (HKI) with Dianne Taylor serving as hostess.
The meeting was opened with Denise Akers, Regent, tapping the chapter’s historic gavel, which had been presented to the chapter in the 1920s and was made from the wood of the Spanish-American War ship, The Maine. Twelve members were in attendance. National and State Regent newsletters were shared. Dianne Taylor, Treasurer, gave a financial report. Marianne Hughes presented Brenda Cotton with a DAR ornament for her Christmas tree collection as a thank-you gift from the chapter for her opening her house in December. Certificates were presented to Brenda Cotton, Katie Lewman and Karen Campbell for their Service to America community service hours. Operation Gratitude was talked about and members were asked to bring something to put in a box for the April meeting. The chapter is collecting sewing kits, unused cards, thank-you coloring sheets and small bags.
Denise Akers, Brenda Cotton, Marianne Hughes, and Karen Campbell were chosen to be the chapter’s Indiana Delegates for State Conference in May.
As a 100th anniversary event, the chapter is preparing to place flags at Glen Cove Cemetery to mark the resting places of DAR ladies. Currently, 104 DAR ladies are buried in Glen Cove. At the April meeting, members are invited to come at 12:30 p.m. to help get flags ready for the Glen Cove Cemetery.
The 100th anniversary Open House will be at the New Castle Henry County Public Library auditorium, 376 S. 15th St. in New Castle, from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 24. Planning is ongoing.
Sherry Rigney, Secretary, will present flags to the Knightstown Public Library in April, date and time to be announced. All members are encouraged to attend.
The chapter is ordering a new book the state is publishing entitled “Daughters of the Revolutionary War Patriots Buried in Indiana: The Daughters must be buried in Indiana.” The chapter hopes to donate a few books in memory of two members.
The planting of a tree in memory of Mary Ellen Ward was discussed, as was a ceremony in November for the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and a ceremony in recognition of the Revolutionary War Patriots graves that are buried in Henry County. These items were tabled for next month.
The next meeting of the Major Hugh Dinwiddie Chapter is at 1 p.m. April 3 at HKI. Amelia Wyatt will serve as hostess and Marianne Hughes will give a talk on pins.
