Martha Dandridge Washington DAR Holds Fall Meeting

MDW Chapter, NSDAR, attendees at Fall Conference left to right – Row 1 – Ellen Betts, Karen McFarland Row 2 – Katie Schmidt, Wendy Randolph, Elizabeth Finchum, Carolyn Mitchell Row 3 – Pat Whaley, Kim Williams-Clabo, Julie Wilbur Row 4 – Karen Bible, Jane Chambers, Jill Evans Not pictured Karen Bible, Linda Null Bonner, Sherri Franklin, Danielle Settlemoir,

The Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter (MDW) National Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) received two awards for outstanding attendance at the Fall Workshop held in August at First Baptist Church, Maryville. Among the 19 chapters in the Appalachian Region, the MDW Chapter had the Highest Total Percentage in attendance – 53.6% and the Highest Total Attendance – 16. The chapter has experienced remarkable growth in its two and one-half years of existence.

In addition, Ellie Betts received a certificate for completion of the New Horizons Course, while Carolyn Mitchell received one for completion of the New Members Course. Along with these two ladies, the following MDW Chapter members participated: Karen Bible, Jane Chambers, Karen Chambers, Jill Evans, Elizabeth Finchum, Sherri Franklin, Karen McFarland, Linda Null Bonner, Wendy Randolph, Katie Schmidt, Danielle Settlemoir, Pat Whaley, Kim Williams-Clabo, and Julie Wilbur.

The annual Fall Workshop is designed to offer officers ideas for better fulfilling their responsibilities of office and for increasing membership and retaining current members. Another goal is for the members to learn more about their society.

Such informative topics included Our Founders and the U.S. Constitution, Mysteries of the Cemetery (use of headstone hunting to assist genealogy research), Supporting Military Servicemembers and Veterans, Applications and Supplementals, Special Project Grants, and Chaplains: Paperwork and Prayers. They promoted the three-pronged mission of Historic Preservation, Education, and Patriotism.
Tennessee Society Daughters of the Revolution (TSDAR) Regent Charlotte Reynolds encouraged members, and NSDAR Vice President General Susan Thomas spoke on the topic, “America 250 – The Road Goes Right Through Your Chapter!” The United States of America will be 250 years old in 2026, and preparations are beginning now to make that celebration sensational.

At the workshop the following accomplishments were highlighted for the Appalachian Region of TSDAR. Members donated more than $5,000.00 of Amazon and Walmart gift cards for DAR schools. Moreover, Mountain Home VA was given a generous quantity of personal hygiene items and Walmart gift cards.