State Regent Lisa Melland and the Connecticut Daughters made me feel so welcome during my visit to the Constitution State for their 130th State Conference. I so enjoyed meeting these wonderful members and learning about their deep DAR history. I was especially grateful to participate in the memorial marker dedication for my friend and mentor, Barbara Ulrich.
- Pamela Wright, President General
The theme for the 130th Connecticut DAR State Conference was “Gratitude and Celebration” as we acknowledged award and scholarship recipients as well as our own CTDAR “Rising Stars”. The conference began with an awards breakfast where DAR scholarship recipients were recognized as well as two Women’s Issues Essay Award recipients, Linda Paslov and Jennifer Murawski. Chair of the State Applications Teams, Jolene Mullen spoke about the new CTDAR umbrella genealogy structure created to mirror what is in place at National. Her message was clear--that the state genealogists are here to help!
My State Regent’s Report focused on turning around seven years of declining CTDAR membership. I am confident that the new “Community Receptions” initiative will set CTDAR on a positive path! I presented my next State Regent’s Project that includes funding and installing a new outdoor historical information sign for the Governor Jonathan Trumbull House in Lebanon, owned by CTDAR, Inc. The new sign will include facts from recent and ongoing research into the house’s inhabitants and key information about the governor himself. General George Washington nicknamed the governor “Brother Jonathan” for his ability to provision Washington’s Continental Army with uniforms and other supplies. A concurrent State Regent’s Project is to raise funds to install a Patriots marker outside the house, hopefully with the assistance of regional chapters.
Saturday’s luncheon was all about learning with CTDAR’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Kathleen Boland, being recognized. We were excited to learn that Ms. Boland had placed second nationally. Speaker Ed Hynes shared information about the Battle of Ridgefield and the Danbury Raid.
Paul Dillon, RMCM (ret.) was DAR Service for Veterans, Outstanding Veteran Volunteer Award recipient at the Saturday evening banquet. Mr. Dillon reached the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer Radioman and was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He continues to volunteer as Director of Retired Activities Office at Subbase New London in Groton, the Submarine Capital of the World.
The banquet tables were adorned with pink cherry trees that transported us all to Washington, D.C. during Cherry Blossom season. The President General delivered an address that was inspiring and at times, humorous. I presented an award to four chapters that met my state regent’s goal of achieving a 10% net membership gain (2022), followed by presenting plaques that acknowledged the hard work, leadership and dedication of all 42 chapter regents.
Sunday’s luncheon celebrated the American History Essay Contest winners as well as CTDAR’s Good Citizen. Sarah Fergione, State Page Chair and Co-Chair of the Meetings and Conferences Committee won Outstanding Junior of the Year. I presented the State Regent’s “Above and Beyond” award to 9 deserving CTDAR members.
Our time with the President General ended with a marker dedication at the Carol Bauby Memorial Garden in Windsor, on the grounds of the Oliver Ellsworth Homestead. The marker was dedicated to our beloved Honorary State Regent and past Librarian General, Barbara Ulrich, who passed away last February. Mrs. Wright shared a heartfelt memory that was a fitting end to a most inspiring conference.
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