The Utah Sparkling Summer Soiree
Katie Madsen, Utah State Regent

“Utah—this is the place!” It certainly was for me during my recent visit with State Regent Katie Madsen and the Utah Daughters! Heartfelt thanks to my Personal Page Erica Lovell, and Hollie Gilliland, Susan Holt and Kara Kelley for providing my transportation. The friendliness and kindness of the membership made the weekend extraordinary as we treasured the “good and each other.” Utah Daughters, thank you for the gifts, flowers and wonderful memories of old friends, new friends and the beehive state!

-Pamela Wright, President General

Mrs. Wright was met at the airport Friday afternoon by State Vice Regent Hollie Gilliland and Honorary State Regent Susan Holt where she was taken on a car tour of downtown Salt Lake City and spent some time walking around Memory Grove to see the WWI pagoda and the Gold Star Mothers’ plaques. Next, she was welcomed at the hotel by myself, Vice President General Class of 2026 Kathryn Asay, Honorary State Regents Pat Fullerton and Cindy Spencer. A buffet dinner and socializing time followed with members of the Board of Management and out-of-state guests, Colorado Honorary State Regent Colleen Joyce and Florida Honorary State Regent Debbie Duay.

The “Sparkling Summer Soiree” started bright and early Saturday morning with the Heritage Breakfast, a Patriot Game, and Service in Seconds projects. Utah Daughters had fun visiting with each other while making tissue paper flower bouquets for the VA hospital, signing birthday cards for the Veterans’ Home, and assembling snack grams for active military at Camp Williams and incoming freshmen at a local college with information about joining DAR. The morning concluded with Debbie Duay telling us “How to Find a Female Patriot” and discovering who was related to Mrs. Wright using “Relatives at DAR” which is still active until August 31, 2023.

The afternoon started with a buffet luncheon and a presentation called “Utilizing Underused Genealogy Resources. From there Mrs. Wright and I, along with our personal Pages, were given a tour of the Family Search Library while Utah Daughters attended workshops about Protocol, Using the GRS, Getting Started with the DOC, Creating a Budget, and Five Steps to Successful Supplementals. The DAR Pop-up Store was also a popular activity. 

The evening started with photos in formal attire with Mrs. Wright, a receiving line, a walk on the Red Carpet with feather boas that had sparkling lights, and an elegant dinner. After Mrs. Wright’s awesome presentation, several chapters received their 100% President General’s Project certificates. Mrs. Wright was presented with an original painting by Utah Daughter Harriett Priska featuring Utah’s beautiful landscape and “The Most Sparkly Academy Award.” 

Our Sparkling Summer Soiree ended Sunday morning with a buffet breakfast and chapters giving awards for Community Service, DAR Youth Citizenship, American History Teacher, and Women in American History. We bid Mrs. Wright a fond farewell knowing that her first visit ever to Utah was with Utah Daughters rejoicing in our DAR ties of service and friendship.

send-a-commentSend Us a comment

State Visits

Connect with DAR

Stay Up-to-Date

Subscribe to the blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Search, Subscribe, & Send us a comment

Genealogical Research System (GRS) logoDAR on FacebookDAR on XDAR on YouTubeEmail DAR blog feedback

Get Involved

 

Historic Preservation,
Education, Patriotism

Through restoring historic properties, funding scholarships and supporting our troops, DAR makes a difference in local communities.