South Dakota State Visit

Abound with tales of Native American heritage, pioneer spirit, and Wild West lore, I had the pleasure of visiting South Dakota for their State Conference in Rapid City. During my visit, we saw the Black Hills National Forest, which stands as a testament to the rugged beauty and rich history of the American West. Within the Black Hills is Mt. Rushmore, where the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln surveyed the lands’ natural beauty. South Dakota’s cultural heritage is as rich as its landscape as we were able to place an America 250! Marker on a stone that was donated by the Crazy Horse Memorial. Special appreciation is given to Honorary State Regents Adele Kip and Lisa Nydam for greeting me at the airport, Black Hills Chapter Regent Margie Rosario’s husband, Elmo, for providing my transportation, and my Page Maddie McElroy. Heartfelt appreciation is extended to State Regent Kathy Tarrell and the South Dakota Daughters for their hospitality and incredible gifts during their state conference!

-Pamela Wright, President General

Friday, Sarah Dennison, from the Development Office, hosted a lovely Heritage Club/Founders Club breakfast. As SDSDAR members began our business meetings; our guests, Mrs. Wright, Arkansas State Regent Gale Markley, Oregon State Regent Nancy Slagle, Insignia National Chair Mary Tedesco, Mrs. Dennison and their Pages, were given a tour of the Chapel in the Hills. This chapel is a reproduction of the Borgund Stave Church in Laerdal Norway which was built about 1180. My great grandparents attended the church in Laerdal before emigrating to the United States.

The highlight of our conference was meeting our Guest of Honor, President General Wright and listening to her as she graciously presented at our Friday Night Banquet!  This conference was the first time most of the ladies had seen her in person; everyone was greatly impressed by her warmth and friendliness!

We rounded out our conference with a salute to our Veterans including a Quilt of Honor, a State Medal of Honor Award, and a presentation about "Veteran Banners".  A Silent Auction was held throughout our conference with the proceeds going to our State Regent's Project - the "Veterans Community Project (VCP): Tiny Houses".  The VCP helps homeless Veterans by getting them the services they need, including housing, food, medical, etc.