When you think of Massachusetts, stretch your imagination beyond Boston, Concord, and Lexington. Sturbridge is in the central area of the state and is beautiful and rich in history as well. I flew into Hartford, Connecticut and had a scenic ride due north. It was a wonderful visit with the Massachusetts Daughters and I enjoyed learning about all their achievements and goals. State Regent, Holly Blair has planned a visit to Hillside School next May. Watch for details.
- President General Ann Dillon
There are many good things about being a State Regent, especially if the objectives of our society afford her the pleasure of learning more about the individuals in her state membership, and the opportunity to watch them grow.
As Massachusetts Daughters began to arrive on Thursday afternoon, September 13, for our semi-annual casual meet and greet, the atmosphere was full of excitement with the anticipation of welcoming our special guest President General, Ann Turner Dillon to our 2018 Fall State Meeting. Additional special guests in attendance were Alice Ridgway, State Regent of Connecticut; Kathryn West, State Regent of Kansas, and Karen Stroever, State Regent of New Jersey.
Friday September 14, began bright and early as Mrs. Dillon was welcomed to our state at a breakfast given in her honor. The morning business session was highlighted by the graduation ceremonies for both New Members and New Horizons graduates, presided over by myself, our President General, and our state coordinators, Carolyn Nutt, State Chair of the Chapter Development and Revitalization Commission, and State Vice Regent, Paula Renkas, respectively. This State Regent could not be prouder of the Massachusetts Daughters who have taken time away from their busy lives to become more informed members and stronger leaders for our society. The afternoon session focused on Historic Preservation with Caroline Bigelow, State Historic Preservation chair and this officer.
In using our national society’s objectives during the three- year term, the State Regent’s Projects of the Blair administration have successfully raised funding for Hillside School special projects and scholarships and provided the women veterans of Trust House, in Jamaica Plain, MA with new mattresses, box springs and bedding. This Fall Meeting announced the State Regent’s final project for raising funds to support various aspects of the DAR Forest in Goshen. As a means to allow all of our members an opportunity to participate in charitable events, this officer has included an additional project at each Spring Conference and Fall Meeting, “Women Helping Women”. Past projects for Women Helping Women, Massachusetts daughters have contributed ladies’ business attire to Dress for Success, hundreds of handmade bags and stuffed animals to Bear with Me, and announced at this Fall Meeting: “The Four P’s”, a project led by Meg Maise, Junior, Page, and State Project Patriot Chairman, to collect provisions, phones, printer ink cartridges, and pennies. (Yes, they add up!…$306.44 was collected). These items will go to “Operation Troop Support”.