Today's DAR
On Friday, November 15, 2024, the España Chapter invited President General Pamela Wright, Executive Officers and attendees in the Spain/Italy extension of the Paris When it Sparkles tour to join us in a charming afternoon tasting local sherries. In the historic Salon Real at the Alfonso XIII Hotel in Seville, we welcomed the group to Spain, and enjoyed greetings from the National Society offered by our President General. We shared information on activities and events supported by the chapter, including the upcoming America 250! Patriot Marker placement honoring Diego de Gardoqui planned for May 14-16, 2025, in Bilbao and Vitoria in Northern Spain.
Sherry Tasting with the España Chapter
Following the introduction of the 14 chapter members in attendance, Mrs. Wright, always gracious and inclusive, asked that each member pose for a picture with her. Then, we made a special presentation of chapter member Ana Baraibar to the President General and the group. Ana Baraibar is a descendant of Patriot Diego de Gardoqui, who met secretly with representatives of Benjamin Franklin and King Carlos III in Vitoria in April 1777 to negotiate the clandestine shipments of uniforms, arms and funds through Gardoqui’s shipping company to Boston and to New Orleans to support the American cause. Perspective chapter member Olivia de Borbón, descendent of King Carlos III, and Ana are slated to place the Patriot plaque in Vitoria in May.
Then, España Chapter Honorary Regent, Molly Long, associate member Mary Anthony Startz and Honorary Regent Elizabeth Wise presented Mrs. Wright with a gift from the chapter, an historic map showing locations where some of Mrs. Wright’s Revolutionary War ancestors settled. The chapter was proud and grateful to these three daughters for coordinating the production of this meaningful gift highlighting our President General’s Patriots.
Afterwards, the hotel sommelier began the Sherry Tasting by explaining the fine taste of Jerez, Spanish Sherry, including what paired well with what: dry- fino, medium- manzanilla, and sweet- oloroso, and then provided a history of Sherry in Spain. Guests were encouraged to try all three Sherries, then enjoy a glass of their favorite. Little bowls of Spanish olives, mixed nuts and salty potato chips were on hand to cleanse the palate between samples. This author preferred the Osborne medium sherry, an elegant vintage that pairs well with bold tapas and spicy nuts. National Units Overseas Chair, Shari Thorne-Sulima, made sure everyone got a chance to meet and brought a warm and congenial atmosphere to the event. This was a perfect setting to catch up with our colleagues in the US, to remember past meetings together, to meet new daughters and to exchange personal and important DAR information. The event ended too quickly, each of us taking with us warm memories of time spent with Daughters from both sides of the Atlantic.
Many thanks to event coordinators Molly Long and Anthony Startz, for arranging such a delightful afternoon for the President General and the tour group, and thank you to all of the members of the Chapter for their friendship and continued support. To those chapter members who came to Seville from distant cities to welcome the President General and her team, we are especially grateful. Most of all, we want to thank Pamela Wright for giving us this very special opportunity to spend time with her.
