Visiting the Centennial State

Early on Saturday, April 25, I flew from Salt Lake City to Denver for the 112th Colorado State Conference, Marcy Storlie Kimmanau, State Regent.  First Vice President General Ann Dillon, Vice President General Gale Crafton and my page, Heather Miller, greeted me at the Denver airport.  Colorado earned its Centennial State nickname as it was admitted to statehood during the 100th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The Colorado Society has sustained a net gain in membership for each of the last 14 years and now almost 3400 members in 42 chapters.

Marcy’s theme is “Exploring DAR Golden Opportunities in history/historic preservation, education, patriotism, membership, recognition awards, volunteering, and celebrating America in Colorado!”  Her project is to endow the State Elementary/Secondary Teacher Education Scholarship and the generous members have already contributed almost $27,000.

The conference began with meetings and workshops on Friday, followed by the DAR School Luncheon with Amy Twitty of Tamassee as the speaker. State Officer reports were presented Friday afternoon and American Heritage and Historic Preservation Awards were presented that evening. 

I arrived in time for the Education Awards Luncheon on Saturday at which the American History and Christopher Columbus Essay contest winners, State DAR Good Citizen, the State Scholarship Recipients and the Outstanding Junior member were presented.  It was a pleasure to share our affiliation with AncestryK12 to offer our genealogical and educational resources to students.

Chapter Regents reported Saturday afternoon and it was an honor to present 100% Participation certificates to 28 of the chapters. Lynn Emery shared with the assembly a sampler made by her husband’s ancestor, Lydia Putnam, in 1857 when she was nine years old.  Lynn and her husband are generously donating the historic sampler and a photograph of Lydia taken at a later age to the DAR Museum.  It was a thrill to see the sampler and to thank her in person for their gift.  Lynn and her husband are grateful to know the sampler will be shared with others and always be properly preserved.

Members in Colorado reported nearly 80,000 Celebrate America! hours in 2014 and attained a net gain of 70 members. Marcy’s remarks resonated with me as she told the members “It is your enthusiasm promoting DAR’s 125 years of service, your participation and involvement to preserve American History, promote education, to honor our veterans and support patriotic endeavors that makes the difference in your chapter and your community outreach.”  How true that is! 

It was fun to visit the large exhibit room.  One member makes and sells fascinators to benefit the State Regent’s Project and they were impossible to resist. Member Kathy Emmel had a marvelous display of a quilt made by her students along with her book, Kids Quilt Together. I was highly amused to spot the Barbie Doll dressed as the President General!

Marcy gives programs entitled “Golden Opportunities” in which she educates chapters on the awards available to present to community members.  I have asked her to share it with us and hope you will be watching for an upcoming blog.  

The Patriotic Banquet was held Saturday evening in which the chapter regents were honored.  After my remarks, Marcy presented me with a Counted Cross stitch which she had made.  I cannot imagine how any State Regent has time to do needlework!  She also presented a very generous check for the President General's Project from the State Society and an Aspen leaf charm for my bracelet.

Awards were presented to the DAR Outstanding Service for Veterans Member Volunteer and the Veteran Volunteer.  The recipient of the Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award amused us with his enthusiasm for how the award would enhance his college applications.  I believe the term he used was “It will look awesome!”

Jimmy Hubbard, Denver Fox31 News Anchor, received the DAR Media Award for a body of work that has brought the heroic stories of Colorado veterans to our awareness and living rooms.  One recent documentary was “Colorado D-Day Survivors Return to Normandy for Anniversary Documentary.”  Certificates were presented to the many Vietnam Veterans in attendance, including several of the Colorado DAR members. 

The Sunday morning activities started early with the Heritage Club Breakfast in which I had the opportunity to thank the many generous members for their support of the National Society and our mission.

Deceased members were remembered at the Memorial Hour at which a Junior member sang a solo and a Harpist provided lovely music.

At the closing Business Session, awards were presented and the slate of State Officers for 2015-2017 were elected and installed. 

The Cameo Luncheon was well attended with many baskets filled with a variety of themed items.  The baskets were available as a silent auction which benefits the Cameo Club Scholarship. Bridget Clark-Cooper, President, presented a $1,000 scholarship to the daughter of a CO member. The seats at each table were numbered and I had the honor of popping one of the balloons with corresponding numbers inside.  Everyone seated at the tables with the same number as the one inside the balloon received a door prize.

The Colorado Society is full of golden opportunities for service!