Submitted by ADeFrancesco on

Visiting the Mexico State Conference

Lynn Young, President General

On February 20, 2015, I flew to Guadalajara, Mexico where I was greeted by Janet Fry, State Regent, and Mary Lu Saavedra, Honorary Vice President General, who drove us to Ajijic (Ah-he-he) on the banks of Lake Chapala for the 39th Mexico State Conference. Lake Chapala is Mexico’s largest fresh water lake and is 50 miles long at a 5,000 foot elevation. 

Mexico has 120 members in 4 chapters, including the James Hogg Chapter in Alamos, organized in February.  Attending the conference were over 60 members, prospective members, C.A.R. members and Associate members and guests all of whom enjoyed an escape from the cold weather in the U.S. and a chance to relax among friends.   Several of the members winter in Mexico and spend summers in the U.S.  Others like Mary Lu, visited years ago, fell in love and never left.

The first event was the Memorial service which was held on the grounds of the Real de Chapala Resort conducted by State Chaplain, Libby Ball. Every deceased member and associate member was honored at the service with a calla lilly, Janet’s emblem. Near the site of the Memorial Service was an orange tree in full bloom.  The fragrance was fantastic!

Following the Memorial Service, a welcome reception was held on the patio overlooking the lake.  It was a beautiful setting as the sun sank behind the hills.  I was particularly delighted to greet Honorary Vice Presidents General Marilyn Creedon and Yvonne Boone who were seated with Mary Lu Saavedra.  Each of these three women has served as National Chairs of the DAR School Committee and between them have 180 years of leadership and service to the National Society.  Isn’t that outstanding???

The conference convened Saturday morning with officers, state chairs and chapter regents reporting.    National Chairs Virginia Lingelbach spoke about our Units Overseas and Joy Cardinal shared information on the Honoring our Scottish Heritage Tour last October and the Celebrating America Cruise to New England in October 2015.  Janet introduced everyone in attendance, including the members and Junior Pages from the El Camino Real C.A.R. Society. I was stunned to hear the Mexico Daughters had reported 4,861 Celebrate America! hours in 2014!

I was delighted to present years of membership certificates to several members, including Honorary State Regents Isobel Peden and Joy Cardinal.  It was an honor to present 100% participation certificates to each of Mexico’s chapters.  It is particularly impressive that a chapter organized just a few weeks ago had already contributed to the President General’s Project.

I learned that in order to attend school in Mexico, families are responsible for tuition, uniforms, backpacks, school supplies and textbooks. Many families are unable to afford to send their children to school, therefore each chapter has selected a children’s education project to provide much needed assistance to the children of their communities.  Janet’s project is to raise funds for the chapters’ education projects; a very sound investment in the future of the children of Mexico.  Members are also actively involved in Literacy Promotion by teaching English as a Second Language.

The conference luncheon featured a traditional meal and pitchers of Jamaica, a deep purple punch made from dried hibiscus flowers.  Following my speech on the activities at Headquarters and some of the exciting projects underway, Janet presented me with a generous check to the President General’s Project, a lovely pewter tray and a sombrero charm.

Janet introduced the guests, including Mark W. Seibel, Consular Chief of the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, and Tim Stern, Commander of the American Legion Post #7 in Chapala.  She invited all Veterans to stand for recognition and it was an honor to thank them for their service and present cards of appreciation to each of them.

It was a pleasure to install the new officers of the James Hogg Chapter. As the business of the conference concluded, Janet closed the conference with “Vaya con Dios” (Go with God.)

Saturday evening’s activities included a Fiesta on the patio to which all were invited to wear fiesta attire.  In addition to the delicious traditional food (including freshly made tortillas), we enjoyed the mariachi band.  One Honorary State Regent sang along and several of the ladies enjoyed dancing. (Since I’m still on crutches from a knee injury several weeks ago, I declined.)  The next entertainment was the Son de Mexico ballet folklorico troup from the ancient village of San Juan Cosala.  Honestly, I have watched folk dancers on several occasions but none as good as these.  In fact, they were leaving within a few days for competition in Peru.  Fireworks on the bank of the lake signaled the finale – a perfect ending to a lovely day.

Appreciation is express to Ilona de Borhegyi, a prospective member of the Pax Romana Chapter and prospective associate member of the Thomas Paine Chapter in Ajijic, for serving as conference photographer.

On Sunday morning Janet, Marilyn and Mary Lu returned me to the airport in Guadalajara as I bid adios and returned to Texas.  Many of the guests stayed a few more days to enjoy shopping in Tlaquepaque, a tour of the Jose Cuervo Tequila Distillery, and a luncheon and fashion show.  Associate members are very appreciated at all of our Units Overseas and are encouraged to join the Mexico Daughters for the 40th state conference in Puebla next February.