Society Saturday - Happy Birthday to DuPage DAC!

At our Spring meeting of the Illinois State Daughters of the American Colonists, we had 2 things to celebrate!

First, this meeting was the official visit of our National President, Carole Rambo Holt.  Carole gave a very interested presentation about St. Mary's City in Maryland, the site of her National Project.  Although I have actually visited the archealogical site there, I learned a lot from her presentation. 

One fact that I found especially interesting was that a woman, Margaret Brent, actually spoke up for her rights.  She was unmarried, and owned property.  She was appointed executrix to the estate of Lord Calvert, Governor of the colony in 1647.  She acted as his attorney and appealed to the colonial legislature in 1648 - asking for "Vote... and Voyce".  Although this request was not granted, she is still regarded as the first female in Colonial America to lobby for her own rights.

State Regent Jane Schleinzer, National President Carole Holt, DuPage Chapter President Lorna Wright

Mrs. Holt's proposed project is to build a pavilion shelter at the historic site for the use of school groups.  It is to be named the "Margaret Brent Pavilion".

The other celebration was the anniversary of the organization of DuPage Chapter, DAC (the hostess chapter for the meeting).  We had a special Anniversary Cake for our dessert.

National President Carole Holt cuts the cake as DuPage Chapter President Lorna Wright, page Callah McLeod, and State Regent Jane Schleinzer look on

 

 

www.nsdac.org

Society Saturday - Illinois in the War of 1812

The John Kinzie chapter of the US Daughters of 1812 recently had a joint meeting with the Illinois Chapter Dames of the Court of Honor.

Our guest speaker was Gillum Ferguson, author of the book "Illinois in the War of 1812".  Gillum has researched events leading up to, and including the War of 1812 as they occurred in the Illinois territory.

 

When many think of the War of 1812, they think of the burning of the White House, Francis Scott Key writing our National Anthem, or maybe some of the ship warfare on the Great Lakes. 

There were actuallly several battles fought in Illinois as well - many of which were Indian uprisings, but there were ties with British forces who encouraged the uprisings.

 

Gillum gave us an informative talk about some of the individual acts of heroism and bravery that are included in his book.

John Kinzie USD1812 President Kimberly Nagy, Guest Speaker Gillum Ferguson, Illinois DCH President Miriam Giebel

http://illinoisdch.homestead.com/

http://usdaughters1812.org/

Society Saturday - The Town Crier

While visiting family in Ohio, it happened to be the same weekend as a meeting of my old DAR chapter.  I first joined the Fort Industry chapter, NSDAR in 1980.  I still maintain my associate membership with them, and receive their monthly newsletters.

 

My mother and I attended their chapter meeting and had a nice time.  The program was given by Michael Lieber, the official town crier for Sylvania, OH.

 

 

He began with a proclamation about DAR, and a little of the history of northwest Ohio.  Then he talked about how he became interested in being a town crier, a little about the competitions he has been in, and some of his other appearances.

 

 

Some of the interesting facts about town criers are:
1. They date from the time of the Norman conquest
2. It was illegal to harm the town crier if you didn't like what they had to say
In other words, "don't shoot the messenger"
3. Early town criers were often tried military officers who could read and write.
4. An official town crier can speak in place of a mayor for events such as proclamations and parades.

www.fortindustrydar.org

Society Saturday - A visit with Dolley Madison

At our recent State Council meeting of US Daughters of 1812, we were treated to a visit with Dolley Madison.  She was portrayed by history teacher Barbara Kay, who was very knowledgeable about Dolley, her family and her life in and out of the White House.

Here is "Dolley Madison" who is carrying around 2 handkerchiefs - one for show, the other for "business".  She is wearing one of her famous turbans.

Another highlight of the meeting was the gift of an 1812-era sword from the Illinois Society of 1812 (the men's group).  They gave it to the Illinois Daughters for presentation to the 1812 museum in Washington, DC. 

Illinois Society of War of 1812 President Jim DeGroff presents the sword to Illinois USD1812 President Lola DeGroff

 The sword was passed around the room for all to see the engraving on the shaft and the carved ivory handle.

Honorary State President Kathy Haas admires the 1812 sword.

Illinois Daughters of 1812 are at:

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ilusd/index.htm



Thankful Thursday - Aunt Mary

Today I am thankful that I knew a wonderful lady - my Aunt Mary Kern.

Jean Marie "Mary" Goris was born on 23 April 1926 in Bingham Canyon, Utah to William and Jean (Bennie) Goris.

She married James Richard "Dick" Kern on 5 November 1951 in Reno, Nevada.  He was my father's half-brother.

They moved to Toledo, and later, Sylvania Ohio where they raised four children: Dorothy Jean, Kathleen, Craig and Timothy.

Aunt Mary died on 27 November 2012 and will join her husband and son Craig in heaven.

April 1953 - Bill Watkins, Mary Kern, Don Vail and Ruth Ormsby (spouses of Kern/Ormsby siblings)

April 1953 - Mary & Dick Kern, Vic Ormsby, Ruth Ormsby

Most of my memories of Aunt Mary make me feel warm and cozy.  She was a gracious hostess, and it was a tradition on Christmas Day to have dinner at her house.  In addition to her children (and later her grandchildren), and my immediate family, who would go every year, there were always other cousins, friends, and neighbors around the table.  Mary would open her doors to whoever wanted to stopy by - for appetizers, dinner, dessert, or just to visit.

Christmas 1967 - Don Ormsby, Shirley Kern, Mary & Dick Kern

Christmas dinner was something of a tradition as well.  Aunt Mary made the best lamb roast I have ever tasted - and have never been able to duplicate.  Another favorite dish was "Greek Macaroni" - noodles with butter and cheese.  This has become a tradition in my family as well - I taught my daughter Donna how to make it last Christmas, and am planning to have it on my table again this year.

Christmas 1985 - Uncle Dick and Aunt Mary

Dick and Mary spent a lot of time at their lake house on Cub Lake in Michigan.  Again, anyone who stopped by was welcomed with open arms.  Dick would entertain guests on his pontoon boat and Mary would be sure they were well fed before they returned to their homes.

July 2011 - Shirley Kern, Wimp Hill, Ruth Ormsby and Mary Kern

One of Mary's hobbies was painting.  She liked to paint landscapes - mostly for relaxation, I think.  I am honored to have one of her paintings hanging in my bedroom.

1968 painting by Jean Marie "Mary" Goris Kern

 

Goodbye, Aunt Mary.  I will miss you.

Society Saturday - Lincoln's Watch

The Lac des  Illinois chapter of Colonial Dames of 17th Century recently had a wonderful program.
Doug Stiles presented a true "detective story" he participated in.

He recalled a family story that his great-great-grandfather, Jonathan Dillon was a watch repairman in Washington DC and happened to be cleaning Abraham Lincoln's pocket watch on the day that the Civil War began.  He placed an engraved notation about that including that date and "thank God for our government" inside the watch.

Mr.Stiles set out to determine if the story was true and told us how he tracked the watch to the Smithsonian. The curator didn't believe him at first, but was ultimately convinced to open the watch after reading a 1906 NY Times article quoting the watchmaker.

On March 10, 2009, during a televised event, a master watchmaker opened the watch and found, the engraving behind the dial!!!!

It was a fascinating story, wonderfully told by a descendent of that watchmaker.

Society Saturday - Happy Birthday Isle a la Cache

Our Daughters of the American Revolution Chapter turned 2 today.  Isle a la Cache chapter had its organizing meeting in November 2010 with 12 members.  Today we have 37 members with four more applications waiting for approval. 

Two brand new members were present and were welcomed and given Gift Bags of DAR goodies.

Some of our projects during those 2 years are:

• Honoring a Junior ROTC cadet at Romeoville High School
• Sponsoring DAR Good Citizens at Romeoville and Bolingbrook High Schools
• Decorating a Patriotic Christmas Tree at Rialto Theater in Joliet to aid in its preservation
• Donating to the DAR-sponsored schools
• Donating time and money to "Feed My Starving Children"
• Placing wreaths at Abraham Lincoln Cemetery for Wreaths Across America
• Welcoming home WWII veterans from Honor Flight
• Working closely with the Children of the American Revolution

We had a lovely luncheon at Francesca's in Bolingbrook to celebrate these accomplishments.  

http://ildar.org/chapters/islealacache/