DAR News - Mississippi State Society DAR

NATIONAL THEME 2010-2013:
Preserve the Past, Enhance the Present, Invest in the Future
STATE THEME 2010-2013:
The time is NOW!
Mississippi State Society
STATE SCRIPTURE:
Ecclesiastes 3:1:
To everything there is a season and a time
to every purpose under the heaven.
DAR News
STATE HYMN:
God of our Fathers
STATE REGENT’S PROJECT:
Cookin’ up an office space
Volume 25, Number 6
www.mississippidar.org
www.mississippidar.org/ourpage
State Board of Management
State Regent
Janet Looney Whittington
Post Office Box 159
Bentonia, MS 39040-0159
Phone (662) 755-2308
[email protected]
Regent’s Remarks
First Vice Regent
Pamela Graham White
108 Camp Garaywa Road
Clinton, MS 39056-5410
Second Vice Regent/
Newsletter Editor
Charla Mitchell Jordan
112 Bella Vista Drive
Brandon, MS 39042-8250
Chaplain
Anna Majure Royston
108 Newport Circle
Clinton, MS 39056-5430
Recording Secretary
Harriet Holton Phalen
615 South 19th Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401-7453
Corresponding Secretary
Annis Guess Dickerson
31926 Attala Highway 19
West, MS 39192-8359
Organizing Secretary
Rebecca Raney Lamb
407 Lincoln Avenue
Greenwood, MS 38930-2319
Treasurer
Martina Palmertree Mayfield
36 County Road 3
Vaiden, MS 39176-5331
Registrar
Billie Foutch Breedlove
101 Allen Street
Batesville, MS 38606-2302
Historian
Amelia Katherine Langford
Post Office Box 105
Lena, MS 39094-0105
Librarian
Wendy Davis Cartwright
Post Office Box 52
Yazoo City, MS 39194-0052
Curator
Mary Francis Willard
81 Roxie Road
Roxie, MS 39661-9601
Rosalie Governing Board
Chairman
Cindy Segraves Phillips
372 Sundial Road
Madison, MS 39110-8772
Parliamentarian
Mary Sue Douglas
416 Oak Bend
Brandon, MS 39047-7292
Dear Mississippi Daughters,
The last three years have passed so quickly.
In only a month, I will pass the beautiful
Mississippi State Regent’s pin, with its golden
wheel, opals, and sapphires, to Billie Breedlove.
It is a joy to hand the reins to such a competent,
organized, and thoughtful leader. The next three
years are going to be great. We’re going to work
hard and have fun while we do it.
But before we change places, I would like to
thank each of you for the support the
Whittington Administration’s projects have
received. I do think we have accomplished a few
good things during this term. We sent a bus to
KDS in Alabama to learn about and support our
DAR School Committee. Mississippi has been
on the platform all three years at KDS Dedication
Day, and we have been present at each Awards
Day, as well. On the subject of buses, in a few
weeks we will roll TWO full buses to Continental
Congress. I hope these ladies will return home
full of enthusiasm to share with their chapters!
Mississippi Daughters have accomplished so
much in the day-to-day work of the DAR
program. Our Master Questionnaire results have
been excellent, and under Susan Cassagne’s
leadership, they have been 100% on-line for the
last two years.
Our Chapter Achievement
reports show that our chapters are hard at work
in their communities, and Berkeley Ostrander’s
leadership has made the reporting process
painless. If I had the space, I could list the
accomplishments of each and every awesome
State Chairman. I am so proud to be a
Mississippi Daughter.
At Rosalie, under the capable leadership of
Cindy Phillips, some great things have
happened. Polly Grimes finished her valuable
digitization of Rosalie’s contents project. This is
a gift that will “keep on giving” for years to come.
June 2013
The Resident Manager’s apartment in the
Dependency has increased security and
safety with the addition of the north wall in
the historic kitchen. We have “Cooked Up
an Office Space” and now have a much
more efficient, productive, and attractive
office space. These improvements could
not have been made without the generous
giving and loving support of the
Mississippi chapters and Daughters.
I also remind you that we got the anklebreaker big gravel out of the parking lot at
Rosalie. This is a little thing, but it shows
the type of attention to detail that the
Rosalie Governing Board has displayed
for this administration.
We have finished some special projects,
as well. After the President General
made a special appeal for help,
Mississippi Daughters supported the Lay
Light restoration project in our worldfamous DAR Library by donating over
$15,000 to this vital preservation effort.
When we are at Congress this summer,
the donors’ display will be unveiled, and
Mississippi will be “on the wall” with the
rest of the country.
We have continued a 100-year tradition
of support for each USS Mississippi by
creating and donating a perfect tray for
the new submarine and its crew. This gift
will put the Mississippi DAR into the view
of world leaders for the next 35 years or
so.
Your State Board of Management
deserves a huge thank you. They have
given generously of their energy, their
time, and their finances to make this
administration a success. Each officer
has been an outstanding leader and DAR.
Finally, I would like to thank the
chapters that have permitted me to visit
with them. Every chapter visit has been a
joy. I have learned more than I have
taught through these visits, and I am
honored and humbled to have been your
State Regent.
Thank you for this amazing experience.
In DAR service,
Janet Looney Whittington
State Regent
REPORT OF THE
ROSALIE GOVERNING BOARD
CHAIRMAN
www.RosalieMansion.com
Dearest Daughters,
As I write this final report for the DAR
News as Chairman of the Rosalie
Governing Board during the
Whittington Administration, my heart is
full of gratitude for all the love and
support you have shown me and our
“Lovely Lady” during the past three
years. My deepest appreciation is
expressed to our outstanding State
Regent Janet Looney Whittington for
her trust in me to serve in this position.
The Rosalie Governing Board also
expresses its sincere appreciation to
Mrs. Whittington for her complex and
multifaceted state regent’s project,
“Cooking Up an Office Space.”
Its completion has added to the
security of the resident manager and
has given Rosalie a kitchen/office
space that will be lovely and useful for
years to come.
It has been a busy but rewarding
three years. The dedication of the
members of the Rosalie Governing
Board has made the work lighter and
the difficult decisions easier.
They have cheerfully fulfilled their
duties and enabled Rosalie to continue
as the beautiful property that she is
and will continue to be. Thank you all!
S pri ng P i lgr im age was ver y
successful this year. Individual tourists
and bus tours continue to come, as do
the guests from the American Queen
boat.
The Board joins me in
expressing our appreciation to every
Daughter who came to receive this
spring. Your support is invaluable.
Thank you each and every one!
The Powder Room under the stairs
of the Dependency is nearly finished.
Much appreciation is expressed to
Third Arrow Chapter for its donation
which made this project possible.
It has a new look that everyone will
enjoy and appreciate.
The winter flowers have been
removed and the summer ones are
being planted. I love to watch the
gardens change from season to
season. The camellias gave us their
lovely blossoms in the winter, the
azaleas bloomed profusely this spring,
and the Skyflower vine is starting to
climb the latticework in the breezeway.
Its beautiful blue flowers will again
grace the back garden later in the
summer.
Our staff at Rosalie has been
outstanding in its care and concern for
Rosalie and the people who come to
visit her. They have been devoted to
see that all runs perfectly. I cannot
thank them enough for their dedication
and constancy.
My best wishes are extended to the
incoming Chairman and Governing
Board. I wish for them a smooth and
successful three years. Serving
Rosalie is a special and unique
experience. The happy memories will
last a lifetime.
I will close this final report by
ex pr es s ing to th e Mis s is s ippi
Daughters my deepest appreciation for
their love and constant support of me,
the Rosalie Board and staff, and our
“Lovely Lady.”
You are the best!
As I have told you before, you have
always made my heart sing!
Yours in service to Rosalie and DAR,
Cindy Segraves Phillips
Chairman, Rosalie Governing Board
JAMES GILLIAM
CHAPTER
Mississippi State Society
National Society
Daughters of the
American Revolution
Invites all Daughters to a
reception honoring
BILLIE FOUTCH
BREEDLOVE
STATE REGENT-ELECT
Friday, July 26, 2013
5:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Panola Country Club
225 Country Club Road
Batesville, Mississippi
BRING SCHOOL SUPPLIES
TO
SUMMER DISTRICT WORKSHOPS
For KDS DAR School
WE NEED YOU
TO SERVE AS HOSTESS
AT ROSALIE
2013 Fall Pilgrimage in Natchez is
September 27 to October 14.
We need Daughters to serve as
hostesses at Rosalie every day
during Pilgrimage.
Costumes are available
for $15 per day.
Come, bring a friend,
and have fun!
Contact:
Hostess Chairman Jennifer Nettles
601-956-7461, [email protected]
Hostess Co-Chairman Priscilla Harper
662-746-5749, [email protected]
Elmer’s school glue
Glue sticks
#2 pencils
Colored pencils
Crayola Crayons (24 pack)
USB flash drives (2 or 4 GB)
Construction paper
Sharpie markers (black and colored)
Washable markers
Scissors (children’s and full size)
Pencil sharpeners
Pocket folders with prongs
Subject dividers
(Please do not purchase spiral notebooks to
give to KDS. Very few teachers allow students
to use them, and a large supply of them is on
hand at this time. )
2013 MSSDAR SUMMER DISTRICT WORKSHOPS
Registration: 8:00 a.m. Business Meeting: 9:00 a.m.
TIMES ARE THE SAME FOR ALL MEETINGS
Registration: $20 (includes “working” lunch)
Mail forms to District Directors (addresses below)
NAME:______________________________________________________________________CHAPTER:___________________________________________________
CURRENT OFFICES CHAPTER/STATE: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISTRICT (check one) _____Coastal Plains _____Delta _____Heartland _____Hills
AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $20.00 - Make check payable to “State Treasurer, MSSDAR”
Cut here and mail form with check (copy form as needed)
HILLS DISTRICT: FRIDAY, JULY 26, 2013
Director: Martha Lawrence, 662-289-1688
Location of Meeting/Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, 975 Highway12 East, Starkville, MS 39739, 662-615-9664.
Cost of Hotel: DAR rate of $99.00 is available until July 12, 2013.
Directions to meeting/ hotel: From Jackson, take Highway 25 North. Merge onto US 82 E/MS 25 N toward Columbus/West Point/MSU. Go past the first
Highway 12 East exit. Take 2nd Hwy 12 and Davis Wade Stadium exit. Hotel is on the right. From Highway 82 East or West, take exit for Highway 12 and
Davis Wade Stadium. Hotel is on the right.
Mail registration form and check payable to “State Treasurer, MSSDAR” to: Martha Lawrence, P. O. Box 827, Kosciusko, MS 39090, by July 12.
Dinner on Thursday night: Out-of-town Daughters arriving on Thursday, July 25, are invited to dinner at 6:30 p.m. at the home of Hellen Polk. Donations
for the dinner will benefit Rosalie. RSVP by July 12, 2013 to [email protected] or 662-324-7211.
Hostess Chapters: Bernard Romans, Dancing Rabbit, Hic-A-Sha-Ba-Ha, Nanih Waiya, Old Choctaw County, Samuel Hammond, Shuk-ho-ta Tom-a-ha.
DELTA DISTRICT: SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2013
Director: Susie Thomas, 662-721-0975 calls and text messages (no voice mail)
662-754-3583 (answering machine)
Location of Meeting: Batesville First United Methodist Church, 119 Panola Avenue, Batesville, MS 38606
Hotel: Holiday Inn, 210 Power Drive, Batesville, MS 38606, 662-563-1234.
Cost of Hotel: DAR rate: $115 + tax.
Directions to hotel: Hotel is at the intersection of I-55 and Hwy 6. From I-55 take exit 243B to merge onto MS-6 W/US-278 W toward Batesville.
Turn left at first traffic light onto Power Drive. Hotel is on left.
Directions to meeting: From I-55, take exit 243B to merge onto MS 6 W/US 278 W toward Batesville. Go 2 miles. Turn right onto Eureka St/MS 35.
Continue for 0.4 miles. MS 35 becomes Public Sq. Stay straight to go onto Panola Ave/Martin Luther King Dr. 119 Panola Avenue is on the left.
Mail registration form and check payable to “State Treasurer, MSSDAR” to: Susie M. Thomas, P.O. Box 859, Shaw, MS 38773, by July 12.
Hostess Chapters: Chief Mussacunna, Felix LaBauve, Grenada, James Gilliam, and Rosannah Waters.
COASTAL PLAINS DISTRICT: FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, 2013
Director: Lynn Deegen, 228-297-5708
Location of Meeting: C. L. Neil Building, Jones County Junior College, 900 S. Court Street, Ellisville, MS 39437.
Hotel #1: Hampton Inn, 1509 Jefferson St., Laurel, MS 39440, 601-399-0659. $119.00 + tax.
There are 20 rooms on hold for the DAR. They have “breakfast on the house” and “breakfast to go.”
Hotel #2: Comfort Suites, 1820 Jefferson St., Laurel, MS 39440, 601-649-2620. $109.00 + tax.
Directions to meeting from hotel: I-59 west towards Hattiesburg. Take Exit 90. Take Hwy 11 to South Front Street. You should see the campus.
Go over the railroad tracks, take the first right (which is Bush Street), go straight at the 4-way stop. The cafeteria is the building on the right.
Directions to meeting from I-59: Take Hwy 11 to South Front Street. You should see the campus. Go over the railroad tracks, take the first right (which is
Bush Street), go straight at the 4-way stop. The cafeteria is the building on the right.
Mail registration form and check payable to “State Treasurer, MSSDAR” to: Lynn Deegen, 528 Mockingbird Drive, Long Beach, MS 39560, by July 19.
Hostess chapters: Chickasawhay, Nahoula, Norvell Robertson, Shadrack Rogers, Tallahala, Twentieth Star, Unobee.
HEARTLAND DISTRICT: SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 2013
Director: Martha Denny, 601-209-0610
Location of Meeting: Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 7469 Old Canton Road, Madison, MS 39110.
Hotel: Hilton Garden Inn, 320 New Mannsdale Road, Madison, MS. 39110, 601-420-0442.
Cost of Hotel: DAR Rate $104.00 + tax available until July 19, 2013.
Directions to hotel: From I-55, take Madison Exit 108 (Main St/MS-463). From the south, turn left over interstate. From the north, turn right when you
exit. Go 0.5 miles to New Mannsdale Road. Hotel is on the right just past Bonefish Grill.
Directions to meeting from hotel: From the hotel, turn left onto Main Street/MS-463. Cross I-55 and continue east on Main Street. Stay to left on Madison
Parkway when the road forks. Continue on Madison Parkway. At traffic light at Old Canton Road, turn right. Go 1.8 miles. Ridgecrest Baptist Church is on
the right.
Directions to meeting: From I-55, take Madison Exit 108 (Main St/MS-463. From the north, turn left over interstate. From the south, turn right when you
exit. Go east on Main Street. Stay to left on Madison Parkway when the road forks. Continue on Madison Parkway. At traffic light at Old Canton Road, turn
right. Go 1.8 miles. Ridgecrest Baptist Church is on the right.
Mail registration form and check payable to “State Treasurer, MSSDAR” to: Martha Denny, P. O. Box 13805, Jackson, MS 39236-3805, by July 19.
Hostess Chapters: Annandale, Doak’s Treaty, Fort Rosalie, James Foster, Magnolia State, Ralph Humphreys, and Rebecca Cravat.
MANSION MARKET
will be open for business at the
Summer District Workshops.
Remember, bring your items
for sale and
don’t forget to shop!
DATES TO REMEMBER
Questions? Contact Vicki Wilson, Mansion Market Chairman.
601-405-5647 cell or 601-856-7515
[email protected]
122nd Continental Congress
June 26 - June 30, 2013
KDS BUS TRIP
October 7-9, 2013
We are happy to announce that plans are being made
for a bus trip October 7-9, 2013 to Kate Duncan Smith
DAR School in Grant, Alabama, for the annual
Dedication Day program and activities. It is exciting to
meet the children who attend and love KDS and
Daughters who so lovingly support the institution.
Mark your calendar and plan to participate. You will
receive further information during the summer district
workshops.
Anna Royston
DAR School State Chairman
601-924-9346, [email protected]
Fall Pilgrimage
Rosalie Open Every Day
September 27 – October 14, 2013
District Meetings
July 26, 2013 – Hills
July 27, 2013 – Delta
August 2, 2013 – Coastal Plains
August 3, 2013 – Heartland
KDS Bus Trip
October 7-9, 2013
Rosalie Day Activities
October 29-30, 2013
Deadline for December 2013
MSSDAR News Submissions
November 15, 2013
MSSDAR State Conference
February 12-15, 2014
PASSING THE GAVEL
State Regent Janet Whittington
passed the gavel to
State Regent-Elect Billie Breedlove
at the last meeting of the
Whittington Administration
State Board of Management.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
We are happy to announce that 76 Daughters joined the Mississippi State Society from January 1, 2013
through May 31, 2013. Fifty-seven new Daughters were added to our roll by application, 12 transferred in
from another state, and seven were reinstated.
We wish each Daughter many rewarding and happy years in DAR circles of friendship, service, and
commitment.
Billie F. Breedlove, MSSDAR Registrar
Annandale:
Leslie Coleman
Jan Fulton**
Jane Jones
Cynthia Prestage
Anna Robinson
Ashmead:
Carmine Bell**
Bernard Romans:
Rebecca Maurer
Biloxi:
Carol Walters*
Rosina Lepre*
Chakchiuma:
Carolyn Strueber
Chickasaw Nation:
Sharon Peacock**
Chief Mussacunna:
Debra Gatlin**
Sandra Stafford*
Betty Weeks**
Cherokee Rose:
Sharron Malpass
Chief Red Jacket:
Elizabeth Cosper
Chief Tishomingo:
Rosa Spencer*
David Holmes:
Margaret Pickett
David Reese:
Nancy King
Allyson Notestone
Candace Stanley
Declaration of
Independence:
Barbara Walker*
Duchess
De Chaumont:
Emily Bosarge
Felix La Bauve:
Patricia Corrigan
Anne Harrington
Frances Thompson
Fort Rosalie:
Abigail Lipinski
Grenada:
Janette Kirkham**
Harmon Runnels:
Judy Clyburn
Hic-A-Sha-Ba-Ha:
Amy Davis**
Ish-Te-Ho-To-Pah:
Linda Womack**
Jackson Military
Road:
Melissa Harvey
Shauna Harvey
James Foster:
Allie Shepard
James Gilliam:
Bettie Barnes**
Hillary Brown
Roxanne Brown
Charlotte Graves
Maegan Love
Gladys McAdoo**
April Tomlin
Amanda Wolfe
Judith Robinson:
Jane Ard
Nancy Koehler**
Elouise Lee
Tammy Strickland
Lynn Williams
Loosa Schoona:
Malinda Bryant
Mary Stuart:
Sherry Davis
Beulah Kay
Vicky King
Kay Nelson**
Malinda Prewitt
Donna Riles
Sarah Sheperd
Nahoula:
Amanda Bradshaw
Sarah Caves
Nanih Waiya:
Laura Brown
Doris Dodd
Brenda Hunt
Margaret Taylor
Old Choctaw County:
Janice Hale
Allie Perkins
Ole Brook:
Sonya Thames
Rebecca Cravat:
Dorothy Gamblin*
Melissa Johnson
Shuk-Ho-Ta Tom-A-Ha:
Melissa Price
Jessica Smith
Third Arrow:
Angela Shields
Thomas Rodney:
Anita Gipson
Twentieth Star:
Allison Gore
Victoria Gore
Walter Leake:
Sarah Allbritton*
Emily Hunt
Emily Massingale
Susan McIlwain
*Reinstatement
**Transfer in from
another state
MISSISSIPPI DAUGHTERS AT 122nd CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
A record number of Mississippi Daughters attended Continental Congress for the first time this year. Many came on one of the
two Mississippi buses. They attended the Memorial Service and installation of newly-elected Vice President General Janet
Looney Whittington, State Regent Billie Foutch Breedlove, and State First Vice Regent Cindy Clayton McNamara on Sunday,
June 30, before heading home.
MISSISSIPPI BREAKFAST
Mississippi Daughters in antebellum costumes
welcomed guests to the “Rosalie” Mississippi
Breakfast on June 26, 2013.
We were pleased to welcome Selah Cowan, National Third Place Winner, 7th Grade, American History Essay Contest,
at Educational Awards Night on June 27. Ms. Cowan was sponsored by Natchez Chapter, Natchez, Mississippi. She is
pictured with State American History Chairman Hellen Polk (left) and with her family (right).
CAMEO SOCIETY LUNCHEON
The annual Cameo Society luncheon was held at The Grand Old Post Office located on the historic
square in downtown Canton, Mississippi. Speaker Ann Tindall gave a program on her family’s unique
relationship to the original owners of Rosalie Mansion, our State Headquarters in Natchez.
Some of the mother-daughter pairs are pictured.
CAMEO SOCIETY
LUNCHEON PHOTOS
COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS
REMEMBERING VETERANS AT OLD BRANDON CEMETERY
On Memorial Day members of CHIEF RED JACKET CHAPTER, Brandon, dressed in period costume and placed
flowers on graves of veterans in Old Brandon Cemetery. They were remembering the beginnings of Memorial
Day in Friendship Cemetery in Columbus, Mississippi, where women laid flowers on the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers after the end of the Civil War. They also gave a costumed skit on the beginnings of Memorial Day at the Memorial Day ceremony held at the Rankin County Justice Center.
Pictured, seated: Cindy Mangum. Standing (l to r): Penny Reinhardt, Susan Newton, Lindsey Murphy, Chapter
Regent Maxine Nolen, Pat Dampier, and Charla Jordan.
DAR AWARDS
GOOD CITIZEN, GOOD CITIZENSHIP, AND ROTC
MAGNOLIA STATE CHAPTER presented DAR Good Citizen, DAR Good Citizenship, and ROTC awards to
students of Ridgeland, Mississippi schools at their May meeting at the Old Capitol Museum in Jackson.
Back row (l to r): Martha Denny, Regent; Bree Berryman, 8th Grade, Olde Towne Middle School; Juliette Richert, 9th
Grade, Ridgeland High School, Robert Dashiell Martin, 12th Grade, Ridgeland High School, Air Force ROTC Bronze
Medal; Justin Necaise, 10th Grade, Ridgeland High School.
Front row (l to r): Helen Marcellus, 7th Grade, Olde Towne Middle School; Michelle Nguyen, 11th Grade, Ridgeland
High School; Kristian Johnson-Thompson, 5th Grade, Highland Elementary; Mrs. Bea Berry, Awards Chairman.
Not pictured: Olivia Travis, 12th Grade, Ridgeland High School, recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award and Scholarship; and Tia Webber, 6th Grade, Olde Towne Middle School.
AMERICAN HISTORY
ESSAY CONTEST
6TH GRADE STATE WINNER
Caleb Owens, Presbyterian Day School student sponsored by
MADAME HODNETT CHAPTER, Cleveland, was the 6th grade
state winner in the DAR American History Essay Contest.
Caleb is son of Eric R. and Laura Owens and grandson of
Harriet Pearson from Cleveland, Mississippi. He is pictured
with Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker at the National Defense
Luncheon held during the 107th MSSDAR State Conference.
AMERICAN HISTORY
ESSAY CONTEST
THIRD PLACE NATIONAL WINNER
Congratulations to Selah Cowan, Third Place National
winner in the American History Essay Contest. Ms. Cowan
is a seventh-grade student at Wilkinson County Christian
Academy in Woodville, Mississippi. Her impressive essay
about Anna Smith Strong, a member of the Culper Spy
Ring during the American Revolutionary War, is copied
below.
Ms. Cowan was sponsored by NATCHEZ CHAPTER,
Natchez, Mississippi.
(Photo courtesy of THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT, Jay Sowers, photographer.)
Forgotten Patriots Who Supported the American Struggle for Independence
If you have ever heard of the Culper Spy Ring, as in the American Revolution, you have probably heard about Anna
Smith Strong, a very important woman. In the American Revolution, Anna “Nancy” Strong played an important role to lead
the colonies to victory against the British, also known as the Redcoats. In the American Revolution, the British invaded
New York Harbor and imprisoned many people, including Strong’s husband, Judge Selah Strong. Anna was loyal in helping, so she could free her husband and the colonies. Anna Smith Strong was one of the few women in the Culper Spy
Ring, named her last known child after General George Washington, and developed her own spy code, for which she is
mainly known.
When you think about spies, what gender do you imagine? I think most people would think of strong, brave, respectful
men. It is often the same when people visualize a soldier; some people even think that only men should serve. But in the
Culper Spy Ring, there were two courageous women, Anna Strong and Agent 355. To most people it is shocking to learn
that there were two females as spies. As a young girl I think it is extraordinary that these respectful, brave women
followed the general’s commands. It is known that Strong admired and respected the general, George Washington.
I have read many things which lead me to believe that Anna Strong must have truly respected and admired George
Washington. One reason I am sure she respected him was simply because he was the general, but I think the main thing
that leads me to believe that she respected Washington is the fact that she gave her last known son his name. After her
husband was no longer imprisoned, that had a son together and named him George Washington Strong. I consider that
very respectful and admirable of her. If I was her son, I would definitely be proud of the impact that Anna had on the war
and also for the distinguished name I was given.
Another interesting fact about Anna Strong is the fact that she developed her own spy code. Although the already used
invisible ink that could only been seen by placement over heat or by using a chemical such as sodium carbonate, Anna
developed another code using her laundry on her clothes line. As one part of the code, she hung her black petticoat on
her clothes line; it meant that the British army, a British soldier, or a British spy was nearby. Then she would hang
different colored handkerchiefs in a specific way to identify their location. It is also a fact that when an American spy wrote
a letter with valuable information about the British, he would bury it. Another spy would dig it up, but he would first check
to see if a British spy was around; that’s when Strong’s unique spy code came in handy. Each of these brave acts were
leading to freedom.
Anna Smith Strong, known to some as Nancy, was one of only two women who served as a spy in the Culper Spy Ring,
she respectfully named her son after George Washington, and developed her own spy code using laundry and a clothes
line. Strong was born in 1740 and died in 1812. The Daughters of the American Revolution even have a chapter named
after Anna Smith Strong. I believe that this is a great memorial to the importance of Strong’s efforts in the Revolutionary
War.
This Revolution was for our freedom from the British. Interestingly, the colonists who were not trained, had very few
soldiers, and almost no experience, fought against the British, an army of thousands of men who were highly trained and
had better weapons. This makes me very proud of all the soldiers including those forgotten like Prince Estabrook, Mary
Washington, Phyllis Wheatly, Anna Smith Strong, and so many more. Many soldiers had to die in the American
Revolution as they still do today in our present day wars; these are lives that should not be forgotten, and the legacy they
left behind should be honored and be inspirational to us all. I have a great deal of respect and think highly of American
soldiers, the American Revolution era, and the wars fought today for our freedom because, whether celebrated or unsung,
each hero fought selflessly for you and me.
DAR SERVICE TO VETERANS
Members of CHIEF RED JACKET
CHAPTER, Brandon, participated in
the “Running for Jason” 5K run/walk
held in memory of SSgt Jason
Rogers, a Marine that was killed in the
Helmand Province of Afghanistan on
April 7, 2011. Proceeds from the race
go to support military members,
wounded warriors, and their families
in various capacities. The event was
organized by prospective chapter
member Lindsey Murphy.
Pictured (l to r): Wendy Colson,
Kathy Pipitone, Lindsey Murphy, and
Chapter Regent Cindy Mangum.
ANNANDALE CHAPTER—NEW OFFICERS
ANNANDALE CHAPTER, Jackson, installed new officers and welcomed new members in May at their year-end
covered dish luncheon. Pictured (l to r), seated: Martha Jones; incoming Regent Debbie Cannon; outgoing Regent
Marcia Ball; Elsie Johnson; and Rosa Sowers. Standing: Beth Moore, charter member Grace Houston, Nell Tharp,
JoLynn Vaughan, Jenenah Smith, Lee Mills, Linda Young, new members Vickie Wilson and Nancy Black, June
Hester, and Toni Layer.
WOMEN’S ISSUES ESSAY CONTEST
First Place, Family
Congratulations to Frieda Hardee, Belvidere Chapter,
first place winner in the state’s
Women’s Issues Essay Contest, Family Category.
Her thought-provoking essay is copied below.
GRANDPARENTING IN THE 21ST CENTURY
When I was rearing my two children, I never lived near my parents. I always knew I was on my own. But those were
the days when many mothers still stayed at home, and fathers went off to work. If you had a sick child, one with an
appointment with the dentist, a dancing lesson, a scout troop activity, or football practice after school, you did not have
to depend on anyone else to take care of it. It was nice to have grandparents to visit, but it was not really necessary to
have them around full time for childcare.
This is not the case these days, and it shows on these young mothers. When I attended my grandchildren’s school
musical recently, I noticed the young moms. Dads were there, too, but it was the moms who caught my attention most.
They were obviously proud of their children, but they looked very stressed out, so tired, so rushed. The conversations
I heard were full of “I'm too tired,” “We must hurry,” “I hope you don't have too much homework,” or “Where will we drive
through to get supper on the way home?” It is not hard to figure out why these women look so stressed, because I have
a daughter who is experiencing all these feelings.
For these young moms, working is not a choice but a requirement these days. It takes two parents to make it
financially. Our public school system is broken, and private school is a better option, but it costs a lot of money. Children
want to be in a lot of different activities necessitating someone to take them to practice. They are growing and need
shots, dental care, bigger shoes, pictures made, haircuts, and school supplies. A child gets sick at school or gets hurt
and needs a stitch or two, and someone has to attend to it. What job allows a mom the flexibility to leave during work
hours for these things? But they are definitely necessary. And that is where grandparents must step up!
This year my grandchildren are eight and thirteen. No one is yet old enough to drive, and many days I feel I am too
old to deal with a teenager. But each day, I pick them up at school because both parents are at work. It is not good for
them to stay at home alone, so they come home with me. I cook like I did when I was raising my own children, even
though I am supposed to be retired. I supervise homework, check math problems, help find information for papers that
are assigned, and try to listen to the events of each school day. As soon as one parent gets off the job, the children are
picked up, and I go back to my quiet, restful life, at least most days.
It is said that having grandchildren keeps one young. I'm not sure who started that rumor, but they must not have lived
near their grandchildren. However, it DOES keep one involved or, as the kids say, “in the loop.” I know who their
friends are, who is playing football, when the next dance is, whose birthday party is this weekend, what movie
EVERYONE has already seen, and who has the coolest tennis shoes. I hear which teachers are the greatest and which
ones no one likes. And some days, I hear who was hateful or who was very nice.
Although I have taught school, taken counseling courses, and reared two children of my own, there are times that I
feel totally inept. I watch “The Waltons” to see how Grandpa and Grandma Walton handled things with their grandchildren. It is harder to discipline grandchildren, but it has to be done at times. And nowadays, taking away a teenager's
cell phone as a result of his misbehavior is considered torture. But, boy, is it effective! When a parent calls after school
and asks “How are my children?” and you know the parent is dead tired from a hard day on the job and still there trying
to finish up, it takes courage (and a bit of Hollywood-style acting) to sound upbeat when you have just settled an argument, dried tears, or lost your cool. And at times, you have to remember not to tell everything you know!
Being a grandparent is not a choice we are given, but being a GOOD grandparent IS. It is often hard to find the line
between helping and enabling, giving advice or being bossy, and sharing wisdom but not being derogatory. It is a
difficult balancing act. Establishing trust and giving guidance are not easy at times when there is anger, hurt, and
frustration. But it is so important, because many times I have found that the thing kids need most is someone to listen to
their feelings and concerns and tell them that these are just normal.
I have a friend or two who remind me that I “have my own life.” Yes, I do, and I am choosing to spend some years of it
to help two children who mean the world to me change from children into responsible, respectful, informed citizens.
Because I am around, they know what veterans are, which of their ancestors fought in the wars, and why we have laws.
They know that when the Star Spangled Banner is played, your hand goes over your heart. They respect the flag. They
know what Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day mean. They know that freedom is not a birthright but a gift that many have
fought and died for. They know that a soldier in camo has a job, it is a very important job, and that it is always a good
time to say “Thank you for your service.” And they know that Granny will feed you, listen to you, encourage you, or
ground you, depending on what is needed.
If you are a grandmother with this role in the life of your grandchild, know that you are a blessing to the child and to the
parents. God bless you!