Daughters of the American Revolution Grinnell Chapter
The regular meeting of the Grinnell DAR Chapter was Sept. 13 at the Centre for Arts and Artists in Newton with 29 members present. The National Defense report given by Linda Hatch was on remembering the 9/11 attack on New York City.
Jane Crutchelow, in the conservation report, noted the decrease in the number of the Monarch butterflies and the tagging efforts in Jasper County and elsewhere. The American Indian report, by Myrna Rusk, was on how the reservations were formed on land that was essentially unsustainable which has resulted in many of today’s Native Americans living in poverty.
For Women’s Issues, Cathy Rickers, told us about a new book, “A Call To Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power,” written by Former President Jimmy Carter. Mr. Carter examines the same issues as other authors, but he stands alone in his scolding of male religious leaders of all faiths, who he says misappropriate sacred texts to protect their self-interests and the unequal status quo.
“The American History writing contest information has been sent to all public and Christian schools in Jasper and Poweshiek counties,” says Kathy Jones, chair of the American History committee. She said that several schools have indicated an interest in having students write on the topics of Christopher Columbus or Ellis Island.
The week of Sept. 14 is Constitution Week. It was this week 227 years ago that the U.S. Constitution was signed. As a remembrance of this important event in American History, you can ring a bell at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17. The U.S. Constitution is the oldest active document in the world. Committee Chair, Suzanne Van Zandt reported that displays have been put up in the widows of H & R Block in Newton, the Newton Public Library and several places in Grinnell.
Patriotic-themed lap quilts made by Linda Hatch, Nancy Bender, Darlene Leib and Dee Meyer will be mailed to the Memphis VA Medical Center - Women’s Health Program that targets programs and facilities to meet the unique needs of female veterans.
The Grinnell DAR chapter received three awards at the Constitutional Congress held in June. They are 1) Chapter Achievement Award, Level 1, 2) Celebrate America! Committee for Serving It’s Community, and 3) DAR Good Citizens’ Committee for awarding $500 or more to the winners.
Two new members, Barbara Lease and Ann Bell were initiated as new members; they will be great members for our group. DAR is open to any woman 18 years and older who can prove a direct lineage to a Revolution era Patriot. Contact Darlene Leib at (641) 521-8846 or jdgrandog5@gmail.com
Member Lynn Peterson gave an interesting report on her Revolutionary War Patriot, Daniel Mosher. Daniel was captured early in the war and spent 18 months on the prison ship, HMS Jersey. The Jersey was the most infamous prison ship referred to by its inmates simply as “Hell.” At war’s end, there were only 1,400 survivors among the inmates of the entire prison ship fleet, and at least 11,000 men and boys died aboard the ships from 1776 to 1783. Lynn’s patriot, Daniel Mosher, was one of those men. He lived to be 87 years old. To learn more about the prison ships, Google “HMS Jersey”.
The next meeting will be Oct. 11 at the Centre for Arts & Artists. Melinda Hardin and Emily Ehler will serve as hostesses and Pat McIlrath will do the program on her doll collection.