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July 2013

Dear Daughters,

Continental Congress in Washington D.C. (June 23-30), was a whirlwind of activity and fun.  The week began with the National Board of Management on Monday conducted by President General Merry Ann T. Wright; and ended with the National Board of Management on Sunday conducted by new President General Lynn Forney Young.  Both of these women are outstanding and great leaders of NSDAR.

It was my responsibility to report about the Utah Society at Conference.  In the short 2 minute report, “We Are Small in Numbers, But Mighty in Spirit”, I mentioned the State Regent’s project of service to Veterans and Project Patriot activities with adopted soldiers and their families.   The Yamaha piano donation to the Fisher House was the highlight of our state conference.

As your State Regent, I was invited to numerous teas, breakfasts, and other social events sponsored by state societies.  I tried to attend most of them.  I represented Utah at the National Officer’s Club, National Chairman’s Club, and State Regent’s Club as well.
Business meetings during the daytime were well attended. Seen sitting in the Utah Box were: Golden West Tea attendees” Front lf-rt Cindy Toone, Shirley Nelson, Ellen Powley; Back lf-rt: Meredith Frey, Lorena Norris Judy Barking, Janis McCoid, LeAnn Eliason, Lisa Hoyt, (not pictured Abby Moser.)
Utah received special recognition in the categories of 100% participation of state members in President General’s Project. Also the State of Utah donated $1,000.00 gift to the Lay Light Project.  We received a Benefactor Award. I was privileged to walk across the platform and represent the Utah State Daughters in both of these recognitions.

Special times included the Gift Giving Ceremony wherein Judy Mayfield had donated to the Library Subscriptions in honor of our mother, Honorary State Regent, Elvira White who passed away last year.  Since Judy could not attend, I was asked to appear with the Librarian General, Joan Hunter at the ceremony.

The Memorial Service on Sunday honored both Elvira White and Mary Urie Honorary State Regents from Utah.  In attendance at that service were:  Shirley Nelson, Janis McCoid, Cindy Toone, Ellen Powley, and Judy Barking. A wreath of flowers honoring these great women, and other National Officers of the society that had passed away last year, was placed at the Founder’s Statue in the garden on C Street.  Installation of the incoming State Regents and President General’s Executive Board followed.
       
Watch for our Utah State Newsletter coming in July with more information of coming events, and pictures of Continental Congress.

Summer is a busy time of planning our DAR Chapter and State events for the next year.   Please mark your calendar for our August State BOM and Workshop coming August 17, 2013.  The Executive Board of Management needs to attend the BOM meeting 9:00-10:15am.  State Chairmen and all members are invited to attend the Workshop and Luncheon which commences at 10:30am –Noon.  Lunch charge will be $10.00 (Please let Brenda Reeder know if you are coming for lunch at kyseeker@comcast.net)  The event will be held at the Salt Lake County Complex 2100 South State Street in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Workshop will bring information on the new State Regent’s focus next year entitled “Points of Light” and how we, as Utah Daughters, will fit into our new President General’s goal of achieving one million hours of volunteerism as we “Celebrate America.”

Utah daughters will shine beautifully in this area.  We already have the volunteerism spirit and will need to report our activities throughout the next few years.  Come and contribute with your ideas as we plan our meetings and committee work to accomplish the DAR mission of Education, Patriotism, and Historic Preservation.
               
In DAR Friendship,

Shirley Nelson

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June 2013

Dear Daughters,

          A lot has happened this spring in my activities amongst the daughters.  Most of my time and effort was spent working on the USSDAR State Conference held at the Radisson Hotel, April 25-27, 2013.  The theme was “Honor Our American Heroes.”  I was thrilled at the reports of our chapter chairmen who had adopted active servicemen and women and worked with veterans during the year. The displays were outstanding.  Highlighting the event was General Robert Oaks who spoke at our banquet Friday evening.

We had a record attendance of Utah daughters who greeted our honored guest, President General, Merry Ann T. Wright.  The Utah daughters were able to showcase their achievements with reports, displays, and presentations.

          Highlights included Mrs. Wright’s lay light presentation and question and answer session.  Utah members contributed 100% to the project.  Mrs. Wright was thrilled to have her picture taken with the chapter regents for our magazine ad in the fall.  We also had 100% of chapter achievement reporting.  We are a small state in membership, but mighty in spirit and accomplishment.
Utah Chapter Regents

Thank you daughters for supporting my state regent’s project.  Together we were able to raise the $2,000.00 needed to buy the piano for the Fisher House.  The retail was $4,000.00, but my brother, Geoffrey White, was able to get a substantial discount for us.  The piano now sits in the dining room of the Fisher House.  Be sure to go and see it.  You will notice the plaque that says “donated by the Daughters of the American Revolution”.
At the conference funds were raised to help our Juniors and Children of the American Revolution activities.  Banners were displayed that will be used for parades and other public functions.  As a result of her great service as Personal Page to Mrs. Wright, Lisa Hoyt was invited to be a Personal Page to the President General at Continental Congress June 24-30, 2013.  Congratulations Lisa!
 

        Special thanks to my Executive Officers for your help with the State Conference.  Brenda Reeder did a great job as Conference Chairman.

Utah State Executive Board

After the conference, I was invited to attend the Wyoming State Conference.  Wyoming Regent, Mary Agnes McAleenan had been a guest to our Utah State Conference.  I was pleased to represent Utah at the conference and meet fine DAR daughters of the state on our northeastern border. 
            
In a few weeks I will be off to Continental Congress in Washington D.C.  Utah will be receiving awards at the event, and I will report to you my experiences in July’s blog.  It will be unusual to attend two Board of Management meetings the same week:  one with Mrs. Wright, and another with Mrs. Young (our new President General elect).  It will be a fun and exciting time to say “goodbye” to one administration and “hello” to another.  Utah will have ten daughters attending.  Have a wonderful summer.
In circles of friendship, service, and commitment,
                                  Shirley Nelson                                          
           

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February 2013

Dear Daughters,

Happy New Year!  I hope you are having success as we work together to further the DAR work in Utah.  Thank you to our Chapter Regents for getting their reports in by end of January. I appreciate all that you do for your chapters. And, a special thank you to Debbie Hoyt for her help with the reports.

Dec. 19, 2012, I spoke at a Naturalization Court held in the Rose Wagner Theatre. It is always an inspiration to attend and to be part of the festivities in welcoming new citizens.  Carol Howard, State Chairman, Americanism, has been in charge of the DAR’s involvement with Naturalization for over 10 years.  She is indispensible to the Federal Court. Her many years of service have put DAR in the spotlight when it comes to welcoming new citizens.  Thank you, Carol.

The month of January found me involved with our Utah State Board of Management and the National Board of Management.  As you are aware, Cindy Toone is a Vice President General and serves on the NBM with me.  As we attend the meetings in Washington D.C., we associate with great women from all over the country. We try to be good ambassadors for Utah.
Shirley Nelson and Cindy Toone at National Board of Management

The Library ceiling without the lay lights and the Utah State Flag

 Belinda Barking and Judy Barking auditing USSDAR books

While in Washington D.C., I spent some time at the Children of the American Revolution headquarters. The staff and I discussed how we could promote C.A.R. in Utah. You will hearing more from our Senior State President, Melissa Moon. Plans are to build another chapter in St. George with Organizing Senior President, KariAnn Christiansen, and to be recognized as a state society with two chapters in Utah.

Dominguez y Escalante Society met February 2, 2013. Lisa Hoyt and Meredith Frey gave a presentation on the Declaration of Independence. The children colored pictures of the five authors and learned a little about each one.

Sophie reciting the C.A.R. Creed
Tommy signing the C.A.R. Creed

Jonah signing the C.A.R. Creed

Presentation on the Declaration of Independence

Marching to the C.A.R. Creed song

Plans are under way for our Spring Conference, April 25-27, 2013. You will be receiving our Newsletter in early March with a Call to Conference and all of the details. As you know, we will be entertaining our President General, Mrs. Merry Ann Wright. Come join the fun and excitement as we celebrate our 116th Utah State Conference. If you haven’t made reservations at the Radisson Hotel, please do so today. Questions?  Contact Brenda Reeder, Conference Chair kyseeker@comcast.net

I am really excited to announce that we are going to present our gift of a new piano for the Fisher House at conference. The piano will be on display and play for us during our meals. This is a result of your generous donations and response to the State Regent’s Project. Please accept my thank you for your support. We are over half way there, and plan to raise the final amount with our Silent Auction and Chapter gift baskets. If you want to be included in the drawing for Helen Clayton’s patriotic quilt, be sure to send your $10.00 key donation to Debbie Hoyt. Helen has donated her time and efforts with a beautiful quilt. Thank you, Helen.
        

In DAR friendship,  
Shirley Nelson, State Regent
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December 2012

Dear Daughters:  I wish you a Merry Christmas with your families and friends this holiday season. During the past two months, I have been busy attending Chapter Meetings, honoring our Veterans, and enjoying several Christmas celebrations. 

Princess Timpanogos honored their adopted active military serviceman, Reese Hansen, serving in Afghanistan with the Utah Army National Guard. Reese repairs helicopters. His wife, Laura Hansen, little daughter, Blakley,  and parents Lynn and Linda Hansen, were in attendance on November 19, 2012, at the monthly meeting of Princess Timpanogos. They were honored with gift cards and a special General’s Coin from featured speaker, General Peter Cook. Many neighbors and family members attended this special Veteran’s Program hosted by Harriet Rasmussen, Regent Princess Timpanogos.
Laura Hansen receiving General’s Coin from General Peter Cook

 

State Regent, Shirley Nelson, General Peter Cook, Princess Timpanogos Regent, Harriet Rasmussen

Dec. 8, 2012, was our annual Christmas Party at the Lion House sponsored by the Utah State Officer’s Club. Serving with Christine Schultz, President are Jane Nelson Comp, Treasurer, and Lu Fischer, Secretary. We ate a delicious luncheon, listened to professional pianist, Kelsie Call, and sang Christmas Carols, accompanied by Judy Barking, State Vice Regent. It was a great time to renew friendships and meet new members.

 Judy Barking, Vice Regent playing the piano and leading the daughters in Christmas Carols

 

 Guest pianist Kelsie Call provided entertainment

 

Front row: Christine Schultz, President Utah State Officers Club, hostess; 
Shirley Nelson, State Regent; Ellen Powley, Honorary State Regent; 
Back row: Cindy Spencer, Honorary State Regent, Diane Tarbox, Honorary State Regent, Cindy Toone, Vice President General; Janis McCoid, Honorary State Regent

Dec. 15, 2012, found a few of us participating in “Wreaths Across America” at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Camp Williams. We met in the chapel for a ceremonial meeting prior to laying the wreaths. Afterwards, Pat Moseman, State Chairman Project Patriot, and Janis McCoid, Honorary State Regent, and I braved the winter storm that day as we ventured outside to lay wreaths on Veteran’s graves in a foot of snow. 

State Regent, Shirley Nelson and Pat Moseman, State Project Patriot Chair
Shirley Nelson, Janis McCoid, Pat Moseman

 

Immediately following the activities at Camp Williams, Judy Mayfield, State Organizing Secretary, and I stopped by Ellen Powley’s home to visit her mother Ellen Lockwood.  Mrs. Lockwood has been a member of DAR for 68 years. She and her daughter, Ellen Powley (Honorary State Regent, Past Vice President General, and Past Recording Secretary General) have offered years of service to our organization.  We enjoyed our visit with both of these fine women.

 

Ellen Lockwood, DAR member 68 years with Shirley Nelson

Next on the agenda was the Wasatch Range’s Christmas Party at Kathryn Jenson’s home in Provo, Utah.  Kathryn is presently serving as our State Chaplain.  Regent Carol McPheeters presided at this festive event.   We enjoyed delicious goodies and were enthralled to hear stories by Norman and Shirley Tong who lived, as children, through the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

WR Project Patriot Chair, Joan Van Duzer with wool helmet liner
Carol Ann McPheeters, Regent WR; Lorena Norris, Chapter Vice Regent;
Joan Van Duzer, Registrar; Arelene Andrus, Chaplain; Kathryn Madsen, Secretary; Shirley Nelson, State Regent and Pam Foosum, Treasurer, Catherine Brunko (back)
Carol McPheeters, Regent WR; Lorena Norris, State Recording Secretary;
Kathryn Jenson, State Chaplain; Ellen Powley, Honorary State Regent;
Shirley Nelson, State Regent and Judy Mayfield, State Organizing Secretary

After the wonderful meeting we drove to Lorena Norris’s home to view her many beautiful quilts. Lorena, State Recording Secretary, will be donating her famous “Sego Lily” quilt to the silent auction in April at our State Conference. Proceeds will go towards the piano for the Fisher House. We are looking for other donations from members to help with this silent auction. We hope to finish raising the monies for the piano at our State Conference, April 25-27, 2013; and, to present it to Mrs. Quinn Kiger-Good at the Friday evening banquet, April 26th, 2013. Members may still buy a $10.00/piano key by sending their checks to Debbie Hoyt, State Treasurer. (Checks are to be made to USSDAR.) All piano key donations will be entered in a drawing for our patriotic quilt made by Helen Clayton, State Veterans Chairman.

The Daughters in Utah are so talented and dedicated to our Veterans and Active Military Service men and women. We look forward in the New Year to have more opportunities for Veteran service as the Utah Society participates in the State Regent’s Project, “Honor our Veterans and Active Military Service Heroes.”

We plan on celebrating our many DAR accomplishments when our President General, Merry Ann Wright, comes to our State Conference at the Radisson Hotel in Salt Lake City, April 25-27th. All daughters are encouraged to attend the Friday business meetings and luncheon to hear Mrs. Wright.  She is an outstanding President General, friendly and knowledgeable about DAR.  Please mark it on your 2013 calendar and let’s show her how great the Utah Daughters of the American Revolution are.

Shirley Nelson, State Regent and Merry Ann Wright, President General NSDAR

My best wishes to you all for a Happy New Year 2013!

In DAR Friendship

Shirley Nelson, State Regent

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October 2012

Dear Daughters,

Thank you all for your wonderful cards, expressions of sympathy, flowers, and telephone calls that we received on behalf of our mother, Elvira R. White, Honorary State Regent of Utah 1983-1986.

Mother lived a long and productive life.  Much of her volunteer time was spent in the USSDAR.  Her passing was peaceful.  Because of her leaving us mid October, I had to cancel some State Regent events with the chapters.  My State Vice Regent, Judy Barking, attended the Golden Spike Meeting at my request. 

Here is her report:

“It was my privilege to stand in for our State Regent at the meeting of the Golden Spike Chapter on October 15, and to share about some of our experiences at Continental Congress. I enjoyed meeting some of their new and prospective members, and touching base with ladies I have worked with in the past. Their Regent, Lorilee Beazer, had some great snippets of chapter history and trivia to share (remember that Golden Spike is our oldest active chapter in Utah DAR). I look forward to seeing more new members in Golden Spike soon, due to the great work of their registrar, Pat Bausman.”



I had the privilege of attending the National Board of Management in Washington D.C. October 4-6, 2012.  My husband, David accompanied me to the opening social at the DAR Museum “New Woman”.  We were excited to see this new exhibit and to visit with other board members at the event.  In addition to the BOM, events were planned to help us improve state workshops and to get to know each other socially.  I am happy to report that the DAR State Regents from around the country and Vice Presidents General are dedicated with carrying out the DAR motto:  God, Home, and Country.  We enthusiastically support the Wright Administration and its programs.  I am proud to serve with our newly elected Vice President General, Cindy Toone, on the board in Washington.  We have a good time representing Utah and are pleased to represent you.

During October I found a quick moment to invite Quinn Kiger of the Fisher House to meet with my brother, Geoff White, at the Piano Gallery to pick out a piano for the veteran family home.  We decided on a Yamaha Clavinova Digital Piano which will provide, mobility, a great piano sound with volumn control,  plays recorded music,  has ear phones for residents to play and to not disturb other residents, and looks great in the dining room.

We will need to raise around $2,000.00 for the new piano.  As I have told members around the state, we are selling “keys” at $10.00 a key.  Those daughters who buy a key will have their name put in a drawing for a lovely quilt being made by our State Veteran Chair, Helen Clayton.  The drawing will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the Utah State Spring Conference.  You do not need to be present to win.  If you buy more than one key, your name will be submitted for each key you purchase. 

A silent auction at the State Conference, along with a portion of our baskets which are donated by the chapters will add to the fund raiser.  Names of key donors will be placed on a large keyboard banner above the piano (which will be on display at the conference).  The piano will have a plaque on it saying “donated by the Utah State Society Daughters of the American Revolution”.  Although a State Regent has two years to complete her project, I hope to raise the allotted amount this coming spring so we can present it in May to the Fisher House.  It will be exciting to show our President General, Merry Ann Wright, the planned gift.

Checks should be made out to USSDAR (write “piano” on the bottom line) and sent to our State Treasurer Deborah Hoyt (814 Green Valley Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84107-4108).  Please tell your chapter treasurer that you are donating to the piano so we will have two records of the name and money sent. 


As we enter the holiday season, may you all enjoy a Happy Thanksgiving.

In December, I look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you at our annual Christmas luncheon sponsored by the Utah State Officer’s Club.  The event will be at the Lion House in Salt Lake City, December 8, 2012 at Noon.  For information please contact Christine Schultz, (801) 295-8992. Also, watch the website for details.

Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, will find us participating in the “Wreaths Across America”at the military cemetery Camp Williams (Bluff Dale, Utah) 10:00am.

In DAR Friendship,

Shirley Nelson, State Regent

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Elvira Robbins White, Honorary State Regent

Our wonderful mother, Elvira Robbins White, Honorary State Regent NSDAR, passed peacefully in her sleep this morning, Monday, October 15, 2012, with her family around her.  The funeral will be Monday, October 22, 2012, at Noon.  Viewings will be held Sunday evening at Wilford Stake Center, 6-8 p.m. and Monday morning 10-11:30 a.m. prior to the service at 3080 South 1765 East, Salt Lake City, Utah.  Mother served as Utah State Regent from 1983-1986.  She was a member of DAR for 40 years.  She passed away on the very morning her chapter, Princess Timpanogos, had their monthly meeting at about an hour before it started.  Mother’s life exemplified the DAR Motto:  “God, Home, Country”.

–Shirley Nelson, Utah State Regent and Judy Mayfield, Organizing Secretary

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September 2012

Dear Daughters,

It has been my privilege to visit six of our chapters this month and to present my report on June’s Continental Congress, Washington D.C.

Uintah Chapter invited me to their first meeting of the year, September 8, 2012. Constitution Week events were presented in the form of a play set in 1787 by Lisa Hoyt and Meredith Frey. I was pleased to introduce the State Regent’s project of raising funds for a piano at the new Fisher House in Salt Lake City.
Wendy Rennert swearing in new members

 Meredith Frey and Lisa Hoyt “Tea for Two”

That same day I was also able to attend the first Dominguez y Escalante Society meeting of Children of the American Revolution for the 2012-2013 year

A trip down to the southern part of our state involved meeting with Bald Eagle Regent, Sondra Jeffus and Jane Nelson Comp. Both of these ladies were involved in a Geneology Workshop in Cedar City, where they handed out pamphlets to interested people about the DAR.Sondra comes to us from California and is enthusiastic about helping Bald Eagle shine.

Color Country had their opening meeting September 11, 2011, with a Constitution display in the foyer of Village Bank in St. George. A meeting and social followed upstairs. Some of the daughters were in costumes of the Revolutionary Period. Later, I had the privilege of visiting a site in City of Ivins, Utah, where the new Veteran’s Center is being built. The daughters are excited to support this worthy endeavor and to honor veterans in the southern part of Utah who will come to this facility. This will be the 3rd such Veteran’s Center in the state of Utah (with Ogden and Salt Lake having the other two facilities.)
Betty Herzfeld, Shirley Nelson and Mary Moore

LeeAnn Riddoch, Betty Herzfeld and Mary Moore

Saturday, September 15th, Bear River held their opening meeting in the town of Preston, Idaho.Regent Joann Jensen was able to obtain DAR funding for restoring the bell tower of the Oneida Academy School in that city. The grant was $9,000.00 and was matched by an anonymous donor, making $18,000.00 total. Bear River members live in Preston (just over the border) and in Logan, Utah area.

After a delicious lunch, we were given a tour of the Oneida Academy by Necia Seamons, Chairman OSAF. All in all, it was an informative and delightful afternoon.

Bear River Chapter Meeting
Shirley Rees and Shirley Nelson

Joann Jensen, Regent and Bear River Chapter at the entrance to the Oneida Academy

That same evening, I attended the SAR Constitution Day Banquet held at the Officer’s Club Fort Douglas. Joining me for the event were Cindy Toone Vice President General,and Vickie Fuller, Darle Taylor, Dorothy Williams.

Salt Lake Valley Chapter: Vickie Fuller, Shirley Nelson, Darle Taylor and Dorothy Williams

State Regent Shirley Nelson, Vice President General Cindy Toone
Monday, September 17th was Princess Timpanogos’ opening meeting and luncheon provided by Regent Harriet Rasmussen. We heard from Lonnie Crockett, who spoke about our Constitution on National Constitution Day. He has written a book called “The United States Constitution Made Easy” to understand.

Harriet Rasmussen, Regent Princess Timpanogos with Shirley Nelson, State Regent
My final visit this month was to Wasatch Range September 22, 2012, in Orem, Utah at the new and beautiful Orem Public Library. As in previous meetings, I spoke about the Continental Congress and objectives of the Utah State Society. The daughters were encouraged to purchase a “KEY” to help raise funds for the new piano for the Fisher House. The cost is $10.00/key for which the name of the contributing daughter will go into a drawing for Helen Clayton’s new quilt to be given away at State Conference April 25-27th in Salt Lake City. If you are interested in participating in the State Regent’s Project, please make a $10.00 check out to USSDAR and give it to your chapter treasurer who will make a report and mail to our state treasurer, Deborah Hoyt. This way we will have a duplicate record of those contributing. You do not have to be present to win the quilt; but we would like all daughters to make an effort to attend the State Conference April 25-27 in Salt Lake City. President Merry Ann Wright will be in our honored guest.
Hostesses, Wasatch Range Pam Fossum, Kathryn Jenson and Lorena Norris

I look forward to representing you in Washington D.C. at the National Board of Management in October and to visiting more chapters this fall.

In DAR Friendship

Shirley Nelson, Utah State Regent

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Welcome to the Utah Daughters of the American Revolution Blog!

As your state regent for 2012-2014, I am pleased to introduce you to our state society’s blog.  I am hoping to keep you apprised of activities among the chapters and around the state on a monthly basis.

Our August Board of Management meeting went well, including a visit from Ann Dillon, National
Chairman Chapter Development and Revitalization Commission on ways to revitalize and rejuvenate our chapters.

Many thanks to all our state officers and chairmen for their preparations for the meeting.

Good luck to chapter regents as they start their term and during this year with various chapter activities and DAR obligations.  I look forward to visiting the chapters this fall.

In DAR friendship,

Shirley Nelson, Utah State Regent