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Chapter Achievement AwardsNews from the Chapters...QuassaickQuassaick Chapter was honored at Continental Congress for nominating the 2015 Media and Entertainment Award’s winning film.

The film Unsung Heroes: The Story of America’s Female Patriots received the 2015 NSDAR Media and Entertainment Award at the 125th Continental Congress on June 24. The documentary film was nominated by Jennifer Minus and Quassaick Chapter Regent Carol McQuinn. President General Lynn Forney Young presented the Award on Friday night in Constitution Hall.

Unsung Heroes, the two hour, two part documentary film written, produced and directed by Frank Martin, with Executive Producer Ron Howard, recounts first-hand accounts of women who lived this story starting with the Revolutionary War’s Molly Corbin, America’s first woman military pensioner in 1776 – up to and including our country’s first four-star woman Navy Admiral Michelle Howard, appointed in 2014.

Wilhelmena Kelly, National Chair, Public Relations and Media, noted in her presentation that the film includes first-person accounts of army nurses, pilots, combat leaders and pioneering officers – who all relate compelling details of their personal challengers, unwavering commitment and deep love of country.

Chairman Kelly concluded, “Unsung Heroes is an outstanding film that informs, inspires, and ultimately gives the DAR great pleasure to recognize this gift of documented history.” Additional details on the documentary can be accessed at http://unsungheroesfilm.org/media-kit.

(l. to r.) National Chair, Public Relations and Media, Wilhelmena Kelly; winning film director Frank Martin; Quassaick Chapter Regent Carol McQueen; President General Lynn Young

Irondequoit

Irondequoit Chapter celebrated the 125th anniversary on October 11, as a day of service as suggested by national. The project selected was entitled, "Children Comfort Bags."

Materials were distributed to facilitate the work of 15 members of SAR, C.A.R., and the Irondequoit Chapter, who gathered at the historic Hervey Ely House to make blankets and other items to help comfort children in crisis who are in shelters in the Monroe County area.

(l. to r.) Ava Leighton, Bridget and Leah Lasky of the Ensign Robert Wilson Society C.A.R.

Abigail FillmoreAbigail Fillmore Chapter daughters, Patricia Meyer, Linda McGuinness, Sharon Wesoloski with George Washington Parke Custis CAR prospective members were honored to join members of the Patriot Guard at the Buffalo Niagara Airport to welcome home veterans of a WWII Honor Flight. Veterans, accompanied by volunteers, were returning from a once in a lifetime trip to Washington DC where they got to visit National Monuments, especially the World War II Monument, for the day. The veterans could not have experienced the trip on their own. Only the deep appreciation of the volunteers make these honor flights available to Veterans of our "Greatest Generation" as Tom Brokaw wrote.

(l. to r., behind children) Abigail Fillmore members Patricia Meyer, Linda McGuinness, Sharon Wesoloski

LeRay de ChaumontLeRay de Chaumont Chapter members recently attended the New York State Conference in Tarrytown.

(l. to r., front row) Anne Davis, Chapter Regent; Martha Crapser, New York State Regent; Leela Aitcheson (back row) Megan Stevens, Clara Stevens, Tammy Plantz, Patricia Aitcheson, Judy Eves, Heather Stevens

Empire State DAR News • December 2015

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Knickerbocker

Knickerbocker Daughter Named New Yorker of the WeekOn August 21, 2015, Knickerbocker member, Beth McReynolds, was named “New Yorker of the Week” by the Time Warner news program “The Call” on TV station NY1. Beth is the site manager for the not-for-profit organization, GallopNYC, which provides equine therapy for children and adults with mental and physical disabilities. Equine Therapy is a unique approach that can help build the self-esteem and physical abilities of those living with various challenges. GallopNYC began in 2005 and operates year-round in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx.

Beth has served Knickerbocker as its Chaplain and the Chairman of the Project Patriot committee. As the Chairman of Project Patriot, Beth was searching for ways that the chapter might help Veterans and learned that GallopNYC had a program for Veterans suffering from PTSD. A life-long horse enthusiast herself, Beth contacted the organization to learn more and her life was changed.

Beth shares in the interview that the participants in the program have given more to her than she has ever given to them, and describes the changes she sees over the weeks and months of classes: children and adults who won’t communicate are suddenly talking, confident, extroverted and smiling because they’re being shown what they can do instead of being told what they can’t do. Beth started as a volunteer with GallopNYC in 2011, and joined the staff as Site Coordination Manager in 2013.

Congratulations to Beth for this well-deserved recognition. Knickerbocker Chapter is very proud of this special Daughter!

Knickerbocker member Beth McReynolds

Schenectada The Schenectada Chapter has had a very busy month! We held our September meeting on Saturday the 19th as a field trip to the New York State Museum. We attended The Governor’s Collection of Contemporary Native American Crafts.

Then, of course, a number of our chapter represented us at State Conference in Tarrytown. Our silver tea set was well used at the Thursday afternoon tea!

October 11 being the 125th

Anniversary of our National founding, we all were urged to volunteer for a worthy cause. Our chapter chose to help identify organizational grave stones at historic Vale Cemetery in Schenectady.

At our October meeting, we had speaker William Hinrich to talk about Alzheimer’s and how it affects women. Then new daughter Susan Adinolfi was inducted by Chaplain Ann Comley and Regent Jude Kasler.

Fayetteville - OwahgenaThe members of the Fayetteville - Owahgena Chapter recently visited the Jim Marshall Farms Foundation located on an 84-acre horse farm in Chittenango.

The program was given by the board president James O. Marshall, a retired veterinarian, who outlined the farm’s mission: to assist persons of all ages, especially youth, to manage mental illness, physical or developmental disability, or any other problem causing despair, including persons close to those who are so involved, to live fuller happier lives. The farm’s main focus is suicide – the prevention of it and the care of those who are depressed due to a loved one’s suicide.

The foundation tries to help people feel better through a combination of animal therapy, professional therapy and Mother Nature’s magic. The activities occur on a working horse farm, which has been adapted to be accessible to those with mobility impairments. Services are available to help victims of depression and other emotional struggles.

The highlight of the tour was the interaction with Gee and Haw; the miniature donkeys, the goats, Hannah and Henrietta; and potbellied pigs, Mike and Molly; among others. Fayetteville - Owahgena members with retired

veterinarian and Jim Marshall Farms Foundation board member, James O. Marshall

Wiltwyck Ulster County Executive Mike Hein joined the Wiltwyck Chapter in placing a wreath at the Ulster County Memorial Roll of Honor on Sunday, October 11, 2015,  the 125th

anniversary of the NSDAR, 123rd anniversary of Wiltwyck Chapter and the DAR National Day of Service.

This is a beautiful and somber memorial made of the same granite as the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.  Listed on the walls are the names of the 1307 soldiers from Ulster County who paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives. Chaplain Sally Hrbek offered a prayer and there was a moment of silence.

(l. to r.) Ulster County Executive Mike Hein, Chaplain Sally Hrbek, Regent Margaret Winkler-Hoffmann, Jennifer Gallagher, Linda Combs Akins, Virginia Miller, Patsy Dorbandt

Empire State DAR News • December 2015

12Empire State DAR News • December 2015

Hudson Valley Council

On Thursday September 17th, the Hudson Valley Council took their annual Constitution week pilgrimage to the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame in Goshen, NY. Members were treated to a buffet lunch and fully guided tour of the Museum and Hall of Fame.

Members from all nine participating chapters attended the event. During the tour the attendees received a comprehensive history of the sport, including how harness racing came about as a sport, and the horses and riders who started racing. Everyone was also given the opportunity to sit in a practice cart, and then take a virtual ride in the Museum’s race simulator. All agreed it was an informative and interesting afternoon.

Hudson Valley Council members enjoy a tour of the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame

Henderson-General Nicholas HerkimerHenderson-General Nicholas Herkimer Chapter had a double celebration in October. October 11, 2015, the chapter joined with chapters across the country celebrating NSDAR’s 125 years of Service, and on October 13 they joined with chapter member Florence Pierce Moore helping her celebrate her “60th” year of DAR Membership and service!

Mrs. Moore was accepted into the DAR on October 13, 1955, as a member of the Henderson Chapter (now the Henderson-General Herkimer Chapter), joining her mother who was also a member. Florence has been joined in the same DAR chapter by her daughter Jane Klump, chapter registrar, and her granddaughters Tammy Lynn Harrad Sorenson, chapter treasurer, and Amy Harrad Hawkes, chairman of the Good Citizens Award program for the chapter, and Kimberly A. Harrad Steenburg.

Earlier this year, the chapter joined Mrs. Moore in celebrating her 98th birthday, by attending a surprise birthday party coordinated by daughter Jane Klump, and held in Florence’s home in Van Hornsville.

Florence Pierce Moore , and Merry Ann T. Wright, Honorary President General

Benjamin Prescott

Fredonia Place veterans were honored on Sunday, October 11, by the Benjamin Prescott Chapter. Veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam were present. A POW/MIA flag was displayed with a description by DAR member Deborah Cenni who is also a member of the Mayville VFW Auxilliary. Other than the Stars and Stripes, it is the only other flag that represents the United States and has flown over the White House and is displayed in the US Capitol Rotunda. The Purpose of this flag is to remind us of those who sacrificed their freedom to preserve our liberty.

A POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony was conducted at the event by Deborah Cenni. A table was set, as it is at various veterans’ organizations, with various items to remind us of the lives of the missing, our continued determination to account for them, and the bitter fate of those captured and missing in foreign lands.

Poppies, flag pins and small flags were presented to the veterans with a large array of refreshments made by chapter members for the assembly.

(l. to r., seated) Mercy Warren, Chapter Regent (first row) Chaplain Keri Wendel, Vice Regent Antoinette Sherman, Heather Potter, Historian Lisa Sedlmayer, Brenda Johnson. (back row) Deborah Cenni, Secretary Carol Abel, Bonnie Larkin,

JerusalemThe Jerusalem Chapter presented a wreath at the Wantagh American Legion Post 1273 Veterans Day Service.

(l. to r.) Librarian Johanna Livesay, Vice Regent Ellen Cook, and Jerusalem Chapter Director Clara Sugar

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Minisink This summer, after four years of restoration, Minisink Chapter rededicated its historic Old Stone Schoolhouse near Goshen, New York. A new National Register Historic Marker provided by a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation greeted guests to the event. County Executive Steven Neuhaus opened the festivities by proclaiming August 8, 2015 "Old Stone Schoolhouse Day in Orange County." State Assemblyman James Skoufis sent his representative, Cornwall-on-Hudson Mayor Brandon Coyne, to deliver a certificate of honor as well.

Schoolhouse Curator Virginia Moore of Montgomery thanked the community for its role in saving the site, acknowledging the $17,865 collected through the Goshen Independent's "Save Our School" campaign conducted by Editor Tom Leek. A crowd of about ninety guests attended the event including three former students who were educated here in the 1930s. What a joy to welcome them! In recent years Minisink Chapter has also been the recipient of $21,350 secured through grants from the Orange County Industrial Development Agency, Orange and Rockland Utilities, Orange County Historian's Office, the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, and most recently the Country School Association of America.

County Executive Neuhaus, impressed by what has already been accomplished by this Minisink Chapter/community collaboration, pledged the county's assistance in continuing the restoration. He was quoted as saying, "I think there is a wonderful future for this schoolhouse. It's had an unbelievable past."

A DAR Community Service Award was presented to Henry Van Leeuwen for his contributions to the county for decades and specifically for his support and efforts to restore the Old Stone Schoolhouse. Live music, delicious homemade refreshments, and beautiful weather made it a memorable occasion for all! Regent of Minisink Chapter is Kathleen Alevras of Washingtonville.

Alberta Kelsey, Barbara Loyas, Mary O’Leary, chapter curator Virginia Moore, Wilma Zupko, Minisink Chapter regent Kathleen Alevras

Hudson River PatriotsMembers of Hudson River Patriots Chapter have been very busy. Daughters of Liberty’s Legacy made a presentation at our September meeting about the Life of Ann Fisher Miller and the Miller House/Washington’s Headquarters. It was a very moving presentation by Cindy Kauffman and Debra Palazzo who are associate members of HRPC. A week later, many chapter daughters attended the unveiling of Patriot Ann Miller’s new headstone in the White Plains Presbyterian Churchyard which was arranged by Cindy and Debra through their organization, Daughters of Liberty’s Legacy. Ann Fisher Miller has recently been recognized as a Patriot by the DAR. Regent Philomena Dunn spoke a few words at the unveiling.

In between, members attended the New York State Conference in Tarrytown. Everyone learned a lot of interesting facts and had a great time especially at the Saturday’s night banquet. Along with our chapter receiving a number of honors, Kari Weis received the 2015 New York State Merry Ann T Wright Outstanding Chapter Registrar Award.

For the DAR Day of Service, HRPC ran a food drive and collected lots of goodies for Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry. Daughters along with their HODARs and their own daughters had a wonderful time working with a local community group for such a good cause and celebrating DAR’s 125th year.

(l. to r.) Marcia Case, Philomena Dunn, Kari Weis, Christine Smyth Bonardi, Terry Ann Marshall at the Dobbs Ferry Food Pantry

(r. to l.) Jean MacIntosh, Chris Soper, Kari Weis, Kris Liddle, HRPC regent Philomena Dunn, Liz Harper at the State Conference Friday night Banquet

State Conference Cookie Contest

Winning Recipe!Joann Braun

Kiandaga Chapter

Empire State DAR News • December 2015

Cookie Contest Second Place: Blonde Brownies by Kayann Taylor of the Owasco Chapter Cookie Contest Third Place: Gramma’s Currant Cookies by Selina Gueudel of the Wiltyck Chapter