Fox River Valley Chapter DAR celebrates the 150th anniversary of 'Little Women'
The Fox River Valley Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual holiday event at Randall Oaks Golf Club in West Dundee.
The Holiday Tea and Welcome Ceremony for New Members was enjoyed by members and their guests. Chapter Chaplain Suzanne Kovac conducted the Induction Ceremony with presentations by Registrar Joan Longmire and Regent Laurie Sutherland. The chapter welcomed four new members: Cassie Khurana of Palatine, Charlene Sepsey of Huntley, Mary Sorgatz of Huntley and Heather DeMonico of Cary.
During the business meeting, Regent Sutherland reported on the chapter's many accomplishments in volunteer service. Members' service not only supports local communities, but also DAR's mission: to promote patriotism, preserve American history and support education.
A traditional Holiday Tea was followed by a special program by Barbara Peterson, owner of Attic Window & Heirloom Doll Hospital in Walworth, Wisconsin. Her program was titled "The 150th Anniversary of Little Women: Heirloom Dolls and More."
Peterson presented information about American author Louisa May Alcott and the beloved novel Little Women. Her collection of 60 vintage Little Women dolls was displayed, many were produced by American doll maker Madame Alexander. Members brought heirloom dolls and explained how they've been passed down through their families.
Serving the Huntley-Algonquin-Hampshire area, the Fox River Valley Chapter made history with the record-setting accomplishment of winning the DAR Spread the American Spirit Contest four consecutive times.
The chapter hosts free genealogical workshops for prospective members to prove their lineage to a Revolutionary War patriot and assists with new member applications.
The chapter also hosts the DAR Good Citizens Program and Scholarship Contest, which are intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. Students selected as the school's DAR Good Citizen possess outstanding levels of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.
The DAR is the largest lineage society in American with more than 185,000 current members who trace their ancestry to a patriot who fought for or aided in some way the cause of American Independence.
If interested in joining this women's service organization, contact Joan Longmire at (847) 961-6381 or geniejoan@comcast.net. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/FoxRiverValleyDAR/.