Smith-McMillan DAR Chapter Holds Meeting, Luncheon

The Smith-McMillan Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution or NSDAR held its final calendar year meeting and luncheon at the Grand Fayette Hotel in Fayetteville, on Saturday, May 21.

Regent Sue Lane McCulley called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. and led the DAR Ritual, Scripture, and Prayer with Chaplain Kim Joost. Madame Regent then introduced her former colleague and our guest speaker, Dr. Paul Spellman, Instructor of History at Wharton County Junior College who gave our program on “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” which is the current focus of our NSDAR. Before the business portion of the meeting, Madame Regent adjourned us for a short break for those interested in purchasing Dr. Spellman’s books.

Regent Sue Lane McCulley resumed the meeting with introductions of guests which were guest HODARS (Husbands of DAR members): Ken Vacina and Benjamin Lafferty; Kathy Cotton-Windham, Chaplain with San Jacinto DAR Chapter; Sandra Chipley, Regent of King’s Cross Chapter; Claudia Valastro who is transferring to our chapter; author, Elaine Thomas; and Stephen Brown, family member of Regent Sue Lane.

Highlights following the program and business portion of the meeting were the various awards to members and special guests and the installation of officers. Two citizens of Fayette County received the prestigious National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Awards and were given certificates and pins. Chapter member, Marie Watts introduced recipient, Katy Beauford, who was honored for her many various contributions to our community. In the seven years that she has lived in La Grange, Katy has served as Secretary on the Faison House board; is President of the Friends of Monument Hill Park and Kreische Brewery; AMEN Food Pantry volunteer; actively serves Casino Hall and Community Theater; LGISD Development Team and La Grange Middle School Campus Team.

Author, Elaine Thomas was honored for her tireless effort to chronicle for posterity local Veterans of our area. Elaine’s first interview with local Veteran, Charlie Ripper spawned such interest that she drove approximately 3,000 miles in Fayette County to interview 53 WWII male veterans and 11 women for Veterans’ Voices and Home Front Memories that reflected early wartime memories and the individual memories of war time service. Elaine pledged the proceeds from the sale of her books to Blinn College for student scholarships and as of December 1, 2021 the Emil and Elaine Thomas endowed scholarship had a corpus value of $32,129.30. Last year, student scholarships valued at $1,115 were awarded. She has been awarded a Will Rogers Medallion for Veterans’ Voices and Home Front Memories and an Independent Publisher Award for Saddles and Service: Winston Parker’s Story.

Outstanding Chapter Junior: Regent Sue Lane McCulley introduced this year’s recipient, her granddaughter and Smith-McMillan Chapter member, Maygen Brown who graduated with a 4.0 from UTSA and is completing her first year for BS in Nursing at San Antonio University of Nursing.

Regent McCulley recognized Gina Minzenmeyer with a Certificate of Appreciation: State Vice Chair of 400th Anniversary of Mayflower and 100th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage from the TXDAR State Regent, Marcy Carter-Lovick.

Sandra Chipley, Regent of King’s Cross Chapter, was the Installing Officer of the Installation of Officers for the 2022-2024 term. Sandra Chipley pinned the Smith-McMillan Chapter’s Regent pin on new chapter regent, Pamela Burke after first swearing in all officers followed by a prayer given by Chaplain Kim Joost. Other officers inducted were Cathleen Tutt: Vice Regent; Kathy Schatte: Chaplain; Recording Secretary: Sherry Hebert; Corresponding Secretary: Laurie Patterson; Treasurer: Jackie Head; Registrar: Carolyn Caflisch; Historian: Kyla Crumbly; Librarian: JoAnn Vasina.

Following the Blessing and Benediction given by Chaplain Kim Joost, Regent Sue Lane McCulley adjourned the meeting at 11:35 a.m. for the luncheon.