The Pine Bluff-John McAlmont chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently held two meetings.
OCTOBER
DAR members met Oct. 21 in the center of the Lakeside United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff. Regent Susan Over led the members in the DAR ritual, assisted by Chaplain Mary Tom Dorris. Over presented Dorris with a certificate in honor of 45 years of dedicated service to the DAR.
Lela R. Murray introduced the program speaker, Phillip H. McMath, an author, playwright and historian from Little Rock. He spoke on “Abraham Lincoln and His Dreams,” according to a news release.
Under committee reports, Linda McNulty, Literacy Promotion chairman, thanked members for the books they had donated and stated that more were needed. The books are being donated to Neighbor to Neighbor.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Christmas Shoebox chairman, Jerri Townsend, reminded members to bring their shoeboxes for veterans to be brought to the November meeting.
Over reported that plans for the Veterans Parade and reception, which will be Nov. 15, are underway. In honor of the 140th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, which will be in 2026, Over asked members to meet at the Pine Bluff Memorial Gardens Oct. 28 for a short memorial.
The meeting’s special guest was Carol McMath, wife of the speaker.
SEPTEMBER
DAR members met Sept. 16 at Lakeside Church. Regent Susan Over announced that 2025 is the 70th anniversary of the Constitution Week. According to Over, the past-president general of the National DAR, Gertrude S. Caraway, played a pivotal role in establishing the annual national observance of Constitution Week and developing the resolution in 1955.
The resolution was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on Aug. 19, 1955, according to a news release.
The local members participated in the annual Bells Across America celebration of the signing of the Constitution. Members rang bells during the meeting, in recognition of the church bells that rang in Philadelphia when the Constitution was signed at 4 p.m. Sept. 17, 1787.
Melissa Scott, chair of the local DAR Americanism Committee, presented the program, “Americanism and Citizenship.”
Scott explained that DAR has a longstanding legacy of promoting citizenship, and established the committee in 1919 to foster better citizenship training for all residents of the United States. The committee’s objectives are to promote knowledge, loyalty and love of country. Scott encouraged members to support the naturalization process, and to assist new citizens when possible.
Over reported that Sharon Wyatt and Jerrie Townsend attended the Arkansas Board of Management meeting, where they accepted certificates on behalf of several members for their national committee service. The local chapter received the White Ribbon Achievement certificate for the dedication and service of its members.
Members approved donating 80 books to Neighbor to Neighbor Christmas bags. Linda McNulty and Ellen Haralson, project leaders, explained that the donation will go to local families to help children develop a love of reading.
Wyatt reported that the chapter will donate a book to the National DAR library in Washington, D.C., helping to expand its resources. She also reported that Carlton Saffa of Saracen Casino Resort had presented the chapter with an Arkansas State flag that had been flown over the state Capitol.
DAR member Willie K. Hocker from Wabbaseka submitted her design for the flag during a contest and her design was chosen. The new flag was unveiled at Arkansas State Fair in Hot Springs in 1913.