Mission and Activities

2011 - 2012

Knittin’
The next meetings of the Knitin' group will be Dec. 6 at Joy's home. Join the fun between 1pm and 4pm. We will discuss scarves (10 inches by 42 inches) for our vets and homeless. We have produced 46 hats since August for our overseas vets and 10 hats for our Palo Alto Facility. Many thanks to those who gave money for supplies.

Pins and Needles will meet Nov. 14th at Lynn's home at 1p.m. We will finish sewing the 125 Christmas stockings for the Veterans.

Continental Congress 2012
NSDAR is pleased to announce that it has contracted with the Hamilton Crowne Plaza for additional hotel rooms which will be available to DAR members at the special rate of $199/night + tax. For more details, look at members.dar.org

Wreaths Across America
Captain Matthew Ramsay C.A.R. Society invites Santa Clara DAR Chapter members to join us for the "Wreaths Across America" ceremony on Saturday, December 10, at 9:00 a.m. at Madronia Cemetery, 14766 Oak St Saratoga CA 95070. A brief ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m., followed by the placing of wreaths on the 965 graves of veterans who are at rest in Madronia Cemetery. If you would like to sponsor a wreath for Madronia Cemetery, or for any of the other locations throughout the country and overseas, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org . The cost of sponsorship for an individual wreath is $15.00. "Wreaths Across America" ceremonies take place simultaneously, in all time zones, on the second Saturday in December to honor veterans who have served our country. Contact Judy

Women's Issues Essays!
The deadline for submission of Women's Issues essays is January 15, 2012. Essay information may be found on the Women's Issues Committee page, and electronic submittal of essays is encouraged. More Information

American Heritage Contest
2011 - 2012 Theme: Enhancing the Present: Contemporary Expressions of Our Heritage Here's your chance to be really creative! Use your skills and enjoy your hobbies. Categories include crafts, literature & drama, art & sculpture, music and fiber arts. (See Pat T.'s pine needle baskets below for inspiration!) For more information, contact Isabelle.

2010 - 2011

July 4th at the Stanford Theater - our own Yankee Doodle Dandies!

Shanna and Judy Brown

Kim Thomas with her father Walt Fisher and husband Paul Thomas

Carolyn and Joe Tajnai and grandchildren enjoy the movie Yankee Doodle Dandy at the Stanford Theater

Junior Membership Committee

Santa Clara DAR Chapter is proud to have many junior members, who are 18 through 35 years of age. (Junior members “age out” when they reach their 36th birthday.) In future newsletter issues, we will be introducing you to some of these young women and telling you about their accomplishments in our community. On the national level, DAR Junior Members support Tamassee and Kate Duncan Smith DAR Schools. They also raise funds for the Helen Pouch Memorial Fund that provides scholarships and general assistance for the DAR schools.
Judy Brown
Junior Membership Committee Chairman

Junior American Citizens Committee

The DAR Junior American Citizens Committee sponsors clubs and contests for school-age students that promote an appreciation of American heritage and history. This year, Captain Matthew Ramsay Society, Children of the American Revolution will be forming a Junior American Citizens Club, under the sponsorship of our DAR Chapter. Watch for reports on the club formation and progress.
Judy Brown
Junior American Citizens Committee Chairman

DAR Initiates Three New Members

On September 16, 2011 Suzanne Mills, Suzanne Shea, Regent Pamela Bryant and Linda Knock are pictured after the initiation ceremony.

N.S.C.A.R. Western Regional Meeting

Emily and Sara, Captain Matthew Ramsay C.A.R. Society members, attended the N.S.C.A.R. Western Regional Meeting in June in San Mateo. They are pictured with their grandmother, Carol Allsup, Santa Clara DAR member, who accompanied them. Judy Brown and Billie Spence, both Santa Clara DAR members, also attended the conference that introduced the N.S.C.A.R. program for 2011-2012, “Living the American Dream,” which will raise funds to support the Fisher House Foundation.

Another special summer event was Captain Matthew Ramsay Society’s visit to the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda. The tour was led by Jim Long, Silicon Valley SAR member and the husband of Isabel Long, Santa Clara DAR Registrar. Shanna Brown, also a Santa Clara DAR member, is pictured on board the USS Hornet with her niece, Danielle, and Captain Long.

Santa Clara DAR members are invited to join Captain Matthew Ramsay Society in the following activities:
Wednesday, October 5—We will be serving dinner to the families at the Fisher House at the Palo Alto VA Hospital. Donations are needed, as well as people to help serve the meal.
Saturday, December 10—“Wreaths Across America” at Madronia Cemetery. DAR members are invited to donate money for wreaths and to join us for the ceremony.
World War II Memorial Online Registry—Please join C.A.R. in registering your family members who served during World War

SWORD CEREMONY: CAPTAIN JENNIFER HUNTSMAN MARRIES

October 9, 2010: Jennifer Eileen Huntsman Olson, is a member of the Pontotoc Hills Chapter, Pontotoc, MS, and an associate member of the Santa Clara Chapter.

Jennifer, a Captain in the Inactive Army Reserves, was married to Paul Olson in Tampa, FL.

CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

December 11, 2010, at the "Wreaths Across America" ceremony at Madronia Cemetery in Saratoga, Captain Matthew Ramsay C.A.R. Society and Santa Clara DAR Chapter helped place wreaths on the graves of U.S. military veterans. Billie Spence, Carol Allsup, Pat Hawkins and Judy Brown represented Santa Clara DAR.

C.A.R. members at the Captain Matthew Ramsay Society C.A.R. meeting on December 12, 2010: Zachary, Sara, Emily, and Erin display stockings that were made by Santa Clara DAR Chapter members. The children filled the stockings with candy and personal items, which were donated by Santa Clara DAR. The stockings were delivered to the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto.

SPECIAL AWARDS

On December 11, 2010, Arlene Allen was presented with her 40 year membership certificate by Isabelle Long and Joy Spence

SCCDAR 2010 YEAR-END REPORT

Pamela Bryant, Regent

This was a busy year for the 102 members of the Santa Clara Chapter. The chapter grew by 12 members. Chapter members donated goods and services worth $600 to the USO and over $5,000 of goods and services to the Veteran's Hospital in Palo Alto. The 25 members of our Pins and Needles group knitted 75 hats for Project Patriot. The Santa Clara Chapter supported the community by awarding our $1000 Good Citizens Award to Marcella Longoria from Willow Glen High School in San Jose. ROTC medals, cash and certificates were presented to Overfelt High School student, Vanessa Felix Zuniga, Mt Pleasant High School student, Erica Moralez and San Jose State student, Christopher Garner. 60 cloth books were sewn by the Pins and Needles group and given to support Literacy programs at the Palo Alto Ronald McDonald House.

The Santa Clara Chapter participated in service projects with the Captain Matthew Ramsey Society C.A.R.: Socks For Cemawa Indian School, collecting items and filling Christmas stockings for the Veterans and collecting, filling and delivering 5 baskets full of toiletries, games and books for the Fisher House at Travis Air Force Base.

2010-2011 DAR GOOD CITIZEN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AWARD PROGRAM

On January 13, 2011, Sean Oswald, a senior from Santa Clara High School received the Good Citizenship Award from Regent, Pamela Bryant.

Santa Clara Chapter DAR is a proud participant in the DAR Good Citizens Award Program. Participating in this program gives the Chapter an opportunity to reach out to the youth of the community and to learn how they view their American Heritage.

American History Winner AWARD

On January 13, 2011, fifth grader Kathleen Navas received the American History Award from Regent Pamela Bryant.

2010 - 2011 SPECIAL AWARDS

On May 13, 2011, Judy Brown was presented with her 25-year membership certificate by Regent, Pam Bryant

On May 13, 2011, Joan Buechel, Paula Mortensen, Janice Penner, Judy Brown and Carolyn Tajnai were honored for 25 and more years of DAR membership.

CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (C.A.R.)

Captain Matthew Ramsay C.A.R. Society families visited the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda on June 5, 2011. Jim Long, U.S. Navy Captain (retired) and a docent at the Hornet Museum, was the tour guide. He took the group into many areas of the ship, including the flight deck, the engine room, the brig and the living quarters for the officers and enlisted men who served onboard the aircraft carrier. The children also saw artifacts from the Hornet’s recovery of the Apollo 11 astronauts. Several Santa Clara DAR members attended this event. Jim Long is the husband of Isabelle Long, Santa Clara DAR member.

Samantha Shireman and grandmother, Carolyn Tajnai, creators of the Santa Clara Chapter Website.
Changing of the Guard

The Summer of 2003, the Santa Clara Chapter Website was born. Associate Member Carolyn Tajnai perceived there was a need and with Regent Helen Dreher’s enthusiastic support, she enlisted the help of her then 12-year old granddaughter, Samantha Shireman. Samantha, a member of the Children of the American Revolution, had taught herself HTML (the Web programming language) and Web design, and she and Carolyn designed and created the Website in Comcast. Two years later, Comcast changed their support and Samantha transferred the Website to Yahoo. Carolyn, who had provided the requirements, text, pictures, and link permissions, maintained and updated the Site. Then we were notified that Yahoo would no longer support our Website, but that the California State Society would. However, this required a higher level of expertise than Carolyn had and Samantha was then attending UC Berkeley and not available to help. CSSDAR IT Chairman Kathleen Watson volunteered to help. As of November 2010, Kathy has been the Co-Webmaster. Carolyn continued to create the text and provide pictures and Kathy then mounted the information to the Website.

July 9, 2004, Carolyn received a Certificate for Outstanding Contribution ~ Website Construction 2003-2004 from Susan G. Tillman, National Chairman, Volunteer Information Specialists Committee.

Our new member Robin Hurwitz has volunteered to become the Chapter Webmaster effective July 1, 2011. It is with gratitude that Carolyn passes the baton on to Robin.

SCCDAR 2011 Year-End Report
Pamela Bryant, Regent

This has been a year of celebration - past, present and future for the 119 members of the Santa Clara Chapter. The Chapter celebrated its 85th birthday in March. We remembered past activities, old friends and reflected on the vision of the organizing Regent Belle Prescott Williams and 32 charter members.

The chapter celebrated the present with the Good Citizen Award winner, Sean Oswald from Santa Clara High School, with our American History winner, homeschooled 5th grader, Kathleen Navas and with Santa Clara member Mary Kay Davis who won first place in the American Heritage Fiber Arts Competition with her beautiful quilt. Our chapter continues to support DAR Schools, Veterans, USO, Project Patriot, ROTC, Literacy and the Captain Matthew Ramsey Society of C.A.R.

And as Santa Clara looks to the future, we celebrate 25 new members, 4 who are Juniors.

2009-2010

Special Recognition for 25 Years of DAR Membership

On December 11, 2009, Joan Buechel, Diana Rice, Carolyn Tajnai, Paula Mortensen, Janice Penner and Mattie Cooper (front) were honored for 25 years of membership.

DAR GOOD CITIZEN HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AWARD

On January 8, 2010, Marcella Suzanne Longorio, a senior at Willow Glen High School received the Award from Regent, Pamela Bryant (left).

SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS

On April 8, 2010, Paula Mortensen, was honored in receiving a certificate of recognition of 40 years of DAR Membership from Regent Pamela Bryant.

On June 14, 2010, Mattie Cooper, was honored in receiving a certificate of recognition of 50 years of DAR Membership. She is accompanied by Jana Humphreys, (Granddaughter), Samantha Shireman (Great-Granddaughter), Sara Shireman (Granddaughter) and Carolyn Tajnai (Daughter).

2008-2009

ROTC Awards Program

Three awards were given to San Jose State University ROTC to Cadet Jon Hevia, Mt. Pleasant High School JROTC to Cadet Sergeant Flor Delgado and to Overfelt High School JROTC to Rosa Hernandez. In addition to the medal, and commendation a check for $100 was given to each one.

Pins and Needles Group

The Chapter members donate items such as books, magazines, sketch pads, colored pencils, calendars, greeting cards, playing cards, t-shirts (both gently used and new), shampoo, conditioner, lotions, soaps, tooth brushes, tooth paste, dental floss, writing kits (which include stamps), candy bags, Christmas gifts, and gently used clothing. Excess women's and children's clothing is donated to the Menlo Park Clara Mateo Shelter for VA Women and Children. Cash has been donated to the General Fund, but in the future, we have been asked to specify a specific fund. Kathy Galios, the Chairman, makes monthly visits to the VA Hospital and spends the day distributing the donated items and chatting with patients.

DAR Service to the Veteran's Hospital, Palo Alto

For the Ronald McDonald House at Stanford University Hospital, the small group of five dedicated members donated about 70 soft-fabric books and about 20 quilts/afghans. For the Veteran's Hospital at Palo Alto, they donated 20 pillows for patients' backs when in wheelchairs, 15 lap robes which are both quilts and afghans and approximately 15 knitted caps. Also, they mailed about 45 caps to the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. They also made and stuffed 125 Christmas stockings for the Veteran's Hospital.

DAR Service to the USO, San Jose International Airport

The Chapter members donate items such as paperback books, magazines, sketch pads, colored pencils, calendars, note cards, stationery, playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, coloring books and crayons, small picture books for children, toiletries; non-perishable foods such as instant cereals and soups, trail mix, granola bars, poptarts, small containers of peanut butter, pudding, tuna, chicken, macaroni and cheese and crackers and cheese, microwave popcorn, chips, and small wrapped candies. Drinks are popular such as fruit juice, soda and water. Disposable eating utensils, napkins, and hand sanitizers are also needed. Rose Lodi, the Chairman, makes frequent visits to deliver the items to the airport.

DAR Schools Committee Achievements

The Committee collected 334 Campbell Soup Labels and a large number of General Mills Box Tops for Education. They also collected 160 ink jet cartridges. The cartridges have a value of approximately three dollars each. These were sent to the Tamassee DAR School and the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School. As an additional project the ladies of the Santa Clara Chapter donated 55 new children's T-shirts which Chairman, Pat Tapley, sent to the Tamassee DAR School.

DAR Good Citizens Award Program

The 2008-2009 Good Citizens Award winner for Santa Clara Chapter was Cassandra Myers, a senior honors/advanced placement student at Santa Clara High School. The award and a check for one thousand dollars were presented by Regent Pamela Bryant on the right and Chairman Billie Spence on the left.. Cassandra was accompanied by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tim Myers and her high school counselor, Mr. Dave Fernandez.

Christmas in the Park

Santa Clara helped El Camino and Los Gatos Chapters decorate a Christmas Tree in the Park in downtown San Jose. Regent Janice Steele (right) and former Regent Susan Berghold of Los Gatos (left) were on hand to help the morning after Thanksgiving, 2007. The tree was decorated with waterproof USO banners and flags.

California State Regent Anne Lampman

State Regent Anne Lampman was the guest speaker at the Santa Clara Chapter meeting on November 16, 2007. Regent Janice Steele presented her with a $250 check for the Liberty Cart Project and also a lamp to add to her personal collection.

DAR Good Citizens Award Program

The 2006-2007 Good Citizens Award winner for Santa Clara Chapter was Daisy Liu, a 2007 graduate of Cupertino High School. The award was presented by Regent Janice Steele on the left and Committee Chairman Billie Spence on the right.

Santa Clara Chapter, DAR is a proud participant in the DAR Good Citizens Award Program. Participating in this program gives the Chapter an opportunity to reach out to the youth of the community and to learn how they view their American Heritage. Today, those words mean different things to different people. At no time in history has our nation been so diverse. Peoples from around the world have sought to become citizens of our great country because of our American Heritage. They value the principles and ideals established by the founding fathers.

The National DAR Good Citizens Award was established in 1934. Each year young people from across the nation participate in the Good Citizens Scholarship Program. Fifteen schools in Santa Clara Valley were invited to participate in the program for 2006-2007 by the Santa Clara DAR Chapter. The entries were judged by a panel of three judges. Each entry was rated on Personal Information and an essay. A high school transcript as well as letters of recommendation were also considered in choosing the overall winner.

Students entering the Good Citizens program are required to write an essay in 500 words or less, with no reference materials and with supervision of a faculty member at their school. The written essay was entitled “Our American Heritage and My Responsibility to Preserve It.

2006-2007
Annual Report

Santa Clara Chapter has had a busy and productive year. Billie Spence has been Senior State President of CAR and as such has attended all the state meetings and some of the national CAR meetings in Washington, D.C.

Diana Rice has done a bang up job in contacting the DAR and Indian Schools. We save soup labels, provide clothing and have generously given books to the schools. She has mailed boxes of supplies.

Carolyn Hatling has been taking items on monthly basis to the USO. Lots of our military have been using the little building at the San Jose Airport. They need wrapped and packaged foods on a regular basis. Carolyn will be moving this summer and Rose Lodi will take on this responsibility.

Anne Locke has been taking monthly care packages up to the VA Hospital in Palo Alto. Many of our members donate lightly used clothing for both men and women to the veterans. We give writing kits to the hospital including stamps and cards which members donate. Several times a year we put together tray favors for veterans, and at Christmas for the past two years, Lynn Robinson has sewn little cotton stockings for the candies to be put in. Also we collect soap, shampoo and lotions to donate.

Pins and Needles is a sewing group that makes items for others and for sale to members. They are currently making cloth books for young children. All members are invited to join.

Starting in the fall we will give a flag to each speaker and honoree. This will give our patriotism more emphasis. We are a flag-waving organization.

Don’t stop with lineage research, you never know when you might find another ancestor with service to the American Cause! Paula Mortensen has just submitted her eleventh supplemental.

Charlotte Carter, our ROTC chairman,  presents medals at several events including graduations in the spring.

Regent Janice Steele has represented the Santa Clara Chapter at both fall and spring Northern Council meetings and at the State conference in Irving during the past year. She has conducted the meetings and typed a four-page monthly newsletter  to keep the membership up-to-date.

On the Sunday of the State Conference there was a Memorial Service for California Daughters who entered into eternal rest. Santa Clara Chapter had the names of Roberta “Bobbie” Porter Allen, Ruth McDonald Bielefeld, Ruby “Felice” Kelly Braithwaite, Nancy Vane Winn Cadman, Vera Burns Campbell, Helen Sparks Dreher, and Dorothy Greer Sperlinski. Seven members were remembered. We will miss them.

Our programs included a book review of "1776" by Pam Bryant; an overview of California Ballot Propositions by a representative of the League of Women Voters; Kathy Debus, Manager of Fisher House at the Palo Alto Veterans Hospital;  Celebration of Benjamin Franklin's Birthday by Dr. Charlie Self;  Barbara Newton, Director of  the American Heritage Museum in Palo Alto; a Master Gardener taught us about combining fruits and vegetable with flowers and using drip irrigation systems;   Home Emergency Preparedness;  Pam Bryant led a celebration of  the 400^th birthday of Jamestown; a trip to the  San Jose History Park for a talk and tour.

The Chapter is grateful for the many contributions made by our very active members.

April 30, 2003, the DAR celebrated the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial.  District VI planted a Southern Magnolia tree in Kelley Park at History San Jose.  Helen Dreher, Santa Clara Chapter Regent, took her turn in shoveling the soil.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Joy Spence, 2004-2006 Regent, chose three projects. Donations were made to Fisher House at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, CA; Captain Tom Conry, San Jose, CA, Fire Department Burn Camp; Professor Laree Huntsman, Psychology Department, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, "Hooked on Books" Reading Program.

Germaine Amador, who attends Andrian C. Willcox High School, won the 2006 Good Citizen Essay Contest.

Helen Dreher, 2002-2004 Regent, chose as her project the Sunnyvale Historical Society's Heritage Park/Museum which is recreating the home of Martin Murphy, Jr., destroyed by fire in 1961. Murphy founded the city of Sunnyvale; other family members founded the towns of San Martin, and Murphy's, in the California Gold Country. The Murphys came West in 1844, and pioneered the trail over the Sierra that the unfortunate Donner party took two years later. The Murphys were among those who rescued the survivors of that tragic party. The Sunnyvale Historical Society's Project is not only to recreate the house, but to provide a showcase for all the Murphy memorabilia that are presently in storage, and to provide additional classroom space for area children.

Virginia Hess, 2000-2002 Regent, chose as her project the conservation of three paintings at History San Jose: Elizabeth Townsend and her son John Henry Moses, Moses Schallenberger's Cabin at the Truckee Lake Camp, and Crossing the Plains. They will be in a national traveling exhibition called the "The Overland." These paintings will be added in History San Jose with stories of immigrants like the Stephens, Townsend, and Murphy families who settled in San Jose after crossing the Sierra Nevada summit in November 25, 1844.

CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (C.A.R.):
Chapter sponsors Captain Matthew Ramsay Society of C.A.R., nationally known for its outstanding members.  Membership requirements are the same as DAR or SAR.  Children can be members from birth until 22nd birthday.  Mission:  to train good citizens, develop leaders, and to promote love of the United States and its heritage among young people.

CONSTITUTION WEEK AND COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS COMMITTEE:
Emphasizes the responsibilities of learning about, protecting, defending, and preserving the Constitution, and studying the historical events that occurred during 1787.  Displays materials in libraries, schools, etc.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE:
Programs in 2003-2004 included:  The Constitution, Women in the Modern Army, Historic Quilts, Crystal Clear--Return of the Glass Armonica, Life in the Valley--The Past 40 Years, Tamassee DAR School, Identity Theft, Backyard Bird Feeding, Retiring of the Flag.

Programs in 2002-2003 included:  Angel Flight, First Ladies' Gowns, Samplers at DAR Museum, Video on Pearl Harbor, Medicare/Medical, Our Antique Roadshow, The USO, Women and Children During the Civil War, Family Heirlooms, and "My Experiences as a Stewardess."

DAR GOOD CITIZENS COMMITTEE:
Senior girls from five 4-year high schools in the area compete in an essay contest.  They also must exemplify qualities of a good citizen:  dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism.  The winner of our Chapter contest receives a certificate and a monetary reward, and is then eligible to compete at District, State, and National levels.

DAR MAGAZINE:
Encourages members to subscribe to the "American Spirit" magazine, which focuses on DAR objectives.  The "American Spirit" magazine showcases the DAR and is available to the general public.

DAR MUSEUM:
Informs members about the DAR Museum, its exhibits, programs, and needs.

DAR SCHOOLS:
DAR founded 2 schools for disadvantaged children:  Tamassee School in South Carolina, and Kate Duncan Smith School in Alabama. In January, 2003, we sent 176 Campbell's Labels for Education to help support the Tamassee School. Information can be found on the Web by searching on "Tamassee School in South Carolina."

DAR SERVICE FOR VETERANS:
Provides gifts, tray favors, clothing, books, Valentines and money for veterans at Palo Alto Veterans' Hospital.  Provides books for USO at Mineta San Jose International Airport.

FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA COMMITTEE:
Insures the correct usage and display of the flag, and to educate children and adults in the authorized use of The Flag Code.  Has programs for retiring worn or soiled flags.

DAR LIBRARY:
The committee works to raise funds to support special equipment or furniture and out-of-print acquisitions for the DAR library.

INSIGNIA:
The official Insignia was unanimously adopted by the Board of Management on May 26, 1891. The golden wheel of the Insignia represents a spinning wheel, the platinum or white gold distaff represents flax, the blue rim and distaff carry the colors of the society, and the stars represent the original thirteen colonies.

NATIONAL DEFENSE:
Carries out the patriotic, educational, and historical purposes of the DAR, and helps to promote an enlightened public opinion.  Reads article from The National Defender at every meeting.

ROTC:
ROTC medals are awarded to student cadets of outstanding ability and achievement in high school, college, and university, including  ROTC programs in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force.  We have been giving one gold and two bronze medals for the past few years.