Temescal Chapter History

1955-1968 1968-1981 1981-1994 1994-2008



Temescal Chapter
Pacific Palisades
1955 - 1968
Temescal Chapter, named for the American Indians who first inhabited the Pacific Palisades, was organized May 15, 1955, with twelve members. Today the membership is twenty-seven. One of the first records in the history of our chapter is the donation of medical supplies, value $100, to the Los Angeles Indian Center. Quite fitting for a chapter bearing an Indian name. We have sent contributions to the Indians each year since then, sometimes cash, sometimes food and clothing. Our work with the youth was started in our first year by presenting a Good Citizen pin, an American History medal, and R.O.T.C. bronze medal. The following year, 1957, we added a Girl homemaker award of a DAR thimble. These awards have been presented each year except the History medal which was replaced by a certificate in 1961. Temescal Chapter was very proud to have sponsored the State winner of the Good Citizens contest in 1963. She was Gail Helen Dowling of Dorsey High School in Los Angeles. We have been awarded Honor Roll certificates every year but two since this project was initiated, receiving one Gold, six Silver, and three Honorable Mention. Contributions made to meet Honor Roll requirements have included Investment Trust Fund, Occupational Therapy Scholarship, American History Scholarship, and Constitution Hall renovation. We have also sent donations to DAR Museum, Genealogical Records, Student Loan, Redwoods, National Defense, C.A.R., Americana Fund, Conservation, and the U.S.O. We have supported the two DAR Schools with gifts of cash and clothing ever since we were organized. Gifts have been sent at Christmas as well as magazines at various times to the veterans' hospitals. The chapter has presented many flags and distributed flag codes. We have protested undesirable motion pictures. In 1962 we held a Patriotic Education Week exhibit. In 1963 we contributed one family history to Genealogical Records. Constitution Week has been appropriately observed and in 1966 we celebrated our tenth anniversary along with the DAR Diamond Jubilee. The chapter received awards in DAR Magazine Advertising in 1955, 1956, and 1957 and for magazine subscriptions in 1964, 1965, and 1966. In 1957 we presented a Citizenship award to Mr. John Morley.

Regents of the chapter have been: Miss Ruth Dillon, 1955-57; Mrs. Francis C. Ford, 1957-59; Mrs. Eugene R. Crilly, 1959-61; Mrs. Donald D. Waller, 1961-63; Mrs. Gene Bunstine, 1963-65; Mrs. R. T. Throckmorton, 1965-67; Miss Margaret June Mingins, 1967-68.

Those who have received State appointments are: Miss Ruth Dillon, DAR Magazine Advertising, 1953-55, Honor Roll, 1964-68; Mrs. R. T. Throckmorton, Motion Pictures, 1966-68; Mrs. Gene Bunstine, Chairman, District 6, DAR Good Citizens Committee, 1966-68. Miss Ruth Dillon was appointed National Vice Chairman, DAR Magazine Advertising, 1956-59.

Source: History of the California State Society NSDAR 1938 - 1968



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Temescal Chapter
Pacific Palisades
1968 - 1981
Temescal Chapter has had a history of growth in activities. We now have ten schools included in our Good Citizens program. The winners from each school receive their awards at a tea which is also attended by their school counselors and families. Students are asked to share with us their plans for the future. The chapter also hosts an annual party for mid-year students of the Citizenship Class at Santa Monica College. The families and friends of the students are invited to attend. For the past six years the chapter has entertained each spring the top fifteen outstanding students of the Garfield High School R.O.T.C. and their officers. They are taken on a tour of the J. Paul Getty Museum; they then enjoy a picnic and swim. The R.O.T.C. medal is presented at this event. Other activities include yearly historic window displays, the sponsorship of a student for scholarship loan, and annual spot radio announcements. Temescal has also sponsored for District IX, 24 monthly Lineage Research Workshops at the five major Los Angeles Libraries. These have been organized and conducted by Mrs. Lyle Harper, Jr. They have been well supported by District IX chapters. Help is given to those needing to complete application papers and all are welcome to attend. Speakers at the workshops have included Director of the Heritage Library, the Head Librarian of the Genealogy Department of the Los Angeles Public Library, and a representative of the National Archives and the Latter Day Saints Library. In addition a Librarian Conservator gave four seminars on Conservation of Records. Regents of the chapter: Mrs. Robert G. Parker, 1969-71; Mrs. Joseph W. Hull. 1971-7; Mrs. Lyle Harper, Jr., 1974-78; Mrs. Foster W. Hagmann, 1978-80; and Mrs. Luciano Morra, 1980-82. Temescal Chapter has participated fully in the activities of District IX and has always been awarded an Honor Roll Certificate, the last six being Gold. Appointments filled by members of the chapter have been Mrs. Gene Bunstine, District IX Representative, Good Citizens 1968-71; Mrs. R. T. Throckmorton, Lineage Research Committee member 1968-74; Miss Ruth Dillon, State Chairman of Student Loans 1970-72; Mrs. Joseph W. Hull, State Vice Chairman, DAR Magazine Advertising 1972-74; Mrs. Lyle Harper, Hospitality Committee, 1980-81 and State Chairman of Genealogical Records 1980-82. Mrs. Harper served as District IX, Representative of Lineage Research 1978-80 and was elected District Chaplain. She was also elected President of the Angelet.

Source: History of the California State Society NSDAR 1968 - 1981




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Temescal Chapter
Pacific Palisades
1981 - 1994
Temescal Chapter has participated in all District IX activities. We have grown in membership and now have 58 members. We are one of the chapters which meet in the evenings so that working DAR daughters can attend. The chapter hosted an annual party for mid-year students of the Citizenship Class at Santa Monica College where they were entertained with a party at the Faculty Lounge. Families and friends of the students were also invited to attend. Our chapter is very active with youth programs. Every February we have a large awards reception honoring Good Citizens, American History Essay, and Junior American Citizens winners, their families, friends, and school counselors. Students were asked to share with us his plans for the future. All the winners were invited to participate in 1988 waving American flags in the Palisades Independence Day Parade in a horse-drawn red wagon with our Regent, Mrs. Francisco N. Rodriguez, along with the five winners of our Statue of Liberty Poster Contest. They had won U.S. Savings Bonds. One-hundred and seventy Liberty posters were displayed by village merchants for all to enjoy. We now have eight schools included in our DAR Good Citizens program. The winners participated in 1989 in the Palisades Fourth of July Parade in a decorated, classic, red T-bird convertible with our Regent, Mrs. Francisco N. Rodriguez. We had for several years store window displays for American History Month and spot radio announcements. Our chapter represented the DAR also by going to the different schools where we present awards and medals. As we have for the past 17 years, Temescal Chapter entertained again this Spring the top ten ROTC members from Garfield High School and their Commanding Officer and his wife. The chapter hosted a special tour of the J. Paul Getty Art Museum followed by a picnic at the home of Mrs. Lyle Harper, Jr., where during our program, we presented the ROTC Bronze Medal (which we have been doing since our chapter began 26 years ago) to the top ROTC Cadet. A Flag of the United States of America that had flown over the Capitol was also presented to the Flag Commandant. This was followed by a swim in the afternoon. Our chapter also goes to Garfield High School to their ceremony to again honor the top ROTC Cadet and show that the DAR supports the ROTC program. Temescal Chapter is very interested in veterans. We collect paperback books, stamps, and clothing for them throughout the year. We also have started collecting money for overnight kits which we can buy at the canteen for the veterans. We bring homemade cupcakes, ice cream, and coffee to the veterans at the Wadsworth Hospital for the Bingo games with which our chapter helps twice a year. Temescal has also sponsored for District IX, monthly Lineage Research Workshops at the five major Los Angeles Libraries. These have been organized and conducted by Mrs. Lyle Harper, Jr. They have been well supported by District IX chapters, other Districts, and the public. Help is given to those needing to complete application papers and all are welcome to attend. Mrs. Harper also developed a program for veterans: "How to start a genealogy program in a VA Hospital" which included a booklet (1987) and sampler mini searching kit with video tape (1988). Mrs. Rodriguez planned a very successful musical program for the installation of officers with noted violinist Maria Newman, daughter of the famous Oscar-winning film composer, Alfred Newman.

By 1988 our chapter had qualified for Gold Honor Roll FOURTEEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

Regents of the chapter have been: Mrs. Lyle Harper, Jr., 1984-86; Ms. Harriet Ellen Hatch, 1986-87; Mrs. Francisco N. Rodriguez, 1987-90; Mrs. Lee E. Bishop, Jr., 1990-94.

HONORED DAUGHTER Mrs. Lyle Harper, Jr., National Vice Chairman, Lineage Research Committee Southwestern Division 1989-92; State Historian 1988-90; Director, District IX 1985-88; State Chairman, Lineage Research, 1984-86.

Source: History of the California State Society NSDAR 1968 - 1981


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Temescal Chapter
Pacific Palisades
1994 - 2008
Temescal Chapter has participated in all District IX activities. We have grown in membership and now have 84 members. As we have for the past 30 years, Temescal Chapter entertained again this April the top ROTC members from Garfield High School and their Commanding Officer where during our meeting, we presented the ROTC Bronze Medal (which we have been doing since our chapter began 53 years ago) to the top ROTC Cadet. A Flag of the United States of America that had flown over the Capitol was also presented to the Flag Commandant. This was followed by a luncheon at our April meeting. Temescal Chapter is very interested in veterans. We collect paperback books, stamps, and clothing for them throughout the year. We also collected money for overnight kits which we can buy at the canteen for the Veterans. We brought homemade cupcakes, ice cream, and coffee to the Veterans at the Wadsworth Hospital for the Bingo games with which our chapter helps twice a year. We participated in the 4th of July "Uncle Sam" visit the hospitalized Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. We also participated in providing goodie bags in November and February to the hospitalized Veterans at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. We have participated for a few years on February 14th in "Salute to Hospitalized Veterans" also at the VA medical center in West Los Angeles. This is a national program where we go to the hospital with other service groups to visit the patients, to hand out goodie bags, wish them Happy Valentine's Day, and thank them for their service to our nation. One of our members, Barbara Feick, went to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, to help out in the "closet," a place where wounded solders could come to pick out clothes, etc., which they needed. We have had displays in the community for Constitution Week and American History Month.

In 2000, Temescal Chapter presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Lt. General John M. Wright, Jr. - hero of Corregidor. Then a young Lt., he commanded the battery which fired the last round in defense of Corregidor, before the white flag was raised, on May 6, 1942. After spending the next three years as a prisoner of war, he went on to serve our country in Korea and Viet Nam.

In 2005, Temescal Chapter celebrated our 50th Anniversary, with a lovely luncheon. Attending were all six living past regents, including Alice Crilly, a Charter Member. Also in attendance were our current regent, Jennifer Bishop, other members, HODARS, and many guests.

Regents of the chapter have been: Mrs. Roberta Shepard, 1994-1996; Kathleen MacLennan, 1996-2001; Mrs. Roberta Shepard, 2001-2002; Mrs. Billy Koenig, 2002-2004; Mrs. Jennifer Bishop, 2004-08.

HONORED DAUGHTERS:

Jennifer Bishop, Chaplain District IX - 2008-2010, VAVS Representative WLA Medical Center 2001-2010; DAR Service to Veterans District IX Representative 1998-2004; Assistant District IX 1992-1994 and 2006-2007.

Kathleen MacLennan, State Chairman VIS Committee 2006-2008; State Vice Chairman VIS Committee 2004-2006; State Chairman Units Overseas 2002-2004; State Vice Chairman Library - Seimes Microfilm Center 2000-2002; Assistant Director, District IX 2000-2002; Secretary, District IX 1998-2000; DAR Good Citizens, District IX Representative 1998-2000; Chairman Ribbons & Badges Committee State Conference 1998-2000; VIS (Volunteer Information Specialist) District IX Rep 1996-2004; Membership, District IX Representative 1996-1998.

Source: History of the California State Society NSDAR 1994 - 2008
 

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Last update May 23, 2008