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DAR Fort Steuben Chapter plans parade presence

The Fort Steuben Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met Nov. 9 at the Best Western Plus University Inn in Steubenville.

Regent Nancy Valles presided at the meeting with opening ceremonies involving Mary Wood; Second Vice Regent Denese White; Librarian Bonnie Slemmer; and Chaplain Wadeanne Nardo.

First Vice Regent Karen Blanc introduced speakers Gary Cramer and Michael Mongelli of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. The 8th Pennsylvania regiment volunteered in August 1776 to augment the Continental Army.

Cramer and Mongelli gave a presentation about their organization. They also spoke about communications during battle, noting a unit commander would give orders to the fife and drum corps, which would signal the troops. Because of this system, the musicians and unit commander were prime targets.

The pair also brought several Revolutionary War artifacts for the group to view.

A business meeting followed the program with reports by Vickie Joseph and Beverly Livingston, treasurer. Joseph also read correspondence from Ohio State Regent Sandy McCann and Sons of the American Revolution Wreaths Project Chair Gary Timmons.

Nominating Committee Chair Carol Skerbetz reported Joseph will serve as recording secretary, and Diane Bowers will service as corresponding secretary.

JoAnn Morrison and Skerbetz will be Junior American Citizen co-chairs.

Opal Kleineke gave the National Defense Minute, discussing the Budget Control Act and how the cuts affect the military.

Conservation Chair Susan Guy reported a rock and large shrub were to be removed from Union Cemetery and suggested the group might beautify the area by planting flowers. Red, white and blue ribbons are being sold for $2 each to raise funds for the project.

The Fort Steuben Chapter will participate in the Steubenville Christmas parade Dec. 7. The float will have a red, white and blue color scheme and feature White and Sandy Briggs, dressed in colonial-era costumes, sitting next to a fireplace. Chapter members were invited to walk in the parade and hand out candy.

Chapter T-shirts are available for $20 at Stuff With Attitude.

Blanc asked members to turn in their record of volunteer hours each month so she can tabulate the chapter’s total hours for the Celebrate America Project.

Skerbetz is selling tickets for the Waldschmidt quilt for $1 each and six for $5.

Joseph spoke about steps to take to reduce breast cancer under Women’s Issues.

Valles and Blanc reported on the grave-marking ceremony for DAR Real Daughter Sarah Jane Markle Burgett at Fairview Cemetery in Burgettstown. Markle Burgett is the daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Abraham Tower Markle, who settled in Jefferson County, where Markle was born.

Four Fort Steuben Chapter members were in attendance, as were Pittsburgh Chapter Regent Dru Simeone and Pennsylvania State Regent Roberta McMullen. A dessert reception at the Burgettstown Community Library followed the ceremony.

Livingston has forms for those who want to sponsor a Wreaths Across America Project wreath. Each one is $15, and the ceremony will be held Dec. 14 at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies. Those members planning to attend are encouraged to meet at 9:30 a.m. that day at the Holiday Inn – Weirton.

Lorna Young is collecting canceled stamps, and Jane Toothman is collecting Box Tops for Education.

Members thanked White and the calling committee and greeters Briggs and Morrison.

The next meeting will be held Dec. 14 at the University Boulevard Best Western Inn. Members were asked to bring items for the annual Christmas sale.

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