DAR MEMBERS CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARY — At left, Roberta Fedoush, left, and Francine Hauldren, commemorated the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride with a display set up at the Mary H. Weir Public Library. The women are America 250 committee members with the Fort Steuben Chapter of the NSDAR. -- Contributed

WEIRTON — The Fort Steuben Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution met at Giovanni’s Restaurant in Weirton April 12. Regent Mary Ann Jesse called the meeting to order. The invocation and blessing were said by Chaplain Roberta Fedoush. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by America 250 Chairman Francine Hauldren’s granddaughter, Lana Sauer.

Sauer is a sophomore at Weir High School and led the pledge and national anthem using sign language. The American’s Creed was led by Secretary Vickie Joseph. Following lunch, First Vice Regent Jenne Vega announced the afternoon’s program was Chapter Appreciation Day.

Vega presented gifts to all chapter members as a way to express her appreciation for their participation and support of the group. She recognized Hauldren for her achievements promoting the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and thanked Nancy Valles for all of her hard work on the Junior American Citizens contest for local students.

The chapter, along with individual members, received certificates at the Ohio Society Daughters of the American Revolution state conference. The awards were presented by Jesse. The chapter received certificates for completing the master report, having 100 percent participation in the president general’s project and for participating in the 100th-anniversary project for the Kate Duncan Smith DAR school.

Members Tracey Dysert, Janet Rymer, Karen Blanc and Patty D’Aurora received certificates from the Volunteer Information Specialists committee for their efforts in promoting the chapter’s social media presence. Joseph received a certificate from the VIS committee for conducting Zoom chapter meetings.

At right, Several members of the Fort Steuben Chapter of the NSDAR volunteered to be tree moms for Liberty tree seedlings. Members will nurture the trees indoors until they are ready to be planted outside. Volunteer tree moms include, from left, Griselda Taylor, Francine Hauldren, Tammy Kotyk and Tracey Dysert. -- Contributed

Secretary Joseph read the minutes of the last meeting and Treasurer D’Aurora gave the treasurer’s report. D’Aurora reported the CD was reinvested at 4.165 percent and the interest earned will go to the chapter’s scholarship account.

Under committee reports, Hauldren, serving as chairman of America 250, read the April history minute for those in attendance. Entitled “Two Lights and Four Words on the Way to War,” the presentation focused on Paul Revere and the 250th anniversary of his ride April 18. The history minute encouraged students 18 and older to register to vote and to vote in all elections.

Hauldren, in the capacity of conservation chairman, spoke about the importance of bees and other pollinators. She explained without them, our food supply would disappear. “Unfortunately, due to the use of pesticides, hive disease and other environmental changes, the bee population is diminishing,” she stated. Members were encouraged to plant bee-friendly gardens and delay garden cleanup until outside temperatures stay above 50 degrees.

Vega and Hauldren spoke about the Patriot Tree Challenge. They announced the chapter has seeds from a large American Elm that was a meeting place for patriots planning the revolution.

Through the assistance of Scott Weaver from Iannetti’s Garden Center, the seeds were planted in four separate pots. Hauldren, Tammy Kotyk, Dysert and Griselda Taylor, adopted a pot they will nurture indoors until they are large enough to be planted outside. A Liberty tree pin is available to chapter members who participate in the project.

RECOGNIZED BY STATE — The Fort Steuben Chapter of the NSDAR, along with several individual members, were recognized during the OSDAR state conference in Columbus. Members include, Tracey Dysert, Vickie Joseph, Regent Mary Ann Jesse, Karen Blanc and Patti D’ Aurora. Incoming Regent Janet Rymer was also recognized. -- Contributed

JAC Co-chairmen Valles and Joseph named the local students’ who were top finishers in the JAC contest. Students names are listed with their highest level achieved, Valles noted.

Students at Harding Middle School include: Fifth-graders Colton Riley, second place, state; Ryan Zheng, second place, division; Gia Williams, second place, state; Victoria Culp, second place, division; Corey Miller, third place, division; and McKinley Brown, third place, division.

Harding Middle School sixth-graders include Ti’yonna Estes, first place, state; Mirabella Goetz, second place, state; Lorelei Slater, second place, state; Starlenn Casto, second place, state; Tegan Bliss, second place, state; Navi Pearson, first place, national; and Benjamin Klepack, second place, division.

Seventh-grade students at Harding include Khloe Tolley, first place, state; Juan Romero, second place, division; Alaina Ford, third place, national; Kailub Shonkwiler, second place, state; McKenzie Bruce, honorable mention, national; Zain Cody-Creel, honorable mention, national; Anabelle Richie, honorable mention, national; Serenity Brewer, first place, national; and Vinny Kalinowski, second place, national.

Harding eighth-graders include: Nathan Spencer, first place, national; Brighton Vreeland, second place, state; Kumari Brooks, second place, state; Colt Gamble, first place, state; Khayden Grant, first place, state; Renee Paris, second place, national; Lilly Jeffries, second place, national; Gavin King, second place, national; Issac Neff, second place, national; Joel Thang, second place, national; Darius Adler, second place, national; Nolan Greiner, second place, national; Peter Giampolo, second place, division; and Robert Smith, third place, division.

Top finishers at the Jefferson County Christian School include: Seventh-grader Autumn Wietrzkowski, first place, division; ninth-graders Isabella Harms, second place, state; and Jelena Cefus, first place, state; 10th-grader Brian Sole, first place, state; 11th-grader Noah Truax, first place, state; and Lilly Caldwell, first place, state; 12th-grader Justin Nelson, second place, state; and Emma Abercrombie, second place, state.

Valles will visit the schools and give students their award certificates, ribbons and medals.

Women’s Issues Chairman Rymer provided information regarding Sybil Ludington, who could be considered the female Paul Revere. On April 6, 1777, Ludington rode 40 miles to warn the Revolutionary soldier’s militia, Rymer noted.

Under old business, members were reminded to record their Service to America hours.

It was announced that in March, Valles and Joseph attended the OSDAR state conference in Columbus, delivering $275 worth of gift cards that were donated by chapter members.

As part of the Service in Seconds project, the gift cards will be given to active service members, Joseph said. She provided members with a report on the activities held during the conference, including NSDAR President General Pamela Rouse-Wright presenting a certificate to the Fort Steuben Chapter for their 100 percent participation in her project.

Under new business, the Nominating Committee, which consists of Roberta Fedoush, Joseph, Vega, Kotyk and Valles, presented a slate of officers for the 2025-28 term, including regent, Janet Rymer; first vice regent, Fedoush; second vice regent, Sue Davidson; chaplain, Griselda Taylor; recording secretary, Joseph; treasurer, D’Aurora; registrar, Marsha Cable; historian, Donna Dennis; and flag of the U.S., Blanc.

Each proposed new officer was presented to members, who were given the opportunity to nominate candidates from the floor. No new nominations were offered, resulting in the entire slate of officers being voted on as a group.

Several new officers were not available for Saturday’s meeting. Therefore, the May meeting has been set for noon on May 10 at Historic Fort Steuben. Members were encouraged to attend the installation meeting, with each member to bring their own bag lunch. The chapter will supply bottled water.

Fedoush gave the benediction and the meeting adjourned.

DAR is a nonprofit, non-political, women’s volunteer service organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. Any woman 18 years or older may join DAR by documenting her lineage to an ancestor, male or female, who sided with the cause of American independence through military, civil or patriotic service. The Fort Steuben Chapter welcomes all interested women.