Local DAR representatives attend conference

     The 110th Daughters of the American Revolution conference was held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Topeka on May 2 to 4.  Patty Owens of Dodge City and Jacqualine Dunham of Plains represented the Dodge City Chapter as voting delegates.
     State Regent Shirley Coupal presided at the meeting. Special guests were Nebraska State Regent LeAnn Reichenberg and New Mexico State Regent Lanita Duke Rasak.
     Coupal explained her project.  Her goal is to have all the Santa Fe Trail markers inspected and plans made for restoration as needed. 
    The firm of Suhor Industries, with corporate interests across Kansas, has been contacted to do the work at cost. 
    Individuals or organizations are encouraged to adopt a stone to make the restoration of the 89 markers possible.  Mary Frisch is the adopt-a-stone chairwoman. Please contact her at mfrisch@kc.rr.com or call (913) 341-2326 to sign up for the specific marker you would like to adopt for $300 to cover the restoration.  Please consider giving a tax-deductible gift, which may be sent to Frisch, to help keep this important part of Kansas history marked for future generations.
     Some of the outstanding speakers at the conference were David Clapsaddle and Keil Hileman. Clapsaddle brought many interesting items for display.  He told about the Santa Fe Trail across Kansas and the difficulties the settlers had. Hileman was the 2007 National Society DAR History Teacher of the Year.
    He brought many antiques and artifacts, which he uses in his classroom to motivate students and help them learn history.
     Junior American Citizens Chairman Jacqualine Dunham gave her report on the JAC Contest.  She received 150 entries from Kansas chapters. Of these, 115 were judged to be first-place entries and sent on to South-Central Divisional where the entries competed against entries from six states.  From there, 49 Kansas entries advanced to National judging.
    As soon as certificates and checks arrive, Dunham will award the students from the 44 entries that placed first, second, or third at the National level.  The contest carried the theme "America's Everyday Heroes."
    Students from preschool through the twelfth grade were encouraged to
submit an entry based on the theme. 
    They could select from the categories of poem, short story, stamp design, poster, banner,
photographic essay, and community service.  First-place entries will
receive $20, second place $15, and third place will receive $10.
     The Dodge City Chapter was recognized for having 11 new members.
    They also received 12 certificates for outstanding work in several
different areas or service.
     There were 185 members and guests registered at the conference.  The 2009 State Conference is to be held May 7 through 10 in Topeka with Southwest District as hosts.
     It was announced that the Fall Workshop is to be held in Salina on Sept. 13. 
    The meeting was adjourned by singing "Home on the Range."