James Harlan DAR Chapter holds June meeting

More weeks under the bridge and COVID-19 still is a major threat. There are more cancellations ahead - a virtual Continental Congress, no public Henry County Fair, no State Fair and no June James Harlan DAR meeting. We do have some things to celebrate, though.

' Carol Messer's birthday. Please consider dropping her a card.

' Martha Brown's DAR application will be sent off to National Headquarters this week. With everyone in DC working from home, we aren't sure when it will be approved, but we are looking forward to welcoming Martha to our chapter. Big thanks to Carol Klopfenstein for getting this all submitted in the middle of this uncertain time.

Our June meeting was to be an annual meeting where we would share our accomplishments from the past year and develop some plans for next year. I think we can still share our accomplishments via internet. Please consider activities that people can contribute to without being present at the meetings. A bonus of this is that it also provides ways that our non-resident members can be involved. Please get your reports and plans submitted to Gayle by June 27. We will find a way to use a combination of email and online resources to conduct an annual meeting where we can share that information.

Some items from the State and National levels of DAR:

1. Continental Congress will not be in Washington, D.C., but will be a virtual conference online the week of June 21-28 primarily through a YouTube channel. There is more information on the President General's blog on the National Society of DAR's member website. What a great opportunity to get a glimpse of the national Continental Congress from the comfort of your own home!

2. Iowa Society of DAR has changed their fall schedule. Instead of a Board of Management Meeting in August and District meetings in Sept/Oct, there will be one meeting called the Fall Forum Meeting on October 22-24. It will be at the Sheraton West Des Moines. The newsletter has more details and the link to make hotel reservations.

3. The summer ISDAR newsletter especially has all sorts of information about this year's award winners, various projects and opportunities underway - 24 pages of info and pictures.

4. Have you been making masks? DAR has a special project to record the number of masks members are making. If you aren't making masks, I'll bet you are still doing some volunteer work for a local museum, community group or church. Don't forget to log your Service to America hours or get them to Waunita Gibbons.

Please take care of yourselves and reach out to each other during these times of isolation. We'll get through it!

Members of DAR descend from a patriot who fought in the American Revolution. The objectives of DAR are historical preservation and the promotion of education and patriotic endeavors. For information on joining DAR, contact Carol Klopfenstein, 319-257-6987.