The Ashmead Chapter NSDAR of Vicksburg recently installed new officers for the next three year term beginning in the fall of 2025. Pictured from left to right are: Ann Morris, Parliamentarian; Robin Jennings, Registrar; Tracy Trichell, Historian; Janis Koestler, Regent; Mary Louise Stevens, Librarian; Jane Speyerer, Outgoing Chaplain; Cecille Hintson, Chaplain; and Bobbie Edwards, Treasurer. Not pictured are: Elizabeth Joyner, Vice-Regent; and Elizabeth Gurtowski, Recording and Corresponding Secretary.

The meeting was held on May 3, the day of the Kentucky Derby, so Outgoing Regent, Bobbie Edwards, surprised all present with floral headband “fascinators” hand made by special friend of the chapter, Lenore Barkley. Edwards thanked the membership for the opportunity of serving, and for the trust placed in her as Regent, which she called a “great honor.”

Also at the meeting, Mr. Norman Francingues of the Army Navy Club of Vicksburg presented Edwards with a certificate of Ashmead’s sponsorship of, and authentication of the quarterly flying of the American flag over the Mississippi River Bridge earlier this year in memory of all American Revolutionary War soldiers.

The annual Memorial Service was held in which Mary Ann Dotson was remembered as a faithful and beloved member of the Chapter. Martha Ann Diaz was presented with a Certificate of 50 years of membership in DAR, and Ann Morris was presented with a Certificate of 25 years of DAR membership.

The program, “CELEBRATE C.A.R.!” was presented on behalf of the local Sarah Randoph Boone Society, NSCAR by former member officers of Sarah Randolph Boone Society, long time Ashmead DAR members, Martha Ann Turner Diaz and Janis Lanier Koestler, both past and honorary presidents of the Mississippi State Society, NSCAR. Koestler is also a recent past senior state president of the Mississippi State Society, NSCAR. The presentation was intended to afford DAR members and guests a taste of a local C.A.R. meeting, as well as Regional and National Conventions, as the group was told the Who, What, When, Where and Why of C.A.R., past, present, and future.

Diaz thanked Ashmead members for the sponsorship of the Sarah Randolph Boone Society C.A.R. over the years. Tribute was given to long time Sarah Randolph Boone Society senior president, Ashmead DAR member Mrs. Carmine Bell and husband, Roeland Bell, who were unable to attend. Prayers were requested for their continued recovery from serious injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

After the drawing for the door prize (a full size home U.S. flag and flagpole assembly) given by the Sarah Randolph Boone Society, the program ended on a historical note, with the two honorary presidents singing a rousing version of the C.A.R. Song.