Events
Our Year in Review: Regent Merrilyn S. Ridgeway reports our Casa Grande Valley Chapter is 44 members strong and growing. Here is what our chapter did this year.
First, the Daughters forged into the 21st century by incorporating a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation into their 2016 Constitution Week school visits. This innovation encouraged each of us to include information required by the American History Social Studies State Standards for 5th Graders. More than 2,000 students in 58 classrooms at 26 public and parochial schools in Pinal County were served. Each Daughter closed with a pep talk about the upcoming American History Essay Contest.
In addition to staffing two Veterans Day floats in two different parades, our Daughters delivered an additional 690 Constitution booklets to 8th grade teachers in Pinal County--classroom sets along with relevant teacher materials. This was a new activity for our chapter.
Our 35th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon honored the Diveley family, our founders, and gave longevity certificates to 10, 20, 30 and 40 year members. Our chapter assisted in the opening of the new Pinal County Veterans facility in Casa Grande. 154 American History Essays were evaluated and three went on to State.
Members enjoyed the American Tea Party the chapter hosted as part of a series of book-related programs at our public library. Vice Regent Gail Piggott refused to serve British tea. She poured only hot water in protest.
For the 8th consecutive year, our 94-year old member, Ann Dessert, chaired the committee that helped school children plant an Arbor Day tree in a public park in Casa Grande. We celebrated our Good Citizen Award winner at the annual luncheon/fundraiser—where our theme was March Millanary Madness--and we all wore crazy hats. Youth Citizenship nominations were received from 11 Casa Grande elementary/middle schools.
It is May, state convention time, and the chapter is preparing awards and certificates for presentation to our bright young people including JROTC medals at Casa Grande and Maricopa high schools. We’re ready to be at Continental Congress in June.
I am proud to report that the Casa Grande Valley Daughter’s commitment to historic preservation, education and patriotism continues to be as strong as ever.
First, the Daughters forged into the 21st century by incorporating a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation into their 2016 Constitution Week school visits. This innovation encouraged each of us to include information required by the American History Social Studies State Standards for 5th Graders. More than 2,000 students in 58 classrooms at 26 public and parochial schools in Pinal County were served. Each Daughter closed with a pep talk about the upcoming American History Essay Contest.
In addition to staffing two Veterans Day floats in two different parades, our Daughters delivered an additional 690 Constitution booklets to 8th grade teachers in Pinal County--classroom sets along with relevant teacher materials. This was a new activity for our chapter.
Our 35th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon honored the Diveley family, our founders, and gave longevity certificates to 10, 20, 30 and 40 year members. Our chapter assisted in the opening of the new Pinal County Veterans facility in Casa Grande. 154 American History Essays were evaluated and three went on to State.
Members enjoyed the American Tea Party the chapter hosted as part of a series of book-related programs at our public library. Vice Regent Gail Piggott refused to serve British tea. She poured only hot water in protest.
For the 8th consecutive year, our 94-year old member, Ann Dessert, chaired the committee that helped school children plant an Arbor Day tree in a public park in Casa Grande. We celebrated our Good Citizen Award winner at the annual luncheon/fundraiser—where our theme was March Millanary Madness--and we all wore crazy hats. Youth Citizenship nominations were received from 11 Casa Grande elementary/middle schools.
It is May, state convention time, and the chapter is preparing awards and certificates for presentation to our bright young people including JROTC medals at Casa Grande and Maricopa high schools. We’re ready to be at Continental Congress in June.
I am proud to report that the Casa Grande Valley Daughter’s commitment to historic preservation, education and patriotism continues to be as strong as ever.
DAR Junior American Citizens Committee: Our chapter was asked by the Cactus Wren Chapter to sponsor a Junior American Citizen Committee banner by girls in Girl Scout Troop 1411. We agreed and we were informed by the State ASDAR JAC chair that the banner had won first place, 3rd grade division. The banner then was forwarded to National level where it won second place. Our chapter daughters are proud of this win. Above is the banner and description of the banner by the girls who created it:
Our National Park
By Catherine, Gwen and Mady
This is our National Park that we designed with our imagination and creativity. On the far right is the Visitor's Center that looks like a castle. Butterflies surround the Visitor's Center to add beauty to the park. In the middle is another building with a dining area with a slide that goes down into the park. There is a pool for the animals to swim in. The colorful tree has birds in it, including an owl and a regular brown bird. The bunny below is sniffing a flower.
Our banner was made using paint brushes, feathers and our fingers. We painted to joyful music to make our National Park look happy.
Arbor Day, 2017 - Arbor Day in College Park on March 10 was a big success. Our chapter was the host and welcomed the Casa Grande Mayor Craig McFarland, Rick Gibson of the Pinal County Extension Service, and school children from Mesquite, McCartney Ranch and Cottonwood Schools with able assistance Rod Wood, C.G. Recreation Superintendent and chapter member Joyce Wold who helped the school children with the planting of the Chinese Pistache Tree. Our chapter Regent, Merrilyn Ridgeway and Conservation Chair, Ann Dessert are to be commended for planning this event; it is the 9th time our chapter has participated in this program. The schoolchildren from Mesquite read the poem by Dr. Seuss, "Who speaks for the trees?" and from McCartney Ranch read, "Trees" a poem by Harry Behn. All of the schoolchildren present received a bookmark, shown under the photos tab, that shows part of a banner by Girl Scout Troop #1411 in Mesa, AZ.
March Millinery Madness - Over 90 women gathered March 4 for our chapter's annual luncheon/style show. Dilliard's provided the clothing and models ranged from age 4 - 70 and wore stunning clothing. The Property provided a tasty meal and guests bid on 36 wonderful baskets which included services, beauty care, artwork, Easter baskets, wine baskets and golfing packages, something for everyone. But the biggest treat of all was the guests wearing their creative and glamorous hats. Prizes were awarded for the most patriotic, the most creative and the prettiest. Pictures can be viewed under the Photos tab.
Chapter 35th Anniversary Celebration - 30 members gathered on Saturday, December 3 to celebrate the chapter anniversary at The Property. The festive day was highlighted by the presence of our organizer/founder, Vesta Sheppard Diveley and her daughters, Letatia Diveley Passmore and Nancy Diveley Wofford. They received gifts and an Anniversary Certificate. Certificates and gifts were also given to 30-year members Ann Smith Dessert and Lela Norris Herman. Their pictures are featured on the Photos tab. In addition, seven members received 20-year certificates and ten members received 10-year certificates.
Veterans Day - Chapter members participated in two parades this year, on November 5 in Casa Grande and on November 12 in Coolidge. At the Coolidge parade, our float nabbed two wonderful awards, the Best Float and Judges Award. Thanks to the Coolidge organizers for this honor! Photos under the Photo tab. Throughout both parade routes, participants sang "You're a Grand Old Flag" which was well-received by parade watchers.
Essay contests and Scholarships - Students participate in a essay contest based on patriotism to earn scholarships. The 2017 American History Essay Contest is an annual activity open to all grades, 5, 6, 7, and 8 in public, private or parochial schools and those who are home schooled. This year's Essay Contest title is "Celebrating a Century: America's National Parks." Teachers were given brochures on contest details during Constitution Week visits. The deadline is January 1, 2017. To request more information, use the Contact Us tab.
Constitution Week, 2016 - Members participated in Constitution Week by visiting 5th grade students in the Casa Grande, Eloy, Coolidge, Maricopa and Stanfield area schools. The daughters wore colonial garb and utilized a PowerPoint presentation that showed the development of the formation of the Constitution. Each student received a pocket-sized copy of the Constitution and a card with the Pledge of Allegiance and The American's Creed.
August Meeting - The Director of the Casa Grande Library, Amber Kent, presented a program on "The Mayor's Reading Club", along with her daughter, Chloe. She distributed sign-up forms and encouraged members to volunteer. To date, four of our chapter members are participating.
June Meeting - Our June meeting was held Saturday, June 4. We installed the new officers for 2016-2017. This was a good opportunity to thank our outgoing officers and give support to our incoming officers.
Memorial Day, 2016 - Our chapter is a contributing organization to the Casa Grande Memorial Day commemoration held at the Mt. View Cemetery each year. Members participate in the carrying of the DAR flag and wreath. In Coolidge, members help decorate the city cemetery. For photos of these events, see the Photos tab.
AZ DAR Awards - Our chapter won seven awards at the 2016 State spring meeting in Scottsdale. Here is the list of these awards:
Outstanding Service in Promoting American History
Certificate of Award Four Stars
National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Outstanding Service to Veterans
DAR Service for Veterans Committee, Arizona State Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Constitution Week, Outstanding Chapter Participation, Southwest Division, 3rd place
Chapter with the Most Constitution Week Events, Southwest Division, 1st place and Honorable Mention
Chapter with the Most Constitution Week Kits Distributed, Southwest Division, 1st place
Chapter with the Most Adopted Classes, Southwest Division, 1st place
Chapter with the Most Number of Constitution Week Displays, Southwest Division, 1st and 2nd place
Chapter with the Most Groups that Rang Bells, Southwest Division, Honorable Mention
Plus webmaster Jan Klein also received a Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Website Presentation.
Well done, Chapter members!
Arbor Day - 2016 Arbor Day was a big success, thanks to our Conservation Chair, Anne Dessert. Those who participated were the Casa Grande Middle School 8th grade band, students from Mesquite and Mary C. O’Brien Schools and members of the St. Anthony of Padua Student Council. Rick Gibson from the Pinal County Extension Service, U of A and Vice Mayor Karl Montoya were guest speakers. The City of Casa Grande, the Avocado Nursery and the Urban Community Forestry program represented the Friends of the Arbor Day Celebration. Highlights were Rick Gibson reading the poem, Trees by Joyce Kilmer and Mesquite students reading the poem they created. Thanks to all who participated in the planting of this year's tree, a Chinese Pistache. This is the 7th year that our DAR chapter has planned and participated in Casa Grande’s Arbor Day. Students were given a bookmark as a remembrance of the day, and Regent Gail Piggott presented a plaque to the city Vice Mayor.
March Fashion Show - Our annual chapter fundraiser was held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 in Casa Grande. The theme was "A Patriotic Point in Time: Then and Now". Over 100 guests enjoyed hostesses gowned in historic styles, a silent auction, a photo booth with period hats, a buffet lunch and the fashion show by Dillard's. The hostesses were portraying historic women from the Revolutionary War days, and Regent Gail Piggott read a short biography of their life during that time. Guests also had an opportunity to write letters to deployed soldiers through the DAR Project Patriot program.
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For membership information, please contact our regent.
For information, contact the webmaster.
For membership information, please contact our regent.
