Jan. 27, 2011 - Officers for the 2011-12 year were elected at the regular meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution George Blakey chapter held Jan. 8. Twelve members were present to elect the following: Regent, Betsy Sterkel; Vice Regent, Sheri Thedford; Chaplain, Nancy Bellows; Treasurer, Alice Creecy; Secretary, Debbie Westbrook; Historian, Mary Beavers; and Registrar, Shirley Harman.

Secretary, Janice Finnell, read the National Defense Report and shared some historic moments coming up in the month of February - including the celebration of both George Washington's and Abraham Lincoln's birthdays. DAR chapters across the nation will honor Washington's 279th birthday on Feb. 21 and Lincoln's 202nd birthday on Feb. 12.

A wrap-up from the Christmas rush, Sterkel thanked member, Dot Linn, for all her hard work with the local Veterans Center. Slipper socks and a large number of gifts were wrapped and handed out. Linn handled extra duties this year, as the local chapter helped to make Christmas great for all the veterans. VA Director, Deloris Clemons, expressed her great appreciation to the local chapter and Rockwall DAR for rescuing Christmas, as the regular activities were in danger this year due to budget restrictions. The chapter will also be purchasing $350 worth of phone cards for the veterans in the new year.

The Scholarship Committee will begin distributing information for local high school seniors in the upcoming months.

Guests, Eileen Cox and Beth Rowe, enjoyed a brief history of the chapter and personal photos of our young Regent as a new Junior DAR member.

The George Blakey Daughters of the American Revolution will meet again Saturday, Feb. 12, at American Bank of Texas in Bonham at 2 p.m. Membership is open to all women over the age of 18. If interested in joining, contact Shirley Harman at 903-623-3151 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .