Mary Earp was sworn in as Curator of the chapter  by chaplain, Doris Thompson at the November 19th meeting of The Lord Craven Chapter of Colonial Dames. The meeting took place at The Carolina Bar B-Q in Wilmington, NC.

 

Pierced Tombstones

The speaker at the Nov.19th Colonial Dames meeting was member, Barbara Lewis.
The program was “Pierced Tombstones,” "Carved by 19th century German cabinetmakers, the unique pierced tombstones in Davidson County transformed soapstone grave markers into extraordinary works of art. ( Info by Shannon Failow from Our State  May 2006) Soapstone is found throughout the mountains and Piedmont of North Carolina. To learn more about the pierced tombstones, contact the Davidson County Historical Museum. Location:
Old Davidson County Court House
in Historic Uptown Lexington
Two South Main Street
Lexington, NC
(336) 242-2729
http://www.slusher.org/Stone%20Foundation.pdf  ( Click on web site for more information on Pierced Tombstones.)

Elabaorately carved motifs embellish centuries-old soapstone grave markers at Abbot's Creek Primitive Church in Thomasville,  NC.

Gifts for the Veterans

Pat Elsaesser and Bonnie Becmerc

At the November 19, 2011 Colonial Dames meeting, President Bonnie Becmer and Pat Elsaesser, displayed all of the gifts donated by the members.  As you can see from the photograph that the veterans at Fayetteville will receive sweat shirts, pants, v-necked sweaters, personal hygiene items, tee shirts, writing supplies, cards, puzzle books and a variety of other items. Fran Carlsen, Veteran's committe chair will make sure all ofo these gift get to The Veteran's Hospital in Fayetteville, NC before Christmas.

50th Anniversary of The Lord Craven Chapter

                                                                The Lord Craven Chapter

Colonial Dames XVII Century

 Cordially invites you to join us

 on Saturday, January 21, 2012.

From 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the

Madeline Suite, Wagner Hall, UNCW, Wilmington, NC

For a luncheon celebrating the

50^th Anniversary

Of the founding of our Chapter

*****

Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Luncheon will include:

   Caesar Salad, Beef Bourguignon with buttered parsley potatoes; Lemon Crème Brulee Tart

Ticket Price:   $20.00 Each

RSVP by Friday, January 6, 2012

Kindly respond to Undine Longo; 1019 N. Sanderling Drive; Leland NC  28451-7692 

by January 6, 2012

Name___________________________

Number of Tickets Requested    _______          Check/Cash Enclosed      _________

We look forward to seeing you there.  

 Bonnie Becmer 910-575-0921 bbecmer@seatrail.net   

Undine Longo 910-371-6704 ulongo@ec.rr.com 

Driving Directions to Madeline Suite, Wagoner Hall

Enter the UNCW campus on Randall Drive or Racine Drive.

•  Continue on Randall Drive until Randall Drive ends.
• Turn right onto Reynolds Drive.
• Turn left onto Cahill Drive. The entrance to Madeline Suite faces Cahill Drive after the Cahill Drive and Walton Drive intersection.

Park in the designated parking area:

• For Parking Lot FF: After turning left onto Cahill Drive from Reynolds Drive, continue on Cahill Drive through the intersection of Cahill Drive and Walton Drive. Lot FF is on the right.
• For Parking Lots S or T: After turning left onto Cahill Drive, turn right onto Walton Drive. Parking lots are on the right.
• If another parking lot is designated: Follow the instructions provided with the event information.
• Additional visitor parking is available throughout campus by using a parking meter.

www.chrisjohnscello.com   Please go to the link to hear Chris Johns, cellist perform.  Chris will provide the background music  at the affair.  You can contact him at johnsc@uncw.edu.

Lord Craven Chapter Meets on November 19th

Lord Craven Chapter NCSCDXVII meets the third Saturday of September, November, February and May. The next scheduled meeting is Saturday, November 19, 2011 at the Carolina Bar-b-cue on 1602 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC. The time is 11:00 a.m. The program is “Pierced Tombstones,” The speaker is Colonial Dames member Barbara Lewis.

President Bonnie Becmer encourages members to bring unwrapped Christmas gifts for the veterans at the hospital in Fayetteville. Suggested gifts are: Personal hygiene items, Clothing-sweat pants, sweat shirts and solid color tee shirts, as well as writing supplies, paperback books, playing cards, puzzle books and games.

Bonnie Becmer also reports that work continues on our 50th Anniversary luncheon celebration set for Saturday, January 21, 2012 in Wilmington. If any members have photos of the chapter or its members Bonnie would appreciate it if you could e-mail them to her or let her borrow them.

Registrar Nora Hickam reports that we have 3 new member papers in DC. There are nine prospective members and their papers being processed, five supplemental in DC and several supplemental in process. There are six Coat of Arms approved, and Five Coat of Arms in process.

Colonial Dames Meeting Held at Winding River Golf Club

Chaplain Doris Thompson swears in 1st vice-president, Barbara Lewis,  Mary Earp, librarian and historian, and Nora Hickam, registrar.

Barbara Lewis, Mary Earp & Nora Hickam

Colonial Dames Registrar Nora Hickam was the speaker at the luncheon/meeting held on September 17^th at 11:00 at the Winding River Golf Club in Bolivia, NC.

Nora spoke about heraldry. The only way to adopt an existing coat of arms is to prove you are a direct descendant of a rightful bearer. So, before embracing that treasured coat of arms, you must research your heritage and prove your kinship with a fully documented pedigree. Nora said, " This is really not that difficult to do."

Colonial Dames Meeting Scheduled for September 17, 2011

The North Carolina Society Colonial Dames XVIII Century meeting will be held on September 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Plantation Grille at Carolina National Golf Club, Winding River Plantation. 1649 Goley Hewett Road Southeast in Bolivia, NC. Their phone number is (910) 755-7020. There will be a luncheon following the meeting. The guest speakers are Nora Hickam and Carol Canales. Their program will be about Heraldry. There will be lunch served following the meeting.


Carolina National Golf Club at Winding River Plantation

Directions to Winding River Plantation and Carolina National Golf Club:

From North, South or West via Route 17 drive to mile marker 22,  which is the intersection of Route 17 and Route 211. Turn east on to Route 211 toward Southport and drive approximately 2 miles to the  second traffic light at the intersection of Route 211 and Zion Hill Road. You will see the sign for Winding River Planation and Virginia Williamson Elementary School. Turn right onto Zion Hill Road. Travel 1.3  miles to the intersection of Zion Hill Road and Goley Hewitt Road. Turn right onto Goley Hewitt Road. After this turn, the Carolina National Club House will be on our immediate left. You may park anywhere.

From Southport, St James, etc. follow Route 211 to the first traffic light after the light at Midway. This is the intersection of Route 211 and Zion Hill Road. The Winding River Plantation sign and Virginia Williamson Elementary School will be on your left. Turn left onto Zion Hill Road and travel 1.3 miles to the intersection of Zion Hill and Goley Hewitt Roads. Take a right onto Goley Hewitt. The Carolina National Club House will be on your immediate left.

Board of Management Meeting in High Point, NC

Mary Ann Hepler

         The Lord Craven Chapter was well represented at the Board of Management meeting held in High Point, NC on Friday, August 5, 2011.  Members attending were Nora Hickam, Carol Canales, Trudy Tanzillo and Bonnie Becmer. 

         Mary Ann Hepler, serves as a counselor to the State President, Annie Laurie K. Holland. She is also a chairman of the State President’s Project. Mary Ann displayed “The Traveling Gavel Award” at the meeting. It is called the Earl of Shaftesbury President’s Award. It will be given at the state conference in March of 2012 to the chapter gaining the most new members. Juniors will get two points each and others will get one point.

         We need to get additional members. Lord Craven has gained one new member and we need to get additional ones.

        Members are asked to save the date of January 21, 2012 for the 50th anniversary luncheon being held for our chapter.  The luncheon meeting will be held at the Madeline Suite, UNCW in Wilmington.  More information will be given out at the September meeting. President Bonnie Becmer quoted, “When I think of the approaching 50th anniversary of our chapter, I really am in awe that the chapter is 50 years old and still growing.   We have the love of our ancestors who made this county what it is and if we don't keep their brave efforts alive for coming generations, it will all be lost."

         If you have any information you want to post on our blog please contact Phyllis Wilson at golfwilson@ec.rr.com.

The Traveling Gavel Award

Lord Craven Chapter - Organized in 1961

Bonnie Becmer - President

The Lord Craven Chapter first organized in Wilmington, NC in 1961 by Jeanette Cox St. Armand continues to be an active and thriving chapter. The chapter meets on the third Saturday in September, November, February and May and currently has 45 members and several prospective members. Our main activities reflect the goals set out in Article II, Object of the Society..... ".to aid in the preservation of the records and of the historic sites of our country; to foster interest in colonial research; to aid in the education of the youth of our county; to commemorate the noble and heroic deeds of our ancestors, the founders of our great Republic; to maintain zealously those high principles of virtue, courage and patriotism which led to the independence of the Colonies and foundation and establishment of the United States of America; to maintain a Library of Heraldry and preserve the lineage and Coats of Arms of our Armorial ancestors; and to develop a library specializing in seventeenth century American colonial data." Several of our members currently serve or have served in the State society as officers, pages and state chairmen. Our chapter received seven awards in March at the recent state meeting at Chapel Hill, NC. Upcoming events include the historical marking of the New Hope Presbyterian Church in Winnabow, NC at noon on June 25th. This site and one other site in Brunswick County was included in the 2009-2011 State President's Book "Historic Sites Marked by North Carolina Society Colonial Dames XVII Century." The chapter is currently planning a 50th anniversary party celebration to be held in January 2012. Current goals include recruiting junior members (ladies under the age of 35), and achieving more coats of arms designations for our members. A true love of history and our ancestors binds us all.

New Officers for The Lord Craven Chapter 2011-2013

L to R: Bonnie Becmer, President; Trudy Tanzillo, 1st Vice-president; Brenda Birmelin, 2nd Vice-president; Corresponding Secretary, Helen Taylor; Doris Thompson, Chaplain; Nancy Glielmi, treasurer; Judith Caison, Corresponding Secretary; missing from the picture are Nora Hickam, Registrar; Mary Earp, Librarian and Historian