Looking Glass Prairie Chapter NSDAR
O'Fallon, Illinois
Chapter Scrapbook
December 16, 2023
On December 26, 2023, members of the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter participated in Wreaths Across America ceremonies at Shiloh, Ill. cemetery (top) and at Jefferson Barricks National Cemetery. The ceremonies are held at the exact same time across the nationl to Remember, Honor, and Teach.
November 2023
Members of the Cahokia Mound Chapter joined members of the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter to participate in the O'Fallon, Illinois Veterans Day parade.
October 2023 DAR Day of Service
Delivering sweet treats to first responders in Aviston, Ill.
It was 133 years ago today, October 11, 1890, eighteen women gathered in Washington, D.C., to organize the Daughters of the American Revolution. Today, we honor their creation and celebrate the founding of DAR with chapters around the world participating in the National DAR Day of Service. Our chapter filled goodie bags which were distributed to local first responders.
October 5, 2023
The chapter was pleased to host Jason Hodges, Development Director of the Kate Duncan Smith DAR School in Grant, Alabama, at their October 5th meeting. Hodges is a graduate of the school. Shown are Hodges with chapter regent, Suzie Haas.
Hodges is shown with chapter member/chaplain Margaret Truitt, who is also a KDS DAR School graduate.
CONSTITUTION WEEK 2023 Thanks to chapter members Bev Comeaux, Ellen Hays, Stephanie
Bontemps, and Kim Dalrymple for setting up the chapter display for
Constitution Week at the O'fallon, Illinois Library.
Thank you O'fallon mayor Herb Roach for presenting the chapter a Constitution Week proclamation.
Constitution Week Tea
Mayor Bob Weilmuenster presented a proclamation from the village of Shiloh.
Chapter member Peggy Sternberg presented a program on first ladies Martha Washington and Abigail Adams.
Chapter members Rhonda Leach and Susan Haas provided musical entertainment.
At 3 p.m. all in attendance rang their bells as part of Bells Across America.
Thank
you Mayor Cheri Wright for signing a proclamation for Constitution Week
and reading it at the Sept. 11 Lebanon City Council meeting. Shown are
Mayor Cheri Wright on left and chapter regent Susan Haas on right.
August 26, 2023
Chapter members at O'fallon Fest. The rain didn't dampen our enthusiasm!
August, 2023
July 6, 2023
A big thank you to Larry Strube for presenting an excellent program on the food pantry.
December 17, 2022
Looking Glass Prairie Chapter members were joined by members of the Belleville Chapter participating in the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Shiloh Cemetery in Shiloh, Illinois. Several Revolutionary War Patriots are buried there. Other chapter members participated in the ceremony at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in Missouri.
September, 2022
Many thanks to O'fallon, Illinois Mayor Herb Roach for presenting a Constitution Week proclamation at the city council meeting on September 19, 2022. Shown L-R: Beverly Comeaux, Marion Rose - Regent, Kim Dalrymple, Melissa McArthur and Mayor Roach.
On September 17, 1787, at the then-Pennsylvania State House, now better known as Independence Hall, the framing of the U.S. Constitution culminated at about 4:00 o’clock -- after 100 days of intense conversation and deliberation. Today, September 17, 2022 at 4:00 Pennsylvania time, Looking Glass Prairie Chapter members and spouses gathered at O'fallon City Hall as part of the nation's Bells Across America celebration on Constitution Day. Left to right: Kim Dalrymple, Marion Rose, Mac McArthur, Michaela Sinks, Melissa McArthur, Cindy Blanchette, Amy Chrisenberry, Debbie Sinks, Stephanie Bontemps, and Carroll Sinks. (Photo by Steve Dalrymple.)
1) Thank you to the Lebanon, Illinois mayor for the presentation of a proclamation for Constitution Week. Shown L-R: Marion Rose, Mayor Wright, Melissa McAarthur and Mary Kearney. 2) Thank you Mayor Weilmuenster for presenting the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter NSDAR with this proclamation for Constitution Week. Shown, L-R are Mayor Weilmuenster, Melissa McArthur, Michaela Sinks, Debbie Sinks, Marion Rose, Nikki Drayer, Mary Kearney, and Tina Ballard. 3) Thanks also to Collinsville Mayor Miller for presenting a proclamation for Constitution Week to members of the Looking Glass Prairie and Cahokia Mound DAR chapters. Shown in third photo are: Collinsville Mayor Miller, Nikki Drayer and Melissa McArthur (Looking Glass Prairie Chapter) and Kathryn Barnsley and Julie Bartsch (Cahokia Mound Chapter).
Look for the chapter Constitution Week display at the O'fallon Library.
November 11, 2021
Chapter members were pleased to participate in the O'fallon, Illinois Veterans Day parade.
November 4, 2021
CONSTITUTION WEEK, SEPTEMBER 17-23
Constitution Week display at O'fallon library the month of September.
Many thanks to O'Fallon Mayor Herb Roach for presenting a Constitution Week proclamation to the chapter.
Many thanks to Shiloh Mayor Bob Weilmuenster for presenting a Constitution Week proclamation.
Many thanks to Lebanon Mayor Cheri Wright for presenting a Constitution Week proclamation
Many thanks to Collinsville Mayor John Miller for presenting a Constitution Week proclamation
September 11, 2021
September 9, 2021
At our September meeting, Robert O'Brien presented a program on his Military Museum Memorabilia. He is shown with chapter members Melissa McArthur, Cori Croteau, Kim Dalrymple, and Regent Marion Rose.
September 1, 2021
July 2021
Chapter Member Donates Lap Robes to Veterans at Cedarhurst Senior Living Center
April 2021
November 6, 2020
In honor of Veterans Day, the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter NSDAR presented the National DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal to Robert Teichgraeber, a World War II veteran and former prisoner of war.
Chapter regent Marion Rose said "Teichgraeber's story of patriotism is why we call World War II veterans the greatest generation. He is a true American hero."
Teichgraeber, who celebrated his 100th birthday in August, was a waist gunner assigned to a B-24 with the 445th Bomber Group. His plane was one of 25 headed to Gotha, Germany where a factory that made Messerschmitt fighter plans was located. The group missed a rendezvous with another 200 planes that would have provided additional protection and enemy fighters shot down twelve of the 25. Teichgraeber's plane was attacked head-on by an enemy fighter, hitting the oxygen tank and causing the plane to catch fire and go down. When he jumped Teichgraeber hit the tank, fracturing his foot, and he was captured. He was a prisoner of war for 421 days.
In order to qualify for the DAR Distinguished Citizen Medal, citizens must have had an extraordinary service in the defense, promotion, and/or preservation of the American heritage of freedom. Qualities of the individual nominated include honor, service, courage, leadership, and patriotism. Teichgraeber's accomplishments were documented in an eight page summary.
September 17-23, 2020
April 3, 2020 March 5, 2020 The Looking Glass Prairie Chapter Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR) learned about resources available to women veterans at
the March meeting in Shiloh.
Jennifer Lind, Veterans Health Administration (VHA) St. Louis Health
Care System Women Veterans Program Manager, updated the chapter members
on services available to women veterans. The VA St. Louis serves 12
Southwestern Illinois counties, including St. Clair and Madison.
"What might be surprising," said Lind, "is that women are the fastest
growing subgroup of the VHA in the last two decades. Sadly only 25% are
using VHA health care services due to being unaware of what is
available."
Lind described a Women's Health Patient Centered Aligned Team that
includes team involved care such as preventive care and wellness;
psychologist; pharmacist; dietician; social worker; and whole health
coach/partner.
Sadly, according to Lind, there are more than 19,000 female veterans
eligible, but less than 7,000 enrolled. Chapter members are pleased to
help get the word out to those women in the O'Fallon area.
February 28, 2020 Several Looking Glass Prairie Chapter members participated in the
naturalization ceremony held at Fulton Junior High School in O’Fallon
on February 28, 2020. Thirty people became new United States citizens.
Did you know that the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter participates in
these ceremonies all over Southern Illinois, congratulating the new
citizens and giving them a small gift. The new citizens must pass
history and civics tests. The ceremonies are inspiring and make you
appreciate being an American. December 14, 2019 National Society
Daughters of the American Revolution
(NSDAR) Illinois State
Organization, NSDAR THE CONTENT CONTAINED HEREIN DOES NOT
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POSITION OF THE NSDAR. HYPERLINKS TO OTHER SITES ARE NOT THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NSDAR, THE STATE ORGANIZATIONS, OR INDIVIDUAL DAR
CHAPTERS. UNLESS NOTED, IMAGES ON THIS SITE ARE LICENSED UNDER CC
ATTRIBUTION LICENSE. CONTACT WEBMASTER. Last updated December 17, 2023.
Many thanks to the Village of Shiloh for emphasing the importance of our nation's Constitution during Constitution Week.
August 2020
The Looking Glass Prairie Chapter, NSDAR recently commemorated the
centennial anniversary of the adoption of the 19th amendment to the
Constitution of the United States of America. The 19th amendment, which
gave women the legal right to vote, was passed by Congress on June 4,
1919 and ratified on August 18th, 1920.
Chapter members watched a video from Nine Network showing footage of a
national suffrage convention in St. Louis in 1919. Chapter member Mary
Stange purchased special material and sewed a 19th amendment face mask
for all 40-plus chapter members as a way of highlighting the amendment
while practicing social distancing.
June 20, 2020
The Looking Glass Prairie Chapter National Society Daughters of the
American Revolution held a ceremony on Saturday, June 20th at the
Bridges Family Cemetery near Lebanon, Ill. Due to the social distancing
required by the Covid-19 pandemic, the event was purposely kept small.
The DAR's objects emphasize 'to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the
men and women who achieved American Independence' and is best fulfilled
by marking these Patriot's graves. That is what the Looking Glass
Prairie Chapter and other chapters have done since the organization's
inception in 1890. The ceremony honored Private George Benjamin
Bridges, a drummer boy and private for 19 months in the Salisbury,
North Carolina militia during the American Revolution. For a time,
Private Bridges was even held as a prisoner of war.
Bridges was born in Bladen County, N.C. on February 12, 1762. Following
the war, he moved his family northward, first to Kentucky and then to
Madison County, Illinois around 1811. Shortly before George Bridges
died in 1834, he and his wife relocated to St. Clair, County, to live
with their son, William. It is there where the family cemetery is
located and George Bridges is buried.
Looking Glass Prairie Chapter Regent Marion Rose thanked Thomas
Schwarztrauber, O'Fallon Historical Society, for his part in locating
the Patriot's grave and Cori Croteau for coordinating the marking.
Four members of the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter in O'Fallon are doing
their part to supply medical personal with face masks during this
Covid-19 crisis. Already, nearly 100 masks have been sewn and delivered
to local medical facilities. Normally the three ladies use their sewing
talents to create quilts so they already had fabric available during
this critical time. They join DAR members from around the country who
are also contributing their talents and supplies. As of April 3, DAR
members have donated nearly 29,000 masks.
This is certainly not the first time DAR members have responded to the
needs of their country. During World War I, members knitted garments
for soldiers and trained the public for food conservation.
March 5, 2020
Two new members were welcomed into the chapter tonight.
Members of the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter, recruited by chapter
volunteer Kim Dalrymple, participated at the Shiloh Cemetery, placing a
wreath on the grave of Revolutionary War soldier Risdon Moore, born in
1760.
October 3, 2019
Melissa Tutterow from the Violence Prevention Center Southwestern
Illinois presented a program on Prevention of Domestic Violence. The
NSDAR is spreading awareness and supporting victims of domestic
violence as part of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Sadly
one in four women and one in seven men are affected by domestic
violence. She urged members to notice situations where someone is
constantly being put down, making excuses for bad behavior, instances
of extreme jeolousy or possessiveness, or temperment changes as they
could be signs of domestic violence.
September 21, 2019
The Looking Glass Prairie Chapter held a 'Book Fair' at Barnes and
Noble to commemorate Constitution Week. There were coloring and
activity pages and stickers for children and information on
scholarships and membership for others. Top photo: Cori Croteau in
front of the informatin table. Second photo, member Peggy Sternberg and
her husband Ray couldn't resist having a selfie as a colonial citizen.
Many books were purchsed for donation to local schools.
September 2019
Composite photo. L-R: Shiloh, Illinois mayor James A. Vernier, II
presenting Constitution Week proclamation to Looking Glass Prairie
Chapter chairman Melissa McArthur; O'Fallon, Illinois mayor Herb Roach
presenting proclamation to (L-R) Lola DeGroff, Cori Croteau, Marion
Rose, and Peggy Sternberg; Lebanon, Illinois mayor Richard Wilken
presenting proclamation to Lola DeGroff. In answer to my request for
the proclamation from Lebanon mayor Wilken, he said, "We can certainly
get this done. Our thanks to you and the DAR organization for keeping
the City advised of this annual celebration of our national history."
This proclamation is not about DAR, it is about reminding our citizens
of the importance of this important document.
September 2019
Looking Glass Prairie Chapter members Kimberly Dalrymple and Marion
Rose help fill bags with gifts for new citizens prior to the start of
the ceremony.
June 6, 2019
Mary Stange (left)and Kimberly Dalrymple (center) congratulate one of
the country's newest citizens.
August 25, 2019
Chapter members enjoyed a tea party to start the new DAR season. There
was lots of good food and fellowship.
August 17, 2019
L-R: Lola DeGroff, Marion Rose, Beth Kennedy, and Cori Croteau spent
two days 'manning' an information booth at the O'Fallon Fest. We were
able to tell many about scholarship and essay opportunities. Several
ladies expressed interest in joining the chapter.
June 2019
Looking Glass Prairie Chapter member Cori Croteau (middle) helped
members of the Palatine Chapter during the Units Overseas Luncheon
during Continental Congress. Cori is a past member of that chapter.
June 6, 2019
Members of a local Girl Scout troop participated in the chapter's
opening ritual by posting the colors, leading the Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag of the United States of America, the American's Creed, and
the National Anthem. This will help the girls earn a badge.
June 1, 2019
Members of the Looking Glass Prairie Chapter NSDAR are shown with
veterans
honored at a Welcome Home Vietnam War Veterans ceremony in Mascoutah,
Illinois. This was the fourth ceremony honoring Vietnam War veterans
sponsored by the chapter. The Looking Glass Prairie and many other DAR
chapters are commemorative partners with the Department of Defense in
recognizing Vietnam War veterans.
April 4, 2019
Chapter member Sharla Smith presented a program on WWII Sweetheart Pins
and brought with her part of her collection.
April 2019
Chapter members Melissa McArthur (center) and Cindy Blanchette
(right) congratulate Cadet Hannah Raby who received the DAR JROTC medal.
March 7, 2019
A few chapter members decided they'd like to have their picture taken
with Martha Washington (a.k.a. Barbara Kay)
February 10, 2019
Looking Glass Prairie Chapter NSDAR members participate in
naturalization ceremonies held in Southern Illinois. Here Peggy
Sternberg (left) and Melissa McArthur congratulate a new United States
citizen.
January 28, 2019
The Looking Glass Prairie Chapter NSDAR held a commemoration ceremony
at the
Swansea American Legion post to honor veterans of the Vietnam War.
"Welcome home. Thank you for your service," words that were a long time
coming for some of the war's veterans.
November 2018
Chapter members participate in a multitude of local events,
including the O'Fallon, Illinois, Veterans Day parade.
September 2018
Several Looking Glass Prairie Chapter NSDAR members attended the
O'Fallon, Illinois, city council meeting to accept a Constitution Week
proclamation from the mayor.
Contact our chapter
registrar
to start your journey to becoming a Daughter.
Links