WAYNE — Several members of the Jeptha Abbott DAR will be on-hand for the Pennsylvania State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (PSSDAR) 126th Annual State Conference being held from April 27th-29th at the Lancaster Wyndham Resort and Conference Center, Lancaster. In attendance from Jeptha Abbott will be Teri Fischer, Regent; Karen Franks Zetterberg, Second Vice Regent; Heather Condello, Treasurer; Lisa Gresh, Chaplain; Michelle Bradley, Corresponding Secretary; and Leila and Virginia Gresh, Junior membership Co-Chairs.
Close to 450 guests are registered and will be welcomed by Pennsylvania State Regent Marguerite Fritsch, whose state theme is “Love of Service to God, Home, and Country,” and whose state project is the restoration and preservation of Old Swedes Cemetery, Chester, where John Morton, the signer of the Declaration of Independence, is buried.
Members will gather for informative, educational workshops, business sessions, and committee meetings to further the DAR’s goals of historic preservation, education, and patriotism. There will also be social functions where members can connect with longtime friends and forge new ones. Conference highlights include a “Spring in Historic Lancaster,” dinner and night of trivia about Lancaster; a book club gathering with author Laurance Cook, a nationally recognized presidential historian, who will be talking about “Symbols of Patriotism: First Ladies and Daughters of the American Revolution;” and an “April Madness” party DAR style to be hosted by the junior members. Attendees will be encouraged to wear attire from their favorite sports teams and be divided into groups as they go head-to-head in a team trivia challenge. There will also be award presentations, including the Outstanding American History Teacher, the Community Service Award, the State Outstanding Junior Member, and the State Outstanding Chapter Regent.
The 2023 Conference Chair is Barbara Bechtel Cross, the General Chair of the Conference is Susan Gillette Meer, and the Conference Vice Chair of Reservations is Cynthia Pritchard. Honored guests will include Rebecca Kline, State Regent of Kansas; Carolyn Nutt, State Regent of Massachusetts; Laurie Nesbitt, State Regent of Virginia; and Lynne Stallcop, National Chair, Conservation, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR).
