The Major Reading Blount Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution met Nov. 14, 2018 at the Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington. Regent Reid Solomon called the meeting to order and led the DAR Ritual, the Pledge of Allegiance, the American’s Creed, and My DAR Pledge. Members prayed together the Lord’s Prayer.

Regent Solomon shared information from President General Ann Dillon. The message expressed President Dillon’s hope that members will take time out of their busy schedules to reflect on the many things for which they can be thankful. Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and a time to turn our focus on the things that really matter.

Vice Regent Connye Dillon introduced Robert Sands, CEO of Pamlico Rose Institute for Sustainable Communities. The purpose of its Rose Haven project is to develop a reintegration center of healing. The mission is two-fold: historic preservation and service to at-risk veterans. The East Third Street property is being restored to create a center for healing, primarily for female veterans who will reside in the house as they transition from a treatment facility to the norms of society. Strategies of healing involve use of the gardens for growing their own food and using the barn for projects to learn new skills, such as woodworking. A lot of garden work has been done and the house in progress. The goal is to be ready to operate in 2019.

Regent Solomon invited everyone to attend the Compatriot grave marking ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 17.  The service will be conducted by the General George Washington Chapter of the North Carolina Society of the Sons of the American Revolution at the Frank Cannon Kugler Sr. gravesite in Oakdale Cemetery.

The Jan. 16 meeting will focus on women’s health with a program by Dr. Ainsley Rusevlyan entitled “How We Abuse Our Feet.”