John Haupt Chapter members are active on the local, state, and
national levels. Here are some of our more recent activities.
State Conference
State Conference is a time for awards. Shown here, on the right, is Virginia Swenson, awarded
Volunteer Information Specialists Volunteer of the Year award for Kansas. She is
presented with a certificate by state VIS Chairman Patricia Carpenter.
ROTC Awards
The chapter honored three Air Force ROTC members and their Drill Squad Sergeant, from an area school, at a recent meeting. Roberta Hagemann and Martha Williams, National Defense Chairman, join the students in the photo on the left. On the right, members Sarah Grant, Cindy Rogers, Betty Rasure, and Mary Lagerberg watch the procedings.
Our Dolls
The February chapter meeting included the customary reading of the President General's message, read by chapter Regent Catherine Howard (above left). Shown to the right is a Roberta Hagemann assisting Judy Rider, a prospective member, with her application papers.
The program was given by Lois Cope, about her doll collection. Members of the chapter also brought dolls, shown above.
On the middle row, first is Regent Catherine Howard introducing Chuck Wright and Doug Wright. Chuck was Mayor of Topeka in 1966, when a major tornado struck the city. He is Catherine's father. Doug served as mayor 1983-1989 and is Catherine's brother. The second photo is current Mayor Bill Bunten.
On the lower row, the first photo is Chuck Wright, and second is Doug Wright.
Three Mayors of Topeka
The January chapter meeting featured three Topeka Mayors. On the top row, the first photo is the chapter reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and American's Creed during the opening ritual. Second is chapter member, Barb Bunten, introducing her brother-in-law, the current Mayor Bill Bunten.
On the middle row, first is Regent Catherine Howard introducing Chuck Wright and Doug Wright. Chuck was Mayor of Topeka in 1966, when a major tornado struck the city. He is Catherine's father. Doug served as mayor 1983-1989 and is Catherine's brother. The second photo is current Mayor Bill Bunten.
On the lower row, the first photo is Chuck Wright, and second is Doug Wright.
Christmas Meeting
At the December meeting, members met in the gaily decorated home of one of its members. The program (top right) was given by Mary Hatke. She enlisted in the first class of 550 women Marines in about 1943. She said the men Marines did not take a liking to them at first, but as time went on, conditions improved. At each meeting, two members tell about their Revolutionary ancestors. Virginia Telhorst (bottom left) tells about her ancestor, Jesse Austin, a supply person during Revolutionary times. Virginia Swenson (bottom right) tells of her ancestor, Colonel Henry Gerrish, who served in a number of battles and was a large landowner in Boscwaine, New Hampshire.
Kansas Historical Library
The chapter met at the Kansas Historical Library where they toured the "stacks." This is where reference book, rare books, and other materials are stored. When requested by a researcher, a library volunteer goes into the stacks to retrieve the material. The group saw a very detailed Diary kept by Samuel Reeder during his lifetime in Kansas, during and after the Civil War. Records were reviewed on Civil War prisoners and the group saw a letter from the Menninger file between Dr. Karl and Dr Freud. The final picture shows mittens and gloves brought by the members to be sent to the Indian School.
Scrapbooking
The chapter welcomed a program on scrapbooking in October. Members enjoyed
the comfort of the home of one of the chapter members for the meeting.
Joint Meeting -- State Regent's Visit
John Haupt Chapter joined Topeka Chapter and Prairie Flint Hills Chapter in welcoming the State Regent. Following a nice dinner, the State Regent told the group about her state project to restore and re-letter the Santa Fe Trail Markers in Kansas.
Naturalization Court
John Haupt Chapter joined Topeka area DAR chapters in attending Naturalization Court. The ceremony was held at the Brown vs. Board of Education Historic Museum. Pedro Irigonegaray, a prominent Topeka Attorney for Civil Rights and himself a Naturalized Citizen from Cuba, welcomed the new citizens into their new role. AACC Gospel Choir from Highland Park High sang our National Anthem and America the Beautiful. Honorable Julie Robinson presided for the Court. Members of the United States Coast Guard were the Color Guard.
Following the ceremony, DAR chapters provided reception for 35 new citizens from 25 countries, including Iran, Iraq, Cuba, Mexico, Russia, and several Central and South American countries.
Historic Wamego, Kansas
The chapter visited historic locations in Wamego, Kansas. Shown here is the refurbished Columbian Theater, Museum, and Art Center. Built by Wamego banker J. C. Rogers, the theater featured paintings and artifacts from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago World Fair). Rogers' music hall was a venue for vaudeville, masque balls, concerts, and community events. In 1912 silent films first played at the Columbian, followed by "talkies" in 1929. It remained a community center until it closed in 1950. Today, the theater has been refurbished and the rare Columbian murals have been restored. It is now a dinner theater.
The chapter enjoyed lunch at the Friendship Cafe, which specializes in great desserts, as well as their luncheon specials. After lunch, we visited the historic Dutch Mill.
Reinisch Rose Garden
The Chapter met in the Reinisch Rose Garden in Gage Park. First was a visit to the
greenhouse, where an assistant horticulturist showed how the thousands of flowers and
plants that will be planted in the City Parks are propagated. A tour of the rose garden
The May meeting is usually a social where husbands attend. Here,
members and spouses enjoy the last meeting of the DAR year in May 2006.
Monroe School Brown vs. School Board Museum Tour
Chapter members and their husbands toured the Monroe School. The school
was one of Topeka's four all-black elementary schools in operation before
the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed segregated public education in 1954.
The museum is dedicated to telling the oral, written and pictorial history of desegregation across the
country, and the Civil Rights movement in general. It was designated a National Historic Site in 1991.
Great Overland Station
We toured the beautifully restored Great Overland Station, which was used as
the Union Pacific passenger station from 1927 until the last train left on May 2,
1971. The station has been preserved as a railroad heritage museum. Every attempt
was made to retain the original classic architecture, with its 34-foot ceilings
and ornate terra cotta embellishments. And of course, there are trains, trains, trains!
Merry Christmas From John Haupt Chapter and "The
Exultation Bells" of First Baptist Church, Topeka, Kansas
Tour of the Dole Institute of Politics
Lawrence, Kansas
The chapter visited the Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, Kansas. In the middle
is is "The Russell Window." The other is said to be the largest Flag window in the world.
Ensley Botanical Garden Tour
The chapter had a tour of Ensley Botanical Garden at Lake Shawnee in Topeka.
This facility is only three years old, and was the vision of Topeka Beautification
Association member, Jerold Binkley. Dave Bartels, Shawnee County Parks and Recreation's
park maintenance supervisor, was a key figure in building the gardens. It is a
lovely place for weddings, or just to relax.
