Registrar Dorrene Hale, Mayor Jim Auxer, Meredith Wait, Betty Ann Lowe, and Regent Cheryl Brown are shown.

Two Jefferson County residents were recognized for their contributions to the Shepherdstown community during the Pack Horse Ford Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) 97th birthday celebration on Feb. 23. Over 45 attendees enjoyed a catered luncheon at the Christ Reformed Church in Shepherdstown. Hostesses were Dorrene Hale, Darla Ambrose, Katherine Genung and Mary Gageby.

Entertainment for the luncheon was provided by Tom Dawson, a fiddler who played 19th century music from Scotland, Ireland, England and France. His toe tapping music also included Irish jigs, bluegrass and minstrels.

The chapter awarded the DAR Community Service Award to Meredith Wait for her volunteer service as president of the Shepherdstown Business Association and chairman for the 250th Shepherdstown Anniversary.

Wait began working in April 2010 to coordinate the community’s efforts for the 250th anniversary celebration. Shepherdstown Mayor Jim Auxer presented the award to Wait.

The chapter also recognized Registrar Dorrene Hale for receiving the West Virginia History Hero Award on Feb. 21, in Charleston. Her husband, Donald Hale, also received the award. The Pack Horse Ford Chapter and General Adam Stephen Chapter, National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) sponsored the couple for the award. Of special note was the Hales’ two-year project to document the burials in Elmwood Cemetery.

Member Mary Wood, chairman of the Commemorative Events Committee, gave everyone a fun DAR crossword puzzle that she designed. The puzzle is filled with words that test members’ knowledge of the Pack Horse Ford Chapter and Revolutionary War history. The first two members (a member with less than two years of service and a member with more than two years of service) that complete the puzzle and submit it to Wood will receive a small prize.

The DAR American History Essay Contest Committee, led by Second Vice Regent Mary Davis, gave details of the upcoming reading of essays by the selected winners. Awards for first, second, and third place essay winners will be given on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 7 p.m. at the Station at Shepherdstown. Students, teachers, and anyone interested are cordially invited to attend and hear the first place winners read their essays on “Unsung Heroes of the American Revolution.”

The annual chartered bus trip is planned for Baltimore, Md., on Saturday, June 15. A custom-designed guided bus tour of Baltimore architectural highlights will be given in the morning. After lunch, participants will visit a special exhibit at the Maryland Historical Society Museum. More details and a reservation form will be released in late March or early April, but please mark calendars now for this special event. Charter bus trips allow the Pack Horse Ford Chapter to “Preserve the Past, Enhance the Present, and Invest in the Future.” To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.