The San Diego Chapter enjoyed a nice turnout at the Hall of Nations in Balboa Park for our annual Constitution Day program. This was a joint program with DAR who attended in good numbers and provided coordinated with a local teacher, Nora Bowman, to have a group of 8th grade students perform on the early days of America leading up to the Constitution. For those that attended last year’s Tea Party reenactment this was in the same vein. The students were dressed in period costumes and their polished performance showed they had practiced the presentation.
Michael Hirman gave an informative presentation on the “Intolerable Acts” which tied into the student’s presentation.
Our keynote speaker for this meeting was Richard Lederer. If his name sounds familiar he was our keynote speaker at last years George Washington Dinner and we found him to be both entertaining and informative. After his presentation he was available to autograph his books for attendees.
Richard is a San Diego Union-Tribune language columnist and the author of 60 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current title, Lederer’s Language & Laughter. Dr. Lederer has been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel winner.
Visit his website at https://verbivore.com/ for more information.
In addition to our keynote, we presented three America250 Bronze awards to DAR members Jenn Halter and Renee Neale as well as Sandra Helt, wife of member James Helt. They have been regular attendees at our meetings and activities. We also presented the Continental Congress Medal to DAR members Jenn Halter, Teri Kidd and Nora Bowman for their leadership in putting together this year’s program. Finally, Jenn Halter of DAR presented Michael Hirman with the DAR America250 Medal for his leaderships and coordination with DAR for the past few years on America 250 projects in San Diego.
Above, left to right, Renee Neale, Sandra Helt, Jim McAdory and Jenn Halter.
Left- Jim McAdory presented Richard with the SAR Certificate of Appreciation.
Above, left to right, Teri Kidd, Jenn Halter and Jim McAdory)
Above, left to right, Jim McAdory looks on as Michael Hirman is presented the DAR America250 medal
This was another very successful joint program for the San Diego DAR Chapters and SDSAR and we look forward to more of these next year. This is the last year for us to meet at the Hall of Nations in Balboa Park as access and parking has become too difficult. Next year we plan to hold this meeting at the Mormon Battalion Museum in Old Town. Not only will have ample parking close by but those attending will have the opportunity to tour the museum which is filled with interesting artifacts of early San Diego.