United Daughters of the Confederacy

The Texas Division Forum 2009 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy met Jan. 31 at Northside Church of Christ, 2500 Parrish at Interstate 35, Bellmead. The workshop included three sessions: protocol, setting up a Web site and use of PDF and html, and parliamentary procedure taught by parliamentarian Mary Short.

Sales tables were stocked for sales by Children of the Confederacy. A barbecue sandwich meal was served with trimmings by Harold and Sandi Sprawls and members of Mary West Chapter 26.

Texas Division president Shirley Woodlock presided at the forum.

Members attending from Col. Roger Q. Mills, UDC, in Corsicana were chapter president Marlene Ivy, secretary/treasurer Nancy Rula, chaplain Geneva Davis, historian Gelene Simpson, and honorary Texas Division president Verna Bonner.

James Blair Chapter, DAR

James Blair Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, met Feb. 11 at Kinsloe House to recognize youth of the community for their exemplary achievements. Ruth Nelson, American history essay chairman, introduced the students from Mildred Junior High School who wrote on the topic “What message did the Gettysburg address communicate to our war-torn nation in 1863? How are the ideals articulated in the speech still relevant for our country today?”

The first place essay was written and read by Kalli Young, who was accompanied by her mother Traci Young. The second place essay was written and read by Krista Sifers. Attending the meeting with her was her mother Judy Draper, father Bill Sifers, and grandmother Ozell Freeman. Representing the Mildred Junior High School system were their teacher Jennifer Colburn and principal Justin Crittenden. The two junior high essay winners presented their essays with enthusiasm and conviction.

Navarro County high school seniors were selected for their good citizenship in their respective communities. Margaret Thomas, chairman of the DAR good citizenship committee, recognized the DAR winners for the 2008-2009 school year.

Blooming Grove High School senior honoree was Cheyanne Livingston. Her parents, Charles and Connie Livingston, attended the meeting with her.

Lenora Smith, counselor from Corsicana High School, came to support Brian Gregory, CHS candidate. His mother, Debra Gregory, shared this special experience with him also.

Daisy Perez, good citizen nominee from Frost High School, was accompanied by her parents, Leopoldo and Maria Perez, as well as Frost counselor Norma Ivie.

From Kerens High School, Bryce Crawford represented his senior class as good citizen. His mother, Teresa Crawford, attended with him.

Thomas and Valarie Raley came to the award ceremony with their daughter, Amanda Raley, from Mildred High School.

Each of the seniors spoke to the DAR members about future plans and goals.

One student, the good citizen from her senior class at Rice High School, Kathleen Holland, shared her essay about the importance of preserving her heritage. Family member Candace Holland and school counselor Kaye Allen were pleased that she had been able to write such a clear, concise essay when she was handed the topic in a sealed envelope and asked to compose her essay in a certain period of time.

The students, parents, and school faculty representatives joined the social hour following the meeting. Hostesses were Laura Love, Virginia Ray, Peggy Sims and Ines Waggoner.

The next meeting was announced to be the George Washington Tea from 2 to 5 p.m. Feb. 24.

The Daughters of the American Revolution is an historical genealogical heritage organization open to female descendants of American patriots who served or gave service to the American government during the American Revolutionary War. For more information regarding membership, contact chapter registrar Barbara Shore at (903) 872-9529 or go online to the James Blair Chapter Web site at www.geocities.com/jamesblairtxdar.

Navarro County Republican Women

The next meeting of the Navarro County Republican Women will be held at noon Feb. 24 on the seventh floor of the Bank of America building. Gina Parker Ford will be the featured speaker.

Ford is a successful businesswoman and attorney who worked in the Republican Party from the grassroots level to the state level in helping to build the Republican majority in Texas. Her background in political, business, and community leadership has made her a leading voice in the grassroots conservative movement in Texas.

Ford has served in a variety of leadership roles in the Republican Party: associate general counsel of the Republican Party of Texas (2001-2002), treasurer of the State Republican Party (1998-2001), and member of the RPT Ballot Security Team (1998-2002). She has been an elected delegate to the Republican State Conventions (1984-2006) and a national alternate delegate at large (2000), as well as a national delegate at large (2004).

She served as the general counsel for the Texas Republican National Hispanic Assembly. Also, Ford is the immediate past chairman of the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation.

Ford is the Eagle Forum national chairman for judicial reform and is a past recipient of the National Outstanding Eagle Forum Award. Ford is also a proud lifetime member of the National Rifle Association.

Realizing a lifetime dream of owning her own manufacturing company, Ford founded Dental Creations, a dental products manufacturing company, besides having a general law practice. Her first degree is a B.B.A. from Baylor University in marketing and entrepreneurship, and she holds a J.D. degree from Baylor.

As a community leader, Ford has voluntarily donated her legal services to help families and churches in crisis. She is an international Christian speaker with Women’s Aglow and speaks for women’s retreats. Additionally, she has served as a board member for the Waco Family Abuse Center. She has received the Outstanding Civic Leadership Award from Victorious Life Church. For many years, she has served the local church in various capacities, including as a Sunday school teacher and a children’s church director. She was the Texas co-chairman for the Ten Commandments Rally. Ford is on the Central Texas Advisory Board of American Family Radio.

The organization is open to all Republican women in Navarro County. Everyone who is interested to attend the meeting and learn more about the organization is invited. Lunch will be $7 each and paid at the door. For reservations, contact Anne Curtis at (903) 874-0056 or e-mail to jraycurtis@netzero.net.

Corsicana Newcomers Club

The yearly installation of Corsicana Newcomers Club officers is being moved to the February meeting, which will be Feb. 26 at Kinsloe House, 618 W. Third Ave. Parking is available across the street at First United Methodist Church parking lot. Social time will be at 11 a.m. with lunch at 11:30 a.m. Babbette Samuels will give a talk on her life in Corsicana since the 1940s. Titled “Corsicana’s Passing Parade,” she will tell of the many changes that have taken place through the years.

The “Roadrunners” will go to Palestine Feb. 19 for some shopping and lunch. If you would like to go, call Peggy Dixson at (903) 874-8316. Meet at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, 510 W. Collin St. “Roadrunners” will return around 4 p.m.

Corsicana Newcomers Club has members from all around Navarro County which get together once monthly for a meeting and program. The “Roadrunners” and “Lunch Bunch” get together once monthly also. For more information, call Jane Sanders at (903) 874-0808.

Woman’s Club House Association

Mallie Hendryx will be hostess for the Dutch treat games day luncheon which is always the last Wednesday of the month and will be held Feb. 25 (not Feb. 27 as listed in the yearbook). Members are cordially invited to make reservations for a table of card or board games (bring your own) for a time of fellowship, pleasant conversation and a delicious lunch. Members are reminded to make reservations by noon Feb. 23 by calling (903) 874-5791.

The Literary Club

The Literary Club will meet at Kinsloe House at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 19 for the business meeting followed by the luncheon and program. The program, “The Youth Exposition: History and Highlights,” will be presented by Terri Orn. Hostesses will be Peggy Smith and Nan McLaine.

José Antonio Navarro Chapter, DRT

José Antonio Navarro Chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, will hold a public meeting at 2 p.m. Feb. 27 on the Navarro County Courthouse front lawn. A wreath will be placed on the statue of José Antonio Navarro to commemorate his birthday. Eddie Pevehouse, president-elect of the local DRT chapter, president of the Navarro County Historical Society, and secretary of the Navarro County Historical Commission, will lead the celebration. Pevehouse will present information regarding the history of the “Presentation of the Portrait of José Antonio Navarro to the Citizens of Navarro County and Corsicana on Feb. 27, 1932.” Also, she will share a fourth grader’s perspective by reading one of the creative entries to the DRT history essay contest on the subject of José Antonio Navarro.