John Haupt Chapter members are active on the local,
state, and national levels. Here are some of our activities.
State Conference
State Conference is always an exciting event; and this year, more than ever,
our own President General Linda Gist Calvin in attendance.
September Meeting
The September meeting featured a report on the state Fall Workshop
Members enjoyed a meal at an area restaurant and photos sent by Chapter
Regent Catherine Howard, who is currently in China.
Kansas DAR Fall Workshop
A highlight in the fall is attending the state meeting, which includes
informative workshops and displays by committee chairman. The event
is attended by chapter officers and members, and is another chance
to renew state-wide friendships.
Continental Congress
Each year, DAR members assemble in Washington DC for the annual meeting of the society.
Shown above are scenes of the Congress. The current President General, Linda Gist Calvin,
was a member of John Haupt Chapter and was chosen Kansas Outstanding Junior. She later
moved to California, and transferred to a chapter there.
VIS Award
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.
Kansas Historical Library
The chapter met at the Kansas Historical Library where they toured the "stacks," where
reference books, rare books, and other materials are stored. The group saw a very detailed
diary kept by Samuel Reeder 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.
Naturalization Court
John Haupt Chapter joined Topeka area DAR chapters in attending Naturalization Court.
The U.S. Coast Guard served as 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, including the Columbian
Theater, which 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. Today, the theater is a dinner theater. Later,
the chapter 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
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.
Today it is a museum dedicated to telling the oral, written and pictorial
history of desegregation across the country.
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.
