Sherrie Case and Joy Hlavaty were the hostesses for the March 20 meeting of the Okemah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at Pepino’s Restaurant in Okemah.
After Regent Velda Jo Bradley led the opening ritual, flag salute, and the National Anthem, member Judith Drennan presented a very enjoyable program, “Cookbooks, Our American Heritage.” The first truly American cookbook was published a little over 200 years ago, “American Cookery,” by Amelia Simmons and included many traditional American dishes, Indian Pudding, Johnny Cake, Gingerbread, Pumpkin Pie, and watermelon pickles.
Other books followed such as the 1829, “The American Frugal Housewife,” by Lydia Child. Child included social and religious commentary and tried to help American women run their households in the proper manner. After the Civil War Mary J. Lincoln opened the Boston Cooking School, and she and Fannie Farmer published “The Boston Cooking School Cookbook.” Other books to follow were “The Settlement Cookbook,” “The Joy of Cooking.” “The James Beard Cookbook,” Julia Child’s “The Art of French Cooking,” and our many great cookbooks of today. Not only were cookbooks acknowledged, but also the history of cooking over the hearth, on a wood stove, a gas stove, and the electric stove.
The business meeting included the Okemah chapter’s plans for decorating tables at an evening banquet and hosting the hospitality room for the Oklahoma State DAR Conference in April in Norman, OK. The election of officers for 2018- 2020 was held, and the following new officers were elected: Regent, Rebecca Hold; Vice Regent, Sheldon Starr; Secretary, Thelma Shields; Treasurer, Ann Jackson; Registrar, Velda Bradley; and Chaplain, Susan Barnett. These new officers will be installed during the meeting in May. Members graciously welcomed prospective member, Chris Garber.
The next meeting will be April 17 at Pepino’s Restaurant in Okemah. Hostesses will be Dorothy Burden and Susan Barnett. Sherrie Case will present the program, “Sacajawea: She Who Served.” Members are reminded to bring their gifts for veterans. The Okemah Chapter invites all prospective member to come to our meetings and will assist anyone interested in joining.
Members present were Susan Barnett, Geneva Bertges, Velda Jo Bradley, Dorothy Burden, Sherrie Case, Mary J. Cashman, Jenny Cody-Knopp, Theo Crawley, Judith Drennan, Lucretia Harkey, Joy Hlavaty, Rebecca Hold, Ann Jackson, Gene Meredith, Ruth Newport, Margaret Parks, Yvonne Sowder, Sheldon Starr, Judy Williams, guests Pam Ferrel and Madeline Harris, and prospective member, Chris Barber.