The Benjamin Prescott Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution met recently via Zoom with 11 members present.

Regent Brenda Johnson opened the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Treasurer Bonnie Larkin then recited a prayer for times of uncertainty.

Johnson said President General Denise Doring VanBuren expressed appreciation to the many members who sewed masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic, Constitutional Congress in Washington, D.C., is cancelled, but many of the speeches and events will be available online on the national website. Members are encouraged to participate in this virtual programming. Also, Constitutional Hall has been closed due to the COVID-19 virus and it is hoped that it will open soon, although there is a backlog of business and members are asked to be patient.

Johnson mentioned that the open house was held in March, just before the stay at home orders were issued. She said members in attendance met the new curator of the museum.

Johnson also said the chapter won an award at the bronze level for subscriptions to the Daughters Magazine.

The state conference is scheduled to be held Sept. 24-27 in Tarrytown. Reservations can be made at the Doubletree by Hilton. Johnson said with the COVID-19 virus there may be changes coming in regard to the conference. Each chapter needs to send in the names of two voters and two alternates for the conference. Johnson is one of the voters. Bonnie Larkin will be the second voter and Barbara Pietro be the first alternate.

Johnson said the speaker for the New York State Luncheon at Constitutional Congress will be Julian Icher, founder of the Lafayette Trail Inc. The Lafayette Trail is a project planned to trace the footsteps of General Lafayette during his Farewell Tour of the United States in 1824-25, including his stay in Fredonia. State Regent Patrice Powley Birner has made the Lafayette Trail Inc. a part of her state project. At state conference, a silent auction will be held to raise money for the state regent’s project. Pietro suggested the chapter make a basket for the silent auction and donate the proceeds to the state regent’s project. Members thought it was a good idea and would think more on it since it was not due until September.

Johnson said field trips for the summer were canceled. She stated that staying well is more important.

Larkin said she had received a thank you note from Holly Kelly, a member of the Honor Our Patriots in Stone Committee for the Veterans Memorial Park at the Knox Farm State Park in East Aurora. The note was thanking the chapter for the $150 check which was sent to have the name of Benjamin Prescott engraved on the granite monument for Revolutionary War patriots. The members thought this site might be a future field trip. Johnson said that she had the link if anyone was interested in having her patriot’s name engraved on the monument.

The next meeting via Zoom will be held Thursday, July 2, at 7 p.m.

Those who had an ancestor who fought for freedom in the Revolutionary War and would like to join the chapter can call Barbara Pietro at 392-1166 or email jbpietro@gmail.com.