John Hoyle Hoe Down

At our October 11th, 2016 meeting, John Hoyle Chapter American Heritage Committee members Harriet Bannon and Suzanne Williams and guest Denise Baxter-Yoder presented a program featuring banjo, flute, fife, lap harp and vocals that harked back to pre-Revolutionary Days when European music was first brought to America by early settlers and adapted to their own taste.

Moderator Bannon told us early American music was primarily about the fiddle and banjo, but music was played on anything that could beat a rhythm.  Old tunes were passed from generation to generation, especially in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.  Many of the songs tell stories of murder most foul.

With the rise of the merchant class in America, settlers wanted dances less formal than the aristocratic line dances done in Europe.  Contra-dances (such as square dance) evolved from this desire.

Musicians Williams and Baxter-Yoder strummed and sang their way through a sampler of types of early American music.

John Hoyle Purchases Books for Backpacks for the Fourth Year

The John Hoyle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution once again has provided approximately $400 of new books to be placed in the backpacks of Southwest Middle School and Longview Elementary School students, K-8, who receive weekend and summer nutrition assistance from the Catawba County Social Services.  The Chapter's goal is to see that the 120 children in the program own at least one book with an emphasis on American history. 

Amanda Freeland, Backpack Program Coordinator/Social Worker III, Prevention Unit of the Catawba County Social Services said that some of the children are reluctant to receive food in their backpacks, but when they know they are getting a book, you can't hold them back!  Some of the students do not have one book in their homes. The teachers have commented on the quality of the books.

The table display represents a sampling of the titles we were able to purchase for the children.

Vietnam veterans appreciation reception March 29, 2016

Below is a short video of the proclamation read by Brad Lail 

Over 60 veterans attended the event and enjoyed refreshments provided by John Hoyle chapter members.  They also each received a commemorative pin and a personalized certificate of appreciation. 

Normandy Remembers D-Day 70 Years After Landings

Our January meeting was in turns joyous, uplifting, emotional, and inspiring. Vice Regent, Kathy Hobbs, introduced us to Glennie McDonald Sims who gave one of the most inspirational programs our chapter has had.

Glennie was Director of the US/Normandy Remembrance Project with the Patton Foundation prior to founding Normandy Remembers in 2014.  She has made several trips to Normandy interviewing both citizens and World War II veterans and has been amazed to see the love and gratitude the French people have for our American soldiers.   

The goals of Normandy Remembers are to:  honor all WWII veterans for their sacrifices; honor the people of Normandy; help US WWII veterans understand the deep appreciation of the Normandy people and help them visit Normandy if they desire; educate US students about American sacrifices and the love and respect given to our soldiers; and to create a cultural bridge between schools in France and those in America. 

Glennie has helped many WWII veterans find some degree of closure on a painful period.  You can view some of her activities on her Facebook page under “Normandy Remembers”.

John Hoyle Chapter Serves Austin Adult Care

Members of the local John Hoyle Chapter served the residents of Austin Adult Care in Conover by providing an afternoon of entertainment and service.  Members provided a movie viewing with refreshments, as well as visiting with and reading to individual residents.  Each resident was given a gift bag of personal care items, and members donated more than 250 books, 80 DVDs and VHS movies a VHS player and rewinder, as well as more than 50 magazines and puzzles.

During the current three-year administration coinciding with the 125th-anniversary celebration, the national organization has issued a challenge to complete 10 million hours of service to America.

New John Hoyle DAR Ceremonial Wreath

New John Hoyle Chapter Regent Betty Schwartz received a new wreath donated by member Eleanor Herbert for use in Grave Marking Ceremonies.  Regent Schwartz wants the Chapter to become more frequently represented at other Chapters' observances and is appointing a special committee composed of John Hoyle members who will to act on behalf of our Chapter.  Practice your curtsies, ladies.

John Hoyle Chapter Assists in Stand Down

HICKORY—The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has partnered with The United States of America Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration, established by Congress, to “thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW) or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.” The John Hoyle Chapter in Hickory was involved at the recent fourth annual Foothills Veterans’ Stand Down event at the Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds. Asked by Vietnam veteran RickVandett to provide cookies for all the helpers at the Stand Down, the members of the John Hoyle Chapter not only baked the requested cookies, but also provided gift bags for all veterans and especially honored the Vietnam vets by flying a flag commemorating the war’s 50^th anniversary and presenting each veteran with a special Vietnam service button and a very vocal “welcome home!” At the end of the Foothills Stand Down, the DAR Chapter had given out 85 Vietnam War commemorative pins to Vietnam veterans and a total of 144 gift bags to those veterans and veterans of other wars.” Many of the veterans we spoke to were visibly moved by our honoring them,” said Betty Schwartz, chairman of the chapter’s participation in the event. “It was truly a feel good day for all of us.” 

May 22, 2015 -  Hickory Daily Record

John Hoyle Chapter Historian's Project

For the past three years, the John Hoyle Chapter has provided history-themed books to the Catawba Co. Department of Social Services for children who qualify for their backpack program.  The backpack program sends food home for the weekend with students who are in poverty or who have  unstable support systems at home.  Many have no reading material at all in their homes, and our objective is to give them one book that could be theirs to read or look at over the summer.  The books chosen tie in with JCDAR's mission of promoting American history to students; however, there is a limited number of American history books published for elementary school children, so some of the books reflect world history or historical events that have impacted everyone.

The books were purchased at Ollie's or through First Book, an on-line book marketplace that serves children from low-income families, in addition to others.  Many schools and non-profit organizations use First Book, and because JHCDAR is also a non-profit organization, our chapter was able to qualify for substantial discounts.

John Hoyle Chapter supports students at Longview Elementary and Southwest Elementary, and 120 shiny new books appropriate for grade levels K-1, 2-5, and 6-8 will be delivered to our contact Amanda Freeland, Backpack Program Coordinator/Social Worker III, Prevention Unit, Catawba County Social Services in May.

Shop and Swap

February was an especially noteworthy luncheon meeting for John Hoyle Chapter DAR members.  Two very important events occurred: presentation of our Community Service Award to Sally Fox, former Hickory Councilwoman and long-time community advocate and the recognition of the winners of our American History Essay contest.  The meeting was topped off with a "Shop and Swap" opportunity for Chapter members, thought up by our very creative Regent Gina Abernethy.  Anyone who donated an unneeded item could then swap for a different object that they desired. Tickets were issued, and each member could shop for as many items as they contributed.  Items left over will be donated to Crossnore School or to a veterans' group.  The event was a win-win for everyone and fun, too.  Thanks, Gina.

Good Morning Daughters,

I want to make you aware of a way to support Crossnore School, and even the DAR at the national level, whenever you make purchases on Amazon.com. 

Started in 2013, Smile.Amazon is Amazon with the same products and prices, and uses the same information you have already used to set up your Amazon account.  However, when you make purchases on Smile.Amazon, Amazon will contribute .5% of your purchase to the charity you name.  I have personally been doing this since 2013, but recently found out through the DAR magazine, American Spirit, that each DAR school is in the program.  This is a wonderful way to support DAR. Crossnore School receives a check each quarter from Amazon based on purchases.

The sign-up is easy.  Go to www.smile.amazon.com and follow the instructions to set up your account and choose your charity. 

I hope those of you that use Amazon will make the change and support our DAR schools.

Have a wonderful day.

Luana Wright

Corresponding Secretary

CHRISTMAS CAROL TIMELINE (approximate)
Courtesy of Becky Wharton

UNKNOWN: O Tannenbaum, German; Here We Come A Wassailling, English; We Wish You A Merrie Christmas, English.

1300:               Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mild; German lullaby

1580:               What Child Is This? (Greensleeves), probably older

1591:               Coventry Carol, part of a play, England; words Robert Croo, unknown composer

1666:               I Saw Three Ships, England, published 1833

1696:               While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, G.F.Handel, Nahum Tate, poet.

1700s:             Angels We Have Heard On High, published 1855;  The First Noel, published 1833, English & French

1719:               Joy To The World, Isaac Watts, Engllish

1751:               O Come All Ye Faithful, French & English

1780:               Twelve Days of Christmas, English & French

1800s:             Go Tell It On the Mountain, spiritual;   Deck The Halls, Welsh melody, American words.

1818:               Silent Night, Gruber, German

1827:               God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, English

1840:               Hark The Herald Angels Sing, German & English

1849:               It Came Upon A Midnight Clear, Massachusetts

1850:               Jingle Bells, published 1857, James Lord Pierpont, Massachusetts/Savannah Ga.

1887:               Away In A Manger, published, German

1904:               Carol Of The Bells, Ukranian

1907:               Pat-A-Pan, published in English, Burgundy, France carol

1932:               Santa Clause Is Coming To Town, John Coots & Haven Gillespie

1933:               I Wonder As I Wander,  Annie Morgan, Murphy, NC, published 1934 John Jacob Niles

1934:               Winter Wonderland, Felix Bernard

1940:               White Christmas, Irving Berlin, (movie Holiday Inn, Bing Crosby 1942)

1943:               I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Walter Kent, Bing Crosby

1944:              Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Hugh Martin, performed by Judy Garland

1944:              The Christmas Song/Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire/Merry Christmas To You, performed 1946

1945:              Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Sammy Cahn & Jule Styne

1946:              All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth, Don Gardner, Perry Como Radio Show

1947:              Here Comes Santa Claus, Gene Autry

1948:              Sleigh Ride, Leroy Anderson

1948:              Blue Christmas, Billy Hayes & Jay Johnson

1949:              C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S

1949:              Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, Johnny Marks

1950:              Silver Bells, Jay Livingston & Ray Evans

1951:              It’s Beginning To Look Like Christmas, Meredith Willson

1951:              Christmas in Killarney, Irish

1951:              Frosty The Snowman, sung by Gene Autry

1952:              I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause, Tommie Carter

1953:              Santa Baby, Tony & Phil Springer & Joan Javits

1954:              Caroling, Caroling, Alfred Burt

1954:              There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays, Robert Allen.  Sung by Perry Como

1955:              I’m Getting Nuttin’ For Christmas, Sid Tepper & Roy Bennett

1956:              I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day, Johnny Marks, words Henry W. Longfellow 1863

1958:              Jingle Bell Rock, Joe Beal, James Boothe

1958:              Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree, Johnny Marks

1958:              Little Drummer Boy(Carol Of The Drum), Katherine Davis

1958:              The Chipmunk Song, Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.

1959:              The Secret Of Christmas, Sammy Cahn & Jimmy VanHeusen

1961:              Must Be Santa, Hal Moore & Bill Fredricks

1962:              Do You Hear What I Hear? Gloria Shayne Baker, plea for peace during Cuban Missile Crisis

1963:              It’s the Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, George Wyle & Edward Pola; Andy Williams

1964:              Holly Jolly Christmas, Johnny Meeks

1966:              Christmas Is, Percy Faith

1966:              We Need A Little Christmas, Jerry Herman

1970:              Feliz Navidad, Jose Feliciano

1970:              Merry Christmas Darling, Richard Carpenter & Frank Pooler

1979:              Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, Randy Brooks.