Latest News
We work hard as a chapter to live up to the ideals and aims of the DAR, and to serve the community we operate within. We are so proud when this goal comes to fruition. Our members believe that a well-informed community is an empowered one, so we are delighted to invite the public to learn a bit more about who we are and what we are doing at our chapter. Please take a look at some of the latest coverage we’ve received as well as our most recent news below, and help spread the word about all the amazing developments at the Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR.
Ketewamoke Chapter Members Visit Walt Whitman Birthplace
It may have taken us six months to get here, but Ketewamoke finally made to the Walt Whitman Birthplace! Originally scheduled as our March meeting, Ketewamoke Daughters enjoyed some much better weather than we probably would have gotten on our original date as we took a tour of the house, listened to a lecture on women's clothing from the late 17th-early 18th centuries, and of course, indulged in the many delights of afternoon tea.
Ketewamoke Daughters Gather for First Meeting of the 2022-2023 Year
Ketewamoke Daughters far and near gathered in patriotic attire for their first meeting of the 2022-2023 year! Congratulations and thanks were offered for the chapter's many achievements over the summer, committee reports were delivered, and school supplies were collected for the drive being held at State Conference later this month. We also collected well-worn flags that have served their time to bring to the American Legion for proper disposal. Attendees enjoyed a delicious spread prepared by the hostess committee and caught up with each other after the summer's many adventures!
A Plethora of Projects at the Ketewamoke Chapter, NSDAR
Christine is not just our detail-oriented Treasurer, but also a chairwoman for National Defense Committee, Project Patriot Committee, DAR Schools Committee, and co-chair for Community Classroom Committee. She shows her love of volunteerism by organizing school supply drives to local and DAR-sponsored schools, and through shipments of treats and cards to overseas service members. Christine proves that a Daughter’s outreach can be a positive force, both locally and internationally. In 2021-2022 alone, we sent out over 25 boxes to the USS Gonzalez, USS Gerald Ford, USS Mesa Verde, Bean of Life, and Hindman Settlement School, thanks to Christine's driving force and hard work.
"I try and sent items that are requested by the various Patriot Projects listed on the DAR website," said Christine. "I also try and purchase items that are requested on the NYDAR website for the State conference as well items on the DAR Community Classroom one as well."
A Fresh Coat of Paint for the Historic Ketewamoke Chapter House
Long overdue for a fresh look, our historic Chapter House received a new coat of paint! It was quite a job, including scraping off all the old paint, removing and cleaning the storm windows (all 40 of them!), and removing the shutters for further attention. We can now put our best foot forward with Daughters and visitors alike!
Ketewamoke Chapter House Grounds Receive Summer Sprucing-Up
Ketewamoke Chapter Daughter Pam has been working hard as part of her NSDAR project to provide the grounds of our historic Chapter House with some TLC and a sprucing-up this summer. Pam placed two blue and white stepping stones that she made from the Chapter's early 19th century broken pitcher that was damaged beyond repair. The stones will be set in the Ketewamoke Chapter House front natives garden that Pam is curating. The garden will be full of native Coneflowers, which will not require much water and will attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Ketewamoke Chapter Members Attend the 131st Continental Congress
Ketewamoke Chapter, NSDAR members were honored to attend the 131st Continental Congress of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, D.C.
Ketewamoke Chapter End of the Year Luncheon
The Chapter end of the year luncheon was held following the graveside service for Ketewamoke Chapter Founder Maude A. Klots at the Northport Yacht Club, June 22, 2022.
Honoring Ketewamoke Chapter Founder
Maud A. Klots
Honoring our Chapter Founder, Maud A Klots, at a graveside service at St. John's Cemetery, Cold Spring Harbor, NY on June 22, 2022. Ketwamoke Chapter members placed a marker and wreath at Mrs. Klots' graveside, and were particularly pleased to have Mrs. Klots' great-granddaughter join us for the ceremony.
Ketewamoke Chapter Members Help Replenish Northport VA's Garden
Our chair of the DAR Service for Veterans committee, Beverly, has been working diligently to help the Northport VA replenish their garden, which had fallen into neglect during COVID-19. Marigolds, alyssum, impatiens, and elephants’ ears purchased with donations made by Chapter Members, have been delivered already, and they will be planted by veterans who are in the hospital for periods of 3-8 weeks with service-related disabilities and residents in the long-term care units.
2022 Memorial Day Parade in Huntington, NY
Members of the Ketewamoke Chapter, NSDAR participated in the Memorial Day Parade in Huntington, NY.
Ketewamoke Members Commemorate America 250 with Patriot Tree
In commemoration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of America, members of the Ketewamoke Chapter, NSDAR created a Patriot Tree, which they decorated with the names of their patriot ancestors. The Patriot Tree was displayed at Harborfields Public Library for the month of May.
Ketewamoke Daughters Donate Baby Goods to Northwell's Dolan Center
April showers struck our April chapter meeting - a BABY shower, that is! Ketewamoke Daughters gathered baby goods of all sorts for Northwell’s Dolan Center, which provides medical care and services for underserved, uninsured and underinsured families and individuals in our community. Many of their pregnant patients do not have the funds to prepare for their baby's arrival. The donations from Saturday's meeting (diapers, clothes, even a car seat!) will hopefully be a weight off the shoulders of those mothers, and help ensure that the next generation of America's future has a bright head start!
Ketewamoke Chapter, NSDAR, Celebrates 114th Anniversary
Happy birthday to us! Ketewamoke's charter was granted on January 11, 1908, making us 114 years old today. (We think we look darn good for our age!) In honor of this momentous event, our January speaker (Ketewamoke's honorary regent Sarah) shared with us a history of the chapter and of some of the items in our chapter house. We were even joined by a great-granddaughter of our founding regent, which made for a very special meeting indeed!
While an uptick in coronavirus cases forced us to meet via Zoom rather than in person, everyone was in good spirits and even showed off party hats and decorations they had prepared for the occasion! Ketewamoke Daughters have always known how to have a good time, and Saturday was no exception.
Ketewamoke Chapter Takes Part in Wreaths Across America Initiative
A little rain didn't deter Ketewamoke Daughters from laying 30 wreaths on the graves of Revolutionary War veterans in a nearby cemetery as a part of Wreaths Across America. A national initiative, Wreaths Across America coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. Volunteers across the world set out their wreaths on the same day, this year on Saturday, December 18.
Ketewamoke Chapter Collects for Toys for Tots
The Ketewamoke Chapter's Toys for Tots drive was a huge success, with about 75 gifts collected for children in need. Placed under the tree in the chapter house, it looked like Santa had come early this year! The tree was decorated with ornaments highlighting the patriots of our own Ketewamoke Daughters, brainchild of our America 250! chair, Jennifer.
Huntington Town Historian Visits Ketewamoke Chapter
Ketewamoke was pleased to welcome Huntington’s town historian, Robert Hughes, to our December meeting to explore early African American history in the Town of Huntington. He provided an overview of slavery and manumission as well as local enslavement burying grounds, the Peter Crippen Project, the Lloyd Family Cemetery, and Jupiter Hammon.
2021 Ketewamoke Chapter Holiday Luncheon
Ketewamoke Daughters gathered for a festive celebration this past weekend at the beautiful Mill Pond House in Centerport. Holiday cheer was had by all!
Ketewamoke Chapter Members Support Long Island Cares This Thanksgiving
Members of the Ketewamoke Chapter, NSDAR collected food items to donate to Long Island Cares this Thanksgiving, in an effort to support those in our community suffering from food insecurity.
WWII Purple Heart Veteran Henry Prew Visits Ketewamoke Chapter
The Ketewamoke Chapter was honored by a presentation by WWII Purple Heart Veteran, Henry Prew. Henry captivated everyone by sharing the details of his service actively fighting the Nazis in Germany.
Engaged in regular close battle, Henry was regularly shot at by mortars, machine guns, and rifles with over 12 near-misses. During the Battle of the Bulge, Henry was shot in the head at close range. Henry said God was looking out for him when the Nazi's bullet went though the side of his metal helmet and removed part of his left ear and gouged the side of his face. While at the hospital in Paris, Henry learned that after he was shot in the head, his company persisted into a devastating ambush.
Ketewamoke Chapter Members expressed their gratitude to Henry for his selfless service to our nation, and looked forward to the future Honor Flight Henry and Ketewamoke Chapter Daughter Pam are scheduled to take part in.
Ketewamoke Chapter Daughters Visit Valley Forge
Over 30 New York State Daughters made the trip to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, where they enjoyed a tour of the historic National Park where George Washington and the continental army encamped during the winter of 1777-1778, as well as a service and lunch at the Washington Memorial Chapel. Daughters famously raised the money to build the chapel's bell tower (completed in 1953), which houses one of the world's largest and most beautiful carillons. Daughters enjoyed carillon music and even climbed the 112 steps to the top of the tower to see the carillon itself!
One Ketewamoke Chapter Daughter, Sarah, a Pennsylvania resident, has been a volunteer at Valley Forge since 2006 and was delighted to help escort her fellow New York Daughters around Valley Forge's hallowed grounds. Here she is with the NSDAR New York State Regent inside the bell tower.
2021 DAR Day of Service
October 11 is the DAR National Day of Service, which DAR members celebrate this date each year on the anniversary of the organization’s founding.
DAR was founded on the ideals of service and its members have been dedicated to giving back to their communities through volunteer initiatives ever since. The Ketewamoke chapter is no exception!
Chapter members met at Huntington Rural Cemetery for a tombstone cleaning demonstration before getting to work cleaning headstones. Even though it was a gray, cloudy day, every day is beautiful when you're serving your community!
One of the headstones at the Huntington Rural Cemetery that we cleaned on Monday as part of the DAR Day of Service belonged to Julia Adams Irwin. Julia was one of Ketewamoke's organizing members, serving as Recording Secretary from 1907-1910, Second Vice Regent from 1915-1916, and a Lay Member of Executive Board from 1919-1920. She also chaired the program, entertainment, and hostess committees.
Cleaning her stone (and other stones belonging to our earliest Ketewamoke daughters) was a great way to connect our current members with our founding members. We love celebrating strong women through the ages!
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Ketewamoke Chapter Members Attend 125th New York State Conference
Ketewamoke daughters had a wonderful time at the 125th New York State Conference in Syracuse, NY this past weekend. We are proud to have received the traveling membership award for most new members in a year (our second year in a row!), as well as recognition for achieving 100% participation in member contributions for the President General's Project.
Ketewamoke Members Open Program Year with Donations for Needy Students & Save-a-Suit Drive
Ketewamoke opened their 2021 program year with a business meeting on September 4th, celebrating Labor Day Weekend and the start of our working year! Ladies came in patriotic themed attire to enjoy coffee, pastries, and sharing their summer adventures. They also shared their generous hearts, donating multiple bags of school supplies for needy students on Long Island and in our NSDAR Schools. Dozens of dress clothes and suits were gathered for the Save-A-Suit drive, being held at the New York State Conference in Syracuse at the end of September. We are thrilled to help the future of our nation, and the men and women transitioning from military to civilian careers!
Ketewamoke Daughters Honor Patriot Reverend Joshua Hartt
On May 15, 2021, members of the Ketewamoke Chapter, NSDAR, along with Huntington Town Historian Robert Hughes, gathered at Northport Rural Cemetery to learn about patriot Reverend Joshua Hartt and to honor his memory by cleaning his grave and the graves of his relatives.
Memorial Rose Garden Planted by Ketewamoke Chapter Members
On Saturday morning, July 10th, the Ketewamoke Chapter dedicated a memorial rose garden in front of our historic chapter house, honoring the Daughters and loved ones we lost in 2020. These blooms will remind us of them and carry on their memories for years to come.
Ketewamoke Daughters Celebrate Zoom Continental Congress
Ketewamoke daughters celebrated the opening night of Continental Congress with a Zoom viewing party! Even though it's a virtual Congress this year, that doesn't mean we can't still get dressed up and watch together.
Ketewamoke Chapter Members Collect 58 Bags of Food for L.I. Cares
58 bags of food for Adopt-A-Family for Thanksgiving was delivered to Long Island Cares, Inc. Thank you to the Huntington community for all your support and donations.
Ketewamoke Chapter Members Attend Veterans Luncheon
Ketewamoke Chapter members and guests attended the Districts X & XI Service for Veterans Luncheon in Bayshore on November 19, 2019. The speaker for the day was a volunteer for America’s VetDogs and the event raised over $1,000 in support of the Veterans Services at the VA Medical Center Hospitals. Long Island NSDAR members look forward to this annual event each year to honor our veterans and thank them for their service.
Ketewamoke Chapter Sends Care Packages to Troops
On Saturday, October 19th, 2019, Ketewamoke Chapter members packed and shipped 24 care packages to deployed military members and patients at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. The packages were filled with personal care and comfort items, food and cards signed by chapter members. A special thank you goes out to our Project Patriot Chairman, Christine, who organized the event.
DAR DAY OF SERVICE
Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR celebrated our Day of Service by restoring the gravestones in the historic Old Burying Ground in Huntington. The morning started with a short workshop on tombstone preservation and then chapter members, prospective members and associates worked together to clean and/or treat approximately 80 graves dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. We ended the morning with hot apple cider, donuts and a lot of gratitude for the 1 million+ women who have built the legacy of service that we carried on today. Thank you to all the volunteers who came to help, everyone did a wonderful job!
Ketewamoke Chapter Holiday Toy Drive and Luncheon
On November 26, 2018, members of the Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR held a holiday toy drive and luncheon at their chapter house. Every chapter member donated unwrapped toys for a needy child, resulting in a wonderful assortment of gifts being gathered. Board members will take the toys to the Greenlawn Fire Department which, in turn, will take them to the Dix Hills Fire Department for distribution to children in need. Afterwards, a delicious lunch was enjoyed. The members were delighted by the number of toys they were able to collect, and look forward to helping make the holidays a bit brighter for children in need.
Longtime Member
Staff Sergeant Barbara Hubbell Kruse, USMC Passes Away
The Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR mourns the passing of our chapter member Staff Sergeant Barbara Hubbell Kruse, USMC, on October 25, 2018. One of the first female Marines, Kruse was just 20 years old when she joined the military in 1943, following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. While she admitted that at first she did face hostility from other Marines who were unhappy about a female joining their ranks, Kruse did not give in to the pressures, and ultimately achieved the rank of staff sergeant. Kruse came from a long line of patriots who served their country, and was a proud member of the NSDAR.
Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR Regent Lilian says, "Barbara belonged to the Daughters of the American Revolution having joined through the Ketewamoke Chapter in Huntington, New York. She joined 28 years ago and was so proud of her many ancestors (at least 12) who had fought in the American Revolution. She was a most active member who became our chapter chaplain in the last few years. She moved to Ohio at which point she became a member of the Mathias Ridenour Chapter, but remained an associate member of Ketewamoke. Everyone loved her for her friendliness, willingness to help, fun loving and warm personality. We learned so much from her and will continue to remember her vitality and joy in every moment she shared with others."
Our deepest condolences go out to Barbara's family and friends. We thank you, Barbara, for your many years of service, both as a Marine and as a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. You will be missed.
Photo Courtesy the Kruse Family
Barbara Hubbell Kruse shares recollections of her time in the Marine Corps. Video courtesy WSYX ABC 6
Photo Courtesy Michael Hubbell
DAR DAY OF SERVICE
On October 11, 2018, members of the Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR participated in a Day of Service.
In spite of the rainy weather, the members were in cheerful spirits as they spent the morning cleaning the graves of patriots at the Soldiers and Sailors Cemetery in Huntington, New York. Using a specially-formulated biological cleaner designed to be gentle on the historic stones, the members took great pleasure in seeing the patriot's graves more clearly revealed from beneath dirt and grime. Member, Theresa, was delighted to discover her own great-grandparents' graves amongst those of the soldiers and sailors. The Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR looks forward to future Days of Service and remains dedicated to honoring their patriot ancestors' legacies and preserving their memories.
Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR
Book Club Meets
On September 15, 2018, fifteen ladies attended the Ketewamoke Chapter NSDAR Book Club tea/lunch meeting, including members, prospective members, and guests from other chapters. A lovely selection of teas and treats were served, and attendees enjoyed a thoughtful and illuminating discussion of Laurie Halse Anderson's Fever 1793 (a Young Adult novel depicting the 1793 Yellow Fever outbreak in Philadelphia) and An Invisible Thread (the examination of an unlikely friendship between a sales executive and a disadvantaged young boy in 1980s New York).
