Kosciusko Co. Indiana Master Naturalists

Twenty Indiana Master Naturalists met Feb. 15 in the Kosciusko Community Foundation, Warsaw — the first alumni meeting of the Kosciusko chapter.

The Kosciusko classes have graduated over 70 percent of participants in three year, bringing 28 certified master naturalists into the ranks, according to Darci Zolman, program administrator.

The evening featured Dr. Jerry Sweeten, head of environmental studies at Manchester University. He spoke on the reintroduction of federally endangered mussel species in the Tippecanoe and Eel rivers in Kosciusko County. His slide presentation also included information about the new fish ladder recently installed adjacent to the Stockdale Mill in Wabash County.

The Kosciusko County Indiana Master Naturalists alumni group meets four times a year to gain educational hours required to retain advanced standing and socialize. All Indiana master naturalists are invited to attend. There is no charge.

The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 17 at the Kosciusko Community Foundation meeting room, 102 E. Market St., Warsaw.



Kosciusko Genealogy Group

The Kosciusko Genealogy Group will meet at the Old Jail Museum Library, 121 N. Indiana St., from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday.

Faye Meyers will present the program “Researching Records in Pennsylvania.” Discussion and sharing of Pennsylvania stories will follow.

Call 574-269-1078 or email librarian@kosciuskohistory. com for further information.



Frances Slocum Chapter DAR

The monthly meeting of the Frances Slocum Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution took place  Tuesday at the Grandstaff-Hentgen  Activity Room, Wabash.

The meeting opened with the DAR ritual. Devotions were for Saint Patrick’s Day from Psalm 24:5. The March president general's message from Ann T. Dillon was shared by Joyce Joy.

To honor Women’s History Month in March, American Spirit magazine’s March/April 2018 issue pays tribute to the many accomplishments of early American women, many of whom have gone unheralded. Renovations to the Museum Gallery and work on Phase Two of Constitution Hall should be completed before Congress, June 20-24.

The National Defender Report honored a “Molly Pitcher” woman named Margaret Cochran Corbin. Molly Pitcher has come to symbolize a legend, a female figure powerful enough to fight on a battlefield with men. In 1772, Margaret Cochran married John Corbin, a Virginia farmer. John joined the Continental Army and Margaret went with him. On Nov. 16, 1776, at Fort Washington in upper Manhattan, a four-hour battle ensued; every hand was needed to man the cannon and muskets. John, who was manning the cannon, was killed instantly when a Hessian musket ball found its mark. With no time to grieve, Margaret continued loading and firing the cannon by herself. She was wounded —  her shoulder torn, chest mangled and jaw lacerated. She never recovered fully from her wounds and was unable to use her left arm for the rest of her life. In 1776, the state of Pennsylvania gave Margaret $30 due to her disabled condition. She received a lifetime disability pension of one-half pay on 1779 from the Continental Congress, making her the first woman to obtain such a commitment from the government.

The Indian Committee Minute report was given by Avonne Lee Knecht.

The chapter continues to support overseas military families by sending coupons to active military bases. On Feb. 17, the chapter sent 4.5 pounds of manufacturer’s coupons to the Army base in Grafenwoehr. Germany.  

The General James Cox Chapter, Kokomo, sent an invitation to hear Jeanine Martin, speak about the DAR Schools at their April 10 luncheon. The group also received an invitation to attend and participate in a Revolutionary War memorial dedication April 15 at the Ripley County Fairgrounds, Osgood.

Angie Briner presented the 3B exercise class with a chair.

The next meeting of the Frances Slocum Chapter will be  at 7 p.m. April 10 at North Manchester Public Library, Blocher Room, 405 N. Market St., North Manchester. The program will be presented by Danna Walter, master gardener. Prospective members and guests are welcome.

DAR membership is open to any woman 18 and older who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. Those having questions about their family history lineage information should visit www.dar.org, or call Linda Thompson at 260-563-4661 or Barbara Amiss at 260-982-4376.



Singles Meeting Friends

The group had two gatherings within the last week: the regular gathering Wednesday and game night, which is the second Friday of every month.

Catherine and Judy are still under the weather. Rita is still very sore from her fall. She will be having an MRI to be sure there isn’t any tissue damage.

Snowbirds Susanne, Gerald and Charlene may be returning to Kosciusko County in March.

The group meets at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Martin’s Super Market deli.



Wednesday Night Bridge Group

The group had four tables this week, with the following winners: Virginia Horn, John Wagley, Jim Levandis, Joan Kizer and Sharon Tuttle.

Members enjoyed pies in honor of Pi Day, March 14.

Janet and John Wagley are hostess and host for March. The next meeting is March 21.