Compatriots,

During this holiday season we are jolted back to reality by the senseless shooting of small children in a Connecticut elementary school.  Our hearts are broken for the little ones, their families, and for all that knew them.  Life is so precious.   Let us pause a moment to lift a prayer to God to be with all of us as we struggle with this horrific tragedy.

I hope that each of you will take an extra moment when you see the young children playing, learning and growing in all their innocence.  When you give a hug say to yourself, “Thank you, Lord” for this beautiful person in your own image.  May the Peace of God come to each of us this season and throughout the new year.

For SAR there is much to celebrate this holiday season.  The outstanding accomplishments of our staff to successfully meet challenges associated with the move to the new library building, the team work approach developed by our Executive Director in reducing the approval times for both new and supplemental applications, the generosity of all who have contributed to the building of our new headquarters, the start of our headquarters renovations, the new books being added to our library selected from the DAR duplicate book collection, and the growth of our active membership.

The leadership meeting in March will offer Saturday morning workshops on genealogy and the duties and responsibility of chapter and society secretaries.   Important issues will be presented and discussed at the Saturday morning trustees meeting.  I am also happy to report that asparagus is not on the menu for any meal that weekend.  The spring leadership meeting will be held beginning Friday, Feb 28 through Saturday, March 1, 2013 at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY.  All members are welcome to attend.  Look for registration information on our website about mid-January 2013.

Janet and I wish you a joyous Christmas filled with safe travel, family and friends and delicious meals of those family favorite recipes.  Peace and Joy.

Steve Leishman

President General