2023-2024 Calendar of Events

The Bitter Root Chapter, NSDAR, meets monthly from September to June. 
​For location and other information please contact ​​us.

Special & Commemorative Dates

Constitution Day

September 17, 2023

Vietnam Veteran’s Day

September 24, 2023

NDAR Day of Prayer

October 9, 2023

NSDAR & Day of Service Anniversary

October 11, 2023

Mayflower Compact Anniversary

November 11, 2023

Wreath’s Across America

December 16, 2023

National Day of Prayer

May 2, 2024

Victory in Europe Anniversary

May 8, 2024

D-Day Anniversary

June 6, 2024

Days to Display the American Flag

Labor Day (First Monday)

September 4, 2023

Patriot’s Day (Flag at 1/2 staff)

September 11, 2023

Constitution Day

September 17, 2023

DAR Day of Service

October 9, 2023

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

October 10, 2023

Election Day

November 7, 2023

Veterans Day

November 11, 2023

Thanksgiving Day

November 23, 2023

Pearl Harbor Remembrance (1/2 staff)

December 7, 2023

Christmas Day

December 25, 2023

New Year’s Day

January 1, 2024

Martin Luther King’s Birthday

January 15, 2024

Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday

February 12, 2024

President’s Day

February 19, 2024

George Washington’s Birthday

February 22, 2024

Mother’s Day

May 12, 2024

Armed Forces Day

May 18, 2024

Memorial Day (Flag at 1/2 staff)

May 27, 2024

Flag Day

June 14, 2024

Juneteenth.

June 19, 2024

Independence Day

July 4, 2024

2023 Bitter Root Program Schedule

September 9, 2023. Program: “Montana Pioneers: The Lady Blackrobes”. This presentation focuses on the story of the early Sisters of Providence in Montana and their groundbreaking work in the areas of healthcare, education, and social services. Presenter: A retired Loyola Sacred Heart High School teacher. She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Montana. During her professional teaching career, she was awarded five National Endowment for the Humanities Landmark Research Grants. She has presented historical lectures at the Museum Association of Montana Conference, the Montana Education Association, the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula, and St. Mary’s Mission Lecture Series.  She is currently serving as the Missoula Catholic Schools Historical Archivist.

October 14, 2023.  Program: Ties of Service and Friendship, a Celebration and Revitalization of our Chapter. Come participate as we honor our membership and brainstorm ideas to revitalize our chapter and prepare for the 2026 State Conference.  Lead Facilitator:  Works with the Arts in Education Department at Columbia University, Physical Education and Health at the University of Guam, and with the Faculty Councils and Senates. She has served as a facilitator for Kansas Accessible Arts, Ohio Arts Council, and Very Special Arts, a program of the Kennedy Center.   Join us as we celebrate DAR’s National Day of Service. We will be collecting items to send to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) to use by the visiting nurses in their work with active-duty military families.  Items we will collect will include blankets (Knitted or crocheted, measure 30×30, not to exceed 32×32. The blankets are handed out during the Budget4Baby class, which is a free financial education class for active-duty expectant parents) and other layette items, such as sweaters, booties, hats (These are handed out during home visits by the nurses). Note: Blankets and quilts not crocheted or knitted or sized differently, are gifted at home visits as well! We will have members present to collect donations.

November 11, 2023. Program title: Every Reason to Fail. Presenter: One of the originators of the “Miss Montana to Normandy project”. He also was one of the pilots who made the entire trip to Europe and back. A private pilot since 2008, he is an engineer for his day job and lives in Missoula, Montana with his wife and two Labradors. “Every Reason to Fail” was awarded the Gold Medal in the 2021 Readers Favorite International competition in the Historical Nonfiction category!

December 2, 2023.  Celebrating our holiday season. This is our traditional holiday potluck.  Bring a special dish to share and bring a family antique or memory! We will share stories of our cherished possession.

January 13, 2024.  Program: A Life Well Lived, David Jonathan Thatcher.  Presenter: A retired educator and arbitrator who has spent close to forty years researching American history. He is a thirty-year member of SAR, and most recently served as Vice President General of the Intermountain district. He is very proud of his Revolutionary War Ancestors AND current distant family members who are fighting for their freedom in Ukraine!

February 10, 2024.  Program: Good Citizen’s Awards. Each year Bitter Root Chapter sponsors awards to graduating seniors from local public and private high schools.  These students are chosen by their counselors as seniors who exemplify Good Citizenship. Each School Good Citizen may elect to sit for a one-hour extemporaneous essay based upon a topic that is only revealed to them when they sit down to write.  School Good Citizen papers are then adjudicated by outside scholars.  At this meeting, our Good Citizens will read their essays.  The most outstanding essay winner also competes at the state level for further honors. This is always an anticipated event.

March 9, 2024. Our business meeting will include the Nomination Committee’s presentation of the slate of officers for 2024-26.  Program: Planning our 2026 State Convention. Presentation on planning to date. Everyone will join in on activities to support our hosting of the 2026 State Convention.

April 13, 2024.  Our business meeting will include the election of officers.  Program: The Pennsylvania Navy and the Privateers.  Prior to the British occupation of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Navy protected the Delaware Bay and River.  The Navy became another weapon for our new nation from February 1777 until September 1777, providing support to forts along the Pennsylvania and New Jersey sides of the Delaware River. Washington ended the program when recruitment to his army waned.  Privateers harassed the British Navy and other foreign navies who presented themselves along our coastlines. Join us to learn more about how these helped the new nation defend itself. Presenter: With a BS ed, MFA, and Ed.D, she taught at the University of Montana, Columbia University Teachers College, the University of Guam, and the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse.  Her love of history and historical buildings began early, becoming a passion in retirement.

May 11, 2024. The business meeting will include the installation of new officers.  Program: NSDAR Museum Program, Dining in Early America.  Join us as we visit the kitchens and dining traditions in the 18th and early 19th centuries. If you’d like, please bring a piece of silver, a serving dish, or a favorite family recipe to share.  Presenter: A DAR Museum Correspondent Docent, under the direction of the Curator General, National Chair DAR Museum Outreach, National Vice Chair for Correspondent Docents, museum staff, and Montana Honorary State Regent. Docents promote the DAR Museum and its collections by providing public outreach through programs to DAR chapters, community organizations, and schools in an educated and professional manner. Last year, Bitter Root Chapter enjoyed her presentation of “An Agreeable Tyrant: Fashion After the Revolution.”

June 8, 2024. Program title: The Militant Miller – John Milligan’s Story. From Feeding hungry troops to joining the battle, John Milligan’s mill played an integral part in the battle to build America. Angie will share his story and how she learned it including his elusive tie back to Scotland.  Presenter: She is a professional genealogist, media personality, bestselling author, educator, and screenwriter. She’s the executive director of The National Institute for Genealogical Studies (GenealogicalStudies.com). Her latest, a 6-book series, Queen of the Rockies, is set during Montana’s birth as a state.

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