A meeting of the Lt. Nathan Gann Chapter, S. A. R., was held at 7 PM Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the Golden Corral Restaurant in Lufkin, Texas. Members and guests arrived after 6 PM to eat prior to the meeting.

President Fred Preston called the meeting to order.   Lester Sparks gave the invocation and then Preston led the assemblage in the pledges to the American Flag and the SAR Flag.

Preston then recognized the guests.  Members present were:  Fred Preston, Neal Naranjo, Fred Jacobs, Woody Gann, Ray Spivey, Harold Newsom, Jasper Lee, John Windham, Lester Sparks and District 10 VP Mike Everheart. Guests were introduced which included  Betty Preston, Honora Jacobs, Sam (prospective member) and Mary Griffin,  Bessie* Spivey, June Everheart, Lisa Lee (Art Teacher Pineywoods) and El Ray Lee, Duane Hedberg (History Teacher Pineywoods) and Jo Ann Hedberg, Mildred Sparks, Stella Frances Naranjo, Charlene Kolb, James Herd (grandson of Mike Everheart), Michael Windham, 1st place winner Katlynn Ray and mother Lorenda Oleinik, Beverly Komakawski and Jordan Ray, 2nd place winner Jakob Smith, Rayna Smith and Jayla Smith, 3rd Place winner Alexandria Wall, Houston Wall and Grace Wall and the entertainment, Dubby Perry.   In all there were 10 members and 26 guests.

There were no corrections to the minutes.  Neal Naranjo made a motion to accept the minutes as mailed out and posted on the web page, Fred Jacobs seconded the motion.  Minutes stand approved.

Jeff Corbett was not present.  Preston gave the report.  The CD balance is $5225.05.  $332.50 was deposited from 2008 dues to the Money Market Accout which now has a balance of $2,156.18.

OLD BUSINESS: Preston reported that their newest member is Robert William Prendergast, grandson of Robert Poland, son of Donald Prendergast and Joy Dell Polland of Katy, TX.   He is a student at A&M but will remain a member of our chapter until such time as he decides to get active in a chapter.

Preston reported that he had an article in the local paper on March 2nd with a picture of a ragged flag.  Obviously the establishment recognized the flag because they took it down and haven't flown one since.  In response to the article Preston and Naranjo have collected about 30 flags.  The plan is to retire 7 or 8 flags at a time and do it at Pineywoods Academy and St. Cyprians to begin with.  Preston and Naranjo will wear their revolutionary war uniforms and they will need 3 other members to assist.   Harold Newsom and Fred Jacobs have volunteered, need one more.The first one will probably be mid April.

Naranjo reported that he has purchased 15 Declaration of Independence documents and will get frames.  We will then present these to various schools in uniform.   This is part of our continuing goal of educating youth on our history.

NEW BUSINESS:  Preston reported that we have eight possible new members.   Mike has information on one which I need to get.   Several men could easily be members if they wanted to but apparently they aren't that interested.  Will keep working on them.

At this time Preston turned the meeting over to Neal Naranjo for the Poster Contest presentations.  Neal told the story of "Molly Pitcher" and then called Alexandria Wall to come forward.  She was presented a Certificate and a check for $30 for third place.

L to R: Neal Naranjo, Alexandria Walls and Fred Preston

Jakob Smith came forward and received his second place certificate and a check for $45.

L to R: Neal Naranjo, Jakob Smith and Fred Preston

Finally Katlynn Ray came forward to receive her first place certificate and a check for $75.  Her poster was sent to state and will be judged next week.

L to R: Neal Naranjo, Katlynn Ray and Fred Preston

After the presentations and pictures, Woody Gann was called to introduce the program.   Woody introduced Dubby Perry who is a magician and a humorist.  Everyone enjoyed his magic act, even the kids.   

Dubby Perry. Wave the wond around and around and up and down !

Preston presented Dubby with a Certificate of Appreciation and then announced that the meeting May 15th would be Harry Fife, the Texas State Society Secretary.  Mike Everheart pointed out that by the time of the meeting he will be the Texas Society President.

Preston led the assemblage in the SAR closing admonition.

The meeting was adjourned about 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted:  Fred Preston