Maryland Society, Sons of the American Revolution
Organized 20 April 1889
Westminster Chapter
Chartered 9 March 1985
Serving Carroll County Maryland
Quarterly report of the Westminster Chapter
MDSSAR for the period October - December 2015
Over the last three months, the Westminster Chapter held it business meeting on November 5th
at the Westminster Public Library Large Meeting Room on Main Street, Westminster, Maryland.
Additionally, the chapter has reached out to the community to identify candidates for the
Orations contest, the Essay contest, the Eagle Scout Scholarship contest as well as making
contact with the High School military science departments to identify candidates for the JROTC
outstanding cadet recognition. The chapter has presented Flag awards and introduced one new
member to the Westminster Chapter.
Lastly, the chapter has initiated contact with
representatives from the Carroll County Sheriff’s office requesting their support and assistance in
identifying candidates for public service awards (Fire, Police and Safety).
Highlights of the events over the past three months include:
Business Meeting: President Jim Engler, along with 7 other members present called the
meeting to order at 7:05pm at the Westminster Public Library Large Meeting Room. During the
meeting the following topics were presented:
1. Induction of New Member: President Jim Engler introduced Steve Gemeny as a new
member and presented him with his member paperwork.
2. Reports of President and Officers: President Jim Engler reported he had attended an
AMS event near the Middlebrook Encampment in New Jersey.
3. Grave Markings – Ryan Trainor is arranging for a patriot ancestor’s grave to be marked
in the spring of 2016. Jacob Yingling is working to have his lineal descendent John
Yingling’s grave to be officially marked in the September 2016 timeframe. Don Warner
advised he would like to work on having a patriot grave marker installed for the father-inlaw of his patriot ancestor, an individual named Waggoner.
4. New Members: Jim Engler reported there were three new family members in the SAR
application pipeline with Chris Smithson to become Westminster Chapter members.
5. American History Teacher Contest – Don Warner volunteered to be the Committee
Chairman.
6. Americanism Scorecard – Jim Engler has taken responsibility for this project.
Maryland Society, Sons of the American Revolution
Organized 20 April 1889
Westminster Chapter
Chartered 9 March 1985
Serving Carroll County Maryland
7. American Brochure Contest – Art Petruccelli reported that the contest application
chapter deadline is May 15, 2016.
8. Americanism CD’s – Jim Engler has taked responsibility for this program.
9. Americanism Poster Contest – Art Petruccelli reported that the contest application
chapter deadline is May 15, 2016.
10. Awards and Medals – Jim Engler reported that Charles Hedges is working on awards
for the Spring Meeting. He also said they were working on getting attendance pins for
those members reaching a significant milestone anniversary in their membership.
11. CAR Liaison – Art Petruccelli reported on the workday event at the George Washington
Monument in Baltimore City.
12. DAR Liaison – Steve Gemeny volunteered to become the DAR Liaison for Dinner
Meetings.
13. George Washington Portraits - Steve Gemeny volunteered to be chairman for this
activity. Don Warner volunteered to contact Westminster High School and Jacob
Yingling would contact another school in Westminster to propose presentation of the
portraits.
14. Nominating Committee – Art Petruccelli reported that the nominations committee met
and were unsuccessful in finding nominees for all the vacant board of director positions.
After a discussion, volunteers emerged from the members present to fill the vacant Vice
President and vacant Board Member #2 positons. A motion was made to accept the
nominees by unanimous vote, seconded, and approved. The results of the nominations
committee is as follows:
Office
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Registrar
Chaplain
Historian
Genealogist
Chancellor
Chapter Board of Managers, class of 2016-2019 #1
Chapter Board of Managers, class of 2016-2019 #2
Nominees
James F. Engler,Sr.
Steve Gemeny
Arthur G. Petruccelli
Leonard P. Easton
Ryan P. Trainor
No Candidate
No Candidate
No Candidate
No Candidate
Charles R. Hedges
Jacob M. Yingling
Maryland Society, Sons of the American Revolution
Organized 20 April 1889
Westminster Chapter
Chartered 9 March 1985
Serving Carroll County Maryland
15. Orations Contest: The contest announcement was published in the Carrol Carroll
County Times Newspaper as well as posted in the Public Libraries throughout the County
and on our chapter website and Facebook page. A meeting to evaluate and select a
candidate for the contest is planned for mid-January 2016.
16. Essay Contest: The contest announcement was also published in the Carroll County
Times Newspaper and on the chapter website and Facebook page. One candidate has
presented an essay for consideration.
17. Eagle Scout Contest: The contest announcement was also published in the Carroll
County Times Newspaper and on the chapter website and Facebook page. At this time
we have one candidate for the award.
Flag Awards: We have presented two flag awards. Both awards were submitted to the Carroll
County Times Newspaper for publication. The first award ceremony was held on November 14,
2015 at the Bob Evans Restaurant in Westminster, Maryland. The second was awarded on
December 18th, 2015 at the New Windsor State Bank, Market Street Branch in Westminster,
Maryland.
Chapter Spring Business Meeting/Dinner: This meeting is being planned at the Buttersburg
Inn in Union Bridge Maryland on Saturday, March 5th at 2pm. An announcement will be
forthcoming once the meeting date and time is confirmed.
We wish to thank all of the officers and members of the MDSSAR for their support as we
continue our activities for 2016.
Respectfully Submitted,
Charles R. Hedges, Secretary