FARMINGTON – The Colonial Daughters Chapter, DAR met at the Pierce House on Jan. 27 to honor Martha Wasgatt, a long standing chapter member who celebrated her 100th birthday, Dec. 24, 2008. This occasion was also a special event completing the yearlong celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the formation of Colonial Daughters Chapter.
A beautiful birthday cake was presented by the chapter and shared with 18 members and several residents of the Pierce House, which provided tea, coffee and punch for the ladies. Ms. Wasgatt received many cards and a hand crocheted red, white and blue lap robe made by chapter member Kay Seefeldt.
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Ms. Wasgatt was born in Rockland, Maine, on Dec. 24, 1908, graduating from Rockland High School. She received a BA degree from University of Maine Orono. After graduation, she accepted a position of dietician at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York. Later on Martha decided that the teaching profession would provide her with more time to pursue other interests. She enrolled at Columbia University, and after receiving her Master of Science Degree she taught at a Junior College in Pa. for several years. An opening became available at the University of Maine at Farmington, where she taught in the Early Childhood Dept. until her retirement in 1972.
Martha was a member of the National Society of Delta Kappa Gamma, The Mt. Blue Garden Club, Colonial Daughters Chapter DAR, and an active member of the Franklin County Extension. Gardening was a big part of Martha’s life and for many years she provided fresh flowers for several occasions, including flowers for the Colonial Daughters Chapter Good Citizens Awards Luncheons each March. Until recently she crafted note cards with fresh flowers from her garden, which were sold as fundraisers.
Jeanette Stevens presented a program on “Antique Valentines,” which included her father’s collection, from his school days in the early 1900s. A guest at the meeting, Ernestine Dupont also shared her collection of vintage valentines dating back to the 1800s. The Valentines brought back many memories and were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
Following the festivities a business meeting was conducted by Regent Theo Ross, the residents were invited to attend. A nominating committee was chosen to select names of new officers for the upcoming term, to be voted on at the next meeting. Committee members are Connie Hiltz, Melanie Farmer, and Wilma Rector.
The next meeting will be held Feb. 24, 2009 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Wilton at 1 p.m. The program will be the “North Church Restoration Project,” presented by Taffy Davis, of the Farmington Historical Society. The public is cordially invited to the meeting.
