The Spinning Wheel Chapter of the DAR met Feb. 17 at the Marshalltown Library.

Joe Herring, Department of Natural Resources District Forester, gave the program on “Conservation.” He spoke of the DNR Forestry Departments’ mission to help Iowans expand and take care of Iowa’s three million acres of trees and forests and to teach the importance of reforestation of pasture land that had been stripped of its natural forests.

Among the many benefits of trees and forests is the clean air, people breathe with the oxygen the trees produce. Trees provide food and shelter for many birds and animals and convert carbon dioxide into wood. Trees also provide a great place for many native plants to grow, watershed protection, cooling the environment with shade and provides outdoor recreation for all to enjoy. Trees also provide 17,000 jobs in Iowa. He thanked the members for encouraging conservation of Iowa’s forests and trees.

The meeting was led by Vice Regent Catherine Hanson. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by the American’s Creed.

Karen Shipley-Cooper has reinstated her membership in the chapter. Emilie Freiberg has joined as a new member, and Jean Waugh Mowen from Louisburg, KS, became a new associate member recently.

Vice Regent Cathy Hansen read the Regents report written by Regent Whitney Hunt asking members for more recipes for the upcoming fundraiser cookbook.

Freiberg is helping the chapter to begin showing the meetings on YouTube, and later possibly via Zoom to enable those to stay in touch who are unable to attend.

Susan Lawyer gave the Indian Minute on Sitting Bull, who was a stalwart defender of his people’s lands and lifeways which were threatened by the intrusion of white settlers and miners on treaty guaranteed tribal territories, as well as the government efforts to concentrate Indians on Reservations.

Deb Williams gave the American Heritage and National Defense Report on how each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces maintains its own military marching band to inspire troops and preserve tradition. Once an integral element on the battlefield, now they mostly serve at ceremonial functions.

Barb Wacha announced that five delegates and/or alternates from the chapter were elected to attend the State Conference on March 30 and April 1. They are Marlys Ankrum, Michelle Ankrum, Diane Hobson, Janice Juchems and Freiberg.

The next Spinning Wheel meeting will be at 1:30 p.m. on March 18 at the Public Library. “WWI France” will be the program to be presented by Ann Jackson.