National Historic Preservation Recognition Award Presentation
L-R, Robin Schoch, Historic Preservation Chair, Recipient Linda Molto, Regent Kathy Doddridge and below, Dr. Mary Fulford Green receiving her award at her home in Cortez Village.
Celebrating Manatee History with local authors
L-R Robin Schoch, J.B. Crawford, Joh McDonald, Peggy Donoho, Ron Prouty
Peggy Donoho and Ron Prouty — Co-Authored Miguel’s Bay, her great great grandfather Miguel Guerrero, born in 1817 in Spain details how he established a fishing rancho on Terra Ceia, shipped fish to Cuba and who later married the niece of Madame Joe Atzelroth.
John McDonald is the son and grandson of fishermen. A docent at the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez, he presented historic photos of Cortez including the village’s original fishing boats- sailboats know as skipjacks propelled by poles at the March meeting.
J.B. Crawford, author of several books including Cortez Village and several children’s books about Cortez, spoke about moving to Cortez in 1946. His books strive to preserve the fast-disappearing craft of commercial fishing. J.B. described delivering live shrimp to local bait and tackle shops and fishing for grouper, stone crab and mullet. “Cortez has faced many challenges, he said, first to survive, then to succeed. A 1918 flu epidemic devastated the village, followed in 1921 by a hurricane that destroyed the entire waterfront and blew down the Cortez bridge. Two World Wars took several fisherman from Cortez, some permanently. Then in 1995 the state banned the use of gill nets, forcing Cortezians to find other ways to fish, primarily cast nets. Cortez always succeeded.”
Manatee Chapter in the News!
Cemetery Cleanup – Manatee Burying Grounds
Sarah Meaker, Holly Wilson and Pru Dewey spent a few hours cleaning at the Manatee Burying Grounds.
November -Native American Month
Manatee Chapter members participated in a guided tour of the Bishop Museum to learn more about the Tocobaga Indian tribe located here in Tampa Bay.
L-R: Suzanne Cochran, Cheryl Honett, Julie Moore, Fran Kramer, Judy Mery, BJ Mangrum, Pru Dewey, Marlene Frasca, Gail Riggs, Mary Smith, Regent Kathy Doddridge, Robin Schoch, Madeline Rementer and Susan Well
We thoroughly enjoyed hearing more about our namesakes, manatees Doscal and Felicia. Once their Rehabilitation is complete they will be erased back in the wild.
Manatee Historical Village
Through our close partnership with the Manatee Historical Village we have worked with them to repair the steeple of the old church.
Additionally, we have participated in several of their programs including “Her story: Women in History and Spirit Voices”.
The 1850 Manatee Village Burying Grounds is undergoing a major clean-up of the headstones.
Several members have been trained on the proper techniques and are working with the county to insure these grave markers will remain forever. 
Old Florida Christmas
We participate in the annual Old Florida Christmas sharing information about DAR as well as providing colonial toys & holiday decorations for sale to benefit our student awards –JOTC, DAR good Citizens for the high schools and th American History Essay contest for Elementary and middle schools.
Kathy Juergenes, Pru Dewey and Madeline Rementer
Dee Kring, Arlene Dukanauskas and Margaret Smelser
Holly Wilson, Pru Dewey, Robin Schoch, Regent Kathy Doddridge, Julie Worth, Kathy Juergens and Madeline Rementer
Martha Stanislauski, Nancy Hooker, Suzanne Cochran, Laurie Schuchardt & Mona Tisdale
Genealogy Work Shops
Beginning in 2014, our chapter has hosted our yearly Genealogy Workshop for women interested in joining the DAR.
The workshop provides information about the DAR, general genealogical tips and, with the help of participants’ lineage, identifies a Revolutionary War patriot. 
Presenters L-R: Sandy Boyes, Registrar Kathy Doddridge, Regent Margaret Smelser & Past Regent Sharon Spry
2018 Constitution Week Luncheon
Our Chapter hosted the luncheon themed, “Our U.S. Constitution – The Words We Live By”
Saraman SAR Color Guard
Linda Prindle & Regent Margaret Smelser
Words of the Constitution
Manatee Chapter honors Dr. Gail Kettlewell – Women in American History Award 2017
Margaret Smelser, Dr. Gail Kettlewell and Regent Sharon Spry
Manatee Chapter Genealogy Workshop January 28, 2017
This year Saramana SAR asked to join us for our third annual Genealogy Workshop. Finding new members is vital for both Saramana SAR and Manatee Chapter DAR. Dick Mahaffey, Past President, Preston Adams, Treasurer and Doug Erb, Vice President joined 20 attendees for the event. Each attendee received a packet with his/her identified Patriot, worksheets, reference materials along with the presentation so they could follow along with the program. During the two breaks Manatee Chapter Officers and members interacted with the attendees addressing questions and giving encouragement.
Presenters were (left to right) Cindy Russell, Vice Regent; Sharon Spry, Regent;Kathy Doddridge; Registrar & Tina Roark; Recording Secretary
2017 History Essay Award Winners – Thank you Saint Joseph’s Catholic School!
5th Grade – 2017 History Essay Contest Winner
6th Grade Winner, 2017 History Essay Contest
7th Grade History Essay Winner – 2017
Woman In History Award Winners
Cathy Slusser, Director of Historical Resources for the Clerk of the Court, Manatee County, was presented with the Women in History Award for her continuing excellence in preserving and promoting
the vast historical resources of the county.
Overseeing the Historical Records Library, Manatee Historical Village Park, Florida Maritime Museum, The Palmetto Historical Park and Manatee Agricultural Museum is only part of her job.
She is the author of the trilogy, From a Heavenly Land, based on the Atzeroth family of Terra Ceia.
Our chapter honored two of our own Manatee Daughters: Carolyn Chamberlain and Janet Entwistle, with the “Women in History Award.”
