Central Iowa Chapter (S.A.R.) members,

Just a quick note of thanks to all who were able to attend the program at
the Iowa Historical Museum on Friday.  The celebration of the 201st birthday
of Abrahm Lincoln had many highlights. Among those were a wonderful Abraham
Lincoln performance by Mr. Dehaan of Orange City, Iowa.  He is in my humble
opinion among the best Lincoln presenters in the world. (see attached photo)

Our own Compatriot, Brig. General Steve Bogle presented a proclamation from
the Governor to the Iowa Rifles Color Guard unit. (see attached photo).

In addition to seeing and speaking with members of our own chapter, I had
the great pleasure of seeing members of the DAR, CAR, SUVCW, SVR, Mayflower
Society, Civil War Rountable and Des Moines Historical Society.

Members of the Central Iowa Color Guard had the pleasure of presenting
information on the American Revolutionary War and answering questions for
112 5th graders at Beaver Creek Elementary School in Johnston, Iowa. (see
attached photo).

Last of all since it is Valentine’s Day I can’t resist sending a bit of
history on the topic,

First American-Made Valentines Sold: February 14, 1849
ON THIS DAY…
…in 1849, the first American-made valentines were sold in Worcester.
They were designed and made by Esther Howland, the daughter of a local
stationer. After graduating from Mt. Holyoke College, she returned to
Worcester and began making valentines modeled on a fancy one she had
received from an English friend. Her brother took the samples on a sales
trip and came home with an astonishing $5,000 worth of orders. Howland began
by hiring her friends to assemble the valentines; within a few years, she
built her business into a $100,000 a year enterprise, a notable success for
any entrepreneur but a truly remarkable accomplishment for a
nineteenth-century woman.
Listen to this moment:
http://www.massmoments.org/audio/Feb141%2Em3u
Read more about this moment:
http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=52
Visit Mass Moments to search past moments:
http://www.massmoments.org

Keep doing great things large and small! Don’t forget to share them with
your Iowa Patriot Editor Fran Keith and Webmaster Scott Rowley.

Respectfully,

Mike Rowley
Central Iowa Chapter Treasurer