The members of the Deep River Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century began their 2006-2007 season with a meeting at CCNC on Sept. 8.

After the opening rituals, Chapter Vice President Bettye Spence introduced Elsie Takacs, the guest speaker. Takacs was born and raised in New York City and attended Capital University in Ohio where she received a degree in liberal arts. She and her husband resided in northwestern New Jersey where they raised four children. They moved to Pinehurst seven years ago after living for 15 years in Florida. Takacs has been active in the community and church and began making rugs in 1971, becoming a certified rug teacher in 1992.

Following lunch, Takacs spoke to the group about how she first got involved in making rugs. When her youngest child began school, she taught kindergarten for six years before deciding that she wanted to do something else. She took a tailoring class at the YWCA and met someone who made rugs.

Takacs, who had always enjoyed sewing, admired the rug and began to make one on her own. After a year away from teaching she returned and continued to teach until she retired. This did not stop her from working on rugs in her spare time. She brought many examples of her work to show the group, and everyone was extremely impressed with beauty of the rugs as well as the quality.

The first rug Takacs made was a prayer rug. Thirty-five years later it still looks brand new. She said it took her five years to make this rug, and she showed the group the intricate pattern that she followed. The next rug she made was six feet by seven feet and took her eight years. Takacs said she has made rugs for each of her children as they married and now is making them for grandchildren. The yarns that she uses are 100 percent wool from New Zealand and Australia with 100 percent cotton backing, and the rugs are completely washable.

Takacs decided to become a certified rug making teacher so that it would be easier to acquire the supplies that are needed to make these rugs. She showed the group the sampler rug that she had to make to become certified and challenged the group to find the design of a manatee that she had hidden in the design of the rug. She is currently working on a 5x7 rug that she brought with her, and she demonstrated the techniques she uses to make these rugs.

President Barbara Reining called the business meeting to order following Takacs' presentation. It was noted that the Deep River Chapter now has 34 members, 18 of whom were present for this meeting. Treasurer Jackie Oakley distributed updates to the yearbook. Ellie Kirkpatrick read an article, "God's Place in the Pledge" from The American Legion Magazine, and Anne Radcliffe reminded the group that the chapter is again collecting items for distribution to veterans over the holidays.

Members will bring their gift donations to the November meeting, and they will be delivered to the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fayetteville in December.

At the November meeting a Nominating Committee will be formed to develop a slate of officers for 2007-2009, and Carolyn Register will give a demonstration of basket weaving. The meeting was adjourned following the benediction by Nathalie Scott.