Three members of the Deep River Chapter of Colonial Dames 17th Century attended the state Board of Management meeting held in Raleigh, Aug. 8-9. Among local women attending were Sue Aceves, who is also state music chairman; Anne Ratcliffe, who is state corresponding secretary and the local Deep River Chapter president; and Jackie Oakley, who is state organizing secretary.

The new N.C. state Colonial Dames XVII Century flag was presented during the meeting on Saturday. The former flag, used since the organization of the North Carolina society in 1951, has been retired to the flag room at National Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

State President Gwen Causey announced that two new chapters have been formed in North Carolina. Fort San Juan chapter is located in Hickory. It is named for a Spanish fort established in Burke County near the Indian village of Joara in 1567. This was 20 years before Sir Walter Raleigh's "Lost Colony" at Roanoke and 40 years before Jamestown was established. It was burned to the ground in the spring of 1568 and the location forgotten for many years. There is an ongoing archaeological dig to uncover and learn about this fort.

The Mary Coffin Starbuck chapter is based in Flat Rock. Mary Coffin Starbuck (1645-1717) was a member of the prominent Tristram Coffin family of Nantucket, Mass. She raised a family of 10 children and operated Nantucket Island's first store. She converted from Puritanism to Quakerism in 1704. Her home was called Parliament House, where many meetings were held.

The President General, Juanita Gex, will attend the 50th Anniversary of the Governor James Moore Chapter on Nov. 8, 2008, at the home of Margaret Jordan Ellis in Gulf. The events will include the marking of the grave of Gladys Jordan, organizing chapter president, at Buffalo Church in Sanford, and a visit to the historic Camel Back Truss Bridge located over Deep River in Comnock. Chapters from across the state have been invited to attend.

The national conference will be held April 15-18, at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. All of the new state presidents will be installed. The North Carolina society will host one of the luncheons with emphasis on "The Old North State." All North Carolina members are encouraged to support their state society by attending this spring meeting.

The first meeting of the Deep River Chapter will be held Friday, Sept. 5, at the CCNC clubhouse. The guest speaker will be Lt. Col. Kelly Moore, who has served as chaplain on several tours in Afghanistan.