The November meeting of the Deep River Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century was called to order by President Jackie Oakley.

Following the opening rituals, Vice President Lora Buelow introduced speaker Libby Snuggs McAteer, state president of Colonial Dames XVII Century.

McAteer is a lifelong resident of Gastonia. She received her bachelor's degree in business management from Gardner-Webb University and her master's degree in business administration from Winthrop University.

McAteer worked 27 years for the State of North Carolina, the last 21 of those with the North Carolina Department of Revenue. McAteer was elected as the 17th Clerk of Superior Court for Gaston County and retired after serving her four-year term.

McAteer is an active member of a number of civic and community organizations holding leadership positions in the Gaston-Lincoln Area Mental Health Authority, Gaston County League of Women Voters and First United Methodist Church. She currently serves as chairperson of the Historic District Commission for the City of Gastonia. In addition to Colonial Dames, she holds memberships in the Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Colonists and the National Huguenot Society.

McAteer first became involved with Colonial Dames in 1999 when she, her mother and her sister were accepted into membership and became charter members of the Catawba Valley Chapter.

Ten years later she was elected the 30th North Carolina state president after having served as state curator, recording secretary, chaplain and first vice president for the organization. McAteer and her husband Peter, who is the former mayor of Gastonia, live in a restored 1922 home located in downtown Gastonia's National Historic York-Chester District.

McAteer opened her remarks by stating that she really enjoys being state president and getting involved with each of the chapters.

She brought along a few items that she has collected over the years that were given to her by the Deep River Chapter. This includes the 50th anniversary Deep River basket made locally by Cole Pottery. She also brought along the framed original State Charter for the Colonial Dames, dated June 21, 1950, and asked for assistance in helping to identify any of the first 50 members who signed the charter.

McAteer recognized four Deep River members who have served at the state level. They include Jackie Oakley, chaplain; Anne Ratcliff, grave markers; Sue Aceves, music; and Mae Cooper, protocol. McAteer then talked about the focus of her administration -- preserving historic sites and historical markings and increasing Colonial Dames membership at all levels. She announced that she has a book that will be published shortly commemorating North Carolina historical sites.

McAteer concluded her remarks with a discussion of the 60th annual state conference to be held March 12-13. She announced that in 2009 North Carolina had two winners of the national general scholarship including a winner of the Founder Scholarship.

She also announced to the group that one of the Deep River Chapter members, Anne Ratcliffe, had recently been honored by the Sons of the American Revolution with The Martha Washington Medal and Certificate. This award was presented to Ratcliffe "in grateful recognition of her outstanding service to the Sons of the American Revolution" on Oct. 6 during the SAR grave marking ceremony for her patriot ancestor, Col. Frederick Hambright, at the Old Shiloh Presbyterian Church Cemetery, located near the Kings Mountain National Park. Ratcliffe was instrumental in getting permission to place the marker and preparing the cemetery for the presentation.

Oakley announced that the Deep River Chapter would be making a donation to the state president's project by way of thanking McAteer for attending the meeting.

Following a brief business meeting, Mae Cooper closed the meeting with a prayer.