Staff report

SALISBURY — A dozen members of the Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution traveled to the High Country of North Carolina on Sunday and Monday as part of a statewide DAR gathering.

The Salisburians’ trip included an overnight stay at Big Lynn Lodge in Little Switzerland, then a Monday journey to Crossnore School & Children’s Home, which is supported by N.C. DAR members.

A highlight of the Crossnore trip was a visit from National DAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren, who arrived Monday morning and was part of a check presentation to the school.

Besides their many local projects, N.C. DAR members also support the North Carolina Gibson Chapel and students of the Tamasee DAR School in Tamassee, South Carolina, and the North Carolina Period Room of the national headquarters in Washington.

Salisbury DAR members making the Crossnore trip included Sandy Czuba, regent of the Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter; Jane Smith-Steinberg; Penny Sides; Linda Davis; Judi Crook; Dianne Hall; Sherry Walls; Becky Albrecht; Trudy Hall; Caron Meyers; Kim Edds; and Peggy Norris.

Crossnore School & Children’s Home is a nonprofit organization that provides residential foster care for children in crisis. It serves ages 1 to 21 and has locations in Crossnore, Winston-Salem and Hendersonville.

The organization’s mission is to provide “a sanctuary of hope and healing for children.” The Winston-Salem and Crossnore campuses offer on-site residential care, trauma-based clinical services, and a variety of extracurricular and enrichment activities.

Dating back to 1898, the Elizabeth Maxwell Steele Chapter of the DAR is the state’s second-oldest. North Carolina has more than 100 chapters in eight districts.

The Salisbury chapter is named after one of Rowan County’s famed patriots, Elizabeth Maxwell Steele (1733-1791).

The local DAR members provide a variety of community services. This past Friday, they baked and distributed cookies at Rowan County law enforcement agencies and fire stations.

From 8:30 to 10:30 every Tuesday morning, DAR members act as servers for military veterans who attend the Frontier Coffee Shop, now held at Salisbury’s K&W Cafeteria.

“We are an active organization with a focus on promoting patriotism, preserving American and local history, and supporting education for our children,” according to a website description for the chapter.