History of the New Caledonia Chapter of British Columbia,
Canada
by Alys Monod, Regent
The New Caledonia Chapter was the third to be organized in Canada, the first two
being the By-Town Chapter in Toronto, Ontario and the Heritage Chapter in Calgary,
Alberta. Overtures to form a chapter were first put forth in 1979. A visit to Calgary in
1984 by Mrs. Charles Keil Kemper, National Chairman of Units Overseas, furthered
interest. At the time, Lynn Morgan, the daughter of Heritage Chapter's Regent, Mrs.
Ruth Morgan, was living in British Columbia and was able to compile a list of 19
prospectives by 1985.
The project almost had to be abandoned. However, Helen Stewart of Kelowna, a
member of the Heritage Chapter in Calgary, next undertook the project by calling a
meeting at her home on August 14th, 1987. She invited four enthusiastic members of
Heritage Chapter to attend: Ruth Morgan, Regent; Anna Harder, Past -Regent; Lavon
Whiteside and Chrissy Smith. The following were among the future founding members:
Ellen Stewart and her three daughters; Brenda (now Mrs. Ganley), Sandra and
Tamara; Helen Stewart with her two daughters; Deborah Mitchell (now Mrs. McAnulty);
Kate Horner; Carmen Lynn Kirkland; Shirley Danallanko; Abbie K. Thompson; Alys
Monod, also a member of Heritage. The date of organization took place February 4th,
1988 in Kelowna with two prospective members, Helen Cooper and Lu Mills.
In September of 1998, we enjoyed the visit of the new Chairman of Units Overseas,
Mrs. Carol Rilling and two staunch DAR workers from NJ, Ann Peavey and her sister,
Charlotte Carman. Their visit resulted in a renewed spirit in our chapter and the
emergence of three Sister Chapters and 26 new Associate Members for a total of 28
Associate Members. Our sister chapters are Major Hugh Ross, Ca, Clara Barton, Ca,
and Antelope Valley, Ca. Our
chapter has 10 local members.
We welcome new members and invite all those
interested in joining the DAR in British Columbia to contact us. Note that we will be
happy to help Prospectives with look-ups from our own libraries or through the LDS
Library in Kelowna.
About British Columbia
The New Caledonia Chapter chose its name because Simon Fraser, the Scottish
explorer, thought the
Okanagan looked like New Scotland! There are elongated lakes flanked by
orchards and vineyards. The Columbia River system is believed to run below these
lakes; this explains the presence of the Kokanee salmon in a landlocked lake.
Okanagan Lake is the deepest lake and is said to be the home of the sea monster
"Ogopogo". Each town has its own
ski hill and, being in the interior, boasts dry powder snow. British Columbia is
recreational in nature
and an ideal place to live. While most of our members are local, we also have
members living in Vancouver on the coast
and in Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Victoria is the provincial capital. The coast mountains are famous for the ski areas of
Whistler and Blackcomb. Many people
vacation in British Columbia or have stopped in Vancouver during Alaska Cruises.
(Click here if you want a tour of our
province.) The shortest auto route to Alaska is Highway 97, which runs
directly through the Okanagan Valley. Between the island and the Mainland are the Gulf Islands, attracting artists and retired people.
Our neighboring chapter to the east
is the Heritage Chapter of Calgary, Alberta. They play host each year during the
Calgary Stampede, combining the added fun of visiting Lake Louise and Banff.
