Fall Greetings Indiana Dames! The Indiana Society of the NSCDA is in full swing! Welcoming new members, dining with America’s first president General George Washington and celebrating our David Lenz House with Oktoberfest fun. Committees are meeting to plan exciting events, Dames are gathering to discuss books, and the Board of Managers is busy keeping the Indiana Society on solid ground. Whether you are planning, attending and or financially supporting the activities of the Indiana Society . . . THANK YOU!
I recently attended the exciting NSCDA National Conference in Charleston, South Carolina and here are a few highlights:
Getting my Great American Treasures book featuring beautiful photos of our Lenz House
Making lots of new friends with Dames from all over the country
Feeling honored to be representing you as the Indiana Society President
Being reminded of this awesome privilege to be descended from my heroic ancestors
Please spend some time looking through our https://nscda.org/ website for more details about the NSCDA, the National Conference and ordering Dames’ items. Our Indiana website https://nscda-indiana.org/ is updated weekly and has all the information you need to be involved and informed. Login information for our Indiana website is on the inside cover of your Indiana Society Directory.
I am so glad you are a Dame, and I appreciate your support of the Indiana Society. Be sure to read your emails from NSCDA and Indiana, check out the two websites, join NSCDA Indiana and NSCDA Members on Facebook and come to an event. You will be glad you did!!
With respect for the past and hope for the future,
Mary Jaquelin Bennett, President, Indiana Society of the NSCDA
NSCDA National Conference in Charleston, October 17-19, 2025
Above, left: Mary Bennett with NSCDA National President, Mary Mundy. Center: Conference attendees and entrepreneurial Dames Vanessa Burkhart, Mary Bennett and Beth Armstrong promoted our Lenz House products. Right: Bonnie Reilly, Associate Trustee of Sulgrave Manor with Mary Bennett.
INDIANA DAMES ANNOUNCE THE 2026 AMERICAN HERITAGE AWARD RECIPIENT
The American Heritage Awards celebrate the NSCDA’s ideals while supporting Dames’ involvement in their local communities. The Awards recognize non-profit organizations or groups that show dedication to patriotism and American heritage. Each year, four Corporate Societies from different groups across the country, known as “Spotlight Societies”, select the recipient of the award.
The Indiana Society Scholarships, Grants and Awards committee members are Chairman Deb Foster, Sue Ackley, Julie Bookwalter, Linda McGlothlin and Dottie Pratt, Ex-Officio. These Dames have been working with Leslie Greene, Vice-Chair, NSCDA American Heritage Awards and are excited to announce the Indiana Society recipient of the 2026 Group 2 American Heritage Award. . . .
HVAF – (Helping Veterans and Families)
For more than a decade, our Society has maintained support for HVAF. You may have donated comfort items, written a check or made “plarn” sleeping mats for the homeless veterans. The money from this award will focus on the needs of the children of the homeless veteran families. From housing and sustenance, to clothing, toys, and enrichment, this incredible grant opportunity will help defray these costs and supplement our Society’ s efforts.
Keep a look out for how YOU can help support HVAF in 2026!!! Our December Coffee event is a popular time to bring donations for HVAF.
Remember to visit our Indiana Dames’ Website for up-to-date event photographs! Our September opening dinner with our guest, George Washington, was spectacular! The Woodstock Club ballroom sparkled with patriotic spirit including our Dames and DAR guests!
Oktoberfest at Thornewood
Oktoberfest was a big success again this year—thank you to Beth Armstrong, her husband, Thomas, and son, Henry, who provided the fabulous location and thank you to Joan Grinkmeyer for coordinating the delicious German specialties from the historic Rathskeller Restaurant. This was a wonderful way to raise funds for our Dames’ property, the Lenz House in New Harmony. We enjoyed perfect weather, gorgeous garden tour, delicious food and great gathering of Dames and spouses!
Planning Ahead… The 2025-2026 Nominating Committee, led by Jill Failey, will meet in January-February 2026. Please consider becoming involved on the Indiana Society Board of Managers or recommend a Dame for a leadership position. Job descriptions can be found on our Indiana Society website or call Mary Bennett with your questions at 317-750-0284.
By-Laws . . . it is necessary to have a minor tweak on our Society’s by-laws. This will be voted on at our December Dames Christmas Coffee, December 9, 2025:
Proposed amendment to the Indiana Society 2025 Bylaws, Article VII – Board of Managers, Section 1. Composition
Addition shown in red for identification only.
ARTICLE VII – Board of Managers
Section 1. Composition. The elected Officers and Managers and the appointed National Representatives of the Indiana Society shall constitute the Board of Managers (NSCDA Constitution,
Article V – Corporate Societies,
Item 2 Officers and Managers) and are the voting members. The Board of Managers may also be referred to as the Board.
Rationale: To correct conflicting information regarding the composition of the Indiana Society Board of Managers.
Please support our Society & Lenz House by purchasing a variety of special items
Reserve your copy of the GAT book with Beth Armstrong [$75]. Our Indiana Society’s pre-ordered copies of the GAT book will arrive from the Italian printer late Fall. There will be a very limited number of copies available.
In addition, frameable 8×10 photo prints on watercolor paper of the Door to the Garden and Square Back Bench will be available at the December Coffee ($30 each). A pair of photo prints make a beautiful Christmas or wedding gift.
All are available for purchase and may be picked up at our November Semi-Annual meeting or at a board meeting by prior arrangement. Contact Beth Armstrong lisabetharmstrong84@gmail.com
If you are a new Dame, you may wish to have our specially designed Indiana pin. Please contact our Registrar, Shirley Gaughan, if you wish to purchase one of our limited-edition Indiana Society pins for $100. This is a fundraiser for our Society. They may be worn as a pin, or the back may be altered to hang as a necklace.
Our Museum Alliance / GAT committee has selected items which are in stock or to order: photo note cards are $5 each; watercolor-style note cards (4 cards in bundle) are $5. Our Witness to History features a glossy 30-page 8.5 x 11” magazine for $20; order a spiral-bound notebook with 100 lined pages for $20. Also available by special order is an 8”x8” 22-page glossy booklet. This includes a collection of Henry Armstrong’s photos of the Lenz House as well as early photos from the 1950s. $30 Contact Kathryn Lerch if you wish to order the notebook or glossy booklet.
