National Conference of State Societies

Delaware and Maryland Princess Reception March 28

The Maryland and Delaware State Societies will host a joint reception for their cherry blossom princesses on Saturday, March 28 from 2 to 4 pm at the home of Casey and Nancy Aiken, 9617 Hall Road, Potomac, Maryland 20854.  No charge to members and $10 for non-members.  Memberships available at the door.  RSVP to 301-528-7215.  Representing Delaware at upper left is Megan O'Neill, daughter of Michael and Donna O'Neill. She is a graduate of the Acadmemy of the Holy Cross and a freshman at the University of Delaware where she is majoring in international relations. She is the fourth young woman in her extended family to be a Cherry Blossom Princess. Representing Maryland at lower left is Mandi Pedersen, daughter of Eric and Karen Pedersen. She is a sophomore at Anne Arundel Community College where she is majoring in special education.  She received the Governor's Volunteer Award in 2006 and the President's Volunteer Award in 2007.

Delaware State Society Presents Check to Trust Fund

Delaware State Society President Nancy Aiken presents a first installment check in the amount of $1,000 to Ed Kalinowski, Past President of the Delaware City Fire Company, for the Emily A. Burge Trust Fund.  The presentation took place on Jan. 19 at The Willard Hotel during the Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball.  The fund is for the the education of the daughter of EMT and Ambulance driver Michelle Smith who was killed in the line of duty on Dec. 22.  The society plans further installments this year.  Photo by Bobby Singh 2009 ©PhotoByBobby.com.  See more Delaware State Society Ball photos at http://www.photobybobby.com/de090119 

Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball Photos Ready Friday

  Photos from the Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball will be posted on Friday, Jan. 23 at the following web site: http://www.photobybobby.com/de090119/

Delaware State Society Designates Charity for 2009

  Nancy Aiken, President of the Delaware State Society of Washington, DC, has annouced that the society has chosen a charity set up by the Delaware City Fire Department for its 2009 designated giving project.  On Dec. 22, 2008, Delaware City EMT and Ambulance driver Michelle Smith lost her life from injuries she suffered on Dec. 20 when a driver hit her ambulance as she was trying to help an accident victim in New Castle County.  Michelle was an exemplary firefighter who had served the department for five years and was only 30 years old.  A trust fund in the name of her 12-year old daughter will set aside money for her daughter's education.  Part of the proceeds of the Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball on Jan. 19 will be set aside for the fund and society members will also be encouraged to make individual donations.  Contributions may be mailed to:

The Emily A. Burge Trust Fund

c/o The Delaware City Fire Company

P.O. Box 251

Delaware City, DE 19706

Sound Connection Will Play at Delaware Society Ball

Sound Connection will provide the music at the Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball from 8 pm to midnight on Jan. 19 at the Willard InterContinental Hotel.  Tickets at $300 each are still available by sending an email to Broomie53@aol.com.  Or call society president Nancy Aiken at 301-983-8182.  The historic Willard Hotel is only two blocks east of The White House at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball is Jan. 19

  The Delaware State Society of Washington, DC will host a formal black-tie Inaugural Ball in the grand ballroom of the famous and historic 19th Century landmark  Willard InterContinental Hotel Washington on January 19.  Tickets are $300 each and are limited to a capacity of 650 guests. Tickets are selling fast and a great dance band has been hired. The location of the Willard is 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW only two blocks east of The White House. The Willard has hosted every American president from President Franklin Pierce in 1853 to President George W. Bush. President Abraham Lincoln stayed in this beautiful and ornate old hotel before his Inauguration on March 5, 1861.  The lobby has been carefully restored to its 19th Century grandeur and is a great place to take pictures.  It was here that famous guests of that century such as Charles Dickens from England and Mark Twain in his white linen suit used to promenade on the famous Peacock Alley. Here also Julia Ward Howe heard Union troops in the night march past her hotel window as she wrote the words to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and here also 100 years later Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote his "I Have a Dream" speech. Or you can visit the Round Robin Bar where Sen. Henry Clay of Kentucky  introduced Washington City to the mint julep before the Civil War.  Clay's recipe is still followed today in the bar. 

If you would like to buy tickets to the Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball, please send an email to Delaware State Society President Mrs. Nancy Aiken at Broomie53@aol.com or call her at 301-983-8182.  Or, make your check payable to "Delaware State Society," include your name and phone number and address and either mail or FED EX your check to Delaware State Society, c/o Mr. Aiken, 11333 Woodglen Drive, No. 104, Rockville, MD 20852.  Members of Congress from both parties from Delaware are invited to attend but we can make no guarantees as to what officials might be able to attend or at what time due to so many schedule conflicts on Jan. 19.  So come for a black-tie dance, good buffet food and a wonderful party.  But bring a small camera too just in case some other famous Delawareans also show up in addition to you.

Delaware State Society Inaugural Ball is Jan. 19 at the Willard Hotel

The Delaware State Society of Washington, DC will host an Inaugural Ball in the grand ballroom of the Willard InterContinental Hotel Washington on January 19.  Tickets are $300 each and are limited to a capacity of 650 guests. If you would like to make a reservation, please send an email to Nancy Aiken at Broomie53@aol.com or call Nancy at 301-983-8182.  

Tea for Delaware and Maryland Princesses on March 1

The Delaware State Society and

The Maryland State Society

will jointly sponsor a tea for their respective 2008 Cherry Blossom Princesses on Saturday, March 1 from 3 pm to 5 pm at the home of Mrs. Zoe Roa, 9400 Crimson Leaf Terrace, Potomac, Maryland 20854. The event is free for Delaware State Society members and there is a charge of  $10 for other guests. For more information and to R.S.V.P call Nancy Aiken at 301-983-8182 or send an email to Nancy at her home email address broomie53@aol.com.  Delaware Princess Christina Aiken is pictured at left and Maryland Princess Abigail "Abby" Adams is pictured at right.