By Julia Arenstam
Picayune Item

The Picayune Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated their 50th anniversary on Saturday.
Current regent of the group, Judy Seal, spoke about the group’s founding member, Gwendolyn Moore Burke, who organized it after she moved to the area from New Orleans.
The event was about “remembering those who have gone on before and paved the way,” Seal said.
Saturday marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of the group, Seal said.
“In 50 years we have certainly had some changes made,” Seal said.
Burke’s granddaughter, Mary Bounds, spoke about how the founding member came to Picayune to help her daughter raise her children and eventually started the chapter after growing weary of traveling to New Orleans once a month.
Another charter member, Martha Knott, was present at the event, though she has since moved and joined another chapter.
Voget was presented with a ribbon rosette made by Sally Campbell, as a representation of the rosettes worn by members when fresh flowers weren’t available, Seal said.
“We present this to you because we think you are very important to us as a charter member,” Seal said.
She also presented Bounds with a commemorative DAR pin, as well as other former regents present at the event.
Seal detailed the past regents of the local chapter, and said she has served as regent during three different terms throughout her time with the group.
Seal displayed the group’s original charter; one of the few left in the state, she said, which they were fortunate to have.
Seal said the group continues to promote patriotism and preserve American history and encourage others to study the subject.
Seal said, the group plans to have several speakers later this year, including Jim Livaudias, a World War II veteran who participated in D-Day and Picayune City Manager Jim Luke.
The group also honors students and teachers who stand out in the field of American history.
Seal said she became involved in the group because of her own interest in her family history, and a push from former regent Louisa Thigpen.
Seal said Thigpen helped her trace her ancestry in order to join the group. Since becoming a member she’s made a number of lifelong friends.
For more information on the DAR, go to www.dar.org.