I went on many exciting and frantic shopping expeditions on a quest for snow clothes which is not an easy task in Southern California.  I even bought a larger suitcase to handle the boots, sweaters and jackets I had accumulated.  My excitement over having been invited to the 100th Anniversary of the Judge Lynn Chapter of the DAR in Washington D.C. made me giddy to the point where I misplaced my car while shopping, thought it was stolen and called the police only to discover I had come out the wrong door of the store. 

   Saturday, February 16th finally arrived.  My husband Roger and I stayed with my first cousins once removed, South and Joanne Lynn on their wonderful Southland Farm at Rose Hill in Maryland.  There was not a cloud in the sky, no rain, no snow, no wind.....just a sunny, gorgeous day!!  So much for snow clothes! We piled into our rental car, turned on the GPS and off we went...the GPS lady sounding off with the directions, South sounding off with his directions and Joanne in the backseat sounding off with her directions.  A more hilarious car ride was never had!!!

   The Luncheon was held at the Mount Vernon Inn in Mount Vernon, Virginia.  Our family, as descendents of Judge David Lynn, were honored guests of the DAR which included my third cousin, David Lynn and his wife Cynthia, My first cousin, once removed, South T. Lynn and his wife Joanne and my husband Roger Turney and myself.

   The Welcome was given by Catherine Ball, Regent of the Judge Lynn Chapter.  The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Marilynn Mendell, Vice Regent.  Lucinda Conger, Chaplain then led the group in a very moving prayer.  Also in attendance were Adele D. Bowyer, State Regent, DC State Officers, and the DC Honorary State Regents.

   The Centennial Committee, Catherine Ball, Helen Rogers and Cathy Eckbreth, did an outstanding job in hosting one of nicest luncheons I have ever attended.  The restaurant setting was wonderful right down to the servers who wore authentic Revolutionary War period costumes.  Catherine Ball did an outstanding job of researching the Judge David Lynn history.  Several times during the program, my eyes filled with tears of emotion.  I was so honored and proud of my heritage.

   My cousins and I learned that the Judge Lynn name for the Chapter was suggested in 1908 by the President General of the DAR, Mrs. Donald McLean.  The President General is the highest office attainable in the DAR society.  Mrs. McLean (Emily Nelson Ritchie) was born in Maryland.  She was a descendant of Judge Lynn through his daughter Catherine, who married James Lackland.

   South, David and myself were honored with lovely gold ornaments representing different aspects of Mount Vernon.  Each person in attendance received red, white and blue felt hand-made bags filled with candies wrapped in red, white and blue and a red, white and blue pencil inscribed " Judge Lynn 1908-2008" 

   A big thank you to Catherine Ball and all the members of the Judge Lynn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for inviting us to participate in your Centennial Celebration.  It was very very special and we were very very honored!!!  And, I guess I can return all that heavy duty winter clothing I splurged on....I really didn't need it!