The Fort James Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII met at the Clubhouse in Arrowhead Pointe, a newly developed golf and recreation area at Richard B. Russell State Park in Elbert County.

Thirteen members, three invitees, and four guests were present. One new member, Jane Roberson from Tignall, was among the group as were three invitees for membership, Bunnie Lyle from Elberton, Julaine Roberson from Washington, and Betty Slaton from Washington. Members who have not paid their dures for 2007- 2008 are asked to mail them to the chapter treasurer, Ann Parsons in Hartwell, by the third week in November.

Mrs. Virginia White from Thomson, president of the chapter, presented a report from the recently held state workshop in Macon. Statewide, Colonial Dames XVII Century now has 700 members in 19 chapters. The Fort James Chapter has 42 of those members. One of the state projects in which the chapter will participate is the design of a quilt square which will represent the state of Georgia. Only one square from Georgia chapters will be selected to be sent to National Headquarters for inclusion in the national quilt which will represent all states. Sandra Hood from Elberton will stitch Fort James Chapter's square, and she and Dr. Sophia Bamford from Washington will design it.

The chapter will also contribute recipes for a state cookbook, a new fundraiser for the Georgia Dames. Members are asked to bring five of their favorite recipes to the November 10 chapter workshop meeting in Lincolnton. From these, 40 will be selected to be sent to the state recipe book committee for possible inclusion. Categories for recipes are beverages, appetizers, breads and other baked goods, soups, casseroles, cakes and pies, other desserts, and candies. The cookbooks will sell for $20 plus postage and handling and will be available by March 2008. Members may suggest a title for the cookbook at the November meeting.

Mrs. White showed the new Georgia State Scholorship pin which is available for purchase by Colonial Dames members. Proceeds from the sales will go to the Georgia State Scholorship Fund. Chapters are also asked to submit designs for a new Colonial Dames note card. Contact Mrs. White for further information about these state projects.

The state president asked each chapter to nominate an outstanding citizen for a state community service award which will be presented at the state meeting in March. Nita Riley from Washington will head the committee to make the selection from the chapter. Assisting her will be Betty Slaton and Linda Chestnut from Washington.

Two other committees were formed for work on local projects: a committee to select the next historic site to be marked by the Fort James Chapter and a committee to suggest changes that need to be made to the current bylaws of the chapter. The group discussed the grave markings which need to be done in the next few months. Graves will be marked for Clara Strother Tingle in the St. Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery in Lincoln County and for Mary Ficklin Barnett in Resthaven Cemetery in Washington, Georgia.

Following the business meeting, Carolyn Miller presented an abbreviated program on the historic Ruckersville area surrounding Arrowhead Pointe, stating that Ruckersville is actually older than Elberton. She also pointed out that the Van Creek Baptist Church is one of the oldest Baptist churches in Georgia. The meeting adjourned after a tasty buffet luncheon at the Clubhouse.