(Ed. note: Morristown did not look too kindly upon the British when George Washington bivouacked here. But all is forgiven, as the local chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire has discovered.)
By Karen Innes-Mulhall
In today’s age of mass produced commercial and designer goods there is still a place in the market for high-quality hand-crafted gifts. Two Mendham ladies proved that last week, demonstrating there is support for local talent and, at this time if year, there is nothing better.
Janet and Melissa Millward sold $700 of handmade necklaces, holiday cards and beautiful flower pens all in the name of charity: The Lake Drive School for Deaf Children in Mountain Lakes and The Victoria Home, a nonprofit nursing home in Ossining, NY.
Both charities are supported by the The Daughters of the British Empire. Janet, a native of Yorkshire, England, and her daughter-in-law Melissa, are members of the Mrs. J. Elliot Langstaff Chapter in Morristown.
Inspired by holidays in Florida, Janet has been creating wonderful necklaces from crotchet strings that are perfect with a summer top or dress and superb in the fall with sweaters and our favorite knitted dresses.
Janet sourced amazing yarn of all textures including lurex, cotton, silk and chenille and has been making these unique necklaces over the past six months, crocheting at every opportunity.
The necklaces are colorful, elegant and fun and appeal to all ages– which is why they flew out the doors of the Brookside Holiday Boutique on Nov. 19.
Melissa has published wonderful seasonal cards featuring flora of New Jersey. Melissa spent a great deal of time finding just the perfect image of Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter, transferring these to notecards for all occasions.
Four different designs beautifully packaged make an ideal hostess gift or stocking filler. They also are excellent for personal use beyond the holidays.
Also for sale were the most delicate pens adorned with a silk rose, and for $2 per pen they would grace any home. These are just a small sample of elegant items from the nimble hands of DBE members. Thank you to Ann Moores of Morristown for these special pens.
The Daughters of the British Empire meet on the second Monday of every month; many of the ladies also are members of the Woman’s Club of Morristown.
The first chapter of the DBE, King Edward VII, was founded in 1909 by Mrs. J. Elliot Langstaff. The primary objective of the DBE is to raise money for its retirement homes, of which there are four across the United States. The Eastern District, which comprises Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, supports Victoria Home in Ossining, which the DBE founded in 1916.
Victoria Home opened its doors with a clear mission: To provide the elderly with the highest levels of personalized care and attention, and the most comfortable, nurturing environment, during the twilight years of their lives.
The DBE is a charitable, nonprofit, nonpolitical, nonsectarian, voluntary American society of women of British or Commonwealth birth or ancestry. Its members are professionals, businesswomen and homemakers with common interests and heritage, who meet regularly for business and social events with the common cause of philanthropy.
Women whose husbands or whose husband’s parent(s) or grandparent(s) are of British or Commonwealth birth are also eligible for membership. Junior membership is available for eligible girls age 13 to 18 years of age. The Morristown chapter has more than 30 active members.