TAMPA – The Tampa Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 10 by staging as speakeasy at The Columbia Restaurant in the Ybor City area.
Co-chaired by Tampa Chapter Regent Sarah Hughes and Honorary Regent Bobbie Schofield, the speakeasy was complete with green door and password (Sparkle). Most guests appeared in Roaring 20s attire.
Greeted by songs from the 1920s, guests were immediately immersed in the speakeasy atmosphere, enhanced by appearances by (flat) Al Capone, Colleen Moore, Don Lockwood and Lena Lamont and Charlie Chaplin.
Other special guests included Florida State DAR Regent Cindy Addison from Fleming Island, State Vice Regent Kim Zeman from Deerfield Beach, State Registrar Jennifer Marks from Lithia and State Recording Secretary Laura Marriott from Longwood.
The 120 guests included members from 15 other DAR chapters.
Led by the Hillsborough River Unit of the Florida SAR Son’s of Liberty Brigade, the festivities began with a procession of color guard, chapter officers and state regent.
Florida State Regent Cindy Addison’s remarks complimented chapters that lasted long enough to celebrate 100 years, with many of Florida’s chapters celebrating that milestone in the 2020s.
The program also included presentations of gifts to each Tampa Chapter member in attendance, a check for $750 for the Florida state regent’s project and a skit starring Chapter Regent Sarah Hughes, Corresponding Secretary Madison Wise and Chapter Treasurer and Honorary Regent Bobbie Schofield.
The Regents, State and Chapter, then lit the sparkling “candles” on the spectacular cake.
Hughes then presented a moving and heartfelt toast to the past and the future of the Tampa Chapter doing Great Things in Tampa.
A proclamation signed by Mayor Jane Castor was on display that declared May 10, 2025 as Tampa Chapter NSDAR 100th Anniversary Day in Tampa.
Also on display were several images of Tampa in 1925.
Of special note in the silent auction was a decades-old copy of “The Famous DAR Murder Mystery” by Graham Landrum.
All the guests expressed themselves as having had a great time.
