The Col. William Candler Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently held its Americanism Christmas luncheon at the Chattahoochee Country Club.

The guest speaker was Camelia Sims, who is originally from Romania where she lived under Communist rule as a child. She is now a naturalized citizen living in Buford, and her topic was "From Fear to Freedom, From Romania to the United States."

Two new members, mother and daughter Paula Spicer and Courtney Spicer, were inducted into the chapter by Registrar Nancy Baumgardner and State Regent Barbara Chastain.

Haydee Anderson was awarded the prestigious DAR Americanism medal by Diane Buchheim, chapter Americanism chairwoman. Born in Peru, Anderson became a naturalized U.S. citizen and contributes her time and efforts in many outstanding ways to the Gainesville community.

Martha Nesbitt, president of Gainesville State College, was at the event to congratulate Anderson, who teaches at the college.

Cargill has announced it is donating $35,000 over the next five years to the Greater Hall Chamber Foundation's HALLmark - The Next Generation program. The program has specific, five-year goals for community improvement. Funds from Cargill will be used to support the Education and Workforce Development initiative.