Sedona News – The three Questers chapters of the Verde Valley have partnered to host a presentation on the Arizona Merci Train on Friday, March 7, with a morning informational meeting and a lunch offering for those interested in learning more about THE QUESTERS and meeting local antique collectors and historic preservation enthusiasts.
Those interested in learning more about THE QUESTERS and their purpose are invited from 10:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. to meet members from Sedona, Palatki and Verde Valley Questers chapters and learn about what they are doing in the community. This will include info on historic preservation and restoration projects they have supported and are working on now, and to learn more about their antique and history education programs. Guests will also hear updates from both the Arizona state President Alice Helton and the International Questers President Daphne Davis.
The meeting will adjourn for a light lunch at 11:30. At 12:15 p.m. the program will reconvene with a presentation about the “Merci Train”. Daphne Davis, International President of THE QUESTERS and an Arizona resident, will present “The Merci Train – Friendship to Gratitude”. After World War II the French people sent 49 Merci Train boxcars to the United States filled with gifts for the American people. One of the original boxcars was a gift to the people of Arizona, but over the decades the boxcar had fallen into disrepair. The Arizona Questers have and are still raising funds to restore and interpret this international gesture of friendship and gratitude to the people of Arizona.
Davis, as a member of Questers, learned about the Merci Train which seemed a perfect fit for Questers support since THE QUESTERS’ purpose is to “keep history alive by supporting preservation, restoration and education.” “The Merci Train is one of the greatest humanitarian efforts in the history of the U.S.”, says Davis, and that is why she has chosen to create this program so that this love story between two nations will not be forgotten. As a Questers member and member of the Arizona Questers’ Speakers Bureau, Davis is dedicated to THE QUESTERS “…noble cause of self-educating themselves and others about our collective cultural history. As such THE QUESTERS desire to play a significant role in helping our communities and our nations cherish their priceless heritage.”
Those planning to attend the entire program should arrive before 10:00 a.m. at Christ Lutheran Church at 25 Chapel Rd. off S.R. 179 in Sedona. The morning session and the Merci Train presentation are free.
Those interested in enjoying lunch should arrive by 11:30 a.m. Reservations are required for lunch, are due by February 26th, and can be made by calling Carol Brezina at 612-508-5524. The $25/person payment for lunch is due at the door by cash or check.
Anyone attending only the Merci Train presentation should arrive by 12:15 p.m. There is no charge to attend just the talk.
THE QUESTERS is an organization of antique and preservation enthusiasts whose mission is to keep history alive through preservation, restoration and education. Members focus on educating themselves and others about our collective cultural history. They actively donate funds, service, and knowledge to worthy projects that match their mission. Local chapters meet in member homes and share information about their collections and topics of historical interest. The three local chapters have helped with historic preservation projects in Sedona, Clarkdale, Cottonwood, and Camp Verde.
Again, RSVPs for the lunch part of the program can be made by calling Carol Brezina at 612-508-5524.
Residents interested in learning more about becoming a member of THE QUESTERS can call Palatki Chapter member Carol Brezina at 612-508-5524.