Chatham Club's Birthday Celebration for Lincoln to Feature NJ. Senator, Civil War Historian

The Republican Club of the Chathams (RCC) will host the seventh annual celebration of Lincoln’s birthday on Sunday, Feb. 15. The event will include appearance of Senator Leanna Brown, a former Chatham Borough Councilwoman, Assemblywoman and Morris County Freeholder. Chatham resident and Civil War historian Bill Styple will serve as the event’s keynote speaker.

“President Abraham Lincoln was the founder of the Republican Party,” Cindy Steffens, President of the RCC stated. “Celebrating Lincoln’s birthday each year is a terrific Republican tradition.”

The event will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., at Café Beethoven, 262 Main Street, Chatham. Delicious light refreshments will be served, including wine. The event costs $20 per person. All are welcome.

The event will feature New Jersey Senator Leanna Brown, founder of the Rebulican Club of the Chathams. In more than 50 years of distinguished public service, Senator Brown served as: Chatham Borough Council Member; Morris County Freeholder; Morris County Freeholder Director; New Jersey Association of Counties President; New Jersey Assemblywoman; New Jersey Senator; and New Jersey Casino Control Commissioner.

From 2007-2009, Senator Brown also served on the President’s Commission on White House Fellows. Senator Brown currently writes a syndicated column, Upbeat New Jersey, for the New Jersey Hills newspaper.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, this year’s event will include special guest speaker, Bill Styple, a well-known Civil War historian, and local Chatham resident. There will be a raffle for one of his two books, Tell me of Lincoln, and McClellan’s Other Story: the Political Intrigue of Colonel Thomas M. Key. Raffle ticket are just $1.

RCC members, and those who wish to become members, may pay their annual dues at the Lincoln’s birthday event. Annual dues are $20 per person.

“This is a very convenient opportunity for our members to pay their annual dues,” said Laura Ali, RCC Treasurer. “Every paid 2015 membership includes a free chance in the book raffle”.

In addition to celebrating Lincoln’s birthday, the Republican Club of the Chathams also hosts an annual picnic, as well as occasional Candidates’ Nights, which provide an informal setting for the public to get to know Republican candidates for local public offices.

For more information, contact Kathy Abbott, RCC Secretary at abbottkmr@gmail.com, (973) 701-1753.

Pictured: Officers of the Republican Club of the Chathams plan their February 15 Lincoln’s birthday event at Café Beethoven. Seated in front, from left, are Cindy Steffens, RCC President, and Libby Hilsenrath, RCC Vice President; behind them, from left, are Hon. Kathy Abbott, RCC Secretary, and Laura Ali, RCC Treasurer.

Photo courtesy of Libby Hilsenrath

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