The Rosette Newsletter of the Tennessee Society Order of Confederate Rose ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fall Edition October 2017 Happy Fall Y all For many of us, it s our favorite season. Nothing beats an evening with friends around a fire. The summer began for many of us traveling to Memphis for the Confederation of State Societies of the Order of Confederate Rose. Tennessee had 22 of our members attend. We learned a lot hosting this year that we forgot since Murfreesboro a few years ago but we will remember for 2018 since we will again be hosting the national in Franklin/Columbia. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes making plans and preparations I really want to thank Debria Beatey #6, our state treasurer, for handling all the money, Linda Boshers #6 for the name tags and registration table, Dottie Meadows #20 and her chapter for handling the refreshments for the Presidents Meeting as well as she and Mary Hood working registration. Norma Holley, Reta Brand, and Mary June Goodson #10 serving as meeting officials: Parliamentarian, Sgt. at Arms, and Secretary. Jan Hensley #5 and chapter handled the refreshments for the General Meeting. And Caroline Blanks #10 for the wonderful informative program on Tea Time History. It was a great honor to preside over both the presidents and general meetings. Kortney Brus #20, State Historian, garnered TN 2 nd place in the national scrapbook competition. The OCR Possum, Miss Madelyn Rose, sent from the Oratory as a bad influence (?!?!) will now be touring the South looking for her perfect mate. Touring TN first what state is next? One of the highlights was a visit to the grave of Tennessee s honored General Nathan Bedford Forrest. The $500 we voted to contribute to the new museum at Elm Springs was presented (below). And we are growing! With outreach in other states as well! And thanks to 2 TNSOCR Roses, Dottie and Mary, the states of Ohio and Delaware have chartered their own state societies! In humble service to the South, Vonda Dixon, TNSOCR President
Tennessee Society OCR Officers Elected for the 2016-2018 term: President Vonda Dixon, Chapter #10 West Tenn. Vice President Jan Hensley #5 East Tenn. Vice President Clara Craft #11 Treasurer Debria Beatey #6 Secretary Betty Aronson #18 Tennessee Society Appointed Positions: Registrar and Chaplain Linda Boshers #6 Black Rose Keeper of the Rite Ann Shepard #11 Aide de Camp Debbie Raymer #1 Historian Kortney Brus #20 Pages in this issue: 1. Note from the President 2. Officers ~ Index ~ Prayer List 3. Reunion in Memphis 4. TNSOCR report in Memphis 7 July 17 5. Aunt Polly Eaton Williams #10 6. Rosebuds and Young Rebels 7. Highland Roses #14 8. Black Rose Society 9. Black Rose Society (cont.) 10. Jane Simmons Davis #6 11. Antoinette Polk #20 12. Roses of the Cumberlands #1 13. Bonnie Blue Belles #23 14. Sophie Reilly Hatton #24 15. Mariam Beck Forrest #5 16. Susan McKissack Cheairs #22 Holler out Wilson County Fair and see if you get a response! LOL You just had to be there! Wild Mountain Roses #11**, Dibrell s White Roses #13 **, Cynthia Holford Officer #18 **, Mary Ann Bell #21 ** ** Nothing submitted Battle of Pine Ridge first weekend of November The OCR will be hosting the Ladies Tea at the reenactment on Sat. morning. We will also set up a civilian/refugee camp with school program on Friday and just be available to talk to the public at other times. Really need demonstrators. I have a few people lined up and need many more. Camping or not we need your help at this first time event in Putnam County sponsored by the Monterey Champ Ferguson/Standing Stone SCV Camp. We need help! Next newsletter will be the Winter Edition 1 January 2018 Please check out the website! Calendar page needs your events! www.tennesseeocr.weebly.com 2
Confederation of States General Meeting 21 July 2017 Memphis, Tennessee Top photo: TNSOCR members Bottom photo: Caroline Blanks, Madelyn Rose (OCR possum), and Kortney Brus with 2 nd place winning scrapbook. 3
Tennessee Society Report for the Confederation of States Meeting Memphis, Tennessee 22 July 2017 This year we lost 2 chapters, but despite that our numbers still increased. We have 271 members as of now. We have a chapter scheduled to charter next week and 3 camps have recently voted to include OCR chapters in their ranks. Time and patience as the SCV here learns about us and our dedication, we are only 13 years young and I am quite pleased with our progress. Expect great things from Tennessee! Last year we had 9 members attend the meeting in Dallas. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves there and we appreciate our Texas sisters and warm Lone Star hospitality. Our members have supported the SCV and the South in many ways. We have participated in many memorial services (in TN CS Memorial Day is celebrated the 3rd of June, Jefferson Davis birthday) some members attended as many as 5 of the many CS Memorial Day services honoring the men in gray and providing research and mourners, as well as refreshments. We have also served as mourners other times of the year in TN as well as Virginia, Georgia, and Western Virginia. We have done school programs both in-school and school day events at historical homes and festivals. We have given programs to adults in SCV and public meetings, reenactments, and history fairs teaching history, life in the blockaded South, flags programs, and period crafts such as spinning, campfire cooking, and candle making. At Elm Springs, SCV International HQ, we have acted as docents during the Maury County Christmas Parade of Homes and fall Heritage Day giving tours of the beautiful plantation home to the public. Also at Elm Springs the Roses provided a meal for the SCV Mech Cav during their officers meeting. We have participated in flag rallies, both rolling rallies, and at Nathan Bedford Forrest Boyhood Home. Annually we participate with our SCV brothers at Winstead Hill marching the 2 miles into Franklin in the Death March, commemorating the brave men who took that route, 30 November 1864, into immortality. We have annually participated in the Nathan Bedford Forrest Boyhood Home event helping wherever we could; some chapters had booths to sell their crafts and baked goods to earn money for their projects. We, as a state and also as individual chapters are also supporters of the new Confederate Museum being built by the SCV at Elm Springs. Our children, in TN called Rosebuds and Young Rebels, have participated in events, memorials, and even a showing of Gone With the Wind. They are learning thru memorials, reenactments, events, and visiting museums and battlefields. And just for fun we have had Confederate Thanksgiving and Christmas parties and dinners we ve shared with all our Southern families. We have enjoyed our roll preparing for the Confederation of State Societies annual meeting we are enjoying today and look forward to hosting again next year. Respectfully submitted, Vonda Dixon, TNSOCR President Read by Jan Hensley, West TN Vice President, in the Sat. morning general meeting 4
Aunt Polly Eaton Williams Chapter #10, Gainesboro Forrest s BD picnic Dillard-Judd Camp. #10 members Charles, Susan, Ray, and Vonda enjoyed the annual NBF picnic. Vonda, Tom & Dottie #20 at Winstead Hill. After leaving the picnic, Kevin Witherell #1 and I headed to the Sam Davis Home for the Summer Soiree. The Reunion in July was fantastic! Dottie #20, Kevin #1, and I travelled together. And 3 Roses roomed with me there. Sure was hot in Memphis though! A record 7 members from Aunt Polly attended! Plus a surprise visit from TNSOCR honorary member HK Edgerton. While there we visited Mudd Island, Forrests grave, the cemetery where most of his family were buried, famous restaurants, and even a trolley ride. The oratory is a blast. Southern hospitality and old friends can t be beat. Join us next year! Susan, Vonda, Susan, and Penny at the Vonda teaching flags in Camping in Tunnel Hill, GA Capt. William James Memorial the Wilson County Fair with other TNSOCR members. 5 Submitted by Vonda Dixon, Pres.
Rosebuds and Young Rebels Reenacting families teaching the children well. Mama Kortney Brus, Chapter #20 President, and sons, Brayden and Parker, camping at the reenactment in Tunnel Hill, Georgia. God Bless them all. New recruits at the Wilson County Fair, the Carlton Family. Dixie, Scarlett, and Hunter with parents, Jason (Gen. Hatton SCV Camp) and Beth, are the latest recruits for the new Lebanon Sophie Reilly Hatton Chapter #24! 6 Vonda s grandgirls Cassie and Violet #10 attended Camp #33 s Black-eye Peas and Sweet Potatoes luncheon at the Oaklands. Then laid roses in the memorial for Forrest s men who died in the Murphreesboro Raid at the Old City Cemetery.
Highland Roses, Chapter #14, Cookeville First of all, sincere thanks to Mike Williams, Ed Butler, and Marty Smith for their dedication in guarding Confederate monuments in both Cookeville and Alexandria. God bless you! In July, Marty Smith set up the SCV Savage/Goodner booth at the Smithville Jamboree again this year. The crowd was down from last year, but the response from very positive. Mike Williams also had his annual N. B. Forrest picnic. A great time was had by all and lots of good food to boot! Kevin #1 and Marty at NBF picnic Mike at Tunnel Hill Ed & Pat selling books and pins at Reunion, Memphis. In August, Ed and Pat Butler, Mike Williams, and Marty and Debbie Smith attended a memorial service for Captain W. N. James. He was one of the Immortal 600. Ed gave a very moving presentation of I Am Their Flag. Mike was part of the Honor Guard and Marty gave a presentation on the Immortal 600. Mike Williams also participated in the Tunnel Hill Reenactment. Submitted by, Debbie Smith, Secretary 7
Black Rose Society We, as members of the Black Rose Society are charged with the task of showing honor to our Confederate soldiers during special events where their heritage and history are being brought to the public's attention. You will find below some photos of our different chapters showing HONOR & RESPECT to our forefathers during cemetery dedication services. Submitted by Ann Shepard, TN Keeper of the Rite Cindy Pate #11. Black Rose & wife of direct descendant. to 1 of the 3 Confederate Soldiers being honored this day!! Clara Craft #11 Kay Millsaps #11, Ruth Anne Holley, and Jackie Weaver Dennison, #11 8
Vonda Dixon #10 laying roses, TN Comm. James Patterson, Beth Carlton #23, Susan Richardson #10 Dottie Meadows #24 and Susan Richardson #10 Rhonda Knott #23 and Vickie Woods #23 Betty Aronson #18 Pictures on this page are from the memorial service for Capt. William N. James, one of the Immortal 600. The first service sponsored by Camp #2285 and the Bonnie Blue Belles #23. 9
Jane Simmons Davis Chapter #6, Murfreesboro Happy Fall everyone! These next few months are going to be busy for our chapter. Before I talk about some of the upcoming events, here is a little recap on what we have done since our last newsletter. Back in July, we had our annual Ole Bedford Luncheon that celebrated Nathan Bedford Forrest s birthday. I unfortunately was not able to attend this year s National Reunion in Memphis, but I heard from some of my ladies that it was a really good time! In further news, we have some exciting things coming up this fall. First, there will be the Sam Davis Haunted Hayrides down at the Sam Davis home on the weekends of October 20th, 21st, 27th, and 28th. As we draw closer to Thanksgiving, there will also be a memorial service at the home in remembrance of Sam himself on November 19th, where we will be placing roses on his grave. I hope everyone had a great summer, and I cannot wait until we see everyone again! As always, God bless. Emily Puckett, President Linda and Jason Boshers and James Patterson at the Capt. James Memorial in Gordonsville Barbara Marthal and Bill Harris at Sam Davis Summer Soiree Chapter ladies in the Memphis OCR meeting included Alice, Barbara, Melanie, Linda, and Judy 10
Antoinette Polk Chapter #20, Spring Hill I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer. Our chapter has been busy this summer by attending several events. On July 11th Tom Meadows gave a presentation on Fort Delaware at the Nathaniel Cheairs SCV Camp meeting. Members in attendance were Tom, Dottie, Nellie and I (Mary). On July 15th Tom, Dottie and Nancy attended the Sam Davis Soirée and Annual Membership meeting. Sara Beth Campbell sang at the event. Tom and Dottie attended the Annual Black Eye Peas & Sweet Potato Luncheon at the Oaklands Mansion in Murfreesboro. On July 12, Kortney and our young rebels flagged The Confederate Memorial Park in Maybury, AL. On July 21-23 we attended the SCV/ OCR National Convention in Memphis, TN. In attendance were Tom, Dottie, Kortney, Nellie, and myself. Our chapter provided Friday morning refreshments. We entered our Antoinette Polk handmade doll by Beth Sims as our mascot. It tied for 1 st place in the category. Kortney, State Historian, won 2 nd place with the state scrapbook. I had the honor of leading the pledge of the flag at our OCR meeting. Dottie and I worked the registration booth the morning of the meeting. Memphis was a lot of fun for all of us that attended. On August 5th there was a Confederate Flag Benefit in Pulaski, TN. This is the same benefit that has been held in Paytonsville, TN. I went to this event and there was a good attendance for the first year. I expect it will grow in the new location. Also in August 25-27th our members worked a booth at the Wilson County Fair. On August 19th Nellie, and myself attended the I-75 flag re-dedication in Georgia. This event had a great turnout and a new 20x30 flag now flies by the interstate right outside of Chattanooga heading to Atlanta. While there we had the pleasure of visiting the Chattanooga Confederate Cemetery. On Sept. 9-10th chapter members Kortney, her Young Rebels Parker & Brayden, Beth, Angela Woods, Monte & Brandi, and Tom & Dottie attended and participated in the Battle of Tunnel Hill Re-enactment. While attending the reenactment our chapter gave Monte & Brandi a quilt for their new baby on the way. All members sewed blocks for the quilt for our new Rosebud. During that same weekend Nellie and I attended the SCVMC TN State Annual Meeting. At this meeting I auctioned a small quilt and donated all funds to the SCV Disaster Relief fund. We were very happy to have our member Paula with us at our September meeting! She is currently living in FL and just so happened to be running from the storms when we had our meeting. We have missed her! During the month of September 2 new State Societies have petitioned to be chartered; Delaware and Ohio! I m proud to say that members from our chapter are in each. Congratulations to Debbie Jones, and Sonja Ward for their efforts in forming those new State Societies. We are looking forward to Fall, the cooler weather, and many more events to come. Submitted by Mary Hood 11
Roses of the Cumberlands #1, Crossville Along with the arrival of fall (one of my favorite seasons) we welcome another new member, Kelly Boring. Kelly is the granddaughter of chapter treasurer Nita Boring. (photo #1 below) Helen Holladay was the featured artist at the Art Circle Library in September, with thirty of her beautiful oil paintings on display. As many/most of you know, Helen designed the TNSOCR logo. (photo #2 below) Congratulations to chapter member and Hamby Camp Adjutant James Lovelace who received the Dixie Club award for having recruited the most new camp members in recent months. Additionally, James attended the Memorial Service for Confederate Capt. William James in Hickman, TN on August 6. (photo #3) Collectively, the ladies of our chapter provided a tasty assortment of refreshments for the Hamby Camp meeting when HK Edgerton was guest speaker in July. Thanks, ladies! (pictured below #4 with the Phillips kids) Among other activities, chapter member Kevin Witherell attended the 2017 National SCV/OCR Reunion in Memphis in July. (photo#5) Our chapter will join the Hamby Camp on Friday, October 6 at 4:00 p.m. for FRIDAY AT THE CROSSROADS in Crossville. If members from other chapters are available to participate, please join us in front of the Military Museum on Main St., across from the courthouse. 12 Submitted by: Carolyn Hedgecoth, President
Bonnie Blue Belles #23, Gordonsville The Bonnie Blue Belles#23, sponsored by the 4 th Tennessee Calvary/2 nd Mountain Volunteers Camp #2285, held their charter meeting on July 25, 2017. All charter members were presented with membership certificates, signed by the President of the Tennessee Society Order of Confederate Rose and presented by Vonda Dixon. Chapter President, Vickie Woods, as well as all charter members present signed the original charter document of the Bonnie Blue Belles. Commander Knott presented each Rose with a rose. Camp #2285 took the job of cleaning and repairing the cemetery plot of Captain James, one of the Immortal 600. In addition to the improvements to the gravesite, they also placed an iron cross denoting his service to the Confederate Army and his dedication to the South during the War of Northern Aggression. The ladies of the Bonnie Blue Belles # 23, served refreshments to all in attendance. And according to Vonda Dixon, likely the largest honor guard, ever. All in all, it was a great service, honoring a great man. Submitted by Suella Poston, Secretary (This brand new camp and chapter put on a wonderful service and are to be commended. vd) 13
Sophie Reilly Hatton #24, Lebanon Organized but not yet chartered and already busy! Dottie & Tom flagging Winstead Hill Many of our members are also reenactors Nancy & Dottie cleaned the Trail Marker at the site of Hatton s home. First chapter officers. Sophie s grave. And chapter members cleaning the stone of Gen. John Hunt Morgan s widow Mattie Ready Morgan. Both in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Lebanon. 14
Mariam Beck Forrest #5, Gleason It's been a hot and rainy summer but the cool nights of fall are finally here. Chapter # 5 was busy this summer with 19th Alabama Living History group. In August Lou, Deb and Vonda gave demonstrations at the Wilson County Fair. Our weekend was highlighted by the solar eclipse. September took us to Lairdland Farmhouse for school days. Lou gave the demonstration on wash day that the kids really enjoyed. Deb gave her demonstration on candles and household items. We saw about 300 kids Thursday and Friday. We always have alot of fun on school days. Deb and Lou Lou with OCR family in the Wilson County Fair Deb teaching candles in Wilson County and Lairdland This Saturday we will be meeting to discuss fundraising for the dedication of two Southern veteran s graves in west Tennessee. Maria Tabor and Jan Hensley both have great-greats buried in the area and we are planning to get a marker for one and an Iron Cross for the other. We hope to make some rugs and such to sell at events to honor our fallen brothers. Our next event will be in Granville for the Fall Fest. Hope to see some of you there. Submitted by Deb Erickson 15
Susan McKissack Cheairs #22, Spring Hill Our hearts and prayers go out to those impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Josè. Karen O Barr s son, a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force, is stationed in Florida and had to ride out Irma. His wife and their pets evacuated. We are please to say all were safe. Our chapter continues to gather prospective members; growth is welcomed at any time, but especially during this unsettled period of our Southern heritage. Jill MacDermot and Anita Safian attended the National Reunion in Memphis in July. They enjoyed a personal tour at Elmwood Cemetery, an impressive hallowed ground of historical significance. Jill and Anita also attended the Saturday business meeting and visited Forrest Park [yes, we know it has been renamed, but it shall always be Forrest Park to us]. The monument is absolutely a piece of art; Forrest is captured perfectly as is his steed, King Phillip 1. Our Chapter is looking forward to the State Reunion in 2018 and has begun preliminary planning. It is our hope to see everyone in Chapel Hill. Submitted by Anita George Safian, President Jill MacDermot at Forrest Monument A welcome surprise visitor to the OCR General Meeting 16