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Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga
In 1932, the Chattanooga Rose Society was formed. Dr. J.
Horace McFarland, for whom the national ARS trophy is named, came to
Chattanooga to help get it started. It was composed of ladies only. Their
interest waned as time passed. Rose growing was admired by them, but age
caused their actual involvement in the hobby to cease. It was in the late
1940's that a group of Chattanooga men formed the Men's Rose Society which
was accredited by ARS. Actually, in 1950, the ARS National Convention and
Rose Show were held in Chattanooga. The late Lester Smith, a distinguished
Chattanooga rosarian, won the coveted Nicholson Bowl. A Silver Honor Medal
winner, he was the man who taught me rose culture, as well as Jeff and Cindy
Garrett and many others. It was about 1950 that the name was changed to Tri-
State Rose Society of Chattanooga. This was due to the fact that we had
members from bordering states of Georgia and Alabama as well as Tennessee.
However, one might say that Chattanooga's rose membership was first
recognized by ARS in 1932. The name changes evolved as the Society grew in
numbers. See additional history below under Chattanooga Rose Society.
Holston Rose Society
Two rose growers, namely Mr. and Mrs. U. S.
Cate, conceived the bright idea of organizing a rose society in their
neighborhood. They carried out that idea by inviting to their home a group
of other rose growers from their vicinity, on Jan. 27, 1949, 7:30 PM. Mr. U.
S. Cate was nominated and elected as President. The committee on selecting a
name reported that they suggested “The Holston Rose Society.” This was
accepted.
Tennessee Rose Society
In 1946 Mrs. J. E. Darr had a dream needing to be fulfilled.
She and her close gardening friends wanted to learn as much as they could
about growing roses. So, after many thoughtful conversations regarding the
subject, they formed the Tennessee Rose Society under the rules of the
American Rose Society. Using the ARS guide, they wrote TRS’s constitution
and set up the monthly meetings.
Bowling Green Rose Society
The effort to form a rose society in Bowling
Green began at 7:30 p.m. on November 28, 1960, when a group of approximately
25 men and women met at Snell Hall on the Western Kentucky University
Campus. These interested rose growers heard a talk on roses given by Mr.
Charles Dawson of Louisville. (Ed. Note: Mr. Dawson was the author of “Uncle
Charlie’s Corner,” a regular feature in The American Rose for a number of
years.) Mr. Haywood Brown was chosen as temporary Chairman. The first
regular meeting of the new local society was convened on January 9, 1961,
again in Snell Hall. Mr. Brown was elected the group’s first president. The
treasury began with a balance of $29. As noted above, it was less than a
year later that the first rose show was presented. The original ten members
enrolled at this first meeting were: Dr. T. O. Hall; Mrs. Earl Rabold; Mr.
Claude Rose; Mr. Paris Pillion; Mrs. Richard Peete; Mrs. J. C. McCubbin;
Mrs. Edith Kolair; Mrs. Opal Kirk; Mrs. Tena Borders; and Mrs. John Collet.
Some of this information came from a program presented to the Bowling Green
Rose Society on September 10, 1994, by Jim Bennett and some from Paris
Pillion, the only living charter member of the BGRS at the time of this
writing (October 2010) (Mr. Pillion died Nov. 30, 2014).
Memphis Rose Society
On August 23, 1946, a group of people met to
organize a rose society. They chose Memphis and Shelby County Rose
Society as its name. The first president was Dr. Neumon Taylor. At the
first meeting, membership of the society voted to affiliate with the
American Rose Society as well a to work with the Park Commission to
establish a public rose garden in Overton Park. At the second meeting, the
society voted to publish a bulletin by November. Twenty-seven people
had contributed rose bushes to the Rose Bowl. Some members had
contributed for entire beds. The first year of inception, the society held a
rose show. After the show, the roses were taken to Kennedy Veterans
Hospital. In 1952, the name was changed to the Memphis Rose Society.
In March 1955, members voted to contact their congressmen and ask that they
support the bill to make the rose the national flower. The Memphis
Rose Society hosted the ARS Convention in 1971.
Dixie Rose Club
The Dixie Rose Society was organized in 1964.
The first president was Bren H. Rose who served two years. The Dixie Rose
Society and the Memphis Rose Society merged in 2010 to become the Memphis
and Dixie Rose Society. Chattanooga Rose Society
Evolution of the Tri-State
Rose Society of Chattanooga
by Ted Mills
Did
you ever stop and admire the beauty of a butterfly in flight? Its majestic
wing spread reflects brilliant colors that almost hypnotize you with
indescribable beauty. When we think about it, these creatures were not
always blessed with such brilliance. They had to evolve into this gorgeous
state. First it was the egg, then the grub stage, and finally the beautiful
adult stage evolves. This metamorphosis patterns the journey that the
Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga traveled. Let’s talk about it.
Although roses are as old
as time, the mention of them in the Old Testament proves that
statement. These beautiful flowers have been admired down through the
ages. The Roman Empire made great use of them. Their ladies of royalty
were joyfully stricken by their fragrance and beauty.
As to the beginning of
our local society, it was a trail of starts and stops along the way.
Fortunately, the foundation of what we are today was blessed with people who
really loved roses. These individuals are the real saviors of the hobby we
all love. Although these early leaders are now deceased, their instruction
has lingered on in a state of permanence.
Strangely, our society was
not always blessed with male members. A group of dedicated women brought
rose growing to Chattanooga. The beginning started in the most unlikely
period of despair. The great depression of the 1930s was rampant in the
area. It was a time when the economy suffered most in its
history. Millions of Americans were unemployed. A small band of dedicated
women sought a ray of sunshine to alleviate the pain of a depressed
populace.
Coinciding with President
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration, plans were made to organize a
local rose society. Just being in the talking stage in 1931, it was not
until March 3, 1932 that the Chattanooga Rose Society came into being. In
the prior year the renowned J. Horace McFarland came to the City to assist
in the Society’s formation. At that time he was serving as President of the
American Rose Society (ARS). One of ARS’s chief awards is named in his
honor.
Mrs. Terrell Clemons was
the first District Director. She was the driving force that established the
city’s first rose organization. The first president was Mrs. T. C.
Betterton, followed in order by Mrs. Clemons, Mrs. O. L. Mitchell, and Mrs.
W. G. Oehmig. Over 100 ladies made up the group. It was a distinguished
group that led the Society in its infant years.
Interest in the group was
very encouraging and thereby prompted a project to establish a municipal
rose garden. With the expert assistance of Mr. J. F. Brizzie, referred to
as the godfather of the Municipal Garden, a small group gathered to make
plans for the rose garden. Invited to this meeting was the aforementioned
Mr. McFarland. City fathers became interested and in 1938 an original
planting of 700 bushes was made. The bushes were donated and funds were
raised to maintain the garden. The city looked with favor on the garden and
a full-time gardener was hired. It was not long until the entire city took
great pride in the bountiful display of roses in the heart of
Chattanooga. As in Pasadena today, roses became a featured display in
downtown parades. With 3,000 bushes in bloom, the citizenry soon forgot the
pangs of the deep depression. The rose garden was Tennessee’s first and
soon enjoyed AARS designation. The garden also made Warner Park take on a
more inviting appearance.
The all-lady Chattanooga
Rose Society continued as wives of industrialist, bankers, physicians, and
city leaders eagerly participated in the work of the garden. During the
1980s the demise of the Society took place. It literally became a social
event with afternoon teas, etc. Reason for its folding was the advanced age
of the members and declining health of some. Then too, another vibrant
society entered the scene.
At the conclusion of
World War II a small group of very interested men showed great interest in
growing roses. To its credit the group formed the Men’s Rose Society of
Chattanooga. Initially the organization was men only. The year was 1947
and soon the Society grew in number. Affiliation with the American Rose
Society was accomplished. The members began to stage rose shows. Just two
years later, in 1949, ARS held its national rose show in Chattanooga at
Memorial Auditorium. It was at this show that the beloved local rosarian,
Lester Smith, won ARS’s top award, the coveted Nicholson Bowl.
It was only natural that
the ladies scrambled to join the Society. Husbands experienced harsh
prodding by persistent wives. It was not long until the men capitulated and
allowed women to join the ranks. In January, 1958 this change in by-laws
occurred. With this action the Society decided to change the name to
include female designation as well. After much discussion the current name,
Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga was chosen. It was natural since it
includes the three states, Tennessee, north Georgia, and north
Alabama. Society members lived in these three bordering states.
Shortly after the name
change, ARS conducted a drive to have Congress establish the rose as the
national floral emblem. In 1986, after much persuasion on the part of ARS
leadership, President Ronald Reagan, by proclamation, effected this
designation. It is something that all rosarians cherish.
It would be risky to
enumerate the early pioneers who played a great part in establishing a rose
society in the Chattanooga area. However, it is essential that we
memorialize those who are now departed but did much to create our hobby in
an organized fashion.
Although she was not the
first president of the Chattanooga Rose Society, Mrs. Edna Thomas stands
tall in performance among her peers. My research kept running across the
name of this active lady. She was undoubtedly the guiding light for all
rosarians. Her rose culture knowledge placed her at the pinnacle among
local rose growers. Her daughter, Marianne Ozmer inherited her mother’s
expertise and still remains a member of the local society. Although her
health prohibits her from being active, she still remains a star with fellow
members. Her mother is truly the “matriarch” of all rosarians in the
Chattanooga area.
To list the men who were
the guiding force in the early years would be a monumental task. However
some were super stars and their names need special mention. Deserving
recognition are these past leaders who have gone on to that garden in the
sky. They are George Hudson, H. O. Hastings, Reese Bull, Jerry Perry, Dr.
W. K. Butts. Grady Long, Jimmy Paul, Eldon Lunsford, and Jimmy
Chamberlain. These were truly the pioneers of the hobby we now
enjoy. However, in my humble experience with rose growing, no person has
touched my life and the lives of many living rosarians as the beloved Lester
Smith. Many rose enthusiasts have benefited from the unselfish instruction
of this quiet man. Being one of the Men’s Rose Society’s original members
and later a member of the Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga, he gave
countless hours of instruction to his students. His knowledge of rose
culture was superior. Although he has passed on, his dedicated leadership in
rose education stamps him well as Chattanooga’s “patriarch” of roses.
It is evident that rose
growing as a hobby is waning in popularity. It adversely affects the
youngsters who are bombarded with all types of recreation. We, as dedicated
rosarians, must do everything in our power to blunt this urge to abandon the
hobby we love. It would be remiss to allow the work performed by the rose
pioneers to have been done in vain. Moreover, it would be a disaster to see
our hobby fall into oblivion.
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