July Birthdays

Happy July Birthday to Chris Carpenter, July 26;
Caren Lorelle, July 27;
Nelle Ward, July 30 and Marcia Long, July 4.

Flag Raising at Brainerd Mission Cemetery - June 10, 2015

Rhea-Craig Chapter members attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at Brainerd Mission Cemetery on June 10, 2015. The ceremony was hosted by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Regents' Council of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, John Sevier Chapter. The East Ridge High School JROTC Color Guard performed the actual flag raising. Among guest speakers was Maria Kain Matthews, Chairman of the Brainerd Mission Cemetery Committee who gave a moving speech comparing the Mission in the its early history to current times. Jimmy Yellowhorse Webster gave a short flute performance and his wife, Tamara Hicks, sang Amazing Grace in Cherokee. This annual ceremony retiring the old flag and raising the new one, is an opportunity to acknowledge the part of our history that included the Cherokee and pay our respect in this sacred, peaceful and spiritual cemetery.

From left to right:  Faye Sliger, Barbara McKeel, Kathy Tyler, Dana Myers, Carrie Ann Bright,
Caren Lorelle, Jane Yates, Susan Pluff

 

 

 

Rhea-Craig Chapter members attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at Brainerd Mission Cemetery on June 10, 2015. The ceremony was hosted by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Regents' Council of Chattanooga and the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, John Sevier Chapter. The East Ridge High School JROTC Color Guard performed the actual flag raising. Among guest speakers was Maria Kain Matthews, Chairman of the Brainerd Mission Ceme...tery Committee who gave a moving speech comparing the Mission in the its early history to current times. Jimmy Yellowhorse Webster gave a short flute performance and his wife, Tamara Hicks, sang Amazing Grace in Cherokee. This annual ceremony retiring the old flag and raising the new one, is an opportunity to acknowledge the part of our history that included the Cherokee and pay our respect in this sacred, peaceful and spiritual cemetery.

Rose Bushes planted at the Sweetwater Public Library

In celebration of Earth Day 2015, Carrie Ann Bright, Regent, planted twelve beautiful Knockout Roses at the Sweetwater, TN Public Library. It will be fun to watch them bloom and grow for years to come. Thanks Carrie Ann.

Ice Cream Social

Celebrating the new officers we enjoyed a wonderful Ice Cream Social at the end of our meeting. Everything was delicious!

Swearing in New Officers - June 4, 2015

Chaplain Faye Sliger swears in the new officers: Faye Sliger - Chaplain; Caren Lorelle - Marketing Director; Marcia Long - Media and Historian; Susan Pluff - Treasurer; Barbara McKeel - Recording Secretary; Jane Yates - Vice Regent; Carrie Ann Bright - Regent.



Outgoing regent, Jane Yates hands off the gavel to new Regent, Carrie Ann Bright.

Celebrating our National Anthem!

New Regent, Carrie Ann Bright brought a beautiful book with patriotic pictures set with the words to the Star Spangled Banner.  She turned from page to page as we sang the words. It was a very moving experience for all.

 

 

A gift to the children of Sweetwater, TN

Susan Pluff, Treasurer and Caren Lorelle, Marketing Director attended a concert by singer/song-writer Dave Mallett at Cleveland State Community College.  After the concert, they purchased a children’s book of one of Dave’s songs and he autographed it “To the Children of Sweetwater”.   After the DAR May meeting Susan presented the book to Tara Skinner, Children’s Librarian at the Sweetwater Public Library. 

Mother's Day and the Magna Carta

Carrie Ann Bright, Vice-Regent presented a program on Mother’s Day and another on the Magna Carta at our May 14, 2015 meeting.  She shared many facts about both of these subjects - some were historically fascinating and some were truly comical. 

Fabulous Books Donation

 

  Faye Sliger, Chaplain and Jane Yates, Regent with “Volumes I and II  of Legacies of our Great Grand Mothers; Early Tennessee Women; TN Society DAR”.  A set of these fabulous volumes was given to the East Tennessee Historical Society and to the Monroe County, TN Archives in the Monroe County Court House. 

 

2015 State Conference for the Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution

The 2015 State Conference of the Tennessee Daughters of the American Revolution was held in Franklin, TN April 9-12. 

Attending the conference were Jane Yates, Regent; Carrie Ann Bright, Vice-regent; Faye Sliger, Chaplain and Cecile Waverly, Associate member.

We are very proud to have received several awards this year including the following (for Chapters with fewer than 50 members):

 

·        Grand Prize for “Largest Percent Increase in Junior Membership”. 

·        Bronze Award for “Historic Preservation”

·        Tennessee “Terrific Treasurer” Award for Outstanding Service

·        Cherokee District “2014 Chapter Achievement Certificate of Excellence Award”

·        First Place in the State Award for “Outstanding Chapter Brochure/Fact Sheet”

·        Cherokee District First Place Award for “Outstanding Chapter Brochure/Fact Sheet”

·        First Place Award for “Watercolor”

·        First Place Cherokee District for “West Tennessee Veterans’ Cemetery Project”

·        Honorable Mention for “Mother’s Day 100th Anniversary”

·        Cherokee District Outstanding “Use of Electronic/Internet Media”

·        Cherokee District Outstanding “Publicity for Commemorative or Community Event”

·        Cherokee District “Outstanding PR and Media Report Overall”

·        Cherokee District “2^nd Place – Phones for Vets Project 2014”

·        Cherokee District Honorable Mention and Recognition for “Blount Mansion Contribution and Program”

·        Third Place tie for “Outstanding Press Coverage – DAR Good Citizens”

·        Third Place Tie for “Number of invitations to C.A.R., to Programs and Events”

·        Third Place Tie for “Most Indian Minutes given to Chapter”

·        Outstanding Community Service by Individuals for “Celebrate America”

·        Outstanding Community Service by Chapter for “Celebrate America”

·        Tennessee Master Questionnaire Award – “American History Committee”

·        Tennessee American History Programs – “American History Committee”

·        Outstanding Effort Award – ”Chapter Scholarship Report”

·        Recognition for “Community Service/Parks and Cemeteries”

·        Honorable Mention for “Veteran’s Day - Vietnam War 50^th Anniversary”

·        Honorable Mention for “C.A.R. Senior Leadership”

·        Honorable Mention for “DAR/CAR Dual Members”

Celebrating the Legacy of Harry T. Burn

On March 28, 2015 members of the Rhea-Craig DAR attended a Celebration of the Legacy of Harry T. Burn at the Niota, TN Cemetery.  Harry was a first term State Representative from Niota, TN who, after planning to vote against the 19th amendment to legalize women's' suffrage, was convinced by his mother to "be a good boy" and cast his vote in favor of women's suffrage. Harry's vote was the deciding 36th vote needed to ratify the 19th amendment to the U. S. Constitution thereby giving all American women the right to vote.

Photos are from the celebration which was hosted by Tennessee SAR and the Tennessee SAR Color Guard.

Rhea-Craig members at the grave of Harry T. Burn: 
Faye Sliger, Susan Pluff, Caren Lorelle, Dana Myers,
Marcia Long, Carrie Bright and Jane Yates.

Lap Robes for Veterans

Kathy Tyler and Marcia Long presented lap robes to Second World War veterans Dennis Webb and Jack Morgan at the Life Care Center of Rhea County, TN. Members of Rhea-Craig Chapter collected hand-made and purchased lap robes to give to Veterans to thank them for their service

Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR Donations to the Library

At our March 12, 2015 meeting, members of Rhea Craig Chapter DAR donated more than twenty new children's to the Sweetwater Public Library. Marcia Long, Historian and Secretary of Media, presented over twenty new books to the Director of the Sweetwater Public Library, Kara Kirk.

The Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking

Kate Trudell

Kate Trudell

Susan Pluff, Treasurer presents a donation to Kate for the CCAHT.

Kate B. Trudell was the guest speaker at our March 12, 2015 meeting.  Kate is the, Executive Director of the Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking, http://ccaht.org in Knoxville, TN.   Kate’s presentation was riveting.  She really opened our eyes about the enormity of this criminal industry that today has enslaved an estimated 27 million people worldwide, more than at in any other time in history.  

·        Human trafficking is the 2nd most lucrative criminal industry worldwide, after drug trafficking, bringing in approximately $32 billion annually.

·        Today’s slaves are forced into labor, service or sex slavery to make money for their “owners.”  People can be sold repeatedly. In the case of a sex slave, that might be 10, 20 or more times a day. In labor slavery, goods and services are produced without compensating the laborer.

Community Coalition Against Human Trafficking (CCAHT) strives to free individuals from injustice and exploitation in East Tennessee.

CCAHT educates, equips, and empowers the community to:

·        recognize the signs of human trafficking,

·        take action to end this modern day slavery,

·        and connect victims with restorative resources. 

CCAHT helps develop systems and training for the identification and reporting of suspected human trafficking. Through these and other advocacy efforts, CCAHT aims to bring offenders to justice and illuminate a restorative path for victims.

To learn more about CCAHT please visit their website at http://ccaht.org or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ccaht. 

Student Awards

 

Ella Marie Wheeler receives an award for her Good Citizen Essay.

Arabella Sarver receives an award for her Vietnam War Poster

 

At our Feb. 12. 2015 meeting, two area students were recognized and awarded certificates for their entries in DAR competitions. Miss Ella Marie Wheeler was presented a certificate and a $25 award for her winning Good Citizen Essay and Miss... Arabella Sarver received a certificate and a $25 award for her winning poster on the Vietnam War. Awards were presented by Jane Yates, Regent and Faye Sliger, Chaplain of Rhea-Craig Chapter. Arabella's mother, Tammy Sarver, is a member of the Rhea-Craig Chapter. Congratulations Ella and Arabella!

Thomas Jefferson and Monticello

 

On Feb. 12, 2015 Mr. Don Edmands presented a very informative program about Thomas Jefferson and his home "Monticello". Mr. Edmands is a wonderful speaker and his presentation materials, including some of his own photographs, are exceptiona...l. After his program Vice-regent Carrie Ann Bright presented him with a gift from Rhea-Craig Chapter to thank him for sharing his knowledge and personal experiences with us. Thank you again Mr. Don Edmands!

 

 

Our newest member!

Our newest member, Amberlee Allmond, was sworn at our January meeting by Faye Sliger. From left to right in photo are Chaplain Faye Sliger, Amberlee Allmond, Registrar Kathy Tyler and Regent Jane Yates. Amberlee is a third generation member of Rhea-Craig Chapter. Her mother, Venita Allmond, Librarian and her grandmother Kathy Tyler, Registrar are also current members of Rhea-Craig Chapter.

Welcome Amberlee!

Certificate from 1931 DAR member

Regent Jane Yates showing a newly-framed DAR certificate from Florene Jones Hall from 1931.

December 2014 Meeting with guest speaker Mr. Don Edmonds

Mr. Don Edmonds presented a very interesting and informative program about
The "Revolutionary War: the First Day. His program detailed the events that lead to the earliest battles between the British and the American colonists.

Our hostess, Marcia Long presented Mr. Edmonds with gifts of appreciation for his excellent program.

Vietnam Veteran Richard Waters was the featured speaker at the November 13, 2014  meeting of the Rhea-Craig Chapter DAR. Richard was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained in battle while serving in Vietnam. He shared with us many very emotional stories about his service.
He is a real American hero!

Following Richard's address Regent Jane Yates and Vice-Regent Carrie Ann Bright presented Richard a certificate in recognition of his "Valor * Service * Sacrifice.

Monroe County Mayor, Tim Yates, recently signed a proclamation declaring November National American Indian Heritage Month in Monroe County, TN. He is surrounded by DAR Rhea-Craig Chapter members Faye Sliger, Carrie Ann Bright, Jane Yates, Barbara McKeel, Jo Watson and Marcia Long.

Daughters of the American Revolution Day - October 11

Monroe County Mayor Tim Yates signed a proclamation declaring October 11th Daughters of the American Revolution Day. DAR was founded in 1890 and has over 180,000 members. 
From left to right: Barbara McKeel, Carrie Ann Bright, Jane Yates, Jo Watson, Marcia Long and Faye Sliger behind Mayor Yates.