Evolution
of the
Tri-State Rose Society of Chattanooga
by
Ted Mills
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.
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.
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.
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.