The Orange Blossom The Florida Society of the Children of the American Revolution National Theme: Ensuring American Patriotism National Website: www.nscar.org State Theme: Discovering Florida’s Roadside Attractions State Website: http://www.geocities.com/floridacarchapter/ index.html

September 2008 Volume 36, Issue 2 State President’s Message

President’s Letter

Hello Everyone!

After everything that I have seen and experienced this past summer I am more than proud to be your State President. Venturing all over, I have done my best to represent the Florida State Society in an effort to promote and show how we are all “Discovering Florida’s Roadside Attractions.” I was fortunate enough to travel up to Concord, New Hampshire for the New England Regional Meeting and then back down for the Southeastern Regional Meeting in our very own Ponte Vedra Beach. It was amazing to see such a large turnout from Florida. I hope that everyone had a riveting time and was able to not only make new friends but to get a true experience of and appreciate C.A.R. at a national level. In addition, this summer wound up with our five packet meetings which were scattered across the state. Each meeting managed to be unique in its own ways and I had a great time, as I hope all of you did as well. Please take the time to look and read through this edition of the Orange Blossom. Read up on every- thing that happened this summer, what is coming up, and also get to know each of the “Tacky Tourists” from the packet meetings. One last thing, I promise, learn about and try to attend our CAR Day at the Museum of Florida History on November 15 th ! Please do not hesitate to contact me about anything , for those that have, they can vouch that I try to respond near instantaneously and as best as I can. Inside This Issue Thank you all for your support and hard work! J National Presidents Program 4

5 Sincerely, Regional News 7 Valerie Rose Bagenski State News New Members 11 Valerie Rose Bagenski Upcoming Events Notices 13 State President F.S.C.A.R. Nominating Committee Form 19 PO Box 2212 Committee/Officer Articles 20 Palm Harbor, Fl 34682 Peewee Page 22 727-781-2660 Kudos 23 [email protected] Local Society News 24 Chaplain’s Corner 30 DAR News 31 Calendar 31

Senior State President’s Message

The Southeast Regional in Jacksonville was great! Look for the article in this issue of the Or- ange Blossom for all the details. While last year our own Kelly Knight was the SE National VP this year her Mother, Molly Knight, is the SE Senior National VP. It runs in the family. Congratulations, Mrs. Knight, on a wonderful Regional. And the trip to St. Augustine was great. Even we Floridians learned a few new facts. Valerie Bagenski has done an excellent job in preparing for and leading the summer packet meetings with the theme “Discover Florida’s Roadside Attractions.” We have traveled the state for five (5) packet meet- ings, South Florida, Central Florida, Western Panhandle, and Central Pan- handle and Northeast Florida. We did not even let Gustav stop us. At each packet meeting Valerie had skits and a workshop aimed at acquainting the members with the packet and this year’s state theme. When the meet- ing came to a close the most enthusiastic member was designated “Packet Tacky Tourist.” We have lots of interesting events on the horizon. First up, the C.A.R. is going to Tallahassee to visit the Museum of Florida History, the intended re- cipient of our 2008-09 state project funds. See page 13 for more information and watch for e- mails from me about the trip. Next is the British Night Watch and F.S.C.A.R. board meeting in St. Augustine the first week-end in December. Be sure to make your hotel reservations as the hotel fills quickly. Hotel information and the registration form can be found in this issue. Plans have been completed for the State Seminar. We are going to Loxahatchee, Florida to visit Lion Country Safari. The seminar is set for Martin Luther King week-end, January 17-19, 2009. Ho- tel information and the registration form can be found in this issue. Also, mark February 28, 2009 on your calendar. FLSSAR has again invited us to participate in the Last Naval Battle Celebration at Cape Canaveral, Florida. This year Commander Douglas Edson, USS BARRY will be the speaker. If your society would like to present a wreath please contact me and I will see that you get the proper form. FSSDAR State Conference is March 13-15 and if you are 13 years old or older you can be a Junior Page. Plans are under way for our 78 th Annual State Con- ference in Tampa, Florida on March 20-22, 2009. You won’t want to miss these exciting events. In C.A.R. fidelity, Billie Sheckler Brock 6532 Heckscher Drive Jacksonville, FL 32226-3226 (904)251-9226 or (904) 945-4926; [email protected]

Hey, all you Orange Blossom readers, this is Chrissy Herreid, your 2008- 09 Orange Blossom Editor, asking you to send in your local society news stories, pictures, kudos etc. for the December 2008 Florida Orange Blos- som . The deadline is December 1, 2008. Send stories and pictures to me at my e-mail address, [email protected] , or to my home address at 27800 Quail View Lane, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544. See you at the Night Watch!

2 2008-2009 State Project Pin Recipients “Discovering Florida’s Roadside Attractions”

Fort Brooke Society Kacie Peterson Ron Toops, Lake Sumter Jennifer Lynn Bagenski Kyle Peterson Terry Walton, Naples Pamela Bagenski Carolinea Reverte Valerie Rose Bagenski Linda Scheuplein (Names Received by the Sr. Andrew Begin Betty Schulz State Treasurer as of Sep- Andrew Green Ed Spencer tember 2, 2007.) Charlene Herreid Opal Spencer Chrissy Herreid San Bernardo Kelly Herreid Hope Glover Maureen Lucivero Kay Yarbrough (2) C.A.R. Memorabilia make Barry Andrew Marler Santa Maria de Galvez great gifts! Purchase Apple Fort Mellon Society Benjamin Thames Slice Pins, Archival Preserva- tion Spoons, Bronze Eagle Libby Boyd Zackary Thames Sculptures, Centennial Pins, Chuck Decker Daughters of the American Endowment Fund Pins, Golden Vanra Decker Revolution Endowment Fund Pins, Virginia Mickler Pru Ann Miller (2) Harriett Lothrop Medallions, Princess Malee Society Sons of the American Library Fund Pins, Magazine Fund Pins, Museum Major Billie Brock Revolution Benefactor Red Apple Pins and Caitlin Brock Chuck Bragg (2), Indiana Plaques, Veterans Tributes and Connor Brock SAR Voyager Pins for your friends Lindsey Brock Brett Brown, Palm Beach and loved ones today! Larry Guzy Gene Brown, Clearwater

Kelly Knight Charles Day Molly Knight Ben DuBose, Brevard Greg McCullough, Pennsyl- Florida SAR (4) vania SAR Richard Fowler, St. Lucie Hal Miller (2) River David Ramseur Ron Hamilton, Central Flor- Davine Roberts (3) ida George Thurmond Frank & Barbara Hodalski, Swamp Fox Society Saramana (2) Dr. Cindy Bossart (5) Carl Hoffman, Saramana Jane Congdon Lonnie Jones (2), Aaron Donna Cullen Snowden Kathleen Dempsey John McCullough, Naples Liz Esmann Elwyn Moore, Palm Beach Laura Harrison Norm Myers, Central Florida Mary Ellen Harrison Charlie Schaffer, Clearwater Kendall Miller William Scott, St. Petersburg Sheridan Miller Wm. R. Stevenson, Treasure Connie Mueller Coast

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N.S.C.A.R. National President’s Project

The N.S.C.A.R. National Project is to raise funds to supply the Liberty or Death DVD produced by Historic St. John’s Church in Richmond Virginia, to all state school systems. This DVD includes a reenactment of the vital Second Virginia Convention. It was at this convention that Patrick Henry gave the Give Me Liberty or Give me Death speech on March 23, 1775 and called his countrymen to arms. See the website at www.historicstjohnschurch.org/history.html. By providing educators with these DVDs, we can carry out the work of Ensuring American Patriotism. Each DVD will include a brochure explaining that the DVD is a donation from N.S..C.A.R. This help to increase awareness of and interest in our organization .

Fast Facts About Patrick Henry and his “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” Cool websites where you can fiind out more about Patrick Henry! Speech • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ When was it delivered? Patrick_Henry • March 23, 1775 • http://www.history.org/Almanack/ Where was it delivered? people/bios/biohen.cfm • The Virginia Revolutionary Convention, • http://americanrevwar.homestead.com/ St. John’s Church, Richmond, Va. files/henry.htm How long does the full speech take to recite? • http://www.redhill.org/ • Approximately 7 minutes What other famous speech was delivered by Patrick Henry? 2008-09 NSCAR National Theme • His “Caesar-Brutus” speech was deliv- The 2008-09 National Theme is Ensuring American Pa- ered May 1765 in the Virginia Stamp triotism. With early patriotic education we can instill a Act Debates. true understanding and appreciation of the courageous emotional, physical and financial struggles endured by What were some of Patrick Henry’s other the Founding Fathers as they brought about this nation. accomplishments? These sacrifices are often overlooked by today’s youth. • Served in the Virginia House of Bur- Many young people today do not fully recognize the gesses, Member of Virginia Committee events leading up to and following the American Revolu- of Correspondence, served in the First tion. This understanding is key to promoting love of the United State os America and its heritage among young Continental Congress and was governor people. —NSCAR National Program Packet 2008-09 of Virginia five times. Final Words of Patrick Henry’s “Give me Liberty or Give me Death” Speech

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace - but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! 4

Southeastern Regional was held at the Sawgrass Marriott Hotel and Spa at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida from July 29-30, 2008. Hosting the meeting were Sagen Blackwell, National Vice-President of the Southeastern Region and Mrs. Andrew J. (Molly) Knight, Senior Vice President of the Southeastern Region. On the 29th people spent the day at Jack- sonville Beach. In the afternoon members and seniors rode a bus to St. Augustine, then hopped on a trolley tour to go around Old St. Augustine. Many of the sites we saw were familiar to the Florida members from the many British Night Watch events they have attended. After we got back to the hotel, members changed into their swim suits and splashed around in the hotel pool. Then they got a good night’s sleep for the big day ahead. On the 30th, members and senior got up early to start the meet- ing. There were hilarious skits and fun workshops. We took a break to eat a pizza lunch and then it was back to business. After the meeting people left and got ready for the banquet. The food was great and at the end everyone saw a slide show made by Florida’s own Kelly Knight, National First Vice President. The dance followed and everyone had a great time. Although many were sad that regional tour 2009 was over, it was still fun for all. Since Florida hosted the meeting, many of our members and seniors deserve special thanks for contributing to its success of the meeting. Everyone who attended pitched in to help with everything from decorations to chaperoning the pool party and dance. Thanks to Liz Carroll and Mike Goff for taking charge of the hospitality room. Their efforts really added something special to our regional. Lois Swan, Martha and April Pearson, Davine Roberts, Ame Keefe and Jean Ann Taylor from Kan Yuk sa DAR helped out, too. Davine Roberts, Abaca Dowling and others did a super job with decora- tions/fish bowls. Brenda Pike and June Mahan co-chaired the pages and aides, with help from Cathy Sopher. Pages, aides and flag-bearers were Bonnie Sopher, Zoe and Sebastian Miller, Carol Connor, Caitlin & Connor Brock, Nick Polatas, Ke- mie, Victoria, Abigail and Hannah Mahan, Laura Harrison, Kacie Peterson, and Kendall, Sheridan and little Joseph Miller who served as personal aide to National President Kevin Baker. Thanks to Terry and Cathy Sopher who were bus leaders for the St. Augustine trip; Mimi Leroy-Marler and Pam and Jennifer Bagenski who managed the silent auction and raised $1,248.50 and Opal Spencer who organized the doorprizes and goody buckets. And of course Lindsey and Billie Brock who helped out in so many ways. And we can’t forget the Legans and Mourings and Warners who attended and pitched in along with Kelly Knight and Robyn Carroll. Thanks to Mrs. Sue Bratton, Florida DAR State Regent for taking the time to attend our event. If anyone participated and didn’t got mentioned, please forward the information to the Orange Blossom editor and it will be addressed in the next issue. Thanks to all the Florida members and seniors who made this, the last re- gional of the 2008 Tour, a resounding success!

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With summer in full swing, members far and wide from every corner of the state made sure to show their strength in C.A.R. at each of the five Florida Packet Meetings. During the packet meetings this year, members learned more about the state project of “Discovering Florida’s Roadside Attractions” by participating in skits and working hands on in the workshop. Everyone was enlightened by Sponge Bob and friends as well as Wall-e and Eve as they all worked hard to get the word out about programs and contests to C.A.R. In addition, members participated in a workshop in which each was given their own photo album to decorate and use to collect photos and other things to remind them of roadside attractions they see over the year with C.A.R. Thank you so much to Ms. Davine Roberts for such a wonderful idea. For those that were not able to attend, you can make your own photo album memory book/ scrapbook from anything you’d like. Please let me know if you would like the cover that everyone received and was able to color. At each of the packet meetings, those who were the most enthusiastic, cooperative, and participatory in each of the activities were dubbed the “Tacky Tourist” of their respective region. Please take the time to get to know each of them in the corresponding section. Finally I’d like to thank the Swamp Fox, Fort Gatlin, Fort Brooke, Santa Maria de Galvez, Snowden-Horne, San Bernardo, Blue Springs, and Princess Malee Societies for taking the time and effort to host these packet meetings.

Valerie Rose Bagenski F.S.C.A.R. President

The South Florida Packet Meeting was held on Saturday August 9, 2008 at the Pompano Beach Library in the heart of Pompano Beach. The meeting was hosted by Swamp Fox Society with members from Fifer George Weissenfels, Ft. Brooke, Tequesta, and Chief Tiger Tail Societies also in attendance. It was great to see that there were 23 members and prospective members and 30 seniors present. The youngest participant was Swamp Fox prospective member Carolina Reverte, daughter of Tricia Reverte and granddaughter of Donna Cullen, Swamp Fox Vice President Hartland McDonald and Sr. President Ed Spencer welcomed the participants. State President Valerie Bagenski led everyone into the workshop program. It was amazing to see how giving everyone some candy to wake up caused them to almost be too hyper with the sugar rush. In addition, it was funny to see members dressed up in clothes that clearly didn’t fit for the two skits that were presented. Once the workshop was done, members had a delicious lunch of everything that you would find at classic Florida stops, including corn dogs, lemonade, ice tea, ice cream, cookies, finger sandwiches, and so much more! Kendall Miller received the “Tacky Tourist” award as most enthusiastic packet meeting participant. Kendall is 8 years old and in the 3rd grade at St. Coleman’s Catholic School. Many thanks to Ms. Opal Spencer, Mr. Ed Spencer, and Mrs. Miller for taking the time to prepare such a wonderful lunch and also the Pompano Beach Library for providing us with such a great location for the meeting.

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On Saturday September 6 th , 2008, members gathered together at Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay Brock III’s home for the North Florida Packet Meeting. For those that were able to attend, a great time was had by all with F.S.C.A.R. President Valerie Bagenski having everyone participate in skits and a workshop, along with, candy and prizes for all those that participated. Members learned a lot about the state project and gained tips on how to promote the State Society. Some members took the opportunity to hop into one of the Brocks’ many kayaks and canoes to enjoy the water for a little bit. Abigail Mahan received the “North Florida Tacky Tourist” award as the most enthusiastic participant. Abigail is 10 years old and is homeschooled. One member was so enthusiastic that he ended up falling off the dock into the canal; names will not be mentioned to spare the embarrassment. Lunch was delicious with pizza and Mrs. Brock’s cupcakes with homemade icing. Thank you to the Princess Malee Society for hosting this meet- ing.

Members of Ft. Brooke and Ft. Gatlin societies came together on August 24, 2008 at the home of Mrs. Barbara Jones, Sr. President of Ft. Gatlin Society, for the Central Florida Packet Meeting. Members and Sen- iors learned about the State President’s Program “Discovering Florida’s Roadside Attractions,” and enjoyed games and skits illustrating the State and National Programs featuring Wall-E and Sponge Bob. Members made Florida attraction “passports” to be used when visiting Roadside Attractions. Fort Gatlin President Melissa Theiss told about her project to collect homemade cards for seriously ill children and Ft. Brooke members pledged to participate in the project. Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch with sandwiches, chips, brownies and cookies, and Chrissy Herreid , State 2nd VP was chosen as FSCAR Central Packet “Tacky Tour- ist” for most enthusiastic participant. Many thanks to Mrs. Jones for letting us use her newly renovated house for the meeting.

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The West Florida Panhandle Packet Seminar was sponsored by the San Bernardo Society, Santa Maria de Galvez Society, and Snowden-Horne Society. Mrs. Rosa Seymour, Senior President, Santa Maria de Galvez Society welcomed F.S.C.A.R. Senior President, Mrs. Billie Brock and F.S.C.A.R. President Valerie Bagen- ski. Valerie spoke to the guests and explained her State Theme. She asked that members participate in a skit, which was enjoyed by the children and adults. Pro- spective member Grant Landry of San Bernardo Society was selected as Florida “Tacky Tourist” as most enthusiastic participant. State Senior President Billie Brock encouraged all the members to start participating in the State and National Activities. She also encouraged all members to read the material for the State's Theme and begin to think about entering the different contests. Mrs. Virginia Poffenberger, Senior President, San Bernardo Society gave the grace and a delicious buffet luncheon was enjoyed by all.

On August 31, 2008 the forward bands of hurricane Gustav were blowing rain outside and causing lights to flicker. Nevertheless the seventeen members and seniors attending the East Panhandle Packet Meeting in Marianna had a good time learning about State President Valerie Bagenski's project to raise money for the tourism collection at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahas- see. Blue Springs Society members had fun with skits while they learned about state programs and contests for the coming year. They are enthusiastic about plans to learn of roadside attractions that were in Florida prior to 1971. Carly Miller of Blue Springs Society was awarded the “Tacky Tourist” award as the most enthusiastic packet meeting. Carly is 10 years old and a straight “A” student at Riverside Elementary School.

9 Santa Maria de Galvez Society Organizing Meeting July 26, 2008

The Organizing Meeting of the Santa Maria de Galvez Society of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) was held July 26, 2008. The new Society was sponsored by the Three Rivers Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion. The celebration was called to order by Organizing Senior President, Mrs. Rosa Seymour. The Colors were presented by the members of the Pensacola Chapter Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Color Guard, Mr. Edward Young, Mr. Lonnie Jones, Mrs. Raymond Lantz and National Vice President, Mr. Lindsey Brock. The invocation was given by Mrs. Rosa Seymour. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America was lead by Brandon Caris. The National Anthem was lead by Mrs. Linda Smith. The American’s Creed was lead by Benjamin Thames. The C.A.R. Creed was lead by Amanda Wolfe. The Mission Statement was read by Amanda Wolfe. The following Officers were installed by Dr. Charlene Herreid, Florida State Society Children of the American Revolution 2 nd Vice Senior and Past Senior State President 2006-08: President:Zachary Thames, Society President; Benjamin Thames, Vice President; Registrar, Naomi Allen; Chaplain, Amelia Wolfe; Recording Secretary, Amanda Wolfe; Treasurer, Benjamin Caris; Historian, Taylor Ford; Libertarian, Daniel Mascaro. The following Senior Officers were also installed: Mrs. Rosa Seymour, Senior President; Mrs. Linda Russell, Sr Vice President; Mrs. Jennifer Rice, Sr Chaplain; Mrs. Carrie Young, Sr Recording Secretary; Mrs. Sue Lundin, Sr Corresponding Secretary; Mrs. Cheryl Kelley, Sr Treasurer; Mrs. Gail Allred, Sr Registrar; Mrs. Frances Williams, Sr Historian; Ms. Linda Smith – Sr Librarian. Mrs. Seymour presented to Zackary Thames, Society President, a gavel urging him to “Please use it with authority, not superiority.” Mr. Raymond Lantz, President of the Pensacola Chapter SAR presented Zack with four ceremonial muskets to use with the Society’s Color Guard. Greetings were brought by the following dignitaries: Mrs. Billie Brock, Florida State C.A.R. Senior President; Mrs. Susan VanderZeyde, past 2nd Vice Regent, Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; Mrs. Victoria Barnett, Pensacola Chapter, DAR; Ms. Kay Yarbrough, Fort Pickens Chapter, DAR; Mrs. Hope Glover, Sr. Society Treasurer, San Bernardo Society, C.A.R.; Mrs. Susan VanderZeyde, Sr. Treasurer, Snowden-Horne Society, C.A.R. (Ft. Walton Beach); Mr. Lindsey Brock, Vice President General, South Atlantic Region, Sons of the American Revolution; Mr. Edward Young, Vice President, Northwest Region, Florida; Mr. Nathan Williams, President, Aaron Snowden Chapter, S.A.R.; Mr. Raymond Lantz, President, Pensacola Chapter S.A.R.; Mrs. Martha Hinrichs, President, Pen- sacola Chapter 298, United Daughters of the Confederacy; Mrs. Paula Werber, Vice Regent, National Society Daughters of the American Colonists. Society Historian, Taylor Ford then gave the History of the Name of the Society. “As a young captain in the Spanish militia (1769-1771), Don Bernardo de Galvez fought the Apache Indians in Texas. He learned to respect them and to treat them fairly rather than to oppress them, as was so often the case at that time. He would later be known as a man of honor by other Indian tribes along the Mississippi valley. De Galvez fought several battles in and around the Florida territory and eventually reclaimed the entire peninsula for Spain, as well as securing the valuable Spanish trade routes in the Gulf of Mexico. Americans remembered him for the assistance he provided during their time of greatest need. Galveston, Texas is named after him, as was Santa Maria de Galvez, the previous name of Pensacola Bay.” The C.A.R. Song was sung by all present. Charter members of the society received keepsake framed certificates which will someday be heirlooms. Society Chaplain, Amelia Wolfe gave the Benediction and everyone enjoyed a delicious barbecue lunch. Congratulations to the new society for its very successful organizational meeting!

10 Chief Tiger Tail Society Organizing Meeting September 14, 2008

The newest Society of the Children of the American Revolution, Chief Tiger Tail Society of Greenacres, Florida, held their Organizing Meeting on Sunday, September 14 at 1 p.m. at the Lantana Recreation Center. Com- munity leaders from the City of Greenacres and the Town of Lantana as well as leaders from local SAR and DAR chapters brought greetings to the crowd of over 70 members and guests. F.S.C.A.R. Sr. State President Billie Brock welcomed the new society and accepted a donation of circa 1900 postcards on behalf of the State President's project. A gavel was donated to the society on behalf of the Regent's Council of the Palm Beaches. The president's pin was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Shukis. The Society was named for the great Miccosukee Semi- nole Chief, Thlocklo Tus- tunugee - known as Chief Tommy Tiger Tail. Chief Tiger Tail fought in the first Seminole Indian War, and his grandson, also named Tommy Tiger Tail, fought in the second Seminole Indian War beside the great Osceola and Billy Bow- legs. Both Tiger Tail men were great and noble fighters. New officers of the organizing society in- stalled by Mrs. Opal Spencer, F.S.C.A.R. Sr. State Organizing Secretary, who are also charter members, were: Organizing President, Kaitlyn Mouring; Vice President, Talia Fradkin; Chaplain, Victoria Kelley; Registrar, Samantha Mouring; Treasurer, Ariana Mouring; Librarian, Courtney Carhart; and, Historian, Kristin McKenna. Senior Officers installed were as follows: Senior Organizing President, Annelies Mouring; Sr. Vice President, Susan Fradkin; Sr. Treasurer, Robert Mouring; Sr. Librarian, Julie Carhart; Amy McKenna, Sr. Historian; Virginia Davis, Sr. Registrar.

Kaitlyn Mouring, Organizing President of Chief Tiger Tail Society brought greetings and presented a gift to Mayor Samuel J. Ferrarri and the City Council of the City of the Greenacres on September 15, 2008. The gift was a framed proclamation signed by all the charter members of Chief Tiger Tail thanking Greenacres for their support.

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After years of silence, Captain John Carroll Houston Society of Jacksonville is reactivated! Senior Society President Pamela Green is pleased to announce that the Captain John Carroll Houston Society of Jacksonville is now active and accepting members. Newly installed Society President Nicole Warner is excited to preside over meetings, involve the society in national and state projects, and learn more about the society’s namesake, Captain John Carroll Houston, a revolutionary war hero. Other mem- bers installed as officers include Society Vice President, Ryan Warner and Society Chaplain, Kevin Warner. Nicole, Ryan and Kevin recently visited the Houston Cemetery on Talbot Island in Jacksonville, FL. Society members plan to improve the site as one of their on-going society projects. Please look for more informa- tion about Captain John Carroll Hous- ton and this recently reactivated society in the “Local Soci- ety News” section of this and future edi- tions of the Orange Blossom.

F.S.C.A.R. Welcomes New Members! Summer 2008

Congratulations to all of our new members!

Chi Chi Okobe (formerly Manasota) Chief Tiger Tail (cont.) Katherine Bonner #155491 Emily Mouring #155499 Charles Elzer IV #155492 Elizabeth Elzer #155493 Santa Maria de Galvez Carlton Robinson #155494 Naomi Allen #155500 Mabry Robinson #155495 Kenneth Ford, Jr. #155501 Savell Robinson #155496 Daniel Mascaro #155502 Benjamin Thames #155503 Ft. Gatlin Zachary Thames #155504 Taylor Phares Swamp Fox Chief Tiger Tail Laura Harrison #155505 Anna Maria Mouring #155497 Brandon Mouring #155498

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Please Join F.S.C.A.R. on Saturday November 15th, 2008 at 11 am for our Day at the Mu- seum of Florida History

We are fortunate enough to be having a personal tour conducted by Ms. Elyse Cor- nelison, Development and Financial Direc- LOCATION tor for the Museum of Florida History. Museum of Florida History Please plan to meet outside of the main R.A. Gray Building entrance to the R.A. Gray Building at 11 500 South Bronough Street a.m. We will stroll around the museum, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0250 Mapquest for directions have lunch at the Café at noon and start our (850) 245-6400 guided tour and presentation at 1 p.m. Mark your calendars and watch for more MUSEUM HOURS info on the visit from Mrs. Brock! Monday-Friday: 9:00am - 4:30pm Saturday: 10:00am - 4:30pm http://www.flheritage.com/museum/ Sunday and holidays: Noon - 4:30pm

My Florida Roadside Attraction Memories I grew up in Florida and both of my parents grew up here, too. In our family, we did not stop at roadside attrac- tions. We considered them “tourist traps” that only the gullible tourists would visit to waste their money. Of course, that made us children want to visit them even more! I got my share of visiting the tourist attractions in Miami , where I lived, through school field trips. We visited the Parrot Jungle and watched parrots ride bicycles and fly rockets to the “moon.” Awesome! I was on Cloud Nine the summer my sister was a monorail operator at the Miami Seaquarium! And I hit the mother lode when my Girl Scout troop visited Juliet Lowe’s birthplace in Savannah Georgia. We stopped at what seemed like every tourist attraction we passed by. Some of the places we stopped were Ripley’s Believe it or Not in St. Augustine, the Old Jail, Six Gun Territory Amusement Park and Silver Springs, We stopped at Rainbow Springs in Dunellon, where we rode the little sky cars shaped like pea pods and marveled at the beautiful pink camellias and azaleas and the clear, aquamarine spring waters. Somehow we also fit in a visit to Cypress Gardens and an antique car museum in Sarasota. All too soon it was time to go home. When I was older and had children of my own, we went to tourist attractions whenever we could. Even if the attraction wasn’t much good, we could always at least have a good laugh at our experiences. One of our family’s favorite attractions was the Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama City Beach. We would visit at least once when we stayed at the beach each summer. You could drive miniature Corvettes around a track with Little Richard music playing in the background, go on the log flume and risk your life on their rick- ety wooden roller coaster, the Starlite Express. Alas, Miracle Strip and evenings under the lights sipping lemon- ade, gorging on homemade chocolate fudge and enjoying the colorful rocking benches are over. The amusement park was demolished to make way for condos a few years ago. One little bit of it is left. It turns out the Starlite Coaster was considered a classic wooden coaster. It was taken apart and reassembled at Cypress Gardens, so you can clatter around in it today. I’m glad I had a chance to visit so many of Florida’s roadside attractions in their day. They represented a simpler time, when it did not take so much to amuse and amaze us and when it seemed that things would always be the way they were, right then, forever. —Charlene Herreid, Sr. State 2nd Vice President

DO YOU OR YOUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS HAVE A STORY TO SHARE ABOUT FLORIDA’S. ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS? SEND YOUR STORY OF 500 WORDS OR LESS TO THE ORANGE BLOS- SOM EDITOR, CHRISSY HERREID. WE WILL PRINT THE BEST STORIES IN THE NEXT TWO EDI- TIONS OF THE ORANGE BLOSSOM.

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State Board Meetings & “Grand Illumination & British Night Watch” St. Augustine * December 6, 2008 Hosted by the Princess Malee Society

Florida State C.A.R. President Valerie Bagenski cordially invites you to attend a State Board Meeting on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at 11:30 A.M. hosted by the Princess Malee Society in the Maria Jefferson DAR Chapter Meeting Room of the Lightner Museum located at the corner of King & Cordova Streets in historic St. Augustine. You may want to come earlier to find more convenient parking. Lunch will served at the conclusion of the board meeting. After lunch, we will have a special guest speaker. Sr. State President Billie Brock will be conducting a Sr. Board Meeting immediately following. After the meeting, we will wander about St. Augustine. Feel free to visit the old Spanish fort, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, where re-enactors set up camp and have tents and all their wares for sale. The re-enactors cook their meals over open campfires like they did back in the 1700s; you can usu- ally count on a pig roasting on a spit; big black kettles, etc. on the fires. All kinds of clothing, blankets, military gear...of the era is on display & for sale. There is tea at 4 p.m. at the Town Square. At 5:15 PM, we will dress up in our colonial costumes and gather at the A1A Ale Works on 1 King Street (directly across from the Park) for dinner. After dinner, we proceed over to the Park & gather in front of the Governor's House where the spectacular "British Night Watch" reenactment begins at 8 PM.

“Carry a candle and follow the torchlight parade from the Government House to the Plaza to hear the governor’s proclamation, watch soldiers fire their muskets in salute to the season and sing Christmas car- ols at the Plaza. The Grande Illumination Ceremony is an impressive pageant of color and light that re- flects the customs of the British when they occupied the city in the Eighteenth Century. At 4:00 p.m., all descendants of participants in the time when St. Augustine was a bastion of Tory sympathizers, as well as the offspring of the Sons of Liberty, citizens of the United States, and representatives of foreign dominions, not to mention officers and enlisted men of the British Regular Army and their ladies, are invited to par- take of refreshing beverages and satisfying victuals in the Park in the middle of town on St. George Street. There will be colonial music and dancing after the tea. The British Night Watch Parade is Yuletide cele- bration from the American War of Independence. The parade will form at 7:30 p.m. behind the corner of St. George and Cuna Streets for the march to Government House. The parade commences at 8 p.m.”

The city of St. Augustine goes all out with the decorating; millions of little white lights are in all the trees and outline all the old houses and shops. It is a beautiful sight and a wonderful way to start the Holi- day Season. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Days Inn St Augustine Historic Downtown, 1300 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd (US1), St. Augustine, FL, 32084. Room rates are $62.00 for 2 double beds/non- smoking. Please contact the hotel directly to reserve a room. Rooms have been reserved for both Friday and Saturday nights. The number is 904-824-3383. You must mention Children of the American Revolu- tion Group Rate to get the special rate. Microwaves and microfridges are available but must be re- quested at the time you make your reservation and are subject to availability. Due to the fact that this is a very popular weekend in St. Augustine, the cut off date is November 12, 2008. After that date, the block of rooms will be released. So make your reservations today!

14

BRITISH NIGHT WATCH WEEKEND IN ST. AUGUSTINE December 6-7, 2008 REGISTRATION FORM MUST BE POSTMARKED on or before November 17, 2008 With check made payable to PRINCESS MALEE SOCIETY C.A.R. Send to: Mrs. Jean Mann, Senior Society Treasurer, 2048 Oak Marsh Drive Fernandina Beach, FL 32034-2407 Home phone 904-261-0211 Email: [email protected]

PATICIPANT'S NAME LUNCHEON FEE-$5.00 EACH

______TOTAL______$______ADDRESS______PHONE #______EMAIL______EMERGENCY CONTACT______EMERGENCY PHONE #______

A block of rooms (2 Double Beds-non-smoking) have been reserved until Nov. 12, 2008 at Historic Days Inn St. Augustine, 1300 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd. (US 1), St. Augustine, FL 32084 for Friday and Saturday nights. The rate is $62.00 per night plus tax. You must make your reservations directly with the hotel. 904-824-3383. You must request the spe- cial "Children of the American Revolution Group Rate." Microwaves and refrigerators are available, but must be requested at the time your reservations are made and avail- ability is limited.

THIRD ANNUAL COLONIAL COSTUME EXCHANGE Please bring those outgrown, but still loved colonial costumes to the British Night Watch Event in St. Augustine on De- cember 6, 2008. These wonderful costumes like many from past exchanges will find another home where they will be loved and cared for by another boy or girl. Don't let the costumes hang in your closet and get lonely for a parade or other event. Give them a new life with a new family .

15

Florida State Seminar Lion Country Safari 2003 Lion Country Safari Rd, Loxahatchee January 17-19, 2009 Join the Florida Society, C.A.R. at the Florida State Seminar at Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, FL January 17-19, 2009. Lion Country Safari opened in 1967 in rural Western Palm Beach County. At the time it was the first drive through safari park in the country and introduced a new concept to animal lovers, "The Cageless Zoo." The opening generated enormous interest on the part of residents, visitors to South Florida, and the media. The park developed into a popular and successful attraction. It is a great example of the pre-Disney Florida attractions. Today, Lion Country Safari is home to over 900 animals in the drive-through preserve and in the Safari World exhibit area. Among the more notable species on display at the park are lions, white rhino, chimpanzees, zebra, and giraffe. Safari World, the walk-through area of the park, has been developed and improved since the park opened. The restaurant and gift shops were among the earlier additions. The giraffe feeding; Ferris wheel; water sprayground; petting zoo; merry-go-round; boat rides; aviaries; bird, reptile, alligator, and squirrel monkey exhibits added over the years, have greatly enhanced the visitors' experience at the park.

Hotel for the State Seminar is the Royal Inn

11851 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 (561) 793-3000 [email protected]

The Royal Inn is just down the road from Lion Country Safari. Mrs. Brock has reserved rooms in the New Main Building. All rooms have 2 double beds, a refrigerator and a mi- crowave. The rate is $76.00 a night and you must mention Children of the American Revolution Florida Society. There are several restaurants across the street that we can choose from for a Saturday night meal together. More details later.

If you wish to camp there is a KOA campground next door to Lion Country Safari. They have 4 sleep cabins which have no facilities only beds. They have RV and tent sites. The rates are RV-$47.00 per night for 2 people, $8.00 for each additional person; Tents-$33.00 per night for 2 people, $8.00 for each additional person; Sleep Cabins-$68.00 per night for 2 people, $8.00 for each addi- tional person with a maximum of 6 people per site. For reserva- tions call: 1-800-562-9115 or email: [email protected] 2000 Lion Country Safari Rd., Loxahatchee, FL 33470

16

Emergency Contact: Name______Contact: Emergency Address______billie.brock@comc Brock, Billie Contact Questions? Title N am e Title N am e Title N am e Title N am e Title N am e

" Jacksonville, FL, 32223-2529, 904-260-4368, loisswa 904-260-4368, 32223-2529, FL, Jacksonville, NAME AND HIGEST TITLE HIGEST AND NAME F.S.C.A.R., Senior Conference Chairman Lois Swan, 1 Swan, Lois Chairman Conference Senior F.S.C.A.R., Mail completed Registration and Meal Form with chec Form with Meal and Registration completed Mail Registration and Meal Form: List Form: and Meal Registration Lion Country Safari, Loxahatchee, January 17-19, 20 17-19, January Loxahatchee, Safari, Country Lion DISCOVER FLORIDA'S ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS" ATTRACTIONS" ROADSIDE FLORIDA'S DISCOVER

ast.net ast.net F.S.C.A.R. State Seminar 2008-2009 2008-2009 Seminar State F.S.C.A.R. ______Phone (_____) ______-______(_____) Phone ______Phone (_____)______-______Email______Phone ______Adults andAdults Children Registration Fee $15.00 [email protected] [email protected] Each Person Each

POST MARKEDPOST LATER NO THAN JANUARY 2009 3,

SEPARATELY. SEPARATELY.

2352 Brady Road, Road, Brady 2352 k payable to to payable k $25.00 Park $25.00 entrance and Evening meal andEvening 09

______

or $15.00 per sin- or$15.00 ______$30.00 per family $30.00 3 meals 3 gle

TOTAL

. .

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DALE COX TO CONDUCT BATTLE OF MARIANNA TOURS

On September 27, 2008 Blue Springs Society, C.A.R. will take part in the re- membrance of the 1864 Battle of Marianna on its 144th anniversary by hosting two guided tours of the battlefield. Noted historian Dale Cox will conduct the tours which are open to the public. The walking tours will last about 90 min- utes each and will begin at 11:00 a.m. CT and at 1:30 p.m. from the park area in front of the Russ House at the intersection of Lafayette and Russ Streets in Marianna. A donation of $5 is requested for participating with children under 12 free. Dale Cox is donating his time in order for 100% of the proceeds to benefit the Blue Springs Society.

Tours will cross some of the areas of heaviest fighting in the block between the Russ House and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. This is a great opportunity to learn more about this fascinating episode in Florida history from the author of the best selling, The Battle of Marianna, Florida, the definitive book on the subject. You can learn about the battle and reserve a spot on one of the tours at www.battleofmarianna.net. The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at (850) 482-8061 and the Jackson County Times at (850) 526-1501 are both taking reservations, also.

C.A.R. Membership Minute NOTICE! F.S.C.A.R. Be sure to get out there and try to recruit Call to State Board new members to join your local society so that the Children of the American Revolu-

tion can make sure to have a solid founda- The Fall F.S.C.A.R. tion to thrive by! Bringing in new members State Board Meeting will be is essential for growth but also can lead to Held December 6, 2008 experiencing and learning new things, and 11:30 a.m. best of all, making new friends. First off, Maria Jefferson Room don't be afraid to talk with your friends Of the Lightner Museum about what C.A.R. is and what you do as a St. Augustine, FL member; you'd be surprised how many people are interested in our organization. Senior Board Meeting In addition, try inviting some of your friends To be held to C.A.R. functions and show them that we afterward can have a much more exciting and fun time than they could have ever imagined. Good luck! —Valerie Bagenski, age 19 Ft. Brooke Society

18 2009 State Officer Nomination Form

The State Officer Nomination Form aids the members of the F.S.C.A.R. Nominating Committee in the selection of qualified candidates for State Office. Please provide ALL the information requested to give the committee members a full description of your qualifications for State Office. The completion of this form does not ensure your nomination by the Committee, nor does it obligate the committee in any way. Members completing this questionnaire will have an advantage over those who do not. However, members not nominated by the committee are not eliminated from running for State Office. If less than three mem- bers from their local society are nominated by the Nominating Committee, they may choose to run from the floor.

In order to hold the office of State President, the nominee shall have been a member of the Florida Society for at least two (2) years and shall have held at least one (1) office in the society as a state officer and shall be fifteen (15) years of age or over. The other nominees for state office shall have been members of the Florida Society for at least one (1) year prior to holding office. All state officers must be members in good standing of the National Society and Florida Society, C.A.R. Only three (3) nominees and/or state officers are allowed from any one society.

Completed questionnaire MUST be postmarked to BOTH Member and Sr. Chairmen by December 8, 2009. April Pearson, Chairman, 1671 SE 10th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441-7161 Phone # 954-426-2150; Email: [email protected] Mrs. Mimi Leroy-Marler, Sr. Chairman, 7720 Brettonwood Drive, Tampa,FL 33615-1346 Phone # 813-886-1354 Email: [email protected]

F.S.C.A.R. State Officer Nominee Information Full Name______Mailing address______Telephone Number (___)______Fax (___)______Date of Birth______Email Address:______Number of years as an F.S.C.A.R. member______National Number ______Current Local Society______Location of Society______The following list contains offices currently recognized by the State society. Please indicate the offices you have held by checking the appropriate column “L” for LOCAL SOCIETY and “S” for STATE SOCIETY. L S L S ______President ______Corresponding Secretary ______First Vice President ______Treasurer ______Second Vice President ______Registrar ______Chaplain ______Historian ______Recording Secretary ______Librarian ______Organizing Secretary ______Curator The following list contains those Committees currently recognized by the State Society. Please indicate those chairmanships you have held by checking the appropriate column, again, L for LOCAL SOCIETY and S for STATE SOCIETY. If you have held a chairmanship not listed, please list this chairmanship (s) under “Other.” L S L S ______American Heritage ______Membership ______American History ______Merit Award ______C.A.R. Magazine/Newsletter ______Public Relations ______Conservation ______American Indians ______Government Studies ______Mountain Schools ______Kids helping Kids ______C.A.R./DAR/SAR/S.R. Relations ______Magazine Advertising ______Public Relations On-Line ______Magazine Fund ______Other (Specify) ______Please list below National Conventions, Regional Meetings, State conferences, State Seminars, State Packet Workshops, and other C.A.R. activities you have attended. ______Please list other jobs you have held at State Conferences, Regional Meetings, and National Conventions such as: Page, Aide, Color Bearer, or Chorus member, etc.. ______The following is a list of officers to be elected by the members at the 2009 State Conference. You must be present to be nomi- nated & elected. Please mark with a #1 the office you are most interested in and capable of holding. Also mark with #2, #3, #4, your order of preference for any other offices for which you would like to be considered as a nominee. S S S S ___ President _____Chaplain _____ Corresponding Secretary ______Historian ___ First Vice President _____Recording Sec’y _____ Registrar ______Librarian ____ Second Vice President _____Organizing Secretary _____ Treasurer ______Curator 19

C.A.R. Wants You as a Life Member Caitlin T. Brock, F.S.C.A.R. Registrar

Are you a Life Member of N.S.C.A.R. and F.S.C.A.R.? I am and you can be also. It is easy to become a life member. All you have to do is multiply the number of year until your 22 nd birthday by $20.00 and that is the amount you pay to become a N.S.C.A.R. Life Member and to become a F.S.C.A.R. Life Member multiply the number of years until your 22 nd birthday by $4.00 and that is the amount you pay to become a state Life Member. Or check with Mr. Decker and he will help you. I would like to see Florida increase their Life Members.

We are going to have a lot of fun in December and January. Don’t forget to send in your registration for the British Night Watch on December 6 th and the State Seminar th th on January 17 -19 . Don’t miss either of them!

C.A.R./D.A.R. Relations Have you ever heard of the Junior American Citizens Committee (JAC)? It is a D.A.R. committee that was started to teach kids that the rights and responsibilities of citizenship can be learned at an early age. JAC has a contest every year that is open to all kids from preschool through high school. There is no cost and there are many ways to participate. There is an art contest, a creative expression contest, and a com- munity service project. The 2008-2009 National Theme is “America Land of Oppor- tunity”. Like any contest, there are forms to complete, rules to follow and deadlines to meet. You can find out more from your local DAR society. Nicole Warner, Chairman C.A.R./D.A.R. Relations, Age 10 Capt. John Carroll Houston Society

C.A.R. Magazine Fund

Give money to the Magazine Fund. I like looking at the C.A.R. Magazine when it comes in the mail. I really like looking at the pictures. Buy a Magazine Fund Pin and help the C.A.R. Magazine. You can also ask other people to give money to sup- port the Magazine Fund. Show them your C.A.R. Magazine and they will like it too and want to give money. Kevin Warner, Chairman, Magazine Fund, Age 7 Capt. John Carroll Houston Society

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Mountain Schools E. Connor Brock, State Chairman

The children at our Mountain Schools have gone back to school just like you and me. And they need the same things that you and I need new shoes, new clothes, new backpack, paper, pencils, pens, scissors, glue, crayons, etc. You can help see that they have all of these things. It is a thing called money. Yes, you can have a fund raiser and make a donation to one of our Mountain Schools. Tamassee and Crossnore have students that live on campus because they have been neglected or mistreated at home and have no place to live where they are safe. And Hindman and Kate Duncan Smith have students who attend who need your help because their families cannot buy them all the stuff they need. So think about raising some money to help these kids.

Don’t forget to get your parents, grandparents, friends’ parents, friends’ grandparents and your neighbors to save Campbell labels for the schools. The schools can get good things like a van or sports equipment with them. Here is a list of all the labels you can save. Campbell’s; Campbell’s Chunky Soup; Camp- bell’s Soup At Hand; Campbell’s Healthy Request; Campbell’s Supper Bakes; Campbell’s Select; Franco- American; Pepperidge Farm; Swanson; Market Day; V8 Beverages; V8 Soup; Prego Italian sauces; Campbell’s Foodservice.

Patriotic Education Greetings from Tequesta Society! My name is Klairissa Putt and I am the State Chairman for Patriotic Education. This year at each of our meetings I am presenting a "Flag Fact" to further our education about the American Flag. I have also added a pro- gram to our meetings called "Who was that guy?" where I read little known facts about one of our founding forefathers. We have to guess as to his or her identity. At our Sep- tember meeting I chose Benjamin Franklin. It was a real success. I'm really excited about my program be- cause my C.A.R. friends aren't the only ones learning these facts. I'm learning them too!

See you later! Klairissa

Supporting Our Troops

Let’s support our troops. You don’t have to know a soldier to help. There are lots of organizations listed in the State Program Packet that you can use. They will send cards or care packages to soldiers and troops for you. Or you can ask neighbors, classmates, members of D.A.R./ S.A.R./S.R. or church members if they know someone in the military. You could send cards and care packages to the soldiers they tell you about. There are many ways to help. Just do it.

Ryan Warner Chairman Supporting our Troops Capt. John Carroll Houston Society Age 8

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Make your own Florida Attractions Billboard!

Coloring Contest Rules: You must be between the ages of 0 to 10 years to enter. Directions: Many Florida tourists learned about places to visit from colorful road signs. Draw and color your own billboard for a real or imagined Florida Roadside Attraction (be CREATIVE!). There were no entries for the last contest so if you had sent something in, you would have won! Postmark your entry by October 20 th to: Chrissy Herreid, Orange Blossom Editor, 27800 Quail View Lane, Wesley Chapel, FL 33544-3400. Winners will be announced in the December Orange Blossom and will receive a special prize from the State President. Include: Name: ______Birth Date______Local Society______E-mail address______

22

Brent Melvin completed his April Pearson, high school studies in May Past State Presi- with a 4.0 GPA and 50 hours dent 07-08, ma- of dual enrollment work at triculated into Chipola College with a 4.0 Florida South- GPA. He is continuing his studies on a ern College in th scholarship at King’s College in New York Lakeland, FL, on August 15 City. Brent is past vice president of Blue having been invited to partici- Springs Society and a dual member of Wil- pate in their honors program liam Dunaway Society, SAR . and given a nice scholar- ship. April will be studying a classic pre-medical curriculum. Blue Springs Society past April begins her college career President Bryce Melvin with 43 dual-enrollment and graduated from FSU’s Col- AP credits. lege of Business with a 3.8 GPA in April. He is now Zachary Thames, Or- Customer Relations Manager at Aegis Computer Services in Tallahassee. Bryce is also a dual member of the William Dunaway Chapter, SAR in Marianna.

Caitlin Connor Brock took golf Brock lessons this summer to ganizing President of was improve his golf game and Santa Maria de Galvez chosen according to his instruc- Society in Milton Flor- by her tors is an up and coming ida has enrolled as a school to be on the golfer. Look out Tiger Woods. freshman at Missis- Safety Patrol. She is sippi State University. enjoying helping oth- Go Bulldogs! ers at school. Kelly Knight, Na- tional First Vice Bear Marler, Past State President President graduated 04-05 was on the Dean’s List at from prestigious Georgia Tech University for the Stanton Preparatory spring term. Bear completed Air School in Jackson- Force ROTC field training this ville in June and is now a freshman at summer at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Florida International University in Mi- ami. AL and serves as treasurer of Chi Psi Fra- ternity at Georgia Tech.

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Fifer George Weissenfels Society Installs new officers, Honors Veterans & the U.S. Flag

It was all smiles on June 7th at Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton at the annual installation picnic. Past President Tyler Smith congratu- lated President Keilly Pike after he placed the President’s pin on her. New officers were installed and Steve Pike served up some mouth watering hamburgers and hot- dogs complemented by wonderful pot- luck dishes. We even took time out to partake in a roadside amusement by riding the Sugar Sand Carou- sel! Members brought children’s books to the pic- nic to be donated to the Children’s Home Society in West Palm Beach. CHS has been active in Florida since 1902 when it was established to help find families for home- less, neglected chil- dren. On Sunday, May 25, 2008, President Keilly Pike and Vice President, Kaitlin Matyskiel, attended the Memo- rial Day ceremonies at Royal Palm Me- morial Gardens in West Palm Beach where they laid a wreath honoring fallen United States veterans. The event is the largest of its kind in south Florida and attended by hundreds. On June 14th, FGW Society was asked to provide the color guard for the Flag Retirement ceremony at Palm Beach Memorial Park sponsored by the Regents’ Council.

24 Captain John Carroll Houston Society

First of all, thanks to our State President, Valerie Bagenski, for such an exciting state project! The Captain John Carroll Houston Society is having a great time researching Florida’s history and discovering many of Florida’s roadside attractions and historic tourist destinations. The society plans to travel to as many of these fascinating places as possible and will report its discoveries in each issue of the Orange Blossom. They’re off to a great start.

In July, Capt. John Carroll Houston Society members visited the historic Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring, Florida. The entire city of Sebring, including the Kenilworth Lodge, was founded by George Sebring in 1916. This grand lodge in the “middle of nowhere” was created for vacationing travelers from the north. It is still in operation today and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June of 2000. The society spent a fabulous week-end at Kenilworth Lodge. The Lodge has a reputation for being “bike friendly” and is the hotel of choice for triathletes and bike enthusiasts who come to participate in the numerous events held in Sebring throughout the year. Jump several decades forward but only minutes from the Kenilworth Lodge and you’ll find quite an interesting “new” roadside attraction called The Lost Mines of Atlantis. Here, visitors can “dig” for treasures; rock treasures that is. Our members walked away with pockets full of ame- thyst, crystals, quartz, citrine, tiger’s eye and more.

Stepping back in time to an historic roadside attraction with a more legendary appeal, our society members visited Spook Hill. This isn't your typical pay-at-the-gate attraction; in fact, it's free! While some may not even call it an attraction, the folks of Lake Wales, Florida would disagree. Spook Hill is proudly recognized by the town - they have even named their elementary school after it. The "thrill" of the attraction is your vehicle seems to coast uphill. Is it an unusual phenomenon, figment of the imagi- nation or the unrest of spooky spirits? Visit Spook Hill and decide for yourself.

The Society visited another historic tourist destination: Florida’s first African-American resort community called American Beach on Amelia Island. In the early 1930s, A.L. Lewis, Florida's first black millionaire and president of Flor- ida's first insurance company, the Afro-American Insurance Company of Jack- sonville, bought 200 acres of beachfront Florida property for his employees to enjoy. From the 1930s through 1950s, American Beach was the place to be for fun and entertainment for African-American families. In 1964, Hurricane Dora destroyed many homes and businesses. Today, only 120 acres of the original 200 remains untouched by developers. In January 2002, American Beach was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

25

Blue Springs Society

Blue Springs Society President and State American Indian Chairman Markie Par- rish, Senior State American Indian Chairman Dorcas Jackson, and Senior State His- torian Mary Robbins represented Florida at the 58 th annual Southeastern Regional meeting of the National Society Children of the American Revolution at the Sawgrass Marriott Re- sort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida in July. They were joined by delegates from Florida, Geor- gia, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina to learn about the 2008-2009 National Theme of In- suring American Patriotism and the National Pro- ject to raise funds to supply to all state school sys- tems an educational DVD titled Liberty or Death produced by historic St. John’s Church. Patrick Henry made his famous speech in this Richmond, VA church on March 23, 1775. Pictured (l to r): Chipola Chapter, NSDAR Regent Dorcas Jackson, Blue Springs Society President Markie Parrish, National Vice President for the Southeastern Region Sagen Blackwell, and Florida Sr. State Histo- rian, Mrs. Mary Robbins.

Blue Springs Society hosted the East Panhandle packet meeting on August 30, 2008. You can read more about this meeting in the article in this edition of the Orange Blossom Pictured below (left, from l to r ) are Carly Miller, Valerie Bagen- ski, Markie Parrish, Josh Croxton, Adrian Schell and Marshall Parrish. Pictured be- low (middle) are Mrs. Mary Robbins, Sr. State Historian; Adrian Schell, State Histo- rian; Valerie Bagenski, State President and Mrs. Billie Brock, Sr. State President. Carly Miller was chosen “Tacky Tourist” for the East Pan- handle Regional. A good time was had by all.

26 Swamp Fox Society

For most people, things slow down in the summer - but not for the Swamp Fox gang! Our summer started off on May 18th when Mrs. Liz Esmann, FSSDAR Lineage Research Chairman gave us a great pro- gram about lineage charts and family research. She encouraged everyone to talk to their all their relatives about their own family history. On May 26th, Swamp Fox members marched in the annual Pompano Beach Memorial Day parade. We proudly displayed flags and CAR, DAR and SAR banners. Everyone was colorfully dressed and, after the parade, we all enjoyed the ceremony held at the Pompano Beach Cemetary. On June 15th we held our regular meeting at Skippers Ice Cream Store to discuss our plans for attending the S.E. Regional conference and hosting the South Florida Packet Meet- ing. Swamp Fox was well represented at the S.E. Regional Conference in Ponte Vedra. Five senior members attended, along with Kacie Peterson, Joseph, Kendall and Sheridan Miller and Laura Harrison. Joseph Miller served as National CAR President Kevin Baker's personal aide! Members enjoyed a guided tour of St. Augustine and had a great time at the banquet and dance. We all look forward to return- ing to St. Augustine in December for the annual "British Night Watch". On August 9th, Swamp Fox hosted all the CAR societies in Palm Beach, Dade and Broward counties for the South Florida Packet Party. State President Valerie Bagenski and Senior State President Mrs. Billie Brock introduced our new State project, "Discovering Florida's Roadside Attractions." Kendall Miller was named packet meeting “Tacky Tourist” for being the most enthusiastic participant! The event was topped off with a wonderful luncheon. All 23 members and 20 senior members from 7 participating societies had a great time! On August 16th, Fred Segal, President of Broward County Farm Bureau asked the Swamp Fox So- ciety to participate in the "Taste of South Florida" event help at the Pompano Citi Centre. It was a great opportunity to promote CAR, DAR and SAR - and to re- cruit prospective new members. We even sold a few T-shirts. The following week, on August 24th, we participated in an event at Pompano Citi Centre that was held to honor families with sons and daughters serving in the U.S. armed forces. Families received Blue Star Banners, a long tradition that allows the families to display a banner with stars representing a member on active duty. Gold Star Banners show that a loved one has died while serving. The ban- ners remind everyone of the personal sacrifice made in the name of free- dom. We were honored to be included. Swamp Fox continued our contact with the "Florida Cottage" kids at the Tamassee DAR School in South Carolina by sending birthday gifts to two new resident girls, Valerie and Ashley. Everyone here at Swamp Fox has headed back to school and we look forward to a busy fall and holi- day season!! By for now. —Kathleen McDonald, SF Society

27 Ft. Brooke Society

Ft. Brooke Society members have had a busy and fun summer. State President and Ft. Brooke Society member Valerie Bagenski attended the an- nual Flag Day Luncheon of the DeSoto Chapter, DAR on June 13, 2008. De- Soto Chapter is our sponsoring group. Valerie brought greetings from the Ft. Brooke Society and from the State Society to luncheon participants. Also at- tending was Sr. State First Vice President Mrs. Mimi Leroy-Marler.

On July 4, Ft. Brooke members, seniors and guests participated in the Lutz Fourth of July Parade in Lutz, FL. We were accompanied by Mr. Kevin Yarnell, Mr. Bob Yarnell and Mr. Allen Bell of the Hillsborough River Chapter, Sons of Liberty Color guard, which is sponsored by the Tampa Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. We drove our decorated cars in the parade and threw candy to the crowd. Pa- triotic Sponge Bob on top of the Herreid’s red pick-up truck was once again a delight to many of the younger parade-goers. Ft. Brooke officers for the year were installed by State President Valerie Bagenski. Members participating were Valerie Bagen- ski and Chrissy Herreid. Seniors participating were Mrs. Mimi Leroy-Marler, Mrs. Pam Bagenski, Dr. Charlene Herreid and Mr. Ernest Herreid.

Ft. Brooke members also attended several of the Regional conferences. President Valerie Bagenski attended the New England, Mid-Southern and Southeastern Regional meetings. At the Southeastern Regional in Jacksonville, Florida, Valerie presented her State President’s report. Chrissy Herreid at- tended Mid-Southern and Southeastern Regional and Bonnie Sopher and Jenni- fer Bagenski attended Southeastern Regional. Seniors Mrs. Mimi Leroy-Marler, Mrs. Pam Bagenski, Mrs. Cathey Sopher and Mrs. Davine Roberts, Bonnie So- pher’s grandmother, attended Southeastern Regional. Members enjoyed the tour of St. Augustine, the pool party and the meet- ings and skits. Everyone enjoyed the fabulous banquet and dance and everyone can’t wait to attend the regionals next year. Ft. Brooke Society also co-sponsored the Central Florida Packet Meeting on Au- gust 24, 2008. The meeting was led by our own Valerie Bagenski, F.S.C.A.R. State President. You can read more about the meeting in this issue of the Or- ange Blossom. Members attending were Valerie Bagenski and Chrissy Herreid. Seniors attending were Mrs. Mimi Leroy-Marler, Mrs. Pam Bagenski and Dr. Charlene Herreid.

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Billy Bowlegs Society

On Saturday, September 13, 2008 members of the Billy Bowlegs Society of Ft. Myers went to the Constitution Week Luncheon at the Ft. Myers Yacht Club.

Members Brittany Radliff, Maggie Righi and Maxwell Molloy sold 17 State President Projects Pins! They also displayed their homemade banner showing an enlarged version of the State Project logo and had an exhibit of recent Billy Bowlegs Society activities. Maxwell brought greetings from the Children of the American Revolution.

Seniors attending the meeting to support the members were Honorary National President Donald Molloy, Cora Molloy, Maxwell’s mother, and Linda Righi, Maggie’s mother. A great time was had by all!

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Florida Members Attend THE FLORIDA SOCIETY OF THE Other Regionals CHILDREN OF THE AMERICAN F.S.C.A.R. members traveled around the country REVOLUTION to attend regional tour meetings held in other loca- tions. Kelly Knight went to all 27800 Quail View Lane regionals and pre-board except Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 Western and squeezed in a trip Editor: Chrissy Herreid to Niagara Falls. April Pearson Senior Editor: Dr. Charlene Herreid attended Great Editor’s Phone: 813-973-0729 Lakes, Eastern Editor’s Email: [email protected] and Mid-Southern Regionals and Valerie Bagenski attended Northeast Regional in New Hampshire and Mid-Southern Errata and Addenda: Regional in Williamsburg, Va.. Abaca Dowling and Chrissy Herreid also attended Please add Estahakee MOVING? Mid-Southern Regional. Congratulations to our Chapter, DAR to the Please notify the Senior F.S.C.A.R. members who traveled the country to list of sponsors for Corresponding Secretary offer their support Swamp Fox Society Mrs. Vanra Decker to the regional tour. in the State Direc- 1540 Eagle Nest Circle tory; Sugar Mill So- Winter Springs, FL 32708-5925 ciety C.A.R. is now [email protected] sponsored by Gemini Springs Chapter, DAR.

Chaplain’s Corner

Please send cards and notes of encouragement to:

Mrs. Connie Brown 1245 Carlene Avenue Ft. Meyers, FL 33901-8715 and Mrs. Jean Winters 671 Lakeside Circle, VT #715 Pompano Beach, FL 33060-3716

Both are special friends to C.A.R. and have held many Senior offices and fostered societies for decades.

Miss Keilly Elizabeth Pike, State Chaplain

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The Annual Flag Day Luncheon of the DeSoto Chapter, DAR of Tampa Florida was held June 13, 2008. DeSoto Chapter DAR is the sponsoring chapter of Ft. Brooke Society, C.A.R. Mrs. Shelly Jakes, Regent of DeSoto Chapter hosted the luncheon. Valerie Bagenski, State President, F.S.C.A.R. brought greetings to the group and described the 2008-09 F.S.C.A.R. state project “Discovering Florida’s Roadside Attractions.” The guest of honor was NSDAR Recorder General, Past State Regent of the Florida State Society DAR and our friend Mrs. Rebecca Lockhart. Mrs. Lockhart gave a report on the American flag and described her job as Reporter General. A delicious crepe luncheon was served. Also attending from Florida State C.A.R. were Ms. Mimi Leroy- Marler, State First Vice President, F.S.C.A.R. and member of DeSoto Chapter, DAR.

Up-Coming C.A.R. Events & Deadlines

Tentative Schedule—Please Confirm Dates and Times Nov 15, 2008 Museum of Florida History Road Trip, Tallahassee, FL Dec 1, 2008 F.S.C.A.R. Orange Blossom Deadline for December Issue Dec. 6, 2008 British Nightwatch, St. Augustine, FL Host: Princess Malee Society Dec 8, 2008 FSCAR State Office Nominating forms due to Nominating Chairman and Senior Chairman January 1, 2009 Dues & Magazine subscriptions postmarked to N.S.C.A.R. Headquarters; state dues due Jan. 17-19, 2009 State President’s Project Seminar & Fieldtrip, Lion Country Safari, Palm Bch Cty FL Feb. 1, 2009 F.S.C.A.R. Orange Blossom Deadline for March Issue Feb. 1, 2009 Dues to National postmarked on or before this date to vote at National Convention Feb. 28, 2009 STATE CONTEST ENTRY POSTMARK DEADLINE Feb. 28, 2009 Commemoration of the Last Naval Battle of the American Revolution—Cape Canaveral March 6, 2009 NATIONAL CONTEST ENTRY POSTMARK DEADLINE March 13-15, Florida State Society, DAR State Conference, Orlando, FL 2009 March 20-22, Florida Society, C.A.R. State Conference, Tampa, FL 2009 April 17-19, N.S.C.A.R. National Convention, Washington, DC 2009 June 30-Jul 1 Southeastern Regional, Atlanta area, Georgia 2009

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