STATE COUNCIL TENNESSEE, STATE SOCIAL 2019
The State Council of Tennessee holds our State Sessions Bi-annually. On the off year we hold our State Social, a one-day event, where we can get together for fellowship and invite family and friends that we feel would make good Jr. Order Members. This year our State Social was held on July 13, at Cove Lake State Park. Cove Lake is about 30 minutes North of Knoxville, right off of I-75. A beautiful park, on a small lake, with boat rentals and fishing, a very nice campground, a swimming pool, hiking and biking trails and picnic shelters. We got a picnic shelter for the day and started gathering about 11:30 a.m. We had a very nice turnout with 21 members and guests. Jr. Past National Councilor, Charles Riehs, came to fellowship with us, from North Carolina, along with his family. His daughter, Misty with her husband, Edwin and their 2 children, Edwin Jr., and Madison. It was great to have them with us and we hope they will all visit with us again. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings. Ms. Connie brought her chili again this year, you can’t have a really good hot dog without chili (in my opinion 😊). . . . and Ms. Connie Potter’s chili is very good, even all by itself. Members also brought drinks and desserts. There was cookies and cake, but my favorite was the banana pudding ! After we ate, all we could. . . . we had a Washer’s Tournament. A game similar to corn hole, but more like a cross between corn hole and horseshoes. It is played with a smaller board, with 2 holes in the board and a stick in the middle to make ringers on, and you throw big 3” washers. We’ve had this yard game for many years. We’ve brought it to every Social, and everyone seems to enjoy it. We had several teams playing, but Brother Charles and his son-in-law, Edwin, were the winners of the day. They were hard to beat ! It was a good day, good food, and good fellowship ! We appreciate everyone that came 😊 Vickie Smith, State Secretary
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Kyle brought his Dulcimer to the State Social, and little Edwin, Jr., really seemed to enjoy the music !
Here are Adam & Crystal playing a round of washers with Misty & Edwin. pictured here from L to R, Misty, Adam, Edwin and Crystal.
The 122nd State Session of Tennessee was held July 13, 14, 15 & 16, 2018; at Highland Manor Inn, Townsend, Tennessee.
Registration opened at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening, July 13th. After Registration, at the Opening Ceremony. Past State Councilor, Crystal Coatney, welcomed everyone to Townsend, on behalf of State Councilor, Logan Martin, who was not going to be able to attend, as his Mother was in hospital. Secretary, Vickie Smith, reported that we had some others in, or just out of the hospital this year: Brother Bill Potter was just home from the hospital after being in for 2 weeks with pneumonia, Ms. Bea Waters had just got out of the hospital after a fall and a broken bone in her hip. So we will be down in numbers this year with several members and their families unable to attend this year. Our Special Guest this year was National Vice Councilor, Rich Beppler, and his wife Mary Ann, from the state of Pennsylvania. After the Opening, State Chaplain, Stephen Workman, conducted our Memorial Service. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a lovely catered meal, with ham, turkey and chicken salad sandwich makings, Vegetable Tray and dip, pasta salad, potato salad, fruit salad and Chocolate Brownies. Then everyone enjoyed an evening of Bingo. Saturday, July 14, we had committee and officers meetings starting at 9:00 a.m. First business session at 11:00 a.m., followed by the second business meeting after a short recess. Sunday, July 15, was the Tennessee State Golf Tournament. We were thankful for nice weather and everyone had a good time of fellowship. Then at 5:30 pm, the MC welcomed everyone to the Tennessee State Banquet. Again, we were served a lovely meal, catered by the Casual Gourmet. Everyone enjoyed a buffet of Tossed Salad with Vinaigrette and Ranch Dressings on the side, Baked ham with a mustard sauce and Chicken in a White Wine sauce. Southern style green beans, sweet corn, mashed red potatoes, Pasta Alfredo, Rolls and Strawberry Cake. After the meal, the MC introduced our special guest, National Vice Councilor - Rich Beppler who had a few words, on how to build membership, for those gathered at the banquet. Frank Potter handed out the awards to the winners of the golf tournament, and Kyle Coatney played a selection of tunes on the Native American Flute. Then everyone participated in the Chinese Auction, which is always a good time. Ms. Mary Ann Beppler, did very well and we had to find her a box to carry all her winnings in. Then names for door prizes were drawn, to finish out a very pleasant evening. Monday morning, July 16, the Past State Councilor's gathered for their annual meeting and breakfast. Our final and third session began at 8:30 a.m., with the election and installation of officers. Even though our numbers were small this year, we had a very good session, and a lot of good fellowship ! The State of Tennessee now meets Biannually for our State Session; but we still need to get together, as a state, every year. So this year was our first State Social and Membership Drive.
We gathered at Fall Creek Falls State Park, on July 8, 2017. We had reserved a picnic shelter, with a grill, for our cook-out. We were a little concerned about the weather when we were first getting set-up, but it turned out to be a beautiful day, all day long. Our cooks fired up the grill for the hamburgers and hot dogs, and our members out did themselves with dishes; pasta salad, potatoe salad, cole slaw, baked beans, and Ms. Connie's chili. . . .which was great. Then there were deserts; cookies, a chocolate cake, brownies, more cakes, a banana pudding (my favorite), and then a peanutbutter banana pudding, which was delicious. After everyone had eaten, Kyle Coatney played his Native American Flute. We had 22 in attendance, with several of those being invited guests. For our guests we had a membership packet with a Hello Neighbor, a membership application and a Jr. Order Pen. We were very pleased to have with us National Councilor, Charles Riehs, from North Carolina. He and Ms. Roberta went hiking to see the Falls, and then later Brother Charles joined us in the Washer Tournament. Brother Charles Riehs and Vickie Smith came in 2nd place in the tournament, beat out of the top spot by Kyle Coatney and Jack Crawford. It was a hard fought tournament, with 4 teams and double elimination, and everyone had fun ! Several went hiking to the falls, and the swinging bridge; several went to the swimming pool, and we had a couple that took a kiyak out on the lake. Others visited and fellowshipped in the shade of the picnic shelter or under the trees watching the Washer Tournament. The last of us didn't leave until dusk. It was a great day ! Fall Creek Falls State Park, TN Brother Bill Potter, PNC The Cooks ! Sue Waters, Stephen Workman and Frank Potter National Councilor, Charles Riehs Here's Frank in the chocolate cake ! Here's Kyle playing the Native American Flute. Look at the Deer in the background ! I think she liked the flute music. She wasn't the least bit afraid of us, and she was beautiful. We saw her several times that day, right around our picnic shelter. Ms. Connie Potter and Bea Waters, just enjoying the day ! I like this picture ! Here's Ms. Bea and Stephen. The Washer Tournament ! L-R Stephen Workman, Sue Waters, Charles Riehs, Bill Potter and Frank Potter. Now it's Brother Charles's throw. . . . Crystal and Kyle at the Falls.
The National Session of the Junior Order United American Mechanics was held in Berkeley Springs, WV, at the Cacapon State Park on June 18 - 21, 2017. Several members from Tennessee were in attendance. Our State Secretary, who also serves as the National Secretary, Vickie Smith, was there. Also, Crystal Coatney, Past State Councilor of TN, attended with her family; along with Past National Councilor, William G. Potter, and his wife, Roberta, who is a Past Nat. Rep. Also, Frank Potter, who serves on the National Judiciary Committee; and Past National Councilor, James F. Workman, was also in attendance. It was a good session, and the Tennessee delegation enjoyed our time with our Brothers and Sisters in West Virginia. Please see the story on the National Session, posted by Greg Frye, under National News. Here are Crystal Coatney and her son, Kyle, dancing at the National Session Banquet. The D.J. was playing 50's and 60's music. (photo by John Mason, WV) Crystal and Vickie were each gifted with a beautiful Jr. Order Quilt. Given to them by Brother Dennis Everett and made for them by his daughter, Lisa. Beautiful gifts, and truly appreciated ! (photo by John Mason, WV) At this National Session, National Councilor Dennis Everett, presented to National Secretary Vickie Smith, a Past National Councilor Jewel for her 12 years of service as National Secretary. Vickie is the first female, Past National Councilor, in the Jr. Order. Vickie is grateful and humbled by this honor. (photo by John Mason, WV) National Councilor, Dennis Everett, presented several "Distinguished Service Awards". Two were presented to Brothers in Tennessee. PNC Brother William G. "Bill" Potter received one of these awards, and show here Brother J. F. Workman, also received one of these awards. (photo by John Mason, WV) Here is PSC, Crystal Coatney with husband Adam, who is also a Past State Councilor of Tennessee, at the National Session banquet, with their daughter Shae, who was the youngest one in attendance.
2017 will be the first State Council Social & Membership Drive for the State Council of Tennessee. The State Socials will be held on the 2nd Saturday of July, the same weekend our State Sessions are held on the opposite years.
So, Please save this date.....Saturday, July 8, 2017 ! We will be meeting at Fall Creek Falls State Park. The Board felt this would be a good place as it is mid-way between our East Tennessee councils and our Middle Tennessee councils. More information will follow, as plans are finalized. Brother Charles W. Riehs, National Vice Councilor from the state of North Carolina and our special guest at this State Session, is shown here being escorted to the head table, by Past National Councilor, William G. Potter.
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ContactState Secretary–Vickie Smith, Knoxville TN 37919 Archives
August 2019
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