Amelia Gayle Gorgas Chapter 2117: 83rd Anniversary Celebration
By: Julia Burke Spree
The tall white columns of “The Oaks” and the smell of blooming Magnolia trees were the perfect setting for the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Chapter #2117 United Daughters of the Confederacy to celebrate their eighty-third anniversary with a luncheon and meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2024, at the home of our 1960-1961 Chapter President, Mrs. Rachel Cabiness Nicol. The members were greeted as they arrived by the current owners of “The Oaks”, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicol, and UDC members, Carol Abston, Leigh Bearden, Donna Griffin, Carole Henry, Eileen Katz, and Jeanne Thornton, who were dressed in colorful Antebellum dresses, hats and jewelry.
Chapter President, Mrs. Carole Fincher Henry, looked every inch a “true Daughter of the Confederacy” dressed in a gorgeous red satin antebellum gown and cape trimmed with black lace and a black hat trimmed with red rose. President Henry introduced the current owners of “The Oaks”, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nicol, who told the chapter the history of the house which was built over a three-year period from 1903 through 1907, as an excellent representation of antebellum architecture. “The Oaks: has remained in the same family for over one hundred and twenty years, and Mr. Nicol told of remembering his Mother, Mrs. Rachel Cabiness Nicol, getting ready for her UDC meetings when he was a child.
A delicious and colorful salad plate filled with chicken, broccoli, cornbread, pineapple and pear salads garnished with deviled egg, olives and pickles was thoroughly enjoyed by nineteen members. The delightful lunch was completed with a red and white decorated double tiered yellow and chocolate layered cake and a rich and creamy egg custard pie. The tables were decorated in red and white with beautiful fresh flower arrangements made by Mrs. Linda Barton.
President Henry resided over the meeting opening with the invocation and prayer and led by Chaplain, Mrs. Iris Hinton. Special music, “Dixie” was played by Mrs. Patricia Caddis on her flute, with members singing along, and Mrs. Eileen Katz read a very moving poem. President Henry honored Mrs. Linda Barton with a Certificate of Appreciation for forty years of Faithful Service to the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Mrs. Dover Currie for forty-five years of service. Our chapter is so proud of these two members and so appreciative of their service.
Mrs. Leigh Bearden dressed in a beautiful pink and cream floral antebellum dress trimmed in green wearing a matching green bonnet, presented a most interesting and informative program entitled “Women of Confederacy” to celebrate March as Women’s History Month. Mrs. Bearden highlighted women’s fashion and clothing design during the Civil War Period.
The members of the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Chapter #2117 celebrated their eighty-third anniversary with wonderful fellowship while celebrating the common bond of our Southern Heritage. The meeting was closed with Mrs. Nancy Allen playing “Bless Be the Tie That Binds” on the piano while the members gathered in a circle, held hands, and sang along. May we continue to remember and celebrate our sacred heritage for generations to come, never forgetting to do homage to our beloved Confederate soldiers and our Southern Cause.
(Submitted by Linda G. Barton)
