|
|
|
|
Founding Members in 1956
(Eunice Williams 2nd from left)
|
Just in case you
didn’t know, I thought you might like to read a little of the
history of Dixie African Violet Society. The following is part of
Dixie’s archived history.
Dixie was organized
in 1956, primarily for growers who lived in the Southeastern
states. For several years, a Southeastern regional organization
for African violet growers had been talked about, but the
opportune time to get started did not appear until October 1956.
At that time, the Saintpaulia Study Club of Atlanta sponsored an
African violet show at the Southeastern Fair and, as it was such a
big undertaking, all of the AVSA affiliated clubs in the
Southeastern states were asked to participate. Five of them had
representatives at the luncheon following the judging and great
interest was shown both for the show and for starting an
organization for the Southeastern area.
The main aims of
this organization were to acquaint growers with other growers,
hybridizers and sources of supplies in the Southeast, to help with
ideas for programs and projects, to promote the organization of
more clubs, and to have an annual show and convention. Members
could participate in all activities connected with an annual show
and convention.
It was
decided that officers would be elected at the first annual
meeting, with each state being entitled to an officer. The
organizing officers from Atlanta agreed to be the coordinators for
the organization, but they did not
want to dominate it. Temporary officers who would conduct the
organizing details until the first annual meeting were from
Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee
and North Carolina.
Membership was to
be open to individuals who had at least fifteen African violet
plants, and dues were set at $2.00 per year. Commercial growers
would be in a separate class.
It was decided to
have a bulletin or newsletter to be published quarterly or more
often and each participating state was to be represented by
articles written for each issue. The first issue of The Dixie
News was March 1957.
The first annual
convention of Dixie African Violet Society was held in Atlanta,
GA, October 2-4, 1957.
Officers elected at
that convention were: President, Mrs. Fred L. Williams, Jr.,
Atlanta, GA, First Vice President, Mrs. Frank (Chris) Huebscher,
Panama City, FL, Second Vice President, Mrs. G. B. Oden,
Hattiesburg, MS, and Third Vice President, Mrs. Frank Anderson,
Greenville, SC. The name "Oden" is significant as it was
Tommie Louise Oden of Hattiesburg who introduced the first
variegated violet, the result of a single baby mutant from White
Pride.
Since its beginning
in 1956 in Atlanta, the organization has grown and there are now
thirteen states included in Dixie but individual membership is
open to all persons worldwide. Source:
May 2025 Dixie News, by Mary Lou Harden |
