BONNY OAKS REUNIONS
and
MINI-REUNIONS/GET-TOGETHERS
MINI REUNIONS
DAISY HAWK's 2017 VISIT
TO CHATTANOOGA
TN
L-R Jim Evett, Tammy Strickland, Susie Holloway, Johnny Holloway, James Strickland
L-R Mark Cabeen, Betty Cabeen, Jerry Holloway, Betty Holloway,
L-R Douglas Hawk, Joan Hawk, Mary Ellis, ?, James Ellis
L-R Daisy Hawk, Mary Ellis, Betty Cabeen
L-R Douglas Hawk, Jerry Strickland, James Ellis, Johnny Holloway, Jim Evett, James Strickland
L-R Mark Cabeen, Douglas Hawk, Betty Holloway, Jerry Holloway, Jim Evett, James Ellis, Johnny Holloway, James Strickland
Front Row L-R Patty Grider Young, Mary Ellis, Daisy Hawk, Betty Cabeen, Susie Holloway, Tammy Strickland
L-R Mark Cabeen, Joan Hawk, Betty Holloway, Jerry Holloway, Douglas Hawk, James Ellis, Jim Evett, Johnny Holloway, James Strickland
Front Row L-R Betty Cabeen, Mary Ellis
January 10, 2014
PETE HALE
(Bonny Oaks 1960-1967)
and
DAISY HAWK
(Bonny Oaks 1962-1968)
Pete and Daisy met at
Starbucks
Kirkland Washington
Wish we could have all been there!
REUNION 2011
(Please see "STATUE FUND" page for Statue Donation Updates)
BRONZE STATUE OF CHILDREN PLAYING IN A TREE
Front & Back Views
The statue was
superimposed onto the Circle in front of the Superintendent's house to give us
an idea of how it could look, it is not there yet.
Now that the 2011 Reunion is over, we want to raise funds to purchase this
bronze statue of children that will last
for hundreds of years and erect it on the Bonny Oaks Circle.
It would be our legacy to the children who lived on the Bonny
Oaks grounds almost 100 years.
Please join us
today and see children playing on the Bonny Oaks grounds again!
The letter below was sent out to Alumni who gave us their
address at the reunion.
From: The Bonny Oaks 2011 Reunion Committee
Date: August 3, 2011
To: All that Registered in Reunion Book & Website
Subject: Reunion Package and Bronze Statue of Children Playing in a Tree
The Reunion Committee would like to thank everyone that
attended the reunion and trust that all got home safe and sound! It was a
wonderful reunion and seeing all the Alumni and their families made it even more
so. Although slated to be the "last" reunion in the media, let’s not close that
connection door just yet! Our website,
www.bonnyoaks.com,
remains our focal point plus we expect to have a lot of mini-reunions when out
of town Alumni visit Chattanooga, home of the beautiful Bonny Oaks School! The
Reunion Committee worked really hard to get the news out and to make reunion day
eventful for everyone. Each committee member, listed below, brought their own
talent, craftsmanship, skills and heart to make it a special day and this
Reunion Package acknowledges and thanks them sincerely! We hope you had a great
time, will pass the word about the website and most of all to keep in touch!
As beautiful as the Bonny Oaks Circle has remained it is
obvious something is missing there….and that’s the activity and sounds of
children. We could feel it on reunion day and know you did too! We all want to
see children play again on the Bonny Oaks grounds and ask you to participate in
the fundraiser the website has initiated to purchase a "bronze statue of
children playing in a tree", pictures enclosed. This 8 foot, 650 lb. bronze
statue will last for hundreds of years and will be erected on the Bonny Oaks
Circle (now called the Bonny Oaks Arboretum and Adamson Circle). Permission for
erecting the bronze statue has already been received from Hamilton County,
Tennessee. If you lived at Bonny Oaks, you know why the bronze statue of
children playing in a tree was selected….who can count the number of days and
times we transformed our reality into a playland when climbing the Bonny Oaks
trees? Everyone holds their personal memories, good and bad, of living in a
children’s home….but our motto, "Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow", seemed to
give us the strength of character that one day we would stand on our own and be
mighty like the Bonny Oaks trees.
We are earnestly seeking donations to purchase the bronze
children’s statue and plaque as soon as possible and ask you to please send your
donation today. Please do not wait, send it to Alumni, Dr. Harry R. Jackson,
treasurer for our website.
Harry’s contact information is in the list of committee members below. Many are
under the impression that our website and the Bonny Oaks Foundation are
connected somehow. They are not. Any function by or for the Alumni does not
receive any funds, support or participation from the Bonny Oaks Foundation. The
Foundation was established for educational scholarship purposes only and does
not vary from their state-required bylaws. Harry agreed to become the website
treasurer almost eight years before Mr. Adamson and the Board appointed him to
take Mr. Adamson’s position over the Foundation’s scholarships. The website has
non profit status but does not pay the enormous state fees required to be
classified as a 501c3 organization like the big guys, therefore, it is unable to
send tax deductible receipts allowed under a 501c3 classification. The website
stands alone for the Alumni, there is no charge to join and it only accepts
donations toward projects of its Bonny Oaks Alumni.
It would be befitting if we, the "Bonny Oaks kids", could
totally raise the funds for the bronze statue and not rely upon others to do it
for us. We are no longer "little Acorns" we are now "Mighty Oaks"! Let us honor
our motto and erect a statue that will stand for hundreds of years on the
grounds that, by God’s grace, took us in as children. From the Alumni still
living to the voices that can no longer speak, let’s say it for all there from
1896-1985, almost 100 years, and get the bronze statue and plaque erected!
"Bonny Oaks" is gone but its children will not let it be
forgotten!
PLEASE JOIN US AND SEND IN YOUR DONATION
SO WE CAN ALL SEE CHILDREN PLAYING ON THE BONNY
OAKS GROUNDS AGAIN!
The Bonny Oaks School 2011 Reunion
was Great! A good time was had by all.
Here's your Reunion Committee Members:
Assignment |
Your 2011 Reunion Committee Members |
Contact |
Christine Haven - Organize and Coordinate Reunion and Webmaster |
Christine Haven
|
texasbonny@yahoo.com |
Dr. Harry R. Jackson - Master of Morning Ceremonies and Treasurer
A great Master of Ceremonies from directing the raising of the flag over
Bonny Oaks to Chapel opening ceremonies. Harry is collecting donations
for the bronze statue of children playing in a tree. |
Send Bronze Statue
Donations to
Dr. Harry R. Jackson
1778 Chadwick Court
Hixson, TN
37343
Or Paypal to
Bonnyoaksschool.com
account |
bonnyoaksschool@yahoo.com |
George & Connie Hatch - Bonny Oaks T-Shirts and Hats
Overseeing the delivery of shirts/caps to Chattanooga and donating his
costs of printing the tshirts and caps to the reunion and bronze
statue! Amazing George!
Clarence Sumner drove
18 wheeler that picked up shirts/caps in Arkansas from George |
George Hatch
Clarence “CL” Sumner
|
george_hatch@sbcglobal.net |
Pam Presley - Food Catering & All Supplies / Bottled Water & Coca Cola’s
/ Banners /
Superior, tireless work from Pam from getting coffee and drinks at the
Dent House to Food and ticket sales and cleanup at the afternoon
festivities at the Pavilion! |
Pam Presley
|
JPres13@aol.com |
Pauline Presley - Name Badges and Registration of Alumni and taking lots
of phone calls from the Committee.
Registration Book handmade by Mary Ann Neighbors Poe |
Pauline & Jesse
Presley
|
JPres13@aol.com |
Mary Chambers Ellis & Jenni Lively - The “big hit!” Bonny Oaks Cakes
Talent and skills of Mary and Jenni, with help from Jenni’s husband Bill
to bake and decorate the morning cake/cupcakes and the afternoon hit
which as The cakes with pictures of the Bonny Oaks Buildings on them.
No one wanted to cut them and they were auctioned off to raise monies
for the bronze statue, raising over $400 on the cakes alone! Wow! |
Mary Chambers Ellis
Jenni Ellis Lively
and Bill Lively
|
Livelyhouse@yahoo.com |
James Ellis - For countless support in time, money and advice, for
searching and finding the best deal on the watermelons and all the gas
he used running around Chattanooga and Georgia! |
James Ellis
|
je21349@yahoo.com |
Bobby Smith and Mary Ann Neighbors Poe - Band / Audio Equipment
Great Entertainment and Masters of Ceremonies at afternoon reunion!
Bobby and Mary Ann did fantastic job and we’re Bonny Oaks Proud of their
singing talents! |
Robert "Bobby" Smith
and Mary Ann Neighbors Poe
|
penman4949@yahoo.com
Bobby
thesingingnone@yahoo.com
Mary Ann |
Mark & Ben Cabeen - Bonny Oaks Memorial made from flag pole and oak tree
on campus. They also cut the limbs into small pieces for the “little
piece of Bonny Oaks” wood handed out at the reunion.
Dedicated on Reunion Day
Superior Craftshmanship from Mark and Ben! Mark agreed to provide his
skills for him and his son to make the Memorial in honor of his wife,
Alumni Betty Chambers Cabeen! |
Mark Cabeen and Ben
Cabeen
working on the
Memorial
|
blchambers@aol.com |
Harold Evitt – Cut the flag pole and large oak limbs into pieces for
transporting to James Ellis’ home for Mark & Ben to start the Memorial.
|
Harold Evitt and
sister Norma cheered him on!
|
haroldnrhonda@yahoo.com |
Morning Reunion Collage
Cover to Reunion Package - Back in the day!
“Mighty Oaks from Little
Acorns Grow” |
The Reunion was Saturday, July 16, 2011
from 8:00 am to 12 Noon
at
(Morning) The Dent (Superintendent's) House and
Bonny Oaks Chapel
and continuing for
Afternoon activities
and food
at
(Afternoon) The Chester Frost Park's Large
Pavilion
2318 N. Gold
Point Circle, Hixson TN
from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
|
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7/18/2011 |
Email from BOS Jimmy Evett:
On Jul 18, 2011, at 6:11 PM,
MOECURLY67@epbfi.com wrote:
Wish to extend my sincere "Thank You" to all those that put the
reunion together. It took a lot of work and we appreciate
everyone of you. It was great to see those that came. It was
even more gratifying to hear the testimonies from those that
lived at Bonny Oaks. I can speak for a lot of us that didn't
speak that the words reflected what we all felt. We are truly
thankful for Bonny Oaks and those that raised us while we were
there. A special "Thank You" Mr, & Mrs. Adamson for their years
of service. We are forever grateful for all that you have done
for us. The sacrifices you have made for us.
I want to personally thank Mr. A. J. Bozza, Mr. Boyd, Mr
Hale that worked us on the farm and taught us the value of hard
work. Mr. (Nick) Nichols who worked all hours to make sure we
were warm and kept the maintenance of the buildings and grounds
operating smoothly. Mrs. Jean Costello (house parent and
Librarian) who listened to us, helped us with our home work and
were there whenever we needed her. Miss Billie Costello (Nurse)
who took care of us when we had the chicken pox or flu. House
parents like Mrs. Costello and Uyless & Hazell Crawley who
disciplined us when we needed it. To Jesse and Pauline Presley
who gave up their time to allow us to have fun during the summer
months as Activity Directors and chaperones on trips. To all the
cooks who prepared and made our meals.
I also want to thank the families of those that I didn't mention
and those I did for the sacrifices of leaving their families to
take care of us because it was far beyond anything we realized
at that time. As children of Bonny Oaks we know that your
examples have had an impact on future generations. |
6/26/2011 |
If
you live out of town and "Heaven Forbid" are not coming to the
reunion, please send me your address and I'll send you the
Reunion Program. It has lots of pictures from Bonny Oaks days
and information we want you to know about. Send to
texasbonny@yahoo.com
Thanks, Christine Haven |
6/20/2011 Radio Appearance by Dr. Harry R. Jackson |
"LISTEN UP!" Literally!
Our own Harry Jackson has been asked by Tom Sneed, Radio Station
WDYN - 980 AM, to come on and talk about the Vet Center in
Chattanooga where he works and serves as a Counselor to our U.S.
Veteran's! Harry will also talk about the Bonny Oaks
Reunion! So, tune in, and hear Harry on Monday, June 20,
2011 at 8:00 a.m. and pray he will reach our Veterans that need
help and pray that he can reach many of the Bonny Oaks alumni
that haven't heard about the 7/16/2011 reunion.
6/20/2011 -
I hope
you all got to hear Harry Jackson on WDYN 980 AM this morning.
He did an amazing job getting the information out about the
Chattanooga Vet Center and he spoke at length about Bonny Oaks,
his days there and the history, and the 7/16/2011 Reunion. Thank
you, Harry! It was the fastest 45 minutes I've been through,
great program and great speaker!!! |
Bonny Oaks Memorial Dedication |
Bonny Oaks Update: Just talked to Mark and Betty Chambers
Cabeen and the reunion day Memorial is coming along beautifully!
We are grateful to our Alumni, Betty, her husband, Mark, and
their son, Ben Cabeen, for volunteering their time and
craftsmanship skills to build the Bonny Oaks Children's
Memorial. The Memorial will be erected in the "Circle" (Bonny
Oaks Arboretum) in time for Dedication on Reunion Day 7/16/2011. |
Cable TV Appearance
Let us know if you want a DVD of the program |
Bonny Oaks Update 6/11/2011 - Cassidy
Neighbors (Bonny Oaks 1949-1955) and Christine Haven (Bonny Oaks
1959-1966) will be on cable's UCTV "Sound Off" program, hosted
by Mr. Earl Freudenberg, on Tuesday, June 14th at 11:00 a.m.
Earl has been generous to offer us a spot on the cable program
to help us get the word out about the July 16th Bonny Oaks
reunion! We're not sure if it will be for 15 minutes or the
whole hour but tune in if you can. We need your prayers to ask
God to help us reach as many of the Bonny Oaks kids as we can
for the Reunion. |
News Article on Reunion |
6-10-2011 Bonny Oaks Update: Chattanooga's Online Newspaper,
chattanoogan.com, printed an article on the Bonny Oaks Reunion
and Memorial today. Thank you, Mr. John Wilson, for helping us
get the word out about the reunion through your online
publications. Here's the link:
http://chattanoogan.com/articles/article_203167.asp |
Bonny Oaks Memorial - Dedication on Reunion Day |
Mr. Paul Parker, Manager, Hamilton County Real Property
helped us tremendously by obtaining permission for a Memorial to
the Children of Bonny Oaks to be erected in the Circle (Bonny
Oaks Arboretum). Come and see the Memorial on Reunion Day.
It is being made from the fallen flag pole and wood from a Post
Oak tree, still standing, at Bonny Oaks. Mark Cabeen and
Ben Cabeen are the expert craftsmen and they have a special
connection to Bonny Oaks. Alumni, Betty Chambers Cabeen is
wife to Mark and mother to Ben.
Oak wood for the Memorial and Reunion Day. Come and get
your little piece of Bonny Oaks at the reunion!
Mark Cabeen and his helper, Nick, pick up the flag pole and oak
wood for the Memorial. |
Reunion Day Registration Book |
Handmade by Alumni, Mary Ann Neighbors-Poe |
MOON PIES? |
Yes, we just received notice that 300 Moon Pies have been
donated to the reunion. Yep, the chocolate ones!
Thank you Tory Johnston and James Hixson at moonpie.com |
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T-Shirts and Caps
David Yell and the
teddy bear that has worn
the original Bonny Oaks t-shirt
all these years. Thank you, David,
for letting us borrow the t-shirt for duplication
Mr. and Mrs. Adamson
|
Bonny Oaks T-Shirts and Caps
Pauline Presley
Caps |
Ken Clay and Chris Haven
|
Registration Book for the Reunion. Made by Mary Ann
Neighbors-Poe. Hope to see you there! |
Lordy Lordy it's been 40
(years that is) since
JOE HAMPTON
Bonny Oaks 1946 - 1953
has been back to his
Bonny Oaks' "home"
MINI-REUNION
Joe lives in Michigan and came back to Chattanooga
to visit with his Bonny Oaks friends.
If you weren't there, you missed lots of good food, good friends,
and the most AMAZING STORIES!
It was great to see Joe and he promises to not let 40 years go by
before coming back again!
Ryan's Steakhouse in Hixson Tennessee
l-r Mary Ann Neighbors-Poe, Cassidy Neighbors, Mary Ann
Camp-Meyer and Joe Hampton
Mary Ann Neighbors-Poe, Mary Ann Camp-Meyer, and Joe Hampton
Joe Hampton and Harold Stewart
Mary Ann N., Joe, Mary Ann N.
Mary Ann Camp-Meyer, Christine Haven and Joe Hampton
Joe and Harold
|
Click on picture to see other pictures of everyone.
Thank you, Jim & Connie Evett, for a great get-together.
CHARLEY CAMP - MICKEY WALKER REUNION VISIT
October 21, 2007
Charley Camp sent these pictures and a letter to
the website for
the Reunions page. He describes their trip so well
that excerpts from his letter
were included by the pictures for you to enjoy too.
(Please click on the picture thumbnails to get a larger view)
"We met in beautiful Sedona, Arizona,
October 21, --- locals, Mickey and Donna --- then us travelers from "way
down South", as they say --- Charley, Marie and Marie's sister, Carolyn
Wilson."
Mickey Walker by Kenny's Headstone
Charley Camp by Kenny's Headstone
"Donna took Marie and Carolyn on to Phoenix, AZ while Mickey drove me to
Skull Valley, AZ to visit Kenny's gravesite."
Kenneth A. Walker
Loving Dad & Papa
Aug. 2, 1944
Jan. 25, 1999
"After a bone-chilling and windy stop at
the Skull Valley Cemetery, we proceeded on to Wickenburg, AZ to meet Kenny's
daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren."
Mickey Walker (left) with Kenny's daughter, Susie,
and her husband, John, and
son, Trey
"These are wonderful people (Susie
& John S. and 14 year old Holley Jo
and 7 year old Trey) --- down-home type folks: inviting, open, agreeable,
and pleased to share home, conversation and goodies with us Bonny Oaks
Alumni. And needless to say, the family was already well-versed on Bonny
Oaks!"
Mickey and Donna's Home
in Phoenix Arizona
"Before dark, Mickey and Yours Truly
arrived in Phoenix to meet "the girls" for dinner. The Walker
duo asked that we stay overnight, which we did --- too tired at this point to do
otherwise!"
Time to say "Goodbyes"
"It was up the next morning for an
early breakfast, then back on the road for continuation of a long, long
automobile site-seeing journey."
Charley, Marie & Carolyn
On the road again and gorgeous background too!
Charley Camp
"Dear Ones,
Mickey said it best in a recent email --- 'For Chris' and Bonny Oaks website,
we should have gotten someone to take a picture or two of us together'.
And isn't that the way it is when old friends get together for a hurried
reunion?
Just too much excitement to even think straight!
Looking back in a spirit of thanksgiving,
I must say that seeing Mickey and Donna, visiting Kenny's grave,
and meeting Kenny's kin, was a huge highlight for me.
It's comforting to know that Bonny Oaks lives on in the grateful hearts
of many assigned there during childhood.
Thank the good Lord for all who provided tender loving care during
days of darkness and uncertainty.
Blessings,
Charley"
A Chattanooga Mini-Reunion
November 2007
Visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Adamson
Everyone had such a good visit.
Mr. Adamson's surrounded by the pretty women, Mary Ann Neighbors Poe (left),
Mrs. Adamson (right)
and Barbara Durham (sitting on floor)
The guys standing left to right: Cassidy Neighbors, Ronnie Yarbrough,
Jerry Presley and Jesse Presley
Mary Ann and Barbara in Pigeon Forge
Mary Ann said "had a lot of fun with Barbara (BOB), she calls me
"SAM",
those were our nicknames when we were at Bonny Oaks.
They "shopped til they dropped!" and had a great time
Mr. Adamson and Barbara Durham
Barbara Durham, Mrs. Adamson, Mary Ann Neighbors Poe
Lunch at the Olive Garden in Pigeon Forge
Eva (left), Barbara and Mary Ann
Breakfast at Hardee's
Mary Ann, Barbara and Eva
Mr. Adamson listening to the "kids"
Mr. & Mrs. Adamson
He's just been out of the hospital for a few days
Shirley Chambers (Hutcheson)
Please send your pictures and comments in to the website so
others can enjoy too!
Hatch Mini-Reunion in Houston, Texas
July 2007
Lee, George, Christine, Marshall and Connie
(Marshall and Lee's daughter, Debbie, took this picture)
Brothers,
George (left) and Marshall (right) Hatch were both at Bonny Oaks.
Today Marshall lives in Houston Texas and George lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.
When George and his wife, Connie, came to visit
Marshall and his wife, Lee, I was invited to have Sunday dinner with them.
Please click here to read about our visit - we had such a good time.
Lynda (Dianne Williams) Donley's Mini-Reunion
with the Adamson's
April 2007
Dianne Williams flew 3000 miles from San Diego, California to
Tennessee to see Mr. & Mrs. Adamson. She took them to dinner
at Red Lobster and they loved visiting the past with her.
Please read about Mr. Adamson's
"2007" Birthday honors
on the
Bulletin Board
CALLING ALL BONNY OAKS KIDS and
FAMILIES!!!
and "THEY CAME".....TO THE
"2006" DINNER!
By all accounts, the birthday dinner for Mr. Adamson and
get-together was a BIG SUCCESS!
As Mr. Adamson said, "IT WAS A KNOCK-OUT!!!"
RYAN'S STEAKHOUSE in HIXSON TENNESSEE
Saturday, July 22, 2006
Mr. Adamson's birthday is Tuesday, July 25, 2006
He will be 85 years old
Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm M. Adamson
(Mrs. Adamson, so sweet and beautiful!)
Here are the first pictures in from Harry Jackson and James
Ellis.
Please send pictures
and video that you took too so we can all enjoy!
Click on Pictures to Enlarge
Mary Chambers Ellis and granddaughter, Emily Lively
Mary baked the beautiful birthday cake! |
Cassidy Neighbors |
Mr. and Mrs. Adamson and the Frazers |
Jeff Ellis catching the conversation at the table - Send in the video
Jeff! Mr. & Mrs. Adamson and Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Shelton |
Clarence Sumner - Dreaming about Bonny Oaks days? |
George Frazer |
Birthday Cake time! |
Larry Cate |
Larry Cate, Norma Evett and Norma's granddaughter |
George Frazer and Jerry Presley
LaWanda Jackson behind Jerry |
James Ellis and Jesse Presley |
Wendell Cate |
LaWanda Jackson volunteering to keep up with monies, thanks LaWanda!
Mary Ann Neighbors Poe ready to start the evening. |
The "Mary Ann's"
(Mary Ann Neighbors, left, and Mary Ann Camp, right) |
Micky & Kay Tucker (left) and
Jim & Pat Tucker (right) |
The Yarbrough's |
Mr. Adamson looking for more kids!
Cassidy Neighbors and Mary Ann Neighbors standing |
Sarah and her daughter.
Mary Chambers Ellis and daughter Jenni sitting at the table behind Sarah |
Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm M. Adamson - Happy 85th Mr. Adamson!
Sitting in background, the Eugene Hills and Leroy Partain (white shirt)
and Leroy's talking to Clarence Sumner |
Bobby Yarbrough |
HOLD IT!
I recognize this look!
He's looking at a REPORT CARD!!! |
Jesse & Pauline Presley and Grandsons |
Harry Jackson overlooking cutting of the cake |
Mr. & Mrs. Adamson and Harry |
The kids still get a hug |
Filling up those plates |
Gene Hill and family (left) and Betty Chambers Cabeen (right) |
LaWanda , Oliver Shelton, Mrs. Adamson |
Leroy Partain and Clarence Sumner |
Mary Ann Camp and Jerry Presley |
Ronnie and Bobby Yarbrough |
The Tucker's Table |
LaWanda Jackson and the Adamson's Chuckle |
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Room for plenty more pictures |
Please send in your pictures |
Please send in your videos |
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Our SPECIAL THANKS to Harry & LaWanda Jackson for making
all the arrangements,
keeping up with attendees
and taking care of the monies for the wonderful evening.
Thank you, Mary Ann Neighbors Poe, for leading the entertainment!
Thank you, Mary Chambers Ellis, for baking the BEAUTIFUL birthday cake!
Last but not least, thank you "EVERYONE" for coming to the dinner
and/or sending
cards and emails to Mr. Adamson wishing him a Happy 85th Birthday!
Hope to see everyone at a reunion hopefully next year.
Posting for the dinner:
It's been four years since our 2002 Reunion which most of us feel is way too
long since seeing each other. And, Mr. Adamson's birthday is July
25th, he'll turn 85 years old. .This email is to let you know we want
to combine the two and have a Get-Together/Birthday-Dinner!!! When
Mr. Adamson was asked if he was up to a birthday dinner, he sent the email at
the bottom of the page. You can see by the email he typed that he would
love nothing better than to see his Bonny Oaks kids again. Mrs. Adamson
thinks it will be good for him to be in the middle of the "kids" again
too. Please try your best, it's short notice, but if at all
possible, please come to see Mr. Adamson and have a great time visiting with
your Bonny Oaks brothers and sisters over a wonderful dinner and singing entertainment
from some of our own, to be announced. Harry Jackson has agreed
to head up the planning and details of the arrangements with the steakhouse
Mr.
Adamson's email confirming he felt well enough for a
birthday dinner:
THANKS CHRIS...FOR YOUR NOTE RE: MY BIRTHDAY. SOUNDS GREAT...AND I ASSURE
YOU THAT THE GREATEST THRILL BE THE KIND OFFER OF ENTERTAINMENT REGARDING MY BIRTHDAY.
..AS TO THE EXACT TIME: I AM OPEN FOR ANY AND ALL CONSIDERATION. JUST LET ME KNOW WHEN.
..HOW...AND WHAT...AND I WILL COMPLY. IT IS SO VERY KIND AND THOUGHTFUL OF YOU TO EVEN
NOTICE MY BIRTHDAY ...AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I AM FLATTERED AND DEEPLY GRATEFUL..
..JUST LET ME KNOW, WHAT WHEN AND HOW...AND I WILL CO-OPERATE. AGAIN MANY
THANKS FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL KINDNESS. MALCOLM ADAMSON
Harry Jackson and Charley Camp
February 2006 - Mini Reunion
Click on picture to enlarge
Charley Camp came by my office and we went out and had
lunch. It was such a wonderful visit. I just wish that others could
have joined us. Maybe next time!
:) Harry
PS: Attached is a picture of us.
If you are going to be in Chattanooga on a trip or if you
already live there
and want to get together with Bonny Oaks kids from any era,
why not post your plans on our website's Bulletin Board.
It could be a lot of fun and you can hear some interesting
stories about other's experiences at Bonny Oaks.
The board is there for you!
Paul & Joyce (Stover) Rowell
visit Mr. & Mrs. Adamson
June 26, 2005
Joyce and Paul with the Adamsons
You all look GREAT! Thanks for sending in the pictures for the website!
Mr. & Mrs. Adamson
Mr. & Mrs. Adamson
Joyce (2nd from left) at her Tyner 2005 Reunion
Our
"1700 Mile Odyssey (Vacation)"
Click here to read about our trip
Christine
Haven and
Dianne Williams
April 2005
"A good reunion from the1930s -
Two brothers, George and Marshall Hatch, and a good day on the river".
MR. & MRS. GEORGE HATCH and
MR. & MRS. ART PRICHARD
June 2004
Click on picture to enlarge.
Connie and I left home the 1st week in June and drove to
Chattanooga for three days and then drove up to Coring New York . We
spent two
weeks with son, Ron, Mary and the kids. Had a ball! We drove home by way
of
Columbus, Ohio, and had dinner with Art and Mary Prichard and a long visit with
them. They are both well and look great! Here is a picture of
our get together.
GEORGE & CONNIE HATCH and CHRISTINE
HAVEN
Meet for Dinner in Houston, Texas
February 2004
George, Christine & Connie
Joan Booth (White Blouse)
Ron Hatch - Connie & Christine
George, his wife, Connie, and their son, Ron, came through Houston last weekend,
2/21/04, to visit their longtime friend, Joan Booth and her daughter.
We met at Joan's home, went out to dinner and enjoyed hours of great
conversation.
George and Connie are avid supporters and believers in the website and it was
fantastic to see them again.
Thank you, Joan, for your wonderful hospitality for our mini-reunion!
DIANNE WILLIAMS
Comes to Houston, Texas
for a mini-reunion with Christine Haven
March 2003
and
September 2003
Dianne Williams and Christine Haven first met in 1957 when
they were both at the ripe ole age of 6 years old. It was the year
Christine and her siblings were sent to Vine Street Childrens Home in
Chattanooga. Dianne had been at Vine Street since she was just a
toddler. Within a year of each other, they were at Bonny Oaks and remained
friends until losing contact after 1966. Today they are back in touch
because of the website. Dianne, who lives in California, has been happily
married to Tom Donley for over 20 years, has two beautiful daughters and two
beautiful granddaughters. She flew to Houston for
their happy mini-reunion which lasted from Friday afternoon to Sunday
afternoon.
Click here to
read and see pictures of Dianne and Christine's March 2003 Mini-Reunion
True to our words, we met again. This time we had 10
days to talk!
Click here to read and see
pictures of Dianne and Christine's September 2003 Mini-Reunion
MARY ANN NEIGHBORS (POE)
and
BARBARA LEA DURHAM
Mary Ann frequently posted inquiries on the Bulletin Board in an effort
to find her longtime childhood friend, Barbara Durham, who was also
a Bonny Oaks student.
They found each other through the website and had their mini-reunion
in Chattanooga.
Click
here to see pictures of
Mary Ann and Barbara's Reunion
Bonny Oaks Reunion 2002
was held at the Dent House
(Formerly the Superintendents' House)
Chattanooga, Tennessee
on
Saturday, July 27, 2002
If you weren't able to come to Reunion 2002
we sure hope to see you at the next one!
Thank you,
Mr. Morty Lloyd
and the
Chattanooga Church
All of the Bonny Oaks Alumni, Staff and Friends join
together to thank you
for the use of the Dent House and Chapel, free of charge, for the
Bonny Oaks 2002 Reunion.
We are grateful that you, your staff, and the Chattanooga Church, recognized
the deep bond we Alumni continue to have for our home, Bonny Oaks.
Thank you again for making it possible for us to bring our
Collection of Memories back to the place
where the memories were made.
The Alumni
and
www.bonnyoaks.com
Thank you,
Susan Pierce, Staff Writer for
The Chattanooga Times Free Press.
Ms. Pierce attended the reunion and
interviewed each person mentioned in the 7/28/02 article.
She wrote a beautiful, heartfelt article about
the Bonny Oaks Alumni at Reunion 2002
Click on the pictures above to read the article about Reunion
2002.
Dated July 28, 2002
Click on the pictures above to read the article about the
upcoming
Reunion 2002 - Dated July 13, 2002
Click to see larger picture
This beautiful cake with the Bonny Oaks motto,
"Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow",
was made for the 2002 Reunion by
Mary Chambers Ellis, Alumnus 1950's/1960's
THE
BONNY OAKS REUNION PICTURES
Click to see larger picture
The above picture was sent in by Joyce Stover Rowell and Paul Rowell.
Taken at the Hampton Inn the night of the Reunion 7/27/02.
Click
on the name below to see the reunion pictures submitted by that person.
Enjoy!
Joyce Stover
Rowell
Barbara
Pierce Burhans
Art Prichard
Charles Camp
Daisy Hawk
Jesse and
Pauline Presley
Billy Fry
George Hatch
The Smith Sisters
Mickey
Walker
Various Items
Click here to see the scanned booklet
The Bonny Oaks School - Golden
Anniversary 1894-1944
This original booklet commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Bonny
Oaks
was hand-carried to Reunion 2000 by
Ms. Clara Woody, 1920's Alumnus
Thank you, Ms. Woody, from all of the Alumni, their families and Historians
Words cannot express my surprise and gratitude for the acknowledgement I
received from the Bonny Oaks Alumni during the Reunion Program.
I sincerely appreciate and will always treasure
the beautiful plaque!
Christine Haven
WE THANK THE FOLLOWING
PARTICIPANTS AND VENDORS
FOR
HELPING THE REUNION ACCOMPLISH
SUCH A WONDERFUL LOOK BACK!
Bonny Oaks Scrapbooks - Personally brought to the reunion by Mrs. Mary Helms,
Head of the Local History & Genealogy Department of the Chattanooga-Hamilton
County Bicentennial Library - Downtown
The PowerPoint Presentation of the Scrapbooks - Thank you to John Goodbrad and
his office staff for providing the presentation on two computers and to Rita
Hale (John's Assistant) for providing the scanning of pictures brought to the
Reunion!
Susan Pierce, Staff Writer for the Chattanooga Times Free Press, walked
throughout the reunion grounds interviewing for her article in the Sunday,
7/28/02, newspaper. A copy will be on here soon. Susan wrote a
beautiful piece on the reunion!
Bill Motley, Poly Graphics, for his quality reproductions of the original Bonny
Oaks t-shirts and caps that George Hatch has been in charge of ordering and
getting to us.
Soda's and Bottled Water - Bill Bice, Coca-Cola Company
Watermelon - Ken Clay and the Roden family
Beautiful Cake made by Alumnus, Mary Chambers Ellis - "Mighty Oaks from
Little Acorns Grow"
Mr. Adamson's Birthday Cake - Harry Jackson
Little Debbie - A family member of the Little Debbie Company donated Oatmeal
Creme Pies
Little Debbie - Mrs. Artman obtained Moon Pie donations
Catering by "Rib Out Barbecue"
In
following Harry Jackson's lead when he asked people to stand at the end of the
Reunion Day's Program to share their thoughts on Bonny Oaks, I would like to
share the
following emails received by the Website about the Reunion:
CHRIS...THERE
IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY I CAN ADEQUATELY THANK YOU FOR THE
GREAT DAY I HAD TODAY...SEEING SO MANY OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS REVITALIZED
THIS OLE MAN!!! THANKS A MILLION. THE REUNION WAS A 100% SUCCESS.
Malcolm and George Adamson
_________________________________________
As I sat in the chapel on Reunion Day and listened to Bonny Oaks Alumni speak, I
felt an immense sense of pride and gratitude. Proud to be a part of the Bonny
Oaks School Legacy and truly grateful for the chance Bonny Oaks gave me and my
brothers, Jerry and Joe.
My life would have been much different without Bonny Oaks School. Hailed as one
of man's grandest experiences, Bonny Oaks School 's mission of helping
children for almost 100 years is most noble and even sacred.
Getting to see many of my Bonny Oaks brothers and sisters stirred my
spirit and warmed my heart and I sincerely felt that Bonny Oaks School had been
elevated to an extraordinary place in history and touched by the hand of God.
I shed a tear or two, but they were the happy ones.
Jesse Presley
_________________________________________
Have really benefited from the January and today's article in the newspaper. You
have done a marvelous job on the website and providing a focal point for former
students. Own 1/2 of a building just across the street on Preservation Drive and
heard about the school first when buying out building lot in 10/90. Have always
heard good things about the students and although I never was faced with lack of
family or finances, I can see all the wonderful good that resulted from the
school. May you continue to provide these meaningful reunion get-togethers for a
long time to come. Best to you and all of the BonnyOaks guys and gals.
Hal Brown
_________________________________________
I hope you are as pleased as I am about the outcome of the Reunion. What a
wonderful day ... I really feel bad that I was crippled and couldn't be with
you folks most of the day ... including Saturday evening. I feel that I
missed out so much because of it :( :( :(
Was a great day financially as well.
Thank you Christine .... yet, once again .... for founding the Website and
bringing us all together this year! It was so good to see you after so
many
years.
Harry Jackson
_________________________________________
I enjoyed the reunion very much. You Bonny Oaks grads are interesting,
fun,
and nice. Yesterday a Bonny Oaks alum came to our department to get copies
of news articles about his basketball games while there. He had seen some
clippings in the scrapbooks at the reunion and wanted to show them to his
son.
What do you think the attendance was?
Thank you again for letting me and the Library be a part of the reunion.
Mary Helms
_________________________________________
Thank you for your warm reception
towards my brother and I. You made us feel
so welcome. We had an awesome time. Seeing pictures of my Mom and hearing
stories about my Mom has made a difference in my life. thanks again.
Dorothy Clay
(Alumnus, Maxine Imogene Duncan-Lively's daughter)
_________________________________________
I
hope that your reunion was wonderful. I am sure that you were overwhelmed with
all of the festivities and meeting all of the people. Thank you so very much for
all that you have done for Bonny Oaks. A piece of all of us is there and we all
have a bond whether we knew each other or not.
Just
a note to let you know that my mother did, indeed, arrive home safely. She had a
doctor's appointment today. I have not heard how that went yet. I was not aware
that she had had a minor stroke before she left to go to the reunion. But she
said that she still has double vision in her right eye, so she did not rent a
car while she was back there. She wished it could have lasted longer. She said
that it was really wonderful, but much too short. She thought you were
just about the most wonderful person, and kept referring to the Hawks girl
who lives here as a real "cracker". She said that everyone was so
sweet and really looked after her. Thanks so much for looking after her. And she
said that you were going to send some pictures for her and for me to be sure and
copy them. Glad you made it home safe and sound.
God
bless you and yours. Hugs to you.
Carol Smith Crowley
(Barton B. Smith's daughter, speaking of her mother, Betty Smith, who attended
the reunion in honor of her husband, Barton, Alumnus 1940's)
_________________________________________
Hey
Christine, hope you had a safe trip home. My flight was suppose to fly out at
2:10 at Chatt on Sunday but I didn't leave until 5:00 got into Cinncinati around
6:00 and left at 8:45pm was suppose to arrive in Seattle at 6:30 but got there
10:35pm, gee it was a long day for me . I am missing everyone already, I had
such a wonderful time. Did you see the Chatt Sunday Press article, it turned out
nice with the interviews, since I had such long layovers I read all of George
Hatch's autobiography, it was very good. As soon as I get the film developed
which will be this week I will send you pics. Talk to you later, xoxoxox
Yours very truly,
Daisy Hawk
_________________________________________
IT
HAPPENED
Hope you made it home safely. We had a good trip home. Have a good nervous break
down. LOL.
George Hatch
_________________________________________
Tue 30 Jul 2002
Along with many others, Mary and I are grateful for your efforts in
building our Bonny Oaks home page, and bringing so many of us together again, in
spirit if not in person. But now comes bringing us together in person, and that's a whole new ball game!
Saturday began with the 6:00 a.m. continental breakfast at the hotel,
which I attended to cheer George Hatch on his way to get some work done on the
Cap and Shirt booth, then my wandering around the Dent House and the Chapel,
visualizing where all the old buildings used to be, and followed at 9:00am by
welcome services in the Chapel.
Now there was an event to be remembered! In our younger days, to get
one of us to cry. . . to actually shed tears publicly . . . you'd need a bull
whip and a pretty good sized man to use it! . . . but when Harry Jackson asked
for volunteers to say what might have been their fate
had there been no Bonny Oaks to take them in . . .well, the dam sort
of broke loose!
Mr. Adamson's Invocation set the tone of remembrance of our early
years at Bonny Oaks and our later lives, armed with the self respect and
determination gained there. In dozens of conversations throughout the day,
those topics and values were equally present along-side the "Do you
remember" anecdotes heard on all sides!
And then, when Harry tried to give credit to the members of the
Reunion Committee, almost every single one of them was off taking care of things
needed for the day's planned events, like sign-up sheets, name tags, icing down
the water melon, getting the cold drinks and food service stands into position,
and dozens of other such things.
George Hatch said he felt guilty being present and not off working,
but don't forget, George, you were up for that 6:00 o'clock breakfast and an
early start!)
And speaking of "Do you remember" types of anecdotes, a few
which were heard repeatedly were:
The Fire: The time the hay-barn burned down, and our breeding Bull,
Centaur, went berserk, and scared all of us pretty badly, except for a
neighboring farmer, (Mr. Ross, I believe) who came over in his pickup truck and
tried to use it to herd old Centaur into a quiet corner, upon which the bull
picked the front of the truck up on his horns and marched forward, pushing the
truck, wheels vainly spinning and smoking, backward into a ditch about twenty
yards away.
I was watching when it happened, but had not remembered, as he
reminded me, that Ed Parker was in the passenger's seat of the pickup at the
time!
The Old Chapel: A number of us remembered the Old Chapel, especially
its having been one of the few places where boys and girls were ever present
together; where school events were held; where Christmas parties and present
distribution took place. And finally, where many of us worked to remodel
the chapel and make it into a skating rink.
My particular task in the early part of that project was one which is
rarely heard of now a days: Straightening nails for reuse!
Building the new hay barn: Under the direction of Mr. Truman E. Moore
the new hay barn was built. Both George Hatch and I worked on that project.
Later in the day of the reunion, I saw some pictures in the scrap
books showing that event in progress.
As the 3:00 o'clock closing hour for our reunion approached it became
"good-bye" and "let's- keep-in-touch!" time, the saddest
part of the day!
Thank you, Christine, members of the reunion committee and their
helpers, and all attendees for making our reunion of 2002 happen!
God Bless us every one
Later,
Art and Mary Prichard
_________________________________________
I read
the article that was in the newspaper and they said there were about
300 people attending. THAT'S AWESOME!!
Sorry I didn't get a chance to stop by, there was a problem at the chapel
with the air conditioning that my husband and I had to take care of.
I read that you were given an award ( because all that planning was a major
job that you handled so well! ) Congratulations !!!!!!
That is all for now, hope to stay in touch
God bless you and your family
Sherrie Greenwood
Secretary, Chattanooga Church
_________________________________________
Just wanted to say I
did enjoy the reunion very much. It was so good to see the girls I grew up with
at Bonny Oaks. I sure wish there had been more to show up from the early fifties.
And to anyone of them who reads this message I would like to tell them
what they missed. Not only was it fun to see everyone but it was so good to
talk about old times. The committee did a fantastic job. Mr. and Mrs.
Adamson was our foster parents for the time we were there and I would say they
did a good job raising us, I think they can be proud of the way most of us
turned out. I would say they have a 99% success rate.
MaryAnn (Neighbors) Poe
_________________________________________
Hi
Christine, I'm sorry I'm so late in thanking you and your reunion crew for the
wonderful reunion you worked so very hard on for all of us. My computer
had been giving me so much trouble and after many trips to the PC doctor, it
finally died. I have now purchased a new one that I can use and I wanted
so much to thank you for all the work you did for accomplishing such a great
event.. I am so very, very proud of you. I know there is lots of
work out there for you to do for the website and I look forward to lots and lots
of reunion topics in the future.
Johnnie
Johnnie (Holloway) Hashburger
_________________________________________
Please convey our appreciation to all those alumni and perhaps
spouses and family who were so dedicated to put all this together. We saw all
the emails on the website.
Regards,
Paul and Joyce (Stover) Rowell
_________________________________________
I want to thank you and the
Reunion Committee again so much for the special reunion we had at Bonny Oaks
with all our dear friends. It was such a special day, and so wonderful
to see everyone again.
My daughter, Susan, and grandsons, Matthew & Christopher, enjoyed the time
spent with everyone there and now know why all the Bonny Oaks "girls and
boys" are just like sisters and brothers to me, and are so close to my
heart. I have prayed for all of them all these years and know God has
taken good care of all of us all this time. We all have so much to be
thankful for, and I am especially thankful we all got such a good start at
Bonny Oaks.
Thank you again and may God
bless you!
With Love,
Barbara Pierce Burhans
David Yell and the
teddy bear that has worn
the original Bonny Oaks t-shirt
all these years. Thank you, David,
for letting us borrow the t-shirt for duplication
Mr. and Mrs. Adamson
|
Bonny Oaks T-Shirts and Caps
Pauline Presley
|
Ken Clay and Chris Haven
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