A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-05-03...."Tennessee ~ America at its Best"

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine ~

Please join us as we take a cyber-tour of another great state in this Union of ours. As we discover and spotlight each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'.

Over the coming months each "Finest" hostess will profile her own home state - I will be presenting all the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

To date I have presented Alabama, Maryland, Vermont, Utah and Nevada. Billie has taken us on a cyber-tour of her home state, Texas, and FreeTheHostages has presented Washington D.C. Today we are visiting "The Volunteer State".

Mama_Bear

...and the firefly who wouldn't stay
put in the state symbols graphic above. LOL.

We are in for a real treat today as we tour this colorful state, but first, our mandatory (but brief) history lesson...





Tennessee was admitted into the Union in 1796, but the official state flag was not adopted until April 17, 1905. This flag was designed by LeRoy Reeves of the Third Regiment of the Tennessee Infantry. The three white stars in the center symbolize the three different geographical regions of Tennessee: the Great Smoky Mountains (in eastern Tennessee), the highlands (in central Tennessee) and the lowlands (in western Tennessee, by the Mississippi River). The white circle binds them together. The blue stripe along the margin was added for distinction when the flag is hanging.

One of the focal points in the history of Tennessee, like most of the south, is the many battles and skirmishes fought during the Civil War. Sadly, over the course of this war that pitted brother against brother, much Union and Confederate blood was shed throughout Tennessee. The list of battlefields in this state is long and I won't list them all here, but this website, The Tennessee Civil War Home Page is an excellent resource for those interested in that chapter in Tennessee's history.

King of the Wild Frontier

A rather colorful figure from the pages of Tennessee history is Davy Crockett, who, as those of us old enough to remember the song know, was "born on a mountain top in Tennessee" and went on to become a larger than life legend in his own time and one of our most interesting Congressmen.

He was commander of a battalion in the Creek Indian War in 1813-1814. He was a member of the Tennessee legislature in 1821-1822 and again in 1823-1824, and of the twentieth Congress of the United States in the years 1827-1829, in the twenty-first Congress, 1829-1831 and again, in the twenty-third Congress, 1833-1835. To be a representative in the Tennessee legislature and then serve honorably as a member of Congress of the United States, was quite a feat for one with less than six months schooling. His motto was,

"Be always sure you are right, then go ahead."


If you have not read Congressman Crockett's inspiring speech before the House of Representatives, click the link below. It is long, but well worth the time it takes to read. It is a reminder that, once upon a time, our country was governed by men of principle.

Not Yours to Give

(...would that our Representatives today exercise such honor and integrity in the stewardship of our tax dollars.)

Davy Crockett is buried near his birthplace in Limestone, Tennessee; his tombstone reads:

"Davy Crockett, Pioneer, Patriot,
Soldier, Trapper, Explorer, State Legislator,
Congressman, Martyred at The Alamo. 1786 - 1836"

********************

A bit of Trivia. Did you know...

...that Tennessee has SEVEN state songs? - My Homeland Tennessee, The Tennessee Waltz, When It's Iris Time in Tennessee, My Tennessee, Rocky Top, Tennessee, and The Pride of Tennessee.

...that the "Blues" got it's start in Tennessee? - W.C. Handy, B.B. King, and others all helped the blues grow from rowdy bar music to world wide appreciation - On Beale street in Memphis

...that three of John Grisham's novels are set in Tennessee? - "The Firm", "The Rainmaker", and "The Client" all take place in Memphis.

...and finally, did you know that Elvis Presley's home, "Graceland", is the second most visited home in the country? - It ranks only behind the White House in terms of visitors per year.

********************

Nashville is the national center of country music, and the Grand Ol' Opry is definitely on our itinerary. Then it is off to Memphis to tour Graceland, but first we'll stop at Dollywood, tour Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Hermitage (home of Andrew Jackson near Nashville), and Rock City Gardens near Chattanooga. There is so much to see and do in Tennessee!

Are ya' ready for some football???

While we are here we can take in a game; either a University of Tennessee "Volunteers" football game (BTW, Tennessee beat Fresno State 24-6 in their season opener Saturday. I suppose, since it is not good form to 'boo' a team from a state I am profiling, I will just say "congratulations Vols" and, "better luck next time, Bulldogs". LOL!),



or, one of the Tennessee Titans games...



********************

Finally, with fall right around the corner,
let's take a look at Tennessee dressed
in her spectacular autumn colors.

A preview of coming attractions...







********************

Thank you to the following websites for information and graphics:
The Tennessee Civil War Home Page
Tennessee History and Trivia
Smoky Mountain Slide Show

I hope you have enjoyed our cyber-tour of Tennessee.
Have a nice FRiday and a great weekend!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-30 thru 9-01-03 Labor Day Weekend 09-02-03 FReeper Pet weinie (Lonestar) 09-03-03 To LBGA - With Love 09-04-03 John's Two Cents - JohnHuang2

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[The Thin Man]

Ummmm, dutchess. I saw where you were trying to turn Gizmo against me yesterday. It won't work! You're just upset that he likes me better.

Sorry Gizmo, I forgot I wasn't suppose to tell her that. :-)

[Mama_Bear]

Beautiful Thread, beautiful State, Mama_Bear!! Now I must see Tennessee!!! I love visiting these states.

Thanks Amy. :-)

I will also refrain from booing the University of Tennessee! Well almost ..... BOO!

LOL!

I'm not sure whether he is on the acitve roster but Fresno State's Billy Volek, is with the Titans. Go Volek!!

Really? I didn't know that. Yes, GO VOLEK, GO TITANS!!

[JustAmy]

Good Morning, Finest Friends!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin' Howdy, everybody ! Happy Friday !!

[Mama_Bear]

My Favorite State: Tennessee My Favorite City: Nashville I would move there in a heartbeat.

So would I. It's beautiful! But, actually, I would move almost anywhere in a heartbeat. I'm from California, nuff said? LOL.

[MeekOneGOP]

Tennerssee, huh ? Reminds me ... I wonder if ole algore ever
started workin' on mendin' them fences ??? ...

Head to Head with ALGORE

[Diver Dave]

Mornin' FR's Finest... Hostessess.

Thanks for the travelogue to Tennessee, MB. Haven't had the good fortune to visit Tennessee, but you've managed to stir an interest.

Actually, Mrs.dd's ancestors were born and raised in the Crossville area at a place known as Frost Bottom, named for those early settlers.

That branch of the family tree, the Frost's were an interesting lot as we've dug through AlGORE's internet in our genealogy searches. The family had 19 surviving children and a lot of the males had some interesting first and middle names ie. Sevier, Winter, White, etc. Actually, Sevier (ggg-grandfather), was named for the first governor of Tennessee, but the play on the name presented the family with Sevier Frost. He had a son that he named Hardy Late and his son was named Earle Sevier who had a son named Jack.

Okay, history lesson is over for now. There may be a pop quiz later.

[The Thin Man]

Now, I'm not saying it's Billie's fault, but I'm pretty sure you will. ;-)

Even though it's against my nature.....if you insist.

Billie, it's your fault!

:-)

[Mama_Bear]

........a place known as Frost Bottom, named for those early settlers.

Those early settlers the Frost Bottom's???

LOL. Sorry, feelin' silly this morning and that struck me funny. :-)

Glad you enjoyed the trip to Tennessee today.

((((((((DD))))))))

[Mama_Bear]

That branch of the family tree, the Frost's were an interesting lot as we've dug through AlGORE's internet in our genealogy searches. The family had 19 surviving children and a lot of the males had some interesting first and middle names ie. Sevier, Winter, White, etc. Actually, Sevier (ggg-grandfather), was named for the first governor of Tennessee, but the play on the name presented the family with Sevier Frost. He had a son that he named Hardy Late and his son was named Earle Sevier who had a son named Jack.

Interesting......Wow, 19 children! Cute names too, LOL.

[Pippin]

It was late enough in the morning, TTM!

(lazy)

[LadyX]

You always do such a beautiful job with these state threads, Lori!

You give just enough detail to entice and inform without overwhelming, letting the links suffice for more depth.
The illustrations are always perfect, and we are left with true appreciation for the uniqueness of each one.

A Thank You Phlower for Mama_Bear - -

[Pippin]

Please, DO NOT mention the WOODEN ONE!

DO NOT insult the GREAT STATE of TENNESSEE by reminding us the he ALLEDGEDLY camr from Tennessee.

BTW, he couldn't even carry his "home" state in the last election. (A TEXAN got that one) LOL!

[Mama_Bear]

Maggie, you are just so sweet. It makes it well worth the time it takes to put these posts together when people enjoy and appreciate them. It means a lot to me.

For the phlower and kind words, thank you.

[FreeTheHostages]

[FreeTheHostages]

I'm just too mean. :)

[FreeTheHostages]

Wow, not to sound totally ignorant, but I had not idea that Tennessee became a state so early in our nation's history. This stuff is positively educational.

Beautifully done.

[FreeTheHostages]

Kudos to you for not using HIS name.

[JustAmy]

Sevierville is the Hometown of Country Music Legend Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton was born in nearby Locust Ridge on January 19, 1946, to Lee and Avie Lee Parton and grew up in the shadow of her beloved Smoky Mountains with her 11 brothers and sisters. Dolly was appearing regularly on WSEV radio in Sevierville before she was ten years old and was also a regular on a Knoxville television program, "The Cas Walker Show." Dolly left for Nashville the day after she graduated from high school to become an international star; she has received numerous awards for her many talents including gold records, Grammy Awards and Academy Award nominations.

A statue of Dolly sculpted by local artist Jim Gray decorates the lawn of Sevierville's courthouse, and Dolly herself unveiled the statue on May 2, 1987, while her proud parents looked on. In 1986, she opened her Dollywood entertainment park in neighboring Pigeon Forge. She comes home each April for the park's seasonal Grand Opening and makes several other appearances in the area during the year. Many of Dolly's family members still live in the Sevierville area, and several of them, including her brother Randy, perform regularly at Dollywood. *********************

Did I miss the Dollywood paragraph? Oh Well .... how about a picture?