MISSISSIPPI DIVISION  COF C  ANNUAL DIVISION CONVENTION

It was a "JAIL HOUSE ROCK" in Canton, Mississippi,  for the 58th Annual Mississippi Division CofC Convention!  The meeting site-- the Old Canton Jail (yes, there were jail cells adjoining the meeting room!)--was perfect!  Hosted by the Margaret Sarah Ridley Gooch 912 CofC and Capt. Samuel  J. Ridley  2430 UDC, the convention had a total of 25 CofC members representing 5 Chapters in attendance.  In addition there were 18 UDC members, 2 SCV members, and 4 guests for a total of 49 registered! 

And, just for fun, Division UDC President Ruth Allbritton took a picture of each person behind bars and dressed in  jailhouse stripes (yes, a real green and white striped shirt for jailhouse residents!).  As a special favor for the attendees, she printed the pictures and had them ready before we left the convention!  Thank you, Mrs. Allbritton!

The convention got off to a "rocking" start on Friday night, June 12, 2009, with a swimming party and supper at the home of Robert and Deborah Anderson (she is the Chapter Director).  Hot dogs grilled to perfection were consumed heartily!  The Division Executive Committee and Division Nominating Committee met.

Saturday morning June 13 began with the Business Meeting with Charles Fairchild presiding in a most professional and capable manner.  Reports from Officers, Committee Chairmen, and Chapters were presented.  Officers were elected for 2009-2010.  And, Richard Fairchild was endorsed for President General and Charles Fairchild for Editor General , election to be held in Orlando at the  General CofC Convention in July.

Elected to Division Office were President William Elmer, Vice President Hannah Bariola, Second Vice President Lauren Anderson, Third Vice President Kassidy Cline, Secretary Charles Fairchild, Treasurer Christopher Hoppe, Historian Augusta Williams, Chaplain Kaley Anderson, and Custodian Harris Williams, Jr. 

Elected to the Nominating Committee were Stewart Inman, Chairman, and members Ariel Hall, Bennett Williams, Anthony Bariola, and Kassidy Cline. Richard Fairchild, currently serving as Editor General, was endorsed for President General, election to be held in July in Orlando.  Charles Fairchild was endorsed for Editor General.

The Memorial Service, with Division Chaplain William Elmer presiding,  was held in the Canton City Cemetery at the Confederate Monument.  Memorials were given by Elayna Cline, Ariel Hall, Augusta Williams, and Anthony Bariola.  Special memorials to Mrs. Gooch, Capt Ridley, and Capt Addison Harvey were given by Kaley Anderson, Lauren Anderson, and Stewart Inman.  Recognition was made of the Mississippians who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan 2008-2009. Charles Fairchild concluded the service by playing Taps.

The picnic lunch had some of the best hamburgers that any of us had eaten in a long time.  We might have been in a jail--but we were eating first class food!

Contributions made by the Division for 2008-09 included Beauvoir, the General CofC Courier Fund, and a contribution for a flag conservation by the Museum of Mississippi History in Jackson in memory of Mrs. Nell McNeil.  In addition, the Division renamed its Distance Award the Mrs. Nell McNeil Memorial Award in her honor.

The Mississippi Division thanks all the members of the host CofC and UDC Chapters for their hospitality as well as Kaley  Anderson, CofC Convention Chairman, Ms. Nancy M. Stewart, UDC Convention Chairman,  Mrs. Pauline B. Watkins, and Mrs. Myra Sandidge for their making sure that we "rocked" along.  The convention was not only a success, but a great time was had by all !