Believe It of Not - Presidential Grandsons (former guests)

In our last blog post about the upcoming Marshfield Cherry Blossom Festival, we mentioned a future post about some interesting guests the CBF, and Blackberry Creek Retreat, have hosted.  In the last couple years, we were privileged to have hosted CBF guests Curtis Roosevelt, George Cleveland, and Lyons Tyler.

What is interesting about this trio of presidential offspring is, all are GRANDSONS of U.S. Presidents. Not great-grandson, or great great, but grandsons.  I still have trouble doing the math on this, as it seems generations may have been skipped.

Curtis Roosevelt (left) speaks with Ken Hechler
at the 2011 Cherry Blossom Festival.

Now, Curtis Roosevelt may be the least amazing in lineage of the group, his grandfather holding the office most recent of the group – 66 YEARS AGO!  Curtis visited last year coming all the way from his home in France. Born in 1930, he is the grandson of Franklin D. Roosevelt, our 32^nd President, who served from 1933 until his death in 1945.  Curtis still is involved with the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York, and has written a book about his experiences growing up in the White House, named “Too Close to the Sun”, which is why he was honored with the CBF Ella Dickey Literacy Award in 2011.

Curtis Roosevelt's book which earned him
the Ella Dickey Literacy Award
 at last year's Cherry Blossom Festival. 

Then there is our frequent visitor to CBF and friend, George Cleveland.  Now George is still in his 50’s, and is the grandson of Grover Cleveland, and looks a lot like his grandfather. George travels to Marshfield each year from his home in Tamworth, N.H., and has become a citizen of sorts in Marshfield.  Unlike Curtis’s grandfather who served this country during the 30’s and 40’s, Grover Cleveland was our 24^th President from 1893 through 1897!!! George is only in his 50’s!!! OK, maybe late 50’s like this writer, but there is something about all this that makes a head spin.

George Cleveland hams it up with
2011 Ella Dickey Literacy Award recipient, Mary McDonough,
who played Erin Walton, on the popular television series, The Waltons.

Then, in 2010, we had the honor of hosting Lyon Tyler from Franklin, TN. Lyon was born 1925, five years before Curtis Roosevelt. Lyon is the grandson of our 10^th President, John Tyler who served from 1841 to 1845!!!! Lyon has a younger brother, Harrison who lives in Virginia. Lyon has had a very active life, as a lawyer, teacher, and many community organizations.

Lyon Tyler (center) after receiving his Hubble Award at the Cherry Blossom Festival.

We can attest that when each was our guest, all were very active and well. We enjoyed SO MUCH just visiting with each, either over a cup of coffee, on the drive into Marshfield, or in the evening before retiring. Each share one thing in common, besides their lineage to a U.S. President – all are very humble, friendly, and warm.

Now, there is some math involved, and yes, there were younger, sometime second wives involved.  You can click on the highlighted links above to find out more about each, and confirm all this. Then again, you can come out to this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival in April and maybe bump into the history and mysteries yourself.

Mark and Dixie
Blackberry Creek Retreat

Cherry Blossom Festival - Ozarks Style

Each year in April, a little known, little publicized festival occurs in our county seat of Marshfield, Missouri, known locally as the (Marshfield) Cherry Blossom Festival. Use to be, if you Googled “Cherry Blossom Festival”, it might not even show in the first few pages of the search over MUCH LARGER events by the same name – Washington, D.C., Japan, Virginia, etc.  Today, I see it sits #2 under the National event in D.C.

In fact, we were aware of it only by local newspaper press, and never attended, until its founder, Nicholas Inman approached us to house some guests and setup a military living history display in 2008, the second year of the festival.

The event began as the brainchild of a twenties-something citizen of Marshfield, Nicholas Inman, who as a Washington D.C. intern, experienced the nation’s capital cherry blossom blooms and festival, and wanted to share it with his hometown. In 2004, he began a campaign to plant cherry blossom trees around this SW Missouri town. Not only planting, but having notable Missourians partake in it such as State First Ladies, Senators, sports figures, etc. 

2004 - Lori Houser Holden ceremoniously plants the first official cherry
blossom tree in Marshfield in front of the Webster County Museum.
Holden was Missouri First Lady at the time of the planting.
Pictured with Holden are Dr. Tommy Macdonnell,
Rev. Charles Embree and Nicholas W. Inman.

In 2006, a grassroots group of citizens were formed to take this annual event to the next level, ultimately fulfilling another dream of Inman’s to eventually place a “First Family Museum” in the nation’s centrally located burg. TODAY, three day festival is held in a variety of Marshfield’s venues, mostly churches, awards a variety of medals and tributes for a variety of accomplishments, vendors and music, and luncheons and dinners hosting many, and I mean many, notable guests. In fact, it is not uncommon to have 25+ presidential family descendants each year in Marshfield mixed several authors and actors, many housed and shuttled by “host families”.

2006 - Presidential descendants participate in the first Presidential Forum at the Jubilee Theater. Pictured (left to right) Shannon Lanier, Tom Colt (relative of President Andrew Johnson), Thom Daniel, John Truman, George Cleveland, Lyon Tyler, Richard Gatchell (relative of President James Monroe), Jennifer Harville and James Auchincloss. Marshfield native and Washington D.C. resident, Roy Howard Beck moderated the panel.

Click HERE to see just who and what events took place in 2011. In seeing this, one is surprised that it remains a “little known” event outside the community.

For example, Blackberry Creek Retreat in 2008 hosted a National Archivist and author, author from Illinois, an Auschwitz survivor, a descendant of the Washington family, and Eisenhower’s great-grandson.  Last year, we hosted Ike’s great-grandson and Tom Washington (again) along with the grandsons of Presidents Cleveland and FDR, as well as Donna Douglas, who played Elly Mae Clampett on the Beverly Hillbillies. Additionally, Blackberry Creek Retreat was asked to host a Saturday evening “State Dinner” for about (100) guests, a fundraiser for the CBF Foundation. The past two speakers were the great-grandsons of Winston Churchill and Dwight Eisenhower. We have been asked and agreed to host this year’s State Dinner as well.

2011 - Merrill Atwater, President Eisenhower's Great Grandson was the guest speaker for last year's Cherry Blossom State Dinner here at Blackberry Creek Retreat, attended by host families and guest dignitaries.

Watch the Cherry Blossom site, or FaceBook link and make plans to attend one, or ALL the events. Bring a friend, or a carload of friends and family.  You won’t be disappointed and you might just get to meet some very interesting citizens of this great country. We will follow this blog post with a snapshot of three grandsons of Presidents we have hosted. We think you will find this very interesting…

Mark and Dixie
Blackberry Creek Retreat

Thank You Veterans

Today is Veterans Day. THANK YOU VETERANS, and all those who serve this great country to allow us the freedoms and liberties we enjoy. We love the veterans, and for years have tried a small part to show our appreciation. It is never enough. However, we have enjoyed establishing friendships with a good number of veterans.

Our son Peter and his EARLY years interest, passion and jump into absorbing all things historical about the military, pulled us into this hobby as we had to drive him to meetings and events, since he was too your to drive himself. He would even be asked to teach high school military history (Civil War, WWI & WWII, and Vietnam) when he was only an 8th grader. Knew his stuff.  Before he left high school, he had visited and stayed at Annapolis, the Naval Academy to hear Admiral Stockdale speak (friends father arranged) and laid a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier in Arlington. He reenacted at the the D-day Museum Pacific opening in New Orleans, Normandy 60th Anniversary in France, Iwo Jima 60th Anniversary in Texas, and numerous other veteran honoring events, offering the opportunity to meet many great heroes.

At meetings, though, we got to hear the stories, and testimonies of many WWII and later veterans, many speaking for the first time, drawing us closer to these veterans and the sacrifices they made. One WWII vet told us "I don't have a story to tell, I was captured after 7 days in Italy". As he told about his capture, and movement from Italy to a camp", we all were moved to tears by events he thought were not significant."

I (Mark) did not serve, nor did Peter.  Dixie's dad served with the 91st Recon Troop as an M8 driver in Italy, my father, a British Naval pilot met Mom while training here in the US, but the war ended before he finished, and my grandfather was Master Sargent in the 98th Ordnance Company in North Africa, Southern France and into Germany.  Brothers, uncles and other relatives put in their time, in conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, and here in the US. We remember and salute them all.

Here is a tribute to a FEW of those that have touched our lives, some deeper than others. We love you, and we salute you.

Lauryn (Boberg) Ash - Air Force

We did not meet Lauryn at a speaking engagement or reenactment.  No, she got married this year at our Retreat, to Todd Ash, after several months booking our venue. During the planning time, and then the wedding, we realized this was no ordinary bride.  Lauryn was in the Air Force, and worked on cool aircraft like the A-10 warthog Tank Killer and B2 Stealth Bomber.  In fact, she blended in her wedding decorations the camo Todd uses in outdoor hunting, with the camo of her trade.

Newlyweds, Lauryn & Todd Ash pose by "Olive Oyl", our 1942 WWII Dodge Carryall. Lauryn serves in the Air Force Reserves and has a long family military history.

From 2003-2005 Lauryn served in Air Force Active Duty at Holloman AFB in New Mexico, 49th Materiel Maintenance Group,  Structural Maintenance Mechanic, then from 2005-2009 Air Force Reserve at Whiteman AFB, 442nd Fighter Wing, Aircraft Structural Mechanic on the A-10 Thunderbolt/Warthog. During this time, she served 2 tours in Afghanistan, 2006 and 2008, Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. 

Senior Airman Lauryn Boberg repairs a nut plate on the nose-wheel landing gear door of an A-10 Thunderbolt II at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Aug 6. Airman Boberg is an Air Force Reserve sheet metal specialist deployed to the 455 Expeditionary Maintenance Group at Bagram from the 442nd Fighter Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Maintenance Airmen at Bagram are working around the clock to inspect A-10 combat aircraft every 400 flight-hours in what is called a "phase inspection." The A-10 provides close air support to U.S. and Coalition forces fighting extremists in Operation Enduring Freedom. (US Air Force photo/Maj. David Kurle)

Currently, in her new married life, she remains with the  Air National Guard at Whiteman AFB, 131st Bomb Wing, as a Aircraft Structural Mechanic working on the B-2 Stealth Bomber. I wonder if she has as hard time finding her tools as I, being stealth and all....Thank you Lauryn for your service..


What surprised us more, was the 5 generation military lineage her family mentioned upon arriving. Lauryn's mother, Kathy served as a Dental Hygienist at the Hospital on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for four years in the Air Force, 1977-1981. She was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.  Kathy's father James Wellington Holmes served 20 years in the Air Force, retiring as a Tech Sergeant. He was stationed all over the world. Japan Turkey, Hawaii and Thailand during the end of the Viet Nam conflict. Kathy's mother Elizabeth Louise Holmes, also served in the Air Force and was a member of the only all female WAF Band.  She was discharged as an Airman, having served 2 years. 


On Lauryn's father's side, Her father, Dane, served in the Air Force as a Satellite Comm N, mostly in primary telemetry ground stations, and supported the first ten shuttle missions. Dane's father 2nd Lt. John D. Boberg, served in the US Army during the end of WWII, and was sent to the Pacific for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. Dane's grandfather, Raymond W. Boberg, also was in the US Army during WWII, was wounded in the Philippines, recovered and was transferred to Japan, where he was an Engineering Officer in charge of building the gallows for Tojo's execution.  Raymond's father, Knud Dane Borberg, was in the Army and rode with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders.


Wow, what a family history of service to this country. Thank you all.

Randy Hanes - WWII Combat Engineer

We met Randy in Dallas at a military vehicle group meeting that Peter was a member, maybe at age 12. A friendship was struck up that endures to this day. We saw Randy and Norma, his wife just two weeks ago in Dallas. Randy served in WWII with the 300th Combat Engineer Battalion. Combat engineers were a special breed, not only because they had to fight like infantry, but also work like engineers building and destroying bridges, minefields, etc. 

Norma & Randy Hanes at a 300th Combat Engineers Reunion in Dallas, Texas

Sgt. Randy Hanes and his Thompson gun in the snow of Belgium.

Randy's history can be read in it's entirely on the link above, but briefly, he trained at Camp White in Oregon (same place Dixie's dad's troop trained), before heading to England. He landed in Normandy on D+4, made their way through some tough areas, before ending up in the Battle of the Bulge. Randy, later a graphic artist, put together a very nice, and graphical, history of his battalions experiences, which can be seen on-line. 

Randy Hanes by a Bailey Bridge like the ones his battalion built and installed in the ETO during WWII.

Randy Hanes stands near a knocked out German Tank in Belgium.

In 2005, we had the opportunity to take Randy and Norma to a reenactment and show in College Station Texas. Not only did the owner have a Bailey Bridge, which Randy's 300th put several in, he also brought back the sounds of a time 60 years prior during the reenactment as the howitzers fired rounds at the advancing German troops.  We also have shared rides with Randy at parades, events, and his battalion reunions and enjoyed giving a little back to him, and the boys in his group. We're glad our grand kids have got to know Randy and Norma through this relationship, so one day, they too will appreciate the service and sacrifice.

Jim Reed - WWII Marine

Just a kid, Jim Reed in his Marine uniform.

Jim Reed talks to a guest at the 60th Anniversary of
Iwo Jima in Fredericksburg, Texas, which we participated in.

Like Randy, Jim Reed was a speaker at numerous club events. Unlike Randy, Jim served on the other side of the world, against another enemy, Japan.  Jim served with the 4th Marine Division, and his service would make for a movie in it's own right. He has been featured on the History Channel, describing his experiences at West Loch, a little known, secreted for years, event at Pearl Harbor. There, he was on an LST being loaded for the invasion of Saipan, when a huge explosion occurred killing 163 and destroying 6 LST's. The exact cause was never found, but at the time, sabotage was suspected. 

Jim and the 4th Marines also were involded in the invasions and battles of Kwajalein Atoll, Saipan, and Iwo Jima.  I was fortunate to have done a story on Jim for our military vehicle group, and make it available to anyone wanting a copy. 

Like Randy, we were happy to have participated with Jim in many events, such as the 60th Iwo Jima Event in Fredericksberg, Texas in 2005 and fortunate enough to meet with Ross Perot in his office privately, as he too has a big heart for veterans and servicemen.  Jim lives in Plano Texas, having just losing his beloved wife, Mert recently. 

Dr. Tommy MacDonnell - WWII Army 1st Division

"Dr. Tommy" as he is known by the locals, showed up on day at the Marshfield (MO) 4th of July Parade, in his wool WWII uniform.  It was a HOT day. We shook hands and I showed him our Jeep, but he already had a ride in an old Mustang convertible with Congressman Ike Skelton. We usually always do this big parade and often have done a military static display on the square.  

The next year, after we had been to Normandy France with reenactor club members to honor and participate in the 60th Anniversary of D-Day earlier, I saw Dr. Tommy driving around the square on the 4th of July and stop to talk to someone. I approached and mentioned we had just got back from Normandy, and had a lot of stuff that might be of interest. Tommy just parked his car there on the street, got out of his car (wearing his wool uniform on another HOT 4th) and came into the tent, pulled up a chair, grabbed a bottle of water, and started sharing. did I mention he just left his wife in the car!!! His daughter came into the tent later and said "Daddy, we're going to take Momma home".  He acknowledged, and kept on talking.

WWII Vet, Dr. Tommy MacDonnell, rides in our 1942 WWII GPW
Jeep at the Marshfield (MO) Parade. Peter drives as
Rep. Ike Skelton gets a little campaigning in.
Our Living History tent and display can be seen in background.

Tommy served in the US Army with the 16th RCN or the 1st Division (known as The Big Red One). He trained in the US, sailed to England, and on June 5th, loaded into an LST. I recall Tommy once saying "we were vomiting our toenails up". He was on an LST with 4 halftracks that landed D+30 minutes, in other words 30 minutes into the invasion, on a beach called Omaha Red. German artillery took out the haftrack in front of him, then the one behind his as they were unloading.  The artillery was deadly accurate, and being called in from a pillbox on the beach.

Dr. Tommy with two ladies (Texas friends Sheree & Ariel Koester)
pose in front of Olive Oyl prior to the 2010 Marshfield 4th of July Parade.

What made this visit special was a picture we took during our visit, of a pillbox with a plaque, and some vintage motorcycles by it.  Tommy pointed out that the plaque was honoring his group, which took out this pillbox shortly after their landing on D-Day. In fact, Tommy took it out, wounding the German soldier manning the bunker. Tommy got to meet this soldier 50 years later when they both returned to Normandy for the 50th Anniversary.

After D-Day, he later, like Randy, ended up in the Battle of the Bulge. There, Dr. Tommy received a head wound. He recalls being in Leige, Belgium, slipping in and out of conscienceness, and hearing an orderly say "don't worry about him, he's not going to make it". Right then, he made peace with GOD. Three weeks later, he woke up in a hospital in Paris. 

Tommy did return to Marshfield, became a doctor and along with his father, delivered just about every baby in Webster County I think. He has received many community honors. We have had the privilege to get to know Tommy better. The next year, we were asked to carry him as the Grand Marshall in the 4th of July Parade, with Congressman Ike Skelton. 

Cory Stockwell - Marine

I could not close without saying how proud we are of Cory Stockwell.  This young man use to travel to our place here in Missouri with our good friends and his grandparents, long before we lived here. He was just a young tike who with our buys, somewhat older, would get out in the woods at night, and play flashlight wars.  Ok, maybe his granddad Floyd and I would participate too. Floyd was a Marine with the 3rd Division and did two tours early on in Vietnam.  Floyd and Judy practically raised Cory, and this left an impression on him, for sure. 

Just a young kid, Cory Sockwell joins our son Peter and friend
Robby Dakel in their participating in Branson's Welcome Home
Salute to Vietnam Veterans. Little did we know at this time,
the picture below would become a reality.

Marine Cory Sockwell (far right), preparing to return home
from Delaram, Afghanistan this year

Before we knew it, this little boy had grown into fine young man, joined the ROTC in high school, and before you knew it, was a Marine!  Cory went to artillery school, and then was deployed to Afghanistan this past year, naturally with much anxiety of his grandparents and family. 

He just returned and remains active with the Reserves in the Dallas, Texas area. Thank you Core-Man, for all the memories and your service......

These are just a few, and I probably have not done justice to their service in total.  However, we love them, honor them, and appreciate them all.  These are just a few, as I said.  I try to thank each veteran I meet, whether passing one in the store sporting a cap that says "Korean Vet", or "US Army". Please join me today, and everyday, thanking our veterans and servicemen and women.

Mark and Dixie

Blackberry Creek Retreat

Upcoming Retreat Specials

As we come off a very busy fall season of weddings and retreats, and prepare for the Holidays and New Year, we wanted to alert all our retreaters of a Winter Season Special.  Beginning December 1st, 2011 and extending through March 20th, 2012, Blackberry Creek Retreat will offer a 3-for-2 Retreat Special. During this time, any group desiring to retreat with us, will get 3 nights for the price of 2.  Extend your quilting, scrapbooking, knitting, or any hobby getaway time to three nights. Third night can be a Thursday or Sunday added to a Friday/Saturday night weekend, or a midweek retreat. That includes the extra meals as well!!! 

All this for our already low retreat price. 

If you or any retreaters can't put the three nights together, not to worry. We'll accept a partial group for the three nights, and remainder for two nights. Sorry two-nighters, but the rate is the same. To lock in this special, these retreats need to be booked by 12/31/11.

As we look into 2012, another offering we will announce is that for those "frequent" retreaters that visit often, we will reward you with a 1/2 price retreat weekend after you have retreated with us three weekends in the calendar year.  We have many retreaters that do this - retreat three weekends in 2012, and you can get a 1/2 price retreat that same year, or the following year (2013).



Another new perk, after March 15th, 2012, if a group books a retreat for 11 or more "paid" overnight retreaters, the organizer will get their retreat FREE.

If a retreat group can not put together the 10 person minimum, but you have a smaller group of crafters, contact us about blocking an "Open Retreat Weekend" where we will review your needs, and we'll bring in additional retreaters (may be other craft type such as putting quilters with scrapbookers, or knitters with quilters). Same great food, environment, and fun people.

We are presently reviewing our prices for mid-2012 since food, utility, insurance, and general operating costs have risen, and are affecting us. So NOW is an opportune time to book your dates, and we'll hold current prices if booked before any rate change announcement .

A deposit is required to lock-in both dates and old rates.

For more information, available dates, and terms, contact us (e-mail, FaceBook, telephone, drop by) and we'll assist you. We look forward to our retreaters returning and bringing their creativity and fun-filled fellowship to Blackberry Creek Retreat.

Mark and Dixie

Blackberry Creek Retreat

Guests Flogged for Violations!!!!

It was bound to happen.  A guest violating the rules and disciplinary action being taken. So was the case this past weekend when the Scrappin’ Floozies invaded Blackberry Creek Retreat for a weekend of cropping, pasting, trimming, coloring and creating. They have been here numerous times. They know the rules.  So it was with great distress that we had to flog a couple retreaters.

According to a Blackberry Creek Retreat (BCR) Security report, the Innkeeper, Mark Dawson, showed up in the dark of the morning, Saturday, to prepare much needed coffee and a bountiful breakfast for “the girls”.  Upon entering the dark, pre-dusk facility, a “good morning, Mark” calling out from the sofa and seating area.  Mark apologized and said he’d get the coffee brewing for these early risers.  Then, one confessed and said “we locked ourselves out of our room!”

When asked why they “DID NOT CALL TO GET THE ROOM UNLOCKED?”, they responded, ”it was 4 am in the morning and we did not want to disturb you.”  Innkeeper Mark was very upset that these retreaters felt it an imposition to call and seek assistance in opening there room for a good night’s sleep (or what was remaining of it) in their own bed.

This is a clear violation of BCR policy and punishable by flogging. Both were sentenced and a flogging was scheduled.

It was a beautiful day for a flogging, our first. The other retreaters were summoned for “jury duty’.  The accused, Donna Sue and Sabrina, were escorted outside to the court, as one member beat the drum to their march.

The jury of peers was summoned, the accused marched out, and the hearing began, on such a beautiful day.

Both were presented to the jury, and the “Decree Permitting a Flogging” was read. Innkeeper Mark explained the seriousness taken in BCR’s Customer Service and their ability to respond 24/7 to needs and emergencies.  One such need is to sleep on a wonderful bed. By not doing so, the risk was these retreaters returning to Nixa and rumor that “they slept (or not) downstairs on a sofa or chair” might leak into that community, and spread into Springfield, neighboring communities, and over SW Missouri. This could greatly jeopardized the hard work and quality service put forth by Mark and Dixie.

The "Decree Permitting a Flogging" is read to te accussed.  They don't apear to be taking this seriously.

The "Degrees" were read, a verdict posed, decrees signed by each jury member and the Innkeepers, and sentence carried out.

Obviously, and as expected, the jury was pretty torn up and emotional about the sentence.

By not calling the Innkeepers to provide them the backup key location and entry to a good nights sleep, both would receive the harshest of penalties. An example had to be set for future guests to know the penalty for not reporting a problem.  The jury was asked to weigh in their decisions.  Unanimously, thumbs down.  The accused were identified and chained in preparation for flogging. 

The jury found the accused guilty, and sentence was ordered to be carried out. The accused were labeled (we might have gone the scarlet letter route had this occurred during a Quilter's Retreat), and shackled. Not anticipating ever having TWO violators, the Court Jester, er, ah, Clerk, could only come up with one GUILTY sign, so we had to improvise.
"Do not allow small children to view the following, as it might be disturbing."

Both accused GRIMICE in shock and pain of the flogging.

Things then turned ugly. Some said, “this is not a flogging, it is a spanking”.  Others said they wanted to recant their verdict, for fear they might not get a ride home. By the way, we don’t spank here at BCR – can’t let that word get out, would be bad for business, being politically and socially correct. Spanking, ha.

This is not a Spanking, it is a Flogging!!!

So, we had our first flogging. Both girls reported they learned their lesson and WOULD CALL again if they locked themselves out.  You see, flogging gets the job done. Both were seen sitting on donut pillows the remainder of the stay.

Donna Sue, the main perpetrator in this wrongdoing, apparently cohearsed Sabrina into not contacting the Innkeeper. Prior to the Flogging, she even hid under a table for 20 mintues to avoid sentence.

Wait, who snuck in the pillows? Were they smuggled in last night's apple cake?

It seems, these rascal retreaters have learned their lessons. When locked out of your guestroom, CALL THE INNKEEPER, regardless of time of day or night.

Note to Spouses of Retreaters: If your wives returned without results reflecting they achieved little during their weekend here at BCR, you might understand.  They DID GET plenty of time to work (many not going to bed until the wee hours of the morning) and energy (food). However, distractions do happen.

Mark and Dixie
Blackberry Creek Retreat

Marshfield Chamber of Commerce - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

This past Friday, the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce visited and provided our "official" ribbon cutting ceremony for Blackberry Creek Retreat, as we are members.  Well, we have been members since opening, but never got around to the ribbon cutting........

While most members of the Chamber were out of town, or had other commitments, we were joined by Terry Wrinkle who setup and pushed for closure on this event, William Russell, and Emily Griffeth, Editor (and Chamber Director) of the Marshfield Mail. The Chamber of Commerce organizes and promotes the Marshfield 4th of July Parade and Rodeo, which we partake in every year, running our military vehicle(s) in the parade, and enjoy rodeo and fireworks with out of twon guests.

Ribbon Cutting at Blackberry Creek Retreat (l to r) William Russell, Dixie and Mark Dawson (Innkeepers & Owners) and Terry Wrinkle. Photo taken by Emily Griffeth (Marshfield Mail).

Ribbon Cutting at Blackberry Creek Retreat (l to r) Dixie and Mark Dawson (Innkeepers & Owners) and Terry Wrinkle. Watch your scissors, Dixie!!!  Photo taken by Emily Griffeth (Marshfield Mail).

After a brief photo session (it was HOT outside) we snacked on some food provided by Blackberry Creek Retreat. SO, we are "officially" OPEN, or, well, have been for a few years......

Mark and Dixie
Blackberry Creek Retreat

Places Our Guests Travel From....

About the time we opened Blackberry Creek Retreat, we saw a silage wagon for sale not to far away, and pondered how we could use it. We purchased it, thinking maybe a "Welcome" sign or even our Retreat name at the road.  Visitors may recall passing it on the way to the Retreat just inside our gate.

An idea popped into our heads how we could best use it, rather than a sign or just a garden area backdrop, though both good ideas. One of Dixie's cousins (we all know how many cousins she has) and traveling buds, spurred an idea. She grabbed a license plate when they traveled (even to Mexico) and would bring back and put on an "outhouse" she had her husband built, serving as a garden tool shed.

We thought, why not do the same, but in lieu of places we had been, why not places our Guests had traveled from.  So we purchased a few plates from states our guests traveled from.  As the wall of the wagon began to exhibit a few states as we found the plates, guests began sending a plate from their state, if we did not have.  We asked them to sign the plate as well, which a few did.

(left) Friend from Cordoba, Mexico Dan Hall peeks from cousin Della's Outhouse. The plates of places she has traveled are plastered on the outside, giving us the idea for the silage wagon, (right) grand-daughter and BCR helper Lauren adds a plate from Minnesota sent by a guest.

We thought, why not do the same, but in lieu of places we had been, why not places our Guests had traveled from.  So we purchased a few plates from states our guests traveled from.  As the wall of the wagon began to exhibit a few states as we found the plates, guests began sending a plate from their state, if we did not have.  We asked them to sign the plate as well, which a few did.

Lauren adds plates from North Carolina & Pennsylvania sent by another guest.

We recently painted the header above the plates. Now, a nice welcoming piece of history displaying an array of plates from places near and far.

While we have a good number of plates, some duplicates, we still lack a good number and are seeking in junk stores and flea markets. A recent guest from Japan was unable to get one out of the country, and we need Mexico and France plates. States not placed but needed include New Hampshire, New York, New Mexico, Tennessee, Alabama (can't believe I don't have that one) come to mind.

It's a fun little project, and now we move onto something new......Stay tuned as to what that might be.  We have lots of things in the hopper. As Kramer once said to Jerry Seinfeld, "Oh, I got things in the hopper Jerry". 

Mark and Dixie
Blackberry Creek Retreat