CHEBOYGAN — On Friday, Aug. 20, the Cheboygan and Emmet Counties Chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association hosted a dedication ceremony at the rose garden recently planted in front of the Cheboygan County Building.
The garden was originally planted May 27 by Cheboygan and Emmet Counties Chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association Chapter President Linda Rogers and Angie Morthland, which included five rosebushes and several other flowers that were added later by the Cheboygan County Maintenance Department. That garden was formally dedicated Friday morning.
“The garden has flourished since its planting in May,” said Rogers. “If you would like to dedicate a rose to a Rosie in your family, there is plenty of room for growth.”
The roses in the garden are a special breed, the Rosie the Riveter trademark roses. These were developed specially for honoring the Rosie the Riveters, women who served during World War II to build planes, warships and perform other jobs typically done by the men who were fighting in the war.
The flowers are a peach color, because it has often been said that the women back in that era were “such peaches.”
Each of the rosebushes planted in the garden were sponsored by different members of the community, including Alma Ginop and Virginia (Hamann) Brooks, who worked at the Cheboygan Garment Factory, making parachutes used by American Armed Forces during the war.
Rob Ross’ mother, Lee Havemier Ross, who worked as a transcriptionist during the war, was also among those who are honored with the rose garden. There is also a bush for Clara Bueheler and Vera Willoughby.
Each of these Rosies have a plaque that is now permanently placed around the rose garden, on the front lawn of the county building. A sign explaining the significance of the rose garden was also placed with the flowers.
If there are more people who would like to sponsor a rosebush in honor of a Rosie the Riveter, the local Rosie chapter is happy to expand the garden to accommodate more flowers. You can sponsor a rosebush by calling Rogers at (231) 818-2878 to get more information.
The local chapter of the Rosie the Riveter Association will be volunteering for the Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day, as well as ringing a bell for Rosies on Labor Day in Pinecrest Village, in Mackinaw City.
The group is always looking for new members, and people can find more information on joining by calling Rogers.
For more information on the local Rosie the Riveter chapter, visit their Facebook page.
You can also find more information on Rosie the Riveters at rosietheriveter.net/.
Contact Features Writer Kortny Hahn at [email protected] Follow her on Twitter at @khahnCDT.
