EAR TO THE GROUND

CHATTANOOGA History Center will honor the late Mose and Garrison Siskin during its seventh annual History Makers Award Luncheon on Nov. 7 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

According to event committee member Connelly Ensign, the brothers will be honored posthumously for the significant contributions they made to Chattanooga.

The Legacy of Mose and Garrison Siskin award luncheon will recognize the far-reaching impact the work and philanthropy of the Siskin brothers has had on the Chattanooga area, and, through the Siskin Hospital and the Siskin Children's Institute, continues to have, Ensign said.

The award is an original sculpture by local artist Cessna Decosimo, she said.

Mose and Garrison Siskin's children, Claire Siskin Binder, Anita Siskin Levine, Helen Siskin Pregulman and Robert H. Siskin, will accept the award.

According to a news release, Mose and Garrison Siskin's father, Robert Siskin, immigrated from Lithuania to America in the 1890s to escape religious persecution. In 1900, he became a partner in a scrap metal business in Chattanooga. In 1910, he bought out his partner, and, with $6 of capital, set up his own business, R.H. Siskin & Sons, though the sons were only 7 and 10 years old at the time. Robert Siskin died in 1926. Mose and Garrison succeeded him and built their company into one of Chattanooga's most successful businesses.

"In 1942, Garrison suffered a serious injury to his leg, and amputation seemed likely. He made a promise to God that, if his leg was spared, he would devote his life to helping those in need," the information noted. "He received whole-hearted support from his brother, and Mose is reported to have said, 'Your promise is my promise.' The Siskin Memorial Foundation, the Siskin Children's Institute, the Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation and many lesser known good works followed and continue to impact countless families and individuals in the region."

The History Makers Luncheon is the History Center's major annual fundraiser. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available. For more information, call 265-324.

HEARD ON THE TOWN

PHIL DUNMIRE, the 46th president of the Navy League of the United States, will be guest speaker during the Navy League of the United States Greater Chattanooga Council's meeting on Nov. 20 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, said Patty Parks, spokeswoman for the local council.

Dunmire, who lives in Wellington, Fla., has been an active member of the Navy League for 24 years. He served in various staff positions in Germany before joining the 2nd Region Traffic Management Agency as Operations Officer in Qui Nhon, Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

Founded in 1902, the Navy League of the United States is unique among military-oriented associations in that it is a civilian organization dedicated to the education of citizens about the importance of sea power.

The Navy League encourages America's young people through its youth programs, including sponsorship of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, the Navy League Scholarship Program and Navy JROTC units like the one at Howard High School in Chattanooga.

For more information about the Navy League of the United States or to join the Greater Chattanooga Council visit www.navyleague.org, www.chattanooganavyleague.org or contact Parks at 326-0839 or info@chattanooganavyleague.org.

Parks also invites the public to a USO dance on Nov. 2 at American Legion Blair Post 95, 3329 Ringgold Road in East Ridge.

In addition to dancing, there will be door prizes, games, contests and food.

The event is sponsored each fall by the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council, Parks said. Families are encouraged to attend. The cost is $12 per person for advance reservations and $14 at the door. Groups of eight or more may purchase advance reservations for $10 per person. Proceeds from the dance help fund veteran-related activities coordinated by the council throughout the year.

For more information, call 326-0839 or contact Parks at mparks8192@yahoo.com.

Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/karennazorhill. Subscribe to her posts on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karen nazorhill.