“Independence: An achievement, not a bequest.” — Elbert Hubbard

HEARD ON THE TOWN THE STATE of Tennessee has awarded the Hamilton County Education, Arts & Culture department a $6,000 grant for additional instruction for students in academic jeopardy at Brainerd High School and Howard School of Academics & Technology, said Laurie Shipley, EAC director of development and marketing.

“EAC and the Hamilton County Virtual School will pilot EAC’s Connecting the Dots Virtual Classroom, a virtual summer school program, in the Brainerd and South Chattanooga recreation centers,” she said. Missy Crutchfield, EAC administrator, said the grant will allow the organization to pilot the program to assist students in completing the necessary credits needed for graduation.

State Rep. Andy Berke presented the award to Ms. Crutchfield at the South Chattanooga Recreation Center.

Recreation director Bob Saylors, Hamilton County Virtual School coordinator Debi Crabtree and recreation area manager Cynthia Gates attended the grant presentation.

For information, contact Ms. Shipley at 425-7826 or 290-7854. TOASTS

BRIAN STEWART, news director at Clear Channel Chattanooga US-101, The Legend and Rock 105, said thanks to donations from their listeners, two tractor trailers loaded with supplies were delivered to victims of the recent tornadoes in Alabama.

“The tornado that came through rocked the community, but they were able to rebound in an amazing way,” Mr. Stewart said. “I had the opportunity to spend the day after the storm hit with families and community members assessing the damage.”

The supplies, he said, were at the community center on Friday night, just two days after the storm touched down.