“Old friends are best. King James used to call for his old shoes, they were easiest to his feet.” — John Selden

HEARD ON THE TOWN

THE DISTINGUISHED Alumnus Award and Outstanding Service Award were given during the UTC Alumni Board’s annual Legends & Lead ers Dinner held recently at the Chattanooga Golf and Country Club, said event spokeswoman Jayne Holder, director of UTC Alumni Affairs.

Kayvon Sadrabadi, UTC alumni board president, served as emcee, and Roger Brown, UTC chancellor, presented the awards to the honorees.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 1969 by the UTC Alumni Association to recognize alumni who have made significant contributions to the community and society, and whose accomplishments and career activities have reflected glory on the university, Ms. Holder said in a news release.

The 2008 Distinguished Alumnus is Dr. Harold A. McAlister, class of 1971.

Dr. McAlister is a Regents Professor of Astronomy at Georgia State University, the founder and director of the Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy, and the director and chief executive officer for the Mount Wilson Institute in Pasadena, Calif., the information noted.

The Outstanding Service Award was initiated in 1985 to honor someone who has given outstanding service to the university and community. Dr. Fred Obear, chancellor emeritus of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and his wife, Ruth, were the 2008 recipients.

Former Distinguished Alumnus recipients attending the dinner were Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice William M. Barker and Tom Griscom. Outstanding Service Award winners present were Ray Albright, Milly Fariss, Ruth Holmberg, Joan McNeill Murray, Charles Pierce, Howard Sompayrac and Joe and Barbara Waters. REUNION

ESTELLE CUNNINGHAM

is beaming from the fun she had during her recent 50-year Hixson High School class reunion. She said it was the second time the classmates had reunited since graduation day in 1958.“But now everyone wants us to have a reunion annually,” she said.

The big event was held at Valleybrook Golf and Country Club.

According to classmate Yvonne McMillon Karr, 29 of the 57 graduating classmates, along with 20 guests, attended. A memorial service was held to honor deceased classmates and faculty members.

Several classmates invested many hours creating a 50thanniversary souvenir yearbook, Ms. Cunningham said. The book included an up-to-date profile of each classmate, senior-year memorabilia and a brief history of the school.

The classmates were allowed to tour their old school, now Hixson Middle School, thanks to middle school principal Nancy Barnwell, Ms. Cunningham said. The school’s PTA leaders, Melanie Ozborn and Karman Wilkes, hosted a tea for the 1958 graduates.

“As classmates walked the hallowed halls, classrooms were opened so that one last picture could be made in notable teachers’ rooms for permanent memoirs to be filed in archive collections,” she said. “The reception in the library proved to be an interesting setting for tales and history of the school, bus routes, caring teachers and valuable educations — academic and life.”

Hixson Middle School’s replacement building is being built near Hixson High School.

“Principal Barnwell wanted this to be a celebration of the last year at Hixson Middle School in honor of our 50th anniversary and in celebration of the upcoming centennial of Hixson High School, a joyous occasion for all attending and for the Hixson community,” Ms. Cunningham said.

More than half the graduates attending the reunion can trace their ancestry to Hixson community settlers, she said.

Classmate Benny Sanders recalled earning $3 a month for helping “Mr. Powell,” the school’s custodian, sweep the building. He said he saved his earnings for three months to purchase a new red bicycle for $9.

Among those attending the reunion were the group’s former teachers Mary Jane Blanchard, Geraldine Lentz Conry and football coach Tony Martino. Out-of-towners present were

Felton Hulsey, Dan Hunter, Jeane Rogers Weddle, Virginia Boyce-Garrott and Katherine Marler Burleson. EAR TO THE GROUND

“BEFORE THE Pink Ribbons,” a documentary profiling two women who came together to provide support to those touched by breast cancer, will be aired at premiere party hosted by Y-Me on Thursday.

“Through their mission and the dedication of others, people have become empowered to make sure that no one faces breast cancer alone,” said Lynda LeVan, Y-Me executive director. Actress/survivor Jaclyn Smith hosts the 30-minute film produced by Y-ME in celebration of its 30th anniversary. The documentary, which will air on Lifetime, Hallmark, Oxygen and other cable networks in June and October, examines the last 30 years of breast cancer research.

“Thirty years ago there was no support for women diagnosed with breast cancer. No walks or runs. No pink ribbons,” Ms. LeVan said.

The Chattanooga Affiliate of Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization and Dr. Phillip Burns, surgeon, will host the premiere on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the North River Civic Center in Corp. Image Office Park, Suite 201 (behind Northgate Mall by post office), Ms. LeVan said.

“Dr. Burns will also be sharing his experience and insight in his 30-year practice as a surgeon and the changes he has seen locally in Chattanooga,” she said.

Dinner will be provided. For more information, call 622-4454.

The local Y-ME chapter provides a service for those

diagnosed with breast cancer

and their families throughout Southeast Tennessee and North

Georgia. For more information y-me.org/chattanooga. TOASTS

CONGRATULATIONS to Charlie Rosenquist who was recently selected Toastmaster District 63 2007-2008 Area Governor of the Year. According to Cookie Norton, incumbent vice president of public relations for the BlueMasters Toastmaster Club, she was selected for her outstanding service and exceptional leadership.

There are nearly 1,600 members in District 63, Ms. Norton said.

“The area governor of the year selection by the district governor is based on club achievements, attendance at executive meetings, communications to the district governor as well as personal accomplishments such as obtaining the Competent Communicator and Advanced Communicator Silver designations,” she said.

Ms. Rosenquist is a member of the BlueMasters Club at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, where she is a senior provider technician for provider networks and contracting.

“As governor, she is responsible for providing support to six downtown Toastmasters clubs, including BlueMasters and Hill Toppers at BlueCross,” Ms. Norton said. “She also serves as a mentor for the new Erlanger Baroness Club.”

Toastmasters International is a world-wide nonprofit organization focused on public speaking.