“No law is stronger than is the public sentiment where it is to be enforced.”

— Abraham Lincoln

TOASTS

CONGRATULATIONS to T.O. Helton, who has been awarded the 2008 Adele Hampton Life Achievement Award for Conservation by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. A reception honoring Mr. Helton was held at Table 2.

According to Julie Beach, business and development director with TRGT, Mr. Helton joined the trust board of directors in 1995.

“During his five-year term, his leadership was instrumental in the renegotiation of a multiyear lease agreement between TRGT and Buzzi Unicem,” Ms. Beach said. “As the chairperson of the rock quarry committee, T.O.’s guidance led to the preservation of half of Little Cedar Mountain. It also kept the rock quarry open, keeping hundreds of local jobs secured, all while reclaiming the site as the rock was removed. The negotiations led to the trust receiving a yearly source of revenue that helps us fulfill our mission of land protection, education and land stewardship.”

The award is given to individuals who, in the spirit of the founders of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, have worked to preserve and protect the Tennessee River Gorge for the benefit of our community and generations to come, Ms. Beach said.

FUNDRAISER

THE CHATTANOOGA Theatre Centre’s second Dinner With Charles Dickens, A Victorian Holiday Feast will be Dec. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at CTC on the North Shore.

“It is a fundraiser for the Chattanooga Theatre Centre, which gets its support from the Tennessee Arts Commission, Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga, corporate sponsors, ticket sales and donors,” said event spokeswoman Jan Belk. “Proceeds from this event will go to CTC’s annual fund drive. Since we now plan to make ‘A Christmas Carol’ an annual production, the dinner probably will be an annual event as well.”

The event will be catered by Events With Taste. George Quick, CTC producing director, will portray Charles Dickens, and Becki Jordan will be Katherine Dickens. There also will be carolers, musicians, soloists and a bell choir, she said.

The committee includes Mike Lees, Sonia Young, Peggy Moore, Nancy Poston, George Quick and Ms. Belk.

“It will be a very festive evening hosted by Charles Dickens and his wife, Katherine, including a five-course dinner with ‘visitations’ from several of his characters providing entertainment.”

The cast also includes Melissa Wilson, Aaron Stangerone, Kendra Gross, Wayne Simmons, Sandra Jennings, John Gilbert, Thomas Alford and Josh Simmons. Carolers will be Thomas Alford, Maggie Bradshaw, Rhonda Catanzaro, Jerry Draper, Wayne Hartman, Bonnie Stoloff, Thad Taylor, Chuck Wilson and Carol Van Winkle.

Musicians scheduled to perform at the event are Jerry Draper, Sarah Stoloff, Sydne Rankin, Matt Weaver and Mr. Lees. The script for the event was written by Mr. Lees and Jeannette Mulvanney. Costumes are by Scott Dunlap.