National genealogy expert speaking here today

For those interested in researching their Southern genealogy, the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library is featuring a history and genealogy research expert today.

Dorothy Williams Potter, a Chattanooga native and author of the award-winning “Passports of Southeastern Pioneers, 1770-1823,” will speak at 9 a.m. on “Finding Your Ancestors on the Southern Frontier.”

Ms. Potter, the writer and editor of more than 100 historical and genealogical publications since 1966, will focus on hard-to-find records and special circumstances that many of the early settlers left as part of their legacy.

At 11 a.m. today, library archivist Suzette Raney will guide participants in a step-by-step workshop titled “Researching your Cherokee Ancestry.”

With a growing interest in pioneer and Cherokee history, library officials are showcasing what is becoming known as one of the most extensive collections of Cherokee resources in the United States.

The programs, sponsored by the Delta Genealogical Society and the downtown library, are free and open to the public.

Girls Inc. celebrates Earth Day today

Girls Inc. is partnering with Crabtree Farms and the Chattanooga Market to celebrate Earth Day and the release of the TasteBuds Guide on buying fresh and local food products Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event takes place at the Chattanooga Market in the First Tennessee Pavilion on Carter Street.

In addition to local vendors, Girls Inc. will provide activities including an art contest featuring eco-friendly crafts made by the girls of the organization, face painting and making seed mosaics.

All proceeds from Girls Inc. activities support the program.

Hamilton Health Care CEO steps down

John Bowling, president and CEO of Hamilton Health Care System, announced Friday that he will retire at the end of 2009.

Mr. Bowling has headed the health system, which includes Hamilton Medical Center in Dalton, Ga., for almost nine years, according to a news release.

A search committee has been formed to identify Mr. Bowling’s successor, who likely will assume office no later than Jan. 1, 2010, said G. Lamar Lyle, chairman of the Hamilton Health Care System board of trustees, in the release.

During Mr. Bowling’s tenure, Hamilton Medical Center completed major expansions in both the emergency department and surgical areas of the main hospital and added a new maternal and infant care center and a free-standing ambulatory surgery center, the release said.

McKamey center director leaves

The head of the McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center departed her position Friday.

Dr. Amanda Wojtalik-Courter, the center’s executive director, resigned in February and announced she would leave the shelter in April to allow the center’s board, the Animal Care Trust, to find a replacement.

The board’s chairman, Ann Ball, said the committee will begin its search and that an interim director is handling day-to-day business

“Our committee is working on a job description and already receiving resumes,” Ms. Ball said.

Karen Walsh, a previous board member, is serving as interim director. She has prior shelter-management experience and is a licensed veterinary technician, Ms. Ball said. She also serves on the staff at Chattanooga State Technical Community College.

Dr. Wojtalik-Courter stepped down amid growing budgetary red ink at the North Access Road facility. Board members insisted the departure was mutual.

References to Dr. Wojtalik-Courter already have been removed from the center’s Web site.

The Chattanooga-born, Yale-educated vet joined the center’s staff three years ago and oversaw the construction of the $6.5 million facility. She was at its helm for its first seven months of operation.