Town Talk

“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.” —James Baldwin

TOASTS

CONGRATULATIONS to a group of former Soddy-Daisy High School athletes honored by their school for their accomplishments, some of which took place more than a half-a-century ago.

The athletes inducted into the inaugural Soddy-Daisy High Alumni Hall of Fame include Ernest Eldridge, Arnold Stulce, Evelyn West Ferry, Clay “Buck” Johnson, Gene Elliott, John Rawlston, Barbara Elliott Levi, Clarence Shattuck, Fred Skillern, Teddy Jenkins, Dr. Don Loftis, Don Upton and Robert Talaska. “The faculty and administration see the Hall of Fame as an opportunity to build on the rich tradition in our school and community,” said Soddy-Daisy High School teacher Ken Thomas, noting that 18 current staff members are graduates of the school. “These teachers and staff are serving on the Hall of Fame committee and have worked to see it become a reality.”

The Hall of Fame gives “students the opportunity to catch a vision for success in their own lives by learning about the accomplishments of alumni,” Mr. Thomas said.

TOASTS

THE PLANNING committee for VSA Arts Chattanooga was given the Community Partnership Award from VSA Arts Tennessee for developing new arts events that embrace people with special needs. VSA Arts is an international, nonprofit organization affiliated with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and founded in 1974 by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where all people with disabilities learn through, participate in and enjoy the arts, according to a news release.

“VSA Arts Tennessee has had a connection with Chattanooga since its inception in 2002, and we have wanted to strengthen our services and exposure in the area,” said VSA Arts Tennessee executive director Lori Kissinger.

VSA Arts Chattanooga will present performances and workshops at the Who-Fest on May 23 and 24. Performances will feature artists with special needs from Chattanooga and across Tennessee, as well as a workshop by trap drum expert Eddie Tuduri.

The planning committee include representatives from Allied Arts, Chattanooga Parks and Recreation’s Therapeutic Services, Open Arms, Orange Grove Center, Shaking Ray

Levi Society, United Way and

Who-Fest.

HEARD ON THE TOWN

MARY GILBREATH was employed at Olan Mills during World War II when she learned from a friend in Chicago that she, Ms. Gilbreath, was a “poster girl.”

One of Ms. Gilbreath’s fellow members of the local Daughters of the American Revolution, Pauline Moore, said the poster was displayed in major cities throughout the country during the war. The poster, which included the caption “Our soldiers are remembered by those left behind,” was distributed by Olan Mills, Ms. Moore said.

Ms. Gilbreath, a member of the Nancy Ward Chapter DAR, had no idea her photo was distributed nationwide, Ms. Moore said.

“Mary had a Tennessee friend living alone in Chicago while her husband was overseas during the war. The friend saw Mary’s picture in a window in downtown Chicago on her daily drive to work.”