TownTalk

"Find a need and fill it."

-- Henry J. Kaiser

TOASTS

THE FREEDOMS Foundation at Valley Forge, Chattanooga Chapter held its annual awards ceremony recently at the City Hall in Collegedale. Larry Henry served as Master of Ceremonies and the Red Bank High School Color Guard presented the colors.

The Distinguished Citizen and Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by Mike Mann to Dalton Roberts. The chapter also honored Bette Malone and her daughter Emily Lewis with the Spirit of '76 Community Service Award. The mother/daughter team lead fundraisers that last year netted $32,000 for Walk for Cure.

Awards also were presented to Michael Reed, Andrew Hall, Hope Howard, Andrew McKeown, Wesley Althaus, David Hatch, Jonathan Parker, Casey Reece, Geraldine Charton, Fred Headrick, Mark and Patty Parks, Chris Cole and Tom Randolph.

Mr. Randolph, a teacher at Dade County Middle School, portrayed George Washington at the event.

The Chattanooga Chapter of Freedoms Foundation was founded in 1970 by Margaret Cooper. The organization honors the freedoms of America and encourages youth to be good citizens and uphold the freedoms for generations to come.

For more information about the organization, contact Chris McSpadden at 855-0515 or Marilyn Parker at 344-3724.

AWARDS

BETHEL BIBLE VILLAGE held its third annual appreciation luncheon recently for Hamilton County School's social workers and counselors. The event was held in the gymnasium at Bethel Bible Village in Hixson.

Bethel has a twofold purpose for honoring the social workers and counselors in area schools, according to a news release.

"First is to recognize the influence and opportunity they have to direct a child's future," said Sharon Mansell, Bethel Bible Village spokeswoman. "Second, when there is a child whose family is experiencing a crisis, Bethel wants these key (people) to be able to provide Bethel as a resource for that family to find the help they need to overcome the crisis."

Among those honored were Ashley Medley of Dalewood Middle School, winner of the Middle School Counselor of the Year; Casey Bell Jacobs of Normal Park Museum Magnet School, winner of the Elementary School Counselor of the Year; Vicki McGinnis of Hamilton County High School, winner of the High School Counselor of the Year; Roger Helle, executive director of Teen Challenge and guest speaker at the event; Vickie Spangler, Hamilton County School Social Worker of the Year, and LeeAnn Williamson Mills, principal of Soddy Daisy Elementary.

HEARD ON THE TOWN

THERE ARE SOME budding young artists at Highland Plaza United Methodist Preschool, and you can see their work on March 12 at StudioPendous, a fundraising event that will showcase the youngsters' art.

"This is an art gallery showing the preschoolers' work as well as a silent auction and dinner," said event spokeswoman Jennifer Bell.

Advance tickets for the school's third annual fundraiser cost $5 per person or $20 per family ($25 at the door). Dinner will be served at no additional cost. The event will be held at Chester Frost Pavilion.

Submitted photographs will not be returned.