Town Talk

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools."

-- Martin Luther King Jr.

HEARD ON THE TOWN

IN-TOWN GALLERY prepared for the holiday season with "Artanooga Holidays" at the gallery's location on Frazier Avenue. According to event spokeswoman Helen Burton, two new members, Michael Largent and Laurie Hall, showcased their artwork.

Largent exhibited photography and digital images, and Hall showcased pottery and clay figures.

"The entire gallery was refreshed with new work from 34 artists who create original pieces in various media from paintings, etchings, photography, jewelry and fabric to glass, wood, metal and clay," Burton said. "The multi-talented artists also accept commissions at customers' requests."

Burton said Largent calls himself a pictoralist. "He deliberately manipulates each image to achieve his ultimate vision. His digital prints evoke an atmosphere of mystery with subdued details and dark coloring."

Hall explained her work with clay as a means of "endless possibilities for creative expression with the interplay between surface and form," Burton said. "She often incorporates frogs or birds in her pieces to symbolize the total transformation of the clay into a finished product."

For information about the gallery and its exhibits, visit www.intowngallery.com.

REUNION

IT DOESN'T matter that 53 years have passed since Martha Black Simonton and Tommie Cofer Boltz graduated from Chattanooga "City" High School. They are dedicated to keeping the memories alive, Simonton said. That's why they hosted a luncheon for their high school friends, she said.

"The list of invitees was kept to a minimum to allow for quality one-on-one visiting," she said, noting the luncheon was at Epicurean Restaurant in East Ridge. Joining Simonton and Boltz were Janie Tichenor Wood, Freda Lamb Fraley, Gerry Cofer Carter, Mary Lynn Lamb Hollis and Betty Anderson Dunn.

Boltz and Simonton recalled skipping school lunches and saving the money to go to the country's first Krystal at the corner of 7th and Cherry streets. Simonton said Krystal hamburgers cost 7 cents at the time. She also said Miller Brothers, an upscale department store, was the in place to go when downtown.

Some of the ladies present attended elementary school together.

Fraley and Simonton, for example, recalled their days at Sunnyside Elementary School in Brainerd.

"There were no school buses in those days," Simonton said. "In the 1950's era, we walked just about everywhere."

Poodle skirts and "I like Ike" skirts were fashions of choice, and Elvis Presley was the No. 1 rock star, she said, noting that "Heartbreak Hotel" was a favorite tune.

"It was a tranquil time," she said.