Orchard Knob School praised
Thursday night, I attended the 50th anniversary celebration of Orchard Knob School.
The entertainment was a program by students delivering famous and important speeches representing every decade the school has been open. It highlighted the changes our country has seen in the last 50 years. What outstanding, inspiring and eloquent orators!
Dinner followed with the opportunity to honor past and present teachers, students and administrators. Accomplishment and achievement were celebrated.
I want to thank the present leaders, Principal Chrysal Sorrells and Assistant Principal Lakesha Carson.
They are making a difference in so many lives, mine included.
MARIAN STEFFNER
Lookout Mountain
Senators praised for preservation
Re: the commentary "Act would help preserve wilderness watersheds" by Renee Victoria Hoyos, Perspective section, Nov. 20.
What wonderful news.
A bill before the U.S. Senate, the Tennessee Wilderness Act of 2011, championed by local environmentalists and politicians alike, will protect the quality of water flowing to our community and many others, while safeguarding more of the unique and pristine wilderness within the Cherokee National Forest. This is definitely a victory for all, nature lovers and city folk alike, with an irrefutably beneficial impact on health and spirits.
No doubt, Sen. Alexander and Sen. Corker's leadership are integral to securing the preservation of these additional wilderness areas, but it is people whose life's work, such as the folks at the Tennessee Clean Water Network and Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition, who surely inspire our legislators to protect these vital natural assets, not only drinkable water, but thousands upon thousands of acres of pine and hardwoods, an irreplaceable carbon sink.
Now I am looking forward to the day when Sen. Alexander brings his Appalachian Restoration Act to a vote in the U.S. Senate, salvaging hundreds of watersheds and local communities currently desecrated by mountaintop removal coal-mining practices. Wouldn't that be something!
MEGAN SPOONER