Festivals, parades make area exciting
Chattanooga is an exciting place to live!
This month, Mike and Astrid Griffin brought a tremendous jazz festival to town. I never saw so many bobbing heads, tapping fingers, and swinging feet in one place in my life; the bands were superb, and by the time we left, everyone was smiling and like one big family. Kudos to the Griffins!
Another event this month was the I-Fest (International Festival) at Signal Mountain Middle-High School, replete with two venues for live performances, displays, food, educational opportunities, and ways to help people in other countries. Finally, I was able to see Red Bank’s parade for my first time. I love living in a town with so many experiences available!
BETSY CHESNEY
School triumphs over tough task
I would like to echo the sentiments of a recent letter concerning Rhonda Thurman’s harassment of the staff and parents of Normal Park School.
My niece attends Normal Park, and I have seen her reading, writing and math skills improve dramatically this year. She talks enthusiastically and knowledgeably about the human body, ancient Egypt, the Amazon rain forest, and United States geography and history..
She has been given exposure to various projets and activities in art, music, science and physical education.
She has been on field trips to the zoo, the library and various museums. Her interests (in her case, horses) have been encouraged. She likes both her teachers and her principal.
I have seen similar performances among her friends who attend Normal Park School.
It is no trick to manufacture phony scandals and to stir up hate campaigns. Any demagogue can do that. But to build up a school that has a national reputation for excellence takes intelligence, education, dedication and hard work. I applaud the staff of Normal Park School for taking the more difficult road.
PAUL CAMP
Time to step up to replace Lupton
I may not have many things in common with Jack Lupton, but the one thing we do have in common may be the most important of all.
We lost a great man, but we also inherited a great responsibility. If you look around the room and aren’t sure who’s supposed to step up, it’s more than likely you.
One of my greatest memories is the first and only time I was allowed to play at the Honors Course. I worked during a tournament at the Honors along with many of my friends who, at ages 15-17, did nothing but play golf and lay by the Valleybrook pool during the summer.
After the tournament was over, we were allowed to play a round before the course was turned over, and with a caddy! My dad carried the bag and its memory I’ll keep forever. I love the respect for the game you can feel at a place like the Honors. Now it’s our turn as the youngest generation to pay attention to our history and make sure progress takes the place of complacency.
It’s interesting … love of golf, Coca-Cola, and of Chattanooga. Maybe our tastes aren’t as different as I thought.
BRIAN STEWART