Features

By Julia Hopper Daniel, For Roane Newspapers
Samuel William Harper, president of the Knoxville College class of 1942, made a farewell speech entitled, “Looking Back with Chins Up,” on May 25, 1942.

“The class of ‘42 will scatter after this day and will embark in various professions,” he said. “Some of us will be immediately united with our brothers in the armed forces of the nation, others will teach, and others will continue in graduate work.”

In the depths of the Depression, Sam Reed wanted to join the Boy Scouts.

Problem was, his family could not afford the dues of 5 cents a week, and he was forced to quit after a couple of weeks.

That did not stop his desire to serve scouting later in life.

He encouraged his oldest son, Charles to join the Cub Scouts through Harriman First Presbyterian Church in 1957. And when his youngest son, Gordon, became old enough, Sam started a Cub pack for him.

Welzie Swafford, 57, graduated high school after 40 years Thursday evening.

The success was especially sweet for Swafford. It was his fifth attempt in a straight 34-month period.  

Swafford received his GED through Roane State Community College’s Adult Education program during its graduation ceremony in Roane State’s theater.

While signing up for Social Security and disability for disc problems, Swafford was advised to finish high school after all this time.

When Kingston resident Larry Gabbard sits down at the potter’s wheel, there’s no telling what might come of it.

Each technique offers something different. Glaze, temperature and clay all play their parts in the methodical and creative process. The possibilities seem endless.

Samples of his creativity are being featured at the Kingston Public Library through the rest of the month.

“It's going to be sweet,” Jim Crawley said while testing the organ he recently brought from Nashville.
He’s part of a jam band started nearly five years ago with Bobby Wright, Ron Duncan, Bruce Bagwell and Rolla Lunsford, performing Bluegrass music in Harriman's Riverfront Park during the summer.
As word of mouth spread, eventually the band evolved to more than 10 members.

Noah Robert Pressley, nestled in the arms of his mother, Jessica Morgan of Roane County, decided to skip his original Christmas due date, opting instead for a New Year’s Day arrival and the title of first baby of 2011 for Methodist Medical Center, Oak Ridge.

Noah was born at 11:47 a.m. Jan. 1.

Dad Robert Pressley of Roane County and Lela Holder, a registered nurse with Methodist Family Birthing Center who helped deliver Noah, celebrate the special occasion.

By Sharon Littlepage, For Roane Newspapers

The Land of OS — Oliver Springs — is rolling out the welcome mat to visitors at the second annual October Sky Fall Festival to celebrate the family movie and the natural beauty of the area where the film was shot a decade ago.

The Rocket Boys Parade at 9 a.m. Oct. 16 will kick off the all-day festival. The festival, at Arrowhead Park adjacent to Oliver Springs High School, will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Download this form and sign your children (ages birth to 5) up for Roane Imagination Library. Your child will receive a special, age-appropriate book once a month.