“Nothing is useless. A superstition is a hamper or a basket to carry useful lessons in.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson

TOASTS

THE DEPARTMENT of Education, Arts & Culture recently announced the winners of the second Lookout Heroes Here I Come essay contest, in partnership with the Chattanooga Lookouts, said Laurie Shipley, director of development and marketing with Education, Arts & Culture.

The winners are Tessa Croft, Brianna Evers, James Harris, Kolton Luke, Tanay Patri and Angel Sims.

“Reading and writing are vital in the success of a child’s education,” said EAC Administrator Missy Crutchfield. “Launching summer literacy programs, such as Lookout Heroes, provide an opportunity and outlet for children to hone their literacy and research skills. Researching and writing about their favorite heroes provide an enjoyable outlet for them to express their thoughts, feelings and opinions. We are also very appreciative of Frank Burke and the Chattanooga Lookouts for their continued support of this initiative and for being such great partners with EAC.”

The contest was open to Chattanooga residents ages 9-12, who were encouraged to write about their favorite “hero,” Ms. Shipley said. “Each winner received four box-seat tickets, courtesy of the Chattanooga Lookouts, a first pitch, and an autographed baseball.

“This contest has become an annual summer contest and will occur next June and July,” she said.

VOLUNTEERS working at Bi-Lo on Highway 153 have raised more than $2,500 to buy new books for the Northgate branch library, said library spokeswoman Andria Davis. The volunteers worked 116 hours to raise awareness for the library and money for the book fund, she said.

“We want to thank the store manager, Michael Jenkins, for allowing us to collect donations and to sell raffle tickets in his store,” said Herb Cohn, a library board member and coordinator of the event.

Library supporters enrolled in the Bi-Lo Boostersplus program raise additional money for the library every time they shop in their neighborhood Bi-Lo, Ms. Davis said.

“With 1,384 participants in the Boosterplus program designating the Friends of the Library as their beneficiary, Bi-Lo contributed the maximum allotted donation for the first half of the program year. A check for $1,500 was presented to the library in March. A final check for this program year will be presented in August,” she said.

To keep Bi-Lo Boosterplus records current, participants must re-enroll beginning this month for the next program year.

“Visit any of the library’s branches to pick up an enrollment form. Supporters are asked to take the form to any local Bi-Lo to scan with their bonus card. Bi-Lo will match 1 percent of total sales, up to $1,500 for each term,” Ms. Davis said. “Because many schools also participate in Boostersplus, the program follows a school-year calendar.”

The money funds programs such as the Children’s and Teen Summer Reading Programs, Tale for One City, Flick’s Café and other important services, she said.

HEARD ON THE TOWN

ATTORNEYS and special guests from across Tennessee participating in the 2008 Tennessee Bar Association annual meeting in Gatlinburg attended a reception in honor of Suzette Byrd and Amy Davis.

Ms. Byrd and Ms. Davis, both of Blount County, represent parents of the more than 670,000 children who rely on TennCare for their health care, according to a news release.

The event, hosted by the Tennessee Justice Center’s board of directors, recognized the two young mothers for their persistence in fighting for their children’s rights, and the rights of other children, to receive needed medical care under the TennCare program, the information notes.

Among those attending the reception were Chattanoogans

Blair Bennington Cannon and Marcia Eason.

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