News - Friday, December 25, 2015

The people of Keller Williams Realty – East Brainerd donate presents and more to Chambliss Children’s Center as they gather together Wednesday, Dec. 16 at The Read House to enjoy their annual holiday luncheon.

Realtor Diane Evans, who organized the event along with Realtor Annette Clark, said the company typically has a gift exchange, but this year, decided to give toys and supplies to Chambliss Children’s Center instead. 

The holidays are for memories – for recalling our favorite moments of the past, and for making new memories for the years to come. To celebrate this time of year, the Hamilton County Herald asked several members of the Chattanooga Bar Association to share their favorite holiday memories. As expected, a common thread is woven throughout all of the stories: some of the best moments are those centered around family and other loved ones. Grab a warm beverage and a box of tissues, and enjoy.

Always pray to have eyes that see the best in people, a heart that forgives the worst, a mind that forgets the bad, and a soul that never loses faith - GoodFruits.com

As I look back over this past year at the Bar Association, I see the many things we have to be thankful for. I’m most grateful and humbled to have been your executive director for the past 21 years. Also, I’ve been blessed through my Chattanooga Bar Association family with many mentors, friends, and colleagues. And I’m thankful for the opportunity to serve not only our membership but also our community.

The Northwest Georgia Council of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors held their annual Christmas luncheon Dec. 10.

In addition to celebrating the holiday season, the council installed its officers and board members for 2016.

Pictured seated (L-R) are: Mandy Melton, 2016 Northwest Georgia Council president; Nathan Walldorf, 2016 GCAR president; and Teresa Hogg, 2015 Northwest Georgia Council president. New board members pictured standing are: Denise Lindsey; Becky Maples; Lisa Heyer; Michelle Dills Hudson; and Amanda DeBord. 

At the risk of sounding like Mr. Scrooge, the holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year for household fires. Compiled by the National Association of Realtors, these tips can help keep your household from becoming a holiday fire statistic.

The countdown to 2016 has just about begun. If you’re like many people, you might be mulling over some New Year’s resolutions, such as hitting the gym more, learning a new language or taking a cooking class. All are worthy goals, but why not add some financial resolutions as well?

Just hours after the FBI Director designated the Chattanooga shootings as terrorism, the Secretary of the Navy announced that the victims of those attacks will receive the Purple Heart.

Following the announcement, Congressman Fleischmann made the following statement: Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Sgt. Carson A. Holmquist, Lance Cpl. Squire D. ‘Skip’ Wells, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith were killed, and Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley was injured, five months ago today during an act of terrorism in our great city of Chattanooga.

 A recent study released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows that residential construction nationwide remains the industry of independent entrepreneurs with 81 percent of homebuilders and specialty trade contractors being self-employed independent contractors. Even among establishments with paid employees, the industry is dominated by small businesses, with two-thirds of homebuilders and three out of four specialty trade contractors generating less than 1 million dollars in total business receipts.

The property beside the SunTrust building on the 700 block of Market Street has been empty so long, it’s seemed as though it’s never had any other purpose. Surrounded by the graffiti-covered walls and aging brick of other buildings, it’s stood as a remnant of a Chattanooga that no longer exists – a city with no vibrancy or growth in its stagnant bones. Now, with Atlanta-based Simpson Organization building a $28 million mixed-use residential and commercial development there, it stands as a symbol of the progress the city has made not only since the early ‘90s but also in recent years as investors have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Chattanooga.

^“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was likely the most anticipated movie of  all time. More than 30 years after the premiere of “Return of the Jedi,” the world was finally going to get a true sequel. The prequels had left a bad taste in nearly everyone’s mouth, and hardcore fans were eager to see the new film.

Financial services firm Edward Jones has opened a Chattanooga office with financial advisor Rich Dewitt at the helm.

The office is located in suite 207 at 5959 Shallowford Road.

To learn more, visit www.edwardjones.com, or contact Dewitt at (423) 892-1449 or rich.dewitt@edwardjones.com. 

I can hardly believe that the next time I will be writing this article it will be 2016. As the old adage goes, “time flies when you’re having fun.” This has never been more true for me.

I remember when I was in elementary school and we received “Weekly Readers.” They were usually 4-page newsletters about new inventions and goings-on in the world. We would all get one and our teacher would go over them with us about the latest happenings. I think Weekly Readers are still used in the schools today. However, they more than likely use iPads and computers to investigate that stuff and probably read the online edition of Weekly Reader.

Reprinted from another Christmas. Oh, the humanity.

I was in high school in the mid-seventies. It was the best of times; and on Christmas Eve in 1974, it was also the worst of times.

That night my friend Kenny Baker picked me up in his avocado-green Camaro after I had finished dinner with the family. It was cold and Baker’s car seemed even louder and shakier than usual. 

Once again it’s here. Time for the last column. Of the year, at least. 

And, though I didn’t do so last year, typically I in essence reprint a column I first wrote many, many years ago. One about winter holiday programs. Once called Christmas pageants. 

Saturday, Dec. 25, 1965

Fire completely destroyed the Koen Manufacturing Co. and a four-unit apartment building, The Summers Apartments, in Soddy shortly before 10 o’clock Friday night. There were no deaths or injuries. George R. Koeninger, owner of the plant, which manufactured upholstered living room furniture, said the loss would run into many thousand dollars with partial insurance coverage.

Saturday, Dec. 25, 1915

A mild epidemic of the grippe has attacked over 3,000 people in Chattanooga. Many are school children. The smoke and coal soot that has settled on the city has greatly aggravated the condition.

Mr. and Mrs. DeForrest Evans are spending a few days with Mr. and Ms. A.S. Glover on Missionary Ridge.

We have been dealing with some serious skin problems in my household here recently, and frankly, I am tired of them. Both of my youngest kids have skin irritation to some degree and this weekend I started to eliminate everyday household items to try to figure it out.

Creative Discovery Museum will host its annual New Year’s at Noon celebration Thursday, Dec. 31 beginning at 10 a.m.

Children will learn about the passage of time using traditional adult activities presented in a kid-friendly manner.

As part of the celebration, the museum will host a countdown with Father Time and Baby New Year, complete with a confetti drop at the strike of noon.

Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church will host eight presentations on depression recovery beginning Monday, Jan. 25.

Participants must pre-register at one of the informational meetings, to be held Sunday, Jan. 3 at 4 p.m. in the Samaritan Center Community Room, located at 9231 Lee Highway in Ooltewah, and Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church Fellowship Hall, located at 4829 College Drive East.