News - Friday, April 22, 2016

Leslie McWilliams is smiling. Her expression is not the product of a transitory emotion; rather, it blossomed over decades, and was born of every tragedy and triumph she experienced. It’s no Mona Lisa, either, but is a joyous, full-faced manifestation of the happiness that has taken root within her.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has extended Realtor Emeritus status to an icon of Chattanooga real estate: Peggy Pryor, owner of Coldwell Banker Pryor Realty.

To be granted Realtor Emeritus status, one must be a member of the NAR for a cumulative period of at least 40 years. Pryor, who served as president of the Greater Chattanooga Association of Realtors in 1987, earned her real estate license in 1974 and founded Pryor Realty in 1978.

Legal Aid of East Tennessee has named Charlie McDaniel director of operations for its nine offices across the Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Johnson City areas, including two Family Justice Centers and a Medical-Legal Partnership with Erlanger Health System.

The Tennessee State Library & Archives recently launched a new online ordering system for Supreme Court cases.

Located at supreme-court-cases.tennsos.org, the new system will allow researchers to request cases dating back to the early 1800s in hard copy or digital scans.

His name is Cameron Ward.

He was born in Montreal in 1957, graduated from the University of Waterloo in 1979, and received his law degree in 1983 from the University of Ottawa. He was admitted to the Bar of British Columbia in 1984, practiced with major Vancouver firms for nine years, and then founded his own firm in 1993.

Beautiful weather and the promise of wine and light hors d’oeuvres lured a number of Realtors to the Women’s Council of Realtors’ first Sip-N-Stroll of 2016 Tuesday.

Crye-Leike agents Becky Cope English and her husband, Derek English, hosted Sip-N-Strolls at two developments featuring new construction: Hampton Creek and Magnolia Creek in Ooltewah.

Most people in the Baby Boomer Generation (born between 1936 and 1964) are downsizing or will be in the not-too-distant future. When they first bought, most Baby Boomers loved big homes that now are more space than they need or are unable to maintain. Thus, this week, I will share with you four tips that will help make your downsizing move easier.

The Chattanooga area is steadily gaining a reputation as one of the most desirable places to live in the nation, particularly among younger adults drawn to a strong job market and thriving arts and music scene. A recent nationwide study examining housing preferences across generations sheds some surprising light on how these younger residents choose a new home.

The community is invited to attend Mayor Andy Berke’s third annual State of the City address, which is scheduled to take place Monday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Chattanoogan Hotel.

At last year’s State of the City address (pictured), Mayor Berke recognized the past year’s achievements and announced several new initiatives including the Mayor’s Council for Women and Baby University. Mayor Berke also presented plans for access to affordable internet for low-income families and a community pact with UTC to address safety and sexual assault issues on campus.

The Chattanooga Zoo is bringing back the Run Wild 5K and one mile races. Taking place Saturday, April 30 at the zoo, the 5K race will begin at 8 a.m. and feature a challenging run through Warner Park and the surrounding neighborhoods.

The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport last week announced that United Airlines will be providing nonstop service from Chattanooga to Newark Liberty International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

Beginning Sept. 7, 2016, United will offer two daily flights from Chattanooga to both cities on 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 regional jets. Service to both the New York City area and Chicago will include same-day early morning departures and evening arrivals. 

If you’re a golfer, you know the joys (and occasional frustrations) of the game. But you might not realize that some of the lessons you learn on the links can carry over to other areas of your life – such as retirement planning.

Something feels off, but Will can’t put his finger on it.

He’s at an elegant dinner party being thrown by his ex-wife, Eden, and her new husband, David. The couple invited Eden and Will’s entire circle of friends as well as a stranger who likes to hang out on the fringes of the gathering and watch.

Saturday, April 23, 1966

The Chattanooga Chapter of the National Secretaries Association named Mrs. Martha Wright, secretary to Ralph Ewing, president of Dixie Yarns, Inc., 1966 Secretary of the Year. She succeeds Mrs. Nancy Kizziah, 1965 Secretary of the Year.

Saturday, April 22, 1916

A week of pageantry started successfully at Central High School when the students presented “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” In a scene of natural forest trees, vines, and flowers, the players were Lovell Morris, Edith Shehee, Margaret Wilson, Miss Chaffee, and little Miss Emily Barnes, who won her way by dancing. The play was directed by Mrs. L.M. Russell.

This column was originally pubished in the Hamilton County Herald on April 17, 2015.

One day not long ago, I was leisurely strolling through my favorite health food market. I wasn’t in any particular hurry, so I was able to stop and check out a few things instead of doing my usual hectic run-through, picking up only what was on my quickly scribbled list.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails.  Explore, Dream, Discover. –Mark Twain

Gaze up at the sky on a clear night from anywhere in Tennessee and you’ll see a phenomenal display of twinkling stars and constellations. And, at certain times, you might even catch a glimpse of the International Space Station (ISS). It will appear as the third brightest object overhead as it streaks across the sky at a rate much faster than any plane. (Check SpotTheStation.nasa.gov/home.cfm for dates and times the ISS is visible in your area.)