Camp kindness

Dear editor:

For many years a group of dedicated individuals and groups in Catoosa County have worked to provide a summer day camp experience for a group of children, many of whom don’t have a chance to go otherwise.



Some have been there from the beginning: Sheriff Phil Summers and the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Department providing funds to pay counselors and the Recreation Department, first Jack Mattox and now Dennis Johnson and Suzanne. Robert Hitchcox with Coca-Cola provides refreshing drinks and area eateries including Hardee’s, Wendy’s (thanks for the Frosties) and Arby’s provide a break from PB&J.

On the last day of camp Pizza Hut of Ringgold supplies pizzas. Catoosa Schools handles administrative chores and makes sure the children get to camp and then back home.

Beginning last year the United Way of Georgia recognized the positive benefits of the camp and began providing financial support. Seeing a connection with the goals of Communities in Schools, Jayme Elliot, director, and Jane Baxter with United Way provided space under the CIS “umbrella.” That backing allowed more counselors and many more activities for the children.

And of course, without the great young people who work with the children, the camp would not exist. Alisha, Miranda, Molly, Megan and Ariel love children and it shows in the care and attention that they give the kids. And thanks to the greatest “youngster” of all, Pat Graham.

Last, Steve Moore and the folks at Ringgold United Methodist Church are so generous to let the camp use their facilities when the Catoosa Rifle Range is not available. But even more than the building, the children are made to feel welcome. And during the RUMC’s River of Life, the children were fed breakfast after the work teams left and had snacks and sandwiches.

All of this shows what a great community we have and how everyone comes together to help children.

Thank you,

Sue Mason Catoosa school social worker

Fitting tribute

Dear editor:

“A Tribute to America” veteran’s celebration was just that, a celebration of love of country and those men and women who gave of themselves during war and peace to make America the greatest country in the world. Neither thunder nor rain could dampen the spirits of those attending.

While individual awards were given to some, every person who attended was the real winner as we heard personal accounts of heroism and bravery, injury and recovery and a message to last the ages – love of country.

I was honored to have been a part of this beautiful event and in the presence of such distinguished citizens. I hope that when the call is made for the 2007 veteran’s celebration, every Catoosa Countian will give of their time and talent for the event and the effort to complete the Citizen’s and Veteran’s Memorial.

Chris McKeever Ringgold

Love the love article

Dear editor:

The article about Michael and Mekael Wiren (June 21) was a fantastic article. In Michael and Mekael’s life they have been in three newspapers. They were in “The West Texas Catholic” that is from Amarillo, Texas, and “The Canyon News,” in Canyon, Texas.

They truly are miracles, and the best miracle of all is being adopted by Chris and Andrea Wiren. We love them so much, and are so happy to be included in their lives. I talk to them usually once a week, just like a grandmother. They call me NaNa. Thank you so much for doing this article, maybe it will inspire many more to be foster parents and maybe to show adoption is truly a miracle.

Karen Artho Umbarger, Texas

Dolly and Catoosa

Dear editor:

Dolly Parton and her husband of 40 years, Carl Dean, celebrated their wedding anniversary on May 30 with a trip to the altar. The couple traveled back to the chapel in Ringgold, where they got hitched all those years ago. Not only that, this romantic trip is one they make every year. “We visit a park and then get our picture taken on the steps outside the little Baptist church where we said our I dos,” Dolly tells Britain’s “Sunday Mail.”

I did not realize just how much affection Carl and Dolly have for our little paradise in Northwest Georgia. For a long time I have marveled at the idea that Dolly and Carl would have such an attraction to Catoosa County. Yet I know why I love it so, the answer is not just the closeness to Chattanooga, or the rural atmosphere, or the historical value of our quaint surroundings. The answer is its people and the friendliness that they exhibit to all with whom they may have a chance encounter.

When we built our house some five years ago near the Wood Station community and within shouting distance of so many of my wife’s relatives, I did not realize just what a treasure we had found. Though I am originally from Dalton and had traveled through Catoosa County almost on a daily basis for work purposes, I never stopped to smell the sweet fragrance of this special rose called “Catoosa County, Ga.

On some spring or summery mornings we may rise to see deer playing tag in our field or in some late evenings we see turkeys, (hens, never the gobbler) lurking in the tree line area to the rear of our house.

Then there are the special incident times when someone from town has, in playful mischief, directed people south on Alabama Highway to our little bit of heaven stating that “Oh yes, Dolly Parton has her summer house” at our residence. I sometimes wish that such an event had been true for we might have had wondrous glory in allowing tourists to view “the house that Dolly built.”

Catoosa County is steeped in Civil War history, Indian lore, and musical events such as down at the barber shop and special outings that involve the entire town i.e., the 1890s Days car shows and craft fairs, good “ole time picking and singing” and lots to eat.

During our tenure here since we purchased our land, Catoosa County’s demographics have certainly changed. In years past, I could arrive at Exit 348 and travel in either direction without much difficulty. Now however, if one plans to travel south on state Route 151 in the afternoon, one should make plans to do so before 4:30 p.m. as after that time one will meet a lengthy procession headed south even past the county line into Walker County. Each car on its own destination to home in the many subdivisions that have sprang up in our bit of heaven or business or to view the beautiful mountainous ridges.

If you ask me to explain in one lengthy sentence as to why I love Catoosa County, her citizenry or her landscapes, her history and the music she makes, I could not for it would take volumes just talking of her treasures and history.

Tom Manton Ringgold