This is the 1972 Nurse's Aide Class held at Fannin Co. Vocational High School. Most of these ladies worked at Copper Basin and surrounding areas. Front row 3rd from left is Dale (Ray) Brooks, 4th is Esther Housley. Back row: 2nd from left is Charlotte (Bobbie) Spurling, 3rd is Joan Spurling. The lady on the back row with Nursing cap is Eunice Phillips, instructor. (Submitted by Marie (Sullivan) Crook. To provide additional identification, email polknews@bellsouth.net or write PO Box 129, Benton TN 37307.
Old photo shows students at Ducktown High School around 1950. Front from left: Betty Jean McNabb, unknown, Wylene Kimsey, Patricia Ann Beckler, Peggy Hellerstedt, Mona Long, Betty Powell. Second row: Mrs. Minerva Spargo, Lowell Taylor, Elizabeth Clonts, A.G. Payne, Vera Sue Brown, Joan Couch, Helen Ruth Kilpatrick, David (Tot) Satterfield, Leon Taylor. Back row: Gene Nelson, Winston Danner, Ray Johnson, David Bryson, David Talley, Others not known.
Photo from 1910 provided by Bill Lillard shows the family of Calvin Higdon, who built the Higdon Hotel in Reliance. Calvin (1836-1919) and Amanda Linderman Higdon (1845-1926) were married in 1860.
Old photo shows the Copperhill High School Class of 1954 as they appeared in their sixth grade year (1947-48). Some of the class had not yet enrolled; some were absent on the day the photo was taken; and some moved away prior to graduation. The class will have its reunion on Aug. 1. Row 1 from left, (maiden names used for girls): Mary Katherine Whitfield, Patty Campbell, Rae Collins, Gloria bandy, Loretta Odom, Helen Ruth Farmer, JoAnn Talley (deceased), Barbara Jones. Row 2: Ruth Ann Kovsky, Rachel Rembert, Gale Rogers, Shirley Godfrey, Greta Jones, June Dalton, Mary Ruth Willis. Row 3: Katherine Dean (Teacher), Raymond Dalton, Jim Akin, Richard Jabaley, Eddie Maloof, Ben Dalton, Eddie Brown, Leland Weaver.
Pioneer Polk County family: Photo copied from a 1966 Polk County News shows the McClary family in 1887 at the Benton Springs Hotel, which was owned by Jacob McClary at the time. Seated from left, Jacob Lake McClary, Spencer Boyd McClary, Bennett F. McClary, Alice McClary Smith, and Mrs. Bennett F. McClary. Standing, George F. McClary, Louisa McClary Crox, Jacob Lake McClary, Annie McClary Stamper and Callie Belle McClary Wimberly.
From Polk County News, 9/13/34
Famous Monroe County Hotel Is Now No More
People from All Over South Visited the “Saratoga of the South” in the Good Old Days.
Old photo reproduced from a 1976 Polk County News shows the Polk County High School basketball team of 1926. Front, Janese Flower, Julian Snyder, Frank Lowery, Kenneth Prince and James Clemmer. Back, Coach Pop Anderson, Ted Snyder and John Arp.
This photo appeared in a 1942 edition of the Polk County News when two five-generations were present for the Holden and Porter family reunion in Benton. Mrs. Martha Holden, 82, headed both generations of five. Seated, from left, Mrs. America Porter, daughter of Mrs. Holden; Homer Johnson Jr., 5, great-great grandson of Mrs. Holden; and Mrs. Holden. Standing fourth from end, Mrs. Charlie Talley, grand-daughter; and Mrs. Homer Johnson, great-granddaughter of Mrs. Holden; Mrs. Lodema Carter, great-granddaughter, holding little Gerald Carter, great-great grandson of Mrs. Holden; Mrs. Florence Woody, a grand-daughter of Mrs. Holden.
Twenty years ago, the PCHS Class of 1929 held its 50th reunion. Present were, front from left: Mrs. John L. Brewer, Gladys Harrison, Vivian Cate, Pearl Hutsell, Alvin Hutsell and Irene Harrold. Second row: Jewell Harwick, Opal Higdon, Beulah Merrell, G.B. Smith, Louise Biggs, Bennie Lee Bryan. Third row: Chassie Stillwell, Ruth Carter, Ova Lee Foxx, Gladys Whaley, Amy Lillard, Emily Cheek, Chester Rose, Edith Gamble. Fourth row: Dan Clemmer, John Shields, Clifford Rose and Ed Higdon. All but four members of the class attended.
Forming backdrop for photo of Ducktown Store employees is the building where Tennessee Copper Company bought and sold goods for 63 years. Its doors closed April 18, 1964. From left, Kenneth Satterfield, Lawrence Holbrooks, Marilyn P. Davis, Beulah Cutcher, Robert Bell, Cecil Rice, Billy Joe Barnes, A. L. Kilpatrick, Kermit Corn, James Spargo, George Sosebee and Herman Worley. (From TC Topics, April 1964)
Photo of Ducktown Lookouts in 1975 was taken at the old Ducktown Ballfield, located between Main Street and the Burra Mining Complex. Alden Dilbeck was the coach. Bottom row, from left to right, Mike Kimsey, Kevin Panter, Keith Dilbeck, Greg Taylor, James Cearley, Lynn Deaver, and Dwight Dilbeck. Top row, Darrin Hughes, Eddie Gilmore, Brent Crago, Maurice Davis, Chris Panter, Michael Holder, and Scott Tomberlin
In 1973, eight Polk County FFA members were presented with the highest award on the state level. The Polk chapter received the honor of having the highest percentage of members (10%) receiving the award in the state. The recipients of the State Farmer degree were Robert Benton, Curtis Trew, Gary Woody, David Gregory, Frank Lee, Buddy Creasman, Danny Williams and Steve Wilson.
Photo shows the Junior Class at Polk County High School in 1945. Among those in the picture are John Lethco, Pat Gregory, Billy Lillard, Roy Morelan, Irene Kerr, Jerewanda Holcomb, Betty Frazie, Ruby Lock, Margaret Maynor, John Rymer, Bob McClary, Betty Runnion, Neal Clark and Lillian Watkins.
Photo from Geneva Jones Weaver, wife of Olen Weaver, shows 1927 basketball team at Ducktown High School. Seated, from left, Raymond Gobble, Ernest Johnson, Jess Owens. Standing, Olen (Buck) Weaver, Raymond (Ringtail) Worley, Olen (Preacher) Chancey, and (maybe) Tim Weehunt.
No identification is available on this photo taken by Joe Reese and provided by Loy Williamson of Turtletown. Anyone with information is asked to contact Polk County News, PO Box 129; Benton TN 37307; polknews@bellsouth.net; or 423-338-2818.
The governor’s proposal to increase class sizes in the elementary schools, and to base the state’s payments on those maximums, could mean a significant loss of revenue for teaching positions in Polk County.
Video surveillance has been installed at the county’s convenience centers to identify people leaving garbage outside the fence at the convenience centers or throwing it over the fence when the centers are closed.
The collision happened around 6:45 a.m. Dec. 28 when a westbound truck carrying around 20 tons of calcine lost control coming around a curve on Hwy. 64 and flipped on its side.
Board members spent a majority of the meeting listening to a laundry list of ranging from mold issues to the proper wording on “no smoking” signs on the outside bleachers.
The state’s report card provides achievement scores showing the amount of knowledge students have, and value-added scores showing the gain in test scores, or lack of it.
While there was some improvement last year, it was not enough to overcome low scores after the state raised standards in 2009; there were also some declines.
While the big race nationally is for President, there are several countywide races on tap, as well as School Board, constables, and municipal elections.
Lee University’s Encore Program, which offers people age 60 and over the opportunity to take university courses, has a new line up of specially-designed mini-courses for the spring.
Horse Trainer and owner of Double S. Stables, Randy Speegle of Benton took second place in the Legends division at the Mustang Challenge in Murphreesboro on October 21st – 23rd.
Local residents got their first look at potential routes for a Copperhill-McCaysville Bypass, at a public information open house held last Thursday by Project Engineers for the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Julius Johnson has authorized a statewide referendum for cattle producers to vote on a $0.50 per head increase in the assessment to fund the in-state promotion of beef.
While some students may be nervous about how the upcoming exams could affect their college options, the Tennessee Electronic Library (TEL) has the tools they need to succeed.
Principal Mrs. Patricia Smith proudly announces the Copper Basin Elementary 1st and 2nd honor students. Students must have a 93 or higher average in all classes for the 1st honor roll.
Mrs. Deborah Swafford of Old Fort, was chosen by Northwest Elementary Faculty in Murray Co, Georgia to be Teacher of the Year for the 2011-2012 School year.
On Oct. 7, with the help of Vice Principal Turner, who kept her out of class for a few minutes to get it set-up, The Senior English 12 Class threw a Surprise party for Mrs. Ellen Carr.
On Wednesday September 20, Ms. Bigham's English 11 class gave their book reports. One of the students, Tyler Queen, dressed up for his book report on Harry Potter.
In an effort to provide added security measures at Cleveland State, the college has purchased Code Blue emergency blue light pedestals to be placed in different locations throughout the main campus and one at the CSCC Athens site.
Virginia Deloris Brown Trantham, affectionately known to family, friends and coworkers as “Sally”, age 77, of Copperhill, TN passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2012.
Peggy Wood, 79, of Ventura, CA went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 26, 2011. Peggy passed away after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease
I just wanted to say a big “Thank You” to Cheryl Maxwell, Mayor Stephens, Linda Caldwell, and others who planned and carried out a very successful 2nd Annual Heritage Days festival in Benton.
There is an old saying, which many credit to Native Americans as advising, “You can’t really understand someone else, unless you live their life or walk in their shoes (so to speak).
Photo from 1910 provided by Bill Lillard shows the family of Calvin Higdon, who built the Higdon Hotel in Reliance. Calvin (1836-1919) and Amanda Linderman Higdon (1845-1926) were married in 1860.
From Polk County News, 9/13/34
Famous Monroe County Hotel Is Now No More
People from All Over South Visited the “Saratoga of the South” in the Good Old Days.
The Museum Center at 5ive Points will host a presentation on Learning to Care and Maintain Your Featherweight Sewing Machine by Stan Pegram on Saturday, February 11 from 10:00 - noon.
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum is offering a Cherokee language class in Vonore, TN on the following Mondays, January 9, 16, 23, 30, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Each day kids will create their own holiday spirit by making decorations, learning games and trying foods from the past. Campers are asked to bring a sack lunch.
The Museum Center at 5ive Points with the Sassy Brass Big Band invite you to a Christmas concert called “Swing into Christmas” on Tuesday, November 29.
“It was like seeing a freight train coming down the tracks 90 miles an hour and trying to stop it by stepping in front of it”, Coach Danny Rogers said.
After a week off, the Copper Basin Cougar football team regrouped to break a three game losing streak by defeating the Marion County Warriors 41-18 at Cougar Stadium.
The Copper Basin Medical Center’s District Board honored Dr. William E. Lee last week. Dr. Lee, 85, has spent a lifetime in service, not only to the community but to the world through his medical mission trips.
EPA is proposing actions to improve the water quality of the Ocoee from Copperhill to Dam No. 3, at Dam No. 3, and at the upper reach of Parksville Dam.
The Ocoee River Outfitters Association will conduct a stream cleanup with the help of approximately 130 volunteers on Friday, May 27, 2011 starting at 9:00 am.
Beginning in mid-January culverts will be replaced on Sina Branch Road where it crosses Sawmill Branch in the Ocoee Ranger District in Polk County, TN.
Drawdown is underway at Apalachia Lake, according to David Bowling with River Operations at TVA. He said the lake will drop 18-20 feet for routine maintenance work.
Trout stocking will be reduced about 20% in the coming fiscal year and could be reduced 85% after that, according to Frank Fiss, Assistant Chief of Fisheries at the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
TVA has created a smartphone app for those wanting to check on reservoir elevations, water release schedules and more. The information has been available online, but the new app will allow access by cell phone.
Unseasonably high temperatures -- in the 90s -- are sending folks to the water. The Ocoee Whitewater Center is a popular place when the river isn't flowing, and the Hiwassee and Ocoee are popular when it is.
People come from near and far to experience a variety of outdoor recreation activities including camping, picnicking, hiking, bike riding, water play, fishing and much more.
More than six hundred museums in all 50 states and the District of Columbia—including the McMinn County Living Heritage Museum in Athens, Tenn.—are taking part in the initiative.
VEC was recently notified by a neighboring utility that they have been receiving complaints from customers who have been visited by scam artists posing as energy evaluators.
The Tennessee Historical Commission is now accepting nominations for its Certificate of Merit Awards to honor individuals or groups that have worked to preserve Tennessee’s cultural heritage during 2011.
The Tennessee Tobacco QuitLine offers personalized support for Tennessee residents who want to quit smoking by connecting them with trained quit coaches to guide them through the quitting process.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Consumer Affairs division is urging consumers to be wary of emails that request participation in a survey and that promise a gift card in return.
While many job placement firms may be legitimate and helpful, others may misrepresent their services, promote outdated or fictitious job offerings and charge high fees in advance for services that may not lead to a job.
The annual campaign has enrolled tens of thousands of children in the low-cost health insurance plan, which provides coverage for everything from physician visits to hospitalization to dental and vision care.
The Tennessee Department of State has launched a campaign to educate citizens about the new photo identification requirement that will go into effect for elections held in the state after Jan. 1, 2012.
All of the legislation approved this year, during the first session of the 107th General Assembly, is now available online at the Office of Secretary of State web site.
Applications for the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP) are available online at www.e-rebates.org/teearp or by phone at 1-877-741-4304 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Individuals who have received LIHEAP assistance since July 2010 must wait until October 1 for the new program year to begin before they can re-apply for benefits.
The next time you see an electric utility vehicle working on the side of the road, slow down and give it room. The workers will appreciate your courtesy, and a new Tennessee law requires it.
“Kids Fishing Day” event in Cherokee National Forest’s Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District is scheduled for May 21, 2011 at McCamy Lake. Anglers 15 years and under are invited to try their luck.
Ducktown resident Jack Suites and his partner Bitt Ledford of Murphy, N.C. took home the $700 second place prize at the Tri-County Community College Foundation Fishing for Scholarships Bass tournament on April 2.
More than four months after a spotted bass weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces was caught on the Ocoee River in Polk County, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has confirmed the fish as a new state record
