LIBRARY CORNER February 28 – March 6 The Cleveland Bradley County Public Library has entered Phase 4.5 of our 5-Phase Reopening Plan. Face coverings are required to enter the library, and reservations may be required depending on the time of day that you plan to visit. To make a reservation for computer use, please call the Non-Fiction Desk at 423-472-2163, ext. 126. For all other reservations, please call the Administrative Assistant at 423-472-2163, ext. 110. For more information, please see the sections titled CURBSIDE PICK-UP and 5-PHASE REOPENING PLAN. SUNDAY | February 28 Quaran-STEAM - THE EXPERIMENT - with Mr. Mike Join us at 1 p.m. for an experiment with Mr. Mike on Facebook and Instagram. For stories linked to Mr. Mike’s experiment, join us on Friday at 2:30 p.m. for Quaran-STEAM with Mr. Mike. MONDAY | March 1 Monday Wiggles more

He spent many years instructing youth as a teacher, a coach and a principal. Now, Ken Phillips is teaching adults (and possibly still some young people) about different areas of the United States and … more

In honor of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, Lee University’s Cultural Diversity Committee will host a series of events during the week of March 1-5 celebrating International … more

COOPER TAYLOR, son of two-time breast cancer survivor, shows off his pink ribbon-themed bowtie — the accessory he’s sporting as a Pink Tie Guy fundraiser to support Susan G. Komen® Central Tennessee. more

It happened this week in 1942 more

Dear Rusty: I am a retired Texas teacher receiving my state pension. I retired in February 2009, before the end of a “loophole” which affected my future Social Security. I had earned enough … more

Alpha Theta Chapter donates to Ronald McDonald House Alpha Theta Chapter held an in-person and zoom meeting on Feb. 8, at Las Margaritas.  The February altruistic project was collecting art supplies for the Ronald McDonald House. Members donated crayons, markers, chalk, water color paints, construction paper and coloring books.  The generous donation was delivered by Jill McGuire, altruistic chair.  Other altruistic committee members are: Vivian McCormack, Angela Gardener, and Adelia Hall.  Alpha Theta Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, is an international honorary sorority for women educators. more

LIBRARY CORNER February 21 – February 27 The Cleveland Bradley County Public Library has entered Phase 4.5 of our 5-Phase Reopening Plan. Face coverings are required to enter the library, and reservations may be required depending on the time of day that you plan to visit. To make a reservation for computer use, please call the Nonfiction Desk at 423-472-2163, ext. 126. For all other reservations, please call the administrative assistant at 423-472-2163, ext. 110. For more information, please see the sections titled CURBSIDE PICK-UP and 5-PHASE REOPENING PLAN. SUNDAY | February 21 Quaran-STEAM – The Experiment — with Mr. Mike Join us at 1 p.m. for an experiment with Mr. Mike on Facebook and Instagram. For stories linked to Mr. Mike’s experiment, join us on Friday at 2:30 p.m. for Quaran-STEAM with Mr. Mike. MONDAY | February 22 Monday Wiggles Baby story time, 3:30 p.m. on Facebook live, for ages 2 and under includes stories, finger play and other activities to be tried at home with your babies. Monday Night LIVE. & Project Pack Pick-Up For a fun time with stories, family challenges, crafts, and more go to Facebook LIVE at 7 p.m. Project packs for all of this week’s programs will be passed out starting at 7:30 p.m. on the 8th Street Loading Dock. TUESDAY | February 23 Story Time with Dewey Story time for ages 3 to 5 years, with crafts, music and stories, is on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m. on the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library page ... with special guest Dewey the Library Dragon. Dramatic Readings If you're an adult who misses being read to, then join Facebook Live at 3 p.m. for dramatic renditions of selected short stories, essays, and poetry. Please note that readings may include adult themes and language. Teen Gaming Teens 13-17 can join us for a gaming session on Jackbox through Discord at 5 p.m. Please email teenzone@clevelandlibrary.org for access to the Discord server. WEDNESDAY | February 24 Crafts for Everyone At 3 p.m. on Facebook Live is a crafting time for all ages. Grab a project pack on Monday night at the 8th Street Loading Dock or take a look through your household items and craft box. You may already have what you’ll need to craft with us. THURSDAY | February 25 Baby Book Worms Story Time for ages 3 years and under with crafts, music and stories will be streamed on Facebook Live at 10:30 a.m. Origami Folding Explore the art of folding pages on Facebook Live at 4:30 p.m. Follow along for a detailed tutorial of our most recent designs. To request instruction on a specific design, email kshorthouse@clevelandlibrary.org. Teen RPG Teens ages 13-19 are invited at 5 p.m. on the Discord app to continue adventures with characters based on the Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition. This program encourages critical thinking, skill building, and teamwork to solve puzzles and complete quests. If you have any questions or concerns, or need information on accessing the Discord server, please contact teenzone@clevelandlibrary.org. FRIDAY | February 26 Story Time in the Garden Lively story time for ages 3 to 5 years with crafts, music and stories, all set in a garden, is at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook Live. Crossover Book Club This club is for adults interested in crossing over to YA fiction and reading g stories written for teens. Due to the cold weather of January and February, we are returning to the Zoom app where you can join us at 7 p.m. for a rambling discussion about what we've been reading. This month, we will discuss “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. Please email kshorthouse@clevelandlibrary.org for Zoom access. SATURDAY | February 27 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) in the parking lot The VITA program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. VITA will be operating in the library parking lot as a curbside service this year, every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through April 10. Appointments are not needed or accepted; this is a drop-in service only performed on a first-come, first-served basis. Qualifying patrons will need to bring a copy of their photo ID (and spouse's if filing jointly), copies of Social Security cards of dependents, a copy of their 2019 tax filing if possible, and copies of the appropriate 2020 income documentation, e.g. W-2 Form. VITA will process all documents and have completed tax paperwork available for pick up on the following weekend. Teen Zone After Hours Teens ages 13-17 are invited to join us from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Discord app for a late night session of movie streaming and gaming. Please email teenzone@clevelandlibrary.org for access to the Discord server. Other resources, services and programs more

Ramp Tramp Festival canceled; more

For approximately 30 years, the Trinity Trio has been filling churches and special events in the surrounding areas with Southern gospel songs. The Trinity Trio began singing in 1988 with Debbie Boyd Huttenhoff, Belinda Cline Sherlin and Cheryl Higgins McDonald. Over the years, the group has included Faye Sipe, Debbie Moody, and Tonya Reynolds. The trio today is composed of Debbie, Donna Lloyd and Connie True. more

Dr. Bill Seymour, CSCC president, and friends at a previous Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss event held at CSCC. This year marks 17 years the college has been celebrating this event that promotes literacy to the community. CSCC’S ECED Program Celebrates 17 Years of Dr. Seuss in Drive-Thru Style more

By GWEN SWIGER more

Adoration Hospice had a special Valentine’s dinner for Delois McCleary and William McCleary, who have been married 60 years. At left is hospice consultant Angelina Gay. more

Cleveland State Community College Nursing student Alyssa Fox poses for a picture with her daughter, Marilyn Hartman. Fox is a 2020 and 2021 winner of the Sam H. Odom Scholarship given to qualifying nursing students attending a Tennessee Board of Regents institution. Alyssa Fox honored by Board Of Regents, awarded Odom Scholarship more

It happened this week in 2005 more

LIBRARY CORNER more

A HEART-SHAPED POND in their backyard is a constant reminder of the romance enjoyed by Phil and Mary Wooten The Cleveland couple said they feel blessed to have found each other after each was married once before, both raising one daughter. The couple now share two daughters, two sons-in-law, one grandson, two dogs and three cats. From staff reports more

When the coronavirus put a halt to many of the library’s in-person activities, Margot Still, history branch manager, started looking at other ways of engaging residents in local history and the History Branch of the Cleveland Bradley County Public Library. Although the History Branch had been sharing online activities on Facebook since 2016, its offerings began to expand. One of its newest features is short documentaries on people and organizations in the community. Another focus is its Unknown but not Forgotten photos. They also may have a photo sparking interest and talk about a local building, road or place. “One thing we have learned doing Facebook,” she said, “People gravitate to images — whether it is a photograph or a piece you pull out of the newspaper. They want some kind of visual. They are not interested in just the story or fact. They want to see a picture or an article clipping out of the newspaper or something out of a yearbook. Yearbooks are great. “It generates chatter. … The goal is we want people talking about local history and the History Branch,” Still noted. “We are interested in those photos you think no one will be interested in. It may not be we are intrigued by Great-Aunt Mary’s wedding, but she may be standing in front of a building that is no longer there.” Still said they get a lot of requests for photos of the inside of the Cleveland Mall, Village Shopping Center and the Cherokee Hotel. “I have never seen photograph of the interior of the Cherokee Hotel,” she said. “We have pictures of the Cherokee Hotel under construction taken from the clock tower of the old courthouse … you can see the scaffolding. “You never know when you are going to find these pictures. I had some blueprints walk in the door for the old Coke Company on South Ocoee Street … one of additions being made at the Post Office. It was a descendant of someone who had worked in the building who had found them in the attic. “I want people to understand we want those pictures. If you are not sure anyone wants it, bring it in. Let us look at it. We will tell you if we would like if for our collection,” Still said. “We have guidelines in our policy. Things we can and cannot accept. Everything in our collection is open to the public. You can’t put any restrictions on it,” she said. “Here’s the thing about history and photographs. History is like a smell. It is the strongest sense you have. It triggers a strong response in your brain. You will see a photograph and it will trigger happy memories,” Still said. “It is a breath of fresh air for people to remember happier times in your life. … It conjures happy memories. You knew everybody. You went to Kresge’s and stopped at Coles Drug Store for a milkshake — the best ever.” She noted one of the most popular posts they did was the intersection of Keith and 25th Street from the 1970s. “It stirs up memories,” she said. With the assistance of volunteer Magen Ellison, Still launched the new video documentaries featuring people and places in Cleveland and Bradley County. They have completed 11 videos. The current topic is a three-part series on newspapers. Ellison noted they used history items from Bill Snell, Roy Lillard and John Morgan Wooten in the research. “When I found discrepancies, I would pull from the microfilm at the primary source,” Ellison said. An example was during the time of Will L. Rodgers and William A. Rodgers. “The sources continually interchanged the L. and A. We found the actual newspaper articles” to clarify, Ellison said. “We try to keep videos to about 20 minutes, but there was so much great information” on newspapers, it was decided to put them in three segments. “We have interesting tidbits of Bradley County newspapers — just the facts,” Ellison said. “They are very popular,” noted Still. “The first newspaper segment had almost 1,000 people in 24 hours.” While narrating the newspaper installments, Ellison begins with Cleveland’s first newspaper — Cleveland Dispatch — and continues in the three videos to unfold interesting details about the 25 newspapers printed in Cleveland up to present as well as their editors and publishers. The Dispatch’s first issue was April 19, 1854, just a week before the Cleveland Banner’s first edition. The O’Brien brothers — J.W. and Samuel — were publishers. The Whig-leaning paper continued until 1857 The Cleveland Banner, which made its appearance on May 1, 1854, was published by Robert McNelley, who had started at the Athens Courier at age 15. McNelley moved his weekly paper to Cleveland and into the Ark building in downtown Cleveland, Ellison said. McNelley was a strong supporter of the Confederate cause, using his columns to spread anti-Union sentiment. In 1863, he was arrested by Union troops. For two years, publication of the Banner was suspended. In April of 1864, the Battle Flag, a Union publication, was available with Wallace Gruelle and Thomas King at the helm. As a “personal jab at McNelley,” the Battle Flag used McNelley’s equipment and supplies to print the Union paper, according to Ellison. Information on other newspapers includes the East Tennessee Herald, an “American Party” paper which touted anti-immigrant views; Southern Clarion, May 1857, which featured agricultural information as well as local items; Ducktown Eagle; Ocoee Register, 1873; DeLaney’s Register, 1885, which showcased agricultural and industry news; Commercial Republican, 1873; Cleveland Herald, 1873, which “boasted it had a larger circulation than any other local newspaper.” Each of the three segments features a period in the life of newspapers in Cleveland and Bradley County. These included several ownership changes in the Cleveland Banner, as well as some name adjustments. Other newspapers included the Polk County News, the Charleston Enterprise, Hiwassee News, Merchant’s Appeal, Cleveland Tribune, Cleveland Star, Journal, Cleveland, Press and the Morning Star. The Banner has continued to “thrive.” Some of the information includes rivalry between the Journal and Banner. In 1899, a knife fight erupted between the Journal’s J.B. Stern and the Banner’s Felix Davis. The Cleveland Banner’s history making events included the in-production testing site for the Fairchild Photo Text Setter. “At the very end, the Cleveland Daily Banner has the last laugh — it is the last newspaper,” Ellison said. One of Still’s favorite videos was on C.L. Hardwick and his wife, Clyde. People do not realize how much Cleveland is indebted to the Hardwicks’ generosity. They gave property for North Lee School, Hardwick Field, Mosby Park and Johnston Park. Clyde Hardwick was the daughter of Sarah Tucker Johnston, whose children gave Craigmiles House to the city in 1923 to be used as a public library. “At the time it was No. 7 in the state,” Still noted. “Clyde carried on the family tradition of contributing to the library. She gave money for the library addition.” Still said, most people “don’t really know the history of things they drive by every day. That is what we do at the History Branch — We work to further our history.” Among the other videos done are ones of Paul Huff, the Medal of Honor winner; the Craigmiles brothers; Bradley Central High School; hospitals in Cleveland; Arnold Elementary; and Julian Raht. Still and Ellison have a long list of ideas for future posts. “We are in the business of memories,” Still said. more