Feb. 13 - 19, 2015
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‘Love the Bus,’ thank a bus driver
Photo by Patti Stokes/NWO
(L to R) Marcus Thompson, Genean Summers and Kurtis Taylor enjoy the schedule, challenges and rewards that come with being school bus drivers.
In conjunction with the annual ‘Love the Bus’ celebration sponsored by the American School Bus Council, Feb. 9-13 is also School Bus Driver Appreciation Week. In honor of these events, we asked three northwest-area school bus drivers to share their thoughts on the responsibilities and rewards of driving a school bus.
IN THIS ISSUE
by PATTI STOKES
NW GUILFORD – After the company she had been working for went out of business, Genean Summers took a dramatic career turn. “I wanted to do something totally different,” Summers said. “Some of my friends encouraged me to drive a school bus, and I took the test and passed.” Because she wanted to wait until both her children were in middle school, however, it was two years before
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News in brief ..........................3 Your Questions ......................4 Town Park Phase 2 ................5 Bus Drivers..............................8 Oak Ridge Town Council ...10 Business Notes ....................12 Celebration .........................12 Bits & Pieces ........................13 High School Sports .............18 Student Profiles ...................19 Crime/Incident Report ..... 20 Community Calendar .......21 Letters/Opinions .................24 Grins & Gripes .....................25 Classifieds ...........................27 Index of Advertisers ...........31
Navy Band Sea Chanters to perform in Oak Ridge
The community is invited to hear them sing – for free – on March 11 by ANNETTE JOYCE
The Navy Band Sea Chanters, the official chorus of the United States Navy, will perform on Wednesday, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Ridge Military Academy’s Bonner Field House. This Washington, D.C. group of talented men and women features the cream of the crop when it comes to vocal performances. Having them perform
here in Oak Ridge is a real coup for the community, says Chief Daryl Duff, the military academy’s music director and retired Sea Chanter. According to their website, the Sea Chanters “are frequently found at the center of our most important national events.” The group performed at the 2009 presidential inauguration and has provided music for the funerals of Presidents Nixon and Reagan, the interment of first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and performed in the U.S. Capitol’s rotunda while President Ford was lying in state. The Sea Chanters also sang
at the memorials for the astronauts of the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia and United Airlines’ Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Following the events of 9/11, the group’s performance of “Amazing Grace” during the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance at Washington’s National Cathedral inspired the nation. The Sea Chanters have also performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and with musical stars including Lee Greenwood, Perry Como,
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Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters
The U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters will offer a free performance in Oak Ridge on March 11.