“Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.”

— Henry Kaiser

HEARD ON THE TOWN

WHEN YMCA’s Y-Cap president and board member Joe Smith and Charlie Hunt asked Mike Brown for a favor, he said yes before he even knew what they needed.

“These two men are always doing something to help others, so Mike knew it would be for a great cause,” said

Mr. Brown’s Karen wife, Debbie. Nazor Hill “It turned out Town Talk they wanted

someone to see that living legend and four-time heavyweight world boxing champ Evander Holyfield would be safely flown from his home in Atlanta to Chattanooga and back.”

Mr. Brown contacted his professional pilot friends who immediately agreed.

“Holyfield had graciously agreed to come help raise money for the YMCA’s YCap Program. This program provides support and help to at-risk young people by instilling positive values and goalsetting in a healthy, Christian environment,” Mrs. Brown said. “It was a fun weekend that even included an exhibition by the USA and Dominican Olympic boxing teams.”

Mr. Holyfield was an excellent speaker and a kind gentleman, she said.

“He told the large crowd that he grew up in the ghettos of Atlanta and was the youngest of nine children who was raised by his single mother,” she said. “He credited his success in life to three things: Jesus, his Christian mom and programs like the YMCA and Boys Club, where he was able to have positive men that reached out to help him obtain his goals of being a boxing champ.”

Mr. Holyfield told the crowd his mom always told him to “never quit or give up on your goals,” Mrs. Brown said.

EAR TO THE GROUND

NOTHING ON your schedule Saturday night? How about spending an evening in Coolidge Park watching a movie on the big screen?

There are two Saturday nights left to enjoy First Things First’s free Movies in the Park. According to Brandon Strickland, marketing manager at First Things First, the movies begin at sundown.

“Many people believe they live in a virtual family,” he said, in a news release. “Sometimes parents’ conversations with their children depend on how well they’ve memorized their e-mail addresses and cell-phone numbers. This indicates that the likelihood of family togetherness is very slim.”

First Things First, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families, wants to help.

“This is something fun and free to do with the entire family,” he said. “This is the sixth year for Movies in the Park. Last year brought out record crowds to see movies on the big screen.”

“We are excited about providing families a great opportunity to spend some quality time together,” said Julie Baumgardner, executive director of First Things First. “In today’s society, there are so many things competing for our time. It is important for families to set aside some time to do things together. We hope that families will make Movies in the Park a tradition.”

For movie information call 267-5383 or visit www.first things.org.

E-mail Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com. Submitted photographs will not be returned.

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