Strawberry festival a peek into Rhea's past.

From: Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, TN) | Date: May 12, 2006 | Copyright information

Byline: Cliff Hightower

May 12--DAYTON, Tenn. -- David Hays said he remembered when field after field of strawberries could be seen on Evensville Mountain in Rhea County at his father's and grandfather's farms.

After years of working the crops, the family got out of the business of strawberry farming, he said.

"It just got to where you couldn't get the help to pick them," he said.

The 59th annual Tennessee Strawberry Festival this week in Dayton still celebrates the fruit.

But strawberries represent more of Rhea County's past than its present, said Jerry ...

Read all of this article with a FREE trial to HighBeam Research

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

Gay in Rhea; When a county in rural Tennessee made national news by attempting to make homosexuality illegal, a local lesbian decided to host the Rhea County's first gay pride celebration. She wound up paying a high price
; ...Tennessee, the biggest town in rural Rhea County. Highway 30 is a two-lane country road...as much time as possible outside of Rhea County, whose commission made itself famous...She also began thinking about leaving Rhea County. Her dream location? "Atlanta," she...
Rhea tackles five-year goals: County leaders see early progress in business, education.
; ...Hightower Jul. 11--DAYTON, Tenn. -- Rhea County recently approved a five-year strategic...ahead of the game in a lot of ways, Rhea County Executive Billy Ray Patton said. I think Rhea County is very progressive for a small, rural...
Rhea school board will hand over school plans next week.
; ...Hightower Mar. 23--DAYTON, Tenn. -- Rhea County school officials said they will give two plans to the Rhea County Commission next week on how to solve...that would add a wing and a gym to Rhea County High School and a wing to Rhea Central...
School funds concern candidatesHouse District 31 includes counties with different funding standards.
; ...running for state Senate. Both are Rhea County residents, running in a district that comprises all of Rhea County and most of northern Hamilton County...Hamilton County feels slighted, and Rhea County doesn't want to lose a whole lot either...
FFRF Wins Challenge of Religious Instruction ("Scopes II") Before Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals
; ...instruction in three county schools in Rhea County, Tenn. As the decision noted, Rhea County is "the site of a mythic Scopes trial in...released by federal Judge R. Allan Edgar: "Rhea County, Tennessee, is no stranger to religious...
Rhea board to discuss new schools project tonight.
; ...Hightower Sep. 14--DAYTON, Tenn. -- The Rhea County Board of Education will vote tonight whether to forward to the Rhea County Commission a proposal to build a...Bimbo McCawley, chairman of the Rhea County school board. Almost eight months...
Rhea sheriff seeks jail options.
; ...week to look at overcrowding in the Rhea County Jail needs to consider all options...conclusions about what can be done, Rhea County Sheriff Mike Neal said. Sheriff Neal said he asked the Rhea County Commission to appoint a jail committee...
Close vote favors Rhea candidate.
; Byline: Cliff Hightower Jun. 25--A Rhea County hopeful for the state House District...the candidates), said Elmer Hinds, Rhea County Republican Party chairman. That doesn...7 general election. Mr. Cobb is from Rhea County. The other candidates are from northern...
Gas price rise hits local governments.
; ...tasks into one trip and car pool. In Rhea County two weeks ago, the county's school board...save money on diesel fuel. Brad Harris, Rhea County finance director, said $145,000 was...Commission last year budgeted $100,00 for the Rhea County Sheriff's Department. Next year, it...
Rhea County's new hospital to open soon.
; ...new $28 million hospital will open in Rhea County within weeks, offering more services...officials said. It's a tremendous boost to Rhea County, said Ken Croom, chief executive officer...of the art and extremely important to Rhea County, he said. It's important because of...