Category: The Central Digest

Posted in Library, Preservation of History, The Central Digest

Update from CHS Librarian

Posted on by Bob Johnson

I wanted to update everyone on the happenings and progress that have been taking place here in the E. F. Chapin Library.

A local designer has taken an interest in our Library and came in to meet with me last week about the possible renovation of our space.  Se was part of the team that designed East Hamilton High and Middles’s Libraries and is currently involved with renovation of the Library at UTC.

The meeting went very well and Ms. Fitzgerald walked out with our blueprints and is in the beginning stage of designing a layout that will best suit our needs.  We are hopeful that the current issues with Central well be taken care of swiftly so that the interior of our Library will be fresh and ready for the updates we so desperately need from this talented local designer.

To ready ourselves for possible renovation, I have moved all Central Digests, Yearbooks, and anything “historical” into what will be our Alumni Room..  Now that they are in one area, I am confident we can do a detailed inventory of what we have in our collection.  Please feel free to visit us and do not hesitate to call me to discuss any aspect of our archives and/or issues that you feel need to be addressed.  I’m here for all of you.

I have also “struck a deal” with an amazing Chattanooga company called “SouthTree.”  The company will be converting all our 8 mm and 16 mm reals, VHS tapes, photos and slides onto DVD!

I visited the company yesterday and was amazed at the technology.  The owner of the Company was very excited to have an opportunity to preserve film from Chattanooga and ever willing to take on the project of digitally archiving some of our print media.

I asked Mr. Boeselanger he could tell me the oldest film conversion he’s done.  His answer was around 1931.  An older lady from Signal Mountain had wanted it transferred.  If anyone could beat that with a CHS film from the attic, I am sure we could impress him even more!

You can read and learn more about this company at SouthTree.  I will say that I am very proud that we can keep our business local, and I am very confident that it will take great care of our cherished memories.

In my research on the type of scanner we need to archive the Central Digest, I have found out that the best way to preserve the spines and and overall integrity of the book itself is to place The Digest open on a book stand and photograph each double spread, using at least a 6 megapixel SLR camera, tripod, and basic lighting.  The numbering system on a camera (providing we use the same camera) will be consistent and after each book is photographed, the JPEG files can be converted to PDF.

Thanks to you all for your dedication and support.

Ms Martin, CHS Librarian

Posted in The Central Digest

Central to Reinstate The Central Digest

Posted on by Bob Johnson

On March 15, 2012, Greg Cantrell shared the following with me:

“My name is Greg Cantrell and beginning with the 2012-13 school year, I will be the new journalism teacher at Central High. Mr.  King has agreed to reinstate the newspaper there and I will be transferring to CHS from Red Bank where our newspaper has won best in state for 2011 and also 2012.

I’m excited about reorganizing and re-establishing the Digest at Central and after a few internet searches, I came across your blog about the rich Central history.  By starting the paper, which in fact will be an online news website instead of a newspaper, I hope to include as much alumni news and historical “looking back” news as I possibly can.  I hope to gain the support of all CHS alumni.  In fact, if our new Digest is to succeed, we’ll need the support of all the alumni — as well as the current student body — to help us get going by purchasing ads, submitting possible story ideas, and basically getting the word out that the Digest is back and needs everyone’s support.

Believe it or not, you are my first stop in getting connected with my new Purple Pounder friends after being a Lion for several years.  While I’m not sure that Mr. King (the current principal) is quite ready to make the announcement that the Digest is back, I did want to share the good news with you and ask for your help getting this project going since your own websites look so professional and are continually updated.  I’ve noticed that you have the CHS crest or seal on your website and I would love to have a copy of that for our new header, if you can assist us.  For now, that’s my first (probably of many) request.  I am certain I will be bugging you about older issues of the Digest later on.

I’m sure that we’ll be “all clear” to share the re-launch of the Digest very soon.  Until then, I look forward to hopefully working with you and utilizing your love for CHS and its history.”

Since then Greg and I have been sharing e-mails in which I shared some ideas for stories and some recommendations of website/blog hosting.

Today I received the following from Greg:

“We’re all clear for the announcement. You may include my email as a contact. We’ll definitely be looking for alumni support and donations to make sure this project not only succeeds, but evolves into something the Central family can appreciate!

I’m saving your emails so that we will have plenty of story ideas for the future. At Red Bank we had an “alumni spotlight” section which took note of alums who did or are doing successful endeavors and I’m sure there’s a place in the Central Digest for the same kind of reporting.

I’ll be in touch with you later on. Until then, here’s hoping for a lot of alumni and community support.”

Greg Cantrell can be reached at:  cantrell_g@hcde.org

Posted in The Central Digest

The Central Digest

Posted on by Bob Johnson

A goal of the Preservation of Central History Website is to post all available issues of “The Central Digest”.

The Leadership Class at Central is currently working on digitizing all issues available in the Central Library.  In the meantime, several issues which were already available have been posted.  Click on the DIGESTS button above to see them.

Please contact Bob Johnson ’65 at mrcentral65@comcast.net is you have issues which can be digitized and posted.

Posted in The Central Digest

Digest published longer than thought

Posted on by poundertown74

The Central Digest was published during Fall 1980 through Spring 1984 school years. Previously, it was rumored to have ceased existance after 1975.  The Editor for 1983-1984 confirmed publication over dinner last night, and has promised to check her mother’s closet for any surviving issues.  She also confirmed that Miss Marjorie Ogle was still an Honored member of Faculty that year.

Small world and even a larger “after the Holidays Honey-Do” list for me!

Posted in Champions, Early History, Faculty, The Central Digest

Charlie Sedman’s Clarifications

Posted on by Bob Johnson

1.  In the 1911 Sleepless Eye, third page of faculty pictures, there are six portraits and 8 names.  The missing portraits are of Charles McGuffey and Enos White.  The picture on the bottom is Walter Harrington, upper right, C E Rogers.

2.  In the 1913 Central Yearbook, there are two pages of faculty pictures, each picture numbered, but no legend with names to match the numbers.  The first picture (page 10) should have included: 1. Charles D McGuffey, Spanish; 2. O C Kirkman, Manual Arts; 3. Arthur Rankin, Math; 4. J A Setliffe, German, Latin, Greek; 5. Marguerite Aull, English; 6. Lillie Schwartz, German, Latin; 7. Claudia Frazier, Domestic Science; and 8. Annie May Crutchfield, English, Latin. The second picture, Page 11: 1. Frank E Gunn, History; 2. George Davis, Science; 3. James B Rike, Science; 4. W P Selcer, Commercial; 5. Reita Faxon Pryor, Music; 6. Nannie Carter, English; 7. Amanda (Mrs L M) Russell, Pedagogy; 8. Alpha Davis Science