Bob Payne
photo by Tuxedo Rental Dude
For the third year in a row, the Chattanooga All-Star Band donated their Riverbend performance fee to the Orange Grove Center, bringing the total raised to over $3,000. The Chattanooga All-Star Band consists of area musicians, considered to be the “best of the best”. They perform at Riverbend each year before thousands of music lovers.
The artists in the band vary each year, but in 2013 the musicians included the Remembering January Band, the Malemen Band, Cody McCarver, Bill Brewer, Robby Hopkins, Bexy Ribeiro, Roger Alan Wade, and Jimmy Tawater. The performance requires many hours of practice and the musicians do so at their own expense.
Often times, because of conflicting schedules, many of Chattanooga’s top musicians never get to hear their counterparts play. The Chattanooga All-Star Band brings these fine musicians together, and lasting friendships have been forged during the experience.
In their 60th year, Orange Grove serves adults and children with developmental disabilities. The lifestyle of an Orange Grove student includes: families, friends, choices and reciprocal community involvement.
Education and vocational training prepare students for more independent living and working. The school division is approved by the Tennessee State Department of Education. Students aged five to twenty-two are referred to Orange Grove Center by the student's Individual Education Planning Team from Hamilton, McMinn, Catoosa, Marion, Dade and Rhea counties. A Tennessee state approved school, Orange Grove's Children's Services provides Individualized Educational Plans, including team prescribed related services, such as speech, physical therapy, physical education, and other ancillary services as prescribed.
Classrooms, staffed by teachers with special education certifications offer structured functional programs that maximize each child's potential. Curriculum domains include pre-vocational/vocational training, language experience activities, social skills training, self-help/domestic skills training, functional academics and interactive community experiences.
Art and dance provide the opportunity to be creative and self-expressive. Music classes offered to all students, move the heart of students with rhythm and cadence, whether the genre is rock, soul, classical, jazz or country.
Adult Comprehensive Training (ACT) is designed to provide individual training to adults, age 22 years and older, based on priorities established by each person and their support team.
This training helps to promote social and interpersonal skills, builds personal care skills and develops community awareness. Physical needs of the individual are also addressed.
A full-service medical facility offers a complete range of health care services, including dental care, physical and occupational therapy, along with hydrotherapy to challenge the body, while speech therapy provides the latest technological advances in the area of communication.
Look for the Chattanooga All-Star Band at Riverbend in 2014. For more info about Orange Grove Center, click here – www.orangegrovecenter.org.