Tickets are on sale for a dinner October 5 in support of the annual Jesse Denton Scholarships, which help Cocke County adult education students seek education and training beyond high school. 

The Monday dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the Mountain Crest Inn (former Holiday Inn).  A short program will be held after the dinner begins.  Persons who would like to participate but cannot stay for the program can use their tickets for takeout dinners around 6:00 p.m. or shortly before, according to Cocke County Adult Education Director Bryan Douglas.  "We will also appreciate contributions for the scholarship program from anyone who can't attend the dinner at all but would like to help adult graduates go on to further education," Douglas said.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Cocke County Adult Education Center, 423-613-0032, or from Bryan Douglas, Betty Jo Ford, Vella Calfee, Wilbur West, Janyce Westerman, Linda Branam, or Lonnie Butler.  Tickets can also be purchased at the Mountain Crest Inn as the dinner begins.  The price per ticket is $20.

The dinner will memorialize the late Jesse Denton as well as support the scholarship program named for him.  Denton, a memorable and colorful personality as well as an accomplished educator, passed away in September 2004 at age 57. 

 "We plan to have a fine dinner that Jesse himself would have enjoyed," Douglas said.  Meats will include roast beef and catfish, plus vegetables, salad, desserts, and drinks.  "Jesse's birthday was October 10, and we try to have the scholarship dinner as nearly as possible to that time," Douglas said.  "He was locally famous for a prolonged celebration of his birthday.  His friends and colleagues took him to a series of lunches and dinners lasting about a month or more."

Further details of the dinner's program will be announced later, Douglas added.

The scholarships are a charitable non-profit program, and contributions can be tax deductible.  Scholarships totaling $10,000 have been awarded since the program began in May 2005.  Adult students who complete high school through the Cocke County GED program or the Adult High School are eligible.

Persons who would like to support the scholarships but cannot attend the dinner can contribute directly to the fund's account at the National Bank of Tennessee, made to The Jesse Denton Memorial Scholarship Fund, or at the Cocke County Adult Education Program, Dr. Hobart Ford Sr. Adult Education Center, 241 Hedrick Drive, Newport (telephone 423-613-0032).  Information about the program and about applying for scholarships can also be obtained from the Adult Education Center.