We came to Philadelphia in the fall of 1951, actually it was to be a stop-over for one year, since we were planning to return to Idaho where I had been before. We had only been married a short time and we thought we would work for a year and save enough to get back out west.

The community was different in the early fifties. The hosiery mill was going good, there were three or four stores and much more activity around the square than now.

I was principal of the school for five years while, Mary worked as a nurse in Sweetwater. The teaching profession has never been overly rewarding financially but it does provide some interesting experiences and memories, I shall always treasure. It is good to see many that I have had in school go on to become successful citizens, assuming a place of responsibility in the community. Mary enjoys the same feeling of satisfaction from those she has nursed or helped bring into this world.

In 1956 I went to Loudon as principal of the Jr. High but we continued to make our home in Philadelphia. We have talked many times about how events alter your life, how we happened to make Philadelphia our home. We have reached, at least, one conclusion to account for our 35 years here and that had to be the people. I can't forget how friendly, kind, and cooperative everyone was in accepting a new member into their midst.

There are many happy memories, good friends, some who have gone on to their final destiny and suddenly, without being aware of it, we have become the older generation.

We have been members of the Baptist Church all these years. It has been a big part of our lives. We don't have a fast lane in Philadelphia and that is how I prefer it, we may have more time to enjoy God's creation. Philadelphia is where our two girls were raised, it is "home" and we are glad.

Mary and Tom Rothwell