The Newport Plain Talk is happy to have a new community correspondent for the Point Pleasant area with her first column this week.

Betty Sutton has lived off Old Solomon Ferry Road for the past 10 years and is glad to be living in Cocke County after returning with her family from New Jersey many years ago.

She is the daughter of George Washington Sparks , who married Loretta Joyce Pollock. They had eight children, some of whom were raised by Betty. She was born near Millville, NJ, but returned to Cocke County with her husband about 15 years ago.

Husband, Elmer Sutton, is retired. She worked for many years in nursing and has helped raise many of the family's children, though she has no children.

Betty enjoys doing genealogy research on the Suttons and Grooms. She also performs as a singer of bluegrass Gospel and enjoys attending the annual Christy Mission gatherings.

She wants to keep the Point Pleasant area citizens more informed on community, church and civic activities. "I need your help in getting out the news on sickness, celebrations, anniversaries, birthdays, and events. So please call me any time," she said.

You may contact Betty by phone at 423-623-0073 or by the Internet at tw1989@peoplepc.com to share your information.