NEWPORT-Nine members of Leadership Cocke County's Class of 2013 began a year-long course of study about their community, its history, assets, and development on Thursday evening with a reception hosted by Leadership Cocke County alumni at Smoky Mountain Home Health and Hospice.

Corey Ragan, Roland 'Trey' Dykes, III, Melba Nease, Delilah Gray, Clint Hammonds, Dr. Marvin Stewart, Johnny Miller, Rebecca McGaha, and Anita Fraley met one another as a class for the first time and also heard alumni of the program share stories of their time in the course.

Steve Tweed, a Class of 2008 alumnus, will serve as facilitator for the nine-month course of study.

For more details, please see the Tuesday edition of the Newport Plain Talk.