Celebrating 15 years of American Flag display sales throughout the Marietta area, the Kiwanis Club of Marietta recently awarded seven $2,500 scholarships to individuals advancing their education.

Recipients were Hunter Carl, Barry Ervin, Emily Law, Sabrina Nation, Matt O'Meara, Eleanor Rochelle and Austen Turner.

The project was started in 1995 with less than 400 flag placements. It now displays 1,100 flags six times a year for a cost of $25 annually. The project generates funding for the scholarships and other charitable contributions.

This project has generated 59 scholarships with a total value of $102,100. Furthermore, this project has spawned two 9/11 Field of Flags memorials at Kennesaw National Battlefield Park. Bill Kinney said, "Standing out at the field amongst the flags is the largest memorial of any kind this state has ever seen."

When the city of Marietta received its All American City award, one of the 10 reasons given was the Marietta Kiwanis Club Flag Project. This contagious spirit of patriotism has spread throughout the nation, as well as our community.

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On June 10, the "Perfect 10" was honored at the Salute to Chairs for the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Cobb. Brittney Gray and Fitz Johnson hosted the event at his Marietta home also known as the "Fitz Carlton."

Among the attendees: Todd Brumbelow, Gannon and Hank Manning, Chris and Al Martin, Justin O'Dell, Kim Parrish, Leo Reichert, Judy Renfroe, Cris and Eaton Welsh along with next year's chairs Mitch Rhoden and Glynda Thor.

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Choreographer Whitney Willis, assistant artistic director for Morgan Street Dance Company in Lafayette, La., is in Marietta working with the Ruth Mitchell Dance Theatre this week. A dance major from LSU, Willis is setting a hip-hop piece for the RMDT company dancers to be performed at RMDT's fall show, EVOLVE, on Oct. 2 and 3 at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. This will be the first hip-hop piece the company has performed at its fall show. Visit www.ruthmitchelldance.org for more information.

Sally Litchfield is a longtime Marietta resident. She formerly practiced law in Marietta and now stays home to raise her two children. Send Sally news at sallylit @bellsouth.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-7122.