Jason Nathaniel Ortega, 49, of East Ridge, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, of complications from a bone-marrow transplant following a courageous fight with cancer. Jason was a great brother, son, uncle and treasured friend. He was born on Oct. 21, 1960, attended the Lutheran School and graduated from East Ridge High School in 1978. He was the Shipping Manager for T.J. Snow Company for many years and was a professional truck driver, having worked at Tri-State Government Services when he became ill. An avid outdoorsman, fisherman, and hunter, he was also a devoted uncle to his niece and nephew. He loved his friends and family and never refused a request to help someone. Jason was a camp counselor at Camp Ocoee for many years and cherished memories of that time and the friendships he made there. He was preceded in death by his father, Max Rollins Ortega Sr.Survivors include his mother, Patricia Williams Ortega; brothers, Larry (Veronica) Ortega, Max Ortega Jr., and Tim (Beth) Ortega; niece, Dana Ortega; and nephew, Daniel Ortega.Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with the Rev. Jonathan Horsman officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Y.M.C.A. Camp Ocoee, 111 Y.M.C.A. Drive, Ocoee, TN 37361.To share your memories visit www.lane-southcrestchapel.com.Arrangements are by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home & Crematory, Rossville.

I have gotten into a new hobby these days. Photography. Check out my web sight at ;   ( lattajohnstonphotography.smugmug.com)  If you might like a photographer for a special occasion, give me a call (423-238-6871). Ocoee There to everyone!!!

We just got back from spending July volunteering for the National Park Service at the Cape Hatteras National Sea Shore in Nags Head NC. The Outer Banks are wonderful. This is called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" because of all the ship wrecks in the area. The Labrador Current and Gulf Stream meet here, causing treacherous waters and shifting sand bars. It is also the are where Black Beard  the Pirate hung out on Ocracoke Island.

Just got back from Family Camp. My four grand kids went and had a ball. It sure is different being a camper again. It felt nice when one of the staff told the director the ski boat wasn't working and I wasn't the one who had to figure out what to do. I spent 30 great years as camper, staff member and director at the Greatest place on earth. Now I'll spend the next 30 coming with my family and being a camper again.

Former staff member Allan Little received a big honor lately. Those of you who remember Al from the late 1990's will remember his song writing and guitar playing ability. Recently a song Al wrote was recorded by American Idol Taylor Hicks. To add to the honor, Al was asked to play on the recording. ( I wonder if he wore an Ocoee Shirt) A great big Ocoee There to you Al.

Camp produced a very nice  2009 calendar with lots of pictures from 2008 camp. There are some left and if you would like one just call the camp office. They are FREE.

The egypts in Sequoyah, Chickasaw and Cherokee are getting a face lift.The back end on the cabins is being knocked out and the egypts redone. This will also give more living space in the cabins.

On December 30th, 2008 Kari ( Hinton ) and Lyle Judson lost their sweet baby Alexander Hinton Judson to RSV.Kari and her sister Adrian were on staff for several years in the 1990s. Our hearts go out to you Kari and your family.