Local authors to participate in Scopes Trial Festival

DAYTON — Rhea County authors, Rebecca Tucker and Frank Snyder are scheduled to participate in the Scopes Festival on Saturday, July 20. They will be located on the main floor of the Rhea County Courthouse where they will be greeting festival goers and selling and signing their books during the hours of 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tucker said the inspiration for her book, Hear Their Stories, was the words of Philippians 4:8 telling Christians to think on things that are true, noble, pure, right, excellent, and praiseworthy. Her book is a collection of 69 articles featuring local individuals whose lives enhance the quality of life in Rhea County. The articles in the book were published in The Herald-News during the last several years.

Readers will find a wide variety of stories, including several with connections to the Scopes Trial and the founding of Bryan College. One article records family stories about the trial told by retired Chancellor Jeffery Stewart, grandson of the Scopes’ Trial’s prosecuting attorney Tom Stewart. A series of articles recall the positive relationships of Bryan College and Rhea County through the stories of alumni, administrators, students, and board members.

Tucker’s book recognizes numerous Rhea County veterans and community leaders whose compassion, grit, perseverance, and courage have made an extraordinary impact on their community.

Snyder’s writing and publishing are relatively new endeavors. Many in Rhea County know him better from his years as the owner and pharmacist at Spring City Pharmacy.

Snyder and a professional colleague from his drug store days, Curt Young, from Madisonville have coauthored 2 Christian romance novels, I Can See and Unconditional Love. Words from his book’s cover, “no matter what happens in life they can always turn to God for comfort and guidance" express Snyder’s message to his readers.

He and his wife Vickie live in Spring City. They have 2 grown daughters, Ashley and Cynthia. Snyder continues his firm commitment to strong community life in Rhea County as the chairman of the Rhea County Election Commission.

Both Tucker and Snyder are active members of the Authors Guild of Tennessee.