For years I just wasn’t happy with the look of my teeth. When I discovered I could really have a beautiful smile, I decided to give myself a present.”

Dr. Michelle F. Ireland, D.M.D., brings a smile to her patients’ faces. She is a prosthodontist, a dentist who specializes in the restoration and replacement of teeth. She explains, “I strive to help my patients achieve a dynamic smile, which restores both aesthetics and function.”

Her patients include not only those wanting a better smile, but also trauma cases due to accident or illness such as cancer. She says, “I love to insert dentures or crowns in which the patient’s whole appearance is transformed through the dentistry.”

An important part of prosthodontics is dental implants, which involves surgically placing an implant, where a tooth’s root would normally grow and then restoring it with a crown. Implants can help preserve the jawbone after a tooth has been extracted. However, prosthodontists also create dentures and partial dentures when needed.

Frequently, general dentists refer patients to Dr. Ireland in cases of complex reconstruction, birth defects such as a cleft palate, and geriatric complications such as Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, prosthodontic training also extends to snoring and sleep disorders, TMJ or jaw joint disorders, as well as continuing care for cancer patients after oral cancer reconstruction. Dr. Ireland explains, “We are increasingly involved in full mouth rehabilitation, perhaps due to trauma, wear, or the loss of shifting of teeth, and these can be very complex cases. So we’re dealing with the mouth in a very comprehensive manner.”

A prosthodontist is specially trained by attending an American Dental Association accredited graduate education program for three years after the required four years of dental school. Not only has Dr. Ireland completed her advanced training, but she shares her knowledge with other dentists as well. Once a week she travels to Birmingham to teach in the University of Alabama School of Dentistry’s prosthodontics clinic. “I love private practice and treating my own patients, but I’ve always been interested in teaching,” she says. “I enjoy watching the residents and the students bloom as dentists. To work in this environment is very special and rewarding.”

While most dentists care about the functionality of the teeth, Dr. Ireland is equally concerned about their aesthetics, or appearance. Studies show that most people would feel self conscious losing a tooth or teeth, and their self esteem is affected by the quality of their smiles. Her goal and that of her qualified staff is meeting the patients’ needs in both areas.

Her enthusiasm for both her specialty and helping her patients can be seen when she says, “This is a great area of dentistry because we not only deal with the function and rehabilitation of the mouth, but we’re also involved in aesthetics, which allows us to have a major impact on a patient’s self esteem.”

Through her private practice, Contemporary Prosthodontics, P.C., Dr. Ireland has been meeting the needs of her patients for over ten years. She has a state-of-the-art private practice and works with other leading specialists within the dental field. She completed her dental training at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry in 1994 and earned a Certificate in Prosthodontics in 1996.

The trend toward more contemporary design styles has taken off in the downtown housing market. But these are not harsh, cold, lifeless environments: they are warm, inviting, and vibrant. Take for instance Robb and Happy Peterson’s new townhome on Cherry Street. The Petersons are new to Chattanooga and having traveled extensively and lived in Europe for a time, they were familiar with a great deal of design styles. So when Happy was introduced —albeit long distance —to the kitchen designer, she definitely knew what she wanted.

Juliet Privette, of Classic Cabinetry, was the designer on the Peterson home. “It’s my job as a designer to take my customers’ ideas and turn them into a fabulous room-in this case,

The Petersons’ new kitchen incorporates a wonderful combination of materials to produce the warm, traditional undertones that are so visually appealing. Solid cherry cabinetry, with its subtle highlights, is beautiful next to the solid walnut butcher-block bartop. The contrasting granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and textured glass cabinet doors add just the right touch of polish and sophistication.

Classic Cabinetry’s founder, Becky Worley, must have had clients like the Petersons in mind when she created her design firm, now in its sixth year of operation.

Though most people won’t get a chance to tour the Petersons’ kitchen, Classic Cabinetry’s premier showroom at 2525 South Broad Street, Suite 101, Chattanooga, TN definitely reflects the company’s dedication to beautiful style combined with personal creativity. The showroom features multiple styles—including Contemporary, Country French, Arts & Crafts, Transitional and Traditional— while an expanded sample of the designs, installations and cabinetry lines sold by Classic can be seen on their website (www.classiccabinetry.us). Open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, the showroom also allows clients to see current cabinetry trends in homebuilding and renovating. For time dedicated to you and your special project, call (423)266-0077 for an appointment with one of the designers at Classic Cabinetry.

Closet Factory in Chattanooga is the custom storage solution authority in town. Their unique philosophy of “built around you” allows Closet Factory to approach each of its clients as an individual and to design a storage system that will fit their specifications exactly based on organization, aesthetic and budgetary requirements. Closet Factory works with homeowners at any stage whether it is new construction, a remodeling project or an existing closet. Builders and interior designers are also their clients.

Since 1983, Closet Factory has grown from its original Los Angeles headquarters to 100 locations that service most major American cities including a few select international locations. In fact, they were one of the first companies that helped to start the closet organization industry.

Closets used to be an afterthought or luxury; increasingly they are becoming necessities for many people. The old adage, “a place for everything and everything in its place” rings true now more than ever. As our lives get busier, being organized can save time and energy and greatly reduce the frustration level for many people.

Due to their extensive product line and professionally-trained design consultants, Closet Factory can work wonders with even the tiniest space. “We sometimes have clients who think we can’t do anything for them because their closet is so small--then we amaze them with our magic.” chuckles Cynthia Olive, manager of the Closet Factory in Chattanooga.

Clients are also impressed with the quality of their workmanship on high-end custom stained cabinetry style closets.

Since Closet Factory has its own factory in Chattanooga, they maintain complete control over each project from design to construction to installation. Even their drawers are custom built to client specifications. Pre-fabricated products of inferior quality material are simply not acceptable. According to Cynthia Olive, “Our Operations Manager, Sean O’Malley, and lead installer, Chad Ratto, have each been with the company 5 or more years. I have yet to see a design or installation concern that these two guys haven’t been able to find a solution for. They make a great team.”

Closets are not the only product that Closet Factory provides to the growing organization market. Wallbeds, garages, home offices, pantries or home theaters also fall into their area of expertise. Closet Factory will soon be launching the “Collections” line of cabinetry that will expand their storage solution options to include the entire room.

With space at a premium in cost per square foot for housing, the complete utilization of space has become a greater necessity. Closet Factory can help you get a bigger house without getting a bigger house. They can be reached at 423-698-3344 or www. closet factory.com.

Honesty, Integrity, and Reliability” is the mission of P&C Construction, Inc. As they state, “We desire to earn your trust and keep it by offering you the project you want and need within a reasonable budget and schedule.”

Founded in 1993 by Estil (Skeeter) Pritchett, who began working in construction in 1969, and Royce Cornelison, President, who started in 1976, the company benefits from having owners who learned the construction business from the ground up. Today the leadership has expanded to include Nic Cornelison, Mike Brown, David Morrison, and Will Smith, who understand the needs and capabilities of their employees and subcontractors.

P&C Construction, Inc. offers commercial, industrial, institutional and residential general contracting; and design and construction management. They specialize in retail, tenant build-out, medical reconstruction and renovations. Many of their projects are from repeat customers and referrals.

P&C Construction, Inc. management believes it is important to be a part of the community. They are members of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce as well as other community and trade organizations. They sum up their philosophy by stating, we “offer our clients a great project at a fair price in a timely manner from a company that loves God and the communities we serve.”

P & C Construction, Inc is located at 2500 East 18th Street, Chattanooga, TN 37404. Their local phone number is 423-493-0051, and the toll free number is 888-324-0714. The fax number is 423-493-0058. They can be found online at www.pc-const.com and emailed at royce@pc-const.com.

We treat every customer as a member of our own family with all that goes with that,” says Sharon Parker of Parkers Travel Solutions. Her goal is “to satisfy the client and help them to have a vacation that will give them precious memories that will last for a lifetime.”

Parkers Travel Solutions is a full service agency offering cruises, tours, air, groups, family travel and all things relating to travel. They are members of the largest group of travel agencies in North America, Vacation.com, and of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

The business began in Trenton, Georgia in 1989 as a means to take groups on special trips. After moving to Chattanooga,

the business expanded and the staff now includes agents Chris Griggs, Theresa Sharp, and Melita Whiting.

Bill and Sharon Parker

Ms. Parker says her most special travel memory is a group trip to Alaska in September of 2001. “We started working on it the first of the year 2001. We had 167 clients who had booked the trip, and the disaster of the twin towers happened. When we left on our trip September 23, 2001, all 167 went. We did not have even one cancellation. That was very special.”

Parkers Travel Solutions is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. They are located at 3319 CharMac Lane, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37419. They can be reached by phone locally at 423-821-8428, by a toll-free number at 1-800-910-0157, and by fax at 419-932-9952. Their website is www.parkerstravel.com and email is travelwithus@parkersinc.net.

If Einstein had not been able to communicate his ideas, where would we be today? Communication is the key, and Signs by Tomorrow does just that. It communicates what a business can offer to potential customers in bold, dramatic, eye-catching ways from outdoor banners to trade show displays.

Chattanoogans, Gil and Kathy Dake, are a husband and wife team that moved back home three years ago to start Signs by Tomorrow, a franchise with an established reputation. The Dakes take this known reliability and invest it with their own desire to provide responsive and caring customer service. “We work to establish a cooperative partnership with our customers in

order to fully understand and meet their needs and exceed their expectations,” they explain.

“We are a solutions provider. Signs by Tomorrow changes the way businesses communicate. We create impact by leveraging our knowledge, experience, and a passion for solutions. As a progressive and customer centric business, we help our customers maximize their visual communications.”

One way in which they bring their customers’ visions to reality is by using the latest in technology. A new state of the art wide format, full color printer creates outdoor durable banners and vehicle graphics and wraps.

Examples can be seen in their lobby at 5250C Brainerd Road, Chattanooga TN 37411. Contact information is 423-296-8988 and (fax) 423-296-8987; website: www.signsbytomorrow.com/chattanooga and email: chattanooga@signsbytomorrow.com.

For the family of L. Hardwick Caldwell, Jr., philanthropy is a family affair. The Caldwell Family was the recipient of the United Way Tocqueville Society’s 2006 Philanthropy Award for their generous support of United Way of Greater Chattanooga. Tocqueville Society chairman Grant Law of Newton Chevrolet presented the family with a one-of-a-kind sculpture, by renowned artist Cessna Decosimo, at United Way’s Tocqueville reception earlier this fall.

Mr. L. Hardwick Caldwell, Jr. and his wife, Betsy, along with four of their children—son Hacker and Kitty Caldwell, son Teddy and Beth Caldwell, daughter Tina and Sam Currin, and son Mark and Ann Caldwell—are members of the Tocqueville Society, which is made up of donors who contribute at least

$10,000 annually to United Way of Greater Chattanooga.

Mr. Hardwick Caldwell, Jr. has shown his passion for the Chattanooga community through many ventures including his long-standing commitment to United Way of Greater Chattanooga. He was Campaign Chair in 1968 and served as Board Chairman from 1981 to 1982, during which time he became the first board chairman to visit each United Way partner agency. Hardwick, as well as his son Hacker, continue to serve on United Way’s board of directors.

With their ongoing commitment to building a better community, the Caldwell’s place in the history of United Way, and of the city of Chattanooga, will be remembered for generations to come.

2006 Philanthropy sculpture by renowned artist Cessna Decosimo. (Photographs by Mark Gilliland)