Oak Ridge Today

Church Women United has lunchtime book review on Friday

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Church Women United resumes its lunchtime series of programs on Friday, September 5, with a book review of “Year of Plenty” by Craig L. Goodwin. The program will be held in the Fellowship Hall of First United Methodist Church at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The hall is most easily accessed from the Vienna Road entrance.

Fellowship begins at 11:30 a.m. with refreshments, followed by a brief meeting and program at noon. The public is welcome to attend, a press release said.

Church Women United is a national volunteer ecumenical women’s movement that brings together women of diverse races, cultures, and traditions in closer Christian fellowship, prayer, advocacy, and action for peace with justice in the world. For more information, contact Gay Marie Logsdon at (865) 483-7940.

Guest column: Remembering Walt Whitman

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This Saturday, May 31, marks the 195th birthday of America’s greatest poet and perhaps even its greatest citizen to have ever lived: Walt Whitman. “Leaves of Grass,” as one contemporary reviewer put it at the time, was “an explosion in a sewer.” The reactions to Whitman’s work, at least in most circles, were largely unpleasant. One reviewer even suggested that Walt Whitman commit suicide.

“Leaves of Grass” was so offensive that it cost Walt several jobs, and by the end of his life, the poet died nearly in poverty, relying on the kindness of Britain’s literary elite just to survive and be buried.

I had the chance to visit the Walt Whitman home on a mini-Sabbatical in 2012. The caretaker there in Camden pulled a letter out and read it aloud to me. It was written by a middle-aged woman from England on September 11, 2001. As she watched the twin towers fall, she was uncertain how to express her grief and outrage—or even where to direct those thoughts. She chose Walt Whitman and eloquently expressed her love of America’s democratic spirit, stating there was no other place for her to lodge her thoughts than with Walt Whitman. The letter was powerful and brought tears to my eyes. [Read more…]

Honors: Three ORHS students, resident win writing awards

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Student Prose Abby Douglas and Lucas Potter

Pictured above are Abby Douglas and Lucas Potter. (Submitted photos)

Submitted

Three Oak Ridge High School students and longtime resident Wanda Ensor Grooms were honored in a writing contest held in conjunction with the Tennessee Mountain Writers annual conference in April. Contest winners in seven categories were announced and awards presented during the conference banquet.

In the Student Poetry category, Abby Douglas received first place recognition for “The Other Ten Percent,” and Emily Stansfield received third place for her poem, “The Enemy.” Douglas received second place in the Student Prose category for “Easier Than I Had Imagined.” Lucas Potter won third place in Student Prose for “Forever Friends.” [Read more…]

Altrusa to host author Jay Searcy on Wednesday

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Jay Searcy

Jay Searcy

On Wednesday, the Oak Ridge chapter of  Altrusa Club International will be hosting Jay Searcy from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel.

Searcy is an acclaimed newspaper man and author of “The Last Reunion.” The topic of his presentation is  “The Last Reunion—Stories of wartime life in Oak Ridge.”

The Doubletree Hotel is located at 215 S. Illinois Ave.

Guest column: Arts Council kicks off fund drive, asks for your help

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Arts Council of Oak Ridge Logo

Dear Arts Supporter,

The Arts Council of Oak Ridge is kicking off the United Arts Fund Drive this March and April. We are so grateful for the past support from the citizens in our city and county and know that you realize the arts are essential to the health and vitality of our community. The arts enhance community development, spur urban renewal, attract new businesses, draw tourism dollars, and create an environment that attracts skilled, educated workers. Oak Ridge has a long history of a strong arts community, which contributes significantly to an enriched place to live, work, worship, and play.

We are asking you, as a member of our community, to help us continue these vital endeavors by making a tax-exempt donation to this year’s United Arts Fund Drive. As a supporter of the arts, you or your business will receive additional benefits. At the $150 or above donation level, your name or business’ name will be listed in every printed program of every event presented by the eight member organizations as well as in regional newspapers, magazines, our website, and the new Arts Council app for smartphones and tablets reaching more than 50,000 residents. At the $500 or above donation level, links from our website to donor websites will also be provided. Pledges must be received by July 31 to be included in programs and publications. [Read more…]

TN Mountain Writers’ conference in Oak Ridge in April

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The Tennessee Mountain Writers’ 26th Annual Conference, scheduled Thursday through Saturday, April 3-5, will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge. The conference will include writing contests, workshops, networking, manuscript evaluations, publishers, editors, book signings, a bookstore, vendors, and more.

The conference, which is funded in part under an agreement with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, will kick off with a 6 p.m. reception on Thursday, April 3. Conference sessions will be held from 9 a.m. through 5:15 p.m. Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Saturday, followed by the banquet on Saturday evening.  The Writer’s Block, a bookstore featuring works published by workshop leaders and conference participants, will be open all day Friday and on Saturday morning.  [Read more…]

Atomic City Journal Club meets on first Thursdays

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The Atomic City Journal Club is a very informal group of science writers and communicators who meet up to exchange story ideas and to discuss new trends in the field of science communications. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at Panera in Oak Ridge.

Anyone interested in enhancing their science communication skills is welcome to join the group, a press release said. Join the Facebook Group to stay updated on events at https://www.facebook.com/groups/atomiccityjournalclub/.

Panera is at 471 S. Illinois Ave.