Oak Ridge Today

‘Davy Crockett’ at ORHPA meeting on Thursday

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Davy Crockett at David Hall Cabin

“Davy Crockett” at David Hall Cabin in Claxton. (Submitted photo)

Walk in the footsteps of Tennessee and American history

Lynn Fox, a living history exhibitor, will be the featured speaker at a Thursday night meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. It’s a living history presentation, and all ages will enjoy it, a press release said. Artifacts of the frontier period will be on display.

ORHPA’s celebration of Davy Crockett comes on the same week as the Crockett Birthday event in downtown Knoxville on Saturday, August. More information on that event can be found on the East Tennessee Historical Society website.

The presentation on Thursday, August 14, starts at 7 p.m. at the Midtown Community Center on Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge. The meeting is open to the public, and it is especially designed to appeal to young children and adults alike.

“For more than 29 years, Lynn Fox has kept the spirit of Tennessee and America’s heroes alive,” the press release said. “He has walked their footsteps on the Overmountain Victory Trail, and re-enacted events in their lives through entertaining and educational living history programs. [Read more…]

Walmart, United Way, ADFAC team up to collect school supplies

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Walmart and United Way Fill the Bus

Pictured above, from left to right, are Brian Ferguson, First Student dispatcher; Maria Cacheiro; Marcus Cacheiro; Mateo Cacheiro; Diane Gibson, First Student location manager; Becky Hook, ADFAC school supply coordinator; Loraine Brown, Walmart front end zone manager; Liz Herbes, ADFAC social services program director; Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC executive director; and Rick Morrow, United Way of Anderson County executive director. (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

 

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“Fill The Bus,” an initiative led by Walmart and United Way of Anderson County Inc., helped provide much-needed school supplies to the ADFAC School Supplies Program. ADFAC (Aid To Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc.) provides grade and school specific supplies to an expected 2,500 K-12 students throughout Anderson County. Walmart stores in Clinton and Oak Ridge participated as collection sites for donations.

During the week of July 26-August 4, at both entrances of the Walmart stores, customers were invited to donate school supplies. The concept was that, as customers were purchasing supplies for their own children or grandchildren, they could purchase a few extra for the ADFAC School Supplies Program.

During Tennessee’s sales tax holiday, August 1-3, Walmart in Oak Ridge invited First Student Inc.-Oak Ridge Schools to provide a “real” bus to be parked outside the store to help publicize and raise visibility for the campaign. First Student Inc.-Oak Ridge Schools also provided assistance in transporting the supplies from the donation boxes to the bus and to the storage facility. Several ADFAC staff and volunteers also assisted with the transferring of supplies. [Read more…]

Second meeting on AMSE features regional museum executives

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The American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge is pictured above.

The American Museum of Science and Energy on South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge is pictured above.

 

The second in a series of community meetings on the American Museum of Science and Energy will feature executives from regional museums and attractions. They will discuss how their museums were established and developed, and how each is currently managed and operated.

The executives who are participating are:

  • John Joslyn, owner/operator of The Titanic Museums in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and Branson, Missouri;
  • Leah Ross, executive director of Birthplace of Country Music Museum and Association in Bristol, Virginia, and Tennessee; and
  • Ellie Kittrell, executive director of The MUSE Knoxville (formerly The Discovery Center).

The community meeting is sponsored by the City of Oak Ridge and the American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation. It’s scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, August 19, at AMSE. [Read more…]

Local Habitat volunteer named Construction Volunteer of the Year in Tennessee

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Tim Marcum, Jim Hardy, and Colleen Dudley

Pictured above from left to right are Tim Marcum, Jim Hardy, and Colleen Dudley. (Submitted photo)

 

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Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County has been blessed by many, many wonderful volunteers.

Each year, Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee holds a state conference in Murfreesboro. Awards are given in several areas recognizing those that have gone above and beyond. The 59 Habitat affiliates in the state are given the opportunity to nominate volunteers for three categories: ReStore Volunteer, Construction Volunteer, and Volunteer Leadership.

Colleen Dudley, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Tennessee, announced that this year there were more nominations than ever before. Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County’s chief operating officer, Tim Marcum, nominated Jim Hardy of Oliver Springs for construction volunteer of the year. In his nomination letter, Marcum said that Hardy is his hero, working tirelessly during the week on construction projects, working on every house since 2006.

Jim and Mary Ann Hardy, along with Jim Bailey, were the originators of the Myrick Build, The House that Love Built, honoring Tim and Teresa Myrick. The Hardys contributed $10,000 to this build and also put many hours into raising additional funds for this new build in Heiskell. The state selection board honored Jim Hardy with the award!

The Hardys came to the Awards Dinner in Murfreesboro so that Jim could be present to accept his award. [Read more…]

Doctors’ rock band to perform for Free Medical Clinic’s Atomic Blast

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Second Opinion

Members of Second Opinion include, from left, Melissa Carter, vocals; John Jernigan, drums; Tim Comer, vocals; Todd Wright, lead guitar, and Daryl Harp, keyboards. (Submitted photo)

 

Second Opinion, a group of Methodist Medical Center physicians and friends who perform classic rock, will provide music for dancing Saturday, Aug. 16, during the Atomic Blast, the annual fundraiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

The fundraiser will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. in the Parish Life Center of St. Mary’s Church, 327 Vermont Ave. It will include a catered dinner, Celebrity Dance Contest, and live auction conducted by the entertaining Bear Stephenson.

Second Opinion was formed about 20 years ago. The group, which has had several generations of physician band members, plays for charitable and other local events.

“We have performed for Doc Rock, which benefits Hospitality Houses for MMC outpatients and their caregivers,” said Dr. Ken Luckmann, a recently retired gastroenterology specialist in Oak Ridge and a volunteer at FMCOR. “Our band also performed at the Feast With The Beasts on the Knoxville Zoo main stage and on stage at the Tennessee Theater and Bijou Theater.” [Read more…]

Community considers future of AMSE as Congress debates Manhattan Project park

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David Moore and Mark Watson

During Thursday’s community meeting at AMSE, David Moore, left, said a few words about his background after being introduced by Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, right. (Photos by Sara Wise)

 

The American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation teamed up with the City of Oak Ridge on Thursday to host the first of four community meetings meant to allow the community to have some input into the future of the museum, and how it might fit into the proposed Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

The first meeting was at the museum on Thursday night. It began with presentations that focused on providing information to help audience members make informed suggestions about the museum.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Communication Director David Keim was among those who made presentations. He said that the museum attracted 71,500 visitors in 2013 and received $1.6 million in federal funding.

Keim explained why AMSE’s contract with Enterprise Advisory Services Inc. was allowed to run out June 30. [Read more…]

City, AMSE Foundation have community meeting on museum Thursday

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AMSE Sign

The American Museum of Science and Energy is at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. (Photo by Sara Wise)

The City of Oak Ridge and the American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation are sponsoring a community meeting on Thursday that will include discussions of ways to strengthen the museum as a community and regional asset and destination attraction.

The meeting will also include an information session on current museum operations and the role of the AMSE Foundation. New AMSE Director David Moore will be at the meeting.

The meeting is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the museum, which is at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. Registration and light refreshments will be available beginning at 5:30 p.m., a press release said.

In a press release, Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson said it’s the right time to get the community involved in a dialogue about the museum. [Read more…]

ASAP needs derby volunteers at AC Fair on July 18

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Volunteers are needed at the Drive Drunk Get Nailed Demolition Derby at the Anderson County Fair on Friday, July 18.  The demolition derby starts at 7:30 p.m., and volunteers need to arrive by 6 p.m.

Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention—or ASAP—of Anderson County will shoot and toss ASAP T-shirts into the crowd during the event. If you can help, notify ASAP Prevention Coordinator Michael Foster by calling (865) 457-3007 by Wednesday, July 16, so they can get enough passes for all the volunteers.

State bill allows Anderson Commission to donate school buildings to EVC

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Emory Valley Center Presentation

Tennessee Representative John Ragan, second from right, presents Janet Wood, Emory Valley Center development director, second from left, a copy of the bill supported by Ragan and Senator Randy McNally, right, and passed by the Tennessee General Assembly allowing the Anderson County Commission to donate the original red brick school buildings to Emory Valley Center. Also pictured at left is Emory Valley Center board member Bill Hevrdeys. (Submitted photo)

 

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A bill supported by Tennessee Representative John Ragan and Senator Randy McNally passed the Tennessee General Assembly allowing the Anderson County Commission to donate the original red brick school buildings to Emory Valley Center.

A copy of the bill was recently presented to Janet Wood, Emory Valley Center development director.

In 1958, a local group of parents raised money and built the first red school building for their children with disabilities who were not allowed in the public school system at the time. Plans are under way for a historical marker to be placed there recognizing the efforts of these parents.

Beat the heat with cool summer eats, help ADFAC

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ADFAC Dine and Donate at Riverview Grill

With an expansive view of the Clinch River, Riverview Grill features a variety of family-friendly menu items such as barbeque, burgers, seafood, and much more, a press release said. (Submitted photo)

 

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With daily temperatures averaging around 90, we could all use some relief from the heat. Why not treat yourself to a feel-good meal?

On Monday, July 14, five local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

Officially launched last October, “Dine and Donate” is a year-long event, with different restaurants participating on the second Monday of each month. Monday’s participating restaurants are:

  • Hoskins in Clinton,
  • Papa Murphy’s in Oak Ridge (please use the register marked for ADFAC),
  • Razzleberry’s in Oak Ridge,
  • Riverview Grill in Clinton, and
  • Subway in Clinton (both), Lake City, Oak Ridge (Four Oaks Center), and Oliver Springs.

[Read more…]

UT basketball coach Tyndall helps kick off ORNL’s United Way campaign

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Donnie Tyndall at ORNL United Way Campaign Kickoff

University of Tennessee men’s basketball coach Donnie Tyndall helps kick off the 2014 United Way campaign at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. (Photos by Jason Richards/ORNL)

 

University of Tennessee men’s basketball coach Donnie Tyndall was at Oak Ridge National Laboratory on Monday morning to help kick off the lab’s 2014 United Way campaign.

“United Way brings together resources,” Tyndall told the ORNL staff members. “They don’t just take the check. The United Way has a track record of putting programs in place to help people with life skills.”

Associate Laboratory Director for Neutron Sciences Ron Crone is leading this year’s campaign with co-chair Phil Britt, who directs the Chemistry Division.

Local radio personality Hallerin Hilton Hill, who did his morning broadcast in the Conference Center, joined the kickoff.  [Read more…]

Solar House opens July 10 at Children’s Museum

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Living Light House Ribbon-cutting

Chelsea, left, and Craig Myles walk to the Solar House with Carroll Welch, Children’s Museum deputy director, center, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new addition at the Children’s Museum. (Submitted photos)

The Living Light Solar House, an ambassador for good design and energy efficiency while at the University of Tennessee, will open to the public on July 10 at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

The Children’s Museum will host an open house from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, inviting visitors to tour the solar-powered house and the museum. Admission will be free that evening, as the museum shows the community its newest exhibit, the house built by University of Tennessee students.

UT donated the solar house to the Children’s Museum, where it arrived May 17. The new exhibit invites children and families to experience sustainability in an energy-efficient house recognized for its architectural design.

“Young people who see the Living Light house talk about wanting a place of their own like that someday,” said Carroll Welch, Children’s Museum deputy director. “The house is very inspiring for children, and it will offer many great learning opportunities.” [Read more…]