Oak Ridge Today

Children’s Museum hosts chili cook-off

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ES&H at Children's Museum Chili Cook-off

Bill Garibay, president and chief executive officer of ES&H, joins staff members in preparing chili for the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge Chili Cook-off. With him, from left, are Erik Cueto, Bryan Byler, Dave O’Toole, Lynne Musick, and Jim Everett. (Submitted photo)

Chili teams are invited to cook a pot of their best chili, and the public is welcome to sample it, when the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge hosts its first annual Choo Choo Chili Cook-off on Sunday, Oct. 20.

As chili contestants vie for ribbons, the public may sample chili and enjoy hot dogs, cornbread and beverages that will be available during the cook-off, which will take place from 3-6 p.m. For children, pumpkin decorating and scarecrow activities will add to the fun afternoon. Admission for the cook-off and museum is $5.

Chili chefs may enter in one of five categories: vegetarian, meat, spicy, white and surprise ingredient. They will prepare chili off site and bring at least one gallon of chili in a crock pot for the event. Contestants must use non-processed ingredients, except for items such as tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Contestants are asked to provide a team name and decorate a table. Fee for contestants is $25 per team. More than 20 teams are expected at the cook-off. [Read more…]

Methodist church has Oct. 30 fundraising festival for Second Harvest

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Canned Food Labyrinth

Pictured above is a food labyrinth like the one that will be constructed at a Harvest Festival at First United Methodist Church on Oct. 30. (Submitted photo)

A fall festival at the end of this month will raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank.

The annual Harvest Festival is scheduled from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, on the front lawn of First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge.

Children are encouraged to wear a costume and celebrate with crafts, games, inflatables, and face painting, a press release said.

Second Harvest is East Tennessee’s local food bank. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge fire chief to discuss risks, smoke alarms, exit plans

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Darryl Kerley

Darryl Kerley

Oak Ridge Fire Department Chief Darryl Kerley will discuss at-risk populations and the importance of smoke alarms and exit plans during a meeting this evening.

It’s the monthly meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, and it starts at 7 p.m. today (Thursday) at the Midtown Community Center. The public is invited.

Kerley will talk about the city’s aging population being somewhat “at risk” and the importance of smoke alarms, exit plans, and personal information forms for residents with special needs at home during an emergency. [Read more…]

ADFAC’s Dine and Donate event begins Monday

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ADFAC Dine and Donate

Five area restaurants will donate a portion of their sales on Monday to support the charitable work of Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

The participating restaurants are:

  • Hoskins in Clinton
  • Mediterranean Delight in Oak Ridge
  • Razzleberry’s in Oak Ridge
  • Riverview Grill in Clinton, and
  • Subway locations in Clinton, Lake City, Oliver Springs, and Oak Ridge (Four Oaks Center). [Read more…]

Historical marker unveiled at former Poplar Creek Seminary in Wheat

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Wheat Historical Marker Group Shot

A historical marker honoring the Poplar Creek Seminary was unveiled in the Wheat community in west Oak Ridge on Wednesday. Pictured above from left are Ray Smith, Mick Wiest, Martin McBride, Anne McBride, Bonita Irwin, Bobbie Martin, Billy Stair, and Steve Goodpasture. (Submitted photo)

A historical marker honoring the former Poplar Creek Seminary was unveiled in the Wheat community in west Oak Ridge on Wednesday, a press release said.

The seminary was founded in 1877 and later became the Roane College, and later Wheat High School, and was a center of higher education for area children at the time, the press release said. The school was closed in 1942 when the community became part of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal project to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II.

The marker is from the State of Tennessee. The sign itself was purchased by UT-Battelle, which manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the press release said. [Read more…]

‘Night in Paris’ features music, wine, auction; raises money for CASA

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CASA Evening with the Arts

An Oct. 11 fundraiser will feature music, wine, and an art auction, and it will raise money for CASA of the Tennessee Heartland.

It’s the Fourth Annual Evening with the Arts—A Night in Paris, and it will be held Friday, Oct. 11, from 7-10 p.m. at Pollard Auditorium in Oak Ridge.

The evening will include wine, finger foods from The Market House, and sweets from Emma Lou Bakery.  Jazz and blues singer Sarah Clapp will perform, and the evening will be emceed by Hallerin Hilton Hill. A silent auction will feature local art pieces including a Bill Capshaw raku vase, several original numbered prints, and several “unique and beautiful pieces,” a press release said. [Read more…]

New executive director, board members at Girls Inc.

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Girls Inc.

Pictured above are Girls Inc. Board President Terry Domm, Ternica Raley, Executive Director Rhoni Basden, Judy Gooch, and Board Secretary Melissa McMahan. (Submitted photo)

Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge has a new executive director and five new board members.

Rhoni Basden is the new executive director. She succeeds Carol Mullane, who retired after seven successful years, a press release said.

New board members include Ternecia Raley, Judy Gooch, Melissa McMahan, David Mosby, and Hugh Ward. [Read more…]

Crossroads Ministry director to discuss helping young, at-risk single mothers

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The director of Crossroads Ministry will discuss how the agency helps young, at-risk single mothers from Anderson and surrounding counties during a Friday morning presentation.

Cora Rhew, founder and executive director of Crossroads Ministry, will explain how her agency helps the mothers face the challenges of mothering while learning to set goals, make good decisions, and develop job skills, a press release said. Rhew will share news about the progress of transitional housing for at-risk single mothers, the release said. She will also talk about the court-ordered training that her agency provides to single parents, both men and women, in the greater Anderson County area. [Read more…]

Literacy grant applications now available from Altrusa, Breakfast Rotary

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Applications are now available for about $17,000 worth of literacy grants awarded by Altrusa International of Oak Ridge and the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club.

The grants are used to help improve literacy in Oak Ridge and Anderson and Roane counties, and they will be awarded to selected recipients. Applications and award criteria may be found on the Altrusa International website or Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club website. Hard copies are also available at the Oak Ridge Public Library.

Applications must be submitted by Nov. 1.

[Read more…]

UT-Battelle builds second home for ADFAC

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ADFAC UT-Battelle Home

Annie Cacheiro, right, executive director of Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, and Thom Mason, director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, speak at a dedication for a home built by volunteers on Jay Lane.

Volunteers from UT-Battelle have completed their second home in two years for ADFAC, a nonprofit agency that helps low-income residents.

Officials and volunteers celebrated last week with a ceremony at the new single-story, two-bedroom home on Jay Lane.

“It’s a blessing,” said Emily Mitchell, 24, the new homeowner. “I know I couldn’t do it on my own.”

Mitchell, who has a two-year-old daughter, now lives on Van Hicks Place. She is the family self-sufficiency coordinator for the Oak Ridge Housing Authority. [Read more…]

United Way Golf Tournament needs your support

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United Way Golf Tournament Winners

Winners of the 2012 United Way Golf Tournament pictured above are Doug Guinn, Keith Newport, Tom White, and Jody Waddell. (Submitted photo)

The United Way of Anderson County will host its annual golf tournament on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Oak Ridge Country Club.

“Proceeds from this tournament directly support UWAC’s 34 partner agencies,” said David Wilson, tournament chairman. “Every sponsorship and every team registration is so important and so appreciated.”

This year, the tournament will feature two divisions. The Pro Division will offer platinum, gold, and silver sponsors a local club pro to play as their fourth in a modified scramble. The Champions Division will have four players with a team handicap. Prizes will be awarded to the top two teams in each division. [Read more…]

CONTACT Care Line celebrates 40 years with concert, workshops, new director

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Submitted

CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee is marking 40 years of service to neighbors in crisis with a fundraising concert, a new series of listening workshops, a new executive director, and a new look.

The Oak Ridge-based nonprofit fields some 10,000 telephone calls annually from people who are lonely, facing a crisis, and at times contemplating suicide. It is staffed almost entirely by volunteers, including a contingent of University of Tennessee psychology students whose time listening to callers provides valuable experience. [Read more…]