Oak Ridge Today

Pull For Our Veterans presents checks to Honor Air, Fisher House

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Dual Presentation1

Richard Stouder, center, president of Pull For Our Veterans, presents checks for $19308.50 to Megan Wynn of the Fisher House Foundation Inc, left, and to Eddie Mannis of Honor Air Knoxville. Pull For Our Veterans is an Oak Ridge-based 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping veterans and their families. (Submitted photo)

 

Pull For Our Veterans, an Oak Ridge-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families, presented checks in the amount of $19,308.50 to both Honor Air Knoxville and the Fisher House Foundation Inc. in a ceremony at the Oak Ridge Sportsmen’s Association in Oak Ridge on November 29.

“Honor Air Knoxville and The Fisher House Foundation are two great organizations that do a lot, but they need help and we’re proud to support them,” said Richard Stouder, president of Pull For Our Veterans. “It’s gratifying to know that the money we raised in 2016 will be used by them to help support our veterans and their loved ones. We want to thank our corporate sponsors, Consolidated Nuclear Security, National Strategic Protective Services, Enrichment Federal Credit Union, and Clayton Homes as well as the many other sponsors, participants, and all of our wonderful volunteers who worked tirelessly to make these events happen. They are the ones that are making a difference in the lives of our veterans and their families.”

Honor Air Knoxville is a 501(c)(3) that is dedicated to honoring World War II, Korean, and Vietnam veterans from East Tennessee and the sacrifices they made to ensure our freedoms. Each Honor Air trip costs approximately $500 per veteran. Every dollar donated is applied directly to the cost of the trip. No donation dollars are applied to administrative expenses. [Read more…]

Cybersecurity brown bag lunches start Tuesday in Oak Ridge

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The Cyber and Information Security Consortium, or CISC, and the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy have partnered together to hold monthly brown bag lunches to hear talks on key topics regarding cybersecurity.

The first official lunch will take place next week in the UT Outreach Center in Oak Ridge.

The second lunch will be held on February 17 in the Toyota Auditorium at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy on UT’s campus. [Read more…]

Refugee services to be discussed Feb. 6 in Oak Ridge

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Drocella Mugorewera, executive director of Bridge Refugee Services Inc. (Submitted photo)

Drocella Mugorewera, executive director of Bridge Refugee Services Inc. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

Coming to a strange country not knowing the people, culture, or even language can be daunting. Many United States citizens often trace their families back and learn about those who came to these shores and struggled against difficult odds. The challenge continues, and sometimes people are available to offer a helping hand during the critical transition, to bridge the gap between one’s former life and the new one stretching out ahead with so many unknowns. One organization that serves in this capacity is Bridge Refugee Services, operating in the Knoxville and Chattanooga areas, which assists refugees, a group of people often including asylum seekers.

“How can I help?” is a question often posed by those who wish to help eliminate the pain and confusion of those living this difficult set of circumstances.  With this question in mind, Drocella Mugorewera, executive director of Bridge Refugee Services Inc., will present at the next meeting of the Women’s Interfaith Dialogue of Oak Ridge. It will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, February 6, at the Jewish Congregation, 101 West Madison Lane in Oak Ridge. This is across the street from the back of the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Authors speak about delights, frights along Cumberland Trail on Feb. 2

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Ben Larry Pounds Book Cover

Well-known botanist Larry Pounds and his son, local journalist Ben Pounds, spent a month in 2012 hiking all 200 miles of the Cumberland Trail that existed then. Combining Larry’s extensive botany experience and Ben’s training as a writer, they documented their experiences in a book, “Wildly Strolling Along,” a press release said.

The public is invited to an informational program about their Cumberland Trail experience in a 7 p.m. program on Thursday, February 2. The Pounds will share slides of their favorite sights along the Cumberland Trail and provide basic information about the trail, the press release said. [Read more…]

Community invited to World Harmony Week celebration at ORUUC

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The Oak Ridge Interfaith Partnership will celebrate World Harmony Week on Thursday, February 2, at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. The church is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, near traffic light number two.

Speakers from diverse traditions will speak about aspects of their faith they feel are important and often misunderstood, a press release said.

Mix and Mingle will be start at 6:30 p.m., the press release said. Presentations will be from 7 to 8 p.m. That will be followed an opportunity for dialogue and fellowship, the press release said. Refreshments will be served, and child care will be available. There is no cost to attend. [Read more…]

Tea Thyme Favorites Valentine Tea at Old Towne Inn is Feb. 11 in Oak Ridge

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Tea Thyme Favorites Valentine Tea

Mary Ann Damos, right, and Carroll Welch are pictured above. (Submitted photo)

 

By Mary Ann Damos

On Saturday, February 11, at noon, an elegant ladies’ tea party by Tea Thyme Favorites will be held in Oak Ridge at the Old Towne Inn. Step back in time to a 1920s scene from Downton Abbey, a time when women first experienced a new freedom in their lives and in fashion during the changing times.

You and your friends are welcome to share in Tea Thyme Favorites and specialty teas at the lovely Old Town Inn. Mouthwatering savories include: ribbons of cucumber topping, mounds of chicken salad, delicious ham salad, and creamy egg salad garnished with fresh herbs and greens. Cheese crisps and mini-Quiche Lorraines will also adorn the table. For sweetness, enjoy chocolate heart brownies, cranberry scones, and pink sweetheart cookies. [Read more…]

Free community meal on Friday at Oak Ridge church

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The Stone Soup Ministry team at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will be serving a free community meal on Friday, January 27. Dine-in or take-out will be available from 5 to 6 p.m.

ORUUC is located at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike (close to traffic light number 2) in Oak Ridge. Homemade white chicken chili, cornbread, fresh fruit, and cookies will be on the menu. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra to perform in Free Family Concert on Sunday

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Family Concert Instrument Petting Zoo

Family Concert Instrument Petting Zoo (Photo courtesy ORCMA)

 

In what has become a fun-filled, family tradition, the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association will present the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Free Family Concert for families and music lovers on Sunday, January 29, at the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.

The concert is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Sunday. It is appropriate for all ages and includes informative pieces and instrument demonstrations so that first timers can learn about the symphony orchestra, a press release said.

Music Director Dan Allcott recently instituted another tradition, whereby a special prize is awarded to the winner of the Ralph Einstein Youth Aliyah Concert competition. Allcott offers an opportunity for the winner to perform with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra on the Family Concert.

“I think it is very inspiring for young people to see young performers,” Allcott said. “We want them to know that someday they could be on stage with us. The soloist for this year’s concert will be 17-year-old violinist, Mitchell Cloutier.” [Read more…]

New wine festival to focus on quality, wine trails, Nine Lakes region

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Nine Lakes Wine Festival Logo

The first-ever Nine Lakes Wine Festival will be held May 19-20 in Oak Ridge.

The festival will focus on the wine trails of the eastern half of Tennessee and their award-winning wines, a press release said. The festival is just 30 minutes from downtown Knoxville, and it bears the name “Nine Lakes” from the nine lakes made by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the Knoxville area.

“The beauty of our waterfront Melton Lake Park is perfect for a wine festival,” said Marc DeRose, president of Explore Oak Ridge, the city’s convention and visitor’s bureau, which is one of the sponsoring partners for the event.

Nine Lakes Wine Festival will feature 20 wineries that participate in five different wine trails. They will be grouped by trail, for a seamless tasting experience, the press release said. [Read more…]

Borchers nominated as Anderson County Substance Abuse Prevention Ally of Year

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Bruce Borchers

Bruce Borchers

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers has been nominated by Anderson County Allies for Substance Abuse Prevention as a candidate for the 2017 Anderson County Ally of the Year Award.

Candidates were nominated by community members based on their passion for creating a healthier and more productive Anderson County. These candidates are united by one goal: to use their leadership, influence, and communication skills to raise funds to help prevent and reduce substance abuse in Anderson County, a press release said. Each dollar raised by the candidates will count as one vote. The person with the most votes will be named ASAP’s Anderson County Ally of the Year and be recognized at a luncheon on February 3. [Read more…]

A MORE2 success story, providing free energy-efficiency upgrades

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Before and after photos of Lacey’s attic insulation.

Before and after photos of Lacey’s attic insulation (see other photo below).

 

As winter sets in, Make Oak Ridge Energy Efficient, or MORE2, is helping Oak Ridgers lower their home energy use and their electric bills.

Mary Kate Lacey, a retired licensed practical nurse, rents an Oak Ridge home that she hopes to someday own. After taking part in MORE2, she said her home is more comfortable now than in the last five years and that her electric bill is reflecting energy savings.

“My heat pump just doesn’t run all the time now like it used to,” she explained. “And my utility bill is already a little lower than in earlier years.” [Read more…]

Groundbreaking ceremony held for first new Habitat home in 2017

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Habitat for Humanity Morgan Groundbreaking January 2017

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County (HFHAC) has plans to build three new homes in Oak Ridge in 2017. Now, thanks to generous sponsors and construction volunteers, these plans are being realized, a press release said. The foundation has been dug for the first home, located at 214 North Illinois Avenue. (Submitted photo)

 

Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, or HFHAC, has plans to build three new homes in Oak Ridge in 2017.

“Now, thanks to all of the generous sponsors and construction volunteers, these plans are being realized!” a press release said.

The foundation has been dug for the first home, which is located at 214 North Illinois Avenue.

Representatives from UT-Battelle, the managing contractor of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, presented a $25,000 check to HFHAC during a January 5 groundbreaking ceremony. The donation will be used to purchase materials for the Morgan family home, the press release said. [Read more…]