Oak Ridge Today

ORAU and American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation formalize partnership to advance Manhattan Project 2.0

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Oak Ridge, Tenn. — To conclude Nuclear Science Week, ORAU and the American Museum of Science and Energy Foundation (AMSEF) formalized their commitment to advancing nuclear science education by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership is designed to support the development of the next generation of nuclear professionals, ensuring Oak Ridge and the United States maintain their leadership role on the global stage in the nuclear sector.

Meghan Millwood, ORAU president and CEO, and Alan Lowe, AMSEF executive director and CEO, signed the MOU to establish a collaborative framework between the organizations. By leveraging existing education and training resources, the partnership addresses the critical need for workforce development in the nuclear field. ORAU’s Tennessee Nuclear Energy Workforce Center (T-NEWC) is uniquely positioned to drive this mission forward, preparing the nation to meet the demands of a growing and evolving nuclear workforce.

“Our world is experiencing a nuclear renaissance that many in Oak Ridge are calling the Manhattan Project 2.0, and ORAU is part of the solution needed to help ready our workforce for the challenges,” Millwood said. “This partnership also aligns with our ORAU STEM Accelerator, which was created to develop and accelerate solutions to address U.S. STEM workforce gaps. Together with AMSE, we’re building on our strengths, aligning education and workforce development in key STEM areas, such as nuclear science, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies.”

“Both AMSE and ORAU were founded in the immediate post-World War II era as a part of the original Manhattan Project’s legacy,” Lowe added. “In fact, ORAU managed our museum for the Atomic Energy Commission, now the Department of Energy. We’re thrilled to be working together so closely again as we align our efforts to preserve Oak Ridge’s history and help produce highly skilled workers for the future.”

The signed MOU is a three-year agreement with strategies for collaboration that include:
• AMSE utilizing space at ORAU’s main campus to conduct educational programming and also providing the opportunity for AMSE representatives to be co-located with the ORAU T-NEWC facility.
• Joint efforts by ORAU and AMSE educators to develop K-12 workforce initiatives.
• Programming focused on science, engineering and historical communications.
• Hosting summer camps and workshops.
• Offering joint tours of ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity.

This partnership represents an innovative approach to addressing the big picture of the challenges that lay ahead for this nuclear renaissance. By leveraging people, facilities and existing training programs, while also identifying new opportunities and infrastructure, the agreement aims to streamline the nuclear workforce pipeline and help position Oak Ridge as a hub for nuclear education and innovation.

AMSEF, working in cooperation with the Department of Energy, is responsible for the operations of AMSE and the K-25 Atomic History Campus, and works to advance the mission of both institutions.
ORAU integrates academia, government and industry to advance the nation’s learning, health and scientific knowledge to build a better world. Through our specialized teams of subject matter experts, decades of experience, and collaborations with our consortium of more than 160 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU is a recognized leader when the priorities of our federal, state, local, and commercial customers require innovative solutions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). ORAU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and government contractor. For more information, visit https://www.orau.org/.

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Pictured in Photo: ORAU President and CEO Meghan Millwood and AMSE CEO and Executive Director Alan Lowe sign the MOU.

Author and Law Professor Derek W. Black to Speak on Public Education and Democracy

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Derek W. Black, a best-selling author and constitutional law professor, will share his insights and research into the attack on the nation’s commitment to public education, from funding to vouchers to charter schools, at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at The Lodge, 424 Goans Ave., Clinton.

Black will be a guest of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club at a fund-raiser that will feature the author and the opportunity to purchase his books. All proceeds and donations from the evening will support Anderson County Democratic candidates.

The program, titled “Fighting the Attack on Public Education: A Night of Learning and Giving,” offers an inspiring evening of learning and discussion in support of public education with the author, who spent part of his childhood in Clinton.

His first book, “Schoolhouse Burning: Public Education and the Assault on American Democracy,” offers a history of the nation’s establishment of a constitutional right to education with an analysis of how that right is being undermined today. His book “makes clear that public education was central to the Founding Fathers’ vision of a new kind of democracy that rests on the consent of the governed,” according to the New York Review of Books.

His second book, “Dangerous Learning: The South’s Long War on Black Literacy,” concludes that “something dangerously reminiscent of the pre-Civil War south is happening in education today,” according to a review by author Nancy MacLean. Black notes that few have valued literacy as much as the enslaved Black people of the American South. His book explains how, once Reconstruction ended, opposition to educating Black children depressed education in the South for Black and white students alike.

Black directs the Constitutional Law Center and is the Ernest F. Hollings Chair in Constitutional Law at the University of South Carolina. He began his career teaching at Howard University School of Law, and before that, he litigated education cases at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

His research focuses on school funding and ensuring equal opportunities for disadvantaged students. His articles have appeared in leading legal journals, and his research is often cited in court opinions and briefs, including in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tickets are $50 and may be purchased at https://ACDWC-10172025.eventbrite.com or at the door. For more information, email the Democratic Women’s Club at ac-democratic-women@outlook.com.

Anderson County Chamber Headquarters Dedication Set for October 17

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The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce will host the dedication ceremony for its new headquarters at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, 500 N. Charles Seivers Blvd., Clinton, after nearly three years of fundraising that brought $1,175,695 in contributions from individuals, businesses, and industries throughout the county.

The new building will honor those who founded the Chamber 93 years ago and community leaders and businesses today that have supported the Chamber and benefited from the Chamber’s work in economic development, community partnerships and preserving the county’s history.

The headquarters will be named the William “Bear” Stephenson Family Chamber Building, honoring the family of the lifelong resident of Anderson County who built the successful Stephenson Realty and Auction business in Clinton, now in its 43rd year. He is recognized throughout the region as an auctioneer who donates his time and talents to help nonprofit organizations raise funds.

Grateful for the support of the community, the Chamber, his parents and his brother, Stephenson is donating $1 million to the Anderson County Chamber Foundation for its headquarters.

“The Chamber is a vital part of economic development and economic activity in the community,” Stephenson said. His only immediate family members, his parents and his brother, have passed away, so he decided to make a major gift to the Chamber. “I’m leaving it to the future of Clinton and Anderson County. I’m just glad I could help.”

The Chamber headquarters is built on land donated by Clinton businessman Joe Hollingsworth, Jr., CEO of The Hollingsworth Companies, an industrial real estate development and construction company. The 1.35-acre lot at the corner of Charles Seivers Boulevard and Weaver Street locates the Chamber on a prominent site on a well-traveled commercial street.

“The new building and location are a clear statement about Clinton’s and Anderson County’s future economic destiny,” said Hollingsworth, whose Aspire Foundation created Clinton’s Aspire Park. “I’m proud to be a small part of helping Bear and Rick (Meredith, Chamber President and CEO) create this foundation for the future of business and industry in Anderson County.”

The Anderson County Chamber Foundation, a nonprofit formed in December 2022, headed the “Building a Better Future” capital campaign for the new headquarters.

The one-story Chamber headquarters, the first the Chamber has owned in its 93-year history, will include a diversified room with up-to-date technology for training and videoconferencing, available for Chamber members, nonprofits, and community partners. A welcoming lobby, a catering kitchen for events, and offices for Chamber staff and the Anderson County Economic Development Association are included in the building’s plans.

MBI Companies, Inc., an architectural, engineering and interiors firm with offices in Knoxville and Chattanooga, designed the building and served as project manager.

Chamber Board Chair Scott Rhea believes the new headquarters will foster talent in Anderson County and attract new and yet unknown resources to the area.

“The ‘GDP’ of our Chamber of Commerce is more than an economic measure used to indicate near-term growth or stagnation. This building represents a long-term commitment to Anderson County’s various measures of success that transcend simple short-term economic measures,” said Rhea, the Supervisor of Fiscal Services & Facilities for Clinton City Schools.

Callie Archer, Chamber Chair when the Anderson County Chamber Foundation began the fund drive for the new building in 2023, views the new headquarters as a hub for the community and a catalyst for future economic development.

“It’s new central and visible location will help elevate the work that the Chamber has always done, bringing local business and community leaders together for collaboration and driving positive initiatives,” said Archer, President of Junior Achievement of East Tennessee.

“I am also excited about it being a space that will be great for hosting workshops, mentorship programs and other business support services that we haven’t had the space for in the past,” she said.

Joey Smith, Chamber Chair in 2022 and Foundation Chair now, made sure the Chamber’s 1932 founders would be remembered with a large photo mural installed in the new headquarters.

“There were 10 founding directors, although quiet a few more folks were involved in wanting a Chamber and promoting business. It was 1932. TVA was about to change the landscape of the county with electricity and Norris Dam,” said Smith, with Sellers Realty in Clinton. “They saw opportunity.”

Trey McAdams, a State Farm Agent in Clinton, followed Archer as Chamber Chair in 2024, as the building campaign continued.

“We are incredibly excited to be moving into our new building. It would not have been possible without the effort and generosity of our Chamber members,” McAdams said.

“Our new building will not only be an excellent place for our Chamber home but will serve as an asset to our community as a meeting and event center for all to share,” he added. We want to thank all who were involved in this process and encourage you to be a part of our grand opening!”

Johnson & Galyon Construction, based in Knoxville since 1914, built and managed construction of the headquarters. United Community Bank, 1110 North Charles G. Seivers Boulevard, Clinton, is the Chamber’s lending partner for the new building. Steve Heatherly, of Commercial Construction Consulting of East Tennessee, is the Chamber’s construction consultant.

For more information, see the Chamber’s website at www.andersoncountychamber.org.

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ORISE announces winners of 2025 Future of Science Awards

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ORISE announces winners of 2025 Future of Science Awards

Oak Ridge, Tenn.—The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Future of Science Awards.

The awardees were unveiled during a virtual ceremony held on Aug. 28, 2025, as part of the inaugural ORISE Symposium — a three-day event that celebrated scientific learning, innovation and collaboration.

Presented annually since 2022, the Future of Science Awards recognize excellence by ORISE program participants in the areas of scientific achievement, professional growth, project contributions and leadership. The awards also honor exceptional mentors who have played a pivotal role in guiding and inspiring ORISE participants.

Honorees are recognized in four categories: undergraduate student and post-baccalaureate, graduate student and post-master’s, postdoctoral, and mentor. Each participant winner receives a $1,000 prize, while all winners — including the mentor awardee — receive an award plaque and formal recognition from ORISE.

Undergraduate Student and Post-Baccalaureate Award Winner
Janou Milligan
Program: Oak Ridge National Laboratory Education Collaboration Program
Most Recent University: Georgia State University
Nominated by Fred Dolislager, mentor

Janou Milligan
Janou Milligan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Georgia State University, gaining experience in software engineering, computer information systems, networking and cybersecurity, with a primary focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning. From August 2024 to December 2024, he participated in the Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), followed by the Education Collaboration (ECO) program from December 2024 to August 2025. With the Environmental Risk and Energy Analysis group, Janou developed exposure models, utilized databases and programmed routines that support environmental risk assessment information systems sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. In parallel, he collaborated with ORNL’s Advanced Plant Phenotyping Laboratory (APPL) to design deep learning models for image, multivariate and time-series data analysis, enhancing APPL’s phenotyping capabilities in support of the Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI). His contributions have led to in-development publications, including a technical memorandum and a research paper, and he earned recognition through a 2025 Biosciences Division Distinguished Achievement Award. Going forward, Janou will begin his studies for a doctoral degree in data science and engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, under the Bredesen Center, continuing to work with APPL and CBI while exploring innovative applications of AI in plant science and other biosciences.

Graduate Student and Post-Master’s Award Winner
Margaret Costello
Program: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
University: University of Wisconsin-Madison
Nominated by Jennifer McClure, Ph.D., mentor

Margaret Costello
Margaret Costello is pursuing a doctoral degree while participating as an ORISE graduate fellow with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Dairy Forage Research Center, mentored by Hilario Mantovani, Ph.D., and Jennifer McClure, Ph.D. Her doctoral research focuses on the dairy cow gastrointestinal microbiome, particularly the development of scalable, non-invasive sampling and processing techniques. She is optimizing methods, such as buccal swabs and DNA preservation approaches, to provide a cost-effective, less labor-intensive alternative to traditional rumen sampling. By advancing unbiased and safe DNA extraction protocols, her goal is to generate microbial data that can be more readily integrated into animal breeding and management strategies. Her research also incorporates long-read metagenomic sequencing to characterize the functional potential of microbial populations, with a special focus on traits connected to sustainability, including reducing methane emissions and improving feed efficiency. Through this interdisciplinary approach, Margaret seeks to bridge microbiome research with practical applications that benefit both producers and the environment. Outside of her research, Margaret enjoys spending time with her beagle and crocheting.

Postdoctoral Award Winner
Kerri Miazgowicz, Ph.D.
Program: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Most Recent University: University of Georgia
Nominated by Amanda Calvert, Ph.D., mentor

Kerri Miazgowicz
Kerri Miazgowicz, Ph.D., recently completed an ORISE fellowship with the Virology Team of the Arborial Disease Branch of the Division of Vector-borne Diseases, located within the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Her research is focused on developing novel diagnostic reagents and assays for the detection of arboviral infections. This includes the generation and implementation of the recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) system in-house to produce chimeric viruses to develop safer and faster neutralization tests, which require the use of live infectious viruses. In parallel, her research also involves the generation of hybridoma cells and recombinant mammalian cells to produce novel antibodies used to detect emerging and reemerging arboviruses in diagnostic assays. Kerri will be starting a new fellowship opportunity with the Association of Public Health Laboratories hosted at the North Carolina State Public Health Lab.

Mentor Award Winner
Shuang Cui, Ph.D.
Program: U.S. Department of Energy Innovation in Buildings (IBUILD) Program
Nominated by Bernadette Magalindan, IBUILD fellow

Shuang Cui
Shuang Cui, Ph.D., is an assistant professor and Eugene McDermott distinguished fellow in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas). She also holds a joint faculty appointment at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Cui received her doctoral degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California, San Diego. Her research focuses on developing advanced materials and systems for energy storage, water harvesting and thermoregulation. Cui has received multiple prestigious honors, including the Recognition of Outstanding Achievement in Research Award from UT Dallas, the President’s Award for Exceptional Performance from NREL, and Best Reviewer Award from American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers. She has been featured by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Women @Energy: STEM Rising and was an invited participant at the Asian Deans’ Forum – The Rising Stars Women in Engineering Workshop in Korea (2019) as well as the 2019 U.S. C3E Women in Clean Energy Symposium. She actively mentors students through the DOE Innovation in Buildings (IBUILD) Program, DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) Program and DOE Jump into STEM competition.

Visit the ORISE Future of Science Awards webpage:
https://orise.orau.gov/news/archive/2025/orise-announces-winners-of-future-of-science-awards.html
for more information, including photos of each winner, a video of the event and videos with statements from the winners.

About ORISE

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is a U.S. Department of Energy asset that is dedicated to enabling critical scientific, research and health initiatives of the department and its laboratory system by providing world-class expertise in STEM workforce development, scientific and technical reviews, and the evaluation of radiation exposure and environmental contamination. ORISE is managed by ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science

Connect with ORISE:

ORISE Facebook
ORISE X
ORISE LinkedIn
ORISE Instagram
ORISE website: https://orise.orau.gov

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SL Tennessee Supports New Anderson County Chamber Headquarters

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SL Tennessee presented a check for $50,000 for the new Anderson County Chamber of Commerce headquarters recently while hosting a Chamber Coffee at its Clinton auto parts facility.

“We’ve been longtime members of the Chamber of Commerce, and we had the opportunity to give back with this contribution to the Chamber’s new building,” said Steven Brooks, SL Tennessee Sustainability Manager. The Anderson County Chamber Foundation has led the fund drive for the nearly completed building. Foundation Chair Joey Smith and Chamber President and CEO Rick Meredith accepted the check.

“We’re big believers in what the Chamber does in the county, and they’ve been big supporters of SL Tennessee, highlighting our business, allowing us to host events and to bring people into the plant,” Brooks said. The plant welcomes groups of adults and students for tours, giving them a view of a modern factory that’s bright, clean, climate controlled, and using robotics and other highly automated manufacturing techniques.

The dedication of the new headquarters, the first that the Chamber has owned in its 93 years in Anderson County, will take place Oct. 17 at 500 N. Charles Seivers Blvd, Clinton.

“We are so grateful for our partners in industry like SL Tennessee, which contributes to our community in so many ways,” said Smith, the Foundation Chair. “From the Magnet Mills days in the early 1900s, industry in Clinton and Anderson County has been a foundation for our residents, our businesses, and our local economy.”

SL Tennessee, a Korean-owned business, opened its Clinton factory 2011. It now occupies 3 buildings and 750,000 square feet and employs about 1,000 people, making it the largest non-government employer in the county. Front and rear light assemblies, mirrors, and manual shifters are among auto parts products manufactured there. Among newer products made there are charge port doors for electric cars.

The one-story Chamber headquarters will include a diversified room with up-to-date technology for training and videoconferencing, a welcoming lobby, a catering kitchen for events, and offices for Chamber staff and the Anderson County Economic Development Association.

For more information about the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, see www.andersoncountychamber.org.

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Photo Cutlines:

Ben Fredericks, left, SL Tennessee Electrification Division Plant Manager, and David Deorto, second from right, SL Tennessee General Plant Manager for Lighting, present a check from SL Tennessee to Joey Smith, second from left left, Chair of the Anderson County Chamber Foundation, and Rick Meredith, right, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.

ORAU 2025 Pollard Scholarship recipients announced

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Oak Ridge, Tenn. — ORAU awarded five William G. Pollard Scholarships of $2,500 each toward undergraduate studies for the 2025-26 academic year. The recipients of this year’s scholarships include Courtney Collins, Brandon Dake, Caroline Ferguson, Kira Palau and Laura Scott.

Annually, ORAU awards these scholarships to employees’ children who display exceptional achievements in their high school or undergraduate studies. To be considered, applicants must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended, three references (at least two of which must be from teachers), and a 500-word essay describing their professional and personal interests.

Below are additional details on each of the 2025 winners:

Courtney Collins, daughter of Amy Collins, is a rising junior at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is studying finance with a concentration in real estate to become a real estate agent directly after graduating. On campus, Courtney is involved in the sorority Tri Delta and a prayer group, called 18:20. She is graduating in three years and has been recognized on the dean’s list every semester.

Brandon Dake, son of Melanie Dake, will be a freshman student-athlete at Johnson University while working to earn his degree in nursing with a double major in Bible and theology. He plans to become a flight nurse after graduation, then go back to school to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist or nurse anesthetist. During high school, Brandon volunteered with Special Olympics, where he worked with participants in various sports.

Caroline Ferguson, daughter of Michelle Ferguson, is a rising freshman at Ohio State University. Graduating Summa Cum Laude from Turpin High School, Caroline achieved an unweighted 4.0 GPA. She was vice president of the National Honor Society and participated in varsity soccer and the Quiz Team. Caroline volunteered as a TOP (The Outreach Program) soccer coach for children with disabilities, served on the 1N5 Youth Council for Suicide Prevention, and she was a camp counselor at her church for disadvantaged youth. Caroline is majoring in biochemistry within the honors program at OSU. She aspires to go to medical school and become a radiologist or cardiothoracic surgeon.

Kira Palau, daughter of Angela Palau, is a rising senior at the University of Colorado Boulder, studying chemical and biological engineering with a minor in leadership and biomedical engineering. She graduated from Oak Ridge High School in 2022. Kira has worked in a variety of research fields focused largely on environmental conservation, and she recently branched out into the field of material science. She has worked with the Clinch River Environmental Studies Organization evaluating the ecological health of local woodlands and wetlands, participated in a self-directed research project at the University of Glasgow looking at the effects of increasing soil salinity on plant growth as well as conducting genetic research on cyanobacteria in a laboratory. This summer, Kira has begun research on polymerization in a material science/chemical engineering laboratory, where she will be working on her senior thesis. As she pursues her newfound interest in material science, she hopes to combine her passions—working to merge materials and conservation to advance the field of green energy.

Laura Scott, daughter of Kimberly Scott, is a second-year student at Tennessee Tech University, majoring in education with a concentration in middle school math (grades 6–10). She is on track to graduate in May 2027. Laura is committed to her academic success and passionate about her future teaching career. She currently works part time for Oak Ridge Schools, where she has developed an even greater appreciation for public education.

The William G. Pollard Scholarship Awards are presented in honor of ORAU’s founder in recognition of his dedication to science and education. A University of Tennessee physics professor, Pollard founded the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies—which later became ORAU—to link the valuable scientific resources developed in Oak Ridge as part of the Manhattan Project with regional universities.

ORAU integrates academia, government and industry to advance the nation’s learning, health and scientific knowledge to build a better world. Through our specialized teams of subject matter experts, decades of experience, and collaborations with our consortium of more than 160 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU is a recognized leader when the priorities of our federal, state, local, and commercial customers require innovative solutions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). ORAU is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and government contractor. For more information, visit https://www.orau.org/.

SEE EMAIL TO JOHN FOR PHOTOS OF FIVE RECIPIENTS

Democratic Womens Club Hosts State Rep. Sam McKenzie

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State Rep. Sam McKenzie will speak on the recent Tennessee General Assembly legislative session at the Monday, June 23, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Womens Club. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. at the 201 Caf and Wine Bar, 201 Broadway Ave., Oak Ridge.

McKenzie represents District 15 in Knoxville and served as chairman of the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators during the 113th General Assembly. A state representative since 2020, he serves on the Education Committee, Health Committee, Government Operations Committee, and the House Ethics Committee. He served on the Knox County Commission from 2008-2016.

Now a small business owner in Knoxville, he is retired after 34 years with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he was the Environment, Safety, Health and Quality Group Leader. He received his bachelors degree in physics from Fisk University and his masters degree in physics from the University of Memphis. He is a graduate of Austin-East High School in Knoxville.

McKenzie serves on the board of directors of the ORNL Federal Credit Union and the Fisk University Board of Trustees.

Light refreshments will be served, and drinks may be purchased from the bar. For more information, email the Democratic Womens Club at ac-democratic-women@outlook.com

Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers

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The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival has announced the dates of this years events, featuring three nationally acclaimed storytellers for performances on June 6 and 7. The annual festival returns live to the Historic Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge.

The storytellers are:

Anne Shimojima, whose folk tales from around the world and historical stories enlighten, educate, and inspire audiences, appearing for the first time in Oak Ridge.
The Rev. Robert B. Jones Sr., an inspirational storyteller who celebrates history, humor, and the power of American Roots music, returning to the festival by popular request.
Bil Lepp, a Flatwater Festival crowd favorite and an award-winning storyteller, author, recording artist, and History Channel host, who spins humorous, family-friendly tall tales and stories.

Each show is unique, as these storytellers will perform different stories at each of the events, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, June 6, and continuing with three more shows at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7. Most performances will be at the Historic Grove Theater, and free events will be at the Oak Ridge Senior Center and the American Museum of Science and Energy.

The festival was inspired by the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tenn., where all three of this years storytellers have appeared.

Tickets may be purchased online at https://events.humanitix.com/2025-flatwater-tales-storytelling-festival/tickets or at the Flatwater Tales web site, https://flatwatertales.com, or in person with cash or check at Calamitys Coffee, 219 Jackson Square, Oak Ridge. Individual tickets for each of the four shows in which all three storytellers will perform are $15 for each show, or $45 for a ticket for all four shows for the cost of three.

Several free programs will be offered.

Bil Lepp will present a Taste of the Tales 10 a.m. June 6 at the Oak Ridge Senior Center, 1405 Oak Ridge Turnpike, for ages 18 and up, as a gift to residents from the Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival and the City of Oak Ridge.

Anne Shimojima will share the history of her Japanese American familys three generations of life in America since 1909, including the incarceration camp drama faced in the 1940s, with her story, Looking Like the Enemy: An American WWII Story. This free event at 3 pm. June 6 will be at the American Museum of Science and Energy, 115 E. Main St., Oak Ridge, presented by Flatwater Tales, AMSE, and the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association.

Oak Ridge Historian Ray Smith will once again offer his free Historic Tour of Oak Ridge for both visitors here for the festival and residents from 12:30-2:45 p.m. on June 6. Participants are asked to register for the free performances at the ticket site, as space is limited.

For more information, see the website, https://flatwatertales.com. The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival, which originated in 2018, is led by community volunteers, including volunteers from the three Rotary Clubs in Oak Ridge.

Laser-Engraved Bricks Will Line Walkway of New Chamber Headquarters

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As construction of the new Anderson County Chamber of Commerce headquarters gets closer to completion, the deadline is quickly approaching for businesses and individuals to order a laser-engraved brick for the pathway leading to the new Chamber building.

June 1 is the last day to order a brick to be placed near a sidewalk leading to the buildings entrance from the parking lot.

To purchase a brick, make an appointment at the Chamber office at 245 N. Main St., Clinton, by calling 865-457-2559, to talk with a staff member about ordering a brick. Orders may also be placed by going to the web site at www.fundraisingbrick.com/accoc/.

The bricks may display individual names, be placed to honor or to remember someone, or feature a company name or logo. Bricks may also display a favorite saying or quotation. Purchasing a brick will support the Chambers future and offer the opportunity to place your name or your companys name permanently in downtown Clinton.

The admiral red bricks are available in two sizes, 4-by-8 inches for $125 and 8-by-8 inches for $300. The 8-by-8-inch brick with a logo is available for $500. An option is to combine four 8-by-8 bricks that can include a logo and text. A mini replica of the small brick may be ordered for $25 and of the larger brick for $35.

The Anderson County Chamber Foundation is leading the Building a Better Future capital campaign to build the new 7,700-square-foot headquarters at 107 East Washington Ave., Clinton, for the Anderson County Chamber. The one-story Chamber headquarters will include a diversified room with state-of-the-art technology for training and videoconferencing, available for Chamber board meetings and community gatherings.

To learn more about the Anderson County Chamber Foundation, visit the Foundation website at www.acccfoundation.org. For information about the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, see the Chambers website at www.andersoncountychamber.org.

Photo Cutlines:
Individuals and companies can leave a mark with laser-engraved bricks that will line a walkway to the new Anderson County Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Clinton.

Democratic Womens Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy

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Climate and Energy and Policy, Oh My will be the topic at the April meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Womens Club. The club will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 28, at the Clinton Community Center, 101 S. Hicks St., Clinton.

Dan Terpstra will draw from his years of research on this rapidly evolving topic to describe the history, current status and what can be done both locally and nationally to move forward on these issues.

Terpstra is a retired computer scientist who spent the last dozen years of his career working with supercomputers in the Innovative Computing Lab at the University of Tennessee.

He is a founding member of Third Act Tennessee, part of a national organization defending democracy and climate action. He has long been concerned about climate change and its impact on society.

Terpstra, of Oak Ridge, has taught several ORICL courses on climate and energy and related issues, and he has been leading an adult Sunday school class on climate and related justice issues for five years.

The club will serve pizza at 5:30 p.m., suggesting a donation of $5 for pizza. The program will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, send an email to ac-democratic-women@outlook.com.
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Estate Jewelry Show at Karens Jewelers Features Celebrity Jewelry

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A necklace owned by singer and actor Olivia Newton-John, along with a magazine cover featuring her wearing the pearls, will be among celebrity jewelry featured in an Estate Jewelry Show and Sale on Thursday, May 1, at Karens Jewelers in Oak Ridge.

Newton-John, remembered for her starring role in the 1978 musical hit Grease and her four Grammy awards, was featured on the 2008 cover of a magazine in the Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald wearing the triple-strand necklace with freshwater pearls in various shades of gray, white and tan.

With the necklace will be the color photo of her signed by her longtime photographer, Michelle Day, and a copy of the newspapers Good Weekend magazine, featuring the late singer and actor on the cover.

Cufflinks worn by Harry Belafonte, singer, actor, and civil rights activist who popularized the calypso style of music, will also be among jewelry previously owned by celebrities. Hundreds of pieces of jewelry, including bracelets, rings, earrings, brooches, pendants, and necklaces, will be shown from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 1 at Karens Jewelers, 1120 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.

The collection, including one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, will feature items previously owned by singers Madonna, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Janet Jackson; actors Bette Midler, Raquel Welch, Mary Pickford, Sammy Davis Jr., and James Garner; and television and radio journalist Barbara Walters, among others.

Jewelry is considered estate jewelry if it is previously owned, though not always from an estate, according to Jonathan Hart, owner of Karens Jewelers. Jewelry is considered antique if it is more than 100 years old. An estate jewelry expert will be at the store for the event.

The show will feature estate jewelry ranging in price from $500 to more than $50,000. The jewelry will reflect the beauty and craftmanship of previous eras and include an array of precious and semi-precious gems, as well as platinum and a wide selection of colors and karats of gold, Hart said.

Jewelry collected by celebrities in world travels, including historical treasures created by master craftsmen, will represent a range of styles from the Victorian, Art Nouveau, Belle Epoque, Edwardian, Art Deco, and Retro eras through the late 20th century at the event. Jewelry featuring gold, high-quality gemstones, diamonds, and pearls in designs from these periods will be on display.

For more information about the event, to request that a specific gem or jewelry from a specific period be available, or to request an appointment the day of the show and sale, contact Karens Jewelers at (865) 483-6717. Also, see the Karens Jewelers Facebook page and the website at www.karensjewelers.com.

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Photo Cutlines

Olivia Newton-John wore her three-strand pearl necklace in this 2008 magazine cover in the Sydney Morning Herald.

This pearl necklace previously owned by Olivia Newton-John is featured in an Estate Jewelry Show and Sale at Karens Jewelers.

Keri Cagle named new ORAU senior vice president and ORISE director

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OAK RIDGE, Tenn. ORAU announced Keri Cagle, Ed.D., PMP, as the new ORAU senior vice president and director of the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), effective immediately. In her new role, Cagle will leverage her vast experience and strategic insight to enhance ORISEs work in critical scientific research and health initiatives for the U.S. Department of Energy and its laboratory system.

Before her promotion, Cagle demonstrated exceptional leadership as the senior director of Scientific Peer Review for ORISE, where she directed the strategic operations of its multi-million-dollar scientific peer review program. Under her guidance, the program skillfully adapted to shifting landscapes, resulting in notable business expansion and enhanced performance.

With an impressive 19-year tenure supporting the ORISE contract, Keri steps into her new role with an extensive background in program management, strategic planning and leadership within the scientific and educational sectors, said Andy Page, president and CEO of ORAU. “Keris profound leadership abilities, coupled with her extensive experience in government contracting and strategic operations, make her an ideal fit for this position. Her visionary approach and dedication to fostering collaborative relationships have consistently propelled our programs to new heights. We are excited to see her lead ORISE into a promising future.”

Cagle holds a Doctor of Education in Leadership & Learning from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Science in Organization Leadership from Regis University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Tusculum College. Her professional certifications include Project Management Professional and Certified Agile Leader, highlighting her commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

About ORISE

The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education is a U.S. Department of Energy asset that is dedicated to enabling critical scientific, research and health initiatives of the department and its laboratory system by providing world-class expertise in STEM workforce development, scientific and technical reviews, and the evaluation of radiation exposure and environmental contamination. ORISE is managed by ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and federal contractor, for the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Science.

The U.S. Department of Energys Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit https://energy.gov/science

Connect with ORISE:

ORISE Facebook
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ORISE LinkedIn
ORISE Instagram
ORISE website: https://orise.orau.gov

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