Oak Ridge Today

Roane State Playmakers to perform production of Lionel Bart’s ‘Oliver!’ April 21-23

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

During a rehearsal, Sophie King of Arts in Motion teaches the children who play orphans the choreography for "Food Glorious Food." (Photo by Roane State)

During a rehearsal, Sophie King of Arts in Motion teaches the children who play orphans the choreography for “Food Glorious Food.” (Photo by Roane State)

 

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

The musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ famous novel, “Oliver Twist,” comes to Roane State’s O’Brien Theater for only three performances in a rare collaboration of the college’s Music and Theatre Arts departments.

The curtain goes up on Lionel Bart’s “Oliver!” at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, April 21 and 22, and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 23.

It’s the story of a 9-year-old orphan and his misadventures, from being half-starved in a workhouse and famously asking for more gruel, to learning how to be a pickpocket on the gritty streets of 19th century London.

Memorable songs abound, from “Where Is Love?” to “Food Glorious Food” and “It’s a Fine Life.”

“It’s one of my favorite shows and a classic musical from the 1960s that’s been updated to add new songs,” said director Clarissa Feldt. “It’s a really fantastic big production.” [Read more…]

Taizé service planned at FUMC this evening

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

As part of the Lenten series, “Seeking God: Exploring Prayer, Scripture, and Faith,” this Sunday evening, March 26, First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge will host a meditative service of scripture, prayer, and song in the style of the Taizé community in France.

Taizé worship service involves sung and chanted prayers, meditation, periods of silence, liturgical readings, and icons. The style of prayer practiced at Taizé has attracted many worshipers from around the globe and from many different denominations. The prayers consist of short chants, repeated again and again. The words are sung over many times inviting the worshiper to experience prayer as a receiver, instead of a requester.

You are invited to join for this experience, Sunday, March 26, at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. The church is located at 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike. All are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please contact Seth O’Kegley, director of music and worship, at sokegley@fumcor.org or (865) 483-4357.

Secret City Wildbots advance to quarterfinals in Smoky Mountain Regional

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Members of the Secret City Wildbots crew work on Luna, the 2017 robot, during the opening practice matches on Thursday, March 23, 2017. At left (in black long sleeves) is Eric Thornton; center (also in black) is Jacob LaRose, Luke Buckner (next in yellow) as a graduate advisor, Caden Webb (in pink), mentor Chuck Agle (in black, back to camera), and Olivia Mahathy (in black, back to camera). (Photo by Angi Agle)

Members of the Secret City Wildbots crew work on Luna, the 2017 robot, during the opening practice matches on Thursday, March 23, 2017. At left (in black long sleeves) is Eric Thornton; center (also in black) is Jacob LaRose, Luke Buckner (next in yellow) as a graduate adviser, Caden Webb (in pink), mentor Chuck Agle (in black, back to camera), and Olivia Mahathy (in black, back to camera). (Photo by Angi Agle)

 

The Secret City Wildbots finished qualifying in third place, so they will compete in the quarterfinals in the Smoky Mountain Regional in Knoxville on Saturday.

The qualification rounds started Friday and continued Saturday. Alliance selections were scheduled to take place at noon on Saturday, with the final rounds from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Secret City Wildbots, Team 4265 from Oak Ridge, are competing in the FIRST Robotics “FIRST Steamworks” challenge at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville. Their 2017 robot is named Luna. [Read more…]

Bob Clement, former member of Congress, to speak, sign books at Green McAdoo

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Former member of Congress, Bob Clement (D-TN) will speak and sign books at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton on Monday, April 10, 2017. (Submitted photo)

Former member of Congress, Bob Clement (D-TN) will speak and sign books at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton on Monday, April 10, 2017. (Submitted photo)

Former U.S. Congressman Bob Clement, a Tennessee Democrat, will read and sign his new memoir in Clinton in April.

Clement’s new memoir is titled “Presidents, Kings, and Convicts: My Journey from the Tennessee Governor’s Residence to the Halls of Congress.” The memoir shares his front row seat to some of America’s most significant events, including the 1956 desegregation of Clinton High School, a press release said.

Clement will be at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center in Clinton from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, April 10. The Green McAdoo Cultural Center is at 101 School Street in Clinton.

Clement’s book describes behind-the-scenes accounts of some of his most memorable events beginning with his childhood growing up in the Tennessee governor’s mansion to becoming a Tennessee Valley Authority director, military officer, college president, successful businessman, and a member of Congress for eight terms, a press release said. It features a chapter on the desegregation of the South, specifically the role his father, Frank G. Clement, played in helping to integrate Clinton High School, fighting against the racial intolerance of the day, the press release said.

“He was instrumental in restoring order after the tragic bombing of the school in 1958, and ushering 12 black students back to the school in an act of racial equality and tolerance,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Democratic Women’s Club to discuss organizing a political campaign

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Kris Murphy

Kris Murphy

Kris Murphy, senior political director for the Tennessee Democratic Party, will be the guest speaker for the Monday, March 27, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The group will meet at 6 p.m. at Swifty’s Atomic Bar and Grill, which is at 119 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Murphy’s topic will be “Organizing a Political Campaign,” a press release said. Born into a political family, Murphy started campaigning when he was a one-year-old in his father’s state representative campaigns. Since then, he has worked on a number of campaigns and consulted for labor unions and progressive organizations across Tennessee, the press release said.

No reservations are necessary. Those attending may order from the menu at Swifty’s. For more information, please email Ann Mostoller at amostoller@msw-law.com or call Mary Matheny at (865) 483-8937.

This press release was submitted by Kay Brookshire.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy the topic of Health Night on the Town on Tuesday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

While advancements in radiation therapy help to target cancerous tumors and affected areas with a greater sense of accuracy, normal tissue can still be impacted by the treatment.

Fortunately, the use of hyperbaric oxygen, or HBO, therapy can provide significant healing treatments for those dealing with a radiation injury.

Learn more about the use of HBO therapy with Kristie Teffetteller, director of the Methodist Wound Treatment Center, and clinical manager, Michelle Bailey, a registered nurse, or RN.

Health Night will take place on Tuesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in the Ridge Conference Room of Methodist Medical Center, which is located at 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike. [Read more…]

Jefferson Middle School teachers to represent Tennessee at National Geographic Society training

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge Schools Logo

The Tennessee Geographic Alliance has chosen Jefferson Middle School teachers Brian Smith and John Beard of Oak Ridge Schools to represent Tennessee at a special training session at the headquarters of the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., from June 24-28.

The purpose of the Summer Institute is to train educators on the Geo-Inquiry Process, which involves the following phases:

  • Developing Scientific and Geographic Questions,
  • Acquiring Scientific and Geographic Information,
  • Organizing and Analyzing Scientific and Geographic Information,
  • Developing Scientific and Geographic Stories, and
  • Sharing Scientific and Geographic Stories.

[Read more…]

How Roane State helped a young student on her road to MIT

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Emma Batson, who took online classes at Roane State, is now a freshman at MIT. (Submitted photo)

Emma Batson, who took online classes at Roane State, is now a freshman at MIT. (Submitted photo)

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

It’s a long way from being a bright middle school student to becoming a successful freshman at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

But a Roane State Community College employee helped span that gap, and a mom is forever grateful.

Maria Gonzales, director of student enrollment and recruitment, played a transformative role in helping Emma Batson, 18, now in her second semester at MIT.

“You never know what one person can do to change the trajectory of a person’s life,” said Emma’s mom, Tresa Batson of Karns. “I wanted to let Roane State know what a special person they have in admissions.”

Tresa Batson is a Roane State grad and a Tennessee Promise mentor. “Roane State has a big place in my heart,” she said. [Read more…]

Roane State’s Stephens honored for poetry

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

DeAnna Stephens

DeAnna Stephens

While she loves writing poetry, the challenging act of “paring and refining” her efforts is as enjoyable and intellectually challenging, Roane State Community College assistant professor of English DeAnna Stephens said.

Stephens’ poem, “Bundt Season,” was recently a finalist in the prestigious Lascaux Review. That literary journal provides a showcase for emerging and established writers and artists whose talents have lingering impacts.

Her poem “deals with the rituals surrounding death, and the complex ties we maintain with family,” said Stephens, who said she wrote her first poem when she was 13.

“I am drawn to poetry…because it connects the individual experience to the universal in a way that is different from other genres,” she said. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge residents start scholarship endowment at Murray State in Kentucky

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

James Frank and Patricia Ann Wilson

James Frank and Patricia Ann Wilson

MURRAY, Ky.—Murray State University alumni have created the James Frank and Patricia Ann Wilson Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics Scholarship Endowment.

James and Pat both entered Murray State University in the fall of 1962, but they came from very different backgrounds. James was born in Murray and graduated from Murray High School. Pat was born in the Bronx, was raised in Rye, New York, and graduated from Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida. At the end of their sophomore year, they met when running for office of junior class representative.

Both were members of Murray State Greek life. Pat Rankin Wilson was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, and James was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Pat served a term as the Pi Kappa Alpha Dream Girl, but, James said, “by that time I already knew she was my dream girl.”

The Wilsons married in 1966 at First United Methodist Church in Murray and immediately moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where they still live. James has served as a Tennessee attorney in private practice for more than 40 years, after receiving a bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics and a minor in chemistry. Pat is a former Oak Ridge elementary school teacher. [Read more…]

ORAU names business development manager for science education, assessment, workforce development

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Terry Payne

Terry Payne

Terry L. Payne, former senior research and development program manager for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, has been named business development manager for ORAU’s programs related to science education, assessment, and workforce development.

In his new role, Payne will identify viable opportunities for gaining new business, formulate competitive strategies for growth, and develop networks and partnerships for ORAU. He will maintain and develop strategic relationships with federal agencies, state, and local government entities, government contractors, and private industry, a press release said.

“We are thrilled to have Terry join our team in this leadership role,” said ORAU President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Page. “His economic development experience will enhance our relationships with both our customers and our community partners. Plus, Terry’s extensive experience will help him identify new business opportunities for ORAU.” [Read more…]

Tennessee higher education leaders met to help transfer students succeed

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Public and private university officials, whose work serves as a key to the success of Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 initiative, met in February to collect more tools for growing the number of college-educated Tennesseans.

More than 130 transfer counselors, registrars, and advising directors from Tennessee’s public and private colleges and universities met in Murfreesboro on February 22-23 for the 2017 Tennessee Transfer Summit.

Attendees heard from transfer expert Janet Marling. Marling is vice president for student affairs at the University of North Georgia and executive director of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students. She gave the keynote address on resolving obstacles to transfer student success.

India Lane, University of Tennessee associate vice president for academic affairs and student success, said collaboration is key for successful college transfers. [Read more…]