A book about the desegregation of Clinton schools won the Tennessee History Book Award for 2023.
The book is “A Most Tolerant Little Town: The Explosive Beginning of School Desegregation.” It was written by Rachel Louise Martin, a historian and writer, a press release said.
The award was announced by the Tennessee Historical Commission and the Tennessee Historical Society. The award prize includes $2,000.
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Federal cleanup crews are preparing to demolish three support facilities for the historic Graphite Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The demolition of the support facilities is planned for next year.
The deactivation work at the three facilities is being done by UCOR, a cleanup contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office of Environmental Management.
The buildings include the filter house, or Building 3002; fan house, or Building 3003; and exhaust stack, or Building 3018. They were previously used to filter and release exhaust from Graphite Reactor operations.
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Three students and schools have had their art work selected for the ORNL Federal Credit Union’s Community Art and Mural Program.
Introduced in 2017, the Community Art and Mural Program was created to support initiatives that make the arts accessible to all and help our communities thrive. The 2024 mural theme was “new beginnings,” a press release said.
“Congratulations to the following students and schools,” the press release said:
[Read more…]The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation mobile household hazardous waste collection service will be in Roane County on Saturday, March 9.
Tennesseans are encouraged to bring household hazardous waste – including cleaning fluids, pesticides, swimming pool chemicals, and more – to a designated drop-off location, a press release said. A person does not need to live in the county to participate.
On Saturday, the drop-off location is:
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Bob’s Washboard Laundromat, the only wash and fold service in Anderson County, has been named the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month for February 2024. (Submitted photo)
Bob’s Washboard Laundromat, the only wash and fold service in Anderson County, has been named the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month for February 2024, a press release said.
“This award recognizes Bob’s Washboard Laundromat’s unique business concept, their commitment to providing superior service to their clients, as well as their contributions to the Oak Ridge community,” the press release said.
Bob’s Washboard Laundromat was founded in October 2010 by Robert Burseth. In the summer of 2023, he remodeled and relocated the business to 113 Robertsville Road in Oak Ridge, which now includes a wash and fold service inside. There are traditional self-serve washers and dryers available, but unlike most, their laundromat has attendants available to assist patrons, the press release said. [Read more…]
Proposals now being accepted from educators in five East Tennessee counties; deadline is April 19
ORAU is accepting applications for its Education Grants program for 2024, offering $30,000 in grant funding for teachers in five East Tennessee counties.
Educators in Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane, and Scott county public schools are invited to submit proposals to fund programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), a press release said.
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The Oak Ridge Playhouse will have a Maskapalooza! fundraiser on Saturday, March 9.
It’s a fan favorite, a press release said.
“Dress to impress, don a creative mask, sample delectable heavy hors d’oeuvres, take home unique auction items, and dance the night away to the tunes of DJ Luther Simmons,” the press release said.
The party starts at 6 p.m. March 9 in Calhoun’s Banquet Hall in Oak Ridge.
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The University of Tennessee Arboretum Society will have a Third Saturday hike on Saturday, February 17.
The free, guided mid-winter hike is open to everyone. It will start at 9 a.m. February 17 at the 260-acre UT Arboretum at 901 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.
“Enjoy the forests and trails in this lovely, wooded setting,” a press release said. “Newcomers as well as previous participants are invited to join the hike. The hikes have been a staple of the UT Arboretum and UT Arboretum Society for over 15 years. This is a great opportunity to ‘walk off’ the holiday celebrations and get outside for some fresh air and exercise.”
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Yes! Go Travel, a company that specializes in motorcoach and cruise travel planning for large groups, has been named the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month for January 2024. (Submitted photo)
Yes! Go Travel, a company that specializes in motorcoach and cruise travel planning for large groups, has been named the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Month for January 2024.
“With a leap of faith and love for travel, Suzie Housley opened Yes! Go Travel in August 2022,” a press release said. “They offer group travel opportunities, including one-day and multiple-day trips in the United States and international locations. Additionally, the company can assist in booking affordable motorcoach and cruise line transportation. The owner has even recently joined the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) to become further educated for her clients, reach new vendors, and ultimately expand her business.”
The press release said Housley has 14 years of travel industry experience as a travel director of a now-disbanded program. [Read more…]
The Oak Ridge Playhouse will present the comedy “The Cemetery Club” in seven performances from February 9-18.
“The story concerns three widows and longtime friends who gather each month to visit their husbands’ graves,” a press release said. “Doris wants to continue mourning her loss. Ida wonders if it’s time to move on. Lucille pretends to move on—but hasn’t. Their outlooks on life, and responses to becoming widows vary, but the drama begins in earnest when they meet the local butcher, Sam, who has recently lost his wife. It looks as if a new love is on the horizon for some, however, not everyone approves.”
The press release said “The Cemetery Club,” by Ivan Menchell, was originally produced in 1987, and it “addresses the challenges of growing older with plenty of laughs and witty banter along the way. Characters share beautiful and lively bonds (think ‘Steel Magnolias’ meets ‘The Golden Girls’) as they explore an optimistic look at renewal after loss.”
[Read more…]A historical walk through Jackson Square with the Manhattan Project National Historical Park has been rescheduled to February 10 due to the winter weather in January.
The walk with the National Park Service is titled “Building America’s Secret City: Ranger Walk Through Jackson Square.” It is now scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, February 10.
“Explore what it took to shape the farms and mud of East Tennessee into the Atomic City,” an event notice said.
[Read more…]Lunch with the League on Tuesday will feature candidates for Anderson County chancellor.
It’s scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
Anderson County will have its primary election on March 5. The four candidates for chancellor in the Republican primary will be James W. Brooks Jr. (the incumbent), Daniel Forrester, Evan Hauser, and Roger Miller, a press release said.
Brooks was appointed chancellor in April 2023 by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee after former Chancery Court Judge M. Nichole “Nicki” Cantrell resigned.
[Read more…]