Oak Ridge Today

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

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

Roane State to celebrate Nesbit’s 25 years of coaching

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Head Coach Randy Nesbit and Roane State’s 1992-93 Men’s Basketball Team. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

Head Coach Randy Nesbit and Roane State’s 1992-93 men’s basketball team. (Photo courtesy Roane State Community College)

 

Roane State Community College is celebrating 25 years with Men’s Basketball Head Coach Randy Nesbit on Saturday, January 28, when the Roane State Raiders take on Dyersburg. The game is at 4 p.m., with a reception to follow.

A 1980 graduate of the Citadel, Nesbit began his Roane State coaching career in the fall of 1992 after serving as assistant to Citadel’s Head Coach Les Robinson. A three-year starting point guard on Robinson-coached basketball teams, Nesbit was a key member of The Citadel’s 1979 team that won 20 games, a first for the college. Captain of the 1980 team, Nesbit was selected to the 1979 and 1980 All-Southern Conference second team and paced the 1978 team with a 54.0 field goal percentage and a 92.5 free throw percentage in 1980, which was the second-best in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA. He tied a school mark with 13 assists in a 1979 game against Marshall, and established the school’s season record of 120 dishes that season, holding the school’s record for most career assists (324). Nesbit played only three years after having transferred from Gulf Coast Community College. [Read more…]

Clinton Council to get update on project to replace Lewallen Bridge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Hon. William Everette Lewallen Memorial Bridge

The Clinton City Council is scheduled to receive an update Monday evening, Jan. 23, 2017, from City Manager Roger Houck on the status of the state project to replace the Hon. William Everette Lewallen Memorial Bridge on Clinch Avenue. The bridge over the Clinch River connects downtown Clinton and South Clinton on Highway 25W. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Information from WYSH Radio

The Clinton City Council is scheduled to receive an update tonight from City Manager Roger Houck on the status of the state project to replace the Lewallen Bridge connecting South Clinton and downtown Clinton on Highway 25W.

According to the city manager’s report included in the agenda for this evening’s meeting, Houck recently met with Tennessee Department of Transportation officials, who informed him that the project is still on schedule and that the design phase is nearing completion. Houck reported that TDOT has incorporated the various requests made by the city to be included in the design, such as lighting and bike lanes.

A plans review meeting is also set for next month, at which time city leaders could learn more about the expected timetable for the bridge project. [Read more…]

Travel story: Christmas cruise to the Bahamas

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Christmas Cruise to the Bahamas 3

Photo courtesy Jeff Robertson

 

Christmas is the great American holiday. It’s a time of presents and decorations, and mistletoe and holly, of yuletide cheer, of chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and families gathering for a feast. It can be a wonderful time, but it can also be a lot of stress.

For years, our family went all out for Christmas, driving long distances, dropping a small fortune on gifts, and cooking up sumptuous feasts. We spent many hours in the kitchen and many dollars in the shopping malls searching for the perfect present for each of member of our large family. This year, my wife and I decided to skip all that and go to the Bahamas instead.

After exploring some options online, we chose a four-night holiday cruise on the Carnival Ecstasy from Charleston to Nassau. [Read more…]

Borchers nominated as Anderson County Substance Abuse Prevention Ally of Year

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

Wilson family establishes Roane State endowment in memory of Doug Wilson

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The family of longtime Roane State supporter Doug Wilson has established a scholarship endowment in his memory. From left are son Charles Wilson, Roane State Foundation executive director Dan Clifton, Carolyn Wilson and daughter Susan Wilson. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

The family of longtime Roane State supporter Doug Wilson has established a scholarship endowment in his memory. From left are son Charles Wilson, Roane State Foundation executive director Dan Clifton, Carolyn Wilson, and daughter Susan Wilson. (Photo by Roane State Community College)

 

The Roane State Foundation has received a $30,000 donation to establish the Doug Wilson Family Scholarship Endowment in memory of Doug Wilson.

Doug Wilson was a longtime supporter of Roane State Community College and served on the Foundation’s Board of Directors from 1990-2015.

“Doug was an advocate for students and for the Roane County community,” said Dan Clifton, executive director of the Roane State Foundation. “The endowment is a fitting legacy that reflects Doug’s tremendous support for our students and for the college’s mission to open doors to higher education for all students.” [Read more…]

A MORE2 success story, providing free energy-efficiency upgrades

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

Free small business start-up seminar on Jan. 27

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Small Business Development Center is offering a free workshop on January 27 on how to start a small business.

The seminar is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. January 27. It will be at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 1400 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Attending is free, but registration is required. To register, call (865) 483-2668 or send an email to jbangs@tsbdc.org.

This press release was submitted by Jutta Bangs.

Groundbreaking ceremony held for first new Habitat home in 2017

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

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…]

Divorce Recovery Group being offered at First United Methodist Church

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Ellen Hitchcock

Ellen Hitchcock

A Divorce Recovery Group is being offered at First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, for anyone who has experienced a recent or not-so-recent divorce. The group will begin on Wednesday, February 1, from 6-7:30 p.m., and will meet for six Wednesdays through March 8.

The group will provide people a safe, supportive community in which to express and explore the many reactions that come in the aftermath of divorce. People can share their experiences, struggles, concerns, sorrows, fears, anger, joy, hopes, and dreams to the level of their own comfort, a press release said. Meetings will be in a relaxed informal setting. There is no cost for participation, however, there is a $5 material fee. [Read more…]

HoneyBaked Ham fundraiser lunch Tuesday for Emory Valley Center

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

HoneyBaked Ham is pictured above on Oak Ridge Turnpike. (Photo courtesy Emory Valley Center)

HoneyBaked Ham is pictured above on Oak Ridge Turnpike. (Photo courtesy Emory Valley Center)

 

HoneyBaked Ham will have a fundraiser Tuesday to benefit Emory Valley Center. During the fundraiser, HoneyBaked Ham will donate a portion of its proceeds to Emory Valley Center.

“Have lunch at their location or take out from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and purchase additional great menu items to take home with you while you are there!” according to a press release from Emory Valley Center.

Menu options include the company’s signature ham, smoked turkey and chicken salads, signature and specialty sandwiches, buffet trays and buffet salads, among other items. [Read more…]

Emerge Tennessee board member to speak at ACDWC meeting Monday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Cortney Piper

Cortney Piper

 

Cortney Piper, a board member of a new statewide organization training Democratic women to run for office, will be guest speaker at the Monday, January 23, meeting of the Anderson County Democratic Women’s Club. The club will have a dinner meeting at 6 p.m. at Swifty’s Atomic Bar and Grill at 119 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge.

Piper, president of Piper Communications in Knoxville, is a board member of Emerge Tennessee, founded in 2016 as the premier campaign training program for Democratic women in the state. The program is designed to inspire women to run for office and to hone their skills to win, aiming to increase the number of Democratic women in all levels of public office, a press release said. Emerge Tennessee is an affiliate of Emerge America, a national organization operating in 17 states. [Read more…]