Oak Ridge Today

ADFAC to honor Stephenson, Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award winner, on Oct. 25

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From left, past Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award recipients Ray Smith and Cande Seay share the great news with Bear Stephenson, the 2016 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Awardee. (Submitted photo)

From left, past Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award recipients Ray Smith and Cande Seay share the great news with Bear Stephenson, the 2016 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Awardee. (Submitted photo)

 

William “Bear” Stephenson has been unanimously chosen as the 2016 winner of ADFAC’s Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award.

Stephenson is a dedicated volunteer and advocate, a press release said He was chosen as the Bow Tie Award winner earlier this year. He will be recognized this month by ADFAC, or Aid To Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc., at the Fourth Annual Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Celebration and Fundraiser.

Previous winners of the prestigious award have been Ray Smith, the late Tim Myrick, and Cande Seay.

The celebratory fundraising event will be from 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 25, at St. Mary’s Parish Life Center in Oak Ridge.

“Our community will come together to honor Stephenson, and we hope family, friends, past coworkers, and the many businesses and nonprofit organizations he has been involved with through the years will join us,” the press release said. “The dynamic and entertaining Elaine Graham will serve as the evening’s emcee while the music will be provided by the Mt. LeConte Jug Band.” [Read more…]

United Way 2016 Campaign kicks off today

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The 2016 United Way of Anderson County Fundraising Campaign starts today (Monday, August 15).

“The fundraising campaign is being valiantly led this year by Bear Stephenson and Carroll Welch,” a press release said.

“This year also unveils a new mission statement for the organization: United Way of Anderson County improves lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good,” the press release said. “We focus on youth development, self-sufficiency, and senior and health services—the building blocks for a good life and strong community.”

The new mission statement focuses on United Way’s renewed goals of mobilizing volunteers, creating lasting change, and empowering social service programs that serve Anderson County citizens, the release said. In addition, the new mission statement highlights United Way of Anderson County’s new focus areas: youth development, self-sufficiency, and senior and health services. [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic’s fundraiser: Carolina Beach Bash on Saturday

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Michael and Lissie Beehan Free Medical Clinic Fundraiser 2016

Michael and Lissie Beehan practice their “celebrity” dance. (Submitted photo)

 

 A fundraiser for Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge on Saturday features auctions, music, dancing, and dinner

A brand new grandfather clock. An elegant condo surrounded by dozens of golf courses near Orlando, Florida, that’s available in October. A lovely condo on Crescent Beach in Florida. A Gatlinburg getaway, which includes a luxury cabin stay and event tickets.

An elegant tea for eight. A fine wine dinner for 26 in a garden setting and an Italian dinner for 20 at the Olde Towne Event Center in Oak Ridge.

A one-year membership at National Fitness, flowers for a year, and a signed and framed Ed Westcott photograph of Manhattan Project workers celebrating the end of World War II. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum hosts A Tennessee Evening on Dec. 4

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Tennessee Gala Volunteers at Children's Museum of Oak Ridge

A Tennessee Evening Gala volunteers join Mary Ann Damos, museum executive director, in the museum’s Appalachian Exhibit log cabin. From left, they are, seated, Pat Imperato and Cande Seay, and standing, Nancy Harrison, Lee McGetrick, Damos, and Larry Burkholder. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will host a Tennessee Evening Gala on Friday, December 4, celebrating Tennessee heritage with music, dance, and fine food representing the state’s traditions.

Guests are invited to come as a favorite Tennessee personality or character to the semi-formal event held from 6-11 p.m. December 4 at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

The Ridge City Ramblers will entertain with toe-tapping bluegrass and Americana music. Also entertaining will be Henry Perry, bringing his harmonica blues music to the event, and Slade Trammell, a concert pianist. The Knoxville Contra Dancers will bring old-time folk dancing to the Gala.

Beth Haynes of WBIR-TV will emcee the Gala. Haynes co-anchors WBIR’s “Live at Five at Four” with Russell Bivin and anchors 10 News at Five and the 10 p.m. news at Fox 43. [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic fundraiser on Aug. 8 to feature rock band, dancers

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The Hit Men

The Hit Men, a rock and pop dance band, will perform at the FMC Bash on Aug. 8, a fundraiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

 

Hit Men, a Knoxville rock and pop dance band, will provide music for dancing during the FMC Bash on Saturday, August 8. It’s the annual fundraiser for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge.

The fundraiser will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. August 8 in the Parish Life Center of St. Mary’s Church at 327 Vermont Avenue. It will include a catered dinner, Celebrity Dance Contest, and live auction conducted by the entertaining Bear Stephenson.

Band members are Alan Keck, lead vocals and guitar; Bob Andres, vocals, lead guitar, and flute; Pat Andres, vocals and keyboard; Uwe Lueth, drums, and Mark Akers, bass. You can learn more about them by visiting their website.

Couples who have entered in the Celebrity Dance Contest are Sharon and Brian Annis, Naomi Asher and Jim Dodson, Tom Beehan and Kay Brookshire, David and Sandy Bradshaw, Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson, Keys Fillauer and Scott Hinton, Judy Gooch and Michael Shrader, Austin Keathley and a secret partner, and Nancy Stanley and Gary Riser. [Read more…]

Free Medical Clinic’s FMC Bash: Auctions, dinner, dance contest

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Michael Burns and Sumner Byrne

Michael Burns and Sumner Byrne placed first in the dance contest at the Free Medical Clinic fundraiser last year, bringing in the most money for this crowd-pleasing event. (Submitted photo)

Save the date: Volunteers and staff at the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge will present their annual “fun” fundraiser, the FMC Bash, on Saturday, August 8.

You can wear a neon T-shirt and jeans—dress is casual. An excellent dinner will be provided by Morrison Catering.

You can hear and dance to Second Opinion, the band of a few rockin’ doctors associated with Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge.

You can “vote” on the amazing and amusing Oak Ridge couples as they compete in the Celebrity Dance Contest.

And you can bid on hand-crafted items and services in the silent auction. At the live auction, Bear Stephenson, member of the FMCOR board, will auction dinners, a vacation cabin, and services such as interior decorating advice and computer repairs. [Read more…]

Alpha Kappa Alpha fundraiser will benefit TORCH, Pat Summitt Foundation, KARM

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A June fundraiser will benefit three nonprofit organizations: TORCH, the Pat Summitt Foundation, and Knox Area Rescue Ministries, or KARM.

The June 13 fundraiser is sponsored by members of the Oak Ridge Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA) Incorporated. The fundraiser, “Dancing with the AKAs,” will take place in the Knoxville Expo Center Ballroom on Clinton Highway.

The three nonprofits provide important services to the local communities, a press release said. TORCH, or Trinity Out-Reach Center of Hope, of Oak Ridge, provides supportive services and intensive care management to help the homeless. The Pat Summitt Foundation fights Alzheimer’s disease with a comprehensive approach. And KARM seeks to rescue the poor and provide life skills training and educational opportunities. [Read more…]

ORUUC has live, silent auctions on Friday, March 20

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ORUUC Auction Quilt

This quilt is one of the items in a live auction on Friday, March 20, at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. (Submitted)

 

Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church is having its annual silent/live auction on Friday, March 20.

The auction starts at 6 p.m. at the church, which is at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. It is $5 to participate in the live auction starting at 8 p.m. with auctioneer Bear Stephenson. The quilt pictured at left is one of the live auction items. Organizers said there will be 25 more items, mostly by local craftspeople as well as cabin rentals and more.

There will be food and live music from 6-8 p.m. during the silent auction, which starts at 6 p.m. [Read more…]

Children’s Museum Gala has Celtic theme

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Good Thymes Band

Good Thymes Band

 

Guests will dance jigs and reels to fiddlers’ tunes as they enjoy “A Celtic Holiday” at the annual Gala hosted by the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The Gala, celebrating the culture and cuisine of Scotland and Ireland, will be held from 6-11 p.m. Friday, December 5, at the museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge.

The Good Thymes Ceilidh Band, playing traditional Scottish music, will entertain after dinner with fiery Scottish tunes, as well as aires and waltzes. Guests will learn jigs and reels as the band plays with fiddles, guitar, penny whistle, bodhran, mandolin, and hammered dulcimer. The band formed in 2008 when several members of the Knoxville Scottish Music Club got together.

The Knoxville Pipe and Drums, wearing the ancient Mackenzie Tartan, will also entertain during the lively Celtic evening. The group has been together since the early 1990s, when three pipers began playing bagpipes together, adding a number of pipers and drummers over the years.

Becky Hook will perform Celtic music on the harp during dinner, a traditional Scottish feast prepared by Chef Mark Ferguson of The Scottish Cottage in Asheville, North Carolina. The Oak Ridge High School Chorus and an ORHS String Quartet will also entertain during the Gala. [Read more…]

Pancake breakfast fundraiser June 14 for Emory Valley Center

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Emory Valley Center Early Learning Center

The Emory Valley Center on Emory Valley Road is pictured above. (File photo)

Submitted

On your way to the Secret City Festival on Saturday, June 14, stop and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast at Applebee’s in Oak Ridge and also support Emory Valley Center. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing capital campaign for a new building to better serve children and adults with disabilities.

Breakfast will be served from 8–10 a.m. and will include hot-off-the-griddle pancakes and sausage as well as a variety of beverages. Tickets are only $5 each (children under three eat free), and they are currently on sale at Emory Valley Center at 715 Emory Valley Road. Those who attend may also pay at the door the morning of the fundraiser.

Local Emory Valley Center “Celebrity Supporters” planning to help staff greet and serve pancakes include Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, Rep. John Ragan, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, Dottie Thompson, and Gene Caldwell (Emory Valley Center capital campaign co-chairs), Bear Stephenson of Stephenson Real Estate and Auction, Anderson County Chamber Board President Terry Payne, and David Erb of Allstate in Clinton. [Read more…]

Myrick receives 2013 Interagency Coalition Starfish Award

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Tim Myrick and Starfish Award

Tim Myrick, center, recently received the Anderson County Interagency Coalition Starfish Award. Also pictured above are Rick Morrow, left, and Bear Stephenson. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

When Tim Myrick arrived at the Anderson County Interagency Coalition Starfish celebration, he was not surprised to see several members of the Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties board of directors and Executive Director Annie Cacherio. Myrick was a member of the ADFAC board of directors for 12 years and remains involved with the organization. It seemed normal that he was invited to join the others to receive the Starfish award from the ACIC, or so Myrick thought!

As soon as William “Bear” Stephenson began reading the arm-long list of outstanding contributions made by the honoree to the Anderson County community through service to various organizations and programs, Myrick immediately realized that he was the honoree.

Everyone in the room, including Myrick, was choked up when he went to the podium to receive the award from Stephenson. Teresa Myrick then went to the podium and graciously thanked everyone for the award on her husband’s behalf. [Read more…]

Parade of Trees to benefit Girls Inc. on Nov. 16

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Girls Inc. Parade of Trees

Helping to decorate gift bags for the Girls Inc. Parade of Trees are, from left, Carolyn Singer, Ella Stewart, Savannah Russell, Samantha Asbury, and Bailee Lane. (Submitted photos)

The festive spirit of a New York Christmas holiday will transform the Pollard Center for an evening of glitz and glamour on Saturday, Nov. 16. It’s the 19th Annual Parade of Trees, a benefit for Girls Inc. of Oak Ridge.

“Beautifully decorated and lighted trees, wreaths, centerpieces, and of course, mistletoe, will enhance the magical atmosphere of a night in Manhattan,” a press release said. “In addition, this year’s ‘Park Avenue’ gift shop will feature unique hostess gifts and items to make your holiday table sparkle. Jams, jellies, and baked treats (tastings will be available) can be purchased in gift bags ready to deliver to a special friend. Don’t need a new Christmas tree? Then plan to take home a bag of beautiful ornaments to freshen your existing tree!” [Read more…]