• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

Children’s Museum Gala Celebrates the Rainforest

Posted at 5:09 pm November 2, 2024
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Life in the Amazon Rainforest, covered by a canopy of trees and boasting a rich and biologically diverse environment of plants and animals, will be celebrated at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge Gala, with the theme “A Night in the Rainforest.”

Guests are invited to create costumes reflecting the rainforest theme. They will learn about the colorful hummingbirds that inhabit the rainforest during the Gala from 6-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, during the evening featuring music, a live and silent auction, and dinner.

Guest speaker Stephen Lyn Bales, naturalist and author, will speak on “The Wonder of Hummingbirds,” focusing on those that inhabit tropical rainforests.

“What’s interesting about hummingbirds is there are over 330 species. More than half of those never really leave the tropics. They are either 10 degrees north of the equator or 10 degrees south,” Bales said. “In this country, six or eight species migrate up the California coast from Central America. On our side of America, only one species has found us – the ruby throated hummingbird.”

Those that migrate north in the spring are looking for “elbow room,” he explained. “They come north to find plenty of room to raise a family, without competition from other hummingbirds.” Bales was drawn to his profession – he was educator naturalist for Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville for 20 years before his retirement – after growing up in his own natural wonder.

“I’m from Gatlinburg. We lived a half-mile from the (Great Smoky Mountains) national park, back in the 1950s when it was all brand new, and I developed an interest in birds,” Bales explained. “Mother got a bird feeder and a little bird book and said, ‘We are going to learn our birds together.’

“I’ve basically always been a naturalist. I was one of those kids who would fall asleep reading a field guide,” Bales said.

The Gala evening will feature the Selma Shapiro Friend of the Child Award, which will honor Barry Stephenson, President and CEO of Materials and Chemistry Laboratory, Inc. (MCLinc).
Stephenson and the employee-owned company have been longtime friends and supporters of the Museum, contributing to improvements making the Museum accessible for strollers and for those with disabilities, and supporting the Gala over many years.

Heather Haley, WVLT-TV Chief Meteorologist, will emcee the Gala. Guest DJ Matt Sieger, whose day job is as a project director for Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility, will spin music with a rainforest theme.

Bear Stephenson, of Stephenson Realty and Auction, will again donate his skills to lead the live auction. The live and silent auctions offer opportunities for holiday shopping, and auction items include a Disney Cinderella Carriage necklace from Karen’s Jewelers, a smoked brisket dinner served in the Museum’s Environmental Center, pottery by Bill Capshaw, and a smart bird feeder camera. Gala guests will enjoy dinner by Birdwell Catering.

The Museum’s Rainforest exhibit, featuring a simulated Amazon rainforest, complete with sound effects, a waterfall, a railed walkway, beautiful murals showing the many species of plants and animals, and an observation deck high in the forest canopy, will be open during the Gala.

The Gala, held at the Museum, 461 West Outer Dr., Oak Ridge, is the annual fund raiser for the Children’s Museum, providing critical support for the Museum’s mission of educating children of all ages through play and discovery. Gala sponsorships are available at levels ranging from $10,000 to $500 and come with complimentary tickets and other benefits.

Tickets to the Gala are $125 per person. A table for eight may be purchased for $800, a savings of $200. Tickets may be purchased at: https://event.gives/cmorgala2024. If you can’t attend, you may donate at http://bit.ly/givetocmor. Call Beth Shea at CMOR at (865) 482-1074 or email her at [email protected] to learn more about Gala sponsorships or for more information.

Photos:
Naturalist Stephen Lyn Bales, here with a barred owl, will be guest speaker at the Children’s Museum Gala.

Bear Stephenson, of Stephenson Realty and Auction, entertains as he auctions items during the 2023 Gala.

Filed Under: Front Page News Tagged With: Bear Stephenson, Children's Museum Gala, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Children's Museum Rainforest, Stephen Lyn Bales

Victory & pollinator gardens open to public June 1

Posted at 5:59 pm May 2, 2024
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Victory and pollinator gardens at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will be open to the public on Saturday, June 1, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park said.

The gardens will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 1 for the Seeds of Victory Program, the park said in a newsletter.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Federal, Front Page News, Government, History, Museums Tagged With: Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Par, Seeds of Victory, victory and pollinator gardens, victory gardens

Children’s Museum to celebrate 50 years with free admission

Posted at 3:31 pm May 24, 2023
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is pictured above in this file photo from 2017. (Photo by Manhattan Project National Historical Park)

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will celebrate its 50th anniversary with free admission on Saturday, June 10, and Sunday, June 11.

The free weekend and its activities are sponsored by Consolidated Nuclear Security, which manages and operates the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge.

“Visitors will enjoy the museum’s many exhibits and a special scavenger hunt on both days, including a special exhibition that celebrates the museum’s golden anniversary year, ‘CMOR at 50: Past, Present, and Future,'” a press release said. The exhibition features photos from the museum’s 50-year history and a selection of objects from the museum’s collection.

On Sunday, June 11, visitors will also enjoy special activities including arts and crafts, a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activity, selfie station, and complimentary refreshments. Also, on Sunday the museum’s mascot, Charlie the Curious Bear, will be on hand to interact with visitors, the press release said.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Museums, Top Stories Tagged With: 50th anniversary, Beth Shea, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Consolidated Nuclear Security, Gene Sievers

MCLinc donation funds ramp for Children’s Museum

Posted at 1:13 am April 18, 2023
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Barry Stephenson, left, Michele Sanders and Beth Shea stand on steps leading to the World of Trains exhibit in the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. A ramp funded by Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc. will be built here later this year. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

Barry Stephenson believes the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge is one of the city’s treasures.
The laboratory he leads, employee-owned Materials & Chemistry Laboratory Inc. (MCLinc), wants to make sure this treasure continues to serve children and families well. MCLinc recently made a $50,000 contribution to fund the final ramp needed to make the interior of the historic Children’s Museum building accessible for strollers and those with disabilities.

The ramp will meet standards of the Americans for Disabilities Act, which describes what is needed for a building to be physically accessible to persons with disabilities. The ramp will connect the Selma Shapiro Wing of the Museum to the next level housing the World of Trains exhibit. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Community, Front Page News, Museums, Oak Ridge Tagged With: Barry Stephenson, Beth Shea, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Materials & Chemistry Laboratory, MCLinc, Michele Sanders

Today: International Festival at Children’s Museum

Posted at 7:12 am February 25, 2023
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Irish Dancers, here at an earlier International Festival with the Children’s Museum mascot Charlie the Curious Bear, will entertain again with traditional Irish dance.

Crafts, cuisines, and entertainment from world cultures will be presented at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge International Festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, February 25.

The family-friendly International Festival will have musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day at the Children’s Museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge. Children may “make and take” crafts, and several booths will offer activities and crafts for children.

Raya Quttaineh and María Guzmán of WBIR-TV will serve as festival emcees. Quttaineh, originally from Jordan, is a morning anchor and reporter. Guzmán, originally from Nicaragua, is a bilingual journalist reporting in English and in Spanish for the Spanish newscast Noticias WBIR. Both came to the United States as children with their families.

Entertainers will include Katrien Sevrin of Belladance, who performs and teaches Middle Eastern dance; the Tennessee Irish Dancers, students taught by professional and champion Irish dancer Katie Carver; a Shamisen performance on a Japanese banjo-style instrument; and a traditional Japanese story, Kamishibai. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Community, Crafts, Dancing, Entertainment, Festivals, Food, Music, Photography, Slider Tagged With: Belladance, Children's Museum International Festival, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, María Guzmán, Raya Quttaineh, Tennessee Irish Dancers, The Missing Goats

Experience world cultures at Children’s Museum International Festival

Posted at 5:34 am February 25, 2022
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

The Tennessee Irish Dancers join Charlie Bear, the Museum mascot, at an earlier International Festival at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. (Photo by Rob Welton)

Flamenco, Irish, and Greek dancers will be among entertainers at the International Festival on Saturday, February 26, at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge.

A special guest from Ireland, musician and singer Fionan Casey, will join the band, The Missing Goats, performing traditional Irish music at the festival, a press release said.

The family-friendly International Festival will present entertainment, crafts, and cuisines from many countries, with musical and dance entertainment on stage throughout the day and crafts for children to make and take home. The festival will be from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, February 26, at the Children’s Museum, which is at 461 West Outer Drive in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Arts, Community, Community, Crafts, Dancing, Entertainment, Food, Museums, Music, Slider Tagged With: Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, International Festival, Pasión Flamenca, St. George Greek Dancers, Tennessee Irish Dancers, The Missing Goats

Children’s Museum Gala features beach theme ‘Surf’s Up!’

Posted at 10:24 am November 21, 2021
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Matt Sieger, enjoying his DJ hobby here, will bring 1960s surf rock to the Children’s Museum Gala on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. (Submitted photo)

 

“Surf’s Up!” at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, where the 20th annual Gala will feature a beach-themed evening with dinner and entertainment and an oceanographer from 6-9:30 p.m. on Friday, December 3.

The event will have a little STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) mixed in with entertainment by area youth, dinner from Calhoun’s, a costume contest, and auctions. Leslie England, TNBank senior vice president of retail banking and a rock singer with the band Jada Blade, will emcee the event.

The School of Rock’s house band will entertain with beach tunes as guests arrive for the Gala. The Knoxville school offers performance-based music lessons for youth to age 18, and its musicians have performed live at such venues as Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, as well as local venues including the Tennessee and Bijou Theatres. The band at the Gala will feature youth on guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, and vocals.

The Oak Ridge High School Choral Ensemble will bring back memories with a medley of Beach Boys tunes, including “Surfin’ USA,” “Little Old Lady from Pasadena,” “Kokomo,” “Surf City,” and “Don’t Worry Baby.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Community, Front Page News, Museums, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Children's Museum Gala, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Leslie Smith, Matt Sieger, School of Rock

Virtual talks on Weinberg and his archived papers on Apr. 20

Posted at 1:55 pm April 15, 2021
By Carolyn H Krause Leave a Comment

Alvin Weinberg, front center, with Senator John F. Kennedy, front left, at an Oak Ridge National Laboratory research reactor. (Submitted photo)


“A Tribute to Alvin Weinberg,” including information on the new online database of his scientific publications and other documents, will be presented virtually to the public from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 20 (Weinberg’s birth anniversary).

The presentation, via Zoom, is sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge and Friends of Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

“The purpose of this public online event is to honor Alvin Weinberg’s legacy and to celebrate the preservation and digitization of his papers,” said Rhonda Bogard, who led the digitization of the papers, most of which were initially donated to the Children’s Museum in 1986. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, History, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Alvin Weinberg, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, Rhonda Bogard

Scott Jamison receives Children’s Museum Friend of the Child Award

Posted at 8:45 am March 10, 2021
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Scott Jamison, a Children’s Museum volunteer who received the Friend of the Child Award, teaches a summer camp annually in the Museum’s Craft and Science Room. (Submitted photo)

Submitted

When Scott Jamison is teaching children about crime scene investigation or sharing his telecommunications skills at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge, he arrives with a smile that shows his selflessness and generosity.

Jamison recently received the museum’s annual Friend of the Child Award for volunteering his business and telecommunications skills, as well as his teaching skills, when the staff seeks his help.

“When Scott walks in the door, frequently responding to urgent pleas for help, there is only one desire—and that is to make things work,” said Ronnie Bogard, former museum board member who presented the award to Jamison.

The award is presented in memory of Selma Shapiro, Bogard’s mother and the museum’s executive director for its first 31 years. With her vision and resourcefulness, Shapiro built the museum from a its single-room beginnings to fill a former school building. The award was established to honor an individual who has contributed in a big way to the success of the museum. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Community, Front Page News, Museums, Slider Tagged With: Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Friend of the Child Award, Ronnie Bogard, Scott Jamison, selma shapiro

Children’s Museum Gala will feature moon science, moonshine

Posted at 3:05 pm December 1, 2020
By [email protected] Leave a Comment

Molly McCanta and her University of Tennessee students are analyzing moon rock from NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972. She will discuss this moon science at the Children’s Museum Gala on Friday. (Submitted photo)

 

Moon science and moonshine will each be featured at the December 4 virtual Gala hosted by the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge. The Gala theme, “MoonShine on the Mountain,” celebrates the region’s mountain heritage with humor, stories, and music, as well as the Museum’s own Rocket Room that encourages play in a space-like setting, a press release said.

Sugarlands Distilling Company, the Gatlinburg-based producer of award-winning moonshine and other spirits, will add its expertise and storytelling to the event, supporting the Gala in a variety of ways.

As for moon science, Molly McCanta will be a guest at the Gala, explaining how she and her University of Tennessee students are analyzing moon rock from NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The UT professor is participating in a three-year project with researchers at two other facilities as part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing in 1969. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Museums, Top Stories Tagged With: Children's Museum Gala, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Molly McCanta, Sugarlands Distilling Company

Children’s Museum Gala will be virtual

Posted at 3:00 pm November 18, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

Sam Venable

Appalachian tales and mountain music will be presented at the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge 19th annual Gala on Friday, December 4.

It will be the museum’s first virtual gala, and it will celebrate East Tennessee’s great mountain heritage with the theme “MoonShine on the Mountain,” a press release said. It will also feature Children’s Museum STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) mixed in with the entertainment.

Sam Venable, humor columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel, will bring his storytelling magic to the Museum, presenting Southern Appalachian Tales for the Gala audience, the press release said. Author of 14 books, Venable writes on outdoor and humor themes.

In recent years, Venable’s popularity has grown as a comedic entertainer, the press release said. His topics include how to speak “hillbillyese” and coping with the nutty life in which we live. He has teamed up with entertainers Bill Landry, a TV personality; Elizabeth Rose, singer and storyteller; and Jim Claborn, hillbilly funnyman, on the “Talk is Cheap” comedy tour at venues throughout the region.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Museums, Top Stories Tagged With: Children's Museum Gala, Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Chip Bailey, Sam Venable

Children’s Museum offers scaled-down summer camps

Posted at 12:30 pm June 11, 2020
By Kay Brookshire Leave a Comment

A lab station activity at a STEM Carnival fascinates a young child. Oak Ridge Associated Universities hosted the carnival at the Children’s Museum. (Submitted photo)

 

The Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge will offer a scaled-down version of Imagination Station Summer Camp beginning June 29, with new safety precautions in place because of COVID 19.

Art, nature, clay, and Star Wars-themed camps—as well as STEM themes, backyard games, Japanese culture, and Oak Ridge history—will be among the camps.

“Our staff has been busy redesigning our exciting Summer Camp program in light of COVID-19 and the need for social distancing and other precautions, as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” said Beth Shea, Children’s Museum executive director. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News, Top Stories Tagged With: Children's Museum of Oak Ridge, Imagination Station Summer Camp, Summer Camps

Next Page »

Search Oak Ridge Today

Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

Recent Posts

  • Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers
  • Laser-Engraved Bricks Will Line Walkway of New Chamber Headquarters
  • Democratic Women’s Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy
  • Estate Jewelry Show at Karen’s Jewelers Features Celebrity Jewelry
  • Keri Cagle named new ORAU senior vice president and ORISE director
  • ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal+ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal More than $1 million raised in past 10 years benefits United Way and Community Shares Oak Ridge, Tenn. —ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares nonprofit organizations. ORAU has raised more than $1 million over the past 10 years through this campaign. A total of $126,839 was pledged during the 2024 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares or both. “ORAU has remained a strong pillar in the community for more than 75 years, and we encourage our employees to consider participating in our annual giving campaign each year to help our less fortunate neighbors in need,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. “Each one of our employees has the power to positively impact the lives of those who need help in the communities where we do business across the country and demonstrate the ORAU way – taking care of each other.” ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/orau Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau ###
  • Children’s Museum Gala Celebrates the Rainforest
  • Jim Sears joins ORAU as senior vice president
  • Oak Ridge Housing Authority Receives Funding Assistance of up to $51.8 Million For Renovating Public Housing and Building New Workforce Housing
  • Two fires reported early Friday

Recent Comments

  • Raymond Mitchell on City manager’s ‘State of the City’ canceled due to weather
  • Raymond Mitchell on City manager’s ‘State of the City’ canceled due to weather
  • Mysti M Desilva on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Mel Schuster on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Cecil King on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Rick Morrow on Roads, schools, businesses closed after heavy snow
  • Diana lively on Free community Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 25
  • Anne Garcia on School bus driver arrested following alleged assault on elementary student
  • Raymond Dickover on Blockhouse Valley Recycling Center now open 6 days per week
  • Mike Mahathy on School bus driver arrested following alleged assault on elementary student

Copyright © 2025 Oak Ridge Today