Oak Ridge Today

Christmas tree recycling available in Oak Ridge

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Employees to assist with drop-offs on two Saturdays in January

The City of Oak Ridge has two drop-off locations available for citizens to recycle their Christmas trees after the holidays. Signs will be posted in both locations. The drop-offs are:

  • Big Turtle Park, 2525 Oak Ridge Turnpike (parking lot)
  • Solway Park, 205 Edgemoor Road (parking lot adjacent to the boat launch)

Trees will be accepted any time through the end of January 2019. On Saturday, January 12, and Saturday, January 19, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department employees will be on site to assist with unloading trees at the Big Turtle Park drop-off location from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Please be sure to remove all tinsel and decorations from Christmas trees before dropping them off for recycling, a press release said. Wreaths and garland will also be accepted, but no brush.

For more information, contact the Recreation and Parks Department by phone at (865) 425-3450 or visit their departmental website at orrecparks.oakridgetn.gov.

First United Methodist Church mission team kicked off Christmas Tree sale on Friday, Nov. 24

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Submitted photo

Submitted photo

 

The First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge mission team kicked off its Christmas Tree sale on Friday, November 24.

For almost 60 years, First Church and other local Methodist churches have sold Christmas trees to benefit local, regional, and international missions, a press release said.

“This year is no different, with sales going to benefit mission work in Puerto Rico and Honduras, recovery efforts in Florida and Texas, and disaster relief kit distribution centers in Louisiana,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Boys & Girls Club selling Christmas trees, handmade wreaths

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More than 300 trees of different varieties and sizes, and handmade wreaths, from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, were scheduled to arrive at the Boys & Girls Club on November 17, and sales were scheduled to begin November 24. (Submitted photo)

More than 300 trees of different varieties and sizes, and handmade wreaths, from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, were scheduled to arrive at the Boys & Girls Club on November 17, and sales were scheduled to begin November 24. (Submitted photo)

 

For generations, families have visited the Boys & Girls Club of Oak Ridge for their Christmas tree. More than 300 trees of different varieties and sizes, and handmade wreaths, from Spruce Pine, North Carolina, were scheduled to arrive at the Club on November 17, and sales were scheduled to begin November 24. The lot is assembled and staffed by community volunteers and all proceeds benefit the Oak Ridge Club, a press release said.

“Make plans today for a fresh, fragrant tree for your home,” the press release said. “Volunteers will give the trees a trunk cut, wrapping, and load them for you!” [Read more…]

Christmas tree recycling available in Oak Ridge

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Two drop-off locations will be available for residents who want to recycle their Christmas trees after the holidays. The program is offered by the City of Oak Ridge.

Signs will be posted in both locations. The drop-offs are:

  • Big Turtle Park, 2525 Oak Ridge Turnpike (parking lot)
  • Solway Park, 205 Edgemoor Road (parking lot near the boat launch)

Trees will be accepted any time through January 29, 2017. On Saturday, January 14, and Saturday, January 21, Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department employees will be available to assist with unloading trees at the Big Turtle Park drop-off location from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., a press release said. [Read more…]

Join in the fun at Jackson Square Holiday Market, Santa event

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Come and enjoy a diverse holiday experience at Jackson Square and explore unique gifts created by regional crafters and artisans, fun activities for kids, food, visits with Santa, and much more. It all takes place on Saturday, December 3, beginning with a Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sponsored by the Jackson Square Association and United Way of Anderson County, the Holiday Market will fill Jackson Square with tables of handmade crafts, artisans’ wares, and vintage goodies to help one find those specials gifts for those on one’s holiday gift giving list. Several Jackson Square businesses will also be open to offer their unique items for sale.

Oak Ridge’s youth will be in action throughout the day, providing music by performing in various choral groups, the Oak Ridge High School Brass Quintet, and other music offerings. [Read more…]

Christmas Tree Lighting is Dec. 2 in A.K. Bissell Park

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The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor the annual Christmas tree lighting and reception on Dec. 2, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. (Submitted photo)

 

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor the annual Christmas tree lighting and reception at 6:30 p.m. December 2.

Participants should gather at the Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot for a brief ceremony, a press release said. A reception with seasonal music and entertainment will be held in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium immediately following the tree lighting. Light refreshments will be served.

Visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks website at orrecparks.org for information about other city events and programs.

Oak Ridge offers safety tips for holiday season

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The Oak Ridge Fire Department released a few simple safety tips for the holidays on Tuesday.

Here are the tips: [Read more…]

Clinton Christmas tree lighting, parade coming up soon

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The City of Clinton’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony will be held on Friday, November 28—the day after Thanksgiving—at Hoskins Lane Park off of Market Street in downtown Clinton. The celebration will begin at 4:30 p.m. with face painting for children, hot chocolate, and cookies.

Music will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by remarks from Mayor Scott Burton and City Manager Roger Houck, and then the lighting of the city’s traditional Christmas tree.

Clinton’s annual Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 13, at 6 p.m. in downtown Clinton. The grand marshals will be recently retired City Council members Charlie Lyons and Jerry Shattuck.

Annual Christmas tree lighting in Bissell Park scheduled for Dec. 6

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Oak Ridge Christmas Tree Lighting

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will have the annual Christmas tree lighting at A.K. Bissell Park on Friday, Dec. 6.

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department will sponsor the annual Christmas tree lighting and reception at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.

Participants should gather at the Secret City Commemorative Walk on the east side of the Oak Ridge Public Library parking lot for a brief ceremony, a press release said. Following the tree lighting, a reception will be held in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium. Participants will enjoy seasonal music and refreshments provided by the Oak Ridge Woman’s Club Civic Affairs Committee.

For more information, visit the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department website at www.orrecparks.org.

Guest column: The tree that keeps on giving

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I looked out the kitchen window one cold March morning and suddenly noticed a new tree standing in our backyard—a six-foot, straggly evergreen with bits of tinsel still clinging desperately to its branches. The tree had not been there the day before. Since we had neither a son named Jack nor any magic beans, we knew one of our mischievous friends had planted the tree.

“I know exactly who did this,” said my husband Dan. “It had to be Danny Sutton. That rascal loves playing practical jokes. Remember the time he took those squirt guns to that wedding?”

Dan soon confirmed that Danny was the culprit, and a new post-holiday tradition began. Each year Danny found a new spot in our yard to deposit his old Christmas tree, and it was often days later before we realized he had done it.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge, Woman’s Club light Christmas tree

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Oak Ridge Christmas Tree Lighting

The Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department had the annual Christmas tree lighting at A.K. Bissell Park on Friday night.

Several hundred people attended the annual Christmas tree lighting and concert at A.K. Bissell Park and Civic Center on Friday night.

It was sponsored by the Oak Ridge Woman’s Club and the Oak Ridge Recreation and Parks Department.

Entertainment after the tree lighting included music by the Jefferson Middle School Orchestra, a Linden Elementary School chorus, and the Oak Ridge Community Band.