Aaron Astor
Author Aaron Astor of Maryville College will discuss the Civil War and how it affected Morgan County in Wartburg on April 15.
The program, which includes a discussion and book signing, is hosted by Obed Wild and Scenic River. It’s scheduled from 1-2 p.m. Saturday, April 15.
Astor is the author of the book “The Civil War along Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau,” and he will be on hand to sign copies of his book following the program, a press release said. [Read more…]
Aaron Astor, an associate history professor at Maryville College, discussed life along the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane counties before Oak Ridge was built in a special meeting at the historic Freels Bend Cabin on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016 during a meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. The Freels Bend Cabin was built in 1844, and it is the oldest structure in Oak Ridge. It’s on the National Historic Register. (Photo by D. Ray Smith)
Aaron Astor, an associate history professor at Maryville College, discussed life along the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane counties before Oak Ridge was built in a special meeting at the historic Freels Bend Cabin on Thursday, October 13.
It was the monthly public and membership meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association. Here are pictures by D. Ray Smith.
The Freels Bend Cabin was built in 1844, and it is the oldest structure in Oak Ridge. It’s on the National Historic Register. [Read more…]
Historic Freels Bend Cabin: A marvelous setting for the Oct. 13, 2016, public and membership meeting of Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, in partnership with UT-Battelle. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. to be sure the program can be completed before dark. (Photo courtesy ORHPA)
Aaron Astor, an associate history professor at Maryville College, will discuss life along the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane counties before Oak Ridge was built in a special meeting at the historic Freels Bend Cabin on October 13.
It’s the monthly public and membership meeting of the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association, a press release said. The meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, October 13, at the Freels Bend Cabin.
“We will meet at the parking lot at the Oak Ridge Associated Universities’ South Campus at 5 p.m., and at 5:15 p.m., we will caravan to the Freels Bend Cabin,” the press release said.
Astor’s topic is “Before Oak Ridge:Â Life Along the Clinch River in Anderson and Roane Counties.” [Read more…]
Phillip Sherman
Phillip Sherman, associate professor of religion at Maryville College, will present a free course on Islam for five Sundays at 1 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, which is at the intersection of Oak Ridge Turnpike and Lafayette Drive.
The classes will start this Sunday, January 10, in the fellowship hall of the sanctuary building.
“This will be an excellent opportunity to separate fact from fiction with respect to the beliefs of our Muslim brothers and sisters,†said the Reverend Sharon Youngs, church pastor. The lecture-and-discussion course, which will end on February 7, is open to the public.
With about 1.6 billion followers, or 23 percent of the global population, Islam is the second-largest religion (after Christianity) by number of adherents (Muslims). According to many sources, it’s the fastest-growing major religion in the world. Most Muslims are of two denominations: Sunni (75 to 90 percent) and Shia (10 to 20 percent). [Read more…]
Almost half of the participants in the Expanding Your Horizons conference for middle school girls at Maryville College on September 12 will be from Oak Ridge Schools.
The day-long event will include hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM, led by women scientists, a press release said.
At the conference, girls will get a chance to meet STEM role models and learn more about careers in those fields. The goal is to motivate girls to become innovative and creative thinkers ready to meet 21st century challenges, the release said.
Maria Toncray, executive director of Expanding Your Horizons, congratulated Oak Ridge Schools for attracting so many participants. [Read more…]
Christopher Friend
Oak Ridge Associated Universities has awarded five William G. Pollard Scholarships of $2,500 each toward undergraduate studies for the 2015-2016 academic year. The recipients of this year’s scholarships are Cory Anderson, Rachel Baxter, Christopher Friend, Bailey Kitts, and Caroline Thomas.
Each year, ORAU awards these scholarships to employees’ children who display exceptional achievements in their high school or undergraduate studies. Applicants must submit official transcripts from all high schools and colleges attended, three references (at least two of which must be from teachers), and a 500-word essay describing the student’s professional and personal interests.
Below are additional details on each of this year’s winners: [Read more…]
President Barack Obama
This is a transcript of remarks made by President Barack Obama at Pellissippi State Community College in Hardin Valley in west Knox County on Friday, January 9. The president was at Pellissippi State to announce a proposal that would make community college free for two years to responsible students across the country. The proposal is modeled on the relatively new Tennessee Promise.
Friday’s visit was the first by a president to Pellissippi State.
Pellissippi State Community College
Knoxville, Tennessee
2:05 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody! (Applause.) Hey! Thank you! (Applause.) Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Everybody, please have a seat. Please have a seat. Well, it is good to be back in Tennessee. I hope you guys aren’t getting tired of me. I’ve been coming around a lot lately, because there’s a lot of good stuff happening here.
I want to begin by thanking Joe and Jill Biden. They’re not just good friends and good partners, but they really believe in the power of education and they really believe in creating those kinds of ladders of opportunity that gave all three of us and Michelle the chances, the incredible opportunities that we’ve had today. And they understand the promise of America’s community colleges. Well, Jill really understands it, and Joe — (laughter) — he doesn’t really have a choice.
Before I get into the reason that I’m here today, I want to begin by saying just a few words about the tragic events that we’ve watched unfold in France over the last several hours and days. And because events have been fast-moving this morning, I wanted to make sure to comment on them. [Read more…]
Corinne Rovetti, co-director and family nurse practitioner for the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health, second from right, discusses Amendment 1, which is on Tuesday’s ballot, during a forum in October. Also pictured are moderator JoAnn Garrett, right; Judy Cornett, second from left, distinguished professor in the College of Law at the University of Tennessee, who discussed Amendment 2; and Sherry Davis Kasper, professor of economics at Maryville College, who discussed Amendment 3.
Many voters remain confused about the four proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in Tennessee on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4.
Three of the amendments were discussed during a League of Women Voters forum in Oak Ridge in October, and you can find a guide to the four amendments here.
The first amendment, Amendment 1, is related to abortion, and it appears to be the most divisive.
Here’s the full text of the proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution:
“Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.”
Corinne Rovetti
Two college professors and a co-director of a reproductive health center will discuss three proposed constitutional amendments that will be considered by Tennessee voters in the November 4 election.
The proposed amendments will be discussed during a Tuesday evening forum in Oak Ridge.
Corinne Rovetti, co-director and family nurse practitioner for the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health, will address Amendment 1, which deals with reproductive choice and privacy, a press release said. [Read more…]
Information from WYSH Radio
Clinton High School has a new girls’ basketball coach. Athletic Director Dan Jenkins said former Lady Dragon standout Alicia Phillips has been hired to succeed Tonya Lively-Snyder, who stepped down after 15 years on the bench last month.
During her illustrious high school career, Phillips (then Brown) set several school records. After graduating from Clinton, she received a scholarship to play softball for the University of Tennessee and played two seasons there, including an appearance in the Women’s College World Series.
She later transferred to Maryville College, where she continued her softball career and got back on the court for the Lady Scot basketball team. [Read more…]
John Becker
The Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will present a Veterans Day concert on Sunday in Maryville.
World War II veterans will be admitted free, and all other veterans can enjoy the concert at a reduced price, a press release said.
John Becker, WBIR news anchor, will narrate “The Greatest Generation” by Greg Danner, a composer from Cookeville, Tenn. Since April 2008, Becker has produced the TV series “Service and Sacrifice” on the lives of East Tennessee veterans.
ORSO will open the concert with “The Star Spangled Banner” (lyrics by Francis Scott Key and melody by John Stafford Smith) and close it with Morton Gould’s “American Salute” and Robert Lowden’s “Armed Forces Salute.”
The Oak Ridge Chorus, accompanied by ORSO, will sing Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana,” which provides a choral setting for seven poems by Robert Frost (1874-1963). These poems take a nostalgic look at New England country life.
The chorus and orchestra also will play John Williams’ “Hymn to the Fallen” (from the movie “Saving Private Ryanâ€).
The concert starts at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Clayton Center for the Arts at Maryville College, 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway.
Tickets can be purchased at the door for $25 (adult), $10 (college students 19 years or older, with ID), and $5 (students 18 years and younger).
Schedule, ticket and concert information, as well as driving directions to Maryville College, are available on the ORCMA website at www.orcma.org. To renew a season subscription or become a new subscriber at a discount, call the ORCMA office at (865) 483-5569.
