Oak Ridge Today

Santa, Mrs. Claus plus Christmas carols in Jackson Square

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in Jackson Square from 3-5 p.m. Saturday, December 18, and members of the Oak Ridge Choral Society will lead people in Christmas carols at 4 p.m.

The celebration is being sponsored by the merchants of Jackson Square.

“Come join us as we gather around the tree,” a press release said.

“Giving and receiving are an important part of the holiday season and our ‘Lights of Hope Tree Decorating Contest’ is currently going on until December 30,” the press release said. “There are seven trees secured to lamp posts around the Square. Each tree was decorated by a nonprofit in our area. You cast votes by donating dollars. Each vote is worth one dollar.”

[Read more…]

Christmas Stroll in downtown Clinton

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A Clinton Christmas Stroll this month will feature photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn carriage rides, food trucks, a nativity scene, and a silent auction to benefit the Education Foundation.

“Additionally, the brick-and-mortar shops will be staying open late for shopping on this Small Business Saturday,” a press release said.

The Christmas Stroll, a new event, is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, November 27, in Historic Downtown Clinton.

The live nativity scene will be held in the Hoskins Park on Market Street. It will feature live animals, caroling, cookies and cider, and a kid’s craft. The horse-drawn carriage rides are $20 per family, and the carriage can hold up to six people at a time, the press release said. The ride will start on Freddy Fagan Way and go behind Shabby Remakes and then circle around down Market Street.

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge Chamber’s ‘Reverse’ Christmas Parade on Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Santa will be on hand at this year’s Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s “reverse” parade to be held Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. (Submitted photo)

The Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade will be held this year, but with a twist. This year’s offering will be a “reverse” parade, a press release said.

The event will be held on Saturday, December 12, from 6-8 p.m. The theme of this year’s “reverse” parade is “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas.” More than 40 individuals and organizations have signed up to display along the parade route, the press release said. [Read more…]

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

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

jackson-square-holiday-market-dec-3-2016

Submitted

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…]

Santa makes early visit to Oak Ridge: Pancakes with Santa

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Santa-Lee-Morris-Dec-2015

Santa (aka: Lee Morris, of Oak Ridge) will be at Applebee’s Restaurant this Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015, from 8 to 10 a.m. (Submitted photo)

 

Santa will make an early stop in Oak Ridge this Saturday, December 12, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Applebee’s Restaurant.

The public is invited to join Santa (aka: long time Oak Ridge resident Lee Morris) for a pancake breakfast to benefit CONTACT Care Line of East Tennessee.  Breakfast and an opportunity for a picture with Santa is $5.

Applebee’s is at 1213 Oak Ridge Turnpike in Oak Ridge.

Oak Ridge churches founded CONTACT in 1973, and the nonprofit agency now serves Knoxville and surrounding communities as well. Volunteers field approximately 10,000 calls per year. [Read more…]

Angel Tree recipients visit Clinton police

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Angel Tree at Clinton Police

Angel Tree recipients at Clinton Police Department. (Submitted photos)

 

Six area children will have a little bit brighter Christmas this year, thanks to the efforts of Clinton Police Department officers.

On Tuesday, the kids, ranging in age from two to 12 years, went to the Police Department, where Santa had left several large bags of toys. Officers were there to help them unwrap a big assortment of games, dolls, videos, and more, a press release said.

Patrolman Anthony Godwin obtained the names of the children from the Clinton City Schools Angel Tree, then asked his fellow officers to donate. Godwin says the response was great. Nearly $800 was collected to purchase gifts. [Read more…]

Clinton Christmas Parade is Saturday; deadline to register is Wednesday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Clinton Christmas Parade First Place

A float by Second Baptist Church featuring a large sleigh and reindeer won first place in the Dec. 1, 2012, Christmas parade in Clinton. (File photo courtesy of Janet Hawkins)

 

Clinton’s traditional Christmas Parade of bands, floats, and many other processional entries will begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 13. This year’s theme is “The Gifts of Christmas!”

Businesses, churches, schools, and other marching groups are encouraged to register and participate in the parade. The parade entry fee of $10 is payable to the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, and the deadline to register is 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 10. There will be no late entries, a press release said.

Entry forms can either be picked up at the Chamber of Commerce office located at 245 North Main Street, Suite 200, Clinton, or to receive a form by mail, fax, or email, call the Chamber at (865) 457-2559. You may also obtain a registration form, map, and instructions at www.andersoncountychamber.org. [Read more…]

Sponsored: Secret City Train Ride with Santa on Saturday, Sunday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Santa on Secret City Excursion Train

Santa will be on the Secret City Excursion Train in west Oak Ridge this weekend. (File photo/November 2012)

Submitted

This weekend, the jolly old gent parks his sleigh and joins us on the Secret City Scenic Train for a fun-filled, climate-controlled trip through beautiful Poplar Creek Valley!

Special Car Host: Santa

The ride includes:

  • Free favors for all the children
  • Take pictures with Santa
  • Train is all decked out for the holidays

The trains leave 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. on Saturday December 13.

They leave at 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday, December, 14.

The train departs from the Heritage Center at 2010 Highway 58 at the former K-25 site in west Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Comfort Inn holiday events benefit CASA of the Tennessee Heartland

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Breakfast with Santa

Proceeds from a “Breakfast with Santa” at Comfort Inn Oak Ridge on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. will benefit CASA of the Tennessee Heartland. (Photo courtesy T. Whigham Photography)

Families can kick off the Christmas season with Santa and help a local nonprofit volunteer organization at the same time by visiting the Comfort Inn Oak Ridge during December. The hotel is offering several different activities for the community to get in the holiday spirit with a portion of the proceeds from each event going to CASA of the Tennessee Heartland.

“We are so thankful to Comfort Inn for contacting us with this opportunity,” said Naomi Asher, executive director of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland. “Every dollar raised will help provide a voice in court for an abused and neglected child right here in our community.”

The Comfort Inn Oak Ridge will serve as the official site for “Pictures with Santa” throughout the holidays. T. Whigham Photography will be taking professional photos with Santa at the hotel from Friday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 21. The hours are as follows: Monday through Friday from 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sundays from noon-6 p.m. One dollar from every photo taken will benefit CASA and will be matched by Enrichment Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

On first vote, Council prohibits animated videos, scrolling messages on electronic signs

Posted at
By 11 Comments

Oak Ridge High School Electronic Sign

The electronic sign at Oak Ridge High School is pictured above. (Photos courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

The public debate gained notoriety in December with a dispute over an electronic sign featuring an animated Santa. After months of meetings and hours of discussions, it could be close to being resolved, although the community appears to remain divided.

On Monday night, the Oak Ridge City Council voted 4-3 to approve, in the first of two monthly votes, ordinance changes that would, among other things, prohibit videos or continuously scrolling messages on electronic signs, revisions that would presumably prevent an animated Santa.

The revised ordinance would require messages on the increasingly popular signs to be static and remain displayed for five seconds. The changes, which still have to be approved on second and final reading in September, would also govern signs used for sporting events, set maximum brightness levels, and require the displays to automatically dim through photo cell technology. [Read more…]

Y-12 employees help make holiday merrier for many

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Bicycles from Y-12 Workers

Bicycles and helmets provided by Y-12 workers await distribution to area charitable agencies. (Submitted photo)

Nearly 50 workers at the Y-12 National Security Complex served as Santa’s elves in the Y-12 Employees’ Society’s 2012 Angel Tree program. The society collaborates with various charitable agencies to help provide holiday gifts for families deemed eligible for assistance by their county’s Department of Human Services.

The elves, working with donations provided by hundreds of Y-12 co-workers, did the additional footwork needed to fulfill the holiday gift wishes of 497 children in Anderson, Roane, Morgan, Loudon, Scott, and Monroe counties. Coordinated this year by Y-12 employee Jessica Smith, the program is now in its seventh year.

[Read more…]

Guest column: UPF project at Y-12 not real Santa, ‘windfall’ short-term

Posted at
By 2 Comments

By Pat Fain and Leslie Agron

Sometime in about a year or so, when the $6.5 billion build at the Uranium Processing Facility building at the Y-12 National Security Complex gets under way, Oak Ridge could see a decided increase in revenue from sales taxes. The windfall should come to the city over a short period, but then it will then end.

During those years, however, there may be some who think that Santa Claus has taken up residence in Oak Ridge. This piece is to advise you in advance, that should you hear that sort of sentiment down the pike, it is time to check in with some five-year-olds. They will quickly remind you that Santa has always lived at the North Pole with elves and flying reindeer.

[Read more…]