Betty Sue Parks, left, and her daughter, Loretta Garner, look over bricks in the new section of the Coal Creek Miners Museum’s walkway that mention Parks and her grandfather and great-grandfather. - G. Chambers Williams III
Dozens of supporters of the Coal Creek Miners Museum in Rocky Top turned out for a ceremony Saturday morning (Aug. 2) dedicating the newest section of its Memorial Brick Walkway.
This special walkway features bricks engraved with the names of many former miners and their family members.
This represents the second phase of the walkway, which is the product of a museum fundraising campaign that involved donors buying the engraved bricks to recognize the role of coal mining in the area, and memorialize those who lost their lives in two major mining disasters nearby in the early 1900s.
There was a similar unveiling of the first section of the walkway in 2024, as supporters and local officials turned out on Independence Day to get their first look at the bricks.
The bricks are permanently set into the sidewalk outside the museum’s entrance across from Rocky Top City Hall.
The museum began the fund-raising campaign in fall 2023 to help pay for upgrades, including a new second floor of exhibits. The bulk of the money for the work for the upgrades came from a $50,000 grant from the state of Tennessee in 2023.
Participants in Saturday’s prayer walk for Operation Angel Wing make their way across Norris Dam on Saturday morning (Aug. 2) enroute to the Museum of Appalachia for the group’s annual fundraiser. - G. Chambers Williams III
Operation Angel Wing, a regional nonprofit dedicated to providing healing services related to post-traumatic stress to veterans and first-responders, gathered in Norris on Saturday for its annual fundraising event.
The day began with a five-mile “prayer walk” from the upper Norris Dam overlook to the Museum of Appalachia, beginning at 9 a.m.
That was followed by the main event, beginning at noon at the museum. It included speakers, live music by the Knoxville School of Rock band, and associated activities, such as a bake-sale auction, vendors, and giveaways of six electric guitars.
The guitars were donated by the Gary Sinise Foundation for the Operation Angel Wing Youth Coalition.
Pictured at July’s Veterans Breakfast at the Clinton Community Center are Martin Strones, USAF (Ret.), left, and Charlie Orr, U.S. Army (Ret.). Both are Vietnam veterans.
Military veterans from Anderson County are invited to come together Saturday (Aug. 9) for the monthly Veterans Breakfast at the Clinton Community Center.
The chow line opens at 8:30 a.m. and there will be a program at 9 a.m. honoring veterans.
August’s event is sponsored by CNS Cares. The Clinch Bend Chapter of the Tennessee Society of Daughters of the American Revolution is this month’s doughnut sponsor.
These breakfasts are held to recognize and honor local veterans and their families for their service to the United States.
Many generous donors are also recognized for providing monthly door prizes.
Anderson County residents and community volunteers are working together to make the breakfasts a free monthly event that will allow veterans of all ages and branches to fellowship and share stories together.
Veterans are welcome to bring spouses, family or friends.
Claxton Country Squares will begin offering square dance lessons on Monday, Sept. 8, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Clax- ton Community Center, 1071 Edgemoor Road.
Square dancing has been a staple of Appalachian life for a long time, even though its popularity has waned somewhat in modern times.
But it’s not going away anytime soon, especially if the Claxton County Squares group has anything to say about it.
The group, founded in 1986, calls itself a “Western-style square dance club,” and provides a gathering space in the Claxton Community Center for regular square dances and lessons for those desiring to learn the art.
Square dancing is the official folk dance of the state of Tennessee, the club notes.
Claxton Country Squares recently held its first dance of the fall season, and will begin its next round of lessons on Monday nights beginning Sept. 8, from 7-8:30 p.m.
The first two lessons are free, said club publicist Tracy Reinke. Lessons are open to anyone age 12 and up, she said.
The “No Limits” social engagement group will host a barbecue with outdoor games from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Family Life Center at Second Baptist Church of Clinton, 777 Public Safety Lane.
This event marks the start of the group’s second year.
The “No Limits” Foundation, started about 10 years ago, provides academic and financial support for students with mild developmental delays and mild physical limitations. It’s intended to help them attend community college, learn a trade and work toward independent living.
In 2024, the foundation launched the social engagement group, which meets each Tuesday from mid-August through the end of May.
Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. and include activities such as group outings, dinners and bowling. The program is privately funded, free to participants and includes a meal.
A beginning band program for all Clinton City Schools sixth-graders will start after Labor Day.
It’s part of The Blaze program, which has also sports for Clinton City Schools students.
The band program for Clinton Elementary School will be on Mondays and Thursdays, and South Clinton Elementary School on Wednesdays and Fridays
Rehearsals run from 3-4:15 p.m.
There are no fees, and students may even attend rehearsals at either school to fit their schedules.
An online form is available on the Clinton City Schools Facebook page.
For further information or questions, contact, Matthew Case, music teacher, Clinton Elementary and band director, Clinton City Schools at casem@clintonscools.org.
ORNL Federal Credit Union and WDVX are continuing to present the “Summer Sessions” free concert series in Oak Ridge’s A.K. Bissell Park at 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike.
The concerts will be on the stage near the library.
Dan Tyminski Band and Amythyst Kiah will play Saturday, Aug. 23, from 6- 9 p.m.
Cruz Contreras and The Black Lillies, Madelyn Tallent and Stoney Point Bluegrass Band will play Saturday, Sept. 20, from 6 until 9 p.m.
