Members of the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and other special guests join chamber President Rick Meredith and newly announced donor Bear Stephenson in a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for the chamber’s new headquar- ters on Tuesday morning.
Bear Stephenson considers himself fortunate to have received the support of the community and the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce in his nearly 43 years as owner of Stephenson Realty and Auction in Clinton.
Grateful for that support and in memory of his parents and brother, Stephenson is donating $1 million to the Anderson County Chamber Foundation for the construction of the new chamber headquarters in Clinton.
Rick Meredith, Anderson County Chamber president and CEO, announced that Stephenson is the $1 million donor as the chamber broke ground Tuesday for its new headquarters at the 1.35-acre tract at the corner of North Charles G. Seivers Boulevard and West Weaver Street in Clinton.
“Bear Stephenson made this new chamber building possible for us when he committed to becoming a major donor at the start of the fund drive,” Meredith said.
“The building will be his family’s legacy, expressing his true belief in the chamber in its first 90 years. I admire him, and I thank him for his confidence in the chamber’s continuing contributions to Anderson County.”
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, the Anderson County Chapter of the No Limits Foundation held its first meeting, and it was an overwhelming success. The No Limits Foundation began six years ago to offer services to special needs students through financial aid and vocational training. As part of their next stage of growth, they have launched a social engagement program for high-functioning adults with mild developmental delays or physical disabilities between the ages of 18 and 30. Nearly triple the expected number of participants attended, and according to Project Coordinator and local School Board Member Dail Cantrell, the event was a huge success.
“We were humbled by the response of the community,” Cantrell said. “We had students from Oak Ridge, Clinton, Andersonville/Norris, and North Knoxville. A two-hour parent meeting occurred simultaneously where details of the program were provided. Over the next 12 to 24 months, we will implement Sped Uber services and a Sped Uber Eats program and provide multiple areas of training. However, for the next few months, we are focusing on social engagement.
“Building America’s Secret City” will take place on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. at Jackson Square. Manhattan Project NHP Rangers will discuss how the community was secretly build during the wartime project.
• “K-25: Enriching Uranium in Happy Valley” will be on Saturday, Sept 14, from 11 a.m. until noon.
K-25 helped isolate crucial uranium-235 from the more-abundant uranium-238. To accomplish that, tens of thousands of construction workers relocated to Happy Valley.
Learn more about those accomplishments and the sacrifices it took. Meet at K-25 Overlook.
• “Building America’s Secret City: Jackson Square” will meet Sept. 19, from 6 until 7 p.m.
This tour will discuss how a community was built in Oak Ridge during the security and secrecy of the wartime secret project.
The walk will conclude at the Jackson Square Tennis Courts.
• “Tennis Court Dance” will be on Sept. 19 from 7-8 p.m.
In the early years of Oak Ridge, the Jackson Square Tennis Courts were swinging. Put on your dancing shoes and come dance to the hits of the 1940s.
• “Digging into the Manhattan Project: Pet-Friendly Hike on North Boundary Greenway” will be on Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. until noon.
This hike explores both the pre-Manhattan communities and the construction of Oak Ridge.
This program passes by multiple displaced community cemeteries and a Manhattan Project quarry. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Clinton Lions Club: The Clinton Lions Club meets the first and third Monday of each month at Apple Blossom Cafe and Catering, 409 Cullom St., Clinton, at 6:30 p.m.
Oak Ridge Lions Club: The Oak Ridge Lions Club meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at Shoney’s, Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge, at 6 p.m.
Clinton Rotary Club: The Clinton Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at noon at the Clinton Community Center, 101 S. Hicks St.
Rotary Club of Oak Ridge: The Rotary Club of Oak Ridge meets every Thursday at noon at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, 215 S. Illinois Ave.
Send your civic club meeting times to editor@mycouriernews.com.
Volunteer Riding Association held its Sepember riding event at Jaycee Park on Saturday. The local club holds its monthly barrel races on the first Saturday of each month from April through October. The next event will take place on Oct. 5 beginning at noon. For more information on the Volunteer Riding Association and its events, visit the group’s Facebook page at facebook.com/groups/298763807182784. Pictured above is Sarah Wood on her horse Duncan. - Malinda Wood
