In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Knoxville Weather

🌲 Honoring our Veterans - Help Put Wreaths on All Veterans’ Headstones in Knox County

✔️Vote Today!

📰 Knoxville's Kelsea Ballerini Gears Up for the 57th CMA Awards

📅 Seniors Shine Bright in 3rd Annual Talent Showcase: Knoxville's Seniors Got Talent
 

Honoring our Veterans - Help Put Wreaths on All Veterans’ Headstones in Knox County

In Knox County, a heartfelt initiative is underway to ensure that every veteran's final resting place is adorned with a symbol of remembrance and respect. The Wreaths Across America program is a nationwide effort to place wreaths on the headstones of veterans, paying tribute to their service and sacrifices. In Knox County, this mission has a specific focus: to place wreaths on the headstones in the three Veterans' cemeteries. What sets this initiative apart is that it relies solely on community support, as there is no federal or state funding available for this purpose.

Wreaths Across America is a nonprofit organization with a simple yet powerful goal: to remember, honor, and teach. Every year, on the second Saturday in December, volunteers across the nation come together to place wreaths on the graves of veterans, and in doing so, they remember the heroes who have given their all for our freedom. In Knox County, the focus is on three Veterans' cemeteries, and the cost of placing a wreath on each headstone is $17.

Donating to this worthy cause is not just a way to make these cemeteries look more festive during the holiday season. It is a way to show gratitude and respect for the men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect our freedom. Placing a wreath on a veteran's headstone is a tangible way to express our appreciation, even in this small gesture.

Freedom is not free, and it comes at a cost. Veterans put their lives on the line, enduring hardships and making sacrifices that most of us cannot fully comprehend. By donating $17 for a wreath, you can take part in honoring these individuals who have protected our liberties, our families, and our way of life. It is a way to say thank you to those who gave their all, often in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Wreaths Across America's mission in Knox County, like its nationwide efforts, is a solemn reminder that we should never forget the sacrifices made by our veterans. It's an opportunity for our community to come together, recognizing the importance of their service and the debt of gratitude we owe them. By donating to this cause, you are contributing to a powerful message: that we remember, we honor, and we teach future generations about the price of freedom.

To make a donation and support this meaningful endeavor, visit knoxwreaths.org. Your contribution, no matter how small, can make a significant impact and ensure that these heroes receive the recognition they so rightly deserve. It's a way to say, "Thank you for your service," and to show that we will never forget the sacrifices made for our freedom.

Vote Today!

Knoxville city residents - Today is the day! Let your voice be heard! You can make a difference!

Find your voting location here: https://www.kgis.org/portal/OnlineTools/VotingLocationSearch.aspx

Knoxville's Kelsea Ballerini Gears Up for the 57th CMA Awards

The upcoming 57th CMA Awards, a significant celebration of Country Music, is just around the corner, and a talented artist from Knoxville is gearing up for a remarkable performance.

Scheduled for November 8 in Nashville, this year's CMA Awards will be hosted by UT legend Peyton Manning, who will return alongside country superstar Luke Bryan. The nominations have already been unveiled, covering categories such as Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, and more. Among the list of nominees, we find Kelsea Ballerini, a native of Knoxville, who is vying for two prestigious awards: Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year.

Ballerini expressed her enthusiasm about her album, "Rolling Up the Welcome Mat," which has had an unexpected impact on her career. She described how the album has transformed her approach to making music, stating that she's genuinely proud of the album and herself for taking an unapologetic stance in releasing it. Ballerini emphasized her pride as both an artist and a woman, standing by the album through all the changes it brought.

Ballerini is all set to perform "Leave Me Again" during the awards ceremony, which serves as the final track on "Rolling Up the Welcome Mat." She described the song as a reflection of peace, closure, and a desire for love and happiness, aligning with the current state of her life and eagerly anticipates the opportunity to conclude the "Welcome Mat" chapter with this sentiment.

To find out if Kelsea Ballerini secures her first CMA award, be sure to tune in on Wednesday night 11/8 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Seniors Shine Bright in 3rd Annual Talent Showcase: Knoxville's Seniors Got Talent

The 3rd Annual Seniors Got Talent variety show, hosted by the Morning Pointe Foundation, is just around the corner, set to grace the stage in Knoxville on Tuesday, November 14th! This delightful showcase of senior talent will be held at 7 p.m. at the Bijou Theatre, promising a spectacular evening of entertainment.

The impressive lineup of performers includes:

• The Tuesday Group that Plays on Mondays, a charming Dulcimer Group

• Lena Anderson, a gifted singer and songwriter

• The Back Pew Poets, a talented singer/guitar/harmonica duo

• Bob Thompson, a versatile singer and guitarist

• The Tennessee Jewels, an ensemble that combines singing, dancing, and twirling

• Jim McGee, a soulful singer and guitarist

• Sandy and the Sandsation Dancers, offering captivating dance performances

• The Fourtuitous, a harmonious barbershop quartet

• Brenda Beeler, an enchanting singer

• Calvin Robinson, a skillful singer and keyboardist

• Corkey Miller, a humorist who will leave you in stitches

The show promises to be a spectacular gathering of talented seniors, each with their unique charm and skills to share with the audience. What's more, there's an exciting prize at stake! One act will have the chance to claim the grand prize of $500. Additionally, audience members can get involved by voting for their favorite act through the People's Choice Award, where each vote costs just $1. The proceeds from this voting will go to support the Morning Pointe Foundation, a wonderful cause.

Don't miss out on this unforgettable evening filled with remarkable performances and a chance to support a great cause. Mark your calendars for November 14th and join us at the Bijou Theatre for Seniors Got Talent!