Lend a Hand and Help the Gardens Grow!

Issue #543

07 Jun

In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Light Rain with a High of 83

📰 ‘...And Then I Became Free’ - Experience Juneteenth History at Mabry-Hazen House

📰 Knox County Master Gardeners June Classes & Tours

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

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Today’s Record High: 99 1933 — Record Low: 47 in 1998

Lend a Hand and Help the Gardens Grow!

Looking for a way to get outdoors, meet new people, and give back to the community? The Ivan Racheff Gardens in Knoxville is calling for volunteers to join the Knox County Master Gardeners every 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning of the month. These dedicated volunteers help maintain and plant the beautiful Racheff Gardens - a peaceful oasis nestled in the city.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or simply curious about plants, this is a great opportunity to learn, grow, and make Knoxville a greener, more welcoming place.

📍 Ivan Racheff House & Gardens & Arboretum
1943 Tennessee Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
📅 Open Monday–Friday, 9 AM–3 PM

For details or to confirm volunteer days, contact Janie Bitner by text or call at (865) 474-0882.
Your support and hard work are greatly appreciated! 🌸More Info

Knox County Master Gardeners June Classes & Tours

As gardening season continues, several Knox County Master Gardener events are scheduled for June! A garden class on basic principles of gardening will be held on Saturday, June 7th at the Powell United Methodist Church. The event focus on planning, prepping, planting, pampering, problems and pests for ornamental plants, as well as vegetables. The event will be held from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m at the church, which is located at 323 W. Emory Road. It is free, but registration is required by emailing [email protected] 

On Saturday, June 7th & Tuesday, June 17th at 11 a.m. master gardeners will lead tours of Collier Preserve, a native plant garden and birding area. The guided nature walks will be one hour and are free. Meet at the Powell Branch Library next to Collier Preserve, which is located at 316 W. Emory Road.

For more information or to ask a question online, go to https://www.knoxcountymastergardener.org/ask-a-master-gardener/ 

For more information on garden events, go to https://www.knoxcountymastergardener.org/events-news/ 

-contributed by Nancy H.

Support Local Youth – Get Your Car Washed for a Great Cause on Saturday, June 7th

Looking for a way to give back and leave with a sparkling clean car? Come out and support the First Lutheran Church Youth Group at their Car Wash Fundraiser on Saturday, June 7th, from 9 AM to 12 PM at Advance Auto Parts (4839 N. Broadway, Knoxville 37918).

These incredible young people are working hard to raise funds for their upcoming summer camp and National Youth Gathering, and every dollar you give helps get them one step closer to an unforgettable experience of faith, friendship, and growth.

Expect big smiles, lots of soap and suds, and the joy of knowing you're making a difference!

Whether you're a parent, neighbor, or just someone who loves supporting local youth, this is a fun, easy way to give back—and drive away with a cleaner ride!

🧼 Mark your calendar and swing by to show your support! All proceeds directly benefit the youth and their upcoming journeys.


The Knoxville Insider is for you, our readers. We encourage you to share your news, local hero stories, events, and more! Email us at [email protected].

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Join the conversation on Saturday, June 7 from 3–5 PM at the Knoxville Bahá’í Center (1323 Hannah Ave) for a thoughtful and welcoming discussion on the spiritual significance of dreams. More Info

Get ready for a full day of good reads, great beers, and even better vibes at Printshop Beer Co on Saturday, June 7th from 12 PM to 9 PM! More Info

Cruise in to celebrate the longest day fundraiser by the Alzheimer’s Association on Saturday, June 7th from 1pm-3pm at American House West Knoxville, 8024 Gleason Drive.

Marble City Opera invites audiences to experience the passion and tragedy of one of opera’s most iconic works—Ruggero Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci—as the company closes its 2024-25 mainstage season with two powerful performances Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the A.K. Bissell Park Bandshell Pavilion in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Tickets are available now at MarbleCityOpera.com.

“Let’s Talk Turf” will be presented by master gardener Roger Denny, who will discus research-based approaches to lawn care. The event is on Thursday, June 12th from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. at the University of Tennessee Extension Eastern Region office, 1801 Downtown West Blvd. More Info

Master gardener Cid Letsinger will answer garden and plant questions at the Norwood Branch Library on Saturday, June 21st from 10 a.m. - noon. The library is located at 1110 Merchant Dr. Other master gardeners will be at community farmer’s markets in June, including those at Dixie Lee at Renaissance, Ebenezer Road, Tellico Village, New Harvest Park and Market Square. More Info

Networking:

Veterans:

Free Veteran’s Breakfast: The United Veterans Council of East Tennessee presents 14 free breakfasts for Veterans and guests on four Saturdays, monthly, Coffee line starts at 8am, Chow line starts at 8:30am. Locations and Dates

‘...And Then I Became Free’ - Experience Juneteenth History at Mabry-Hazen House

In honor of Juneteenth, the Mabry-Hazen House invites the Knoxville community to explore the profound and powerful stories of emancipation during two special days of programming: Thursday, June 19th, and Saturday, June 21st.

Through a new interpretive program, ‘…And Then I Became Free: Stories of Emancipation at Mabry-Hazen House,’ visitors will uncover the lives of African Americans once enslaved on the property. Tours will highlight remarkable stories, including that of the Franklin family—enslaved by the Mabrys and emancipated by the arrival of the Union Army in 1863—and their enduring legacy in Knoxville’s journey toward freedom.

Special guided tours will be offered at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM, along with a compelling evening talk at 6 PM, “The Value of a Man: Wiley Mabry and His Mark on Knoxville,” which reveals the incredible true story of an enslaved man who bought his own freedom.

On Saturday, June 22nd, the museum opens from 10:30 AM–3 PM with tours at 11 AM and 1 PM.

Admission is free, but space is limited. Reservations are encouraged at www.mabryhazen.com/events/emancipationday or facebook.com/mabryhazen.

Don’t miss this opportunity to honor Juneteenth by engaging with stories of courage, resilience, and the long path to freedom.

Annual Friends of the Library Meeting on July 14th

The Friends of the Knox County Public Library (FOL) invite all members to gather for a memorable and meaningful evening at their Annual Meeting on Sunday, July 14, hosted at the East Tennessee History Center beginning at 5:30 PM.

This year’s meeting offers more than just library updates—it’s a chance to relax, reconnect, and rediscover what makes the Friends community so special. Attendees will enjoy a delicious meal catered by Bailey Foster, former FOL President and founder of Real Good Kitchen, paired with wine, tea, and water in a casual, welcoming atmosphere.

The evening will include a brief business meeting where members will vote to approve the minutes from last year’s gathering and elect the 2025–2026 officers who will help lead FOL through another year of advocacy and support for our public libraries.

The highlight of the night will be a presentation by Diane Rocco from the Blount County Library. She’ll offer insights into leveraging platforms like eBay and other online tools to grow support and visibility for library organizations—an especially timely topic in today’s increasingly digital world.

📧 RSVP by emailing: [email protected]
👥 Over 600 members and limited seating—RSVP early to secure your spot!

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