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Honoring the Everyday: Ted Richards’ Essential Workers Series

Issue #619

22 Aug

In this Knoxville Insider Issue…

🌤️ Weather | Scattered Thunderstorms with a High of 86

📰 Farragut Museum Opens New Sports Exhibit

📰 Call for Volunteers: GermanFest 2025 Needs You!

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📣 We Want to Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

✅ Advertising Opportunities
 

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Today’s Record High: 99 in 2007 — Record Low: 53 in 1956

Honoring the Everyday: Ted Richards’ Essential Workers Series

Ted Richards was born in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains and now resides in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. A self-taught artist, he has been painting and doing fine art photography for forty years. His work is inspired by the people and landscapes he encounters on his world travels. But he's the kind of guy whose artistic interest can also be sparked by bathroom floor tiles or the weave of a basket. Alive with color, light, and vitality, Ted's art reflects the person he is, the world he sees, and the things that move him deeply.

Color is a physical phenomenon of light – wavelength, luminance, hue, saturation. But color is made meaningful only through individual perception. The receptors in my eye process a color and my mind concludes, "Red." Is the color I see exactly the same as the color you see? This shade of red evokes a constellation of memories and emotions for me. Your own reactions are certainly going to differ.

How a person perceives color in a painting is directly associated with the emotions provoked by the painting. Certain colors will invoke emotions. Brightness and saturation will tweak the emotions produced by color. In my works, I use different colors with brightness and saturation control to produce emotions not necessarily associated with color. I use these tools to summon a variety of emotions, some of which may conflict with one another. In doing so, I try to step people through a series of feelings while they view a single piece of work.

This series, “Essential Workers” is to celebrate all the workers that were still on the job during the Covid lock down. I tried to show essential workers that were not so obvious like the police or fire department. These people need to be honored and appreciated.

Show length October 1st through January 2nd
Opening reception: Sunday October 5th, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
The Gallery at Rarity Bay
150 Rarity Bay Parkway Vonore, TN 37885

-contributed by Ted R.

Farragut Museum Opens New Sports Exhibit

Want to see the bat used by Farragut High School graduate and Tennessee Volunteer catcher Cal Stark for a clutch two run home run in the Game 2 4 -1 win in the 2024 College World Series finals? The huge hit helped to keep the Vols national championship hopes alive after losing Game 1 to Texas A & M.

The bat, as well as other notable sports memorabilia, are part of an exciting, temporary sports exhibit open August 19 through the end of the year at the Farragut Museum. It’s a chance to see sports mementos from Farragut stars such as US Open golfer Lance Simpson, MLB players Tony, Joey, and Nicky Delmonico and Nick Senzel, NFL Dallas Cowboy Bill Bates, and world champion triathlon winner Eric Bell. Farragut resident Shelley Collier was the team Captain for the 1987 Lady Volunteers national championship basketball team and has a special basketball on loan.

The jersey from a 2010 Pro Bowler is also included in the exhibit. Tyson Clabo, Farragut class of 2000, has loaned the Museum his personal #77 Falcons jersey. He was a starting right tackle for the Atlanta Falcons, played in the Falcons visit to the 2013 NFL Championship game, and was named to the Atlanta Falcons All-Decade Team.

Historic Resources Coordinator Kristi Vining partnered with the Farragut Sports Hall of Fame to learn about impressive sport athletes who hail from Farragut. A new display will feature the Hall of Fame inductees.

The Grovewood Baseball Museum, relocating from Morristown to Chattanooga, and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame will also have items on loan.

The Farragut Museum, 11408 Municipal Center Drive, is open Tuesday – Saturday 11:00 -2 :00 and is free.

-contributed by Kristi V.

Discover all upcoming events on our Community Events page

Upcoming Events:

Get ready to shake off the back-to-school blues and light up the night—because the Neon Glow Party is coming to Ball Camp Park on August 22 from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM, and it’s going to be legendary! More Info

Parkway Drive-In Movie Nights - Friday & Saturday August 22nd-23rd - Pack up the car, grab your favorite people, and come enjoy movies the old-fashioned way—on the big outdoor screen under the stars! Featured Films: Weapons (R) – Starts at 8:45 PM (Rain or shine); The Naked Gun (PG-13) – Starts at 11:10 PM (Rain or shine)
More Info

Get ready for a day filled with fun, culture, and community at GermanFest, Knoxville’s beloved celebration of all things German! Mark your calendar for August 23, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church & School, 1207 N. Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917. More Info

Get ready to dance in the streets—Sunset On Central is back for its 7th year, and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever! Saturday, August 23 | 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM
 Central Filling Station | 900 North Central Street |  FREE & Family-Friendly More Info

Step into the stillness of night and experience the magic of the new moon on a Dark Skies Hike at Seven Islands State Birding Park. Without moonlight to dim their glow, the stars and constellations will shine brightly overhead as you explore the wonders of the nighttime sky. August 23 | 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM | Meeting Location: Bluebird Barn More Info 

Who says you need sand and surf to have a beach party? We’re bringing the seaside vibes straight to McGill Plaza for a night of music, food, and family fun! August 23 |  6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza, 101 N Campbell Station Rd More Info

Big Kahuna Wing Festival - Get ready for one of the South’s tastiest and most exciting events—The Big Kahuna Wing Festival returns this Labor Day weekend on August 31st at The World’s Fair Park! More Info

Networking:

Veterans:

Free Veterans’ 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

Mabry-Hazen House is Going to the Dogs & Cats!

Join Mabry-Hazen House (MHH) and the Humane Society, Tennessee Valley (HSTV) for Pawprints: Past & Present on Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 1 PM to 4 PM! This new collaborative program explores the significant role animal companions play in the lives of humans across time. -Spend the afternoon learning about the history of pets at Mabry-Hazen House, meeting new potential furry friends available for adoption, and supporting two important local nonprofits.

A variety of activities will occur at this all-ages, family-friendly event. The historic house museum will offer a special tour, “In the Pawprints of Terry: A Cat’s Life at Mabry-Hazen House,” a treasure hunt for Miss Evelyn’s cats, displays of objects and images about the history of pets, and more!

Meet cats and dogs available for adoption at the Humane Society, learn from HSTV and other animal welfare organizations how to support local animals and pets, grab a treat from local pet supplies vendors, and have a photo taken with your pet. HSTV will also be accepting pet supply donations.

At 2 PM, Dr. Zenithson Ng, professor in the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine, will give a presentation on the history and science of human-animal relationships and animal welfare.

Pawprints: Past & Present is free and open to the public. Pets are welcome, but must be leashed at all times, cleaned up after, and friendly with other people and animals. Pets are not permitted inside the house museum.

Summary of Event Activities:

● A speaker from the UT College of Veterinary Medicine
● Attend a special tour, In the Pawprints of Terry: A Cat’s Life
● Meet and greet with dogs and cats available for adoption
● View objects, images, and sources about the pets of Mabry-Hazen House
● Drop off pet supply donations
● Shop with local vendors
● Have a professional pet photo taken
● Learn about local animal welfare organizations

-contributed by Patrick H.

Call for Volunteers: GermanFest 2025 Needs You!

Knoxville’s beloved GermanFest is right around the corner, and organizers are calling on the community to help make it a success. This annual celebration of German culture takes place Saturday, August 23, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at First Lutheran Church & School, 1207 N. Broadway.

From traditional German food and music to family-friendly activities and cultural exhibits, GermanFest offers a day full of fun—and it wouldn’t be possible without dedicated volunteers. Whether you’re helping set up, serving bratwurst, welcoming guests, or keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, your time and energy will help bring the spirit of Germany to Knoxville.

Volunteering is a great way to connect with the community, meet new friends, and be part of one of the city’s most anticipated summer events. Shifts are flexible, so you can still enjoy plenty of the festivities while lending a hand.

Event Date: August 23rd
Location: First Lutheran Church & School, 1207 N. Broadway, Knoxville

Learn more: germanfestknoxville.com
Sign up to volunteer: Volunteer Form

Lend your time, bring your enthusiasm, and help make GermanFest 2025 an unforgettable celebration!

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