Norris City Manager Bailey Whited presents a plaque to Spencer Boardman during Monday’s dedication of the new Norris Creamery Park, recognizing his contributions in developing the park. - Emma Jayne Williams
More than 100 people turned out at 4:30 p.m. on Monday for the dedication and ribbon-cutting formally opening the new Norris Creamery Park and Greenway, which stretches along the east side of East Norris Road.
The ceremony, which preceded the City Council’s monthly meeting at 6 p.m., featured special recognition of the descendants of Robert G. “Buddy” Crossno, who with partners operated a dairy farm and creamery on the property after taking it over from the Tennessee Valley Authority in 1937.
Until it closed in 1972, the creamery provided milk for the surrounding communities – including for the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge.
Monday’s event, coordinated by the Norris Recreation Commission and led by Norris City Manager Bailey Whited, also honored Norris resident Spencer Boardman, who spent countless hours – and some of his own money – developing the park.
It’s built on a 2.5-acre plot that includes the majority of a new sidewalk built in 2021 to stretch from Dairy Pond Road to Andersonville Highway.
Tammy Kirby of Andersonville stands with her 1969 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray on display last Saturday during the Branson Cox Benefit Car Show in the parking lot of Ray Varner Ford in Clinton. She has owned the car for five years, she said. - G. Chambers Williams III
Director of Schools Tim Parrott unveiled a plaque honoring the late Board of Education Member Teresa Portwood, which will be displayed at Teresa Portwood Memorial Field, Clinton High School’s girls’ softball field. The Board of Education voted to honor her by naming the field after her at its June meeting. - Ben Pounds
Clinton Mayor Scott Burton and Boys and Girls Club members plant a redbud tree for the recent Arbor Day celebration at Town Springs. - Submitted
The city of Clinton celebrated Arbor Day on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Clinton Town Springs.
Mayor Scott Burton welcomed everyone to the celebration, and Joey Smith, Tree Board member, shared information on the Historic Downtown Walking Tour established by the Historic Downtown Clinton organization.
Students from the Boys and Girls Club of Anderson County read the story of the Town Springs as told on one of the walking tour’s historic signs.
They also related the story from another tour sign about the Clinton High School bombing and the Clinton 12, and noted the presence of the “Witness Tree,” a large sugar maple that stood at the entrance to the school during the turmoil and is still present today.
It has been officially recognized as a Historic Tree by the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.
Afterward, Wendy Maness, a city councilwoman and Tree Board member, signed a proclamation establishing Oct. 28 as Arbor Day for 2026 in Clinton.
Brook Smith of the Tennessee Division of Forestry presented the city with its certificate of recognition as a Tree City USA for 2025 from the national Arbor Day Foundation and the state of Tennessee.
It marked the ninth consecutive year that the city has earned recognition as a Tree City USA.
To be recognized as a Tree City USA, communities must meet four criteria during the calendar year.
They must have a tree ordinance in effect, have a tree board or similar body in place, spend at least $2 per capita on tree planting or maintenance, and celebrate Arbor Day at some time during the year.
Boys and Girls Club students then helped with the planting of two redbud trees along the walkway surrounding the springs, under the supervision of Tim West, Tree Board member and arborist with the Clinton Utilities Board.
The 49th-annual Pilot Club of Oak Ridge Arts and Crafts Fair will be held at the Oak Ridge Civic Center on Friday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission is free, and the event is an opportunity for people to shop for unique, handcrafted items just in time for the holiday season, a club announcement said.
This event, which began in 1977, brings together artisans and craftspeople from the Oak Ridge area and beyond.
The Pilot Club of Oak Ridge, chartered in 1958, is part of the Tennessee District of Pilot International, a worldwide nonprofit organization dedicated to brain safety, fitness, and caring for those who provide care to others, the announcement said.
Its annual arts and crafts fair is one of the club’s major fundraising events, helping to support the organization’s initiatives in the community.
Funds raised contribute to local programs that promote brain health and support caregivers, reflecting the club’s mission to make a positive impact.
October was a busy month for events in Clinton’s parks, with a 5K run, trick-or-treating, a chance for children to touch fire trucks, and even Viking-themed athletic competitions all taking place at city of Clinton Parks and Recreation’s parks and the Community Center.
Taylor Cullison, Clinton special events coordinator, said each of these events was a success, and he offered estimates of attendance.
Trials of Ragnarok, a ticketed event at Carden Farm Dog Park drew about 2,500 people on Oct. 10 and 11 to raise funds for Anderson County Animal Rescue Foundation. It featured live reptiles, concerts, and spear-throwing, knife-throwing, archery, axe-throwing, log-lifting and log-wrestling competitions.
The Touch a Truck event on Saturday Oct. 17 let children see and climb inside emergency vehicles at Jaycee Park. It drew around 500 people between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
