ACTV show seeking ‘Storytellers’ from Anderson County
by Ben Pounds
Darren Leach, left, talks to Curtis Sexton in the second episode of “Storytellers” on ACTV.
Even if Anderson County isn’t famous across the nation, it still has people who’ve made a difference in others’ lives with stories to tell.
And Darren Leach, principal at Clinch River Community School and now host of ACTV’s “Storytellers with Darren Leach” podcast, is looking forward to hearing them.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by stories,” he said. “Not just the what, but the how. How life’s changed. How moments unfold.
“I realized the answers aren’t always in books ... they’re with people, too; that’s why we started this show: to unfold the extraordinary in the everyday one story at a time,” he said, introducing the show in its first episode available on YouTube and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
In that episode he talked to multi-sport athletes Cody Wright and Clark Wormsley of Lake City, now known as Rocky Top.
The Norris Historical Society event will be Sunday, Feb. 23 at Norris Religious Fellowship, 23 Dogwood Rd., Norris.
A program featuring Norris art will be open to the public from 2-5 p.m. this coming Sunday (Feb. 23) at the Norris Religious Fellowship, presented by the Norris Historical Society.
Promoted as “Norris Art: Past, Present and Future,” the event will include “a diverse display of artwork from various time periods and styles,” an announcement says.
“Join us as we celebrate the artistic talents of Norris,” it says. “This special event will showcase works from past, present and future artists, highlighting the rich creative history of our community.”
Guests may “meet the artists and learn about their inspirations and techniques,” the organizers said.
There also will be “live demonstrations showcasing artistic skills in action,” they said.
Norris Religious Fellowship is at 23 Dogwood Road in Norris.
The history of Norris dates to the construction of Norris Dam beginning in 1933, the first of a series of flood-control and hydroelectric power-generating dams in the federally operated Tennessee Valley Authority system.
The Norris community was created by TVA in 1933 to house engineers and construction workers building the new dam, which was completed and put into service in 1936.
Norris celebrated its 75th year as an incorporated city last year.
The Tennessee General Assembly passed a bill giving Norris a city charter on April 5, 1949, which some people have considered to be the official establishment of the city.
Brook Riley and Spencer Creekmore compete at Hops and Hounds’ Winter Beer-lympics, an event to raise money for Riley’s medical expenses. - Ben Pounds
From beer pong to relay races with barrels, teams competed at Hops and Hounds all to help a single employee.
The craft beer garden and dog park held its “Winter Beer-lympics” Feb. 1. It was just one of many fundraisers they’d held to financially help their employee Brooke Riley, who is recovering from a double mastectomy. Riley called the fundraiser “touching” and “a blessing.”
“I’m just grateful for a community that’s been behind me and beside me,” Riley said during a break in the event, in which she also competed. “I’m so loved.
“I don’t even know who’s given what and they ‘ve come to support me; it’s amazing,” she added. “Just bouncing back from all the trauma that my body has been through and having the support of having everyone rally beside me as I heal, I will definitely need that support.”
“It’s touching in a way that I never knew was imaginable.”
There’s a chapter of Toastmasters International that’s now meeting regularly in Clinton, in the Anderson County Higher Education Center at 220 Frank L. Diggs Drive.
Meetings of the Greater Knoxville Speechmasters are held from 6:30-8 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the new location, with the next meeting coming up March 10.
According to an announcement from the club, the meetings are open to the public. The chapter also offers a virtual-meeting option for those who prefer to attend online.
The Greater Knoxville Speechmasters is described as a “fun-loving, enthusiastic group that provides a supportive environment where members can practice their communication and leadership skills, receive constructive feedback, and gain confidence in their public-speaking abilities.”
The parent group, Toastmasters International, has been helping individuals improve their leadership and communication skills for more than 100 years, the group’s announcement noted.
“The Greater Knoxville Speechmasters chapter is proud to continue that tradition,” it said.
“Whether you’re looking to polish your interview skills, enhance your English language abilities, sharpen your presentation skills, or improve your personal communication style, everyone is welcome to attend.
While there is no charge for a “drop-in visit,” the group said a six-month membership is $60, and some employers may offer professional development funds to help cover the cost.
For more information, visit the website 4022.toastmastersclubs.org.
The Clinton Community Center will be offering an American Red Cross lifeguard training class March 10-13.
Interested patrons must be at least 15 years old and complete a pre-requisite swim evaluation prior to signing up for the class.
To schedule an evaluation and for any questions, contact Jonathan Leninsky at jleninsky@clintontn.net or 865-259-1164.
Blood drive to be held Friday
A blood drive will be from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, at the American Museum of Science and Energy, 115 Main St. E. in Oak Ridge.
If you wish to donate blood, drink an extra 16 ounces of water or other non-alcoholic drink before arriving; eat a healthy meal, avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers, fries or ice cream; and wear a shirt with sleeves that you can roll up above your elbows.
