Community
November 4, 2026 by Jake Nichols
Princess crowns, superhero outfits and fireman costumes popped through the crowd as children toting Jack-o-lantern Halloween baskets walked with their families through the parking lot of Village Green Shopping Center.
People with costume-clad dogs ambled toward the food trucks lined along one side or one of the many booths within the area.
Finally, after the band “Please Rewind” belted hits such as “Summer of ‘69,” attendees gathered to check out the costume contests.
All the excitement comprised the annual Harvest Fest, presented by Shop Farragut and the Farragut Business Alliance Sunday, Oct. 25.
“I love it, and I love seeing all the kids,” Shop Farragut president Candace Viox said. “To see all these little babies and younger kids all dressed up, and even older kids and grandparents and family units, that’s what Farragut is about anyway. It’s a fun event. We take good care of our community during the holidays.”
Viox noted 40 vendors at the event, as well as five food trucks offering German food, Mexican cuisine and even snow cones, which became a popular treat as the sun shone through a cloudless sky.
But the October heat did nothing to deter the crowd, which enjoyed events, such as face-painting and a small putting green, along with a bit of outdoor shopping at different booths.
“I feel like it’s a great event,” Shop Farragut executive director Ashley Lynch said.
“I’m very happy. We’ve only had one vendor that didn’t show up, and there are lots of families and great contests going on.”
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November 4, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Who would have thought an East Tennessee family would have ties to the Vanderbilts, Astors and other people of the gilded age?
Retired librarian, historian and genealogist Kate Brewster told the story of Richard Thornton “R.T.” Wilson and his family that married into the gilded age royalty of early 20th century New York and Rhode Island.
“They call this family the ‘marrying Wilsons,’” she said. That was because they married their children to the wealthy families of the 1800s and early 1900s.
In writing a freelance story for a publication, Brewster ran across the story of Wilson.
“He’s a true rags to riches story,” she said of Wilson.
After his father died in 1849, he moved from Georgia to Loudon. A traveling salesman, Wilson did some gold mining. He had $30 in gold strapped around his waist, according to Brewster.
He traveled around, selling cotton to dry goods stores and mills, and made his way east to Loudon. In 1850, Wilson went into business with Ebenezer Johnston, who helped Wilson establish a grocery and dry goods business. He then married Johnston’s daughter, Melissa Clementine “Clemmie” Johnston.
In 1861, during the Civil War, the Wilsons moved to Macon, Georgia, where Wilson worked for the Confederate Army, bartering cotton with the British and made a fortune during the war.
Then, they made the move to Boss Tweed’s mansion at 511 Fifth Ave., New York. There “he was a successful banker and invested in rebuilding the railroads,” Brewster related.
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November 4, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Morning Pointe seniors in 12 acts will take center stage when the 8th Annual Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent Knoxville finals returns 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 10, at the Bijou Theater, 803 S. Gay St., downtown Knoxville.
Tickets are on sale now for the evening of live entertainment of music, comedy and more by older adults.
“Talent takes many forms, and Knoxville audiences will see that firsthand when Morning Pointe Seniors Got Talent returns to the stage this November,” Morning Pointe Senior Living public relations specialist April Espinoza said.
This year’s 12 finalists are: Lillie Madison, 84, singer; Rickey Starr, 67, singer;
Jim Braddock, 74, harmonica player;
Susan “Susie” Orengo, 63; singer; Mark Walker, 62, dancer; Mount LeConte Jug Band, ages 70 to 78 —David Howard, Jim Randle, John Nabors and Chris Hill; Robert “Robb” Zeiser, 61, comedy and juggling;
Karrie Johnson, 75, singer; Kory Lawrence, 69, singer;
Jasmine Quartet, 63 to 72 — Sandy Wells, Susan Brooks, Melinda Bruer, Diane McGrath; Andy Miller, 61, singer; and Diva Ressler, 77, singer.
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November 4, 2026 by
Farragut High School held its annual Homecoming festivities Friday, Sept. 18, at halftime of the football game between Farragut and Maryville.
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