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Virtue Church encourages community to ‘Find Your Place’

September 16, 2026 by Staff Reports

Virtue Church will join thousands of churches across the country Sunday, Sept. 20, for National Back to Church Sunday, an annual, nationwide effort encouraging people to reconnect with a local church and experience Christian community, according to Laura Lyle of Virtue Church.

“Virtue Church is inviting the Farragut community to ‘Find Your Place’ during a special outdoor, dog-friendly worship service followed by a free community cookout,” Lyle stated in a press release. “The service will begin at 11 a.m. at Virtue Church, 725 Virtue Road in Farragut. Everyone is welcome, and attendees are encouraged to bring their dogs and enjoy a relaxed Sunday morning outdoors.”

“With recent studies showing that loneliness is a real issue in our culture, we

want our community to know that the church is here as a place where people can connect, make friends and find support when life gets hard,” Virtue Church Pastor Bill Lyle said. “You don’t have to have everything figured out before you walk through the doors — or, in this case, join us outside.”

This year’s Back to Church Sunday theme, “Find Your Place,” focuses on the need for belonging and authentic community in a world that has become increasingly digital, transient and disconnected.

Songs, saddles merge at STAR fundraiser

September 16, 2026 by Jake Nichols

LENOIR CITY — As the sun dipped below the hills of East Tennessee, a cool August breeze carried guitar strums and singing voices toward the horses grazing in a nearby pasture.

The sweet sounds stemmed from the 10th annual Songwriters in the Round fundraiser at Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR).

Taking notes from the famed Bluebird Café’s songwriter rounds in Nashville, the event brings together four country music lyricists to raise money for STAR’s 40-year mission of providing equine-assisted activities for people with physical, mental and neurological disorders.

This year’s event took place on Saturday, Aug. 29, raising $69,000 to support STAR’s mission. The night brought renowned musicians Phillip Lammonds, Matt Warren, Nicole Witt and Andy Austin, who sang together beneath a string-light chandelier with guests looking on from chairs near the small stage.

“This is my second Songwriters in the Round, but it’s STAR’s 10th,” STAR executive director Emily Justus said. “So it changes a little bit every year, and this year we have about 225 people here in a sold-out arena. They get this really cool, intimate event.

“The best part about this event is you don’t really know which direction it’s going to go. These are songwriters that are playing off the cuff, and they’ll say they go where the audience takes them. They tell different stories, and that’s where it starts.”

Reveizes take final step on Camino journey

September 16, 2026 by Carlos Reveiz, Correspondent

Buen Camino Always

After 36 unforgettable days, my dear wife Nancy, our Camino family, and I completed an incredible journey from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Finisterre — 584 miles and 1,278,588 steps across Spain. But in many ways, our Camino began long before we ever took that first step.

Twenty-two years ago, I first learned about the Camino de Santiago. For years, I would say, “One day, I’m going to walk the entire Camino.” Then one morning last year, I woke up and realized I was tired of saying “one day.” We are not guaranteed tomorrow. So, I made a decision that changed my life. After 33 years in the corporate world, I retired and decided it was time to start living life on our terms. And what a decision that turned out to be.

It is difficult to find words that truly capture what the Camino gave us. We expected an adventure. What we experienced was so much more — physically demanding, mentally challenging, emotionally healing and, without question, life-changing. Every morning began much the same way. We taped our blisters, covered our feet with Vaseline, laced up our shoes and headed out the door knowing another day of miles, hills, aching muscles and the unknown was waiting for us. Some days were easy. Some days were incredibly hard. But every day, we learned something.

The Camino teaches resilience. It teaches you that progress isn’t about how fast you walk. It’s about continuing to move forward. When your feet hurt, when your legs are tired and when the next hill seems impossible, you simply put one foot in front of the other. And then you do it again...and again. Until suddenly, you realize you’ve made it farther than you ever thought possible.

The People Made the Journey

Along the way, we met countless peregrinos from every corner of the world. What struck me most wasn’t where people came from, what language they spoke, what they did for a living or how much money they had. None of that mattered. On the Camino, titles, careers and bank accounts disappear. We were all simply pilgrims. We shared the same basic goals: walk, encourage one another, help when someone needed it, find a place to sleep and share a meal at the end of the day. And somehow, that simplicity brought out the very best in people. Kindness was everywhere. A stranger would notice you were struggling and offer a word of encouragement. Someone would share food when you were hungry. Another pilgrim would help carry a backpack or tend to a blister. People who had been strangers just hours earlier would sit together over dinner, laughing as if they had known each other for years. The Camino reminded me that the world is filled with good people — and sometimes we simply need to slow down long enough to notice them.

Fall events bring community together for Alzheimer’s Tennessee

September 16, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

KNOXVILLE — Alzheimer’s Tennessee is inviting Farragut and Knoxville-area residents to join in a season packed with community spirit, education and support for local families facing dementia.

The fun begins with the Dave Landeo Tailgate, which takes place from 4:30 to 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, at Roger’s bar, 8817 Kingston Pike near Farragut.

“This isn’t just a party for Vols fans,” said Samuel Moore, Alzheimer’s Tennessee director of communications. “It’s a chance for Knoxville to come together and support local families facing Alzheimer’s disease. Every dollar raised stays right here in East Tennessee.”

Local favorite musician Dave Landeo leads the celebration with live music, special guests, Vols spirit and great barbecue.

“I was born and raised in Tennessee and will always be a Vol,” Landeo said. “I’m honored to help and grateful to be part of a community that always comes together, whether for game day or for something as important as supporting families facing Alzheimer’s.”

Landeo started the event after his mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Her journey made me realize how precious life is and how important it is to support each other – family, friends our whole community,” he said.

There is no charge to attend but the best way to help is to get a VIP ticket, which costs $25 per person. It includes a barbecue plate, beer ticket and access to a special VIP area. Extra donations are welcome and go straight to helping local families.

WVLT’s Rick Russo will broadcast live, and every dollar raised stays local.