Quilt show ahead
More than 200 stunning quilts will be on display June 19-20, 2026, in the Knoxville Expo Center at 5441 Clinton Highway (at Merchant Drive) in Knoxville, Tennessee. Hosted by the Smoky Mountain Quilters of Tennessee (SMQ), the show will take place from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday and from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.
“We are excited to welcome everyone in the community to come and enjoy these wonderful creations and all the fun activities the show has to offer,” said Jennifer Wilkerson, SMQ show co-chair.
The show will feature a special opportunity for attendees to bring their own quilts – historic or contemporary – and preserve their story during a free three-minute video recording session. Their video will be archived by the Quilt Alliance through their “Go Tell It!” project. The Quilt Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to documenting, preserving and sharing our quilt heritage.
Another highlight of the show is an antique quilt turning and quilt history discussion by Merikay Waldvogel, a well-known quilt historian, author and 2009 Quilters Hall of Fame inductee. She will be assisted by Cindy Stuart, a certified quilt appraiser. The event will take place at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Friday, June 19.
Other special attractions include the SMQ Boutique, which offers a unique selection of items handcrafted by guild members, and a scavenger hunt for the young ones. Throughout the show, attendees also may shop vendors. Same-day scissor sharpening will also be offered. Cindy Stuart will provide quilt appraisals by appointment. To schedule, call 865-386-0940.
The show is known for drawing high quality entries, and this year the guild is offering $7,800 in prize money. “These quilts are beautiful works of art,” said Candy Stanton, SMQ show co-chair. “You will be treated to a creative display of color, texture and design, proudly exhibited by many talented quilters.”
Admission is $10; for a two-day pass, $15; and free for children under age 12. The Expo Center has free parking and is accessible to the disabled. Info here.
$250,000 donation boosts Knox Regional Health Science Education Center
Lucy and Barry Stephenson
Kingston residents Barry and Lucy Stephenson have gifted $250,000 to Roane State Foundation in support of the Knox Regional Health Science Education Center. The 130,000-square-foot facility recently opened at 9575 Sherrill Boulevard, across from Parkwest Medical Center, and houses health science programs offered by both Roane State and the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville.
Barry Stephenson is president and CEO of Materials and Chemistry Laboratory Inc. (MCLinc) in Oak Ridge, a business he launched with his wife, Lucy. Barry has served as a member of the THRIVE Campaign Cabinet since the beginning of the fundraising effort for the new campus. He is also a current member of the Tennessee Board of Regents, representing the third congressional district, as well as a Foundation board member.
The Stephensons have supported Roane State for more than 20 years through various donations, endowments, and in-kind support. Lucy also worked for several years as an educator in Roane State’s nursing program.
Knoxville City Council update
Knoxville City Council did more on May 12, 2026, than allocate $80,000 to combat kudzu as reported here.
Vaping: The council approved an ordinance on the first of two readings that would prohibit smoking and vaping in age-restricted venues. These venues had been exempted from a 2007 statewide ban on smoking in enclosed public places and places of employment. Proponents say performers, hospitality workers, service providers and other employees remain vulnerable to health risks associated with secondhand smoke. The issue is scheduled for a final vote on Tuesday, May 26.
Tech Smart Knox Seniors: The council authorized Mayor Kincannon to execute an agreement to provide $100,000 in state grant funds to support the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee’s Tech Smart Knox Seniors program. The aim is to provide adults age 60 and older with training to better use technology and close the digital divide.
AVLs in all city vehicles: Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) GPS-based technology will be added to another 376 city vehicles, following Council’s authorization. This investment helps assure public accountability by enabling all city-owned cars, trucks and buses – a total of more than 1,100 vehicles – to be equipped with AVL technology. Dash cameras will be added to brush pickup trucks.
Eric Vreeland provided information for this report.
Notes & Quotes
Quote: Reacting to Knox County Schools banning Roots from school libraries: “History is not really to make you sad, though it might. It’s not really to make you mad, though it will. History is just truth, and truth is what sets us free. Because when we know better, we can do better. Our responsibility is to understand history so that it can help inform us for the future.” – the Rev. Reneé Kesler, president of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. She invited folks to stop by the Beck Center to read Roots.
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