Possum Chase to benefit Food Pantry, Community Club

The 11th annual Corryton Possum Chase is set for 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the Corryton Community Center, 9331 Davis Drive, Corryton, Tennessee. Packet pickup starts at 7 a.m. Up-to-date info on the Possum’s Facebook page.

There are three USATF-sanctioned races, an 8-miler, a 4-miler and a 2-miler. All are out-and-back on Corryton-Luttrell Road.

Biscuits at last year’s Possum Chase

Breakfast featuring biscuits and gravy follows the race.

The Possum Chase benefits the Corryton Community Club, committed to preserving Corryton’s rural charm and historical heritage while helping build a strong community through events, volunteerism and education. Also, the Corryton Hospitality Pantry, which provides free food to families on the second and fourth Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The pantry is located at Rutherford Memorial United Methodist Church.

Orchids Awards ahead

Keep Knoxville Beautiful will host its annual Orchids Beautification Awards on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at Knoxville Museum of Art. Tickets are $100 with tables available. Tickets here.

Since 1979, Keep Knoxville Beautiful has presented Orchids Beautification Awards to Knoxville and Knox County buildings, public art, and outdoor spaces that beautify and elevate the local landscape. Here are this year’s nominees:

New Architecture

  • UT Medical Nursing Building
  • Covenant Health Park
  • Axle Logistics HQ 2
  • Lone Tree Pass
  • Liberty Place
  • 5500 Kingston Pike Retail Store
  • The Overlook at Beaumont

Redesign/Reuse

  • Kern’s Bakery / Food Hall
  • YWCA Knoxville & the Tennessee Valley
  • Knoxville First Seventh-day Adventist Church
  • Mother Bar
  • The Gateway – Metro Drug Coalition
  • Redeemer Church of Knoxville
  • Tennessee Theatre 612 Expansion
  • 625 N Broadway
  • Sunsphere Welcome Center
  • Historic Rule House

Outdoor Space

  • 121 Tech Hub patio
  • Gazebo and Picnic area Restoration
  • Third Creek Greenway’s Zig Zag Bridge
  • The Tennessean Hotel Landscape Yard and Entry Area
  • Davis Family YMCA
  • Hardwicke Dr BLOOM Project
  • 21st Street Plaza
  • Urban Wilderness Gateway Park

Community Project

  • Dogwood Arts Bazillion Blooms Program
  • Karns Branch Library Garden
  • Vine Middle Magnet School Outdoor Learning Landscape

Public Art

  • Black History Statue Series at Covenant Health Park

ReGreening

  • Inskip-Norwood Community Center Microforest
  • Gay Street Bridge North Landing
  • KUB/Trees Knoxville/KCDC Five Points Tree Planting
  • EV Davidson Rooftop Solar Project
  • GREEN AT WORK
  • UT Office of Sustainability
  • Smurfit Westrock

Honorary Orchid Awards will be presented in these categories:

  • City of Knoxville Bright Spot Award, Knox County Bright Spot, and Knox County Schools Bright Spot Award (Awarded to projects that exemplify the values of promoting a cleaner, greener, more beautiful Knoxville).
  • Mary Lou Horner Award (Awarded to a past Orchid winner that has continued Orchid worthiness).
  • Felicia Award (Awarded to a community member who exemplifies the values of promoting a cleaner, greener, more beautiful Knoxville).
  • Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Adopt -A- Road Group of the Year
  • Adopt -A- Stream Group of the Year

Award sponsors are: Denark Construction, Smurfit Westrock, Partners Development, Design Innovation Architects and Old Sevier Market.

Dew on spider web (Kristi Parsons)

Nature’s beauty on the creek

Kristi Parsons posted on the Beaver Creek Kayak Club’s Facebook page:

“I’m missing Karns and Beaver Creek this morning so I thought I would share some old photos I’ve captured along the way with y’all.

“To me, Beaver Creek is special because of the little things … The flowers, butterflies, dew drops and all the little things that many miss.

“I am very thankful for every person that has put time and effort into caring for [the creek].”

Notes & quote

Union County Heritage Festival is Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilson Park (behind Union County High School) in Maynardville, Tennessee. Music, art, food and fun.

Tennessee State Parks operates an online gift shop with an array of T-shirts, caps, stickers and even Halloween costumes. Check it out here.

Broken promises for 61 parks: The U.S. Department of the Interior has disapproved 140 National Park Service agreements with outside partners at 61 parks, offices and programs in all seven Park Service regions. While a handful have since been appealed or partially appealed, 133 remain disapproved, blocking $25.9 million, already approved by Congress in funding for parks. Details.

Outdoor Knoxville lists hundreds of activities, many free, all outdoors.

Quote: “As the gardener, by severe pruning, forces the sap of the tree into one or two vigorous limbs, so should you stop off your miscellaneous activity and concentrate your force on one or a few points.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Sandra Clark compiles obituary links and writes the Let’s Talk series for KnoxTNToday – Let’s Talk – Outdoors archive. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get daily articles in one place with our free newsletter.