Good Thursday morning! Today’s Connections mix a little Knoxville history with family resources, fall events, useful community links and a look beyond East Tennessee. Thursday is our day to look back, but there is plenty happening right now, too.

Throwback Thursday

Knoxville’s Sunsphere is a lasting reminder of the 1982 World’s Fair. The 266-foot structure, topped by its gold-colored sphere, remains one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks at World’s Fair Park. Today, visitors can again go inside for panoramic views and a small collection of World’s Fair memorabilia. Learn more about the Sunsphere.

Today in History

On Sept. 24, 1896, author F. Scott Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He would become one of the best-known chroniclers of the Jazz Age and the author of The Great Gatsby. Also born on Sept. 24: puppeteer and Muppets creator Jim Henson in 1936. Explore Sept. 24 in history at the Library of Congress.

Tennessee Trivia

Question: What Tennessee national park is the most visited national park in the United States?

Answer: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina border. Plan a visit through the National Park Service.

Today’s Smile

Why did the scarecrow get promoted? Because he was outstanding in his field.

National Day

National Punctuation Day — Sept. 24 celebrates the little marks that keep our writing from becoming a jumble. Periods, commas, question marks, apostrophes and even the often-debated semicolon all help make our meaning clear. The observance was founded by Jeff Rubin in 2004 to encourage proper punctuation.

Today’s challenge: See if you can make it through the day without misplacing a comma — or overusing an exclamation point!

Today’s Highlights

  • Families of students receiving special education services can connect with programs and support at the Knox County Schools Special Education Family Resource Fair today. The event brings community resources together for families in one place. Knox County Schools
  • Thrive Fest is set for 3:30-6:30 p.m. at Safety City, 165 S. Concord St. The free event focuses on helping parents and children build healthy habits and make positive choices.
  • Looking ahead to fall in the Smokies, Smokies Life has announced free sorghum-making demonstrations at the Great Smokies Welcome Center in Townsend Oct. 16-18 and Oct. 23-25, with additional demonstrations in Cades Cove in November.
  • Jubilee Community Arts has announced a series of free concerts at the Laurel Theater celebrating Appalachian and American musical traditions as part of America 250 programming. Jubilee Community Arts has details and its concert calendar.

Local Events

Featured Resource

Volunteer East Tennessee connects individuals, families, groups and businesses with nonprofit volunteer opportunities throughout the region. It is a useful starting point for anyone who wants to give a few hours, find a service project or connect with a local cause.

Helpful Community Links

  • Knox County Schools — School calendars, district announcements, family resources and school information.
  • Knox County Public Library — Branch information, digital resources, classes, programs and events for all ages.
  • Knoxville Area Transit — Bus routes, schedules, service updates and rider information.
  • 211 Tennessee — A statewide connection point for help with food, housing, utilities, health care and other community services.
  • Visit Knoxville — A regularly updated calendar of concerts, festivals, exhibits and activities around Knoxville.

Across Tennessee

Natural-resource restoration grants are coming to Oak Ridge. Tennessee officials say the second round of grants from the $42 million Oak Ridge Reservation Natural Resource Damages Restoration Fund will open Oct. 19. The grants are intended to support projects that restore natural resources affected at the federal reservation. Read the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announcement.

Across America

September is National Preparedness Month, a good reminder to check the basics before an emergency happens. A family communication plan, a supply kit and awareness of local risks can make a difficult situation easier to manage. Ready.gov offers practical checklists for homes, older adults, pets and people with disabilities.

Around the World

Researchers continue to rethink the familiar Viking story. New museum interpretation in Scandinavia is putting more emphasis on women, farmers, traders and everyday life rather than focusing almost entirely on warriors. The shift gives visitors a broader picture of Viking-age society. Read the research summary.

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