Halloween has arrived, and before the costumes come out and the candy disappears, there’s time to catch up on a few stories worth another look.
This week brought extraordinary lifesaving work, a young musician finding hope through loss, students learning by doing and a historic building preparing to welcome new customers. Here are six highlights from KnoxTNToday, plus a reminder about tonight’s downtown trick-or-treating.
Quick thinking helps save a Carter man’s life
A devastating backyard accident brought Rural Metro Capt. Logan Blaylock and Firefighter Noah Wilson to a Carter community home, where a man’s son was already working to keep his father alive.
Tom King’s Our Town Heroes feature recounts how the son, firefighters, ambulance crew and hospital team helped the man survive a severe neck injury. Blaylock and Wilson were recognized for their lifesaving care.
Halloween in Knoxville, a century ago
Costume shopping, downtown crowds and Halloween parties were keeping Knoxville busy long before today’s trick-or-treaters arrived.
Beth Kinnane takes readers back to 1926, when Market Square merchants advertised seasonal bargains, a church planned an attic party and the Whittle Springs Hotel offered a chaperoned Halloween dance. Some traditions feel surprisingly familiar, even if the prices certainly don’t.
Visit the ghosts of Halloween’s past.
Pellissippi students discover what engineering really takes
A rocket launch offers plenty of excitement, but the lessons begin long before liftoff.
Pellissippi State Community College Engineering Club students are gaining experience in programming, circuits, design and teamwork through hands-on projects. Their rocketry competition also delivered a useful reminder: An imperfect result can still help students discover their abilities and choose a career direction.
Meet the students and explore their work.
A historic Bearden chapel welcomes a new beginning
An 1880s chapel is becoming a place to browse, gather and find a meaningful gift.
Allie Fleming and her family have restored the building at 5902 Kingston Pike for Saint Clare Collective, preserving features of its church history while creating a shop with gifts, books, clothing, local art and vintage finds.
The grand opening is Sunday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with coffee and beignets available from the Café Lomez food truck.
Step inside Saint Clare Collective.
Lily Hooten turns grief into song
Knoxville singer-songwriter Lily Hooten’s debut solo album grew from the questions she faced after her grandfather’s death.
“Promise Land,” scheduled for release Nov. 13, explores faith, grief and an appreciation for ordinary life. The 21-year-old’s songs make room for uncertainty while looking toward hope.
Read about Lily and her debut album.
Fall color rewards a walk on Grapeyard Ridge
Sometimes the best reason to head outside is waiting around the next bend.
Tom Harrington’s latest hike follows Grapeyard Ridge Trail from Greenbrier in the Great Smoky Mountains. His Oct. 26 outing found scattered foliage early in the walk and particularly colorful displays farther along the ridge.
His photographs offer a seasonal escape whether you’re planning a hike or enjoying the mountains from home.
Walk along with Hiking with Harrington.
Tonight: Trick-or-treat in downtown Knoxville
Bring the costumes and treat bags downtown today, Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5–8 p.m. for Trick or Treat on the Square.
Participating businesses on Market Square and along Union Avenue between Gay and Walnut streets will offer candy and non-candy treats. Look for the large candy corn markers identifying participating stops.
The free celebration also includes character appearances and family activities. Free tote bags will be available while supplies last at 17 Market Square, between Kabuki and Not Watson’s.
Find downtown trick-or-treat details.
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