Community Calendar

Learn about black bears, an iconic symbol of the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranger-led program. Sugarlands Visitor Center, Tenn. Free. Info and confirm details: nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/calendar.htm or 865-436-1200.

New Food Pantry now available to neighborhood and surrounding areas twice a month. Every 2nd Thursday of each month we will be giving away non-perishable goods and personal care items. On the 4th Thursday of each month we will be serving a hot meal.

FOL Mothers Day 2026 Book Sale Members Sale, membership available at the door ($10.00/individual, $20.00/family); print and other media, most items 50 cents - $1.00; most credit/debit cards accepted; electronic scanning devices not permitted at Members Sale.

Discover which plants best benefit hummingbirds and how small changes to a backyard can increase their population. Smokies Life Branch Out event. Online webinar. Cost: For Park Keepers, $45; to join and attend, $85 (Park Keeper basic membership $40 + event registration $45). Info – SmokiesLife.org/branch-out-events or email: membership@smokieslife.org.

The FOL Mothers Day 2026 Book Sale includes print and other media covering all subjects. Most items are 50 cents - $1.00. Electronic scanning devices are permitted Friday and Saturday. Most credit/debit cards are accepted. Funds obtained are used for the Oak Ridge Public Library.

Schemes, wills, and one unforgettable con. Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi is a fast-paced farce full of family drama, crafty deception, and razor-sharp wit. When a wealthy Florentine dies and leaves his fortune to a monastery, his greedy relatives turn to the sly and unconventional Gianni Schicchi to fix the problem—with delightfully chaotic results.

Bursting with humor and high-stakes trickery, this one-act gem is a hilarious closer to our Masters of Mischief season. Featuring the beloved aria "O mio babbino caro" and a cast of characters who’ll do anything for a fortune, Gianni Schicchi proves that sometimes, crime does pay—at least in opera.

Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

JOIN US FOR OUR SECOND ANNUAL STRUT YOUR MUTT 2K/5K WALKATHON!
NEW - 5K RUN!
May 9, 2026 at Springbrook Park Pavilion

Pet owners, animal welfare advocates, and people just searching for a fun family-friendly time are invited to attend. You do not need to be a dog owner to participate, but if you are, bring your well-behaved furry friend along for the fun.

This year, we've also added a 5K run for those of you who enjoy 5Ks. Please note dogs are not permitted during the timed 5K run due to safety and liability concerns, as leashes can create tripping hazards.

Early registration for the walkathon is $25, and for the 5K, $35, which includes an event t-shirt and swag bag. Kids 12 and under are free. Please note fees increase by $5 after April 30.

On-site vendors, sponsors and food trucks will help make this an enjoyable day for everyone.

Proceeds from Strut Your Mutt benefit Friends of the Blount County Animal Center, a 501(c)3 charitable organization that provides all funding for medicines, veterinary staff and services to the center.

Learn how to fly fish regardless of ability or accessibility. Adaptive equipment will be available to borrow, and volunteers to assist with navigating trails. Offered in partnership with Catalyst Sports. Free. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, Tenn. To learn more or register, visit CatalystSports.org/great-smoky-mountain-adaptive-hike-bike.

Join fellow artists on Saturday mornings for a creative refresh in a welcoming, lighthearted environment. You’ll have the option of being inside, in a spacious, light-filled space, or outside under a covered pavilion. You can bring a project you’d like to work on, sketch from provided still lifes, or work plein aire.

These mini-retreats are located in West Knox, in a 20+ acre bucolic setting with fields and woods, on the Tennessee River. All levels are welcome and no experience is needed.

$20 per session or $50 for 3 sessions includes art supplies and yummy snacks.

Space is limited to 15 participants--please RSVP at lunacreates.com/sketch-club the Friday before to save your spot!

Discover what life in the Cove is like for its inhabitants—past and present. Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranger-led program. Cable Mill Historic Area in Cades Cove, Tenn. Free. Info and confirm details: nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/calendar.htm or 865-436-1200.