Susan Espiritu

One of the things I enjoy most about KnoxTNToday is finding new ways to bring our community together. Whether it's sharing local news, highlighting the people who make East Tennessee special or discovering places worth visiting, our goal has always been to help neighbors stay connected.

University of Tennessee (UT) Press has officially released its first children's picture book: My Magic Tux: A Big Orange Story of Courage and Confidence . Based on a true story covered by ESPN, “My Magic Tux” is authored by J. R. Greene, also known in Rocky Top lore as the Big Orange Tux Guy, who ran onto the field with the UT football team while donning an orange-and-white tuxedo at the 1998 national championship game.

5Star Preps reporter Dave Link attended and spoke with a number of coaches and players at the event in advance of the upcoming season.

Mama didn't quote Scripture every day, but every now and then she'd look around at whatever disagreement was brewing and say, “A house divided can't stand.”

My, brother, Tom Dillard has been a University of Tennessee basketball fan for as long as I can remember. A UT graduate, he has celebrated the Vols' biggest victories, marveled at the legendary players, and appreciates the traditions that have shaped Tennessee basketball for generations.

Leaving the opening gallery behind, I realized this wasn't a collection you could appreciate with a quick walk-through. Every few feet, something else caught my eye—a photograph, a jersey, a trophy or a program that opened another chapter in Tennessee basketball's past.

One of the first things I noticed as we continued through Larry Smith's museum was the tour wasn't following a schedule—it was following Tennessee basketball itself.

The Oak Ridge Civic Music Association (ORCMA) is inviting local families to register their young musicians for the 2026–2027 season of the Oak Ridge Youth Arts Collective (ORYAC), which includes the Oak Ridge Youth Orchestra (ORYO) and ORCMA's youth choir programs.

Operation Inasmuch Day is Saturday, August 15, offering the opportunity to serve our community with projects for everyone with all gifts and abilities. Enjoy family-friendly activities together at lots of our projects.

By now, I had stopped looking for my favorite exhibit. Instead, I found myself wondering what story Larry Smith would tell next. Ray Mears' story was a definite highlight. From his play at the University of Miami to his service time in the Army, we learned about a giant in UT Basketball. Photos of Mears showed his coaching journey starting with a high school team to his first college coaching at Wittenberg, where he won the National Championship in 1961, which brought UT calling.