Latest news with #EmoryValleyCenter
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘A county of stories' Anderson County's rich history revealed through archival records
CLINTON, Tenn. (WATE) — Anderson County is among the oldest counties in East Tennessee, with a rich history that has made a footprint across the world. In the hallways of Clinton's courthouse, Anderson County records archivist Zach Foster holds the keys to the rich history of where he grew up. If you need to know something about your family in Anderson County, Foster has you covered. 'I did have someone from California once reach out to me, needing to see her ancestor's will from right around the turn of the century. And we actually had it, which was fantastic,' said Foster. Foster can tell you all about Anderson County's roots too. It was initially Cherokee land, and was later claimed by people coming over from Virginia in the late 1700's. Emory Valley Center continues to serve disabled community in Anderson County 'The three biggest things for Anderson County: agriculture when we were first founded, that moved into pearling of all things in the 1890s, and, of course, that moved into coal industry,' said Foster. That's right, finding pearls along the Clinch River was rather lucrative. 'The pearling industry was so big because we had people come as far away as Chicago, they would get off on Market Street. That is where the actual merchants would come and buy pearls up from the local guys like crazy. Some of the pearls made it as far as Paris, France to be showcased for how fantastic they were,' said Foster. The county's history can be found throughout the area, including at the David Hall Cabin, which sits just outside of town. It was built in 1799. 'Well, it was built on Emory Road. So, all the pioneers and gunslingers would go right in front of it, so I supposed it was quite popular,' said Libby Bumgardner. The cabin has been in Bumgardner's family for generations, with documents and artifacts dating back to the Civil War found inside. 'When we got in it and found all those receipts and letters it just told a story, told a history. And I had to save it,' said Bumgardner. ORNL innovation leading the way for over 80 years Between Bumgardner and Foster, the rich history of Anderson County is not hard to find. 'There's countless stories in Anderson County, we're a county of stories. And I guess I'm kind of the steward of that, which is a huge honor,' said Foster. Foster jokes he is related to everyone in Anderson County, but has time to learn everyone's names, eventually. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Emory Valley Center continues to serve disabled community in Anderson County
OAK RIDGE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Emory Valley Center is a grassroots organization in the heart of Oak Ridge that serves thousands of people in their community every day. The EVC'S mission is to enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities, and it has been operating out of Anderson County for nearly 70 years now. Oak Ridge police officer resigns after domestic violence arrest Dottie Thompson's daughter has used their services since 1973. 'We have grown and grown and now it serves so many people in so many different programs, but that's never to be taken for granted,' said Thompson. Not only has the EVC given her daughter a place to learn, live, and participate in the community but Thopson said it also gave her a chance to pursue her dreams. 'I was a teacher and a school administrator, and I never could have done that had it not been for the EVC providing programs for my daughter,' said Thompson. According to the president of the EVC, Jennifer Enderson, they serve over 3,200 people a year. 'Just thinking about when we started in 1955 and the services that we provide and where we are today, and I think one of the neat things is that we could potentially support somebody from birth until end of life,' said Enderson. With a number of programs, from learning centers to group homes, she said they are always looking for ways they can fill gaps where they are needed. 'We continue to grow, we continue to look for ways that we can really help people in the community, and we can just support people who have disabilities, and I just I foresee the continuing growth of all of the things that we do,' said Enderson. Being on the Emory Valley Foundation Board, Thompson hopes to ensure the organization's future. 'We do receive a lot of funds from the government, and you should never take it for granted,' she said. 'So, we always have to be advocates for our programs. We started an endowment with the East Tennessee Foundation, and we're trying to raise money so that this building will be here in the future and the programs will be self-sustaining.' This will ensure people like her daughter always have a place to call home. Two citations issued for underage vaping sales after undercover sting in Clinton 'She's lived in a group home for 20 years. It's hard for me to believe, and it's comforting to know that she will be there after I'm gone if the funding continues,' said Thompson. While the EVC has a number of programs, they also have a number of affordable and accessible homes. Currently, they have 26 ADA accessible homes, and they are looking at turning one of their larger group homes into a duplex with a grant from the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
