East Tennessee Now

Frank Murphy interviews Natalia Havasy, Director of Marketing & Community Benefit at East Tennessee Children's Hospital about their Adopt a Family program and the Fantasy of Trees. 

To Adopt a Family, donate $15 or more to benefit East Tennessee Children's Hospital, and get back $15 in a gift card from Salsarita's. https://www.etch.com/ways-to-give/adopt-a-family/ 

East Tennessee Children's Hospital Fantasy of Trees takes place Wednesday, November 26 to Sunday, November 30, 2025 in the Knoxville Convention Center. https://www.etch.com/ways-to-give/events/fantasy-of-trees/ 

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Frank Murphy interviews Caroline Bean, Public Relations & Communications Manager for the Gatlinburg Convention & Visitors Bureau and Elaine Frank, Deputy Director of Special Events for the City of Knoxville. 

Caroline discusses upcoming events in Gatlinburg including the Winter Magic Kickoff and Chili Cookoff on November 7; the 50th annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on December 5; and Gatlinburg's New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Space Needle on December 31. Learn more at https://www.gatlinburg.com/events/seasonal-events/winter/

Elaine discusses upcoming events in Knoxville including Christmas at Chilhowee on November 21; Holidays on Ice in Market Square from November 28 to January 4; and New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere on December 31. Elaine invited Frank to emcee New Year's Eve at the Sunsphere. Learn more about Christmas in the City events at https://www.knoxvilletn.gov/Christmas

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Frank Murphy interviews Executive Editor Joel Christopher and Photo Editor Jennifer Dedman of Knox News about the Empty Stocking Fund, which has been helping families in need since 1912. Empty Stocking Fund recipients receive 40 food items including a five-pound ham to provide for Christmas dinner as well as other meals during the holiday season.

The News Sentinel Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit - 501(c)3 - organization that was established in 1975 to manage and govern the Empty Stocking Fund. News Sentinel staff that serve on the News Sentinel Charities board manage the program.

Volunteers are needed during the week of December 15 to pack boxes with food. Volunteer registration for 2025 opens on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at https://www.esfknox.org/

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Frank Murphy interviews Bethany Jackson, Location Leader for the Sevier County Isaiah 117 House. There are currently 37 Isaiah 117 House locations across 13 states with 7 more opening by February, 2026. 

The mission of Isaiah 117 House is to reduce trauma on removal day and to provide a safe place where children can await placement. Children generally stay up to 72 hours and receive clothing, shoes, hygiene items, suitcases, and anything they may need to start their journey into foster care.

Learn more at https://isaiah117house.com/

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Frank Murphy interviews Michael Ray, Executive Director of The Joy of Music School, which provides free weekly music lessons to 150 in-house students and reaches over 1,000 children per year through 19 partner sites.

Learn more at https://joyofmusicschool.org/

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Frank Murphy interviews Alan Lowe, director of the American Museum of Science & Energy and the K-25 History Center in Oak Ridge.

The American Museum of Science & Energy attracts about 65,000 visitors per year. Among other activities, AMSE provides interactive curriculum-based classroom programs for school groups and STEM education programs. AMSE houses permanent and rotating exhibits, provides live demonstrations, hosts evening events, and holds spring, summer, and fall camp programs for students.

AMSE is also the starting point for bus tours of historic sites on the federal government’s Oak Ridge Reservation, and it hosts the National Park Service (NPS) programs and events for the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

Learn more at https://amse.org/

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Frank Murphy interviews Brian Salesky, Executive and Artistic Director of Amadeus Concert Ensemble about its 2025-2026 season of free concerts as part of the Cathedral Concert Series at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

Learn more at https://www.shcathedral.org/cathedral-concert-series/

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Frank Murphy interviews Amanda Marr Director of Marketing & Communications for the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce about Smoky Mountain Harvest Fest and other activities in the Sevierville area. 

Learn more at https://visitsevierville.com/fall/

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Frank Murphy interviews Alyssa Cook, development director of Tennessee Out-Reach Center for Homeless (TORCH), and Naomi Asher of The Maven consultancy. 

Learn more at https://oakridgetorch.org/

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Frank Murphy interviews Mike Kitchens, chairman of Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, which trains and provides mobility assistance service dogs to military veterans and first responders who need them. 

This program aired on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

Learn more at https://www.smokymountainservicedogs.org/

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