by Martha Rose Woodward

Sunspherebook@aol.com

Early voting began on October 19. The General Election will be held on November 8. Who will be the new mayor of the city of Knoxville? Rogero says she is holding on to her base of voters. Padgett says he is gaining steam and is within 6 points of closing the gap. All in all, we may see a barn burner on election night. Do your part; go vote!

Congratulations to the city of Knoxville and this area for being selected to be highlighted during the October 29-30th weekend by CSPAN Book TV. Knoxville was one of 8 cities to get this honor.

It was during the week of October 3rd that CSPAN sent 3 photojournalists to town to capture the essence of our city while also interviewing key citizens. Those interviews and the footage of famous area buildings, parks, streets, and people were shown throughout two days last weekend on two CSPAN channels.

Fred Brown and Jeanne MacDonald discussed their book “Growing Up Southern; How the South Shapes Its Writers“. Dr. Bill Bass described and Body Farm. Jack Neely gave the history of the home of James Agee. Steve Cotham at the East Tennessee History Center displayed a rare copy of the Gettysburg Address that was printed in a newsletter as well as showing other artifacts kept at the museum. Professors Feller discussed the papers of Andrew Jackson. Avon Rollins gave a tour of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center. Theresa Venable and Cathy Stooksbury-Long talked about their experiences of working for Alex Haley and gave insights into Haley’s enjoyment of entertaining guests on his 157 acre farm in Clinton, TN in Anderson County. Paul Bergeron, author of “Andrew Johnson’s Civil War & Reconstruction” presented his research.

There was a tour of the Blount Mansion and a discussion of the history of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and its involvement in the Manhattan Project.

I was also selected for an interview concerning by book Knoxville’s 1982 World’s Fair since the fair was one of the biggest events in the city’s past. It was an honor to be included in this event.

All in all, CSPAN Book TV did a fabulous job of presenting the good points of our hometown. CSPAN Book TV has over 100 million viewers.