Community News

The 2013 Roane Open Art Show in the downtown Harriman building known as The Annex at 431 N. Roane St. will feature dozens of area professional, accomplished amateur and student artists displaying paintings, pottery, photography, textiles and various mixed-media works.

Virtually all of the pieces on exhibit will be for sale. The show will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 14 and from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 15.

Mid-East Community Action Agency will distribute USDA commodity foods for Kingston and Harriman residents in Harriman Church of God at 3106 Roane State Hwy., Midtown.

Distribution for Harriman and Kingston residents will be Dec. 12; Oliver Springs and Rockwood residents will pick up their foods on Dec. 13.

Distribution times for both days will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Call 354-0450 for more information.

Southern Appalachia Railway Museum has scheduled several weekend one-hour Secret City excursion rides for all to enjoy the Christmas season this month.

The narrated one-hour excursion trips will depart at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7 and 14.

It will also depart at 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15.

Ticket prices are $19 for adults and $15 for ages 3-12. Children younger than 3 may sit on their parents’ lap and ride for free.

Popcorn, refreshments and railroad souvenirs will be available.

Crusaders arriving in the Holy Land during the 12th century were amazed and excited to learn that apples, supposedly the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden, were not native to this land.

Many researchers today believe the forbidden fruit was the apricot. But the Crusaders of the 12th century thought it was the big, yellow citrus fruit they called the pomolo.

This tropical fruit would grow in England, but it flourished in the islands of the Caribbean.