East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.

East Tennessee Now

Coping with the Stress of the Holidays

Frank Murphy interviews Kelsie Crittendon, Executive Director of Sunshine Services. Its mission is to provide person-centered supports for individuals with developmental disabilities that promote independence, inclusion, and empowerment to reach their personal vision of happiness and life satisfaction. Learn more at https://sunshineservicesknox.org/

A fundraiser titled Golden Hour: An Evening to Shine Forward will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Sunshine Services, 3000 N. Central Street, Knoxville from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. "Early Shine" tickets are $75 and are expected to sell out in advance. General Admission tickets, which will be sold at the door, are $100. Each ticket includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and an open bar featuring beer and wine, along with access to the full Golden Hour experience, which includes live music, a live painting and an auction.

Recently, Sunshine had to close their long-standing workshop program.  In response, they established the Sunshine Transition Fund to support the individuals who were directly impacted by the workshop closure. The goal is to make sure each person has the resources and support they need as they transition into new opportunities. 

The Golden Hour event raises money for the Transition Fund to help provide employment transition support and job coaching, transportation support, skill-building and training opportunities, technology that supports independence and employment, and individualized transition planning.

Frank Murphy interviews Kelsie Crittendon, Executive Director of Sunshine Services. Its mission is to provide person-centered supports for individuals with developmental disabilities that promote independence, inclusion, and empowerment to reach their personal vision of happiness and life satisfaction. Learn more at https://sunshineservicesknox.org/
A fundraiser titled Golden Hour: An Evening to Shine Forward will be held on Friday, March 27, 2026 at Sunshine Services, 3000 N. Central Street, Knoxville from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. "Early Shine" tickets are $75 and are expected to sell out in advance. General Admission tickets, which will be sold at the door, are $100. Each ticket includes heavy hors d&rsquo;oeuvres and an open bar featuring beer and wine, along with access to the full Golden Hour experience, which includes live music, a live painting and an auction.
Recently, Sunshine had to close their long-standing workshop program.&nbsp; In response, they established the Sunshine Transition Fund to support the individuals who were directly impacted by the workshop closure.&nbsp;The goal is to make sure each person has the resources and support they need as they transition into new opportunities.&nbsp;
The Golden Hour event raises money for the Transition Fund to help provide employment transition support and job coaching, transportation support, skill-building and training opportunities, technology that supports independence and employment, and individualized transition planning.

Sunshine Services

Frank Murphy interviews Celia Gruzalski, Executive Director of Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation and Clinic which provides its patients with evaluation and treatment for neurodegenerative dementia syndromes, including Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss and other cognitive concerns. Learn more at https://tmdf.org/

TMDF supports health initiatives and educational empowerment through advancing early detection and precise diagnosis, leading regional clinical trials for Alzheimer’s and related diseases, driving statewide public health change, empowering future healthcare professionals, strengthening caregiver support and family resources, and providing hope and reducing stigma to the greater community. 

The second annual TMDF Golf Tournament will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Egwani Farms.

Frank Murphy interviews Celia Gruzalski, Executive Director of Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation and Clinic which provides its patients with evaluation and treatment for neurodegenerative dementia syndromes, including Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, memory loss and other cognitive concerns. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://tmdf.org/">https://tmdf.org/</a>
TMDF supports health initiatives and educational empowerment through advancing early detection and precise diagnosis, leading regional clinical trials for Alzheimer&rsquo;s and related diseases, driving statewide public health change, empowering future healthcare professionals, strengthening caregiver support and family resources, and providing hope and reducing stigma to the greater community.&nbsp;
The second annual TMDF Golf Tournament will be held Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Egwani Farms.

Tennessee Memory Disorders Foundation

Frank Murphy interviews Tracey Torres of Appalachian Bear Rescue and Jay Proulx of The Shed Smokehouse & Juke Joint about the upcoming Rockin' for the Rescue Benefit Concert. The event will be held on Sunday March 29th, 2026 from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. at The Shed, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, Tennessee. Tickets are $40 and are available at https://appalachianbearrescue.org/

The bands performing in the concert are:
Dreams- A Fleetwood Mac Experience
Roger Hay Band- Blues,Jazz & Rock
Crazy on Heart- Classic Tribute to Heart
Shady Sadie- Good Ole' Southern Rock & Country
SuperCharger - #1 All 70's Classic Tribute
Slippery When Wet: The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute

Local vendors will be selling a variety of items.

Appalachian Bear Rescue is a black bear rescue facility located just outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee. ABR is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that has been returning black bears to the wild since 1996. Each year black bears from our national parks and surrounding areas are orphaned, injured, or in need of medical care. Appalachian Bear Rescue gives them a second chance at life in the wild.

Frank Murphy interviews Tracey Torres of Appalachian Bear Rescue and Jay Proulx of The Shed Smokehouse &amp; Juke Joint about the upcoming Rockin' for the Rescue Benefit Concert. The event will be held on Sunday March 29th, 2026 from 12 noon to 7:00 p.m. at The Shed, 1820 W Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, Tennessee. Tickets are $40 and are available at https://appalachianbearrescue.org/
The bands performing in the concert are:
<ul>
<li>Dreams- A Fleetwood Mac Experience</li>
<li>Roger Hay Band- Blues,Jazz &amp; Rock</li>
<li>Crazy on Heart- Classic Tribute to Heart</li>
<li>Shady Sadie- Good Ole' Southern Rock &amp; Country</li>
<li>SuperCharger - #1 All 70's Classic Tribute</li>
<li>Slippery When Wet: The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute</li>
</ul>
Local vendors will be selling a variety of items.
Appalachian Bear Rescue is a black bear rescue facility located just outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Townsend, Tennessee. ABR is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that has been returning black bears to the wild since 1996. Each year black bears from our national parks and surrounding areas are orphaned, injured, or in need of medical care. Appalachian Bear Rescue gives them a second chance at life in the wild.

Coping with the Stress of the Holidays

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