JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2019
COVERING THE MOUNTAIN TOWNS OF EAST TN, SOUTHWEST VA, & WESTERN NC,
A Trip Worth Making – Reelfoot Lake – West Tennessee
F
lying alone or in pairs, they soar on magnificent wings south from the Great Lakes and isolated regions of Canada to spend the winter in Northwest Tennessee. The American Bald Eagle (weighing 16 pounds and has a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet) has made this annual winter pilgrimage to Reelfoot Lake for generations.
Bald Eagles, the symbol of our great country, are still in danger of extinction. Most Americans have never had the opportunity to observe these magnificent birds in the wild, and/or observe the awe-inspiring beauty and power of this bird of freedom.
Reelfoot Lake State Park provides an opportunity to see our national symbol in its natural habitat. Reelfoot Lake has one of the largest wintering populations of Bald Eagles outside of Alaska, and the return of eagles has become a major event. The familiar image of the eagle is that of the mature bird with the stately “balde” meaning white wig, its’ crown of feathers, making it known as the bald eagle. The immature eagles completely brown are less than five years of age are sometimes mistaken for large hawks.
During the eagle tour, other birds can be observed around this 15,500 acre lake. There are over 100,000 ducks, 6,000 Canada Geese, and 254 kinds of birds that visit the lake each year. Reelfoot Lake is a unique bird watchers paradise.
The state park has established extensive interpretive programs for winter visitors to Reelfoot Lake. Eagle tours begin early January and continue through the end of February. Eagle tours are two hours and offered seven days a week. Bus Tours will depart from the Visitor Center at 10am MondayFriday and on Saturday and Sunday at 10am or 1:30pm. Reservations are recommended. Tours are $14 per person.
In order to compliment the eagle tours, a variety of special programs will be offered every Saturday night at 7:00pm inside Ellington Hall. Topics may include eagles, Reelfoot Lake, nature photography, raptor rehabilitation and other birds of prey. Ask clerk for guest speaker schedule and moderate fee is charged.
Eagle Tour & Camping
Visitor Center 731-253-9652
South Campground 731-538-3356
Reservations www.tnstateparks.com
Burnsville, nc
“The Perfect Setting” - Lavonia Crest simply because of the setting. The surrounding mountains give you the peace and tranquility you desire to make your special day perfect. Choose one of many locations on the 40 acre property to hold the ceremony and then feast your way to the pavilion for a reception you will never forget. With three full days on the property, there is plenty of time to decorate, rehearse, host the ceremony, and feast for a reception.
“About us” - Lavonia Crest is a beautiful private development located in the heart of the Southern Appalachia Mountains of Western North Carolina
Beneath the shade of a covered bridge, an iron gate yawns open to invite you into a blissful tranquility. A one of a kind stacked stone chimney monument extending 35 feet into the air stands tall as you admire the native rocks and skillful local artistry. Sit around the fire pit and make memories that will last a lifetime. The pavilion and unique stage area are focal points for you and your loved ones to socialize and take in the beauty of the surrounding mountains We welcome you to become part of this special community.
Barn Charm is a home decor shop nestled in Yancey County. We feature farmhouse decor, American made furniture, and vintage reproductions. Our stylish decor is sure to compliment any room in your home, while creating a warm authentic feel. We have combinations of old and new, rustic to modern, and shabby to chic. Come see us for charming finds and smiling faces
Fourth annual Burnsville Wedding Expo brings fun, games & fashion
Brides- and grooms-to-be and their families, friends and planners will gather at Burnsville Town Center for the Burnsville Wedding Expo, Saturday, Feb. 16. The expo, now in its fourth year, has become known for its variety of vendors, local flavor and fun activities.
New this year will be a fashion show presented by David’s Bridal. Local models will hit the runway to present some of the latest wedding dress styles.
Brides will once again have a chance to dig through a tiered wedding cake to find a wedding band hidden inside. The lucky participant who uncovers the ring gets to keep it.
The expo showcases approximately 35 vendors including venues, planners, dress shops, menswear retailers, florists, stationers, caterers, jewelers, photographers, DJs, transportation companies and more.
“We really put a strong focus on local and the services and talents that are available in this county,” says Chad Fox, Burnsville Town Center manager.
Although many aspects of the wedding planning process are carried out through emails and phone calls, the expo provides face-to-face interaction. With an event as highly personalized as a wedding,
matching personalities can be as important as comparing budgets and calendars. Vendors will have examples of their work to see and sample.
Burnsville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains have become popular for wedding ceremonies and receptions for both local couples and those who plan destination weddings. Downtown Burnsville offers a couple of venue options right on town square, including the Nu Wray Inn and Burnsville Town Center.
“We still have that small-town feel,” Fox says. “People really enjoy the layout of town square, surrounded by the mountain backdrop. We have a lot of character in the inns and the small businesses and the restaurants, and people are inviting and welcoming and really appreciate your business.”In addition to meeting local vendors, the expo will include such perks as goodie bags, door prizes and free samples.
Hours Saturday 11–3 ¤ Admission $5 Visit www.BurnsvilleTownCenter.com
Burnsville, including lodging options, www.YanceyChamber.com or call (828) 682-7413
More than overnight accommodations! We can host your wedding, family reunion, or staff retreat.
102 Town Square Burnsville, NC 28714 nuwrayinn.com (828) 682-2329
+ Home Decor and Candles + Willowtree + Melissa and Doug Toys + Simply Southern + Noelle Boutique + Life is Good Winter Hours Mon-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-5 12 West Main Street . Downtown Burnsville 828-682-9101 TWO GREAT STORES IN ONE LOCATION!
& Refresh at Enjoy a fabulous New York style lunch or dinner at an affordable price, next to the fireplace!
Mon-Sat 11am-2pm Thurs-Sat 5pm-8pm www.garden-deli.com 828-682-3946 107 Town Square Burnsville, NC.
Burnsville is situated in the heart of Blue Ridge mountains and is well worth the short drive to experience it’s hometown charm. The Something Special Gift Shop and Monkey Business Toy Shop is located at 12 west main street, one block from the picturesque town square.
For more information on the shops in general, check us out on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/somethingspecialburnsvillenc FRIENDLY STAFF TO HELPYOU
Wings Seashore Fries FishTacos i i
Mitchell County Student Showcase
Toe River Arts opens its first exhibits of the year with Student Showcases. In Spruce Pine, the exhibit begins on February 16th.
Students in Mitchell county display their talent and brighten this dreary time of the year with color and creativity. Student art is all about splashes of color and intriguing ways of capturing perceptions in artistic forms, and the shows promise to delight the senses.
Keenly aware of the great role art plays in forming awareness and skills in our youth, Toe River Arts views arts education as one of the foundations of its mission. Involvement in the arts results in gains in math, reading, cognitive ability, critical thinking, and verbal skills.
Experiencing the arts first hand improves motivation, concentration, confidence, and promotes a teamwork mentality. Merely opening young eyes to new ways of seeing creates the base to forge social bonds and
community. And once a year, the arts council celebrates the child, from kindergarten through high school, from public to private to home schooled with a festive recognition of burgeoning talent.
We recognize and celebrate the hard working, dedicated art teachers. Mitchell County’s art teachers include Marissa Westall, and Leslie Dickerson at the elementary level, Olivia Ellis for middle school, and Melisa Cadell at the high school. And we can’t forget the teachers in the private and home school settings. These individuals spend the entire year developing curriculum-based projects and teaching arts to over 4,000 students. These exhibits continue to demonstrate their dedication to their students and their support of arts in education.
One of Toe River Arts new community funded arts programs is Carousel, which teaches the arts educators a new art form in handson workshops.
We scheduled a professional development workshop for Yancey and Mitchell county art teachers in October, and provide those who attend with lesson plans and art materials that are otherwise unavailable to use in their classrooms. This year our Carousel program offered paper clay materials.
We hope to see some of that new work on display in February.
Mitchell’s Student Showcase begins February 16th and continues through March 16th at the Spruce Pine Gallery, 269 Oak Ave. Gallery hours are 10:30 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday–Saturday. For more information about the exhibitions, please call 828-765-0520 or 828-682-7215.
Whether or not you’re a parent, grandparent, neighbor or friend, these two exhibits are worth the drive into town. Kids learn when they are told they can. And what is on the walls and atop the pedestals shows how much they’ve been paying attention.
Toe River Arts is a non-profit organization founded in 1976 to promote the arts in Mitchell and Yancey Counties and funded in part by a Grassroots Art Grant, through the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, a state agency, both Mitchell and Yancey County Schools, and the Yancey County Community Fund.
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Come check out our adorable handbags
Spruce Pine is named the Mineral City and if you are looking for minerals or jewelry, Rocks and Things is the place to go for the biggest selection
We are located in the old historical downtown Spruce Pine at 114 Oak Avenue. We are open 7 days a week from 9 - 5. Our store is packed with thousands of different items. Our inventory includes sterling rings, pendants, chains, quartz crystals from single tiny points to clusters weighing many pounds, citrine, rose quartz, amethyst cathedrals, mineral specimens, gemstones from all over the world, fossils, antiques, stained glass, Native American items, and so much more I can't think of it all. Give us a call at 828-765-1667 for information. To see what we have before coming, go to shopmainstreets.com click on North Carolina, Spruce Pine, and Rocks and Things. You will find yourself in the street in front of our store. Click the arrows to enter and move around the store. Hold the mouse down to stop moving. We have been open 16 years and know where to go hunting for your own rocks as well as the commercial places. We know where the good restaurants and motels are. We can tell you where to go to see some beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails. Stop by and see us if you can.
Located on the banks of the North Toe River in Newland, NC, Kaye’s Kitchen offers true Southern hospitality in a cozy café setting. A two time “Our State Magazine” pick as one of the best places for breakfast in the North Carolina High Country. The Saturday breakfast buffet and Sunday Brunch are legendary. The lunch menu includes an “International Sandwich Board”, homemade soups & chili, salads and breakfast is served all day, everyday. Save room for desert ‘cause Kaye loves to be baking. Her Buttermilk Coconut Pie, cakes, giant brownies and chocolate dipped macaroons are favorites.
Dinner’s are served Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday during Winter months. Described by customers as “Five star food at three star prices”, every evening features the finest of steaks & seafood, chicken and other delicacies. Saturday night is Prime Rib Night…but every night is prime dining at Kaye’s Kitchen, “Where Good Friends & Great Food Meet”.
Valentine’s Day’s “Ultimate Valentine’s Dinner” is worth the drive. It is a five course gourmet dinner with choice of entrée. Fine Wines & Beer are available for those who choose.
Call for information and reservations.
New Year, New You, New Garden
Asthe New Year has begun, we are in the middle of our typical East Tennessee winter with cold rain and hopefully a little bit of snow. Don’t let the cold get you down. Spring will soon be here. Now is the time to plan for another growing season. This time of year gardeners are ready for warmer weather and looking for information about how to make their garden the talk of the town. One of the most exciting things this time of the year is the arrival of seed catalogues in the mail. This gives me a chance to look through new introductions of flowers, ornamentals, and vegetables. It is a good way to start planning your 2019 garden. You can also visit seed and plant companies online, and stop by local nurseries/garden centers to talk with staff about what plants to grow.
When thinking about growing vegetables, don’t forget that we have cool season and warm season crops. Cool season crops include mustard, lettuce, cabbage, radish, peas, leek, parsley, kale, cauliflower, and broccoli and swish chard. These crops grow well in cooler temperatures. If you have inside space, you can start sowing your cool season crops in containers by the end of this month or starting in February. This will allow time for the seedlings be ready plant out in March.
Now is also a good time to start looking at new cultivars of annuals and perennials for your garden. You can visit plant companies online
or talk with your local nursery/garden center staff to see what exciting plants they will be selling this year.
Visit the UT Gardens in January or February to see what plants stand out. Take note and be sure to include some winter interest plants when you make your plant purchases this year. The best time to plant many perennials is in the fall, but you can also start planting many perennials as the weather warms up in the spring. Taking time to research and make a good garden plan, will set you up for a successful growing season in 2019.
Wanting to learn more about gardening? The UT Gardens offers a variety of educational programs throughout the year. Our current program line up is now online and you can visit https://ag.tennessee. edu/utg/Pages/programming.aspx for a list of classes and to register.
By Carolyn Evans
Knoxville chef Walter Lambert was busy getting ready for a dinner party at his home last week. He had meatloaf in the oven and only a little while before his guests would arrive. The long-time Channel 8 staple took time, though, to talk about his start in cooking and his plans for the future now that he has retired at 80-something.
“My mother inspired me,” he said. “She was lying sick in bed. I was about 9 when she started having me cook and I would take things to the side of the bed so she could tell me how to do it. ‘After you peel potatoes, what do you do with them?’ – that sort of a question. I cooked all the standard East Tennessee things. You think beans and potatoes one day and potatoes and beans the next day is a varied diet — but don’t forget the fried potatoes,” he said, jokingly.
Did his mother recover?
“She only lived to be 96,” he chuckled.
With lots of cooking under his belt, Lambert met his wife, Anne.
“She hardly cooked at all,” he said. “The division of labor here was I cooked and she garnished. She could make anything look pretty. I knew she couldn’t cook. She told me she knew three recipes – green rice, rice with herbs … I can’t remember the other two. I married her anyway.”
Anne passed away several years ago a few months before their 50th anniversary.
Zinnias are an easy annual to grow. They have many cultivars to choosefrom and they attract wildlife such as butterflies.
Winter can be a beautify time in the garden. Plants like this twig dogwoods add winter color and interest. Pictured here is Cornus sercia ‘Buds’s Yellow’.
“We have one adopted son, Michael, who sells things, and one granddaughter, Marley, a school teacher in Middle Tennessee.”
Now that he’s retired after decades on the air with his WVLT cooking segment called “Food City Kitchen,” would he consider opening a restaurant? If so, what would he call it?
After a few moments’ hesitation, Lambert played along. “I wouldn’t consider opening a restaurant in a million years,” he said, “but if I did, I’d call it ‘Papa’s Place’ because my granddaughter calls me ‘Papa’ and I like to do things to make her happy. I’d serve modernized East Tennessee cooking. I think you can cook food that’s healthy but still hold to East Tennessee traditions.”
Lambert said his mother’s family was Irish and his father’s family was Scottish. He hasn’t been to Ireland or Scotland, but has been to England and other places in Europe. Asia is where he has spent much more time, having gone to China four times and Thailand three times.
“I love Asian cooking,” he said. “I studied Chinese for a year at Yale at New Haven and lived in Taiwan for 15 months.”
Lambert says he’s written “11 or 12” cookbooks. The first was “Kinfolks and Custard Pie.” The most recent is called “Standby to Cook.” Both are available on Amazon.
One of his favorite recipes is his white chicken chili, which can be found along with many of his other recipes online at WVLT.
He said some popular recipes he used on the show were submitted by viewers, including a recipe for fudge with expected ingredients like powdered sugar, cocoa and butter — and a surprise ingredient: Velveeta cheese. “It’s fabulous,” he said.
Thinking back to his diet growing up in Gibbs, Carer and Fountain City, does he still eat fried potatoes? “Sometimes, but not often,” he said. What’s he going to do now that he’s left showbiz?
“I’ve got a book started,” he said. “The working title is ‘An Autobiography with Recipes.’ I’m invited to four schools to talk to the students. I’m looking at things I think would be fun.
“I tell everybody being at Channel 8 about 30 years, the best part of it has been the folks who watched and commented and bought cookbooks from me. I had the best viewers in the world.”
Fried Green Tomato Recipe availabe at https://www.wvlt.tv/content/recipes/ Fried-Green-Tomatoes-A-Dollywood-Recipe-498034381.html
See the latest trends for 2019
Keeping you up-to-date on everything you need to know about growing, we are offering our most ambitious slate of workshops and happenings ever. Mark your calendar for these events and come see your friends at Stanley’s!!
Orchid 201
Sat, February 16, 2019 10:30 AM -11:30 AM
Orchids have some of the most gorgeous flowers in the plant world, and many orchid varieties have blooms that last for months. Can they be easy to grow? Yes, they certainly can--if you know which varieties to buy and the basics about what they need to thrive. Already know the basics and want to take your orchid collection to the next level?
Mark your calendar to join us as Greg Mueller, president of the Smoky Mountain Orchid Society, leads this orchid seminar here at Stanley’s. Greg will share his wealth of knowledge and experience and answer your questions about successfully growing the more rare varieties of orchids.
This workshop is free, open to the public, and no registration is required.
DIY Succulent Garden Workshop
Sat, March 2, 2019 10:30 AM -11:30 AM
Succulent lovers, join us at Stanley’s for a make-your-own succulent garden workshop! This workshop will cost $30 per person and includes seven plants and a bulb pan container.
Our staff will guide you through creating a unique succulent garden for your home or office or to give as a gift! There is limited space for this event so please call us at 865-573-9591 to reserve your spot as soon as possible!
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” ~ Benjamin Franklin
Owen S. Haddock
Military Editor - "Mountain Escapes Magazine"
National Security Chair Military Order of World WarsDFC Society, Air Commando Association, VVA Chapter 1078, American Legion, Post 2, Order of Daedalians (Founded by WW I Combat Pilots)
Lt. Commander Clifton F. Willis USNR,
Ret. - Board Member - Bill Robinson Chapter Vietnam Veterans of AmericaKnoxville, Tennessee - Former PBR Commander during Vietnam War
LCDR Cliff Willis USNR, Ret. is shown with Ken Burn's "The Vietnam War" series billboard. While Burns did point to the Tet Offensive massacres at Hue and other atrocities, despite its endless 8 hours length, he still slants narrative favoring the 60s' anti war themes. You see this emphasized the music and grieving narrative. In his "Men's Journal"interview, p. 86, , Sept. 17, 2017, he quotes "one of our Army guys" saying, "Vietnam drove a stake through the heart of America and we have never recovered." Ken's team was offered solid research assistance from many first hand witnesses, which could have mitigated his turning the series into a funeral procession, but they were not used. Featured anti war proponents created questionable balance. Cmdr. Willis is interested in taking a second look at how Vietnam veterans should be remembered. VVA's parent organization, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, was founded by lead anti war protestors. Lt. John Kerry USN (FMR) was one of he few Vietnam war veterans against the war, who actually served in combat. Like LCDR Willis he also commanded a PBR.
UNFIT FOR COMMAND was a book organized by unit vets to question Lt. Kerry’s claims against just 3 months of in country service. He also modeled run down "hippie style" used by many war resistors.
STOLEN VALOR, http://www.stolenvalor.com, is a vital reference to VVA's founding. From the many meetings I have attended, most VVA vets have no idea about the founder's relationship to the anti war movement. I joined strictly to share a common experience with other vets.
BY: OWEN S. HADDOCK / MILITARY EDITOR
INDOCHINA IN THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY - 1968 - TET
Former Green Beret Steve Sherman has orchestrated numerous research about the Vietnam War. He has now finished 8 volumes of a projected 13 copy series. He is also working on a response to the Ken Burns/PBS Vietnam War series. Ref. http://wiki.vvfh.org. The first 8 volumes can be purchased for $100. Steve can be reached at 281-879-5688, www.vvfh.org books or sherman1@flash.net Erroneous reporting about the Tet Offensive, Jan. 30, 1968, alerted me to how misleading reporting had become.
Beth and I were at San Francisco’s Chinese New Years Parade and we ran into one of the forward air controllers, who I had served with West of Pleiku. I saw all the news implying the war was now lost and asked him what happened? He said we had one of the greatest successes, since the beginning of the war. Sir Max Hastings recent book VIETNAM reported it was a tactical success. I had flown over 625 combat hours in my single engine U-10B along the Qui Nhon-Nha Trang - Bong Song coast, central highlands and Mekong Delta. That was roughly twice the average tour. I felt well informed about the war and thought we were well on our way to winning by Jan. 5, 1968 (when I rotated to airlift command). In the course of flying in and out of Vietnam in the multi engine C-141B, it looked like a mopping up effort. I left the service in Dec.,1969. The news Tet was out disaster led me to publishing, ad writing and fiction/nonfiction work. I was furious. Tet’s 1968 anniversary led me to review INDOCHINA IN THE YEAR OF THE MONKEY - 1968.
Dr. J. Keith Saliba, p. 135, wrote< “A ‘Psychological Victory’: How News Media Framing A Confirmation Bias Helped Create One of the Most Enduring Myths about the 1968 Tet Offensive.”
Confirmation bias is an error in inductive reasoning and one of the many cognitive biases that affect humans. At its root, confirmation bias is the tendency of individuals to seek out, remember, and interpret information in ways that support their preconceived ideas and hypotheses. This tendency is enhanced when the situation in question is highly important and/or self-relevant “ Later on, “selective recall is the phenomenon where humans are instinctively more likely to remember things that comport with their preexisting beliefs or experience.” Reading around in Dr. Saliba’s weed garden, these ideas likely explain why Vietnam war errors are caused by omissions. BY:
OWEN S. HADDOCK / MILITARY EDITOR
Studios & Galler y
Art Classes, First Friday Events, Open Studios
Hours: Friday and Saturday 10-6 or by appointment (865) 851-2824 www.broadwaystudiosandgallery.com @broadwaystudiosandgallery
Happy New Year
2 Locations
ocated in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Ross and Pam Leslie have been specializing in primitive home décor for over 30 years as The Heart of Country. They now have retail space in two locations, Knoxville and Maryville, inside of Homespun.
OPEN YEAR ROUND
Mon-Sat 9am-5pm Sun Noon-5pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, & New Year’s Day)
Come visit our newly renovated museum
Handmade Cherokee Baskets •CDs• Jewelry • Handmade Native American Prottery by Cherokee Artist Donald Vann..and much, more! Stay informed... check out our website or like us on Facebook. Visit & enjoy our outdoor exhibits and take a walk on a mile and half trail!
Operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation. Tennessee’s ONLY Tribally-Operated Historical Attraction. Hwy 360 • PO Box 69 • Vonore, TN 37885 423-884-6246 • www.sequoyahmuseum.org
In 1762, Lt. Henry Timberlake escorted Chief Ostenaco, Pigeon and Stalking Turkey to England, introducing them to King George III. The Cherokee Indians were well received by the entire country, drawing huge crowds. Lt. Henry Timberlake chronicled what Cherokee life was like in the mid18th century in his memoirs, detailing the songs, dances, clothing and food. His journal, aptly named “Memoirs” was published with a map entitled, “A Draught of the Cherokee Country.” On it, of the Cherokee villages on the lower Little Tennessee River, village sizes, populations and leaders are documented. This map of Cherokee Overhill, along with his “Memoirs” has been reprinted many times.
That was then and this is now, with a distance of over 250 years since the last Cherokee Indian delegation traveled to England. History will repeat and chart new paths as we celebrate the New Year of 2019. The Warriors of Ani-Kituhwa, other members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee and special guests will travel to participate in the London New Year’s Day Parade.
Charlie Rhodarmer, Sequoyah Birthplace Museum (Manager/ Director,) will portray Lt. Henry Timberlake during the parade festivities. Councilor Robert Davis, Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster and a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London; London New Year’s Day Parade and Festival Executive Director Bob Bone; and other parade officials traveled to Cherokee, NC, in September to deliver the official invitation. Deputy Lord Mayor Davis also presented the group with a special plate from Queen Elizabeth II and Buckingham Palace.
The Warriors of Ani-Kituhwa bring to life in modern day the Eagle Dance and Cherokee War Dance chronicled by Lt. Henry Timberlake in 1762. They are designated as official cultural ambassadors by the Tribal Council.
The London New Year’s Day Parade is the biggest event of its kind with a global appeal and features more than 8,500 performers representing 20+ countries. The parade winds through the city along a 2-mile route. Rain or shine, over a half million spectators line the parade route to watch the entertainment with over 300 million TV viewers tuning in from around the world.
Located in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee on the shores of beautiful Tellico Lake, 37 miles south of downtown Knoxville.
Sandhill Crane Festival
The 2019 Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival is set for January 19-20, 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m at the Hiwassee Refuge and Birchwood Community Center.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is the primary sponsor for the festival and many staff members and volunteers will again be contributing their services. The festival is a celebration of the thousands of sandhill cranes that migrate through or spend the winter on and around the Hiwassee Refuge in Birchwood as well as an opportunity to focus attention on the rich wildlife heritage of the state and the Native American history of the area.
Beginning in the early 1990s, the recovering population of eastern sandhill cranes began stopping at the Hiwassee Refuge on their way to and from their wintering grounds in Georgia and Florida. TWRA has been managing the refuge for more than 60 years for waterfowl, and it provides sandhill cranes a combination of feeding and shallow water roosting habitat. Thousands of birds now spend the entire winter at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee rivers.
Free bus shuttle service will be available from the Birchwood Community Center to the Hiwassee Refuge and Cherokee Removal Memorial Park each day beginning at 8 a.m. No public parking is available at the refuge.
Various vendors will be at the Birchwood Community Center also beginning at 8 a.m. In addition, breakfast will be available for purchase at the community center each day beginning at 7 a.m. Lunch will also be available and the cafeteria will be open throughout the day.
Golden Eagle Surveys and Telemetry
The Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, is one of the most widely distributed eagles in North America.
This species migrates largest distances between summer and winter grounds and are typically only present in Tennessee during the winter. However, there are some Golden Eagles in Tennessee year round and these birds are likely decedents of a hacking program implemented by TWRA between 1995 and 2006.
Music, special programs, and children’s activities will be ongoing throughout each day. The American Eagle Foundation will be present for its always-popular live raptor show each day with times at 3 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Along with the wildlife viewing at the refuge, wildlife and birding experts will be on site. They will provide visitors with a unique educational experience by sharing information and viewing scopes.
The Hiwassee Refuge comprises about 6,000 acres. The Birchwood Community Center is only three miles from the wildlife-viewing site at the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. The Cherokee Removal Memorial is found just to the side of the refuge near the Tennessee River.
Golden Eagles migrate to Tennessee from Canada during the winter, spending much of this time in large tracts of forests. They have been observed feeding on carrion in fields and along roads. It was once thought migrating Golden Eagles were only located in eastern Tennessee, but recent surveys indicate high densities of birds in southern Tennessee along the Alabama state line.
Wildlife Diversity personnel have established multiple survey sites across middle Tennessee to document wintering Golden Eagles. Trail cameras are used to take photographs throughout the day at each site.
Once Golden Eagles begin frequenting the site, all efforts are made to capture the animals. Once captured, the birds are tested for lead poisoning and a large transmitter is attached to their back. This transmitter records location data for 2-3 years. Migration data has become extremely important in identifying routes of migration and wintering areas within the state.
Theatre Bristol
Theatre Bristol plans to enchant audiences with traditional and American fairy tales, a mystery, and a miracle for its 54th Season! The season kicks off with its third River’s Way collaboration on March 9 in “Cinder Red Robin Hood and the Seven Dwarfs” a Theatre Bristol original production written and directed by Dottie Havlik. Then we’re off to see “The Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, under the direction of Kenn Naegele at the Paramount Center for the Arts June 21-30. The annual The Start of Adventure summer camp for kindergarten through eighth grade runs July 8-12. It’s elementary for the Youth Service Board to follow up their hard work on camp with a production of “Sherlock Holmes,” July 26-28. What big plans we have to present “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf” directed by Camille Gray on the ARTspace stage September 6-15. Then, for a perfectly charming holiday experience, Theatre Bristol presents “Into the Woods” under the direction of Glenn Patterson at the Paramount Center for the Arts, November 15-24.
“Miracle on 34th Street” directed by Dottie Havlik will have everyone believing December 6-22 at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace. Please follow Theatre Bristol’s site for details on the audition times, announcements and performance dates, as well as for tickets, for these 2019 shows.
Theatre Bristol is currently welcoming show and season sponsors and souvenir program advertising for the 54th Season.
Please contact info@TheatreBristol.org or 423-212-3625 for more information.
Thank you to Haley White (http://www.haleycatherinedesigns. com) for the 2019 season poster design!
Quality quilting cotton fabrics including batiks and Northcott Toscana fabrics. Patterns, and notions. Featuring locally made products, perfect for practical gift giving: natural soaps, jewelry, adorable doll clothes, pillows, ceramic buttons and clever embroidered dish towels. Unique ornaments and vintage broaches.
Smoky Black Bean & Sweet Potato Soup
by Cynthia Tipton
Ingredients
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 red wine
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic,minced
1 Jalapeno, seeded and diced
3 cups peeled and diced sweet potato, 1/4 inch diced
3 cups cooked black beans, or 2 -15 oz cans drained
3 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1/4 – 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3-4 cups vegetable stock,
Instructions
Purée a mis en place mixture of the carrots, onion and celery. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, a pinch of salt and stir until starting to brown, add sweet potato and Jalapeno. Then add garlic and stir for 30 seconds. Add sweet potato, black beans, and all the spices. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add stock, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until sweet potatoes are cooked through.
Using a cup or soup ladle, scoop out 2 cups of the sweet potato and black beans and set aside. Let soup cool and then using an immersion blender, blender, or food processor blend the remaining soup together. Turn the heat back on and add back in the reserved sweet potato and black beans. Heat soup, stirring occasionally, until hot. Serve with your favorite garnishes: cilantro, red onion, avocado, tortilla strips, salsa etc…
Warm up with
SOUP
INGREDIENTS
1 pound extra lean ground beef
AOOC Italian Wedding Soup
2 eggs, beaten 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon dried basil
3 tablespoons minced onion
2 1/2 quarts chicken stock
2 cups spinach-rinsed, packed, and sliced 1 cup egg noodles
3/4 cup sliced carrots AOOC Milanese Gremolata Olive Oil
DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl combine the beef, breadcrumbs, eggs, Parmesan cheese, basil, and onion. Shape mixture in 3/4 inch balls and set aside. In a large stockpot heat chicken stock until boiling. Stir in spinach, meatballs, and carrots. Boil for 5 minutes; reduce heat to medium. Add noodles and let boil at medium heat for 10 minutes until pasta is fully cooked and the meatballs are no longer pink. Finish with AOOC Milanese Gremolata olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
Pigeon Forge is the place to find award-winning special events throughout the year. Spring brings two events that are long on tradition and history, and thanks to this Smoky Mountain town, are filled with fun for the whole family.
March 2 is the time to circle the wagons, gather your posse and head to the hills for the annual Pigeon Forge Chuck Wagon Cookoff. Ten authentic chuck wagons will roll into town to show off their cooking skills before a panel of judges, before serving lunch to the gathering crowd. Meals are cooked in Dutch ovens over open fires. The aroma of chicken-fried steak, beans and biscuits fills the air, as guests enjoy lunch cooked the cowboy way.
Cowboy-related activities, vendors and music round out the day’s activities at Clabough’s Campground, located on Wears Valley Road.
Live entertainment plays a major role in the gathering, with a Saturday night concert featuring cowboy crooner R.W.
Hampton and cowboy poet Andy Nelson. The concert takes place at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort & Spa. The weekend is brought to a close with the Chuck Wagon Breakfast and Cowboy Church at Stages West Boots & Apparel.
Tickets to the cookoff activities are available now at MyPigeonForge.com.
Artwork painted with fabric and stitches instead of brushes and oils is what visitors will find at A Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, March 20-23.
Hundreds of amazing handmade quilts of all sizes will be on display in the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge. In addition to the impressive quilt show, vendors will be on hand to sell the latest in quilting supplies, materials and patterns.
Highlighting A Mountain Quiltfest are dozens of instructional classes designed for everyone from beginning quilters to seasoned veterans. Some of the country’s finest master quilters are on hand to share their expertise and knowledge of the timeless art of quilting.
PIGEON FORGE, tn
Admission is free to the quilt show and vendor area. To cover cost of supplies, a fee is charged for quilting classes and lectures, and registration is open now at MountainQuiltfest. com. Additionally, if you wish to submit a quilt or quilts to the show to compete for the $20,000 in prizes to be given away, download the guidelines and entry form from MountainQuiltfest.com.
Do you have a family heirloom gracing one of your beds? Have you ever wondered about its value or history? Certified quilt appraiser and historian, Cynthia Stuart, will be available to assess your quilt(s) during the five days of A Mountain Quiltfest. Visit our website for details.
For information on these and other special events taking place in Pigeon Forge this year, please visit MyPigeonForge.com.
2019 Pigeon Forge SPecial eventS Schedule:
• March 2, 3 2019
• March20-23, 2019
• May 3, 2019
• May 7-11, 2019
• July 4, 2019
• August 10, 2019
• December 1, 2019
• December 5, 2019
Chuck Wagon Cookoff at Claboughs Campground & Evening Concert at DreamMore Resort & Spa –
Cowboy Church at Stages West on Sunday,
A Mountain Quiltfest 2019 – 25th Anniversary – LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Music in the Mountain Spring Parade – Step off at 6:00 p.m. – Parkway, Pigeon Forge – Traffic Light # 6
travelling NORTH to Traffic Light #3
Wilderness Wildlife Week 2019 – LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge
Patriot Festival – Patriot Park, Pigeon Forge, TN
Veterans Homecoming Parade
Pigeon Forge Community Chorus Holiday Concert, First Baptist Church Pigeon Forge at 3:00 PM
Pigeon Forge Winterfest Community Celebration: Pigeon Forge Community Center: 5:00 PM
Lana M. Bowes, Events Coordinator City of Pigeon Forge Office of Special Events Post Office Box 1390 Pigeon Forge, TN 37868-1390
(865) 429-7393 or lbowes@cityofpigeonforge.com
Pigeon Forge’s Chuck Wagon Cookoff
Presented by Bush’s Visitor Center
Saturday, March 2 at Clabough’s Campground
Sunday, March 3 at Stages West
Weekend activities include the Chuck Wagon Luncheon, an evening concert with Brenn Hill & Andy Nelson, as well as a Chuck Wagon Breakfast and Cowboy Church.
Visit www.mypigeonforge.com/events for more information.
25th Anniversary
March 20-23, 2019 at the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Classes begin March 19.
Admission is free for A Mountain Quiltfest.
This year’s Quilt Show features more than 600 displayed quilts, in addition to 70 classes and more than 60 onsite vendors, as well as antique bed turnings, free demos and more. Visit www.mypigeonforge.com, or telephone (865) 429-7350 for more information.