Smoky Mountains Around Town / February 2017 by Smoky Mountains Around Town

Ober Gatlinburg

Smoky Mountains

Around Town

What To See And Where To Be In The Smokies!

Volume 4, No. 2

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Local Area Map Inside on Page 6

Trolley Routes & Schedules Inside on Page 9

Park Requests Public Input on Draft Corridor Management Plan Great Smoky Mountains National Park is seeking the public’s input on a draft corridor management plan for Newfound Gap Road. The development of the plan is required for park ofﬁcials to seek designation for the road as a National Scenic Byway which opens up opportunities to the park and gateway communities to compete for special grants that enhance the travel corridor. The draft Newfound Gap Road Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan has been posted on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website for public review and comment at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/grsm Comments received during the 30-day review period, ending February 24, 2017, will be considered in the development of the ﬁnal plan.

Speciﬁcally, the park is interested in learning the following from the public: 1) if there are signiﬁcant visitor experiences available to visitors traveling Newfound Gap Road that have not been considered and what those experiences are, and 2) if there are additional steps or strategies that should be considered that would help maintain the outstanding qualities of this corridor.

Newfound Gap Road is already a designated state scenic highway in both Tennessee and North Carolina. Park officials believe that Newfound Gap Road also meets the qualifications necessary to be designated as a National Scenic Byway. The first step in the eligibility process for this national designation is the preparation of a corridor management plan that addresses a variety of roadway attributes including the visitor experience and sustainability as a scenic byway. Corridor management plans serve to guide the management of scenic byways to protect the important qualities associated

For more information on National Scenic Byways, please visit https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/byways.

Arts & Crafts Community is OPEN. Please Visit!

Park Completes Foundation Document “I appreciate the park staff, partners, and local communities for all of the hard work that went into the development of this document, which helps provide focus on core park values and purpose for not only this group of park managers, but for those in the future,” said Park Superintendent Cassius Cash.

Neil’s Gallery

Ziplines Rafting Horseback Riding Natural Canopy Tours Group Parties Themed Events

with the byway. These are not decision making documents such as those prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act which typically evaluate a speciﬁc proposal or a set of alternatives for decision. Rather, corridor management plans provide an overarching framework for future planning.

Vi e w a n d c o m m e n t o n d r a f t p l a n o n l i n e a t https://parkplanning.nps.gov/grsm. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment (including your personal identifying information) is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and may be made publicly available. While you may request in your comment to withhold your personal identifying from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will legally be able to do so.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff recently completed a Foundation Document that outlines the park's core purpose and signiﬁcance, most important resources and values, and interpretive themes that tell the park's important stories. The document, along with a 4-page summary overview, is now available on the park’s website at https://nps.gov/grsm/learn/management.

White Oak Ziplines

The Foundation Document is not a decision-making document and does not include actions or management strategies, but rather describes a shared understanding of what is most important about the park to help provide guidance for future management and planning decisions. The document deﬁnes the core signiﬁcance of the park to “preserve a vast expanse of the southern Appalachian Mountains ecosystem including its scenic beauty, extraordinary diversity of natural resources, and rich human history, and provides opportunities for the enjoyment and inspiration of present and future generations.”

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Info about National Park Service Foundation Documents, visit https://parkplanning.nps.gov/foundationDocuments.cfm.

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Page 2 Around Town

Thistle Dew! Branches Out at King Family Library By, Brian Yearick (Runville, Pa.) The marquee event of the month-long exhibition is the “Branching Out! reception,” complete with ﬁnger foods sponsored by Thistle Dew! on Saturday, March 11 from 1 to 4 pm. The library exhibition, also called “Branching Out!,” is ﬁtting since Cindy is actually an herbalist, who blends organic teas, grillin' spices, dips, soups, breads, brownies and scone mixes. Her store Thistle Dew!, a diverse artisan shop nestled in the Arts and Crafts Community of Gatlinburg. When crisis arose, Cindy knew something must be done so she again branched out, turning over a new set of leaves on the tree of life as an evolving artist.

Kountry Antics Featuring Country Decor, Jams, Salsa Handmake Soap, Cottage Candles

It all started when Cindy needed to raise money for a new service dog to replace her beloved aging English Bulldog, Violet. “I started by painting Violet,” she said. “However not many people wanted pictures of her, so I started painting their pets as well.” From there, she continued to expand her horizons and began painting other animals. Her favorite subjects are the animals that parade past her gallery, which borders the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although never formally trained, Cindy sells her 8x10 inch prints for $10 each and originals for $100. “Before February of last year, I had never painted anything but walls. This is an absolute honor to have been chosen to present my art,” she said. “I really enjoy it, I never thought it would be contagious and others would like it!”

As the spring leaves burst from their protective buds, the trees start over, a new cycle in their life. This is especially important after the horrific wildfires that has affected and transformed the Great Smoky Mountains. With the new year, the King Family Library in Sevierville, Tenn., opened their third floor common area to showcase local artists. For the month of March the featured artist is Cindy Yearick, owner of Thistle Dew! in Gatlinburg.

Painting anything from canvas to rocks, Cindy prefers using acrylic paints to obtain vibrant colors, much like the leaves of the smoky mountains in early October. Always creative, she enjoys making something from nothing, often using natural components to construct her creations. Beyond painting, she has also begun making “twig treasures,” a combination of home décor and functional art. For more information, stop by the exhibition at the King Family Library 408 High St. 3rd Floor in Sevierville, TN and visit Thistle Dew! at 1402 E. Parkway Suite 12, Gatlinburg TN.

Park Sets Visitation Record in 2016 Superintendent Cash on the Trail with Hike 100 Youth Group

Come Browse Our Shop Filled With Treasures (865) 436-0040 Arts & Crafts Community

600 Glades Rd., Suite 2, Gatlinburg

T he Smiths The Unique, The Unusual and the Hard-to-Find • Handmade Knives • Scrimshaw in Ancient Ivory

Great Smoky Mountains National Park welcomed over eleven million visitors in 2016. Throughout the year, the park encouraged people to experience the park in honor of the National Park Service Centennial. In 2016, a record 11,312,785 people visited the park, a 5.6% increase over 2015. In addition, over 2,200 people joined Superintendent Cassius Cash by completing the Smokies Centennial Hike 100 challenge by exploring 100 miles of park trails.

Unusual Antiques & Oddities

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“I continue to be inspired by the number of people enjoying the park, but more importantly, I am moved by their unwavering support and care for this special place,” said Superintendent Cash. “This support is more critical than ever since we have entered into our second century of service and recovery following the Chimney Tops ﬁre. The response of the Smoky Mountains community, both near and far, has been remarkable and we thank you.”

across the park including trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, and providing visitor information along trails, at visitor centers, and in campgrounds. Front country camping at the park’s developed campgrounds increased to 327,033 campers, up 3.1% over 2015. In addition, backcountry camping also increased with over 109,344 campers spending a night at one of the park’s backcountry campsites or shelters, up 12% over 2015.

In 2016, over 2,230 park volunteers donated over 117,000 hours of service. These volunteers provided much needed help

For more about visitation go to the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics web page at irma.nps.gov/Stats. -NPS-

Grotto Falls The one you can walk behind There’s something magical about standing behind a wall of water as it cascades to the ground at Grotto, the only waterfall in the Smokies where you can do this. The walk to Grotto is as easy as pie. It’s just minutes out of Gatlinburg, right off the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, so make it a ﬁrst stop on your day trip into the park. You can stroll the Trillium Trail through old-growth forests, and if you’re there in May, get ready to be wowed by the dazzling wildﬂowers.

# www.TheSmithsShop.com MaponLocator Page 6 21 680 Glades Road, #2 • Gatlinburg

¬Handcrafted Old World Santas ¬Special Ornaments (865) 436-3339 ¬Thoughtful Gifts Home of

Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Village

170 Glades Road, #25 • Gatlinburg

Farmer’s Burger Barn 100% Grass Fed Beef !

Neesee on the keyboard

Come Hear Neesee Wednesday-Sunday & Local Artists Monday & Tuesday Every Second Monday Is Smoky Mountain Songwriters Night

(865) 430-1551 Open Daily 3 pm

Gatlinburg Brewing Company

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Appetizers • Salads • Soups • Entrees Italian Dishes • Daily Specials • Desserts Full Bar Service • Free Parking • In House Catering Pet Friendly Sports Porch!

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Around Town Page 3

10 Spots To Explore In The Park The Great Smoky Mountains is, by far, the most popular national park. In 2015 it welcomed about 11 million visitors, nearly twice as many as second-ranked Grand Canyon. Straddling Tennessee and North Carolina and covering more than a half-million acres, the vast and stunning park offers a wealth of things to see and experience. You could easily spend a week or more exploring its sprawling landscape. While many of the suggestions would appear on any top 10 list, this is not meant to be a definitive rundown of the best that the park has to offer. Depending on your interests, you might want to consider fishing, camping, more challenging hiking trails, or any number of other activities, for example. But if you are a Smoky Mountains newbie, or it's been awhile since your last visit, these 10 ideas are a great place to start. Travel Newfound Gap Road - Passing through the Smoky Mountains between Gatlinburg, TN and Cherokee, NC, Newfound Gap Road spans a mere 32 miles. But as you wind your way up and down the twisting, often steep road, you'll be transported to remarkably diverse places and treated to some breathtaking sights. It's likely you'll see the signature smoky mist hugging the mountains along your journey. Gorgeous vistas can be seen at Newfound Gap, which is roughly at the road's halfway point and marks the state line. With the Appalachian Trail crossing the gap, you can often find hikers milling about as they take a break. At about a mile high, the temperature is considerably cooler than at lower elevations, and abundant snowfall typically persists into the spring. See the Views Atop Clingmans Dome Observation Tower From the vantage point of the circular observation tower at Clingmans Dome you'll be able to see the majestic Smokies in all directions. Climbing the steep half-mile path to get there, however, is a bit of a trial. Between air pollution and billowing mist, visibility is sometimes not optimal. But in general, it is still well worth the effort it takes to make the trek. At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the park, and temperatures are even lower than at Newfound Gap. During my early spring visit, it was nearly 70 degrees in Gatlinburg, but in the mid-40s and quite windy at the mountains' summit. Bring extra outerwear if you visit. Note that the access road to Clingmans Dome is closed from early December through late March. Walk the Spruce-Fir Nature Trail - Located along the road

leading to Clingmans Dome, the 1/4 mile Spruce-Fir Nature Trail gives hikers a fascinating peek into a strange, but beautiful mountaintop forest. Dead and decaying fir trees, their bark covered with moss, line the path. Many of the spruce trees have toppled as well. Amid the eerie devastation, however, are many chattering, twittering, and rustling animals as well as flowers and other indications of abundant life. Go Back in Time at Cades Cove - Tucked into a verdant valley in the northwest corner of the park, Cades Cove provides a glimpse of the farming community that once lived in the Smoky Mountains. Settled by Europeans in the early 1800s, many of the cove's historic buildings remain open to visitors. Among the three houses of worship is a circa-1902 Methodist church that, legend has it, was built in 115 days for $115. Its congregation extends back to 1820. There are also barns, log houses, a smokehouse, blacksmith shop, and other places to explore. Cades Cove is very popular, and traveling its 11-mile loop by car can be an exercise in patience, especially during the busy summer season. Consider bringing or renting bicycles to tour the area during designated days and times when cars are prohibited. Go Off the Beaten Path at Deep Creek - Located between Bryson City and Cherokee at the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it's about a 30-minute drive from the Oconaluftee Visitor Center to Deep Creek. The cell signal is iffy (at least for my carrier, your results may vary), and GPS may be balky. Like I did, you may have to resort to oldschool paper maps to locate it. But like me, you'll surely find the relatively remote area a peaceful and pleasant place to visit. Walking Deep Creek Trail in early spring, its namesake creek was rushing and offered a lovely accompaniment to the beautiful small purple butterflies and other sights I saw. They are not enormous, but the area's waterfalls, including Tom Branch and Indian Creek, are captivating focal points. The trail's nice, wide paths make it easy to navigate. Check Out a Grist Mill - Corn, especially stone ground cornmeal (and the delicious cornbread and other treats made from it), has long been associated with the Smoky Mountains. Built in 1886, the historic Mingus Mill allows visitors to see how corn used to be processed. Water flows down a long millrace to power its cast iron turbine. When the mill is open from mid-March to mid-November, you'll be able to observe cornmeal production in action. Continued to Page 4

Gatlinburg’s Largest Collection of Antiques

You owe it to yourself to stop by our antique shops in Gatlinburg for the best selection of antiques, collectibles and antique furniture in the area.

373 P arkway , G atlinburg • (865) 325-1411

608 G lades Rd ., G atlinburg • (865) 277-716 7 2nd location is in the Arts & Crafts Community

www.facebook.com/AmericanSideshow

Judy Jones Pottery Jann's colorfully depicted images of quilts, trail “ﬁnds” and whimsical characters, all rendered in her splashes of watercolors, wil bring a smile as you enter and a feeling of “let's return” as you leave.

A Gatlinburg Pottery Gallery • Lead Free • Wheel Thrown • Microwave & Dishwasher Safe "Browse and watch potter at work"

www.judyjonespottery.com

(865) 430-3472

In The Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community 530 Buckhorn Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Laurel Falls Paved to a picture-perfect wonder Take a 2.6-mile walk on the paved trail to Laurel Falls, and you’ll see why so many people consider it a must-see. The 80-foot cascade is one of the most-photographed spots in all of the Smokies for good reason. It’s only a few miles from Sugarlands, right outside Gatlinburg. If you arrive in the early morning, you’ll beat the crowds and be rewarded with perfect photography lighting. Bring the whole family. The path is stroller, wheelchair and walker friendly.

Watercolor classes are available for visitors

upon request, two or three hours. All supplies are furnished. Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Village 170 Glades Road, Gatlinburg • (865)436-2363 www.ajannpeitso.com

Please Feel Free To Stand In Front Of Our Troops Taliban, and he was burying an IED that was to be detonated when a U.S. patrol walked by 30 minutes later. It would have certainly killed and wounded several soldiers. The interesting fact of this story is the shot was measured at 725 yards. She shot him as he was bent over burying the bomb. The shot went through his rectum and into the bomb which detonated; he was blown to pieces. This 19 year old ex-cheerleader (now an Air Force Security Forces Sniper) was watching a road in Pakistan that led to a NATO military base when she observed a man digging by the road. She engaged the target (she shot him). It turned out he was a bomb maker for the

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The Air Force made a motivational poster of her. (Folks, that's a shot 25 yards longer than seven football ﬁelds) and the last thing that came out of his mouth was his ass! If You Can Not Stand Behind Our Troops, please feel Free to Stand In Front of Them!

Ship Pub Open 11 till 10 - Sunday 12 till 6 Serving The Area for over 10 Years The ORIGINAL Ship Crew Is Back Happy Hour 4-7 Full Menu • Appetizers • Salads Over 40 Drafts To Choose From (865) 325-1658

Open 7 Days Per Week from 12 pm until 1 am

170 Glades Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

745 Parkway, Suite 10 Gatlinburg

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Page 4 Around Town

Sparky’s Glassblowing Ask About Our Glassblowing Classes!

Strawberries By Teri Pizza

As with most berries, they pack powerful nutrition. Strawberries have 32 calories per 100g and are low in fat. They are rich in minerals and vitamins essential for good health. And, they contain more vitamin C than all other berries!

One of my most romantic memories is from a wedding anniversary. Thirty years to the day and hour, my husband and I were tandem-parasailing off the coast of St. Thomas. Later, after a delicious meal, we returned to our cabin. A tray of chocolatecovered strawberries, pre-arranged by our daughter, awaited us.

Strawberries also have potential health benefits to fight cancer, aging, inflammation and neurological diseases. With its 91% water content, is it any wonder why dermatologists tout it, "as a top fruit for beautiful skin?"

Since then, strawberries mean love and romance to me. And, why not? Strawberries are members of the rose family and conveniently heart-shaped!

PS: Strawberries grew wild throughout the Americas and Europe. Today's strawberries are the result of much crossbreeding. America Indians would crush the berries with cornmeal and make a berry bread. A practice that probably lead to the favorite southern classic, Strawberry Shortcake. PSS: It takes three days for a strawberry to ripen enough to become edible, turning from white to red. Back to romance: Rather not give roses on Valentine's day this year? Still want to tell those you love how special they are? Why not “say it” with strawberries?

Here are some tips to buying the right ones for your next romantic moment. Select plump, bright-red berries with their green “caps” still attached. Give them a sniff; berries have a potent fragrance when they are ripe. Check the bottom of the berry basket and avoid any that show bruised and moldy berries. When you get home, sort your berries before storing, removing any “bad apples"—so to speak. Berries will last longer if placed, unwashed, in a cardboard box lined with a paper towel. When ready to use, wash your berries. Dip them in cold water and gently swish to remove sand and insecticide residue. Prepare them for recipes by patting dry with a paper towel and removing their stems and caps.

More great tips and recipes are in Teri Pizza's books: Simplicity of Fresh Produce and ENJOY! Recipes for Fresh Produce available in Gatlinburg's Arts and Crafts community at Buie's Pottery, Chef JD's Corner and Grace Dyer-Fireside Gallery/Studio. Look for her latest book, COPD: The Eat to Breathe Plan to Feeling Better out this month from www.Amazon.com.

Freeze berries for long-term storage. Place them on a baking sheet and put sheet in the freezer. When ﬁrm, transfer them to freezer containers or bags. Frozen berries last up to 8 months!

Coming Soon!

Crafts & Gifts

Alibis

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Gatlinburg’s Newest Casual Restaurant

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849 Glades Road (Covered Bridge Complex)

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Some tourist don't stay in a place this nice!

www.barksandrecgatlinburg.com We are located on highway 321, 5.5 miles from trafﬁc light #3 in Gatlinburg

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Beautiful, handcrafted blown & sculpted glass

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Located at the Covered Bridge in the Glades Gatlinburg's Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community

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Featuring home cooked meals, signature salads, hot steam subs and TV’s everywhere for the sport enthusiast!

We specialize in handmade soy candles, soaps, and fragrant air fresheners

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Come and watch Gary at work!

(Strawberries are always best when served at room temperature. One pint or 3 ¼ cup berries will equal 2 ¼ cup sliced or 1 ⅔ cup pureed fruit.)

Hand Crafted In Our Shops! www.mistymountainsoap.com Two locations in the Arts & Crafts Community! 601 Glades Road (Morning Mist Village) 849 Glades Road (Covered Bridge Complex)

Abrams Falls Boast the most water and the deepest pool The ﬁve-mile round trip along Abrams Creek is a moderate hike that’s worth every step. Cross the wooden bridge, and follow the path along the Cades Cove Valley ﬂoor among pine, oak, hemlock and rhododendron. When you arrive, you’ll see why a waterfall that’s only 20 feet high is one of the most popular places in the Smokies. The amount of rushing water is staggering, and the pool below it is long and deep. The warnings about swimming are worth heeding! The currents here are dangerous and have swept some to their deaths. Look, but don’t leap!

No Swimming!

10 Spots To Explore In The Park Go Down on a Farm- Behind the park's Oconaluftee Visitor Center is the Mountain Farm Museum. It includes a collection of authentic, historic structures culled from farms throughout the Smokies.The museum includes a log farmhouse, an apple house and a sorghum mill and furnace. Rangers maintain the livestock and crop ﬁelds to show what farm life was like long ago. Picnic Along a Stream - Pack some food and take a meal break at Chimney Tops Picnic Area. A striking mountain stream ﬂows through the site. Consider stopping at the nearby Chimney Tops Overlook, which offers dramatic views. Or hike the Chimney Tops Trail and revel in the sights during the steep ascent of Sugarland Mountain. Meander Along Fighting Creek - The Fighting Creek Nature Trail is an easy 1.2-mile loop located behind the park's Sugarlands Visitor Center.

Continued from Page 3

Despite its proximity to the busy center and to major roads, walking the trail quickly takes visitors away from the hubbub and into the hushed forest. Markers along the way indicate some of the native trees and other ﬂora. The John Ownby cabin, an open structure made of rough-hewn timbers and built in 1860, is among the trail's highlights. See Cataract Falls - Take an easy 0.6-mile round trip jaunt on a branch of the Fighting Creek Trail to Cataract Falls. You could also proceed directly to the falls from the Sugarlands Visitor Center. It's not especially big, but the waterfall is beautiful. Young kids and others who might be challenged by more demanding hikes should ﬁnd the walk doable. If your time is limited, or you are intimidated by hiking but would nonetheless like to give it a go at Smoky Mountains National Park, walking to Cataract Falls could be a good option.

Town

P.O. Box 368, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738

Around Town

www.SmokyMountainsAroundTown.com

Publisher: John F. Patti Editor: Elizabeth Patti Associate Publishers: P. J. West Brook St. Johns Steve Moore Kim Bell Jim England Brian Papworth Photographers: Ken Wayne

Contributing Writers: Cynthia Reeves Chef JD Kathryn Sherrard Teri Pizza Danny Lewis W. Alan Bruhin Linda Hyder Glenn K. Turner Ken Wayne A. Jann Peitso Jim Yonan Ben Fuchs

Contact us: 865-255-3557 • smokyaroundtown@gmail.com Smoky Mountains Around Town is published monthly by Smoky Mountains Around Town. Reproduction of any material prepared by Smoky Mountains Around Town and appearing within this publication is strictly prohibited without express written consent of the publisher. Publisher does not purport to authenticate and is not responsible for claims made by advertisers found within this publication. Smoky Mountains Around Town Newspaper claims no responsibilities or statements made by present or past independent representatives. © 2015 - All rights reserved.

Steaks Burgers Seafood and much more

Where The Locals Go

Howard's Steakhouse has been in Gatlinburg since 1946 offering the traditional Howard’s menu. Seating is also available outside next to a running stream. The bar is a long time locals favorite with a hometown atmosphere.

Catering Available The Wild Boar Saloon located upstairs offers a lighter fare with tavern style appetizers and specialty bar drinks. Offering a great night life atmosphere with Karaoke.

976 Parkway, Downtown Gatlinburg

www.HowardsRestaurantGatlinburg.com (865) 436-3600

Around Town Page 5

Gatlinburg Pickers

Fowler’s Clay Works

“Pickin The Pick” by Danny Lewis This month I have picked the weathervane. You might ﬁnd this very interesting. The weathervane dates back as far as 48 BC. The ﬁrst one thought to be as big as 48 feet tall and 26 foot long and made of bronze. In the 9th century churches started putting rooster weathervanes on top of the church. This was to represent what Jesus prophesized that the rooster would not crow the morning after the Last Supper.

Take home a memory that wil last a lifetime!

Of course today they are used mostly for decorations. In the past shippers and farmers depended on them obviously for wind direction. So there you have it... pretty cool stuff! The ones we carry are copper and hand hammered... hope you enjoyed a little heads up.... Crow on... Until next month, Danny

865- 412-1003 Facebook/FowlersClayworks American Sideshow Antiques 373 Parkway, Gatlinburg 608 Glades Road, Gatlinburg https://www.facebook.com/AmericanSideshow (865) 325-1411

FlashSteam

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Critical Health News Viruses By Ben Fuchs

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Eastbend Automotive

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The universe is filled with a lot really cool things, from neutron stars that are so dense that they are capable of crushing all known matter into one homogenous mass, to quantum substances that flash in and out of existence in nanoseconds, to the cell, the fundamental unit of biology, that can produce over 100,000 different molecules a second, all in the space of 1/00th the size of head of a pin. But nothing is more interesting, intriguing or more fascinating than a virus. Viruses are the most abundant biological entity on earth. They’re about a hundred times smaller than a typical human cell. While viruses are mysterious, what most of us do know about these enigmatic entities is that we don’t like them. The dictionary uses terms to define word “virulent” (virus-like) such as severe, harmful, poisonous, toxic, lethal and fatal, among other awful descriptors of doom. Many of the scariest health challenges anyone can have to deal with, from polio to AIDS to smallpox to cancer, have been associated with these mysterious entities. But what exactly is this enigmatic entity that is the cause of so much consternation and concern? We tend to think of a virus as a little animal, but what’s so amazing is the fact that a virus is neither alive nor dead. In fact a virus is not a living thing really; it’s just little piece of chemical, a chain of molecules. A virus is nothing more than a piece of (chemical) i n f o r m a t i o n . I t ’s b a s i c a l l y j u s t a n infinitesimally tiny chunk of minute molecular matter wrapped around with a protein coating. The problem with viruses is that they cannot survive unless they are spreading themselves. That’s a virus’s only mission. And how is it that they spread themselves? After all, they’re not conscious; they’re only little pieces of chemical. Well, it turns out that these nonconscious little blobs of stuff seem to have enough intention to want to replicate themselves. To do this they have to take some convoluted multi-step measures.

At trafﬁc light #3 in Gatlinburg turn onto Rt. 321. Go 2.7 miles and we’re on the left.

1359 E. Parkway, Gatlinburg • 865-436-5287

Some viruses are even smart enough to be able to think two steps ahead. Take the case of Toxoplasma Gondi, a particularly nefarious and sneaky viral example. This devious entity, which has evolved to replicate in the stomach of a cat, has developed a particularly clever way of getting to its breeding ground in a kitty’s belly. First, it infects mouse brains making the formerly cowardly rodents brave enough to thumb its nose at its mortal feline enemy. Inevitably the mouse will get eaten and the virus will then obtain ready access to the cat’s gut where it can safely replicate. From there the viral progeny it will be excreted and likely end up in a cat’s droppings, where they will likely end up causing further infections in mouse brains and the whole process will begin again. Pretty clever for a non-conscious, non-living little chunk of chemicals! By the way, Toxoplasma Gondi can affect humans too, especially human fetuses and this is why pregnant women are advised to stay away from kitty’s litter box. Fortunately, the human immune system is quite an effective defense against viral infection. When a virus enters the body, an immune response is triggered which under normal, healthy conditions sets off a chain of events that result in the detoxiﬁcation and elimination of the viral invader. Some of the signs associated with viral infections including fevers, fatigue and vomiting are actually manifestations and results of the body’s attempts to eliminate the insidious interlopers.

All life is made of cells and all cells have a genetic core that acts as a blueprint, shorthand of sorts for the production of chemicals. This genetic core acts as a software code that, in a biological process called “transcription”, induces the production of materials, which are the proteins that keep the cell and ultimately the body it composes running effectively. This genetic code, which is part of the molecule known as DNA, functions as the “plans” for the production of proteins that represent the raison d'etre of a cell’s existence.

However, if the immune system is somehow compromised (elevated stress hormones, sugar and processed foods as well as malnutrition or nutritional deﬁciencies are all possible causes of weakened immunity) a full blown infection is likely. While there are a few medications that can affect how a virus attaches and integrates itself to a host cell and its genetic material, for the most part once an infection occurs, there is very little that can be done. Because viruses are not technically alive, they can’t be killed. That means once the viral infection process has begun, its life cycle must be completed. Eventually the cell factory that has been taken over dies and the viral substance must look for new cells and DNA to invade and hijack. Unless the immune system is strengthened and the viral enemy is ﬁnally sequestered, an infection can ultimately lead to the demise of the host cell and organism.

Viruses accomplish their dirty work by hijacking the plans. They place themselves into the blueprint (i.e. the DNA) inducing the production of copies of themselves (i.e. more

That means if you have a viral infection or if you don’t want to get one, keeping your immune system strong and healthy is your best strategy. Continued to Page 9

Wears Valley, Tennessee

Proudly the largest liquor store and selection in Sevier County since 1983. Epi’s Fine Wines & Spirits of Gatlinburg, TN offers a huge selection of liquor, spirits, high-gravity beer and wines from local and around the world. We have convenient, unlimited and free parking. www.episliquor.com

viruses). They basically hijack a cell’s genetic material and protein-making machinery. Viruses may not be conscious or even technically alive, but they are somehow intelligent enough to be able to insert themselves into the code compelling the cell to unwittingly make more of the virus, the same way it makes other proteins.

Wears Valley, also known as Wear Cove, is a beautiful, peaceful, long and relatively narrow valley that sits between the towns of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Townsend TN. Its length runs next to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and also has a little-known entrance to the Park near Metcalf Bottoms, which consists of a picnic area that sits between the Little River and Little River Road. Little River Road runs parallel to the river on its way to Cades Cove loop road, the most visited part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Wears Valley has grown commercially over the past few years and now includes a ﬁne selection of restaurants (including one gourmet

restaurant), antiques, souvenier and gift shops. Lodging accommodations consist almost exclusively of smoky mountain cabin rentals (though there is one luxury bed and breakfast inn called Gracehill at the Townsend end of the valley) that range from the rustic to the ultimate luxury mountain cabins at The Preserve Resort – Tennessee Cabins.

There are no stop lights in Wears Valley. From the last light in Pigeon Forge to the ﬁrst light on the parkway in Townsend, you get a nice smooth ride, though trafﬁc might slow a bit during the beautiful fall season when Wears Valley comes alive with brilliant color. One of the favorite appeals of Wears Valley is the fact that it lags a little in development behind its sister towns of Pigeon Forge and Townsend. The pace of life and commercial development is more reminiscent of Pigeon Forge way back in the 60s and early 70s.

So, for those looking for a quieter, easier place from which to base your Smoky Mountain vacation, Wears Valley is a pleasant choice, and it’s even convenient to everything Pigeon Forge and Townsend have to offer the traveler–which are only a few minutes away.

Page 6 Around Town sometimes simple is really good

GREENBRIER POTTERY Raku, Smoke Fired and Func onal Po ery

David A. Howard Artist

greenbrierpottery.blogspot.com 865-436-8284 865-430-5777 “Handmade by Jeﬀ Hamilton”

Located inside Ar sts A c at Glades Village

(865) 430-3387 10 www.dhowardpottery.net 170 Glades Road, Suite 32, Gatlinburg

Now Open For Breakfast! Delauders BBQ, 680 Glades Road at Blinking Light Behind Shops • 865-325-8680

680 Glades Rd., #5 Gatlinburg

Sugarlands Visitors Center

Thistle Dew!

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To National Park

Premium Herbs, Spices, Teas, Potpourris, Sachets, Soups, Dips & Oils www.thistledew.yolasite.com

Smokey Bear

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Local Specials and Promotions

Riverside

Full Bar • Full Menu • Free WiFi

1360 E. Parkway, Suite 4

(At the corner of Highway 321 & Mills Park Rd.)

103 Mills Park Rd. • Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Watch Glass Artist J. Hills Kaleidoscopes Frogman Jewelry Art Glass M&D Hills Photography

o 3

Cardinal Drive

Judy Jones Pottery

King Rd.

Body Wash & Warmers Dips, Cheeseballs, Soups Tarts, Warmers, Chapsticks Spreads, Butters, Pickles, Jellies Hand Crafted Items

Glades Village

20 19

Newman Road

2B Dudley Creek Bypass

Baskin Creek Bypass

Covered Bridge in the Glades 849 Glades Road # 1C1

Gatlinburg Bypass Road

FOOT GEAR

THE BEARS

Little Pigeon River

Of Gatlinburg

8 Dollywood Lane

It’s Against The Law

21 18 16

865-436-2500

Powdermill Road Dollywood

Old Mill Ave.

ill Rd

Route 66

Buckhorn Road

Watson Road

24 Covered Bridge

1004 Parkway, #301 • Gatlinburg (Located behind Calhoun’s Restaurant)

Old M

Splash Country

HillsCreek.com 865-430-7778

Campbell Lead Road

Gatlinburg Welcome Center

Duck Pond Lane

680 Glades Road, #8, Gatlinburg

Ogles Drive West

2 1

DON’T FEED

Arts & Crafts Community

The Acquarium

Glades Road

. Rd

Artist Crafts Village

Post Ofﬁce

E. Parkway (Route 321)

Hidden Hills

2 12

Frances

JDs Corner .

Pine Mountain Road

(865) 446-0971

Jake Thomas Road

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600 Glades Rd, #4, Gatlinburg

454 N.

Duck Pond Lane

Wears Valley Road

Upper Middle Creek Rd

Veterans Blvd.

www.ajannpeitso.com

Roaring Fork

y To Newport

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Road

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Get On The Map!

M & O St.

1402 E. Parkway, #12 & 13 • Gatlinburg

Located in Arts & Crafts Community at Glades Village 680 Glades Rd., #1, Gatlinburg

865-325-8284

LeConte St.

Located in The Wood Whittlers Shopping Center 22

(865) 254-8835 19

Moonshine Dawg

Ski Mountain Rd.

Ober Gatlinburg

(865) 277-9063

• Extra Virgin Olive Oils • Balsamic Vinegars • All Natural Sea Salts

Home of The

Skiddy’s Place

Gatlinburg’s Largest Antique Shop

Teaster Lane

(865) 325-1411 9

americansideshowantiques.com

373 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Pittman Center Road Biblical Times Theatre

Birds Creek Rd. (Route 454)

170 Glades Rd. • 865-436-2363

The ONLY Authentic British Pub in East Tennessee!

Since 1998

1 Titanic Museum

Little Pigeon River

33 Draught Beers 120 Bottled Beers 30 Hot Teas Traditional British Food

Apple Valley Road

(865) 436-0677 11 Route 66

1065 Glades Road, Gatlinburg Jayell Road

Entertainment

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Follow Me To The Tree WWW.CRYSTELLECREEK.COM

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Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge-Sevierville

At the Covered Bridge in The Glades

849 Glades Road, Suite 1B7, Gatlinburg

1654 East Parkway• Gatlinburg

Key

Watch Us Make Candles

865-436-9214

15 www.loreleicandlesonline.com In the Arts & Crafts Community 331 Glades Road • 865-436-9214

Neil’s Gallery

Located at the Covered Bridge in the Glades

Map Location Numbers Gatlinurg

Pigeon Forge

Trafﬁc Lights

Gatlinurg

Pigeon Forge/Sevierville

Businesses

Heartwood Galleries “Your Art is Where Our Heart Is”

Forks of the River

Parkway

Businesses

Map Is Not Drawn To Scale

Get On The Map! Call: 865-255-3557

Dolly

arkway Parton P

L ocal A rtist ...

Robert A. Tino Originals, Canvas, Paper Prints • Oil Paintings • Acrylics 24 • Watercolors www.neilsgallery.com

849 Glades Road, 2B6 • Gatlinburg • 865-430-4029

Get On The Map 865-255-3557 23

To I-40

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Page 7 Around Town

Creating Unique Hand Crafted Jewelry Opportunities Abound at the 2017 Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival By Cyndy Montgomery Reeves Lots of great songwriter opportunities are being offered at the August 16-20, Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival. New to this year's festival are the one on one Mentoring/Auditioning Sessions with some of the music industry's best. Song Competition Entries, Round Sign Ups and Owning Your Own Stage requests must be in no later than April 30, 2017. The Co-Write with Hit Writers Project and the Workshops will be open for registration as long as there are seats available. Price of the workshops will be higher at the door. You do not have to be a songwriter to attend the workshops.Registration and details can be found: www.smswf.com click 'For Songwriters' tab. This year marks the 50 year anniversary since the song “Rocky Top” was written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant at the Gatlinburg Inn. Plans are in the making for some delightful surprises down the road. So make your plans to be in Gatlinburg Augusr 15-20, 2017 to celebrate the craft of songwriting. When songwriters perform the songs they write, they also tell you how that song came into existence. Knowing the story behind the song enhances your experience the next time you hear it being played on the radio and airwaves. “You will catch the

Condrone at 865-898-7301. 'songwriters bug' leaving you wanting more,”says Cyndy Montgomery Reeves, Founder and CEO of the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival. Public invited to participate in all the facets of the SMSWF. Make your reservations today to be back in Gatlinburg in August. Details at www.smswf.com. Every 2nd Monday there is a SMSWF Songwriters Showcase at Crystelle Creek Restaurant and Grill 6-9 PM. If you are a songwriter and want to be perform in one of these showcases please contact John Condrone at 865-898-7301. Places in Gatlinburg to take that special person on Valentines Day with live music: Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill will celebrate Valentine Weekend with romantic tunes from Neesee on the piano, Steve Carr will perform February 14th. Three Jimmy's is having a February 14th Valentines Dance Party with music by BAMM starting at 8 pm. The Ship Pub and the Greenbrier Inn are offering dining “Valentine Specials”. Every 2nd Monday there is a SMSWF Songwriters Showcase at Crystelle Creek Restaurant and Grill 6-9 pm. If you are a songwriter and want to be perform in one of these showcases please contact John

The Jewelry Spot Gemstones • Wire Art • Enamels Sterling Silver • 14 Kt Gold Filled • Custom Orders Available

440-478-1841 www.thejewelryspot.net 849 Glades Road, Suite 1B7, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Located at the Covered Bridge in The Glades Felice and Boudleaux Bryant wrote Rocky Top at the Gatlinburg Inn

Places you can ﬁnd live music in Gatlinburg for the month of February include: Bamm on Tuesdays and Fridays, the Jimmy Show Saturday nights at Three Jimmy's Eatery.The Ship Pub will showcase Jared Hard on Feb. 11th, then Chris Long, John Condrone and John Carroll will be there Feb. 18th. Ben Stroupe performs at Crystelle Creek on Mondays, Steve Carr on Tuesdays and Neesee is on the piano Wednesday thru Sunday. Karoke is at Crawdaddy's Restaurant every night. The Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery provides bluegrass t h r o u g h o u t t h e d a y e v e r y d a y. Sugarland's Distillery has live music over the weekends. Smoky Mountains Brewery also offers live entertainment along with the Shamrock.Denver Evans performs at Tom & Earl's weather permitting.

Skiddy’s Beer To Go

Smoking Bar

Best beer prices in town!

Where Visitors Meet Locals Pet Friendly Outside Deck, Pool Table & Kornhole Games Happy Hour - Monday - Friday - 4 - 7 pm Directions: Take Glades Road to its end.

Turn left and go one mile. On the right.

4133 Birds Creek Road • (865) 325-8384

Fine Dining & Catering In the Smokies

www.bestitalian.com Local Hand Made Art • Pressed Flower Art • Local Alpaca Items • Barn Art Melted Glass & Wood Wind Chimes • Mosaics And Much More

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www.facebook.com/artlitsol www.facebook.com/strangeseasongiftshop 680 Glades Road, #6, Gatlinburg • (865) 325-8951

Mt. LeConte Hike to the best sunrises and sunsets in the park The views from the top of LeConte Lodge (just shy of 6,600 feet) in the Smokies make it a trek worth taking. You can stock a backpack and head up for a stay at the rustic LeConte Lodge, and despite the lack of electricity, it is a sellout every year. Please note, there are also backcountry campsites nearby. The most spectacular sunrises and sunsets occur on Myrtle Point in the east and Clifftops to the west.

Bear Cub Birthdays pulls the newborns to her abdomen, where the nearly hairless cubs absorb some of their mother's body warmth as they suckle. At birth, the cubs weigh about 8-12 ounces, and are the size of a cola can. They grow rapidly on the sow's rich milk that is nearly 33% fat (as compared to 3% fat for human's or cow's milk). Cubs develop quickly; born blind, deaf and with literally no strength in their hind legs, within a month they are active, rambunctious balls of fur. Alternating between playing, sleeping and nursing, they develop muscular strength that will be required when they leave the den in two or three months. Meanwhile their mother alternates between sleeping, nursing her young and cleaning up after them (a mothers' work is never done!) To illustrate how quickly they grow, in recent years ABR has admitted six-week-old cubs that weighed almost three pounds - a weight gain of half a pound per week! The sow and her cubs remain in the den until spring.

As you may know, Appalachian Bear Rescue is currently void of cubs and waiting for the first orphaned cub of 2017 to be admitted for care. During this time the curators, volunteers and board members have been working hard to prepare for whatever this year may bring our way. The various areas in the facility have been cleaned and repairs made as needed. An existing building has been retrofitted into a “Cub Rehabilitation and Recovery Center,” where cubs that are injured can be housed until they are ready to enter a Wild Enclosure. Since we don't have cubs to write about, we will talk about the new cubs of 2017, who are now in dens with their mothers. All bear cubs are born at his time of year, so as you read this a new generation of black bear cubs are tiny little babies nursing on their mother's rich milk and growing every day. Backing up, the mother bear (sow) mated in June or July of 2016. She may have mated with more than one male (boar) during her brief estrus period. Therefore, multiple cubs may have different fathers. Any blastocysts that form are “put on hold,” that is, they do not continue to develop but float within the uterus until the sow is ready to hibernate several months later. If she is healthy and possesses adequate body weight, the blastocyst will implant into the uterine wall and eventually develop into a cub(s). If the female is underweight and/or generally unhealthy, the blastocysts never implant or produce cubs, saving the lives of both the mother and her potential offspring. This truly remarkable reproductive strategy of the black bear is known as delayed implantation. Assuming that all has gone normally, the mother will give birth to her cubs in January or early February, while hibernating. Although a litter may have from one to six cubs, the typical litter size is two or three. In a somewhat groggy state, the mother

Best Italian on the Parkway Between Aunt Mahalia's Candy & World Of Illusions between trafﬁc lights 6 & 8 (865) 436-4345

Even if you don’t have reservations at the Lodge or shelter, the trails to LeConte are worth the day trip, and you can reserve lunch at the Lodge dining room, if you call ahead. The Alum Cave Bluffs Trail, past storm-tossed boulders, up stone stairs and under Arch Rock, is one of the best hikes in the Smokies. Try the Boulevard Trail for a longer but easier ascent, or a more challenging trek on Rainbow Falls Trail, all the way to the top.

Appalachian Bear Rescue By Kathryn Sherrard

The Original Best Italian Located in back of Elks Plaza shopping center, across Parkway from Hampton Inn & TGI Friday's in Gatlinburg between trafﬁc lights 8 & 9 (865) 430-4090

What about other members of the bear family? It's quite possible that you may see an adult bear out of the den during this month. Bears are basically solitary animals and do not share a den with another bear. Because their body temperature only drops a few degrees they are able to rouse and move around, even change their den site during the winter. Therefore, if you encounter a bear in the woods or elsewhere during the winter, you should not be alarmed. Simply keep your distance and do not attempt to get closer to the bear. Watch from a distance and enjoy the sight.

A r st T ed W olﬀ H as S olely H andcra ed E ach K nife and S heath

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Chimney Tops

The photo is one taken a year ago, in February 2016, when ABR was caring for several cubs. It shows cubs in the snow. These malnourished, starving yearlings were too small to hibernate and continued to eat and gain weight throughout the winter. To learn more about Appalachian Bear Rescue and to review stories of our cubs please visit our Facebook page: facebook.com/AppalachianBearRescue. Photos are posted almost every day when cubs are in residence. During the next months you can scroll through previous posts to read about and see photos of the cubs we cared for in 2016 or even earlier. You can also visit our website at www.appalachianbearrescue.org and our blog at abrblog.wordpress.com. If you are in Townsend, please stop by our Visitor/Education Center in the Trillium Cove Shopping Village on East Lamar Alexander Parkway. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 4. We are planning a Valentine Open House event on Saturday, February 11. Details will be posted on our Facebook page. The center is closed on Sunday and Monday. You may want to call before you go, to make sure it is open at (865) 738-3683. You can ﬁnd unique bear-themed gifts and souvenirs to purchase and talk to volunteers who are eager to share information about bears and ABR. We'd love to see you there!

Challenging trek to a bare rock summit with a thrilling 360° view It’s only a couple of miles up, but there’s a reason hiking

enthusiasts from all over the world make the rugged ascent to this bare-rock summit. Climb among the rhododendrons, over wood bridges and along a rushing stream to the summit. The last mile is intimidating, and some hesitate at the base of the rocks, but if you are brave, cautious, in good shape and not-so-nervous about heights, you’ll be rewarded with a full 360-degree view, including Mt. LeConte to the east and Mt. Mingus to the north.

Around Town Page 8

A Breathtaking Look At Our National Parks In Winter Arches National Park in Utah

other animals. At 6,643 feet, Clingmans Dome is the highest point in the Smokies. Year-round, temperatures are 10 to 20 degrees cooler than in the surrounding lower areas. In winter, that difference can be particularly startling. The dome's observation tower is open all year, but the road leading to it is closed from December through March. So if you want to enjoy the best views of the park, be prepared to bundle up and hike.

the park on your own — even via snowmobiles. If you're hoping to see some wildlife, keep your eyes open for moose, elk, mule deer, bison and pronghorn. You may also see grizzly and black bears, wolves and mountain lions, but they are often more difﬁcult to spot. Badlands National Park in South Dakota in Winter

Yosemite National Park in Winter

When the temperature drops and the snow falls, you can stay inside and snuggle under a blanket or you can head for the great outdoors and experience the amazing sights of Mother Nature in winter. The sights seems to be particularly amazing at many of the country's national parks. Not only do they offer spectacular frosty scenery when cold weather sets in, there's also plenty to do outside as long as you're willing to bundle up.

Most of Yosemite is cold and covered in snow in winter with some roads closed for the season. Don't plan on heading to Glacier Point by car, for example. Popular areas, like Yosemite Valley and Wawona, however, are accessible by vehicle yearround. Tire chains are often required on many park roads, so be sure you have them and know how to use them.

Firehole River in Yellowstone National Park

Winter visits to Yellowstone can be challenging but fun because of restricted vehicle access. You arrive at the entrance, then hop on a snowcoach or snowmobile to get around the park. Because most park roads close to trafﬁc in early November, snowcoach and snowmobiles are the only way to visit Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other popular destinations until about mid-April.

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Washington

Rocky Mountain National Park in Winter

Most of Olympic National Park stays open and accessible in winter with a few programs and facilities closed. Just be prepared for rain and snow, as a sunny day can end up in a blizzard or a torrential downpour. Open on weekends, the popular Hurricane Ridge is the place to be for outdoor winter sports like showshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, tubing and snowboarding.

South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

In the canyon, visitors might see mule deer and bald eagles, as well as California condors, elk, ravens and Albert's squirrels.

Check in with the year-round visitor's center before you go exploring to get the scoop on any weather-related advisories. Then head out into the snow and cold and look for bison, bobcats, mule deer, pronghorn and bighorn sheep.

Downhill and cross-country skiing are popular in the park in winter in the designated area. There are options for wilderness campers who want to stay outdoors or in ski huts. And the Snow Creek Trail is for advanced skiers and snowshoers who want a real challenge. The hike ends up at the popular six-person Snow Creek Cabin.

Most lodges and restaurants are closed, but some visitor centers and warming huts stay open to offer shelter from the cold. There are guided snowshoe tours, ski and snowshoe rentals, and an ice skating rink, weather permitting.

The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is closed to vehicle trafﬁc in winter and conditions on the South Rim can be very extreme. That doesn't stop serious hikers from layering up and heading from the South Rim to the North Rim for a multi-day walking and camping adventure in one of the most inaccessible wilderness spots in the nation.

Winter isn't the most popular time to head to the Badlands to check out the famous buttes, gullies, canyons and fossil beds, but for the adventurous sort, less-crowded trails mean more solitary, peaceful paths through this rugged South Dakota park. Road and trail closures depend on weather conditions with limited campground availability during the winter months.

Snow doesn't stop people from heading outside in Colorado, and the Rocky Mountains are no exception. Outdoor winter activities range from snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to sledding and wildlife watching. Don't have your own equipment? No problem. There are several shops where you can rent or buy snowshoes, cross-country skis, poles, boots, sleds, tubes, saucers and anything else you need to enjoy outdoor activities in the park. Winter is also an especially good time to see elk, mule deer, moose and other animals.

If you're looking to avoid the snow, the Paciﬁc Coast beaches are typically snow-free and perfect for a sandy stroll at low tide. If you don't mind getting damp, check out the Hoh and Quinault rainforests. Winter is the wet season, but that means incredibly lush, green foliage in the rainforests, which get an average of 12 feet of rain each year.

Snow in Arches National Park

The park is open year-round, but some roads and facilities may be closed in winter due to weather. Expect deep snow at higher elevations. Snow in Grand Teton National Park

Backcountry permits are often easier to obtain in winter because there aren't as many requests. Mule trips from the South Rim down into the canyon are held in winter, weather permitting. Ice & Snow in Clingmans Dome in Great Smoky National Park

The Grand Tetons are a popular place in winter for snowshoers, cross-country skiers and people just wishing to take in the wintry wonderland of the Wyoming national park. To prepare for visitors, the park's main roadways, US 89/191 and US 26/287, are plowed and open for travel, and those paths offer plenty of wildlife viewing and mountain views. Inner park roads may be closed based on weather conditions, however.

Large snowfalls are uncommon at Arches National Park in Utah, but that doesn't mean visiting in winter isn't challenging. It can be cold and even a light dusting of snow can close roads and make trails slippery and hard going. Just prepare for the adventure and know that the facilities and opportunities may be limited in the winter months. There are no ranger-led hikes or campﬁre hikes, for example. But the trade-off is a tranquil, less crowded park, leaving you plenty of time to explore the more than 2,000 documented arches in the park.

Much of the year it can be difﬁcult to see wildlife in the Great Smoky Mountains because so much of the park is covered by dense forest. But in winter, wildlife is easier to spot because the deciduous trees have lost their leaves. That's when it's easier to see black bear, white-tailed deer, elk, turkeys, woodchucks and

In addition to ranger-guided snowshoe walks, you can explore

Fun Animal Facts

1.What do whale sharks eat? A whale shark can only swallow small prey because its throat is very narrow, often compared to the size of a quarter. Zooplankton (krill, larvae, jellies, copepods, etc.) and small fishes. 2. How many rows of teeth do whale sharks have? About 300. Teeth of the whale shark are tiny and pointed backward; thought to have no function in feeding. 3. What do clownfish live in? The clownfish is “immune” to the stinging cells of the anemone and lives among the tentacles, which produces a sting that would stun and kill other nonadapted fish.

4. Asian small-clawed otters are a cousin to what animal? Otters are members of the mustelid family, related to badgers, minks and weasels. 5. How fast do dolphins typically swim? About 3-7 mph. The maximum observed swim speed of a common bottlenose dolphin was about 18 mph (29 km/hr) for a very short distance. 6. What do dolphins eat? Small ﬁshes and crustaceans. Dolphins do not chew. Larger prey may be torn into smaller pieces, but most food is swallowed whole. 7. How do electric eels defend themselves and catch prey? By emitting an electric discharge that stuns attackers and prey. The

vital internal organs of this eel are compressed into the anterior (front) 1/8 of its body near its head. The rest of its body is the electricity-producing tail. Therefore, the longer the tail, the larger the electric discharge that can be generated. 8. African penguins are found naturally where? African penguins breed on 24 islands offshore between Namibia and Port Elizabeth, South Africa. On the mainland, there are colonies of African penguins in South Africa's Betty's Bay and Simonstown, as well as in Namibia.

This is a look at some breathtaking images of winter wonderland in our national parks. Whether you're an armchair traveler or ready to pack your bags, sure hope you enjoyed the trip.

www.mnn.com

Why Are Roly Polies Also Called Wood Shrimp? By Jaymi Heimbuch

These little bugs aren't bugs at all; they're the land-based cousins of lobsters and shrimp. If you grew up thinking these cute little bugs were some kind of beetle, you're not alone. Most of us think that roly polies — also known as pill bugs, potato bugs and wood shrimp — must be a type of insect since they're always found under rocks and logs with other creepy crawlies. However, these unique little animals are like ﬁsh out of water, in a way. Roly polies are crustaceans that crawled out of the sea onto land millennia ago.

Pill bugs, or roly polies, are not actually insects at all. They have a more watery family tree. Photo: KQED Science

How do we know this? Well for one thing, they still have gills!

“Gills work great in the water. They’re basically exposed mucous membranes that absorb oxygen out of the water and into the blood that feeds the rest of the body. But on land, gills are a liability. If the pill bug dries out, its gills won’t function properly and the pill bug can suffocate. That’s why you usually only ﬁnd them in damp areas, like under a dead log... [O]ver evolutionary time, the pill bug’s gills have adapted to life on dry land. Folds in the surface of their ﬁrst two pairs of gills eventually turned into hollow branched structures, almost like tiny lungs.” So the next time you come across a roly poly curled up in a tight ball, know that you're looking at the dry-land descendant of a onceaquatic species. www.mnn.com

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Use immune boosting nutrients like Vitamin C and Zinc. Selenium is especially pro-immune and anti-viral. Of course, making sure that you’re getting enough protein, especially whey protein which contains the anti-viral peptide “lactoferrin”, in addition to immune globulins, can be especially helpful. Foodstuffs can be helpful too. Mushrooms contain beta-glucans which support immune health. Cruciferous veggies have immune boosting phytonutrients, citrus fruits and papaya are great sources of Vitamin C, green tea has antiviral ﬂavonoids, garlic contains S- allylcysteine which can provide protection against viral attack. Finally coconut oil, renowned for its brain boosting and energy providing properties contains lauric acid which can have some very potent anti-viral properties.

SMOKEY BEAR “Only you can prevent forest ﬁres” Around Town

A Mountain Quiltfest Plan Ahead >>> March 21 - March 25 Quilters come together for this event to attend classes that are based on skill level and technique, and category. A quilt show will showcase works on display as well as categories for competition with great prizes. www.pigeonforge.com

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Heartwood Galleries

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1450 E. Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 (865) 661-6207

By Chef JD www.ChefJDs.com

Hello everyone! I am in hopes that everyone is doing well and getting back on track as winter slows us all down and generally makes us feel like the cabin fever is taking over our minds. Yes, cabin fever... when we over think, get bored, get lazy, or simply start trouble where there is no trouble just because of pure boredom. Be careful though, spreading rumors that you believe to be true from what you read on the internet or hear from another can have your karma bite you back in many ways. A perfect example would be that one tries to ﬁnd out about a person from the internet; the internet is not always correct, updates are not engaged, false information is everywhere. If you truly wish to know about a person, ask them, get to know them. If you're truly worried who that person is, go to your local Police station and enquire. However, keep in mind, sometimes rufﬂing ones feathers can do more damage than good. Plus, how would you feel about people doing that to you, your family, your business or even your friends? I understand if you think that lives are at stake in some way, but if not, my question is; does this make you feel like a better person, a bigger person, a loving person in doing these types of things? I think not, but that is my opinion. In my opinion, I believe that one ought to concentrate more on being grateful, loving towards one another and gifting it forward, whenever & where ever one can. In addition, teach this also to all of our youths so that maybe, just maybe, our world will return to a much more loving & kinder place.

Speaking of being loving & kinder...this is Valentines Month!!! You can get chocolate everywhere, even in my store. However, why not think outside the box and add something a little different? So let me give you one of my favorite cookie recipes that everyone in your life will enjoy!

Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal, Raisin Cookies Preheat oven 350° ·Blend together: ·1 cup Brown Sugar ·1/2 cup Butter, soft ·1 Egg

www.heartwoodgalleries.com Add & blend well: ·1/2 tablespoon Vanilla Extract ·1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon ·1 teaspoon Baking Powder ·1/4 teaspoon Salt ·Slowly add until just blended: ·1 cup Flour ·1/2 cup Oatmeal ·1 cup Chocolate Chips ·1 cup Raisins ·On baking sheets lined with parchment paper: Drop tablespoon dough onto sheet pan and ﬂatten a bit. Bake 10 minutes, remove, let cool on rack.

“Your Art is Where Our Heart Is” Largest selection of sculptured wood artifacts in Galinburg DIRECTIONS: In

We must not forget Mardi Gra Sweetness! New Orleans Bread Pudding ·Before you do anything else for 2 hours or overnight: Soak 1 cup of raisins in 1/4 cup of Bourbon Preheat oven 350° ·Press & soak in large bowl: ·1 Day Old French Bread, cut into 1-inch cubes ·1 quart of Whole Milk ·In another bowl mix together then gently add to bread along with the raisins: ·3 Large Eggs ·2 tablespoons Vanilla ·1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon ·1/4 teaspoon Allspice ·2 cup Sugar ·In a 9 x 13 baking pan pour in, coat sides with: ·3 tablespoon Butter, melted ·Add bread mixture, spread evenly & bake 40 minutes, (until bread is pulling away from pan). In the mean time make the Bourbon Sauce: ·Melt together & whisk constantly over low heat, without simmering, then remove from heat: ·1/2 cup Butter ·1 cup Sugar ·1 large Egg ·Whisk in Bourbon ·1/2 cup Bourbon ·Before serving, whisk sauce again. Serve sauce on the side or top each serving with the Bourbon Sauce.

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Enjoy your Valentine's Day and Mardi Gra celebrations! Come check out my store and new additions! Chef JD

Townsend, Tennessee Townsend bills itself as “The Peaceful Side of the Smoky Mountains”. And true to its name, it does have a much slower and easier pace than its neighboring towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Important is its close proximity to Cades Cove. Townsend is the closest of the towns bordering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is the most visited part of the Park.

equipment and entertaining exhibits to interest the traveler. True railroad enthusiasts can enjoy viewing the preserved locomotives and logging equipment. More info, contact the Townsend Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum at 865-448-3060. Townsend Visitors Center - 865-448-6134.

In fact, Townsend’s Tuckaleechee Cove is rich in Appalachian history and heritage. Here the Little River gently descends from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park into this quiet community, and was a natural settlement area that has attracted and served as home to pioneers for hundreds of years. In fact, archaeological digs in the Townsend area have recently uncovered evidence of settlers dating back thousands of years. As early as the 1700’s, white settlers settled the areas of Townsend and nearby Cades Cove. Today, several museums and historic sites keep us connected with the past.

Ben Stroupe knows better than many how deeply music can heal. When he is not serving up a meal, he is rocking out at the Crystelle Creek Restaurant and Grill in Gatlinburg on Monday and Tuesday nights. He was performing on the stage the November night when wildfires first swept into Gatlinburg. Stroupe later returned to the city to find his home decimated, including 52 of his guitars and all the music he wrote in the 1970s.

“I never got back home after playing here. It was gone. Everything was gone,” Stroupe said. "I had guitars I carried around for 45 years. Just some rare, rare stuff.”

Stroupe said when Wilkins dropped off the guitar. The act of kindness brought Stroupe one step closer to replenishing his lost collection. As he strums on, he says it's a reminder to pay it forward.

Grateful for his life, he kept serving at Crystelle Creek and picked up extra shifts when possible -even choosing to work through Christmas.

"It's happened to me, but there's folks in much worse shape than I am. And if I can give something back to those folks, that's the way it rolls!" he said.

After WBIR 10News ﬁrst aired his story, word spread fast. "I got people calling me from all over the United States. People offering me guitars," Stroupe said.

"It just really resonated with the guys and the gal with Magic Music. The relationship and his story just really touched home,” said communications manager Debbie Wilkins. “We do want to pay it forward, and we want to help.”

"Wow, I love it! Did you tune this on the way in?"

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On Tuesday, a Colorado-based band made a visit to Gatlinburg to help reestablish one local musician’s guitar collection after wildﬁres destroyed more than 50 of his guitars.

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By www.WBIR.com Ben Stroupe knows better than many how deeply music can heal.

On Tuesday night, a representative from the band drove from Georgia to hand-deliver a vintage guitar to the musician.

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Musician Receives Gift After Losing 52 Guitars To Wildﬁre

He said people had contacted him from as far as Wisconsin and California. Among those who reached out was Magic Music, a Colorado-based band that ﬁrst started performing in the late 60s.

Gatlinburg turn onto Route 321 at trafﬁc light #3. Go 3 miles. We are on the right.

"Wow, I love it! Did you tune this on the way in?" Stroupe said when Wilkins dropped off the guitar. The act of kindness brought Stroupe one step closer to replenishing his lost collection. As he strums on, he says it's a reminder to pay it forward. "It's happened to me, but there's folks in much worse shape than I am. And if I can give something back to those folks, that's the way it rolls!" he said. Stroupe says he knows several other musicians who lost everything in the ﬁres, and is coordinating with the band to help them donate instruments to those victims, too.

Ladies Night at Ober Gatlinburg / February 16 @ 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Want to ski for free and help out a local charity at the same time? Ladies Night will be held on Thursday, February 16th. Ladies of all ages will receive a free 6pm-10pm Lift Ticket with 10 canned goods or nonperishable items. So whether you want to hit the slopes with your College Buddies or Gal Pals come out for a night of fun and recreation to support the Sevier County Food Ministries.

In the early 1900’s, the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company ruled the area when they logged thousands of acres until 1928, when locals fostered the idea for creating a national park. The railroad museum that exists here today contains hundreds of photographs, well-restored railroad

Formations and Underground Waterfall in Tuckaleechee Caverns

Tuesday Nites Music at the Creek A Smoky Jazz Feel With A Bluesy Rock Sound Featuring: Ben E. Scott Stroupe

Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill From: 6:00 till 9:00 ( Next To Dollar General )

1654 East Parkway