Smoky Mountains Around Town / January 2016 by Smoky Mountains Around Town

Trolley Routes & Schedules Inside on Page 11

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Arts Around Town

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Crafts Community

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Smoky Mountains Around Town

Local Area Map Inside on Page 6 Ober Gatlinburg

Smoky Mountains

Around Town

What To See And Where To Be In The Smokies!

Volume 3, No. 1

Read online: www.smokymountainsaroundtown.com

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Gatl i n burg Named #1 Desti n ati o n On The Ri s e By Tri p advi s or afﬁrms the positive experience our guests receive when they visit Gatlinburg.” Gatlinburg is one of America's great mountain resort destinations, with accommodations of every kind, dozens of local-to-national restaurants, and attractions galore – all surrounded on three sides by the natural beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Gatlinburg prides itself on its walkability amidst mountain heritage and the arts, crafts and shops that reﬂect that tradition. Home to 3,944 residents, this little town is dedicated to welcoming millions of visitors each year with a taste of Appalachian hospitality at its best. People come from all over the world for vacations, outdoor adventures, family fun and memory making.

TripAdvisor announced Tuesday morning that Gatlinburg, Tennessee has been named the #1 Destination on the Rise in the United States and #4 in the world. The recognition comes as TripAdvisor is releasing the Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2015. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site, reaching 350 million unique monthly visitors, covering 5.3 million accommodations and operating in 47 countries worldwide. “This is a such a great recognition for Gatlinburg,” said Robert Montgomery, Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau Board President.“TripAdvisor is internationally known as a trusted source for top travel information, and this recognition further

Neil’s Gallery

For the fourth year, TripAdvisor has highlighted the world’s top destinations that have seen the greatest increase in positive feedback and interest from the TripAdvisor community, yearover-year. “Our well-traveled community has helped us identify the destinations around the world that are gaining in interest and popularity,” said Barbara Messing, Chief Marketing Ofﬁcer for TripAdvisor. “We hope these destinations inspire those planning their travel for 2016 to book trips to these locales that feature excellent hotels, restaurants and attractions, and also provide a great vacation value.” To see the complete list of Destinations on the Rise, go to www.TripAdvisor.com/TravelersChoice. For more info about Gatlinburg visit www.Gatlinburg.com or call (800) 588-1817.

L ocal A rtist ...

Robert A. Tino Originals, Canvas, Paper Prints • Oil Paintings • Acrylics • Watercolors

Located at the Covered Bridge in the Glades

www.neilsgallery.com

849 Glades Road, 2B6 • Gatlinburg •

865-430-4029

Artists: Dave Robinson & Steve Greteman Heartwood Galleries Anyone driving on Route 321 in Gatlinburg can't miss the piece of art created by chainsaw artists Dave Robinson and Steve Greteman at Heartwood Galleries. This life size replica of a horse is hard to miss as you drive by. Currently, it is decorated in Christmas lights. Depending on who you talk to it is known as “Crazy Horse”, “Splinter” or “Mr. Ed”. Anyone over the age of 40 knows Mr. Ed, a popular TV show back in the 60's. This unique piece of art is made from fallen and nuisance trees including Poplar, Hemlock, Hickory and Cypress. The mane hair is made from Wisteria. Heartwood Galleries has become a Gatlinburg landmark with carved and chainsaw art of bears and many other pieces for the home. So quit horsing around and trot over to their location, Heartwood Galleries at 1450 East Parkway in Gatlinburg.

FOOT GEAR

Teva Dealer

Of Gatlinburg

We Are The Only UGG’S Dealer In The Area!

Calhoun’s Village •1004 Parkway, #301• Gatlinburg • 865-436-2500 When Will It Snow? Snow Falls Infrequently At Low Elevations In The Smokies, But At Higher Elevations, It Can Fall Anytime From October Through April Winter is a ﬁckle season in the Smokies. Days can be sunny with high temperatures of 65° Fahrenheit or snowy with highs in the 20s. In the lower elevations, snows of 1" or more occur rather infrequently--usually only a few times each winter. Typically this snow melts within a few hours of falling.

Photo: Mike Baker

At higher elevations, the climate is signiﬁcantly cooler than in the surrounding lowlands and the mountain peaks receive much more snow. At nearly a mile high, Newfound Gap (elevation 5,046') receives an average of 69" of snow during the winter season. When winter precipitation is falling however, travel conditions can quickly become very hazardous in the park. Newfound Gap Road (US-441) and other park roads are often temporarily closed during

winter storms due to snow and ice on the roadways. Before visiting the park in winter, please call (865) 436-1200 for road closure and weather information. Dial extension 631 for updates on temporary road closures and extension 630 for a weather forecast. Or you can follow road status updates on Twitter by visiting: http://twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps. Updates are available for Newfound Gap Road (US-441), Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road. If Newfound Gap Road is not closed due to snowy or icy conditions, opportunities exist for cross country skiing and hiking in the snow along Clingmans Dome Road, which is closed to vehicles in winter. This road starts 0.1 mile south of Newfound Gap.

Smoky Mountains Around Town is Worldwide on the Internet www.smokymountainsaroundtown.com and like us on Facebook

Page 2 Around Town

A Taste of Italy Comes To Gatlinburg family prices. This is good news for both locals and tourist alike. Geri has been preparing and serving this wonderful food for many years. Her husband, Harold, knows and understands the restaurant business and brings the experience and management knowledge to their new location in the Food City shopping plaza.

KEN WAYNE Photography & Gallery

Photo Workshop Tours

Here are a few examples of the Taste of Italy menu. An entrée choice is their Veal Parmesan made with fresh veal that is hand pounded, dipped in then breaded. It is then topped in a marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Finally it is served over pasta of choice. Their Grilled Chicken Salad is marinated in a unique combination of oils and herbs and served with tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, green peppers and peperocini red onions and Mozzarella cheese served over a bed of romaine and iceberg lettuce. Harold and Geri Mabee are transplants from New York with many years experience in the restaurant business. As the name of their business implies they specialize in Italian fare with an emphasis on Naples cuisine.

Eventually they plan to have a delivery service. Located at 1235 East Parkway, Suite 1 & 2, in Gatlinburg, the opening is planned for January 12, 2016. Waitresses are needed. A job fare is planned for January 4. Contact Geri at 561-254-5359 for employment opportunities.

Their business plan is to provide good, nutritious food at

East Tennessee Best of the Best By Linda Hyder Nellie Johnson of Kodak, was named East Tennessee Best of the Best by the Family Community Education Organization. This award recognizes outstanding Family Community Education (FCE) Club Members who volunteer their services for the betterment of their community.

Photo Restora on Services 865-850-2889 www.kennethwayne.com Smoky Mountains Art’s & Crafts Community

608 Glades Road • Gatlinburg, TN 37738

In addition to her Sevier County FCE commitments, Nellie has spent hours cooking, delivering meals and serving the needs of others, often through the ministry involvement of Kodak United Methodist Church. Nellie placed 3rd in the Tennessee Best of the Best .

Picture (left to right) Brenda Maples (daughter), Nellie Johnson and Linda Hyder (FCE Extension Agent)

Crafts & Gifts Hand-Crafted in the Smoky Mountains

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

(865) 325-8142 Located at the Covered Bridge in the Glades Gatlinburg's Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community

Coming Soon!

Alibis

Gatlinburg’s Newest Casual Restaurant

The Cherokees referred to the Smoky Mountains as the “Land of the Blue Mist” • The Great China Circus acrobats perform amazing stunts and feats of strength in Sevierville that have been passed down from the Han Dynasty...more than 2,000 years ago • Nestled along the Southwestern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.. 480-foot-tall Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the Eastern United States • Nestled along the Southwestern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 480-foot-tall Fontana Dam is the tallest dam in the Eastern United States • The Qualla Arts & Crafts Mutual in Cherokee displays the work of more than 300 Cherokee craftspeople..making it the largest facility of its kind in the United States •Dollywood serves as the home of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum, which attracts approximately 1 million visitors annually • Elvis Presley’s ﬁrst limo is just one of the many unique vehicles on display at Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum in Sevierville.

Fun Fact Mr Peebles may look like a kitten, but he is actually two-years-old. The tiny cat got its size from a genetic defect that stunts growth. At just 6.1 - inch (15.5 cm) and 19.2 - inches (49 cm) long, he currently holds certiﬁcate from The Guinness Book of World Records as the worlds smallest cat.

Featuring home cooked meals, signature salads, hot steam subs and TV’s everywhere for the sport enthusiast! Opening Soon 2015.

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

Smoky Mountains Arts & Crafts Village

170 Glades Road, #25 • Gatlinburg Published by:

Smoky Mountains Around

Town

P.O. Box 368, Gatlinburg, Tennessee 37738 www.SmokyMountainsAroundTown.com Editor: Elizabeth Patti

Publisher: John F. Patti Associate Publishers: P. J. West Brook St. Johns Steve Moore Kim Bell Jim Woods Jim England Brian Papworth

Photographers: Ken Wayne

Contributing Writers: Cynthia Reeves Chef JD Kathryn Sherrard Teri Pizza Danny Lewis W. Alan Bruhin Ken Wayne Glenn K. Turner Stacey Adam Jim Yonan

Check This Paper for Grand Opening

805 E. Parkway, Gatlinburg

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.

Great Food & Entertainment Your host Kim & David

The Best Place To Dance!

HOGG'S UPSTAIRS TAVERNE Neesee on the keyboard singing all your favorites

Gatlinburg Sports Bar Atmosphere By Day Gatlinburg Fun Hot Spot At Night!

So You Wanna Party ? Open Daily 3 pm

Entertainment Every Night!

Carrie Tillis, Bill Labounty and Bobby Tomberlin

(865) 430-1551

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

WWW.CRYSTELLECREEK.COM 1654 East Parkway (Next To Dollar General)

Dancing On The Bar

Patio Seating

With the best view on the strip!

Best Burgers and Wings in Gatlinburg www.hoggsupstairstaverne.com (865) 436-8515 Open 7 Days Per Week from 12 pm until 1 am

745 Parkway, Suite 10 Gatlinburg

Around Town Page 3

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. Back In The Day Fires From Illegal Stills Light Up The Mountains Like A Giant Christmas Tree

“The Beginnings of NASCAR”

The Stories Would Be Very Nearly Clichéd, If They Weren't At The Same Time Oh-so True. If you're even remotely familiar with NASCAR lore, you know the tales. A bunch of dirt poor good ol' boys who lived anywhere from Virginia down to Georgia had no other choice to survive than the illegal whiskey business. They souped up their cars to haul their bounty, and then ran from the law like their behinds were on ﬁre.

been examined in at least two excellent books -- Driving with the Devil: Southern Moonshine, Detroit Wheels, and the Birth of NASCAR (Broadway 2007) by Neal Thompson, and Real NASCAR: White Lightning, Red Clay, and Big Bill France (The University of North Carolina Press 2010) by Daniel S. Pierce.

And because, well, heck, boys will be boys, they wound up racing each other on the local highways and byways.Then, somebody got the bright idea to cut a crude track out of some cow pasture somewhere, and the rest, as they say, is history. Junior Johnson was the most famous bootlegger to make a name for himself in NASCAR, but he darn sure wasn't the only one.

An associate professor and chair of the history department at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, Pierce was at best disinterested in the sport before his 1994 baptism at Bristol. It was then and only then that the academic started investigating the phenomenon that is NASCAR. He, too, discovered the myths and mysteries of the sport's moonshine-fueled birth and found them fascinating.

No, back in those days, back before there even was a NASCAR, it would have been easier to name the racing folks who weren't involved in moonshining in some shape, form or fashion than those who were. Drivers, mechanics, track owners ... you name it, and they were into it. Johnson was a member of the ﬁrst class of inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and when it came time to set up a still for display, Junior showed up ready to work. He had, after all, quite a bit of experience in that particular area. "It gave me so much advantage over other people that had to train and learn how to drive," Johnson once said of hauling liquor. "When I sat down in that seat the ﬁrst race I ever ran, it was a backseat to what I'd already been through. I had did all them spinning deals sideways and stuff like that. It just made my job so much easier than anybody I had seen come along and go into it. Never, ever, did I see a guy who could take a car any deeper than I could and save it, as long as I raced." There's no way around it. NASCAR's roots are soaked to the very tips in moonshine, and in the last few years, the connection has

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.

"I started doing research on NASCAR, and obviously one of the important questions I wanted to look at was the whole role of moonshine," Pierce said. "I pretty much assumed that what I was going to ﬁnd was that it was something that had been mythologized and overblown, that there was Junior Johnson and a few other people that were involved in the early days. "That was my expectation, but the deeper I looked into the whole thing and the more research I did, the more liquor I found. It was just so foundational. I knew it played a role, but the thing that surprised me was that it was so much a part of the foundation of the sport." Pierce's list of pre and early NASCAR participants who'd been involved in bootlegging to some extent grew almost daily.

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

Going beyond that, I was looking at people who were early mechanics. Those guys weren't necessarily involved in bootlegging, but a lot of them made their living working on bootleggers' cars. Doc Collier Moonshine 519 Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 www.doccollier.co - (865) 325-1468

Gatlinburg Beans 'n Cornbread Festival STS Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event

Marketing Director. “With the support of Bush Brothers & Company, the Beans 'n Cornbread Festival brings to life Gatlinburg culinary heritage in an entertaining way that is a draw to visitors of all ages.” Slated for Thursday, May 12, Gatlinburg Beans 'n Cornbread Festival celebrates our Appalachian culinary past with a festive, fun-ﬁlled Beans n' Cornbread cook off, complete with footstompin mountain music, fun and games and of course, lots of Beans and Cornbread. The street festival is on the Parkway in downtown Gatlinburg. Visitors can sample all the different recipes, while supplies last, for a small fee.

The Southeast Tourism Society has named the Gatlinburg Beans 'n Cornbread Festival Presented by Bush Brothers & Company as one of the 'STS Top 20 Events' in the Southeast for May 2016. The STS Top 20 Festival and Event Awards have highlighted programs around the Southeast since 1985.

Gatlinburg’s Largest

“The Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Festival and Event list is an excellent guide for the Southeast's visitors and residents. Events selected represent the best, and often most unique, activities in our region,” said Bill Hardman, president and CEO of the Southeast Tourism Society.

Travel industry experts select 20 events per month, and STS publicizes them throughout the United States. The complete list is published on two websites: EscapeToTheSoutheast.com and Travel Media Press Room.

Events considered for the STS Top 20 recognition must be at least three years old and have attendance of at least 1,000. STS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., is a non-proﬁt organization dedicated to promoting tourism to and within 12 states – Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

“Gatlinburg is known for hosting crowd pleasing events,” says Chad Netherland, Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau

For more information about Gatlinburg events, visit Gatlinburg.com or call (800) 588-1817.

608 G lades Rd ., G atlinburg • (865) 277-7167 2nd location is in the Arts & Crafts Community

www.facebook.com/AmericanSideshow

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

Unusual Antiques & Oddities from Remote Corners of the World

865-436-3322 www.TheSmithsShop.com 680 Glades Road, #2 • Gatlinburg

Use It or Lose It -

Your Mind Is Like a Muscle: 12 Ways to Strengthen Your Brain When it comes to keeping your body’s muscles fit, you often hear the expression “use it or lose it.” Yet most people don’t know that your body’s controlling organ – your brain – is similar to a muscle, too. In fact, keeping your brain “fit” with plenty of mental stimulation is a great way to support your healthy cognition, mental function and memory throughout your life. Isn’t that exciting? What better way to celebrate your brain than to begin exercising it with the following 12 brain-strengthening ideas from clinical neuroscientist, board-certified psychiatrist and brain imaging expert, Daniel Amen, MD? It is just as important to exercise your brain, as it is to exercise your body. It can be fun, too! 1. Dedicate yourself to new learning. Put 15 minutes in your day to learn something new. Einstein said that if anyone spends 15 minutes a day learning something new, in a year he or she will be an expert! Learn by taking a class. Try square-dancing, chess, tai chi, yoga, or sculpture. Parents, work with modeling clay or

Playdough with your kids. It helps develop agility and hand-brain coordination! 2. Cross train at work. Learn someone else’s job. Maybe even switch jobs for several weeks. This beneﬁts the business and employees alike, as both workers will develop new skills and better brain function. 3. Improve your skills at things you already do. Some repetitive mental stimulation is okay as long as you look to expand your base skills and knowledge. Common activities such as gardening, sewing, playing bridge, reading, painting, and doing crossword puzzles have value, but push yourself to do different gardening techniques, more complex sewing patterns, play bridge against more talented players to increase your skill, read new authors on varied subjects, learn a new painting technique, and work harder crossword puzzles. Pushing your brain to new heights helps to keep it healthy and strong. 4. Limit television for kids and adults. In a study published in the journal Pediatrics it was reported that for every hour a day

children watch TV there is a 10% increased chance of them being diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADD). This means if the child watches five hours a day they have a 50% increased chance of being diagnosed with ADD! Watching TV is usually a “no brain” activity. To be fair, most studies did not specifiy if watching programs that teach you something had the same effect as situation comedies, reality shows or sports. I suspect that nobrain TV shows are the primary problem. 5. Limit video games. Action video games have been studied using brain imaging techniques that look at blood flow and activity patterns. Video games have been found to work in an area of the brain called the basal ganglia, one of the pleasure centers in the brain. In fact, this is the same part of the brain that lights up when researchers inject a person with cocaine! My experience with patients and one of my own children is that they tend to get hooked on the games and play so much that it can deteriorate their school work, work and social time – a bit like a drug. Some children and adults do get hooked on them. Continued to Page 5

And Piano Bar

1st Place in Two Categories at the Sevier County Fair Smoky Mountain Celebra on

865-325-1210 Dine In or Take Out

Wampler’s Ole Smoky Moonshine Pork 2014 Grand Champion

Regional Favorites

King of Wings 2014 Grand Champion

865-325-1750

Steeped in Mountain Heritage

Dine in • Delivery • Carry out

Directions: At trafﬁc light #3 in Gatlinburg turn onto 321.

Go 2.7 miles to Glades Road and turn left. We are on the left.

1359 E. Parkway, Suite F, Gatlinburg

Page 4 Around Town

Creating Unique Hand Crafted Jewelry

The Jewelry Spot

Happy Valley Road Trip

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

By Ken Wayne Photographer & Travel Writer Happy Valley, TN is located 42 miles/1 hr-15minutes south from Pigeon Forge. It is a narrow valley that runs north and south. The road you will be traveling on through the valley was a main cattle drive trail in the mid to late 1800's Access Points: From Gatlinburg traveling towards Pigeon Forge on the Parkway you will turn left at light No. 3 in Pigeon Forge. Coming from Sevierville you will turn right at light No. 3 on the Parkway. You will now be on Hwy. 321. Continue on Hwy. 321 passing through Wears Valley for 15 miles to the Tee in Townsend. Hwy. 321 will jog to the right, continue right for 6 miles and you will see the “Foothills Parkway” turn sign. Stay left and turn. You will see the entrance sign to the “Foothills Parkway”. I reset my odometer to 0.0 at this point. Now you can follow along with my mile postings. Mile Postings: 0.0 - At entrance to “Foothills Parkway” 9.0 - Turn left to Happy Valley and reset odometer to 0.0 0.0 - Reset (Note) You may continue straight 2.7 miles to a great view of Skye Lake. Turn around and continue to Happy Valley by following these mile postings. Continue 50 yds. And turn right on to Flats Rd. (Left if returning form Skye Lake) downhill to second right, new home construction on right. Residential cabin area with excellent views of Smoky Mountains and the valley below. Road is well paved but curvy. Continue to stop sign and make a left. 3.0 - Use low gear in this area as it is a steep downhill grade. 3.7 - Abrams Creek Recreation area and Ranger Station entrance will be to your left.

440-478-1841

4.0 - You now will see the Happy Valley Missionary Baptist Church on your right and cemetery on your left, ample parking and great photo area. 4.3 - Nice area with the road now meandering through the valley floor with log cabins on both sides of the road. Just a little further on the right will be a white home with a great log rail porch. Also a Bavarian type home up on the hill to the left. 5.2 - Heavily forested area. Look for a few Japanese maple trees in this area. Also heavily pined. 6.1 - Kudzu vines are abundant climbing up telephone poles and trees. 6.3 - Large meadows with round bales. Take five minutes and turn right to old church up on hill. Great photo area of the old Chilhowee Primitive Baptist Church and cemetery. 7.1 - Welcome to Chilhowee sign on a pole. Road continues to meander through the valley floor and will pass by several chalet rentals. You now start to see signs that you are nearing the “Tail of the Dragon”. 9.0 - Lake Chilhowee Recreation area will be directly in front of you at the intersection at Hwy. 129. Turn Left to enter the Dragon or turn right and continue about 100 yards, turn right at the Foothills Parkway junction to return to Townsend. From Townsend you have several access routes to return to your destination. Note: Next edition “Off the Beaten Path” Tail Of The Dragon Happy Travels Ken Wayne Photography & Gallery 608 Glades Road, Gatlinburg 865-850-2889

www.thejewelryspot.net 849 Glades Road, Suite 1B7, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 Located at the Covered Bridge in The Glades

Misty Mountain Soap Co. A Healthier Choice In Skin Care

Natural Soaps, Lotions & Bath Products hand crafted in our shops!

Gatlinburg Elks Loves Helping The Community It's Jimbo with the Gatlinburg Elks Lodge 1925. We raise money for Christmas baskets for less fortunate families in Sevier County.

baskets and then delivering them. Our Gatlinburg Elks Lodge loves helping the community. If interested in joining contact me or an Elk.

The baskets include a ham, potatos, onions, apples, corn meal, ﬂour, bread, dinner rolls, vegetables, pie and more. It is a great feeling packing these

Happy New Year In The Photo: Jimbo & John Lankford, Exalted Ruler

(865) 430-8084 www.mistymountainsoap.com Two locations in the Arts & Crafts Community! 601 Glades Road (Morning Mist Village) 849 Glades Road (Covered Bridge Complex)

Local Restaurant To Be Featured On Travel Channel Ship Pub By Michael Williams

The Wood Grill Buffet of Pigeon Forge has cause to celebrate for two big reasons. The popular restaurant recently broke its own national single day's sales volume record of all the Western Sizzlin' and Wood Grill Buffet chain locations in America and the restaurant will be featured on

the Travel Channel. The buffet now holds the top seven single day sales volume records for the chain. All seven record days have been on Thanksgiving Day due to the huge amount of extra food that it has out on the buffet each Thanksgiving and Christmas Day in addition to its always regular 220 items. Western Sizzlin' Franchise Representative, Rick Henderson, stated, “We are proud of Wood Grill Buffet Pigeon Forge sales volume and their quality of service and food and look forward to even greater volume by them in the future. That particular location also holds several other sales records of the franchise chain.” Filming has already been completed by the Travel Channel for a feature story on Wood Grill Buffet Pigeon Forge as it being one of the top buffets in America. It will air on the Travel Channel's new show “Buffet Buddies” this coming spring. Time and date of the airing will be announced.

Open 11 till 10 - Closed Mondays 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

4-H Will Offer Variety of Camping Experiences

Summer of 2016 Even though it is cold outside, it is never too early to begin making plans for summer camp. I know that many 4-H members would love to see a trip to summer camp, wrapped up as a gift Traditional 4-H Camp at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center in Greeneville is scheduled for June 6-10 for 4th - 6th graders while 7th & 8th graders will attend July 11-15. This overnight experience offers a multitude of outdoor recreational opportunities including: swimming, crafts, camp ﬁres and wildlife experiences. Cost for the week will be between $270.00 to $300.00 depending on the week and covers activities, lodging, meals and transportation. Fashion and Design Camp is set for June 7-9, 2016, in Pigeon Forge. Campers get to explore the world of fashion and design with hands-on experiences and trips to local attractions. Cost is $100.00 which includes lodging, meals and workshop materials. 4-H Electric Camp is set for June 28 - July 1,

2016, at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Electric Camp is open to current 6th & 7th graders and gives campers the opportunity to explore the world of energy and science in hands-on learning centers while spending time on the UT Campus. Cost is around $260.00 and includes meals, lodging, ﬁeld trips and a t-shirt. 4-H Quilt Camp at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center Lodge is scheduled for July 5-7, 2016 for 6th – 12th graders who have sewing experience. A three day camp where campers learn quilting and social etiquette along with some traditional camp experiences like canoeing, swimming and the ropes course. Cost is to be announced. If you are interested in providing the gift of a 4-H Scholarship for a Sevier County 4-H member in 2016, we can help you. Your tax-deductible donation can be sent to the Sevier County 4-H Clubs, 752 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville, Tn 37862. Checks are made to:Tn 4-H Foundation - Sevier County 4-H Camp Scholarship. Call the 4-H Ofﬁce at 453-3695.

Steaks Burgers Seafood and much more

(865) 325-1658 170 Glades Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 www.ship-pub.com

Gatlinburg

January 1 to 31 – Gatlinburg Winter Magic. The City of Gatlinburg magically lights up the winter nights with dozens of spectacular light displays, featuring all LED bulbs. (800) 5684748 January 2, 19, 16, 23, 30 – Gatlinburg Winter Magic Trolley Ride of Lights – On Saturdays in January, enjoy a guided trolley tour of Gatlinburg Winter Magic lighting displays.

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

Departure is from the Ripley’s Aquarium Trolley Station. Trolley leaves at 6:30, 7:30 and 8 : 3 0 . To b o o k y o u r s e a t s p l e a s e v i s i t : www.gatlinburg.com/events ($) January 24 to 26–Tennessee Winter Special Olympics. Winter sports competitions including ice-skating, snowboarding and snow skiing at Ober Gatlinburg. Opening ceremonies are held at W.L. Mills Auditorium. (800) 251-9202

• Smoothies • fudge

• Muffins • Homemade Candies

Free Parking

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 E Parkway, Downtown Gatlinburg

www.HowardsRestaurantGatlinburg.com (865) 436-3600

Let People Know You’re In Business Call: (865) 255-3557 www.smokymountainsaroundtown.com

Around Town Page 5

Gatlinburg Pickers Sparky’s Glassblowing

Come and watch Gary at work

by Danny Lewis Here’s a really unique idea, ole wooden ski’s turned into a hanging wall mount shelf to display “What Nots”. I am always so impressed with the creative minds out there that turn things into what we call “Repurposing”. This simple, but handsome piece will look great in a log cabin, bar, man cave...most anywhere.

Glassblowing at its best!

I ﬁnd it also so satisfying to see things repurposed. Like granny always said...waste not...want not.

Beautiful, handcrafted blown & sculpted glass

Hope everyone has a wonderful new year and look forward to next months “Item of the Month”.

(865) 325-8186

Happy New Year and Happy Trails...Danny P.S. - Thank you everyone so much for being so supportive as we continue to support the Appalachian way of life here. We are now displaying Paul Murray’s art, a local artist booth in both of our stores. By the way, we are starting to rent space in both of our locations so call Danny at (423) 432-9476. Talk to you later.

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

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. Watercolor classes are available for visitors

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

See Artisans At Work

www.sparkysglassblowing.com Smoky Mountains Art’s & Crafts Community

849 Glades Road (Covered Bridge Complex)

STAR FRUIT! By Teri Pizza Winter is a wonderful time to look up and see the stars vivid in the night sky. Perhaps that's why I've decided to write a bit about the exotic ... STAR FRUIT! But ﬁrst, a WARNING ! Star Fruit can have adverse effects on people suffering from chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease! NOW, ON TO THE YUMMY STUFF ABOUT THIS FUN FRUIT: STAR FRUIT is often used in tropical drinks. STAR FRUIT goes by many different names. Some countries like Guyana & Trinidad/Tobago refer to it as the 5 Finger Fruit because of its ridges. In Indonesia STAR FRUIT is called Belimbing but Jamaicans call it Jimblin. HERE'S SOME TIPS TO GET YOU ON THE RIGHT PATH WITH THIS CELESTIAL FRUIT:

Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community The Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community is the largest group of independent artisans in North America with over 100 artisans. Established in 1937 this 8 mile loop weaves through Gatlinburg. These craftsmen and artisans weave, carve, cast, sew, paint and whittle to create a vast variety of collectibles such as jewelry, ceramics, dolls, pottery, quilts, brooms, baskets, candles, leather, silver smithing, wearable fashions, artistic photography, oils and watercolor paintings, blown and stained glass and so much more. The area also has restaurants, cafes, candy shops, soda fountains, tea rooms and lodging. You'll discover one-of-a-kind crafts, treasures and artwork and watch artisans at work. Stop along the way and chat with a painter or potter, or let a broom maker show you how it's done. This is a great experience for the entire family or just the two of you. There's plenty of free parking at each shop throughout the trail loop. Ride the "Craft Trolley" if you'd like to see it all without

the hassles of driving. A one-fare trip will provide a great way to see everything getting on and off as often as you like. Either way you travel you won't be disappointed, see history in the making and it's the real thing! Turn at trafﬁc light #3 in downtown Gatlinburg onto highway 321,go 3 miles and see sign on the left. Visit www.gatlinburgcrafts.com.

This sign at Route 321 and Glades Road is a landmark to the Arts & Crafts Community

Monday Nites Music At The Creek Featuring: Ben E. Scott Stroupe “A Smoky Jazz Feel With A Bluesy Rock Sound" From 6:00 till 9:00

Crystelle Creek Restaurant & Grill 1654 East Parkway (Next To Dollar General)

BestStoreBeer Selection & Lowest Prices in Gatlinburg Hours Mon - Sat 7 am - 11 pm Sun 7 am - 9 pm

Drive-Up Window Hours Mon - Sat 7 am - Midnight Sun 7 am - 10 pm

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Directions: Turn at trafﬁc light #3 onto Highway 321 East, go about 3 miles to trafﬁc light #3A at the intersection of Parkway and Glades Road. We are in the shopping center with Family Dollar & Subway

1359 E Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 • (865) 430-4233

Select ripe star fruit that has ﬁrm ﬂesh and is bright yellow with tinges of light green. Ridges may be brown and can be removed with a potato peeler. With star fruit, the larger it is, the sweeter it is! Green star fruit will ripen when left out at room

temperature for a few days. To prepare star fruit for eating out of hand, simply rinse in warm water, do not peel, cut off both ends, and eat. Slice crosswise into stars to make a terriﬁc and unique garnish on the rim of any glass! Add star fruit to any tropical fruit salad. And, as mentioned, Star fruit is also great in tropical fruit punch served with or without alcohol. Have fun enjoying this unique and different fruit! Caution: Star fruit bruises easily so handle with care. NUTRITION & HEALTH

Star Fruit contains only 30 calories per fruit. It is a good source of vitamin C, potassium and ﬁber, as well as antioxidants and ﬂavonoids. Pick one up just to try it. Who knows, you might thank your lucky stars you did! A former resident of Illinois, Teri Pizza resides in Tennessee and Florida. She is the author of SIMPLICITY OF FRESH PRODUCE ©, available at Amazon.com in paperback and ebook. You can like her book on Facebook, visit its website at ThymetoEatBooks.com or write to her personally at tnmntlady@gmail.com.

2015 Christmas Parade Awards The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau is recognizing a prestigious group of entries for the 40th annual Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade as the best of the best in five specific categories. More than 60,000 spectators turned out for the parade. Bond Girl Rachel Grant served as Grand Marshal for the parade, which featured more than 75 parade entries including floats, balloons, marching bands, majorette groups, dancers, emergency units and rolling vehicles. Gatlinburg’s 40th Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade will be televised in Sevier County on Spectrum Charter Cable Channel 196 on December 24-25 at 8 p.m.It will also be available on Channel 194 and 195 from December 15 to December 31 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 6:30 pm and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 7:00 pm Parade entries recognized with awards as 2nd-South Iredell High School Marching Band follows: 3rd-Ole Smoky Moonshine Best Professional Float Most Entertaining 1st- Ober Gatlinburg 1st- Our Little Miss 2nd- Miss Native American USA 3rd- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 2nd- White County High School Marching Band Royalty Board 3rd- Asheville High School Marching Band Best Original Entry Best Marching Band 1st- Westgate Resort 1st - Asheville High School Marching Band 2nd- Bubba Gump Shrimp Company 2nd- White County High School Marching 3rd- Ole Smoky Moonshine Band Best Use of Lights 3rd- Loretto High School Marching Band 1st- Asheville High School Marching Band

Use It or Lose It 6. Join a reading group that keeps you accountable to new learning. Almost any mental activity you enjoy can be used to protect your brain. The essential requirement is that it activates several different brain areas, one of which should be the hippocampus (in the temporal lobes), which stores new information for retrieval later on. By recalling information (using your hippocampus), you are protecting your brain’s memory centers. In essence, as long as you learn something new and work to recall it later for discussions, you are protecting short-term memory. Reading stimulates a wide variety of brain areas that process, understand, and analyze what you read, and then store it for later recall if you decide it’s worth remembering. The neurons in these activated brain areas are stimulated with speciﬁc patterns of information. 7. Practice does not make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. The brain does not interpret what you feed into it; it simply translates it. When you are learning to play the piano, the brain doesn’t care if you are becoming a great piano player or a terrible piano player. Consequently, if you repeat imperfect ﬁngering, you will become very good at playing imperfectly! Teaching someone to do something well at the start prevents them from developing bad habits,

Continued from Page 3

which get solidiﬁed in the brain and are subsequently hard to retrain. Effective initial training in the workplace and in school is essential to developing effective, happy employees and students. We do not just train people, we train brains! 8. Break the routine of your life to stimulate new parts of your brain. Do the opposite of what feels natural to activate the other side of your brain and gain access to both hemispheres. Write with your other hand, shoot basketballs with both hands, hit baseballs left handed (if you are right handed), play table tennis left handed, shoot a riﬂe sighting with your other eye, use the mouse with your other hand – make your brain feel uncomfortable. In essence, break the patterned routine in your life to challenge your brain to make new neuronal connections. Here are some more ideas: Try a sport you’ve never tried before - Take a class in a subject you know nothing about - Learn new cooking recipes - Do some volunteer work – see how good you’ll feel - Try a different product - Go to church, or a different church - Go to an opera or symphony - Join a self-development group Spend time reading the dictionary or a reference book. Learn a new word each day! Make a new friend, ask him or her to do something with you Continued to Page 12

Page 6 Around Town

D-Lite Candles

"Specializing in Affordable Elegance for You and The Home"

170 Glades Road, #13 Gatlinburg, TN 37738 865-430-2512

865-325-1565 450 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738 FREE PARKING in REAR 23 Or Next Door at Crossroads Inn & Suites www.decoriumonline.com

greenbrierpottery.blogspot.com 865-436-8284 865-230-4870 Arts & Crafts Community

Located inside Ar sts A c at Glades Village

680 Glades Rd., #5 Gatlinburg

Thistle Dew! (865) 277-9063

www.thistledew.yolasite.com Located in the Arts & Crafts Community 22 600 Glades Road • Gatlinburg

The Artsy Olive

To National Park

Life Coach

WALK-INS WELCOME

865-221-9867 2

(865) 430-3420

(865) 254-8835 19 www.theartsyolive.com

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

865-366-1688

Park Vista Hotel Airport Road

395 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Dudley Creek Bypass

Cardinal Drive

Glades Village

(865) 430-1551 Follow Me To The Tree

4 Ogles Drive West

Covered Bridge in the Glades 849 Glades Road # 1C1

Gatlinburg Bypass Road

FOOT GEAR

Little Pigeon River

Of Gatlinburg

Arts & Crafts Community

865-436-2500

Powdermill Road Dollywood

Buckhorn Road

Route 66

Old M

Splash Country

Watson Road

24 Covered Bridge

• Tortas • Tortillas • Chimichangas •Homemade Tamales

any kind of meat Pineapple – Habiscus Tea – Orchata made with ﬂour tortil as, fresh bel pep er, squash, tomatoes 4

Frances

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

3 7

Old Mill Ave.

ill Rd

1654 East Parkway• Gatlinburg

Jake Thomas Road

Pine Mountain Road

(865) 243-7018 25

5 4

454 N.

600 Glades Road, # 7, Gatlinburg

The ONLY

Duck Pond Lane

in East Tennessee!

Wears Valley Road

Veterans Blvd.

Upper Middle Creek Rd

Skiddy’s Place

(865) 436-0677 11

Teaster Lane

Gatlinburg’s Largest Antique Shop

americansideshowantiques.com

(865) 325-1411 9

373 Parkway, Gatlinburg

Pittman Center Road Biblical Times Theatre

Birds Creek Rd. (Route 454)

1065 Glades Road, Gatlinburg

HillsCreek.com 865-430-7778

Campbell Lead Road

Gatlinburg Welcome Center

Duck Pond Lane

Authentic Mexican Food • Mexican Tacos - Homemade Fresh Juices -

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Pollo Loco

The Acquarium

Lane

King Rd.

20 25 19 18 16

Since 1998

Kaleidoscopes Frogman Jewelry Art Glass M&D Hills

8 Dollywood

Open Daily 3 pm

2 1

Judy Jones Pottery

Baskin Creek Bypass

Glades Road

. Rd Hidden Hills

Artist Crafts Village

Entertainment

Newman Road

3A 13 8

E. Parkway (Route 321)

2 12

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

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

103 Mills Park Rd. • Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Photography

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Watch Glass Artist J. Hills

Riverside

109 Old Mill Avenue • Pigeon Forge • Turn At Light #7

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

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Ski Mountain Rd.

Ober Gatlinburg

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• • • • •

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• Psychic Readings • Spiritual Candles • Healing Crystals • Palm Readings • Tarot Cards 31 Phone Readings

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Sugarlands Visitors Center

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www.d-litecandles.com marinesmom72@gmail.com

Road

Raku, Smoke Fired and Func onal Po ery

Great Smoky Mountains

The Decorium

GREENBRIER POTTERY

1 Titanic Museum

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Little Pigeon River

Apple Valley Road

Route 66

Dine In or Take Out 865-325-1210 1359 E. Parkway, Gatlinburg Jayell Road

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

170 Glades Rd. • 865-436-2363

Neil’s Gallery

Located at the Covered Bridge in the Glades

Available

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

440-478-1841 www.thejewelryspot.net

Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge-Sevierville Key

The Jewelry Spot

Local Area Map

Watch Us Make Candles

865-436-9214

Creating Unique Hand Crafted Jewelry

At the Covered Bridge in The Glades

849 Glades Road, Suite 1B7, Gatlinburg

Map Location Numbers Gatlinurg

Pigeon Forge

Trafﬁc Lights

Gatlinurg

Pigeon Forge/Sevierville

Businesses

Heartwood Galleries “Your Art is Where Our Heart Is”

Loxx

Forks of the River

Parkway

Businesses

Map Is Not Drawn To Scale

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

(865) 661-6207

ton Parkw

Dolly Par

To I-40

www.heartwoodgalleries.com

1450 E. Parkway, Gatlinburg

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

& Smoke House

Dine-in Available

865-325-1512 Bar-B-Q,Wings & More

1 2134 Parkway • Pigeon Forge www.titanicpigeonforge.com

SkiMountainPizza.com

At traffic light #10 turn right onto Ski Mountain Rd. go 1 mile 631 Ski Mountain Road, Gatlinburg

Around Town Page 7

Appalachian Bear Rescue By Kathryn Sherrard

Update on ABR Cubs – Why so many Orphans?

Last month we reported that we had received several cubs during late October into November. The arrival of orphaned bear cubs continued into December, with the result that at this time we are still caring for 16 little bears. All of these cubs will likely spend the winter at ABR. This will be the first time in several years that cubs will be with us through the winter. The good news is that seven more of the cubs we wrote about previously have now been released back into the wild. These cubs arrived during the summer or early fall and had gained enough weight by late November to be deemed ready to return to their natural habitat. Their weights at release time were sufficient to see them through the winter, even if they might be unable to find food in the wild. Two of the cubs weighed over 120 pounds! The cubs that arrived during late November and early December were not quite as malnourished and underweight as the Octoberearly November cubs, but in each case they were judged to be too small to survive the winter alone. Each of them was prescribed worm medicine due to the fact that intestinal parasites, which are common in bears, were prohibiting the cubs from deriving the needed nutrition from the food they were eating. These cubs weighed about what a normal six-month-old cub should weigh – but they were actually nine to ten months old. Frequently asked questions start with “why?” Why do we have such a large population of needy little bears? Why are they so underweight? Why are they orphaned? We will try to give brief answers to these questions. The reason we have so many cubs this year (as compared, say, to last year when we had just four cubs all year) is food. Specifically, it was the lack of natural foods that persisted through the year: from the poor berry crop to the deficit of cherries to the extremely low yield of

acorns from oak trees in the area. Acorns are a bear's most important food source in fall and without the fat and protein acorns provide, it is almost impossible for a bear to gain enough weight to survive the winter without eating. As you might guess, this is also the reason that the cubs we have received in the last couple of months are so underweight. As to why there are so many orphans this year – there were large litters of cubs born in January-February, due in large measure to last year's bountiful acorn crop. Many litters of three and even four cubs were seen during the spring and summer, as the cubs followed their mothers in the search for natural foods. As the seasons unfolded with a lack of sufﬁcient natural foods, bears had to venture farther in their search. This led to bears, including mothers with cubs, coming down out of the safety of the mountains and seeking food in towns and residential areas. As often happens, this led to increased bear-human interaction with the resultant “nuisance” complaints, and trafﬁc accidents. Although ABR often doesn't know what happened to a mother bear, this year we do know of some that were killed by vehicles, resulting in orphaned cubs that came to our facility. We have been told to expect that we will receive more orphaned cubs between now and next spring. Bears, even cubs, instinctively know whether they have enough weight to survive the winter in a den without eating. If they do not have the necessary weight, they will continue to search for food, even if there is literally no food to be found. In the last “acorn famine” year of 2011-2012, we continued to admit underweight, starving yearlings through January and February. It is a sad situation and we know that there are many caring people out there, whether local residents or visitors to the mountains, who want to help. But as we have cautioned before, please do not feed any bears that you see. For us to feed a bear is not a kindness – it will likely start that bear on a dangerous path toward food conditioning that will result in its death. It may be a trite statement, but “A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear” is absolutely true. If you should see a needy, hungry little bear call the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and report your concerns. It may be that TWRA will rescue the bear and bring it to ABR for care. Thank you for doing the right thing. Learn more about Appalachian Bear Rescue and the cubs we are caring for at: facebook.com/AppalachianBearRescue and visit our website at www.appalachianbearrescue.org. If you are in Townsend, you can stop by our Visitor/Education Center in the Trillium Cove Shopping Village. We’d love to see you!

“Success Through Customer Satisfaction”

24 hour turn around Hotels ¬ Restaurants ¬ Cabins ¬ Rental Companies

865-363-5486 2917 Cosby Hwy., Cosby, TN 37722 Let People Know You’re In Business!

Call : 865-255-3557 Visit our facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/smokymountainsaroundtown/timeline email us:

smokyaroundtown@gmail.com

www.SmokyMountainsAroundTown.com

Gatlinburg Elks Lodge Hoop Shoot I would like to thank Rocky Top Sports World for letting me have our hoop shoot there again. Thank you to members and non members for helping out with a great success this year. I had 38 kids this year. Winners are: 8-9 Girls: Delaney Shults 1st, Tinslee Trentham 2nd. Boys: Ashton Creswell 1st, Rylan Conley 2nd. 10-11 Girls: Taylor Trentham1st, Jorja Bennett 2nd. Boys:

Dog Boarding Dog Day Care Dog Grooming

Brandon Moreiro1st, Zachary Wallace 2nd. 1213 Girls: Eliza Bettis 1st, Shelby Rolen 2nd. Boys: Colin Shannon 1st, Shane Scott 2nd. Trophys went to First, Second and Third place. 4 went to district shoot in Knoxville. Last year Tinslee Trentham went on to win best 8 yr old girl shooter in the State of Tennessee. Thank you all again and let's help this grow. Jim Yonan, Gatlinburg Elks Lodge 1925

“OK, I’m ready for dinner”

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

www.barksandrecgatlinburg.com

Talented Acts Sought for Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is looking for storytellers, artisans and musicians with selfcontained acts ready to perform to millions of visitors along the streets of Gatlinburg. The popular seven-week event is assembling the 2016 cast and looking for talented acts presented in an Appalachian style. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance festival featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying characters from time periods as far back as the 1800s. This event truly highlights

one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets in the walkability of the city and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy. The City also hosts a Winter Magic Tunes & Tales event featuring a cappella carolers on weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Auditions will be held Fridays and Saturdays on January 8-9, January 15-16 and January 22-23. Those interested in auditioning for Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales email Ginger Brown at Ginger@Gatlinburg.com, call (423) 421-3205.

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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

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2159 East Parkway,Gatlinburg,TN 37738 Open all year round

4-H Public Speaking Winners Announced

By Glenn K Turner First, second and third place winners were named at 5th Grade: each grade level and included: 2nd place 4th grade; 1st place – Reed Bull, Catlettsburg; 2nd Shelby Koerten place – Madelyn Hedrick, Homeschool; 3rd place – 1st place Eliza Sergent, Catlettsburg. Tyson McFall 5th grade; 1st place – Tyson McFall, New Center; 3rd place 2nd place – Shelby Koerten, Sevierville Andrew Spinosa Intermediate; 3rd place – Andrew Spinosa, Sevierville Intermediate. 6th Grade: 3rd place 6th grade; 1st place – Grady Branton, Sevierville Hannah Lee Middle; 2nd place – Avery Huskey, Sevierville Middle; 3rd place – Hannah Lee, Sevierville 2nd place Middle. Avery Huskey 1st place 7th grade; 1st place – Katelyn Hedrick, Grady Branton Homeschool; 2nd place – Rylie Jo Rawlings, Homeschool; 3rd place Czarina Palcone, 4th Grade: Sevierville Middle. 2nd place Madelyn Hedrick 8th grade; 1st place – Dan Branton, Sevierville 1st place Middle; 2nd place – Tristan Lewis, Pigeon Forge Reed Bull Middle; 3rd place – Sierra Vess, Catons Chapel. 3rd place 9th grade; 1st place – Lindsey Hedrick, Eliza Sergent Homeschool; 2nd place – Olivia Browning, Homeschool. 10th grade; 1st place – Kirsten Halliday, Homeschool. 11th grade: 1st place – Christy Newsom, Pigeon Forge High School. 12th grade: 1st place – Rachel Jenkins, Pigeon 7th & 8th Grade: 3rd place (7th grade) Czarina Palcone; Forge High School. 2nd place (7th grade) Rylie Jo Rawlings; 1st place (7th grade)

This year 3,000 Sevier County 4-H Members Katelyn Hedrick; 3rd place (8th grade) Sierra Vess; 1st place presented speeches at the local level, while 62 (8th grade) Dan Brandon; 2nd place (8th grade) Tristan Lewis participated at the county level. The Sevierville Sunrise Rotary Club sponsored the countyspeech contest by providing ribbons for all participants and plaques along with cash awards for the top speakers. Sunrise Rotarians, local business and community leaders served as judges. The public speaking contest is one of many 4-H 9th - 12th grade; 1st place (12th grade) Rachel Jenkins; opportunities available to all 4th - 12th grade young 1st place (11th grade) Christy Newsom; 1st place people in Sevier County. For information about 4-H (10th grade) Kirsten Halladay; 2nd place (9th grade) opportunities, call 453-3695. Olivia Browning; 1st place (9th grade) Lindsey Hedrick.

Page 8 Around Town

road” performing music all over the country. He had always wanted to do that, but figured he could get some teaching experience under his belt first. Thirty-five years later, he does not regret the decision. He had a dual career - teaching music by day, playing music at night. He felt lucky to always find gigs that didn't last into the wee hours, being able to arrive home by 10 or 11 p.m. One thing he realized early was that, if you were not going to travel making music you had to be able to play several instruments. Thus, besides guitar and keyboard, he picked up a little knowledge on some other instruments such as banjo, saxophone, and accordion.

Mike Hicks Mike Hicks performed in Gatlinburg for the ﬁrst time in 1970 with a group called the Newfound Gap. Three out of the four were UT students (David Lewelling, Steve Scarbrough and him) working their way through school the best way they knew how. The fourth, Malcolm Link, has remained in Sevier County where he has had a successful career doing shows at Dollywood and other places. After doing shows for three seasons at a place called Homespun Valley (it's a parking lot now), a teaching job came open at Pi Beta Phi School, and having just graduated in music education, he took the job teaching K-8 music. It was one of the best decisions he ever made, though, at the time, he had some opportunities to go “on the

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Having retired from teaching, and performing at Three Jimmy’s, he is usually back home fairly early in the evening and enjoying the gig very much. His wife Molly and he enjoys bike riding in Abingdon VA. He has been talking to a few folks about getting a Greenway out through the Glades here in Gatlinburg and thinks it would be a great attraction. Now that he is retired he has more time to give back to the community by giving free guitar lessons at Boys and Girls Club of Gatlinburg. It helps him keep up to speed with teaching skills. A number of former students (there have been thousands) have come by Three Jimmy’s. It's always great to see them. A few, such as Heather Maples, Kirk Fletta and Taylor Brooks have become quite accomplished performers. He enjoys knowing he may have had a small hand in that.

What is Backyard Biosecurity?

Backyard biosecurity means doing everything you can to protect your birds from disease. As a bird owner, keeping your birds healthy is a top priority. Your birds can become sick or die from exposure to just a few unseen bacteria, viruses, or parasites. In a single day, these germs can multiply and infect all of your birds. By practicing backyard biosecurity to help keep your birds healthy. If you follow some basic tips and make them part of your routine, you decrease the risk of disease entering your ﬂock and persisting in soil, droppings, and debris. Practicing biosecurity is an investment in the health of your birds. What Can I Do To Protect My Birds? The basic biosecurity steps are: 1) Keep your distance. 2) Keep it clean. 3) Don't haul disease home. 4) Don't borrow disease from your neighbor. 5) Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases. 6) Report sick birds. Cleaning and Disinfecting - Cleaning and disinfecting is one of the most important parts of backyard biosecurity. But you need to make sure you do it correctly to inactivate disease. 1) Thoroughly clean and scrub objects before applying disinfectants. Disinfectants cannot work on top of caked-on dirt and manure, wash surfaces thoroughly before disinfecting them. 2) Apply disinfectants using brushes, sponges and spray units. Allow adequate contact time (follow manufacturer's instructions). 3) Dispose of used disinfectant according to local regulations. Here are some examples of disinfectants available. Follow the directions on the label carefully for the best results. • Nolvasan® (chlorhexidine diacetate 2 percent): Mix 3 ﬂuid oz of

Kountry Antics

By W. Alan Bruhin Nolvasan per gallon of water. • Household bleach (sodium hypochlorite 6 percent): Mix threefourths of a cup of household bleach per gallon of water. • Lysol® spray for footwear • Purell® hand pump for hand disinfection Making an Easy Footbath - A footbath is a handy tool to help you practice backyard biosecurity. You can easily make one yourself. You will need: • A low plastic pan or bin, wide enough to fit an adult's foot and shallow enough to step into easily. • A plastic doormat (the “fake grass” mats work well). • A disinfectant that works well for most situations, as described above • Water Mix the disinfectant with water according to the label instructions. Put the doormat in the plastic pan. Add mixed disinfectant so that the bottom of the mat is wet. Ask visitors to walk through the footbath, wiping their feet on the mat. The mat scrubs their shoes a bit as they wipe them and applies the disinfectant. When the liquid starts to get dirty, empty it and put in new disinfectant. Report Sick Birds •Call your local cooperative extension office, or local veterinarian •U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Services @ 1–866–536–7593 •Dr. Charlie Hatcher's office 615-837-5120. Make biosecurity a part of your daily routine while caring for your birds can decrease the chance of AI showing up on your doorstep. Contact Lew Strickland, lstrick5@utk.edu, 865-974-3538.

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

600 Glades Rd., Suite 2, Gatlinburg

Skiddy’s Live Entertainment Friday Nites To Go Beer

Six • Cases • Kegs

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

Amazing Facts About Turkeys

Turkeys are intelligent and sensitive animals that are highly social. They create lasting social bonds with each other and are very affectionate; rather similar to dogs. • The modern domesticated turkey descends from the wild turkey. • Turkeys are known to exhibit over 20 distinct vocalizations. Including a distinctive gobble, produced by males, which can be heard a mile away. • Individual turkeys have unique voices. This is how turkeys recognize each other. • Turkeys are intelligent and sensitive animals that are highly social. They create lasting social bonds with each other and are very affectionate; rather similar to dogs. • Turkeys have outstanding geography skills. They have the ability

to learn the precise details of an area over 1,000 acres in size. • Like peacocks, male turkeys puff up their bodies and spread their elaborate feathers to attract a mate. • Baby turkeys (poults) flock with their mother all year. Although wild turkeys roost in the trees, as poults are unable to fly for the first couple of weeks of their lives, the mother stays with them at ground level to keep them safe and warm until they are strong enough to all roost up in the safety of the trees. • Wild turkeys are able to fly at up to 55 mph, however only for relatively short distances. Most domestic turkeys however are unable to fly due to being selectively bred to be larger than would be suitable in wild circumstances. • The male is substantially larger than the female, his feathers have areas of red, purple, green, copper, bronze, and gold iridescence. Female feathers are duller, in shades of brown and grey. • A turkey’s gender can be determined from its droppings. Males produce spiral-shaped poop and females produce “J” shaped poop. • The area of bare skin on a turkey’s throat and head vary in color depending on its level of excitement and stress. When excited, a male turkey's head turns blue, when ready to fight it turns red. • The long fleshy object over a male's beak is called a snood. Turkeys have 5000 to 6000 feathers. • Benjamin Franklin wished to have wild turkeys as the national bird of the USA, rather than the bald eagle. • The turkey is believed to have been sacred in ancient Mexican cultures. The Mayans, Aztecs and Toltecs referred to the turkey as the ‘Great Xolotl’, viewing them as ‘jewelled birds’. • The meat from domesticated turkeys is widely eaten by people across the world.

Value. Everyday.

Gatlinburg’s Grocery Store! 1219 E. Parkway, Gatlinburg

Pruning Grape Vines ” Specializing in Affordable Elegance for You and The Home” *Brand Name Furniture for your Home or Rental Cabin, Unique Home Accents, Designer Silk Floral Arrangements, Candleberry Candles, Mirage Flameless Candles, Silver Forest Earrings, Name Brand Ladies Fashions: (Umgee, Alisha D., Felicity, & more) Scarves, Jewelry and Sloan Magnetic Brooches (a Decorium Exclusive)

Voted Favorite Store in Gatlinburg by Tourists

5 Star Rating: Recommended by TripAdvisor

THE DECORIUM CHRISTMAS STORE All Christmas Merchandise Now 30 % Off

Christmas Tree’s, Ornaments, Garland, Swags, Tear Drops, Santa’s, Snowmen, Polar Bears, Owls, Berries, Pics and Sprays Open daily at 10:00 AM 865-325-1565 • 450 Parkway • Gatlinburg, TN 37738 FREE PARKING WHILE SHOPPING behind the Store or next door at Crossroads Inn & Suites

By W. Alan Bruhin

Every year as the holidays approach, I get inquiries as to whether it is O. K. to start pruning grape vines, fruit trees and other fruit crops. My feeling is that we should hold off until after the first of the year or later. My general recommendation is to wait as late in the dormant period as possible before pruning, yet early enough to get it all done, to lessen the potential for cold injury and to be able to react to damage done by cold events earlier in the winter. This year, we have been experiencing unusually warm weather for an extended period. This is expected to continue for a while longer, with record high temperatures predicted for Christmas day. When it finally does turn cold, it could happen rather quickly. Temperature drops in the range of 50 to 60 degrees F within a 24 to 36 hour period are not unusual. In January, 2014, we had three such events and, as a result, cold damage was substantial. We may not have had enough consistently cold weather to enable plants to enter dormancy, which will impact the plant's ability to tolerate cold temperatures. Even if plants are fully dormant, they will lose hardiness with warm temperatures like we have been experiencing (deacclimation). A dormant plant will reacclimate (regain cold hardiness) when temperatures drop. However, the rate of reacclimation is much slower than the rate of deacclimation and a sudden cold event does not allow for plants to regain sufficient hardiness to avoid damage. If a plant has not gone fully

dormant, it still can reach that stage, but it is not as capable of tolerating cold temperatures as a dormant plant. In Tennessee we frequently see winter injury in fruit crops (and in other deciduous plants) at temperatures well above those regarded as being the critical point for cold injury for that plant. For example, if a nursery catalog states that a “hardy” variety will withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees F, they are assuming that the plant is healthy, that it is fully dormant and that the temperatures leading up to the cold event are consistently low and that the duration of the cold event is relatively short.With severe temperature ﬂuctuations, that same plant may be damaged at 10 or 15 degrees F or higher, depending on the circumstances. With the above in mind, growers are welladvised to delay the start of pruning and to consider the weather patterns experienced prior to the time they prune, as modiﬁcations in the type and severity of pruning may be needed. For most of our fruit crops, fruit buds were initiated this past summer. They are not as cold tolerant as leaf buds in winter and spring. In some cases, no apparent cold damage may be experienced by the leaf buds, but the level of fruit bud mortality may be severe. Knowing this prior to pruning will allow growers to modify their pruning practices somewhat to leave more fruit buds than they normally would have left. While pruning is an effective way to thin down a fruit crop to a more manageable size, if the crop potential is already short, further thinning is not desirable.

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Around Town Page 9

Timbers Log Cabin Restaurant Classic American Menu

Choice of Seating: Main Room Porch Outside Patio Upstairs Loft

Dine In A Real Log Cabin

865-430-1217 Serving Breakfast & Lunch till 4pm

Located at the intersection of Glades Road and King Road in the Arts and Crafts Community 600 Glades Rd #10, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Titanic Pigeon Forge to Open 2016 Season With TheTitanic Musicians' Gallery For the first time, the RMS Titanic's eight heroic musicians will be the focus of an exhibit that explores their lives, loves and legacies, beginning Friday, January 15, 2016, announces Titanic explorer and Titanic Museum Attraction co-owner, John Joslyn. “ We ' v e b e e n i n t h e d e v e l o p m e n t a n d implementation stages of this important project for more than 3-years, and now, with all the many pieces in place and historical documentation and authentication in order, it's finally ready to debut, say Joslyn. Through the years, much has been written and speculated about the brave Titanic band members who continue to play on deck as the ship slowly slipped away – but little has been told about their personal lives, until now. Did you know…. ·Three of the musicians had never been to sea. ·Only one band member was married. ·Two musicians were planning to marry when they returned. ·The band was broken into two groups, a trio and a quintet. ·The 8 musicians never played together on Titanic until the sinking. ·Steinway & Sons was the official piano, five were

on board. ·One band member's famous, psychic father foresaw the Titanic disaster. ·Bandleader, Wallace Hartley's violin sold at auction for 1.7 million. “There is so much more to know about these brave young men, and this new addition to the Titanic Museum Attraction experience really gives our guests the chance to explore, in-depth, a story of courage, faith and honor they only thought they knew,” explains Joslyn. When the Music Stopped, the Legend Began… Wallace Hartley, 32 Bandmaster – violin

John Clarke, 28 – contra basso – double bass Theodore Brailey, 24 – piano John Hume, 21 – violin John Woodward, 32 – cello Roger Bricoux, 20 – cello George Krins, 23 – violin Percy Taylor, 40 – piano “They played until the very end. Only the engulﬁng ocean had power to drown them into silence. The band was playing 'Nearer, My God to Thee.' I could hear it distinctly. The end was very close.” ~Charlotte Collyer, Titanic Survivor www.titanicpigeonforge.com • (800) 381-7670

Happy 70th Birthday Dolly Parton By Cyndy Montgomery Reeves Sevier County is so fortunate to be the childhood home of one of the world's greatest songwriters, actress, author, businesswomen and humanitarians. Dolly Parton's love of the values she learned growing up in the Smoky Mountains was most evident in her recent TV Film “The Coat of Many Colors”. This TV Show earned 15.6 million viewers during its original airing Dec. 10, ranking as the most-watched film across all four major networks in more than six years. Dolly's Coat of Many Colors is the first TV film about Parton's life, of two or more TV films being offered on NBC. “Jolene” will be the next film to air. There are many legends in the music business with a select few considered icons, and a smaller elite group that are known the world over by just their first name; Dolly is one of them. In addition to becoming one of the country genre's great songwriters, Parton went on to conquer the pop charts, Hollywood's movie scene acting in 11 movies, the cover of Rolling Stone, a successful theme park and restaurants, a movie production company, becoming a favorite guest on many television shows and writing a Tony-nominated Broadway musical. On top of her amazing success in any and every

endeavor, Parton always takes the time to give back, open minds and spread love through her down-home country personality. Today, we salute some of her best work with classics like 'Jolene' and 'Coat of Many Colors,' to movie-based hits like '9 to 5′ and 'Tennessee Homesick Blues'. Not to mention her classic “I Will Always Love You”. Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean was born January 19, 1946. Her career began as a child performer on the Cas Walker radio show. She began recording at the age of 13. Dolly relocated to Nashville at age 18 in 1964 where her ﬁrst commercial successes, as a songwriter, were cut by Bill Phillips and Kitty Wells. She rose to prominence in 1967 as a featured performer on Porter Wagoner's weekly TV program. Porter and Dolly's ﬁrst duet single, “The Last Thing On My Mind” was a top-ten hit on the country singles chart and led to several successful albums before they ended their partnership in 1974. Moving towards mainstream pop music, her 1977 single, “Here You Come Again” was a success on both the country and pop charts. A string of pop-country hits followed into the mid-1980s, the most successful being her 1980 hit “9 to 5” and her 1983 duet with Kenny Rogers “Islands in the Stream, both topped the US pop and country singles charts. In the late 1990's Dolly returned to classic country/bluegrass.

The Wonders of Cinnamon By Ben Fuchs

I love easy to use remedies for common health issues. Vitamin C powder is super effective for colds, drinking lots of water can ease hunger pangs and encourage weight loss. And, deep breathing can lower blood pressure almost immediately. One of my favorite simple strategies for improving health involves using spices. Not only can they have medicinal value, but spicing strategically will make foods taste better and you’ll find that if you’re eating generously spiced foods you’ll feel fuller faster. One of the most helpful of spices is cinnamon. It’s tasty and can help enhance the sweetening powers of sugar and honey. And, as it turns out, cinnamon can also help lower blood sugar too! According to the Mayo Clinic, a 2012 review of scientific research found that using cinnamon had a “potentially beneficial effect” for sugar control. And another study this one from 2009 found that a 500 mg capsule of cinnamon taken twice a day for 90 days improved sugar levels as measured by hemoglobin A1C levels in people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Richard Anderson of the Human Nutrition Research Center, a division of the US Department of Agriculture, says that cinnamon contains a nutritional compound called MHCP which makes fat cells more sensitive to insulin, thus improving the body’s sugar handling capacity. Cinnamon can slow down stomach emptying time reducing dramatic changes in blood sugar which can again improve the effectiveness of insulin. And that’s not the only health benefits cinnamon can provide. Cinnamon is packed with anti-oxidant compounds that slow down the aging process. It may act as an anti-inflammatory reducing the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis. For those prone to sticky prone-to-clot blood, cinnamon contains a natural blood thinner called “coumarin” which can help improve blood flow and circulation. If you’re a diabetic or don’t want to be one, try adding ½ a teaspoonful to your breakfast oatmeal and or dinner time dessert and see what happens. It can be especially tasty on savory veggies like onions and shallots.

Parton is the most honored female country performer of all time. Achieving 25 RIAA certiﬁed gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards, she has had 25 songs reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country charts, a record for a female artist. She has 41 top10 country albums (a career record for any artist), and she has 110 career charted singles over the past 40 years. All-inclusive sales of singles, albums, hits collections, and digital downloads during her career have topped 100 million worldwide. Dolly has composed over 3,000 songs. has garnered 8 Grammy Awards, 2 Academy Award nominations, 10 Country Music Association Awards, 7 Academy of Country Music Awards, 3 American Music Awards and is one of only 7 female artists to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year Award. Parton received 46 Grammy nominations, tying with Bruce Springsteen for the most Grammy nominations placing her 10th place overall. In 1999, Dolly was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Dolly's last song, “My Place In History”, will be released on her 100th birthday, January 19, 2046. It is being preserved in a time capsule at the Dream More Resort in Pigeon Forge, TN.

Fine Dining & Catering In the Smokies

www.bestitalian.com 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

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

Tasty Days Program 4-H Connections By Glenn K Turner

By Linda Hyder Jones Cove Elementary Students (K-2) tasted vegetables and fruits weekly for one month during the Tasty Days Program. This event was sponsored by UT Extension, Sevier County Master Gardeners, and Gatlinburg Food City. Whitney Hammonds, PE Instructor, coordinated the classroom schedule to allow children to sample fresh produce each week, including kiwi, spinach and tomatoes. In addition to tasting, children were taught about the origin, growing and nutritional value of the fruit or vegetable. Parents were given take home newsletters and recipes promoting the weekly featured produce.

Evaluations showed about 51% of the children tasted various vegetables for the ﬁrst time. About 88% even like spinach. One teacher commented, “The kids were so excited every week to see what new things they were going to taste.” For more information about this Tasty Days Program, you may contact Linda Hyder, UT Extension at 865-453-3695.

(left to right) Joan Falsone - Master Gardener; Whitney Hammonds - Jones Cove Teacher; Janis Shirley - Master Gardener and Brett Brock - Food City

SportsEvents Announces Sevierville Convention & Visitors Bureau as a 2016 Readers’ Choice Award Winner SportsEvents Media Group, the leading industry publication focused exclusively on helping sports event planners produce excellent competitions in the United States, has announced Sevierville Convention & Visitors Bureau as one of its 2016 Readers’ Choice Award winners. Winners will be announced in the January 2016 issue of SportsEvents. Sports event professionals were asked to nominate destinations and sports venues that they believe display exemplary creativity and professionalism toward the groups they host. Nominations were received from readers throughout the year, and the top picks were selected based on results from an online voting system. “SportsEvents readers came out in force to nominate and then to vote for their favorite sports events destinations and the host organizations that represent them. Our team is proud to honor the nominees that received the most votes with a 2016 Readers’ Choice Award,” said Carrie O’Connor, SportsEvents editorial coordinator. “It is clear, based on our readers’ experiences, that these award winners are willing to go above and beyond typical service levels to help sports event planners produce outstanding events that participants, their families and spectators will want to experience again and again. It is our privilege to announce their selection by

sports event planners as among the best in the United States.” A downloadable, high-res Readers’ Choice Award logo is available at http://sportseventsmagazine.com/2016-RCA-Logo About SportsEvents Media Group -SportsEvents Media Group, publisher of SportsEvents magazine, is the industry leader in providing products and services designed to connect sports events organizers with sports commissions, CVBs, hotels, insurance companies and other sports events industry suppliers.The sports events industry’s only true multi-media company unites sports event buyers and suppliers with the leading monthly magazine (SportsEvents), online (www.sportseventsmagazine.com), through social media, and with face-to-face conferences and trade shows—S.P.O.R.T.S. – The Relationship Conference. About Covey Communications Corp. - Founded and owned by J. Talty O’Connor, Covey Communications Corp. is a multimedia company that publishes nationally distributed magazines for targeted markets. In addition to SportsEvents Magazine and its ancillary titles, Covey Communications Corp. also publishes ConventionSouth, the leading publication and website in the United States for meeting and convention planners who book events in the South; Condo Owner, serving the Alabama and Northwest Florida Gulf Coast; and Crossties, an internationally known railroad industry publication.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The question has been asked for many years. For the 4-H members involved in the 4-H Chick Chain project it may be irrelevant, because there is plenty of chickens and potential for lots of eggs. The 4-H Chick Chain gives 4-H members the opportunity to develop an understanding and working knowledge for good poultry management and marketing practices. As with any 4-H livestock project, the Chick Chain teaches personal responsibility by working with animals that depend on the 4-H member to provide proper feed, care and management. The member also develops self-esteem and decision making skills that will be of benefit throughout life. In the Chick-Chain project, a 4-H member will purchase 25 baby chicks and raise them for laying hens. The day old chicks usually arrive the first week of March. The 4-H member provides housing, brooding equipment, feeders, waterers and feed. The breed of chicken used in the Chick-Chain is the Rhode Island Red. Rhode Island Reds are considered a dual-purpose birds and were developed to provide both eggs and meat. Dual-purpose birds are hardy, lay large brown shell eggs and suited for the backyard flock. After raising a set of birds, in the Chick-Chain, 4-H'ers may participate in a pullet show held in September. The 4-H member selects his best three birds and they are judged as a pen with the other entries. Trophies, ribbons and prize money are awarded to the best entries. Awards are also presented for the best records kept on the project.Upon successful completion of the project the 4-H member has a flock of laying hens. This often develops into a small business whereby the 4-H member sells excess eggs. Participants may also have available, for sale, fully developed laying hens. Perhaps the Chick-Chain project would interest a 4H member at your house. Orders for this year's Chick-Chain will be accepted until mid-January, 2016. If you have any questions or need more information contact Glenn Turner at 453-3695.

www.SmokyMountainsAroundTown.com

Page 10 Around Town

Brent at Crystelle Creek Restaurant

Mikey at Crystelle Creek Restaurant

George, Toni, Dottie & Jan at Doc Collier Moonshine Christmas Party

Ted, Johnny & Janine at Crystelle Creek Restaurant

Mike Hicks and Marilyn performing at Three Jimmyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Restaurant

David & Maria at Crystelle Creek Restaurant

Hershey says Happy New Year!! Coco all dressed up after being groomed at Barks and Recreation

Let it snow!

Cindy, Bill, Jennifer, Katherine, Cathy, Kathleen, Joy, Bob, Sylvia, Philippe, Roger, Roy, John, Gina and Violet sitting in the chair at Thistle Dew Christmas Party.

Rocky & Eva shopping in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Elks Lodge 1925 Loves Helping The Community with Christmas Baskets

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A Luxury RV Resort

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Black pepper has long been recognized as a carminitive, (a substance that helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas), a property likely due to its beneﬁcial effect of stimulating hydrochloric acid production. In addition, black pepper has diaphoretic (promotes sweating), and diuretic (promotes urination) properties. Other health beneﬁts of black pepper include relief from respiratory disorders, coughs, the common cold, constipation, indigestion, anemia, impotency, muscular strains, dental disease, pyorrhea, diarrhea and heart disease.

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Dried ground pepper has been used since antiquity for both its ﬂavor and as traditional medicine. It’s the world's most traded spice and one of the most common spices added to cuisines around the world. The spiciness of black pepper is due to the chemical piperine, not to be confused with the capsaicin characteristic of fresh hot peppers. Black pepper is ubiquitous in the modern world as a seasoning and is often paired with salt.

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Native to India, pepper has played a very important role throughout history and has been a prized spice since ancient times. Since ancient Greece, pepper has held such high prestige that it was not only used as a seasoning but as a currency and a sacred offering. Pepper was used to both honor the gods and to pay taxes and ransoms. During the fall of ancient Rome, the invading barbarians were even honored by being given black pepper. Additionally, in the Middle Ages the wealth of a man was oftentimes measured by his stockpile of pepper. Currently, Vietnam is the world's largest producer and exporter of pepper along with India and Indonesia.

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Don Miles, Broker 4229 East Parkway, Gatlinburg, TN 37738

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Black pepper has demonstrated impressive antioxidant and antibacterial effects--yet another way in which this wonderful seasoning promotes the health of the digestive tract. And not only does black pepper help you derive the most beneﬁt from your food, the outer layer of the peppercorn stimulates the breakdown of fat cells, keeping you slim while giving you energy to burn.

G o T o W. W. W. G A T L I N B U R G T R O L L E Y. O. R. G. .

C L I C K on T R O L L E Y L O C A T O R

Page 12 Around Town

Who You ? l l a C a n Gon

Heartwood Galleries

DRIVERZ

Taxi & Mobile Services DRIVER

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

www.heartwoodgalleries.com

865-323-9708 24 Hour Service Available

Local • Airport • Bus Station

Serving Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge-Sevierville

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

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

Yukon Heath's Popcorn Emporium • GiftingItForward.com • ChefJDs.com

By Chef JD

Welcome to 2016, WOW! Where did the years go... even the weather has changed throughout the years. I don't know about you but I miss my snowy Christmas's and winters. I miss cuddling with my hot cocoa, eating delights & chatting with my friend around a ﬁre. Therefore, I decided to go back in time a tad and I'm taking you with me. Let us ﬁrst start with our Hot Coco with Marshmallows....

Ingredients:

A Variety of Flavors from Bacon Cheddar, Cajun, Carmel with Candied Nuts, Garlic Parmesean, Old Fashioned Caramel Corn and much more.

Hot Coco with Marshmallows

In a medium pot on medium heat, add: • 4 cups Milk • 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla

Whisk in: • 1/4 cup Sugar • 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder

Keep stirring until nice and hot. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows.

Spiced Pecans

Ingredients:

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment In a large iron or steel skillet, on medium heat, place; • 2 pounds Pecan Halves paper, set aside. In a bowl, mix together 1 teaspoon of Stir until you smell the toastiness in the nuts, 4-5 minutes. each: • Add 1 Stick of unsalted Butter. Stir until well • Dried Ground Orange Peel melted and nuts are coated. • Ground Cinnamon • Add the spice mixture, coat nuts well. • Ground Cumin • Add 1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar & 1/4 cup Water • Cayenne Pepper • 2 teaspoon of Kosher Salt, set aside. • 2 teaspoon of Kosher Salt, set aside. Stir 2-3 minutes until mixture has thickened and nuts are coated well. Divide nuts between the cook sheets and separate them with a fork, or leave a few clunked together. Let cool completely. Shelf life is about 3 weeks in airtight container.

Here's one of my favorites also from the past, and it's just not for the Holidays either. Ingredients:

World's Best Popcorn!

We Offer A Wide Variety of Gourmet Popcorn Prepared Daily In Our Store Our popcorns are popped in Coconut Oil for a healthier and better tasting product, and most of our popcorn is Gluten-free.

Full-Service Coffee and Espresso Bar - Latte, Cappuccino, Breve, Americano, Mocha and Smoothies! We Offer 16 Flavors of Creamy, Delicious Blue Bunny Ice Cream which we hand-dip in your choice of a cup, cone or wafe cone www.onlinepopcorn.com

606 Parkway in Gatlinburg • 865-325-1711 Yukon Heath's Popcorn Emporium a "must do" when in Gatlinburg!

Rental Space in Arts & Crafts Community

Sugarplums In a medium bowl, combine the

In a food processor, add the following and pulse about 23 times so that everything is in small bits, but not into a ball. • 1/2 cup Dried Plums • 1/2 cup Dried Apricots • 1/2 cup Dried Figs • 2/3 cup Almonds, slivered and toasted

following: • 1/4 teaspoon Anise Seeds, toasted • 1/4 teaspoon Fennel Seeds, toasted • 1/4 teaspoon Caraway Seeds, toasted • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cardamom • Pinch kosher salt • 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar

Using gloves: Add fruit mixture to the above with 1/4 cup of Honey and combine well. 1 cup Coarse Sugar for coating Roll bit size (or larger) balls between palms and coat with coarse sugar. *If you're not serving soon, just keep balls on a rack, before coating.

Update: Website & Blog - GiftingItForward.com & ChefJDs.com - is still being worked on, sorry. However, the New Year will be wondrous and we will grow together in the adventure of the culinary world.

Hands On Gatlinburg Weekend Tickets Now Available

Gatlinburg is happy to announce tickets are now available for the ﬁrst ever “Hands On Gatlinburg” Arts & Crafts Weekend from April 8 through April 10, 2016. Tickets to this unique event have been made available early to the public as space is limited. The 2016 “Hands On Gatlinburg” Arts & Crafts Weekend provides arts and crafts lovers the opportunity to own a beautifully crafted piece of artwork made with their very own hands. More than 15 studios throughout the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community will host over 40 different workshops, providing guests the chance to learn how to make their favorite crafts from the professionals themselves. An abundance of do-it-yourself style classwork will be offered, from knitting to pastels, painting, jewelrymaking, watercolor, scarf-making, weaving, pottery, crochet, woodworking, soap-making and much more. Festivalgoers can keep the items they make and place them alongside their other coveted works of art. “Hands On Gatlinburg” Arts & Crafts Weekend is April 8 thru April 10. Space is limited. Those interested in signing up for workshops are encouraged to get their tickets early at www.Gatlinburg.com.

Square feet is available inside American Sideshow at 608 Glades Road. If you are an artist or craftsman this nicely decorated space would be a great place to display your goods. If you can’t be there all the time the shop always has a store clerk available to handle sales and questions about your product. Contact Danny at (423) 432-9476.

Use It or Lose It Contact an old friend you haven’t talked to in awhile - Submit a new idea at work; maybe even one you’ve thought about for awhile but were too embarrassed to mention - Forgive someone you hold a grudge on, this is a new activity for many. 9. Compare how similar things work. Evaluating similar items – how different pitchers throw a curve ball, the many ways painters can paint ocean scenes, the varying spices in meals – gives your brain a sensory workout. Looking at similarities and differences helps the brain’s ability to think abstractly and challenges our frontal lobes. Learning to see, hear, feel or taste subtle changes will enhance your sensory ability and stimulate brain growth. 10. Visit new and different places. Traveling to new and interesting places helps the brain by exposing it to new experiences, scents, sights and people. Using maps stimulates the brain in new and different ways and also exercises our parietal lobes responsible for visual-spatial guidance. 11. Cultivate smart friends. People are

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contagious.You become like the people with whom you spend time. Work on developing friendships with new, interesting people. You can trade ideas, get new perspectives and generally stretch your mind if surrounded by fascinating folks. In playing any game, if you want to be better you have to play with people who are better than you, to push you to your limit. Pushing your brain to new heights hold true too. 12. Treat learning problems to help kids and adults stay in school. Studies show that bettereducated people have less risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Millions of children, teens and adults suffer from ADD and learning problems that cause them to struggle in school or with learning despite having normal or even high intelligence. Recognizing these problems and getting them the help they need is essential to making “lifelong learning” a reality. Mental exercise is as important as diet and physical exercise for keeping both your body and brain strong.