Fall 2013 Edition
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ADVOCATE & DEMOCRAT.
Pottery 20% Off Shops & Gardens
Antiques
Fine Arts & Crafts Featuring Mission Oak Open 11am-6pm Closed Wednesday & Sunday
(423) 253-2400
121 Scott St. • Tellico Plains, TN
The
SEQUOYAH
BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM Mon - Sat 9am - 5pm Sun Noon - 5pm (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day)
Nominal Admission Fee | Group discounts
Operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tennessee’s ONLY Tribally-Operated Historical Attraction. Hwy H Hw wy 336 360 60 • P P.O. Box 6699 Vono Vo ono nore re, Tennessee re, Tenn Te nn 885 88 Vonore, 37885 442 233--88 -88884 423-884-6246 ssequoyahmuseum.org se e qu quoy oyah hm muu rg rg
Philadelphia, Tennessee For more information 877-862-4332 www.sweetwatervalley.com email: info@sweetwatervalley.com
Located Lo L Locate Loc ooccate atte ted in in tthe hhee Great Smoky okky y Mountains East Tennessee M Mounta Mou Mo ounta ttaain inns of ins of E seee see ee oonn tthe thhhee sh sshores hoore orrrees of beautiful ull ellico Lake, Teel llic lico icco L ake aak ke 37 miles south soouuth sou uth th of of downtown do do Knoxville. Kn K Kno noxv noxv no xv
Black Bear Trading Post Published by:
609 E. North Street Sweetwater, TN. 37874 Phone: 423-337-7101 4511 Highway 411 • Unit 5 Madisonville, TN 37354 Phone: 423-442-4575 www.advocateanddemocrat.com
Advertising Team: Sharon Livingston Advertising Manager admanager@advocateanddemocrat.com
Tommy Millsaps Editor editor@advocateanddemocrat.com
Lorie Samples Sales Representative Sweetwater & Vonore lorie.samples@advocateanddemocrat.com
Thomas Wilson Publisher
Layout and Graphic Art Team: Jessica Cross jessica.cross@advocateanddemocrat.com Kristen Calhoun kristen.calhoun@advocateanddemocrat.com
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Peggy Harrill Sales Representative Madisonville & Tellico Plains peggy.harrill@advocateanddemocrat.com
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information published in the Tennessee Mountain Traveler. No reproduction may be made without written permission of the publisher.
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
Local Art Custom Signs Home & Garden
1142 1 11 1 Highway 411 Vonore, TN N
423-884-2800 423-519-5285
Welcome to Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country!
The Advocate & Democrat is proud to produce the Tennessee Mountain Traveler three times a year to showcase the region. This full-color tourism magazine is distributed to nearly 15,000 tourists throughout East Tennessee and North Carolina. Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country is a region blessed with rich heritage, friendly people, unmatched scenery and outdoor recreation. From roaring waterfalls, world-class whitewater rafting and fly fishing to quiet mountain streams and peaceful lakes, you can do it all on the water here. Take a spin on our byways, carved through mile-high mountain peaks, or
hike in the Cherokee National Forest. Come learn about the Cherokee Indian heritage as you travel through the Tennessee Overhill Region (Monroe, McMinn and Polk counties). Experience the unique antique shopping and dining experiences in Tennessee Mountain Traveler Country. Special thanks to the Tennessee Overhill Association, Monroe County Tourism Department, Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, Graham County, N.C. Travel and Tourism and many others involved in this publication. For more information about this publication, call 423-337-7101.
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Not So Boring Photography
Contents Fall 2013 4-5.................. Upcoming events 6................ Recipe for fall colors 7......................... Scenic Byways 8.................... Tail of the Dragon 10...................... Wears Valley/ Townsend 12....................... Loudon County 14.......................... The Lost Sea 16....... Citico Wildlife Wilderness 18-19.... Cherohala Skyway Map 20-21.............. Hiking Adventure 24-25........... 175th Anniversary of The Trail of Tears 26.................... Local attractions 30...... MACA Performance Series 32.................... Festival of Trees 34...................... Fall Bucket List
Contact:
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Email: MasonBoring@gmail.com Cell: 423-404-4347
On the Cover Photographer and Madisonville, Tenn., resident Mason Boring developed a love of capturing memories at an early age, recording any shenangans he could. Five years ago, however, he picked up a DSLR camera and discovered a new love, photographing his adventures in the great outdoors. One of Boring’s photos was even featured in a gallery on National Geographic’s website. Boring calls his work Not So Boring Photography, as each image displays more than a simple story. Boring shot the cover photo on Trail 88 behind Bald River Falls in Tellico Plains. Several of his photos can be found throughout this edition.
Fall 2013 Edition
20-21
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ADVOCATE & DEMOCRAT.
30 Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Nov. 1 Kevin Abernathy concert Monroe Area Council for the Arts (MACA) will present Madisonville native Kevin Abernathy in a special benefit performance at Hiwassee College on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. See page 30. Nov. 3 Charity Home Tour The Eighteenth Annual Charity Home Tour “Over the River to WindRiver” will be held at WindRiver Community in Lenoir City. The home tour is the major fundraising activity of the Women’s Club. All proceeds benefit various charities. Cost is $12 before Nov. 3 and $15 on the day of the tour. For tickets or information, visit www.tellicowomensclub.org or call 965-458-6111 or 585-899-0164. Nov. 7-8 Holiday Open House The Red Door at the Lyric will host their Holiday Open House on Nov. 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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Nov. 7-9 “The Foreigner” The play “The Foreigner” will be showing at TMT Lyric Theatre in Loudon on Nov. 7, 8, and 9 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $12. Visit www.lyricloudontn.com for details.
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
Nov. 9-10 Art exhibit by Kim Hart, jewelry exhibit by Corinne Coley and gourd art by Laurie Weiand at the Smoky Mountain Visitors Center in Townsend. Nov. 12-14 Photography exhibit by Linda Waterhouse, decoupage plats and ceramics by Anna Bolton, and assorted crafts by Juanita Collins at the Smoky Mountain Visitors Center. Nov. 15-17 Woodturning exhibit by Tom Sciple at the Smoky Mountain Visitors Center. Nov. 15-17 Hiwassee College Homecoming Nov. 15-17: Festival of Trees Festival of Trees at Tellico West Conference Center in Vonore. Kicks off the holiday season and benefits CASA Monroe. See page 32. Nov. 16 Holiday Craft and Bake Sale The Crafters of the Community Church in Tellico Village will hold its Holiday Craft and Bake Sale on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Christian Life Center next to the church, located at Tellico Parkway (Highway 444) and Chota Road. The craft sale is a 23-year tradition enabling the crafters to put more than $20,000 back into the community each year. Nov. 22-24 Art exhibit by Fred Weiser at the Smoky Mountain Visitors Center. Nov. 22-23 16th annual Christmas Bazaar & Craft Show Held at the McMinn Senior Activity Center and features seasonal gifts, handmade home décor items, ornaments, baked goods, fresh pecans and much more just in time for the holiday season. Free admission.
Nov. 26-27 Woodcarving exhibit by Hezzie Holden at the Smoky Mountain Visitors Center. Nov. 29-30 Jewelry exhibit by Corinne Coley at the Smoky Mountain Visitors Center. Nov. 30 Small Town Christmas For more than a decade, locals and visitors alike have celebrated the holiday away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities and malls by visiting the antique district in Sweetwater the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Dec. 5-6 House of Santa Mouse Craft Show The 9th annual event hosted by the Blount County Arts and Crafts Guild features crafts, live music and more! Details TBA. Dec. 6 Carols in the City Mainstreet Cleveland lights the community Christmas tree and welcomes Santa. Tour each of the historic downtown churches.
Dec. 6 Sweetwater Christmas Parade Young and old alike enjoy this festive parade down Main Street beginning at 7 p.m. This is the parade’s 33rd year, sponsored by the Sweetwater Kiwanis Club. Dec. 6 3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Special Maryville’s Clayton Center presents 3 Redneck Tenors Christmas Spec-Tac-Yule-Ar. Visit www.claytonartscenter.com for info. Dec. 7 Candlelight Walk in Tellico The annual Candlelight Walk and Cookie Caper, sponsored by the Cherokee Women’s Club, is celebrating its 14th year. The Tellico Plains event is free to the public and features a Victorian Christmas and open houses in downtown shops. Candles will line the sides of the streets, illuminating the way to a variety of holiday activities, including horse-drawn wagon rides, a live nativity scene and more. Children can
visit with Santa and The Grinch. In addition, the Coker Caper allows visitors to choose from a variety of homemade cookies and candies. Dec. 7 Madisonville Christmas Parade The Madisonville Kiwanis Club will sponsor the annual Christmas Parade, which begins at 5 p.m. Parade starts at Madisonville Primary School and moves south on College Street. Dec. 7 Vonore Christmas Parade The parade kicks off the holidays. Dec. 7 Christmas at Fort Loudoun State Historic Area The 18th Century event celebrates the Christmas holiday as it was in days of old. Dec. 8 Townsend Christmas Parade Dec. 7-8 Townsend Artisan Guild at the Smoky Mountain Visitors Center. Dec. 14 Loudon Christmas Parade Dec. 14 Tellico Plains Christmas Parade (Tentative) The parade winds through town with Santa making an appearance. Parade begins at 3 p.m.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Recipe for fall colors It’s what everybody wants to see as fall enters its mid-point: the changing of the leaves. But when is the best time to see the leaves? Well, that depends on how the weather has been in recent times. According to the Cherokee National Forest Service, the question is: has a wet period been followed by a cold spell, which brings out the color in leaves? Or is it a dry period followed by a hard rain, or the first frost after a full moon? Despite the many theories and attempts to predict nature’s colors, the fact is, trees tune into light to produce their annual beauty pageant that brightens the hillsides each fall. This even oversimplifies the complex interaction of chemicals, temperatures, length of days and moisture, which scientists have yet to fully understand. According to the Forest Service, USDA trees are signaled to start changing colors in their leaves when days become shorter and nights become longer. As days get shorter, trees release a kind of hormone, restricting sap-flow to the leaves.
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| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
As autumn approaches, certain influences both inside and outside the plant cause chlorophyll to be replaced at a slower rate than it is being used. When this happens, other pigments that have been present in the cells during the leaf’s life begin to show through. They give us the colorations of yellow, orange, brown and other hues in between. The reds, purples and their combinations come from a group of pigments that are not present in the leaf during the growing season. They develop in late summer in the sap cells of the leaf. Their formation depends on the breakdown of sugars in the presence of bright light as the level of phosphate is reduced. Low temperatures above freezing will favor anthocyanin formation producing bright reds in maples. However, early frost will weaken the red color. Rainy days tend to increase the intensity of fall colors.
•
For fall color updates throughout the season, visit the U.S. Forest Service website at www.fs.fed.us.
On the byway to trail Numerous travel and tourism studies conclude that driving to view scenery is a favorite American pastime. The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association (TOHA) hopes to capitalize on that trend by promoting driving tours that link two national byways located in the region. The Cherohala Skyway skirts the high country in Tennessee and North Carolina, and the Ocoee Scenic Byway winds through the Ocoee River Gorge and up to the top of the Chilhowee Mountain. These two splendid highways act as bookends for the region while offering very different
experiences for travelers. The Tennessee Overhill region includes the Southeastern Tennessee counties of McMinn, Monroe, and Polk, as well as the southern half of the Cherokee National Forest. TOHA recently added itineraries and maps to its website to make it easy for travelers to link these two national scenic highways as part of one trip while exploring the communities and countryside that lie between the two roads. The new pages are titled “Scenic Byways Day Trips.” A trail map complements each itinerary with suggested stops marked on the map.
The maps and itineraries can be downloaded and printed. The itineraries are designed around cultural themes, leading visitors to areas of interest illustrating history, heritage and more. To view the new Web pages, visit www.tennes-
seeoverhill.com and click on “Scenic Byways Day Trips.” Those who prefer to receive information in the mail may contact the Tennessee Overhill at 423-263-7232 or info@tennesseeoverhill.com to request print versions of the maps and itineraries.
OUR PROFESSIONAL AGENTS ARE READY TO SERVE YOU! Home & Land Mountain Property Commercial
Waterfront Property Land Adjoining National Forest Investment Property
122 College Street South • Madisonville, TN 37354 418 Cherohala Skyway • Tellico Plains, TN (423) 253-6145 • (888) 246-2094
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Ride on the wild side
The Tail of the Dragon by Ronald E. Johnson The Tail of the Dragon, also known as Deals Gap or just the Dragon, is considered by many as one of the world’s premier motorcycling and sports car roads. Anyone looking for an exciting piece of asphalt will enjoy this stretch of U.S. 129 at the Tennessee/North Carolina state line, especially during the fall. The road, paved in the 1920s, was only lightly traveled for decades, primarily by locals and lost tourists. In 1992, the road was mentioned in Rider Magazine and word was out. The Dragon is truly a unique road. In 14 miles, there are only two intersections. There are no buildings other than the Crossroads of Time and our Tail of the Dragon store. There are 318 curves in the 11 miles located on the Tennessee side. Most
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of the roadway is bounded by United States Forest Service property and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Deals Gap, located at the North Carolina and Tennessee State Line, is the highest point on the Dragon at 1,962 feet above sea level.
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
To those coming from the North Carolina side, the Dragon begins at Fugitive Bridge with a view of the Cheoah Dam where Harrison Ford jumped in the movie “The Fugitive.” It ends 14 miles across the mountain at the Tabcat Creek Bridge in Tennessee.
CHEROHALA SKYWAY VISITOR CENTER
Come visit our new shop! Co
We have hundreds of uniquee gifts and collectibles. • Civil War Memorabilia • Antiques • WWII Memorabilia • Old Guns • Folk Art • Fossils • Arifacts • Geodes • Old Bottles
Open Monday-Sunday 9:00-5:00 Winter Hours: (Jan.-Feb.): Fri.-Sat. 9:00-5:00 & Sunday 1:00-5:00
225 Cherohala Skyway • Tellico Plains
423-253-8010 • Friendly Folks • Current Skyway & National Forest Information • Ample Free and Paved Parking • Outdoor Picnic Facilities • Super Clean Bathrooms • A Modern “Not-For-Profit” Gift Shop
Owners: Dan & Pat White
455 New Hwy 68, Ste. 1 • Sweetwater, TN 37874
Center owned and operated by Monroe County, Tennessee
(423) 337-6996
www.cherohala.org The Official Website of Cherohala Skyway
Commercial Tours, Including Boat Rides Available Daily for the Less Adventurous for Only
$1795
wwww.smokymountainrelicshop.com
The Super Saturday Adventure is offere ff offered every Saturday at 1:00pm $ per person
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Your tour guide will take you through crawls, such as the Meat Grinder, where you will lie on your side & push with your feet just to get through the tiny opening...
(423) 337-6616 Hi h Highway 68 • Sweetwater www.thelostsea.com Main Gift shops open year round & additional stores can be seasonal.
Stop by the Lost Sea on Saturday at 1:00pm with your flashlight & old clothes & take on the “Super Saturday Adventure” just like Larry the Cable Guy!
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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The peaceful side of the Smokies Of all the areas surrounding Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Wears Valley and Townsend are among the most beautiful. The Smoky Mountains surrounding Wears Valley possess a rich history of a simpler time. Today, they provide the backdrop for the best vacation area in Tennessee. Spend the day with activities in the
Smokies, then retire to Wears Valley for the evening to cozy accommodations that set the standard for comfort in Tennessee. Follow up your Wears Valley activity with mountain adventures of whitewater rafting, hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking, tubing down a cool mountain river, or
enjoying a driving tour through the Smokies. Wears Valley is located at an entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park between Pigeon Forge and Townsend. From Pigeon Forge, take U.S. 321 (turn onto Wears Valley Road at the Exxon Station). From Townsend, turn left onto Wears Valley Road. Known as “The Peaceful Side of the Smokies,� the Townsend area with its abundance of outdoor activities, accommodations, craft shops, and seasonal festivals, provides an ideal vacation getaway or retirement home
site. It is a perfect destination for visits to Cades Cove and other attractions in the Smokies. Townsend, itself, is a great place to visit, to do business, or to live. It has many recreational and sight-seeing opportunities of its own, as well as being adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This enchanting community has an interesting history, and some fascinating local attractions. Described as an open-air museum, Cades Cove, in the nearby park, is 1,800 acres of wide-open space nestled along the base of the Appalachian Mountains.
Mason Boring | Not So Boring Photography
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| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
Wears Valley Realty Group “We’re The Smoky Mountain Connection” 865.908.8430
Visit us online at:
www.wearsvalley4sale.com
Mountain Realty Group
Check our website for our current promotions!
888-972-2246 8 88 972 2246
www.moosecreekcrossing.com
Wee currently curr urrent ur rreen nttly ly h have av a ve 3 full-time full fu ll tim i e licensed professional agents in our office with 3 additional agents.
3240 Wears Valley Road Sevierville, TN
WEARS VALLEY REALTY GROUP
Christian Owned and Operated
MOUNTAIN REALTY GROUP Moose Creek Crossing Cabin Rentals
865-908-2909
www.mountainrealtygroup.com
Mountain Girls Primitives Largest selection of True Primitive Artwork in Tennessee between both of our locations!
9 All items are 8% Made in Tennessee & Made in the U.S.A.
Items made in our shop and by local artists.
Two great locations for all your primitive needs! T 3115 Wears Valley Road Wears Valley, TN 865-428-9040
204 Glades Road Gatlinburg, TN 865-430-2141
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Southern Charm Loudon County is located in the heart of East Tennessee and is known as the “Lakeway to the Smokies.” Interstate 75 runs through the west side of the county attracting visitors, who often stop at the scenic Fort Loudoun Lake in Lenoir City or travel on the short distance to the Smoky Mountains. But don’t hurry to the mountains too quickly, as it would be a mistake not to stop for a while and enjoy what Loudon County has to offer. The City of Loudon has become an antique lover’s haven. Nestled on the Little Tennesse River on Highway 11, the old downtown is less than a half hour from Knoxville. But this
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small town remains a long way from big-city hustle and bustle. The easy-to-walk downtown is filled with quaint shops, good food and Southern hospitality. Whether you’re stopping for ice cream, looking for a special gift, or discovering the area’s deep heritage, Loudon is a must see. According to weloveloudon.com, historic Loudon has a deep and interesting past tracing back to the late 1700s when settlers first built homes on the banks of the Tennessee River. The busiest part of early Loudon was the waterfront, where steamboats lined the wharf to load and unload cargo. Around 1817, James Blair and family begin controlling traffic across the River. They dubbed the community Blair’s Ferry, which would eventually become the town of Loudon. The small town consisted only of a steamboat landing, a store and a few houses. The town grew with the arrival of the railroad in the 1850s and was renamed Loudon in 1852. The Loudon Railroad Bridge became a key strategic objective during the Civil War. Loudon was chosen as the seat of county government in the 1870s. You can visit the Courthouse right in the middle of town near the river. Loudon is a stop on the Civil War Trail of Tennessee and the Appalachian Quilt Tour. Just across the river from Loudon is fast-growing Lenoir City. In addition to the lake, it too has a charming downtown and has become a major retail hub with extensive development on Highway 321, linking the interstate and mountains. For more information visit www.visitloudoncounty.com or www.weloveloudon.com.
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409 Grove Street Loudon, TN
Chic Boutique 865.458.8890
Hours: 10am-5pm Monday-Friday 10am-4pm Saturday
Antiques | Gift Shoppe | Cafe | Consignment Shop
Located by the fountain in Historic Dowtown Loudon
Great gifts for any occosion!
304 Wharf Street Loudon, Tennessee 37774
(865) 657-9845
Open 11am-5pm Everyday
JILZARA™ Premium Handmade Clay Jewelry
Come Enjoy the Aromas, Tastes & Charm of Days Gone By! Under New Ownership
Come and meet the Whitscell family. Proud to be a new part of the Loudon Community • Beautiful Heirloom-quality Amish-built Furniture • Hickory & Oak Rockers, Gliders, Porch Swings, Poly Furniture • Primitive to Country to Traditional Home DecorHand-forged Ironworks • Sallyeander Soap • Unker’s Salves • Candles
Monday - Wednesday 11am - 6pm Thursday - Saturday 11am - 7pm
• • • • • • • •
Coblentz Chocolates Kutztown Sodas Uncle Mike’s Beef Jerky Wood SignsOld Time Candy by the Pound Walnut Creek Foods Old Time Toys Gund Stuffed Animals Embellish Your Story Personalized Pottery Magnets
$5 off with a $25 purchase Expires 11/30/13
NEW
500 Grove Street Loudon
(865) 458-6614
www.theloudonmercantile.com
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Cave rave Caves are cool, literally. The temperature at the Lost Sea, America’s largest underground lake, is a constant 58 degrees. In the fall/winter when it is chilly outside, it feels nice and warm inside. The Lost Sea is popular among big celebrities, from Kirk Cameron, who has visited the underground lake on several occasions, to Larry the Cable Guy. In late 2012, an episode of Larry the Cable Guy’s TV show “Only in America” was filmed inside the historic cave. The program aired in August 2013. Larry the Cable guy was a good sport crawling through Wild Cave Tour and came to fall in love with the Lost Sea. The cave was actually owned by a Cherokee chief by the name of Chief Craighead. There is so much history within the caverns at Lost Sea. Because of some of this history the Lost Sea has been named a Civil War Trail Marker. In the early 1860’s, the Lost Sea caverns were known as the Great Craighead Cave. A date of 1863 can be found today on the walls within the cave at Lost Sea. The date has been carbon tested and does prove to be authentic. It was probably put there from the carbon of a confederate soldier’s torch. This is the oldest known date in the cave. In 1905, a 13-year-old boy named Ben Sands wiggled through a tiny, muddy opening 300 feet underground and found himself in a huge room half filled with water. The room was so large that his light was swallowed up by the darkness long before reaching the far
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wall or the ceiling. The Lost Sea opened as a commercial attraction to the public in June of 1965. Attendance has grown steadily. Today, the Lost Sea welcomes more than 180,000 visitors a year. The overnight Wild Cave Tour has grown in popularity. The Wild Cave Tour started in the late 1970s and has become a major part of the Lost Sea. The Wild tour involves a three to four-hour caving tour and then an opportunity to spend the night in the cave after. Cavern tours at Lost Sea are open every day but Christmas Day. The hours vary with seasons. The Lost Sea is located on New Highway 68 just outside of Sweetwater. Several other gift shops are open seasonally, including the Glass Blower, Sweet Shop, Cavern Kitchen Restaurant and the General Store where you can purchase dirt and pan for gemstones. Visit www.thelostsea.com or call 423-337-6616 for info.
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
H & V MOTORS, INC. Home of AfFORDable Cars & Trucks
email: wrutherford@crye-leike.com
wrutherford.crye-leike.com
Wayne W Wa yne R Rutherford uth therf h ford d Manager - Broker Athens Branch
580 S. Congress Pkwy Athens, TN Office: 423-746-0227 Cell: 423-887-4371 EFax: 423-468-1468
Stop by & see what we can do for you! Dan Harvey | Owner
610 Englewood Road Madisonville, TN
423-420-1066 MOTOR INNS OF AMERICA 4740 New Highway 68 S • Madisonville, TN
For Reservations or Other Information
(423) 442-9045
www.motorinnsofamerica.com
Jason Miller, Pharm. D. • Brent Hickey, Pharm. D.
Your Hometown Pharmacist
Halfway between Knoxville & Chattanooga At the intersection of Hwy 411 & 68 IN THE HEART OF MONROE COUNTY
• 1 minute to 12 fast food restaurants • 10 minutes to Hiwassee College • 12 miles to I-75 • 12 mintues to 2nd Largest Flea Market • 40 minutes to Knoxville Airport
707 7 07 Veterans Veteran ns Memorial Drive
(Next to Citizens National Bank)
423-253-6003
www.hunterbakeryandcafe.com Steaks • Seafood • Pasta • Sandwiches Salads • Homemade Soups
Hometown Hospitality, Big City Quality
423-351-1098 101 E. Morris Street, Sweetwater, Tennessee 37874
In the heart of Sweetwater’s Antiques District. Mon-Thurs: 11am-4pm • Fri-Sat: 11am-8pm Closed Sunday
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Where the wild things are... His closest neighbors, the Butlers, might describe Cleve Tedford as a transplant; saying “He moved down here from up there.” The unusual part of that description is that “up there” doesn’t refer to somewhere north of the Mason-Dixon line, but to Rafter, an isolated mountain community above Tellico Plains. After 30 years living in what many in Monroe County refer to as “Deliverence Country,” Tedford moved down last November to his farm just off Citico Creek. His closest neighbor by car or truck is more than two miles away. “Deep in the Woods” is a description no visitor to Tedford’s newly opened Citico Wildlife Wilderness will challenge. Visitors are speechless enjoying the breathtaking views of mountains within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and Cherokee National Forest. For years, people around Tellico Plains referred to Tedford as “that feller up there with the Deer Farm.” On weekends the road around the farm would be busy with vehicles driving by hoping to catch a view of a herd of deer that at one time numbered more than 1,000 Fallow, Sika, Axis, Pere David’s, and Elk. Then, his livelihood consisted of supplying his deer to other animal opera-
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tions all over America and working as a fencing contractor. During that time, Tedford became known as an “expert” in his field serving as a consultant and supplying animals to many state and federal research facilities. He also represented deer farmers and presented papers at national and international meetings. Many articles Tedford has written have appeared in publications in Europe and New Zealand as well as the United States and Canada. His fencing work included some of the most successful zoos and wildlife parks in America, providing the opportunity to learn how the experts operated and also a source for the wide variety of species that now populate Citico Wildlife Wilderness. Aside from a herd of very unusual cattle, visitors can observe other animals native to Europe, Africa, South America, China, India, Sulawesi, and Java. Citico Wildlife Wilderness is a product of Tedford’s dreams, decades of hard
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
labor, and his desire to share his blessings with folks who couldn’t conceive that a place like this exists. Tours are available by reservation only. Call 423-253-2353 for directions, as this attraction is 30 to 40 minutes from Vonore in a remote area. Visit www.citicowildlifewilderness.com for details.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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To C ha t
ta n
oog
a
w w w. m o n ro e c o u n t y Monroe Co. Visitor Center at Sweetwater
Tellico River 920 ft. The Tellico River has been the scene of human occupation for I-75 12,000 years. For much of this time it was the domain of Native 11 Americans. From at least 1650 AD, the Cherokee Indians Sweetwater resided here. Madisonville After the Cherokee Removal in 1838, the area was opened for 411 Euro-American settlement. Tellico, “tel-li--quo” means “plains” in Cherokee. Cherohala Skyway
Indian Boundary Campground b Just off the scenic Skyway on Forest Service Road 345. Offering 100 campsites as well as day use picnicking, swimming and biking. Open April-September. Reservations are recommended. Call the Tellico Ranger Station or the Cherohala Skyway visitor Center for information.
Turkey Creek 2,630 ft. Overlook with 3 picnic tables and Restroom. Beautiful view from the Appalachians over the Tennessee River Valley. Tellico Plains can be seen in the distance.
;Sa
+ 0
Oosterneck Creek 1,045 ft. Overlook and boating takeout on the Tellico River. When the water is up, the Tellico River, with it’s Class III, IV, V, rapids, is quite a challenge for canoeists and kayakers.
Eagle Gap Trailhead 3,600 ft.
Grassy Gap Trailhead 3,400 ft.
Visitor Center Charles Hall Museum
Caney Branch 1,370 ft.
Tellico Plains
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Tellico Ranger Station Information Station Bulletin board welcomes visitors with general information about the Skyway and Tellico Ranger District.
Tellico River 950 ft. The Tellico River is famous for its trout fishing.
Coker Creek Welcome Center
Tennessee Emergency Information Cherokee National Forest Tellico Ranger Station 250 Ranger Station Road Tellico Plains, TN 37385 (423) 253-8400
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Ducktown, TN
Sheriffs Department Monroe County, TN (423) 442-3911
Lake View 3,360 ft. d A perfect place to enjoy distant views of Tellico Lake. This lake was created from TVA dams of the Little Tennessee River.
Brushy Ridge 3,750 ft. d Overlooking Sassafras Ridge and other major ridges running south down to the Tellico River.
West Rattlesnake R Trailhead 4,000 ft.
Bald River Falls Located on Forest Service Road 210, you can view Bald River Falls without leaving your car as water cascades over 100 feet onto the rocks below. Further along the road you may be interested in visiting the State operated trout hatchery.
Weather Conditions Important to consider before traveling the Skyway. Snow is common from mid November through mid Aprilespecially in the higher elevations. Note: The Cherohala Skyway is a State maintained road, with the amenities maintained by the US Forest Service. For each state, please contact the appropriate Sheriffs Department for road conditions and the appropriate Forest Service Ranger Station for recreation information.
b Cell phone coverage along the Cherohala Skyway is very sporadic. There is a public phone at the Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center. Above Indian Boundary there is some cell phone coverage.
Cherohala Skyw 225 Cherohala S Tellico Plains, TN 423-253-8010
Coker Creek We 12197 New Hwy Coker Creek, TN 423-261-2286
b
Wheel Chair Accessible Fishing Picnic Tables Hiking Canoeing Camping Cell Phone Coverage
The wilderness areas surrounding the Cherohala Skyway are beautiful and alluring, but not necessarily suited for everyone to explore. As a visitor to wilderness, you should be aware that you are entering a primitive environment. You will face the challenge of being entirely self-sufficient–no trail signs, no restrooms, no water spigots. Some people may just rather drive by, enjoy the view, and visit more developed trails and recreation areas.
Spirit Ridge 4,950 ft. d Take a leisurely stroll (about 3/10th of a mile) East Rattlesnake Rock 4,110 ft. along an easy grade Unicoi Crest 4,470 ft. d through a northern hardwood forest to a Stratton Ridge fabulous vista overlooking 4,420 ft. Rock This is a perfect place to the Byway and a seemingly stretch, enjoy a picnic endless range of mountains. State Line lunch (5 tables), or use The trail is accessible for (Beech Gap 4,490 ft.) the restroom facilities. A the physically challenged bulletin board provides and two picnic tables are additional information easily accessed from the Mud Gap Trailhead parking lot. about the Skyway. 4,480 ft.
way Visitor Center Skyway N 37385
elcome Center y 68 37314
Obadiah 3,740 ft. d Listen carefully to the sound of Santeetlah Creek far below while enjoying the mountain vista offered at this scenic overlook.
1127 Hooper Cove 3,100 ft. d This open area with a view into the Santeetlah Creek drainage offers a perfect spot for a picnic lunch (four tables).
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Whigg Cove 4,570 ft. Haw Knob Slopes 4,890 ft. Big Junction 5,240 ft. d
Wright Cove 4,150 ft. Huckleberry 5,300 ft.
Santeetlah 5,390 ft. Over a mile-high in elevation, enjoy a picnic (3 tables) at the highest overlook along the Skyway.
Hooper Bald Trailhead 5,290 ft. d A quarter-mile hike leads to Hooper Bald, near the site of the old hunting preserve where many exotic species, including the Russian boar, were imported by George Moore in 1908. An information board, restrooms, and two picnic tables are easily accessed from the parking lot.
Shute Cove 3,550 ft. d A quiet picnic can be enjoyed at the one table available at this pullover. A few steps to the small wooden platform presents a beautiful view into the valley below.
Horse Cove Campground
Rattler Ford Group Campground (By reservation through the Cheoah Ranger Station) To Robbinsville and the Cheoah Ranger Station
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Santeetlah Gap 2,660 ft. A bulletin board provides information about the Cherohala Skyway.
Robbinsville, NC
Tail
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Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest In 1936, an extraordinary 3,800 acres of “one of the few remaining tracts of virgin hardwood in the Appalachians� was set aside as a memorial forest in honor of Joyce Kilmer. Kilmer, a poet, journalist, and World War I soldier killed in action, is best remembered for his poem, “Trees.� This impressive forest contains some of the finest timber grown in these mountains with many huge trees over 20 feet around the base and more than a hundred feet high. A 2-mile loop trail winds beneath the towering trees and through a forest carpeted by a rich variety of wildflowers, ferns, and moss-covered logs from the fallen giants. The Memorial Forest, also part of the Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness, can only be seen on foot.
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Vonore
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Restrooms (no water)
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. c h e ro h a l a . o r g
North Carolina Emergency Information Nantahala National Forest Cheoah Ranger Station Rt. 1, Box 16-A Robbinsville, NC 28771 (828) 479-6431 Sheriffs Department Graham County, NC (828) 479-3352
**Photos courtesy of Monroe County Tourism and Fritts Photography
Something’s going on By Mason Boring As a kid, I once heard that mountains heal the spirit. Not long after, I found that having friends to share in this gift make it that much better. The Cherokee National Forest holds a handful of my healing places. One of my favorite lies in a hidden gem up the road from Tellico Plains-- Whigg Meadows. At around 5,000 feet, Whigg is a natural grassy bald located beside Haw Knob -the highest point in Monroe County. It’s one of my favorite places and between us, it could easily be yours too! I’ll share with you how we kicked off the early fall season and were surprised to find that what happens behind your back isn’t always bad.
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Sept. 9, 4:02 p.m.
5:26 p.m.
Traveling from Madisonville, the windows are down and the sun is up as we departed south on Highway 68 towards Tellico Plains.
Arrival! As we pulled up at Whigg, we were greeted by a few familiar ornithologists from here in Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia and California. We actually met some of them last year doing their same annual bird banding!
4:23 p.m. We arrive at Tellico and head east on the Cherohala Skyway for about 24 miles. 4:57 p.m. Continue past the Tennessee/ North Carolina state line for 1.5 miles to the bridge at Stratton Meadows. Turn left after the bridge onto gravel for 100 yards and turn left back under the Skyway. Stay straight for 1 mile until fork and turn left onto Forest Road 61 for 5 miles.
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
7:17 p.m. Making camp. Tents are up, wood is collected, kindling is split. Attempting to prove our outdoorsman-ness in the whipping wind, we put to test our “no flame method” with our fire-steels. Seven minutes in, a perfect spark shot into onto our tinder tunnel, and a little glow began to fill the hole. Our former windy rival was restored to our best pal by slowly whispering a friendly breeze. Glows turned to
behind your back flames, flames to crackles, and finally fire. Some folks say it’s nature’s television. Others say it warms the soul just as the body. Even our erstwhile neighbors agreed. The same Cherokee Indians that roamed this national forest spoke in various dialects of Tsalagi. They knew “fire” as “the center of life” which ironically became their same word for “home”. It’s a source of energy, where people come to refuel. It’s where we cook and eat, share memories and tell the best stories. It’s that rare place where the most fearful gasps can be followed by even bigger laughs! Surrounded by friends under a plethora of stars radiates the warmth of a fire that’s been burning for years.
9:21 p.m. I pulled out my camera to capture our scene. As we were sharing a few of our most embarrassing moments, I set the shutter for 30 seconds, aperture at f/2.8 and the ISO to 1000, hit the timer, and ran into the frame. Hysterical, I galloped back to the camera to preview the photo. I looked and was flooded with confusion. I glanced at a green streak that appeared as a glitch on my screen. I shouted at the guys, “No way! No way!” They darted over to see the fuss. Quick-witted Gary nearly killed my buzz, “You didn’t see that glow stick I threw behind my head?” thinking it was true for a second. But sure enough, it was a rare green meteoroid! Behind our backs, we didn’t even see it and considering
traveling around 60,000 miles per hour, it was no surprise. Meteoroids burn green only when certain combinations of oxygen are heated and react with the particular mixture of minerals that the meteoroid is composed of. This is then ignited and let’s of a bright green light as it enters Earth’s atmosphere. Brian Williams, of NBC’s “Nightly News” got word of reports of a green, bright light zipping over our Southeast region. So next time, head to the mountains with an old friend or foe and practice mercy and joy. Find your healing among each other and enjoy this gift of creation and life! If you get that weird feeling that something’s going on behind your back, it might not always be a bad thing! :)
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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A Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence™ For Two Years in a Row 2012 & 2013
Raingear • Apparel • Gear • Helmets
The most advanced health care is close to home. Q 9ecc_ii_ed ed 9WdY[h WYYh[Z_j[Z YWdY[h fhe]hWc Q 7c[h_YWd >[Whj 7iieY_Wj_ed%7c[h_YWd Ijhea[ 7iieY_Wj_ed Y[hj_Ó[Z WZlWdY[Z fh_cWho Ijhea[ 9[dj[h Q B?<;F79A Z[ÓXh_bbWjeh%ced_jeh fWhjd[hi^_f m_j^ HkhWb%C[jhe 7cXkbWdY[
The Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Town Square 106-A Scott St., Tellico Plains 423-253-2088 Across from Downtown Creamery
tellicomoto.com
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| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
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Wine And Spirits
THE TOWN OF TELLICO PLAINS, TN
Welcome!
From the Citizens of Tellico Plains
The Small Town with the Big Back Yard
“Getaway to the Cherokee National Forest & The Cherohala Skyway”
660 New Highway 68 Sweetwater, TN
423-337-3050
Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm Friday-Saturday 9am-11pm 1 1/2 Miles East of I-75 • Near Jacky Jones Ford
Recreation, hunting, fishing, swimming, camping, kayaking, canoeing, picnicking or just a leisure drive across the Skyway. Enjoy street dancing at our 4th of July Celebration. If you can’t find it in Tellico Plains, it can’t be found!!!
Come & See!
Physical Therapy Authentic Pit BBQ
520 Cook Street, Suite D • Madisonville, TN
423-442-1440 665 New Hwy 68, Suite F • Sweetwater, TN
FULL MENU
Pulled Pork • Smoked Ribs Smoked Chicken • Steaks Smoked Turkey
423-536-7036
Family Atmosphere Second to None Home Town Service!
Physical, Aquatic & Speech Therapies
517 N. Hwy 68 • Sweetwater, TN • 423-351-7190 www.BradleysPitBBQ.net • Find us on Facebook
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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A solemn tale
175th anniversary of the Trail of Tears In 1838, the United States government forcibly deported more than 16,000 Cherokee Indians from their homeland in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia. Between May 24 and Dec. 5, 1838, the U.S. Army and state militias rounded up Cherokee citizens, held them at internment camps, and then sent then to Indian Territory in the West. The operation affected more than 3,000 Cherokee people who lived in Western North Carolina at that time. After the military arrested North Carolina Cherokees, they organized them into contingents at Fort Butler (present-day Murphy, N.C.), then marched groups of 150-1,500 Cherokees to Fort Cass, located at present-day Charleston, Tenn. There, they camped with other Cherokees for months before starting their overland trek to Indian Territory (now known as Oklahoma). The emigration route for the Cherokee people from North Carolina passed through Monroe and McMinn counties. This year marks the
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175th Anniversary of this event, now known as the Trail of Tears. The Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association (TOHA) is working with the National Park Service’s Trails Division to determine the route that the North Carolina Cherokees took. The Tennessee Overhill region takes its name from the Overhill Cherokee towns that were located in East Tennessee in the 1700s. The term “overhill” referred to the Cherokee settlements that rested on the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains – on the other side of the mountains from the Cherokee settlements in the Carolinas and Georgia. What is known is that at least five groups of Cherokees left Murphy and traveled on the Unicoi Turnpike through Coker Creek, passing Fort Armistead. They descended the mountain to Tellico Plains and traveled to Athens, Calhoun, and Charleston. What is not known is the route they took from Tellico Plains to Calhoun.
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
The following are suggestions for places to visit to learn about Cherokee heritage:
Sequoyah Birthplace Museum Sequoyah, inventor of the Cherokee syllabary, was born around 1776 in what was then the Overhill town of Tuskeegee, located near the present site of the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum. He grew up in the midst of the American Revolution. The museum exhibits focus on the lifeways of the Overhill Cherokees and Sequoyah’s accomplishments. Throughout much of the 18th century the Overhill Towns of Tanasi and Chota were important Cherokee centers of government. At different periods they were recognized as capitals of the Cherokee Nation – beloved towns where Cherokees gathered for important councils and religious events. When Virginia militia invaded the Overhill Country in 1776 they spared Chota. During the expedition of 1789 Chota, Tanasi, and the other Overhill
towns in the lower Little Tennessee River Valley were destroyed. The State of Tennessee takes its name from Tanasi. After the waters of Tellico Lake covered the sites of Chota and Tanasi in 1979, memorials to commemorate these important Overhill Cherokee towns were placed at the edge of the lake near the site of each town. The Chota Memorial is designed to resemble the layout of the old Chota Council House. Oconostota, the Great Warrior of Chota and Principle Chief, is buried at the entrance. Stop at Sequoyah Birthplace for directions to memorials. Sequoyah Birthplace Museum is located at 576 Highway 360 in Vonore, Tenn. For more information, call 423-884-6246 or visit www.sequoyahmuseum.org.
Unicoi Turnpike Trail Travel the path that Overhill Cherokees, European explorers, traders, soldiers, and settlers used for hundreds of years. Known in early times as the “Unicoy Path,” the trail was used for trade and warfare before written history. In 1838, a section of the old road from Murphy, N.C., to Tellico Plains, was used as an emigration route for 3,000 Cherokees during the Trail of Tears. The road served as a connector between the British coastal settlements at Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., to the Cherokee territories in the upper Savannah, Hiwassee and Little Tennessee river valleys. For more information, call 877-5105765 or visit www.tennesseeoverhill.com.
Fort Loudoun State Historic Area Fort Loudoun was painstakingly built in the wilderness during the winter of 17561757 at the request of pro-British factions at the Overhill Town of Chota. For a while the fort helped ally the powerful Cherokee Nation to the English cause, but relations soon soured. The Cherokees laid siege to the fort at the outset of the Anglo-Cherokee War of 1760-1761. Fort Loudoun is located at 338 Fort Loudoun Road in Vonore, Tenn. For more information, call 423-884-6217 or visit www.fortloudoun.com. In addition, the remains of the Tellico Blockhouse, built in 1794, are located across Tellico Lake from Fort Loudoun. There, federal and territorial officials implemented the “Factory Act of 1795,”
which was a U.S. government plan to “civilize” Indians by maintaining federal “factories,” or trading posts where Indians would receive fair exchange for their furs and learn farming and mechanical skills. Tellico Blockhouse is located on Blockhouse Road (just off Highway 411) in Vonore, Tenn.
Charles Hall Musuem Tellico Plains sits at the crossroads where travelers have passed for hundreds of years. The Overhill Cherokee Town of Great Tellico was located near here. The Unicoi Path passed through here. The museum’s collection includes an exhibit of Native American artifacts that were recovered from the area as well as an impressive collection of guns and other historic artifacts. The museum owner, Charles Hall, once owned the Tellico Telephone Company. The museum contains the most comprehensive collection of period telephones in the state. The museum is located at Highway 165 Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains, Tenn. For more information, call 423-253-8000 or visit www.charleshallmuseum.com.
Nancy Ward Grace Nancy Ward was born in 1738 in the Cherokee town of Chota. When her first husband, Kingfisher, was killed in the Battle of Taliwa against the Creeks in 1755, she took up his rifle and led the Cherokee to victory. The grave sits on a hill beside Highway 411 south of Benton. For information, call 423-2630050.
Fort Marr The last surviving blockhouse of Fort Morrow (known as Fort Marr), the original military post was built in 1814 on the Old Federal Road near the Conasauga River. Initially designated Camp Lindsay, the post was renamed Fort Morrow after the addition of three blockhouses and a palisade enclosure in preparation for the Cherokee Removal. The one remaining blockhouse has been restored and relocated to the grounds of the Hiwassee/ Ocoee State Park Ranger Station at Gee Creek Campground at Delano. For information, call 423-263-0050.
Living Heritage Museum Museum exhibits include a display that interprets American Indian pre-history and Cherokee history in McMinn County and the area. An emphasis is placed on the Mouse Creek archeological culture. The McMinn County Living Heritage Museum is located at 522 West Madison Avenue in Athens, Tenn. For more information, call 423-745-0329 or visit www. livingheritagemuseum.com.
Red Clay State Park The last capital of the Cherokee Nation sits in the eastern United States. After the State of Georgia banned assemblies of Cherokees in groups of three or more, the Cherokee Nation moved its national assembly from New Echota in Georgia to Red Clay in Tennessee. The Red Clay Council Grounds became the center of the Cherokee Nation’s diplomatic efforts to avoid removal. The grounds include a museum and replicas of an 1830s Council House, sleeping huts, and a farmstead. The park is located at 1140 Red Clay Park. For information, call 423478-0339 or visit www.tennessee.gov/ environment/parks/RedClay.
Hiwassee River Heritage Center The banks of the Hiwassee River were witness to the Trail of Tears and Civil War. Fort Cass, established in 1835, was located on the Hiwassee River in present-day Charleston. The site housed a garrison of United States troops and the largest concentration of internment camps where Cherokees were held during the summer of 1838, before starting the trek west to Indian Territory. The Heritage Center is located at 8746 Hiwassee Street in Charleston, Tenn. For more information, call 423-413-8284.
Cherokee Removal Memorial Park The Cherokee Memorial Park is located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Hiwassee rivers in Meigs County. Around 10,000 Cherokee people gathered at this site to cross the river on the Trail of Tears. A park has been created at the site to honor the deported Cherokee people. The Memorial Park is located at 6800 Blythe Ferry Road in Birchwood, Tenn. For information, call 423-334-5850 or visit www.southeasttennessee.com.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Hey, Check this out! Purdy’s Petty Zoo
In 2008, Mark and Melissa Purdy started the petting zoo in Sweetwater not only for a business but for a way for their family to bond together outdoors. The petting zoo has approximately 90 animals that can be hand fed. Purdy’s Petting Zoo is open seasonally, Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The zoo is located a short distance from Interstate 75’s Exit 60. Go east on New Highway 68 and turn onto Cleveland Farm Road. If you would like more information or have questions, please call Mark and Melissa at 423-295-5156 or go to www.purdyspettingzoo.com.
Sweetwater Valley Farm Located in Philadelphia in south Loudon County, Sweetwater Valley Farm has made a name for itself by producing quality cheese from cows right on the farm, the only dairy in Tennessee to do so. To reach Sweetwater Valley Farm, take Interstate 75 to Exit 68. The farm is located off Highway 11 about one mile from the Monroe and Loudon County line. For more information, contact Sweetwater Valley Farm at 877-862-4332 or visit www.sweetwatervalley.com.
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Tellico Lake Fort Loudoun State Historic Area and Sequoyah Birthplace Museum share an island that was created by the damming of the Little Tennessee River. Tellico Dam was completed and the impoundment of the Little “T” took place in 1979. There was considerable controversy over Tellico Dam as opponents fought the proposed dam on a number of fronts that included property rights, destruction of historic and Native American sites and the impact on the endangered snail darter. Judicial decisions resulted in several haltings of the project. However, legislative action exempted the Tellico Project from the Endangered Species Act and Tellico Lake was born as a result. The lake is 15,000 acres in surface area and has boat ramps and marinas.
Vonore Heritage Museum This museum is located on Church Street next to Vonore City Hall. The museum contains a wide variety of local history, including old Vonore High School memorabilia. The museum is open five days a week. Call City Hall at 423-884-6211 for info.
Sweetwater Flea Market Located at Interstate 75’s Exit 60 in Sweetwater, is one of the largest indoor flea markets around with currently 800 vendor booths in The Sweetwater Flea Market. The Flea Market is open Saturdays and Sundays. Visit thesweetwaterfleamarket.com.
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
Enjoy the River Safely!
Brookfield reminds you that dangers exist on rivers, and that conditions can change quickly and without notice. Avoid such areas as dams, structures, powerhouses and electrical substations. Obey all signs, buoys and sirens. Brookfield encourages everyone to wear a life jacket when recreating on or near water.
WEAR IT! Always check water conditions before you recreate.
Brookfield www.brookfieldrenewable.com Š Brookfield Renewable Energy Group
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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WELCOME TO MONROE COUNTY A Great Place to Work & Live
Large or small, we do it all! ll! Full Auto Body Repair Shop & Restoration ts, Cars & RV’s V’s Semi, Truck, Boats,
MONROE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Body Shop Hours:
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Saturday 9am-12pm
660-B New Hwy 68 Sweetwater, TN 37874
Shan Harris, Director 103 College Street South, Suite 6 Madisonville, TN 37354 423-442-3652 Mobile: 423-519-3369 Email: shan.harris@monroegovernment.org www.monroeeconomicdevelopment.com
423-351-7777
DJ Ayers Owner
Fax: 423-351-7800 Located 1.6 miles off I-75
24 Hour Towing Available FALL OR WINTER 2013 SPECIAL! $95/person Two Nights/Three Days Includes 4 meals, 2 nights lodging, team building course, and lots off fun!
Weddings • Reunions • Mountain Retreats • Parties Special Events • Group Meeting Facilities Cabins • Dining Hall
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| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
MADISONVILLE
FLEA AND ANTIQUE MALL • INDOOR/OUTDOOR MARKET
Tues., Fri., Sat., Sun. 8am-5:30pm 3949 Hwy 411 N. • 423-420-6504
Come to Our Old Fashioned Cruise-In 2nd Saturday in April-October
Hwy. 411 • Madisonville
442-2128
We Buy Estates One Piece Or Many CASH FOR GOLD & SILVER OWNERS TOMMY & MELINDA CRAWLEY
Madisonville, Tennessee
We Buy s! Antique
ANTIQUES AT THE MILL Over 7 O 7000 7000+ S Square Feet F t of f Antiques! A tii !
The Hub of Monroe County
Mayor - Glenn Moser City Recorder - Alfred McClendon Board of Aldermen • Augustus Davis • Sherri McCrary • Bill Spradlin • Linda Hensley • Susan Saunders
Estate Cleanouts RETAIL • WHOLESALE to the Trade
423-435-7173 or 423-836-4135 HOURS Mon-Sat 10am-5pm | Sunday 12pm-5pm
800 N. Main Street | Sweetwater, TN
Come Experience Our Petting Zoo with Your Friends & Family!!
Birthday Parties • Mobile Zoo • Gem Mining School Field Trips • Pony Rides • Pond Fishing
120 Plemons Road • Sweetwater
Hours:
Restaurant & General Store
Home Cooked Buffet Soups • Salads • Meats Vegetables • Desserts
Full Menu Available. Breakfast All Day.
Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, M pm, Sunday 1pm-5pm
ppurdyspettingzoo.com m 423.337.5825 423 337 5825
I-75 Exit 62 5 Oakland Rd. • Sweetwater, TN 576 Purdy’s Petting Zoo is an approved USDA facility.
Open Daily at 6:00 am
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Monroe Area Council for the Art’s
Star-studded entertainment Since 1994, the Monroe Area Council for the Arts (MACA) has brought world-class entertainment at an affordable cost to Hiwassee Colleg through the organization’s annual Performance Series. This year, renovations to the newly named Hiwassee College Performing Arts Center will add to the excitement. Most individual show tickets are $20, while a season ticket is only $60 for the entire series. Families can purchase season tickets for $125 and a couple for $100. Tickets can be purchased online at www.monroearts.com, by phone at 423-442-3210 or at the box office at Hiwassee’s Performing Arts Center before showtime.
recently recorded her debut CD, “Except.” Best known for the now-iconic John Hughes movies “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” and “Pretty in Pink.” Ringwald grew up in a musical home and developed an early appreciation of jazz. Her CD pays homage to the Great American Songbook.
DAN HICKS & THE HOT LICKS March 6, 2014, 7:30 p.m. Dan Hicks is widely acknowledged as one of the central defining figures in American roots music.
THE COOKE BOOK April 3, 2014 7:30 p.m. Darrian Ford channels the “man who invented soul.” The
late Sam Cooke blended sensuality and spirituality, sophistication and soul.
MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE Feb. 1, 2014 at 6 p.m. Starring a cast of more than 60 local children, “Robinson Crusoe” teaches that reading invites more than observation.
Kevin Abernathy
KEVIN ABERNATHY Nov. 1, 7:30 p.m. Kevin Abernathy, a native of Madisonville, has songs describing characters and telling stories from his perspective of growing up in a small East Tennessee town with dreams of going to the big city.
Molly Ringwald
THE FOUR FRESHMEN
The Four Freshmen
Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. The Four Freshmen has enamored listeners worldwide for 65 years and have gained recognition as one of the most influential vocal groups of all time..
AN EVENING WITH MOLLY RINGWALD Jan. 19, 2014, 7:30 p.m. Critically-acclaimed actress and singer Molly Ringwald
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The Cooke Book
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks
Sweetwater Hospital Is Proud to Announce The Grand Opening of Its Newest Addition Coming Soon....
Please watch local newspapers and news outlets for dates and times.
www.sweetwaterhospital.org 865-213-8200 Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas e Monro
CASA the s t n e s e pr l a u n n A Fifth Trees f o l a v i t Fes -17 5 1 . v o N
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During the past several months, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Monroe’s elves have been busy. Their tree house has been “Holiday Central,” where more than 150 trees, wreaths and centerpieces have been decorated. They have been busy preparing for the Fifth Annual Festival of Trees to be held on Nov. 15 through the Nov. 17 at the Tellico West Conference Center in Vonore, at 121 Grand Vista Drive. The Festival of Trees is CASA Monroe’s largest annual fundraiser. This event, which is designed to offer something for everyone, will begin with a Gala on Friday evening from 5:30 to 11 p.m., which includes a gourmet meal, dancing, entertainment, silent and live auctions and a wonderland of designer trees, wreaths and centerpieces for sale. Tickets for the Gala must be purchased in advance. The festival re-opens on Saturday morning at 8:30 a.m. with the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, followed by breakfast and children’s crafts and activities. At 10:30 a.m., there will be an award ceremony for trees which have been decorated by students of the elementary schools in Monroe County and Sweetwater City. The remainder of the day (10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.) will feature the wonderland of decorated trees, wreaths and centerpieces for sale, entertainment provided by local artists and many gift and bakery items for sale. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. Breakfast with Santa: (adults $10, children 4-11 $5, children 3 and under are admitted for free). Festival: (adults $10 (ticket purchased for the breakfast includes admission to the festival), children 11 years and under are admitted for free). On Sunday, the festival is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is your last opportunity to purchase decorated trees and browse our Gift Shop. Admission is free to ‘Close Up Shop!’ CASA Monroe’s mission is “to promote and support court-appointed volunteer advocacy to represent the best interests of children who find themselves in the court system because of abuse or neglect.” For tickets or additional information contact CASA Monroe at 423-442-2750 or www.casamonroe.org.
| Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
VONORE HERITAGE MUSEUM
Phone: 423-442-8638 Fax: 423-442-8641 4930-D New Highway 68 Madisonville, TN 37354 email: judy@skywaytitle.com
Serving Your Real Estate Needs
HOURS: Monday 10am-5pm Tuesday & Thursday 2pm-6pm Open the 2nd & 4th Friday of Every Month 10am-5pm
We offer Title Documents, Real Estate Closings, Abstract and Title Insurance.
Serving Monroe County and East Tennessee with excellent service in all of your real estate needs.
Artifacts from the 1800s through the 1950s â&#x20AC;˘ Civil War pieces â&#x20AC;˘ WWI & WWII uniforms â&#x20AC;˘ Trophies Plaques & more!
It will be a pleasure to serve you! Locally owned & operated with over 35 years experience. Judy Thacker - Owner
Bargain Hunters Welcome!
619 Church St. â&#x20AC;˘ Vonore, TN (423) 884-2989
Gibson Shoe Store
Gently Used Books New Books Buy â&#x20AC;˘ Sell â&#x20AC;˘ Trade
Andrews, NC
Audio Books â&#x20AC;˘ Local Interest â&#x20AC;˘ Maps
Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am to 5pm Closed Sunday & Monday
Open 9am-6pm Monday-Saturday
108 Scott Street Old Downtown Tellico Plains
www.tellicobookshelf.com
Factory Return Outlet
423-253-3183 10th Annual
Saturday, Oct 12, 2013
Festival of History, Harvest and Heritage
The famed naturalist, John Muir, made a good choice when he explored the Tennessee Overhill on his trek through the American South. You should take his advice. And we can help you plan your outdoor adventure here. â&#x20AC;˘ John Muir Trail â&#x20AC;˘ Tanasi Mountain Biking Trails â&#x20AC;˘ Unicoi Turnpike Trail â&#x20AC;˘ Benton MacKaye Trail â&#x20AC;˘ Cherokee National Forest â&#x20AC;˘ Hiwassee River Rail Adventure â&#x20AC;˘ Tellico River â&#x20AC;˘ Ocoee River â&#x20AC;˘ Hiwassee River â&#x20AC;˘ Ocoee Scenic Byway â&#x20AC;˘ Cherohala Skyway
Free Admission!
www.pumpkintownfestival.com
10:00 a.m.5:30 p.m.
Historic Downtown Athens
â&#x20AC;˘ Over 150 Food, Arts & Crafts & Activity Vendors â&#x20AC;˘ Childrensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Activities â&#x20AC;˘ Live Entertainment â&#x20AC;˘ National Pickleball Tournament â&#x20AC;˘ Cherokee Gathering in honor of 175th Anniversary of the Trail of Tears
Twilight Shopping Spectacular
Friday, November 22 â&#x20AC;˘ 5-8 p.m.
Old-Fashioned Downtown Christmas
Free Visitor Information
www.tennesseeoverhill.com
Saturday, Dec. 7 3:00 p.m.8:00 p.m.
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
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Tangle with The Dragon
Fall
Bucket list
Enjoy a MACA concert
Tunnel underground at The Lost Sea
Take an autumn hike
Go wild at Citico Wildlife Wilderness
Check off your stops as you enjoy Tennessee Mountain Traveler country!
Take fall photos in the Smokies Take a drive up the Cherohala Skyway to view the fall leaves
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Find some southern charm in Loudon | Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013
Retrace history in the Tennessee Overhill Get in the holiday spirit at CASAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Festival of Trees
ELECT
PROFESSIONAL t (SBEVBUF $BSTPO /FXNBO $PMMFHF 65 $PMMFHF PG -BX t 1SBDUJDJOH BUUPSOFZ TJODF t "TTJTUBOU %JTUSJDU "UUPSOFZ GPS ZFBST t "QQPJOUFE 4QFDJBM +VEHF $PVSU 3FGFSFF t 1SFTJEFOU #SBEMFZ $PVOUZ #BS "TTPDJBUJPO COMMUNITY t .FNCFS PG 'JSTU #BQUJTU $IVSDI t %FBDPO 1FSTPOOFM $PNNJUUFF BOE BDUJWF JO UIF .VTJD .JOJTUSZ t $PVOUZ 3FQVCMJDBO 1BSUZ $IBJSNBO #SBEMFZ t 3FQVCMJDBO &MFDUJPO $PNNJTTJPOFS t .FNCFS 3PUBSZ $MVC PG $MFWFMBOE
VOTESTEVECRUMP.COM TH 3TREET 3UITE s #LEVELAND 4. s 423.472.9888
The Perfect Camping Experience Is Waiting For You ... And Your Family! TR offers not one, but THREE resort camping TRDA options to maximize your vacation experience. op p EEach of our facilities, Lotterdale Cove Campground, Notchyy Creek Campground, and Toqua Campground, feature the vvery best combination of amenities for comfort and natural al beauty. Whether it's a lakefront tent space for two for the weekend or a large, cool shaded spot for your RV and the whole family, you'll be sure to find thee perfect option that's just right for you. Choose the campground that best suits your needs needs. s..
Call for reservations today!
Lotterdale Cove (865) 856-7284 Notchy Creek (423) 884-6280 | Toqua (423) 884-33177
Tennessee Mountain Traveler-Fall 2013 |
35
Trailhead
Steak & Trout House
Trailhead Steak & Trout House 7839 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy Townsend,TN 37882
865-448-0166
For FFo or years, ye earrs, s, historic his isto torriic Ri tori R Riverstone ive ive vers rsto rsto one e LLodge od dge ge h has aass b been een ee en o of offering ffe feri ring g iits ts g ts guests ue esstts comfortable peaceful, natural surroundco omf mfor orta orta table ble ac bl aaccommodations ccco omm mmod dat atio io ons ns aamid miid th m tthe he pe p eaaccef eful ull, n u na atu tura ral surr ssu urr rrou und ndings of Townsend, TN, the "Quiet Side of the Smokies." Because the Lodge is conveniently located only 18 miles from Gatlinburg in one direction, and 15 miles from Pigeon Forge in another direction, guests can enjoy a relaxing getaway in the heart of the Smokies with easy access to area attractions. What's more, Riverstone is only 1/2 mile from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and approximately 8 miles from Cades Cove. Riverstone Family Restaurant is conveniently located right here on the grounds. Great food and great service serv se r icce are a just a few steps few sst fe te ep p from your your yo ur room. rroo oo And guests gu g uests essts ts at at our Lodge Lodg Lo odg dge get ge 10% off ge every evver e ery meal m at the restaurant. rre est stau a ra ra
Riverstone Lodge & Restaurant
88511 511 S State tate H Highway ighway 73 73 â&#x20AC;˘Townsend, Townsend TN TN 37882 37882
Restaurant: 865-448-8816 Lodge: 865-448-6677