Gatlinburg Tennessee Updated News
Folks, seems Gatlinburg is kicking over some new logs and coming up with some inviting things.
Gatlinburg is the first in the area to legally sell moonshine, the moonshine still is open for operation and seems to be drumming up a lot of fan fare among locals and visitors to the Smoky Mountains alike.
The Gatlinburg Farmers Market is another big hit. Local farm produce is making its way back into Gatlinburg and it seems most everything sells fast. Located on Highway 321, Alamo Steak House parking lot, the Gatlinburg Farmers market operates each Saturday, 8a.m. to 11:30a.m., into November. Visitors can purchase locally produced eggs, produce, soaps, herbs, potted plants, and other garden related items.
Appearances mean a lot, Gatlinburg knows how important it is to the scenery when strands of unsightly wires were removed and placed underground over the past few years. In an effort to continue moving wires underground, Gatlinburg has funded the next phase of that move. This works well with the fact Gatlinburg has spent the last few years on GreenWay projects and dedicated itself to becoming the example in ”green” projects.
Smokies Baseball Homerun Summer
Comming to the Smoky Mountains on vacation looking for great entertainment fun for the family! Well we are very fortunate to have Smokies Baseball on our doorsteps at Smokies Park.
Nope this is not an advertisement and by no means am I a sports nut. It would just be wrong not to share this information with others whom come to the Smoky Mountains looking for family fun and adventure on a tight budget. How about parents wanting to step back to their memories as a child having gone to a big baseball game with a family member. Maybe they would like to share that experience with their children while on vacation.
Remember the thrill of those “on the edge of your seat” plays and singing along with ”Take Me Out to the Ball Game”? How about the aroma of hot dogs, peanuts, and popcorn or the sight of children chasing the chicken, and swapping bases? Smokies Baseball Park has really livened up baseball with entertaining games the children participate in and adults can sit back to enjoy. For less than $10 a person, watching the game in real life is what its all about. Though having never caught a baseball personally at any of the games, it is fun to watch the faces of younger children having done so. It also touches the heart when an adult struggles their best to catch an errand ball, only to generously pass it on to a less fortunate child. Yes, over 3 hours of fun for less than $10 each, that’s a heck of a deal when compared to many events held throughout the Smoky Mountains.
While in town, remember to check out a great baseball game at Smokies Park, next to exit 407 Sevierville Tennessee!
Dunkin Donouts Makes Splash In Sevierville
Dunkin Donuts recently opened in Sevierville Tennessee and the small Smoky Mountains donut shop has already made a big splash with locals and visitors alike.
Aside for the wonderful fresh products sold each and every day and the wonderful smells permeating the air for passers by on Winfield Dunn Parkway (Hwy 66), it is a tastier fact to know that the owners opened their doors by giving back to their community from go!
The Sevierville Dunkin Donuts owners and their staff collect tips at the counters, the tips are forwarded to various local charity groups. In addition, all leftover donuts and baked goods are given to the Smoky Mountains Children’s Home daily.
There is something to be said for these great business owners and other businesses in the area that seem to want to give back to their community. Seems the big difference between them and corporate owned companies is one gives from the heart continuous while the other gives only when the spotlight is on them. Bravo for the staff and ownership of the Sevierville Dunkin Donuts!
Operation Baghdaddy Bears Serves Military Families
Operation Baghdaddy Bears, sounds like a fictional movie script but what it is really is a tug at the human heart.
Operation Baghdaddy Bears is inspirational call to action by three Sevier County high school students Lindsey Layman, Calleigh Allen, and Cameron Allen. The three students observed Sgt. Stacy Cutshaw, of the National Guard 134 Security Forces Squadron, as he was deploying. He gave his son a teddy bear, inside the bear was a pre-recorded message left by Sgt. Stacy in the hopes of comforting his son while away.
Much like the commercials on tv that portray one good act observed by others carry on, well this one sure did. The students sent recorders to the remaining soldiers with children in the 134th Security Squadron, now overseas. When the recordings came back the students placed them in bears, donated by Pigeon Forge’s Three Bears General Store, placed the bears in mock-up uniforms, and mailed them to the soldiers’ children. In addition, the three high school students put on bake sales to raise funds for shipping and handling.
Bravo Zulu to these fine teens, Lindsey Layman, Calleigh Allen, and Cameron Allen! As a retired Navy Veteran, I salute you and those who supported such a moving and thoughtful gesture of the heart. You have exemplified ”moral” for those abroad now serving, you have touched our soldiers children and families here at home, and your actions have vibrated through the hearts of those whom have sacrificed and served our nation.
Where soldiers must raise guns to duty’s call, let it fill our hearts that our youth have placed but a simple teddy bear, filled with the comforting voices of a parent’s love, in the arms of their children back home.
Sevierville Tennessee Walt’s Fish Company Opens
Sevierville is home to the newly opened Walt’s Fish Company, located on Winfield Dunn Parkway (Hwy 66) next to the Apple Shack. The restaurant features many Gulf Coast seafood specialties, pastas, fried green tomatoes, and crab stuffed mushrooms.
Those preferring more land based entries aren’t left out with steaks, burgers and chicken on the menu as well. They say they offer good food at great prices, give them a try and share your experience with us.
Gatlinburg Tennessee Trout Rodeo
The Gatlinburg Recreation Department celebrates this year’s “Free Fishing Week” by hosting the annual Children’s Trout Rodeo on June 12th at Herbert Holt Park.
Children are permitted to fish any Gatlinburg public streams, prizes are based on total weight of the fish caught (creel limit is 5 trout per person), Herbert Holt waters has a limit of 2 trout. Registration starts at 7:30a.m. and weigh-in is 10:30.
No mater your age, and you do not have to be signed up for the Rodeo, anyone is allowed to fish Tennessee public water FREE on June 12th.
The Farm At Apple Valley Pigeon Forge - Sevierville TN
The Sevierville City Planning Commission approved the start of a rustic-themed commercial developmentand folk school near the Apple Barn Restaurant area, at the line between Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
The Farm at Apple Valley encompasses about 84 acres along Lonesome Valley Road, some of the current roadway will be removed and new road placed in a new route. The current plan shows rustic riverside and farmhouse cottages, a restaurant, walking trails, workshops, a folk school, and a sorghum mill. The first phase is the school, mill and an outdoor cooking area on the front 1.44 acres of the 84 acre property.
Smoky Mountains Tremont Bird Banding
Great Smoky Mountains Tremont Announces 2010 Bird Banding Program
Scientists estimate nearly 230 different species of birds in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Thirty-four species are considered endangered, threatened or of conservation concern have been observed in the park. With its unusual birds and incredible diversity of habitats, it is no surprise that Great Smoky Mountains National Park is considered one of the most important places for birds in the eastern United States.
Keeping up with all these species within the 520,000 acres of the national park is a daunting task, and for the past ten years, Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (Tremont) has been assisting the park in monitoring these birds through bird banding.
“Tremont has been banding birds since 2000, so we have a great deal of data concerning the bird populations in this valley. We already had a pretty good idea of what birds we can expect to find here in the summer, but it’s hard to say much about them or their populations by simply hearing or seeing them. Capturing, banding, and releasing the birds gives us a wealth of information - how long birds live, what proportion survive from year to year, their productivity, patterns of movement across the landscape, condition, and more,” said Josh Davis, Tremont’s citizen science coordinator.
“We’ve banded birds that were only a few weeks old and preparing to head to South America for the winter,” Davis continued. “The next year we’ve captured them in the exact same net, after flying thousands of miles back and forth. Information like this helps gives us a more complete picture of what these birds’ lives are like. We also partner with Park ecologists and other researchers to assist with data collection for other projects - searching for parasites, assessing mercury levels, or testing for avian flu, for example.”
At the beginning of each banding session, volunteers help erect nets starting at 6:00 am. During the ensuing six hours, the nets are checked every 40 minutes, birds are carefully removed and a metal bracelet (which is marked with nine-digit number) is attached to their legs. Detailed notes are taken including age, gender, and breeding condition. After the birds are inspected they are released.
The bands have a unique number on them, which is registered with the Bird Banding Laboratory in Maryland. If that bird is ever captured again, or if it is found dead, it is hoped that the finder will report the bird’s status and band number to the laboratory, so that they, in turn, can notify the originator of the band.
“Everyone is encouraged to report banded birds to the Bird Banding Laboratory, by phone or on the Internet. It’s important data that will be lost otherwise,” said Davis.
Bird banding is one of a number of citizen science projects carried on at Tremont each year. Tremont uses citizen science-the involvement of non-scientists in scientific research-as another tool to connect people with nature. Through this program, students as well as other volunteers have the chance to contribute to the scientific research conducted within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
2010 Bird Banding Dates
Thursday, June 3rd
Wednesday, June 16th
Thursday, June 17th
Wednesday, June 23rd
Tuesday, June 29th
Thursday, July 8th
Friday, July 30th
Wednesday, August 4th
Bird banding sessions typically last 5-6 hours beginning with set-up at 6:00 am. Participants do not have to attend the entire session. Dress should be weather-appropriate. Participants should bring plenty of water and rain gear in case of sudden showers. There can be bugs, poison ivy or occasional stream to cross, so participants should be prepared for all those situations.
Those interested in attending any of the sessions should contact Josh Davis at or 865-448-6709. If a banded bird is found, the information can be reported at 1-800-327-BAND, or at www.reportband.gov
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of providing in-depth experiences through residential educational programs designed to nurture appreciation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, celebrate diversity, and foster stewardship. Tremont welcomes all ages to step away from their daily routine to learn, reflect and grow while living in the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
9275 Tremont Road, Townsend, TN 37882 · (865) 448-6709 · www.gsmit.org
