Tennessee -Sevierville Heritage Museum Reopens

November 3, 2009 · Filed Under Sevierville Tennessee · Comment 

The Tennessee Sevier County Heritage Museum will reopen its doors downtown Sevierville this Thursday at 4p.m. at 167 Bruce Street.

 The building, originally used as a Post Office in 1940, was one of Franklin Roosevelt’s last WPA New Deal projects.  The building is now on the National Register of Historic Places.  Housed are tributes to the area people of Sevier County, veterans of foreign wars and the Civil War, along with exhibits showing how people made their living in the region, religion, farming, home life and much more.

Entrance is FREE.  Open every day, except Wednesday, from noon to 5p.m.. For more information call (865) 453-4058.  They are a great resource for genealogy research.

Tennessee Smoky Mountain Area News

Sevierville Tennessee Downtown Parking Lot

Plans have been in the works for sometime to build a multi-story parking lot downtown Sevierville Tennessee.  The plans were put on hold partially due to the extra costs demanded by the selected construction company.  The plans call for restrooms to be built, landscaping to be added, and now a stage built on top of the restrooms.  Guess this is a great way to save space, but sure hope the winds work in favor of the stage.

Sevierville hosts many events, such as the Bloomin Barbecue, each year.  They have been held in the Sevier County Court House parking lot and next to the Sevier County Civic Center.  Getting a stage for many of these events is surely only a matter of time and money.

Veterans Boulevard Extended

Sevier County’s Public Building Authority (PBA) are busy little beavers.  They have their focus on extending Veterans Boulevard from where it currently dumps onto Dolly Parton Parkway and taking it across the river to Robert Henderson Road.

The PBA plans to pay for design of rights of way for all 3 planned phases at once.  This will include a section of road that will cut over back to the traffic light on Hwy 66 across from the Sevierville Convention Center.

One of the hold ups is promises from large scaled development projects along the PBA corridor to either resume their construction projects or begin in tandem with the road extension.  Much of the tax dollars collected from these businesses is what will help pay back the debts incurred by the Veterans Boulevard extension.  One of the key projects they want on board to resume building is the Dumplin Creek development, near Exit 407.   Dumplin Creek has gotten WalMart to agree to build, but is looking for more such tenants to anchor the area and make it profitable to build.  Efforts are being made by the developer of Dumplin Creek and others to get an Exit 408 constructed. 

When construction will actually take place is unsure, however it is sure to come quicker than was expected.  The need is there for visitors to the area and the developers alike.

Sevierville Indoor Yard Sale

City of Sevierville is holding an Indoor Yard Sale at the Sevierville Civic Center, 200 Gary R Wade Blvd, Sevierville, TN (865) 453-5441, from 8am to 2pm Saturday Oct 16th.  Plenty of booths for your indoor shopping enjoyment!

Smoky Mountains National Park Bear Reduction

As of this writing, Bear Hunting Season is only 2 weeks in and a reported 187 bears have been thinned from the Smokies area, nearly twice as many this time last year.  Last year a total of 446 bears were hunted. 

Haunted House Kodak

Boys and Girls Club in Kodak will host a Haunted House this Friday and Saturday from 7:30p.m. to 11p.m. at 4125 Douglas Dam Road,  Admission is $5.  For more info call 933-3718.

New Center Elementary School

The Sevier County School system has closed the deal on 22 acres, on Newport Highway across from Sims Tractors.  Despite school funds being down by $700,000.   School officials are looking forward to the .25 Sales Tax increase that will add millions annually towards the schools’ capital needs and capital debt payment.  

Property values in the area have decreased dramatically, so tax values of properties should decrease.  The large numbers of foreclosed investment properties available in the area has forced domicile home values down as well.  This of course works great for investors and people who always wished they could live in the Smokies.

Dollywood - American Eagle Foundation

An Eaglet released by the American Eagle Foundation, at Dollywood Theme Park, was spotted in Pennsylvania near Lake Erie.  It is great to see that the work they are performing at the American Eagle Foundation.  Maybe through their dedicated efforts and valuable supporters, we once again may see American Eagles fly alongside our cars as we journey highways to our vacation destinations.  Bravo Zulu, Great Job!

Wild Game Cookout to Benefit United Way

October 9, 2009 · Filed Under Sevierville Tennessee · Comment 

Sevierville Tennessee 407 Wild Game Cookout to Benefit United Way

November 14, 2009, 12-5pm, New Orleans on the River restaurant in Sevierville, TN will host “The 407 Wild Game Cookout” benefiting the United Way of Sevier County.

This event will be an afternoon full of fun, food and friends. Local entertainment from Sevier County and surrounding areas will be on hand all afternoon for your enjoyment.  Special guests will be on hand to emcee this grand occasion that will tickle your funny bone as well. An auction of items from area businesses will also be conducted.

A variety of wild game dishes such as Elk, Deer, Fried Turkey and Fried Fish will be served with other traditional dishes. New Orleans on the River is one of the most impressive restaurants in the Sevier County, situated in front of the most majestic views of the Smokies. You are in for an afternoon of great food and drink, along with ample free parking.

Come be apart of this festive occasion celebrating our area’s talent, local cuisine and beautiful landscape while supporting the United Way of Sevier County.  Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at New Orleans on the River, BB&T Bank on Winfield Dunn Parkway, and from various Sevierville 407 Merchants; Adults $15 and Children 10 & under $ 7.50. Call (865) 933-7244 for additional information or to get your tickets.

The 407 Wild Game Cookout is sponsored by: Lisega Inc., New Orleans on the River,  and the Sevierville 407 Merchants Group.  All proceeds from the 407 Wild Game Cookout will benefit the United Way of Sevier County and its Community Partners.

Golf Ball Contest Sevierville Tennessee

September 22, 2009 · Filed Under Sevierville Tennessee, Tennessee Smoky Mountains · Comment 

Sevierville Tennessee Golf Ball Drop to benifit Smoky Mountains area Boys and Girls Clubs

  Up to 5,000 golf balls are to be sold and dropped from a helicopter at Eagle’s Landing Golf Course October 7th at approximately 7pm.  All the golf balls will have numbers, the closest golf ball to the hole is the money winner.  With 25% of the money raised being contributed to the money prize, the winning ball may be worth up to $25,000!

Sevier County Pilot Food Marts and branches of the Boys & Girls Club are selling the $20 tickets.  For more information call 428-6550 or visit www.bgcsmoky.com .

Smile Your On Camera Hwy 66 Sevierville Tennessee

September 14, 2009 · Filed Under Sevierville Tennessee · Comment 

The city of Sevierville has taken control over both sides of Hwy 66, all the way to the Smokies Stadium, they are now investigating various steps and costs in putting up cameras to watch intersections and control traffic lights.  Unlike sensors currently under pavement at various intersections, these cameras work with software to monitor traffic flow, direction, car speeds and can calculate these items to control switching lights.  This means officers would no longer be required for this task.

These cameras are not supposed to be used for traffic enforcement.  I however wonder if those back at dispatch will view the camera monitors and effectively dispatch officers to unblock the intersections blocked every Sunday by law violators, especially the one at Forks Of The River just outside the Sheriff’s offices.

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