Month: August 2017

What is going on in Sevierville during Labor Day weekend 2017

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Someone used search terms  ” what to do in Sevierville on Labor Day weekend” on my website so I decided to list a few things that I know are going on this weekend. Blog traffic picks up on holidays so here are some suggestions for our visitors this weekend. Most activities are in Sevierville, but a couple are nearby. I used some screenshots to get this blog completed quickly. Here are some local Labor Day activities. 


Check out the Sevierville Commons Farmers Market tomorrow. There will be great vendors with many gift ideas and fresh produce. I have been doing some Christmas shopping there already. 


For the first time, our fair will last nine days and two weekends. This is a wonderful small town fair with food and fun for the whole family. The best food from the booth by Sevierville First United Methodist Church. Step right up! 

Do you like Jeeps? Then this may be for you! 


Something new is opening in Gatlinburg and it looks like fun. 


Labor Day weekend means BBQ. Find some at Bass Pro Shops. 


Bring your lawn chair and snacks to the Sevierville downtown gazebo for a free movie. I love the 80s! 


This may be the greatest thing in town this weekend. Go to the Dollywood website for tickets and more information. 


Go just up the road to enjoy this equestrian event. 


I think that my friend Tad Wynn may attend this event. It is just up Chapman Highway from downtown Sevierville. 


Art is downtown Sevierville. Check out several artist gallerys. This is one of my favorites! 


Find a bargain at Bloomingtales Boutique at 202 Parkway in Sevierville. Proceeds go to to Pets Without Parents, a local no-kill animal shelter. 

Also, find more treasures at Treasures From the Heart thrift store at 230 Court Avenue, Sevierville. 


We have one of the best boutiques in Tennessee. Congratulations to Loralei’s! Find it easily at 1235 Dolly Parton Parkway, Suite 7, Sevierville, Tennessee. 


We also have the best doughnuts in East Tennessee. Go to Courthouse Donuts in downtown Sevierville, across from the courthouse. 

Those are some fun things going on this Labor Day weekend if you get out and about in Sevierville. 

Enjoy the weekend! 

An Early Visit to a Sevierville Tradition: Sims Barbershop

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Someone I know gets a haircut at 4:30 a.m. every two weeks. What kind of place is open that early? I have walked by this Bruce Street business often and have even waved at the gentleman inside as I have walked by to the farmer’s market. I wanted to know a little more about Sims barber shop, a Sevierville institution; however, I don’t think that I have ever set foot in a barbershop. It was a place that I had never visited before so I needed a guide. A navigator. Jayson Nave fit the bill. Follow along as I visit a Sevierville tradition and, in the process,  meet a huge Tennessee Vols fan. This is a Bruce Street favorite. 


I thought that Jayson would be there about 4:45. Here is a shot of the clock on my car showing the early hour. Alas! Jayson was already finished with the cut and waiting for me. 


Bruce Street is practically deserted at 4:48 in the morning…except for the light in Sims Barbershop, to the left. You can park right in front of the door at that time too!


Mr. Johnny Sims was so friendly and cheerful at that early hour. What a wonderful feeling when you enter the shop because you walk into a Sevierville time capsule. There was so much history to see. Mr. Sims graduated from the Tri-City Barber College in 1959, then he opened the shop in February 1960. Mr. Sims’ father opened his shop three doors down over 60 years ago. 


First, I love the barber chairs! So traditional. Mr. Sims bought the barber chairs in 1959. 


Dr. Nave showed me how the barbershop system works. 

1. If you are the only customer then you sit in the left chair and get the cut you want. If there is someone in front of you, then take the chair to the right. More people can wait in the chairs along the wall. 

2. If you are waiting, find some reading material that interests you. 

3. Don’t interrupt the time with the barber and another client. (Sort of like at the beauty shop, or when you work out with a trainer at the gym). 

4. Customers are all walk-ins. I don’t think there is a phone there or an appointment book—and I like that. ‘First come, first serve.’ 


These prices have not changed in a long time. Mr. Sims said that in 1969, a haircut cost 75 cents  and a flattop cut was $1. 

Thursdays and Saturdays are the busiest days in the barbershop. The most popular cuts are:

  • Burr cuts
  • ‘High and tight’ military cuts
  • Regular hair cuts
  • Flat tops

And Johnny Sims can do ‘fades!’  These seem to be quite popular with athletes too. 

I would say that it is a good idea for local congressmen to get a haircut at Sims Barbershop while visiting downtown Sevierville. 


It would make me nervous to cut a congressman’s hair, but not Mr. Sims. He said that he felt no case of nerves cutting hair for political figures or others. Can you imagine?


This is an award winning barber and barbershop. I felt very comfortable there. 


Mr. Sims is a fan of Dolly Parton. In fact, he attended Sevier County High School, like her, although his class was 5 years ahead of Dolly’s class. 

Everyone is sure to love the big screen TV placed strategically in front of the main barber chair. It couldn’t be more comfortable or convenient. 

Mr. Sims is a Vol fan and supports all the teams: Lady Vols, Vol basketball, and, of course, football. 


Mr. Sims is a huge Vols fan, as you can tell by the memorabilia on the walls. In fact, he closes his shop on home game Saturdays two hours before game time, no matter what. 

He has attended Vol home games for over 45 years, with seats in the horseshoe of Neyland Stadium. 


These hours are great for customers. Mr. Sims may be the hardest working barber in East Tennessee! He is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays. 

This is the original barbershop pole that he bought in 1959. It doesn’t work right now, but still is a traditional sign of the service. I wish that someone could go there and fix it for him. How cool would that be? 

I  enjoyed this visit to Sims barbershop and felt so welcomed that I can imagine how customers feel there. In fact, I told Mr. Sims that if I were a guy then I would certainly get my hair cut there too. It was enjoyable to see and hear things about the shop from so many decades. I appreciated Dr. Jayson Nave introducing me to Johnny Sims, proprietor of Sims Barber Shop. Dr. Nave knew what I needed to see and hear about the owner and the shop for this story. And what a good story it is,  because the barbershop has served this town for decades. Clearly, it is a Bruce Street destination. 

I’ll be sure to continue to wave each time that I pass there because Mr. Sims is a Sevierville institution. Make sure that you do the same when you are going down Bruce Street. Mr. Sims will certainly smile and wave back. 

I’m glad that this blog makes me get out and about in Sevierville. 


Downtown at 6:15 in the morning as I headed back home to get ready for the day. 


Not stirring yet, but Courthouse Donuts is beautifully lit up from within. 

A Summer Vegetable Supper by Barbara Tenney at KaTom: August, 23,2017

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Vegetables are in abundance now so it was the perfect time for a vegetable supper cooking demonstration by culinary expert Barbara Tenney at KaTom Chef Supplies. I am a BT groupie and knew that it would be good so I hurried up highway 66 to make it to the 6:00 class. It did not disappoint! 

Menu

Cucumber and Onion Salad

Sour Cream Cornbread

Southern Green Beans

Fresh Tomato Pie

Blackberry Peach Cobbler


Laura Dickerson introduces Barbara Tenney to class participants. Barbara is an award winning recipe creator, caterer, cook, culinary teacher, and, often, a cooking presenter for WBIR. With all that experience, Barbara has stories to tell and cooking tips for the novice or the expert. I like the stories the best! 


The first course was a cucumber and onion salad that was both refreshing and cool. Certainly, this dish would be perfect for picnics and cookouts too. 


Charlotte Tatum enjoyed the evening with her mother, Nancy Hayes. I always enjoy seeing them here!


The tomato pie was a crowd pleaser. Not really like pizza, but the pie shares many of the same ingredients. 


Sherry and Samantha Moore are also from Sevier County. They, also, have attended other classes at KaTom and look forward to the events. I recognized them from the David Pinckney cooking demo a few months ago. They work at Catlettsburg and Boyd’s Creek schools in our county. 


You have had green beans and new potatoes before, but I assure you that these may be the best ever! So tender. 


Pam Parker and Jani Chollman are from Strawberry Plains, just a couple of exits up the interstate. They, also, have attended classes before at KaTom and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere while learning something new. They are high school teachers and enjoy learning news things, like cooking delicious dishes. 


Barbara prepared the blackberry cobbler and instructed us to be careful about not placing the dough too close together. In the meantime, she also told a funny story about a couple try to make chicken and dumplings…but ended up with a 5 pound dumpling. 


Time to bake and a few minutes to shop. We walked around the store and look for good things to bring home.  There is always something for sale. Also, you can sign up for email alerts for upcoming cooking classes. 


Can you say cornbread with Cruze Farm butter milk? And sour cream? Divine! 


Voila! Dinner is served. 

Blackberry peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Amazing!

Barbara talks with my table mates. Pictured left to right: Nancy Frolio, Milford Blair, Shirley Blair, Barbara Tenney, and Geraldine Jinks. I love to see Shirley and was delighted to find out that I was assigned to her table. Nancy, from Dandridge, spends part of the year in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. That is a summer haunt for my friends and I. How fun to hear that Page’s Okra Grill in Mount Pleasant is a favorite for Nancy, Shirley, and my group of beach friends. 


I found my Christmas wish list items! 

What a great evening with nice foodie friends and one of my favorite culinary rock stars in East Tennessee, Barbara Tenney. Follow KaTom on Facebook and look at the ‘events’ category to see upcoming cooking demos. They are a favorite way to get out and about in Sevierville. 

A Great Night at the Smokies Ballpark: August 18, 2017

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I was excited to go to a Smokies game for it is a great activity for a summer evening. However, when I found out that we were going to watch it from a suite then the game became even more exciting! Always wondered what a suite looked like and how it was to watch a game from on high. Last night, I experienced a Smokies baseball game from a suite. Here is what we saw during the game last night. 


Tickets were obtained from my friend’s brother, the host of the suite. It was sponsored by Jasper Engines. We walked up to the ‘will call’ table and had tickets quickly in hand. 


First, we noticed the van from my favorite morning station, Star 102.1.  I love the Marc and Kim show to wake up in the morning. 


Tyrone “On Phones” was at the table and talked to us a few minutes. I had asked him about a story I had heard on the radio, but was not able to hear the ending. He is such a nice young man, as you can gather from listening from him on the radio. Known for his personal style and easy going manner, seeing Tyrone was a great way to start the evening. 


We went up a special elevator (just one floor) and walked down the hall to find suite #1 . We passed the broadcasting room on the way. 



The suites are not overly large, but they are air conditioned! Also, there is food and a mini-refrigerator for beverages. This is the view from the front door of our suite. So nice!


The suite rental can involve your choice of food and drinks. 


Our group enjoys the game with great seats! Pictured in  front are newlyweds, Millie Derrick McFalls and Doug McFalls, and suite host, Mark Derrick. Back row: Penny Derrick, sister-in-law to Millie and Melinda; a Smokies fan; and Melinda Derrick. Mark Derrick is the brother of Millie and Melinda. 


There is another benefit of renting a suite at Smokies stadium. Meet Homer! 


A sweet visit from Homer made a memory for little baseball fans. Soon, my friend and I decided to stroll around and see parts of the stadium that were new to us—-starting with the upstairs suites. 

We saw people in this suite, but I wasn’t sure who they were. Later, someone said that they saw Randy Boyd on the Jumbotron screen. I think that he may be our next govenor so that was exciting. Wish that I had run into him in the hallway or the elevator.  



I probably wasn’t supposed to be in this area, but there was no barrier. It looked like a great place to watch the game. 


There were many jerseys and posters of former players displayed in the hallway. I felt lucky to see this player at Smokies Stadium before he went to the pros. 


Lots of refreshments and sports fans around. 


We took the steps down to the first level to walk around. The stairwell was large. This was on the wall on the way down. How lucky we are to have a ‘farm’ team in our county!


Real baseball fans will appreciate this sign that was also found in the stairwell. 


You never know who you will see at a game! Millie and Doug McFalls taking a stroll around the stadium. 


We wanted to walk around the stadium to see it from different vantage points. We walked to the right to explore. This view is from right field. 


We were on alert to the sound of bats cracking and hitting balls because you can get hit at a game. I really didn’t want to get hit in the head. In this area, we relaxed a little bit knowing that the chances were less likely here. 


An interesting alley behind the scoreboard. Young guys were running around with baseball gloves in this area in case of fly balls. 


The Smokies were behind at this point. 


My favorite time during a baseball game, especially on a hot day, is when night falls and the lights turn on. Love it!


We found this snack rail to be a paradox in advertising. 


We eventually returned to our seats and enjoyed the kids running on the field between an inning. Looks so fun! 9


When it was finally time to go, we slowly walked down this corridor to the elevator, appreciating the history on the walls. 


Isn’t this the best elevator in town? 

A Smokies baseball game is one of the best family activities available to us during the summer and a great way to get out and about in Sevierville. 

I completely enjoyed my time in the suite with the Derrick family and the Jasper Engines company and hope everyone gets the opportunity to see a game this summer in the time that we have left. 

See you at the stadium! 

Farmers Market and Birthday Cake: August 11, 2017

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Lots going on so I am just now getting to post about the downtown Sevierville Farmers Market last Friday. As usual, I parked in the lot across from Sevier County Bank because it is so pretty strolling down this street. 


As I approached the courthouse, a funeral procession proceeded slowly down the street. The young man pictured above stopped, removed his hat, and placed it on his car until the procession had passed down the street.         Respect. 


I will only have one more Friday to visit the market due to work hours. It has been a great market season. 


My first stop was the UT Extension office. The recipe and sample was so good that I made it yesterday at home. So good, but go easy on the jalapeños! 


What a wonderful service the UT Extension office offers to the community. Great recipe!


This jewelry always stops me in my tracks. Beautiful, unique, and finely crafted. The vendor is quite friendly so stop for a chat. 


I always stop to look at this booth and have bought several gifts here. Remember that the vendor is an ice skating choreographer; in fact, he has toured with some very world renowned skaters. He recently went rapellling at a waterfall so that was an interesting chat. Stop by!


This is a great booth. I have bought some ‘ bath bombs ‘ beacause they are an easy way to take magnesium. Always friendly. Ask her about the big gust of wind and her tent last month. 


Local honey is good for your health. They sell it in various forms, plus bee pollen that you can add to smoothies or yogurt. 


Going to have some new Iris plants next spring! 


If you look at these bagels more than 10 seconds then you will end up buying one. 


Henderson’s always has a crowd with their good produce. They have been selling in Sevierville for decades. 

On the way out, I stopped at Mom’s Vintage Kitchen to order a birthday cake for my father. We had a celebration the next day for his 85th birthday so it required something special. On a whim, I ordered a strawberry cake with buttercream frosting.  Give her 24 hours notice for cakes because she makes a lot of them and other pastries. After reading this menu board, I wished that I had more time to have lunch there; but alas, it was time to go. I made arrangements to pick up the cake the next morning. 


I picked up the strawberry cake by 10:30 the next morning. 


I spied another pick up order on the counter and the cupcakes looked decadent. 


Mom’s makes cute children’s cakes. 


But my dad’s cake was a masterpiece! We used to eat lunch years ago at Eva’s in Bearden, often ordering the strawberry cake. We decided that this one may be even better than Eva’s—-if that is even possible. You must try it! The cake was rather tall and dense because it felt like it weighed about 8 pounds. It could easily have served 15 people. 


Everyone agreed that it was wonderful. The best birthday cake that I think I have ever had. Just amazing. 


It was one of my last Fridays to visit the downtown Sevierville farmer’s market, one of the best ways to get out and about in Sevierville. 

Save a bagel for me! 

Warm August Day at the Sevierville Farmers Market: August 4, 2017

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Very warm temps didn’t keep shoppers away from the Sevierville Farmers Market. There were good things to discover and buy for home. Follow along and see these things, plus learn about some cool vendors who make their wares available each Friday. 


Downtown flowers are a delight for the senses. 


I stopped by Courthouse Donuts first for coffee and to work on photos and messages. New art is displayed in the windows. I like the reflection of the courthouse in the window as well. 


Things were in full swing at the market when I finally arrived. 


When I saw these hydrangeas, I knew that I needed to have some too. 


Arthur Young is originally from California, then, later, south Florida. He has lived here in Sevierville for over 12 years. I bought some Indian nickel earrings from him last year. The jewelry is so unique. 

Go to Arthur Young’s website to learn more about the artist. Go to   ArthurYoungJewelry.com.  

This vendor from Paris and Gigi works alone or with his mother when she is in town. He is quite interesting because he is a retired figure skater, now a coach in West Knoxville at an ice-arium in Farragut. He has toured Europe with many world renowned skaters. Talk to him some time to see who he knows in the skating world. He told me last week and I wanted to hear more. Fascinating! 


Check out the products by Paris and Gigi. I have already bought Christmas presents for friends from this vendor and know that they will love them! Not telling, though 


I saw all kinds of people walking around with hydrangeas from Sevier Blumen. Their blooms and prices can’t be beat. They also work the Knoxville Farmers Market on Market Square. I see them on Wednesdays there. 


Not Your Granny’s Homemade Soap has many products that I like. The bath bombs are a good way to take magnesiumt too! There are significant health qualities to magnesium so check out this vendor and the bath bombs. They smell so good! 

The hotdog lemonade vendor was not at the market today so several others had drinks for sale. Good American business. 



Young market shoppers! 


If you want a unique gift, go no further than our own farmers market for a T-shirt Memory quilt. 


Here is an example. If you know someone with a lot of old T-shirts to get rid of, but they can’t let them go, (like me?) then consider this vendor for a very personalized gift. T-shirt quilts are a wonderful memory that lasts. 


She also sells jams and jellies! 


Peppermint wards off spiders and insects. I asked the vendor if they had peppermint plants a few weeks ago. The next week, they had them at the market, but my friend Karen bought the plant and I missed it. 


Today, there was a peppermint plant for me! It smelled so good.  Just ask the vendors if you don’t see something that you want or need, because they can often get it. 


See the small cantaloupe in the center? It is a special, small version so I bought that too; however, I forgot what it is called. Will cut it tomorrow and let you know. It is supposed to be sweet. 


If you linger at this booth then you find some delightful things. So many! 


I bought a bagel to go. You can freeze them too. Divine! 


This is a SCHS grad with young shoppers at the market. They were looking at the wonderful animal sculptures—one of my favorite things at the market. How fun to catch up with family news. Hola, Jeremy! 


It was time to take my hydrangeas and go home. See you out and about in Sevierville at the farmers market next week!