When I was a sophomore at UT Knoxville, I took Anthropology 101 and got to hear a lecture or two by Dr. Bill Bass. Even back then, he was already legendary in the field. Since that time, Dr. Bass has helped to create the Body Farm and has co-authored several books. If you get out to the Wilderness Wildlife Week at the Leconte Event Center this Thursday at 8:00 p.m. then you can hear him speak about the Body Farm.

Here is the description in the schedule:

Link to his website, with co-author.

http://www.jeffersonbass.com/bio.html

 

Someone told me about the Wildlife Week being this week rather than winter months. I have never attended this event, for various reasons, but looked it up online and was impressed with the schedule. There is much to see and do! Click the link below to see the Wilderness Wildlife Week schedule of events.

Click to access www%20schedule%202016%20.pdf

It is free and open to the public. This link shows all activities.

http://www.mypigeonforge.com/events/wilderness-wildlife-week/

Another seminar on Friday looks fascinating:

I love mysteries so it is sure to be memorable. There will be many other speakers on Thursday and Friday, such as John Elder and Harriet Berrier. And best of all, you will be able to hear heritage music from this area.

 

Be ready for the Sevierville Bloomin’BBQ and Bluegrass Festival on Friday evening and Saturday. Will there be brisket? I hope so.

Any recommendations on parking from those who have been before? Here is the link to the Sevierville festival this weekend.

http://www.bloominbbq.com

See you out and about!

After having such a good time at the Sevierville Derby party benefitting the United Way, it looked like a good idea to attend a similar party on the day of the Kentucky Derby in downtown Knoxvegas. The party last Saturday was at the historic Southern  Railway Station in Knoxville hosted by Knoxville Rotary Club. My date was a local Rotarian who knew several people in that district, but neither of us had ever attended an event at that locale. It turned out to be a very nice event. Here is what happened.

We arrived a little after the 3:00 start time and walked in on a red carpet. However, the Sevierville event was a little nicer in that a photographer took pictures of arrivals on the red carpet. The photographer for this event took pictures inside the door, with attendees standing in front of a nice backdrop. This may be an oversight that they can take more advantage of next year. From the moment you enter the Sevierville event, you feel like it is rather grand because the red carpet greeting by a photographer sets the tone.

 

The historic railway station has several areas/levels. We enjoyed open windows and doors, taking advantage of the nice weather that day. A light breeze and sunshine fit the bill.

Attendees received two drink tickets and unlimited food. I had forgotten how wonderful Derby pie can be! There were many tables inside and several outside. There were no assigned seats so we sat by a table in the doorway in order to enjoy the inside and the outdoors.

The name of the band, Hillbilly Jedi, never ceases to amuse me. However, they play so many good songs that people really enjoy them. I have seen them play at Calhouns on the River. You can’t just sit in a chair when they play. Try and catch them somewhere sometime!

There was a silent auction with very nicely framed pictures of sports and music icons. Several nice Invicta watches and jewelry items were also up for bid. There was a contest for best bowtie and best ladies hat. Although I was not involved in that, several people commented on my hat which I bought at the Derby Ladies Social here in Sevierville. I proudly told them that I got it at the Sassafras store near the Pottery House Cafe in Pigeon Forge.

Here a jacket that you must see!

I overheard him tell someone that he had to go to Memphis to get this jacket. Later, I had a chance to ask him more about the jacket. This Rotary Vice President said that he had recently traveled to Memphis and went to a store where Elvis bought most of his jackets. And he bought this one there!

Here is the name of the store on the jacket label.

If I go back to Memphis some day then this store is a ‘must see’ on the list. Wonder if they make ladies’ suits too?

When it was time to watch the actual race, there was a super large screen TV to watch the ‘run for the roses.’ We got a little nervous when the cable cut out a few times, putting a ‘no signal’ message on the screen, but the cable had no problem during the race itself and everyone was quite excited to see Nyquist win. The room was full of spectators and everyone roared with excitement at the end of the race.

Earlier in the day, we got to take our picture with an absolutely beautiful horse. It must have been almost 18 hands tall. So graceful and handsome it was. A special picture with all the regalia too!

The Jockeys and Juleps II Derby Party by the Knoxville Rotary Club was a nice fundraiser and I was so glad to have attended it. I hope that they earned a lot of funds that day to boost their projects this year. In addition, the historic Southern Railway Station is a grand place to host an event so if you get an opportunity to go there then you will really enjoy it.

Add it on the list for getting out and about…

It took a while, but I finally made it out and about after work to the new Walmart Marketplace on Dolly Parton Parkway. Ordinarily, this would not be an interesting kind of blog post; however, this is a new business and I wanted to visit it—so why not mention it in a blog post?

Here are some good things. Especially from a Paleo perspective.

Teachers, be sure to scroll down to the last picture in this post to see a special item especially for us! Something we need to carry in our lunch box every day.

The parking lot always seems packed, but is actually not that big when you pull into it to park. This picture was taken from the far end of the lot so you can see that it is not that big after all. No big walk.

Drinks and water for 50 cents by the door.

Good price for avocados, but watch out for soft ones. Grainger County tomatoes! May be early for those on the vine, but it won’t be long!

Good prices for almond milk and Greek yogurt.

Mandi told me about the good prices for hummus and it is true.

Coupons work here. Good coffee so will look for coupon for it.

Good prices for your fur baby.

I was impressed with the nutrition aisle. Big selection and lots of vitamins too.

No line!

Go in the front door, then take a left.

Very large Fuji apples. Good price!

Very few people were in the pharmacy at 4:15. There appears to be a drive-through window as well. I can see the advantage to using this Walmart pharmacy if you lived on this side of town. Traffic was minimal compared to the other store.

Great price for this container of gum. Almost $4 at other places.

And finally…

the number one item for teachers in May. You could use this right now. I know.

This item is essential.

I looked for the biggest box in stock and here it is!

Stock up!

In summary, the new Walmart Marketplace is smaller due to being a store and pharmacy only. You can get in and out quickly. I will still visit the other stores, but this one has good things going for it. Furthermore, it will be a nice convenience for those living on this side of town. The traffic light makes it easy to get in and out too.

Getting out and about to shop…

There will be an Open House tomorrow (Thursday, April 28) for a downtown business that many have been anticipating: The Bees Knees & Moonshine Bakery.

The Open House will be on Thursday from 4:00-7:00.

Friday 10:00-6:00.

Saturday 10:00-2:00

I was excited to visit this afternoon after work and to see this delightful store. Extra excitement to get a sneak preview too. The store baker was very welcoming and showed me around. Make sure you stop by tomorrow to see this business. Here is what Sevierville citizens and visitors can look forward to…

The store is easy to find—beside 20/20 Optical, at 118 Bruce Street.

First, you notice the wonderful aroma of cinnamon and other spices from the baked goods as you enter the store. It was quite intoxicating! Cookies can be wrapped and suitable as gifts.

Fresh baked pies were just out of the oven. I admired how deep the pies were and saw that they could easily satisfy one or more people. Gluten-free items will also be sold at the store.

In fact, looking at this picture and remembering the smell makes me want a pie all the more.  Such wonderful fruit pies!

A coffee bar!

Areas to enjoy coffee.

Mother’s Day ideas. Buy a platter then receive it full of cookies!

 And so many more things!

I am excited to see the Bees Knees and Moonshine Bakery opening in our downtown and know that we will be visiting them often. Come by and visit during the Open House tomorrow between 4:00 and 7:00.  Or on Friday or Saturday at the hours listed at the top of this post.

Find Open House info on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/1126191270766982/

https://www.facebook.com/thebeeskneesgifts/?fref=nf

Moonshine Bakery  Open House info https://www.facebook.com/events/964220900312737/

Moonshine Bakery Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/moonshinecupcakes/

We’ll see you there!

Out and about in downtown Sevierville tomorrow.

Last weekend was more out and about near Sevierville.

First, the International Rossini Festival in Knoxville. Great music and street fair on Saturday. Not to be missed.

Dignitaries welcome the crowd at 2:30. Burchett could not make it.

Photobombing Knoxville Mayor before she goes on stage.

Knoxville Opera Gospel Choir

WATE Weatherman Ken Weathers interested in the severe hail storm that we experienced last Friday. Knoxville didn’t get it.

Knoxville Opera Gospel Choir

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Sunday

2016 Tour of Homes

in the Historic Fourth & Gill neighborhood

Took a tour of 7 homes in old Knoxville. Made you fall in love with older homes and the Fourth & Gill community as a whole.

 

Beautiful interiors.

Balconies suspended from overhead in the front. What do you call this?

Beautiful Central United Methodist Church, 1891.

Stop #5 on the Tour

Greystone Mansion, 1889

WATE studios

I had always heard the building was haunted. An employee of WATE recounted some tales. Building was investigated by Appalachian Paranormal Investigations. They want to come back.

Ghost stories, as told by a WATE employee.

The line did not take too long for the Extreme Cleanup this morning. Even if it were long, I didn’t care because I had to get rid of some things.

 

What a service! My garage already looks better after dropping off my old computer, speakers, monitor, and keyboards. Plus my first generation Fitbit.

Live-it Ministries was at Extreme Cleanup accepting clothing and other donations. Paul Danis said that they are located at 11935 Chapman Highway in Seymour. They accept donations throughout the year and even have a 10,000 foot warehouse to use for these items.

He said they gladly accept many household items that still have some use left in them. He was very gracious and wished me a ‘blessed day.’

As I approached my electronics drop-off point, I noticed a familiar face. Someone that I see every day at work. Someone who puts his energy into helping the community and the planet itself. An environmental superman.

I saw Mark Mundo!

Thank you so much to Mark Mundo and all the volunteers for helping to Keep Sevierville Beautiful. I, for one, am extremely grateful for the opportunity to dispose of electronic equipment in a way that is not an insult to the environment. I waited months for this event and feel relieved to have more room in my garage. Mr. Mark gets my superhero award for this week!

Enjoy this weekend.

On to the Rossini Festival.

We are out and about…

My computer ‘bit the dust ‘and stopped working last summer. It has been sitting in my home since then so I can’t wait to take it to the Extreme Clean Up this Saturday, organized by Keep Sevier Beautiful. What a service to our community! Old computer, cords, speakers, and other electronics.

In addition to the usual items, they are accepting clothing donations for Live-It Ministries.

Just wish that I had more time to round up more things to take them on Saturday morning. For a list of accepted items for the  Extreme CleanUp event, click the link below.

Click to access EHH_poster_2016PROOF.pdf

Don’t forget the Night at the Derby event this evening!

Have a good weekend and get …out and about in Sevierville.

I walked into Marilyn’s Derby party 3 years ago and realized that I was the only one there without a hat. Yikes! How embarrassing. Consequently, it became a goal of mine to find one. I couldn’t find one in stores nor on Amazon.com so I was delighted to find one at the Derby Hat Social a couple of weeks ago. I only wanted the hat, with no thought to going to the event this Friday; however, a lady at my table had attended last year and had great praise for it. Wonderful treats, beverages, and auctions. She said that the auctions for trips went for incredible prices, especially considering the destinations and airfare vouchers. She said that she had attended alone since her husband had to work and still had an amazing time!

So now I have a hat and I am planning to attend the Night at the Derby for the United Way of Sevierville this Friday night, beginning at 6:00. There will be several of us there at a table so if you were thinking about going then you should attend! In fact, come and sit with us!

I saw the pictures from last year and can tell that it looks quite fun. A soiree!  Water, tea, lemonade, spirits! The food from local restaurants looked divine!

Hats are optional, but you can find lovely ones at Sassafras store, near the Old Mill Pottery House Cafe in Pigeon Forge.

P.S.

I think that the United Way of Sevier County is probably one of our most valuable organizations due to the many groups that they help annually. If you help any group this year, I would recommend the United Way of Sevier County. The Night at the Derby would be a fun way to help the United Way, plus mingle with your friends and fellow Sevier Countians.

The tickets to this event are tax deductible. You may buy tickets at the door. Pay with cash, check, or credit card, including the auction items. They will probably post more information on their Facebook page tomorrow.

https://www.facebook.com/NightattheDerby/

I will be wearing the hat pictured above.  (Several ladies assured me looked OK.) Remember the Night at the Derby on Friday evening to benefit the United Way of Sevier County. Come by and say hello to our group there. This Friday, we will certainly be …out and about in Sevierville.