Events

Pioneers, scoundrels, and angels at WWW.

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The Saturday schedule of Wilderness Wildlife Week offered several things  that I wanted to see. First, Don Williams is finishing a manuscript on his topic of the White Caps and Blue Bills,  two groups in this area around the 1890s. He will probably publish a book about the topic in the near future. So much history and research. Fascinating!

13262407_10204434177974298_488549500_oLater, I listened to a presentation by Mark Davidson on “Faith, Family, and Freedom on the Frontier: The Scots-Irish in the Southern Appalachians. He talked about their movement from Pennsylvania, through Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee in the late 1700s.

13271437_10204434178094301_1427181945_oBut what I really wanted to hear was what is regarded as the best gospel choir in Sevier County. Boyds Creek Church of God Choir sang gospel music of the Smokies “in the way that the church’s early African American members sang it,” stated the program. Led by Nichole Donohoo Stinnett, the choir moved everyone with their voices and testimonies. I think that my friend Sheley and I will be visiting their church one Sunday this summer to hear them sing more. Here are some highlights from their program. (Going to try to insert video too. Can be tricky—I’m still learning.)

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13271945_10204434756308756_1041315714_oAnd our colleague, Chrissy Hopkins!

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Trouble don’t last always.

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No man can hinder me. Fare ye’ well, fare ye’ well.

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Last song was “I’ll Fly Away.”  We were blessed to hear this talented group. Love them!

History Tour Amid BBQ Festival

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I made it out to the 10:00 a.m. walking history tour in downtown Sevierville. We met in front of the Sevier County Heritage Museum although I remember it as a post office when I first moved here.

Local historian, Carroll McMahan, and Laura Martin led our tour.

13275280_10204432502052401_1118635400_oWe saw so many things that I was glad that they gave us a brochure of the tour so I could just concentrate on taking pictures. Of course, there are many interesting things and so many stories. I couldn’t even begin to cover the floods, the fires, the fights, etc. But here are some interesting photos…

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Cracks in the road because that is where the old railroad tracks went down Bruce Street.

13241601_10204432502332408_2075681409_oSims Barber Shop was open for business despite the crowds.

13275022_10204432503052426_1962701700_oIn 1856, there was a catastrophic fire downtown. Courthouse records were lost. These are salvaged bars from the jail which was also destroyed.

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Remember when there was a bus station downtown? Two doors down from this alley. Well, buses used to drive down this narrow alley! Someone commented that they were especially good drivers back then?

Inside D Garden. You can see where it used to be a post office at one time. Beautiful store! I loved the stepping stones in the back aisleway floor.

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I think that Andrew Temple was going to lead the 2:00 history tour.

Things that I didn’t realize were downtown until I walked by them.

Back to the museum.

Bill Yett’s baby crib with an interesting history.

13282566_10204432501972399_1125139894_oI loved this Jim Gray painting of the old court house.

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There is a lot of history downtown and artifacts to see in the museum. I hope to take another look sometime soon.

Then it was time to walk around the Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass Festival. It turned out to be a good time to beat the crowds and rain showers.

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Lots of food to choose from. Rib King from Spartanburg, South Carolina had the longest line when I was there.

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These vendors come from Grainger County and only do festivals. Cobblers baked the old fashioned way. Divine!

13271822_10204432509412585_1300175317_o13241541_10204432509652591_1270631792_oI settled on a to-go box from this bbq vendor and took a brisket home for lunch before heading back to the Wilderness Wildlife Week.

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Here is the best sauce dispenser.

13275489_10204432509932598_698110726_o.jpgMust do this next year for lunch while we are out and about!

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A Wild Wildlife Week

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This is my first Wilderness Wildlife Week. Very nice event! I have been two days in a row and may make it again tomorrow. In addition, it is my first time at the Leconte Event Center, a beautiful facility with a rustic style.

Last night, I was able to attend the presentation by Dr. Bill Bass, internationally known creator of the ‘Body Farm’ research facility at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. To a full house, he explained how it began in 1980 at UTK.

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When Jack Reese was President of UT, Bass asked him for land to conduct research on anatomy and forensic science. He got 3 acres of land behind U.T. Hospital where they used to burn trash. They poured a 16 X 16 concrete slab and put a chain link fence around the area. It became known in the field for research on dead bodies and criminal investigation. Later, Patricia Cornwell visited Bass, took a tour, then  wrote “The Body Farm,” based on the facility.

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Dr. Bass’ presentation last night was full of stories, information, and was supported by slides of past cases. It takes a strong stomach to look at the visuals, but you learn many things about real CSI work. Dr. Bass is proud that they have the largest modern skeletal collection in the world (over 2,000) at the University of Tennessee, with people coming from all over the world to study there. In addition, FBI Evidence Response Teams come for a week every summer to update skills in criminal investigation.

(On a side note— Dr. Bass is such a gentleman that he asked if I could see OK when I sat on the floor to get the photo above.)

Today, I went to a presentation at 7:15 p.m. by Dwight McCarter, who shared stories about search and rescue in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

13271467_10204428710997627_1080603387_oI think this topic is kind of frightening and wanted to hear more about his experiences for three decades tracking lost children and adults . An hour wasn’t long enough. He should write a book about this topic.

Looking at the schedule Saturday, there are two sessions that look especially good. Here is a copy and paste from the program online:

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

2 – 3 PM: NEW! HERITAGE! The Politics of White Capping: Don Williams – Greenbrier Hall B

Join Don as he encapsulates the story of the war between the White Caps and blue Bills, two vigilante group with very different agendas in the 1890s, resulting in cliff–hanging elections marked by bribery, boozing, romance and murder, including a bloody rock fight inside a Gatlinburg church, as well as the only Democrat to ever serve as sheriff of Sevier County since the Civil War.

Heavens! Which church could this be?

Also, I have always wanted to hear this choir in the description below. Make note of the time!

4 – 5 PM: NEW! Gospel Music of the Smokies: Boyd’s Creek Church of God Choir – LeConte Hall Stage

This group is from a rural area of Sevier County that is rich in history. The choir, led by Nichole Donohoo Stinnett, sings out the gospel the way the church’s early African-American members sang it.

Last two days of the Wilderness Wildlife Week.
It is a good thing with which to get out and about!

A grand event: Night at the Derby

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The Night at the Derby benefit for the United Way of Sevier County was quite an event and a grand time for all! What a soiree! Probably the best time that I have had in Sevier County to date.

First, my evening started with a snafu on the drive to pick up Melinda. I heard a ‘bump’ sound from the back seat in my car. To my horror, I looked in the rear view mirror and saw that the back seat wasn’t latched and had fallen on my new Derby hat! It was getting smashed flat! The next red light gave me a chance to jump out of the car to rescue it. Yikes! It survived the trip and all was well.

Upon arrival at the event, attendees started the fun with a chance to walk down a red carpet and be photographed. Check-in, then another photo with more a formal background. You received ‘fun money’ and instructions on how it could be used.

The ticket price was a great value, in my opinion. A great value, indeed. It provided admittance, a free photo, play money for games, and all you cared to eat or drink. Honestly, this event could charge DOUBLE the ticket price for what we received at that event. I advise you to go next year in case the price should ever go up in the future. You have to experience it.

 

The building areas were well planned and made good use of space. The outdoor seating area was spacious, with plenty of tables and chairs for everyone. It was such a pleasant evening, talking with friends in the outdoors with the evening  breeze and sunset. The music playing in the background was festive and upbeat.

Food was fabulous! My favorite treat was the sweet corn tamale cake from the Chop House. Also, the salted caramel cheesecake from the Diner was divine. There were many healthy and decadent options.

The organized games were entertaining and quite fun. My friends quickly helped me ‘get up to speed’ on how to play the games. The trip auctions were very exciting! Destinations were popular. Next year, I would really get excited to see another trip auction to California, Chicago, or Las Vegas. It will be fun to see what they offer next year.

I offer congratulations to those who worked on this wonderful event.  The United Way helps so many people in our community. It was gratifying to see that they exceeded their goal this evening. Well done.

In summary, my friends and I had a grand time and will plan on attending the Night at the Derby again. We enjoyed three and a half hours of fun, food, drink, frivolity, and Derby fashion. My assessment is that Night at the Derby is the best event of the year in Sevierville. Don’t miss it next time!

Out and about in Sevierville…