Blackberries: Jars Over Scars
I don’t know about you, but I always cringed when I heard blackberries were ripe for the picking. I knew it meant we would be in the fields, picking blackberries, the next day. Sure enough, the next morning, “before the dew had settled”, I was awaken, by my mother, with the words, “hurry up and […]
Wedding Bells Ringing
June is the famous month for weddings and a myriad of social events for the bride. In fact the whole summer is a favorite time for choosing a wedding date. Relatives and friends usually have vacation time in the summer months and travel is easier to arrange for out of town guests. There is a […]
Super Moon Lights Up Summer Sky
Those that were watching the evening sky got a real treat on June 23, 2013, as the Super Moon lit up the night. During a Super Moon, the Moon is in the full moon cycle and is actually closer to earth, making it appear around 8% closer than other full moons. The annual occurrence of […]
New Market VFD Summer Fest Packs In Locals
The New Market Community came out last weekend to support their local Fire Department and share time with their neighbors. Summerfest is an annual event that is highly anticipated every summer. Food, music, shopping and fellowship are in abundance for the two day festival, as well as a highly competitive car show. Locals tour the […]
The Island Opens in Pigeon Forge
It was a grand opening several years in the making. The Island in Pigeon Forge finally opened Thursday with a promise to create hundreds of jobs and a new stream of tax revenue for the city and county. The Island, formerly known as Belle Island, features a variety of shops, restaurants, attractions, such as a […]
The Buzzz!!
The Buzzz word this week is court. The hive on the hill may soon bee wing deep in lawsuits, and the buzz is – it’s a Pressing matter, but the drones just keep flying into the window. Buzzy bees in the know are buzzing that the conjoined nests must bee sharing more than a hive because they […]
Interview with Budget Committee Chair, Roger Griffith
Budget Committee Chairman Roger Griffith has been at the helm of recent Budget Committee meetings, as the group prepares to bring the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget before the Full Commission Body for adoption. As Chairman of the Budget Committee, Griffith will also be one of three Commission members, along with citizens, that will comprise the […]
Good Judgment Is Free
Sometimes I think that Public Officials are confused about what the public expects. They get all caught up in the legalese of an issue and only focus on what is written in code or that has an official opinion from one legal mind or another. Ultimately, it is not the court of law that these […]
Stranger Than Fiction: Curse of the Lincolns
Judging by the bizarre events in history it would appear that the Lincoln family has the unfortunate distinction of being forever linked to assassination. In the history of the United States, four U.S. presidents have died at the hands of an assassin. In each incident, a member of the Lincoln family was present. On April […]
Just Beneath The Surface
Dandridge resident, Travis Hurdle, visited with children and parents last Wednesday as part of the Dandridge Library Summer Reading Program. Hurdle is an Archaeologist with Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. (CRA) in Knoxville. Approximately 65 people were in attendance and the children appeared to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Hurdle had numerous artifacts on display and discussed both […]
Where Your Tax Money Goes
Jefferson County is in the midst of budgeting season and there have been predictions from Jefferson County Director of Finance Helton that a tax increase is in the near future for Jefferson County property owners. Director Helton has expressed that the County Commission may be able to keep the amount of property tax increase lower […]
Neil Gaiman’s: The Ocean At The End Of The Lane
June 18th marked the release of Neil Gaiman’s (author of Coraline , Good Omens, and American Gods, the latter two of which I have reviewed) new novel: The Ocean at the End of the Lane. This novel is the first adult-oriented novel that Gaiman has written since Anasi Boys, his compliment to American Gods. Thankfully, […]
Waiting On Snow
It is only June and I am already over the hot weather. I was wondering if you have any idea when we might see some snow in the area. I know that most people are loving the sunshine but it would certainly help me get through the humidity if I had some snow to look […]
Now That’s Cold
My air conditioner is out. In fact, the entire unit will be replaced this week. My house is as hot as a fire fairy wearing thermal underwear in the rim of a volcano. It’s as hot as that plate they tell you not to touch at the restaurant, and yes, I touch it anyway. It’s […]
One Card Does It All At Jefferson County Libraries
The Jefferson County Public Library System will become one on July 1, 2013. This means one library card will be good at Dandridge, Jefferson City, Parrott-Wood, and White Pine libraries. Customers will have online access to Jefferson County Public Library System’s card catalog. The new features will enable customers access to search the card catalog, […]
Mixed Greens Salad with Fried Goat Cheese and Mustard Vinaigrette
Goat cheese is another one of my favorite things. The mild, tangy cheese has so many pairing possibilities, from savory to sweet. In this recipe, the goat cheese is lightly fried and placed atop a bed of mixed greens that have been tossed with homemade mustard vinaigrette. Even if you are not a big fan […]