Smoky Mountains News and Updates

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#31: Bear Cove RV Park

Bear Cove RV Park: Bear Cove is one of the newest RV Parks in the area. The park is very quiet and secluded from any traffic. A very unique layout leaves no sites behind your site for a better camping

June 23, 2008. Glorious Mistry River!

Hey y'all - Smoky here. Wells its finalys cooled offs enoughs sos wes backs in the valleys. We's was buys Misty Rivers and I's took's some pic's for ya's. Big tanks to all's you's folks that have lefts us out some food's during da nights. I'ms gettin'z a little hefty's - better lays off's dem Ho-Ho's for a whiles. Anyhow's ..... here's da news form da holler' !!!

June 9, 2008. We're heading to the Mountains!

Well's - beens reallys hot heres. Been hanging outs up in da mountains wheres its cools. Not reallys sure whats goings on down in das valley. Tooks somes picures of wheres we hang'en - hopes yous enjoys dem. Here's da news from da hollers ........




Civil War Buffs Returning to Gatlinburg Encampment
The Civil War is returning to Gatlinburg in living color.
With the objective of recreating the only skirmish in Sevier County fought during the War Between the States, over 150 re-enactors, many from the "Southern Guards Battalion," will once again invade Gatlinburg June 13 through 15.


'America's Got Talent' winner to do rare show here
Ventriloquist / singer / comedian / celebrity impressionist Terry Fator, who won "America's Got Talent" in 2007, will perform his only Tennessee show this year on June 13 at Pigeon Forge's Country Tonite Theater. By winning "America's Got Talent," Terry snatched up a $1 million prize and has a million-multi dollar deal in Vegas.


Great Smoky Mountains
National Park
Synchronous fireflies at Elkmont
June 7-14
GSMNP - Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have announced that the Elkmont entrance road will be closed to motor vehicles and pedestrian use every night starting at 5:00 p.m. until midnight, June 7-14, 2008 except to registered campers staying at the Elkmont Campground.
The closure is to accommodate transportation service for visitors planning to spend the evening viewing the natural-occurring, synchronous firefly beetles at Elkmont.
The annual appearance of the synchronous firefly beetles, which occurs during their mating behavior, has become so popular that Park officials began managing the number of visitors to the trailhead several years ago. The Elkmont area has very limited parking spaces that were designed to accommodate day use for several trails. The dates that the mating behavior begins can vary each year due to weather and other natural factors, but generally starts around the second week in June.


I's gettin good with da camera !!!

May 27, 2008, We Found Harold!

Im's stuffed !!! Thanks to alls you peoples who lefts us somes food. Goods eat'ins. Wes finally founds Harold. Hes okays - donts thinks hes do thats again. Things are ins fulls swings. Weathers beens awesome - come sees us soons. Heres da news from da holler ...........

New Lifestar helicopter arrives at local airport
SEVIERVILLE - University of Tennessee Lifestar employees, along with emergency medical service personnel from Sevier County and surrounding areas, celebrated the arrival Friday of its new Bell 407 helicopter at the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport.

Sevier County's Exit 407 may get D.C. push
SEVIERVILLE - A proposed revamping of the Interstate 40 interchange in Sevierville may soon have the backing of a Washington lobbyist to push it to reality.

Smokies pay respects with Memorial Day Salute

SEVIERVILLE - May 21, 2008 - The Tennessee Smokies, Double-A minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, proudly announces its inaugural "Salute Your Local Heroes Night" at Smokies Park on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2008. Following a poignant pre-game memorial ceremony paying tribute to America's fallen war heroes, the team will take on the Carolina Mudcats in the first game of a five-game series at Smokies Park. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m.

"We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who have given so much to protect and defend us," states Smokies' President Doug Kirchhofer. "We hope fans from all over join us on Memorial Day as the Smokies recognize our military and local heroes."

"Salute Your Local Heroes Night" will also provide a platform to honor America's veterans and local emergency personnel in attendance. Highlighting this Memorial Day salute will be the dedication of a permanently reserved stadium seat behind home plate. The seat will remain vacant in memory of American soldiers who were prisoners of war or missing in action (POW/MIA).

In addition, the pre-game tribute will include a helicopter flyover and flag lowering performed by the Tennessee National Guard, a personal welcome by Smokies players to Gold Star Mothers and the presentation of an American flag that once flew over the U.S. Capitol Building, provided by Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN). The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive their own miniature American flag, courtesy of the Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society.

SEVIERVILLE - May 21, 2008 - The 2008 Mountain Soul Vocal Competition, honoring the songwriting of Sevierville's own Dolly Parton, awarded first prize to two Sevier County residents for the first time ever.

Gabrielle Ambrose, 16, of Seymour took first place in the 13+ age division singing "High and Mighty." She received $500, a recording session in Nashville, Tenn., a guitar autographed by Dolly, and a Dollywood season pass.

Willow Osborne, 7, of Pigeon Forge placed first in the 12 and under age division playing banjo and singing "Apple Jack." She received $100, a guitar autographed by Dolly and a Dollywood season pass.

May 19, 2008, Still no sign of Harold!

May 12, 2008, Windy Weather

Whew Wee - been's windy round's heres. Da weathers mans says about 30 - 40 miles a halfs and hours fast. Mys crazy cousin Harold gots a brights idea of build'ens a kite. He was a doings pretty good fors a while - hads it up ders quite a ways - thens a big gust comes a barrel'en throughs the holler - and we's ain't seen em since. You folks sees a kite mades out of Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket withs a raccon on da other ends - that's Harold. Brings em backs to Waldens Creek please. Sorrys I's did'nts gets a picture... Two firefighters treated while battling brush fire SEVIERVILLE - Two volunteer firefighters were hospitalized Thursday after suffering smoke inhalation and exhaustion from a second large brush fire in the area in two days. Brian Dalton, Sr. was taken to Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, and was admitted for observation. Emergency responders were first concerned that he had suffered a heart attack, but medical personnel later said it appeared he was also a victim of smoke inhalation and exhaustion. Green thumb guided Charlotte Hill's path to gardening shop After 12 years of owning a nursery and landscaping business Charlotte Hill of Sevierville said she still learns something new nearly every day about plants or customers. All that learning not only keeps Hill and her husband Steve on their toes, but it keeps them "growing" so to speak. Neither has ever regretted their decision to open Hill Billy Garden Center and Landscapin' on Newport Highway. Traffic Update: The I40 closure has not messed up the traffic as we thought it would. TDOT did an excellent job. The I640 bypass has been a lot busier - but handles the traffic well. Keeps your chin up ....................... May 5, 2008, Barbeque and Bluegrass! Things is kinds of quite arounds here - where dids y'all gos ? Been pretty slims pick'ens arounds da dumpsters. Ah's well -backs to da creeks fors a whilez. Gett'ins around 70's during da days and cool in da evenings - great times for campings !!! Hurry come soons - I's hungry !!! Here's da news from da holler .... Great Smoky Mountains National Park Foothills Parkway hosts Open House BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. - May 4, 2008 Park managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park host an open house on the un-opened section of the Foothills Parkway in Blount County (Tenn.) Saturday and Sunday, May 3 and 4, 2008 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The 9.5-mile gravel road -- last opened to motorists in April 1998 -- has been under construction since then. During that time, three bridges have been completed at a cost of $17.5 million, according to officials with the National Park Service and the Federal Highway Administration. "We haven't opened this in any sort of fashion to the public for 10 years," said Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson. "A lot of that is because there's actually been work going on." Happys mudders day from Smoky !!! April 28, 2008 Finder's Keeper's Waz out forigen da other day and's I's found's one of dem news fangles cameras just a sitt'in on a parks bench - one of dem digitialy things. So's I's grabb's it. I's figures I's takes some pictures of ones of da parkways for ya's and shows yous da springs times. Had's a little's problem figuring it's out. Took's a pictures of da cousins too. Hopes you likes em ... GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Sen. Lamar Alexander's office announced Thursday that Great Smoky Mountains National Park will receive $340,000 in the kickoff of the Centennial Challenge Parks Initiative, a program that calls for an extra $100 million per year for the national parks and private money to match it dollar-for-dollar. I'm the King of Pigeon Forge! A historic disaster is coming to Sevier County. Last month, according to county records, a Branson, Mo., company paid $2 million for a three-acre tract on the Parkway, just south of the Black Bear Jamboree in Pigeon Forge. The buyer was Titanic Tennessee, LLC, and Pigeon Forge tourism director Leon Downey said the company is planning an attraction similar to Branson's Titanic museum. At that attraction, visitors can "Walk an elegant replica of the Titanic's Grand Staircase ... Touch the frozen surface of an 'iceberg' ... Feel the chill of that fateful 'Starry Night' ...See the world's largest Titanic ship's model on display ... Stand on the mighty ship's bridge and hear the Captain's commands", according to the museum's web site Cades Cove partially closed to cars, Hikers and Bikers The tremendously popular Cades Cove 11 mile loop in the Great Smoky Mountains national park will be partially closed from April 28th through May 1st until 10:00 am each day to drivers, Cades Cove bikers and hikers while construction will take place. I'lls be taken more pic's nows thats I's got's my news toy .......................... Smoky April 21, 2008 Things are Really Happening Now! What's a wondersful times wes a havin's - everythings open and and da trees are fillin's out - only things missings here's is y'all. Comes joins us soons befores it getz so hots ya can'ts stands it !!! Beens mid 70's and cool in da evenings - Here's da news from the hollers ............. Great Smoky Mountains National Park Foothills Parkway Open House BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. - April 17, 2008 - Park managers at Great Smoky Mountains National Park have announced that the public will be invited to an Open House on the un-opened section of the Foothills Parkway in Blount County (Tenn.) Saturday, May 3rd and Sunday May 4th from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. GATLINBURG - The 58th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage and National Park Experience begins Wednesday April 23, 2008 and consists of a variety of wildflower and wildlife related walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars. Harrington: Grist mill renovated for shop A picturesque valley in Sevier County with the Smoky Mountains as its backdrop is where Melissa Klingler and her husband, Gary, say they found the perfect location to sell their primitive wares. They opened Grist Mill Primitives last month in an old grist mill (a building that was once used to ground grain into flour) off Highway 411 on Blowing Cave Road. It is the first stop on the road before arriving at Forbidden Caverns. Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center Annual Spring Heritage Festival on Saturday, May 3 TOWNSEND, Tenn. - April 21, 2008 - A special treat awaits visitors to the annual Spring Heritage Festival at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The Center will welcome the "music makers" -- skilled craftsmen who create the musical instruments popular with fans of mountain music. These individuals will be on hand to demonstrate their craft, show samples of their work, and talk with visitors. They include Lynn Dudenbostel, mandolin, Knoxville; Howard Greene, violin, Louisville; Mike Clemmer, dulcimer, Townsend (10 a.m. - Noon); and Johnny Rushing, guitar, New Market Y'all come see us .............. Smoky Thank you for visiting Smoky Mountains RV Campgrounds Thank you for visiting Smoky Mountains RV Campgrounds. Please let us know if we were able to help you and if there is more information you'd like to have. Permalink -- click for full blog post April 14, 2008 Spelunking and Dolly! Hey Y'all, wow what a week. The owner's wents spelunkin' - our mountain caughts on fires - and da parade almosts gots rained outs. If you'ens don'ts knows whats "spelunkin's" is - gets yourselfs signed ups for da newsey letter's the owners dos and reads all abouts it. I'ms to scareds of the darks to gos spelunkin's. Anyways - I tolds ya I'd tries to gets a pictures of Misses Dolly for ya's - here's ya go ............ Dolly Parton names, releases rescued eagle DANDRIDGE, Tenn. - April 10, 2008 For the first time, entertainment legend Dolly Parton had the opportunity to help release a bald eaglet into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, after it had been rescued as a fallen nestling from a wild nest and raised by the American Eagle Foundation (AEF) headquartered at her Dollywood theme park. Parton, along with Al Cecere, Founder of the AEF and Gloria Eskridge, Associate Director for Sales & Marketing for the United States Mint, opened the nesting cage door at 8 a.m. on Thursday at the AEF's hacking tower located on Douglas Lake. The eaglet was named "LIBERTY" by Parton. Dolly's Day: Parton launches new boats at park. PIGEON FORGE Look out Helen of Troy - your face may have launched a thousand ships, but Sevier County's favorite daughter Dolly Parton set millions afloat Friday as she christened Dollywood's newest addition: River Battle. The multi-million dollar investment allows 800 people per hour to take a slow-moving raft ride through more than five minutes of mischievous beavers, spurting fish and crystal clear water. Traffic Alert !!! Want to let all you travelers know that on May the 1st TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) will be shutting I40 thru Knoxville completely down for about 1 1/2 years and re-routing all that traffic around using I640. The problem is, I640 can NOT handle it all. So, if you are coming to the Pigeon Forge - Gatlinburg area from the western part of Tennessee (ie Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga) do yourself a favor and use the following route or travel late at night. Driving in Eastbound on I40 - Exit on I140 Pellissippi Parkway South to Maryville/Airport Follow to Hwy 129 Airport Road South bound to Maryville/Airport. Stay to the left and follow Hwy 35- North Hall Road (highway splits) - into Maryville. Stay on 35 and it turns into HWY 321 and follow to Townsend. In Townsend turn left at the stop light onto Wears Valley Road and follow to Pigeon Forge and ends at the Parkway. If you are heading to Gatlinburg - turn right once you get to the Parkway. You will thank me you did !!! We's will keeps the lights on for ya's .................. April 7, 2008 Spring is HERE! I thinks spring's is here. It's gonna be's in da 70's all weeks !!! Da grass is gett'ins green ands is a grow'in. Gonna be's a good daze fors a parade dis firday's. Hope to see's ya'alls there. Here's da news from da holler's ................ Ripley's opens Mirror Maze in Gatlinburg GATLINBURG - Getting lost never became a fun, family-oriented event until Ripley's Marvelous Mirror Maze and Candy Factory opened this week. With nearly 2,000 square feet of mirrored paths, three dead ends and false exits, one could easily find themselves stuck between mirrored images of themselves or a long hallway possibly leading in the wrong direction. Smokies putting on wildflower show for annual pilgrimage Wildflowers emerge from winter's leaf cover and fill the Smoky Mountains with color, much to the delight of nature lovers. The Great Smoky Mountains Association moves the springtime blossoms into the spotlight by hosting the 58th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage and National Park Experience. Set for April 23-27, special activities and programs will celebrate the beauty of the flowery landscape. Area looks cleaner thanks to annual Roads and Rivers Day activity GATLINBURG - Car parts, broken bottles and even an old pair of socks were some of things found along the roadside cleanup that took place Saturday afternoon as part of Roads and Rivers Day. Volunteers in Gatlinburg covered about six miles along the roadways collecting trash, stuffing it in trash bags leaving them on the sides of the road for pickup. I'lls try a getz some pictur's of da parade for ya's ....................... Mar 31, 2008 Smoky Still Under the Weather! Well's I'm a feeling betterz dis week - still ain't been out of da tree since last week. Man I gots a mess in der. My cousin's form Hinchey Holler help me's out with the news dis week. Thanks Y'all. The First Annual Mountain Man March is a 26.2-mile march in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee which will be conducted Saturday, April 5 in Gatlinburg as a tribute to our men and women in uniform. The event honors 1LT Frank Walkup, a University of Tennessee-Knoxville alumnus who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq in 2007. The largest Tony Roma's restaurant in the world opened on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Considered the pioneer of baby back ribs, Tony Roma's has a global presence with more than 250 restaurants in 35 countries including the U.S., and average in size around 5,600 square feet. The Pigeon Forge location is nearly twice as large at almost 12,000 square feet - a statistic that will help meet the dining demands of a tourist destination with around 13 million visitors a year. It is also the largest restaurant in Pigeon Forge with 346 seats and will employee 160 employees. Hundreds of firefighters from several counties were on a Sevier County mountainside Thursday to battle a blaze that threatened several homes. The fire started on a ridge near the intersection of Shirley Myers Lane, Laurel Lick, and Little Cove Church Road. It threatened nine houses in that area, including six homes and three rental cabins, said Chief Tony Watson of the Pigeon Forge Fire Department Located the new Bear Cove Campground. It's on old Middle Creek - now Veterans Blvd which is the back entrance to Dollywood and the main entrance for Splash Country. It will be awhile before they open. Will keep you posted. Anybody got's a vacuum cleaner and a bottle of lysol I can's borrow? Mar 24, 2008 Snowing Again! Yep, snowing's again - r' you's sure last week was da first daze of spring's ? What'z up ? So much for dat globals warming thing ! Hard to gets motivated to dos much - I thinks I might bes gettin' the snifles. Better's round me ups some of dat kudzu vine soup - its good for what ales ya! Found out about another NEW campground being built - I'll check it out this week. Fun Time Trolley to Go Green The cities of Pigeon Forge and Sevierville have partnered to turn their Fun Time Trolley system into a full fleet of clean air transportation. Eight electric hybrids and four propane trolleys help make up the Sevierville and Pigeon Forge's fleet.   Four men rescued from Smokies cave NATIONAL PARK - They were wet and cold, but four men who got lost while exploring a cave in Great Smoky Mountains National Park escaped the ordeal apparently unscathed and lucky to be alive Cabins destroyed in blaze WEARS VALLEY - An fire late Wednesday destroyed two rental cabins at The Preserve Resort and damaged two more. Y'all stays warm ....... Smoky Mar 17, 2008 Start Yer Engines Hey Y'all - Smoky here's - Hads a great weekends watchings da race- congrats Jeff Burton. I's think Bristols da best. Weather's bens gett'in better. Most of da campsgrounds bens filling in's. Y'all come sees us !!! We have located where the new "Belle Island" is being built. It is on Smoky (hey - that's my's names) Drive which runs parallel to the Parkway starting at Wears Valley (Hwy 321) intersection southeast corner.It is between Teaster Lane and the Parkway. Fall of 2008 open date - but they have a long way to go. There is also a NEW campground being built - "Pine Mountain RV Resort" which is on - you guessed it - Pine Mountain road in Pigeon Forge and will cater to big rigs (Motorhomes). That's all the news for dis week ....... be's careful out der among dem english. Mar 10, 2008 Still Snow'en!!! Yep - Still gett'en some snow. Not enoff to goes sled'en thow - darn it. Just cold. Stayed in my's tree most the week. Spring's a com'in. Them Dagwood's tree's gett'en there buds. Them flowers on dem tree's are pretty taste'e. Hey - want's to say a big hello's to all you race fans comin'n into town dis week. Boogie'dee Boogie'dee Boogie'dee !!! Go number's 18 - loves dem snickers. Welcome Race Fans - Bristol Nascar Race this coming Sunday but a lot going on all this week in Bristol and we know some of you like to stay with us in the Smokies. Bring your warm jacket!!! ............Smoky Mar-3,-2008-There's-Snow-on-Them-Hills-!!!"> Mar 3, 2008 There's Snow on Them Hills !!! Member' I was tel'en y'all about how's weird the weather's been here lately ? Wells, ya ain'nt gonna believe this - but last Wednesday we's got six inchers of snow !!! Thers' not a hole lot to do's with six inchers of snow on the ground - so whats' a raccoon to do ? Yer guessed it - we's all went sled'en. We's found some plastic egg cartens and used the lid as a tobgan ! Whew we !!! Today its sunny and 70 - go figures. Here's the news from the holler ....... Lee Greenwood is coming back to Pigeon Forge and will be performing at the Smith Family Theater starting April 18th. He is a winner of three Country Music Association Awards and writer of "God Bless the USA". Belle Island Village is set to open this fall. Pigeon Forge's new 26-acre themed development. It's anchor attractions will be the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Motion Picture Museum and Darell Waltrip's Racing Experience. There will be shopping, restaurants, crafts, hotel, and much more. Our very own Knoxville Zoo will be helping with the Otter Cove. Belle Island will be like walking back in time to an old southern river town, complete with steam boat. Keep an eye out for us ............Smoky Feb 26, 2008 Smoky's STILL waiting for Spring!!! Howdy Y'all - This is Smoky. I've got'a tell ya the weather here has been crazy. Snow flurries one day and warm and sunny the next. Got all of us critt'rs trying to figure out what season it is. As my Grand Pappy used to say - "If ya don't like the weather here in East Tennessee, just sit still for about 15 minutes and it'll change !!!" Good advice... Here's the news from the holler... Our very own Dolly Parton was in the national news. She is launching a new tour called "Backwoods Barbie" and is slated for 13 stops. A back injury she sustained might post-pone the tour. She stated the reason for her back injury - and I qoute - is from "wagging these puppies around". Well, I hope she is able to make the parade in April. Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede was also in the news this week. They have put together a new show this year featuring some very rare Texas Longhorns in their indoor arena which has not happened in over a decade. The horns measure from tip to tip anywhere from 6 to 8 feet across. Wow ! Keep your smile on !!! Feb 18, 2008 Smoky's ready for Spring! Hey Y'all - Smoky here. It was warm and bee-uty-ful on Sat-r-day. Had a good day fori-gen. Anyway, here’s the news from the holler. Eagles Landing Golf Course is expanding to be a 36 hole course. Plans are to step-up construction to be completed sooner than expected. Dollywood has unveiled a new water ride called River Battle. A themed water ride where passengers take aim at each other with more than 100 targets. Opens spring 2008. Dollywood's Splash Country will also unveil Country Swiftwater Run, a twisting white-water journey. Opens Memorial Day 2008. The Smokies Baseball Park will be installing a new HD-X Video Display for the new 2008 season. The new display will measure 36 feet wide by 17 feet tall, a first for a minor league park. This will enable spectators to see replays and highlights. This will also improve the concerts that are preformed at the stadium. Keep yer feet dry - Smoky Feb 14, 2008 We'd like to Introduce Smoky! We would like to introduce you to Smoky the Ringtail Raccoon. He has joined us to help all you wonderful folks find a great campground and to keep you up to date with what is happening in the area. Smoky News is his very own blog! After all, raccoons are Tennessee's official wild animal. You will be seeing a lot more of Smoky in the months to come as he will be helping us find all the great places to be this coming season !!! Feb 11, 2008 Weather and Possible Road Delays The Gatlinburg area was not affected by the storm last week. A lot of high winds with several trees and or tree limbs down. Other than that, most of the damage was to the west of us around the southern part of the Nashville area. The City of Gatlinburg has hired a new PR firm from Virginia Beach, VA to help aide in attracting more tourists to the area and utilizing their convention center. The City of Sevierville is planning on spending around $113,000 to make its traffic signals compatible with Pigeon Forge with the hopes it will improve the traffic flow along the Parkway. Thank You !!! Expect some delays around the Sevierville 407 exit - blasting is scheduled to make way for the new Dumplin Creek shopping center. They are literally removing one of the small mountains - flattening it to build the shopping center. So, if you have not been by this exit in awhile you will know something is missing !!!