Lifestyle

The fourth annual Comedy Barn Theater Kickin’ Chicken 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk was held on Saturday to benefit Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center. Runner Todd Caldwell of Sevierville won the road race, finishing the course in first place as the male open winner in (18:01.71). Caldwell was the winner of the first-ever Comedy Barn Theater Kickin’ Chicken ...

No doubt, you’ve noticed that it’s been hot and dry. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says July 2016 was the hottest month on record for the globe, and as of the middle of August, the U.S. Drought monitor recorded that roughly two-thirds of Tennessee is experiencing abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. Parts of six counties in the ...

The City of Sevierville Department of Parks and Recreation recently held their first meeting to formally begin the planning and development process for a new dog park. A group of employees and a citizen, called Team Dog Park, has been formed to assist the city and landscape architect in all phases of planning and development, including design, policies and budget. ...

The Tennessee purple coneflower is a remarkable plant and should be held in high regard as a true Tennessee treasure. It was first discovered by botanists in 1878 within the cedar glades of the Central Basin of Tennessee, and remarkably, it is found nowhere else on earth. Its rarity is due in part to the unique conditions from which it ...

Tennessee residents are allowed to hunt without a license on the state’s Free Hunting Day, this Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, which coincides with the opening day of squirrel season. Free Hunting Day is an event the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency annually provides in hopes of increasing interest in hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of Tennessee’s oldest and favorite traditions. The ...

Friends of the Smokies hosts the 22nd annual Friends Across the Mountains Telethon to benefit Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Wednesday night. The event has a long history as the only telethon for a national park, and has raised more than $3.2 million. “Later this week, on August 25, the National Park Service marks 100 years of protecting America’s most special ...

For the 93rd year, 4-H members from across Tennessee gathered at the University of Tennessee for State 4-H Roundup and All-Star Conference. The annual event, which took place July 25-29, 2016, recognized the outstanding project work and leadership accomplishments of senior high 4-H members. Approximately 300 high school age 4-H’ers from across Tennessee met for several days on the UT ...

A day filled with music, prizes and fun activities for kids is planned for Saturday in Gatlinburg at the Back-to-School Bash. The Gatlinburg Farmers Market Kids Back-to-School Bash will be held Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016. The market will have live music by local band Boogertown Gap, a train from Pete’s Railroad, a fire truck provided by the Gatlinburg Fire Department, ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Cassius Cash and City of Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner invite the public to join them on a hike along the Gatlinburg Trail in the Smokies on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016 at 9 a.m. in honor of the National Park Service Centennial. Hikers should meet in front of Sugarlands Visitor Center to begin the 4-mile, ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced the temporary closure of the Ramsey Cascades Trail due to a damaged foot log caused by a fallen tree that is blocking access along the route. The foot log spans a section of Ramsey Prong which is too swift and deep to allow hikers to safely rock-hop across river. The popular, four-mile trail ...