Lifestyle

  Join us at the Gatlinburg Farmers Market for our first Kids Day of the 2015 season on May 23. Kids will able to participate in a free activity offered at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Families can also have fun finding items on a market-wide scavenger hunt. May 23 is also the first day that the Gatlinburg ...

If your child has yet to learn to swim, or their swimming could use improvement, children’s swim lessons will soon be offered by the City of Sevierville. The City of Sevierville Department of Parks and Recreation has scheduled children’s swim lessons at the Community Center beginning in June. Various skill levels, class days and times will be available. Registration for ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials have closed Mt. LeConte Backcountry Shelter and trails to the popular Cliff Tops area due to bear activity until further notice. At this time, trails leading to the summit of Mt. LeConte remain open, but hikers are strongly encouraged to hike in tight groups of three or more and carry bear spray. Park wildlife ...

The new downtown Sevierville farmers market is accepting applications from farmers and vendors who want to sell their products at the market this summer. The Sevierville Commons Association will host a farmers market 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. every Friday, June 5 – October 9, 2015, in the heart of historic Sevierville at the Downtown Sevierville Commons, 136 Bruce St. ...

Join park staff and partners on Saturday June 6, 2015 to celebrate National Trails Day with a volunteer opportunity to participate in Appalachian Trail Work Day. The national park is once again working with the Friends of the Smokies, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Regional Office, and the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club to host this large volunteer event. This work day event has taken place in the park for the last 19 years ...

The Gatlinburg Farmers Market will officially open May 16, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. The first 50 people on opening day will receive a free plant. The Gatlinburg Farmers Market will be held every Saturday May 16 – Oct 17, 2015 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Vendors sell an array of fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, honey, prepared foods, baked ...

You can learn about preparedness, survival, self-defense and self-sufficiency at the upcoming Mountain Prepper Expo in Sevierville. The 2nd Annual Mountain Prepper Expo will be held at May 16-17, 2015 at the Sevierville Convention Center. One of the largest emergency preparedness events in the country, the event will feature a wide range of exhibitors and offer free classes. Franklin, N.C. ...

People with cats that roam outside may be able to help researchers with an important scientific research project on the least weasel. Wildlife biologists are studying the distribution and life history of the least weasel (Mustela nivalis) in the southeastern United States and are asking cat owners to report if their outdoor cat presents one as a gift. The least ...

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that a 2-year trail restoration project will begin next week on Alum Cave Trail. The trail and associated parking areas will be closed May 4 through November 19, 2015, excluding federal holidays, on Monday mornings at 7 a.m. through Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. weekly. Due to the construction process on the narrow ...

Sevier County 4-H Members recently brought home honors in the Public Speaking Contest held at Dogwood Hills Baptist Church in Tazewell, Tenn. Fourth through eighth grade county winners from nine surrounding counties participated. Sevier County winners participating included: 4th grade – Lilly Carroll, Sevierville Intermediate; 5th grade – Grady Branton, Catlettsburg; 6th grade – Katelyn Hedrick, Homeschool; 7th grade – ...