The Titanic Violin is now on display at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge. 

   Dozens of students stood silently in a dimly lit room of the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge where they huddled quietly around a display case containing a rare, iconic artifact from the sinking of the luxury liner more than 100 years ago.

  The violin that belonged to Wallace Hartley went on display this week at the popular tourist attraction where it will remain for several weeks before being shipped to England where it will be sold at auction.

   The violin is a silent witness to the horrific tragedy that took more than 1,500 lives, many of whom were society’s elite, after the ship struck an iceberg on its maiden voyage on April 14, 1912. On the fateful night the Titanic hit the iceberg, crew members began evacuating passengers into the life boats. Unfortunately, there were not enough life boats and many men chose to allow women and children to take their places while they stayed behind where they would meet their fates.

  Wallace Hartley was the leader of the band that remained onboard the deck. In an act of selfless sacrifice, the chivalrous Hartley gave up his seat to other passengers and decided to stay behind and play the violin in hopes that his music would calm the panicked passengers. Hartley offered his band mates an opportunity to flee the stricken vessel, but none chose to evacuate, Instead they remained at his side and continued to play music. 

  By some accounts the last song they played was “Nearer my god, to thee.” Some witnesses later recounted that after the band played the cherished hymn they played, “Autumn,” a more upbeat ragtime tune.

  As the band played on hundreds of terrified passengers screamed and scrambled to the rescue craft. As the band played on half of the mighty vessel began to lift from the water as the other end filled with water. Within seconds the night air was filled with the sounds of shattering glass, breaking timbers and rivets popping loose and the Titanic broke in half. Moments later the halves of the ship began its descent to the ocean floor almost a mile below the surface of the water.

  Two weeks later, Hartley’s body was recovered. The violin was recovered nearby in the debris field. The violin is now in possession of a private collector who has decided to remain anonymous.

  “His story was classic tale of a man making the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good of others,” said Craig Sopin, an attorney and leading expert on Titanic artifacts. “The music was calming. Had those men not remained onboard there would have been a lot more chaos.” 

  Sopin said the violin is expected to sell for a price in the six figures and possibly seven. The violin will remain on display until  July 27 before it travels to the Titanic Museum Attraction’s sister-location in Branson.  It will be on display in Branson, Thursday, Aug. 1 through Thursday, Aug. 15 prior to it traveling back to England where it will be auctioned off by Henry Aldridge and Son on Saturday, Oct. 19. 

    The Blast from the past returns to Pigeon Forge Sunday at the Grand Majestic Theater

   The Blast from the Past returns to Pigeon Forge Sunday night at the Grand Majestic Theater on the Parkway. The show is a tribute to Elvis and the Movie Grease.

    The Blast stars Matt Cordell who performs a tribute to Elvis and plays Danny in Grease.  Matt is joined by Kendall Manning, Greg Stout, Tasha Cordell and the rest of the cast from the original production. The show ran for two successful seasons at the Smith Family Dinner Theater. Cordell appears regularly at the Grand Majestic in the “America’s Hit Parade.”

    Blast from the past is a 90 minute walk down memory lane featuring the music of the greatest rock star in history and the music from the biggest musical in history.

   Cordell posts an impressive resume. He won the National "Tribute to The King" competition in Kansas City, MO in 2004 where he won 1st place. He also won 1st place in the "Reflections of the King" competition in Pigeon Forge, in 2007.

   Cordell has performed all across the country with stops at major casino locations too numerous to mention. Matt competed in the Elvis Extravaganza competition in 2003 in Las Vegas and was ranked number 9 in America without being a member of any Elvis associations.

   The Blast From the Past Show starts at 8 P.M. at the grand Majestic Theater on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Doors open at 7 p.m. For ticket information call 865-774-7777 or visit the Grand Majestic web Site at  www.thegrandmajestic.com.

  “We had a huge following when we performed this show at the Smith Theater,” said Cordell. “We want to invite all our fans and friends to come out and join us for what promises to be a great show. We look forward to seeing everyone there.”

  Matt Cordell plays Elvis and as Danny from the Musical "Grease."

     From time to time Joe Diffie meets a fan that can identify with his hit song “If the Devil Danced in Empty Pockets.” They can identify because many feel as though they have been to Diablo Motors. The fictional car dealership is parodied in his classic hit about a man that went to buy a used car and ended up deeply in debt with a lemon after making a deal with a car salesman that could be compared to the devil himself.

     This will be an evening filled with stories and songs, getting back to the roots of their music. These three great artists will be performing on stage together, acoustic versions of more than 40 Top Ten Hits. A few of Aaron's hits include "There Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the Radio", "You've Got to Stand for Something", "Kiss This", and "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly". Sammy has quite a list of hits as well, including "Cadillac Style", "She Don't Know She's Beautiful", "National Working Woman's Holiday", and "Third Rate Romance."

  “This is a really fun show,” Diffie said. “The three of us sit on stools and sing our hits and we tell stories and the audience gets a chance to get to know us better. After the show we meet with the fans and sign autographs. It’s a lot of fun.”

  Diffie recently got an enormous surprise when superstar Jason Aldean recorded the song “1994.” The song is about Diffie and many of his songs are cleverly mentioned in the song.

  “I was tickled he did it,” Diffie said. “It brought me notoriety and put me back on the map. I thought he was just going to mention my name and the next thing you know the whole song was about me. I thought, ‘holy cow, can you believe this?”

  For tickets call 1-800-792-4308 or 865-453-2003 or visit the web site http://www.countrytonitepf.com/celebrities.aspx.

Joey Spurlock poses with two pups he plans to train in Dock Diving. 

    It was at the Dock Dogs AKC Eukanuba National Championship competition last December when a yellow Labrador retriever, named Tango, stepped confidently out on the dock ready to compete. At the command of his trainer, Joey Spurlock, Tango charged down the dock and leapt into the air for an incredible 22 feet 6 inches.

   Impressed by his performance, the commentator remarked “Can you believe it? He was a shelter dog and nobody wanted him. Look at him now.”

   Tango was rescued from a shelter in Wisconsin by ex-cop turned animal trainer, Joey Spurlock who taught Tango and a number of other dogs to dock dive.

   Dock Diving is a competitive sport that tests a dog’s agility, speed and stamina in a contest that combines three events. The first is the Big Air jump in which the dogs run down a 40 foot dock and jump as far as they can into a 40 foot pool of water (distance is measured from the end of the dock to where the tail set breaks the water).

  The second event is the speed retrieve in which dogs run down the dock at the 20 foot mark and leap into the pool to retrieve a bumper, in a timed competition.

  The third and final event is the extreme vertical event in which dogs are running and jumping to grab a  bumper that is suspended in the air 8 feet from the end of the dock (20 feet or less on the dock is to be used for the starting point). 

  The Iron Dog competition is a combination of the three disciplines that are given points for how far they jump, how high they grab the bumper and how fast they make the retrieve.

 Tango has come a long way since he was left at an animal rescue facility. But, Spurlock concedes he still has work to do with the agile canine.

  “Tango has been jumping early,” said Spurlock. “If he could jump from the end of the dock he would be one of the biggest jumpers. There was one occasion when he jumped 13 feet early, he still cleared over 17 feet. If he could jump like that from the end of the dock, he would be jumping 30 feet which would be one of the biggest jumps in the sport.  He’s new to the sport so he will need a lot of time on the dock to hit his full potential.”

  Despite those early jumps, Tango is winning competitions. In St. Louis he jumped seven feet early and still cleared 22 feet 2 inches. Tango is currently ranked the #1 yellow lab in the World for Iron Dog as well as the #1 overall in the Sportsman Series for Iron Dog. Tango is not the only champion trained by Spurlock who has 15 years of animal training under his belt. Another of his Timber Dogs is Brock who is working on his fifth straight World Championships.  Brock is the defending Dogs and Logs Relay World Champion and is consistently ranked in the top for the sport.

  Tango and Brock are among several performing dogs that entertain at the Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud in Pigeon Forge. In the show, the dogs participate in the boom run and give a demonstration of dock diving.  

  For more information about dock diving visit the web Site at http://www.dockdogs.com/. To see action photos of Tango and Brock in action visit the web Site http://www.lumberjackfeud.com/.

   A two year legal battle has finally been decided in favor of Doug and Jackie Miranda owners of the Grand Majestic Theater.

    It took two long years but Doug and Jackie Miranda finally received the vindication they had sought this week in a suit brought against them by a company representing a former singing group.

  The Mirandas are the owners of the Grand Majestic Theater on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. The theater is the home of two shows, the Soul of Motown and America’s Hit parade. Two years ago they were sued for $2 million by Ron Layher and Rhonda Lyles, of SM Productions, promoters and producers for Nate Evans, and the Temptations Review, which had appeared and performed the Grand Majestic Theater at its former location on Music Mountain Drive.

  According to court documents, SM Productions rented the Smoky Mountain Jubilee in 2009 and produced a show featuring the Temptations Review. After an unsuccessful run, SM Productions was forced out of the Smoky Mountain Jubilee and contracted with the Mirandas to open the Temptations Review at The Grand Majestic. The Temptations Review’s tenure at the Grand Majestic was brief and SM Productions soon initiated a lawsuit alleging breach of contract on the part of the Mirandas.

 Last week Chancellor Telford Forgety, Jr. issued a ruling in the case in which he ruled in favor of the Mirandas  and awarded them compensatory damages of $13,000 for a loan the Mirandas made to SM Productions. In addition, SM Productions was ordered to pay $5,878.35 for unpaid sales taxes, $2,589.15 to reimburse the Mirandas for equipment, and $387.33 for printing costs.

    In his dismissal of the suit, Forgety chastised the company for misrepresentations made to the Mirandas and ruled “The plaintiffs are precluded from recovery based on the grounds of lack of good faith, unclean hands, and perhaps outright fraud and inducement.”

  According to court documents, SM Productions owed $72,000 in back rent to the owners of the Smoky Mountain Jubilee and were under the threat of eviction when they closed the show.

  After leaving the Smoky Mountain Jubilee, SM Productions contracted with the Mirandas to perform at the Grand Majestic. From the outset, the Temptations Review lost money. At one point the Mirandas lent the owners of SM productions $10,000 to pay the band. 

   Under the contract between the Mirandas and SM Productions, the production company was obligated to pay the band and provide marketing. SM Productions provided the Mirandas with a projection of revenues the Temptations Review were expected to generate. The group failed to generate the projected profits and lost considerable sums of money in the process.

   In his ruling Fogerty stated “So the evidence is abundantly clear to the court that this show was a losing proposition from the time it started at the Smoky Mountain Jubilee in 2009 to, in the month of June when SM operated it at the Grand Majestic, and then from July until the end of December when Mr. Evans continued to perform and operate the show at the Grand Majestic Theater, the show still lost money.”    

  “We are glad it is over,” said Doug Miranda. “We feel justice has prevailed. We just want to move forward and do what we love to do which is to entertain and put on great shows.” 

     These  buffaloes were spotted grazing in a field on Birds Creek Rd. near Gatlinburg. The behemoths belong to Benny Hammonds, Gatlinburg-Pittman’s  football coach.

Reigning U.S. Timbersport Champion Arden Cogar will be competing in Pigeon Forge 

  For Arden Cogar, timbersports is more than a competition. Six generations of his family have competed in the sport going back several decades.

  “I have a grandfather, a great uncle, my father, 16 cousins a wife and daughter and myself who have all competed in the sport,” said Cogar. “My father continues to compete and he is in his late 70s.”

  Timbersports is a sport that challenges skill, endurance and strength. The timberjacks compete in a variety of events such as the hot saw competition which involves a chain saw with a modified engine. At the signal, the competitors start their saws and make three cuts. With only six inches of wood to work with, precision is key

  In the single buck competition, the competitor makes one cut through 19 inches of white pine using a single man cross-cut saw.

  The springboard chop is a discipline based on the need for old-time loggers to establish a cutting platform above the massive root bases of old growth trees, the competitor uses an ax to chop pockets into a 9-foot poplar pole and then place 6-inch wide springboard platforms into the pockets. Climbing up on the springboards, the competitor chops through a 12-inch diameter white pine log at the top of the pole.

 The standing block chop mimics the felling of a tree, the competitor races to chop through 12 to 14 inches of vertical white pine. The competitor must chop from both sides of the log with the time ending when the block is severed.

  The stock saw discipline is a true test of operator ability. The competitor uses a MS 660 STIHL MAGNUM® chain saw and begins with both hands on the log and the chain saw idling on the deck. At the gun, the sawyer makes two cuts through 16 inches of white pine. With only four inches of wood to work with, precision is key.

 Because the sport relies more on skill than strength, competitors often become more proficient at the sport in later years.

 “I use the analogy of comparing it to golf,” Cogar said. “In golf the older players have acquired more skill and discipline. You will see these more experienced players hit the ball down the fare way. The younger players have a difficult time keeping it straight. It either goes right or left. In timbersports  it’s the same way. The younger competitors aren’t as proficient with their axes or their saws. Technique and timing are crucial to competing in the sport. Those skills come with experience.”

  While many older competitors have been successful at the sport, Cogar said the sport is extremely physically demanding. His father, who continues to compete late in his 70s, had been a lumberjack for years and has competed for decades.

  Currently Cogar is the reigning U.S. Timbersports Champion. He will be competing in Pigeon Forge on June 7-9 at the Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud located on the Parkway. The event will be televised on ESPN and the Outdoor channel. If Cogar should emerge victorious he will advance to the World Championship competition in Stuttgart, Germany in the fall. Last year Cogar was one of many athletes from 24 countries that competed in Lillehammer, Norway for the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Series World Championship in front of 10,000 international fans.  Cogar , placed fourth in the World Championship individual competition.

  That’s a big if. Cogar will be facing stiff competition from around the world. Tickets for the Stihl Timbersports Series U.S. Championship are now on sale. For more information about the competition visit www.stihltimbersportsus.com. Or call the Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud at 855-244-3383. 

     Two separate burglaries of the Sevierville Sprint store, located at 699 Parkway, have been reported this month. According to Sevierville Police Department Detectives Kevin Bush and Dweese Milliron, Sprint managers say that a total of over $50,000 in cell phones and a small amount of cash were taken. The stolen cell phones were mostly iPhones and other smart phones.

     The first burglary allegedly occurred on April 13, 2013 at about 4:15AM; the second was on April 19, 29, 2013 at about 4 AM. In both instances, it appears that the suspect was a white male wearing a mask and gloves, approximately 6’1” tall and weighing 200 pounds. The suspect made entry into the store by forcing open a rear business door on April 13, and by breaking the front store glass on April 29. The attached video was taken from security equipment on April 29, 2013.

     Anyone with information on these incidents is requested to contact Detective Bush or Detective Milliron at 865-453-5507. 

     Seviercountynews.com writer Michael Williams has released a new book about amazing kids. Great Kids in History is a collection of 22 amazing stories of incredible kids who have accomplished many great feats. Throughout history children have played a significant role in key events. As incredible as it may seem it was a 14-year-old boy that invented television and it was a child that discovered the legendary Lost Sea. Read about the child that invented a frozen treat that changed summer forever. Learn the amazing tale of the incredible Sybil Luddington, the teenage girl that rode more than 40 miles to rally soldiers to defend two towns during the American Revolution.

   Read the tale of amazing Jackie Mitchell who struck out the two greatest baseball players in history. Learn of the courageous kids that organized the greatest labor strike in U.S. history. Read the story of the young girl that named a planet, and learn of the boy with learning disabilities who invented more than 1,000 inventions.

   Marvel at the exploits of the Heroine of Lime Rock. Read about Joe Nuxhall, the youngest major leaguer who played professional baseball and stepped up on the pitcher’s mound at the age of 15.

   Read about the precocious Tad Lincoln whose plea for mercy for a doomed animal started a holiday tradition.

   These and other stories will inspire and entertain and amuse readers of all ages. This book is written with the young reader in mind in a vernacular that appeals to children. The stories are short but informative which and capture the attention of the younger readers. It is my hope that parents will enjoy these stories with their young children who will be inspired by other kids who accomplished wonderful things.

  The book can be purchased in Kindle or in print. For more inromation go to amazon.com or www.strangerthanfictionnews.com.

   You can order a signed copy for your child by sending $8.95 to P.O. Box 6421 Sevierville, TN. 37864.

 Celtic Woman performed to a capacity crowd at Harrah's Friday.

    Celtic Woman, the internationally acclaimed all women band, inspired and entertained a capacity crowd at Harrah's Cherokee Friday April, 26, with a rich blend of Scots-Irish music and dance.   

   The talented group kept the audience mesmerized with their melodic Irish jigs and timeless classics. 

    Celtic Woman debuted on Public Television in March 2005 where they quickly emerged as a spectacular commercial success that crossed cultural borders with now more than six million CDs/DVDs and over two million concert tickets sold worldwide.

   In Cherokee they charmed the audience with the energetic act that has endeared them to audiences around the world. The group performed songs from the newest CD "Believe." The show was part of a 60 city tour that is currently underway.

   The band performed classic Irish and Scottish melodies such as "Caladonia" and their internationally renowned hit "Sail Away."   

  Celtic violinist Mairead Nesbitt performed several tunes including Irish jigs with great energy and enthusiasm that kept the audience clapping to the melody.

   The band performed a show  stopping rendition of "Amazing Grace' with bagpipe accompaniment and harmonies that were as tight as a drum. The reverent gospel classic brought the audience to their feet with a standing ovation.  The women performed a breath taking tribute to Broadway that included "The Circle of Life"  from the "Lion King."

  Celtic Woman is truly a magnificent show that is not to be missed as they continue on tour. 

Mairead Nesbitt performs an Irish jig in a high energy performance. 

  Country Music legend George Jones died this morning at the age of 81.

   Country music icon, George Jones, died this morning at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville after being hospitalized with fever and irregular blood pressure, according to his publicist Kirt Webster.

   Jones, regarded by most music critics as the greatest country music star, recorded as many as 150 chart topping hits in a career that spanned five decades.

  “I was fortunate to have worked with him in 21 sold out shows in Pigeon Forge,” said Tim McAbee, president of First Class Productions. “He was my favorite male vocalist. It is a sad day. He paved the way and created a way for himself in the music industry. He was a favorite of many artists in so many fields and his loss will be felt across all genres. His family is certainly in our prayers. My heart is very heavy for his family.”   

  With a wide ranging baritone voice ,Jones had No. 1 songs in five separate decades, 1950s to 1990s. He was idolized not just by fellow country artists, but by Frank Sinatra, Pete Townshend, Elvis Costello, James Taylor and countless others. "If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones," Waylon Jennings once sang.

   Nicknamed "Possum," Jones’ career evolved from young honky-tonker to country music legend as he recorded more than 150 albums and became the champion and symbol of traditional country music influenced by his hero, Hank Williams. Over the decades he waged battles with alcoholism and drug addiction and had close encounters with death, including bypass surgery and a tour bus crash that he only avoided by deciding at the last moment to take a plane. In the end he conquered his dependencies and emerged as an iconic elder statesman of the industry.

   His hits included the sentimental "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes",  "The Race is On", "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair",  "She Thinks I Still Care", "White Lightning", "Still Doing Time." Jones also recorded several duets with Tammy Wynette, his wife for six years, including "Golden Ring," ''Near You," ''Southern California" and "We're Gonna Hold On." He also sang with such peers as Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and many others.

   But his signature song was "He Stopped Loving Her Today," a song about a man who carries his love for a woman to his grave. The 1980 ballad, which Jones was sure would never be a hit, often appears on surveys as the most popular country song of all time and won the Country Music Association song of the year twice.

  Jones won Grammy awards in 1981 for "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and in 1999 for "Choices." He was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992 and in 2008 was among the artists honored in Washington at the Kennedy Center.

  In declining health in the past year, Jones went on what was intended to be his farewell tour. He appeared in Knoxville in April and was scheduled to appear in Cherokee in June.

   Jones was born Sept. 12, 1931, in a log house near the east Texas town of Saratoga, the youngest of eight children. He sang in church and at age 11 began performing for tips on the streets of Beaumont, Texas. His first outing was such a success that listeners tossed him coins, placed a cup by his side and filled it with money. Jones estimated he made more than $24 for his two-hour performance, enough to feed his family for a week.

   He got his start on radio with husband and wife team Eddie & Pearl in the late 1940s. Hank Williams once dropped by the studio to promote a new record, and Jones was invited to back him on guitar. When it came time to play, he froze.

   "Hank had 'Wedding Bells' out at the time," Jones recalled in a 2003 Associated Press interview. "He started singing it, and I never hit the first note the whole song. I just stared."

   After the first of his four marriages failed, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1951 and served three years. He cut his first record when he got out, an original fittingly called "No Money in This Deal."

   He had his first hit with "Why Baby Why" in 1955, and by the early '60s Jones was one of country music's top stars.

   Jones was married to country music star Tammy Wynette, his third wife, from 1969 to 1975. (Wynette died in 1998.) Their relationship played out in Nashville like a country song, with hard drinking, fights and reconciliations.

   In 1983, Jones married his fourth and final wife, Nancy Sepulveda, whom he credited with stablizing his private life. He had four children, one with first wife Dorothy Bonvillion, two with second wife Shirley Ann Corley and one with Wynette. His daughter with Wynette, Georgette Jones, became a country singer and even played her mother in the 2008 TV series "Sordid Lives." 

   The original Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward, will be among more than 30 TV stars and movie stars that will appear in Knoxville at the annual Fanboy Expo to be held May 31 through June 2, at the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park.

   Fanboy Expo provides fans of all genres of movies and TV to meet many of their favorite stars or comic book artists. Fans get to purchase autographed photos of their favorite stars and get their photos made with them. They can meet the creative talent behind many of their favorite comic book characters such as Angel Medina, whose work can be seen in the pages of Spiderman, the Hulk, the Avengers and Spawn, Tom Nguyen, whose work includes Green Lantern, Batman and Superman and many other comic artists will be on hand so sign their work and sell original art.

  Fans can meet Cassandra Peterson, who played Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, Anthony Michael hall, who played in many 80s comedies opposite Molly Ringwald, Margot Kidder, of Superman fame, William Katt of the “Greatest American Hero”, and many others.

 Science fiction will get a chance to meet Billy Dee Williams, from the Star Wars saga, Erik Bauersfeld, Jeremy Bulloch and many other sci-fi stars.

  Wrestling legends will be on hand to meet die hard wrestling fans. Among the warriors of the ring will be Jerry “The King” Lawler, Jake “The Snake” Roberts,  Rowdy Roddy Piper and Diamond Dallas Page.

  Vendors will be on hand to sell all types of collectibles including toys, comics, art work and other collector’s items.

Many other stars will be present for autographs, question and answer sessions and much more. Tickets are on sale now. The event is a three-day event featuring fun for the whole family. For more information visit the web Site www.fanboyexpo.com.

               Jackie MItchell meets Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig 

    In March of 1931, the New York Yankees baseball team had just finished spring training in Florida and was on their way back to New York. As was the custom, the team stopped in Chattanooga, Tennessee to play an exhibition game with the Chattanooga Lookouts, a Class AA minor League team.

     The Lookouts were unique because they had a female on their roster. Her name was Virne Beatrice “Jackie” Mitchell.

     Jackie was born 1914 and grew up living next door to a Minor League pitcher named Dazzy Vance who taught the young girl how to pitch. Jackie learned the skill well and when she was 16 she began playing for a woman’s team in Chattanooga. The following year she signed a contract to play for the Lookouts for the 1931 season.

    On March 2, a capacity crowd of more than 4,000 spectators turned out to watch the Lookouts play the New York Yankees. Excitement hung in the air as the World champion Yankees stepped onto the field. The team featured two of the most famous baseball players of all time, home run king, Babe Ruth, and a man known as “the Iron Horse,” Lou Gehrig.

   The starting pitcher for the Lookouts threw a pitch to the Yankee’s lead-off batter Earle Combs who clobbered a double. Next up was Lyn Lary who hit a single up the middle.  

   The Lookout coach decided to take out the starting pitcher and sent Jackie to the mound.

    Ruth watched curiously as a young teenage girl prepared to face him. But Jackie showed no concern the power of the slugger.

   Jackie wound up and threw a high pitch the umpire called a ball. The next three pitches went straight into the strike zone and the mighty Babe Ruth struck out.

    The crowd gasped as the angry Babe Ruth stormed off the field. Next up was the Iron Horse, Lou Gehrig. He was more of a gentleman than Babe and never lost his temper in front of the fans.

    Lou stepped up to home plate and Jackie let loose her first pitch.

   “Strike!” cried the umpire. The crowd gasped. Could the teenage girl strike Gehrig, too? Some wondered.

   Jackie then hurled two more pitches across the plate striking out the mighty Gehrig. The stunned batter stepped back and smiled then tipped his hat at the young hurler.

   News of Jackie’s strikeouts spread across the nation and she became a celebrity.

   In the years to come she played 5 seasons for the House of David and retired at the young age of 23 to work for her father, an eye doctor.

   She died in 1987 and will forever be remembered as “the Girl Who Struck out Babe Ruth.”  

    Michael Williams is the author of a book entitled “Great Kids in History.” The book is a collection of 22 stories of amazing kids that have accomplished amazing feats. It is available on amazon.com or on Kindle Direct. You can order a signed copy for your child by sending $8.95 to P.O. Box 6421 Sevierville, TN. 37864.

For more information visit www.strangerthanfictionnews.com.

The Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud was one of many local businesses that entered a float to show their support and as a token of gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans of the Vietnam War.  

   Thomas Bailey stood quietly at the side of the road on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge leaning on his cane as he watched the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans parade pass by.

   “I never got a welcome home 40 years ago,” Bailey said. “I was never spat on like some Vietnam veterans. But, I came home to indifference. I came home in ’72 and went back to work on the family farm in Paducah, Kentucky. We never talked about my experiences over there to the family or church or anyone. It was like a dirty family secret and I was told to keep quiet about it.”

  Bailey and many others like him finally got that long overdue welcome home Tuesday in Pigeon Forge. The Welcome Vietnam Veterans Parade was intended to pay tribute and give some long overdue gratitude to a generation of veterans that fought in the most divisive war in U.S. history since the Civil War a century earlier.    

  Multitudes of cheering friends, family and well-wishers lined the Parkway as numerous floats from local businesses made their way down from Jake Thomas Road to the Dixie Stampede.

   On the roadside stood a kilt clad drummer and next to him stood a woman wearing kilts playing the bagpipes. As the drummer kept cadence, the shrill sounds of patriotic tunes filled the air as the floats rolled past and the venerable old veterans finally got the recognition from a grateful nation forty years after the conflict ended. The parade was part of a three day event to honor the Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices and service.  

     More than 450 veterans took part in the parade. Many marched in formation as the bagpiper played the songs from their branches of service such as the Marines’ Hymn.

    Adrian Cronauer, the Air Force sergeant who was the inspiration for the 1987 film “Good Morning, Vietnam,” and Barry Rice, president of the Tennessee State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America, served as  the parade’s grand marshals. Cronauer laughs at the way the movie portrayed his role in Vietnam which he considers mostly fictional.

  “If I had done half the things he did,” said Cronauer, “I would have ended up in Leavenworth.” 

   The parade featured a variety of military-oriented units, civilian floats and groups honoring the veterans.

 One particular float that caught the attention of onlookers was a float that displayed the Vietnam Memorial, the wall inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 servicemen and women who died in the conflict.  

   Among the parade participants were the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the AMVETS Post 104 Motorcycle Riders Club, Patriot Guard Riders, Tennessee Helping Hearts, the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapters 596 and 1073 as well as local businesses including Sweet Fanny Adams Theater in Gatlinburg, The Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud, Smith Family Theater and many others. 

Charlie Bob and Jill Smith of the Smith Family Dinner Theater ride along with Boss Hogg.

The Vietnam Wall was portrayed on a veterans float.

The Shoney's Bear rode along in a military style vehicle.

   Fans of "In The Heat of The Night" Remember Randall Franks as Officer Randy Goode.

    Actor Randall Franks, who played  Officer Randy Goode on TV’s “In the Heat of the Night,” stars with fellow CBS alumnus John Schneider in the new film “Lukewarm” available on DVD and airing on GMC TV on April 21 at 11 a.m. E.S.T.

  Franks said he is excited about the release of his fourth film in a year.

  “This is an engaging story of a young couple - Luke and Jessie finding their way in a world pulling them in all different directions except towards one another,” he said. “This is a tremendous cast who enveloped themselves in the roles to bring director Thomas Makowski's vision to life. I am pleased to be included in a project with John. I think he does wonderful work.”

Franks portrays John Keebley who is both a pastor and surrogate father to the main character Luke Rogers, portrayed by actor Jeremy Jones, in his first lead role.

“Jeremy brought so much to his role and I think that viewers will be drawn to performances by he and Nicole Gale Anderson, who plays his girlfriend Jessie, as they struggle to define their relationship and the role God should play in their lives,” he said.

     According to Franks, Luke Rogers became estranged from his father Bill, played by Schneider, as a youth and as a young adult, Luke faces challenges offered from characters portrayed by “October Baby” actor Jason Burkey, and former “Blossom” cast member Jenna von Oÿ.

   “One of the most amazing aspects of doing this film was working opposite one of the most talented veteran actors in the business - Bill Cobbs. He portrays ‘Brother Thomas’,” Franks said. “He and I throw out the lifelines in the film praying that the other characters will grab a hold.”

   The film is from Slingshot Pictures, All Entertainment and Image Entertainment.

    Franks has co-starred or starred in fourteen films with superstars including Dolly Parton, Christian Slater, William Hurt and Stella Parton. Among his recent films are the family drama “Decision” in which he starred with Natalie Grant and Billy Dean, and a musical cameo in “The Solomon Bunch,” a children’s adventure.

   Franks’ talents aren’t limited to the screen. Along with acting the Ringgold, Ga. native is a master fiddler who has earned acclaim and been inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and honored in 2010 as a Bluegrass Legend by the International Bluegrass Music Museum. His musical stylings have been heard in 150 countries and by more than 25 million Americans. His musical career boasts 17 album releases, 17 singles, and more than 200 recordings with various artists from various genres. His best- selling release, "Handshakes and Smiles" was a top 20 Christian music seller. Many of his albums are among the top 30-bluegrass recordings of their release year.

      In addition to his solo career that includes 13 years of guest starring for the Grand Ole Opry , Franks is a former member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, Jim and Jesse's Virginia Boys and has performed with Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Lewis Family, the Marksmen Quartet, the Watkins Family, Elaine and Shorty, “Doc” Tommy Scott’s Last Real Old Time Medicine Show and Doodle and the Golden River Grass.

  Franks got his break in acting on the “In the Heat of the Night” which aired from 1988-95.

   “I watched the first episode with my Mom and I told her ‘if I am going to be on TV it will be on that show,” Franks said.

   Several months later, Franks made his first of many appearances on the show.

“I remember walking onto the set and seeing Carroll O’Connor and thinking “Wow! That’s Archie Bunker,” Franks recalled. “He became like a father figure to me. He guided me in so many ways and we all called him ‘Pops.’ That was such a wonderful role for him. It was a great experience for me.”

   It was O’Connor and fellow co-star Alan Autry that convinced Franks to produce the "In the Heat of the Night" Christmas album.

  “Alan is a great actor, songwriter and though he’s the first to tell you: ‘I’m not a singer,’ he loves music,” Franks said. “He and I have a traditional country music CD coming out later this year.”

       Franks latest book is “A Mountain Pearl: Appalachian Reminiscing and Recipes” from Peach Picked Publishing and his latest musical DVD “A Mountain Pearl: Concert of Celebration” is from shareamericafoundation.org.

  In addition to acting and recording, Franks serves on the Ringgold City Council and writes  “Southern Style”, a syndicated newspaper column, that appears weekly from Virginia to Louisiana in 11 states with millions of readers.

  For more information, visit http://randallfranks.com/.

 Randall Franks has just released his fourth movie in a year. The movie will be broadcast nationally April 21.

Daisy runs the boom at the Lumberjack Feud as the cast cheers her on. (Photos courtesy of Christine Romano)

  When Richard and Teresa Kusmierczyk first saw Daisy, a small Jack Russell Terrier, the couple took the pooch into their home but had their doubts she would live. Daisy and her two siblings had been abandoned and left in the woods by a previous owner that simply wanted to dispose of the dogs. All were near death when they were found. Neighbors adopted Daisy’s siblings and the Kusmierczyks made Daisy a part of their family.

  When the couple took her home she was malnourished, infested with fleas and severely dehydrated. But the Kusmierczyks began nursing her back to health.

   “She was listless and unresponsive. She weighed nine pounds when we found her,” said Teresa Kusmierczyk. “In the first month she put on five pounds.”

  Daisy began to respond to her new owners and her energy level returned. But her new owners had no idea the impact the lovable canine would have on their lives and how she would repay their compassion.

  Teresa is confined to a wheelchair. For months she and Richard had discussed getting a service dog to help her when he wasn’t at home. Teresa hit upon the idea to train Daisy to be her service dog. Although trainers told her terriers don’t make good service animals, Teresa was convinced Daisy was up to the task.  Less than a year ago Daisy began training to help Teresa with small tasks.

 “She has been trained to pick up things when I drop them,” Teresa said. “She is very attentive.”

   Anytime Teresa drops something daisy will pick the item up with her mouth and hop up into her lap to return it to her.

  Last month, Teresa and Richard met Joey Spurlock, the animal trainer at the Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud. In addition to training dogs for the popular dinner show, Spurlock trains dogs in a sport known as dock diving. Spurlock told the couple that Jack Russell Terriers make great dock diving dogs. He convinced Teresa to allow him to take Daisy into the pool at the Lumberjack Feud arena where the show’s dogs dive during the show.

  Despite her disdain for water, Daisy impressed Spurlock with her dog paddling. He then lifted her up to let her try the boom run. The boom run is an event in which dogs run along logs in the water that are chained end-to-end.

  Again, Daisy impressed Spurlock as she bolted across the logs with ease. Impressed with her performance, Spurlock convinced the Kusmierczyks to let Daisy perform in a show.

  Thursday night, Daisy made her debut. Spurlock took her into the pool and readied her for the boom run. As a capacity crowd of 1,000 fans cheered, Daisy bolted across the logs. She stopped momentarily when one of the logs moved but quickly resumed her run to the delight of adoring fans that cheered her on.   

  Afterwards she returned to her happy place, on Teresa’s lap where she was met with dozens of adoring animal lovers that walked up to praise the canine for her stellar performance. Although, Daisy isn’t a member of the Lumberjack Feud’s animal cast, her career may be just getting started.

    “I am very happy with her performance,” Teresa said. “We are considering letting her compete in dock diving. Joey seems to think she has potential.”

                                   Daisy and Teresa

    In a literary event of Titanic proportions, ten authors of Titanic related books were on hand at the titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge for the inaugural Titanic Authors Book Signing event April 1-7.

   The youngest of the authors was 11-year-old Luke Copas, author of “Facts for Kids About the Children of the Titanic.” The book was written to honor the memory of the more than 100 children on board the ill-fated vessel.

  Julie Hedgepeth Williams dressed in period attire in remembrance of her great-aunt, Sylvia Caldwell, whom she wrote about in “A Rare Titanic Family: The Caldwells  Story of Survival.”

  Among other authors on hand were Daniel Allen Butler, author of “The Other Side of the Night” and Allan Wolf author of “The Watch that ends the Night.”

  The authors were scattered throughout the museum at tables strategically located from the entrance to the gift shop where Lee Meredith signed copies of his book “1912 Facts about the Titanic.” Meredith has authored several books about the Titanic.

  Hundreds of Titanic enthusiasts perused the museum and met with the authors to discuss their books and hear the stories of the survivors and of those that went down with the ship.

11-year-old Luke Copas was the youngest of 10 authors to sign copies of their books at the first annual Titanic Authors Week at the Titanic Museum.

Julie Hedgepeth Williams dressed in period attire in remembrance of her Great Aunt Sylvia.

Lee Meredith has authored several books about the Titanic.

Daniel Allan Butler is the author of "The Other Side of the Night."

            The Caldwell family on board the Titanic 

    Julie Hedgepeth Williams grew up hearing the stories of survival on the Titanic. She was privileged to hear first-hand accounts from her great-uncle who survived the maritime disaster. Those stories are chronicled in her book “A Rare Titanic family: The Caldwells’ Story of Survival.”

   The Caldwells are described as rare because of the fact that as few as one in four families survived intact without losing a member. The Caldwells were one such family. What emerges from Williams’ book is a tale unlike any other. Her “Uncle Al,” as she called Albert Caldwell, had a fresh perspective of the catastrophe. He saw the tragedy as a triumph of sorts and as a success story in that so many people survived. His views were a stark contrast to anything written previously. His optimistic perspective explains the allure of the Titanic more than 100 years after it slipped into its watery grave after striking an iceberg.

  “Up until the Titanic sank there were never any stories of survival when people were shipwrecked far from shore. It was extremely rare that you read of survivors so far out into the ocean,” said Williams. “On the Titanic there were 700 survivors who were saved because the radio had been invented and the Titanic could call for help. There were 700 stories to be told. The Titanic was carrying the elite of the era. These were society’s wealthy and elite. It would be like many of the stars of Hollywood dying in a single incident today. That added to the allure of the shipwreck.”

  Albert Caldwell was a missionary that traveled with his wife, Sylvia, to Siam, where their infant son was born. Due to health reasons, the young couple left Siam and made their way to England, where they boarded the Titanic. Hot on their heels were fellow missionaries that wanted them to return to Siam. They were convinced the couple was attempting to renege on their contract at a great cost to the church. Following the tragic sinking, the Caldwells made it safely to New York, where they were again confronted by the missionaries.

  Williams will be among more than 10 authors that will be on hand at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge for the first ever Titanic Authors Signing Week. Williams’ book, published by New South Books, may be purchased at the museum or online at Amazon.com or from www.newsouthbooks.com.

  More than 10 authors, all of whom have written extensively about the Titanic, will be on hand to sign books and meet with the public.

  Williams’ book is a compelling page turner and a first-hand account that will keep the reader ensconced. The book contains rare photos previously unpublished that she retrieved from her family archives.

    Albert died when Julie Williams was in her late teens. She and her siblings grew up frequently hearing the Titanic story from him.  An audio file of Albert speaking about the Titanic is on Williams’ web page, at:  https://sites.google.com/site/raretitanicfamily/listen-to-the-story/audio-of-interest

For more information about the signing visit the Titanic web Site at http://www.titanicpigeonforge.com/.

Two unidentified firefighters display "cookies" they won for competing in a contest of skill at the Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud.

   Firefighters and first responders who took part in battling a massive blaze that swept across more than 400 acres of land last week were recognized at the Great Smoky Mountain Lumberjack Feud Friday night for their efforts.

  “We wanted to show our support and appreciation for what they did,” said Rob Scheer, president and CEO of the GSMLF. “How can you not recognize a hero? They rose to the challenge at great personal risk to themselves and, after what they went through, we felt they needed a night out to kick back and relax.”

  The fire broke out on March 16 and firefighters were brought in from across the state as well as from bordering states. More than 300 firefighters worked in 12 hour shifts to battle the inferno for more than two days. When the fire was finally extinguished more than 80 homes had been damaged or destroyed.

  Dozens of fire fighters enjoyed a night of fun, great food and entertainment compliments of the Lumberjack Feud. When the firefighters and first responders were asked to stand to be recognized by the show’s emcee, ranger Danny Black, the were given a tumultuous applause by a grateful community.

  The show is a competition between two families of lumberjacks vying for logging rights in the Great Smoky Mountains. The two families are comprised of actual ironjacks that have competed on the national circuit.

  Several firefighters attending the show found themselves drawn into the competition when volunteers from the audience were needed for various competitions. In one such competition Paul Blake of the Seymour Volunteer Fire Department was selected to square off in a pole climbing contest. Blake was fitted with spiked boots and other gear needed for climbing before he climbed more than 30 feet up the pole narrowly edging out his competitor.

  “This was awesome,” said Blake. “It’s been a lot of fun. This shows community support.”   

Firefighter Paul Blake of Seymour won the pole climbing contest. 

Paul Blake is congratulated by lumberjack Andrew Mattison.

As many as 100 firefighters were scattered throughout the theater for a night of fun to recognize them for their service above the call of duty.

Superior lighting helped enhance a stellar concert by Alicia Keys  

   Fourteen time Grammy winner Alecia Keys electrified a capacity crowd at Harrah’s Cherokee Grand Event Center Wednesday, Marc 29. The charismatic Keys took the stage to a tumultuous standing ovation and regaled the audience with the hits that made her an international superstar.

  With a voice that is as powerful now as it was 10 years ago, Keys mesmerized the audience with such hits as “Girl On Fire” and “Fallin’”

  The enthusiastic crowd was swept up into a frenzy of excitement as Keys performed hit after hit. Keys played the piano while singing many of the crowd favorites. With her engaging stage presence and excellent lighting combined with great sound and an entertaining set list, Keys never lost the attention of her audience and brought the crowd to their feet several times throughout the evening.

  The amazingly talented Keys kept the show moving. Keys set a standard and her show will be difficult for other acts to follow.

The Charismatic keys brought the audience to their feet with the hits that made her an international icon.