A young mother comforts her child using a swim mirror 

   Parents and swim instructors are excited about the new Swim Mirrors developed by veteran swim instructor Ed Pemberton.

    Teaching infants to swim is a challenge and the swim mirror is a tool that makes the task a lot easier.

   These flexible fun mirrors are excellent for providing a focal point for young swimmers to build confidence and awareness in the water.

     The Swim Mirrors are mounted on the walls on Pemberton’s pool where he has taught more than 30,000 students to swim in a career that has spanned three decades. Pemberton has developed a swim program that has allowed him to travel the world as a featured lecturer to Japan, Hong Kong, Argentina, Greece, England, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Russia, Sweden and many other exotic destinations.

    Pemberton always instructs parents to hold their children from behind in swim class which prevents the child from clinging to the parent and allows the child to see himself in the mirror. The mirror in can be used in conjunction with the Rain Bucket to teach children to tolerate water on their faces and consequently go under water. With the parent holding the child from behind, it fosters independence in the child where the child’s arms and hands are free to begin learning the proper motion of swimming.

    “We use mirrors in our classes for many reasons,” said Pemberton. “One, it has a calming effect on the child when they see their own face or the face of their parents. And two, it allows the parent to see their baby's face even from behind. And we can look in the mirror.

    There is usually one or, perhaps, both parents in the pool with the baby when he is learning to swim.  The parent can hold the child from behind and look in the mirror attached to the wall of the pool. The mirror is far enough away and they can see the baby’s face, the baby can’t zero in on the parent’s emotional face as well, and so more emphasis will be on what the parent says to the child. When babies go under water they may be fearful. When they come up they see concern on their mother’s face. Children can read their parents’ faces and the child may become concerned. By holding them from behind looking into a mirror, the child sees his own face, and his mother’s face is at a distance. He will be less inclined to be influenced by her expressions and he is more confident.”                 

   In addition, the mirrors are an essential tool for older swimmers who want to improve their swimming technique. The larger rectangular mirrors are placed in the bottom of the pool and the swimmer swims over the device allowing the swimmers to observe themselves in motion and observe their own swimming technique. This allows the swimmer to observe and assess what he needs to improve about his swimming technique or his swimming posture.

   These durable mirrors are shatter-proof which makes them safe to use in a pool and prevents broken glass from being lost in a pool where swimmers risk getting cut. The mirrors come in two shapes, round and rectangular. The round mirrors are recommended for younger swimmers and infants. The rectangular mirrors are recommended for older swimmers.   

    In addition to teaching children to swim, women like the mirrors because they provide them a chance for a quick touch-up.

    The mirrors are patent pending and they are available in diameters of 18, 12, 9 and 6 inches and rectangular mirrors are available in various sizes. The Swim Mirrors are available at AdventureSwim.com by clicking on this link http://adventureswim.mybigcommerce.com/fun-mirrors/

    At this web site shoppers can see a video of the mirror in use in the water and can see for themselves how valuable it is in teaching a child to swim. Follow this link to view the video.

 Kids Love the New Swim Diapers, Developed by Ed Pemberton

      Swim instructor Ed Pemberton has developed a swim diaper that is perfect for teaching children to swim that have not been potty-trained. The diaper is lightweight and made of a soft comfortable material. It comes in five sizes and four colors including red, blue, pink and white. The diapers are embroidered with a dolphin and its colorful design makes the diaper almost look like a swimming suit.

   Unlike disposable diapers, the swim diapers allow more freedom of movement for the child and allow a full range of motion.

  “Disposable diapers are a no-no in swimming pools,” Pemberton said. “They absorb water and become saturated. Then they begin to fall apart and get into the filtering system and it is a nightmare to get all that material out of the pool. To make matters worse they don’t prevent fecal spillage. Once they get saturated, the get large and bulky and children have difficulty walking in them and moving their legs in them. They prohibit muscular development of legs which hinders learning to swim. The value of swimming is a child gets to move their arms and legs around and they develop coordination. Disposable diapers don’t allow such movement.”

        In contrast, swim diapers don’t absorb water and they don’t get bulky and prohibit a child’s leg movement. Children have full range of motion and are comfortable in the diapers.

     In addition to providing ease of motion and comfort, the swim diapers are a courtesy to others.

     The Centers for Disease Control and health departments across the nation have strict regulations regarding fecal accidents in which fecal matter from a child’s diaper leaks out of the diaper and into the pool. When such accidents occur pools must be shut down for several hours and decontaminated.

    “I have heard people tell me they have been in public pools swimming when someone would come up and tell them to get out of the pool because it was being closed due to fecal matter in the pool,” Pemberton said. “That has never happened in my pool because I take precautions that ensure we don’t have fecal accidents. In 10 years I have had more than 9,000 infants learn to swim in my pool and never once have we had a single fecal accident.” 

         Pemberton prevents these accidents with the swim diaper he developed and requires all his infant students to wear. 

    “I had this one company present their product to me and I tested it and water went right through it,” Pemberton said. “The diaper we use here is guaranteed not to leak. This isn’t simply about safety it’s also about courtesy and providing others a clean place to swim.

     “I have seen some swim diapers with snaps or buttons on the sides that make it easier to put on the child. But, often these snaps or buttons don’t hold and the diaper leaks. Our diapers are easy to put on simply by sliding them up and they never leak.”

     Most parents have their children wear the diaper under their swim suits while some wear the diaper without a swim suit.

    Another benefit to the swim diaper is to prevent exposure to microorganisms that may be unhealthy.  One such bacteria is E-coli which is spread through improperly cooked meat or unpasteurized milk and can be passed through the water. The Centers for Disease Control and Health Departments all over the nation have established strict guidelines to control the threat of e-coli. Among these guidelines are cooking recommendations and rules and regulations for restaurants, farms and public swimming pools.    

    Ed Pemberton is very familiar with these guidelines and strives to ensure his pool at AdventureSwim.com maintains the utmost level of safety and hygiene often exceeding the guidelines set down by the CDC. The swim diapers prevent fecal bacteria in the water.

     Ed Pemberton has taught more than 30,000 people to swim at his swimming school. Articles about his swim school and his patent pending innovations have appeared in numerous publications and web sites.

    For more information about the swim diaper and other inventions by Pemberton and his swimming school, visit Pemberton’s web site at www.AdventureSwim.com. Visitors to his web site can purchase swim diapers and other products.

   For more information about the Centers for Disease Control visit their web site at http://www.cdc.gov/.

To purchase a Rain Bucket click on these links;

http://adventureswim.mybigcommerce.com/economy-rainbucket-tm/

To buy the Rainbucket Kit

http://adventureswim.mybigcommerce.com/economy-rainbucket-tm-kit/ 

 The Top Shop in Morristown has been supplying local do-it-yourselfers and contactors for 21 years.

 When local builders or do-it-yourselfers are in need of windows and doors the first person they call is George Hutsell of the Top Shop. Hutsell is the owner and operator of the Morristown based supply company and has been serving East Tennessee for 21 years. Hutsell’s clientele includes home owners and builders from as far away as Kentucky and as far south as Loudon County.

   Why would anyone drive as much as 100 miles to purchase doors and windows from a dealer? Savings. Hutsell prides himself on his low overhead which allows him to pass the savings on to his customer. Hutsell can routinely beat any price, including Lowe’s and Home Depot, by 10-40 percent.

  On a recent tour of his warehouse Hutsell pointed out several examples of top quality doors he undersells his competition on. A six panel door sells for $159 at local hardware and building supply stores. Hutsell sells the same door for only $109.

  Hutsell pointed out a decorative glass front door complete with frame that he sells for the low price of $799. This same door would easily sell for $1,800 at local building supply stores.

 “We have been doing a lot of business with a builder down in Loudon County,” Hutsell said. “BR2 Builders is building a subdivision at Tellico Village and we have provided them with a lot of doors.”

  The Top Shop carries all brands of doors and can order any brand of windows. Hutsell handles both new and used doors that have been gently loved and are still in excellent condition. He deals with contractors and individuals. According to Hutsell at least 90 percent of his sales come from individuals.

  While the Top Shop doesn’t offer installation, Hutsell and his staff can answer any questions about the installation of doors. Each  member of his staff has a minimum of 10 years of experience in the business. Hutsell stands by his products and guarantees anything he sells.

  Before buying doors, windows, door frames or decorative glass, call Hutsell at 423-586-3059 and compare. Or stop by his showroom located at 709 East Morris Boulevard in Morristown and compare before you buy.  

by Melissa Mauceri   

    The Smoky Mountain’s first and only character breakfast is located at the infamous Smith Family Dinner Theater. If any families on vacation are looking for an inexpensive, delicious, and exciting breakfast, then the Smoky Mountain Character Breakfast is your destination. With the full breakfast buffet priced at only $4.99, this breakfast is a favorite of locals too. The buffet includes; eggs, pancakes, biscuits and gravy, grits, hash brown rounds, sausage, and bacon as well as a guest favorite, the made-to-order omelet station. Yes it is hard to believe all of this food comes at such a low price, but that isn’t even the best part! Guests are entertained by many familiar characters while they dine.

    People of all ages can enjoy the entertaining characters such as Davy Crockett, Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, and Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Other beloved characters include Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Luke Warm, a pirate, a southern belle, a fairy, and Ariel the mermaid. Children love meeting the characters, as do parents and grandparents! Music is played throughout the breakfast and the characters alternate doing short skits that will leave everyone smiling. Guests may even take as many photographs with the characters as they like. The fairy offers a free face painting booth, and the pirate makes balloon animals free of charge. Just another reason children love this breakfast!

   Since the theater’s opening of the breakfast last year, it has proven to be a great success and a guest favorite. If you are interested in dining with the most fun-for-the-family breakfast of the area, then come down to the Smith Family Dinner Theater. Located at 2330 Parkway Pigeon Forge, the Character Breakfast is open from 7:30 to 11:30, seven days a week. As you dine with the characters entertainment enjoy a coffee, milk, juice, or soft drink for only $2.00. Children three and under also eat for free! And don’t forget to come out and see the Smith Family Dinner Show or the theater’s newest addition, the Hazzard County Hoedown Dinner Show. Both shows include a home cooked country dinner that begins an hour before show time. For further information on the breakfast or dinner shows, call toll free: 866-399-8100 or local: 865-429-8100. You may also visit smithfamilytheater.com. Come out and join the Smith Family Dinner Theater for some of the best entertainment and eating in town!

           Ed Pemberton teaches Charlie, 6, to swim under water.

    When Robert W. took his two grandsons, Charlie, 6 and Carter, 4, out on the lake in his boat for an afternoon of fun, he had reason for concern. As a safety precaution he routinely fitted the boys with life jackets before they took the plunge into the water. However, he soon noticed the boys had minimal swimming skills. In fact, he was concerned that if the boys were to ever fall into a lake without life jackets, they might drown due to their lack of swimming skill.

  With this in mind, Robert decided to take the boys for professional swim instruction. Searching the internet, he found a local public swimming pool where lessons were being offered. He soon learned you get what you pay for.

  “There was this college student giving the class,” said Robert. “He couldn’t have been 18 or 19-years- old and he was probably making minimum wage on a summer job as a swim instructor and, quite frankly, I was disappointed in the class.”

  Robert noticed a lack of regimented teaching in the class. What was supposed to be an organized teaching environment appeared more like playtime with children being left to their own devices and receiving little instruction. After four lessons, Robert was disillusioned with the classes and sought instruction elsewhere.

  A friend recommended he try AdventureSwim.com a swim school located in Knoxville. The school is owned and operated by Ed Pemberton, a certified swimming and SCUBA instructor, who has taught more than 30,000 people to swim and certified more than 5,000 SCUBA divers. 

 The boys’ grandfather enrolled the youths in private lessons and introduced them to a more regimented atmosphere. At AdventureSwim.com, the boys developed swimming skills, confidence in facing fears, discipline in learning a task, responsibility, strength and endurance.

   Pemberton holds degrees in sports medicine and mechanical analysis of motion which is the study of human motion in water.

Pemberton’s approach to teaching swimming is a program that was years in the making. Even the simplest task that would seem insignificant to the untrained eye is taken into consideration.

“I use long deluxe kick boards when teaching people to swim,” Pemberton said. “This is intended to keep the arms straight, which is the proper swimming position. Some people use small narrow boards but this allows people to bend their elbows and they learn the wrong way to move your arms when swimming.”

                   Pemberton gives instruction to Carter, 4.

  “It’s been said that ‘practice makes perfect.’ This statement is not quite accurate,” Pemberton said. “Repetition of the wrong technique sets them in stone. In reality ‘Practice makes permanent.’ It’s up to the instructor to make sure the right skills and techniques are made permanent.”

   Robert was quite pleased with his decision to seek Pemberton’s instruction.

“The results have been phenomenal,” said Robert. “They have only had three lessons each and already they are diving off the diving board, swimming across the pool and doing handstands. I never would have believed it. The difference is amazing. It’s like they went from zero to skillful in just three days.”

    Pemberton offers classes year round in his indoor heated pool. For more information about AdventureSwim.com visit the website or call 865-691-2525.

 8-month-old Ronin began to crawl, cut a tooth and took swimming classes within a week's time

Why drive an hour and a half for a swimming lesson for an 8-month-old child? There are many reasons.

   When Danny and Jessica decided they wanted their son, Ronin, to learn to swim, they first took the 8-month-old to a nearby public swimming pool because it was convenient to their home in Cosby, Tennessee.

    After a lackluster experience at a local pool,Danny and Jessica went online to look for a more focused, one-on-one class. They found AdventureSwim.com, a school nearly 90 minutes away in West Knoxville.

 "We went online and Ed Pemberton's name kept popping up everywhere," said Danny. "So we gave 'Mr. Ed'(Pemberton) a call. We wanted our child to be in good hands."

  Their decision to drive an hour and a half for swim lessons was influenced by AdventureSwim.com's world-class experience in teaching babies, children and adults to swim, as well as their high level of commitment to the health and safety of their students.   

   Pemberton, owner and operator of AdventureSwim.com has taught more than 30,000 people to swim and certified more than 5,000 SCUBA divers.

   Ronin’s first class came at a time that Jessica referred to as a transitional time. Ronin was developing quickly and on the same week he took his first class, he cut a tooth and began to crawl. It was a big week in the baby’s young life and it was about to get more eventful.

    The couple was impressed with the level of hygiene at AdventureSwim.com. Pemberton requires all infants and toddlers to wear specially designed diapers, made with elastic waistbands and leg bands, to prevent waste from getting into the pool. This maintains sanitation in the water.

   Class began with Jessica slowly walking into the pool with her baby in her arms and Danny recording the event on camera. Ronin took to the water giggling gleefully. Pemberton demonstrates how to hold the baby in the proper swimming position where the child is lying horizontal in the water.

   Jessica takes Ronin in front of the mirrors mounted on the side of the pool so that Ronin can see himself. Pemberton then begins pouring a sprinkling of water over the child’s head with a Rainbucket, a plastic bucket with carefully placed  holes in  the bottom that allow  water to gently flow over the baby’s face. Ronin seems to have mixed emotions   about water on his face and begins to show concern. But, before his mood turns sour, Jessica holds him in front of a mirror where he sees himself and begins to smile.

   Pemberton explained to the parents the psychology of teaching children to swim. When a child cries he may be attempting to gain control by getting his parent to take him in their arms. 

   Pemberton explained the benefits of exercise in early childhood development.

   “Exercise can help prevent the development of autism by allowing more blood flow sending oxygen and nutrients to the brain,” Pemberton said. “We try to teach the children to reach  across their chest from left to right and right to left as a brain development function. Many children are slow to develop that coordination.”

    As class progresses, Ronin, lies on a Playboard  and displays some proficiency at kicking  his tiny feet. His efforts earn the praise of both parents and Pemberton who is impressed with his progress.

“You can’t teach a child independence while you carry them in your hands through the water,” Pemberton said. He has developed a Mini Playboard and a Barbell so the child, even at this early age, can begin to become independent. “We can use these products to instill character and responsibility.”

  To attain these goals, Pemberton has developed many products such as the Rainbucket, Playboards and other items that are specifically designed to enhance learning. These products are available at AdventureSwim.com.

  At the conclusion of class, the family was delighted with the baby’s progress.

“It was definitely worth the trip,” said Danny. “We had a great time. We came here because we didn’t know how Ronin would react to learning in a group. What Mr. Ed brings to the class is more than we expected.” 

John was 54 when he learned to swim ending years of social awkwardness 

Ever since he was a child, “John” has always loved the water. Throughout his life he has enjoyed boating up and down the water ways of East Tennessee. Each time John takes his boat out on the water, he is careful to always remember his life jacket. In fact, he always wears one while he is boating and never removes it until he is safely back on shore. While he admits he finds boating to be relaxing, he is fully aware of the dangers of the water.

    John’s fondness of boating seems like an odd pastime considering he never learned to swim. While he finds comfort in the confines of his boat, he is surrounded by a body of water that could quickly end his life should he fall overboard. John’s inability to swim has put the local businessman in what can best be described as awkward social situations.

   “I sometimes take friends out on the boat and they often dive in to take a dip,” said John. “But I stay on the boat and watch them have fun. If we were close to shore I might wade into the shallow water. I wouldn’t get in the deep water even with a life jacket on because I just didn’t feel comfortable. It was embarrassing.”

    John never had anyone to teach him the art of swimming as a child. His siblings tried but lacked patience with the awkward adolescent. His frustration mounted, he never learned to swim, and a fear of the water soon developed.

    At the unlikely age of 54, John decided it was time to conquer his fears. A friend suggested he call Ed Pemberton, the owner of Adventureswim.com. Pemberton holds a Masters Degree from the University of Kentucky specializing in Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine. He pursued Doctoral work at the University of Iowa in Mechanical Analysis of Motion (human motion in water). Pemberton is a certified teacher at Farragut Middle School where he has served as the main instructor in all classes for 13 years. As a professional teacher, he teaches more than 1,500 children, babies and adults each year. Most students return for advanced lessons and frequently refer their friends.

    Over the course of a career that has spanned 30 years, Pemberton has taught more than 30,000 babies, children and adults to swim and certified more than 5,000 SCUBA divers. Some of his former students have grown up to adulthood, married and had children of their own. These same former students are now bringing their children to “Mr. Ed” to learn to swim.

    John admits that at first he was reluctant to seek Pemberton’s instruction. He was concerned he would be the oldest student in the class and concerned he had waited too late in life to learn to swim.

    To assuage John’s concerns, Pemberton has him attend private lessons where he can instruct him on a one-to-one basis. Pemberton reassures the reluctant businessman that he is not by any means his oldest pupil. That distinction belongs to two elderly sisters. Both were great-grandmothers and learned to swim at the advanced ages of 84 and 86. They succeeded in learning to swim and in proving the old adage that “You are never too old.” Their success was an inspiration for their families.

    In a period of two weeks John took four classes in which Pemberton instructed him on the dynamics of swimming.  He learned breath holding exercises, the breast stoke, under water swimming and diving from a diving board and swimming the length of the pool.  After four classes that collectively spanned about four hours, John emerged as a capable swimmer that had conquered his fears. He admits he still has a lot to learn but, with practice his skills will improve.

   “I am much more comfortable on the water now,” said John. “I can swim under water better than above water. I still keep a life jacket near by when I am on the water but I don’t need it to swim. I would recommend Mr. Ed’s class to anyone. If that guy can’t teach you to swim then you can’t be taught.”

 From left are Vickie Stanton, 2012 President, Terri Williams, Night at the Races Event Chair and Steve Striebig, Director of Sevier County Food Ministries

    The Women’s Council of Realtors Great Smoky Mountains Chapter recently held their 2nd Annual Night at the Races event to benefit the Sevier County Food Ministries.  Each year the local chapter chooses a local charity or service organization to which they provide financial support. 

    This year the Great Smoky Mountains Chapter chose the Sevier County Food Ministries.  In addition to the monies raised from their fund raising events, at their monthly Business Resource Meetings they collect non-perishable food items.

      The Night at the Races event enabled them to give the Sevier County Food Ministries a check for $4,624.62.  The Sevier County Food Ministry is a voluntary interfaith ministry to help assure that no one in Sevier County goes hungry.  The total number of families fed by the Food Ministries from June 4, to June 29 was 4,965 with the number of individuals fed much higher at 14,074.

    Steve Striebig, Director of Sevier County Food Ministries, was pleasantly surprised at the amount raised by this little chapter with only 29 members.   They may be small but they are a part of a much larger organization.  The Women’s Council of Realtors is the 12th largest professional women’s organization in the nation. 

    “We could not have done any of this without the hours and hours volunteered by our members and the people of the community who donated their goods and services for this worthy cause,” stated chapter president Vickie Stanton.

     Teaching small children to swim is a work in progress fraught with challenges. And nobody understands these challenges better than Ed Pemberton, a swim instructor that has taught more than 30,000 students of all ages to swim. Pemberton conducts class at his school, AdventureSwim.com located in Knoxville.

   In a recent group class, Pemberton gave instruction to four children that ranged in age of 5-months to 35-months.

   On day one of the class, the children are carried into the water by their mothers who will be with the infants throughout the class. At first, as the children are slowly immersed in the warm water of the pool, some seem to be agitated by this new experience. Some are fretful, but Pemberton gives some encouraging words. “You’re okay, swimming is fun.”

   The youngest student is Sophia, a 5-month-old girl. Pemberton frequently tells parents the best time for a child to learn to swim is between ages 1-6 months. When children are in their mothers’ wombs they utilize a breath holding reflex. Children begin to lose this reflex after birth and by 6-months the reflex is essentially gone and forgotten.

   Parents are taught to hold their children from behind so the children are facing away from them. This prevents the kids from clinging to their parent.

   Pemberton has the parents to pour water over the heads of the children using a rain bucket. The Rainbucket is a device developed by Pemberton and is utilized in many swimming schools around the world. The Rainbucket is a small plastic bucket with numerous holes in the bottom that allows water to gently sprinkle across the faces of small children re-training the infant breath-holding reflex as they learn to swim. Being a new experience, three of the children whine as water pours across their faces.

  Daniel, who is almost 3, is somewhat more adventurous. During the first class Pemberton persuades Daniel to stand on a small platform in the water and step off into water that is just a little over his head.

  Daniel takes the plunge and stays under water for five seconds. He emerges and is greeted with praise from Pemberton. Pleased with what he has accomplished, Daniel smiles proudly.

  Next Pemberton teaches Grayson to float on his back. The child seems nervous as he lays back in the water with his mother holding his head for support. As a distraction she holds a mirror in front of his face. Grayson laughs and relaxes as his mother gently moves him across the water.

  Pemberton turns his attention to Malaney taking the child in his arms as he pours water over her face with the Rain Bucket. She cries as the water pours over her.

   Pemberton then gets the mothers to place their children on mini-playboards with their feet hanging horizontal off the end. The children are taught to kick their feet with this exercise. Two of the children cry the other two appear to be calm.

   Malaney and Sophia continue to cry as class progresses. Grayson is at times fretful, but Daniel is developing confidence at great strides.

   At the end of the first class, Pemberton notes that Daniel has done very well but the other three need work. Pemberton points out that teaching swimming is a work in progress.

   In day two Grayson and Malaney continue to show signs of improvement but both are reluctant to go under water. Pemberton continues working with them and giving kind words of encouragement. 

   Daniel continues to build confidence and is prepared for any challenge Pemberton may present the child with. He goes underwater and can hold his breath for up to seven seconds. He is not afraid to jump into the pool from the side. Pemberton points out that each child will learn at his own pace.

   Throughout classes three and four, the three students continue to develop their skills and their physical coordination.

   By the end of class five, the mothers are all amazed at the remarkable progress of the the children. Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, the metamorphosis of the children’s skill level is awe-inspiring. 

   Although, Daniel continues to outpace his two classmates, their progress is impressive, nonetheless.

     None of the children cry when they enter the water and all have become acclimated to the water. They are not afraid to open their eyes underwater. They are comfortable swimming under water and all have dived off the diving boards. They have all developed swimming skills that allow them to swim from one side of the pool to the other.

   “They have all learned a lot and they have all done well,” Pemberton said. “But, like anything else they have to practice at home. They will get better with practice

     Since the beginning of July five people have drowned in East Tennessee waters, and the number will probably increase as our hot weather prevails. These deaths probably could have been prevented if the victim had learned how to swim.
       A Knoxville, TN swim teacher has a special program that can teach any adult to swim as few as 3 lessons (everyone can learn, some take a little longer than others). The only requirement is that the student “wants” to learn to swim. Classes are offered to people age 15 through 85 at his heated indoor pool in West Knoxville. Go to AdventureSwim.com or call 865-691-2525 for more details.
       The instructor, Ed Pemberton, came to East Tennessee to serve on the faculty at the University of Tennessee, teaching people how to teach disabled children and adults to swim, one of his special areas of expertise. Other areas include SCUBA training (over 5000 divers certified), training swimming instructors for the Red Cross, teaching infants and children swimming—lecturing in Argentina, Greece, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, France, Mexico and more.
      Pemberton holds a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in Exercise Physiology and Sports Medicine and completed PhD. study in Mechanical Analysis of Sport Activities at the University of Iowa.

    The adult swimming program is scientifically-based on the correct mechanics for swimming coupled with a psychology of teaching the subconscious mind to overcome fear and enjoy the water.
     Pemberton said panic is another factor in drowning.
      “People panic when they go under,” said Pemberton. “In swimming classes, students learn to go under water with confidence and to control their breathing. They learn not to panic. Fear is fatal.”
      Over 1000 people have taken the program successfully. Most students have come from East Tennessee and others have traveled from Kentucky, Arkansas, North Carolina, Chicago and England.
      The adult approach is to explain what and why each skill is to be done, demonstrate how the skill is done, and then talk and assist the student in completing each task until it is mastered.
      The program includes rescue skills that can be used while fishing, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, and by everyone who may find themselves around, in, or on the water.
     The Centers for Disease Control reports the main factors that affect drowning risk are lack of swimming ability, lack of barriers to prevent unsupervised water access, lack of close supervision while swimming, location, failure to wear life jackets, alcohol use, and seizure disorders.
       Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death according to the Centers for Disease Control. The CDC estimates from 2005-2009 there were an average of 3,533 fatal unintentional drowning deaths (non-boating related) annually in the United States — about ten deaths per day.  Most of these occur in a 90 day period spanning June through August. This averages out to be almost 40 per day during the summer months. An additional 347 people died each year from drowning in boating-related incidents.
     About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children age 1-4 than any other cause except birth defects. Among children aged 1-14, drowning remains the
second leading cause of unintentional injury related death behind motor vehicle deaths.

 The Dawsons and McGraws battle it out in the log rolling competition.

By Melissa Mauceri.  Photos by Cody Myers

      One of the newest and most unique shows ever to be brought into the Smoky Mountains is the Lumberjack Feud Dinner and Show. When first arriving at the theater, one may anticipate the typical singing and dancing that is featured in several other neighboring shows. But the Lumberjack Feud is far different from your ordinary family entertainment. What one can expect to see is a full-out feud between two logging families, the Dawsons and the McGraws. The feuding among these families begins as the timber industry is shut down due to the formation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Whichever family wins the most lumberjack competitions will receive all of the remaining timber.

      As the activity initiates, guests aren’t just the audience in this show anymore. Upon arrival visitors are placed on either the Dawson or McGraw family’s section, where they will cheer on their family to victory against the opposing team. Many of the events during the competition require audience volunteers and participation in exciting tasks. Many “cookies,” which are slender slices of a log, are handed out during the show as prizes. These cookies can be signed afterwards by the cast and kept as souvenirs.

      When visiting the Lumberjack Feud, guests can also visit the Smoky Mountain Forest History Center located in the theater prior to the show entrance. Here one can learn about the logging history of the Smoky Mountains by viewing many displays and artifacts based on the history of the area.

      Featured in the show are professional ESPN lumberjacks. These lumberjacks will compete against each other in categories such as the springboard, the logroll, and the doublebuck. The Springboard, considered the most hazardous event, challenges the lumberjacks to maintain their stability while swinging a six pound razor blade at record speeds. In the logroll competition the lumberjacks must stay balanced on the log while moving at rapid momentum to launch their opponent into the water. The Doublebuck involves a six foot saw with 100 intensely pointed teeth powered by two of each family’s fastest competitors. Whichever lumberjack family saws through the log first is the victor. Other members of the talented cast include the log pulling Draft Horses and the award-winning, high-soaring Timber Dogs. 

      Lumberjack Feud offers both “show only” tickets and “dinner & show” tickets. When dining at the theater guests are seated upfront to best witness all of the intense lumberjack action. The dinner includes BBQ ribs, baked chicken breast, baked macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and a dinner roll. Endless Pepsi products are provided as beverages, as well as homemade strawberry shortcake for dessert.

     Contact the Lumberjack Feud locally at (865)428-8688, or toll free at 855-BIG-FEUD (855-244-3383). Shows are available 364 days out of the year, ranging from one to three shows a day. Don’t miss out on the most incredibly daring and one of a kind show in the area. Call and order your tickets today or go online to Tickets@lumberjackfeud.com. Will you be sided with the winning family?

 For "Billy", the smaller things that most children take for granted, pose a greater challenge. Billy is 5-years- old and suffers from a borderline case of Asperger’s  Syndrome, a milder form of autism. The condition is a developmental disorder that makes the child extremely sensitive to light, sound and touch. He resists cuddling and becomes agitated with the smallest change in his schedule or routine.

     Billy's  mother was concerned for his safety and decided to enroll him in  swimming classes. Billy will receive instruction from Ed Pemberton of Adventureswim, a noted swim instructor that has taught more than 30,000 students to swim.

    “I want him to be able to swim,” said Tiffany, his mother. “I don’t want to him to be in a situation where he could drown.”

     Because Billy needs familiarity in his tasks, his aunt enrolled Billy's cousin, Jake, in the same class.

    Billy is approximately nine months  behind in his development compared to other children his age. Pemberton is careful to slowly introduce the child to the water. Billy and Jake sit on the side of the pool while Pemberton begins the warm-ups. Billy watches Jake and mirrors his actions.

   Pemberton teaches the children by making the lessons fun and jokes with them in a playful manner. He. begins by getting the children to splash water on their chests and arms. Pemberton now asks  the children to splash water on their heads. Jake does as he is asked with glee. Next Pemberton takes a handful of water and gently sprinkles it over Billy's head. The child cringes but never cries. Tiffany watches from the side of the pool and expresses amazement that Billy didn’t cry.

   “I’m surprised he let Mr. Ed do that,” she said. “He hates getting his head wet. We have a hard time getting him to wash his hair. Jake keeps him calm. Otherwise he would run through the door screaming.”  

   As the class proceeds, Billy makes more progress, milestone accomplishments for the child. Perhaps, his biggest achievement is dunking his head under water for a full six seconds.

    “I am amazed he did that,” Tiffany said. “He has really taken to Mr. Ed.”

     Pemberton then gets the two boys to swim across the pool using a water board.  Pemberton takes note of the boys’ coordination as the kick their feet. While Jake’s foot position and kicking appear to be well coordinated, Billy needs to improve. Most children with Asperger’s Syndrome move clumsily with poor coordination. Though his confidence is developing smoothly, still Billy is reluctant and at times whimpers. But, Pemberton is pleased with his progress. 

     Class concludes with Pemberton standing in a huddle with the two boys with some words of encouragement.

      “Good Job, Jake,” said Pemberton. “You did real well, Billy.” 

       Pemberton approaches Tiffany and encourages her to help Billy practice at home by getting him to go under water in the bathtub.

      Tiffany applauds her son for his efforts and progress. She immediately signs him up for another class but, realizes she has challenges ahead of her.

      “It will take a month for him to get used to coming here,” she said. “I will probably have to wait until an hour before we come here to tell him where he is going.”      

     Mothers and children agree. They all love the new swim cap by AdventureSwim. The cap helps keep a child safe while swimming by keeping the hair out of the child’s eyes allowing the child to keep his eyes open while swimming thus allowing the child to see where he is swimming. The cap allows the hair to retain less water which allows less water to run across the child’s face when coming up from under water. This helps prevent the child from developing the habit of wiping water from his face allowing him to get more acclimated to the water. Children wearing ear plugs will find it easier to keep their ear plugs in by wearing the cap over their ears.

   Best of all, children enjoy the comfort. The new swim cap comes in 5 sizes. They begin at size 1 for infants, size 3 for 5-year-olds and size 5 for adults. Sizes 2 and 4 are for in-between sizes. The various sizes allows children to pick out the cap that provides the most comfort.

   The cap features a ½ inch head band that provides greater comfort and will not leave a painful mark on the forehead. A headband that is too tight can irritate a child and even cause mild headaches. 

   In addition to the safety aspect and comfort, the children enjoy the caps because they are cute.  

     The swim caps are made of lycra, and comes in four colors (red, pink, white and blue) with a distinctive embroidered dolphin on the headband. What makes the swim caps so unique is the fact that these are the only caps made for babies as well as larger kids and adults.

  The caps were designed by Ed Pemberton, a noted swim instructor and inventor who has taught ore than 30,000 students to swim. Pemberton has invented other devices that aid in the teaching of swimming such as the Play Board. 

    With more baby swim programs and activities starting everyday, the caps will be a great help in teaching a child to swim. The caps are priced at just $9.88 and may be purchased online at AdventureSwim.com. The cap comes with a 6-month warranty against manufacturers defect.

   Once at the web site please browse the other products in Pemberton’s line of swim products that are designed to help your child become a better swimmer.

This is one of thousands of homes designed and built by Dewayne Cable  

    Dewayne Cable was practically raised on a job construction site. While most kids his age were out playing on the weekends, Cable began working with his father at the age of 6 and developed a love for the craft of construction. By the time he was 14-years-old he started his painting company and at the age of 22, he became a licensed contractor. Over the years, Cable learned every aspect of home building. When Cable discusses the homes he has built, he speaks with the passion of an artist discussing his work. 

   So impressive is Cable’s craftsmanship that it won him the prestigious front page of the premier issue of Builder/Architect Magazine published in June 2008.

  Today Cable is the owner of Frame Of Mind, Inc. His attention to craftsmanship and detail has earned him the trust and admiration of the community and his peers. 

    Cable’s masterpieces of construction include a 3,500 square foot home complete with an indoor waterfall that acts not only as décor, but as an air filtration system. The home includes an outdoor kitchen which is ideal for entertaining. The homeowner was so impressed with Cable’s work that she asked him for decorating tips. Cable made numerous suggestions and the homeowner finally gave him a credit card and asked him to purchase her furniture with a budget of $150,000. That gesture reflects well on the trust that Cable has earned in a career that has spanned more than 25 years.

    The home won the prestigious Overall Best Curb Appeal Award in the Sevier County HBA Parade of Homes in 2005. 

    Cable has worked on thousands of homes including Allenridge Subdivision.  Cable partnered with the Landmark Point Development Company to build the Landmark Point Garden Villas. In addition he built English Hills, Shaconage, Windswept, Victoria Fields, Majestic Meadows and  Owenwood.

    Cable has set standards that other builders have emulated. He was the first local builder to use the  Anderson Windows 400 series.  He was also the first builder to use Advantek Flooring.

    For Cable, building is much more than constructing a house. It is building a home.  A place where families are started and memories are made. Where children grow up and plans are made for the future.

   Cable is experienced and skilled in every phase of construction from the planning stage to construction, plumbing, wiring. Landscaping and decorating. He is constantly looking for a new processes and procedures to improve quality standards. He has surrounded himself with a team of qualified professionals with hundreds of years of combined experience that help in all phases of construction.

 Cable provides all types of services from roofing to painting and everything in between. His work can be seen at frameof mind on facebook.com. For more information and a competitive bid on construction or home improvement call Cable at 865-428-9792 or on his personal cell phone at 865-607-9792. Check out his customized work at frameofmindinc.net. He can reached by e-mail at frameofmind@charter.net.    

Along with building homes Cable provides all types of home repairs including roofing  

 Cable does interior decorating on many of the homes he builds.

Jay and LeElyn Linx of Legal Shield is offering an income opportunity for self starters.

    Harland Stonecipher was involved in a car accident in 1972. The accident was not his fault and the other driver was charged. Although, Insurance paid for all damages, the incident was the beginning of a nightmare for Stonecipher that would cost him his life savings. The other driver sued Stonecipher and although he won the case, legal fees wiped out his life savings. But the experience was a turning point in Stonecipher’s life. It was a turning point that created an industry, income opportunities for entrepreneurs and affordable legal services for all Americans.

  Stonecipher created Legal Shield, a pre-paid legal service that puts a team of attorneys on retainer for as little $17 per month. The service offers its members legal advice for a litany of legal matters. The attorneys are licensed and on call 24 hours a day.

  Jay and LeElyn Linx of Dandridge are not only members but associates in Legal Shield. The couple has opened a local office providing the valuable service as well an income opportunity for self-starters who are seeking to  build financial security for themselves while building a substantial income.

  Jay is a naval veteran who later joined the Merchant Marines. LeElyn is an accomplished musician who has played in several symphonies. She appeared in the movie “Gypsies” with actress Bette Midler before accepting the position of vocal director for Royal Caribbean Cruises.

    “Legal Shield is an excellent opportunity for members to retain a staff of attorneys for an affordable fee,” Jay said. “New members who want to build an income can do so with a great business opportunity.”  

     Legal Shield has gone through a change in recent years as the corporation has begun addressing the growing epidemic of identity theft. Legal Shield provides valuable protection in the event a member’s identity is stolen.

   “Identity theft has become rampant in our modern technological world,” Jay said.  “I have a client who is 20-years-old and when he was 10 his identity was stolen. In recent years, someone managed to use his Social Security number to buy a home in Nevada.  The home has been foreclosed on and his credit is ruined. He is trying to get this straightened out. Legal Shield with identity protection could have helped prevent such a calamity and help remedy the situation."

  For people seeking an income opportunity, Linx is offering an opportunity for new members  to become associates in the burgeoning industry. Associates have income opportunities and an opportunity to build a business in their spare time. Don't be a victim, call today. For more information about Legal Protection and income opportunities call Linx at 865-805-6834 or e-mail him at Jaylinx@att.net.

   Crafters looking for an ideal place to open an arts and craft shop need look no further. Don Gibson Properties has several locations available in the arts and craft community conveniently located near the trolly stop and near public restrooms. With rents ranging as low as $300 per month, which is almost unheard of for commercial property, it would be easy to turn a profit at any of these locations.

   The sizes of the shops range from the smaller shops renting for $300 to the larger shops renting for $1,350. Low rents make the profit margin very attainable. Some of the current tenants have been in the same location for as much as 27 years. The rent includes water, sewage, and garbage.

  The property is located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Each year more than 9,000,000 visitors come to the park providing ample opportunities for vendors to sell their wares.

For more information call Don Gibson at 865-654-0769.

 Located in the Arts and Crafts Community, Morning Mist is an excellent place to open a craft shop where the rent is low. 

Today is the last day for the 2012 Home Builders Show. The show is produced by the Sevier County Home Builders and is located at the Sevierville Event Center on Winfield Dunn Parkway. There are businesses present from a unique motorized patio roof to information from the State of Tennessee Fire Prevention department and everything in between. With today's weather come out a have a learning experience before the Super Bowl Game.

Visitors to the home show stop to learn about Patio Concepts of Tennessee's unique motorized patio roof. It allows for sunshine or shade with the push of a button.

Learn how to be fire safe when burning outdoors at the Home Builders show.

Dwayne Cable of Frame of Mind Inc. was one of several vendors at the Smoky Mountain Home Show Saturday.

   Despite the economic downturn in 2008, Dwayne Cable of Frame of Mind, Inc., has been busy. Cable has been in home construction most of his life starting to work for builders at the age of 12. From 1997-2003, Dewayne Cable Builders built custom homes at a rapid rate quickly establishing himself as as one of the most successful builders in Sevier County. In 2003, Cable incorporated and became Frame of Mind, Inc. One year later he entered into the excavation phase of construction and his business has been growing ever since.

  Cable's homes are a model of elegance and quality design. As a testiment to his commitment to quality, Cable has won prestigious awards for his homes. In 2005,  Frame of Mind won the Overall Best Curb Appeal award in the Sevier County Home Builders Association Parade of Homes. The award winning home was a 3,500 square foot French country home which won second place for the People's Choice Award that same year. The home was featured in the Anderson Windows Builders Highlights web Site for outstanding design and execution.

  Frame of Mind recently had one of its speculative homes chosen to become a test home for several new innovative products by Dupont/Tyvek. After reviewing many homes across the nation and carefully examining the quality of the construction, it was Cable's reputation and commitment to quality and integrity that won him the honor.   

  For more information visit Frame of Mind's web Site at frameofmind@charter.net.

Advanced Maintenence was one of many businesses that networked at the Smoky Mountain Home Friday.

   The Smoky Mountain Home Show kicked off Friday with more than 30 vendors meeting with potential clients and networking with one another.

   "I have been here just a little while and I have already picked up some prospects," Jim Brinkley of Advanced Maintenence said. "These shows are always worth the effort. I always get work from these shows."

  For home owners looking for repairs or renovations, the show provided a great opportunity to meet with contractors for nearly every project. For contractors and business owners, the show is an opportunity to meet prospective clients and an opportunity to network.

  Vendors representing nearly every phase of home repairs were available to meet with attendees. The show continues through Sunday.