May Pierstorff became the only child in history to be mailed  

   Throughout the history of the U.S. Post Office, postal regulators have been forced to write a postal manual comprising numerous rules and regulations. This was as a result of abuses in the postal system. Throughout the years, numerous patrons have attempted to mail items that were not intended to be mailed. But, because there were no rules in place in the early days of the post office, many items that should not have been mailed were delivered by the post office. Perhaps, the most unusual items mailed were a child and a building.

   In 1914 the parents of 4-year-old May Pierstorff needed to send their daughter to stay with her grandmother in Lewiston, Idaho. The Pierstorffs lived in Grangeville, 100 miles away. There were no airplanes in the area, nor did the Pierstoffs own a car and a train ticket was out of their budget. There was only one way to get their daughter to her destination. They would have to mail her.

  The couple took the little girl to the post office and told the clerk they wanted to mail the daughter. The clerk thought the couple was insane. He explained it was against postal regulations to mail a child. Mr. Pierstorff asked him to show him it was against the regulations. The clerk thumbed through the postal manual of rules and regulations and could not find a rule against mailing children.

  Left with no options the clerk glued 53 cents in stamps to her coat lapel. May’s mother gave her a sandwich for her journey. She was now the property of the U.S. Postal Service. May said goodbye to her parents and went to the shipping room where she sat with other packages. Later that afternoon, she and other packages were loaded onto a wagon and transported to the train station. Hours later, the train pulled into the train station in Lewiston and the precious cargo was delivered safely to her grandmother’s house.    

  Since then the postal code has been amended making it against regulations to mail people.

  W.H Coltharp became the only man in history to mail a building. Coltharp was put in charge of building a bank in Vernal, Utah. He found the brinks he needed in Salt Lake City, 127 miles away. He realized that shipping the bricks by wagon freight would be too expensive. But he soon discovered he could mail the bricks through the mail for a fraction of the money. He had the bricks packed into 50 pound boxes and sent to the post office. Before long, 40 tons of bricks were moved through the post office. The bricks were delivered and the bank was constructed. Since then the post Office has adopted a rule stating no more than 200 pounds of parcel may be sent in a single day.

    This is one of 50 strange but true stories in a new book written by Michael Williams. The book is entitled "Stranger than Fiction: The Lincoln Curse." The stories will leave the reader convinced that perhaps Mark Twain was right when he said "truth is stranger than fiction."

    Michael Williams has written for more than 30 newspapers and magazines including the Civil War Times Illustrated, The Civil War Courier, the Associated Press and the Knoxville Journal.

    The book is 187 pages in a softbound edition with numerous photos. The book can be purchased from amazon.com for $19.95 plus shipping and handling or you can save shipping cost and save $2 on the purchase price by ordering a signed copy directly from the author. Send $17.95 to P.O. Box 6421 Sevierville, TN. 37864.

  Kevin Sorbo is one of many stars that will appear at Fanboy    

The Fanboy Expo has been rescheduled for the fall. No specific date has been set for the event. The original scheduled date for the show was June 15-17 in Pigeon Forge.

   The Fanboy Expo is a comic book convention for comic enthusiasts to meet their favorite comic book artists and many of their favorite TV and movie stars.

  Among the stars that will be appearing is Kevin Sorbo of “Hercules” fame, Martina Sirtis of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” George Lazenby, who played James Bond, Bruce Boxleitner and many others.

  Marvel and DC comic book artists will be on hand to sign copies of their comic books. Among the artists expected to attend  include  Steve Scott, who illustrates The Hulk, and X-Men, Arthur Suydam, Rob Hunter and several others.

  Professional wrestling fans can meet many of their favorites including Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Stacy “Miss Kitty” Carter, Kizarny and many more.

  Fans can meet the stars and get their photos taken with them and get autographs. The event will feature film screenings, meet and greets and many other activities.

Guests that have already purchased a ticket can get a refund or they may use their ticket at the rescheduled fall convention. For more information call 865-280-2023 or visit the web Site at www.fanboyexpo.com.

The Gatlinburg Inn where the tune "Rocky Top" was penned in 1967.   

    Susan Whitaker, the director of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development was on hand Tuesday at the Ole Smokey Distillery to dedicate the Rocky Top Trail. The trail is the 14^th of 16 trails developed to get the tourist off the beaten paths so that they may enjoy other aspects of the Volunteer State along the back roads. 

   The Rocky Top Trail is the result of a partnership between multiple state agencies and city and county officials. The end product is a brand new tourism asset - a 282 mile trail made up of sites and attractions in Knox, Sevier, Blount, Cocke, Jefferson, Loudon and Monroe counties showcasing East Tennessee’s history, culture, landscape, music and cuisine.

   Executive Director Vicki Simms of the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce hosted the event. Both Commissioner Whitaker and Assistant Commissioner Toks Omishakin, Tennessee Department of Transportation, made special remarks. Bluegrass band, Monroeville, performed, including a rousing rendition of “Rocky Top,” which has been adopted as one of the state's official songs, to close the ceremony.

    “The trails initiative is one of the most comprehensive programs ever to be launched from our department,” said Whitaker. “We know millions of visitors are traveling to this region every year. Our goal with the Rocky Top Trail is to encourage travelers to get off the beaten path and explore some of Tennessee’s hidden gems. We want more visitors, staying longer and spending more in Tennessee.”

    The trail officially begins in Gatlinburg at the Gatlinburg/Great Smoky Mountains National Park Welcome Center where guests can pick up brochures, maps and coupons before heading out to discover Tennessee’s back roads. Included on the trail is the Gatlinburg Inn where the song “Rocky Top” was written in 1967 by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant during their stay at the hotel. Visitors can stop in the hotel lobby and pick up brochures and see artifacts relating to the region's colorful history. The song became popular at the University of Tennessee's sporting events since the early 1970s.

    Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation’s Knoxville Visitor Center on Gay Street is also a primary trail hub. However, visitors can choose to begin their trip at any point along the path. Once on the trail, travelers can explore 282 miles through East Tennessee.

    Appalachian arts and crafts are abundant on the Rocky Top Trail. Visitors can hone in on their artistic skills with staff and artists at the Arrowmont School of the Arts and Crafts, or visit Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community, the nation’s largest organization of independent artisans with more than 100 members. Spirit of the Hand in Dandridge features the work of 150 artisans from around the region and country.

   On Rocky Top, travelers can explore Greats Smoky Mountains National Park, catch an exhilarating class 3 or 4 ride on the rapids of the Pigeon River in nearby Hartford; see the beautiful scenery from up above on one of the many zip lines in the area or for a cooler experience, go below into Forbidden or Tuckaleechee Caverns.

   For more information about the Rocky Top Trail and other Tennessee Trails and Byways, visit the  web Site at www.tntrailsandbyways.com.  The 27 page Rocky Top brochure highlights 130 points of interests.

  Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Karla Davis today announced a new jobs database to help connect job seekers with Tennessee employers.

   Jobs4TN Online is a virtual recruiter, automatically notifying job seekers when jobs they may qualify for are posted and notifying employers when candidates who fit their needs register.

   The online database contains positions from job orders placed directly by Tennessee employers, from corporate Internet sites, and from major job search engines. Jobs4TN Online also identifies available green jobs.

   “The unemployment rate for Tennessee is at its lowest since November 2008 and has fallen below the national rate, but it is still too high,” Haslam said. The governor committed to developing a new jobs database during his gubernatorial campaign. “With Jobs4TN Online, those without a job will have quicker and better access to job openings related to their skills, and as we work to make Tennessee an even better place to expand and start a business, we want to help employers find the employees they need.”

   Jobs4TN Online makes available labor market information, including demand occupations, education requirements and salaries for positions, labor force projections, and training program graduates. Information can be tailored to focus on specific communities, metro statistical areas or statewide. Employers and job seekers are encouraged to log in to Jobs4TN Online at www.jobs4tn.gov.

   “This system is much more than a traditional job search engine,” Davis said. “Jobs4TN Online offers extensive information for interviews, lists of local training providers, and the capability to create and send resumes.”

   The state’s previous job search site, the Source, included job orders received by Tennessee Career Centers and jobs listed by Fortune 500 companies. Jobs4TN Online uses a more robust search that provides first-run jobs from newspapers, government sites and private job boards, and the amount of jobs listed in Tennessee has gone from 30,000 to more than 85,000.

   Jobs4TN Online can be accessed anywhere with a computer and Internet access. Tennessee Career Centers across the state have free computer resource rooms with guidance on job searching. For anyone not comfortable with using a computer, referrals can be provided in person at the center once they have registered for services. To find the nearest Tennessee Career Center visit http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/cc/cccounty.shtml.

   Also, Tennessee Career Coaches are another available resource. They are mobile career centers with computer workstations and access to the Internet anywhere by satellite. Three mobile units operate in east, west, and middle Tennessee to provide job searching resources to those attending job events or to those that don't have access to the Internet. The Career Coaches’ schedules can be found at http://www.getonthecoach.tn.gov/.

   According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, The identity of a Sevier Co. woman that perished in a house fire on Sunday morning has been confirmed. Seals states that the autopsy confirmed that the victim was Jessica R. Myers, age 30, who resided at the address where the fire occurred. The autopsy also confirmed that Myers died of smoke inhalation and there were no signs of foul play found. The cause and origin of the fire is still being investigated by the Sheriffs office Fire Inv. Unit and State Bomb and Arson investigators.

      Jimbo Whaley will be among several bluegrass acts to perform at the eighth annual Bloomin' Barbecue and Bluegrass festival in Sevierville.

    Sevierville, TN – The streets of Sevierville will come alive with great music, activities and delicious barbecue from all over the United States this Friday and Saturday at the eighth annual Bloomin’ Barbeque and Bluegrass festival.

    This family-friendly event is free to the public and will bring barbeque cook teams from all over the United States to Sevierville to compete for $15,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Tennessee State Champion in the Bush’s Best Tennessee State Championship Cook Off. Rounding out the event is toe-tapping bluegrass music, incredible arts and crafts, kids’ games and the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honoring Sevierville’s favorite hometown girl, Dolly Parton.

    Friday night, take a little time to visit with the barbeque cook teams you’ve seen on cable TV stations, such as the Food Network, as you stroll through the “Que Zone.”  

    Then make sure you bring a lawn chair for the free bluegrass concerts with rising stars and legends of the bluegrass genre. Past headliners have included Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Del McCoury and more.

     Saturday morning, start the day early and watch as championship cook teams turn in their competition meats. Then stay for the announcement of winners at 4 p.m. During the competition the teams will cook an estimated 2,832 pounds of meat including 20 pounds of pulled pork, 24 pounds of brisket, five pounds of chicken and 10 pounds of ribs each. Winning teams will receive recognition in Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket as well as specialty categories like “Anything Bush Beans”, “Anything Wampler’s Farm Sausage”, Sauce and Dessert.

    An expanded Kids’ Zone and the Bluegrass Music Tent, sponsored in part by The Music Outlet, add fun and enrichment for the kids and families who attend the festivities. The Kids’ Zone includes attractions like climbing walls, bounce houses and old-time toys while the Bluegrass Music Tent gives kids and kids at heart the chance to touch and play bluegrass instruments such as banjos, fiddles and more. Instructors will be on site to help. Both of these attractions will be open until 9 p.m. each day of the event.

    A highlight of  the event is the 8th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals held on Saturday. Finalists from around the nation will sing their hearts out for a chance to win prize money, a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee and a guitar autographed by Dolly Parton. This competition, the only one of its kind that festival organizers know of, honors the songwriting of Dolly Parton. Competitors, male and female, must sing a song written by Dolly Parton who has recorded more than 3,000 songs. Contestants must perform the song their own style whether it’s rock, rap, country, bluegrass, swing, soul, or other genre.

   Admission and concerts are free. For more information about Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass, call (888) 889-7415 or visit us online at www.BloominBBQ.com.

  A body has found in a home that burned Saturday night in Sevier County. Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals states that the fire occurred at 4236 Meadow Drive in the Kodak Community and during a search through the rubble Sunday the body was found by members of the Northview/Kodak Vol. Fire Department.

   Investigators from the Sevier Co. Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee  State Bomb and Arson Section were on scene this morning and most of the day trying to determine the cause and origin of the fire. The body was removed and transported to the U. T. Forensic Center for identification and cause of death. The victim is believed to be that of a female resident of the home but a positive identification is pending the results of the autopsy. The investigation is ongoing at this time.

This week's winner of the make me laugh for the movies contest is Jack Smart of Pigeon Forge.

Last week's funny pet photo featuring a funny pet costume prompted Jack to send in a photo of his dog Paco who is dressed as Yoda from Star Wars.

Make Me Laugh For The Movies is a weekly contest sponsored by Reel Theaters. The rules are simple. Send us a funny story, funny photo or anecdote about a personal experience and if we publish it we will send you two free tickets to Reel Theaters Movies on the Parkway.

Please make the stories brief and suitable for the family. The Sevier County News reserves the right to reject any story for objectionable content. Winners will announced each Wednesday.

Send all entries to Sevier County News

635 Wall Street,

Sevierville, TN. 37876 or e-mail themto seviercountynews@gmail.com

Reel Theaters is located at 713 Winfield Dunn Parkway in Sevierville. For more information call (865)453-9055 or visit them on the Web at reel-theatres-sevier.com.

    Dolly Parton Will Be Grandmarshall of the homecoming parade

Great American Country to include event in show about military family

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (May 10, 2012) – Dolly’s Homecoming Parade, Pigeon Forge’s annual salute to hometown superstar Dolly Parton on Friday (May 11), will get national television exposure when the Great American Country cable network includes it in a show being shot this week in the Great Smoky Mountains resort town.

GAC cameras will capture some of the parade festivity for “Operation Pigeon Forge: A Family’s Story,” the working title of a special about a military family facing an overseas deployment. The special will air this summer.

The family is expected to trade the anxiety of deployment for the excitement generated by thousands of spectators who come to see Parton on parade.

It is the 27th annual Dolly’s Homecoming Parade, the largest in more than a decade, according to organizers. It will include everything from a submarine to a NASCAR racecar to a float themed to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” movie.

It will cover a three-mile route on the Parkway starting at 6 p.m.

“Dolly, of course, is the biggest attraction, and the theme of her float always is a secret,” said Leon Downey, executive director of the Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism, which organizes the parade.

“However, I’m not going to be surprised if this year’s float involves eagles, since Dolly just inaugurated Wild Eagle, a $20 million roller coaster, at Dollywood,” he continued.

Guaranteed attention-getters include the Smoky Mountain Submarine – a 65-foot-long replica that will carry veterans of submarine service – a NASCAR racecar belonging to Knoxville native Trevor Bayne and the “9 to 5” float entered by the Rogersville Playhouse.

Also in the mix are the human-powered Tennessee Party Bike, antique vehicles, floats from various Pigeon Forge theaters and attractions, twirling groups, equestrian units and beauty queens in convertibles.

Marching bands from Pigeon Forge High School, Sevier County High School and Lexington High School in Lexington, Ala., will provide traditional parade music and pageantry.

The parade will occupy the northbound lanes of the Parkway, starting at Traffic Light 6 and ending at Traffic Light 3.

“The entire route is available for spectators, and everyone will get to wave to Dolly. Her float includes a speaker system, and she chats with fans all along the parade route,” Downey said.

For information about all aspects of Pigeon Forge and other city-sponsored events, visit MyPigeonForge.com or call toll-free to 1-800-251-9100.

 

                                  The Woods Family

  Most people that know Mike and Kim Woods describe the couple as caring, selfless and hard-working.   

    The couple started Helping Hands for Sevier Kids in 2009, an organization that provides Christmas gifts for many Children in the Area that otherwise would have done without.  The couple is usually the first in the community to volunteer when there is a need in the community.

  Now, the Woods family needs the community to step up and provide a helping hand. On February 29, Mike was cutting wood when the saw hit a knot hole. The saw blade sprang back and ripped deep into Mike’s hand severing several Fingers. Matters soon went from bad to worse because the couple had no medical insurance and the bills quickly escalated. Currently, the bills are a staggering $50,000 and rising. Mike is unable to work and is currently undergoing painful rehabilitation.

   This weekend the community the Woods family has so frequently volunteered to help is returning the favor by organizing a fund raiser to help the family with medical bills and costs of living.

   The fund raiser is an all-day event that begins at 2 p.m. on May 12, at the Sevier County Rescue Squad located at 1171 Dolly Parton Parkway.  The event will feature food plates, drinks, a bake sale, a cake walk, bounce houses, vendors, crafters, lots of Kids Activities and live entertainment.

    Raffle Tickets will be on sale to win tickets for many of the local attractions here in Sevier County.  There will be a silent auction for a variety of items donated from all over Tennessee. Some of the items will likely come as a surprise to many attendees.

   The couple’s sons, Bryson and Benjamin will be selling Limbstrong Bracelets to help support their father. Currently, they have already sold more than 150 of the bracelets.

   This will be a Long Recovery for Mike and he needs all of our Support at this time. In his typical selfless nature, Mike is thinking of needy children during his darkest hours. Mike is asking everyone that attends the event to bring a stuffed animal to be donated to the Sevier County Police Department for Children in Crisis. He has arranged to have an officer to pick up the Donations of the stuffed animals.

   The fund raiser starts at 2 pm and continues until the last person leaves, so come on out and visit with the Family and enjoy all the surprises his friends have in store for everyone. Bring a lawn chair and just sit and enjoy the day with the family and friends.

   Out of town guests can speak with organizers to get a discount on motel or cabin accommodations.

   Everyone is encouraged to come out and support Mike and see how he has handled calamity in such an incredible manner. His boundless faith has not been shaken and the family is glad to share their story as a witness to God for what they have been through.

  Please come out on May 12 at 2 p.m. to the Rescue Squad at 1171 Dolly Parton Parkway and support a family that has given so much to so many.

     The Sevierville Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance identifying a man suspected of committing fraud.

    According to SPD Detective Dweese Milliron, the suspect apparently made three separate withdrawals at two local Tennessee State Bank ATM’s in late March. This person is also suspected of using the victim’s debit card at the local Wal-Mart and K-Mart stores. The total amount of money and merchandise believed to have been fraudulently obtained from the ATM’s and local stores is over $4,000.

    Anyone with information regarding this suspect is requested to contact Detective Milliron at 865-453-5507.

     The Sevier County Sheriff’s Department is seeking help in identifying and apprehending a suspect in the robbery of Domino’s Pizza.

     According to Sheriff Ron Seals, On Monday May 7^th, at app. 2:30PM ,deputies with the Sevier County  Sheriff’s  Office responded to a reported armed robbery at Domino’s Pizza located on Chapman Highway in Seymour. Officers arrived on the scene and the clerk stated that a white male entered the store and displayed a handgun and demanded money. The employee gave the perpetrator an undisclosed amount of money and he then fled on foot. The robber is described as being 5’7”-5’8” in height with a slender build, wearing sunglasses, black hat with U.T. insignia, red shirt and blue jeans. An investigation is ongoing at this time. Anyone that has any information is asked to call the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 865-428-1899 or 865-453-4668.

 The roar of hundreds of motorcycles will echo through the streets of Sevierville on May 27 as veterans, friends, family and supporters descend on the Sevier County Courthouse to Remember the Fallen. This year marks the 12th annual event to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for God and country.

  The event begins as motorcyclists from all over the nation ride in and park at the courthouse square. Last year more than 1,000 riders appeared at the courthouse. Following the singing the "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless The U.S.A.," several entertainers including entertainer James Rogers, who appears frequently at Dollywood and other area venues, performed.

 The Remember The Fallen ceremony was begun 12 years ago by Ron and Sandy Giddis. Since that inaugural event, the attendance has grown immensely.

 During the 2011 event retired Major Doug Estey spoke of the sacrifices soldiers are prepared to make.

 "A soldier said I fight and die so that my son can live free tomorrow," Estey said. "From the day we are born we become heirs to a great treasure...some take it for granted...others know the high price of freedom."

  Estey played an audiotape of a battle that took place in Vietnam in 1967. The epic battle was later portayed in the movie "We Were Soldiers Once." Though the audio tape was intermittant with static, what could be ascertained was a chilling account of soldiers facing intense enemy fire and about to be overran when a rescue helicopter came to their aid defying orders from their superiors to do so.

  The two men who defied the orders to rescue the besieged soldiers were Captain Ed Freeman and Major Bruce Cadwell. The two men flew into the battle under intense enemy fire 13 times rescuing 26 men. During the rescue operation, Freeman was wounded four times.

"Imagine that are 19-years-old," Estey said. "You have been out of high school one year. You are now, lying on a battlefield wounded and dying. You think of your family 10,000 miles away. All around you is gun fire and the shouts of the enemy rushing toward you. You know this is it. This is the day you will die."

"Joy is multiplied when it is shared," Estey said quoting Mark Twain. "I believe that pain is divided when it is shared," he added.

Sevierville police officersplaced a wreath at the Armed Services Monument. The officers were accompanied by two Gold Star mothers who each shared the painful distinction of having lost sons in service to their country.

As the somber tune of Taps resonated throughout the plaza most stood at attention while others saluted in homage to the fallen.

  The event is free and will begin at 10 a.m. and last approximatley one hour. Afterwards the bikers will begin a 60-mile memeorial ride to the Veterans Overlook in Grainger County.

                                            Gretchen Gunter

SEVIERVILLE – Music instructor Gretchen Gunter has announced a revolutionary, playing-based approach to learning to play piano for the residents of Sevierville, using an innovative teaching method called Simply Music. Highly experienced as both a private instructor and classroom music teacher, Gunter completed extensive training to become a certified Simply Music teacher after discovering how quickly it allows students to start making music on their own.
“I have been fortunate to be involved in several effective ways of teaching, but I have never seen anything as powerful, as fast or as fun as Simply Music,” Gunter said. “Students are actually playing songs starting with their first lesson and they add new songs very quickly from that point on.”
“We are delighted to have Gretchen on board, and thrilled that she will contribute to the musical growth of Sevier County,” said Neil Moore, founder & executive director of Simply Music. “Gretchen’s enthusiasm will shine through in the lessons and I am excited about her students creating a new relationship to music.”
   For those interested in knowing more about Simply Music, Gretchen Gunter will be hosting a series of local Free Student Introductory Sessions in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Knoxville.
For introductory session dates or for more information, write to gretchenpiano@gmail.com or call 541-274-9807. www.facebook.com/playpianowithgretchen

About Gretchen Gunter
Gretchen’s love for music started at age 3 with violin lessons and continued throughout college, where she performed with a number of instrumental and choral ensembles. Her experience as a classroom music teacher and private instructor, coupled with a deep love for music, makes learning an exciting and interactive process. Through Simply Music, she discovered a new approach to music education that has made an enormous contribution to the progress of her music students.

About Simply Music and Play-a-Story
Simply Music is the largest playing-based music education institution in the world. It presents a piano learning method that looks at music in a totally new light. Created by Neil Moore, Simply Music first translates entire pieces into simple shapes and patterns that students can clearly see and easily play on the keyboard, quickly building an extensive repertoire in various musical styles. For information visit: www.simplymusic.com.

Play-a-Story is a musical journey in which you and your child travel through a storybook world. It uses the piano as its mode of travel, creating sounds, melodies, harmonies and rhythms to express the story... literally, students create their own musical soundtrack. Using the piano, students learn to interpret mood, color and nuance as the story unfolds. Play-a-Story teaches this by providing a foundational, systematic and creative experience that harnesses children’s intuitive, musical appreciation and interpretation.

Fans of Twilight can meet Booboo Stewart in Gatlinburg

 Fans of the hit movie "Twilight" are making plans to attend the Twilight Girls Getaway June 1-3 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Gatlinburg.

  Twilight is a 2008 American romantic vampire film based on Stephenie Meyer's popular novel of the same name. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the film stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. It is the first film in The Twilight Saga film series. This film focuses on the development of the relationship between Bella Swan (a teenage girl) and Edward Cullen (a vampire), and the subsequent efforts of Cullen and his family to keep Swan safe from a coven of evil vampires

    The Twilight weekend will be filled with games such as Edward Cullen’s Deal or No Deal and  Twilight Survivor. Popular actors from the Twilight Saga will be making appearances on Saturday. Those scheduled to appear are: Peter Facinelli who portrays Dr. Carlisle Cullen; Alex Meraz who plays Paul; and Booboo Stewart who portrays Seth Clearwater. The Hillywood Show and an Edward Cullen look-alike will also be making appearances throughout the event. The weekend will wrap up with a star studded Red Carpet Event at The Hard Rock Café – Gatlinburg. For your convenience, two ticketing options are available–day tickets and all-inclusive weekend tickets. The all-inclusive ticket holders have lodging provided at The Gatlinburg Falls Resort in Twilight character themed rooms as well as all meals provided among other amenities. For more informormation send an email to jamiephlps@gmail.com. You may also visit the Facebook page for the event at: www.facebook.com/TwilightGirlsGetaway.com. Tickets are currently on sale now!

                                                     Chief  Two  Moons

   One of the most colorful and controversial generals in U.S. history was General George A. Custer. Had it not been for his premature death at the age of 37, he would have emerged from the pages of history as little more than a footnote.

    But, it was his death in the face of overwhelming odds that permanently sealed his place in history. Most Americans are familiar with Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. But, few are familiar with the stranger than fiction mistakes this seasoned war veteran made that led to he and 210 cavalrymen being wiped out. Fewer still are familiar with the treasure buried in the Black Hills that bears his name.

   Custer's elite force, the vaunted Seventh Cavalry, was comprised of 650 men. They were assigned to put down an Indian uprising in the Black Hills that stretched from present day North Dakota to Montana. The land was regarded as sacred to Native Americans. However, prospectors had discovered gold in the area and soon a gold rush began bringing prospectors by the thousands to the area much to the chagrin of Indian leaders. Desiring to stop the white encroachment,  the Indians began assembling in what was soon to become the greatest race war in U.S. history.

    In June of 1876, the Seventh Cavalry departed Fort Abraham Lincoln destined for Little Bighorn to put down the uprising and protect the prospectors. The men were promised five months back pay when they arrived at the Little Bighorn River. The Army was notorious at the time for falling behind on paying the soldiers. Morale was very low and Custer feared paying the men ahead of time would result in mass desertions.

    Once the men were encamped on the Little Bighorn River more than $25,000 in gold coins and paper currency was distributed. The money and other needed supplies had been delivered by the steam ship Far West.  It was here that Custer made the first of several mistakes that sealed his fate and the fate of his men.  As the supplies were unloaded, Custer noticed the men taking two Gatling Guns off the ship. These guns were the early version of machine guns and could spew out hundreds of rounds of bullets in seconds. Custer looked the guns over and, in his classic cocky and arrogant demeanor, said "put them back on the ship. We won't need them."

     The next day he led his men into battle. He was warned by his scouts to turn back as they had seen the village and there were more Indians than they anticipated. Seriously outnumbered but still over confident in his abilities, Custer divided his command among three commanders. He took 210 men and proceeded north where he foolishly allowed himself to trapped in a valley and he and his men were all killed in less than 30 minutes.

    It was 50 years later that Chief Two Moons, a Cheyenne chieftain, disclosed some information that came as a surprise to many and sent treasure hunters scrambling to the Black Hills.

    According to the old chief immediately after the battle the Indians began robbing and mutilating the bodies of the soldiers. While rummaging through their pockets they found the gold coins that had been paid to the soldiers the day before. The Indians considered this to be blood money and placed the coins into a saddle bag. The bag was then buried in the foothills. Two Moons then drew a map to the treasure and gave the map to W.P. Montcure, an entrusted white trader that lived on the reservation in Busby, Montana.  

    Moncure agreed not to look for the treasure. For reasons known only to him, Two Moons wanted Montcure to eventually give the map to the tribal council which would go out and retrieve the treasure in 1986, the 110th anniversary of the battle. Montcure put the map inside the old chief's tomb when he died. In 1966, someone broke into the tomb of Two Moons and stole the map.

    Since then, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have been searching for the map and the treasure. Was the story a hoax perpetrated by an old Indian chief or was it real? If it were a hoax the federal government would not have wasted time and money investigating the theft of the map.       

   This is one of 50 strange but true stories in a new book written by Michael Williams. The book is entitled "Stranger Than Fiction: The Lincoln Curse." The stories will leave the reader convinced that perhaps Mark Twain was right when he said "truth is stranger than fiction."

   Michael Williams has written for more than 30 newspapers and magazines including the Civil War Times Illustrated, The Civil War Courier, the Associated Press and the Knoxville Journal.

    The book is 187 pages in a softbound edition with numerous photos. The book can be purchased from amazon.com for $19.95 plus shipping and handling or you can save shipping cost and save $2 on the purchase price by ordering a signed copy directly from the author. Send $17.95 to P.O. Box 6421 Sevierville, TN. 37864.

This week's winner of the make me laugh for the movies contest is Sylvia Davis of Gatlinburg.

 Last week's funny pet photo featuring a funny pet costume prompted Sylvia to dig out a photo of her Chihuahua, Chock. Just in time for the Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua races this Saturday in Gatlinburg. 

 Make Me Laugh For The Movies is a weekly contest sponsored by Reel Theaters. The rules are simple. Send us a funny story, funny photo or anecdote about a personal experience and if we publish it we will send you two free tickets to Reel Theaters Movies on the Parkway.

 Please make the stories brief and suitable for the family. The Sevier County News reserves the right to reject any story for objectionable content. Winners will announced each Wednesday.

Send all entries to Sevier County News

635 Wall Street,

Sevierville, TN. 37876 or e-mail themto seviercountynews@gmail.com

Reel Theaters is located at 713 Winfield Dunn Parkway in Sevierville. For more information call (865)453-9055 or visit them on the Web at reel-theatres-sevier.com.

     Don’t call Thomas Talley a victim of the recession. Like many other nontraditional students in Walters State’s Class of 2012, Talley refused to let the unexpected loss of a career define the second half of his life. Talley will walk across the stage Saturday to receive his Associate of Applied Science in Nursing – and then into a world of opportunity.

     "Looking back, losing my job was probably the best thing that ever happened to me,” Talley recalled.

    He admits those weren’t his first feelings back in 2008, when everything tumbled around him.

    After establishing himself as a young professional in Knoxville, his career as a mortgage banker ended when a stranger walked into the office and announced its closing. Then, he divorced. Finally, his brother was diagnosed with a rare, terminal illness.

    That last one is actually what directed him to his new career. While caring for his brother, he saw health professionals in action. He saw the impact those individuals had on his family and the difference they made in his brother’s last months.

    “He and his girlfriend had been together for 10 years but had never gotten married. When the nurses found out they wanted to get married, they took care of everything – the dress, the tux, the cake. Our pastor performed the wedding. The nurses didn’t even know us but they made such a difference,” Talley said.

    “By that time, I had moved back to Morristown and knew Walters State’s nursing program had an excellent reputation. That’s how I got started,” Talley said. While he was taking prerequisites, he also investigated the college’s physical therapist and respiratory care programs. In the end, he decided on nursing.

    Everyone was helpful, but everyone was also very honest. He credits the honesty of Kristen Asbury Rich, an assistant professor of biology, with getting his attention early after his return to school.

    “I was in her anatomy class and she just said ‘this class is hard, but if you don’t do well in this class, how are you going to be able to get through nursing,’” Talley said. Rich didn’t just stop with the announcement. Like a lot of professors, she made time for him when he needed help and became a mentor as well as a professor.

    Talley also had another valuable asset when he returned to college – the support of his family, especially his dad and his children, Epiphany, a freshman at the University of Tennessee, and Joshua, a senior at Knoxville West High School. His girlfriend, Stacie Allen is a certified nurses assistant and provided a lot of support and encouragement.

    “They are excited and proud. We’ve been very competitive with grades. I’ve also had a lot of support from good friends.”

    Talley’s education was paid for by a variety of sources, including funding from the Smoky Mountain Area Workforce Board (LWIA 2). The funding comes from the Workforce Investment Act and is administered through an agreement between Walters State Community College and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.  This started with a visit to the Tennessee Career Center in Talbott, where he met with Cheryl Harold, a career center specialist.

    “I remember Thomas well,” Harold said. “He is like many of the people in our area hit hard by this recession. People worked hard and were dedicated to their jobs, only to have everything fall apart.

    “Thomas jumped into school, excelled in his classes and prepared for a new direction in his life. The best part of my job is seeing people like Thomas succeed with the help of WIA funding.”

    Although WIA funding is limited by what is awarded by the federal government, Harold said that funds are usually available to help those being forced into a career change due to a lay-off or plant closure.

    As Thomas prepares for the state exam and considers his options, he does so with the confidence that is future depends more on him, and less on routine business cycles. He also has a new mission – introducing nursing to more males.

    “I never thought of nursing when I left high school. There were too many stereotypes and men just didn’t become nurses. Even today, if I enter a patient’s room, many patients think I’m a doctor. Nursing is a great career for males,” Talley said. 

       The Honky Tonk Superman, Aaron Tippin will perform at 

     Country Tonite along with Sammy Kershaw and Joe Diffie

    First Class Productions kicked off the 2012 season, at Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge, two weeks ago with a sold out performance by country music legend Merle Haggard.

   The Celebrity Concert series continues May 25 with the Roots and Boots Tour featuring Aaron Tippin, Sammy Kershaw and Joe Diffie.

   The three artists have collectively charted more than 40 top ten hits such as Diffie’s “If the devil danced in empty pockets,” and Kershaw’s “She don’t know she’s beautiful,” and Tippin’s “You’ve got to stand for something.”

    Award winning artists Ronnie McDowell, T. Graham Brown and Jimmy Fortune take the stage on June 15. McDowell spring boarded to fame in 1977 for his tribute to Elvis entitled “The king is gone.” Brown is known for the soulful hit “Darlene,” and Fortune performed for years as a member of the “Statler Brothers.” Fortune is best remembered for the timeless classic “Elizabeth.”

    Mel Tillis will perform on July 6. Later in the month, the ‘Possum, George Jones, will perform on July 27 and 28. Stutterin’ Mel, as Tillis is known, recorded more than 40 hits including “Ruby.” Jones is known for such iconic hits as ‘The Corvette Song”, “He stopped loving her today” and “Who’s gonna fill their shoes?”

    Mickey Gilley will perform on August 24 and Don Williams will perform two shows on Sept. 21 and 22. Gilley is best remembered for “Your candy man.” “Williams won fame for such hits as “Living on Tulsa Time” and “I believe in love.”

    The wild man of country music, Ray Stevens brings his satirical novelty music to the stage for two shows on Oct. 26. Stevens is known for such classic comedy recordings such as “Ahab, the Arab”, “The streak” and “The Mississippi squirrel revival.”

    Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Country Tonite located on the Parkway in Pigeon Forge. Or can be ordered by calling 800-792-4308 or 865-453-2003 or visit the web Site at countrytonitepf.com.

The 62^nd Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage conducted its fourth Pilgrims’ Choice Photography Contest with more than 60 entries in the categories of Flora, Fauna, and Landscape presented. Winners in each category were chosen by popular vote of those who attended the event.

Winners by category are:

Flora

1^st Place – Craig Keating of Dawsonville, GA

2^nd Place – Deborah de Juan of Atlanta, GA

3^rd Place – Emily Mason of Knoxville, TN

Honorable Mention – Charline Marrinan of Ferguson, KY

Fauna

1^st Place – James Davidson of Lambertville, NJ

2^nd Place – Kyle Zeringue of Huntsville, AL

3^rd Place – Cheryl Garrity of Madison, NC

Honorable Mention – Kyle Zeringue of Huntsville, AL

Landscape

1^st Place – Ester Bell of Madison, WI

2^nd Place – Cheryl Garrity of Madison, NC

3^rd Place – Kyle Zeringue of Huntsville, AL

Honorable Mention – Fred Bell of Madison, WI

Winners were announced at the Friday, April 27 evening program and each winner received a special ribbon commemorating the win in their respective category.