Police and park rangers are searching for a man that allegedly attacked a woman Friday afternoon on a trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

  According to reports, the 44-year-old victim was sexually assaulted and stabbed multiple times while she was on the trail. The attacker fled the scene and the victim made her way down the trail to Highway 441 where she flagged down a passing car who notified authorities. The report was made at approximately 2:43 p.m. The woman was flown to UT Medical Center. Park rangers and Gatlinburg police closed the Gatlinburg Trail at both ends and combed the area.

  "We believe this was an isolated incident," says Chief Ranger Clay Jordan in a press release. "Rangers have combed the area and believe the suspected has fled the area.”

 Authorities say they don't know a motive for the stabbing.

  The trail extends 1.9 miles from the Sugarlands Visitor Center to the outskirts of Gatlinburg through the forest along the West Prong of the Little Pigeon River. It's frequently used by joggers, walkers and bicyclists.

    The suspect is described as white, around 5'7", appearing to be in his 40s, with a thin build, a crew cut and a thin mustache. He wore black dress pants and a T-shirt. He also has multiple tattoos, including one on his stomach, and no distinctive accent.

    Anyone with any information about this incident should call the park dispatch emergency line at 865-436-9197.

    Linday Hyder of the UT Extension in Sevier County and Kathy Scruggs of the Sevier County Health Department have some good news. If you live with diabetes or a diabetic you do not have to be deprived of your favorite foods, nor buy special food. A good eating plan for diabetes is  basically a healthy diet for anyone.

    People with diabetes are often stressed about their daily diet. They are frustrated about what to eat , as well as, the taste of "diabetic friendly" foods. However at the same time they realize their food choices are critical in controlling diabetes.

    The key is to watch the quanity and nutritional quality of foods, plus maintain a regular schedule for eating. For people with diabetes, there are three types of nutrients that need to be watched daily-carbohydrates, protein and fat. Label reading, food variety, and the method of preparation are critical to consumption of these nutrients.

    UT Extension of Sevier County will be offering a Dining with Diabetes Program Series at the Fort Sanders Sevier County Senior Center. The classes will be held from 1-3 p.m. on June 21 & 22. Cost will be $12 and inculdes both days. Participants will learn tips on preparing foods with less sugar and fat, appropriate for diabetics. 

    Recipe books and food samples will be included.

    Reservations are required. To register mail check to UT Extension Office, 752 Old Knoxville Highway, Sevierville, TN 37862. You may call (865-453-3695) or e-mail (lhyder@utk.edu) for further information. 

    Remember, small changes in your eating can make important differences in your blood glucose level and how you feel. Also, healthy eating can be tasty, satisfying and fun. It just takes a little planning coupled with some knowledge and positive attitude. You still can enjoy "dining with diabetes!"

    Linda Hyder is a Sevier County agricultural extension service agent who works with family and consumer sciences programs.

       Back by popular demand, Gatlinburg's seventh annual presentation of Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales begins in downtown Gatlinburg on June 15, and will run through August 11. Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying characters from time periods as far back as 1800.

    This popular eight-week event truly highlights one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provides guests with an interactive, educational and entertaining experience the whole family can enjoy.

     The collection of personalities and performers arrive nightly at 6 p.m. in the center of town. Visitors witness a magical transformation of sidewalk to stage as the characters disperse along the downtown Parkway for an evening of entertainment and storytelling until 11 p.m. As many as 12 nightly acts perform throughout the evening.

    Trios, duos, single acts and clogging groups will perform seven nights a week for the duration of the summer. The mountain style of music is featured all season from the beginnings of the pure Appalachian sounds of Rattlesnake Holler, Whiskey Bent Valley Boys and Hammer & Strings to the traditional bluegrass music from Hurricane Ridge, Flicker Tail Holler and the Holloway Sisters.

     Visitors will also be able to learn how instruments like the mountain and lap dulcimers and gourd banjo are made by local craftsmen like Denton Bragg and Mark Edelman. They will also enjoy the talents of the Back Porch Cloggers demonstrating old time clogging and even teaching folks some fun moves and steps.

     Characters including Miss Nan the School Marm and Quiltin’ Annie often teach the young and old alike their old time ways. Zeno, the Gatlinburg Bear, the official ambassador of Gatlinburg, loves to welcome everyone to Gatlinburg with his signature bear hugs, and visitors will be entertained with songs and stories by such personalities as Ol’ Rowdy, Whitlin’ Joe, and Earl and Pearl each relating stories of the Great Smoky Mountains, its people and history and even sing a little song about them. Check Engine joins the lineup for 2012.

      “Our intent is to take what we feel is one of Gatlinburg’s greatest assets – the walkability of the community – and provide something that is fun and somewhat different than what most places are doing,” Special Events Manager George Hawkins noted.

     Gatlinburg’s Smoky Mountain Tunes and Tales is an official activity of the City’s Department of Tourism. For more information on this and other special events, visit www.eventsgatlinburg.com.

   WonderWorks, the playground for the imagination, will soar to new heights with the Wonders of Flight, a giant tethered balloon experience opening this summer.

    Guests to the Great Smoky Mountains will be able to view the area in a completely new way – from up to 400 feet in the air – all while letting their imaginations soar to exciting heights with the Wonders of Flight, scheduled to open in  July.

    The ride is different from any other Pigeon Forge attraction, guests will board a gondola beneath the giant blue and green helium-filled balloon located on a landing platform situated behind WonderWorks. The 72-foot diameter balloon will hold up to 30 guests in the gondola at one time.

     One of only two attractions of its kind in the Southeast, the Wonders of Flight balloon (the Aero30NG) was manufactured in France by Aerophile, the world leader in tethered gas balloons. The Southeast’s other tethered balloon is located at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., while others are featured in some of the world’s biggest amusement parks including China’s Ocean Park and Oct East Amusement Park and France’s Disneyland.

      According to Jérôme Giacomoni, Aerophile President, the open air gondola will allow guests to experience the sensation of being on a flying balcony. “The ascents, by day or night, provide guests with an unmatched, 360-degree panoramic view of the Smoky Mountains,” said Giacomoni. “In one single gaze, the entire breathtaking view can be seen from exceptional heights.”

     Giacomoni explains that the Wonders of Flight balloon is environmentally friendly and totally silent thanks to its permanently inflated helium envelope and a hydro-electric winch. “The system consumes no more energy than an elevator and is completely noiseless,” says Giacomoni.

     According to Ed Shaffer, general manager of WonderWorks, Wonders of Flight will provide guests with a unique and affordable experience at a special opening rate of $14.99 for adults and $9.99 for children. Children 36-inches and under will be admitted for free. The 10 minute flight experience is offered daily, with daytime and evening hours, weather permitting. Additionally, Wonders of Flight is an ideal attraction for groups, weddings and adventurers of all ages.

   “Especially those couples looking for an intimate and truly one-of-a-kind wedding should consider Wonders of Flight as it creates a romantic, storybook setting overlooking the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains,” said Shaffer.

    For more information, visit www.WondersofFlight.com or call (865) 868-1800.

     George Washington, the father of our country, could arguably be regarded as the first action hero. While he garners much respect and reverence, his humble beginnings were, at times, somewhat comical. Early politics in America was vastly different by today’s standards. There were things politicians could do then that they are absolutely forbidden to do today. Following two successive political defeats, Washington quickly learned a thing or two about campaigning. He learned that to win an election sometimes a politician had to stoop to the level of his opponent.  

     The first election George Washington won was not for President of the United States. It was for a seat in the Virginia House of Burgesses under British Colonial rule. His technique for winning the election was questionable. He got many of the voters drunk.

     The House of Burgesses was the first elective assembly Great Britain established in its overseas possessions. In 1755, before the United States declared her independence, 23-year-old George Washington decided to run for burgess in Frederick County, Virginia.

     Winning would not be an easy task. He was unpopular with the voters because, as commander-in-chief of Virginia’s frontier forces, he had seen it necessary to seize horses and wagons from the locals to bolster his own forces. He had also conducted a campaign against the local saloons where his soldiers became unfit for service. Washington lost in 1755.  He tried again in 1757, but, to no avail. He began to study his opponents and their tactics for winning. He noticed that his opponents would appear at the polling place as the votes were being cast. Here they would do a little last minute campaigning. Most often his opponent was armed with a jug of whiskey or rum. His opponent would offer the voter a quick drink to ease their thirst and remind the voters to vote for him.

     In   1758, Washington ran for burgess again. This time he had a political strategy he knew wouldn’t fail. He would simply outdo his opponents in their offering of whiskey. In the process he would get the voters thoroughly liquored up. Whether or not he intended to get the voters thoroughly inebriated is subject to debate. But, the fact remains a lot of liquor was consumed that day.                                                  

     On Election Day, Washington was away with the militia. Therefore he sent a friend, Lieutenant Charles Smith, to tend to the election in his absence. Smith appeared at the polling place in Frederick County ready for some last minute campaigning. Unlike Washington’s opponents, who showed up armed with a single gallon of liquor, Smith arrived with a horse drawn wagon loaded with 160 gallons of various liquors. This included 28 gallons of rum, 50 gallons of rum punch, 34 gallons of wine, 46 gallons of beer and two gallons of hard cider. He also had a number of mugs from which the voters could drink.

   Washington had spent several weeks making the liquor himself. That’s right! George Washington, like many farmers of the day, was a moonshiner. He was ready to kick this campaign into high gear and give new meaning to the term political party.  

   As the voters appeared Smith offered them a few drinks to quench their thirst. He invited them to drink to their heart’s content. Many of the voters who appeared that day clearly were not Washington supporters. But, after a few large mugs of whiskey they began to warm up to ol’ George. Smith took this last opportunity to make one final speech on Washington’s behalf to the inebriated constituents. The drunks, that is, the voters who had only hours before disliked George Washington, were now applauding him. No one knows how many voters got drunk that day. But all 160 gallons of liquor was consumed in the festive event. 

      Washington won the election receiving 310 votes. He beat out 3 other opponents.  One has to wonder if the voters woke up the next morning with a hangover and asked, “I voted for whom?”

     In 1761, Washington was reelected to the House of Burgesses. This time there was no drinking involved. He employed a different tactic. He had a dinner party complete with fiddler in which he entertained his constituents. Today, handing out drinks at the polls is strictly forbidden.

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. For more information click on this link http://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Than-Fiction-Lincoln-Volume/dp/1463714858/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1337860320&sr=1-1

     Walters State Community College invites prospective instructors to attend the 2012 Adjunct Faculty Recruitment Fair from 5-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, in the Dr. Jack E. Campbell College Center on the Morristown campus. Deans and department heads will be on hand to meet applicants, discuss teaching requirements and review applications.

     “We’re looking for adjunct faculty members for both day and evening classes throughout our service area. We have campuses in Morristown, Greeneville, Sevierville and Tazewell. We teach classes in several other counties and we have many online courses,” said Linda Roberts, dean of distance education and assistant vice president for academic affairs at Walters State.

     Roberts said the fair began several years ago as an effort to draw more adjunct instructors and to make people aware that opportunities to teach part-time are available at the college. The fair has been so successful that it’s now an annual event. Roberts said the fair has added a diverse group of people to the teaching ranks.

     “People who are successful in fields outside the academic arena bring much to the classroom. Many of our adjunct faculty members are stay-at-home moms. Others own a small business or work for non-profit organizations,” Roberts said.

     Most courses do require a master’s degree to teach. The college also requires 18 graduate hours in the subject taught. Some technical courses only require a bachelor’s degree. Those attending the fair should bring completed application, resumes and transcripts. A Walters State application is available at www.ws.edu/about/jobs.

     Roberts said adjunct faculty members play a big role in providing classes to students in different formats: dual enrollment (offered at high schools), accelerated courses (five-week semesters), videostreaming and web-based courses. The college offers many classes online and as hybrids, with the class meeting a few times a semester while most of the work is completed online.

    Elesha Goodfriend was recruited in the first adjunct faculty fair and is teaching 13 hours this summer. She likes the flexibility and the extra time to spend with Haley, 6, her daughter.

    “Being an adjunct faculty member is very flexible. You can do as much or as little as you want to do. I teach three or four classes, but many have full-time jobs,” Goodfriend said. She teaches biology 1, 2 and concepts of biology. She also helps plan science courses aimed at middle school students through Walters State’s Kids College and Talented and Gifted (TAG) programs.

  “I enjoy helping students. Walters State has a good mix. Some students are right out of high school and others are returning to school. You have a chance to get to know students,” she said.

   Goodfriend also appreciates the chance to use new technology.

   Walters State is looking for adjuncts in many areas, including: American government, anatomy and physiology, art history, biology, chemistry, computer science, English, first aid, geography, health information technology, mathematics, nursing (with MSN), philosophy, political science, psychology, Spanish, special education, speech, violin and voice.

    Division deans and department heads will be at the Adjunct Faculty Recruitment Fair to meet with prospective instructors. For more information, contact the Office of Distance Education at (423) 585-6996 or e-mail Roberts at Linda.Roberts@ws.edu.

 Kaley Shepherd, left, and Courtney Bohanan stand with Ronnie Taylor, director of educational services at the Walters State Sevier County Campus. The students earned an associate degree from the college before earning their high school diplomas.

  The sound of “Pomp and Circumstance” may become too familiar for two Sevier County scholars. Both Kaley Shepherd of Gatlinburg and Courtney Bohanan of Sevierville are participating in two graduations this month. The pair graduated from Walters State Community College on May 4. This weekend, they'll graduate from Gatlinburg Pittman High School and Sevier County High School.

The two enrolled in dual enrollment college, a program that allows students to take Walters State Community College courses while still in high school. The college courses meet requirements for a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. Many students take a few dual enrollment courses. Area high school graduates often leave high school with a semester of college credits. Popular courses include English, psychology and history.

Shepherd and Bohanan are full participants. Both took one or two courses during their freshman year. Most of their junior and senior years were spent on the Walters State Sevier County Campus.

Why add the stress of college to what are often referred to as the best years of your life? Both wanted more challenging classes and both saw it as a way to save money on college courses.

“This has saved me more than $50,000 and two years,” said Bohanan. She will enter Carson-Newman College as a junior in nursing.

“My mom is a nurse and I always knew I wanted to do something in the medical field. I did think about medical school, but I want to have a family, too. I thought being in school for so long would interfere with my desire to be a mother. Nursing requires many of the same traits and enables you to positively impact many lives,” Bohanan said.

Shepherd plans on entering the University of Tennessee this fall and has been awarded prestigious Pledge and Volunteer Scholarships. She then plans on attending graduate school to study the psychology of corporations and organizations, leading to a career in marketing or human resources.

“At first, taking a full dual enrollment schedule was challenging. I had to learn how to manage my time,” Shepherd said. Gatlinburg-Pittman High School required her to be there for the first period, but that class was almost always a dual enrollment class offered at the high school. Most of her time was spent on campus.

 “I got to know the faculty members and administration very well. Now, I consider many of them friend,” Shepherd said. She wanted to thank two particular faculty members: Dr. Timothy Holder, associate professor of history, and Dr. Terry Rawlinson, assistant professor of psychology.

 “They were a big help inside and outside the classroom. Dr. Rawlinson gave me different strategies for choosing where I would go after Walters State and for graduate school,” Shepherd said.

 Likewise, Bohanan became good friends with Amanda Barnes, student service coordinator and Ronnie Taylor, director of educational services the Sevier County Campus.

 "I knew whatever question or problem I had, they would be able to answer it,” Bohanan said.

   The two think dual enrollment college is great, but warn that the program’s advantages do come with extra responsibility.

  “Make sure that getting your education now is your priority.  I did get out of high school early everyday, but I spent so much time studying and even had some night courses,” Shepherd said.

    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.

  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.

                                  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 Titanic Museum observed the 100th anniversary of the sinking Saturday with the descendants of passengers.                                  

  Thousands converged Saturday at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge to pay homage to more than 1,500 passengers who died one fateful night exactly 100 years ago when the Titanic struck an ice berg and sank into the icy depths of the North Atlantic taking with it two thirds the ship’s passengers.

  Many of those in attendance of the observance of the 100 year anniversary were descendants of the passengers, both survivors and victims of the tragedy. Many reflected on the lives of their ancestors, whom they know only from stories passed down through the generations, and the significance of the catastrophe that became part of seafaring lore.

  Among those descendants was Joyce Archer Sons, the granddaughter of Ernest Archer, and Steve Sons, a great-grandson. Archer was a member of the crew that helped numerous passengers escape the sinking vessel. Archer was wet as the night air turned frigid and his hands froze to the oar of the life boat he was rowing.

  “His hands were frozen to the oar when he was pulled out of the life boat by crew members on the Carpathia,” Sons said. He was an able seaman who was in charge of the life boats. Years later, he was on the Lusitania when it sank and on the Britannia when it went down. He died in 1917 of tuberculosis.”

  Several reflected on the historical accuracy of block buster movie “Titanic” which was directed by James Cameron.  At least one expressed chagrin for the film.

 “I think Kathy Bates did a great job with the script she had to work with,” said Helen Benziger, great-grand-daughter of Margaret Brown who became immortalized as “The Unsinkable Molly Brown.”

  “Her name was Margaret not Mollie. Hollywood created that name. She was not the rough and uneducated woman she has been portrayed as. She was an intelligent woman who spoke five languages and ran for the senate eight years before women were allowed to vote.”

    Some of the descendants perused the collection seeking to discover how their ancestors lived in their final days and how they died. For many the walk through the museum was particularly emotional.

  “I can’t watch the movie Titanic,” said Barbara Gurgan, great-great granddaughter of Isadore and Ida Straus. “These were my flesh and blood. I can just imagine how it felt in that icy, cold  water.  They are my heroes. I look up to their love and integrity. The way they died was a testament to how they lived. They were devoted to one another and always made choices to help others.”

   On the night the Titanic sank, Isadore and Ida Straus approached  a life boat where a crewman asked them to board the small boat. Strauss refused to board and told the crewman “I won’t leave as long as women and children are on board.” He selflessly gave his seat to a woman fleeing the sinking ship. When Ida saw her husband on board the ship she stepped out of the life boat and gave her seat to her maid. She then gave her mink coat to the maid and told her “I won’t be needing this anymore.” Ida chose to remain onboard the ship in the arms of the man she loved and the two died together.

  “When their maid arrived in New York she went to the home of Ida and Isadore’s daughter, Sarah, to return the coat,” great-grandson Paul Kurzman said. “She gave the coat back to the maid and told her to keep it and remember her mother with the coat.

  “ At the time the Titanic was considered the fastest ship and though to be almost unsinkable. Man will never be a match for Mother Nature. The fact that Isadore thought differently gives a sense of humility. To this day I think of what I might have done in my life that would make Isadore and Ida proud.

The Descendants of Isadore and Ida Straus, Paul Kurzman and Barbara Gurgan

   Roll up your sleeves and dig in at Gatlinburg’s 11th Annual Ribfest & Wings festival Thursday, April 26, from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Gatlinburg. Come out and enjoy live entertainment, children’s activities and hot wing eating contest, all promising a lip-smackin’ good time at the Parkway is transformed into a Street Fair between Traffic Light 6 and Reagan Drive.

   Regional rock band Demon Waffle and local rock band Tuatha Dea will provide free entertainment. Hot wing eating contests sponsored by All Sauced Up will feature sauces such as “Blazing Bomb,” “Treacherous Tongue,” “Scorching Screaming” and “Next Day Disaster.” Prizes will be awarded to the champion. See if you can handle it!
   Sampling participants include BKW Seasonings, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Calhoun’s, Crawdaddy’s Restaurant, Dick’s Last Resort, Gatlinburg Fire Department, Gatlinburg Police Department, Johnny Rockets, Loco Burro Cantina, Partridge & Pear Restaurant, Pucker’s Sports Bar & Grill, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Smoky Mountain Brewery, Texas Roadhouse and Walters State Community College.
   “We think this will be our best Ribfest, Wings & BBQ extravaganza ever,” said George Hawkins, Special Events Manager for the Department of Tourism. “The Parkway is such an exciting and unique venue.”

  Additional sponsors include the City of Gatlinburg, Coca-Cola, Food City, Hard Rock Café Gatlinburg and Mountain Rentals of Gatlinburg.
    An armband for Ribfest, Wings and BBQ may be purchased for a small donation that allows sampling as long as the ribs and wings last. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Gatlinburg Hospitality Association’s educational scholarship fund.
   A panel will judge and award the best ribs or wings in seven categories. All vendors will be vying for the coveted “People’s Choice Award” chosen by popular vote.    

  Home Improvements. For all your home repair and improvement needs call Brandon at 865-661-5543. I am experienced and trustworthy with 8 years experience in painting, gutter cleaning, air conditioning and carpentry. Call for a free estimate. No job too small.   

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. – Coming into a critical TCCAA series tied with Chattanooga State for second place in the league standings, the No. 1 ranked Walters State Senators needed to do something big to keep themselves in the running for the regular season crown.

The Senators did just that, as they swept the three game series by taking both games in the doubleheader Saturday at Senator Field. Walters State run ruled the Tigers 11-1 in the opening game in five innings before going extra innings to win the finale, 3-2, in eight innings.

With the sweep, the Senators improve to 34-5 on the season and 14-4 in TCCAA action. The losses drop Chattanooga State to 30-14 overall and 11-7 in league play.

Walters State jumped on top early in the first game, as Marcus Davis reached on an error in the first inning and Jake Ellison smacked a two-run home run to give the Senators a 2-0 lead.

Walters State starting pitcher Josh Peterson cruised through the first eight batters of the game before running into trouble in the third. After getting the first two outs of the inning, Peterson issued a walk and hit a batter before Jordan McDonald drove in a run with a single to make it 2-1.

Walters State blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth. After loading the bases with one out, Kendall Keeton and Ellison both drove in runs with infield singles, and Colin Bennett tagged an opposite field grand slam over the wall in right-center to push the lead to 8-1.

The Senators finished the opener off in the fifth by bringing in a run when Marcus Davis was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Ellison drove in a pair of runs with a base hit to end the contest by the mercy rule at 11-1.

Ellison had three hits and drove in five runs in the win, while Andrew Allen added a pair of hits and Bennett dove in four runs.

Peterson (3-1) picked up the win after going five innings and giving up one earned run on four hits while striking out five.

Taylor Patterson (1-4) took the loss after surrendering four runs – one earned –on just two hits in 3.1 innings.

In the nightcap, the Tigers plated a pair of unearned runs in the first inning on two walks, a pair of wild pitches and a passed ball to take a 2-0 lead.

Chattanooga State starting pitcher Dylan Massengill made that lead stand up into the sixth inning when the Senators finally got a rally going.

Allen and Keeton led off the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back singles, and Keeton took second on the throw after his hit. Marcus Davis followed with a two-run single to knot the score at 2 heading into the seventh inning.

The score remained the same into the eighth, when the Senators put runners on second and third on a single by Keeton, an intentional walk by Ellison and a pair of stolen bases. Keeton scored the winning run on a wild pitch by Tigers reliever Blake Davenport.

Keeton led the offensive attack with three of the seven hits in the second game.

Walters State starter Dale Innes got a no decision after a solid outing in which he allowed two earned runs on two hits while striking out seven and walking three in 6.2 innings.

Cunningham (2-1) got the win after working a scoreless eighth inning. Davenport (0-1) took the loss after working 1.2 innings in relief. The Senators return to action Wednesday when they travel to Wilkesboro, N.C., to take on the Wilkes Cougars. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1 p.m.

   A Veteran’s Forum will be held at the Tennessee Career Center at Morristown from 10 a.m.-noon on Tuesday, April 10. The Center is located in room 110 of the Clifford H. “Bo” Henry Center for Business and Industry.

  This forum will feature Linda Mason, dean of records and veterans service officer at Walters State; Melissa Reynolds, assistant director of WIA services at the Tennessee Career Centers in Talbott and Clyde Vincent with the Volunteers of America.

   The forum is informal and will include information on finding employment and using your educational benefits.

   The workshop is free, but reservations are requested. To reserve a spot, contact Connie O’Vercum at Connie.Overcum@ws.edu or (423) 318-2341. This is funded under an agreement between Walters State Community College and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. 

  The search for a missing Sevier County woman ended tragically Saturday when the missing woman was found dead by a search team. According to Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals,  26-year-old Alicia R. Martin’s body was found at approximately  11:30 am today by a Sevier County Rescue Squad search team.

   Martin had been the center of intense search around her home since Friday by several agencies in Sevier County. Sevier County Sheriff’s Detectives were summoned to the scene where the body was found in a heavily wooded area approximately  200 yards from her home. The investigators did not find any signs of foul play at the scene but an autopsy has been ordered by the Medical Examiner’s office. All indications are that Martin had committed suicide. The investigation is still open pending the results of the autopsy.

     The Sevier County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the publics’ help in locating a missing Sevier County Woman. Sheriff Ron Seals states that 26-year-old Alicia Renee Martin was last seen at her home on Shiloh Church Rd. yesterday morning. Evidence indicates that she apparently walked away from her home leaving behind personal items. Martin is described as being 5’5” Tall, 110 lbs, with black hair and blue eyes. She is believed to be wearing a black Krystal’s Restaurant uniform and black tennis shoes. Martin may be suffering from an altered mental status which may have led to her disappearance. Anyone with information on Martin is asked to call the Sevier Co. Sheriff’s Office at 865-453-4668 or their local law enforcement agencies.

                                                    Melanie Baggett

                                                       Rolando Cardoza

Detectives with the Sevierville Police Department have arrested two Sevierville persons on child abuse charges.

 According to Detective Bush, 35-year old Melanie Baggett was babysitting the 5-month old victim in late November 2011 when the victim’s mother reported that the child had injuries to her right eye and right side of her face. The child was taken to the hospital, whereupon the police department was notified.

 Ms. Baggett and her boyfriend, 37-year old Rolando Cardoza, were both charged with child abuse and transported to the Sevier County Jail. Bond was set for each at $75,000. The investigation is ongoing.