You can clearly see that the pot of gold is located in Mitchell Bottoms at the end of this afternoon's rainbow.

End of the game.

The Sevier County Smoky Bear baseballers put their first win in the book in a special in school game this afternoon. The Bear's senior Marcus Watson recorded his first and the Bear's first win of the season with a final score of 6-1 over the Cocke County High Fighting Cockes. The game was played at 1:30 P.M. and Sevier County students were allowed to attend which produced the largest crowd for a baseball game that most could remember.  Watson pitched 6 innings giving up only one run and senior Drew Correll came in to close out the game in the 7th inning.

Watson recorded two RBI's and senior catcher Kyle Pope did a great job behind the plate and recorded an RBI with a deep sac fly. Senior right fielder Daniel Beagan hit a double with two RBI's  and played great defense for the Bears. The team travels to Cocke County tomorrow to play the second match up of the young season at 5:P.M. Looks like the Bears are off to another great season so fans should come out as often as possible.

Senior Marcus Watson goes to work on the hill.

The weather cooperated. Opening ceremonies with the Bear looking on.

Kyle Pope listens to instruction from Coach Lance Traywick before heading to the plate.

Pope launches a deep sac fly for an RBI.

Team picks up Pope after his RBI.

Part of the crowd at today's season opener.

Sevier County News projects Karen Cotter as the winner in the race for Sevier County Court Clerk. Results of all local elections to follow in the am.

The Green Valley Motel on the Parkway in South Pigeon Forge is involved in a major fire tonight. There are no reported injuries at this time. The fire is not controlled and we will have updates to follow.

This eagle and another younger male have taken up residence at the Sevierville Golf Club the last few weeks. This photo was taken Sunday afternoon along the river in front of the clubhouse. The pair have been hunting along the river and the ponds on the golf courses. It is also rumored that they are looking for Eagle's Landing.

    The Sevier County Smoky Bears season came to an end tonight with a 41 to 7 loss to the defending State Champion Maryville Rebels. The Rebels defense stopped the Bears repeatedly while their offense proved indomitable.

                                     Photos by Bill Bloodworth

   In one of the greatest comeback wins in the history of Sevier County High School the Smoky Bears won in overtime tonight over the undefeated Dobyns-Bennett Warriors. With only 16 minutes left in the game the Smoky Bears who were down 28 points tied the game and won with a touchdown in overtime 35 to 28. The Bears advance to the third round of the TSSAA playoffs and will face the undefeated Maryville Rebels next Friday night in Maryville.

                    Photos By Bill Bloodworth

Logan McCarter takes Levoi's swing pass 19 yards for Sevier County's 1st touchdown of the night.

Dillon Cate (31) blocks this 4th quarter Dobyns-Bennett's punt and returns it 30 yards for the Bears 2nd TD.

The Sevier County defense dominated in the second half.

The Smoky Bears tie the score at 28 - 28 after this 1 yard TD sneak by Lavoi (11).

Lavoi (11) scores on a 1 yard sneak in OT to give Sevier County a 35 to 28 lead.

Peyton Otis forced DB's Swafford to fumble at the 1 foot line in OT and Otis recovered the ball to seal the overtime win.

Photo submitted by Glenda Raney

This mother bear and three cubs showed up on Middle Creek Road in Sevierville yesterday afternoon just in time to cause a bear jamb as school kids were being released for Halloween activities. They were only a few hundred yards from LeConte Medical Center and spent most of the afternoon in the same location. Due to the low amount of mast this year there have been several reports of bears roaming out of the National Park in search of food.

Local artist and retired pottery maker, Caroline Waring, is painting pet portraits. Caroline's has a BFA degree  from Ohio University with  a emphasis in cermaics. She operated Stoneware Pottery in downtown Gatlinburg and Glades Road Craft Community for a number of years. Caroline spends 3 hours a day as an assistant to Christi Carver in a developmental kindergarten class at Catlettsburg Elementary School in Sevierville. " I have always enjoyed painting and have a little extra time now with our children gone so I decided to work a little more with the paints."  

Caroline can produce the paintings from photos of customers pets so there is no need of trying to have a dog or cat  sit for a portrait. You can contact her at 865-453-4944 and there is plenty of time to have a portrait for a Christmas gift.

Sugar from Sevierville. A member of the Whiting family.

Chili from Knoxville.

Abbey from Sevierville.

A two car front end collision occured at 4:29 pm this afternoon that left the west bound lanes Dolly Parton Parkway totally blocked for several minutes. The accident occurred at the intersection of Dolly Parton Parkway and Robert Henderson Road across from the Citizens National Bank branch.  Sevierville Police Department, Sevierville Fire Department and Sevier County Ambulance service responded. The passengers were attended to and no one was transported to a medical facility. Sevierville Police worked quickly to clear the roadways. There was a delay in awaiting the wrecker service to make their way to the scene.

 
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I was probably around the age of four years old when my papaw, that's grandfather for those who aren't from the south, started taking me to visit his brother in the nursing home.  From what I remember, it was normally once a month and always on Sunday afternoon.  I loved going!  I was always so excited; the nurses were always as kind to me as were the residents.  My great uncle always let me straighten his covers for him.  If he felt like being up, I could help push his wheelchair.  We always took him some type of candy, usually the peppermint patties that come in a box.  He would always share them with us and to this day they are still my favorite.  He was always so quiet, gentle, and kind, he never frightened me.  I never remember being afraid of any of the residents, they were just like the folks I was accustomed to being around at church or family gatherings.  They just lived in town instead of out in the country and they need a little extra help.  They were always telling stories about their lives growing up, their families, asking me questions, teasing me, just being normal folks.

I can still remember when, how, and where my mother had to break the news to me that he had passed away.  He was the first person I had ever really known that died.  I believe that was when I first realized exactly what a nursing home really was.  The aging process and death became a very real thing to me at the ripe old age of six.  As other friends and family would have to be cared for in the nursing home, I would visit but the carefree attitude I once had was gone.  The innocence of a young child had been squelched at his passing.    

I had the great pleasure of hearing a very lovely story that happened within this year.  A friend of mine whose mother had been cared for at one of our local nursing homes was entering the building for a visit when she was welcomed by the wonderful fragrance of roses.  As she entered her mother's room there was a beautiful arrangement of roses.  Not sure what the occasion was, she began to question the staff and was delighted to learn that not only had her mother received this gracious gift, but the other residents as well.

A very prominent businessman in our little town of Sevierville had gotten married and after the ceremony, he instructed the florist to deliver the roses to the residence of the nursing home.  My friend was so moved and appreciative that someone would remember her mother and others who are not so often thought about.  This most gracious individual was Mr. R.B. Summitt.  He did this not for notice or recognition, but to bring some enjoyment to those who just need a bright spot in their world, a beautiful bloom, a sweet fragrance, perhaps a long forgotten memory. 

So many times we see these stories with pictures and commendation for public service.  But, who was it really for, the person giving or for the recipient.  I commend Mr. Summitt for his generosity and for his quiet giving.  He hasn't a clue that this story is even being made known.  That is what is called true graciousness.  I hope that you will consider this when you decide who to do business with around our little town. 

Let's keep our eyes and ears open to what is really going on in Sevier County and see who is giving back to our community.  Let's look at how we can be gracious and kind and quiet in our giving.  Let us recognize those who are always willing to lend a hand, or brighten a day, or just lend an ear.  When it's all said and done, it's the little things in life that make it worth living.

--

Karen Patrick

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   The Sevierville Police Department is investigating an auto accident on Highway 66 near the entrance of Hammer's  Store. The accident occured at approximately 10:18 this morning at 681 Winfield Dunn Pky. The accident occurred when the driver of a Ford F-150 Pickup truck struck a late model Nissan Maxima on the driver's side door. The driver and a passenger in the Nissan were extricated using the jaws of life. The two were transported to LeConte Hospital. The identities of the victims have not been released and injuries have been reported as non- life threatening. 

  A late model Ford F-150 T-boned a late model Nissan Maxima as the driver was pulling into Hammer's on Highway 66 this morning. The driver of the truck said he had just paid off the vehicle. 

 Rescue personel used the the jaws of life to remove the door of the Nissan Maxima  and extricate the driver and a passenger.

   The Sevierville Fire Department and rescue squad responded to the accident.

Nice morning but clouds could be moving in to stay for awhile.

This one week old Tennessee Walker colt took advantage of the break in the rain to get out of the barn with his Mom. He lives on the James and Mandy Connor farm.

                                                           Elvis Presley

    Final preparations are being made for an auction of Elvis Presley's personal keep sakes at Chad McCarter Auction Center on Sept. 24. It will be a sale fit for a king as many of Presley's personal effects including gold records, a lock of Elvis's hair, a guitar signed by Priscilla Presley and many more items go up for bid.

   The collection is being sold by a long time collector and every item has been certified and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Many of the items are from the Presley-A-Rama Museum Collection and include rare photos of the King in concert, a cancelled check written to Elvis for $150,000 in 1976, a check written to J.D. Sumner for $21,000,  movie props from Presley's films and much more.

 Auctioneer Chad McCarter holds up an Elvis Presley artifact containing a photo of the King of Rock and Roll, a card signed by Elvis, a lock of Elvis's hair and a small piece of the towel that was wrapped around Elvis when his hair was being cut. Next to McCarter is a guitar signed by Priscilla Presley. 

  While a bulk of the items sold belonged to Presley, other items from other superstars will also go on the auction block including personal items that belonged to Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Buddy Holley, Johnny cash and others. The collection includes more than 200 items that will be sold at the auction beginning at 5 p.m. 

  To get into the Presley spirit (no pun intended), the afternoon will start off with a performance by Sevier County's own Robert Keefer who has won numerous competitions as an Elvis tribute artist. Keefer takes the stage at 4 p.m.singing many of the songs that made Elvis an icon. 

   The items can be seen at Chad McCarter Auction Center located at 1442 Winfiled Dunn Parkway in Sevierville. For more information call 865-428-5151 or visit the Web site at  wwwchadmccarterauctions.com. 

Chad McCarter Auction Company is located at 1442 Winfield Dunn Parkway in Sevierville

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  Collier Wine Group officially opened the doors to their newest winery in Gatlinburg, Sugarland Cellars, with a ribbon cutting. On hand were Gatlinburg city officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce who gladly welcomed the new business venture to the community.

. Amanda Henry prepares to cut the ribbon at Sugarland Cellars Winery in Gatlinburg 

 Members of the Chamber of Commerce were on hand to welcome the new business. 

  Collier Wine Group has a location on Collier Drive in Sevierville that specializes in Germanic wines.  Sugarland Cellars will specialize in Alpine wines made from berries from higher elevations.

 "We are going to be selling a logan berry wine near Thanksgiving," said Amanda Henry, manager of Sugarland Cellars. "I think we have bought every logan berry in the country."

  Henry and other personel with Collier worked almost round the clock making final preparations for the grand opening. Their efforts paid off well and business is reported to be brisk as customers have been streaming in steadily to taste the new line of fine wines.  

                      Spurgeon                                Green

     Sevierville Police have arrested two persons on burglary charges after a building search of a local restaurant.

   SPD Officers Mike Williams and Stephanie Quigley responded to a burglary alarm at Damon’s Restaurant, 1640 Parkway, just after 4 A.M  Monday morning, September 5. After discovering an unlocked exterior door, the officers entered the building to conduct a search. A suspect was located, but proceeded to run and hide in the building.  A subsequent search, assisted by a Pigeon Forge Police Department K9 Officer and K9, led to the apprehension of the first suspect.

   Approximately one hour later, the second suspect was also apprehended inside the building. The suspects apparently gained entry into the building through the roof and attempted to pry open a safe. it is not believed that any money or other items are missing. 29-year old Jacob C. Green and 23-year old Justin D. Spurgeon,  both of Sevier County, were charged with burglary and transported to the Sevier County jail.  All persons are considered innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

     The Walters State Senators opened their 2011 fall golf season Thursday by shooting a first round 304 (16-over par) to end the day in a tie for fifth place going into Friday's second and final round at the Bill Sergent Invitational at Crooked Creek Golf Community in London, Ky.

   Lee University and the University of Cumberlands A-team are tied for first at 294, Tennessee Wesleyan is third at 300, followed by Lindsey Wilson (303) in fourth and Walters State, University of the Cumberlands B-team (304) and Southern Wesleyan (304) in a tie for fifth.

   Freshmen Zach Briggs and John Gillespie led the Senators with a 73 after the first round, which puts both in a tied for fourth place individually. Sophomore Rafael Jackson added a 77, putting him in a tie for 27th spot, and freshman Josh Henrichs is in a tie for 56th place after carding an 81. Matthew Chambers shot an 83 to end the day tied for 63rd.

   The final round will be played  today.