During the course of our lives, on very special occasions we encounter people who inspire us to not only see the best in others, but to ultimately realize the best in ourselves. They are the individuals who believe and understand that everybody, regardless of station, has a dream and a purpose to offer this world. I have been fortunate to know many such mentors in my life and have again been blessed to meet another such role model, the now former general manager of the multi-award winning Clarion Willow River, Mrs. Catherine May. Third of her agrarian parents’ 6 children, Catherine Smith was born in Knoxville on July 9, 1927. In September of 1940, she accompanied her family to the dedication ceremony of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park... (more...)

Americans live in the most imaginative, productive and prosperous country on the entire planet. That prosperity was seeded by our founders in our Declaration of Independence, which recognizes the God given right of each of us to the “pursuit,” notice I said “pursuit” – of happiness.  That first resolute generation, sowed those seeds with blood, sweat, tears and grit.  As it was for them in their time, it is now our time to build upon the legacy of those remarkable freedom fighters. Throughout our history, Americans have unselfishly helped our neighbors, as well as just about every other nation on earth during their time of need, asking only respect and friendship in return. Sometimes we achieved one or the other and sometimes, neither. After the “unprovoked” violence of... (more...)

We are each born with a unique gift.  Sometimes we know what it is right away and sometimes it takes us some time to discover what it may be.  At the end of the process, it is important to know that what we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God. Daniel Devaney Jr. was born and raised in Rahway, NJ on August 18, 1971.  Arriving second of his parents 3 children, young Danny grew up immersed in the arts, as his father is an Academy Award nominated film maker and his mother operated her own dance studio for many years. It was at his Mother’s studio Danny spent much of his childhood practicing tumbling and juggling.  When he was 12 years old, the mother of one of the students offered him $25 to perform at her child’s birthday party.  Before long, another parent... (more...)

“It’s the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class.” – J. Willard Marriott Sometime during the month of March 2010, the state of the art Spring Hill Suites by Marriott will open for business in Pigeon Forge. This unique property will feature 112 spacious suites, indoor and outdoor pools, 37” high definition flat screen televisions, hospitality lounge areas and 1700 square feet of meeting space. The M. Gibson Hotel Group is building and will manage this one of a kind “Mountain Modern” designed facility. Michael Gibson was born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and was attending Arkansas State University during the Viet Nam War... (more...)

Christmas is a celebration of love symbolized by the Nativity, Santa, reindeer, poinsettia, evergreens and mistletoe. All these things represent the spirit of peace and happiness. Christmas is joy, giving, sharing, laughter, family and friends. But most important, Christmas is love. A few days ago, a guest of the hotel I manage presented my evening clerk with a small contribution of fresh mistletoe for our lobby. While kissing under the mistletoe has long been considered romantic, I thought I would mark the occasion to revisit the history behind the tradition. In many cultures, the mistletoe is symbolic of peace, love and goodwill. The modern day practice of kissing under the mistletoe comes from Scandinavian mythology whereby a Norse goddess declared mistletoe a sacred plant to symbolize... (more...)

Tom Kirkpatrick is a geologist and co-owner of Salvage Unlimited, a store that sells just about anything for a great price at 105 Knife Works Lane in Sevierville. This is the 3rd installment of his partner Shawn Wilmoth’s prosperous brainchild. After 5 successful years in Jefferson County , Wilmoth opened a 2nd location at Bean Station in Granger County last October. With a master’s degree in geology, Kirkpatrick is admittedly an unlikely wholesaler, but when he saw how well both stores were doing, he joined his friend Wilmoth to bring Salvage Unlimited to Sevier County and opened the new store on May 4. Thomas Morris Kirkpatrick was born in Evanston, Illinois on November 23, 1959, arriving as the 3rd of his parents’ 4 children. The... (more...)

Cades Cove is located in the far western Tennessee section of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  This beautiful slice of Heaven on Earth stretches five miles in length by two miles in width and is completely surrounded by living mountains. European descendents first settled Cades Cove in 1818, as the majority journeyed from the Watauga Settlement in northeast Tennessee.  But, prior to their arrival, Cades Cove was a cherished part of the Cherokee Nation.  Then, the discovery of gold on Cherokee lands and Andrew Jackson’s election to the presidency in 1828 ultimately led to their tragic removal. For more than a century, life in Cades Cove was very difficult and life expectancy was short, while the average life spanned barely 45 years.  This may explain why mountain people married... (more...)

Freedom is not given, it is taken.  As a result, we are as free as we choose to be.  Free enough to help an unemployed neighbor fix his car so he can find a job.  Free enough to find housing for and feed an elderly couple abandoned by their children.  Free enough to protect a child from abusive parents.  Because freedom is a choice, we will be free. Freedom is not simply found in words that appear in a newspaper, or weaved throughout a cleaver politician’s speech.  It lives in the benevolent actions of citizens like Andrew Byrd of the Thomas Group, Marion Sheffield of New Orleans on the River, Judy Ann Dial of Reserve Direct, Earl and Margit Worsham, or Mary Vance of Mountain Hope Clinic.  These people dedicate their time and treasure to the benefit of our entire community.  No person... (more...)

In the fall of 1861, The State of Tennessee held a special election to determine if a convention would be needed to decide to remain with, or cede from the US. The citizens overwhelmingly chose to continue in the Union by almost 65,000 votes. However, when Abraham Lincoln later called for 75,000 volunteers to put down the rebellion that ignited in South Carolina, Tennessee changed her mind. Still, a strong Union sentiment endured, particularly in East Tennessee. Here, the mountain communities were unwilling to fight for the preservation a plantation system that had no positive effect on their lives. Consequently, the regiments formed here sided with Lincoln. Additionally, the Middle and West Tennesseans who opposed secession were also seen as traitors by their Confederate brothers and sisters.... (more...)

“Almsgiving (the act of voluntary giving) tends to perpetuate poverty; aid does away with it once and for all. Almsgiving leaves a man just where he was before. Aid restores him to society as an individual worthy of all respect and not as a man with a grievance. Almsgiving is the generosity of the rich; social aid levels up social inequalities. Charity separates the rich from the poor; aid raises the needy and sets him on the same level with the rich.” – Former First Lady of Argentina, Eva Peron The above is one of the most outrageous statements I have read in my lifetime.  Still, our national government now embraces the same flawed position on charity as the overthrown Argentinean president, Juan Peron and his wife.  The reason “social aid levels up social inequities,” is because... (more...)