Maybe it’s my small-town roots, but I’ve always been drawn to quaint little towns. There’s something special about strolling down storybook streets that feel like stepping back in time.

Just about 45 minutes from us lies Cumberland Gap. Blink and you might miss it—it sits quietly just before the Tennessee-Kentucky line—but this charming town makes for a perfect day trip. Whether you’re in the mood for a leisurely walk, a relaxed lunch or a bit of exploration, Cumberland Gap delivers.

I’m sure you’ve been out hiking and noticed a live tree all hollowed out with a U-shaped hole at the base. This is a disease called Heartrot is pretty common in forest and yard trees, It is caused by a decay fungus that feeds on the wood in the center of the tree that is usually dark in color, called heartwood. That nice chocolate brown of black walnut furniture comes from the heartwood of that tree. The disease gets into the tree through a wound of some sort, and slowly over the years decays the heartwood out until it is hollow.

The old man was sitting in front of the old elm tree which was one of many that lined the school property in a deep southeastern town in Alabama. I walked over to make sure he was okay. As I came near, he was sitting there staring at the elm tree with tears running down his cheeks. He appeared to have been successful in his life judging from his appearance and his clothing. I asked if he was okay and if there was anything I could help him with. As he turned to look at me my eyes wandered to the elm tree and there was an old heart shape carved into the tree with these initials carved inside the heart, “Stuck-Up loves Angel Eyes.” The old man said ...

The next free breakfast for veterans, their families, friends and supporters will be held on Saturday, February 14, at the Veterans Hall at 140 Veterans Street in Maynardville. Doors open at 8 a.m. and chow line starts at 8:30. Food is delicious. Be sure to come and join in the camaraderie and conversation.

This piece is written from a deeply personal place. One day recently, I woke up before the alarm sounded, my eyes opening to a weight I could not see but felt immediately. The room was still dark, yet my mind was already racing. Worry settled in before my feet ever touched the floor. Fear began rehearsing conversations that had not happened, outcomes that were not certain, and problems I could not ever solve alone. It felt as though a heavy cloud had followed me out of sleep and taken its place squarely on my chest.

The 2025-26 basketball season will be remembered as one of the most successful in recent history for Horace Maynard Middle School, as both the boys and girls teams delivered strong performances throughout the regular season and into postseason play. Both squads finished the regular season as the No. 3 seed in their district, trailing only Maryville and Sevier County junior high schools. They carried that momentum into the district tournament, hosted at Sevier County.

No, we didn’t buy the recliner in the picture from Sears. Yes, it’s a very good chair in which to take a nap, but that isn’t the “comfortable” I’m going to discuss. It’s one that started because of shopping trips.

Winter recreational activities can pose painful problems for the outdoor enthusiast who is not in the best condition. Preparing your body before participating in winter sports such as snowboarding, skiing or ice-skating decreases the potential for spasms, strains and sprains, according to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA).

Perfect Attendance
Brylee Clark, Dempsey Cooke, Wylder Corum, Aurora Gonzales, Hayden Clark, Aria Collins, Juventino Perez, Ana Wallace, Brooksyn Grace, Walker Zielinkski, Stuart Priest, Liam Rindom, Lucas Tallent, Nolynn Coaker, Noah Williams, Dudlee Williams, Harley Reed, Aubrey Lethgo, Devin Keyes, Maverick Gibson, Emmarie Grace, Kinsley Coffey, Kaylee Bailey, Lakelynn Bussell, Nylah Clark, Carolina Corum, Marily Gonzales, DevonKeyes, Marshall Todd, Josiah Hurley, Malachi Phelps, Rayen Dyer, Alyssa Bowers, Colt Cheser, Tayo McCloud, Ja’ziyah Miles, Angel Peters, Jaxon Berry, Kasen Grace, Jaxen Harris, Adley Keith, Heaven Human, Kaden Bailey, Timothy Buckner, Beau Lawson, Melody Rindom, Jack Dyer, Corbin Wells, Ava Zielinski, Raven Gibson and Addyson Mathews

When we have a big snow, it typically creates the opportunistic combination of having time on your hands and a massive amount of the key ingredient for making snow cream, so why not? Besides being a nostalgic but tasty treat to make with the kids, snow cream is the venerable ancestor of our modern ice cream.