February 26, 2018
Hikes to Cemeteries of the Smokies
Did you know that their are roughly 150 cemeteries scattered throughout the Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The land for the park was purchased from families, many of whom lived in this area since the 1800’s. Along with homes, churches, farm buildings, and stone walls, many of their cemeteries are part of the park land. Some are near main trails, others can be found with a map, and a few are slowly becoming overgrown and disappearing.
More than 150 cemeteries can be found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
“Cemeteries of the Smokies” Guidebook
One of the most popular books published by the Great Smoky Mountains Association is “Cemeteries of the Smokies”. The book provides directions to all 152 graveyards in the park. For each site, the book provides a complete listing of burials and dates, kinship links, and epitaphs. There is also an index of local family names. These historic spots provide a tangible link with our area’s past. They can provide us with insight into customs, religious beliefs, cultural and ethnic influences, and the community development of our ancestors.
The Hiking 101 program sponsored by the Great Smoky Mountains Association takes its inspiration from this book. They have designed 12 guided hikes and a bus tour to take participants to the sacred spaces within the boundaries. These hikes are not all easy, but the hiker is rewarded by coming to know those who lived and died here, and remain buried in lost graves, family plots, and in church burial grounds. Registration for these hikes is now open. For program details and to register, please visit http://www.smokiesinformation.org.
The hikes are limited to 15 individuals each and run from March 17 through October 16 2018. It is important to note that the Park Service frowns on creating “rubbings” of inscriptions on the headstones. The pressure needed to make a clear rubbing can damage the surface. The Great Smoky Mountain Association asks for your help in ensuring the preservation of these plots for future generations.
February 19, 2018
Swans Make Frequent Appearances in Literature
One of the most famous stories in children’s literature is “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen. The story is about a cygnet who thinks he is an unattractive duckling, but grows into a beautiful and graceful swan. Andersen also wrote “The Wild Swans”. This tale features an evil stepmother who turned her stepsons into swans. They carry away their sister to save her. The sister is mute, but spends her days knitting shirts from nettles. She is about to be burned at the stake as a witch when her brothers descend from the sky and save her. They don the magic nettle shirts and turn into human form. Their sister regains her speech and all live happily ever after.
The graceful swans at the Buckhorn Inn could star in their own story.
Greek mythology shares the story of Leda and the swan. This story recounts the conception of Helen of Troy by the Queen of Sparta and Zeus, disguised as a swan. This myth was expressed powerfully by W.B. Yeats in his poem “Leda and the Swan”. Yeats also wrote “The Wild Swans at Coole” which expressed his search for lasting beauty in a changing world where beauty was temporary.
In Norse mythology, two swans drink from the Well of Urd. The water is so pure that the swans turn white, as do all their descendants.
The Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario used the swan as inspiration. His most famous poem perhaps is “Coat of Arms”. His use of the swan made it the symbol of the Modernismo poetic movement.
Works of classical literature reference the myth that otherwise mute swans sing beautifully at the moment of their death. This idea gave birth to the phrase “swan song”.
Because of their lifelong, monogamous pairing, swans are often a symbol of never ending love. Swans were a favorite bird Shakespeare. Many of his works feature them, including this passage from “As You Like It”:
And wheresoever we went, like Juno’s swans, still we went coupled and unseparable.
Buckhorn Inn Swans to be Named in Mid-March, Literature Provides Inspiration
Our two brother swans arrived at the Inn on February 14. Innkeeper John is contemplating the many clever names submitted by our guests. Please refer to our earlier blog listing potential names. Please let us know your ideas if you have not yet done so!
February 12, 2018
Love is in the Air at Buckhorn Inn
February 14, St. Valentine’s Day, is a day for celebrating love. In addition to the United States, the holiday also is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, Italy and Japan.
A night in one of our Premier Room’s is a great way to celebrate your love!
According to a survey done by Hallmark, more than 141 million cards are sent each Valentine’s Day. http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/valentines-day-facts This number excludes the packaged Valentines that children exchange in the classroom. This same research shows that more than half of these cards are purchased in the week leading up to the holiday.
Origins of February 14 as a Day of Love
The medieval poet Geoffrey Chaucer may have inspired Valentine’s Day as a day for lovers with his 1375 poem “Parliament of Foules”. The poem refers to February 14 as the day when birds (and humans) search for a mate. His work links traditions of courtly love with the feast of St. Valentine.
Charles, Duke of Orleans, is credited with writing the oldest known Valentine. He wrote a poem to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1415. This poem currently is part of the collection of the British Library in London.
While Richard Cadbury did not patent the heart-shaped box of chocolate, experts agree he likely was the first to produce it in England in 1840. In a stroke of marketing genius, he promoted the boxes as having a dual purpose. They were so beautiful that after the chocolates were eaten they could be used to store love letters and other trinkets. The boxes grew increasingly detailed and elaborate. That is until World War II. Sugar was rationed, so the candy-giving aspect of the holiday was scaled down.
If you have not yet found the perfect token of affection for your Valentine, we can help! Our Valentine’s package includes a night in a cozy cottage or a luxurious premier room, both with fireplace. You and your sweetie will enjoy a delicious four-course dinner. The next morning you will enjoy a hearty breakfast in the dining room, or delivered to your accommodation. This $265 package is available through the end of February. Just let us know if you would like to add wine and a dozen roses to your experience.
Wishing you a special Valentine’s Day!
January 29, 2018
Nature Trail Trees Provide Year-Round Beauty
Have you stopped to notice the many different trees on the Buckhorn Inn Nature Trail? If you are here in the spring, you will be sure to notice our redbud trees with their striking magenta flowers. They contrast beautifully with the white-flowered dogwoods.
You also will find several specimens of American hornbeam, also know as ironwood or blue beech. It is called “ironwood because of the strong appearance of the bark. The saw-toothed leaves are very distinctive and turn orange to red in the fall.
Our trail features a southern red oak–an important contributor to our fall parade of colors. Nearby you will find an eastern hemlock. It has long horizontal branches, very small cones, and graceful foliage that nearly touches the ground. Hemlock was once extensively logged, and the bark was used to make tannic acid for tanning animal hides. We treat our hemlocks to prevent the wooly adelgid. This pest has decimated hemlocks in many other areas.
Perhaps no other tree is a s beautiful as the red maple. In the fall ours turns brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange–spectacular against the blue sky!
We have only one native pine on our property. It is an eastern white pine with five needles to a bundle.
While you are walking the trail, do not miss our two fragrant cloud dogwoods. Douglas Bebb discovered these trees on the Buckhorn property and patented them. You can see documents relating to this on display in our library. This rare mutation produces scented blossoms. Like the many types of dogwood found in the Smokies, the fragrant cloud is noted for its showy blossoms and scarlet berries. In the fall, these berries become an important source of food for wildlife. Native Americans used the rough bark to obtain red dye.
Trees are not the only highlight of the trail
If you have never walked our nature trail, we highly recommend you do so. The walk takes about an hour and covers about a mile. If you decide to only walk part of the trail, there are several points which make for an easy return. Be sure to wear proper footwear and to watch your step. Please stop by the Buckhorn Inn office to pick up a map that shows the route and the locations of numbered informational stakes.
The Nature Trail features many blooming trees.
January 22, 2018
Wine Weekend will be a Fine Weekend!
Gatlinburg offers many events and festivals for every interest, including wine!
Are you a wine aficionado or someone who would like to know more about wine? Are you interested in exploring local Tennessee products? If so, we recommend you plan to visit Gatlinburg April 13 & 14, 2018.
Two events will be taking place: the Gatlinburg Wine Tour and the Smoky Mountain Wine Fest. The Tour begins at 6:00 pm on April 13 and will visit local wineries and sipping establishments.
The Fest will be held from 1:00 to 6:00 pm on April 14 at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. The $25 advance purchase tickets include a branded glass for tasting. Organizers expect more than 18 Tennessee wineries to participate. Some of the best restaurants in the Smoky Mountains will provide small plate tastings of their best dishes. Tickets and more information may be found at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/gatlinburg-wine-weekend-2018-tickets.
Tennessee Wine
Tennessee has a long history of wine-making, with as many as 90,000 gallons being produced annually in the 1880’s. The industry was introduced in this area by immigrants from Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. Prohibition hit the industry hard. However, in the 1970’s a resurgence of winemaking in the state was led by home vintners.
The industry in Tennessee focuses on French hybrid and native grape varieties. The grapes used in Eastern and Central Tennessee include cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, cayuga, chardonnay, chenin blanc, merlot, Riesling and viognier.
The industry has grown and matured in the state. Over the past few years Tennessee wines have earned gold, silver, and bronze medals in regional and international competitions. Today’s Tennessee wineries have a wine for every taste, from sparkling to fruity, from dry to dessert wines.
If you plan to attend the weekend, be sure to reserve your accommodation at the Buckhorn Inn soon!
January 15, 2018
Buckhorn Inn Celebrates 80th Anniversary
Throughout 2018 we will be taking a look back to 1938 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Buckhorn Inn. It was in 1938 that Douglas and Audrey Bebb first opened the doors to what has become the oldest inn in eastern Tennessee. We thought it would be fun to take a look back at what was going on in the world 80 years ago.
Hubert Bebb was the architect for the Buckhorn Inn, built in 1938.
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This is also the 80th anniversary of . . .
- This week let’s take a look at what was going on in the arts and popular culture.
- Benny Goodman and his orchestra became the first jazz musicians to headline a show in New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
- The play Our Town by Thornton Wilder was performed for the first time in Princeton, NJ. The play earned him a Pulitzer Prize in the same year.
- Stravinsky’s Dumbarton Oaks premiers in Washington, DC.
- Aaron Copland and Eugene Loring’s ballet Billy the Kid premiers in Chicago.
- Superman appeared for the first time in Action Comics.
- Margaret Hamilton’s costume catches fire during the filming of The Wizard of Oz.
- The first cartoon featuring Bugs Bunny is released.
- Information Please debuts on NBC radio.
- Frida Kahlo had her first solo art exhibit.
- Porky and Daffy, a Loony Tunes animated short film, is released.
- Popular movies were Boys Town starring Spencer Tracey and Mickey Rooney, Jezebel starring Bette Davis, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
- The comic strip Dennis the Menace first appears.
- Northwestern University awards an honorary degree to Charlie McCarthy (a dummy).
- The Howard Hawks film Bringing Up Baby starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant is released.
- Orson Welle’s radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds causes widespread panic.
- Kate Smith sings God Bless America for the first time on her radio show.
- Ella Fitzgerald records “A-Tisket, A-Tasket”. It hits #1 later in the year.
- Al Capp creates Sadie Hawkins Day.
- Notable births in 1938 include: Allen Toussaint, Joyce Carol Oates, Lawrence Block, Natalie Wood, Christopher Lloyd, Kenny Rogers and Jon Voight.
- The world lost in 1938: Blues singer Robert Johnson, author Thomas Wolfe, soprano Alma Gluck, and Popeye creator E.C. Segar.
- For more events, check out http://www.onthisday.com and http://www.thepeopleinhistory.com as well as Wikipedia.
Be sure to watch this space for periodic looks into the world in which the Buckhorn Inn’s first guests were living!
January 8, 2018
Buckhorn Inn Pond Enhancements Continue
If you have been following the Buckhorn Inn on social media, you know we have been devoting much time and energy to being good caretakers of the pond on our nature trail. This past summer we released grass carp into the pond to help us optimize the plant growth. We also added a foundation. The fountain not only is beautiful and provides soothing noise for visitors, but it also helps us maintain the good health of the water.
A more recent project has been the removal of fallen trees around the pond. Kevin Howard with Rex Howard’s Landscaping came up with a clever way to manage this work. In Buckhorn Inn’s 80 years there have been few days when it was cold enough to freeze Buckhorn Pond enough to support about a dozen large men, but this winter was one for the records. We had contracted with the firm to clear dead trees and debris on the side of the pond next to busy Buckhorn Road. Rather than trying to clear this area from the roadside, Kevin had his men pile logs and debris on a heavy tarp and pull it across the frozen ice to the other side where it could be more easily loaded on trucks. One of the fellows was assigned to sweep up all the debris from the ice–we expect him to go out for the U.S. curling team for the next Winter Olympics after all that practice!
Our pond rarely freezes solid, but Mother Nature picked a perfect time for this cold snap!
We are so pleased with the work thus far. The next step will be installing some beautiful plantings that will provide screening from busy Buckhorn Road and add to the natural beauty of this space. We will be adding native trees, bushes, and plants that will be at home in this environment. Our spring-fed pond will become an even more special place to enjoy your sack lunch, read a book, and enjoy the quiet beauty of nature.
Swans to Return to Buckhorn Pond
We know that many of you have expressed how much you miss the swans that used to grace Buckhorn Pond. We have good news! Innkeeper Lee presented John with two swans for Christmas! The swans are coming from North Barrington, Illinois. They cannot safely be shipped by plane until the weather warms up, so we look forward to their arrival this spring. We are working on setting up our “swan cam” so that you can monitor the activities of this pair from anywhere! In our January newsletter we will provide additional information on this pair and how we are preparing for them. Be sure to read the article for additional information!
January 2, 2018
Public Library is a Local Treasure
Have you visited the Anna Porter Public Library during your travels to Gatlinburg? From the windows one can see beautiful mountain views! It is a very welcoming place to pull up a chair near the fireplace for a cozy read. Visitors to our area are welcome to use the facility and may borrow books well as use the computers and wifi. Services include books, movies, audio books, magazines, ebooks, newspapers and internet access. The library has resources for geneologists and schedules adult art and craft classes with local artisans.
Gatlinburg is fortunate to have a wonderful public library.
We are particularly fond of the library’s regional history special collection. This collection includes more than 600 historical items detailing the cultural and natural history of Gatlinburg, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and southern Appalachia. A unique feature of the collection is the group of historical audio tapes, with transcripts, which were recorded as long as 40 years ago. They also have oral history video tapes that were recorded more recently.
Monthly Book Club at the Library
John and I take great pride in being founding members of the book club that meets at the library. We meet at 6:30 on the 4th Tuesday of each month for lively conversation. Our taste in books ranges widely and our diversity brings interesting viewpoints to the discussion. This month we are reading A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles and early feedback indicates our members are enjoying it. Future books include: Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd, and The Trial by Franz Kafka. If you are visiting, we would love to have you participate in our discussion. The full reading list and directions may be found on the website http://annaporterpl.org.
We suggest you visit the library the next time you are in our area.
December 18, 2017
Rachael Young: Second Mistress of Buckhorn Inn
Rachael Young brought grace and charm to the Buckhorn Inn.
The second mistress of the Inn was my dear friend, Rachael Young. Rachael passed away at age 98 on December 8, 2017. Her love of Buckhorn and her keen decorating eye are very much in evidence today.
Knoxvillians Rachael, Robert and Lindsay Young bought the Inn from Douglas Bebb in 1978. Rachael explained to me that their key motivation was preserving the Inn as an important part of regional history and to protect it from commercialization. Many of the pieces of antique furniture currently at Buckhorn came from the Young family. Her background as an art professor at the University of Tennessee stood her in good stead as she guided the inn’s revitalization, including updating all the furniture and soft furnishings in the bedrooms and dining room and modernizing the kitchen. It was Rachael who introduced air conditioning to Buckhorn and converted the water tower to a bedroom–still one of our most special places. She brought a timeless, unstudied charm to this little mountain retreat.
Second Mistress of the Buckhorn Lived a Life of Accomplishment
Rachael Young was a highly accomplished woman. Intellectually gifted, she left Knoxville to attend Columbia University, a daring step for a young woman at that time, and went on in her lifetime to earn four academic degrees. During World War II, she worked for the Red Cross in England, France and Germany. After marriage and two children, she became a beloved and respected art professor at the University of Tennessee. A cancer survivor, she was anxious to begin a wellness community in order to provide cancer patients and their families the opportunity to be active participants in their healing. Now called the Cancer Support Network, the organization plays a vital role in regional cancer care. She was very interested in holistic medicine and she inspired the creation of our annual Mindfulness Meditation Retreat. We created Rachael’s Labyrinth in her honor. She was a woman full of effortless grace and full of laughter. As I began my time at Buckhorn, we had Sunday morning phone calls about the goings-on up here in the mountains and, bless her, she never gave me a bit of advice but one: “Don’t start your renovations in the kitchen as I did. It will use up all your resources and you won’t have enough to do the fun things.”
Rachael passed on her love of Buckhorn to me, and every day, in every way, she inspires me still.
November 28, 2017
Holly is a Seasonal Favorite at Buckhorn Inn
Have you admired the holly bushes on the Buckhorn Inn Nature Trail? We have two American specimens of this beautiful evergreen.
Many different types of birds feed on bitter holly berries.
The thick, spiny leaves provide color in the landscape year round. And wildlife, including many different bird species, feed on the bright red berries. Interestingly, the berries are hard and inedible during the fall and early winter months. It takes several frosts, or freezes, for the fruit to become softer.
Symbolism of Holly
To the ancient Druids, the leaves offered protection against evil spirts. In those days holly was often worn, sometimes as a wreath around the head. It was viewed as being a sacred plant because it remained green all winter.
In some traditions of Wicca, the Holly King is one of the faces of the Sun God. He was born at midsummer and rules from the autumnal equinox to the vernal equinox.
In the Christian faith, the sharp leaves harken to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus and the red berries symbolize drops of his blood.
The evergreen is often used in decorations for the Chinese New Year.
Growing Holly
Whether evergreen or deciduous, the plant prefers a moist location, and partial to full shade. It grows well planted under, or around, large trees. This plant can grow up to 50 feet in height, if not kept pruned to size. Therefore it can be grown as a tree, bush, or hedge. Both male and female plants of American holly are necessary to produce the bright red berries. It begins to produce small white spring flowers and then berries when the plant is four to five years old. You can find a wealth of information on growing this favorite from the Holly Society of America http://www.hollysocam.org
You can cut your own branches to fashion wreaths and centerpieces. Just be sure to wear protective gloves when working with holly–the leaves are sharp!
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