Tag: Chamber of Commerce

Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is pleased to announce the fourth annual Tremont Writers Conference, an intensive five-day retreat for writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry coordinated in conjunction with Smokies Life. Applications to participate may be submitted online now through May 15 at writers.gsmit.org.

Held Wednesday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 25, the conference on the Tremont campus invites participants to brainstorm projects and fine-tune their work alongside award-winning author workshop leaders and professional park educators in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This year’s faculty members include guest writer and “New York Times” best-selling author Ron Rash; recent Kentucky poet laureate and memoirist Crystal Wilkinson (leading the nonfiction cohort); celebrated playwright and Knoxville poet laureate Linda Parsons (poetry cohort leader), and award-winning Cherokee novelist Kelli Jo Ford (leading the fiction cohort).

“This is a rare opportunity for writers to work closely with authors they admire in a setting as immersive as it gets: the Smokies,” said Frances Figart, conference co-director and creative services director for Smokies Life. “We keep the retreat intentionally small — choosing writers who are deeply engaged with their work and excited to challenge themselves in a new setting. It’s that level of collective commitment that bolsters the creative process and makes the experience so productive for our writers.”  

Faculty members will lead daily morning group workshops and also mentor writers in optional one-on-one sessions throughout the retreat. Each afternoon, experienced Tremont naturalists will guide participants in activities meant to create a deeper connection to the region’s cultural and natural history. Evenings will conclude with group dinners, fellowship and readings by the featured authors. Meals and lodging are provided.

“Like all of Tremont’s programs, roughing it (a little!) is part of the experience,” said co-director Jeremy Lloyd, who serves as Tremont’s manager of field and college programs. “Most of the workshops take place outdoors, where we can take in and be inspired by our beautiful natural surroundings — with fewer distractions from the modern world. This format is part of what makes the Tremont Writers Conference unique, paving the way for more meaningful connections with workshop leaders and fostering a sense of community among participants.”

Acceptance to conference workshops is based on evaluation of submitted writing samples, with all writers notified of their acceptance status by mid-July. One conference participant will be selected to receive the Debbie Ellis Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. The scholarship is funded by Ron Ellis in memory of his late wife, Debbie, who channeled her love of the Tremont area into her writing, including “Elkmont Settlement: A Microcosm of Appalachian Challenges,” in “Perspectives in History” (Northern Kentucky University, Vol. XXIII, 2007-2008).

Also available to select 2026 participants is the $5,000 Laurel Rematore Tremont Writers Conference Scholarship, distributed between three or more chosen writers whose attendance is dependent on financial aid. The scholarship’s namesake, the former CEO of Smokies Life, strongly believed in the power of the arts and was integral to the retreat’s founding.

Applications for the October conference should be submitted no later than May 15. Additional information about the Tremont Writers Conference and complete 2026 application guidelines can be found at writers.gsmit.org.

Tremont Writers Conference is created, managed and produced as a joint partnership between Smokies Life and Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. It brings writers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry to an ancient and wild setting, where they can receive feedback from established authors, connect with writing peers and find renewal and inspiration. In addition to creative workshops, writers will join experienced Tremont naturalists for guided explorations that spark curiosity and wonder.

Fans of vintage automobiles can view a special collection of classic cars at the Autos Through the Ages Car Show at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center (123 Cromwell Dr., Townsend) on July 15 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  The car show is free with admission to the museum being $5.

Presented by the East Tennessee Region Antique Automobile Club of America and sponsored by West Chevrolet, Twin City Dealerships and the Smoky Mountain Tourism Development Authority, the event features food and a viewing of classic cars throughout the day.

Visitors will experience how cars and trucks have evolved during the past 100 years as they see and learn about autos from T Models to Teslas.  One rare car on display is a 1934 Oldsmobile convertible, found in Morocco, is one of only 903 produced.  Others models include a 1927 Ford Mail Truck, a 1988 Rolls Royce Silver Spur, a 1954 Ford Skyliner, a 1949 MG TC, a 1960 Morgan +4, a 1958 Edsel Convertible, a 1929 Ford Fire Truck and a 1933 Packard Victoria Convertible.

“There’s a lot of history in these cars and they definitely bring back plenty of memories,” said Steve West. “This a great event that showcases the great American craftsmanship that went into these vehicles.”   

“Having been around cars all my life, I really enjoy seeing these classic cars and watching the enjoyment they bring to those that have taken care of them for future generations,” said Jerry Hodge of Twin City Dealerships. “There’s just something about getting behind the wheel of cars like these and hitting the highway that brings about a great feeling of freedom.”

Wild Laurel Golf Course in East Tennessee has been designated a “Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary” by Audubon International for its dedication to environmental excellence on the 18-hole track in Townsend known for its stunning mountain views. 

“Wild Laurel Golf Course has shown a strong commitment to its environmental program,” said Christine Kane, CEO at Audubon International. “The owners and management team are to be commended for their efforts to provide a sanctuary for wildlife on the golf course property.”

While playing the Wild Laurel par-70 course, golfers can observe wildlife ranging from deer to wild turkey to bears.

“We are located in the middle of the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, and we felt an obligation to make sure our footprint was as environmentally sound and sustainable as possible,” Wild Laurel President John Trotter said. “We are immensely proud of all the hard work we have accomplished in order to receive this designation.”

To be certified by Audubon, a course must demonstrate that it maintains a high level of environmental quality in several areas, Kane said, including environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach and education, chemical use reduction and safety, water conservation and water quality management.

Wild Laurel has worked diligently to:

• Preserve natural areas.
• Provide excellent wildlife habitat.
• Create new landscape areas.
• Remove invasive species.
• Establish buffers around water bodies.
• Reduce irrigated areas to conserve water.
• Test to ensure water leaving the course has the same quality as when it arrived.

Nestled in a valley surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains, Wild Laurel is open to the public and a short drive from Knoxville and the tourist destinations of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. The popular Cades Cove area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is right across Rich Mountain from the course. The views from the clubhouse down Laurel Valley are spectacular.

The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, endorsed by the United States Golf Association (USGA), provides information and guidance to help golf courses preserve and enhance wildlife habitat and protect natural resources. Wild Laurel is one of more than 900 courses worldwide (out of more than 38,000) to receive certification and the 10th in Tennessee. Audubon International is a nonprofit with the purpose of delivering high-quality environmental education and facilitating the sustainable management of natural resources.