The Derosia Team

It's Spring Time in the Smokies. The weather is warming and wildflowers are popping up everywhere. Now is a great time to do some projects around your house that will increase your property value without breaking the bank! Remodel the Kitchen: Upgrading the kitchen cabinets, adding granite countertop, re-doing the floor, and updating kitchen appliances will not only make you want to live in your kitchen, but will increase the house's value! Open the Floor Plan: Open floor plans are the hot item right now when it comes to looking for a home. Knock out a wall or two. Not only is it a great way to get some frustration out, but it will make your home more appealing to prospective buyers.  Paint: A fresh coat of paint will make the rooms of your house look like a brand new room. It's an easy and expensive way to change the complete look and who doesn't like clean walls? Replace the Front Door: Not only will it improve curb appeal, but i...

  HISTORIC LANDMARKS IN  EAST TENNESSEE!     There are 36 places in Sevier County, TN listed on the Historic Register. The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. Buckingham House is located West of Sevierville on Sevierville Pike. This was the 1st place in Sevier County to be listed on the historic register on March 18, 1971. This home was built by Thomas Bucking-ham. In the early 1790s, Thomas Bucking-ham established a large farm between Boyd's Creek and Sevierville. Buckingham went on to become the county's first sheriff.   Clingmans Dome Observation Tower found on Clingmans D...

LOCAL FAVORITE: LITTLE HOUSE OF PANCAKES Tourist destinations are packed full of restaurants; most of them being the well known chain restaurants that can be dined in all over the country. However, every city has the smaller restaurants that are often a great place to go and learn about the local culture, as well as eat some of the best local food. Most of the establishments have more reasonable prices than the chain restaurants in town. The service is above and beyond in these family owned establishments and the food is worth coming back for over and over again.  Little House of Pancakes located on 321 in Gatlinburg is a family establishment loved by the locals. Visitors make sure to stop by multiple times on their trips to the Smokies. If you visit, be sure to try the all you can eat Pancake with homemade syrup. Fast Service, Friendly Faces, Big Portions, and Great Food! What more do you want from a small town business?

Happy Groundhog Day!   It's February 2nd...A.K.A. Groundhog Day! Will we have 6 more weeks of winter or is Spring around the   corner? We turn to Punxsutawney Phil for the answer!   If it is cloudy, he will come out of his burrow and see no shadow, signifying Spring is on its way. However, if it is sunny, then he will see his shadow and run back to his burrow for 6 more weeks of winter sleep. This tradition dates back to February 2, 1887. From USA: (tune of I'm a Little Teapot) I see a little groundhog, furry and brown, He's popping up to look around. If he sees his shadow, down he'll go. Six more weeks of winter - oh, no! Traditions are fun, but how reliable is Punxsutawney Phil? Since 1887, the groundhog has seen his shadow 102 times and not seen it just 18 times. The groundhogs accuracy has been tracked since  1988. He has been correct 13 times and wrong 15 times. Thus, giving him an accuracy rating of only 46%. Dating b...

SNOW DAY! It's the 1st official Snow Day of 2016!  All schools in Sevier County, and most of East Tennessee has been shut down. Many businesses are closed for the day and reports are coming in of Highway 66 being closed currently. Snowfall totals vary across the area from a dusting to a few inches. An additional 1-3 inches of snow and ice could accumulate before the end of the night. Enjoy these snow pictures from around Sevier County. Also, what is a snow day with out a little snow cream? SNOW CREAM! YIELD: ABOUT 2-4 SERVINGS SNOW ICE CREAM This 5-minute recipe for homemade snow ice cream is a sweet way to celebrate a snow day! PREP:   5 MINS   TOTAL:   5 MINS INGREDIENTS: 1 cup milk (any kind) 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 pinch salt 8 cups clean snow or shaved ice (more or less depending on the density of the snow) optional (but strongly suggested) topping: sprinkles!!! DIRECTIONS: In a ...

It's a brand new year! A time to make resolutions, a time for a fresh start, a time to reflect and move forward.  New Year's Celebrations...When Did It Begin?      The tradition of celebrating the start of each new year has been occurring for at least the past four millenniums. Our celebrations start on December 31 and carry into January 1, but that has not always been the norm. The earliest New Year's Celebrations have been recorded to about 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylon. The Babylonians celebrated the new year on the day of the first full moon following the vernal equinox. This day (occurring in late March) is significant, because the amount of sunlight and darkness were equal. The occasion was marked with a large religious festival called Akitu. This celebration lasted for 11 days, with each day partaking in a different ritual. A new king was also crowned during this celebration.       As more civilizations developed more ...