Come to the Pancake Breakfast

A Pancake Breakfast will be held in Coker Creek from 8am until noon on Saturday, July 28, 2012, at the Ruritan Club. Tickets are $5 which includes breakfast and a chance for several door prizes, including restaurant gift certificates, sightseeing flights, tools, gift baskets, and other items.

This is also a gathering of antique vehicles.  If you have an old car, truck, tractor, or other vehicle, bring it on out and show it off! If you don't, come on out anyway, and enjoy a good breakfast and good fellowship for a good cause.



The Breakfast is a fundraiser for the Coker Creek Welcome Center and Post Office. The Welcome Center Gift Shop partially supports the Post Office, and both are dependent on donations and fundraising capital for continued operation.

The Ruritan Club is located behind the Coker Creek elementary school near the 34 mile marker on Highway 68.

2012 Fund Raiser Quilt

Drawing on December 9th

The Dorcas Ladies of Center Presbyterian Church have made another fund raiser quilt to help support our ministry of making comfort quilts for sick people.  We raise the money for the supplies we need for making quilts, and we donate to charitable causes from time to time.

Help us by buying a chance to win this beautiful quilt (see photo).  You can get your ticket(s) by asking any of the Dorcas Ladies at church, or e-mail me, or mail a check to me made payable to DLCP to my address (PO Box 515, Tellico Plains, TN 37385).

$1.00 each ticket or 6 tickets for $5.00
Thank you so much for your continued support.  We love what we do and we do it for the Glory of God. Sandra Black

Music Events in Tellico Plains

Lots of recurring music events in Tellico Plains
Visit our Events and Activities Calendar for details
http://tellico-plains.com/calendar.html

Open MIC Night every Friday 6pm - 9pm
The Outpost Pavilion
Bring your instrument of choice and/or your voice and join in the fun, or just kick back and listen food and beverages available. All instruments and levels are welcome. The audience at the Outpost often comes just because of this event, so there is usually great audience participation which makes performing there so much fun. There are 12 performance slots and a sign up sheet will be out by 5:30pm. Please call 423-253-2322 with questions.
The Outpost Pavilion, 123 Main Street, Tellico Plains, TN 37385

Live Bluegrass Music - Friday and Saturday 6:00pm 'til closing
The Cotton Pickin' Inn
Live bluegrass band almost every Friday and Saturday night. Call 423-253-3463 for details.
The Cotton Pickin' Inn, 100 Scott Street, Tellico Plains, TN 37385

Music Jam every Saturday 7pm - 10pm
The Castle
Bring your instrument for jamming at "The Castle". A wide variety of music is played from bluegrass, folk, jazz, blues, country, and oldies. It all depends on who shows up to pick! Non-musicians are also welcome to join the fun. This jam session happens every Saturday night starting at 7pm, subject to weather (Cancelled if the winter temperatures are too cold). Visiting tourists are encouraged to join local Tellico Plains musicians. This is a free event.
The Castle, 110 Scott Street, Tellico Plains, Tennessee 37385

Live Music every Saturday 6pm - 9pm
The Outpost Pavilion
"Music on the Menu"  Southbound, Mandy Alexander, Matthew Gallagher - a live radio broadcast this Saturday June 2. Otherwise, Faith Willin' plays live music at the Outpost Pavilion every Saturday evening. The husband & wife duo performs a wide variety of songs (Americana, folk, easy country, bluegrass, traditional, gospel, easy rock), singing vocals and harmony.
Please call 423-253-2322 for more info.
The Outpost Pavilion, 123 Main Street, Tellico Plains, TN 37385

Acoustic Jam Session every Wednesday - 6:00pm 'til closing
The Cotton Pickin' Inn
Acoustic "jam session" open to local and visiting musicians. Non-musicians are welcome to join the fun, enjoy dinner, and/or sing along. This jam session will be acoustic only instruments (i.e. guitar, mandolin, bass, fiddle, cello, banjo, dobro, etc.). No amplification is allowed. The music genre will include; bluegrass, old time, folk, gospel, old country, easy country, western, and pop folk. A "jam session" is when a group of musicians form a circle, then going clockwise, each takes a turn in selecting a song to play. Call 423-253-3463 for more info.
The Cotton Pickin' Inn, 100 Scott Street, Tellico Plains, TN 37385

Clay Hollow Band this Saturday

Clay Hollow Band will be playing saturday 6/2 at the Cotton Pickin diner at 6pm

Local Musicians, Promote Yourselves!

Are you a Tellico Plains area musician?
Would you like to post your band's performing information on the Guide to Tellico Plains for free? Visit our musicians page and send us your band's information. We want to make everyone aware of the talented musicians that reside in the greater Tellico Plains area.
Visit: tellico-plains.com/musicians.html

Old Time Mountain Music

On Thursday May 24th - 5:30pm 'til closing, The Cotton Pickin' Inn of Tellico Plains will host bluegrass & old time mountain folk music performed by the "Two Dog Ranch Bluegrass Band" featuring Rebecca Furniss on the fiddle. "Two Dog Ranch Bluegrass Band" is a group of friends who get together to pick bluegrass and old time mountain music. The band is made up of local musicians, including Rebecca Furniss (fiddle, mandolin, & bouzouki), Charles Morris (lead guitar & vocals), Julie Crunk (mandolin), Bill Crunk (rhythm guitar), Judy Lavoie (banjo & vocals), and Rick Lavoie (guitar & bouzouki). The Cotton Pickin' Inn features a "Pickin Hall" for music and dinner. The Cotton Pickin' Inn, 100 Scott Street, Tellico Plains, TN 37385 Telephone: 423-253-3463 tellico-plains.com/cotton-pickin-inn.html eMail: cottonpickininn@gmail.com

Becca Furniss & Two Dog Ranch

On Wednesday May 16th - 5:30pm 'til closing, The Cotton Pickin' Inn of Tellico Plains will host bluegrass & old time mountain folk music performed by the "Two Dog Ranch Bluegrass Band" featuring Becca Furniss on the fiddle.

"Two Dog Ranch Bluegrass Band" is a group of friends who get together to pick bluegrass and old time mountain music. The band is made up of local musicians, including Becca Furniss (fiddle & mandolin), Charles Morris (lead guitar & vocals), Diana Brake (upright bass & vocals), Judy Lavoie (banjo & vocals), and Rick Lavoie (guitar & bouzouki).

The Cotton Pickin' Inn features a "Pickin Hall" for music and dinner.

The Cotton Pickin' Inn
100 Scott Street, Tellico Plains, TN 37385
Telephone: 423-253-3463
tellico-plains.com/cotton-pickin-inn.html

eMail: cottonpickininn@gmail.com

Garage Sale Treasures

The Cherokee Women's Club is having a Garage Sale on Saturday, May 12th at the Community Center Parking Lot, to raise funds for their many projects in supporting Tellico Plains. The Club will be awarding a college scholarship to a Tellico Plains High School Senior in the next couple weeks. In addition, the Club's funds and member volunteers help support the Tellico Plains Library's summer reading program, add to the beautification of the City, conduct a poetry contest for Tellico Plains schools, and make many other beneficial activities possible. This sale will help this active organizations continue these endeavors. The Garage Sale will be set up by 8am, so come find some treasures and help support the Cherokee Women's Club.

Puppy Love

Come love the dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens from Monroe County Animal Shelter and adopt your favorites at PUPPY LOVE, on Saturday, May 12th.

• Raffles from local businesses (drawing at 4:30pm) and door prizes every hour
• Get a photo with your favorite pet, $5 for a 4x6 glossy
• Microchipping for your dog, $10
• Spay/neuter vouchers after 1pm

Generously sponsored and hosted by The Outpost Pavilion. 

When: 
Saturday, May 12, from 11am - 5pm
Where:
Tellico Outpost Pavilion, 123 Main Street, Tellico Plains TN 37385

Come join the fun and support our Animal Shelter!

Bluegrass & Old Time Mountain Folk Music

Bluegrass Pickin' at The Cotton Pickin' Inn this Friday May 4th - 6:00pm 'til closing.
The Cotton Pickin' Inn is located on 100 Scott Street, Tellico Plains, TN 37385. Telephone: 423-253-3463. Three members of "Two Dog Ranch Bluegrass Band" will be pickin' bluegrass and old time music from 6pm til' closing. The band is made up of local musicians, including Charles Morris (lead guitar, dobro, & vocals), Julie Crunk (mandolin & vocals), Bill Crunk (rhythm guitar), Judy Lavoie (banjo & vocals), and Rick Lavoie (guitar & bouzouki). The Cotton Pickin' Inn features a "Pickin Hall" perfectly setup for music and dinner. http://tellico-plains.com/cotton-pickin-inn.html

Bluegrass & Old Time Mountain Folk Music

Bluegrass Pickin' at Nut-n-Fancy

Come enjoy live bluegrass pickin' on Friday, April 27th, from 5:00pm 'til closing at Nut-n-Fancy Restaurant.

"Two Dog Ranch Bluegrass Band" is a group of friends who get together to pick bluegrass and old time music. The band is made up of local musicians, including Charles Morris (lead guitar, dobro, & vocals), Julie Crunk (mandolin & vocals), Bill Crunk (rhythm guitar), Judy Lavoie (banjo & vocals), and Rick Lavoie (guitar & bouzouki).

Nut-n-Fancy Restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating, and will be featuring their "Friday Night Fish Fry".

Nut n Fancy is located at 390 Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains, TN 37385. Telephone: 423-253-6775. nut-n-fancy-restaurant.com

Indian Boundary Campground Opening

Indian Boundary Campground will reopen for the 2012 Season on Tuesday, April 17, at 2pm. The campground is part of the Cherokee National Forest, and is a favorite vacation spot for both locals and visitors. The 91 tent/RV sites are wooded, level, mostly shaded, and spacious, all with electric RV hookup and fire ring, some with RV pull-thrus. There are water spigots along the camping loop roads. Several sites have views of Indian Boundary Lake. There are flush toilets and shower facilities, a well stocked campstore, and a picnic pavilion at the beach.

Wild yellow trout lily growing along the hiking trail

The campground is within easy access of all the activities on and around picturesque Indian Boundary Lake: fishing (wheelchair accessible fishing pier too), beach swimming with bath houses, hiking and bicycling on the 3.2 mile track around the lake's shore, kayaking, canoeing and other non-motorized boats, volleyball, picnicking, and relaxing on the beach. The "overflow" camping area, open year round, is ideal for groups. Note there is no cell phone coverage and no public phone; the campground hosts have radio contact to the Ranger's station for emergencies.

Year-round, the lake is a special destination for day visitors too - a welcome escape from city life and crowds. PIck up a picnic lunch from a restaurant in Tellico Plains, grab a book, put on your walking shoes, pack your bathing suit, and enjoy the serenity of a day at Indian Boundary Lake.

Indian Boundary Lake is manmade, and dam controlled, and beautifully surrounded by mountains. It is at an elevation of about 1800 feet. The approximately 100-acre lake is drained during the winter off-season, allowing the Forest Service to do maintenance to fish structures, the fishing pier, etc. Flats Creek, which helps feed the Lake, can be seen in the photo of the drained lake, below. Old tree stumps have been preserved by remaining underwater. The forests around the lake are home to much wildlife, and beautiful wildflowers bloom along the trail all through the spring, summer, and fall.

Indian Boundary is two miles off the scenic Cherohala Skyway (TN Hwy 165, NC Hwy 143), about 16 miles east of Tellico Plains.
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
35.40167, -84.10722
35°24'6"N, 84°6'26"W

Campsites can be reserved by calling 877-444-6777.

Make your camping reservations online, at least 4 days ahead of arrival, thru:
http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Indian_Boundary_Tn/r/campgroundBookingWindow.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70494
or
http://www.reserveamerica.com

During the winter, Indian Boundary Lake is drained for various projects.

We are sad to report that the March 2nd tornado leveled the KOA Tellico Plains Kampground in its path of destruction. The Kampground owners have plans to rebuild, and we look forward to seeing this wonderful facility reopen. In the meantime, Indian Boundary Campground will be a popular alternative for many campers.

For more information about Tellico Plains activities, events, and businesses, visit the Guide to Tellico Plains.

RAMP FESTIVAL SCHEDULED IN BALLPLAY COMMUNITY

The Ballplay Ruritan Club is hosting the 2nd Annual Ramp Festival on Saturday, April 21 at the Friends Meeting of Ballplay Fellowship Hall and grounds from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be family activities, live music, craft vendors and local community organizations.

The Ramp Dinner, served from Noon to 3 p.m., includes a beverage, fried potatoes, and dessert.  Adults are $7 and children under 12 are $4.  We are also planning a “kid-friendly” alternative meal.  Proceeds will be used for community projects.

Event is “Rain or Shine” with free admission.  Friends Meeting of Ballplay is located ¼ west of the intersection of Hwy. 360 and Ballplay Rd in Tellico Plains, TN at 157 Ballplay School Road.  Plans are still underway for additional activities.  Look for us on Facebook, “BALLPLAY RURITAN” for updates.

We are looking for local crafts vendors and demonstrators who are interested in participating in this popular, community-based event.   Call John at 442-7053 for more information.

Tellico Tornado Victims Fundraiser Concert

Come to Tellico Plains Town Square on Saturday, March 24th, beginning at noon, for a free, family-friendly afternoon of music, food, and raffles - all to benefit the Tornado Victims of Tellico Plains. Enjoy music from Greylan James Band, Jason Stinnett Band, Wicked Garden, C.A.B., and Monroe County's own Southbound Band. All donations accepted and appreciated.

Smoke in the Mountains

Looking east from Tellico Plains you get a great view of the Smoky Mountains. But lately the "smoke" has been from burning. Don't be alarmed, this is part of the Cherokee National Forest's Prescribed Burning. Here is their news release:

"The Tellico Ranger District will be conducting three prescribed burns through April 15, 2012. The burns will be in the vicinities of Brushy Ridge, Turkey Creek, and Whigg Mountain. Neighboring communities should be advised that minimal smoke may be observed during the burning operations. 

USDA Forest Service officials say prescribed (controlled) fire is a useful tool for managing National Forest lands. Approximately 20,000 acres are scheduled for burning throughout the 650,000 acre Cherokee National Forest during 2012. A significant portion of the prescribed burning is planned for early spring."

Thank you to Debra and Mike Rogers for their photography, capturing the beauty of our mountains in every condition.