Saturday, April 7, 2012

2012 Spring Newsletter






Berry Springs Lodge
2012 Spring Newsletter

 
 

 

  Hello from Berry Springs Lodge,

  Spring came early this year.  We did not have much of a winter either.  Don't get us wrong but  we are very happy the winter was mild.  We spent January in Florida which was even nicer for great weather.  Most of the days were about 80 degrees and we only had one day of rain.  You can't beat that.
We spend a week in Orlando and did the touristy thing and went to Disney and Universal Studios.   Disney was not busy at all so we did 2 parks a day.  It does not matter how many times we go on the "Tower of Terror" it still gets you.  Universals did a great job on “Harry Potter" land.  It looked very realistic.  We had to try the "Buttered Beer" our review is “Yuck".  It started out smooth but had a real bitter after taste.

Then we went on a Carnival cruise to the Eastern Caribbean with mom and dad. Weather and islands were nice but can't say much for Carnival.  The food was poor and the guest services were even poorer.  We will stick with Royal Caribbean or Celebrity next time. 

After that we spend a week in Vero Beach with family.  That was very nice.  We got a chance to go air boating with alligators, shoot skeet and went to the gun range.  But best of all Cathy,  "Sues Sister" cooked dinner every night.  Not sure how she finds the time and energy.  Needles to say we gained some pounds on that trip!  With many projects back at the lodge we are sure we will work it off this springs and summer.  

 

Again we want to thank you for being our friends and guests.  Hope to see you all soon.  

Thank you, and God bless





    

 Events Calendar for April, May and June
 


  Smoky Mountain SpringFest
March 9, 2012 - June 3, 2012
Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, trees are full of new growth and leaves, frost has melted from the high country and waterfalls cascade onto rocks below.



Great Smoky Easter Arts & Crafts Show
April 5, 2012 - April 7, 2012Unique handcrafted gifts and products produced by members of Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community are placed on display and offered for sale as they host their annual Easter show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.


Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament
April 7, 2012 - April 8, 2012The 13th Annual Smoky Mountain Trout Tournament is open to adults or children – and equally challenging for both visitors and locals, with multiple categories to be contested in this largest trout tournament in the Smokies.


Smoky Mountain MABC Regional Bridge Tournament
April 16, 2012 - April 22, 2012This large tournament of the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference takes place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center with thousands of players participating in Gold Point events and other programs. 





Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
April 25, 2012 - April 29, 2012Enjoy the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with over 150 different programs, including hiking tours, motorcades, demonstrations & classroom lectures.


Ribfest, Wings & BBQ
April 26, 2012 - April 26, 2012
Enjoy the area’s best ribs and wings as well as live entertainment during Gatlinburg’s Ribfest & Wings on Thursday, April 26 on the Parkway. One admission price allows sampling until the ribs and wings run out as downtown transforms into a Street Fair.



Free Parkway Trolley
June 15, 2012 - August 18, 2012Visitors to Gatlinburg have an additional means to explore the Parkway via this shuttle route which is free for the summer starting June 15. 



Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales
June 15, 2012 - August 11, 2012
Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance event featuring costumed musical performers, storytellers and artisans portraying time periods as far back as 1800.  










  

 Sue's  Recipes     



Peanut Butter Carmel Brownies
  
 


  • 1 box (9 x 13 size) brownie mix

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter

  • 11 tablespoons water

  • 1/4 cup oil

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 1 cup corn syrup

  • 1-1/4 cups crunchy peanut butter

  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips

  • 1/3 cup peanut butter


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In large bowl, combine brownie mix, 1/2 cup peanut butter, water, oil, and eggs; mix until combined, then beat 30 strokes. Pour into greased 13” x 9” pan. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until brownies are just set; do not over bake. Let cool on wire rack.

In medium microwave-safe bowl, combine brown sugar and corn syrup. Microwave mixture on high for 2 minutes, then remove and stir. Return to microwave and cook on high for 1-1/2 minutes longer.


Remove from microwave and immediately stir in 1-1/4 cups peanut butter. Mix well with wire whisk and quickly pour over cooled brownies. Spread evenly to cover.


In small microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and 1/3 cup peanut butter. Microwave on high for 1-1/2 minutes, then remove and stir until chips melt and mixture is smooth. Pour over caramel mixture and carefully, with the back of a spoon, spread evenly over the caramel mixture. Let stand until set, then cut into bars.



Patrick's   "Home Inn-Provements" 


 

Vacation time is over and I am back to work.  P.J. and Tracy took care of much of the touch up painting at the lodge while we were in Florida so we were able to get started on repairing the outdoor kitchen.  The lower boards were getting pretty bad with mold and rotting.  Between water from the grown splashing up and water from the roof it was looking ugly.  We had some leftover stone from when we did the front of the lodge a few years ago so we decided to use that on the bottom half.  I think it came out really nice..

We also started on a garage for me to store my toys.  It is on the lower part of the property where the 'Hillbilly Hotel" use to be.  Just what I need another place to hide from Sue when I am suppose to be working. 

The road of the other ridge has settled in and is growing some grass.  It should be ready to do a final grade on it this summer.  We still need to do much hand clearing below were the cottages will go for septic area.  I am sure P.J can't wait to work on that this summer.   
 

 

 

 Again thank you for your help and spreading the word.



                                                                        Patrick 



Earth Week 2012

April 22, 2012 - April 28, 2012earth day

Celebrate Earth Week in Gatlinburg! Run in the 5K, bring the entire family to the festival to learn about easy green practices, enjoy music, activities and games, craft stations, food and more! And don't miss Ribfest, BBQ and Wings on Thursday, April 26 featuring musical entertainment, food sampling from 5 to 9 p.m. and loads of atmosphere in the downtown area. Read more

Smoky Mountain MABC Regional Bridge Tournament

April 16, 2012 - April 22, 2012 


smoky mountain mabc regional bridge tournament


This large tournament of the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference takes place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center with thousands of players participating in Gold Point events and other programs.


This large tournament of the Mid-Atlantic Bridge Conference takes place at the Gatlinburg Convention Center with thousands of players participating in Gold Point events and other programs. Read more