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GOTriDECEMBER 2015

winter wonderland

Create Holiday GiftsThat Keep on Giving

Christmas budgeting made easy

Holiday Travel

Winterizing your home

Video Games

Save energy withholiday decorations

Yummy Wintertime Recipes

8

14

5

10How to make older homes more energy

efficient

Minimize liveChristmas tree mess

Create holiday gifts that keep on giving

Winter 2015-2016could be wet

for skiers

Heart-healthy foods for the year ahead

4

9

18

7

12

Publisher Keith Wilson

[email protected]

EditorMatthew Lane

[email protected]

AdvertisingBilly Kirk

[email protected] Magazine is published monthly by the Kingsport Times-News and the

Northeast Tennessee Media Group. For more information, visit timesnews.net.

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winter wonderland

Create Holiday GiftsThat Keep on Giving


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Surrounded by Pastoral Views and Grand Open Spaces, Hallmarks of this Gorgeous Home are the Attention to Detail in Every Corner of its Design and its Convenient Proximity to Town, Travel and the Famed Warriors Path State Park that is Only Minutes down the Road! One of the Largest State Parks in the Nation and is truly a Recreational and Sum-mer Paradise or a WINTER WONDERLAND with Incredible Diversity and Wildlife! There was a Dream that became Reality in this large Custom Designed and Custom Built Home. The finishing touch is a stunning Southern-Style Five/Six Bedroom, 4 Full Bath and 2 Half Baths, over 4,000 square feet Panoramic Mountain View Home with Hardwood Floors, Open Floor Plan, Spacious Kitchen with a Gourmet Style and Design, Great Room with a beautiful Fireplace including Gas Logs. Master Suite and 2 additional Bedrooms are on the Main Level with a very Private Staircase leading to a large Family/Game Room with the additional Bedrooms and Baths. Main Level 2 Car Garage with a 2nd Driveway that leads to the Drive under garage that opens into the Full Basement that offers an additional 2300 square feet of area to be finished and is already plumbed for a 5th Bathroom! The Home is situated at the end of the Street, at the beginning of the large cul-de-sac, on a beautifully Landscaped Corner Lot! MLS#368010

Older properties tend to have a sense of charm that newly built homes may lack. Perhaps it’s their lived-in feel or design elements that remind homeowners of yesteryear that make older homes so popular among home buyers.

What older homes have in character they may lack in modern ame-nities. For example, whereas many homes are now built with energy efficiency in mind, older homes may not be so eco-friendly. Fortunate-ly, there are many ways for homeowners who love their older homes to keep that love going strong while making their homes more energy efficient at the same time.

• Check for leaks and plug any you find. Homes may develop air leaks over time, and such leaks allow air to infiltrate the home. When that occurs, homeowners instinctively turn up the thermostat in winter to combat the cold air getting in. Come summertime, those same home-owners will run their air conditioners on a higher setting in an effort to stay comfortable when hot air is creeping through the cracks. Rather than adjusting the temperature inside, fix any sources of air infiltration you find. Run your hand along doorways and windows to determine if any drafts are coming through. Older homes may also develop cracks in bricks, around the foundation and in siding or stucco. Seal any areas where you feel air infiltrating your home, which will save money, reduce your energy consumption and make your older home more efficient.

• Add insulation. Many older homes are poorly insulated. But according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, adding insula-tion can reduce energy costs by as much as 50 percent. Installing insu-lation can be tricky, especially if insulation was not originally included in your home, as is sometimes the case with older homes. Insulation can become damp and prove ineffective if installed improperly. Damp insu-lation also may contribute to mold growth and rot in the home’s fram-ing. Older homes may be lacking adequate insulation around attics, crawl spaces, basements, heating and cooling ducts, and water pipes. Cover your water heater with an insulated water heater blanket so the heater retains more heat and consumes less energy to heat the water.

• Stay on top of your home. Much like older vehicles, older homes require a little extra TLC on the part of homeowners. Don’t allow your home to fall into disrepair. Even if your energy bills are not on the rise, inspect windows and doors to make sure they are closing tightly, as over time such seemingly minor problems can add up to substantial energy loss. Don’t forget to clean gutters and downspouts, removing debris that can add up and lead to water damage that may ultimately compromise the effectiveness of your home’s insulation.

• Book an energy audit. Energy audits, which may be offered free of charge by your utility company, can help detect any additional areas where a home may be using energy inefficiently. Even if you have to pay for an audit, the cost savings if any additional inefficiencies are discovered will likely add up to more than the cost of the audit.

Older homes are attractive to many homeowners, who can take sev-eral steps to make sure their homes are operating as efficiently as possible.

How to make older homes more energy efficient

5DECEMBER 2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE

2015

The holiday season allows people to transform their homes into wonderlands of lights, garlands and poinsettias. Each family has its own holi-day traditions, and decorations are a part of many of those traditions.

Decorations might be awe-inspiring, but those that include lights often lead to substantially higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are ways for homeowners, whether they prefer subtle displays or more over-the-top arrangements, to save money and still celebrate the holiday season in style.

• Switch to more efficient lights. A great way to ensure holiday displays consume less energy is to change the bulbs being strung. Incandescent lights can use 80 to 90 percent more energy than LED lights. Gradually replace older light strands with newer, energy-efficient LEDs. Not only do LEDs require less energy, but they also can last longer than incan-descent bulbs, meaning you won’t have to replace them as frequently as more traditional bulbs. Furthermore, lower wattage usage means you can attach more strands of lights together safely.

• Use timers. Timers can be set to turn lights on and off at specific times, ensuring lights aren’t turning on during the daytime or being left on into the night by forgetful homeowners. Timers also are a good safety precaution. A dark house that is normally lit up can advertise to thieves that no one is home. When lights turn on with a timer, it will cre-ate the illusion that it is business as usual in your residence.

• Use homemade decorations. You also can save energy and money by recycling materials into holiday décor. Trim branches from trees and use them in vases for an instant wintry look. Prune an evergreen on your property and make your own wreath with some wire and twine. Shop yard sales for gently used decorations that still have years of util-ity left. Sew ornaments from scraps of fabric or clothing that no longer fits. Each of these ideas reduces reliance on manufactured decorations that consume energy during production and fuel while being transport-ed from factories to store shelves.

• Rely on extension cords. You can extend the length of displays with-out using more lights by spacing out light strands with extension cords. Intersperse spotlights to add attention to key elements of your display as well.

• Turn off interior lights. If a Christmas tree is illuminating a front win-dow, turn off the lights in your home, as the tree may provide enough light to make a living room or den extra cozy.

Save energy with holiday decorations

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7NOVEMBER 2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE

How much stock do you put into the yearly Farmers Almanac forecast?

Depending on your answer, you could plan for either a good winter of outdoor snow-relat-ed sports or just a wet one.

This year’s prediction, which comes out about 16 months in advance, calls for a typi-cal winter in most parts of the country, but a wet set of months for those within reading dis-tance of GoTri Magazine.

But area ski resorts are not letting forecasts get them down, as mountains such as Beech Mountain in Banner Elk, North Carolina, have access to their own snow-making equipment. As of early November, they were already pre-paring for a what they expect to be an excep-tional year on the slopes.

“We’re only about a month away from the start of a great ski season here,“ the moun-tain’s public relations folks posted on their Facebook page, looking to the bright side of what could be a dreary winter.

On top of having a killer time machine-in-duced party called the Totally 80’s Retro Ski Weekend, February 18-21, Beech has a year-round 5506 Skybar, which serves locally-sourced and crafted brews, as well as tasty meals.

Always looking to add a new offering to their guests, Beech Mountain recently announced that it will be adding a state-of-the-art snow-tubing park that sits next to their ice skating rink.

“The catalyst for the park was a desire to add more amenities for our guests,” said re-sort general manager Ryan Costin. “People of all ages and skill levels enjoy tubing. It’s a good family activity as well.”

Another addition, which should help pack in the snow, will be 11 new snow guns to help keep the trails covered, even when those temperatures get warmer and skiers want to extend their season into the spring.

Sugar Mountain Resort, just across the Western North Caro-lina mountains from Beech, also serves its riders and skiers something a little dif-ferent. Ice skating, snowshoeing and tubing are offerings at this Western North Carolina mountain re-sort.

The combination of 700-foot tubing lanes and a magic carpet ride back to the top, make for a wild day of riding.

Wolf Ridge Ski Resort in nearby Mars Hill, just over the Tennessee-North Carolina state line is also an option for those who want to scratch their skiing or snowboarding itch, without the means to book a flight to the high-er slopes in the western states and northeast mountain ranges.

Wolf Ridge offers everything needed for a perfect winter’s weekend — with lovely wilder-ness lodgings and a terrain park for the high-flying snowboarders and skiers. Those with the resort say the mountains between East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, just off Interstate 26 make for the perfect selfie spot.

If the weather isn’t looking ideal, according to the Farmers Almanac’s forecast, no one’s told these three area ski resorts, as they’re planning for their best winters ever.

- Tony Casey

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8 GOTRI MAGAZINE | GOTRICITIES.COM8 DECEMBER 2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE

The Tri-Cities hasn’t seen really cold weather so far this fall but with winter right around the corner, rest assured it’s coming. Now is the time to get homes and vehicles ready.

David Sell, who owns Olde Towne Ace Hardware in Jonesborough, said homeown-ers should start getting things ready for cold drafts and freezing temperatures.

“Probably one of the first things they need to do is make sure water hose are unhooked from outdoor spigots, drain their water hoes and store them,” he said. Those outside faucets should also be protected with either a faucet sock or by wrapping it in insulation with a cover on it.

From there, Sell said homeowners should check all main entrance doors and all windows to make sure those openings have property sealed weather stripping. This will keep out cold winds, and therefore help keep wind from getting through.

Other tips from Sell included:

• Close foundation vents and secure crawl space openings to keep out wind, which is the reason pipes freeze. “A lot of people don’t realize it’s not the cold that freezes the lines, it’s the wind. They need to make sure any areas where lines are exposed is protected.”

• Use heat tape on exposed pipes before cold weather sets in. Sell said heat tape doesn’t do any good on pipes that have already frozen.

• Clean gutters and downspouts of all debris and leaves to ensure proper drainage.

• Remove window air conditioners or seal the area up completely to keep wind out. • Have heat pumps checked by a certified

technician to ensure the unit is running property.

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detec-tor batteries.

• Make sure chimneys are cleaned if you use wood to heat your home.

Getting things ready for winter around the house might be a little easy to ignore or put off — it’s not like you can’t use your home if it’s drafty — but ignoring vehicle issues just might get you stranded. Keeping your vehicle in good working condition throughout the year is important, and will make winterizing a cinch, according to Larry Jilton at Larry’s Tire Center in Johnson City.

Routine maintenance — oil changes, tire rotation, wheel alignment — are important to keep your vehicle running well year round.

When it comes to getting things ready for winter, here are a few tips from Larry’s:

• Get a tune-up. Cold weather makes slug-gish performance worse.

• Have the radiator flushed.

• Check the heat and defrost system and replace worn wiper blades. Also, use cold-weather washer fluid to help keep the wind-shield from frosting over while driving in snow and icy weather.

• Have the exhaust system checked to en-sure there are no carbon monoxide leaks into the passenger compartment.

• Check the battery and replace if necessary. Cold weather drains batteries more quickly than warm weather.

For more tips on winterizing your vehicle, go by Larry’s Tire Center, located at 1016 W Market St, Johnson City, or visit your favorite mechanic and auto repair shop.

- Becky Campbell

Winterizing your home

A Christmas tree is often the centerpiece of holiday decorating. Trees come in many shapes and sizes, both real and artificial. Those looking for a more authentic tree gravitate toward real trees, with their rich, earthy smell and beautiful boughs of green.

While the sights and smells of real trees are what draw many people in, live trees do require more maintenance than their artificial alternatives. Falling pine needles and sap are part of the live-tree package, as is regular watering and some initial tree preparation. However, those who have their hearts set on a real tree can employ some strategies to minimize the mess.

BUY A FRESH TREE

Christmas tree lots may begin to crop up before Thanksgiving, meaning trees will have been cut and shipped weeks before. The tree you put up in your home may be at least two months old by Christmas Day. Also, trees that are open to full sunlight at tree lots can dry out prematurely.

When shopping, look for trees that seem freshly cut and have good needle retention. Grab a branch and see if the needles remain intact. Give the tree trunk a bump on the ground and assess how many needles drop to the ground. Look at the color of the tree and determine if it is wilting. These may be signs that the tree is old and on its last legs.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT VARIETY

Some varieties of tree have more staying power after being cut than others. So-called “true firs,” such as noble, Fraser, Nordmann, and Turkish, usually last the longest. Douglas fir, Scotch pine, balsam, and grand fir trees also last long after being cut. Spruce trees, which are usually the least expensive variety on lots, may only last two to three weeks.

WRAP AND TRANSPORT

Ask the tree seller to freshly cut the bottom of the tree and wrap the entire tree in twine so it will be easier to move. Place the tree on the roof of your car with the trunk facing front . This way the wind will not fan out the branches and loosen up needles.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT LOCATION

It may seem like a good idea to put the tree right in front of a picture window, but if that window receives ample sunlight, the tree may dry out more quickly, leading to falling needles. The same can be said for putting a tree too close to a heating source, like a fireplace, radiator or heating vent. A cool, shaded area is best for keeping trees fresher lon-ger. Fit the tree in the stand while it is still outdoors and wrapped up and then move the entire product inside to the right spot. This helps minimize dirt, bark and needles getting all over the room.

TIME YOUR REMOVAL

Removing a dried-out tree can be a cleaning disaster. It’s better for the tree to make its exit before it withers. A tree can drink a gal-lon of water per day, so make sure the stand reservoir is adequately filled. Over time, though, the tree may stop taking in water. When this happens, it is best to take down the decorations and get ready for removal. Hiding a tree disposal bag under the tree skirt can make it easier to get the tree out to the curb. Some people find there’s less mess by clipping off the branches and removing them in one lump, rather than navigating a full tree through small doorways.

Real Christmas trees can enhance holiday season ambiance and set the scene for the festivities to come. With the right care and prep work, homeowners can cut down on the mess associated with fresh trees.

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Minimize liveChristmas tree mess



With Christmas and New Year’s right upon us, perhaps you’re looking for some new (and yummy!) wintertime recipes to prepare for your friends and family. Below are five suggestions — a beverage, an appetizer, a salad, a main dish and a dessert — that you may want to try when the weather calls for something warm and festive.

Creamy Crockpot Hot Chocolatefood.com1 1/2 cups heavy cream1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk2 cups milk chocolate chips6 cups milk1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cook in the slow cooker on low heat until chocolate chips are melt-ed and everything is warm. Yields 8 cups

Hot Crabmeat Appetizerkraftrecipes.com1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened1 can (7 1/2 ounce) crabmeat, drained and flaked2 Tbsp. finely chopped onions2 Tbsp. milk1/2 tsp. prepared horseradish1/4 tsp. saltDash pepper1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients, except almonds, until well-blended. Spoon mixture into 9-inch pie plate; sprinkle with almonds. Bake 15 minutes. Serve with assorted crackers.

YummyWintertime

Recipes

Photo credit - Randy Gore

11OCTOBER 2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE 11DECEMBER 2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE

Caramel Apple Dump Cakecentslessdeals.com2 cans of apple pie filling (you can also use cherry, blueberry, etc.)1 box of yellow cake mix2 sticks of butter, melted (1 cup)1/2 cup caramel sauce (like you would put on ice cream)1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)Whipped cream for garnish (optional)

In a greased 9x13 dish, mix apple pie filling and caramel sauce. You may add in the 1/2 tsp cinnamon, if desired. Spread evenly in pan. Pour dry cake mix directly on top of the pie filing and spread evenly. Top with melted butter and pecans (optional).

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until top is golden brown and apple filling is bubbly around the edges. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.

- Marci Gore

Roasted Salmon with Creamy Horseradishrealsimple.com1 Tbsp. olive oil1 3 1/2-to-4 pound skinless salmon fillet (preferably wild)2 tsp. ground coriander2 tsp. fennel seeds, crushedKosher salt and black pepper1 cup crème fraîche1/2 English cucumber, grated and squeezed2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish2 Tbsp. roughly chopped fresh tarragon leaves

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Rub the oil on the bottom of a rimmed baking sheet and place the salmon on top. Season with the corian-der, fennel, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast until just opaque but still slightly pink in the center, 16 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine the crème fraîche, cucumber, horseradish, ½ teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl.

Top the salmon with a little of the horseradish sauce and the tarra-gon. Serve warm or at room temperature, with additional horseradish sauce on the side.

Festive Cranberry Pineapple Saladkraftrecipes.com1 can (20 ounce) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained2 pkg. (3 oz.) strawberry flavored gelatin1 can (16 oz.) whole berry cranberry sauce1 pear, chopped2/3 cup chopped walnuts

Drain pineapple, reserving juice. Removie 1 Tbsp. pineapple; set aside. Add enough cold water to reserved pineapple juice to measure 3 cups; pour into saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add to dry gelatin mixes in medium bowl; stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Stir in cran-berry sauce. Refrigerate 1 1/2 hours or until slightly thickened.

Stir in remaining pineapple, pears and nuts.Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Top with reserved pineapple just before serving.


According to the National Center for Health Statistics, heart dis-ease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. Certain factors beyond an individual’s control, such as family history and age, affect his or her risk of developing heart disease, but men and women are not helpless against heart disease.

Diet can be a friend or foe with regard to heart disease. A bad diet may elevate a person’s risk for high blood pressure, heart at-tack or stroke, while a diet rich in heart-healthy foods can lower that risk. The following are a handful of heart-healthy foods for men and women who want to begin the new year on a nourishing foot.

• Raisins: Researchers from the Louisville Metabolic and Atheroscle-rosis Research Center found that consuming raisins three times a day may significantly lower blood pressure among individuals with mild increases in blood pressure. Raisins can help combat the growth of a type of bacteria that causes gum disease, which few people may know is linked to heart disease. In lieu of reaching for cookies or potato chips come snack time, opt for heart-healthy raisins instead.

• Salmon: Though its label as a fatty fish may lead some to question its nutritional properties, salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can decrease a person’s risk of developing an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia), slightly lower blood pressure and slow the growth of atherosclerotic plaque, the buildup of which can contribute to heart attack, stroke or even death. Albacore tuna, herring and lake trout are additional examples of heart-healthy fatty fish.

• Whole grains: Whole grains help men and women maintain healthy weights while lowering their risk for heart disease, making them per-fect dietary additions for anyone who resolves to lose weight and protect their heart in the year ahead. According to the American Heart Association, whole grains, such as whole wheat, oats/oatmeal, rye, barley, and brown rice, are great sources of dietary fiber, while refined grains like white rice and enriched bread contain little fiber. That’s an important distinction, as dietary fiber can improve blood cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease and stroke.

• Tomatoes: Researchers at Boston’s Tufts University analyzed more than a decade’s worth of data in an effort to discover the effects of lycopene, which is the antioxidant responsible for giving tomatoes their familiar red color, on the cardiovascular system. They ultimately discovered that people who regularly consumed foods with lycopene over an 11-year period reduced their risk of coronary heart disease by 26 percent. The lycopene found in tomatoes may be even more accessible when they are cooked.

Aspiring to eat healthier is a goal for many people come the dawn of a new year. For more information about heart-healthy foods, visit www.heart.org.

Heart-healthy foods for the year ahead


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Navigating snowy landscapes and icy streets can be difficult and uncomfortable. Winter clothing is largely classified by clothes that keep you warm and some that keep you even warmer, but winter need not be strictly about function. Although winter might not be the season of high fashion, anyone can employ strategies to include form, function and fashion into their winter ensembles.

OUTERWEARSturdy outerwear is a necessity in winter. Invest in a quality coat

that not only keeps you warm, but looks good, too. Opt for a burst of color rather than choosing a coat in a neutral shade. Detailing on the outerwear, such as buckles, belts and buttons, can add to the appeal.

Consider different types of outerwear for different days. For ex-ample, a ski-inspired short coat or even a navy-style peacoat is ideal for casual days. When the temperature hasn’t dipped too low, wear a wool poncho over a turtleneck or sweater to add movement and style. Always have a more formal and longer-length coat available for formal events. And don’t forget to have a selection of matching gloves, scarves and hats to finish off the look.

SKIRTS AND DRESSESStaying warm is a goal each winter, but that doesn’t mean you have

to banish skirts and dresses to the back of your closet. Choose materi-als that will keep you toasty, including wool, synthetic blends and thick, cotton corduroys. Pair skirts with opaque tights to keep legs warm, and choose stylish calf- or knee-high boots, which are trending right now. Patchwork trends can be seen all over the fall and winter runway shows, and you can experiment with this trend on dresses or skirts to bring a bohemian touch to your winter ensembles.

FOOTWEARDesigners recognize that winter footwear should be functional, but

it also needs to look good. A quality pair of waterproof snow boots is a must when shoveling out the car or driveway, but your winter foot-wear should not stop there. Boots and booties come in all designs,

and many are being fashioned with fur-lined insoles and waterproof coverings to withstand winter weather without sacrificing style. A big trend is boots with fold-down tongues and side panels that show a hint of sweater-like material or fur.

If you have a pair of suede boots or shoes that you love, experiment with waterproofing sprays and waxes to see if you can make them more durable this winter. Commuters may want to invest in an addi-tional carry tote so they can wear functional boots on the way to work and change into more appropriate shoes later on.

HATSDreaded hat hair is a major downside to winter weather. By follow-

ing a few tips, anyone can avoid hat hair:

• Make sure hair is completely dry before donning a hat. Damp hair can dry in the shape of the hat.

• Use an anti-frizz serum to tame flyaways that occur when hats are removed.

• Choose a well-fitting hat. Hats that are too small can cause dents and creases.

• People with long hair can pull their hair back into a high bun before putting on a hat. This will prevent hair from flattening.

Winter weather may be harsh, but there are ways to conquer the cold in style.

Make managing winter more fashionable

14 GOTRI MAGAZINE | GOTRICITIES.COMRON WEAVER

Video games are a multi-billion dollar in-dustry and have been a part of mainstream culture for decades. Not only are video games hugely popular among people of all age groups, the way we play video games are more varied than ever before. All manner of games are available on high-end gaming computers, next generation consoles, hand-held systems, tablets, plug-and-play joysticks, smart-phones and even some watches and televisions. Simply put, video games are ev-erywhere.

Some of the most anticipated video games this holiday season are titles that are a contin-uation of long-running series, the revival of an old (but well-received) franchise and a fresh entry into the toy-to-life format. So, if you find yourself over the holiday season with a stock-ing full of cash and gift cards or have nothing to binge watch on Netflix or Amazon, then here are some of the biggest names in video games this year to satisfy your button-mashing thumbs.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III – The mother of all military shooters is back again this year with its latest entry. The game is set 40 years after the events of Black Ops II and takes place in the dystopian future of 2065, where most of the warfare takes places by covert operatives, power-ful robots and super soldiers. The

single player campaign supports up to four-player cooperative mode, the always popular zombie mode has two campaigns, but the true meat of the game is the dominating online multi-player.

As with last year’s Advance Warfare game,

players will be able to slide and boost, all the while gun’s blazing, but a new ability has been added to the mix – wall running. The “Pick 10” class system returns from Black Ops II and players can also choose “Specialists” in the online battlefield, nine different soldiers, each with either a special weapon or ability unique to them. Full character and weapon person-alization means no two operatives look the same and players can expect future DLC packs to add even more weapons, maps and

zombie features to the long-term playability of the game.

Lego Dimensions – Lego games are just plain fun. No doubt about it. From the first Lego Star Wars on the original XBOX and Playstation 2, to the more recent Lego Mar-vel, Batman 3 and Jurassic World on the next generation systems, the Lego games never fail to impress. The newest game in the brick-smashing & building series is Lego Dimen-sions – a toys-to-life style game in the vein of Skylanders or Disney’s Infinity series. The for-mat is similar – build a Lego character, place it on a portal and “Boom!”, the toy appears in the video game, ready to swing into action.

Lego Dimensions features characters and

environments from 14 different franchises, including DC Comics, the Lord of the Rings,

the Wizard of Oz, the Simpsons, Doc-tor Who, Back to the Future, Ghost-busters, Scooby-Doo and Jurassic World. And no surprise, more charac-ters and environments are planned for the future. The game play is similar to the previous Lego games so expect plenty of brick-smashing, quick re-building, tricky puzzles and slap-stick humor. Not only is the game fun for people of all ages, it also allows the whole family to team-up and blast some bricks on those snow bound days of winter.

Video Games



Fallout 4 – If Lego’s aren’t your thing and you’re looking for a darker, more grittier video game experience this holiday season, then Fallout 4 may just be the game that scratches that itch. The open-world RPG is highly anticipated and the fifth game in the Fallout series, taking place in a post-apocalyptic Boston 200 years after a nuclear war ravaged the world. Players emerge from an underground bunker known as the Vault and sneak out on the barren nuclear wasteland in an attempt to survive. The game can be played either first-person or third-person and allows for non-linear game play, meaning the player can go wherever and do whatever in the open world setting of Fallout.

The Fallout series has been known for its detailed setting, deep stories and challenging mission structure. Fallout 4 continues this gaming

tradition, allowing players to pick up additional party members to accompany them and assist in the deadly battles. Players can also build and demolish buildings and items throughout the course of the game, even going so far as to build an actual settlement. No one would be surprised if you spent more than 100 hours playing this game over Christmas break. In fact, diehard Fallout 4 fans would probably be disappointed if you didn’t.

Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon – Kids love it. Parents probably don’t even understand it, let alone play the game. But that’s okay, the colorful and magi-cal world of Pikachu, Riolu, Charmander and Squirtle is what the kids love. Pokemon Super Mystery Dun-geon is the ninth game in the Mystery Dungeon series, and like its predecessors game is a dungeon-crawling, rogue-like RPG where players assume the role of one of 20 Pokemon characters from previous iterations of the series.

The game features colorful 3D characters and en-

vironments, random-generated dungeons filled with traps and enemies. The game is garnering good re-views and like with most things Pokemon related, this latest version of the Mystery Dungeon series has been selling well in Japan. The North American release is scheduled for late November, just in time for the holi-day season.

Star Wars Battlefront – Star Wars fans have every

reason this year to be happier than a Jawa in a scrap heap. The first new film in a decade (and one not made by franchise founder George Lucas), a resurgence in the written Star Wars word (novels, comics and refer-ence books) and shelves and shelves of toys, action figures, costumes, playsets, Legos and miniatures. Though Star Wars has been a part of mainstream pop culture for decades, the Jedi juggernaut has come back with a vengeance this year and is definitely a “force” to be reckoned with.

Star Wars Battlefront is a first-person, multi-player

shooter that supports up to 40 people at one time battling it out on some of the most famous planets in the Star Wars universe, including Hoth, Endor and Tatoonie. SWB is similar to the two previous incarna-tions on the original XBOX and Playstation 2, but with the advances of technology and the next generation systems, the new game looks amazing and has much more depth than the older versions. Players can use a variety of vehicles, both air and land-based, such as speeders and the giant AT-AT walkers, while the weap-ons, characters, gear and abilities are all customizable to each player’s style. Playable characters include Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Boba Fett and the Emperor. Need we say more?

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Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours!

What to do?Go Tri – December Calendar

The Christmas in the Smokies bluegrass music festival will be held at the Ramada Inn & Smoky Mountain Con-

vention Center in Pigeon Forge. The festival will be hosted by Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road, and will bring together many traditional blue-grass and gospel bands for a special Christmas celebration of music with bluegrass friends and family. For more information and to pur-chase tickets visit www.bluegrasschristmasinsmokies.com or call 919-779-5672.

The Santa Train Car will be parked in Jonesborough for two days with Santa Claus greeting guests on

board the car on Dec. 11, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Dec. 12 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The annual Jonesborough Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. on Dec. 12. The event is free and open to the public and will be located at 210 Spring St. For information call 423-753-1010.

Netherland Inn will host its 1818 Christmas from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 11 and 12 and again from 2

p.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 13. Bring the entire family to see the traditional period decorations in the Inn and Bank Barn. Delicious foods and cider will be available, and Christmas music will be provided by local musi-cians. Admission is $10. Tickets are available at the door and parking is free. All proceeds support the upkeep of the Netherland Inn.

The Bloomingdale Ruritan Christmas Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Line up begins at 9 a.m. at Ketron Elementary School.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Reclaim Christ” and the grand marshall will be Lucian Lawson. Floats will be judged and first, second and third place winners will receive $100, $75 and $50 respectively. For more information contact Jim Smallwood at 288-4576 or Keith Rags-dale at 288-4176.

The Grammy-nominated NewSong is set to perform its “Very Merry Christmas Tour” at the Niswonger Performing Arts Cen-

ter beginning at 7 p.m. The tour will also feature performances by Build-ing 429, Plumb and Reno. NewSong has recorded 19 studio albums, garnering 20 #1 Christian radio singles and a Grammy Award nomina-tion, in addition to being inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. Tickets are $25 for balcony, $30 for mezzanine and $35 for orchestra. For more information call 423-638-1679.

“Miracle on 34th Street” will be performed at the historic Barter Theatre throughout the month of December, including a 2 p.m.

showing on Christmas Eve. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased by calling 276-628-3991. Come rediscover your own childhood and re-store your faith in miracles in this fun-filled musical classic for the whole family.

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Christmas is the best. You get to hang stockings, shop for your favorite people, and potluck like a champ. There’s no other time of the year quite like it. That’s why it’s so easy to get carried away with your seasonal shopping!

In fact, last year’s annual Gallup poll found that nearly a quarter of Americans anticipated spending $1,000 or more on Christmas. That’s a decent chunk of change for any bud-get. While it’s perfectly okay to spend extra money around the holidays, you don’t want to end up with the unwelcomed gift of credit card debt come Christmas morning.

Here’s how you can make your Christmas budget brighter:

1. Figure out how much you can spend on Christmas

Let’s go ahead and address the question on everyone’s mind: How do you figure out your Christmas budget? Start by figuring out how much you spend on your normal monthly expenses, like gas, utilities, insur-ance and groceries. Then take a closer look at your flexible spending budget groups like dining out and entertainment money.

If you typically spend $300 on restaurants in a month, why not cook a few extra meals at home and divert an extra $200 toward Christmas savings? Or if your personal money is partying it up at $150, why not hold off (temporarily) and put an extra $100 into your Christmas stash? Smart budgeting now can free up more money for what you want later—like Christmas presents!

2. Divide your Christmas budget into categories

Once you’ve figured out how much you can spend on Christmas, do some dividing. Take your number—let’s say $500—and think over your seasonal expenses. You’ll need money for travel ($50), tree and trimmings ($50), a few potlucks and parties ($50), and some extra giving ($50). Then there’s the Big Kahuna: Christmas gifts ($300).

As long as you plan where you money will go before you spend it, there’s no right or wrong way to split up your Christmas budget. Plus, if that Evergreen goes on sale, or you economize on your potluck groceries, that means more money to splurge on your loved ones.

3. Write down who you need to buy gifts for

Now that you know exactly how much you can spend on gifts, decide who gets what. Make a list of everyone you’ll buy for this year. And we mean everyone—coworkers, church friends, your parents, your kids, your grandkids. Next to each name (or category, if you’re budgeting a treat for the office), write a specific dollar amount.

If you don’t have enough money to cover everyone on your list, rethink how much you’ll spend on each person. Maybe you can agree to only buy for the kids. Or perhaps you can draw names, instead of buying for multiple families. And then there are always baked goods or homemade crafts! Who doesn’t love a gift that comes fresh out of the oven or straight from the heart?

Give yourself the freedom to enjoy

You probably have a lot of great ideas on how to spend your money this season. When you start with a plan, you’ll be in control of your Christmas budget long before setting foot into the mall. All you have to do is set up your monthly budget, categorize your Christ-mas savings, and make your detailed gift list. After that, enjoy your Christmas shopping—because your budget said you could!

*EveryDollar is a simple, online budgeting tool that helps users set a monthly budget and seamlessly track expenses. For more information, go to www.everydollar.com.



Make this holiday season one filled with creating memories and gifts that keep giving throughout the year.

Terrariums have made a comeback and make wonderful do-it-yourself projects and gifts for beginning and experienced garden-ers. They enable gardeners to continue to grow no matter the weather outdoors and can be updated and used as decorations throughout the year with some simple updat-ing for holidays and other special occasions.

Just add a few ceramic items like a Christ-mas tree ornament, ceramic bunny or other adornment or two that represent the season. Don’t know where to start? No problem. You can create your own from an old glass jar or vase or purchase an elegant terrarium with copper bottom guaranteed to create the perfect stage for your tabletop garden. Or purchase a terrarium kit that includes the plants, container and all you need.

For the artist, young or old, and avid birder, consider a green birdhouse. These biode-gradable birdhouses are made from 100 percent recycled paper and designed to last through one nesting season.

You will have fun decorating it with stick-ers, markers or paint, making this a gift you and the birds will enjoy. Plus, once the season is over, there’s no need for cleaning. It can simply be added to the compost pile.

Not feeling artistic? No worries. Give a decorative treat for the birds. Those with live Christmas trees can extend their enjoyment by decorating the tree with colorful birdseed ornaments once it is moved outdoors. Make your own ornaments from suet, peanut butter and birdseed or purchase ready-made ones.

And no green thumb is needed for this DIY holiday beauty. Easy care waxed

amaryllis bulbs (gardeners.com) are self contained and easy to grow. The bulb is sealed in gold or silver wax, making it both decorative and low maintenance. There’s no watering or container needed. Just set it in a bright location and wait for the floral display to appear before your eyes. You’ll be enjoy-ing big blooms for several weeks.

Stay on your diet as the holiday approach-es with a sugar-free advent calendar. You can make your own from felt and fabric glue or start a family tradition by purchasing a handcrafted advent calendar like the wooden bird cottage advent calendar (garden-ers.com) that celebrates nature and the holiday.

Each day leading to Christmas you’ll re-move a bird from its cubby in the cottage. Peg it to the birdhouse and watch the flock grow. Your friends and family will know Christmas is coming each year when you break out the calendar. It’s sure to provide years of memories and could soon become a family heirloom.

Make this the year for creating memorable gifts, trying something new or packaging DIY projects that are sure to provide seasons of fun and beauty.

Gardening expert, TV/radio host, author & columnist Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and has written over 20 gardening books, includ-ing Can’t Miss Small Space Gardening and the Midwest Gardener’s Handbook. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything: Food Gardening For Everyone”

DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment segments. Myers is also a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ web site, www.melindamyers.com, offers gardening videos and tips.

- Melinda Myers

Create Holiday Gifts That Keep on Giving

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For the party animal, New Year’s Eve is classically considered a time for people to let loose and guzzle gallon-sized containers of alcohol, and for those crazy revelers out there, there’s bound to be plenty of available options. Numerous local businesses in the surrounding area are guaranteed to have New Year’s events in the coming weeks.

But if you’d prefer to organize a quick get-together, set up some speakers, plug in your phone, open your favorite dubstep-heavy Spotify playlist and invite some friends over. Party responsibly, though.

For couples with kids, especially for cou-ples with small children, it’s likely that your kids won’t be able to stay up until midnight. But for those families with enterprising youths who want to beckon in the new year proper, there are some viable options available to you. One, you could go the the Bristol Motor Speedway ice rink. Cost for skating is $5 per person plus $2 for skate rentals, but groups of 10 or more receive free skate rentals. Ses-sions are one hour and the rink will be open from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Two, you could find a friend with a fire pit, build a bonfire and enjoy New Year’s outdoors. Sure, it will likely be quite cold by the time December rolls around, but it’s the perfect opportunity to break out some hot chocolate and enjoy some s’mores. Or, for families who prefer to stay indoors during the holidays, you could spend the evening inside watching TV or playing board games — Scrabble, Pictionary and Clue are universal favorites.

For couples/groups who want to stay

home, sometimes it’s just nice to spend New Year’s Eve with a close-knit group of people. Here are some ideas.

One, you could organize a dinner party and prepare a fancy, savory meal — like sweet Italian sausage ravioli with garlic-crust-ed asparagus. Or, if you and your friends prefer a high-class celebratory experience, you could organize a New Years Eve themed tea party. There are a multiplicity of different resources for people looking for recipes ranging from the sim-ple to the gourmet. Just open up your laptop and make a quick Google search. It’s also advisable that you have a large stack of movies to watch — preferably a series of movies like Lord of the Rings, Star Wars or Harry Potter. By far the most opulent way to celebrate New Year’s would be at Biltmore

Estate. If money isn’t a concern, Biltmore offers a New Year’s Eve Celebration package that runs from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1. The festivi-ties will include live jazz in the mansion’s library lounge from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., a champagne toast at 11:30 p.m. in the lobby and a fireworks show at midnight.

- David Floyd

Ring in the New Year


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Teach kids financial lessons for the new year

At the dawn of a new year, many adults resolve to make positive changes in the year ahead. But New Year’s resolutions aren’t ex-clusive to adults. In fact, New Year’s resolu-tions provide a great opportunity for parents to teach their kids about setting goals and maintaining the discipline necessary to real-ize those goals.

Many adults express a desire to save more money when making their New Year’s resolu-tions. Parents who want to instill financial responsibility in their children and encourage youngsters to save money right alongside mom and dad can do so in various ways.

• Start giving kids an allowance in return for doing their chores. A great way to teach kids about money management is to give them an allowance in return for doing their weekly chores. This teaches kids that they must earn

their money and also teaches them to bud-get. Resist the temptation to give kids extra money or advances on their allowances, as doing so can compromise the lesson that kids need to budget.

• Encourage kids to establish specific finan-cial goals. Kids can benefit just like adults by setting specific financial goals. If kids have their eye on a new gadget or gaming console, encourage them to create a sav-ings log that tracks how much they’re saving each week and how close they are getting to reaching their goal. As kids’s balances in-crease and they get closer to their goal, they may grow just as excited as adults do when they see their investments perform well.

• Match kids’ contributions. Another great way to encourage kids to save money is

to match the deposits they make into their accounts. Whether it’s teenagers saving for their first car or younger kids saving for a new bike, kids may be more likely to save if they know their contributions are being matched. Parents can explain that match-ing is not just for kids, as many moms and dads benefit from employers who match their retirement contributions.

• Let kids make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, especially when it comes to money. Many adults feel the best financial lessons they learned were a byproduct of a mistake they made that forced them to reexamine their approach to money. Letting kids make financial mistakes now may help them avoid bigger and more costly mistakes down the road.

• Teach impulse control. Another valuable financial lesson parents can instill in their kids is controlling their impulses with regard to spending. Many adults exercise impulse control by waiting 24 hours to make purchas-es. In this scenario, adults who see some-thing they like online or in-store that they did not intend to buy will wait a day after seeing the item before deciding whether or not to purchase it. That 24-hour waiting period often prevents people from buying products they don’t need. Kids can benefit just as much from following this guideline. In the interim between seeing the item and deciding whether or not to buy it, discuss with kids the pros and cons of buying the item. This can teach them to carefully consider each of their purchases, making them more responsible consumers for the rest of their lives.

New Year’s resolution season provides a great opportunity for parents to impart valu-able financial lessons to their children.

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Holiday travel plans and winter weather don’t always mix; whether by car or by air, safety is always a top priority when traveling to visit friends and family for the winter holidays.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a drier winter than usual, with the threat of snow concentrated from December through February, but that doesn’t mean preparedness for winter travel is in vain.

Traveling the roads in winter

The American Automobile Association urges drivers to make sure their vehicles are ready to take on snow, slushy and icy roads this winter season. East Tennessee’s AAA Public Affairs Specialist Steph-anie Milani said that the number one step for drivers is to make sure their car is equipped with a strong battery that will last until spring.

“It’s the heat of the summer that drains the battery but it’s the cold mornings in the winter that really zaps them,” she said.

Because of the shorter days, drivers tend to use their lights more often. Coupled with the increased use of heat, checking battery life is imperative in preventing an unlucky breakdown on a cold winter evening.

Step two, Milani said, is for drivers to make sure their tires have enough tread and air to take on whatever road conditions this season will bring. Even though it’s not a sure-fire way to prevent skidding on ice, enough tire tread is an effective way to combat snowy and slushy roads.

And Milani said the time drivers check their tires can make all the difference in making sure they get an accurate reading.

“When you are checking the tires make sure they’re cold,” she said. “You want to make sure that the tires have cooled off or before you leave first thing in the morning.”

And last but not least is an emergency kit. Milani suggests a blan-ket, a new change of clothes, snacks, emergency medicine, a flash-light and cat litter, which can help get a car out of a snowy situation.

Traveling by air

According to traveling blog airfarewatchdog, flying in winter means lots of planning ahead. Travel blogger Ed Perkins suggests that trav-elers pad their schedule to accommodate for delays that comes with chilly traveling conditions so not to miss important celebrations.

It may mean arriving early to the destination, he writes, but may be necessary to ensure important events are not missed.

“Recovering from delays or cancellations can involve a minimum of several extra hours, and an extra day is not out of the question,” Perkins writes.

Since delays and cancellations can have a domino effect for flights throughout the day, Perkins suggests booking flights for earlier in the day because later flights are more susceptible to those setbacks.

Throughout the planning process, Perkins writes that keeping up-to-date on weather forecasts and in touch with the airline are imperative to ensuring travelers arrive at their destination on time.

“No matter what, you can’t avoid all problems,” he writes. “But at least you can minimize the risks. Anticipate.”

- Jessica Fuller

Holiday travel

As Christmas 2015 and another holiday season of gift-giving approach, a national columnist who urges people to get out of debt again expects to face an onslaught of regifting questions.

Dave Ramsey, financial author, radio host, television personality, and motivational speaker, has a show and writings strongly focused on encouraging people to get out of debt.

And regifting, Ramsey said, is a good tool to help with that if used properly.

“So, yes, it’s totally fine to regift this Christ-mas,” Ramsey wrote in a 2013 column. “Just follow these 10 rules to have a merry regift-ing experience!”

One of those is very basic Regifting 101: Don’t leave the card you got with the gift when you regift.

Carol Fox, a coordinator for University Re-lations at East Tennessee State University, was on the receiving end of regifting when she was married in Virginia in 1972.

“My cousin was married in April, and we were married in June,” Fox said. “But I didn’t see her wedding gifts.”

As Fox and her husband opened their gifts, they opened a beautiful set of glass-ware from her cousin, which she said was troubling because they couldn’t afford such a nice gift for her cousin..

It was wrapped in wedding paper and even had a personalized note inside.

“It said it was for my cousin and her hus-band from one of their friends,” Fox said. Fox and her husband have kept the glassware and enjoyed it over the years, minus some that broke.

Fox at the same time had an opportunity to regift four or five identical bread trays she and her husband also got as wedding gifts, but she returned them instead and doesn’t regift to this day.

“I haven’t regifted because I’m so scared something like that (the situation with the cousin’s gift) might happen,” Fox said.

Here is another one of Ramsey’s rules: the gift should make sense for the receiver.

“It’s doubtful your brother, who is al-lergic to grass and lives in a sixth-story apartment, has any interest in garden-ing shears,” Ramsey wrote.

Colette George, a Kingsport alderwom-an and Blue Ridge Properties Realtor, said she has no prob-lem with regifting or getting a regrifted gift if it is appropriate and will be used by the recipient.

“Personally, if I am given something I am not going to use and it is a great gift, I hate for it to go to waste,” George said.

“I don’t have a problem with regifting or receiving a regifted gift as long as it is something the person or I could use,” George said. “I hate to let some-thing go to waste if somebody could use it.”

She said good examples are gift cards or certificates to places she doesn’t shop.

Another Ramsey rule is to take off the name tag, a rule Fox’s cousin broke.

“Hey Joe, when you decide to regift your Elf DVD to Holly, make sure you take the old name tag off the gift bag,” Ramsey said. “Imagine the fun at your Christmas party when Holly opens up the gift bag that says: ‘To: Joe. From: Grandma.’ “

The other seven Ramsey regifting rules are: • Don’t regift gifts from meaningful people, such as a grandparent, parent, brother or sister. * Don’t regift meaningful gifts, such as china from your mother handed down through the generations. • Avoid regifting within the same circle of friends.

• Beware of the regift that keeps on regiv-

ing, which is the danger of a gift making it back to the original giver after multiple regifts. • Give sooner rather than later. Even if it is not expired fruitcake, ”styles change and versions get updated and ‘it’ gifts become irrelevant. No one wants your unopened VHS copy of Flashdance.”

• Don’t regift everything at once. In other words, no “Rejected Christmas presents for everyone!” It will hurt feelings and is not prac-tical,” Ramsey wrote.

• Rewrap the gift, which Fox’s cousin failed to do. “Rewrap everything — the box, the gift paper, the packaging. You don’t know what lurks deep inside that box. It could be a personal note to you or a second smaller gift that you totally missed. Be thorough. • Be honest. “If you screw up, admit it,“ Ramsey said. “You might be embarrassed at first, but be honest about why you regifted the gift and move on.”

- Rick Wagner22 DECEMBER 2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE

Re-Gifting

A new year is right around the corner and with a new year comes those pesky resolutions.

For a number of people, the first of the year is all about new pos-sibilities. Many will set goals for themselves. Maybe they will finally get those extra pounds off this year or this is finally the year they put down the smokes.

But after a few weeks, many of those resolutions are forgotten or given up.

Never fear, though, as there are numerous ways to get those resolutions accomplished. One of the easiest ways might be to ask if this resolution is something you really want to do.

“First of all, you should set goals that motivate you,” said Dr. Dan Jones, director of the East Tennessee State University Counseling Center. “If you are setting goals to change, people need to make sure it’s something they want to change.”

Jones said if a person sets a goal they want to meet, they are more likely to be motivated to accomplish the resolution. He also said people should set goals they think they can accomplish rather than set a goal that may be unobtainable.

Another way to get those New Year’s resolutions accomplished is to lower the goal. Jones said if a person wants to lose weight, set-ting a goal of losing 50 pounds, while sounding good, may ultimately be harder to accomplish. Setting a realistic goal of five pounds, while not sounding as good, could be more realistic and easier to accomplish.

“You are setting yourself up for failure if you set unrealistic goals,” Jones said. “People are eager to accomplish things that seem easier.”

Having a support system in place helps. Having people to encour-age you or working in a group to accomplish a goal has been proven to help people meet all kinds of goals.

Jones said adding a reward system for accomplishing goals also works for some people. Planning a reward, say a trip or new outfit, for hitting a goal is a good way to get those resolutions completed this year.

“If you’re motivated to accomplish a goal, it’s good,” Jones said.- Nick Shepherd

New Year’s Resolutions

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