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Black and white photo of a man holding a huge fish

New memoir chronicles outdoor adventures of late Tennessee businessman

For most people, accruing two or three truly story-worthy outdoor adventures over the course of their lifetime would be a stellar accomplishment. Charlie Tombras, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, celebrated dozens, taking him within a hair’s breadth of losing his life to grizzly bears, Arctic storms, raging seas, sharks, and warfare. Tombras’ knack for immersing himself in harrowing adventures and living to tell the tales

Steve Kemp October 25, 2025

A painting in the works of a forest scene.

With each brushstroke, plein air painters capture the magic of the mountains

On a piece of rocky ground at the base of a steep bank along the mist-shrouded Little River, oil painter Olena Babak sets up her easel. It’s late in the day to be starting a new piece—less than three hours of sunlight remain—and Babak is fresh from an hours-long painting session in the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. But something about the

Holly Kays October 22, 2025