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It practically gallops!

Zip Clip

The video of my first zipline ride at Wahoo Adrenaline Park lasts exactly one second. The forward motion of the ride caused me to accidentally hit the camera’s stop button. Because I was there for a media preview, the management offered to send me for a second ride, which I eagerly accepted.

Wahoo Adrenaline Park - Frank standing on glass panel of Mountain Dew SkyBridge Wahoo Adrenaline Park - Frank riding zipline across French Broad River There are three parts to the Adrenaline Park experience. The Mountain Dew SkyBridge has glass panels that make it look like you are walking on air. Four parallel ziplines take adventure-seekers across the French Broad River. A speedboat brings you back across the river, spinning a few 360s along the way.

Wahoo Adrenaline Park - Frank asks, "Does this harness make my butt look big?" Wahoo Adrenaline Park - Frank waiting for zipline gate to drop The harness, which is like those used in parasailing, is more comfortable than the straps at Wahoo Ziplines tree-top tour in the mountains.The ride itself is more comfortable than most roller-coasters I’ve ridden. The thrill comes from the height,  the speed, the length of the ride, and the view of the river.

April 16, 2012 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment 

Big Fan of Renamed Ham

The asphalt zoomed toward me as Roy De La Rosa pretended to drop me. He actually had a good grip but I didn’t know that at the time. Later, Roy said it was a type of stage drop that would cause the droppee to keep a grip on the dropper. We were playing a game of New Choice set in a lumberjack camp during an unusual Einstein Simplified show. It was a benefit for the American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces held in the parking lot of Bruster’s Real Ice Cream last night. The surprising drop happens at 47 seconds into the video below.

April 15, 2012 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment 

Heart Murmurs

Naturally they asked me to deliver a line about end-of-life stories. Janene Satterfield and I recorded a promo for SMOMOtv last week. In it, we asked viewers to submit their Valentine’s Day stories. They might be about Smoky Mountain Sweethearts or Not-So Romantic Confessions of the Jaded. The final category is for tear-jerking stories about the elderly or those who have passed away. Call toll-free 855-SMOMOTV ext 105 to tell your story.

February 6, 2012 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off 

Gaudy Gaudete

The experience of impersonating Santa Claus a year ago was so much fun that I was glad Fr. Ragan Schriver asked me to do it again this year. My wife helped me apply the “snow white” theatrical makeup early Sunday morning, before we attended 8:15 a.m. Mass at All Saints. I changed into the red suit and we did a little touch-up to my beard at home before driving to Holy Family Catholic Church in Seymour.

A parishioner named Maggie Heaton played Mrs. Claus. She and I made our entrance to a Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast as Fr. Ragan led the crowd in “Jingle Bells.” I took my place in an armchair and posed for pictures with kids and families who made a small donation to Catholic Charities. A couple of the moms stood next to me and I had to ask them to sit down. I guess I could have just said, “Hello, my eyes are down here!”

December 12, 2011 | Filed Under Catholic | Comments Off 

Parade or Grenade?

A couple of my parade pet peeves came up in conversation before Gatlinburg’s 36th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade. Taz Cable and I were doing an Internet broadcast for SMOMOtv from the rooftop patio of Loco Burro. I pointed out that parade balloons are inflated, not “blown up,” a fact I learned the first time I met Regis Philbin. I also emphasized that parade floats have wheels. Many parade hosts on major broadcast networks mistakenly refer to balloons as floats.

December 4, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | Comments Off 

Banana Kick

Bananas on a burger? The combination of banana slices and green pepper was surprisingly fantastic. Last month I sampled three meals in Gatlinburg, two at Pancake Pantry and one at Bear Creek Grill.

My dining excursion was recorded for “Smoky Mountain Magazine” on East Tennessee PBS. Because we have delayed the premiere until January, the footage became dated. It was streamed on the SMOMOtv Livestream channel yesterday.

I’m glad to have an opportunity to critique myself before going on broadcast television. The pancake and burger footage was the very first thing we shot. As I watch it, I see myself looking off-camera to see the time cues. In the future, I’ll ask that that the time cues be placed closer to the camera.

October 19, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment 

Welcome to the Gun Show

The monthly meetings for the FBI Knoxville Citizens Academy Alumni Association often fall on Tuesday nights. When they do, I have to leave early to get to the weekly Einstein Simplified show. I’m thrilled that the FBIKCAAA decided to hold its annual holiday party on a Tuesday night at Side Splitters Comedy Club. After the buffet dinner, I’ll hop onstage with the troupe and be part of the evening’s entertainment.

Our last two meetings actually took place on Saturday mornings. In September, we met at the East Tennessee Cremation Company. In August, we had a range day at the Knoxville Police Department’s training facility.

Stacie Bohanan, the public affairs specialist for the FBI’s Knoxville field office, allowed me to bring a camera crew from “Smoky Mountain Morning” to range day. I recently got a copy of the footage so that it can be shared with those who attended and might have missed seeing it the first time.

part 1

part 2

October 6, 2011 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 2 Comments 

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