As I bring my short span of columns to a close, I can’t think of a better time to write about things to do and places to go than during the holiday season. You can find signs of Christmas just about everywhere you go, and in East Tennessee, the warm volunteer spirit is enhanced by the generous feeling consuming so many of us.
This really is the most wonderful time of year. There are many places to visit during the holiday season. I am sure most of you have already visited the malls and other various shopping venues.
However, there are other activities besides shopping that can make your holidays more enjoyable. I recommend checking out the various historic sites located in our region. Many of these places are decorated for the holidays and can offer a memorable visit.
Perhaps one of the best places, although a little pricey, is Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C. The largest private home in the world is decorated top to bottom, which includes over a dozen Christmas trees. You can also take a candlelight tour of the mansion that can make for an unforgettable evening if you are fortunate enough to have a significant other sharing the season with you.
A little closer to home, we find over one million Christmas lights in over a hundred displays for us to enjoy. No, this isn’t in your uncle’s front yard this year. After his house was mistaken for the airport last year, he has been restricted to one plastic nativity scene.
This spectacular display of lights is found at none other than Bristol Motor Speedway. Speedway in Lights is now in its seventh season and continues to amaze visitors. Driving around “the world’s fastest half-mile,” you will see a variety of displays, including animated snowmen, dinosaurs and even an erupting volcano.
Of course, the trip wouldn’t be complete without a few racing displays. There are also some holiday displays that are some of my favorites, including a beautiful poinsettia wreath.
Driving through all the lights and sharing the moment with some friends in the car will always be fun, especially when you are on one of the 36-degree banked curves of the track.
After the lights, what would be more fun and put you in the holiday spirit (or the emergency room) than ice skating. Stop off at the York Ice Skating Rink and enjoy this fantastic holiday pastime. The rink is located in the speedway’s parking lot, so you shouldn’t miss it.
Snag some skates and your jacket, and you’re all set. Oh, should you see a guy soaring at terminal velocity across the rink, arms flying and knocking over small children, please help me. I’m not very talented on the ice.
As I alluded, I am bringing my series of columns to a close. I will be graduating this weekend and be on my way “down the road” to other endeavors.
Reflecting back on my three and a half years at ETSU, I have learned many things, and a great deal of that has been outside of the classroom.
I introduced myself to you at the beginning of this semester by talking about how I have often heard people complain that there is nothing to do around here. I hope I have at least shown you a few things to do.
I think the greater problem is not that there isn’t anything to do around here; it is just that our generation has become a little lazy. We want instant entertainment rather than creating it.
There are so many wonderful things that our region has to offer, it just takes a little brainpower to process. I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had just being with friends, doing something simple.
Our lives are so busy now that we rarely hesitate to enjoy everything and everyone around us. It’s time to stop and smell the roses, or perhaps the rhododendron blooming on top of Roan Mountain. It’s time to look around at just how much we do have and see there’s little reason to be bored. So, call up a friend or two, spend some time together and realize just how fortunate you are.
Since I am departing, my superiors here at the paper have asked that I find someone to replace me. Several of you have told me you like what I do, and that really means a lot and makes me feel like my time has been well spent.
If you are interested in taking the reins, continuing and hopefully improving what I have started, please drop me an e-mail. As always, contact me if you have any questions or comments about my writings. I will keep my e-mail address for several more months and would love to hear from you.
It has been an honor to share this time with you. Blessings to you and whatever the future may hold.

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