Norris Lake Real Estate Experts

Rural life in Union County, around Norris Lake, offers a laid back and quiet approach to life.  It is a great place to enjoy small town benefits like limited traffic, homes on the lake with huge yards and plenty of room to stretch and relax.  After a few weeks of relaxation though, some folks are ready to get out and enjoy some distractions. 

Oak Ridge is within 20 minutes drive of Norris Lake.  What’s there to do?  Something many people enjoy is the American Museum of Science and Energy.  

This museum is interesting to adults and children alike, with ever changing displays information that explain and demonstrate science, and make it fun! Exhibits with hands on experiences fascinate children and adults can see the role that East Tennessee and it’s people had in the Cold War as well as Oak Ridge’s involvement in World War II.  In addition, the museum is conducting bus tours of some DOE facilities in Oak Ridge.  Be sure to visit their web site for more information and operating hours. 

For those with a more cultural interest, Oak Ridge Playhouse presents plays and musicals, produced with local talent. The 2011-2012 season starts August 26 and will begin with Crimes of the Heart. Other offerings this fall include On Golden Pond, Brighton Beach Memoirs and Robin Hood (for Kids).  Ticket prices are reasonable and the productions are professional, yet intimate.

If you want to end your summer with a big BANG, check out Boomsday in Knoxville on September 4th.  The finale to a day of food, music and fun along the Tennessee River is the LARGEST Labor Day fireworks show in the NATION!  What more could you ask for?  Visit the official site for Boomsday for a complete schedule of events. 

There are many more events available just a few minutes from the Norris Lakeside communities.  One of the greatest benefits of this area is the wonderful communities and the closeness of the fun and entertaining activities within 30 minutes drive.

 Bobby and Beth Ellison can assist you in finding your dream home on Norris Lake.  Give them a call for a tour!

East Tennessee is an area of true abundance.  The people are abundantly generous and friendly.  The abundant sunshine and warm weather brings people out for lakeside fun like boating, tubing, skiing and picnics at the lakeside.  Summer also brings an abundance of home and farm grown vegetables and fruits. 

 Frugal neighbors have found millions of ways to put the glorious abundance to good use in tasty dishes for generations.  The recipe below can be reduced or enlarged to use those great veggies that are always available during the Summer and to feed whatever crowd you need to serve. You can also add chopped zucchini or cucumbers. You may want to sauté the zucchini in some of the bacon fat before adding to the salad or cut into very small cubes.

 Pam’s Cornbread Salad

•  1 large pan of homemade cornbread or (16 ounce) package corn bread mix (prepared)
• 10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
• 1 1/2 cups sour cream (or nonfat, unflavored yogurt)
• 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
• 4 cups pinto beans, prepared with minimal seasoning or 2 (15 ounce) cans, drained
• 3 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped green onion
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 6 ears of fresh corn, cut off the cob and then fried in some of the bacon drippings until tender) or 2 (11 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained.

 Directions

1. Prepare corn bread according to package directions. Cool, crumble, and set aside.
2. Place bacon in a large deep skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
3. Whisk together the dressing mix, sour cream, and mayonnaise.
4. Crumble half the corn bread in the bottom of a large serving dish. Top with half the beans. Layer the beans with half of the tomatoes, green bell pepper, and green onions. Sprinkle with half the cheese, corn, bacon, and the salad dressing mixture. Repeat the layers. Cover, and chill at least 2 hours before serving.

This recipe is perfect for picnics, parties and can be taken along on with you for a lakeside or boating trip as long as it is refrigerated or in a cooler. 

Bobby and Beth Ellison are Realtors specializing in properties bordering Norris Lake in beautiful, abundant, East Tennessee.  Many of these lakefront properties have plenty of room to add a family garden that will bring abundance of joy and fresh vegetables into your life.

East Tennessee is a very patriotic region.  While Memorial day is always heralded with flags and parades to remember our veterans and their sacrifices on our behalf, July 4th is a celebration for all Americans.  We show our pride in our country and its people in various ways including picnics, fireworks and parades. 

 Norris Lake in East Tennessee is no exception.  Owners of lakefront property often invite friends and family for boating, cookouts, fishing and boating.  Oftentimes, fireworks cap a weekend long celebration of our country and it’s independent spirit. 

Many of the traditions surrounding July 4th involve a larger extended family of neighbors and others who get together to celebrate the holiday.  Many local marinas have large public fireworks displays on the holiday so that the whole community can celebrate together.  The following list is just a few of the public events scheduled for the Norris Lake and East Tennessee region.

Marina Fireworks:
Sequoyah Marina, evening of July 2nd

Flat Hollow Marina 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM July 2nd, plus live classic rock band (Big Creek)

Beach Island Marina, 8:00 PM -10:00 PM July 3rd

Other Activities:

Independence Day Train Rides-July 2 at Secret City Scenic Excursion Train

Trains depart at 11a.m. 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, call 865-241-2140 or visit www.techscribes.com/sarm.

July 4th Celebration and Anvil Shoot-July 4 at Museum of Appalachia

July 4th in a time honored, traditional fashion at the Museum of Appalachia with historic anvil shoots. In addition, there will be demonstrations of mountain arts and crafts. Bluegrass, old time and folk music will be played and sung on the porches of the cabins and in the old log church, hymn singing and church services will be conducted. The demonstrations and music can be found throughout the 65-acre farm/village complex. For more information, please contact the Museum of Appalachia at 865-494-7680 or visit http://www.museumofappalachia.org/.

Do you want to claim your part of the lake?  Call Bobby & Beth Ellison at 865-278-3041!

Stay tuned for more events in and around Union County, Knox County!

There is much more to your new lakefront property than just great lake views and fishing.  Within 30 minutes drive, there is history, entertainment and great southern food. 

Many new residents to the Norris Lake area have asked about Summer activities.  The following is not an exhaustive list, but it will give you a glimpse of the lesser known activities available in the area. 

The territory in the west end of North Carolina was settled in the second half of the 18th century.  After the Revolutionary War, there was a larger push westward when American veterans of that war were awarded land grants as part of their pension.  Moving West through the Smoky Mountains, they settled in the areas of the Clinch, French Broad and Holston Rivers. 

Close by, in Norris Tennessee, part of that history is reflected in a working farm that has been converted into an open air history museum dedicated to the preservation of the pioneer culture of the late 1700′s.  Log cabins, farm animals, artifacts and live demonstrations provide a glimpse of living history at the Museum of Appalachia.  An annual “Homecoming” celebration welcomes thousands of visitors for a weekend of music, crafts and fun.  Visitors come from all over the country to be immersed in early Appalachian culture and it’s wonderful sights, smells and sounds. The next large event is in July and features an anvil shoot and a traditional colonial July 4th celebration.

A more formal historical setting is offered in downtown Knoxville at the East Tennessee History Center.  Open 7 days a week, the center offers visitors a glimpse of Tennessee History from the prehistoric to the modern era.  Weekly seminars and lectures are available from local experts and cover topics from genealogy to the Revolutionary and Civil Wars and even gardening and language studies.  Check their website for a complete schedule. 

Also in downtown Knoxville, James White’s Fort represents an early settlement on the Tennessee River dating from the late 1700′s. 

Stepping out of the historic vein for a moment, Knoxville’s Market Square Mall hosts a true Farmer’s Market on Wednesday and Saturday morning that features locally grown produce, meat, plants, dairy and eggs and more in a traditional open air market setting.   Parking is free on weekends and the farmer’s themselves proudly represent some of the best small producers in the area.  The Historic Tennessee Theatre and the Bijou Theater on Gay Street offer big name entertainment in grand old style.  Plays, concerts and movie screenings are on scheduled every weekend. 

Colonial History buffs might also be interested in Marble Springs.  Located 8 miles from downtown on John Sevier Highway the site is quiet and welcoming, though easy to locate.  This homestead was the home of the first Governor of the state of Tennessee, John Sevier.

To become part of the excitement, call Bobby and Beth Ellison of Ellison Realty for a tour today!

Bobby and Beth Ellison of Ellison Realty specialize in helping families and retirees find their dream lakefront property.

Here in East Tennessee, rolling meadows are back-dropped by the misty peaks of the Smoky Mountains and Summer days mean relaxing on the beautiful lakeside. Norris Lake, one of the first lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority in the 1930′s, is surrounded by over 800 miles of beautiful shoreline and 75% of Norris Lake is protected by TVA, Wildlife Management Areas and State Parks.  It is one of the cleanest and deepest lakes in the system offering unparalleled deep water access for large boats. There is no industry on Norris Lake and it’s clarity runs 25 feet in many places, making it perfect for water sports, amimal life and fishing.  Norris Lake has it all…it’s recreational use is far more numerous than any of the other tributary reservoirs in the TVA river system.

Amazingly, real estate prices in the areas around Norris lake are some of the most reasonable in East Tennessee. The local county property tax rate of $1.79 reflects just how economical it is to have your dream home here PLUS Tennessee is one of the few States in the USA that currently has no income tax.  Union County, on the southern end of the lake is just 23 miles from Knoxville, Tennessee.  The generally low cost of living, low crime rate and small town atmosphere in addition to the convenience of a larger city within 30 minutes drive attract visitors and new home owners alike.

Proximity to Knoxville (and and the tourist areas of Sevierville and Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park) offer many advantages to local residents including increased entertainment options.

Visit our interactive map and searchable or featured listings for homes, condos and lakefront property, or, just call 865-278-3041.  Bobby and Beth Ellison of Ellison Realty can personally guide you through the area and assist you in finding your dream spot on the lake.