Community Corner
🌱 Why did a man slap a black bear in Gatlinburg?
And check out D Boone Pittman live @ Ole Red Gatlinburg on the Gatlinburg Patch calendar

Hello again Gatlinburg! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why did a man slap a black bear in Gatlinburg?
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Gatlinburg? Post it to Gatlinburg photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Gatlinburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Gatlinburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 55 and low of 36 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 57, low: 36.
- Thursday: Cloudy; p.m. rain, breezy, with a high of 59 and low of 35 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Man Slaps Black Bear In Wildly Stupid Moment, Gets Instant Karma: WATCH (outkick.com) — A viral video shows a man at a Gatlinburg Christmas celebration walking up to a large black bear and slapping it, prompting a tense moment as the animal quickly spins around. The writer criticizes the man’s risky behavior while noting some speculate he may have been trying to divert the bear from nearby families. The clip has sparked plenty of online debate about how people behave around wildlife in town.
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📸 Around Gatlinburg
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
📣 Gatlinburg Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- D Boone Pittman live @ Ole Red Gatlinburg
Ole Red , 511 Parkway , Gatlinburg
3:00 pm - Adult ELA Class
Blount County, TN Calendar , 508 N. Cusick Street , Maryville
5:00 pm - Dungeons & Dragons (Ages 13+)
Blount County, TN Calendar Maryville, TN 37804
5:30 pm - Holly Jolly Jubilee Concert Series: Knoxville Opera Quartet
Blount County, TN Calendar , 508 N. Cusick Street , Maryville
6:00 pm - Animal Center Advisory Board
Blount County, TN Calendar Maryville, TN 37804
6:00 pm - Retirement Planning Dinner Event at Dancing Bear Lodge
Dancing Bear Lodge Townsend , 7140 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy , Townsend
6:30 pm - BNI Weekly Networking Meeting
Blount County, TN Calendar , 508 N. Cusick Street , Maryville
8:00 am - Recovery Court
Blount County, TN Calendar , 508 N. Cusick Street , Maryville
10:00 am - Election Commission Meeting
Blount County, TN Calendar Maryville, TN 37804
11:00 am - Unrated Chess Tournaments
Blount County, TN Calendar Maryville, TN 37804
5:30 pm - Admin Planning Meeting
Blount County, TN Calendar , 508 N. Cusick Street , Maryville
10:00 am - Community Breastfeeding Support Group
Blount County, TN Calendar , 508 N. Cusick Street , Maryville
10:30 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- US Government Jobs posted a job opening for (SEASONAL) Painting Worker in Gatlinburg. Apply here.
- Coca-Cola Consolidated posted a job opening for Merchandiser in Gatlinburg. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gatlinburg here.
🗞 Nearby News
Pigeon Forge
- Lady Cougars continue wins with victory against Scott (themountainpress.com)
- Signups open for Tennessee Songwriters Week 2026 (themountainpress.com)
- How Dolly Parton Became A Secular American Saint (awaken.com)
Sevierville
- Buc-ee's' weirdest, viral moments from 2025 (mysanantonio.com)
- Life With Ferris: The Golf Bug (chattanoogan.com)
- Winter Juniors Qualifiers Kuba Shaw, Yofang Yu Announce Commitments to UNC For 2026 (swimswam.com)
Ok Gatlinburg! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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