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Posted by Ashley Parker on April 2, 2012 at 1:54 PM under
• 0 comments
Everyday millions of average Americans go out to their local gas stations and convenience stores in hopes of purchasing a winning lottery ticket that could change their lives forever. People often fantasize about what they would do if they ever won that large amount of money and the things they could buy; cars, homes, planes, yachts, the list goes on and on. But you would also have to consider the odds before you go out and spend all your savings on a whim!
According to USA Today the odds of winning are 1 and 176 million; you are 176 times more likely to be struck by lightening than to win the lottery. But when the jackpot is up to as much as half a billion dollars, taking a chance and spending five bucks doesn't sound too bad. You may think that everyone has an equal chance of winning big money but according to some statistics from dailyfinance.com, some states are better than others when it comes to payouts.
The top 10 states where it pays to play the lottery are:
10. Illinois
9. Michigan
8. Ohio
7. California
6. Pennsylvania
5. Georgia
4. Texas
3. Florida
2. Massachusetts
1. New York
This past Friday the Mega Millions lottery hit the largest jackpot prize out of any other lottery in world history. The colossal prize amount was up to a reported $640 Million dollars. Many hopeful's rushed to the stores to get in on the game and the chance to make their wildest dreams come true. For 3 lucky winners that dream is becoming a reality. There were only 3 winning Mega Ball tickets sold, one in Kansas, one in Illinois, and the last was in Maryland.
The jackpot had gotten so big because accoring to Mega Millions Lottery, it has rolled over 18 times without a winner! Tennessee has reported two winners for last week's jackpot, who had hit all five numbers without the Mega Ball number, winning them a cool $250,000. Like they always say, you have to be in it to win it! So until next time, take a chance on lady luck and may she bring you good fortune in the future!
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Posted by Eileen Neuweg on November 22, 2011 at 12:05 PM under
• 0 commentsNovember is go green month, and here at Volunteer Princess Cruises, we strive to protect our environment as much as possible. While cruising on the Tennessee River, we come across wildlife ranging from geese to local fish. It is heartbreaking to see them swimming through filthy water. Here are some ways you can better the environment for the last few days of Go Green month AND the rest of your life! Keep in mind, you can use these tips when planning an event with us on the Volunteer Princess!
- Recycle vs. Trash: Knoxville is teamed with Waste Connections to ensure that Knoxville residents have the opportunity to recycle. One way to simplify your life is having both a trash can and a recycling bin in your kitchen, bath and other rooms in the house. Bottles and cans won't pile up on your counter tops.
- Skip the bottled water: Plastic bottles of water are popular when it comes to wedding favors. Unfortunately, plastic bottles take almost a thousand years to biodegrade. If it's in your budget, opt for a metal bottle; your guests would love this light weight and dishwasher safe bottle. Plus, it is a reminder of your special day for years to come.
- Buy non-toxic cleaning products: These will be helpful toward protecting the environment and keeping your home, office or boat smelling clean.
- Become a Paper Saver: The Volunteer Princess office strives to consume less paper. Any paper that is printed we will cut the unwritten space and use it as notepads and/or scratch paper. Once the paper is used, we recycle it. This past year, we've put more of our manifests and information on the computer to cut back on paper use. You can save paper when looking for your next event invitations- keep in mind using recycled paper.
- Go Organic: When planning an event, food and drinks are always a must. The Princess finds the best local food in the area to ensure that both taste and quality are exquisite. Buying organic meats, vegetables and even wines ensures that your food and drinks are healthy and taste better.
- Get involved with an organization: Give back to the community by cleaning up streets, parks and/or rivers. Here at the Volunteer Princess, we share offices with the Fort Loudon Lake Association. Their goal is to make the TN River and Fort Loudon Lake as clean as possible. We do our best to get involved with the many activities they plan. FLLA does great work for the Knoxville River system and deserves all support from local businesses and local patrons of the TN River. Fort Loudon Lake Association
Try to remember these key tips to keep our city a clean place to live, for both you and the local inhabitants here on the Tennessee River.
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Posted by Maggie Nichols on November 21, 2011 at 11:46 AM under
• 0 commentsDate night means different things to everybody. For some, it
may mean a night spent in sweatpants, eating popcorn and watching a movie on
the couch. For others, they may be cooking their significant other a delicious
gourmet meal. To us, date night means going out on the town and having an
enjoyable night together. Lucky for all you couples, Knoxville has never ending ways you can spend
your night out with your honey. 
Go see a play at one of the many great theatre houses here
in Knoxville.
From November 23 – December 18, A
Christmas Carol will be at the Clarence Brown Theatre located on UT
Knoxville’s campus. Visit the theatre web site for dates, times and ticket prices. The WordPlayers will perform Leaving Iowa, a comedy, from November
12-26. Check out http://wordplayers.org/current-season/mainstage-shows/leaving-iowa/
for more information. If you’re looking for powerful music to accompany your
show, head to the Tennessee Theater for a night of opera. Their website lists
upcoming shows, dates, show times and ticket prices. 
All aboard! The Three Rivers Rambler, a steam train here in Knoxville, offers public
train rides down the river. Enjoy a 90 minute ride while you and your
significant other take in the scenery. Celebrate the season with one of the
many Christmas train rides! Visit Three Rivers Rambler for the
train schedule and list of ticket prices.
Were you or your partner blessed with two left feet? How
about ballroom dancing lessons? Academy Ballroom offers fun, affordable classes
for couples. If your idea of fun is something other than a class, try the
Friday night dance parties! Anyone is welcome to come in and show off their
moves on the dance floor. Check out http://www.dancingknox.com/ for more
information.
Join us for a Starlight Cruise on the Volunteer Princess.
You and your prince or princess will spend two and a half hours cruising down
the Tennessee River under the night sky. Live
entertainment, delicious food and gorgeous scenery - what more could you ask
for? We have public dining cruises November through December. Visit our
website for more information. We are also hosting a Second Harvest of East TN Food
Drive. If any cruisers bring in two items Second Harvest needs, the cruise will
receive a free soft drink and refills! 
Lace up your skates and twirl over to the Ice Chalet off
Kingston Pike. The Ice Chalet has group lessons and private lessons for those
who need a little extra help. There are over 15 instructors, and each private
lesson is only $21. Check out the Chalet's site for a schedule of public skating sessions.
Take a cooking class. It may seem cheesy and a total
romantic comedy move, but learning something new with your partner is a great
way to bond. The classes at Glass Bazaar are taught by world-class instructors,
so you’re guaranteed to add a delicious recipe to your book. Visit Glass Bazaar to learn more and to make reservations. Bon appetite!
Remember that Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are only about a
30 minute drive from Knoxville.
If you’re looking for a little adventure, hop in the car and head northeast.
You’ll have plenty of date options when you get there!
Nights spent cuddling on the couch with your sweetie are
fun, but getting out every now and then never hurt anyone. Enjoy your night out
as a couple and remember, as long as you’re together, you’ll be having a great
time!
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Posted by Eileen on October 31, 2011 at 10:35 AM under
• 0 commentsAsk any Knoxvillian to name their favorite time of the year,
and most would say autumn. The fall season in Knoxville is unlike any other- surrounded by
beautiful colors and the Tennessee Volunteers singing their alma mater. Nothing
beats Knoxville’s
fall and everybody, whether Knoxvillians or visitors, should take advantage of
the season.
Take a hike! IJAMS provides some of the best Smoky Mountain
trails for any level. During the trail, you will enjoy the fall weather and Knoxville’s scenery. You
can also spot some of Knoxville’s
native animals and trees. Visit IJAMS.
Due to Knoxville altitude and
climate, Tennessee
is known to have some of the best pumpkin patches around. So, while they’re
here, why not visit one? Take a ride on a hay ride or collect some awesome fall
decoration while searching for that perfect pumpkin. And don’t forget: find one
with a stem. It’ll last longer! Oakes Farm
Attend a Volunteer Football game! Football is in the heart
of every Southerner. Everyone around comes to see the Vols take on their rival.
During the Saturday festivities, you should join us with our famous Sailgate
cruises. We take a 2-hour long cruise on the Tennessee
River and let our guests indulge in our delicious hors d’oeurves,
watch other football games and mingle with fellow fans. Volunteer Princess
Cruises is minutes away from Neyland Stadium, so getting to the game is simple.
For our adult fans, Knoxville
has its own type of Oktoberfest: Knoxville Brewers’ Jam is an awesome beer
festival. Many brewers from Knoxville
come to celebrate handcrafted American beer, food and music. Make sure this is
on your fall check-list for next year! Brewers’ Jam
And, of course, enjoy one of our dinner cruises aboard our
vessel here at the Volunteer Princess. The leaves and sunset make it a perfect
outing with friends, family and significant others. See our list of futures
cruises on our schedule page.
Autumn is a season everyone can enjoy when in Tennessee. These are
just a few places that Knoxville has to offer, so start the pumpkin carving,
pie baking and keep that football cheering going… it’s fall time in Knoxville.
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Posted by Maggie Nichols on October 24, 2011 at 12:00 PM under
• 0 commentsFall is here and Halloween is just around the corner. If
you’ve grown tired of trick-or-treating and pumpkin carving, here are some more
exciting ways to celebrate Halloween in Knoxville.
Haunted Knoxville Ghost Tours: Knoxville
is home to several reportedly haunted locations. Take a ghost tour to have a
real paranormal investigator (not
an actor) guide you through Knoxville
to see the haunts for yourself. The walking tour lasts for approximately two
hours, spending around 15 minutes at each haunted spot. Reservations are
required, so visit Knox Ghost Tour for tour dates and times.
Scare in the Square:
If you’re looking for Halloween fun the whole family can enjoy, head to Market Square on
Friday, October 28 for Slamdot’s 3rd annual Scare in the Square. It
lasts from 5:30-9:00 p.m. and admission is free. There will be live music and
performances, costume and pumpkin carving contests, face painting and fortune
telling. An assortment of creepy critters from the Knoxville Zoo is scheduled
to make an appearance, as well. Food
will available from Bread of Heaven BBQ, Scooter Doo’s Hot Dogs and Rita’s
Italian Ice, so be sure to come hungry! For anyone with an abnormally large
sweet tooth, the candy crawl is going to hit the spot. For more information, check out
Scare in the Square.
Boo Cruise on the Volunteer Princess: If you are 21 or
older, join us for a Boo Cruise on October 31 from 9-11 p.m. Hosted by Star
102.1, it’s sure to be a fun-filled night with eerie surprises at every turn.
Guests should plan to arrive in costume and enjoy two hours of cruising down
the Tennessee River while snacking on
delicious food from Wild Wing Café. Please see Star 102.1 for a spooky night on the river!
Freaky Friday Fright Nite: Farragut will be hosting its 15th
annual Freaky Friday Fright Nite on Friday, October 28 from 5 – 7 p.m. Children ages 12 and under are invited to
Mayor Bob Leonard Park for trick-or-treating, cookie decorating and games.
Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House, so you’ll be having fun for a good
cause. Don’t forget your costume! To learn more, visit Town of Farragut.
Dead Man’s Farm: Dead Man’s Farm is home to the only Haunted
House in Knoxville
that is proven “truly haunted.” You and
a group of 10-12 others will take a self-guided tour through a house of
werewolves, gypsies and any other haunts you could imagine. Children 12 and
under must have parental supervision. Chicken runs are available for those who
can’t handle the fear! Are you brave enough? Find out at Dead Man's Farm.
Oakes Farm: Oakes Farm offers the best of both worlds with a
corn maze and a Trail of Doom (the haunted version). Those looking for a
scare-free challenge should test their luck in the corn maze. The maze is an
intricate design that will test even the most logical minds. The goal is to
find each of the 12 hidden posts throughout the maze, and then find the exit.
Those who want a little fear with their fun should embark on the Trail of Doom.
The Trail of Doom is Knoxville’s
largest and longest running haunted attraction and uses special effects, actors
and props to frighten its visitors. For days and times of operation, visit Oakes Farm.
So whether you choose to take the kids to Bob
Leonard Park for trick-or-treating or try your luck on the Trail of Doom, your
Halloween should be one to remember. Take pictures, enjoy the beautiful weather
and eat enough candy to last you until next year!
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Posted by Meghan Slater on October 17, 2011 at 11:14 AM under
• 0 commentsThis blog has taken away my Monday blues, and hopefully,
will lift your ghoulish spirit for this season!
I love autumn and everything that comes with it: the smell
of hot tea and the warmth it brings, the colorful cardigans brought out from
storage, grandmother’s home cooking and the shades of the leaves (especially
around here at the Princess; it’s such a beautiful site).
But, especially, I love the treats!
Lately, I’ve had some free time on my hands to search for
the latest trends in Halloween treats. I’m going to try to push for Beverly (if you don't know her, see crew page; she's our great VP) to add these on
our Halloween Star 102.1 Boocruise menu.
Star 102.1 Boocruise
If not, I think I’ll just make the entire crew come in and
make them with me. Mauahaha. Just kidding…maybe.
These are a few great ideas you should try yourself!
Of course, I will start with a cake! This Chocolate Pumpkin Cake says “Big Orange” and adds a touch of mystery with the dark chocolate
glaze running over the sides.
Chocolate Pumpkin Cake
Rice Krispies treats never go out of style. The gooey,
melted marshmallows will always bring an air of your childhood back to you.
With these pumpkin twists, it’s a fun way to create an edible jack o’ lantern.
Pumpkin Rice Krispies
Easy-peasy, orange squeezy. No, this treat has nothing to do
with oranges, but it IS amazingly simply and I want one now. Oreos are dipped
in whatever chocolate your taste buds crave at the time, decorated with
Halloween candy.
Oreo Pops
Want to stay on the healthy side? Obviously, I
found an alternative for all of us watching our treat-eating this season…or
trying to watch. You can add anything you want in these mini lanterns, but
I suggest sticking with the fruit salad.
Alright, I know these aren’t technically labeled as a
Halloween treat, but you can decorate any kind of face on these cupcakes. Think
of it as a nice little monster. Be careful though, if I was making them, most
of the ingredients would be in my stomach by the time the cupcakes cool off!
Little Monster Cupcakes
If you don’t have time to bake and make, just go with a
simple candy dish as this one. It’s festive and easy (to eat).
Halloween Candy Jar
By no means are we saying you should try just these recipes.
There is a whole world of bloggers and food enthusiasts who create wonderful,
seasonal treats. If you have any ideas of what we should try on the yacht, by
all means, let us know!
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Posted by Maggie Nichols on October 14, 2011 at 11:09 AM under
• 0 commentsThrowing
a great party for all of your friends is fun and exciting. Making your party
one to remember can take some serious creativity; creativity, which, let’s be
honest, doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Here is how you can be sure to wow
your friends: put a unique spin on every aspect of the party.
Venue: Your
friends have been to your house plenty of times. Try somewhere new! Knoxville is an amazing
city that has many different places perfect for private parties. - Rent
out a section of your favorite restaurant
- Host your
party at an outdoor location, such as World’s Fair Park
- Take
your party to the water and host an event on the Volunteer Princess yacht
- Host
your part at a traditional Knoxville
landmark that doubles as an elegant and exciting party venue, for example, the
Sunsphere
Anything that is new to your friends is surely
going to be a good time.
Theme: A
great way to wow your friends is to host a themed party. Incorporate your theme
through entertainment, party activities, decorations, food, music, etc. Here
are great party theme: - Decades
- Hollywood or Las Vegas
- Luau
- Fiesta
- Black
Tie
- Under
the Sea
You
get the idea! If your group of friends has a favorite movie, try hosting a
party themed after the film. This is always a good call you can invite your
guests to show up in themed costumes!
Entertainment:
Having extra entertainment available is always a good idea. Hire a live band or
a DJ to get your party rockin’ and rolllin’. Other live acts can be a blast as
well; stand up comedians and magicians do private events for great prices. You
could also have party activities to keep your guests entertained: games, a
scavenger hunt, karaoke and contests are always a hit.
Food: The
food is one of the most important aspects of your party. There are many options
to offer: snacks, heavy hors d’oeuvres or a full course meal. The food is
another great way to incorporate your theme. If your budget allows it, have
your party catered. The food will be delicious and it will take a lot of work
off your shoulders. Don’t forget about dessert; instead of having a typical
cake, try a cupcake stand, fondue station or sundae bar!
Decorations: Theme!
Theme! Theme! No theme? Decorations can still liven up a party and make it a
really special event. Balloons, signs, pictures, streamers and other décor ensures
your guests are in party mode.
Don’t
forget the details! Often it’s the little aspects of a party that count.
Handing out party favors to your guests as they leave gives them a way to
remember your party. Sending home extra food always makes happy guests, too!
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Posted by Maggie Nichols on September 12, 2011 at 9:41 AM under
• 1 commentIn Tennessee,
college football is a way of life. It comes as no surprise that fans come from
all over the region just to tailgate before heading to Neyland Stadium!
Whether you’ve been to every home
football game since brith or you’re planning your first trip, here are five places
with the greatest atmosphere to tailgate in Knoxville.
The Strip
The Strip,
home to dozens of shops, restaurants and bars, is electric on game day. Cumberland Avenue
turns into a river of orange and white, and “Rocky Top” can be heard from every
passing vehicle. People tailgate at almost every establishment on The Strip;
inside, in the parking lot or even in the backyard! The Strip is a Vol fan’s
paradise and is a must-do for everyone in Knoxville
on game day.
The Vol Navy
Knoxville is
home to the SEC’s only tailgate on the water. Boats of all shapes and sizes
line the River Walk to form the Vol Navy. If
you own a boat, you should definitely dock it here for the weekend and enjoy
some floating tailgating fun. If you don’t have a boat of your own, make
friends with someone who does! (Just kidding…kind of).
Dead End BBQ
Dead End BBQ
has recently become a new hot spot for pre and post game tailgates. Located on Southerland Avenue,
Dead End has an outdoor patio that can be rented out by private parties. The
patio fits around 35 people and has a large flat screen TV, perfect for keeping
up with games all over the country. Inside there is the Midas party room that
can also be reserved for groups around 25. Dead End BBQ was voted Tennessee’s Best BBQ in
2010, so arrive hungry and be ready for a party!
Calhoun's on the River
Calhoun's on the River is a favorite of long-time Vol fans. Calhoun’s accommodates any size crowd: the
upstairs alone can sit up to 400 people! The scenery can’t be beat; Calhoun’s
offers a beautiful view of the Tennessee River.
If you’re looking for a classic venue to take your friends for game day fun,
look no further!
The Volunteer Princes Yacht
If just being on the water for the Vol
Navy or watching the river from the sidelines isn’t enough, try a “sailgate” with Volunteer Princess Cruises and spend a few hours cruising
down the Tennessee River. With a fully-stocked
cash bar and delicious hors d’oeuvres, the Volunteer Princess yacht is a great
place to host your party before the game. The entire boat is air-conditioned,
so no need to tailgate in the heat! Whether you want to join a public tailgate
or you want to host your own, VPC is always the best party on the water.
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Posted by Nikki LeMasurier on August 2, 2011 at 2:17 PM under
• 1 commentWhy decide between holding a Wedding Ceremony or a Rehearsal Dinner on the Volunteer Princess when you can do them both? Around two weeks ago, TJ and Kalie, did just this. Friday, July 22, 2011 they held their Rehearsal Dinner and Rehearsal onboard. It was a laid back, fun atmosphere and the bride and groom, to be, had a great time. They had time to become comfortable with the wedding venue and at the same time get a little crazy! The next day they were back onboard the Princess for their Wedding Ceremony. It was a great way for us to get to know this happy couple and for them to become familiar with the place they said I do.The mother of the groom sent us this after the cruise, "Nikki, you guys did an awesome job!!!! We all had such a great time. Thank you so very much for making this a wonderful moment in time for the new couple. Wanda Myers."
Here is TJ and two of his Groomsmen on Rehearsal Dinner night. They are comfortable and relaxed, just ready to get the show on the road. I wish I would have snapped a picture at the end of the night after a few of our wonderful cocktails! They were ready to celebrate TJ's last night as a single man.
Here is Kalie and two of her bridesmaids. They had a great time onboard as well. Kalie did not stop smiling the entire night. She was so excited for her wedding day to get here that she was just beaming from check to check all night long.
These are the two flower girls. They are sisters and family of the happy couple. Here they are practicing for the big day. It's difficult to do more than one thing at once and we are asking them to walk as gracefully as possible down the aisle while smiling and throwing rose petals...it's hard being a flower girl. SPOILER ALERT: They pulled it off and looked beautiful doing so!
The beautiful ceremony set up. White chair covers, white tulle on the sconses, and big white bows set the stage for a wonderful wedding.
The beatiful bride prior to the wedding ceremony taking some interesting photos. I am sure the photographer got some great ones because Kalie looked absolutely stunning. She was decked out from the tip of her head all the way down to her feet in jewels and sparkles. The bride is supposed to be the center of attention and the way Kalie looked on Saturday, 7-23-11 you couldn't help but watch her enjoy this day. She exuded happiness and love!
After a lot of planning and even more planning, the Wedding Rehearsal/Rehearsal Dinner and the Wedding Ceremony were perfect. TJ and Kalie were wonderful to work with and I feel as though I know them better because we were able to spend all weekend together. Thank you guys for cruising with us for these events. I am thrilled to have been apart of your wedding weekend. We wish you all the love and happiness in the years to come.
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Posted by Volunteer Princess Crew on July 28, 2011 at 1:50 PM under
• 0 commentsHere at the Volunteer Princess, we receive many questions
surrounding everything from Knoxville and our crewmembers to party planning
tips and event themes. Our daily life is filled with crazy phone calls,
hilarious comments and curious river animals. We get to be a part of many
different families and meet people from all over the world (last week a family
from India came on board)!
The Princess staff wants to share our answers to our daily
questions, interesting articles, events on the boat, comments about our cruises
and anything else we come up with!
Our journey is not just a cruise down the river. We enjoy
exploring everything from downtown Knoxville life and local trends to parties
and wedding venues. So become a part of our blog! Comment, ask and share
anything you would like; we’d love to continue our journey with you and the
world.
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