Award-winning author Dr. Gail Palmer is a native of Blount County. She received a Community History award from East Tennessee Historical Society for her latest work, creative non-fiction book, "Smoky Mountain Tales, Vol. 1: Feuds, Murder & Mayhem." Called a "captivating and entertaining model for communicating local history through storytelling," Palmer's work relies on her family roots in the Great Smoky Mountains through her mother's family, John Sparks and Elizabeth Shuler. Both are featured in "Sacred Places of the Smokies," an historical DVD. Stories about people who lived in communities of the Smokies are told in an interesting and entertaining fashion, revealing a "poignant...portrayl of the mountain people and their customs of life, death and burial," as Allen R. Coggins, author of "Place Names of the Smokies," put it. Photographs of rough tombstones and of individuals buried in the cemeteries of the Smokies allow viewers to see these people and what they looked like as well as what they wore. It provides a unique and compelling view into the world of these mountain people, their unique sense of humor and how they lived their lives. A second DVD, "When Mama Was the Doctor: Mountain Medicine Women" contains video of some individuals who talk about their ancestors who were midwives, such as the Walker sisters and others. The most recent addition to Palmer's list is the first in a series of books about the Smokies based on talks she has given, such as People of the Smoky Mountains: Gone But Not Forgotten, Cades Cove & Its People, Cades Cove & the Civil War and others. This first book of the series is "Great Smoky Mountains National Park: In the Beginning...Fact, Legend & Eminent Domain." It tells the stories and the heartbreak of those who fought to keep their land, as well as the story of some of those involved in creating the Park. Look for "Cemeteries of the Smokies," a book by Palmer to be published soon by Great Smoky Mountains Association. This book lists more than 150 cemeteries located in the Park along with names of those buried there, how to find each cemetery, information about former owners and tract information at the time the property was sold to the state. Stories about many of the people who lived in these areas are also included. In addition, Palmer gives presentations at many of the local historical societies and other groups. She ties each presentation to the area of the Park in which the talk is given, and talks about the people of that region. Some of the stories she tells are funny, some tragic. Each is entertaining and educational. There is no charge for any presentation and Palmer welcomes invitations to speak from any area group. Next in the series is "Murder & Mayhem in the Smoky Mountains" and will be available soon. Go to Amazon.com or to www.smokymountainpublishers.com for more information.