Top Neighbors: The magic behind the mirrors
You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
The Holston River is where I grew up as a child. I have been fortunate to always have the opportunity to relive these great experiences. The Holston river starts in Virginia and runs through East Tennessee until it meets the French Broad river in Knoxville. These two rivers join to become the Tennessee river. The Holston River divides Grainger County (where I live) and Jefferson County. The water is cold and clear and is perfect for a lazy summer afternoon. I have fished the river all of my life forthe sport fish here. Trout and smallmouth bass are in abundance, but my favorite are the "redeye". These small bass are the toughest fighting fish in the river ounce for ounce. They seldom get over 1 lb. so use ultralight gear and 4 lb. test for the most enjoyment. When the fishing is off I enjoy floating the river either in canoe or tube. The river has plenty to offer for someone looking get away from it all.
Located on the Holston River in Grainger County is East Tennessee's newest airpark. The landing strip is 3,000 ft. long and has home sites adjacent to it for licensed pilots. A golf course and restaurant are planned for the next phase. There is also 4,000 ft. of river frontage that features great trout fishing. You can drive into Knoxville in less than 25 minutes, or fly over the Great Smoky Mt. in less that 10 minutes. If you own a plane and enjoy flying, be sure to check our newest development out! 
Sarting in December I get ready to hike and enjoy the Clinch Mt. range. These beautiful unspoiled and less traveled peaks run through Grainger County. I particularly enjoy the solitude of roaming these mountains as I never see anyone. Clinch Mt. is a wild mountain range that starts at Signal Point in Blaine,TN and goes into Virginia. Signal Point was a key position in the war between the states as Knoxville can be seen from from this vista. These hikes also give me a different perspective of my listings in relation to their surroundings. The Great Smoky Mountain National Park has many trails and much easier access but I will stick with the wild game paths of my Clinch Mountains.
