|
Welcome to the Twentieth Edition of the Great Smoky
Mountains Association Online Newsletter.
We hope you will enjoy the latest news from the
Smokies as well as information about interesting
people, places, and things to do!
| Open House at Oconaluftee |
 |
|
Come enjoy hot cider and cookies on us! Visit our
holiday open house at Oconoluftee Visitor Center from
10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, December 15.
See a display about Christmas in the mountains and tour
the Davis/Queen Farm House at the Mountain Farm
Museum.
There will be music and demonstrations such cornshuck
doll and broom making. In addition, Bill Lea will be
signing copies of his wonderful photo books about
Cades Cove, bears, and the park.
The Visitor Center is on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. Hwy.
441) 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC.
|
| Cherokee Students Find New Species! |
|
|
Photograph by Susan Sachs, NPS.
In the photo above, Emory Rhodes, a forestry teacher at
Cherokee High School, assists a student searching for
springtails.
A researcher in New York in 1951 said he'd found a
new species of springtail -- a small wingless soil insect.
But the striking purple critter he'd described was never
seen again, so in 1964 his discovery was invalidated.
Then a group of Cherokee High School students,
working under the direction of staff at the Appalachian
Highlands Science Learning Center, went looking for soil
invertebrates as part of the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory
(ATBI) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
These talented young scientists found a purple springtail
and then, several years later, did it again so the
varmint's existence could be confirmed. Way to go,
student researchers!
Behold Pogonognathellus nigritus as seen
through a microscope.
|
| Mountain Kitchen Gift Box |
|
|
Stone ground corn meal, strawberry and blackberry
preserves, sourwood honey, and apple butter -- plus
Mountain Makins cookbook, and Log Cabins of
the Smokies illustrated booklet.
Large servings of all the best food in the Smokies packed
in a sturdy decorative box.
Truly delicious...anyone will love it!
|
| 2008 GSMA Wall Calendar |
|
|
Great Christmas present -- rolling mountains, rollicking
streams, wildflowers, and other stunning Smokies
images by Jerry Whaley.
Information on flora and fauna and park special events,
too.
12" x 12" spiral bound.
|
| Precipitation Deficits for LeConte and Elkmont |
|
|
Precipitation is over 21.3 inches below average for the
Elkmont area through November of this year. That's 39%
below normal.
LeConte received 17" less precipitation than usual.
That's a 23% deficit so far this year.
That's dry...
|
| Smokies Life Magazine a Big Hit! |
|
|
Not only is it beautiful, but it's smart, too.
The Premiere Issue of the new Smokies Life
Magazine is a home run!
Members get a subscription for free, but all others have to
buy them one at a time.
|
| Pocket Calendar Clearance |
|
|
Was $7.95, now it's only $4.95...a classy stocking
stuffer.
Great photos by Jerry Whaley of waterfalls,
wildflowers, landscapes, and historic
buildings in the Smokies.
Monthly flora and fauna highlights, plus park
weather summaries and special events.
To take a closer look, click here.
|
|
|
Smokies Ornament on White House Tree! |
|
|
|
An ornament designed and hand-painted by GSMA's
own Joey Heath is hanging on a Christmas tree in the
White House!!
Joey, a graphic artist and illustrator, created the
ornament which is now on display in the Blue Room of
our President's very own house!
The painting features GSMNP's famous black bears and
mountains with their characteristic smoky blue haze.
|
|
