Join us on Facebook and see!  You'll love the postings of true life encounters with bears.

Hint:  "ROFL" is the text abbreviation for "Rolling On the Floor Laughing."

GSMA Members and their guests are invited to join Westy Fletcher for a hike along Porters Creek Trail on Saturday, August 29, 2009.

This will be a moderate hike, approximately 4 miles round trip. The area is famous for wildflowers in the spring but year round you can enjoy the historic homesites, stonewalls, and cemeteries.

The turn-around point will be at Fern Branch Falls.
Meet at 9:30 am at the trailhead.  Pack a light lunch, wear appropriate hiking boots, bring rain gear, and water.

Limited to 25 people.  Cost: $15 per person.
Reservations must be made no later that August 24.
Call Judy at 865-436-7318 ext 222 for more info or reservations.  Or email her at Judy@GSMAssoc.org.

SmartBank has created the SmartGreen account to promote environmental awareness with innovative and unique benefits that will directly benefit Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountains Association.

A donation is made to both organizations every time a SmartBank account holder uses their debit card for signature-based transactions.

The businesses listed below support your park by being Business Members of the GSMA.  You can view all of the GSMA Business Members by going to www.smokiesinformation.org and clicking on "Our Business Members."  Pick a category to find a service or product you're interested in.  

Some of the Business Members give GSMA Members a discount or other consideration.  You can see these Business Members by going to our web site, clicking on "Discounts and Freebies," and picking a category  such as Lodging, B & B, Restaurants, Guide Service, and more.

Please support GSMA Business Members by staying with them, eating at their establishments, purchasing their products, and using their services.  They, as well as our individual members, support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park by being members of GSMA.

If you own a business and would like to have your business included in this announcement, which is sent to 15,000 subscribers, contact Westy Fletcher at (423) 487-3131 or email him at Westy@GSMAssoc.org for more information.

727 Salon                
13 Silverbell Lane
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
tel: 865.436.8840 Bob Spencer
email: 272salon@bellsouth.net

Big Creek Expeditions        
3541 Hartford Road
Hartford TN 37753
tel: 877.642.7238 Jon Felderman
email: info@bigcreekexpeditions.com
www.bigcreekexpeditions.com

Buie's Landing            
1360 East Parkway
Gatlinburg TN 37738
tel: 865.436.3504 Buie Hancock
email: buiepottery1@aol.com
www.buieslanding.com

Cherokee Boys Club            
52 Boys Club Loop Road
Cherokee NC 28719
tel: 828.497.9001 Ray Kinsland
email: markcrow@nc-cherokee.com

Greystone Lodge at the Aquarium    
559 Parkway
Gatlinburg TN 37738
tel: 865.436.5621 Jackie Leatherwood
email: staywithus@aol.com
www.greystonelodgetn.com

Mountain Laurel Chalets        
440 Ski Mountain Road
Gatlinburg TN 37738
tel: 865.436.5277 Kay King
email: kay@mtnlaurelchalets.com
www.mountainlaurelchalets.com

Museum of the Cherokee Indian    
589 Tsali Blvd.
Cherokee NC 28719
tel: 828.497.3481 Ken Blankenship
email: kenblank@cherokeemuseum.org
www.cherokeemuseum.org

Pigeon Forge Care & Rehabilitation Center                
514 Cole Drive                
Pigeon Forge TN 37863
tel: 865.428.5454 Todd Heptinstall
email: admission.pigeon@signaturehealthcarellc.com
www.signaturehealthcarellc.com

Quail Ridge Inn Bed and Breakfast    
2765 King Hollow Road
Sevierville TN 37876
tel: 865.436.8287 George and Anita Brewer
email: info@quailridgebandb.com
www.quailridgebandb.com

Rafting In The Smokies        
3595 Hartford Road
Hartford TN 37753
tel: 800.776.7238 Claudette Geoffrion
email: rafting@raftinginthesmokies.com
www.raftinginthesmokies.com

Smoky Mountain Knife Works    
2320 Winfield Dunn Pkwy
Sevierville TN 37876
tel: 800.251.9306 Customer Service
email: info@smkw.com
www.smokymountainknifeworks.com

Tim Weberding Woodworking    
600 Glades Road
Suite 5
Gatlinburg TN 37738
tel: 865.430.8811 Tim Weberding
email: sales@timweberding.com
www.timweberding.com

Outdoor Adventures            
3635 Trail Hollow Road
Hartford TN 37753
tel: 866.333.7238 Jessica Booth
email: info@outdooradv.com
www.raftoutdooradventures.com

Cosmic Ties/Strange Brew Coffee House
557 Wilton Springs Road        
Newport TN 37821
tel: 423.613.8137 Barbara Twigg
email: cosmicties@yahoo.com
www.cosmicties.net

Coffee Cottage & Triple Moon Tattoo Studio            
1456 Dellwood Road            
Waynesville NC 38786
tel: 828.944.0270 Miles and Elizabeth Moxley
email: coffeecottage1456@yahoo.com

Cades Cove Loop Road will be closed for rehab for 10 weeks in 2010. 

The road repair is scheduled to begin on or about March 1, 2010.  It will conclude on or about May 15.

During this time, the loop road will be closed to the public.  Access beyond the gates will be prohibited.  The campground, store and horse concession will be in operation.