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Park Crossword Puzzle
Enjoy a new crossword puzzle
Click here to see if you can puzzle out the clues to this new crossword about Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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New Fall Videos
Photo by Gary Wilson To enjoy the spectacular color throughout the park in the fall of 2011, click here. Or to hike Middle Prong Trail with Valerie Polk, click here. |
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Winter Hike
Newfound Gap trail head by Robert Lee Goodman
A sunny day in December is a great time to hike the "Three Waterfalls Loop" in the Deep Creek area.
This 2.4-mile moderate hike starts at the Deep Creek trailhead just past the Deep Creek Picnic Area.
As the name suggests, this pleasant day hike includes views of three lovely waterfalls.
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Sleeping Bears
Bear in snow by Brian Shults
Most Smoky Mountain black bears enter their winter dens in December. They will remain there until March or early April.
Because bears spend the winter in a state of very deep sleep rather than true hibernation, they can get up and roam around a bit if disturbed or if the weather becomes extremely warm.
Winter denning is as much an adaptation to food scarcity as it is to cold.
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Elk Program A Success
Research findings from the experimental elk release indicated that the elk population was sustainable, had minimal impacts on the Park's resources, and human-elk conflicts were manageable.
Monitoring of the elk herd will continue, but will be scaled back from efforts employed during the research phase.
A portion of the elk population will continue to be fitted with radio-collars and tracked, primarily the adult females and all newborn calves.
Vegetation will be monitored to determine if the elk have an unacceptable impact on native plant communities.
In addition, the management plan transitions responsibility for elk management issues outside the Park to the appropriate tribal, state, or federal agency with jurisdiction over wildlife on those lands.
Park staff will continue to work cooperatively and provide guidance and training regarding elk management, where feasible, to any agency requesting support.
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Stunning Park Photos
Fall colors in fog by Douglas McPherson on our Facebook fan page
You'll love the thousands of great photos of the park posted by visitors from all over the world on our Facebook fan page.
Visit our page and enjoy the best photos of critters and vistas in GSMNP. You don't have to join Facebook to see our photos.
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Special Sorghum Making
Cades Cove, November 25-27
For the first time ever we will be conducting a sorghum molasses making demonstration at Cades Cove over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Join us for this harvest celebration and see how sorghum cane becomes delicious molasses.
The demonstration will be held at the Cable Mill Historic Area halfway around the Cades Cove Loop Road.
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Business Members
Accomodations by HeartLand Rental
745 Powdermill Road
P. O. Box 1609
Gatlinburg, TN 37722
800.836.9541
Email
Website
Imagine yourself escaping to a lovely cabin set amid the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. Heartland Cabin Rentals can provide just such a vacation for you.
Pick a 1-5 bedroom log cabin on the river or with a beautiful mountain view. Our cabins are great for romantic getaways, family retreats, and honeymoons.
We feature the best amenities such as: hot tubs, pool tables, Jacuzzis, foosball tables, saunas, satellite or cable TV, VCRs or DVD players.
All cabins come with fully-equipped kitchens, air conditioners, and heat. Heartland Rentals supplies a starter package of supplies including toilet paper, paper towels, bath soap, and dish soap. Heartland Rentals also supplies pots, pans, dishes, glassware, silverware, towels, and other linens.
Our rentals are just minutes from downtown Gatlinburg and most of the area attractions.
We offer easy online reservations or you may call the office and speak with one of our vacation specialists. Let us help you plan a great getaway.
GSMA members in good standing. Stay two nights get the third free. No holidays, the month of October and/or special events.
You can see all of GSMA's Business Members by clicking here.
To see the discounts offered to GSMA members, click here.
If you own a business and would like to be included in this newsletter and our website, contact Westy Fletcher at 423.487.3131 or
Westy@GSMAssoc.org
The Gatlinburlier Tobacconist
The Mountain Mall
611 Parkway, Level D
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
800.862.2204
Email
Website
Chilhowee Mountain Retreat
Bed and Breakfast
5110 Little Doubles Road
Maryville, TN 37803
865.983.8511
Email
Website
Morristown Department of Tourism
825 West First North Street
P.O. Box 9
Morristown, TN 37814
423.586.6382
Email
Website
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| New Products
Newest Calendar & Good Reads
GSMA Calendar 2012
Spiral bound wall calendar. Each month highlights a different Smoky Mountain view and gives great information about the park and its history. 
Camping & Woodcraft by Horace Kephart
Paperback and Hardback
Other great Kephart books --
Smoky Mountain Magic
Our Southern Highlanders
The Cherokees of the Smokies
Camp Cookery
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Follow Us on Twitter!
Join Other Park Lovers Follow GSMA on Twitter.  |
If you'd like to receive 1 online newsletter a month from us, click on the icon above. We never share your address with anyone and we never send any spam. |
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Brian Shults got up at 4 am to drive and then bicycle to Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove to get this photo. Thanks Brian! Click here to see a larger image.
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"Top of Old Smoky" Celebration
Last Chance to See the View
Don Buchanan's purple mountains majesty. Click to see larger.
Join us for an end of the season party for Clingmans Dome Road and Information Center. Both will close for the winter on November 30.
It's been a terrific year at the Dome, with dustings of snow, a bounty of American mountain-ash berries, beaucoup bears, and beautiful sunsets.
We'll be offering free refreshments at the information center, free postcards, and discounts of 30% on all Clingmans Dome clothing. This includes hoodies, Ts, long-sleeve Ts, and caps.
This is your last chance to take in the view from Clingmans Dome tower until April 1. Come enjoy hot cider and cookies with us. We hope to see you there.
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Festival of Christmas Past
Sugarlands Visitor Center, Dec. 10, 9-4
Photo by Valerie Polk
Enjoy live music, storytelling, free refreshments, and talks on Smoky Mountain history. You can also observe blacksmithing and other arts and craft demonstrations such as quilting, weaving, basket making, and more.
Join us for free fun for the whole family. Highlights include:
- 9:30-11 am Old Time Harp Singing
- 11 am-12 pm Storytelling with Charles Maynard
- 11 am-12:30 pm Memories Walk
- 12-1 pm Lost Mill String Band
- 1-1:30 pm Decorating of the Sugarlands Christmas Tree
- 1-2 pm Bill Proffitt and the South of the River Boys
- 2-3:30 pm Memories Walk
- 2-3 pm Stories from the Past, Charlotte Liebrock moderator
- 3-4 pm Boogertown Gap
To see a short video of this event in years past, click here.
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Open House & Christmas Past Festival
Oconaluftee Visitor Center, December 17, 10-2
Photo by Valerie Polk
Visit our new Oconaluftee Visitor Center, near Cherokee, NC, and see old time crafts being demonstrated. Learn by observing the practical arts of quilting, weaving, and basket and doll making, apple cider and apple butter.
The whole family will enjoy live music, storytelling, and special activities for children. It's all free!
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Chef Heather O'Donnell's Holiday Recipes
Using Smoky Mountain Ingredients
Santa's Chewy Molasses Cookies
1 cup sugar 5 cups flour 1 cup soft butter 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar 1 cup molasses (use GSMA's own sorghum molasses) 1 1/2 teaspoons ginger 1 egg, beaten 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 4 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon cloves 1 tablespoon vanilla 2/3 cup hot water 3/4 teaspoon salt
Mix sugar, butter, and molasses. Add egg. Dissolve soda in hot water and add vanilla. Combine with molasses. Sift together dry ingredients and combine with molasses mixture. Chill one hour. Roll to 1/4 inch thick and cut out. Bake at 375 on greased cookie sheet 8 minutes.
Honey Pumpkin Mousse
4 eggs, separated 3/4 cup honey (use GSMA's own sourwood honey) 1 can pumpkin 2 tablespoons all purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon salt
Combine egg whites and honey in top of double boiler. Cook over simmering water, stirring constantly, to 160. Transfer to medium bowl. Beat to glossy peaks with mixer, set aside. In medium saucepan, combine remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, to boil. Remove from heat. Gently fold in egg whites 1/4 at a time, spoon into dessert cups, cover, and chill. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a glazed pecan. |
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An Evening with George Ellison & Friends
George Ellison, his wife Elizabeth, and some of their very special author friends will appear on Friday, December 2, at the Captain's Bookshelf in downtown Asheville, NC, 6-8.
Hear George and Elizabeth talk about their new books and visit with writers Bill Hart, Jim Costa, Doug Elliot, Thomas Raincrow, John Lane, and Jeff Zahner.
There will be refreshments, good books, and good cheer. Why would you not be there?
George will also sign his books from 9:30 till noon on December 10, at the Festival of Christmas Past at Sugarlands Visitor Center.
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Snowfall by Jim Kendall
Park's Schedule for Winter Closings
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has announced its winter season facility closings schedule. As cooler weather approaches and visitation decreases, various facilities will close, including 7 of the 10 campgrounds, and operational hours for some visitor services will be reduced.
VISITOR CENTERS
Through the month of November, the Sugarlands Visitor Center, 2 miles south of Gatlinburg, TN, will open daily from 8 am-5 pm. The Oconaluftee Visitor Center, 2 miles north of Cherokee, NC, will serve visitors from 8 am-5 pm. The Cades Cove Visitor Center located half way around the Cades Cove Loop Road, near Townsend, TN, will be open daily from 9 am-5 pm. The visitor center hours for other winter months are posted on the Park's website, www.nps.gov/grsm.
ROADS
Secondary roads are as follows: Balsam Mountain and Heintooga Roads closed on November 1 and the two-way segment of the Roundbottom/Straight Fork Road, just outside Cherokee, closed on November 15. Parson Branch and Rich Mountain Roads closed on November 21, and Clingmans Dome, Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, and upper Cherokee Orchard Loop will close on December 1.
During the winter months, the Park's 2 main roads, Newfound Gap (U.S. 441) and Little River, will remain open throughout the year, except for temporary closures during extreme winter weather conditions. The Gatlinburg Bypass, Cades Cove Loop Road, Cosby Road, Greenbrier Road, Upper Tremont, Forge Creek, Lakeview Drive, and Foothills Parkway (East and West) will open and close as road and weather conditions mandate.
For more information on winter weather road conditions, contact the NPS at 865-436-1200 (select option "2" and select "2" again to access road info). Those who wish to be notified of the status of the Park's 4 most popular roads - Newfound Gap (U.S. 441), Little River Road, Laurel Creek Road, and Cades Cove Loop Road - can receive cell phone text message alerts by texting: follow smokiesroadsnps to 40404. The public can get that same information via the Internet by going to www.twitter.com/smokiesroadsnps to read recent road notifications.
LODGING
Mt. LeConte Lodge will close for the season on November 23.
CAMPING
Two of the 3 major campgrounds will remain open all year. The year-round campgrounds are Cades Cove in Tennessee and Smokemont in North Carolina. As of November 1, they are on a self-registration basis with a reduced number of available sites. Elkmont Campground in Tennessee will remain open through the Thanksgiving weekend and will close on December 1. Balsam Mountain campground is already closed for the season. The 6 remaining self-registration campgrounds at Cosby, Cataloochee, Deep Creek, Big Creek, Look Rock, and Abrams Creek were closed on November 1.
CADES COVE CAMPGROUND STORE
Cades Cove Campground Store will close on December 1. The store will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Vending machines at the store will remain in service throughout the winter.
PICNICKING
Seven picnic areas will remain open through the winter: Chimneys, Cades Cove, Cosby, Greenbrier, Metcalf Bottoms, Big Creek, and Deep Creek. Picnic pavilions at Cosby, Greenbrier, and Deep Creek will be open through the winter and can be reserved at www.recreation.gov. Picnic pavilions which closed on November 1 include Twin Creeks, Collins Creek, and Metcalf Bottoms.
HORSEBACK STABLES
Smokemont Riding Stable closed on November 1. Sugarlands Riding Stable and Smoky Mountain Riding Stable will close on November 28. Cades Cove Riding Stable will close on December 1.
HORSE CAMPS
All 5 horse camps - Round Bottom, Tow String, Cataloochee, Big Creek, and Anthony Creek - closed on November 14.
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Santa and GSMA
Don't forget to order a GSMA membership for that special someone in your life! It's the perfect gift for the person who has everything EXCEPT a membership in Great Smoky Mountains Association. The benefits are great and it's always a good feeling to know you're helping the park!
Just call our toll free number, 888-898-9102, Ext. 222 or 254, to purchase a membership and we'll take care of the rest. Or Ext. 226 if you're considering other GSMA gifts such as delicious preserves, a Christmas ornament, books, videos, games, caps, or tees? Our sales staff can place a membership order for you, too. And remember, GSMA members receive a discount on our products!
We wish everyone the happiest of holiday seasons and a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2012! Thanks for your support!
Judy and Marti -- Membership & Special Events
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Waiting for Wannetta
An Emotional Thank You to Search & Rescue Rangers
December 3 is a special day at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It's the day that Wannetta Johnson brings a poinsettia to Park Headquarters.
For the heartwarming story of why she makes this special trip every year -- for 35 years -- click here to see Valerie Polk's video. |
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Our Mailing Address Has Changed
GSMA has a new snail mail address. So please send any and all future renewals, new memberships, and other correspondence to us at:
Great Smoky Mountains Association
PO Box 130
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
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Crossword
Puzzle
Answers |
1. This short, stocky, slate blue bird makes its nest by tunneling into dirt banks.
Answer: Kingfisher
2. First permanent family of Cades Cove
Answer: Oliver
3. This falls on the NC side of the park was probably named for a man
named after a famous Cherokee chief.
Answer: Juney Whank
4. Once an important logging spot in the Smokies
Answer: Tremont
5. Elk were reintroduced into the park in 2001 in this area
Answer: Cataloochee
6. A fungus accidentally introduced from Asia caused a blight that killed the majority of these magnificent trees
Answer: Chestnut
7. A native fish in the Smokies
Answer: Brook Trout
8. This salamander is found only in GSMNP
Answer: Redcheeked
9. Treeless, grassy meadows below timberline and mostly on ridgetops
Answer: Balds
10. Author of "Our Southern Highlanders"
Answer: Kephart
11. Inventor of Cherokee syllabary
Answer: Sequoya
12. Said to be a bee's tree of preference
Answer: Sourwood
13. Hazel Creek's first settlers
Answer: Proctor
14. __ Conservation Corps
Answer: Civilian
15. Type of barn characterized by an overhang usually supporting a large second story loft atop one or more log cribs
Answer: Cantilever
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| Any Questions? | For questions about online purchases, click here and the Mail Order department will help you.
For questions about membership, click here and Judy or Marti will help you.
For questions about business membership, click here and Westy will help you. |
Join
Us! | Become a member of Great Smoky Mountains Association today. You'll receive discounts at our park stores of up to 25% and receive premiums like Smokies Life magazine and the Bearpaw newsletter. Most importantly, you'll be helping protect nature and history in the Smokies. |
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