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Reptiles & Amphibians Quiz
Female Gray Tree Frog by Brian Shults
Click here to take our newest quiz about Reptiles and Amphibians of the Smokies.
The first person to answer all 12 questions correctly will win a copy of our book
Reptiles & Amphibians of the Smokies.
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Balsam Mountain
New Video by Valerie Polk
Balsam Mountain Nature Trail by Valerie Polk
Click here to see Valerie Polk's newest video about the Balsam Mountain area, including the nature trail, scenic road, campground, picnic area, and overlooks.
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Flowering Shrubs
New Video by Gary Wilson
Heath Bald by Gary Wilson
Click here to see Gary Wilson's newest film about rhododendron, sand myrtle, and other flowering shrubs in the heath family.
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Porters Creek Hike
New Videos by Jill and Elizabeth
Fringed Phacelia in spring by Joe Strickland
Enjoy a hike to Porters Creek in these two new videos from Jill and Elizabeth!
Hike to Porters Creek, Part 1
Hike to Porters Creek, Part 2
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Upcoming Events
Shape Note Singing School
Little Greenbrier School
2 pm, July 8
OVC Porch Music
1-3 pm, July 21 & August 18
Cherokees of the Appalachians
Cades Cove Visitor Center, July 19, 11 am
Oconaluftee Visitor Center, July 11, 11 am
Sugarlands Visitor Center, August 1, 12:30 pm
Basketmaking Demonstration
Cades Cove Visitor Center
10:30-3:00, July 21 & 22
Blacksmith & Toymaking Demonstrations
Cades Cove Visitor Center
Mountain Life Festival
September 15
Click here for more information on upcoming events.
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Business Members
The Peddler &
Park Grill Steakhouses
The Peddler Steakhouse
820 River Road
865-436-5794
Park Grill Steakhouse
1110 Parkway
865-436-2300
sue@peddlerparkgrill.com www.peddlerparkgrill.com The Peddler and Park Grill Steakhouses have a longstanding tradition of top quality food, service, and atmosphere that people go out of their way to return to and tell their friends not to miss. We work tirelessly to make every visit to our restaurants a positive memorable experience. Families have made the steakhouses their dining destination in the Smokies. The Peddler and Park Grill offer the perfect end to your day in the Smokies. Call-ahead seating is available. GSMA members in good standing will receive 10% discount on food (alcohol not included).
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
Mountain Air Cabin Rentals
1725 Waldens Creek Road
Suite 104
Sevierville TN 37862
877.429.9604
reservations@mountainaircabinrentals.com
www.mountainaircabinrentals.com
Timber Frame Rentals
37 Phillips Street
Suite C
Franklin NC 28734
828.421.0352
www.TimberFrameRentals.com |
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Park Visitation Increases
Great Smoky Mountains National Park saw a 10% increase in visitors in May of 2012 as compared with May of 2011.
Year-to-date visitation is up by 13.5% which works out to 329,712 more people than last January-April.
All of the three main entrances were up during May:
Gatlinburg: +9.1%
Townsend: +13.3%
Cherokee: +11.5%
The 13 outlying entrances were up 7.8% over May of 2011
In addition to this spring's favorable weather, it is speculated that lower gas prices, local area special events, and area attractions opening resulted in more people visiting the park during May.
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Horace Kephart Days
Celebration, Presentations & Hike to His Cabin Site
September 6, 7, 8, and 9, 2012
Celebration in Bryson City and Cullowhee, NC
Thursday, September 6, 2012
4 - 7pm Mountain Heritage Museum, WCU, Opening Reception for year-long Horace Kephart exhibit. Open to the public.
7:30pm Opening night performance of play, "Horace Kephart, His Life ~ His Words", NCCAT
Friday, September 7, 2012
All Day Hike to Kephart's Hazel Creek cabin site
Depart/Return at Fontana Marina.
10am - 1pm "Horace Kephart in Bryson City", visit site of the old Cooper House, highway marker, Hillside Cemetery, picnic lunch at Deep Creek Pavilion and short hike in Deep Creek for those who want to hike. Participants bring their own lunch, e-mail horacekephartinfo@yahoo.com
7:30pm Performance of play followed by a reception. Meet cast, crew, and special guest, Susan Shumaker (producer-researcher with Ken Burns film company, Florentine Films)
Saturday, September 8 Horace Kephart's 150th Birthday
8:30am Breakfast at the Calhoun, $10, reservations required
9:45am Ceremony at Hillside Cemetery where Kephart is buried, special guest speakers, bagpipes, singers
Starting at 1pm Afternoon programs, NCCAT
Speakers include: Susan Shumaker, George Ellison (Kephart scholar)
George Frizzell (WCU, Kephart Scholar), Dennis Stephens (Kephart scholar from Alaska), Janet McCue (Cornell U., Kephart scholar), Dale Ditmanson, Superintendent GSMNP, Terry Maddox (Exec. Dir. GSMA)
Book Signings: Walt Larimore, Lance Holland, Susan Shumaker, George Ellison, Janet McCue, Bill Alexander, members of Kephart family
Art exhibits/Sales: Joanne Bleichner, Elizabeth Ellison
Demonstrations: Bill Alexander, bark baskets (available for sale)
GSMA will have a booth
Cherokee will have an exhibit on the Trail of Tears
WCU Special Collections will have an exhibit
Schiele Museum Camping re-enactors, Kephart-style
7:30pm Performance of play followed by Meet & Greet
Sunday, September 9
8:30am Breakfast at the Calhoun
Guest speaker, Thomas Rain Crowe
2pm Matinee performance of play (NCCAT) followed by reception
For any questions, e-mail: horacekephartinfo@yahoo.com
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Rhododendron Super Bloom
Rhododendron in bloom at Jakes Creek as seen from crossing at Meigs Mountain Trail footbridge. Photo by Hannah Schlicher Kilgore
No one knows exactly why rosebay rhododendron flowers more profusely some years than others. Naturalists have hypothesized that flowering is related to rainfall or that "Big Blooms" occur roughly on a three year cycle. Whatever the cause, we do know that the rosebay blooms this year are off-the-charts incredible! If you have never before seen the Smokies during a rosebay Super Bloom, now is the time. There may never be a bloom like this again in our lifetimes.
Rosebay (white) rhododendron is very common at elevations below 5,000 feet, especially near streams, on shady north slopes, and in ravines. |
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Thomas Divide Hike
July 7
Photo of hikers on Thomas Divide Trail by Liz Domingue
Join naturalist Liz Domingue for a 3 1/2 mile round-trip hike on the Thomas Divide Trail. This trail, located off Newfound Gap Rd. on the North Carolina side of the park, was built by the CCC in 1934.
It has moderate uphill and downhill grades. You'll encounter a forest of Eastern hemlock, yellow birch, American beech, and several species of maple. Many fallen chestnut logs can be seen on the forest floor.
Every season will reward you with diverse vegetation, and if Nature proves herself early as she has been known to do this year, you may be rewarded by some impressive displays of Turk's cap lilies and wild bergamot.
As always, wear appropriate hiking gear. Bring rain gear and bottled water, along with a snack or lunch. A hiking stick is recommended.
Since the trailhead can be hard to locate, Liz recommends meeting her at Sugarlands Visitor Center at 9:00 am on July 7, and car-pooling from there.
This hike is limited to 20 participants. There is a $5 fee for GSMA members, and a $10 charge for non-members. Children under 10 years of age are not encouraged to take part in this hike. Children 10-12 are welcome and there is no charge for them.
Call 865-436-7318, Ext. 222 or 254 to register.
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Chef Heather's Local Foods Recipes
Summer Treats
Southern Appalachian Brook Trout (Smoky Mountain Speckled Trout) by Fly Fishing the Smokies
Hickory Plank Trout
This recipe works almost as well in the oven (at 350 for about 30 minutes) as it does on the grill, which is how we prefer it in the summer months. It's wonderful either way.
Also note that cedar or other favorably flavored smoking wood planks may be substituted if hickory is not readily available. Enjoy!
1-2 fresh trout per guest, cleaned and split, with heads and tails removed
2 10"-12" hickory grilling planks, soaked in water for 2 hours
4 slices bacon, browned and crumbled
2 scallions, washed and chopped, tops and rough ends removed
1 teaspoon Foods of the Smokies Hot or Mild Pepper Relish per trout
4 Tablespoon melted butter or light olive oil
1 teaspoon minced, fresh garlic
salt and pepper
Nonstick pan spray
Heat the grill or oven. Spray the soaked hickory planks with a light, even coating of pan spray. Arrange the fish evenly on the planks. Combine the butter, garlic, salt, and pepper. Brush the interior of each fish with garlic butter, then sprinkle with 1-2 Tablespoons bacon crumbles and 1 teaspoon scallions. Evenly distribute 1 teaspoon pepper relish inside each.
Spray the top side of each trout lightly with pan spray to promote even cooking on both the top and bottom (as well as for a skin that can be easily removed). Place the planks on a hot grill for 30-35 minutes or until trout are completely cooked. If using the oven option, place planks on a baking sheet when cooking. Serve with fresh slaw, baked beans, and hush puppies or corn fritters!
Smoky Baked Beans
2 cans pork and beans, partially drained, pork removed
5 slices brown sugar cured bacon, browned and diced
1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup Foods of the Smokies Sorghum Molasses
1/3 cups diced onion
nonstick pan spray
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 2 quart casserole with nonstick pan spray. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Pour the bean mixture into the prepared casserole dish.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes, then lower the temperature to 325 and continue baking for another 30, or until sauce begins to thicken. Serve hot, with barbeque, fish, or burgers grill fare.
Happy Summer!
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GSMA Annual Meeting
Bryson City
Photo of deer by Ken Foote Photography
Mark your calendars for September 14, 15, and 16 and join us for our Annual Membership Weekend! This year's event will be held in Bryson City with hikes taking place in the national park and indoor programs held at The Center for the Arts.
There's something for everyone ... an early morning bird walk, a fern walk, as well as others to choose from. Indoor programs will include topics such as elk, nature journaling, Kephart's Camp Cookery, and a live Birds of Prey program.
And then, of course, there's good food and entertainment ... a BBQ and music Friday night and a buffet and play based on Horace Kephart Saturday night.
The meeting itself will bring you up to date on what's happening in the Association ... its accomplishments and future projects!
If you still have some energy left on Sunday, there will be a half day hike you can take part in before heading home. Bring a friend or two and enjoy a fun and educational good time!
Look for a postcard invitation to arrive in your mailbox about a month prior to the event!
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The nest is getting crowded as these great blue herons grow up! Photo taken by Betty Whetzel near the Townsend Y.
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Answers to Last Month's
Quiz on Place Names of the Smokies
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1. One account suggests this hiking destination obtained its name through a grudge. It seems a citizen of one community supposedly ordered 100 baby chickens by mail, expecting to receive mostly hens, but got 95 roosters instead. The other community nicknamed this area Roostertown, and, in turn, it was referred to as:
a. Weasel Branch
b. Pig Pen Flats
c. Hen Wallow Falls
d. Little Duck Hawk Ridge
e. Turkey Pen Branch
2. This name means "Place of the Balsams" in Cherokee. It is also the name of the major rock formations in the park.
a. Heintooga
b. Cataloochee
c. Tuckaseegee
d. Anakeesta
e. Oconaluftee
3. Of three well known waterfalls in the Deep Creek area, this one is said to be named for someone whose name was derived from a famous Cherokee chief.
a. Indian Creek Falls
b. Juney Whank Falls
c. Abrams Falls
d. Mingo Falls
e. Tom Branch Falls
4. When Little River Lumber Company developed a camp and established a hotel and post office at this location, they needed a name for the town. It finally became known as:
a. Tremont
b. Lost Cove
c. Smokemont
d. Walkers Valley
e. Elkmont
5. Formerly known as Big Walnut Overlook, this scenic pull-off on Newfound Gap Rd. is named for the author of Birth of a National Park in the Great Smoky Mountains.
a. Ben Parton Overlook
b. Webb Overlook
c. Morton Overlook
d. Heintooga Overlook
e. Campbell Overlook
6. This rocky promontory was formerly called Fodderstack until humorously renamed by Horace Kephart. He renamed it after a member of a survey party sent there to examine erosion damage from a storm in 1929.
a. Chimney Tops
b. Mt. Cammerer
c. Charlie's Bunion
d. Gregory Bald
e. Clingmans Dome
7. A Cherokee translation for this more remote area of the park might mean "standing in a row" or "wave upon wave", perhaps referring to trees along the ridge crests.
a. Oconaluftee
b. Cataloochee
c. Tuckaseegee
d. Ekaneetlee
e. Chilhowee
8. Before this area was purchased by the Little River Lumber Company, members of a Knoxville men's benevolent and social fraternity held summer gatherings here.
a. Tremont
b. Crestmont
c. Smokemont
d. Walker Fields
e. Elkmont
9. Known as a favorite spot in the park to watch the sunrise, this was named for its thick groundcover of evergreens.
a. Laurel Branch
b. Hemlock Knob
c. Greenbrier Pinnacle
d. Myrtle Point
e. Rhododendron Creek
10. This area was named for the profuse growth of this particular fruit. In some parts of the park they were so thick they would tear down standing trees, creating natural openings in the forest.
a. Wild Cherry Branch
b. Paw Paw Creek
c. Chokecherry Branch
d. Grapeyard Ridge
e. Cucumber Gap
11. Which of the following was probably not named for something connected with logging?
a. Ballhoot Scar Overlook
b. Whistlepig Branch
c. Killpecker Ridge
d. Chickadee Branch
e. Skidder Branch
12. You pass this area when hiking to Mt. LeConte on the Alum Cave Trail. The bird it is named for was reintroduced into the park after a long absence.
a. Bunting Branch
b. Turkey Flyup
c. Peckerwood Branch
d. Little Duck Hawk Ridge
e. Jay Bird Branch
The winner was David Starnes, TN
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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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