Corn shuck dolls were once a popular toy with children growing up in our area. At that time, corn was grown in abundance on mountain farms, and even the shucks were put to use in everyday items like mops, rugs, and dolls for the children. Corn shuck dolls remain a cherished collectable today. Watch this video to see part of the workshop that artist Lori Anderson led at the old Oconaluftee Visitor Center. Each student took home their very own corn shuck doll that they made themselves! Click here to see the video.  

Creation last month of the new GSMA Marketing and Membership Department added a fresh face to the organization and a reinvigorated emphasis on building a membership program around all who enjoy, support and desire to preserve our national park.  

For more information on your M&M Department staff (from left) Judy Collins, Marti Smith, Lisa Duff and Carolyn Jourdan, click here. To become a member and benefit from a closer connection with GSMNP, click here.  

In recognition of Great Smoky Mountains Association's 60th year of preserving nature and history in the park, we begin a six-part timeline series highlighting our most impressive accomplishments, some of our challenges and several examples of park enhancements made possible through the generous support of our members.

1953 - Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association is established, aided by a $100 interest-free loan from Mount Rainier Natural History Association. The loan was paid back within the year.

1954 - By unanimous vote, Viewmasters and pictures of the park would be made available for sale. Remember those?

1955 - A study of operations at Cable Mill was requested to determine if NHA "might consider doing those things which NPS could not do in Cades Cove." The start of a beautiful interpretative partnership.

1956 - A children's information booklet and a guide to the Pioneer Museum [now called the Mountain Farm Museum] were both approved, adding to the growing list of educational materials being made available to the public.

1957 - Employment rates for men and women were nearly the same at Cable Mill. Mr. Trotter was given $1.20 an hour, while his wife earned $1 an hour for her work at the Cades Cove location.

1958 - A special board meeting was held in November to discuss the molasses demonstration in Cades Cove. While a sales profit had been realized, it was pointed out that the mule was having a difficult time grinding enough sugarcane to cook every day.

1959 - The first-ever "What Great Smoky Mountains National Park means to Me and My Community" essay contest was held for high-schoolers in Tennessee and North Carolina. Winners came from Sydney Lanier School in TN and Swain County High School in NC.

The second in our GSMA History series will run in the March Cub Report. Have park memories to share? Send them to us at membership@gsmassoc.org and we'll consider printing a few.

Great Smoky Mountains Association's Endowment Fund, or GSMA Fund, was established by our Board of Directors in early 2010 as a sustainable method to preserve Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the national park system. By creating a fund and applying its interest to support operational expenses, GSMA board members realized that sustainably more of each donor dollar could go directly to support the park's educational, research and resource preservation projects.

Since its establishment, nearly $25,000 has been allocated to the GSMA Fund; however, our goal is significantly more. We hope to raise $20 million by 2025. A major campaign to kickoff support for the GSMA Fund is being developed now, with membership dues and donor contributions slated to constitute the bulk of the initial effort.

To reach our $20 million goal in a mere dozen years, we must increase our membership ranks considerably. With that in mind, several new membership programs are currently being investigated and will be announced soon.... In the meantime, please consider joining "Our Pinnacle of Support," by making a tax-deductible donation to the GSMA Fund today.  Click here to learn how or call 865.436.7318, ext. 325.

On frosty winter mornings, there isn't much better than something warm and fresh from the oven to start your day. My family and friends love these tasty scones with a piping hot cup of coffee or a great tea. Serve them with Devonshire cream for a traditional treat, or with butter and our own Foods of the Smokies Blueberry Preserves for a delightful southern twist.

Whole Wheat Blueberry Buttermilk Scones

1 1/2 c Foods of the Smokies Whole Wheat Flour

1/2 c cake flour

3 T light brown sugar

2 1/2 t baking powder

3/4 t salt

1 stick butter, cold and cut into small pieces

1 c fresh or frozen blueberries (Other berries work well too so don't be afraid to try it with your favorites!)

2 large eggs, one for scone mix and one beaten and set aside for egg wash

1/2 c low fat buttermilk

2/3 t vanilla extract

sanding sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 375º, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk together dry ingredients in a large bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry cutter until no large pieces are present and texture is consistent. Add berries. Blend together buttermilk, vanilla, and one egg. Pour gently over flour mixture, and stir lightly with a fork. Turn dough out onto a floured surface and knead once or twice. Pat or roll dough into a 1 inch thick round. Use a floured cutter (triangular or round for a traditionally shaped scone, or cookie cutters for seasonal or festive treats) to cut out scones. Space scones evenly on parchment, brush tops with egg wash, and sprinkle with sanding sugar. Bake until light, golden brown, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly on wire racks, and serve warm. This recipe makes about 12 scones, depending on the size of your cutters. These scones can be frozen for up to a month and reheated as needed. Enjoy!

Thanks to funding from Great Smoky Mountains Association and Friends of the Smokies, Sugarlands Visitor Center is getting a much-needed makeover. Improvements will include new exhibits, better lighting, a new information desk, and more durable flooring made from old automobile tires. A wall is also being changed to make the Natural History Museum area more inviting and accessible. Phase one of the two-phase, two-year project is under way right now, and the results are already impressive.