|
|
|
|
|
Take our Flowering Tree Quiz
Wildflower-palooza (copy write pending) is officially underway in the Smokies, but don't just look down to see the show. The Smokies are home to more than 140 flowering trees and shrubs. Test your knowledge of these Smokies' specimens by taking our Flowering Tree Quiz HERE.
Be the first to answer all questions correctly and receive a copy of National Audubon Society's Field Guide to Trees. Good luck!
So much happens in April in the Smokies, it can make your head spin if you miss even a day. Here are just a few of the high points:
-Silverbell and cucumber trees bloom
-Blooming wildflowers include: fringed phacelia, white trillium, Dutchman's britches, spring-beauty, hepatica, yellow trillium, fire pink, wild geranium, and crested dwarf iris
-Mid-month: Spring woodland wildflowers reach their peak. The majority of warblers and other neo-tropical migratory birds arrive in the park. Flowering dogwoods reach their peak
Thanks to volunteer Tom Harrington, wildflower enthusiasts from near and far can stay up to day with what's blooming where in the park. Check HERE throughout the season for Tom's field reports.
|
|
"Island in the Sky," park newspaper earn top honors
 |
Click on the video above to watch the all new ' An Island in the Sky' trailer. GSMA's Gary Wilson's Smoky Mountain Explorer film was honored with a first-place APPL award last month.
|
We are trilled to announce that GSMA earned two first-place awards and four honorable mentions in the Media and Partnership Awards competition held by the Association of Partners for Public Lands in Albuquerque, NM, last month.
First-place honors were awarded in the Informational Publications category to Smokies Guide, the official Great Smoky Mountains National Park quarterly newspaper, and in the Electronic Media category to "An Island in the Sky: Clingmans Dome and the Spruce-Fir Forest," the first in GSMA's Smoky Mountain Explorer video series.
Click HERE to read the entire story, including this year's list of honor mentions.
|
|
Become a member in April, learn more about the park
Learning more about the park you love is just one of the many reasons to become a Great Smoky Mountains Association member. Continuing your membership each year assures that the benefits you've come to enjoy never stop, including receiving the latest Smokies Life magazine, which this season features stories titled "History of Newfound Gap Road"; "I think you saw a Skink"; "Passing of the Passenger Pigeon"; and "The Miracle of Harvey Broome."
All active GSMA members (as of March 1, 2014) should start to see the latest Smokies Life magazine arrive in their mailboxes in the next several days. If not, please give us a call. We're in the process of transitioning our membership database, and as we all know, the cracks through which one can fall during something like this can be quite large.
... then join the fun
GSMA members are always invited to join in fun and informative events each month. Coming up in April:
Thursday, April 17 - The annual Smokies Life reception is set during the 64th Wildflower Pilgrimage in Gatlinburg, 5 p.m. Two of our featured authors from this newest edition of our award-winning magazine will present programs on their area of expertise. GSMA Board of Directors Chair Bill Hart will speak about Harvey Broome and his connection to the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Wilderness Act, followed by Paul James, executive director of Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, will give a short talk on the centennial anniversary of the passing of the last passenger pigeon. Refreshments will be provided. This event is free.
Saturday, April 26 - "Porters Creek Wildflowers" Join retired NPS ranger/naturalist Carey Jones for a wildflower walk on Porters Creek Trail during peak wildflower season. This trail is in the Greenbrier area of the national park. Meet at the Porters Creek Trail no later than 9 am. Bring water, snacks, rain gear, camera, wildflower guidebook and a hiking staff, if desired. The time frame is to be is expected to be about 3 hours. A limit of 20.
For more about either of these events, check our website HERE or give us a call at 865.436.7318, Ext. 222 or 254.
|
|
A few spots remain for the August Hazel Creek hike
A handful of registrations remain available for our GSMA members' hike to Bone Valley Aug. 18-19. One of our most ambitious membership activities to date, the Hazel Creek/Bone Valley hike will take us deep in the heart of Graham County. We've arranged with Fontana Village Resort to reserve a block of rooms the night before the hike to be sure no one misses the boat, literally.
This hike begins with a picturesque 25-minute pontoon boat ride across Fontana Lake. To be sure we complete the 16-mile round trip and don't miss our return-trip boat ride, time given to discussion of the cultural history of the area will be limited. However, the history of this section of the park is well worth a read and includes the towns of Proctor.... Check it out HERE in "History Hikes of the Smokies."
Participation is limited to 18, all of whom are required to stay overnight at Fontana Village to ensure everyone is ready to go early Tuesday morning. The boat across Fontana Lake leaves at 8 a.m. You'll need water shoes, too, to navigate the water crossings.
This special event comes with perks - lodging, dinner and breakfast at Fontana Village. Cost to participate is $125 per person, double-occupancy; $175 single occupancy.
For more information and to register, give us a call at 865.436.7318, Ext. 222, 254 or 325. If we exceed our projected number of participants (20 total), we'll see about reserving another boat and adding a few more slots, so be sure to reserve your spot now.
|
|
SmartBank donates to GSMA,
Friends of the Smokies
 This year's combined SmartGreen contribution from Tennessee's Smart Bank totaled $22,787. SmartBank President and CEO Billy Carroll (r) recently presented donation checks to Great Smoky Mountains Association Executive Director Terry Maddox (second from left) and Friends of the Smokies President Jim Hart (second from right) from funds. "We are thrilled with the donation totals this year," said Kelley Fowler (l), SmartBank's first vice president, marketing and public relations officer. |
|
Smoky Mountain Mystery:
What's a Balsam?
Many Smoky Mountain landmarks bear the name Balsam, including Balsam Mountain Road and Balsam Mountain Campground. But what is a balsam, exactly?
When the first European-Americans came to the southern Appalachian Mountains, they referred to our Fraser fir trees (Abies fraseri) at the high elevations as "balsam firs" because they were similar to the balsam fir (Abies balsamea) trees found north of here, occurring from Virginia to Newfoundland. The two species are similar, but our southern version was found to be distinct and was later named in honor of Scottish botanist John Fraser.
The term "balsam" is ancient and refers to the medicinal sap from a number of trees, including the Balm of Gilead. Balsam is still used in religious ceremonies, and our New World evergreens likely were named because they had lots of sap, similar to the Old World species. Sap from balsam firs has been used for glue and is still used as air freshener, rodent repellent, and incense. Both balsam and Fraser firs are considered some of the best Christmas trees you can get, not only because they are hardy, but also because of their sweet fragrance.
|
|
Official Park Store
Shop here and support GSMNP!
NEW - Locally made in Gatlinburg, TN, these wooden frames make a great way to show off that favorite vacation picture of your visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Collect all four.
 COMING SOON!
We've heard so many positive comments about the new "Proud Member" tote (which is only days away), that we wanted our Lifetime members to share in the joy. "Lifetime Member" patches, lapel pins and license tag frames are being developed now and should be in stores and on our website soon. Stay tuned for details.
|
Business Member of the Month
Climb Works
155 Branam Hollow Road
Gatlinburg TN 37738
tel: 865.325.8116
THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE. Experience the Smokies in a way you never thought possible! Being surrounded on three sides by the national park, CLIMB Works Canopy gives you a bird's eye view of what makes the Smokies so unique. We start off by taking you on a fun four-wheel adventure to the top of the mountain and once you take that first step onto our beautifully constructed tour your feet won't touch the ground for the next 2½ hours... For the daring ones now is the time to explore, as you'll be zipping over ravines, streams, trees, wildlife, and gorgeous views of the National Park.
New Business Members
Direct Mail Services
5911 Weisbrook Lane
Knoxville TN 37950
tel: 865.584.6245
Paradise Graphix
9400 Eckhart Rd
Germantown OH 45327
tel: 513.446.7674
GSMA Members Benefit...
GSMA members earn discounts at more than 50 North Carolina and Tennessee businesses. Think about it - 20% off here, $5 off there, and before you know it, your membership dues have paid for themselves. It's our way of saying "Thank You" for your membership! See our complete list of supporting business on our website.
|
1/4 Million+ Fans on Facebook!
 We're up to more than 278K FANS! We get more "Likes" when you help. Share our posts and invite your friends to "Like" us on
With this number of supporters and in light of a few highly-charged emotional outbursts concerning the partial government shutdown, we've deemed it necessary to establish a
User's Comment Policy, which we've located in our Facebook "About" page within the "Company Overview" section.
Follow us on Pinterest
HERE and give us some suggestions for pins
|
|
|
What is a national park worth?
Everyone has his or her own unique answer to this question, and most, we'd venture to guess, would agree: National parks are "priceless." Whether it's spending time with family, learning to identify a new bird song or finally reaching that far off summit, the benefits of a national park on an individual's well-being are as varied and personal as those who attempt to quantify them.
When it comes to dollars and cents, however, the economic benefits of a national park on the communities surrounding it become somewhat easier to quantify, though are no less astounding.
A recent National Park Service report showed that the 9,685,829 visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2012 spent $741 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 10,959 jobs in Tennessee and North Carolina. 
"Great Smoky Mountains National Park is proud to welcome visitors from across the country and around the world," said Acting Superintendent Pedro Ramos. "We are delighted to share the story of this place and the experiences it provides for visitors. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities."
National park tourism is a critical economic driver for gateway communities across the nation. Researchers estimate that for every $1 invested by American taxpayers, the National Park Service returns $10 to the U.S. economy.
Where GSMA puts its money... Even in a particularly vexing year for our organization, GSMA was able to make a substantial contribution to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2013. Through memberships and sales at our visitor center stores, we contributed more than $1.5M to support park projects. For a complete list of where the money goes, click HERE.
|
Balsam, Abrams Creek are closed no more!
Park's facility schedule updated for spring
Officials with Great Smoky Mountains National Park have announced the spring facility schedule, which includes the opening of both Balsam Mountain and Abrams Creek campgrounds on May 23.
These areas were closed during the 2013 season due to NPS staffing concerns. Heintooga Ridge Road (pictured above) from Balsam Mountain Campground to Cherokee, N.C.'s, Big Cove community is also set to open on May 23.
The coolest (and highest) visitor center operated by GSMA in the park at Clingmans Dome will also open for the season this Friday, March 28, weather permitting. Visitors can expect to find several new Dome-inspired products this year, according to Dawn Roark, GSMA's product support director.
Click HERE for a complete list of all operating schedules for national park roads, front country and back country campgrounds, visitor centers, picnic areas and horse stables.
|
April's recommended hike:
Kanati Fork
Everybody knows that Porters Creek and Cove Hardwood Nature trails are spectacular spring wildflower hikes, but don't forget about Kanati Fork. This little gem is just off Newfound Gap Road between Newfound Gap and Collins Creek Picnic Area.
The trailhead is a little tricky to find: as you descend Newfound Gap Road from Newfound Gap, look for one of the large parking areas on the left. If it's the correct large parking area, there will be a trail sign across the road from it. If you're northbound, it's 0.3 mile past Kephart Prong trailhead and the long steel footbridge over the Oconaluftee River.
The trail itself is loaded with wildflowers right from the start. It's 2.9 steep miles up to Thomas Divide Trail, but the best flowers are in the first mile or two. If you can do a car shuttle, put one at Thomas Divide trailhead (also on Newfound Gap Road) and the other at Kanati for a splendid 4.7 mile hike. Start at Thomas Divide trailhead for a mostly downhill saunter; or at Kanati for a strenuous fitness challenge.
For many more wonderful ways to spend a spring day in the Smokies, click HERE to find the most up-to-date list of Ranger-led Programs and be sure to check out the spring issue of Smokies Guide, the national park's official newspaper.
|
More than 500 happy pilgrims have registered for 64th annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage headquartered at Mills Conference Center in Gatlinburg, TN, April 15-19. Those familiar with the five-day event know that most of action takes place outside in the national park; however, a considerably good time can be had indoors, as well.
If sheltered programs are more to your liking (or should April showers keep you inside), participants this year can enjoy presentations on nature journaling; monarch butterflies; friends and foes among the flora; urban gardening and wildlife; reptiles and amphibians; hummingbirds; plants 101; and bluebirds.
Evening indoor programs include book signings, the photography awards ceremony, a bear program, a presentation of the flora of the southern Blue Ridge and a talk on wildfires in the Smokies and how they relate to climate change.
Two receptions are also planned during the Pilgrimage, one in celebration of the latest Smokies Life magazine with a presentation by two of its authors, GSMA's own Chairman of the Board Bill Hart, who will speak about Harvey Broome's contributions to the creation of the Wilderness Act 50 years ago; and Ijams Nature Center Executive Director Paul James, who will discuss the passing of the last passenger pigeon. A second reception is planned to honor Andrea Wilson, this year's featured wildflower artist (or to be more accurate, this year's mushroom artist).
As always, GSMA is proud to be a sponsor of the annual Wildflower Pilgrimage and serve as the event's official T-shirt vendor during the entirety of the event. Please see us for all your field guide and membership needs, as well.
Anyone interested in joining the growing list of exhibitors and vendors is invited to call Judy Collins at 865-436-7318, Ext. 222, for details. The deadline to reserve booth space is Wednesday, April 9.
For more information about and to get involved in this year's Pilgrimage, click HERE for a downloadable program brochure and many more details.
|
Activities are falling into place
for annual Membership Weekend
A fair number of activities have been confirmed for the September Membership Weekend at Lake Junaluska on the North Carolina side of the park.
 | |
Beautiful Lake Junaluska, N.C.
|
While there's still work to be done, we have been able to confirm several hikes, programs and activities for the Sept. 19-21 weekend schedule.
Inside-the-national-park activities will include:
+ Hiking along Cataloochee Divide to Purchase Knob Science Center
+ Hiking in Balsam Mountain area
+ Hiking & History Talk in Cataloochee Valley
+ Re-introduction of Elk Talk in Cataloochee Valley
Activities at the Lake will include:
+ Birding around the Lake
+ Viewing the new "Cataloochee" movie
+ Birds of Prey program
+ Boating on the Lake
+ S'more Party at the Firepit
+ Native Plants Walk
+ First-ever GSMA Olympics (TBD, Volunteers NEEDED!)
+ Auction (TBD, Volunteers NEEDED!)
For those who might want to experience Haywood County on your own Saturday or Sunday, both towns of Maggie Valley and Waynesville are within minutes of the lake. The Blue Ridge Parkway is also easily accessible from several locations.
In addition to the many activities being planned, the Membership Weekend package will include three full meals, with a Saturday morning breakfast buffet being added to the schedule for the first time. Accommodations are being offered at both the Lambuth Inn and in the campground just across U.S. 19 from the entrance to Lake Junaluska. Bring your bicycle, fishing pole, lawn chair, your walking shoes and your kayak/canoe.
More Membership Weekend details - including a full activity schedule, volunteer needs and registration requirements - are being posted to our website as they become available. In fact, we hope to start the registration process in late April.
Not a GSMA member yet but want to get involved and meet others who love the Smokies? There's plenty of time to join us and support our mission to help Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
|
Smoky Mountain Recipe:
Cheese & Black Pepper Cornbread
Black pepper plays a starring role in this not-so-sweet, but very cheesy cornbread. Fill the pans only about halfway so the middle of the cornbread gets done. It will still be moist! Serves 16.
 Cheese & Black Pepper Cornbread
3 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp, plus 1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3 eggs
2 1/2 C milk
1/3 C vegetable oil
1 C canned cream corn
1 3/4 C shredded sharp cheddar or jack cheese (8 oz.)
1 Tbsp butter (optional)
1/2 tsp course salt (optional)
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Spray two 8-inch square baking pans with cooking spray. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients (flour through black pepper) in a bowl. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl. Whisk in milk and oil. Pour egg mixture into cornmeal mixture; whisk using as few strokes as possible. (Batter will be thinner that the usual cornbread.) Stir in corn and half the cheese. Pour into prepared pans; top with the remaining cheese. Bake 35-40 minutes, until golden brown. Place foil over top during the last 10 minutes of baking if the top is getting too brown. Remove from oven. Spread butter on top and sprinkle with coarse salt, if using.
Recipe from American Profile
|
GSMA Staff Spotlight: Marti Smith
 | |
Hiking is a family affair for Marti, seen here (left) with her son, Shawn, near Mt. Rainier.
|
This month's Cub Report Staff Spotlight shines on Marti Smith, one of GSMA's two membership and marketing associates.
Q: Where do you hail from, Marti?
A: I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, home of the "Cincinnati Reds," one of the first Major League baseball teams, and also home of the "Flying Pig" Marathon. I have participated in the 1/2 Marathon twice.
Q: How long have you worked for GSMA?
A: For over 15 years, both in the visitor centers and in membership.
Q: Is it true you've hiked every trail in the Smokies?
A: Yes, I have hiked every trail. I am very goal oriented. It has helped to keep me healthy and in shape (just like the editor talks about in this spring's Smokies Life Magazine #14).
Q: How long did that take?
A: It took me 9 years to finish all of the trails. I started in 1999, not long after I started working for GSMA. I finished in 2008, with a small hike in the Deep Creek area, with most of my hiking buddies at my side.
Q: Which was the most difficult for you?
A: The most difficult trail for me was Jenkins Ridge Trail. Even though I did it going downhill, it was so steep, I was relieved when we encountered an uphill section. I remember talking to our publications department afterwards and asking them to change the trail profile in Hiking Trails of the Smokies.
Q: What's your favorite trail in the park for a spring day hike?
A: A favorite trail in the spring is Ramsey Cascades. I love the carpets of dwarf crested iris all along the old roadbed for the first mile and a half of the hike.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I enjoy working for a non-profit organization that "supports the perpetual preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park." I like the variety of duties in my job description, and I especially enjoy using my creative abilities in coming up with new ideas for membership support and events.
Q: Are you looking forward to the fall membership meeting at Lake Junaluska?
A: I am really looking forward to this year's Annual Membership Meeting. Lake Junaluska is a new venue for us, and there are many outdoor activities there that we plan on using in our scheduled events. The setting, with the lake and the mountains as a backdrop, is especially serene.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Answers
to Last
Month's Hazel Creek
Quiz
|
- Hazel Creek, a tributary stream of the Little Tennessee River, is located in what section of the park? Southwest
- The first known permanent settlers in the Hazel Creek area had settled briefly in Cades Cove before crossing over the mountains to build a cabin in Possum Hollow. They were:
Moses & Patience Proctor
- By the 1860s only a handful of families had settled on Hazel Creek, and for the most part supported the Confederacy. Since settlers on the Tennessee side of the mountains were pro-Union, raids were launched against each other for this reason: Steal livestock & crops
- Hazel Creek flows roughly 18 miles from its source near this location: Silers Bald
- Between 1830 and 1944 several small towns were settled along Hazel Creek, including:
All of the above
- In 1889 a mining camp was established in the Hazel Creek area after this was discovered:
Copper
- In 1892 the Taylor & Crate logging firm bought timber rights along Hazel Creek, Without a railroad they were confronted with getting their timber to a sawmill in Chattanooga. The solution was: Build splash dams
- With the completion of Fontana Dam, the Tennessee Valley Authority bought out the remaining North Shore settlements, forcing families to vacate their Hazel Creek communities. The year was: 1944
- The Calhoun House was used as a bunkhouse by park rangers after 1944, giving it the name: Hazel Creek Hilton
- Upon completion of Fontana Dam, the Hazel Creek area was suddenly isolated. From 1948-1970 the Dept. of the Interior built 7.2 miles of a new road connecting Bryson City with US129 just above the dam. However, due to financial problems and environmental objections, the project was never completed. The unfinished route became known as:
The Road to Nowhere
The winner is John Kelly of Honeoye Falls, NY. For being the first to answer all the questions correctly, Mr. Post has won a copy of Cooking on Hazel Creek. For a complete list of GSMA's cookbook collection, click HERE.
|
| Have 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.
- Want to volunteer in the national park for GSMA? Click HERE for details. |
EXTRA!
Read all about it! | + The all-new Spring 2014 Smokies Guide (the official GSMNP newspaper) is available for viewing, reading and printing. Click HERE.
+ The all-new Spring 2014 Bear Paw, the GSMA membership bi-annual newsletter, is ready to read, share and print by clicking HERE. This edition includes the 2013 Annual Report.
+ Be sure to check our Calendar of Events page often for upcoming park activities.
+ Read back issues. Archive editions of the Cub Report can be found HERE. |
|
|
|
|
|
