October 7, 2014: "The fall color season is progressing in the Great Smoky Mountains, albeit at a snail's pace. It looks like the peak of color in the Smokies will be on the late side this year. At the higher elevations (above 4,000'), this is predicted to be Oct. 10-20."

Read more! We'll be providing GSMA Fall Color Updates on Facebook and our website every few days.

And don't forget to look down when you're out hiking the trails this fall. Brilliant fall colors can be found in the form of fallen leaves, mushrooms and maybe even a rare find like this pinesap, a wildflower found only occasionally in the national park. This one was spotted on the Thomas Divide Trail Saturday, Sept. 27. Photo by Cub Report Editor Lisa Duff.

Just in time for the holidays...   

This expanded 3rd edition includes eight articles written by Kephart that were not included in any of the earlier editions. These stories feature rifle making, moonshiners and revenuers, mountain culture, and the proposed new national park in the Smokies.

The entire book has been electronically typeset for the first time, making it much more readable than previous printings. Bryson City author George Ellison has penned an entirely new introduction for this edition, highlighting the fruits of recent research on Kephart and his work. New photos by George Masa and others, as well as a specially commissioned cover painting by Bryson City watercolor painter Elizabeth Ellison, are also featured.

For the first time the book includes a comprehensive index. Including the introduction, this edition also contains over 100 pages of new material!

With a special retail price of $14.95, this edition of the book is actually less expensive than it has been in decades. And best yet, all purchases support this national park.

Cub Report subscribers will be the first to hear when the latest "Our Southern Highlanders" has arrived and is available for sale. Stay tuned... 

The 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act - which provides for the protection of lands "untrammeled by man" and "retaining its primeval character and influence, without permanent improvement or human habitation" - was celebrated in the Smokies this past weekend with an event at Sugarlands Visitor Center on Saturday and a hike on Sunday.

Though technically none of Great Smoky Mountains National Park is designated wilderness, more than 109 million acres in 44 states are currently protected as wilderness areas.  

Media outlets and bluegrass reviewers continue to sing praises for "Carroll Best and the White Oak String Band," the newest CD of old-time bluegrass music from the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Click on individual reviews below to find out what music professionals and lovers of bluegrass have to say about this new collection of old-time tunes:

- Dave Tabler's Appalachian History Blog HERE
- Smoky Mountain News produced a nice writeup HERE
- Waynesville Mountaineer story is HERE
- Asheville Citizen-Times HERE
- Sylva Herald story HERE
- Inside Appalachia (at minute 13:13) HERE
- International Bluegrass (check out page 38) HERE
- WBIR's "Live at FIve" HERE

To get your copy of "Carroll Best and the White Oak String Band" and decide for yourself, click HERE. Also, click the video below for words and music to one of the selections, "I Wonder How the Old Folks Are At Home."

This fall's Smokies Life Magazine is now available to order HERE.

Five stories from four storytellers make up the latest Smokies Life Magazine. Courtney Lix takes on two topics: Margarget Stevenson, which serves as a preview to Lix's upcoming "Women of the Smokies" book due out next year; and Fall Wildflowers, with gorgeous photos supplied by her father, Vernon.

Don Williams, who many will remember from his recent Ridge Runner story, in this issue  tells the tale of Ranger Johnny Morriell and his love affair with the Smokies. And if you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Stephen Lyn Bales, the senior naturalist at Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, make a point of stopping by soon to say "hi." He'd love to show you around and introduce you to his birds.

Read all about Fontana Dam's creation in this issue. Though located in what some call the park's most remote area - its southwestern corner - Fontana Dam stands today as a concrete reminder of our country's commitment to win a war.

GSMA members receive a free, year-long subscription to Smokies Life Magazine. It is also available in all visitor center locations and on our webstore. To become a member today, click HERE. To purchase back issues of the magazine, click HERE. 

A sold-out gathering of GSMA members enjoyed our first-ever Cades Cove Fall Festival this past weekend.  

The day began with an early-morning bird watching walk with Warren Bielenberg, followed by monarch butterfly tagging with Wanda DeWaard. The event was capped off in the afternoon with a hayride narrated by GSMNP Ranger Lisa Free.

"My husband and I attended the first annual Fall Festival held at Cades Cove, and it was a wonderful experience," members Jill Vander Hook said. "Although we opted out of the butterfly tagging, we did attend the birders walk and hayride. What fun!

"I am so proud of the volunteers and the rangers," Mrs. Vander Hooks continued. "Their dedication and knowledge is awesome, and it continues to encourage us to come back over and over."

Warm outerwear was a must for festival participants due to an unusual blast of cold air that found its way to the Cades Cove valley and the Smokies this weekend. The cold temperatures, however, added to the excitement of the event and put everyone in a festival, fall mood. Enjoyed by all were apple fritters and cider after their ride.

"Everyone who attended had such a good time this year that we hope to plan even bigger events in years come," said Lisa Duff, GSMA's Marketing and Membership Director. 

For more information about how you can join GSMA and receive exclusive invitations to member events, click HERE.