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 In This Issue
(Click on title to go directly to story)
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Where's Wish bone?
Famous bear gets new winter den
While the Gatlinburg Welcome Center on the Spur between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge is undergoing a much-needed remodel, Wishbone, a yearling black bear killed by a car on Newfound Gap Road in the national park several years ago and taxidermied for display, has been moved for safe keeping. Where, you might ask? Hint - Wishbone is in a "sweet" spot, surrounded by lots of nice people in green and gray.
Before and After - Gatlinburg Welcome Center. The new and improved facility should reopen to the public by early April, at which time volunteers will be needed to help visitors with directions to park destinations. If you have a few hours to give during the week, please EMAIL Store Manager Judy Bowman for more information.
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First Hike 100 outing to Ramsey Cascades
GSMA's first Hike 100 Challenge to Ramsey Cascades Feb. 20 was a huge success with 17 of our members earning 8 of their 100-mile goal. As you can see from the photo below, our members have already logged many more miles as they work toward their Smokies Challenge Hike 100 pin. All total, these hardy hikers have traveled 398.6 miles so far.
Click HERE to read more about GSMA's Hike 100 program and register for as many as you can squeeze in this year.
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Following GSMA's first Hike 100 outing on Saturday, the 17 participants combined had achieved 396.8 miles hiked in the Smokies so far in 2016. Congratulations to all.
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In addition to our Hike 100 program, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is offering a limited number of chances to hike with Superintendent Cash during 2016. Click HERE to read more about the park's program and the ways you can get involved.
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What's that you say?
The language of the Smoky Mountain people is lyrical, twangy, and utterly endearing. Let's see how knowledgeable you are at deciphering the meaning of some of the local vernacular.
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| Another record-breaking year
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Even during the winter months, visitors from around the world are finding Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Click above to watch the hustle and bustle at Sugarlands Visitor Center on Dec. 30. - Video by Gary Wilson
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From CNN, Feb. 17, 2016 - As the National Park Service celebrates its centennial anniversary this year, new numbers show that more people visited America's national park sites in 2015 than ever before.
The park service's sites around the country hosted a record-breaking 307.2 million visits, according to NPS data released Wednesday.
With 10.7 million visitors in 2015, Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most popular of the 59 sites officially called national parks. The National Park Service's 410 park sites encompass more than 84 million acres around the country. "That kind of takes your breath away for a second," said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "But we're also getting ready to welcome even more people - the next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates - in this, the centennial year of the National Park Service."
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Wildflower Pilgrimage = Botanical Bonanza
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Artist-of-the-Year Nelson Ziegler's image "Roaring Fork" will grace the cover of this year's brochure and T-shirt. Participants are asked to pre-order their 100% cotton shirts, as very few will be available during the event this year.
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Registration for the 66th Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is open! This year's event will run April 19-23 from its headquarters in downtown Gatlinburg's Mills Conference Center, but don't wait to register, as classes fill up quickly.
The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is an annual, five-day event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park offering professionally guided programs that explore the region's rich wildflowers, wildlife, ecology, culture, and natural history through walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars.
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Winter to Spring in the Smokies
There's nothing like a quiet walk in the national park during a sudden down pouring of snow to bring calm to an otherwise hectic day. In less than a minute, these scenes captured by GSMA filmmaker Gary Wilson are guaranteed to bring you a feeling of tranquility.
As winter transitions into spring this month, the Smokies will shake off the cold and bring forth an array of life - from the warming forest floor to black bears leaving their winter dens. When you have five more minutes to watch, click below to enjoy this spring awakening.
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'Citizen Scientists' needed
Great Smoky Mountains National Park rangers are recruiting volunteers to adopt phenology monitoring plots throughout the park.
Volunteers will collect information as part of an important research project tracking seasonal biological data such as plant flowering dates and the presence of migratory birds. Tracking this data across the park allows scientists to better understand how plants and animals might be influenced by seasonal variations in climate.
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Bird brains? Not so fast...
By mid-March, birds like the Louisiana water thrush and the blue-headed vireo will be returning to the Great Smoky Mountains. They will have traveled hundreds of miles, mostly at night - perhaps across the Gulf of Mexico - from as far away as Central America, to their summer home in the Smokies.
The mystery of precisely how birds navigate on these epic journeys has never been completely solved...
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We're three for three so far this year - sold out Branch Out events since early January, that is. If you missed any of these, don't fret - due to their overwhelming popularity, you're sure to see birds of prey and history hikes among our offerings later this year.
Up next is a history hike to the Avent Cabin on Jakes Creek in the Elkmont section of the park. GSMA sales associate Jim Jenkins, who has a personal connection with the Avent family, will lead this hike.
In her upcoming book, "Women of the Smokies," which is set to be published this spring by GSMA, author Courtney Lix writes of the cabin's famous artist-resident, "Mayna (Avent) made the cabin a tribute to the artistic heritage of the Smokies, decorating it with local arts and crafts-hand-woven baskets, paintings, quilts and weavings, books and objects collected from the woods. A spinning wheel sat in a corner of the main room, along with several brightly painted chairs and a small easel, with a place to hang her wooden paint pallet on the wall when it wasn't in use. Brilliant orange curtains framed the main window, and the mantel was painted bright red."
(Watch for details about how you can be among the first to own "Women of the Smokies" - a must-have for every home library and an extraordinary gift for every young woman's birthday and graduation celebrations - in next month's Cub Report.)
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Dear GSMA Members (and soon-to-be Members),
As a "thank you" for joining and/or upgrading your membership to the Chestnut ($100) level or higher this year, you'll not only become a part of our growing family of supporters, but you'll earn a chance to win this exclusive experiential Smoky Mountain prize package:
- A full day, private tour of Cades Cove with retired NPS Ranger Mike Meldrum, who you'll remember from his starring role in our Old-Fashioned Wooden Toy podcast a year ago. Click HERE to see it again.
Our prize package list is made possible by the generosity of our Business Sponsors, many of whom offer GSMA members discounts on accommodations, meals, attractions, shopping and more.
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Shop the Smokies
In these last days of winter, GSMA's Karen Key keeps warm with this oblong scarf printed with our beautiful vintage-style map of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. "It's soft and drapey, which makes it easy to wear several different ways," says Karen.
For all who love to hike and decorate their gear, our trail patches and medallions make the perfect "atta' boy/girl" gifts. Both the patch (left) and medallion are "official, park-approved bragging" mementos, designed to mark your achievements. Plus, they help out the park at the same time!
Exclusive to the Smokies - After each of your Hike 100 Challenge hikes this year - the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service - grab your new Centennial mug, which we've decorated with fun park activity icons, and fill it with your choice of beverage, then relax. You've earned it.
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A 'slice of stout' for St. Patrick's Day
This St. Patrick's Day (March 17), we've found a beer-and-cake pairing that's guaranteed to bring you lots of luck! And lucky for us, the ale in this cake is made by GSMA Business Member Nantahala Brewing Company, which is located just down the road from the Swain County Visitor Center and Heritage Museum in downtown Bryson City, N.C.
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 lb bittersweet chocolate (54% to 60% cacao), chopped
- 2 C heavy whipping cream
- 1 tsp instant espresso powder
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Recommended Hike: Abrams Falls
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Abrams Falls - Photo by Gary Wilson
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By Marti Smith
GSMA Membership Associate
900 Mile Club Member
Abrams Falls, 5 miles round trip, rated moderate
Now you'll need a way to work off a 'slice of stout,' right? How about taking a hike to Abrams Falls, one of the most popular walks in the Smokies. The trailhead - located about half way around the Cades Cove Loop Road down a gravel road - is bordered by Abrams Creek until it rises and passes over a low pine ridge. I have seen Great Blue Herons fishing in this creek in the past. You may also spot an otter as they were reintroduced in this area.
The sights and sounds of the creek enhance the soothing qualities of nature in all seasons...
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NPS Photo of Chimney Tops Trail after two-year rehabilitation program
In a park as beloved by millions as the Smokies, trail maintenance is a must. If you're passionate about the park's hiking trails and have a day to volunteer to make them safer, then grab your gloves and get ready to sweat. GSMA will sponsor three trail maintenance days this year for up to 20 people. We'll need your help April 5, July 11, and Sept. 15. Click below for details about how you can get involved.
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Business of the Month
Mountain Realty Group
Seasoned is an understatement. This group of Christian Realtors exhibits a strong work ethic, outstanding customer relations and service background, and sales experience - all keys to successfully buying and/or selling property in the Great Smoky Mountains and surrounding areas. We all want your experience to be #1, so you'll "Love Where You Live!"
NEW Business Members
NOTE: GSMA members receive a 10% discount. Holidays, special events, and the month of October excluded.
Smoky Mountain Shakes 'n' Dawgs
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The Smokies are just a click away...
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Got questions? We have answers.
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Connecting Today to Yesterday; Preserving Today for Tomorrow
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