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 In This Issue
(click on title to go directly to story)
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Mother's Day
is Sunday, May 8th
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Firefly dates are May 31-June 7;
Parking pass lottery opens Friday
Dates for this year's firefly viewing at Elkmont will be May 31-June 7.
Parking passes for the shuttle from Sugarlands Visitor Center to Elkmont to view the fireflies will be distributed this year via a lottery system, which provides an equitable and more convenient opportunity for interested persons to register for a parking pass.
Applicants may apply at any time during the three-day open period beginning at noon on Friday, April 29 through 8 p.m. on Sunday, May 1.
All entries, regardless of time of application, will be submitted for the lottery drawing. Results of the lottery will be determined on May 10.
The lottery system is used for other popular National Park Service events, such as the annual White House Easter Egg Roll and the use of the Half Dome Cable system in Yosemite National Park.
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Smoky Mountain Mystery:
Why are our fireflies synchronized?
During late May and early June, thousands of eager observers from around the world travel to the Elkmont area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park to observe the phenomenon of synchronized fireflies flashing in the night.
The synchronized flashing was first scientifically documented in the Smokies in the 1960s and has since been identified in places like Congaree National Park in South Carolina and Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania. But the Elkmont area still draws the biggest crowds. In fact, access to the area during firefly season is now managed by the National Park Service with a free lottery system...
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Of course, Elkmont is known
for more than just fireflies
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Does this guy look familiar? If you've stopped at Sugarlands Visitor Center recently, Dan may have sold you a copy of his book, "Lost Elkmont."
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When GSMA sales associate Dan Paulin began his research into the history of Elkmont several years ago, he never dreamed one day he'd be an author. But that's exactly what happened when officials with Arcadia Publishing heard about his "hobby."
The ghost-town feeling of the cottages in Elkmont fascinated Paulin, not to mention his desire to know more about the people who lived in them. Where did these people come from? Why did they choose this spot to come together? What did they do for fun? When did they leave these homes behind? All these questions and more nagged at him, pushing him ever deeper into the pursuit of answers.
In addition to serving as a comprehensive resource of historic photos, Paulin's "Lost Elkmont" covers topics such as logging, both the Appalachian and Wonderlands clubs, and the people and events that led to the development of the national park.
New Information: An 8,600-square-foot structure associated with the former Wonderland Hotel in the Elkmont burned to the ground on Tuesday, April 19. The fire was reported by a park visitor at approximately 7:15 a.m., at which time the park's fire management crew and Gatlinburg Fire Department responded to the area.
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'Airport Park' opens at McGhee Tyson
In honor of the National Park Service Centennial, the baggage claim area at McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville has been transformed into an immersive visit to nine NPS units including GSMNP. Great Smoky Mountains Association provided the majority of the funding for the artwork covering the walls and pillars.
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'Airport Park' unveiled at Knoxville's McGhee Tyson Airport. Click above to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony and hear from those involved in the project's design.
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"When Superintendent Cash presented us with the opportunity to support his vision for this Centennial project at the Knoxville airport, we jumped at the chance to help shine a light on these nine park units," said GSMA Executive Director Laurel Rematore. "We join with the NPS to embrace the #FindYourPark initiative and invite all to plan a road trip soon to these unique sites."
In addition to GSMNP, the sites featured include Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Obed Wild and Scenic River, Andrew Johnson National Historic Site, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Stones River National Battlefield, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Manhattan Project National Historical Park and Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
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The first person to answer all of the following questions correctly will win a "National Parks of the Appalachians" DVD. And stay tuned... another similar quiz is coming your way!
Last month's winner: Waldon Roberts of Kentucky
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Click above to re-watch Valerie Polk's video from 2011, when the Jorstad exhibit was installed.
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Westy Fletcher helped create this impressive permanent display of photographs.
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While not an official National Park Service Centennial display
GSMA has hosted a collection of 24 extraordinary national park photographs by famed photographer Stan Jorstad at our Sevierville Visitor Center location for nearly six years. In storage for seven years following a showing at Sugarlands Visitor Center, the photos were brought back into the public eye in 2010 when Westy Fletcher, then store manager at Sevierville, was asked to design a structure to support Jorstad's framed panoramas of Yellowstone, Sequoia, Shenandoah, Zion, GSMNP and many others.
GSMA shares space with the City of Sevierville Chamber of Commerce at this 3099 Winnfield Dunn Parkway location. Friends of the Smokies also maintains office space here.
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set for Sept. 15-19 in Cherokee, N.C.
Registration is now open for this year's annual Membership Weekend to be held in Cherokee, N.C.
"With headquarters in Cherokee this year, we're excited to be partnering with the Cherokee Indian Museum, which will provide the bulk of our Saturday activities," said Marketing and Membership Director Lisa Duff.
Program offerings will include traditional Native American dance, pottery making, storytelling, medicinal plants, and more. From this year's vantage point, we're also excited to include the annual Mountain Life Festival at OVC as an on-your-own activity.
"GSMNP Superintendent Cassius Cash will lead a hike this year as part of the NPS Centennial Hike 100 program," said Duff. "Additionally, the recently announced Top 100 Most Influential People in Park History will be recognized during a ceremony Friday night. It's probably an understatement to say we've got a lot going on this year."
Click below for detailed information, including how you can register.
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Hike 100 climbs to Gregory Bald
GSMA's third Hike 100 group climbed to Gregory Bald April 23, with eight of our members earning another 11 of their 100-mile goal. A very special thanks to Chris Hoge (bottom right) of Asheville's Wildland Trekking for volunteering to lead our group to the bald.
Click HERE to read more about GSMA's Hike 100 program and how you can register for our upcoming adventure to Rich Mountain Loop on Saturday, May 21. GSMA's own 900 Miler Marti Smith will be taking the lead on this one.
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2016 Spring mug is still available
Our 2016 limited-edition spring in the Smokies mug has arrived. This handcrafted mug of dusty rose and cream features a delicate bouquet of beautiful mountain laurel. When you cannot be in the Smoky Mountains to experience it yourself, this mug will always remind you of the flower that graces our hillsides every spring.
Don't wait to order yours today! If years past are any indication, our 2016 limited-edition spring mug will not last long.
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| | | Baskins Creek Falls - Photo by Pam Majors | |
Thank you... Our members' events this year have been some of the best attended outings we've ever had the pleasure of hosting. Most have sold out and all have received rave reviews!
Coming up this month we have groups going to Thomas Divide with Liz Domingue to look for high elevation wildflowers and views; then, on to Baskins Creek Falls with Lyn Bales, whose family lived in the Roaring Fork community prior to the park's establishment.
Everything you need to know about our Branch Out programs is listed on our website, each with online registration available.
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Go backpacking with GSMA in June
If you're ready for a longer, more challenging Smoky Mountain adventure, consider backpacking with GSMA and Chris Hoge (above, second from left) this June 17-19 in the park's Hazel Creek area.
This trip, which begins with a pontoon shuttle across Lake Fontana, will travel into one of the most remote, yet historic, areas of the park. This three-day excursion will give participants a more in-depth feeling for the Smokies, as you sleep under the stars and walk in the footsteps of settlers from years past.
Everything you need to know about this Backpacking Adventure, as well as another planned for September in Cataloochee, is found on our website. These trips are limited in size, so don't wait to register.
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Shop the Smokies:
Share the excitement of firefly season in the Smokies with the entire family. Our exclusive Synchronous firefly tee is available in kids' and adult sizes. And best of all, the image on this 100% cotton tee in midnight blue GLOWS in the DARK!
This firefly finger puppet not only slides on your finger, it also lights up by pressing a small button! This is a great item for any youngster who loves to watch fireflies.
The Fireflies Book is full of fun and interesting facts about the fireflies you loved as a kid. It teaches you about the science behind fireflies in an easy to understand way. There is a special section dedicated to the Synchronous Fireflies of the Smokies. There are also simple projects that you can use to share your fascination with fireflies with all your friends and family.
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| | Courtney Lix |
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| | | Click HERE to purchase your copy. Or pick one up at any GSMNP Visitor Center location. | |
With eight chances to meet her in person and one to hear her live on the radio, everyone who shares an interest in how women helped shape the Smokies can learn more directly from Courtney Lix, author of "Women of the Smokies."
Get your copy HERE or purchase at any of our visitor center locations. Then, bring it to any of the events below, and Courtney will autograph it to you.
Monday, May 2
Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. During this performance, Lix will be accompanied by singer-songwriters Carol Zamora and Kaye Pryor, the duo known as Butterfly RoseTuesday, May 3
- Cades Cove Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 10 a.m. - noon
- Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, Townsend, TN, 2 p.m. During this performance, Lix will be joined again by Butterfly RoseWednesday, May 4
- WUOT-FM Radio, Knoxville Public Radio, 1 p.m.
- Malaprop's Bookstore, Asheville NC, 7 p.m.
Friday, May 6 - Swain County Visitor Center, Bryson City, NC, 10 a.m. - noon p.m. - Blue Ridge Books, Waynesville, NC, 2-4 p.m. - City Lights Book Store, Sylva, NC, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7 Union Ave. Books, Knoxville, 1 p.m.
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Recommended Hike:
Porters Creek Trail
By Marti Smith
GSMA Membership Associate & 900 Miler
Our destination this month is Fern Branch Falls by way of Porters Creek Trail, which is 4 miles round trip. You can make it more like 7.5 miles round trip if you hike to backcountry campsite #31.
After you reach the trailhead in Greenbrier, you'll follow an old road bed at the beginning. At about ½ mile you'll find a rock wall on the right. This wall marks the Elbert Cantrell farmstead. Just past the rock wall are steps that lead to the Ownby Cemetery and its 23 grave sites. This is a nice short side trip to view some history of the Smokies...
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BEFORE: A chilly start to the morning, but we're ready to go after the safety talk by ranger Alan Chapman.
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DURING: We worked to widen the trail that had narrowed over the years. Many, many roots were also removed.
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AFTER? HA! We were too tired to hold the camera!
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GSM Outfitters strives to bring the Pigeon Forge, Wears Valley and Townsend areas of the Smoky Mountains the very finest of outdoor gear and clothing. Our passion is to offer quality products at reasonable prices to the outdoor enthusiast.
NEW Business Members
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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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