Plans in Place for Elkmont Firefly Display-
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Meet Heather Wood, GSMNP's Employee of the Year-
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Tornado-Damaged Trails Reopen in Smokies-
From National Parks Traveler
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Park Special Events- They're Free
 | | By Genia Stadler |
See more of Genia's wildflower photography on our Facebook page- click here (you don't have to be on Facebook to see her pictures)
Cosby in the Park
Saturday, May 18th
A full day of activities is planned that include Southern Appalachian music, hikes, and demonstrations of blacksmithing, quilting, corn shuck dolls and crafts, old time toys- Read More
Oconoluftee Back Porch JamSaturday, May 18th Anyone who plays and would like to share their talents can join in the music gathering regardless of playing level even beginner musicians- Read More
Return of the Elk
Tuesday, May 21st
Take a guided hike in Cataloochee and learn about the elk reintroduction- Read More
Full Moon Walk in Cades Cove Thursday, May 23rd
Join V.I.P. and Friend of the Smokies Jim Burbank for an unforgettable stroll in Cades Cove- Read More
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Friends Plates Help the Park
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Buy A Plate- Support the ParkIf you are a resident of North Carolina or Tennessee, please purchase a Friends plate for your vehicle. Your annual decision to own a Friends of the Smokies license plate helps us meet our commitment to give $1.1 million this year to Great Smoky Mountains National Park to help protect bears, heal hemlocks, repair trails, preserve historic log cabins and churches, and so much more.  | | We receive $20 of the $30 specialty plate fee |
 | | We receive $30.75 of the $35 specialty plate fee |
Membership Matters  For only $35/year your official Friends of the Smokies membership card packs a wallop in your wallet- - it comes with great Smokies discounts, so it pays for itself
- it's a reminder that you made a tax-deductible contribution
- you help us reach our goal of giving $1,147,000 to improve Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year
- you are a part of our successful 20th year of preserving and protecting the Smokies
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Greetings!
We're bringing you news of 5 ways you can celebrate our 20th anniversary with us this spring.
Take a hike with Lenny Bernstein + Friends at Big Creek- 5/21Thanks to Mast General Store for generously sponsoring our hike to Big Creek. For complete hike details, visit our Events Page. To sign up, email Keith Hoffman, our AmeriCorps Outreach Associate at outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.orgWe think you rock, so take a geology field trip with us- 5/30
Read More in our press release about this earthy opportunity to learn more about your park.Get your boots dirty and lend a hand on National Trails Day. You get a sweet t-shirt + some BBQ- 6/1For complete details on National Trails Day 2013, click here and then get your application here Getaway at Fontana Resort. Snuggle up tight before a big hike up to Shuckstack Fire Tower, or travel back in time along Hazel Creek- 6/16-6/19 (Sign up by May 15th for early bird rates!)
Celebrate the 2013 debut of 'Dance of the Firefly' at the Robert A. Tino Gallery- 6/22
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While working on this message, just now I got a phone call that I had to share with you. Bonnie from Tuscaloosa, Alabama returned from a trip to the Smokies last week, and she picked up a Friends membership brochure while she was in Gatlinburg.
Bonnie asked me what all Friends does to help the Park, and after I explained, she said, "Well, I can't think of a better way to spend $35. We come there once a year. My momma used to send us $50 a month to save up for our annual trip to the Smokies. She sent us the last $50 two days before she died."
People like Bonnie make a big difference for Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and we thank ALL of you for loving the Smoky Mountains.
Many Thanks, Holly Scott Marketing Director Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park
P.S.
I'll be speaking at The Buckhorn Inn on Tuesday, May 14th.
In celebration of the Buckhorn's 75th Anniversary this year, Lee and John Mellor are offering a FREE speaker series called 'The Past Becomes Present' featuring Smokies history and culture plus Park-related topics. For a full schedule,
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