Greetings!
We've been gearing up all week, and thanks to the folks at WBIR and WLOS, there are some great stories about how supporting Friends of the Smokies makes a difference all across Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Watch below!
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Great Video Messages About Friends
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Hear from NC Director Holly Demuth
Holly D. appeared on Monday's Spotlight Carolina segment on WLOS to dish license plates, our 20th anniversary, our 19th annual telethon + more- Watch it hereAnd Tennessee Holly Shares Why Friends MatterHolly S. appeared on WBIR's Live at 5 at 4 the same day for a telethon talk with Russ & Beth- See it now
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Submit Your Photos
Help raise awareness of the fragile beauty of the Smokies and why this treasured place should be protected- upload your photos today to WBIR's online Smokies Photo Gallery
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August 20th Classic Hike of the Smokies
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Friends of the Smokies invites hikers to take in the views on a Classic Hike of the Smokies at the Mt. Sterling fire tower in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). Hikers may join this guided hike up the Mt. Sterling Trail, exploring another entrance to the park along old NC 284. This hike celebrates Friends of the Smokies' support for air quality initiatives in GSMNP.
On Tuesday, August 20 hiking expert, author of two regional hiking guide books (plus new book on her hike of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail), and Friend of the Smokies volunteer Danny Bernstein returns to lead this 5.4-mile hike. The hike is strenuous, steep, but short and has a total ascent of 2,000 ft.
Participants will gather for the all day excursion in Asheville at 8:30 a.m. or Waynesville at 9:00 a.m.. For those coming from Tennessee a meeting location will be given upon registration.
In support of the Smokies Trails Forever program, a donation of $10 from current members and $35 from non-members is requested. Non-members receive a complimentary membership to Friends of the Smokies. Members who bring a friend hike for free.
To register, please contact Friends' Waynesville, NC office at (828) 452-0720 or email us at outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org
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Thanks to Facebook Friend of the Smokies Chris Hollifield for sharing this inspiration with us as we head toward tomorrow night's 19th annual event-
"My grandfather was born in 1919 in the Straight Fork/Roundbottom area of what is now the GSMNP. His family moved from the area in the late 1920's. He dearly loved the Smokies. Every year he would watch the Telethon with great excitement. Unfortunately he's gone now, but thankfully the telethon is still raising funds to continue to preserve the places he loved. I'll be watching in his memory. I hope it will be a record year for donations. thank you for what you do."
Thanks for Reading,
Holly ScottMarketing Director      
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