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(click on title to go directly to story)
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 GSMNP installs Cades Cove
Clean Energy Project
A recently completed solar energy project in Cades Cove will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 23 tons and reduce fuel costs by $14,000 each year, according to park officials. Before solar, the park used a diesel-fuel generator, which often disrupted park programs and the visitor experience in the historic landscape.
"This is a great step in making our park more environmentally friendly," said Park Superintendent Cassius Cash. "The solar panels will provide a great, natural source of energy for the Cable Mill Area that enables us to provide a better visitor experience and to be better stewards of the park."
Some 80 solar panels provide a silent energy source to serve the visitor center, bookstore and restroom facility half way around the Loop Road.
Cades Cove receives approximately 2 million visitors per year. Many of these visitors stop at the Cable Mill area to visit the exhibit of historic structures assembled there. Given its remote location at the west end of Cades Cove, the Cable Mill area is off the commercial power grid and all power must be generated on site.
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Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage
The Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a 68-year-old annual event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park featuring professionally guided walks to explore the region's rich natural and cultural resources. More than 700 'pilgrims' from some 30 states and several countries joined in 2017. Programs include fungi, ferns, wildflowers, trees and shrubs, medicinal plants, insects (terrestrial and aquatic), salamanders and snakes, birds, mammals (bats to bears), birds, journaling, art and photography, and park history.
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Fire Pink by Bob George is this year's Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage featured image.
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Great Smoky Mountains Association is pleased once again to serve as a partner of the annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. In addition to serving on the event planning committee, GSMA staffer Karen Key reprised her role as t-shirt and program brochure designer again this year.
GoTeez, another Pilgrimage partner, is pre-selling this year's t-shirt. Those who order before April 1 will receive their shirts prior to the event in the mail. While GSMA will host a sales booth during the event, shirts will not be available via the association.
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Can you hear them now? We can!
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A Chorus of Frogs,
A video by Gary Wilson
Click above to watch; be sure to turn on your volume control for the full effect!
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Feast your eyes (and ears) on this new video from GSMA's own Gary Wilson. One of the
earliest
signs that spring is right around the corner emanates from our park's wet spaces. Small ponds and pools become havens for chorus frogs and spring peepers in February and March.
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Need another sign of spring?
How about Greenbrier's wildflowers!
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From the GSMA Video Archives: Greenbrier's Wildflowers
Click above to watch
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We reached back into our video archive to bring you
Early Spring Wildflowers from Greenbrier. The great thing about helping to preserve a special place like the Smokies for future generations is that scenes like these rarely (if ever) change from year to year.
In fact, just this week VIP Tom Harrington, who has hiked Smoky Mountain trails for years and reported his wildflower findings, spotted s
tar chickweed, blood root, spring beauty, hepatica, rue anemone, toothwort, plantain-leaved pussytoe, trailing arbutus, long spurred violet and seersucker sedge on Chestnut Top Trail. "Most of the flowers are just starting to bloom or budded," Tom said. "Many of the buds are ready to transcend into full blooms. Some more warm days will likely advance the number of blooms."
If you enjoy videos like this one above, please subscribe:
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And finally, your last sign of spring:
Our next Smokies Life is coming soon
Our writers, editors and designers are hard at work on the next edition of
Smokies Life. This award-winning, free-to-members, semi-annual magazine is scheduled to go to print in early April, with shipment to members and our store locations by late April.
This spring's edition includes these fascinating topics:
- Rhododendron Rocks
- Archaeology of the Smokies
- Oconaluftee's Mountain Families
- Davis-Queen House
- The First Salamander Collecting
- Summer in Old Elkmont
Sometimes members will see the magazine in stores before it arrives in the mail, but they can rest assured that it's on the way. If your membership has lapsed or you're ready to join us in support of the Smokies, please do so today:
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March is Women's History Month:
Smoky Mountain matriarchs quiz
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| Our website is down for repairs, but you can still purchase this book at one of our visitor center locations and by calling at 865.436.7318, Ext. 226. |
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In her introduction to
Women of the Smokies, author Courtney Lix wrote of the 19 matriarch stories included, "From relying on the mountains for physical survival, to artistic inspiration, to rejuvenation of the soul, the women whose stories appear in this book offer a glimpse into the long and complicated history of this unique place. They are women for whom making a life in the mountains has countless meanings, each as different and varied as the mountains themselves."
In honor of Women's History Month, we invite you to test your knowledge of the fairer sex's contributions to this national park's existence and place in history.
Instead of rushing to be the first to answer all questions correctly, we are changing our rules for winning. Going forward we will choose at random a single winner from those who answer all questions correctly, this month by
midnight Thursday, March 22. Our lucky winner will receive an autographed copy of
Women of the Smokies and an antique park map scarf.
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NOTE: Look for answers to last month's Groundhog quiz
when we launch our new website soon.
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Naturalist Ila Hatter reflects on her time, work in the Smokies
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Naturalist of the Smokies: Ila Hatter,
A video by Valerie Polk
Click above to watch
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For some 16 years, Ila Hatter has been splitting her time between helping visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park visitor centers and GSMA bookstores and teaching programs as a naturalist.
Having recently retired from her GSMA job, Ila reflects on how she learned the ins and outs of edible and medicinal plants, why that knowledge is important, and what's coming up in this transition time between winter and spring (think the fresh greens our ancestors would have eagerly devoured after a winter of stored away foods). Ila Hatter is featured in Women of the Smokies at park visitor center bookstores.
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| USC's Appalachian English website
has ties to Smoky Mountain history
Over the last
several
years, Great Smoky Mountains Association has launched multiple music projects based on the 'found' recordings made by Joseph S. Hall in the Smokies in the early part of the last century. These projects include the Grammy-nominated
Old-time Smoky Mountain Music
and follow-ups On Top of Old Smoky: New Old-time Smoky Mountain Music and
Big Bend Killing: The Appalachian Ballad Tradition
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If you ever wished you could dive deeper into Hall's original recordings, the University of South Carolina has let the genie out of the bottle with their
new website, which contains 10 hours of recorded stories, accounts and other primary material documenting life in the Smokies in the late 1930s.
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Get your copy of GSMA's latest Grammy-nominated CD by calling us at 865.436.7318, Ext. 226.
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"Simply put, this material is unique in featuring the voices of more than 60 [individuals] from that time period," said Dr. Michael Montgomery, the site's administrator and a Joseph Hall scholar. "Anyone who had a relative during that transitional period will be keen to explore the recordings and their accompanying transcriptions. Many researchers have listened to the tape versions over the years, but now anyone, anywhere can do the same."
While visiting the Appalachian English website, test your knowledge of mountain vocabulary, read detailed articles about early mountain language traits and totally 'grammar nerd' out by pointing and clicking your way through the Linguistic Suite.
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PLA recognizes GSMA, other park partners for acts of heroism
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GSMA Chief Executive Officer
Laurel Rematore
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During their 2018 convention in Palm Springs, Calif., last week, the Public Lands Alliance recognized Great Smoky
Mountains Association and 10 additional
nonprofit organizations for stepping up and swiftly working with their public lands partners to help in the recovery efforts following recent wildfires, floods and hurricanes.
PLA established the Public Lands Hero Award to celebrate individuals and organizations whose actions exceed the high standards to which all public lands partners aspire. PLA's board of directors honored nonprofit organizations for their exemplary responses to natural disasters and crises affecting the public lands and communities that they support.
"We remain sad that so many people were adversely affected by the wildfires in late 2016, but we are grateful that we could do something meaningful for those who lost so much," said GSMA CEO Laurel Rematore. "We are humbled by this recognition from our public lands community. Thank you, PLA."
"America's public lands have partners who consistently strive to be innovative and make an impact," said David Poteet, PLA board president. "
From the Chimney Tops 2 Fire in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Sprague Fire in Glacier National Park, to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and wildfires in northern California this past fall, nonprofit partners have responded quickly to the needs of their land management agency partners."
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Mingus Mill volunteers needed
Volunteers are needed to provide informational tours of the historic Mingus Mill just north of Oconaluftee Visitor Center near Cherokee, N.C. Volunteers educate visitors about the general role of milling in the Smokies including the unique turbine wheel at Mingus Mill.
Mingus Mill, built in 1886, offers visitors a unique look into the inner workings of a mill that custom ground everything from corn to wheat or rye. The intricacy of the turbine-driven mill provided local patrons with custom ground cornmeal or flour in a fraction of the time needed by other types of mills.
Volunteers work alongside GSMA employees at least one four-hour shift per week from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the peak visitation season from April - November.
New volunteers are required to attend training Friday, March 23, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Oconaluftee Administration Building near Cherokee, N.C. Please plan to bring a bag lunch.
If interested in this exciting volunteer opportunity, please call to reserve a space for training. For questions or to receive more information, please contact Park Resource Education Ranger Florie Takaki at 828-497-1906 or by email
HERE.
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| America's public lands make
perfect backdrop for love stories
FEBRUARY FOLLOW-UP - Ahhh, how sweet! The Department of
Interior's
Valentine's Day video featured this special moment in GSMNP at what appears to be Oconaluftee Valley Overlook at the .33 second mark. Note: She said, "YES!"
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Most in the Smokies would agree no sweeter words have ever been uttered. Except for maybe, "Hey, you - join us to learn more about this fascinating place and its history."
When you
Branch Out with GSMA, you join like-minded individuals in pursuit of the view from the next peak. Or maybe you sign up to hear a story come to life as told by a local expert. Or maybe you really want to sleep under the stars, with an experienced guide providing support. Whatever you crave from your Smokies experience, we aim to satisfy.
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A Little Sluice of Heaven
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GSMA Marketing and Membership Director Lisa Duff takes a minute to consider just how tall these tulip trees really are. - Photo by Dana Murphy
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GSMA Marketing and Membership Associate
When the fiery exuberance of your New Year's resolution has worn off and the winter blahs have taken hold, finding the motivation to stay in shape and make the best of your Smoky Mountain adventure can be challenging.
I'm here to tell you that land and sky hold restorative properties. Add millions of gallons of water, and you've got a sure-fire recipe for motivation. Here in the Smokies, we're lucky to find all these ingredients in one place - the 8-mile, round-trip Ramsay Cascades Trail.
Begin the day by warming up cold, stiff muscles along the trail's smooth roadbed with the sound of rushing water from the Middle Prong of Little Pigeon River in the background. Look around and you'll spot cove hardwood tree species like black locust and tulip poplars towering as high as 100 feet overhead. As the trail leaves the roadbed and narrows to a footpath, you're now in hike mode. Your blood flows faster and endorphins carry you to some of the largest trees known to exist in the park like hemlock, silverbell and more poplars.
Cross the foot log above Ramsay Prong and amp it up at mile 2.9, because this hike is about to feel very real. You'll wish you'd stuck with your exercise routine. Thankfully, your reward isn't far ahead. After some stair-stepping and rock-hopping, you'll emerge on the right side of the highest accessible waterfall in the park. Listen to the falling waters and enjoy the success of completing the climb.
Keep that fire burning so that when you hit the trails this year, you'll know that not quitting today gets you somewhere special tomorrow.
*Dry Sluice: Named for a small hollow or valley called a sluice, which has a spring-fed stream that sinks beneath the surface for several hundred yards before re-emerging. Hence, the upper part of the sluice is generally dry. - From Place Names of the Smokies
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Our technology saga continues...
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| Cub Report subscribers are the first to see a sneak peek of our new web presence, which is due to launch in early April. In the meantime, you can reach our Mail Order Department at 865.436.7318, Ext. 226; and our Membership Department at 865.436.7318, Exts. 222, 325 and 349. |
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"Why is your web store not working?" "Why can't I log into my online account?" "Why is my membership listed as 'expired' when I renewed three weeks ago?"
The short answer: Growing pains. As we continue work toward a more user-friendly website, we greatly appreciate your understanding and support during the transition. We're looking at a launch date sometime in April, but until then several aspects of our online environment will remain open to you via our current website, including:
NEW: Get Rooted in the Smokies members can get a head start by setting up your new website account today! This
registration process is required for member benefits, including shopping discounts, Smokies Life magazine subscription mailings and Branch Out program registration discounts. In partnership with Blackbaud.com, our membership database will be accessed through this third-party avenue.
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Staff Spotlight: Ginger Alfrey
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| In her role as N.C. Business Outreach Associate, Ginger Alfrey (right) recently worked with Janna Hyatt (left) of Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort on a $2,500 Lookout League partnership with GSMA. |
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Ginger Alfrey was promoted to GSMA's North Carolina business outreach associate in March 2017. A resident of Haywood County, Ginger has a great deal of enthusiasm for connecting with potential new business members in her role.
Q: Where did you grow up and how did you come to the Smokies?
A: I am from Florida. I was born in Sarasota and lived in Venice. We lived very close to the beach, and basically all our free time was spent there. The gulf coast of Florida was a phenomenal place to be as a child. My family moved to Western North Carolina when I was 8, and I have never had the desire to leave here since. I have found the place I call home.
Q: How did you end up working with GSMA?
A: About two years ago, I started out as a seasonal sales associate on the North Carolina team on a part-time basis. I then decided that I loved being in nature and working in a job with a cause so much, I chose to leave my job as a graphic designer/glass etcher to work full time with GSMA. I thoroughly enjoyed my introduction into GSMA by working in the bookstores. Meeting the park patrons and encouraging them to have a most memorable experience in our beautiful park has been most rewarding.
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January
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320,864
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Total
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320,864
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The Smokies are just a click away...
Now available to order
HERE for FREE (+$2.50 S&H)
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Got questions? We've got answers.
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Great Smoky Mountains Association publishes The Cub Report e-newsletter the last Wednesday of each month.
Laurel Rematore, Chief
Executive
Officer
Lisa Duff, Cub Report Editor
Contributors
Frances Figart, Karen Key, Dana Murphy, Valerie Polk, Peyton Proffitt and Gary Wilson
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Share your thoughts about this issue.
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Connecting Today to Yesterday; Preserving Today for Tomorrow
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