Latest news stories from around the Great Smoky Mountains.
It is a common story — a species once eliminated returns to find not everyone welcomes it back with open arms. The return of wolves to northern Wisconsin, the reintroduction of beavers to the United Kingdom, and now the elk in Western North Carolina. After disappearing from North Carolina in the late 1700s, the elk
We expect to spot black bears in the Smokies or even in some backyards, but one bear on the run got a lot of attention over the weekend because of where it was spotted. Cell phone video, captured by Tricia Alexander, shows the black bear making its way from the National Park, attempting to get
In the late 1930’s, a young Californian named Joseph Hall was invited by the park service to come to the Smokies and record it’s people. “Because he was a linguist, he was interested in documenting the speech of the people of the Great Smoky Mountains,” says Dr. Ted Olson of East Tennessee State University’s Appalachian
Ole Smoky Moonshine celebrates Appalachian heritage with this event featuring authentic moonshine stills and bootlegger cars, stories by moonshiners and the law enforcement officers that chased them, a Moonshine Run through county back roads, corn hole tournaments, mountain music and moonshine crawl. When September 26, 2013 – September 28, 2013 Where Ole Smoky Moonshine 903
Western Carolina University’s Hunter Library will produce a new digital collection of 2,000 items focused on the history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park with support from a $93,000 grant from the North Carolina State Library. This 1920s photograph depicts men at LeConte Lodge. The lodge still serves visitors today on the third highest peak
Here comes the Elk Bike Patrol! With a $1,000 grant from the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority to Friends of the Smokies, the Elk Bugle Corps has a more visible presence in the Cataloochee Valley of Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year. The TDA grant funds the new Elk Bike Patrol, providing safety uniform
We are attracted to water. Mountain paths always wind down to water — springs, branches, creeks and rivers. Water is the essence of our very being here in the mountains. Deep Creek on the North Carolina side of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park probably has as much or more to offer in the way
High ginseng demand and soaring prices have sent thieves tramping through the vast Great Smoky Mountains National Park to strip the landscape. “We’re barely putting a dent in it,” said District Ranger Joe Pond, an enforcement officer who has chased ginseng poachers through the forest. “For every one we catch, at least 10 more get
Moonshine tasting, live and silent auctions, hikes, talks, hunts, BBQ, dancing and star gazing are just a few of the activities planned for Great Smoky Mountains Association’s Membership Appreciation Weekend September 13-15 in Townsend, TN. “Our theme this year is ‘Celebrating 60 Years of Support’ of Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” said GSMA’s marketing and
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson announced on Tuesday, Aug. 13 that Patricia M. Wissinger has been selected as the next Deputy Superintendent. She replaces Kevin Fitzgerald, who retired earlier this year. Wissinger is currently the superintendent of Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta, one of the busiest recreation areas in the
