Smoky Mountain Synchronous Firefly Event Cancelled

Smoky Mountain Synchronous Firefly Event Cancelled. National Park officials announced the cancellation of the popular synchronous firefly event due to the continuing threat from the novel coronavirus (COVID -19). The cancellation is part of a continuing push to support federal, state and local efforts to contain the spread of the virus by following the most recent guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control(CDC).

“The synchronous firefly viewing area at Elkmont simply isn’t spacious enough to safely allow hundreds of people to gather under the current health guidance,” said Superintendent Cash. “While disappointing, the safety of our employees, volunteers, and visitors continues to be our number one priority.”

Continue reading…

Smoky Mountain Eastern Spotted Skunk

Smoky Mountain Eastern Spotted Skunks give fair warning and provide some interesting acrobatics just before sending out a cloud of noxious spray. When frightened, or angered, the Eastern Spotted Skunk engages in unique behaviors that serves as either a bluff or a warning  just prior to discharging a very unwelcome aromatic spritz. This species, the smaller of the two skunks that make their home in the park, will stomp its front feet in rapid succession on the ground. Perhaps, even more unusual, the skunk may also perform a handstand on its front feet and walk while holding its tail in the air just before aiming and spraying. So, if you encounter either of these behaviors, you have had been forewarned!

Eastern Spotted Skunks are nocturnal and active year-round. Excellent climbers, these skunks are more agile and alert than their striped counterparts, and feed primarily on small mammals, fruits, insects, birds, lizards, snakes, and carrion. The breed is easily distinguished from its Pepe LePew-looking cousin. Weighing in at under three pounds, it has black silky fur, a white triangular spot on the forehead, a white spot under each ear, and four to six undulating white stripes along the neck, back, and sides. White patches are also present on the rump, and a bushy 6-8-inch tail sports a broad white tip. Hunters often trap the species for its’ unique fur. The Eastern Spotted Skunk’s range includes Northeastern Mexico through the Great Plains to the Canadian border, and the Southeastern United States north to Pennsylvania.

Continue reading…

Smoky Mountain Pink Moon

Smoky Mountain Pink Moon. The Pink Moon or “Fools Moon” will not be turning pink despite the name. April’s full Moon arrives on Tuesday, April 7, 2020.  This is the first supermoon of spring. While April is known for its showers and ever-warming temperatures, it is also known as a month when spring flowers begin to show up. Herb moss pink phlox, or “wild ground” phlox, is one of the earliest widespread flowers of the spring. As the name infers, the flowers are pink in color, thus the name for April’s full Moon—the Pink Moon. But no, the Moon itself won’t be turning pink.

Continue reading…

Dolly Parton Reads Imagination Library Stories

Dolly Parton Reads Imagination Library Stories. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth to age five in participating communities within the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Republic of Ireland.

In an announcement on social media Monday, Dolly Parton said she would begin reading books from her Imagination Library starting April 2, 2020. Dolly posted a short video on the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Facebook page. The segment ‘Goodnight with Dolly’ is scheduled on April 2, 2020 from 7-7:15 p.m April. The superstar’s Goodnight With Dolly video series is exactly what the country needs during this time of uncertainty.

Dolly Parton  gave us hits like “Jolene,” and  “I Will Always Love You.”  She is one-third of the comedy trio from the film 9 to 5, and sends books to 850,000 children per month.  Now Dolly Parton will read us bedtime stories when we need them most.

Dolly will kick off a 10-book video series with The Little Engine That Could, and will continue weekly with other titles from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

“I hope this gift will further inspire a love of books and shared storytime during this important time… From everyone on our team, thank you so much for inspiring a love of reading in your family.  As I always say — We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails — and we’re going to do just that, together,” said Dolly.

Inspired by her father’s inability to read and write Dolly started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, her program spans four countries and mails over 1 million free books each month to children around the world.

“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer,” said Dolly. “The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”