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There will be many special events for children and families alike, with hikes through the Smokies ranging from peaceful strolls to demanding, multi-mile voyages; storytelling, fishing, music, photography and more. Wilderness Wildlife Week has something stimulating for any age, bringing thousands of nature lovers to Pigeon Forge each year, it is recognized for its contributions to environment and education by the International Festivals & Events Association.[>>read blog ] The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was founded June 15, 1934. Even after its creation, many people continued to live in these mountains. In addition to wilderness information, Wilderness Wildlife Week participants can find out about human life in the Smokies. Many homesteads are now considered to be historic sites. Though no one currently inhabits their old homesteads, many cabins, mills, churches, cemeteries and other signs of early life are still visible throughout these mountains.With scenes of everything from giant evergreens to black bears, to rustic cabins, everyone wants to experience the wonders of the Great Smoky Mountains, but where does a visitor begin? Start here by reading Wilderness Wildlife Week location and scheduling details:

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Location
Music Road Hotel & Convention Center, 303 Henderson Chapel Road, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee 37863

Information Desk Hours
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

 

Vendor/Exhibit Hall Hours
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

NEW: All hike sign-ups will be held at Holiday Inn Express across the street from Music Road Hotel & Convention Center

 

FREE: All Wilderness Week activities are offered free of charge.

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All WORKSHOPS, LECTURES & SLIDE/VIDEO PRESENTATIONS will take place at:

MUSIC ROAD HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER
303 Henderson Chapel Road
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863

Information Desk: Open from 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: Open from 9:00AM – 6:00PM

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS

HIKE SIGNUPS: All hike signups will be held at Holiday Inn Express across the street from Music Road Hotel and Convention Center.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 7TH, 2012

Information Desk: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

8:00AM – 11:00AM: Learn to Use Map & Compass: Terry & LaValla Edgington – Harp Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 40

8:30AM – 10:30AM: Fly Fishing in the Smokies: Greg Ward – Violin Room

9:00AM – 1:00PM: Nature Photography Workshop: Kendall Chiles, Tom & Pat Cory, Danny Dempster and Harold Stinnette – Guitar Room

9:00AM – 10:00AM: Rock Formations of the Smokies: Geological Past of Smoky Mountains: Harry Moore – Dobro Room

9:00AM – 1:00PM: Photo Exhibit Entry & Setup – Cello Room
(An entry form must be submitted with each photo entered.)

10:00AM – 11:15AM: NEW! CADES COVE HERITAGE! Cades Cove Teachers: Dorothy Gregory Sutton – Ukelele Room

10:30AM – 11:30AM: Discovering October Roads: View Fall Colors of East Tennessee: Fred Brown and Harry Moore – Dobro Room

11:00AM – 12:30PM: Beginning Mountain Dulcimer: Deby Libby, Ginny Cliett and Linda Smith – Violin Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 25. Limited number of dulcimers
available. Observers are welcome.

11:30AM – 12:30PM: NEW! Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: A Hysterical History of Words: Kathy Gwinn – Harp Room

11:30AM – 12:45PM: NEW! CADES COVE HERITAGE! War within the Family: Civil War Gregorys: Mary Greggory – Ukelele Room

11:30AM: Sunday Hike Signups at Holiday Inn Express

Noon – 1:00PM: Introduction to the Autoharp: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson – Dobro Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Margaret Stevenson: The Walkingest Woman in the Smokies: The Story of the First Lady to Complete All 800 Miles of Maintained Hiking Trails in the Smokies: Bill Deitzer – Harp Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: NEW! Everybody’s Fishin’: A Cross-Cultural Fishing Extravaganza Celebrating Fish Fisherpersons and Other Wonderful, Watery Critters: Doug Elliott – Violin Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 20: Kindergarten – 5th Grade

1:30PM – 2:30PM: The Serpent Handlers: Fred Brown – Dobro Room

1:30PM – 2:30PM: NEW! Searching for Panthers in the Smokies: Dr. Don Linzey – Guitar Room

2:00PM – 3:15PM: NEW! CADES COVE HERITAGE! Cades Cove Photos and Photographers: Missy Tipton Green – Ukelele Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: The Discovery of the Gray Fossil Site: Harry Moore – Harp Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: Civil War in the Mountains: Chris Tipton – Violin Room

3:00PM – 4:00PM: National History Day Students: Talented Local Students Share Their Knowledge of How to Document Your Local History: Sabrina Gray – Dobro Room

3:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! HERITAGE! The Upland Chronicles: The Popular Articles Featured in The Mountain Press Celebrating the Vibrant Local History and Heritage of Sevier County’s Past: Carroll McMahan – Guitar Room

3:00PM – 5:30PM: Fly Casting: Greg Ward – Breakfast Room

3:30PM – 4:45PM: NEW! CADES COVE HERITAGE! Uncle Noah and Sarah Brown Burchfield: Larry Sparks and Judy Myers Johns – Ukelele Room

4:00PM – 5:30PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Out of the Dark: A True History of the White Caps & Blue Bills: At Last This Long Repressed History of Outrageous Depravity and Unsurpassed Heroism in This Region’s History Can Be Talked About in Public: Don Williams – Harp Room

4:00PM – 5:00PM: NEW! A Tennessee Music Sampler: Stories & Songs: Hills-N-Hollows – Violin Room

4:30PM – 5:30PM: NEW! The 1500 Year Old Silver Bible: A Chronicle of the Emotional History of the Earliest German/Gothic (and Perhaps English) Language Document, Including Its Translation, Disappearance and the Miraculous Rediscovery of This Piece of Christian History: Peter and Gudrun Seifert – Guitar Room

5:30PM – 6:30PM: NEW! Woodslore and Wildwoods Wisdom: Celebrating the Natural World Through Stories, Songs and Lore: Doug Elliott – Dobro Room

6:00PM: Monday Hike Signups – Holiday Inn Express

6:45PM: Bagpipe Performance: Charles Smith – Dobro/Harp Rooms

7:00PM – 7:30PM: Wilderness Wildlife Week Opening Comments: Speakers: Terry Maddox, Executive Director of Great Smoky Mountains Association; Jim Hart, Director of Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park; Dale Ditmanson, Superintendent of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Dobro/Harp Rooms

7:30PM: Opening Remarks: Ken Jenkins – Dobro/Harp Rooms

7:45PM: NEW! Keynote Program: Wolves 2011: Update on Ecology and Politics in the Upper Midwest: Peggy Callahan – Dobro/Harp Rooms

SUNDAY, JANUARY 8TH, 2012

Information Desk: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Cello Room Photography Exhibit: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

9:00AM – 10:00AM: Sunday Morning Sing-Along: Tony Thomas – Violin Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: Marking Time: A Guide to the Historical Markers in East Tennessee: Fred Brown – Ukelele Room

9:30AM – Noon: Stream Stocked Trout Fishing: Greg Ward – Guitar Room

10:00AM – 11:00AM: You & Me: Coexisting with Bears: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard – Harp Room

10:30AM – 11:30AM: Wildflowers of the Smokies: Jack Carman – Violin Room

10:30AM – 11:30AM: NEW! HERITAGE! Classic Cinema Clips of Sevierville: Carroll McMahan – Dobro Room

11:00AM – Noon: NEW! Photographing with Emotion: Land, Sea & Skies: Tom and Pat Cory – Ukelele Room

11:30AM – 12:30PM: NEW! Echoes of the Smokies: Formation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Wilma Durpo – Harp Room

12:30PM – 1:30PM: Bird’s the Word: Bird Stories, Lore, Songs and Natural History: Doug Elliott – Dobro Room

12:30PM – 1:30PM: Hiking Through the Dolomites: Peter and Gudrun Seifert – Ukelele Room

12:45PM – 1:45PM: NEW! Echoes of the Smokies: Echoes of Cataloochie and Elk: Wilma Durpo – Harp Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: A Wildlife Habitat for Every Season: Regina Garr – Violin Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: NEW! The Civil War in Tennessee, 1861-1862: A Sesquicentennial Commemoration: Chris Tipton – Guitar Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Hands-On History: Let’s Make A Quill Pen: Instructions & Materials to Make a Quill Pen: Pat K. Thomas – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 10 Adults.

2:00PM – 3:00PM: NEW! Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream: Carroll McMahan – Ukelele Room
A panel discussion featuring Stan Creswell, Frank Maples and Coppley Vickers who have hiked every trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

2:00PM – 3:30PM: NEW! Old Harp Shaped Note Singing: A Group of People from Sevier County Sing the Way Their Ancestors Sang Early in the Last Century: David Sarten, Leader – Dobro/Harp Rooms

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! Then Sings My Soul: Hymns of Faith: Hills-N-Hollows – Violin Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: HERITAGE! Sanctuary in the Smokies: A Journey Into the Smokies in Words and Photographs: J. Greg Johnson – Guitar Room

3:00PM – 5:00PM: World-Class Stream Smallmouth Bass: Greg Ward – Breakfast Room

4:00PM – 5:00PM: Wildwoods Wisdom: Doug Elliott – Dobro/Harp Rooms

4:00PM – 5:00PM: HERITAGE! Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier: Robin Goddard – Ukelele Room

4:00PM – 5:30PM: HERITAGE! Old Time Music Concert: Boogertown Gap – Violin Room

4:00PM – 5:00PM: NEW! More Tales from Two Smokies Trail Completers: Bill Deitzer and Tommy Small – Guitar Room
This program features the stories and experiences of Bill’s first time completing all the trails of the Smokies in 2005 as well as Tommy’s from the six times he has completed all the trails.

5:30PM – 6:30PM: NEW! Watching and Being Watched: Ken Jenkins – Dobro/Harp Rooms
Video Presentation

6:00PM – 7:00PM: NEW! Special Places, Special Creatures: Joel & Kathy Zachry – Violin/Guitar Rooms

6:00PM: Tuesday Hike Signups – Holiday Inn Express

6:45PM: NEW! Keynote Program: Predator Paradox: Conflict & Conflict Resolution in Modern America: Peggy Callahan – Dobro/Harp Rooms

7:30PM: Slow Jam: Bring Your Own Instrument or Simply Plan to Enjoy & Listen: Tony Thomas – Guitar Room

MONDAY, JANUARY 9TH, 2012

Information Desk: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Cello Room Photography Exhibit: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

9:00AM – 10:00AM: Circle of Life: The Bear Facts: Mike Meldrum – Guitar Room
Video Presentation

9:00AM – 10:30AM: NEW! Where Wood We Be Without A Tree?: Historic Trees of America: Kathy Gwinn – Harp Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: Wildflowers of Tennessee: Jack Carman – Ukelele Room

10:00AM – 11:00AM: NEW! Newfoundland: A Photographic Tour of an Island Wonderland: Harry Dunn – Dobro Room

10:00AM – 11:00AM: NEW! Master Gardner Program Helps to Create Wildlife-Friendly Gardens and Landscapes: Dr. Leo Lubke – Violin Room

10:30AM – 11:30AM: Leave No Trace: Presenting the Ethics of Leaving No Trace in the Outdoors: Mike Braun and Pamela Rodgers – Guitar Room

11:00AM – Noon: NEW! Tennessee Butterflies and How to Raise Them: Lois English and W.C. & Glenna Julian – Harp Room

11:00AM – Noon: NEW! HERITAGE! Up and Down the Valley: Cades Cove: Learn About the People of Cades Cove From the Early 1830s to the Early 1930s: Tom Harrington – Ukelele Room

11:30AM – 12:30PM: Wonderful Waterfalls of Tennessee: Bill Carter – Dobro Room
Video Presentation

11:30AM – 12:30PM: Down By the Old Mill Stream: Mike Meldrum – Violin Room
Video Presentation

1:00PM- 2:00PM: Of Ginseng, Golden Apples and the Rainbow Fish: Ancient Tales and Mountain Treasures: Doug Elliott – Dobro Room

1:00PM- 2:00PM: NEW! Hiking and Camping with Your Pet: Jim Richards and Thomas Horsch – Harp Room

1:00PM- 2:00PM: NEW! Acid Rain Impacts on Smokies Streams and Biota: Matt Kulp – Ukelele Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Orioles: Spring and Summer!: Steve Garr – Guitar Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: NEW! KIDS’ TRACK! HANDS-ON! Whooo Did This?: Fascinating Owls: Natural History of Owls With Live Owls and Dissection of Owl Pellets, Examination of Feathers and Owls in Rehabilitation: Lynne McCoy – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 15.

1:30PM – 2:30PM: NEW! Old Time Music: Roger Helton – Violin Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! Mountain Marvels - Waterfalls of the Southern Appalachians: The Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama and Kentucky: Bill Carter – Dobro Room
Video Presentation

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! Elk in the Smokies: A Decade of Learning: Joe Yarkovich – Harp Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: Black Bear Management in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Bill Stiver – Ukelele Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: Wing Things: W.C. & Glenna Julian and Lois English – Guitar Room
They will show how many dragonflies, hummingbirds and other
pollinators are in our gardens and how to attract them.

2:30PM – 5:30PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Basket Making: Theresa Tyler – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 12.

3:00PM – 4:30PM: NEW! Ballads of the Great Smoky Mountains and the Vicinity: Boogertown Gap – Violin Room

4:00PM – 5:00PM: Civil War Period Music: Tony Thomas – Dobro Room

4:00PM – 5:00PM: Ranger Recollections: Joe Kelley – Harp Room

4:00PM – 5:00PM: Appalachian Bear Rescue: Who We Are and What We Do: Lisa Stewart – Ukelele Room

4:00PM – 5:30PM: Backpacking: How to Get Started and Hike Safety: Mike Braun, Pamela Rodgers and Bill Deitzer – Guitar Room

5:00PM – 6:00PM: Weeds for Your Needs: Useful Wild Plants: Doug Elliott – Violin Room

5:30PM – 6:30PM: NEW! America Sings: Folk Songs of America: Hills-N-Hollows – Dobro/Harp Rooms

6:00PM: Wednesday Hike Signups – Holiday Inn Express

6:30PM – 7:30PM: NEW! Hiking LeConte: A History: Charles Maynard – Violin/Guitar Rooms

7:45PM: NEW! And Heaven & Nature Sing: Ken Jenkins and Judy Felts – Dobro/Harp/Ukelele Rooms

TUESDAY, JANUARY 10TH, 2012

Information Desk: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Cello Room Photography Exhibit: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

9:00AM – 10:00AM: Returning the Osprey to Nest in Tennessee: Ken Dubke – Harp Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: Woodpeckers: Nature’s Homebuilders: Regina Garr – Dobro Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: NEW! Echoes of the Smokies: Epic of Elkmont: Wilma Durpo – Violin Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: Green Power Switch/Generation Partners: Lucas Harkleroad – Guitar Room

10:00AM – 11:00AM: HERITAGE! Meet Mr. Herbert Clabo: Herb Clabo and Veta King – Ukelele Room
Hear Mr. Clabo tell of near one hundred years of living in the Great Smoky
Mountains or right in its back door.

10:30AM – 11:30AM: NEW! The Hidden Garden III: Learn the See: Dr. Alan S. Heilman – Harp Room

10:45AM – 11:45AM: NEW! Echoes of the Smokies: Spirit of the Black Bear: Wilma Durpo – Violin Room

11:00AM – Noon: NEW! Introduction to Old Time Banjo: Roger Helton (Bring Own Banjo) – Dobro Room

11:00AM – Noon: KIDS’ TRACK! Wild World of Animals: Knoxville Zoomobile – Guitar Room

Noon – 1:00PM: HERITAGE: From Cornfields to Condos: Pigeon Forge’s History From 1917 – 2011: Veta King and Pigeon Forge City Officials – Ukelele Room
Video Presentation

12:30PM – 1:30PM: The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Gift?: Charlie Monday – Harp Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 30.

12:30PM – 1:30PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Animal Olympics: Comparing Human Senses and Abilities to Those of Wild Animals [Interactive]: Mike Meldrum – Violin Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 30: Ages 5 - 12.

12:30PM – 2:30PM: NEW! Creative Photography with Any Camera: Richard Iceland – Guitar Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Coal Mining Days in Story and Song: Tony Thomas – Dobro Room

1:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! Wood Carving Boots: Don Taylor – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 12. Must bring own sharpened
woodcarving tools.

1:30PM – 2:30PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Early Pigeon Forge Settlement: Jerry Wear – Ukelele Room
Mr. Jerry Wear is a descendent of Col. Samuel Wear who built the first white
settlement home and fort in Pigeon Forge. He shares stories based on family history
and extensive research of the area.

2:00PM – 3:00PM: Wild Ones Among Us: Lynne McCoy – Harp Room

2:15PM – 3:15PM: Air Quality Update of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Jim Renfro – Violin Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! Alligators, Bears and Wolves: An Overview of Eastern North Carolina National Refuges & the Management of the Big Three Critters of the Area: Jim Wigginton – Dobro Room

3:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Meet Aunt Lydia Kear Whaley: Ruth Miller – Ukelele Room
Ms. Ruth Miller, a local with a love for history, brings Aunt Lydia to life in a character presentation as she portrays this beloved, spirited woman of the Great Smoky Mountains.

3:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! Three Considerations for Hiking Safety: Wendell Liemohn – Guitar Room

3:30PM – 4:30PM: Pig Tales: Rick Varner – Harp Room

4:30PM – 5:30PM: HERITAGE! Noted and Peculiar Court Cases of Earlier Times: Tales of Early Justice of the Peace Courts and Unusual County Court Cases of the Past: Sevier County Circuit Court Judge, the Honorable Rex Henry Ogle and attorneys Mr. John B. Waters, Jr. and Mr. Jerry McCarter with Veta King, Moderator – Ukelele Room

4:30PM – 5:30PM: Meigs Post: The Survey Line Through the Great Smokies: Joe Kelley – Dobro Room
Joe Kelley shares stories and adventures from his book with Dwight McCarter.

4:30PM – 6:00PM: NEW! Let’s Sketch A Bird: Louise Bales – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 20: Adults and ages 12+ only.

6:00PM – 7:00PM: NEW! Smoky Mountain Field School: Explore, Learn and Enjoy: Joel & Kathy Zachry – Dobro/Harp Rooms

7:30PM: NEW! Vintage Views of Gatlinburg, the Smokies and Their Inhabitants: Lucinda Oakley Ogle: Kevin Tierney – Dobro/Harp Rooms

Kevin Tierney’s Vintage Views film series captures the spirit of iconic figures and places of Gatlinburg and the Smokies by means of home video footage donated by area residents. This film chronicles the experiences of Lucinda Oakley Ogle.

6:00PM: Thursday Hike Signups – Holiday Inn Express

APPALACHIAFEST!
A FREE Musical Celebration of Our Heritage!: Violin/Guitar Rooms
5:00PM – 6:30PM: Great Smoky Mountains Settlers and Their Music by Boogertown Gap

7:00PM – 7:20PM: Tony Thomas

7:45PM: Carolina Bluegrass Boys

Clogging with the Appalachian Cloggers [Attendees welcome to join in the fun!]

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11TH, 2012

Information Desk: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Cello Room Photography Exhibit: 9:00AM – 4:00PM

9:00AM – 10:00AM: Saving the Endangered Whooping Crane: The Tennessee Connection and Current Status: Ken Dubke – Harp Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: Introduction to Musical Instruments in Stories and Song: Tony Thomas – Dobro Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Gift?: Charlie Monday – Ukelele Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 30.

9:30AM – 10:30AM: NEW! What Happened to the Chestnuts?: Bill Sullivan – Violin Room
A photo slideshow presentation about the chestnuts and other trees of the Smokies,
their history, logging and other interesting facts.

9:30AM – 10:30AM: KIDS’ TRACK! Batteries NOT Included: Fun with Games & Toys: Mike Meldrum – Guitar Room

11:00AM – Noon: NEW! What NOT to Bring to the Park: Kristine Johnson – Ukelele Room

11:00AM – Noon: NEW! SNAKES! They Are Dangerous, Aren’t They?: Joe Taft – Violin Room

11:00AM – 1:00PM: NEW! Creative Digital Editing: Richard Iceland – Guitar Room

11:30AM – 12:30PM: Carolina Bluegrass Boys and Appalachian Cloggers – Dobro/Harp Rooms

12:30PM – 1:30PM: NEW! Creating and Telling Family Stories: Jim Eastin – Ukelele Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Adobe Lightroom for Scenic and Wildlife Photography: Colby McLemore – Dobro Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Learn to Play the Harmonica in the Key of “C”: Tony Thomas – Violin Room

1:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! Wood Carving Boots: Don Taylor – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 12. Must bring own sharpened
woodcarving tools.

1:30PM – 2:30PM: Hosting Hummingbirds!: Regina Garr – Harp Room

1:30PM – 2:30PM: Wildflowers of the Southern Highlands: Jack Carman – Guitar Room

2:00PM – 3:30PM: NEW! From Cornfields to Country Music Shows: The Growth of Tourism in the Smokies: Kathy Gwinn – Ukelele Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! Learn to Play the Washboard and Washtub Bass: Boogertown Gap – Dobro Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! Newlyweds on a Wildlife Refuge: Paul and Nora Hassell – Violin Room
With Paul and Nora’s wedding on August 14, 2011, the newlyweds embarked upon
life together by moving onto the Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge in Kodak, Tennessee.
These are their images and stories.

3:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! Putting the Pigeon back in Pigeon Forge: Tales of the Extinct Passenger Pigeon Including Its Natural History, Disappearance & Local Accounts of This Fabulous Species that Pigeon Forge is Partly Named After: Paul James – Harp Room

3:00PM – 4:00PM: The Art of Dowsing: Do You Have the Gift?: Charlie Monday – Guitar Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 30.

4:00PM – 5:00PM: HERITAGE! The Perry’s Camp Murders: Robert Allen – Ukelele Room
Listen and learn as Robert chronicles the brutal 1949 slayings of Sevier County's first
tourist court owner and his housekeeper.

4:00PM – 5:00PM: NEW! A Ranger Family’s Recollections: Joe Kelley – Violin Room

4:30PM – 5:30PM: Carolina Bluegrass Boys and Appalachian Cloggers – Dobro/Harp Rooms

4:30PM – 5:30PM: NEW! Clawhammer Banjo for Beginners, Workshop I: Boogertown Gap and Keith Watson – Breakfast Room
This is a two-part class. Must pre-register at Information Desk for both classes. Must
bring own five string banjo and have it tuned to key of “G”, Limit 10.

5:00PM – 5:45PM: Hiking Switzerland in Pictures: Shannon Harris – Guitar Room

6:00PM – 7:00PM: NEW! The Meanderings of a Silly Man: Doug Mills – Dobro/Harp/Ukelele Rooms

6:00PM: Friday Hike Signups – Holiday Inn Express

7:00PM: Slow Jam: Bring Your Own Instrument or Simply Plan to Enjoy & Listen: Tony Thomas – Guitar Room

7:15PM: NEW! Appalachian Tales and Heartland Series Adventures: The Book: Bill Landry – Dobro/Harp/Ukelele Rooms

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12TH, 2012

Information Desk: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Cello Room Photography Exhibit: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

8:00AM – 11:00AM: Introduction to Tracking People in the Outdoors: Joe Kelley – Guitar Room

9:00AM – 10:00AM: NEW! A Photo Walk Up the Cove Hardwood Trail: Jan Rhodes – Dobro Room

9:00AM – 10:00AM: NEW! Energy, Effort and Passion: Volunteering in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Christine Hoyer and Dana Soehn – Violin Room

9:00AM – 10:30AM: Do It Yourself: Building A Backyard Bird Habitat: Mark A. Dunaway – Harp Room

10:00AM – 11:00AM: NEW! Arches Along the Way: A Presentation of Arches and Natural Bridges Along Tennessee’s Trails: Keith Garnes – Ukelele Room

10:30AM – 11:30AM: Bluebirds Year ‘Round!: Steve Garr – Dobro Room

10:30AM – 11:30AM: O! Possum: Live Animal Show: Lynne McCoy – Violin Room

11:00AM – 12:30PM: Identifying Local Birds of Prey: Stephen Lyn Bales – Harp Room

11:30AM – 12:30PM: Where’s Mommy?: The Rehabilitation of Orphaned Wildlife: Phylis Rollins – Ukelele Room

11:30AM – 12:30PM: NEW! Tennessee’s Cumberland Trail: Closing the Gaps and Looking Beyond: Warren Devine – Guitar Room

Noon – 1:00PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Booger: A Tall Tale of the Mountains: Mary Phillips – Violin Room
Enjoy an adventure with “Booger: A Tall Tale of the Mountains.” Children learn the concept of spinning a tall tale, and are encouraged to share in creating new twists and turns, after meeting - Stinking Will, Jack In the pulpit, Wild Rose, and Booger’s cat, Stinker! Kids are introduced to field guide books, and learn to identify and discover the world of native plants. (Applied standards: Science, Life Skills and Literature). Ages 6 – 10. Adults welcome.

12:30PM – 1:30PM: NEW! Learn and Enjoy the Wildflowers in the Smokies: Bill Sullivan – Dobro Room
A photo slideshow presentation about the wildflowers of the Smokies, including medicinal uses and other interesting facts.

1:00PM – 2:00PM: NEW! Meditations on Nature: Phylis Rollins – Ukelele Room
Through chants, songs, readings and slides of area wildlife and nature, as well as a guided meditation, experience a profound oneness with the natural world.

1:00PM – 2:00PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Those Ain’t Teddy Bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Mike Meldrum – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 12.

1:00PM – 2:30PM: NEW! The Making of Audubon’s “The Birds of America”: Stephen Lyn Bales – Harp Room
The creation of John James’ Audubon’s “The Birds of America” was one of the greatest achievements in national history. Presentation features what it took for Audubon to complete the book.

1:30PM – 2:30PM: NEW! KIDS’ TRACK! Let’s Make Music!: Children’s Workshop: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson – Violin Room
This is a fun-filled FREE workshop for children to learn to play rhythm instruments such as the kazoo, spoons, harmonica, etc. The students will learn to play together to create a rhythm band like in the old days. If students have their own instrument, they are welcome to bring it, otherwise, instruments will be available for purchase for a low price in the Vendors & Exhibitors Room.

2:00PM – 3:00PM: Native American Stories: Robert Redhawk Eldridge – Dobro Room

2:00PM – 3:00PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Wild Wonders: Knoxville Zoo Bird Show – Guitar Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! Civil War in the West, 1861: Jack Carman – Ukelele Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! KIDS’ TRACK! Hands-On History: Let’s Play Marbles!: Old-Fashioned Marble Games: Pat K. Thomas – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 15.

3:00PM – 4:00PM: Bears 101: Their Lives and Interactions with Humans: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard – Harp Room

3:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Music of Appalachia: Past and Present: Lost Mill String Band – Violin Room

3:30PM – 4:30PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Cherokee Orchard Remembered: Theresa Williams – Dobro Room

3:30PM – 5:00PM: NEW! Phillips 66, Avon Calling and Monkey Wards: What’s in a Name?: Kathy Gwinn – Guitar Room

4:00PM – 6:00PM: NEW! Hiking the John Muir Trail: Bert Kunze – Ukelele Room
Video Presentation

4:30PM – 5:30PM: NEW! Recreation vs. Conservation of Waterways: Nantahala Outdoor Center – Harp Room

4:30PM – 5:30PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Old Time Hymns: Don Huskey, Marcia Huskey Nelson and Roger Helton – Violin Room
These songs of praise are the songs you sang as a child. They filled the little one room churches of the Smokies in earlier times.

4:30PM – 5:30PM: NEW! Clawhammer Banjo for Beginners, Workshop II: Boogertown Gap and Keith Watson – Breakfast Room
This is part two of a two-part class. Must pre-register at Information Desk for both
classes. Must bring own five string banjo and have it tuned to key of “G”, Limit 10.

5:30PM – 6:30PM: NEW! Bears, Boars and Bulls!: 30 Years Managing the Wildlife of the Smokies: Kim Delozier – Guitar Room

6:00PM – 7:00PM: NEW! Bears: What to Know When Walking in Their Woods: Joel & Kathy Zachry – Dobro/Harp Rooms

6:00PM – 7:00PM: HERITAGE! Old Hymns & Songs of Faith: Whaley Family Singers – Violin Room

6:00PM: Saturday Hike Signups – Holiday Inn Express

7:30PM: NEW! The Spiritual Side of Nature: Chuck Summers and Ken Jenkins – Dobro/Harp Rooms

8:00PM: Lore of the Moon and Stars: Stuart Carroll – Violin Room

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13TH, 2012

Information Desk: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Cello Room Photography Exhibit: 9:00AM – 6:00PM

7:00AM – 11:00AM: Managing the Search Function: Study Some of the Smokies Most Famous Search & Rescue Operations: Joe Kelley and Bob Swabe – Guitar Room

8:30AM – 9:30AM: The Amazing Diversity of Fall Creek Falls State Park: Stuart Carroll – Harp Room
Located over on the Cumberland Plateau, Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s most beautiful and diverse state parks. Attend this class to see why.

9:00AM – 10:00AM: NEW! Nature Recording in the Smokies: Mark A. Dunaway – Ukelele Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: Ijams Family Legacy in the Smokies: Paul James – Violin Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: Introduction to the Acoustic Guitar: Tony Thomas – Dobro Room

10:00AM – 11:00AM: NEW! Butterflies: Flying Flowers in the Garden: Kris H. Light – Harp Room
Learn about East Tennessee’s native butterflies, their life cycles and how to attract them to your garden.

10:15AM – 11:45AM: NEW! Bird Songs of the Smokies: Mark A. Dunaway – Ukelele Room

11:00AM – Noon: NEW! The History of the Overhill Cherokee from 1770 – 1838: Robert Redhawk Eldridge – Violin Room
Robert Redhawk Eldridge covers the history of the Cherokee Indians of East Tennessee and North Georgia through early treaties, the War of 1812 and the events that led to their removal.

11:00AM – Noon: The Smokies All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory: Todd Witcher – Dobro Room

11:30AM – 12:30PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Silly Safari Show: Amazon John – Harp Room

12:30PM – 1:30PM: Attracting Butterflies and Caterpillars: W.C. & Glenna Julian and Lois English – Ukelele Room

12:30PM – 1:30PM: NEW! Civil War in the West, 1862: Jack Carman – Guitar Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Our National Treasures: America’s National Parks: Chuck Summers – Dobro Room

1:00PM – 2:30PM: Ghost Birds!: The Historic Search for the Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers: Stephen Lyn Bales – Violin Room

1:30PM – 3:00PM: NEW! Hiker’s Guide to Food and Medicine: Ila Hatter – Harp Room
Ila Hatter hosts an illustrated discussion on “trail nibbles”, wild food & seasonings and trail medicine.

1:30PM – 2:30PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Kiddin’ Around: A Hands-On Introduction to Appalachian Music and Its Instruments: Lost Mill String Band – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 20 children. Parents encouraged to attend.

2:00PM – 3:00PM: The Spirits of Cades Cove: Mike Meldrum – Ukelele Room
Video Presentation

3:00PM – 4:00PM: Lakes, Lighthouses & Landscapes of the North Woods: Kendall Chiles – Dobro Room

3:00PM – 4:00PM: Bald Eagle Recovery: Fragile Links to Success: Bob Hatcher – Violin/Guitar Rooms

3:30PM – 4:30PM: NEW! Native American Storytelling: Robert Redhawk Eldridge – Harp Room

3:30PM – 4:30PM: NEW! A Photo Walk Up Porters Creek Trail: Bill Sullivan – Ukelele Room

3:30PM – 4:30PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Learn About Bears Through Hands-On Activities: Anne Allison and Kathy Sherrard – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Kindergarten through 5th Grade, Limit 20.

4:00PM – 4:30PM: Birds of Prey: Live Eagles!: American Eagle Foundation – Violin/Guitar Rooms

4:00PM – 5:30PM: Walking in the Beauty of the Natural World: Don McGowan – Dobro Room
Video Presentation

5:00PM – 6:00PM: NEW! Discovering the Cumberlands: Stuart Carroll – Ukelele Room
Video Presentation

5:00PM – 8:00PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Basket Making: Theresa Tyler – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 12

5:30PM – 6:30PM: NEW! Birds of the Smokies: Dr. Fred Alsop – Guitar Room

6:30PM – 7:30PM: NEW! A Circumambulation of the Smokies, 1910: A Walk AROUND the Smokies in 1910: Charles Maynard – Dobro/Harp Rooms

6:30PM – 7:30PM: NEW! Shooting Photos at Night: Eric Gebhart – Violin Room

7:00PM: Slow Jam: Bring Your Own Instrument or Simply Plan to Enjoy & Listen: Tony Thomas – Guitar Room

7:45PM: NEW! Here, There & Yonder: Chuck Summers – Dobro/Harp Rooms
Chuck Summers presents a multimedia presentation featuring national treasures close to home and some far away.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2012

Information Desk: 7:00AM – 9:00PM
Vendor/Exhibit Hall: 9:00AM – 6:00PM
Cello Room Photography Exhibit: 9:00AM – 3:00PM
2nd Annual SMOKIES THROUGH THE LENS: Violin and Guitar Rooms: 9:00AM – 7:00PM
Photography Contest Pickup: Cello Room: 3:00PM – 6:00PM

9:00AM – 10:00AM: The Appalachian Trail: An Entertaining Adventure: Jeff Alt – Dobro Room

9:00AM – 10:00AM: NEW! Macro Photography for Beginners: Eric Gebhart – Guitar Room

9:00AM – 1:00PM: Nature Photography and Creativity Workshop: Kendall Chiles, Don McGowan and Warren Bedell – Violin Room

9:30AM – 10:30AM: Wild Hog Management: Are We Too Late?: David Whitehead – Harp Room

10:00AM – 11:00AM: NEW! Weather Signs: Ila Hatter – Ukelele Room
Program centers on knowing how to “read the signs” for a change in weather, which is especially useful for hiking and camping.

10:15AM – 11:15AM: KIDS’ TRACK! The Smoky Mountain Adventures of Bubba Jones: Jeff Alt – Dobro Room
A fun and interactive program for both kids and parents packed with expert hiking and camping tips.

10:30AM – 11:00AM: NEW! Jewels from the Sky: Snowflake Photography: Kris H. Light – Guitar Room

11:30AM – 12:30PM: NEW! Editing Strategies: Taking Control of Your Photo Viewer’s Attention Through Photo Editing: Colby McLemore – Guitar Room

11:30AM – 1:00PM: NEW! Journey on the Camino de Santiago, Spain: Olga Pader – Ukelele Room
The Camino de Santiago has attracted pilgrims since the Middle Ages on a journey through space and time culminating in the cathedral in the city of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino meanders through mountains, forests, ancient villages, modern cities, as well as Roman and Celtic ruins, all the way to Finisterre, the end of the medieval Earth on the Atlantic Ocean. Olga will recount her adventures with her friend, Cheryl Morgan, as they walked 208.4 miles over 14 days in the summer of 2010 on their unforgettable journey.

11:45AM – 12:45PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Silly Safari Show: Amazon John – Dobro/Harp Rooms

1:00PM – 2:00PM: Adobe Lightroom: Easy-To-Learn Editing Software that Can Dramatically Improve Your Photos: Colby McLemore – Guitar Room

1:00PM – 2:00PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Young Artists’ Coloring Session: Louise Bales – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 20: Ages 10 and under.

1:30PM – 2:30PM: NEW! Highpointing the U.S.: The Highest Points in the 50 States: Stoney Burke – Harp Room

1:30PM – 2:30PM: NEW! HERTAGE! That Magnificent Army of Youth & Peace: The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Harley E. Jolly and Stuart Jolley – Ukelele Room

1:30PM – 2:30PM: NEW! Photoshop Tips & Tricks for Nature Photographers: Larry Perry – Violin Room

1:30PM – 3:00PM: NEW! HERITAGE! Out of the Dark: A True History of the White Caps & Blue Bills: At Last This Long Repressed History of Outrageous Depravity and Unsurpassed Heroism in This Region’s History Can Be Talked About in Public: Don Williams – Dobro Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! ProShowGold: Taking Your Photos and Videos to the Next Level: Harry Dunn – Guitar Room

2:30PM – 3:30PM: NEW! KIDS’ TRACK! Hands-On History: Let’s Make Toys!: Pat K. Thomas – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 12.

3:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! Civil War in the West, 1863: Jack Carman – Harp Room

3:00PM – 4:00PM: KIDS’ TRACK! Hug A Tree and Survive: Joey Holt – Ukelele Room

3:00PM – 4:00PM: NEW! Photography on the Go: Your Traveling Photography Kit: Jan Rhodes – Violin Room

3:00PM – 6:00PM: Photography Contest Pickup – Cello Room
Entries WILL NOT be mailed to owners; however, owners may retrieve entries from the Office of Special Events within a period of one calendar year of event.

3:30PM – 4:30PM: Learn to Play the Spoons, Fiddlesticks and Washtub Bass: Boogertown Gap – Dobro Room

4:00PM – 5:00PM: NEW! KIDS’ TRACK! Photography for Kids and Parents: Jim Eastin – Guitar Room

4:00PM – 5:30PM: NEW! KIDS’ TRACK! Stichin’ and Laughin’ with the Quiltin’ Granny: Sabrina Gray – Breakfast Room
Must pre-register at Information Desk, Limit 20: Children Ages 6 – 10 Parental
Guidance Required, Children 11+.

First 30 minutes of class features the Quiltin’ Granny relating historical and humorous quilting stories and songs. The following hour consists of a take-home project of making a quilt piece. Adults welcome for first 30 minutes of program.

4:30PM – 5:30PM: NEW! Purple Martins and Other Native Swallows: Steve Garr – Harp Room

4:30PM – 5:30PM: A Year in the Life of a Bear: David Whitehead – Ukelele Room

4:30PM – 5:30PM: NEW! Intermediate Photography: Pushing from Snapshots to More Complex Shots: Eric Gebhart – Violin Room

5:00PM – 6:00PM: NEW! Songs of the Carter Family: Tony Thomas and Judy Carson – Dobro Room

5:30PM – 6:30PM: Create A Photo Slideshow in 15 Minutes for FREE!: Jim Eastin – Guitar Room

6:00PM – 7:00PM: NEW! Composing Like A Master: Ron Plasencia – Violin Room

7:00PM: NEW! Impact of a Beautiful Scene: Ken Jenkins – Dobro/Harp Rooms
Video Presentation