Day 5 of the 2010 Wilderness Wildlife Week in Pigeon Forge Tennessee

5 days into the Wilderness Wildlife Week program going on in Pigeon Forge the crowds are much larger than anyone would expect in such cold weather and with such a down economy. The hikes have been great and the lectures in some cases are standing room only despite the size of the rooms in the Music Road Hotel.

Some many people here are having a great time while learning in depth about the people places and things in the Great Smoky Mountains. The history and people of the Gatlinburg Pigeon Forge area is fascinating and it's wonderful to hear from the old-timers about what life was like before the Great Smoky Mountains national park was formed 76 years ago.

So far there have been many highlights of the program but the outstanding educational lectures yesterday were on the Elk Restoration Project and the black bear. Its seems that the hands down winner so far as the programs best presenter is Dwight McCarter whose sense of humor and intent knowledge and presentation skills have been captivating audiences in Wilderness Wildlife Week.

Today's suggested highlights will be Wild hog control in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with Rick Varner who knows more about the backcountry of the GSMNP than anyone else I have met in years, the program on the Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier, and be sure not to miss the slow jam at the end of the day where you can bring your own instruments and join along!

Today be sure to sign up before 6 pm in the guitar room for any guided hikes you wish to take on Friday.

Wilderness Wildlife Week Schedule for January 13th, 2010

• 7:00 am - 9:00 pm The Information Desk is open.


• 8:30 am - 9:30 am Pig Tales - Wild hog control in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Rick Varner - In the Harp Room.


• 9:00 am - 10:00 am Hypothermia…I'm Not Cold. Presented by: Lee Lewis - In the Guitar Room.


• 9:00 am - 10:30 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Welcome to the School of Hard Knox - A History of Knoxville. Presented by: Kathy Gwinn - In the Dobro Room.


• 9:30 am - 10:30 am The State of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Bob Miller - In the Violin Room.


• 10:00 am - 11:00 am Saving the Endangered Whooping Crane - The Tennessee Connection. Presented by: Ken Dubke - In the Ukelele Room.


• 10:15 am - 11:15 am NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Hidden Garden-Learning to Look and See. Presented by: Dr. Alan S. Heilman - In the Harp Room.


• 10:30 am - 11:30 am How to be Safe in Parks. Presented by: Pete Rogers - In the Guitar Room.


• 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Concert and Clogging Instruction. Presented by: Carolina Bluegrass Boys and Appalachian Cloggers - In the Dobro Room.


• 11:00 am - 12:30 pm Creating Digital Slideshows - Pro Gold and other approaches. Presented by: Andrea Shetley - In the Violin Room.


• 11:30 am - 12:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: The Cumberland Trail, a State Scenic Trail. Presented by: Tony Hook - In the Ukelele Room.


• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Scenic Tennessee - A travel guide video presentation. Presented by: Robert Schuffert - In the Harp Room.


• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Introduction to Musical Instruments in Story and Song. Presented by: Tony Thomas - In the Dobro Room.


• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm The Best Way to Hike with Llamas. Presented by: Sandy Sgrillo - In the Guitar Room.


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Appalachia Bear Rescue - Giving bears a second chance. Presented by: Lisa Stewart - In the Violin Room.


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Denali National Park slide presentation. Presented by: Bob and Gloria Epperson - In the Ukelele Room.


• 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM KIDS TRACK: Young Artists Coloring Session. Presented by: Louise Bales - In the Music Road Hotel Breakfast Room. (Limit 15 students that are 12 years and older. Pre-registration at Information Desk is required. All needed materials will be provided.)


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Old-Time Music and Nature. Presented by: Boogertown Gap - In the Dobro Room.


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Sevierville: Then and Now Video Presentation. Presented by: Jimmie Temple - In the Harp Room.


• 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Black Bear Management in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Bill Stiver - In the Guitar Room.


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Early Gospel Songs of the Smokies. Presented by: Bob and Sharon Brittle - In the Violin Room.


• 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: Using Photo Editing Software. Presented by: Dale Knight - In the Ukelele Room.


• 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm KIDS TRACK: Those Ain't Teddy Bears in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Presented by: Mike Meldrum - In the Music Road Hotel Breakfast Room. (Limit 10 students. Pre-registration at Information Desk is required.)


• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Ranger Recollections #2. Presented by: Joe Kelley - In the Dobro Room.


• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm The Walker Sisters of Little Greenbrier. Presented by: Robin Goddard - In the Harp Room.


• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm Bluebirds for Everyone. Presented by: Steve Garr - In the Ukelele Room.


• 4:00 pm- 5:15 pm Walking in Beauty - Images of the natural world slide presentation. Presented by: Don McGowan - In the Guitar Room.


• 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm An Armchair Tour of Cades Cove - video presentation. Presented by: Allen R. Coggins - In the Violin Room.


• 5:15 pm - 6:15 pm Concert and Clogging Instruction. Presented by: Carolina Bluegrass Boys and Appalachian Cloggers - In the Dobro/Harp Room.


• 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm New Knees for Old Hikers. Presented by: Joel and Kathy Zachry - In the Violin Room.


• 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm NEW WILDERNESS WILDLIFE WEEK PROGRAM: New Beginnings - An old man takes a hike. Presented by: Doug Mills - In the Dobro/Harp Room.


• 7:30 pm Slow Jam. Presented by: Tony Thomas - In the Guitar Room. (Please bring your own instrument or simply plan to listen and enjoy.)


• 7:45 pm A Celebration of the Heartland Series. Presented by: Bill Landry - In the Dobro/Harp Room.