Gateway to the Smokies

About this Episode:  We are joined by our special guest,  Jeff Hunter,  Senior Program Manager with the National Parks ConservationAssociation (NPCA) in Asheville, where he works on a variety of issues pertaining to protecting and improving the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. Presently, he is focused heavily on a collaborative...

About this Episode: We are joined by our special guest,  Darren Nicholson , an Award-winning Charter Member of the Legendary Contemporary Bluegrass Group, Balsam Range, and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and multiple collaborative efforts with other musicians-- including duo concerts with his wife Jennifer. We had him on the show last season and e...

GUEST: Boyd Burton Boyd shared with us some of his world-class memorable tourism experiences. Watch this episode and you will learn about local culture, refreshments, and hedonism in the Great Smoky Mountains.  In today's podcast episode, Joseph McElroy is joined by our special guest, Boyd Burton , a world-class pickle ballplayer, an avid BMW motorcycle enthusiast, as well food, music, and bev...

GUEST: Nancy East In this episode, you will learn about some hiking trails and trips in Haywood County. Nancy will share with us some of her favorite regional hiking trails, from easy to strenuous. You'll also hear about her memorable tourism experiences, and she'll give us suggestions for the best places to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains. Our special guest, Nancy East, is a renowned A...

In this episode, the audience will get more information about pottery and crafts that Cory and Joseph will talk about during the podcast live but they will focus on discussing the Great Smoky Mountains and the outdoor activities that Cory will share with us.  Our special guest is Cory Plott , he is a direct descendant of the famed Haywood County Plott clan who is credited with originating what lat...

Joetta Newman Holder is a Kentucky native and a graduate of Morehead State University with a BS degree in Veterinary Technology. She moved to WNC in 1992 and began her career as a vet tech in Asheville, helped start the Humane Alliance charitable organization in Asheville, and later was a teacher at Asheville Buncombe Tech as well serving as Chairperson for the vet tech program at the college. She...

Our guest in this episode is Jason Brady , a native of the Caney Fork Community of Jackson County, N.C. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in Electronics Engineering Technology and worked several years for a telecommunications firm in Raleigh, N.C. before returning home for a job at his alma mater. Jason has worked for the past two decades at WCU and now works in Special C...

In this episode, our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy interviews Pam Meister , Director of the Mountain Heritage Center at Western Carolina University, she has an impressive resume working with elite museums and historical organizations such as the Atlanta History Center, the Charlotte Museum of History, and the Upcountry History Museum in high-level management positions, as well as a long career at W...

Our guest in this episode is Brandon Johnson , a native of Lenoir, N.C. now living in Asheville, N.C., where he is the Program Manager for the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area , an organization that preserves and promotes the natural and cultural heritage of the North Carolina mountains and foothills. He formerly worked as an English Literature instructor at Mars Hill College and is a graduate of...

Our special guest in this episode is Vesna Plakanis , she and her husband Erik, are Owners and Operators of one of the oldest and most highly respected guides and tour services in the Great Smoky Mountains, “ A Walk in the Woods ” located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The award-winning company was formed in 1998 and has been featured in multiple publications and on television networks including among...

In this episode, our special guest is Garret Woodward , an Award-winning, Journalist, Author, Events promoter, and Musician now living in Waynesville, N.C. A native of upstate New York. Woodward was a college track star and after graduating with a degree in Journalism, worked across the country in a variety of journalism jobs before becoming a weekly Columnist for the Smoky Mountain News in 2012 a...

In this episode, our host Joseph Franklyn McElroy interviews Don Hendershot, a Naturalist, Freelance Writer, Biological Consultant, and Natural History (primarily birding) Tour Guide. His column, The Naturalist Corner ran for more than 20 years. He was also a regular contributor to Smoky Mountain Living Magazine plus has written for Southeast Discovery (Southeastdiscovery.com), Native American Jou...

Our special guest is Patrick Womack , a Presbyterian Minister and Native of Haywood County, now serving as Teaching Pastor of Bay Presbyterian Church in Bonita Springs, Florida. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University and the Reformed Theological Seminary and has been a full-time Pastor since 1992. Patrick is also a renowned local historian and a superb storyteller who has produced many hi...

Our special guest in this episode is Erin Mahoney , she is the fourth generation of the Mahoney Clan to own and operate one of the family restaurants. She descends from a long line of Hospitality Industry Entrepreneurs and currently Owns and Manages J Arthurs Steakhouse – a Maggie Valley landmark for more than 32 years. In addition to running a successful business, Erin is a longtime advocate for...

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Charles Humphrey III, a Grammy Award-winning Songwriter, Producer, and Musician. Currently leading his own group – the Songs from the Road Band – Humphrey was a charter member of the acclaimed Steep Canyon Rangers for 15 years and performed around the world. Aside from being a musician, he is also an expert fly-fishing guide and endurance runn...

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Ila Hatter , a Renowned Naturalist, Storyteller, and Wild Crafter. She has been featured on N.C. Public TV as well as in multiple magazines, books, newspapers, and DVD projects and works regularly conducting programs and seminars for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Joseph and Ila will talk about wildcrafting in the Smokies. Tune in fo...

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Adam Bigelow , a well-known environmental and community activist as well as an outstanding musician. Adam runs his own business – Bigelow Botanical Excursions – where he teaches folks about the wonders of the natural world in Appalachia. They will talk about Botanical Excursions in the Smokies‍ Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.ny...

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Jim Buchanan, Award-winning Journalist, and Author, now living in Clyde, North Carolina. He has worked for the Asheville Citizen-Times and currently is a journalist for the Sylva Herald in Sylva, N.C. Jim also had a wonderful book published by the History Press earlier this year. We will talk about his book. Tune in for this fun conversation a...

Today's guest of Gateway to the Smokies Podcast is Wayne Ebinger , an Award-Winning Photographer well known for his photos of local musicians, concerts, artists, and festivals, as well as the natural beauty of the Great Smokies. He was a former professional musician and a veterinarian tech. Currently, he owns and operates a successful photography business in Maggie Valley, N.C. Our host Joseph...

Our guest in this episode is Neil Hutcheson, an Award-winning Filmmaker, Photographer, and Author. He resides in Raleigh, N.C. where he works as a producer and director of the Language and Life Project for N.C. State University, but spends a great deal of time in the Great Smokies, the location of several of his most popular projects. His most well-known works include books and films about Maggie...

Special Guest: Darren Nicholson, a gifted singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. He is an Award-winning Charter Member of the legendary Bluegrass and Americana group, Balsam Range , and fronts his own Darren Nicholson Band on side projects, while also doing solo gigs and duo concerts with his wife Jennifer. Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by c...

Special Guest: Jim Hamilton, is an extension agent and county director at NC State Cooperative Extension and an adjunct professor at ASU, as well as a former instructor at Haywood Community College. Jim has a Ph. D. in forestry and teaches workshops across the region including an upcoming date at the Meadowlark Smoky Mountain Heritage Center on August 28th. They will be discussing the generations...

Gateway to the Smokies Podcast guest is Alex McKay , a successful Haywood County businessman who owns and manages rental property throughout the county. However, Alex is better known for his work as a Haywood County historian . He has been active in working with the historical Shelton House in Waynesville on various projects and is well known for his efforts in helping record the history of the to...

Our guest in this episode is Wendy Meyers , a renowned historian, and researcher described as "the best of the Smoky Mountain history detectives --bar none" by historian and author, Bob Plott. Wendy has worked for over 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, where she works as a regulatory writer in drug development. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, cycling, and historical research....

In this episode, Joseph talks about food traditions and modern-day options for food in the Smokies. Tune in for this fun conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by clicking here . Show Notes Segment 1 Starting off this episode, host Joseph McElroy talks about some of his favorite memories in the mountains and shares a poem. He talks about food traditions in the mountains an...