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Naomi and her family have been park lovers since the 50s. She and her husband loved the park so much, they retired here in 1996. Her children, grandchildren, and now great grandchildren all love to visit the park.

Here’s the family in 1968.

Naomi and her husband went on a cross country trip visiting national parks in 2001, the year before he passed away. She’s donating her $2500 prize money to a church. It would be hard to imagine a more heartfelt entry. Here she is at work.

Naomi’s work is all hand quilted and some of it comes from photos she took during visits. Here’s a close-up of the photographic-type central panel. The smaller panels are gorgeous, too.

Believe it or not, this was Naomi’s first complete quilt!

Naomi continues to visit national parks. Her most recent visit was to Cape Lookout in November (see photo below).

We are excited about celebrating this important anniversary with you and we hope that you will find the three days of activities planned just for this occasion interesting and worth a trip back to the Smokies.

A complete schedule of events and registration information are available on the 75th anniversary website: http://www.greatsmokies75th.org under Employees & Alumni.

The reunion is open to anyone who is currently working or has ever worked at the park — as a National Park Service employee, Great Smoky Mountains Association employee, partner, volunteer, or CCC worker. Families are also welcome.

One of the Great Smoky Mountains’ most remarkable residents was Aden Carver, born at Smokemont in 1844. Carver lived to be 101 years old. He was a farmer, craftsman, millwright, and deacon of the Oconaluftee Baptist Church.

He lived through 5 American Wars. During the Civil War he served in the Confederate Homeguard. He was rejected when he tried to enlist for World War I (at age 76). At the age of 90, however, he was allowed to join the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).

At 92 he helped restore Mingus Mill, which he’d helped build in 1885-86. The secret to a long life? “Staying on my feet and working hard,” said Carver.

Here’s a photo of Aden Carver, 1844-1945, with the rocking chair he built.

A rocker made by Aden is in the park’s historical artifact collection. In honor of the Park’s 75th, Randy Ogle has reproduced Aden’s fine chair.

Randy’s family has been making chairs for three generations. Each rocker is made from solid maple with a hand-woven seat and is signed by Mr. Ogle. Click on the photo below to watch Randy work on a rocker and explain about his craft.