What happened to September, it was Labor Day one day and the next day it's officially Fall! Is it just me or was that one fast 30 days this year?  The chapter meeting in September at the "Original Calhoun's" was an excellent working meeting with plans and ideas for the future discussed and solidified. The staff could not have been any nicer and the food was great, hats off to the manager Toby and his crew at Calhouns! The campout at Smokemont was outstanding as usual, the crowd was a little smaller with weather concerns for some, but in fact Friday was the only all day rain. Saturday and Sunday were beautiful with the first of Fall's leaves on the ground, a little chill at night, and the field outside the campground filled with the elk and their babies. The Women on the Water event on the Clinch River just this last weekend was sponsored by the Clinch River TU chapter. Our own chapter and board member April Burt took part in this event and from what I understand there were 19 women in attendance, with a waiting list. We will have April give a report at the next meeting about that great event.

October looks like a repeat of last month with many events going on in our area please follow the calendar in this email and the website at http://greatsmokymountain.tu.org/ for details and updates.

Now to the meat and potatoes of this month, as you saw in the short e-blast this week we have been afforded a great opportunity to build the chapter budget from the folks at Bass Pro. I had approached them about doing a fundraiser thru the hot dog sale at their front door and they could not have been any quicker to accept and help. I had originally told the board we were discussing October 17th, but Bass Pro came back and said the Boy Scouts had that date so now we are jumping forward to Saturday, the 10th of October. It's a UT weekend but if you know that store it rocks every weekend and may not affect us at all with the constant flow of tourists and hunters with their families that flock to the store on weekends.

As I mentioned in the e-blast any help from you the members whether donations or discounts on hot dogs-chips-drinks would help lower our costs. I also added just as important was your help in manning the booth out front under the large Bass Pro porch. If you can donate a couple hours or a few dollars any and all help would be appreciated, this event will go on rain or shine. We need people to help sell the dogs, take the cash, and most of all talk to people about what TU means to you and our area.

If you can help shoot me an email to john711111@yahoo.com or call me at 865-556-3141 for any questions or clarifications.

Last items of interest,  I received a call from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Wednesday asking if GSM TU would be interested in setting up a table next week Tuesday October 6th from 5PM to 7PM at the Ijams Nature Center for their Ft. Loudoun Lake Watershed Event. I asked the two questions that is my TU mantra "What will it cost and what time do I need to be there?" They responded with "Free and 5:00 PM"; with that answer my usual reply "I'm in, see ya Tuesday October 6th!"

A different crowd from our usual contacts but that is great, I always enjoy fishing a new pond and who knows where it will lead. If you want to attend,  just come out and enjoy meeting new people, talking about TU, and the added perk of refreshments and  possible door prizes.

This month's letter is a little longer so please read the event notices and calendar here and on the web page. We are moving forward each month in our chapter, just remember "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at at a time!" Thanks for your support and as always: "Get involved, it's your chapter!"

John Reinhardt

President

Great Smoky Mountain TU #047

email: john711111@yahoo.com