New Fudge Shop Will Provide Guests With Entertainment
As Well as Confections
A
new, larger Fudge Shop is under construction between
the Museum and Habitats. The new layout will allow
for more interaction between the fudge makers and
the guests, and the eco-friendly design will reduce
Grandfather's carbon footprint by using the sun to
heat water. Read
more about it.
Winds
Top 100 mph For The First Time since New Anemometer Went
Up One Year Ago
On February 10, wind gusts recorded by the new anemometer
located on the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather
Mountain broke 100 mph. It was the first time since the
new wind equipment was installed on February 15, 2007 that
the winds crossed the century mark, supporting the expert's
claims that the location of the old equipment had been recording
inflated wind speed numbers. Read more
about it.
Mountain
Profile: Reesa Vance
Reesa
Vance came to Grandfather Mountain in 1989 to help
create a restaurant facility at the new Nature Museum.
After 18 years of managing Mildred's Grill, Reesa
is "retiring." But industrious person that
she is, Reesa will still be working part-time so she
can keep in touch with the many good friends she has
made here at Grandfather Mountain. Read
more about Reesa Vance.
White
Junco?
Jesse Pope captured this photo of a Dark Eyed Junco with white feathers on February 11 and posted his picture on the Carolina Bird Club's web page.
When Pope referred to the bird as a partial albino, his post started a lively exchange about "albinism" and "leucism."
Leucism is a condition characterized by reduced pigmentation in animals. Unlike albinism, it is caused by a reduction in all types of skin pigment, not just melanin.
One way to tell the difference is to look at eyes. Albinos have red eyes because of the lack of melanin in the iris. Leucistic animals have normal color in their eyes.
"The Dark-eyed Junco on Grandfather did not have reduced pigment in any features but the feathers," Pope said. "It has turned out to be a pretty interesting topic, and I was amazed at how many birders got involved in the conversation."
A
new, larger Fudge Shop is under construction between
the Museum and Habitats. The new layout will allow
for more interaction between the fudge makers and
the guests, and the eco-friendly design will reduce
Grandfather's carbon footprint by using the sun to
heat water. 
On February 10, wind gusts recorded by the new anemometer
located on the Mile High Swinging Bridge at Grandfather
Mountain broke 100 mph. It was the first time since the
new wind equipment was installed on February 15, 2007 that
the winds crossed the century mark, supporting the expert's
claims that the location of the old equipment had been recording
inflated wind speed numbers. 
Reesa
Vance came to Grandfather Mountain in 1989 to help
create a restaurant facility at the new Nature Museum.
After 18 years of managing Mildred's Grill, Reesa
is "retiring." But industrious person that
she is, Reesa will still be working part-time so she
can keep in touch with the many good friends she has
made here at Grandfather Mountain. 
