Holly Kays

waynesville, north carolina, united states

Publications:

ssmliv.com

ssmokieslife.org

ssmokymountainnews.com

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About

I'm excited to announce the publication of my second book, "Trailblazers & Traditionalists: Modern-Day Smoky Mountain People." It consists of 33 pieces profiling some of the many fascinating people who call the Smoky Mountains home. Find out how to get it (as well as my debut novel "Shadows of Flowers") at www.adventuringwithjesus.wordpress.com.

Featured Articles

Word from the Smokies: Curious kids keep the letter writers busy

Word from the Smokies: Curious kids keep the letter writers busy What do rangers eat for lunch? How did the Great Smoky Mountains get their name? Do rangers have to feed the bears? Are there alligators in the park? What about moose? Dolphins? “The kids re... See more

smokymountainnews.com•Holly Kays•Jan 6, 2026

Curious kids keep the Smokies' volunteer letter writers busy

What do rangers eat for lunch? How did the Great Smoky Mountains get their name? Do rangers have to feed the bears? Are there alligators in the park? What about moose? Dolphins? “The kids really want to know,” said Scott Young, a volunteer at Great Smoky ... See more

smokieslife.org•Holly Kays•Jan 5, 2026

Word from the Smokies: Backcountry rangers hike to help

Word from the Smokies: Backcountry rangers hike to help Backcountry rangers Lydia Williams and Jordan Gibeault have almost reached their destination, Kephart Prong Shelter, when they purposefully veer off trail. They descend a slight hill, emerge into a s... See more

smokymountainnews.com•Holly Kays•Dec 17, 2025

Backcountry rangers hike to help

Backcountry rangers Lydia Williams and Jordan Gibeault have almost reached their destination, Kephart Prong Shelter, when they purposefully veer off-trail. They descend a slight hill, emerge into a small creekside clearing, and immediately turn their atte... See more

smokieslife.org•Holly Kays•Dec 15, 2025

Lifelong devotion to the Smokies drove departing board chair's service

Geoff Cantrell can’t help but love Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It’s written into his DNA. On his mother’s side, the trait traces back eight generations to Hazel Creek, where his ancestors Moses and Patience Proctor were the first European settler... See more

smokieslife.org•Holly Kays•Dec 8, 2025

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Bachelor Of Arts, Creative Writing, English at Virginia TechGraduated: 2011

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Holly Kays

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Featured Articles

Word from the Smokies: Curious kids keep the letter writers busy

Curious kids keep the Smokies' volunteer letter writers busy

Word from the Smokies: Backcountry rangers hike to help

Backcountry rangers hike to help

Lifelong devotion to the Smokies drove departing board chair's service

Is this you?

Social Media

Education

Connect with journalists.

Connect with journalists.

Social Media

Education

Featured Articles

Word from the Smokies: Curious kids keep the letter writers busy

Curious kids keep the Smokies' volunteer letter writers busy

Word from the Smokies: Backcountry rangers hike to help

Backcountry rangers hike to help

Lifelong devotion to the Smokies drove departing board chair's service