CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Partners of the Cherokee National Forest are sponsoring an event on Thursday, Nov. 13, to raise funds to help protect the threatened eastern hemlock from a destructive insect.

"The Hemlock Special" event will feature a three-hour afternoon train ride into the Cherokee National Forest and over the Historic Hiwassee Rail Loop.

A reception with hors d'oeuvres, beverages, and a silent auction will follow at Hiwassee Preserve in Reliance, Tenn.

The vintage passenger train will depart from Hiwassee Preserve at Reliance at 2 p.m. and return at 5 p.m. The reception will follow from 5 to 7 p.m.

Cherokee National Forest employees will be onboard the train to answer questions about the flora and fauna of the Hiwassee River Gorge.

Retired CSX employees will also be on board to discuss the history of the Old Line Railroad, the railroad over which the trains will run. Free parking is available at Hiwassee Preserve. The Historic Railroad Watchman's House will also be open for tours.

The insect attacking the eastern hemlocks is the hemlock woolly adelgid. Partners of the Cherokee National Forest are working with the Forest Service (Cherokee National Forest), University of Tennessee Department of Entomology, Tennessee Division of Forestry, and natural resource specialists to help combat this threat.

Partners of the Cherokee National Forest is a non-profit organization made up of people from East Tennessee. Its mission is to provide support for the Cherokee National Forest in caring for the land and serving people.

The group has also raised funds for projects that range from restoring chestnuts to the forest to developing the hiking section of the Unicoi Turnpike Trail.

The Partners recently assisted with a native and non-native plant survey on 5,000 acres in Monroe County and 41 miles of horseback riding trails in six east Tennessee Counties. Partners are also working with local governments and volunteers in Unicoi County to rehabilitate the Historic Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower.

Sam Brocato, director for Partners of the Cherokee National Forest, said, "The threat to our eastern hemlocks is of great concern to us and it is a high priority project for our organization."

Tickets are $75 per person and seating is limited. Checks payable to Partners of the Cherokee National Forest can be mailed to Bill Williams, Rhyne Clock Company, PO Box 709, Newport, Tenn. 37822.

For more information, call the Tennessee Overhill Heritage Association at 423-263-7232.