The Parkway Sentinel - Volume 2, Issue 8 - September 2006
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
linda_kassar at friendsbrp.org
Thu Sep 14 13:39:12 EDT 2006
The Parkway Sentinel - News from the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 8
September 2006
This Month's Features-
-Message from FRIENDS Director
-Volunteers In Parks - Special Events
-NEW Blue Ridge Parkway Post Card Book to fund FRIENDS Projects
-Volunteer Spotlight
-Adopt-A-Trail Groups Trail Dates
-YOU can help!
-Parkway Funding
-Donate or HELP Support FRIENDS
Greetings!
FRIENDS and the Blue Ridge Parkway 2006 Photo Contest
Time is running out!
FRIENDS and the Blue Ridge Parkway are sponsoring an Amateur Photo Contest! Entries will be accepted through September 30, 2006. By entering the 2006 Photo Contest, adults and young people can share their talents, memories and simply beautiful Parkway snapshots. This is one more way to get involved this summer with the Blue Ridge Parkway! Forward this email to your friends to get involved!
I would like to donate to help preserve the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Our National Treasure, the Blue Ridge Parkway!
August 14, 2006 - FRIENDS Executive Director, Susan Jackson Mills, Ph.D. made a presentation before the Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, and EPA, when the Council on Environmental Quality announced the Second Series of Listening Sessions on Cooperative Conservation at Roanoke College, Salem, Virginia.
Message from FRIENDS Director
I know that you are committed to the Blue Ridge Parkway, as I am.
The purpose of the listening sessions are to give citizens an opportunity to exchange ideas, partnership initiatives and regulations that can improve results and promote cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships. It is imperative, as a representative of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway's 7,500 members, that I speak out about our beloved park's imminent needs. I encourage you to make your voice heard and to submit your request for additional funding support.
FRIENDS asked Deputy Lynn Scarlett to take a closer look at the "state of the Blue Ridge Parkway," its needs, and the funding provided. By 2008, if action is not taken, the Blue Ridge Parkway will face even greater repercussions as today we have 52 vacated Parkway positions. Over $3 million is needed to fill the current 52 vacant positions.
The loss of staff results in over-grown vistas; reduced mowing and general maintenance; fewer services at campgrounds; visitor services opening later and later each year; resource planning and professional services reduced, such as implementation of park general management plan; compliance issues that cannot be dealt with and landscape architects for the encroachment of development are not available to work with FRIENDS to complete plans for viewshed restoration work.
The Blue Ridge Parkway must manage, with lack of funds, over 100 trails with over 350 miles of trail, 123 miles of rail fences, 151 bridges, 26 tunnels, 270 overlooks, 246 public use buildings, 13 visitor centers, 11 picnic areas, 9 campgrounds, 270 private and public crossings and accesses with 63 crossings with no grade separation, over 14,000 signs, linear park of 469 miles made up of 81,054 acres and 2,135 acres of scenic easements and serving over 20 million visitors annually.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited park with approximately 20 million visitors annually, yet the Parkway appears to rank lowest in receiving federal funding. FRIENDS requests the Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, EPA, Council on Environmental Quality to review the formula or criteria which determines the amount of funding provided to a park. FRIENDS recommends their reviewing "how visitation" is incorporated into this formula. If America's most scenic drive and the most visited park nationally receives the least amount of funding, this suggests that the formula for park funding needs to be revised.
In addition, the economic impact of the Blue Ridge Parkway to the 29 counties and two states was asked to be closely studied in consideration for additional funding for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
PDF File National Parks Tout Their Economic Benefits, Internal Study Credits Parks with Generating $10 Billion and 236,000 Jobs
The Secretaries of Interior, Commerce and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality today announced the dates and locations of the second set of listening sessions on cooperative conservation and environmental partnerships. For details on the listening session dates and locations please visit Cooperative Conservation
PDF File List of Listening Sessions
PDF File Contact Information to Make your Voice Heard!
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway hosted the meeting of the Blue Ridge Parkway Partner Council in Roanoke on August 16 and 17, 2006.
FRIENDS' invited Pete Larkin, District Director for Virginia's Congressman Bob Goodlatte, to make a presentation on Effective Advocacy from Congress Perspective for the BRP Partner Council members. Under the area of action that can be taken and will make a difference, Larkin' noted strongly, "All Partner Council members can go back to their constituency and recommend the writing of personal letters to their representatives. Their letters go a long way to make a difference! Individuals may not realize that their personal letters about why the Parkway is meaningful to them will result in additional support to the Parkway. Their letters are read and they do make a difference!"
Tell them you are a member of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway!
To call your Member of Congress: US Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121
To locate your Member on-line: U.S. House of Representatives / U.S. Senate
White House website
Library of Congress website: Comprehensive information about Congress, including legislation, committees, and Member information. Also provides links to other judicial and administrative branches as well as state and local governments.
Volunteers In Parks - Special Events
For more Blue Ridge Parkway Special Events and Blue Ridge Parkway information, go here.
Humpback Rocks - see the poster: Blue Ridge Parkway, Milepost 5.8
September 16 - 1pm-4pm - SPINNING DEMONSTRATION, "Yesterday and Today" with Janet Fischer, professional spinner. No charge.
September 17 - 2pm-4pm - ROUGH But NATURAL String Band, providing old time traditional tunes, songs, & flat-footing. Bring your own lawn chair. No charge.
September 23 - 2pm-4pm - BLUE GRACE Blue Grass & Gospel Band, offering toe-tapping tunes to lift the spirit and fill the heart. Bring your own lawn chair. No charge.
September 24 - 2pm-4pm - SONGS & STORIES with Steve & Sandy Parks, Steve is a luthier and outstanding Appalachian dulcimer and mandolin player, as well as "tin can banjo" inventor. Sandy is an accomplished story teller. Bring your own lawn chair. No charge.
September 30 - 10:30am-12pm - APPALACHIAN DULCIMER WORKSHOP for first time and beginner players. Dulcimers provided. Please call 540-943-4716 to register. No fee.
September 30 - 1pm-4pm - Buckingham LINING BAR GANG, made up of African-American railroad maintenance crew veterans, recreates traditional work songs. The interactive performance includes storytelling and lectures, as well as track lining demonstrations and singing. Bring your own lawn chair. This event made possible by a grant to FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway from the VIRGINIA FOUNDATION FOR THE HUMANITIES. No charge.
For more information, and events for October, go to: Humpback Rocks Special Events.
Roanoke Mountain Music
Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 120.4 (Mill Mountain Spur Road) - Roanoke Mountain Music Programs are presented weekly. Selections of traditional music will be played by local musicians at the Roanoke Mountain Campground on Sundays, 5:00 - 6:00 pm. Admission is free. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Picnic fare permitted but alcohol is not.
THE PERFORMERS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SEASON ARE:
a.. September 24 - The Moor Hounds
b.. October 1 - Virginia Homestead
c.. October 8 - Olen and Frances Gardner and Friends
FRIENDS' co-sponsors The Musical Heritage of the Blue Ridge Series at the Blue Ridge Music Center
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is Co-sponsoring a Special Series of Lecture/Concerts and Workshops presented by the National Park Service and National Council for Traditional Arts at the Blue Ridge Music Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway, milepost 212.5
Lecture/Concert and Workshop Series
Sundays September 24, and October 1, 8, and 15;
Lecture/Concerts: 1pm-2pm; Blue Ridge Music Center Indoor Theater
Workshops: 3pm-6pm; Blue Ridge Music Center Classroom
Lecture/Concerts
Many people have delved deep into the region to explore the roots and diversity of Blue Ridge music. Experience this rare opportunity to learn the stories of these songs and the people who play them during these special programs.
Reservation and Ticket Information
Call 276-236-5309 for all advance ticket sales and workshop reservations.
Lecture/Concert Series
Sundays, September 24-October 15; 1pm-2pm
Tickets $5.00 per person
Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance. Seating is limited to 100 for each program, so be sure to get to the Music Center early or call ahead and reserve a seat.
Workshops
Sundays, September 24-October 15; 3pm-6pm
Pre-registration required.
Participation fee $40.00 per person per workshop. Fee includes free admission to lecture/concert.
Registration must be made at least one week in advance. Participation is limited to 15 people per workshop.
For more information, go to: Blue Ridge Music Center
Bass Lake at Moses Cone:
October 28th - Creepy Halloween Night Hike: Meet at Bass Lake off of Rt. 221 near Blowing Rock, NC for a night hike focusing on stories and creatures of the night. Two tours will leave from the Bass Lake parking area at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. For more information call 828-295-6308.
NC Museum of Minerals MP 331:
Thursday, September 14th - Saturday, September 16th Overmountain Victory Celebration: A celebration of the Revolutionary War at the NC Museum of Minerals (milepost 331).
September 14 - 15 (9am-2pm) Special demonstrations for area schools. Reservations are required - call 828-765-1228.
September 15 - 16 (7pm-9pm) Ranger led candlelight tours of the encampment site. Open to the public.
For more Blue Ridge Parkway Special Events, go to: National Park Service - Special Events
Our Online Store
NEW Blue Ridge Parkway Postcard History Series by Karen Hall
As a history buff, I believe in preservation of the past for the future. That is why I chose FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway to be a part of the postcard book, The Blue Ridge Parkway. FRIENDS' focus is on preservation, protection, and education. I believe that without education of the public, we cannot preserve beautiful natural assets like the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Visiting the Parkway for an afternoon picnic was part of my life. It was just a natural tendency for me to lean towards collecting postcards pertaining to the Parkway once I became hooked on them. It is so much fun to see how they were made and marketed in the hay day of our National Parks' creation. This hobby combines my love of nature and my love of history.
The Blue Ridge Parkway was created by forging a road through beautiful mountain land in the 1930's. This is an American original. The idea began in 1872 and was a radical idea at the time. Several other countries now have scenic byways modeled after our "Scenic".
Maintaining such a large park is very expensive. Without volunteers many of the national parks would be closed to the public or sold for revenue. Needless to say, the Blue Ridge Parkway could not survive without volunteers like FRIENDS.
My educational career began in the Carroll County School system. I graduated from Carroll County High School in 1986. Then I studied at Surry Community College in Dobson, North Carolina, graduating with an AS and AA in the college transfer program. In 2002, I graduated from John Wesley College with a BA in Management and Ethics. Then, in 2004, I graduated from Salem College with a BA in Chemistry. Salem College is one of the oldest institutions for the education of women in America and is located within Old Salem, a living, working, revolutionary village in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
By trade I am an Environmental Chemist, working for the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. We encourage environmental stewardship. It is a necessity for progressive business. In conjunction with my passions, FRIENDS encompasses stewardship by conserving the natural and cultural heritage of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Visit Our Online Store
Volunteer Spotlight
JOE ANDERSON & GRAY PELL
BRINEGAR DAYS - CART HORSE
Joe Anderson trains cart horses himself and uses them on his farm to plow, mow, rake and bale hay. Originally he used horses instead of tractors because he had to, and now he uses them because he wants to. There are still a few farmers in the region who use horses, but it is a dying tradition. He and Gray Pell hope that by doing these demonstrations more people will fall in love with the horses and try to keep the tradition alive.
Joe and Gray, along with the horse, have been volunteering their time and passing on their knowledge and skill at the Brinegar Days festival for over six years. They believe it is much better for younger people who do not remember a time before engine powered vehicles to see and learn these old-time methods hands-on. Only in that way will they realize and appreciate the history of farming in the area.
They both think that it is important to have places of natural beauty preserved like the Blue Ridge Parkway. They also believe that it is important to keep the old traditions and pace of life alive for all visitors to see.
I would like to donate to help the Volunteers in Parks.
Adopt-A-Trail Groups' Trail Dates:
FRIENDS' Fishers Peak Chapter
All dates are Saturdays - Beginning at 8am: September 9 and September 23
Volunteers must sign up in advance by contacting: Dottie Bramley Email:pdbramley at valink.com Telephone: (276) 236-7658 Volunteers bring a sack lunch, if you would like to eat together after the trail work.
Carolina Mountain Club
The trail day on Saturday August 19 was a success! If you missed the fun, we will give you another opportunity on November 4.
Purpose of outing - Extend the MST from Cascade/ Woodfin Overlook (mile 447 on BRP) south toward Soco Gap. No experience needed. Tools will be supplied.
Volunteers must sign up in advance by contacting: Piet Bodenhorst - Email: pboden at bellsouth.net Telephone: 828-298-8371
Mountains-to-Sea Trail
During the week of September 9-16, 2006, the FMST and American Hiking Society will host a Volunteer Vacation on the Blue Ridge Parkway between NC-18 and NC-16 to construct the MST.
Volunteers must sign up in advance by contacting: Jeff Brewer - Email: pboden at bellsouth.net Telephone: 919-868-6274
YOU Can Help!
PDF Parkway Seeks Input for Exotic Plant Management Plan/Environment Assessment
Parkway Funding
FRIENDS is working to raise much-needed funds for the Blue Ridge Parkway. FRIENDS members signed 1,090 petitions that have been forwarded to Senate and House representatives to help the Blue Ridge Parkway.
To help:
Join FRIENDS / Donate to a Parkway Project / Sign a Petition
Donate or HELP support FRIENDS
Help Us Preserve the Legacy
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers young and old, together, the opportunity to connect with friends and family to save the Blue Ridge Parkway for their continuing enjoyment - and for future generations.
The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is America's most scenic drive encompassing 469 miles traversing 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. Over 20 million people touch its borders annually - making it America's most frequented park treasure!
By joining Preserving the Legacy you will be supporting projects that will protect this extraordinary Parkway and adjacent land and views for yourselves and for future generations. FRIENDS is an official National Park Service partner. Please join us by choosing one of our deserving Programs today!
If you wish to make bequests in your will to the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, please send us this: FRIENDS Blue Ridge Parkway Legacy.
Please forward this e-newsletter to anyone you feel would be interested! If this message was forwarded to you by a friend, you can receive your own subscription by visiting our web site.
Donation Page
If you have any questions, please contact us
Copyright © 2006 FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway
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