FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway eNewsletter
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This Month's Features Parkway News Comment Period for General Management Plan Building a Bridge on the Parkway Chapter News
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving and protecting the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure. FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose current principal business address for identification purposes is P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018. Editor: Kitty Coleman, Director of Marketing and Programs, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Contributing Writer: Tom Morgan, FRIENDS Board Member
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Overheard at the Gas Pump...by Tom Morgan, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Board Member Dear Friend, Adding it up - like his favorite Sugar Tree Inn, a few days’ gourmet food, Bill figured it might cost another $700 in room and food, not counting the carved black bear at the roadside market near Linville. “Flying to Mouse World, we’ll spend nights in an over-priced hotel, eat over-priced food, wait in lines for rides and to get our picture taken with Mickey, and come home sun-burned. Last time we went, it cost us over $1000 in food, room, and rides.” Bill didn’t bring up the nightmare of running out of gas in their rental car on their frantic drive back to the airport. “Bill, I can take something for my airsickness. But, we’ll still have to drive two hours to Charlotte, park, haul our bags onto the bus, wait in the airport security line, then wait again in the gate for boarding. Two more hours in a cramped, hot airplane - maybe sitting next to a screaming baby, with nothing but peanuts. Gee, I just don’t want to fly. What’s there to do on the Parkway?” Since he had just met with the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Bill had the Parkway on his mind. His litter team had picked up trash; they had heard a presentation from Ranger Ann on the great things happening on the Parkway this spring. “We can take our sweet time and stop wherever we want, check out scenic overlooks, look for Monarchs. Even take some hikes. At Milepost 417, we can pick up the trailhead to Skinny Dip Falls. I hear it’s beautiful there.” Lotta thought about cruising down the Parkway with the Carolina rhodo-dendrons in bloom; lunch at the Pisgah Inn, hiking Grandfather Mountain, exploring Mount Mitchell, visiting Peaks of Otter, or Ravens Roost, shopping at the Folk Art Center. And, the new Parkway Destination Center with its I-Wall was now open near Asheville. And Skinny Dip Falls? The Blue Ridge Parkway - 469 “smiles” of sights, bird sounds, animal sightings, visitor centers, scenic overlooks. No curt TSA agents, bad airport food, crying babies, or cramped seats. So what if gas is four bucks? “Honey, there’s campfire programs, guided walks, camping, picnicking, and miles of historic roadway to explore. Let’s go!” Ukrops Golden Gift ProgramUkrops Golden Gift points are landing in mailboxes this month! Don't forget to send FRIENDS your Valued Customer Card points! By donating your points to FRIENDS, you will ensure the continuation of Parkway programs and
Parkway News
Comment Period for Parkway General Management PlanBlue Ridge Parkway officials are extending the public comment period for the General Management Plan Alternatives Newsletter to May 31. Click here to read more about the critical decisions in this Plan. To go directly to the document, visit http://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsList.cfm?parkId=355&projectId=10419 As its number one goal, the National Park Service hopes to encourage its park partner groups to engage children in nature. FRIENDS has always had this same goal, and as FRIENDS celebrates 20 years of supporting the Parkway, it is fervently responding to the Park Service with its Children in Nature Initiative. FRIENDS hopes to help our children become more connected to the natural world and therefore reap the physical and mental health benefits so important for our children.
If you would like to support FRIENDS efforts to replace screen spaces with green places, please click on the Donate button below to make your contribution to FRIENDS Save Parkway Views and help us bring the children outdoors to plant seedlings on the Parkway to protect its scenic views.
FRIENDS applauds other park groups and organizations who are working to bring this critical issue to the attention of the American public. To read more about how FRIENDS youth volunteers support projects on the Parkway, click here. Building a Bridge on the ParkwayFive students currently enrolled in Averett University's Master of Business Administration program decided to give back to the Roanoke community as part of a class project. The group, along with help from others, built a bridge on the Roanoke Valley Horse Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway on Saturday, April 26, 2008. As part of the project the group managed the planning, organizing and raising of money for the construction of the new bridge. They secured donations from Norfolk Southern, who will provide matching funds, the employees of Thomas Rutherfoord, and the remaining donations came from the group. Global Youth Services Day(Asheville)—Saturday, April 26, hundreds of area youth gathered in Roanoke (Va.) to participate in Global Youth Services Day, the largest service event in the world. The young people volunteered in 20 different service projects, ranging from painting to landscaping to spending time with senior citizens, with a happiness and joy in their hearts about helping out their community. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. partnered with Family Service of Roanoke Valley for this year’s Global Youth Service Day. On Saturday, April Thirteen volunteers took up their buckets and gloves and picked up garbage at the Chestnut Ridge and Gum Springs Overlooks. Despite some slight rain, the volunteers enjoyed their afternoon on the Parkway. Steadman Soles, 13, commented, “If felt really good to help out.” Family Service and FRIENDS look forward to partnering together for additional projects for youth in the future. With visits to the Parkway increasing, it makes sense to support FRIENDS' programs such as Saving Parkway Views and Volunteers in Parks (VIP). Help us keep the Blue Ridge Parkway a beautiful vacation destination for tens of thousands of visitors each year! Click on the button below to make a contribution.
Chapter News
Fisher Peak Chapter
- The Fisher Peak chapter has a workday planned for Saturday (May 17th) which will include a cookout at 1:00 following the work. The chapter will be working on the landscaping around the stage area of the Blue Ridge Music Center. Meet on the service road behind the amphitheater at 9:00 a.m. If you would like to help, email Dottie Bramley at pdbramley@valink.com or call her at 276-236-7658 to let her know if you would like to bring a dessert, chips, drinks, or a salad for the cookout. Roanoke Valley Chapter - The Roanoke Valley Chapter is planning a major reorganization and is looking for new members to expand the chapter. For more information regarding the Roanoke Valley Chapter, contact the FRIENDS office at staff@friendsbrp.org for more details about a general membership meeting this summer. Rocky Knob Chapter - Join the Rocky Knob Chapter at Milepost 166.5 on May 19 and May 27 at 9:00 a.m. to repair snake fences (rain cancels). The chapter needs several pick up trucks and wire cutters. Contact Gloria Hilton at gjhilton1@yahoo.com if you would like to help. The chapter will have water and snack bars available. Wear heavy shoes, gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants. All You Have to Do Is Act Naturally, from the Parkland News, May 2008 Author Says Kids Need to Spend More Time Outside, from The Washington Post,
April 20, 2008 When was the last time you built a treehouse or studied a worm slithering along? How about the last time you embarked on a make-believe adventure in your yard or hung from a tree branch, daydreaming about what you'll be when you grow up? If it's been a while, Richard Louv would like to change that. Louv, an author and nature lover, says kids don't spend enough time outside. As a result, they lose out on the benefits of nature. Full Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041800786.html For a message from the Executive Director of National Park Trust, click on the March 2008 newsletter column, Parkland Perspectives.
National Trails Day American Hiking Society's signature trail awareness program, National Trails Day® (NTD), inspires the public and trail enthusiasts nationwide to seek out their favorite trails to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in educational exhibits, trail dedications, gear demonstrations, instructional workshops and trail work projects. For more information on this summer's National Trail Days, please click on the link below: Donate or HELP Support FRIENDSHelp Us Preserve the LegacyFRIENDS 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! 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 contacting us here. If you have any questions, please Contact Us. |
Bill and Lotta were planning a trip this spring. “We can fly to Disneyworld, or we can drive the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway,” Lotta said. “Orlando is about $475 roundtrip. We can drive the Parkway for a few days, and do some sight-seeing along the way. That’s about $225 in gas money. Bill, what do you want to do?”
Through its Volunteers in the Parks (VIP) Program, FRIENDS engages, today’s young people. The VIP program includes the Junior Ranger Program and the Youth VIP programs. FRIENDS’ Save Parkway Views Program plants trees and restores the Parkway views and inspires youth to get involved. As a result, the Blue Ridge Parkway has designated FRIENDS’ events as the Junior Ranger events for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
to dismount on the heavily used trail and walk through a creek. The students constructed an 18' x 6' wooden bridge suitable for pedestrian and horse traffic. The completed bridge will accommodate up to 6500 lbs.
26th, youth from all over the Roanoke area gathered together from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to work on different projects which included cleaning overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 
National Trails Day will be celebrated on June 7, 2008. If you want to work on the trails, pick up litter, build bridges, repair fences, or just help support the Blue Ridge Parkway, contact the FRIENDS office at staff@friendsbrp.org for a list of events on that date.