High Vistas Newsletter Spring/Summer 2010

H i g H V i stas Newsletter of FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway, Inc. a n n i v e r s a r y

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Ravens Roost View, Pat and Chuck Blackley Photographers

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dedicated to increased environmental education and awareness of the Blue Ridge Parkway and corridor

FRIENDS Non-Event Gala to Celebrate the Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversar y

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he Ken Burns film, “the National Parks: America’s Best Idea” brought our attention back to our parks! How many times do we take for granted our parks with their rich scenic beauty? with the 75th anniversary of the Blue ridge Parkway, everywhere we look Parkway communities are celebrating our park’s anniversary.

FrIeNDs is asking our members and volunteers to participate in a creative way to donate to FrIeNDs, celebrate the Parkway’s 75th anniversary and fund FrIeNDs’ Parkway programs … through our Non-event Gala! this creative idea is a way for you to make a donation to

www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org

FrIeNDs that can be enjoyed for genera generations to come. Your grandchildren will thank you! everyone who purchases a $25 ticket to the Non-event Gala has the opportunity to win incredible prizes! the grand prize is a “taste of the Blue ridge” experiential weekend at the reserve at lake Keowee, on september 25-26th or a similar weekend of your choice this fall. with a membership of more than 550 families from 30 different states, the reserve at lake Keowee is a lake, mountain and golf community stretching across 3,900 acres including 30 miles of shoreline on lake Keowee in Upcountry south Carolina.

Created by Greenwood Communities and resorts, the reserve offers more than $100 million in completed, familyfriendly amenities, including a 200slip Marina, Village Center complete with Guest House and a Jack Nicklaus signature Golf Course and more than 1,400 acres of parks, preserves, trails and green space. Your weekend at the reserve will include a two-night stay in the reserve’s exclusive Guest House, a $200 credit to enjoy the community’s amenities, and an incredible time at the community’s annual Fall Festival on september 25-26, which, this year, is themed to celebrate continued on page 2

Continued from front cover. the 75th Anniversary of the Parkway. learn more about the reserve by visiting its web site, www.reserveatkeowee.com or blog www.lifeonKeowee.com.

Other prizes include a four-night stay for four in a private 2-bedroom villa at Chetola resort in Blowing rock, North Carolina and a certificate for free lodging at Balsam Mountain Inn in Balsam, North Carolina. see FrIeNDs website at www.

BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org for a complete list of prizes.

Creative ways for all of us to experience the 75th anniversary makes this a celebration for everyone! Now for the best part – you do not need to come to the Gala.

For this special event, we’re not spending

money on decorations, fabulous food or a Bluegrass band. You don’t have to pay for a new dress, a tux or travel to attend.

Actually, there is no party and 100% of the ticket sales go to benefit projects to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Blue ridge Parkway!

You will need only to purchase your tickets. we have enclosed an envelope to make it easy for you to purchase your tickets! this way we are not spending money to make money. even though there is no party, you can still WIN a great door prize. each $25 ticket purchased makes you eligible to win a prize. Purchase as many tickets as you want for $25 each. so, stay at home and relax — put your feet up and make a difference for the Blue

ridge Parkway by writing a check for FrIeNDs’ Non-event Gala!

Your gift to FrIeNDs’ will provide support to important programs, such as Volunteers in Parks, Adopt-A-trail, save Parkway Views, and youth programs such as Youth Volunteers in Parks and Junior ranger program. Your donation is tax deductible.

Use the enclosed envelope to send your gift to FrIeNDs and note Non-event Gala on your check. A ticket with your name on it for every $25 you send will be placed in our ticket Bowl. Only donations received by August 27th will be eligible for the drawing. Drawings will be held september 1, 2010 at the FrIeNDs’ Office.

FRIENDS Annual Golf Classic

Ballyhack Golf Course, Roanoke, Virginia

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irginia Tech Head Football Coach Frank Beamer, Ballyhack Golf Club (www.ballyhackgolfclub. com) and The Shenandoah Club in Roanoke are proud to host the 1st Annual Golf Classic on May 29, 2010 at Ballyhack Golf Club. Plan to attend for a day of truly unique golf and social activity to celebrate the Blue Ridge Parkway’s 75th anniversary. Discover your opportunity to honor the past and shape the future.

The fee for an individual player is $300 and only $1,000 for a foursome. Tickets include the Kick-Off Reception hosted

by Sheraton Roanoke Hotel & Conference Center with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar the prior evening, May 28, for players to meet and socialize. The fee for non-golfers to attend the reception is $25. Check out our website at www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS. org to register or call 800.228.PARK (7275).

Limited to the first 100 players!

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Experience the Blue Ridge Parkway Evening & Dinner The Shenandoah Club will host the venues. Since 1893, the Club has provided “Experience The Blue Ridge Parkway” members with a quiet and luxurious evening that will touch all senses: sight, setting for lunches, dinner, receptions, sound, feel and taste. At the reception you will step foot into the “live stage” to experience unique venues of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s storied heritage and budding Parkway future. An award winning storyteller will captivate your imagination from “jack tales” to history, and John Carlin, John Carlin Agency; Susan Mills, Friends interpretive figures from the Executive Director; Coach Frank Beamer, VA Tech; and Superintendent, Phil Francis, Blue Ridge Parkway, at the past will move amidst you as Press Conference announcing these events. artists paint and a creative palate of local food tantalizes your taste. business meetings, educational events, As the oldest, continually-operating holiday programs and other activities. private club in Virginia, the Shenandoah Limited tickets for the evening are Club has been serving members for available based on the celebrity table over a century. Quietly tucked away in requested and range from $150 to $500 downtown Roanoke, the Club is located per person ($500 for seating at Frank in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Beamer’s table). just steps from the downtown busiCall 800.228.PARK (7275) to purchase ness district, dining, shopping and art tickets for this event.

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Can Squirrels Fly? Bob Cherry Resource Management Specialist National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway

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ost people are surprised to hear that there are squirrels along the Parkway that can fly through the forests (although they actually glide rather than fly). Perhaps it’s because the squirrels are out at night when most people are indoors. Or maybe people just figure all squirrels are alike and think they just scamper on the ground or climb trees. the Blue ridge Parkway is fortunate to have two species of flying squirrels.

For those of you who have seen one of these two species, it most likely was a southern flying squirrel, since these live at lower elevations where most people are found. they are fairly common and are often seen raiding bird feeders at night or sometimes even get into homes.

Northern flying squirrels are more of a cold weather animal and most live in Canada or in the mountains of the western Us. Here in the southern Appalachian Mountains, they are restricted to higher elevations, generally above 4,500 feet.

Parkway biologists have been working with the NC wildlife resources Com-

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mission with nest box surveys since 2003 and have captured over 50 squirrels during that time. this involves checking wooden nest boxes that have been attached to trees to simulate cavities that the squirrels use. the boxes are checked in early winter and if squirrels are found in the box they are captured by covering the opening to the box with a net and encouraging the squirrels to leap out. Once caught, they are weighed, measured, fitted with an ear tag for future re-identification and released back into the box.

Volunteers with FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway have recently helped with this program by providing new bags to replace ones that have worn out over the years. these bags allow biologists to keep the squirrels calm while they are measured and tagged, reducing the risk of injury and stress to the animals.

Doing these surveys each winter, and comparing data year to year, gives us an idea of how the squirrels are

doing overall. Finding new squirrels gives us an idea of population numbers and how well they are reproducing.

Programs such as this one are important to the Parkway since they allow us to better manage one of our rarest residents.

Hopefully all of this work and the data that we collect will help keep Carolina northern flying squirrels gliding through the woods for many years to come.

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Friends Mailbox

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e want to hear from you, our readers! Please send us your questions about the Blue ridge Parkway, share with us what you like about High Vistas and types of articles you would enjoy. we will try to answer your Parkway questions and share your letters or excerpts as we have room for, but reserve the right to edit these letters. Please send emails to: staff@FriendsBrP.org and letters to FrIeNDs, P. O. Box 20986, roanoke, VA 24018.

Dear Sir, ort ntinue my supp co to d se ea pl I am idge S of the Blue R of the FRIEND e Ridge Parkway Blu Parkway. The e me because of th ad. As means a lot to ro l fu and beauti beautiful vistas e, I try to see part of m it means a lot to stas High Vuitiful it every year. e h t , r s o g f a n e , VA Greeti ou ver y much them. The btrip over From Arlington Thankletty ers. I do eninjoyds me of mwy they are only news ography rem rkway. I kno nd enjoy the phot lue Ridge Pa them over a the trash or em the B r, but I read don’t go in or sending th pape ography. Theyyou again f phot ling. Thank recyc e. a to m restview, Florid C m o Fr

Southern Highland Craft Guild Events & Educational Programming Co-sponsored by FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Day of P uPPetry

saturday, May 1, 10am-4pm

f iber WeekenD f iber Day

saturday, May 8, 10am-4pm

H anDmaDe Wearables fasHion sHoW sunday, May 9, 1pm and 3pm

a sHeville Community banD ConCert sunday, May 23, 3-5pm

Clay Day

saturday, June 5, 10am-4pm

WooD Day

saturday, August 14, 10am-4pm

Parkway License Plate Offered

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FRIENDS to Receive Proceeds

rIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway is partnering with the Blue ridge Parkway Association to sponsor a Blue ridge Parkway specialty license plate in Virginia. what a wonderful way to show your support for the VIRGINIA Parkway during its 75th Anniversary year! we are approaching the required 350 FRIENDS OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY applicants to make this plate a reality. to learn more, visit FrIeNDs’ website, www.

BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org. to receive your application or for additional information, please email us at staff@FriendsBRP.org or call our office at 800.228.PARK (7275).

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30th a nnual H eritage WeekenD

A two-day celebration of traditional craft, music and storytelling featuring the world Gee Haw whimmy saturday, september 18, 11am-5pm Diddle Competition at 2pm sunday, september 19, 11am-5pm

t ellabration

sunday, November 21, 3-5pm

guilD a rtists’ HoliDay sale saturday, December 4, 10am-4pm saturday, December 11, 10am-4pm

www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org www.craftguild.org

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Appalachian Ecology Contributing Author: Peter Givens, Interpretive Specialist, Blue Ridge Parkway

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www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org

the habitat. At the highest Parkway elevations, it is the spruce-fir forest that crowns the ridgetops and mountain peaks. In front of advancing glaciers, remnants of seeds normally germinating in Canadian forests found a habitat in which to grow.

Interspersed among these various forest types are small, unique habitats like mountain bogs and heath balds.

Many species of animals find their niche in these small pockets of habitat. Bog turtles and Gray’s lily thrive in mountain bogs. sheltered, wet coves are excellent for finding a variety of salamanders, some of which are unique to the southern Appalachians. A hemlock cove is an excellent place to find populations of red squirrel. Black capped chickadees replace the carolina chickadees as you climb up toward the spruce-fir forest.

Diversity of habitat and diversity of species await the observant visitor to this long, linear national park.

Flat Rock, NC, June, Pat and Chuck Blackley Photographers

iversity is the key word in an understanding of the ecology of the Appalachian Mountains.

Multiple and overlapping habitats, exceptional examples of forest communities, and locally wide variations yield a huge diversity of flora (plant life) and fauna (animal life) on the Parkway. Park biologists have identified more than 1,600 different kinds of vascular plants and 75 distinct plant communities, 24 of which are globally rare. the reasons for this wide diversity are numerous. elevation is a key factor, with Parkway lands as low as 650 feet above sea level at James river (Milepost 64) and topping out at 6,047 feet at richland Balsam (MP 431). the Parkway is also oriented on a north-south axis with its two ends almost 500 miles apart. Combining these two factors, the Parkway contains habitat as diverse as

one may find traveling from Georgia to Newfoundland. Another factor is that many ridgetops may bear the full force of wind, sun, and severe weather conditions, while protected coves are dark and moist. these factors contribute to the diversity and interrelationship of species.

Beginning at the Parkway’s lowest elevations and climbing up to the highest, visitors will notice numerous transitions among a variety of forest types.

At lower elevations, the oak-chestnut forest dominates Parkway lands with a variety of oak trees composing the forest.

In remote, sheltered cove forests, you may find dozens of varieties of species, and some of the remaining virgin timber that was inaccessible to loggers earlier in the century. Higher up on the mountains, northern hardwood forests remind many people of those in New england.

Beech, birch, or buckeye may dominate depending on other characteristics of

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Stanley Abbott: The Blue Ridge Dreamer Karen J. Hall Author of Building the Blue Ridge Parkway And Blue Ridge Parkway – Postcard History Series Photos courtesy of the Blue Ridge Parkway archives.

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orn in Yonkers, New York in 1908, he became the first landscape architect at the age of 25 for the Blue ridge Parkway. Mr. Abbott received his Bachelor of Arts in landscape architecture from Cornell University. His career began in land use planning and park design with the Finger lakes state Parks Commission and the westchester County Parks Commission.

His designs were visionary. they were unique ideas like leasing the farmland back to the previous owners as part of land management practices. this also preserved cultural history in a way that had never been done before.

One of his greatest visions was of a system of park-to-park roads. the rustic landscape became his canvas. He used

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what God had created and enhanced it either by directing the viewer’s field of vision to something magnificent or by guiding a hiker with a specific path to an astounding view. He designed “with nature.” Mr. Abbott believed that a scenic road should “lie easily on the ground, blend harmoniously with the topography, and appear as if it had grown out of the soil.” the Blue ridge Parkway does all of this. It is a collection of views across an expansive landscape with changing countryside, “mixing scenes of untouched natural beauty with landscapes reshaped by human handiwork.”

Visions of an outdoor museum are what prompted Abbott to tell the story of rural America. He wanted the Parkway to speak to

visitors about farm life in the mountains, family, nature, customs, and blend all of these together. the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, Peaks lodge, and the Johnson farm are good examples of Abbott’s idea. located at milepost 86, this is one of the most visited sites on the Parkway. Abbott designed a serene manmade lake at the base of the three peaks for reflection.

In the early days, discussions were held as to whether the road should ride on the ridges or in the valleys. In the valleys, construction would be cheaper and easier.

Mr. Abbott and his peers decided that many of the beautiful scenes would be lost if the road took a valley route, thus most of the road follows the ridges. (May I say, “thank you, lord?”)

Attention to detail was very important.

Mr. Abbott wanted the rustic theme throughout the project. He was opposed to the stone walls being used in the low lying areas and recommended rail fencing because he felt it was inappropriate for a stonewall to go across meadowlands. timber was inexpensive compared to the stone and would have made this phase of the project cheaper.

One of his most brilliant ideas included using native stone in waterways and ditches. Anytime a road was built drainage became an issue. the first waterways were natural and unlined ditches. this complemented the use of stone in the retaining walls and outcroppings. to improve the aesthetics the crossings,

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culverts drains, and retaining walls were built as either a circular, elliptical, or semicircular-arched structure faced in native stone. skilled masons did most of the work. they were foreign-born. the stone work in Virginia was supervised by David Vecillio, who was Italian. In North Carolina the stone work was supervised

by Joe troitino, a spaniard. He did a few projects in Virginia also. some work was completed by American firms but it was not up to par with these two expert masons.

Visitors may wonder why Mt. Airy Granite from surry County, North Carolina was not used and the reason was esthetics. the granite did not match

the native stone.

Native stone gave the Pa rk way a rugged look where granite would have given it a polished look. Also, it was more than fifteen m i les f rom the Parkway boundaries. thus, it did not meet the definition of “native.”

Another great feature of the Parkway is the “rustic style” buildings. Native materials were also used with the intent of blending into the scene. Mr. Abbott wanted the Parkway to tell the story of the locals and used their building styles, roof angles and materials. to him, the use of such local forms adapted well to the Parkway and preserved the “backwoods feeling.” the driftwood gray color that was adopted in 1940 was applied as a creosote stain, Cabot’s No. 347 or an equivalent. when applied it was a little darker but would fade to the blue gray color. this was an excellent choice because it reflected the blue hue found in the Blue ridge Mountains. the park continues to use a gray paint or stain on structures.

Overlooks are an important part of the Parkway, providing trail access points and places for visitors to stop and safely

enjoy magnificent views. the four types of overlooks are “pull-out”, “crescent”, “loop” and “dead-in”. some include wayside exhibits describing the view or local features. the awe inspiring overlooks should be credited to Mr. Abbott. He and his staff carefully selected each one. either a specific view or scene was what he intended for the visitor to see. some were created as just a pull off at the right moment. In some cases trees were incorporated to frame the view. Also, some trees were transplanted to create the frame. Over time it has proven difficult financially for the staff to maintain so many vistas. this takes constant maintenance and the economy has cut into the budget for tree trimming. sadly, Mr. Abbott passed away in 1975 in williamsburg, Virginia. today, his very talented son, Carlton Abbott, follows in his father’s footsteps.

iPhotos: Reference Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, (HAER), Reproduction numbers , HAER NC,11-ASHV.V, 2-20, 77, 217, 218, 222, 231, and 236.

References: Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), NC-42, 11-ashv.v, 2. http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2008/10/stanley-w-abbott-wizard-blue-ridge-parkway.

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200 N Main Street, Suite 200 Blacksburg, VA 24060 540.257.0885 www.DarlingtonSmith.com

Marketing & Advertising Graphic Design Web Design Photography Printing Services Large Format Prints/Posters jill@darlingtonsmith.com

THANKS TO OUR IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS We wish to thank the following for their important in-kind contributions: Best Printing, Inc. Blue Ridge Country Magazine Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock Creative Nursery & Landscapes, Inc. Jill Darlington-Smith, DSG Design Services F & W Office Park, III, L.C. FRIENDS' Fisher Peak Chapter Fresh Market, The FRIENDS’ Staff and Office Volunteers Mary Guynn Home Depot Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, The Jimmy V’s Restaurant Kroger Leisure Publishing Company Frank R. and Mary E. (Liz) Radford Residences at Biltmore, The Reserve at Lake Keowee, The Western Virginia Water Authority If your name did not appear on the list and you made a contribution between August 1, 2009 and February 28, 2010, please contact us.

FRIENDS needs your in-kind contributions. Please call us at 540.772.2992 or 800.228.PARK (7275).

FRIENDS OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY BOArD Gregory Neal Brown, Ph.D., President Gretchen Weinnig, V.P. of Administration Broaddus Fitzpatrick, Secretary J. Richard Wells, Treasurer George J. Blanar, Ph.D. William Brenton, Jr. CFP Penn Dameron Lynn Davis Mary Jane Ferguson Elmer Hodge Jonathan R. Ireland Ben Geer Keys Denise Koff Fredrick “Tubby” Kubik Jamie Prince

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BOArD eMerItUs Mary Guynn Dick Patterson, MD J. Richard Wells ADVIsOrY BOArD Marcia and Dave Barstow Pat and Chuck Blackley M. Rupert Cutler, Ph.D. George Humphries Gary R. Jensen Dr. Harley Jolley Cara Ellen Modisett

stAFF Susan Jackson Mills, Ph.D. Executive Director Peggy Desper* Assistant to the Director/Bookkeeper Virginia Ehrich* Director of Membership Services Shane Hawk* Director of Volunteers & Programs Rod Broker* Coordinator of Programs

VOlUNteer stAFF Eva Gray** Volunteer Coordinator Leigh McKay** Pauline O’Dell** Oleander Spring** Special Projects Clerks HIGH VIstAs stAFF Newsletter Chief: Susan J. Mills, Ph.D. Editor: David Barstow** Production: Peggy Desper* Graphic Designer: Jill Darlington-Smith** *Part-time Staff / **Volunteers

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When the Parkway Came Anne M. Whisnant and David E. Whisnant Chapel Hill: Primary Source Publishers, 2010

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he year I turned eight, my Mom was working weekends, and Dad was building a room onto our house. so my granddaddy Jess Miller – Papa Jess, I called him – kept me every saturday for months. lots of times, especially after the leaves began to turn, Papa Jess liked to take me out for rides in his old ’65 Mustang. One

day, right after lunch, we started up our usual route – Highway 321 out of lenoir toward the mountains. Most of the time, I enjoyed the curves and twists. It was like a roller coaster. But that day, between the big lunch, the musty hot smell of the vinyl back seats, and the swaying and dipping of the car, I felt a little queasy.

Finally we got to the ridge, turned, and the road flattened out. we were on the Blue ridge Parkway again – Papa Jess’s favorite drive of all.

I loved those trips up on the Parkway. “I love them so much,” I told him this time, “that I don’t even mind your old Mustang.” sometimes Papa Jess and I took a little fish net and went on a hike down to Crabtree Falls, or stopped to see our favorite rocks in the Minerals Museum.

Other times we walked under the huge linn Cove Viaduct. “Did you ever see boulders this big?” Papa Jess asked me one day as we climbed over one after the other.

And of course I hadn’t – not by a long shot.

But today we just drove on awhile. I had almost fallen asleep when the breeze stopped blowing in. Papa Jess had pulled off the road. “wake up, Ginny.”

Beyond a fence by the side of the road, a beautiful meadow stretched out. I didn’t recognize the place. “where are we, Papa Jess?”

“Come on.” He climbed the fence and lifted me over. we threaded our way through the tall grass till we came to a big rock. I climbed up and sat down. “see that spot over there,” he asked, “where that little rise is? that’s where it was.” “where what was, Papa Jess?”

“Our house. And we had a barn that was up on that curve right over there – a little to the right of the one that’s there now. Our road came in just beyond that.” His blue eyes got a little glassy, and he began to tell me a story I’d never heard before – about himself when he was my age, and his Mom and Dad and sister Maggie, and about how the Parkway came and took part of their farm.

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Message From…

FRIENDS President

Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent

Dear Members of FrIeNDs, I am pleased to once again share a letter with all of our members in this issue of High Vistas. we now are into 2010, the 75th anniversary year of the Blue ridge Parkway. Many events are planned, many in which FrIeNDs will participate. You will find them listed on both the FrIeNDs and BrP 75th web pages: www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org; www.blueridgeparkway75.org.

FrIeNDs’ eight (hopefully soon to be nine) chapters along the Parkway have been busy sponsoring activities in support of the Parkway. these activities range from tree planting on viewsheds to displays at colleges and retirement centers. Also, activities continue which are directed toward youth exposure to the outdoors.

FrIeNDs has been working with the Parkway staff and various partner groups on these programs, including Parkway’s Youth Volunteers in Parks (YVIP) program. FrIeNDs also is financially supporting the Junior ranger Program under the Parkway and National Park service. this winter along the Parkway has brought some severe weather, with resulting damage to trees and landslides. Cleanup has become very critical and costly for the Parkway. Hence, they need our help more than ever to assist with all of their programs.

You can help with your memberships and gifts to FrIeNDs. You also can help by volunteering to participate in the many activities sponsored by your local chapters of FrIeNDs. the reward will be knowing that you have helped preserve the scenery and many heritage sites along our beautiful Parkway for future generations.

Dear Friends, what a winter we had! Much of the Parkway was closed due to extreme weather and the damage caused by snow, ice, and wind. thankfully, we have a terrific group of dedicated employees who are working hard to address the situation. we had much more work to accomplish than normal in order to clean the motor road itself of debris and to get our facilities ready for use this spring.

Our maintenance staff has been busy assessing the damage and making plans to deal with the immense amount of work facing us. we have requested emergency funding to help accomplish the work and will be using contractors to supplement our depleted staff.

It is certainly an interesting beginning to the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary year! the Parkway has received nearly $15,000,000 in economic stimulus funding. A significant portion of this will be used to rebuild nearly 31,000 linear feet of historic rock guard walls beginning near the NC-VA state line and progressing southward. Other projects include a variety of smaller, but important, maintenance projects that deal with vegetation management, trail repair, and guard wall maintenance. In addition to the economic stimulus funding, the Parkway is scheduled to receive approximately $40,000,000 from the Federal Highway’s road rehabilitation Program over the next two years to repave and repair sections of the Parkway motor road and tunnels. Our staff, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, will be working on these projects to complete them with minimal disruption to the visiting public although there will be periodic closures in some areas. Nearly 25% of the Parkway’s maintenance backlog will be addressed through funding from these two sources and hopefully, a number of new jobs will be created as well. this is great news!

Finally, as you may know, one of our biggest concerns is our annual operating budget. we are working on this issue internally with our regional office. there are many competing demands, but we are hopeful that we can make progress on this front as well. we are excited about the two symposia focused on the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary and about the september gala events at Cumberland Knob and the Blue ridge Music Center. In addition, hundreds of great 75th related events are occurring throughout the year in communities near the Parkway. we encourage everyone to check out the events calendar at www.blueridgeparkway75.org, become a 75th Anniversary Facebook Fan, follow 75th Anniversary ‘buzz’ on twitter and by all means, visit and enjoy the Parkway this year!

Ben Keys Photographer

thank you for your support of FrIeNDs.

Happy 75th!

Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium purpureum), Peak Bloom August, Mile Post Locations: 6, 85.8 Picnic Area, 146, 248, 339.3 Picnic Area, 357-359

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Photographing a Sunrise at the Peaks of Otter Pat and Chuck Blackley, Photographers

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unrise at the Peaks of Otter is one of our favorite times on the Blue ridge Parkway. Here, the dawn’s first light catches the clouds above Peaks of Otter lodge and reflects in Abbott lake. In my work as a photographer, capturing this scene required a little skill, a little luck and a few pieces of specialized gear.

First, being there for the sunrise is most important. this may sound obvious. But, oh how wonderful that bed feels when the alarm goes off before first light. so, you must suffer for your art. No sleeping in and no restaurant breakfast until your work is done.

Anticipating the photo composition prior to setting up a tripod is very important. since there is only one sunrise each morning, knowing where the best light will be helps ensure success. so, it’s out before dawn, when it is light enough to see where the clouds are, exactly where the sunrise is, how the lake surface is reflecting and how still the trees are. this allows you to compose your best photo prior to sunrise.

In this case, the thin clouds above the lodge held out the hope that they would catch the sunrise light. And, their location held out the hope of good reflections. to add another element to the photo, we walked the shore until something interesting, the lodge, entered the composition. we noted that composition and walked along the shore to find other possible compositions and to rehearse how we would capture all the compositions we identified.

At that point, we returned to the first composition in the morning’s shoot, set up the tripod and waited for the dawn light to hit the clouds.

As the clouds were lit, we took the photo and moved on to the next location we had identified for that morning’s photography shoot.

For those of you interested in the techniques used to take this photo, we’ll give you the highlights. It was photographed using a tripod mounted Canon 5D digital camera and a Canon 28-135mm lens set

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at 38mm. the resulting shutter speed was 30 seconds. to accentuate the clouds in the sky and water, a polarizer was used. Multiple exposures were taken – one exposed for the bright areas and one for the dark. these were then layered together using Photoshop later in the office. to help ensure that the layers match well, the camera’s auto bracket function was used. this automatically fires a series of three photos with only one press of the cable release. the camera is set to aperture priority so each photo in

the series has a different shutter speed, but the same aperture. this also helps ensure that layers match. In this case, the shutter speeds differed by plus 2 stops and minus 2 stops around the camera’s center weighted meter setting.

Practice makes this a relatively easy way to photograph in dawn light. Good luck in your photography and perhaps we’ll see you on the shore of Abbott lake very early some still crisp fall morning.

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FRIENDS’ StuDEN Stu DEN DENt t MEM M EM EMb bERS Inaugural Programs to Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of

Column By Sarah Jane Hall

Youth Volunteers in Parks in Spruce Pine, NC

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reparations are in full force for the primary tourism Sarah Jane Hall, Acting season on the Blue Volunteer Coordinator Youth Volunteers in ridge Parkway.

Parks in Western North soon, young and Carolina old alike will come from near and very far to see the glorious beauty that is “America’s Favorite

Drive.” the Parkway needs a great deal of assistance to facilitate these visitors, more than is often available. One solution is a group of young people who train with the National Park service as volunteers in the spruce Pine, NC area. each year, young volunteers ages six to eighteen learn skills such as effective communication, natural resource conservation and confidence

in themselves through a program called Youth Volunteers In Parks (YVIP). these young volunteers assist park rangers by completing maintenance and natural resource projects, in addition to presenting programs to the public and assisting with special events.

For more information about the YVIP program, call or email tina white at 828-765-1228 or tina_white@nps.gov.

Family Nature Quiz: What’s That Caterpillar?

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horny, hairy, menacing, or just plain weird. they crawl at a snail’s pace and we see them all summer long on our tomato plants, milkweed, butterfly weed and fruit trees. But how much do you really know about local caterpillar species? And the big question remains: will that little critter become a butterfly or a moth? test your knowledge below by matching the picture with the correct butterfly or moth name. Go to page 19 to check your answers and to learn more about these creatures! Consider yourself a true lover of creepy crawlies if you can guess which one is the only true ‘stinging caterpillar’ in the bunch...

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A

2

B

3

C

4

5

D

E

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F

Reprinted by permission of Adam DeWitte, Director of Education, Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association, www.cradleofforestry.com

Can You Find It On The Farm?

In the word search below, look for these items that you have seen on the farm at Humpback Rocks:

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HEARTH

SPLIT RAIL

LYE HOPPER

FL A X

CHICKEN

SHAVING HORSE

DULCIMER

ROPE BED

SPRING HOUSE

WALNUTS 7 5 t h A n n ive r s a ry s p r i n g / s u m m e r 2 0 1 0

h I p & KIDS K IDS Club

the Blue Ridge Parkway

Grover Groundhog Corner Hey, my name is Grover Groundhog!

I’m the FRIENDS’ Environmental mascot.

I’ve been around since the early days of FRIENDS. I’m now in my late teens and I am maturing. I’ve unplugged my iPod and I am out on the Parkway waiting for you to join me! You never know where I am going to show up - at the Peaks of Otter, or at the trail behind the Folk Art Center or maybe even at one of the Parkway Campgrounds.

This is the first time I’ve been in the FRIENDS newsletter and I’m super excited. It would be so cool to hear from you. If you’ll share your stories, quotes, pictures and questions with me, you might just see them in the next newsletter or eNewsletter. You can send them to me, Grover, at P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, VA 24018. Or, you can even email your information to me. What?

You didn’t know a groundhog could have an email address? Just put Grover in the subject line and email it to me at staff@FriendsBPR.org. My “friends” at FRIENDS will make sure I get it. The best part is, if we use your story, quote or picture, I’ll send you a special “a critter” or FRIENDS hat. I may need to edit your submissions for my online column or for publication in the newsletter, hope you don’t mind.

I’m dedicated to connecting kids with nature through FRIENDS’ Children www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org

in Nature initiatives. FRIENDS also sup supports the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Junior Ranger program.

Many of you may not know that FRIENDS has been offering $15 memberships to all students since they began the first university chapter at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina two years ago. As your official FRIENDS’ Environment Mascot, I asked FRIENDS to provide a new kids’ membership level just for kids from ages 5-12. This is a fun way for kids to connect with their park, the Blue Ridge Parkway. I am proud to announce that this membership is now available for only $1O! Wow… that’s a lot less than buying a game for your Wii! I’m also super excited to give a special gift to every kid that completes all ten of the Blue Ridge Parkway Junior Ranger project sheets and has earned the Parkway enamel pin for this accomplishment. All you have to do is have someone take a picture of you holding your enamel pin, now either email the picture to me (staff@FriendsBRP.org) or snail mail to me at Grover, P.O. Box 2O986, Roanoke, VA 24O18. To thank you, I will send you a box of goodies including a membership in FRIENDS! I’ll be watching my email and snail mail box… hope to hear from you soon.

Grover Groundhog

Doing Your Part

Use the following words to fill in the blanks about the pictures below, identifying what’s wrong with the behavior you see: Animals, Leash, Writing, Pets, Fires, Flowers, Feeding, Picking, Climbing, Litter • Keep _____________ wild by not _____________ them.

• Protect _____________ by not _____________ them so that others may enjoy their beauty.

• Protect yourself by not __________ on rocks, trees or fences.

• Keep wildlife and other visitors safe by keeping your _____________ on a _____________.

• Only make _____________ in park picnic grills or campground fire rings.

• Keep the park beautiful by not _____________ on buildings, trees or rocks.

• Put _____________ in its place.

Become a Web Ranger at www.nps.gov/webrangers Learn more about the Blue Ridge Parkway at www.nps.gov/brp

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he day dawned bright and crisp on Nov. 13, 2009 for the Opening Ceremony of the symbolic passing of the torch from the Great smoky Mountains National Park superintendent Dale Ditmanson to Blue ridge Parkway superintendent, Phil Francis. the torch was passed off to a youth, skylar Bottchenbaugh.

As the Great smoky Mountains National Park was winding down its 75th anniversary celebrations – the Blue ridge Parkway was gearing up for a series of events celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2010.

Cherokee tribal elder Jerry wolfe offered an opening prayer and smudged

Corporation, said of the Parkway, “to the grounds where the celebration was me, it is a ribbon of a road that ties us held. wolfe told the crowd he was born in all together. It is a ribbon of friendship.” a cabin that sat right where the Parkway Both states will feature the Blue ridge road now runs. tribal Council repreParkway on the cover of their state travel sentative, Perry shell, stated, “I hope guides. that this Blue ridge Parkway is here for the warriors of Anikituwah performed generations to come so that our kids, our the warrior and the Friendship Dances grandkids and those generations that to conclude the event. working with follow can enjoy the power and beauty FrIeNDs, the new FrIeNDs Cherokee that these mountains provide.”

Chapter will focus on providing youth state representative ray rapp, North experiences to their community during Carolina General Assembly, acknowlthe 75th Anniversary of the Blue ridge edged the Parkway’s economic impact to the area and said that conservation Parkway. must be continued. lynn Minges, assistant secretary for tourism, Marketing and Global Branding with the N.C. Department of Commerce, said the Blue ridge Parkway is one of the centerpieces of tourism in the state. she stated that the Parkway is responsible for bringing $2.4 billion into the state and helping to create more than 27,000 jobs for North Carolinians.

Alisa Bailey, President and Warriors of Anikituwah are gathered around Mary Ferguson, CeO of Virginia tourism FRIENDS board member, at the 75th anniversary kick off.

Left to Right Back Row: Matt Hollifield, Cherokee Youth Center; Tommy Cabe, Environmental & Natural Resources; Damon Lambert, CDOT; Bobby Raines, CPFdn.; Karina Bottchenbaugh, Agriculture Extension; Manuel Hernandez, Healthy Cherokee.

Meeting at Museum of the Cherokee Indian to Establish a FRIENDS Cherokee Chapter.

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Left to Right Front Row: Ben Geer Keys, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Board Member; Dr. Susan Mills, Executive Director FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway; Joyce Dugan, Superintendent of Cherokee Schools; Tonya Jenks, Cherokee Choices; Robert Jumper, Travel & Tourism Manager; Mary Jane Ferguson, Marketing & Promotions Director and FRIENDS Board of Directors; Hwineko Walkingstick, Agriculture Extension; Dr. Susan Jenkins, Executive Director, CPFdn; Lauren Agrella, Executive Director, Muddy Sneakers.

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Article Photographs by Ben Keys

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Passing The Torch

A Trail For Ever yone

Tim Pegram is a former Parkway ranger and author of “The Blue Ridge Parkway by Foot: A Park Ranger’s Memoir.”

North Of Onion Mountain, Pat and Chuck Blackley Photographers

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ew can resist the temptation to explore an inviting footpath that leads into a forest or meadow. some venture down it just a short distance, content with the discovery of a shiny buckeye or a ripened blackberry. Others push harder and further to the rippling wild grass on a breezy mountain summit.

Others strap on a backpack and make their trail experience an overnight one. stanley Abbott’s vision for the Blue ridge Parkway extended beyond the grand road it eventually became. As its first landscape architect, he designed the rocky Knob Cabins as a pilot project for “rough-it” camps that would provide accommodations to hikers along an “extensive trail system paralleling the Parkway.” Not only did he want us to be able to take a scenic drive from

www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org

shenandoah National Park to the Great smoky Mountains National Park, he intended to provide an opportunity to walk that distance on a footpath as well!

Although Mr. Abbott’s plan never quite blossomed in the way he originally imagined, two nationally famous trails fulfill about three-fourths of his vision of a continuous, parallel footpath. the venerable Appalachian trail roughly parallels and crisscrosses the northernmost hundred miles of the Parkway. the Mountains-tosea trail, still under construction, does the same on almost the entire section of the Parkway in North Carolina. the part of his vision that did materialize in a literal sense is a network of maintained trails in all their variety. some are easy. some are strenuous. some accommodate the handicapped. some climb to mountaintops. some descend to waterfalls. some meander through history. some are history themselves.

Climb to the summit of sharp top and discover how early geographers easily miscalculated it to be Virginia’s highest peak. After catching your breath, enjoy a spectacular view of the Peaks of Otter area.

Bend low to see the mayapples in bloom on your stroll out to Chestoa View, where a breathtaking view into North Cove awaits you.

Ponder the fact that conscientious objectors of the world war II era built the trail on which you are walking in and around the smart View picnic area. search for the suspended nest of the solitary vireo as you descend the steep trail to Crabtree Falls. enjoy outdoor exhibits of times and ways of the past along the short trails at Mabry Mill and the Humpback rocks pioneer farm. wander the carriage trails on what was once the summer estate of Moses and Bertha Cone. In their time, they welcomed their mountain neighbors to do so. wa l k the a ncient shou lder of Grandfather Mountain along the tanawha trail and take a peek at the underbelly of the linn Cove Viaduct. stretch your legs on the Flat rock loop trail and closely examine the pioneer plant communities growing there. Nibbling on the wild blueberries is permitted. whatever your age, interest, or condition, a Parkway trail awaits you. © 2010 Tim Pegram enjoy it!

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FRIENDS Chapters in Action!

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FRIENDS Roanoke Valley Chapter

n March 20, 2010 at Milepost 104.9 on the Parkway, FrIeNDs’ spring viewshed planting was held utilizing 138 volunteers! the volunteers represented the roanoke community, the Kiwanis Club of roanoke, Key Club members, FrIeNDs members, community volunteers as well as FrIeNDs’ staff and board members. tim Boitnott, Creative Nursery & landscapes, Inc., pre-dug the 400+ holes prior to the event. Bob Boeren with the Virginia Department of Forestry secured the seedlings, mats, bird netting and stakes. Bob was also instrumental in the planning and organization of the event.

FrIeNDs’ staff served bottled water provided by western Virginia water

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Appalachian seminar for Notre Dame students. last month was no exception as five students came to Galax, Virginia,

to volunteer in service learning projects and experience the heritage of Grayson County and the Blue ridge Parkway.

Michael Mercurio, 18 and a native of torrance, California, said “Folks who took trips as a part of Appalachian seminar said this was something I had to do! they said it would be a great way to learn from people in a region vastly different from the one I grew up in.” “People in the city just don’t care as much about the land. Here, folks care about cooking, music and knowing their neighbors,” said Brandon Payne, 21, san Diego, California. the students are never disappointed as they experience work on the trail that loops the Blue ridge Music Center

which had 3,000 downed trees. lewis shropshire, chair of the Fisher Peak Chapter, expressed “these students have rarely worked outdoors or used a tool in their lives. when they finish a day of work, they get a great feeling of accomplishment.” the students who did not know the difference between a hazel hoe and an adze were able to learn how to use each of them as they cleared fallen trees. shropshire explained what he thinks the students gained from working on the Parkway. “this work teaches them how to take care of [the Parkway] environment. If they learn to love the outdoors and nature, they’ll want to take care of it as long as they live.”

FRIENDS Rocky Knob Chapter

ast month the rocky Knob Chapter exceeded all expectations “cleaning up” sections A, B and C of the rocky Knob campground with volunteers coming as far away as west Virginia to help. Due to the harshest winter in 14 years, rocky Knob Chapter volunteers are raking leaves and shoving aside small tree trunks and branches. some

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Other sponsors of this viewshed planting include: County of roanoke, the Beirne Carter Foundation, roanoke County schools, Plastics One, General electric and Yokohama tire Corporation.

FRIENDS Fisher Peak Chapter

or years the Fisher Peak Chapter has provided an alternative spring break program known as the

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Authority and refreshments provided by Frito lay Inc., Kroger, Panera Bread and roanoke Natural Foods Co-op. the roanoke Valley Pickers provided bluegrass music for the event. representatives from Home Depot, who donated their time and all materials, were on hand to help the young volunteers make rain gauges. regina Desper, co-chair of the roanoke Valley Chapter, and eva O. Gray, FrIeNDs volunteer coordinator, manned the enviroscape table. the children were captivated and intrigued by the environmental model.

Polly Branch provided an “express Yourself through Art” activity – a creative arts program for the children.

volunteers previously trained by Park service workers are using chain saws and other power equipment to help with the work. Gloria Hilton, chair of rocky Knob Chapter, who organizes volunteers in the rocky Knob area for FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway, said volunteers spent a combined 40 hours cleaning the campground there. “this year, because

it’s such a humongous job, we’re trying to spend more time out there,” Hilton said. she said she’s not concerned the Parkway will be ready for its 75th anniversary visitors. “I know what the Parkway is doing, and with the extra people they’re bringing in, and us ... It may take a long time, but there’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll get it done,” Hilton said.

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The Bees’ Knees

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ne of the few domesticated insects, the honeybee is a busy and valuable pollinator.

CAste system. Highly social honeybees belong to three specialized castes: queens, drones and workers. the male drones, which are larger and heavierbodied than the workers, are usually seen in early summer; their sole function is to mate with the queen. the bulk of the colony - up to 80,000 residents - is made up of workers, sterile females who maintain the hive and, when they’re older, forage outside to gather nectar, pollen and water. the queen’s job, of course, is to produce more bees.

Busy Bee. It’s estimated that honeybees are responsible for 25 percent of the pollination needed for all fruit consumed by humans in the U.s. Unfortunately, evidence indicates that the number of wild honeybees is declining, which could potentially impact the size, taste and abundance of fruit in gardens and

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orchards throughout the Blue ridge area. you ARe WhAt you eAt. Oddly, the queen can only develop into a queen by eating “royal jelly,” a white paste secreted by the workers. without this special diet, she’s just one of the girls.

QueeN FoR A DAy. In late spring or early summer, the queen flies off with a swarm of workers to found a new colony. A day or so later, her replacement emerges and begins mating with the drones that are left behind. she WoRKs hARD FoR the hoNey. the industrious workers bear the brunt of housekeeping. Using glands on their bellies, they produce wax for the honeycomb - the central feature of the hive - and build the flat, vertical panels through a marvel of insect engineering. these cells not only store honey and pollen, they’re also used as snug cradles for bee babies.

But CAN they ChA-ChA? through a series of intricate dances, honeybees

can communicate the presence of food, where it is and how far it is from the colony. If the source is within 100 yards, a worker will circle around in a figureeight pattern on the surface of one of the combs. If the food supply is farther away, the worker performs a “tail-wagging” dance. excited co-workers join in, touching the dancer with their antennae and identifying the scent of the flower. hoNey-Do LIst. european cave paintings indicate people were harvesting honey 8,000 years ago. sWeet ChoICes. the color and flavor of honey depend on the kind of flowers from which the bees extract nectar. Most of the honey sold in stores is a blend of several kinds, including clover.

Ways Of Giving

he future of FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway depends upon YOU, our members. the degree of foresight and generosity of our members will affect the future of the Blue ridge Parkway for generations to come. there are many ways you can give to FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway: • Give gift memberships to family and friends for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and honorariums • Give gifts of cash or marketable securities • Give a gift of real estate • Remember FRIENDS in your Will It’s simple. Add only one of the following sentences to your will, or do so by using a codicil to your existing will: 1. I hereby give ___% of my residuary estate to FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose current principle business address for identification purposes is P.O. Box 20986, roanoke, Virginia 24018, to be used at its sole discretion for its charitable purposes.

20986, roanoke, Virginia 24018, to be used at its sole discretion for its charitable purposes.

3. I hereby devise the following property to FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose current principle business address for identification purposes is P. O. Box 20986, roanoke, Virginia 24018, to be used at its sole discretion for its charitable purposes [legal description of property, whether real property or personal property].

Please note that FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway does not give legal advice nor does it in any way practice law.

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 principle business address for identification purposes is P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018. Tax ID#:58-1854404. FRIENDS would like to keep a record of your foresight and generosity on file. Please contact us at 800.228.PARK (7275), by mail to FRIENDS, P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, VA 24018 or by email, staff@FriendsBRP.org.

2. I hereby bequeath $___cash, to FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, whose current principle business address for identification purposes is P. O. Box

www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org

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Ballyhack Golf Course, Roanoke, Virginia

Nancy Henderson, Author Reprinted by permission of the Author Originally featured in Blue Ridge Country magazine, Creature Feature, June 2008

Blue Ridge Parkway, Mabry Mill, Pat and Chuck Blackley Photographers

Thank You To Our Parkway Friends!

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e salute each of you. through your financial support and faithful contributions, the important work of FrIeNDs continues.

If you made a contribution of $250 or more between March 1, 2090 and February 28, 2010 and your name does not appear on this list, please notify us at 800.228.PArK (7275).

REI Employees Parkway Friends Trustee Contributions Mr. Loren M. Rogers $1,000 and Over Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A.

Merrill Lynch & Co. Foundation, Inc. E. C. and Barbara Morris Mr. and Mrs. Fredric W. Pement Stonestreet Affordable Housing Ms. Gretchen Weinnig Pine Wind Music, Inc. Alternatives David and Carol Reger Richard Wells, Leisure Appalachian Power Mr. and Mrs. R. Dale Appreciation of Earth and Publishing Company Animal Foundation Parkway Patron Sheets Arcadia Publishing, Inc. $500 - $999 Mrs. Judy Lynn Trimble Ayrshire Farm Mr. and Mrs. Earl Baker Wal-Mart Foundation Ms. Beverly L. Battle Milepost Mentor Patrick and Rebecca Beirne Carter Foundation Barnes $250 to $499 Bruce Ford Brown Mr. William Brenton, Jr. Mr. Michael Austing Charitable Trust Gregory and Laura Brown Ms. Heidi A. Bond Dickson Foundation, Inc. Mr. Paul R. Davis, Jr. Adele M. Thomas Farrell Foundation Charitable Foundation, DENR-Division of Parks County of Roanoke Inc. and Recreation Creative Nursery & Mr. and Mrs. William D. Mr. John R. DuBose Landscapes Inc. Carter General Electric Dominion Foundation Ivan and Alicia Handwerk Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Inc. Mr. Gordon Hall Mrs. Nell C. Clark Kroger Janis Keim Consulting, Mr. and Mrs. Herbert L. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter L. LLC Clarkson Lawton Lanford Brothers Elwood and Mary-Lou Dr. and Mrs. Wood N. Company, Inc. Cobey Lay Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ms. Roxann B. Dillon Cynthia Petzold and Merritt Lowell Inhorn Gail and Stephen Dula Mrs. Barton W. Morris Dr. Linda E. Durham Plastics One, Inc.

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Virginia E. Ehrich Mrs. Max C. Fisher Luann and Broaddus Fitzpatrick GE Foundation Mr. Robert C. Greear, Jr. Mrs. Mary R. Guynn Mr. and Mrs. William M. Hackworth David and Lucy Hardison Health Pro, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hennage Mr. Julius C. Hubbard, Jr. Dr. Gene Jester Mr. and Mrs. Ben Geer Keys Mr. and Mrs. Philip G. Kinken, Jr. Ms. Annette S. Kirby Denise and Marc Koff Mr. Bob Lambert David and Susan Lennox Ms. Nancy L. McFadden Mr. John D. McGregor Dave and Margaret Melchior Mr. Hal Meyers Susan and Bob Mills

Mr. William E. Monroe Mr. Kevin Parker Ms. Betty S. Parker Mrs. Dudley D. Pendleton Mr. Richard M. Pryor Mike and Sharon Quisenberry Dr. and Mrs. William R. Richardson Rockydale Quarries Corporation Rachel and George Sanborn Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schrimsher Mr. and Mrs. John H. Schutte Mrs. Deborah B. Shackelford Sigma Planning Group, Inc. Simmons Photographic Arts Ms. Shelley Tarbutton Henry and Nancy Unger Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert E. Webber Ms. Patricia H. Wellington Mrs. George W. Wickstead

Jay and Connie Wiese Mr. and Mrs. George R. Williamson Emily and Chip Woodrum

We Gratefully Acknowledge Gifts In Loving Memory of…

and Jack Gray, Shane Hawk, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Keys, Leigh McKay, Bob and Susan Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Montgomery, John Schoenbaum, Oleander Spring, Richard Wells Vivian Geraldine Miller, given by Marilyn Johnson, Paul E. Noell Dudley D. Pendleton, given by Mrs. Dudley D. Pendleton Thomas J. Shackelford, IV, given by Mrs. Deborah B. Shackelford Harvey and LaWayne Spring, given by Mr. Michael Austing George W. Wickstead, given by Mrs. George W. Wickstead

Donald Reggan Cockram, given by Kathy and Howard Batkin, Mr. and Mrs. E. Glenn Bowman, Mr. William Ross Gardner, Jr., Angela T. Stanfill, Edna L. Stike, Betty H. Kline, Mrs. Betty M. Stuart, Mike and Cynthia Ryan Sarah H. Handwerk, given by Ivan and Alicia Handwerk Dottie Shiver Hubbard, given by Mr. Julius C. We Gratefully Hubbard Acknowledge Dr. Robert F. Jackson, Gifts in Honor given by Greg and of…

Laura Brown, Peggy Desper, Virginia Ehrich, Stephen and Deb Raines, Mrs. Beverly Fitzpatrick, given by Mr. and Mrs. M. Stephen Raines Kristen Gillespie, Eva

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FRIENDS Announces Collectible Basket

n honor of the Parkway's 75th Anniversary, FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway has commissioned a commemorative basket from American traditions Basket Company.

the baskets are for sale in our online store. the cost is only $69, which includes shipping. For more information or to order, please visit our website: www.

BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org.

BRP Picnic Basket Dimensions: 15.5" x 15.5" x 7.5" Includes: Brass Tag, Laser Lid & Plastic Protector.

Virginia residents add sales tax.

Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery.

continued from page 12

Family Nature Quiz: What’s That Caterpillar?

1 - C luna Moth 2 - D Pipevine swallowtail Butterfly 3 - e regal Moth ow did you do? these little caterpillar critters can look funny, scary, and downright alien, all to make sure that they survive their larval stage and enter adulthood. If you think you’ve spotted a butterfly, here’s a clue: they’ll be the ones with the thin, club-shaped antennae on their heads. In contrast, local moth species will usually be active at night and wear antennae that are fan-shaped and appear hairy. the Hickory-Horned Devil (3) is an especially nasty-looking, but harmless caterpillar that can be found on hickory, walnut and sweet gum. they will pupate in the ground without a cocoon, and turn into the beautiful regal Moth. the spiny caterpillar of the Question Mark Butterfly (4) feeds on the foliage of elm, nettle and hops. the adult is named so for the silvery marks on the hind wings that resemble a question mark. If you guessed the furry caterpillar of the Puss Moth (5) was the stinging variety, then you’re right!

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www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org

4 - F Question Mark Butterfly 5 - A Puss Moth 6 - B Mourning Cloak Butterfly these little critters pack more whollop in their small furry bodies than all other stinging caterpillars - nothing like the cartoonish Puss Moth that it will eventually turn into. the spiny but harmless caterpillar of the Mourning Cloak Butterfly (6) prefers to dine in groups, eventually defoliating willow, elm and poplar trees.

Possibly one of the most well-known and beautiful moths around is the luna Moth (1). the brightly colored caterpillar spends its day dining on walnut, sweet gum, persimmon and birch trees. Unfortunately, pesticide use and other pollutants have forced this amazing creature to be added to the endangered species list. And finally, the spiked and unfriendly appearance of the Pipevine swallowtail Caterpillar (2) suggests a hint of what the little critter may taste like. the larva and adults are both toxic - a quality that they obtain from the massive amounts of pipevine that they use for food.

Get Involved!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

For Information on FRIENDS Chapters, contact: FRIENDS Humpback Rocks Chapter Co-Chairs: Gregory Bruno Email: Gregory. Bruno@waynesboro.com David Munn Email: dwmunn@gmail.com FRIENDS Peaks of Otter Chapter Chair: Greg Eaton Email: eaton.g@lynchburg.edu FRIENDS Roanoke Valley Chapter Co-Chairs: Sam Golston Email: sam_golston@hotmail.com Regina Desper Email: regina_desper@msn.com FRIENDS Rocky Knob Chapter Chair: Gloria Hilton Email: gjhilton1@yahoo.com FRIENDS West Jefferson/Sparta/ Wilkesboro Chapter Chair: Ken Canter Email: RKenCanter@aol.com FRIENDS Fisher Peak Chapter Chair: Lew Shropshire Email: popshrop@centurylink.net FRIENDS Boone/Blowing Rock Chapter Chair: Michael Kebelbeck Email: mjkebelbeck@gmail.com FRIENDS ASU Chapter Chair: Heather Preston Email: prestonhp@appstate.edu FRIENDS Asheville Chapter Chair: Hugh Stephens Email: hwstephens@bellsouth.net Please consider making a special donation to help us seed new chapters and grow our army of volunteers so we can preserve and protect the Parkway for the next generation. To make a donation or establish a new FRIENDS Chapter in your area, contact 800.228.

PARK (7275) or Staff@FriendsBRP.org.

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ew You r Membership n e R Now a se e l !

P

nOn-prOFit Org us pOstage paiD rOanOKe, va permit #78

P.O. Box 20986 roanoke, VA 24018 800.228.PArK (7275) 540.772.2992 www.BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org

FRIENDS CORPORATE CIRCLE

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our pledge of support for FrIeNDs of the Blue ridge Parkway is a public demonstration of good corporate citizenship. It is also a responsible way of communicating your company’s support of FrIeNDs to our multi-state membership base of over 8,500 members and your commitment to improving the quality of life for all who visit and live along the Blue ridge Parkway.

QUALITY OF LIFE the benefits of preserving, promoting and enhancing the cultural and ecological importance of the Blue ridge Parkway extend far beyond the scenic beauty of its 469-mile journey through Virginia and North Carolina. Corporate support of the Blue ridge Parkway involves creating opportunities for the education of families and children as well as activities that improve the health and well being of people of all ages.

CORPORATE BENEFITS FrIeNDs is proud to acknowledge your contribution through various media including our website, newsletter and annual report, ensuring your employees and customers are aware of your support for the Blue ridge Parkway. Our Corporate Circle levels of Giving provide increasing levels of acknowledgement

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and benefits as your giving increases. Please see our website for further detail.

CORPORATE CIRCLE LEVELS OF GIVING PINNACle — $20,000 and above sUMMIt — $15,000 HOrIZON — $10,000 MOUNtAIN VIstA — $5,000 sCeNIC OVerlOOK — $1,000

JOIN FRIENdS CORPORATE CIRCLE TOdAY! the Corporate Circle is intended to provide year-long recognition and support to companies that share our values and objectives. If your company is interested in teaming up with FrIeNDs as a sponsor for our May 29th Blue ridge Golf Classic event, you will automatically become a member of our Corporate Circle for 2010 in addition to becoming a sponsor for the event. Become a member today by CONtACtING John schoenbaum, Director of Development, at 800.228.PArK (7275), email john_schoenbaum@friendsbrp.org or by visiting FrIeNDs’ website www.

BlueridgeFrIeNDs.org and clicking on the COrPOrAte link.

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