H I G H V I STAS NEWSLETTER of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.
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A N N I V E R S A R Y
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dedicated to increased environmental education and awareness of the Blue Ridge Parkway and corridor
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Green Knob, Nye Simons Photographer
FRIENDS: Engaging and Connecting with Tomorrow’s Leaders
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ver the years we have engaged children and young adults as Blue Ridge Parkway volunteers. Why? Because FRIENDS believes that nurturing the next generation through volunteer service will grow today’s youth into tomorrow’s leaders! We also believe it is equally important for FRIENDS to connect with young people. The traditional visitor to our parks is aging, and our connection with the youth of America and the world is our key to the future.
www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org
For years we have been providing tree planting experiences that not only save and enhance the Parkway views but also inspire kids to return with water cans to nourish, care for and connect with “their tree.” On March 20, 2010, our spring seedling planting was held to save another Parkway view. Approximately 180 adults and youth participated in the planting of 525 hardwood and White Cedar seedlings. In addition, the volunteer efforts of youth and college students, from as
far away as Notre Dame University, have helped to restore and rebuild Blue Ridge Parkway trails and rail fences. Last spring FRIENDS engaged over 100 youth to assist with the cleanup of 105 camp sites at the Roanoke Mountain Campground, ensuring that the campground could open on time this spring. The Park Service underestimated what a large group of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders could accomplish; the 105 camp sites were continued on page 4
“Walnut Cove provides an extraordinary setting for golf and has many areas that, like the Blue Ridge Parkway, make you feel as if you are playing through a national forest. Playing Walnut Cove is a special experience, made even more special this year, as the Parkway celebrates its 75th Anniversary.” - Jack Nicklaus, Golf Course Architect, The Cliffs at Walnut Cove Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
Join Us!
The Blue Ridge Parkway 75th Anniversary
The First Annual FRIENDS Golf Classic - Tuesday, October 26th Honoring Its Board Of Directors and Parkway Partners, Communities and Employees! * Sponsorship opportunities available * Limited to the first 30 foursomes to sign up * Register/Learn more at www.FRIENDSBRPGolfClassic.org!
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o clebrate this impressive milestone and inspire generations of future stewards to ensure the Parkway’s sustained beauty, FRIENDS is holding its First Annual Golf Classic on Tuesday, October 26, 2010, at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Asheville, North Carolina. All funds raised through the First Annual FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Golf Classic will be used to support FRIENDS’ Parkway programs. For every dollar raised by FRIENDS, Parkway volunteers provide $3.00 of volunteer service back to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This one-day tournament will be a modified scramble format, with each player’s drive counting twice. Sponsorship opportunities are available from $250 and up. Player packages available starting at $200. Not a golfer? Join us for the post-round 75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner honoring Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis. Dinner tickets $75/each. To learn more and register, visit the tournament website at www. FRIENDSBRPGolfClassic.org!
A scene of unparalleled natural beauty, inspired by the ageless villages of Europe and just minutes from downtown Asheville, N.C., The Cliffs at Walnut Cove offers breathtaking vistas of both the Blue Ridge Parkway as well as Pisgah National Forest. Debuting as “an instant classic”, the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove opened with a nationally televised, PGA-sanctioned event, a first in PGA Tour History. Renowned for its magnificent setting, the 7,278-yard course features challenging greens, bentgrass fairways and strong, strategic bunkering, along with plenty of elevation changes. Nominated as the “Best New Private Course” in the country by Golf Digest and one of the “Top 25 Real Estate Golf Courses in the U.S.” by Golf Magazine Living, the Walnut Cove course is one of two Jack Nicklaus’ courses available to Cliffs’ members. It is no wonder that The Cliffs was once again recognized one of “America’s Top 10 Golf Communities” by Travel + Leisure Golf magazine. At the heart of Walnut Cove stands The Club Village, featuring a Golf
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 Golf Tournament
75th Anniversary Celebratory Dinner
The Cliffs at Walnut Cove – Arden, NC 12:00 p.m. | Registration/Lunch Buffet/ Range opens 1:00 p.m. | Shotgun start
The Tavern Restaurant at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove - Arden, NC 6:00 p.m. | Cocktail Reception
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House that was named Golf Inc.’s Best New Clubhouse in 2006 and a Tudor-style Tavern and Restaurant. To purchase tickets: Visit www.FriendsBRPGolfClassic.org or call 800.228.PARK (7275).
7:00 p.m. | Awards Presentation and Dinner honoring Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis
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Fall, A Time Of Change By Ann and Rob Simpson
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all is a time of change on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The long summer evening serenades of droning locusts and singing katydids fade softly as the days grow shorter and temperatures cooler. Leaves begin to glow yellow, orange and red, painting a canvas of living color along the Parkway. Peak fall foliage varies each year but generally is most brilliant the last two weeks in October. Keen observers of nature can spot gray squirrels and eastern chipmunks busily gathering seeds and nuts to store for the long winter ahead. Black bears greedily gorge on lush fruits of summer to build up enough fat reserves to keep them going through the long winter months. Look for them in the early morning and late evenings feeding on blackberries and cherries but remember to keep at least 100 yards (the length of a football field) between you and the bear. Not all bears in the southeastern states hibernate and some may be active all year. In mid-September, Monarch butterflies begin their annual migration to Mexico. These colorful super migrants can be seen all along the Parkway but especially in the Asheville area near Wagon Road Gap at milepost 412 and at Cherry Cove Overlook at milepost 415. Also watch for the zigzag flight of Green Darner dragonflies that migrate south at the same time. Unable to cope with the cold and lack of high-energy protein food (insects) many birds migrate to warmer climates in the fall. Colorful songbirds such as Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Bunting, and Baltimore Orioles begin their journey to Mexico and Central America in September. These are actually tropical birds that come to North America for a few months to breed and take advantage of the huge flush of insect food during the summer. They get the name Neotropical migrants from “neo” for “new” tropics in Central and South America as opposed to the Old World tropics in Africa and Asia. Many small warblers molt their colorful feathers and transform into drab shades of brown so camouflaging themselves that bird watchers often call them “confusing fall warblers”. One bright orange-throated
Neotropical gem, the Blackburnian Warbler, a tiny 4-inch long bird that weighs 0.4 ounces (11 grams), only about as much as two U.S. quar ters, m ig rates every fall from the Appalachians to South America, a journey of over 2,000 miles. Gliding by ridges of the Blue Ridge Parkway hawks may be seen migrating in large groups sometimes in the thousands. Along the Appalachians, the peak for Broad-winged Hawk migration is September 12th to the 25th. Between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, the sun heats up the lower air masses in the valleys. This creates thermals of rising warm air upon which the hawks soar effortlessly on their journey. The hawks spiral upwards, in groups, in what hawk watchers call a “kettle” as they often look like steam rising from a boiling kettle. In October, from many overlooks along the parkway you may also see other species of migrating raptors including Red-tailed
Simpson's Nature Photography
Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks and if you are lucky even a Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, or Peregrine Falcon. At milepost 0, thrilled birdwatchers enjoy the yearly migration spectacle along Rockfish Gap. Some other proven viewpoints include Harvey’s Knob Overlook at milepost 95, Mahogany Rock Overlook at milepost 235 and Mount Pisgah at milepost 408.
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FRIENDS OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY BOARD
Gregory Neal Brown, Ph.D., President Gretchen Weinnig, Vice President 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 Ken Randolph
Tomorrow's Leaders, continued from cover. cleaned, painted and resurfaced with gravel in less than 4 hours! Today’s youth are remarkable. The members of FRIENDS fund many of the Blue Ridge Parkway interpretive programs and activities, as well as volunteer experiences for hundreds of youth along the entire Blue Ridge Parkway corridor. In addition, we provide the new Blue Ridge Parkway’s Junior Ranger Booklet for all youth participating in these park-wide programs. Last month we were able to fund a Junior Ranger Program at the Johnson Farm, next to the Peaks of Otter. Today we talk about the time kids spend in front of computers, replacing their connection to “green space” with their engaging in cyberspace.
This disconnect from nature, as realized in Richard Louv’s “Last Child in the Woods,” is the driving force behind FRIENDS’ commitment to engage and connect with today’s kids as volunteers. You love the Blue Ridge Parkway and FRIENDS’ work; that is why you support FRIENDS. As FRIENDS increasingly continues to connect and engage with youth, our youth have the opportunity to experience the Blue Ridge Parkway first hand. These children and young adults learn the importance of providing service, “giving back”, and as a result they want to preserve, promote and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway! Your membership helps us to not only engage and connect with tomorrow’s leaders, but also “grow” them. See page 6, Sunshine, Laughter, Energy and Sweat for FRIENDS photos.
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 Kay Cristiansen* Acting Assistant to the Director Virginia Ehrich* Director of Membership Services Shane Hawk* Director of Volunteers & Programs Rod Broker* Director of Chapter Development
OFFICE VOLUNTEERS
Celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway Register now for the symposium:
Imagining the Blue Ridge Parkway for the 21st Century A conference on sustaining the communities, environments, and economies along the parkway corridor AND featuring keynote speaker Richard Louv, widely acclaimed author of Last Child in the Woods. October 14-16, 2010 at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia Complete program and registration information at blueridgeparkway75.org/symposium. Exhibitors welcome!
Eva Gray** Office Volunteer Coordinator Pauline O’Dell** Leigh McKay** Special Projects Clerks
HIGH VISTAS STAFF
Newsletter Chief: Susan J. Mills, Ph.D. Editor: David Barstow** Graphic Designer: Jill Darlington-Smith** *Part-time Staff / **Volunteers
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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
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The Blue Ridge Parkway: How did it all begin? Flat Rock, NC, June, Pat and Chuck Blackley Photographers
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. “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” John Muir - The Yosemite (1912), page 256.
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ong before September 11, 1935, and the construction of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Americans began appreciating the natural wonders of their country. The first Urban Park was established in 1858, New York’s Central Park. In 1864, President Lincoln wrote the first bill for a land grant to establish Yosemite National Park. This is amazing considering the turmoil the country was experiencing. Congress passed the final approval for Yellowstone in 1890. With the invention of the automobile came the need for roads. In 1910, 32,000 Model T’s were sold throughout the country. By 1912, North Carolina alone had 65 Good Roads Associations. The Good Roads Associations included farmers, local community groups, and other interested organizations and they realized the need for better roads. In August of 1933, President Roosevelt visited the construction of Skyline Drive, Virginia. Senator Harry F. Byrd proposed that they extend this road all the way to Georgia. In October of 1933, representatives from Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee met to discuss the project. Representative Robert Doughton from Alleghany County was a very important advocate for the road going through North Carolina. He was the most powerful voice in North Carolina Congress and strongly supported the New Deal.
On November 16, 1933, Congress allotted $4 million for the construction on the road which was to become the Parkway. In that same month, Mr. Stanley Abbott was hired as the first landscape architect. Preservation of natural wonders and touring with the automobile went hand in hand. Since the early parks were established in the west, interest grew to establish parks in the east. Therefore, the idea of the Eastern Park-to-Park highway was established. Originally this included Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the Great Smoky Mountains all the way to Georgia. On September 11, 1935, heavy equipment was delivered by train to the Galax, Virginia train station and hauled to the Cumberland Knob area where construction commenced. Cumberland Knob was the first completed visitors’ center for the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is located on the first 12 mile segment to be constructed. The Blue Ridge Parkway was constructed in 45 different projects. Contractors from across the country had to bid on these projects. The first company to win a bid was Nello Teer from Durham, North Carolina. The second company to win a bid was Albert Brothers, Inc. out of Salem, Virginia. The contractors actually built the roads and tunnels.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps were established along the Blue Ridge Parkway as part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal program. They included Rocky Knob, Camp Kelso, The Bluffs, and one in Black Mountain. It is unclear if the camp at Black Mountain did much work on the Parkway. An African American Camp in Galax did work on the Parkway. The CCC did the landscaping by planting indigenous trees, laying rock for the drainage ditches, and building picnic tables. Other New Deal organizations included the Works Progress Association (WPA) and the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), which is the only one still in existence today. Formally, on June 30, 1936, Congress authorized the project as the “Blue Ridge Parkway” and placed it under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Up until this point it had been known casually as the “Appalachian Scenic Highway.” The project stretches through 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina for a total of 469 miles. Completion took 52 years with the Linn Cove Viaduct being the last segment. Linn Cove Viaduct “floats” around Grandfather Mountain preserving the mountain terrain. It is an engineering wonder that has won many design awards. It was assembled in segments that were pre-manufactured and hauled into the location, then assembled into place.
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Sunshine, Laughter, Energy & Sweat
Nye Simons Photographer
FRIENDS engages children, youth and students park wide!
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The Silent Season By Charles Lassiter
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snow. It seems as if you can hear each individual flake making contact with the trees and the forest floor. The chorus of tiny crunches is only periodically interrupted by the call of a winter bird. In the film adaptation of Forrest Carter’s The Education of Little Tree, the narrator speaks of a “secret place.” Winter on the Parkway may be one of those “secret places.” Why not come and see for yourself if nature will reveal her secrets to you in the winter winds or under the quiet of a snow covered forest canopy? I want to encourage you to visit the Parkway during all seasons. Just remember if you do make plans for a winter visit make sure to check for road closings. Due to inclement weather and occasional hazardous conditions some sections of the Parkway periodically close in winter.
Near Water Rock, Nye Simons Photographer
hen you plan a trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway the chances are it’s not during the winter months. Yes, it’s true that the lush greens and plentiful blossoms of spring and summer are long gone. Not to mention the fall colors. But, for those daring enough to brave the cold and visit in the “off season,” there are still treasures to behold. Most believe that all the forest is asleep. This is not quite true. Many animals move about and are rather content in the winter. I often think of how comfortable chickadees and juncos appear in the dead of winter. Some of the more elusive animals such as the coyote, bobcat and fox are active throughout the winter. I’ve seen far more coyotes in the winter than any other season. As game becomes scarce
the predators become more daring. This increases our chances to catch a glimpse of them. And without foliage on the trees it’s easier to see movement in the forest. Animals leave excellent tracks in the snow. Snow is one of the easiest surfaces on which to identify and follow tracks. Even the novice tracker is capable of following animal tracks in the snow. Just be careful and make sure the animal you’re tracking is no danger to you. One great thing about winter is that there is less movement. There is less movement on the roads and in the forest. This translates to a lot less noise. I have been fortunate enough to live on the Parkway through three winters. I can tell you folks that on a calm winter day up here it seems as if the whole world were silent. There is something peaceful about standing among tall fir trees in a heavy
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Flyfishing The Blue Ridge Contributing Author: Peter Givens, Interpretive Specialist, Blue Ridge Parkway
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be the most challenging and beautiful fish the angler has sought. The mountain streams rising along the Blue Ridge Parkway are one of this region’s greatest resources. For generations, these waters have ground corn for mountain residents, generated electricity, and cooled feet after a long walk. Even the smallest streams often provide the components necessary for a healthy Brook trout population. Like many species here, however, the trout finds its habitat in decline. Fish rely on these waters for food, but environmental concerns tug at
Crabtree Falls, Mike Booher
magine a gorgeous fall morning, deep in a hollow of the Blue Ridge where the fall leaves, by the thousands, are blanketing the forest floor and whitetail deer browse the hillside. The gurgling sound of a small stream beginning its trip to the ocean accentuates the setting. A fisherman crouched behind thick Rhododendron casts an artificial fly onto the stream’s surface, and it quickly becomes part of the current. The fly skims
across an inconspicuous pool before suddenly disappearing, victim to a gray flash across the bottom. Surprise may be the initial reaction of the angler catching his first native Brook trout near the headwaters of a small stream rising along the spine of the Blue Ridge. The moment is etched forever in his memory. Watching the colorful trout dart back to its hiding place under a small rock after being released may signal the start of a lifelong passion. Fish here and you will never again see a mountain stream without thinking of trout. This small species may
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the delicate balance necessary to sustain the population. Perhaps after holding that first trout in hand at a young age, the observant fly fisherman begins to realize that this is more than a fish – it is an indicator of the very health of the surrounding landscape. The presence of Brookies in a southern mountain stream is a direct result of three environmental influences that affect the entire region. One critical factor in providing this proper habitat is found in the forests that shelter the watercourse. Clear, cold water is mandatory for the survival of trout in mountain streams. The runoff from spring snows or a summer thunderstorm finds its way into these streams by filtering through the organic matter on the forest floor. Vegetation along the stream bank also helps provide shade, keeping the water temperature cool enough for the trout’s survival. A fly fisherman, finding healthy Brook trout populations, can be fairly certain that the diversity of species and health of the forest is good. Secondly, anglers in mountain streams often land Rainbow and Brown trout along with their catch of Brookies. Although providing good sport, both of these species have been introduced into southern waters from other areas. The Brown is native to Europe, while
the Rainbow is commonly found in the western United States. Such “exotic” species, those that are not native to an area, often create problems when introduced into an environment. In this case, the two exotic species of trout will often displace native populations. Once again, the angler who discovers Brookies has some insight into the problems of exotic species throughout the region.
A third common problem in the southern Appalachians that affects the biological integrity of all Brook trout streams is acid precipitation. The sulphur and nitrogen oxides released in the atmosphere from automobiles and factories fall in the form of rain and snow, dramatically affecting the acidity of the region’s water resources. The Brook trout is particularly sensitive to these changes and is considered a major indicator species of acid precipitation. A vigorous population tells the angler that, at least for the moment, this stream is safe. The sport of angling with a fly was hundreds of years old when the first settlers ventured up the slopes of the Blue Ridge. Isaac Walton’s study of the sport dates to 15th century Europe, where it was a traditional, well-established leisure activity even then. Lightweight materials have replaced most of the hand crafted bamboo fly rods and the patterns of flies are more intricate and available than in the past. But fly fishing is still one of the most traditional forms of recreation available along the Parkway. Perhaps in no other sport can the participant learn as much about the natural surroundings and come to an appreciation of the delicate balance necessary to maintain the resources and ecosystems of the Blue Ridge. May Brook Trout always survive in this special place!
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Dear Members of FRIENDS, From Our FRIENDS President
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am pleased to again share a letter with all of our members in this issue of High Vistas. We are continuing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Numerous events already have been held along the Parkway, and many more are planned. FRIENDS has participated in most of these events. The major anniversary celebration is planned at Cumberland Knob and the Blue Ridge Music Center on September 10-12. This represents the birthday of the ground-breaking for the Parkway in 1935. FRIENDS now has nine chapters along the Parkway. The only areas not covered are between mileposts 0 to 60 (Waynesboro and Buena Vista, VA are in this stretch), and between mileposts 316 and 364 (Little Switzerland, NC is in this stretch). While FRIENDS has many ongoing events, our major focus recently has been in the category of youth volunteer programs, which is consistent with the National Park Service‘s emphasis on youth involvement outdoors. Approximately 100 children between the ages of 8 and 10 cleaned campsites at Roanoke Mountain Campground, and approximately 50 children helped plant over 500 seedlings at viewsheds in the Roanoke area. In the Asheville area, about 10 students from the Randolph Learning Center worked in the gardens near the Parkway Headquarters and Visitors Center. Also, several groups of students under “The Timothy Project,” which includes groups of students attending summer sessions in the Asheville area, have worked on campgrounds, overlooks and trails in the Asheville corridor. Hundreds of children have participated each year in the Parkway’s Junior Ranger Program that is supported by FRIENDS. These activities have included visiting numerous sites along the Parkway, and noting their experiences in an activity book folder. You can help secure the future of the Parkway and our Youth Volunteer programs with your memberships and gifts to FRIENDS. Also, you can help support FRIENDS’ many programs by volunteering in projects and working through your local chapter. THANK YOU for your support of FRIENDS.
O R D E R Y O U R V I R G I N I A P A R K W AY T A G T O D AY !
VIRGINIA
FRIENDS OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY Be among the first in Virginia to have the new Blue Ridge Parkway license tag. Sponsored by FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this new tag is a perfect way to show your support for preserving and protecting America’s Favorite Scenic Drive. The North Carolina version of this tag is the state’s leading specialty tag. To order call the FRIENDS office at 540.772.2992
Greg Brown
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or place your order online at: www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org
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Rhubarb
Karen J. Hall Author of Building the Blue Ridge Parkway and Blue Ridge Parkway – Postcard History Series
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rowing up in Carroll County, Virginia, near the Cumberland Knob section of the park, my grandmother cooked many different types of desserts. Several generations of her family have lived in the Carroll County and the Galax area. They have passed down recipes from generation to generation. Of course my grandmother cooks on a wood stove to this day. An electric stove sits in her kitchen, but she prefers the wood stove. Today I think about what happened in our area seventy-five years ago, on
September 11, 1935 – a groundbreaking ceremony was held at Cumberland Knob. The construction equipment was delivered via train to the Galax depot and then transported to the Cumberland Knob and Fisher Peak area. My grandmother and I will share in the celebration today! We will discuss the many picnics and drives taken over the years on the Parkway. As a little girl, her Sunday School class would take a day annually and go for a picnic at Cumberland Knob, just as my Sunday School class did. This year on September 10th, 11th, and 12th the Blue Ridge Parkway is hosting a celebration at Cumberland Knob and the Blue Ridge Music Center with demonstrators, skilled craftsmen and interpreters. Food vendors will be present to share some local foods along with the interpreters. I hope to see some great traditional food like my grandmother cooked. See the web page http://blueridgeparkway75.org/ for some of the great events planned at Blue Ridge Music Center on the Parkway and at community festivals hosted in Fancy Gap, Martinsville, Meadows of Dan, Roanoke and Galax. One of the old time vegetables that my grandmother grew was beautiful ruby red rhubarb. It has a long stalk stem with large triangular leaves. The leaves are poisonous and cannot be eaten. The ruby red or green stalk is the part of the plant we use to bake many delicious rhubarb
Strawberry -Rhubarb Compote great on warm buttered biscuits
3 cups chopped rhubarb 1 cup chopped strawberries 1/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup water (You may also add a zest of lemo n for taste.) In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, Bring to simmer, then turn heat several hours. When the rhubarb cook for another hour or so. Stir
combine rhubarb, sugar and water. very low. Cook without stirring for is very soft, add the strawberries and gently. Add more sugar to taste
desserts. Most of these recipes require at least 1 cup of chopped rhubarb. Rhubarb can be used to make pies, cobblers, cakes, crisps , muffins and breads. Rhubarb can be used in almost any food item where a tart taste is welcomed. Did I say “tart”? I mean “very tart.” Lipsmacking tart! Rhubarb can be grown in the Blue Ridge Mountains very easily. It is grown best from cuttings of other plants. Plant the cutting in the fall, fertilize with garden fertilizer and cover heavily with mulch. Come spring it will sprout and grow into a large leafy plant. Let the plant grow the first year and harvest in the second year. As blooms pop up on the plant, cut and discard them. This will allow all the energy of the plant to go into the stalk. It is a perennial plant. Rhubarb can successfully be planted in containers, so long as the container is large enough to accommodate a season’s growth.
Cooking
Rhubarb can be cooked with strawberries or apples as a sweetener, or with stem or root ginger. Rhubarb makes excellent jam, especially mixed with strawberries. My family loves strawberry-rhubarb jam. Some other fruits, with the addition of pectin (or using sugar with pectin already added), can also be added to rhubarb to make a variety of jams.
barb Pie Strawberry Rhu t)
ea l (frozen works gr 9” baked pie shel Jello rry be 1 (3oz.) pkg. straw arb ed 3 cups diced rhub ic sl 1 qt. strawberries, 1 cup water m ea cr y 1/2 pt. heav
1 cup sugar 2 tbsp. cornstarch
rigerator over d let sit in the ref an r ga su e th of 1 cup sugar, ubarb, remaining M ix rhubarb and saucepan, mix rh a in y, da ng wi er and simm until night. The follo il. Reduce heat bo a to g rin B . rch erate until cool. water and cornsta r in Jello. Refrig sti d an at he m e fro ped thickened. Remov garnish with whip to pie shell and in r ou P . es rri be Fold in straw re serving. several hours befo te era rig ef R . cream
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Grover Groundhog Corner
When you need a special gift for the Holidays, a Birthday or Anniversary give the gift that keeps on giving… a FRIENDS Membership! Call 800.228.7275 to create a Customized Gift Request!
Volunteers Needed! or visit Call 800.228.7275 iends.org www.BlueRidgeFr tion. for more informa
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HI FRIEN DS! I’m having a wonderful time as environmental mascot for th FRIEN DS’ e I want all my friends to help Blue Ridge Parkway. us habitats by being nature-wis preserve natural e: • Put litter where it belongs in trash cans or recycling bins. • Leave the flowers for others to enjoy. • Watch wildlife from a dista nce and never feed or frighten animals. • Stay on trails and paths wh en - straying into natural areas in the woods de endangered plants and disrup stroys ts the homes of our animal friends! • Be careful with campfires. • Urge others to practice these habits, too. I need YOU and YOUR family an preserve the natural habitat d friends to help s and beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway for the fu tu to practice good environment re. Remember al groundhogs and other animals habits. All us in the woods are counting on YOU! Your Friend,
Grover
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When The Parkway Came Anne M. Whisnant and David E. Whisnant Chapel Hill: Primary Source Publishers, 2010
In the first excerpt, published in our Spring/Summer issue, a grandfather shows his granddaughter where their family’s farm used to be prior to the Parkway being built it. That excerpt ends with his telling her that his father, her great grandfather, got a job helping to build the Parkway. Excerpt #2
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fter Daddy had been working a few weeks, Maggie and I came home from school one day to see a new black Buick parked in front of the house. Mama and Daddy were talking to a man we’d never seen. “Mr. Browning,” they called him. Mr. Browning had spread out some maps on our kitchen table, and he and Daddy were standing over them. “It’ll come along right about here,” Mr. Browning pointed out. “I’ve walked over the whole route,” he told Daddy. “It’s going to be a beautiful park and road for everyone. You’ll be able to see forever from right here on your ridge. It’ll be like driving in the clouds.”
At supper time I could tell Daddy was really worried. “That Parkway is going to come right through the middle of our farm,” he blurted out, “and I ain’t got any idea how much land they’re gonna take.” Daddy and Mama just looked down at
their plates. We didn’t understand why. A few days later when we were at Mr. Penland’s store, Mr. Penland said that Mr. Browning had put up some maps on the courthouse wall in West Jefferson. We stood on the steps outside the store and talked with some neighbor men a few minutes, but then Daddy said, “Come on, kids, we’re goin’ to the courthouse to see what this is all about.” When we got to West Jefferson, Daddy took one quick look at the maps and got white as a sheet. “Twenty acres? That’s almost a third of our whole farm,” he said. “And we ain’t even gonna be able to get to that new road to drive on it, ‘cause they won’t allow us to cut no driveway to it from what farm we’re gonna have left.” Mama and Daddy sat in the living room talking for a long time that night. Their chairs squeaked as they fretted over their account book. “Only $5.50 an acre—that’s a hundred and ten dollars for the whole thing, plus that’s some of our best land,” Daddy said. “We won’t have enough left to keep the farm going. How’ll we make it? ... We ain’t even gonna have money to buy gas for the tractor and the truck.” The next night Daddy sat up late at the table in the living room. He was writing to the president.
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FRIENDS Mailbox
FRIENDS thanks the Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc. Board of Directors and all those associated with the Parkway ~ employees, partners, and the special communities along the 469-mile route ~ for making 2010 a great 75th Anniversary year for our park!
Culture I have became absorbed into the Blue Ridgeflat in with the Friday sing in Floyd plus more of C.-foot ee at Mabry Mill on Sunday. Am loving all AlsoTyr I Feagan’s books, purchased at Mabry Mill. o Mo, ved Wh have enjoyed learning from The Man Rose Inn.a Mountain. Wonder ful stay at Mountainbreakfasts. So friendly and hospitable with delicious Cannot wait to return! Thanks FRIENDS for all you do! R. M. from Portville, NY
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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, 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.
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FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Your volunteers have done a beautiful job! The Parkway looks better than it has for years! Thanks. Love your newsletter! B. S. from Reidsville, NC
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Get Involved! MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
For Information on FRIENDS Chapters, contact:
Award Winning Volunteer! Gloria Hilton of Meadows of Dan, immediate past chair of the Rocky Knob Chapter of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, was honored in Roanoke, Virginia on Thursday, August 12, 2010 at the meeting of the FRIENDS Board of Directors. Gloria received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, with a letter from President Obama, for her numerous hours of volunteer service to the FRIENDS organization and to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Gloria is shown here with her husband, Kerry - who is also an outstanding FRIENDS volunteer, Superintendent, Phil Francis and Susan Mills, Executive Director. 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. Fresh Market Frito-Lay FRIENDS’ Chapters FRIENDS' Staff and Office Volunteers
Mary Guynn Home Depot Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, The Gloria Hilton Kroger Leisure Publishing Company Panera Bread 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 March 1, 2010 and July 31, 2010, please contact us. FRIENDS needs your in-kind contributions. Please call us at 540.772.2992 or 800.228.PARK (7275).
FRIENDS Humpback Rocks Chapter Contact: Rod Broker 540/772-2992 Rod_Broker@Friends BRP.org FRIENDS Peaks of Otter Chapter Contact: Rod Broker 540/772-2992 Rod_Broker@Friends BRP.org FRIENDS Roanoke Valley Chapter Contact: Regina Desper 540/562-4315 Regina_Desper@msn.com FRIENDS Rocky Knob Chapter Contact: Jim Newlin 540/745-4613 JNewlin@nc.rr.com FRIENDS Fisher Peak Chapter Contact: Lewis Shropshire 276/238-8210 PopShrop@centurylink.net FRIENDS West Jefferson/Sparta/ Wilkesboro Chapter Contact: Ken Canter 336/838-8131 RKenCanter@aol.com FRIENDS High Country Chapter Boone/Blowing Rock Contact: Mike Kebelbeck 828/295-6385 MJKebelbeck@gmail.com FRIENDS Appalachian State University Student Chapter Contact: Heather Preston 828/262-2449 PrestonHP@appstate.edu FRIENDS Asheville Chapter Contact: Hugh Stephens 828/274-9048 HWStephens@bellsouth.net
ank Beamer ACT NOW & JOIN Coach Fr Ballyhack Golf Club & for the Annual Golf Classic at Blue Ridge Parkway an Evening to Experience the
May 21, 2011!
FRIENDS Cherokee Chapter Contact: Robert Jumper 828/497-8127 RobeJump@nc-cherokee.com 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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o Renew You r Membe t e m r sh t Ti ip ? i Give Us A Call. Is
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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A Way To Connect With The Blue Ridge Parkway
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 8,700 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 and benefits as your giving increases. Please see our website for
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further detail. Corporate members can involve their employees in volunteer opportunities. There are many ways for your business to connect with the Blue Ridge Parkway through FRIENDS.
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 OUR 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 FRIENDS’ Blue Ridge Parkway Golf Classic events, you will automatically become a member of our Corporate Circle in addition to becoming a sponsor for the event. Become a member today by CONTACTING FRIENDS at 800.228. PARK (7275), emailing Staff@FriendsBRP.org or by visiting FRIENDS’ website www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org and clicking on the CORPORATE link.
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