HighVistas Journal, Spring and Summer, 2012

HIGH VISTAS Journal

Indian Gap, VA, Photo copyright by Pat & Chuck Blackley

Spring/Summer 2012

A publication by FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway dedicated to increasing environmental education, interpretation and awareness of the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding corridor.

FRIENDS OF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

TRUSTEE BOARD Mark Dempsey David Wallenborn BOARD OF DIRECTORS J. Richard Wells, President Ken Randolph, Vice President Denise Koff, Secretary Ben Geer Keys, Treasurer Michael Baucom, William Brenton, Jr. CFP, Lynn Davis, Mary Jane Ferguson, Jonathan R. Ireland, David Poteet, Elizabeth Sims BOARD EMERITUS Mary Guynn, Dick Patterson, MD, J. Richard Wells ADVISORY BOARD Marcia and Dave Barstow, Pat and Chuck Blackley, George Blanar, Ph.D., M. Rupert Cutler, Ph.D., David Harrison, George Humphries, Dr. Harley Jolley, Fredrick Kubik, Cara Ellen Modisett, Dick Patterson, M.D., Jamie Prince, Maria Tambellini STAFF Susan Jackson Mills, Ph.D., Executive Director Virginia Ehrich*, Director of Membership Services Fernando Gracia, Coordinator of Volunteer & Chapter Development Mary Ellen Belcher*, VIP Program Jamey Miller*, Media Director VOLUNTEER STAFF Pauline O’Dell, Membership Kathy Van Duzer, Office Assistant Linda Willard, Office Assistant Yezid Gracia, Marketing Intern

HIGH VISTAS STAFF Journal Chief: Susan J. Mills, Ph.D. Editor: David Barstow Graphic Designer: Jill Darlington-Smith Darlington-Smith Graphics The views expressed here are solely those of the authors and do not in any way represent the views of the National Park Service or FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

*Part-time Staff

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Spring / Summer 2012

Spring & Summer 2012

features

4 Spring & Summer

Wildflower Surprises

8 Republic of Floyd 10 Spotlight On Volunteers 14 Blue Ridge Picnicking

16 Frescoes in the Blue Ridge

21 Hiking Wigwam Falls

Wigwam Falls, Photo copyright by Pat & Chuck Blackley

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 3

Dwarf Iris: A Springtime Surprise

By Su Clauson-Wicker

WE HELP FUND…

Americans considered it a laxative and an emetic to help the body cleanse itself of anything it needed to be rid of in short order. This is because the iris is toxic in larger doses.

The little iris is short on stature, only 2 to 6 inches tall, but long on mythology. Iris was the goddess of the rainbow in Greek mythology. Whenever a rainbow occurred, it was assumed that Iris was bringing a message to a mortal or to a god who was on an earthly mission.

Iris was also the mother of Eros, the god of love. But it is not to be picked for the one you love. It’s forbidden, of course, and the picking will probably uproot the shallow tuber. The blossom wilts within minutes anyway. Better to enjoy the dwarf iris for what it is – a springtime marvel in the woodland.

The Preservation of Endangered Species

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Spring / Summer 2012

Photo copyright by Pat & Chuck Blackley

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hen you first spy a dwarf wild iris pushing its glorious blossom out of the forest floor, you may wonder who dropped a corsage – this violet flower seems as exotic as an orchid. It’s a surprise in the Appalachian spring, when most other flowers are white, yellow or pastel pink and daintily small. The dwarf iris is all flower, with a blossom 2-3 inches in diameter.

Where you find one, you’re likely to discover a patch, so look around. Sniff about. The early blooms are fragrant at close range. Look again two months later – nothing.

The small cluster of narrow, pointed leaves is barely noticeable in the leave mould.

You can find the dwarf iris (Iris verna) and its equally short, crested cousin (Iris cristata), in April and May along the Parkway in Rock Castle Gorge, at Crabtree Falls, on Grandfather Mountain, in Doughton Park, and near Jumpinoff Rocks at Milepost 260, among other spots. It likes partial shade or sunny patches where the foliage has not yet blocked out the light.

Folklore has it that woodsmen occasionally made a tea of the roots to treat hepatitis.

Even mixed with other wild herbs, it caused a burning sensation in short order. Native

Experience the Treasure Article and Photos by Ann and Rob Simpson

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onnecting Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, an expedition to the Blue Ridge Parkway is a unique travel experience unrivaled in the world. Passing through one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America, the Parkway is a national treasure cherished by those who love and find value in the beauty and significance of the natural world. Stretching 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina, this beloved road is annually traveled by 16 million visitors seeking to experience first-hand the allure of the Appalachian Mountains and the remarkable stories that are held just beyond the next turn.

In April and May, spring arrives on the Parkway with a rolling palette of pastels as early blooming wildflowers such as Bloodroot, Hepatica, and Trillium unfurl their petals in the warm spring breezes. High in the bright green trees,

Indigo Buntings, American Redstarts, and Scarlet Tanagers appear as if by magic from their wintering home in the south. These birds and other colorful Neotropical Migrants quickly begin building nests to start a new family.

Spring is a time of newness as white tail deer fawns are born in cool morning meadows amidst dew-kissed blades of waving green grass.

Landing top billing in mid-June are the miles and miles of Rhododendron that upstage any competition with their pink blossoms bursting with passionate colors to brighten the roadways. In areas such as Craggy Gardens at milepost 364, the trails and walkways are decorated with pink Rhododendron blossoms which carpet the ground when they are shed. Spring melts into the background as summer creeps in to take over the show with bright roadside colors of yellow Black-eyed Susans, orange Turks Cap Lilies and white Queen Anne’s Lace.

Parkway visitors can explore the history of the Blue Ridge Mountains through shared stories of a lifestyle preserved for the nation

Fishing and canoeing are simple pleasures enjoyed by many in one of the thirteen lakes along the Parkway. Nature walks and hikes to waterfalls offer some of the most rewarding experiences along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Moderate hikes to Crabtree Falls, Milepost 339.5, Linville Falls, Milepost 316.4 and Cascades at Milepost 271.9 will reward you with spectacular views of mesmerizingly clear water rushing over the rounded rocks until plunging in a rollicking spray onto the earth below. For those whose plans do not include a hike you can stop along the roadway to see Wigwam Falls, Milepost 34.4 or Glassmine Falls, Milepost 361.2.

Youngsters of all ages can become a Junior Ranger at one of the park visitor centers.

Drawn by the simplicity of folk music and the passion and ingenuity of early settlers, Parkway visitors can explore the history of the Blue Ridge Mountains through shared stories of a lifestyle preserved for the nation. Echoes of Old World origins ring through the hills of Virginia as musicians tune their banjos and fiddles to share their talents with visitors at the Blue Ridge Music Center at Milepost 213 near Galax. Examples of traditional farming and Appalachian pioneer cultures can be seen at Humpback Rocks Mountain Farm, Milepost 5.8, Mabry Mill at Milepost 176 and Johnson Farm, which is a short hike from Peaks of Otter Lodge at Milepost 86.

Traditional mountain and folk art crafts can be viewed and purchased at the Folk Art Center, Milepost 382, the Moses Cone Estate and Parkway Craft Center, Milepost 294.1, and the Northwest Trading Post, Milepost 258.6.

Your treasure is waiting on the Blue Ridge Parkway – come experience it for yourself.

WE HELP FUND…

Parkway Interpretive & Junior Ranger Programs for year our members have funded $35,500 16 Million Visitors Park Wide This of special programs for Parkway visitors. www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 5

Win This Original Oil Painting

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Golf Classic

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or a day of truly unique golf, camaraderie and social activity, join Coach Beamer and Kylene Barker McNeill to celebrate the Blue Ridge Parkway’s heritage; this special occasion will honor the past and shape the future for years to come of the Parkway, America’s most visited park, with over sixteen million annual visitors.

The FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Golf Classic sold out in 2011. It is quickly becoming an exciting and fun event for Hokie and Blue Ridge Parkway fans!

For information regarding sponsorships FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Golf Classic please contact FRIENDS, 540.772.2992.

Raffle tickets $5.00 each, 5 for $20. Drawing June 15th.

Send checks to the FRIENDS office at: P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, VA 24018.

Make sure you include your name and email.

If you prefer, call 540.772.2992, the FRIENDS office with Credit Card information.

The winner of the Janet Wimmer original painting will be notified by email or phone.

FRIENDS’ Superintendent Message The National Park Service’s m ission as prescr ibed by Congress is: “ to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” This mission has served us well and has resulted in an impressive array of National Park units across America including its trust territories.

Today, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the most visited national park unit in the system with an average of 16 million visits a year. The Parkway today is many things to people. It is a scenic drive, a fragile ecosystem, a place to recreate, a place of many stories, a cultural landscape, and a place where memories are made that are passed down from one generation to the next. The Parkway

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plays an important role in the economies of western North Carolina and Virginia, creating jobs and welcoming visitors.

However, a dichotomy exists on the Parkway. Despite its superlatives as a national treasure and its mandate to conserve unimpaired its natural and cultural resources; we find encroaching commercial and residential development, air and water quality issues, poaching and lack of sufficient funding threatening this valuable and vulnerable American asset.

As we approach the centennial of the National Park Service in 2016, we acknowledge that the protection of this resource is an immense task, with much at stake. On a daily basis, Parkway staff grapple with numerous issues, all of which bring the future of the resource into question. Fortunately, many non-profit partner groups, including FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, now work hand-in-hand with the Parkway staff toward common goals. The Parkway of tomorrow will be defined by the extent to which people today are willing to step up on behalf of the Parkway and to invest in its future. Thank you for being a part of this important work.

Spring / Summer 2012

By Sarah Gilley

Find Summer Wildf lowers at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens

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Sample of Native Plants: May… Jack-in-the-Pulpit (a), Mayapple, Bluets, Flame Azalea (b), Lady’s Slipper (c), Trillium

a

b

c

d

e

f

June… Rhododendron (d), Trillium (e), Purple Flowering Raspberry July… Turkscap Lily (f) and Galax August… Boneset, Indian Pipes, Cardinal Flower, New England Aster

The Daniel Boone Native Gardens are located at 651 Horn in the West Drive, Boone, North Carolina, next to Horn in the West Outdoor Drama and the Watauga County Farmers Market. Open daily, May 1 through Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with extended midsummer hours. Admission is on the honor system, $2 per adult at the gatehouse.

WE CONNECT…

Members With Special Places As members we try to connect you with places and events on the Parkway through our Members only eNews! We partner with the Blue Ridge Parkway Association for our members to receive special business discounts along the Parkway.

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 7

Photos copyright by Pat & Chuck Blackley

hat is the easiest way to see elu sive Appa lach ia n wildflowers?

Two options - check the bloom calendar on www.blueridgeparkway.org and plot a course to the designated milepost, or drive to the Daniel Boone Native Gardens in Boone, NC. Opened during the 1960s and maintained by Garden Clubs of North Carolina, the three-acre park features native ferns, wildflowers and rare plants.

Through the wrought-iron gates forged by a fourth-generation descendent of Daniel Boone, visitors may ramble past the historic Squires Cabin hidden near the bog garden. Find cool shade at the wishing well or in the fern garden.

The High Country Audubon chapter conducts bird walks the second Tuesday morning during summer months. Watch local artists paint on the first and third Tuesdays. Visit www.

DanielBooneNativeGardens.org for events and photos of rare flora species native only to the mountains.

The Republic of Floyd – A Blue Ridge Parkway Town

By Su Clauson-Wicker

F

LOYD, Va. — The Blue Ridge Parkway was built to put people to work during the Depression. Now the ridge top roadway has evolved into one of the nation’s most visited national parks and adjacent towns are turning to tourism to carry them through the current hard times.

Floyd, Virginia, is one of those towns.

A 500-resident burgh that boasts the county’s only stoplight, Floyd is a bustling, dynamic place. On summer Fridays, hundreds of people – both tourists and locals - cram the famed country store, pack the mom-and-pop restaurants and pour into the streets to hear old-time mountain music pickers.

The Floyd Country Store, the centerpiece of the town’s history and its renaissance as a tourist attraction, turned 100 years old this summer. Over the years, the store has gone from serving farmers in horse-drawn wagons to stocking bluegrass CDs and outdoor clothes for GPSguided tourists from the Parkway.

At the store’s Friday Night Jamboree, folks of all ages flatfoot to the likes of “I keep my skillet good and greasy all the time.” Some have taps on their shoes, and the best seem to barely move their bodies

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north of the hips while keeping their feet slippery-ice busy.

The crowd keeps time to fiddle tunes, sings along with gospel, and snacks on pork barbecue, pimento cheese sandwiches, and sweet tea every Friday night.

On these evenings, mountain music spills over from the stage in the back of the store to the sidewalks outside. Folks who want to dance come early to stake out their claims on the folding chairs nearest the aisles. Each seat is marked with a different homemade pillow.

Floyd Country Store is an integral music venue on The Crooked Road - a heritage driving trail linking towns and music venues in Southwest Virginia.

“This is where America learned to be America,” said Joe Wilson, co-founder of The Crooked Road and chairman of the National Council for the Traditional Arts, at the store recently when the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Crooked Road a 2010 “Distinctive Destination.”

“Floyd’s become festival-like on weekends,” says Woody Crenshaw, who now owns Floyd General Store.

Even at the old store, things are changing. While the audience still sits

on straight back chairs and sings “I’ll Fly Away” during the gospel hour in a setting where alcohol is strictly forbidden, people across the street sip local wines in a new tasting room. Next door in the new open-air market, local artisans are selling soaps scented with local herbs, Australian didgeridoos and jewelry made from tree fungus.

And while the Floyd Country Store is the uncontested palace of traditional mountain music, other venues are springing up to keep visitors in town for another night. On several summer evenings, a variety of regional musicians perform bluegrass, mountain jazz, and “mountain thunder” at Hotel Floyd, across the street and through the Confederate cemetery. A variety of musicians perform Saturdays at Warren G. Lineberry Park beside the country store, while local acoustic musicians accompany dinner at Oddfellas Cantina just down the street and the nearby Sun Music Hall catches big-name performers for mid-week dates.

Floyd began to take on a quirky flavor in the 1960s, when urban back-to-theearthers moved to Floyd County. They founded collective farms, art studios, fuel alcohol stills and communes and would eventually start their own downtown businesses carrying South American clothing and handmade furniture amid the hardware stores. Some might attribute the county and town’s independent streak to its Blue Ridge DNA, going back to the European settlers who stubbornly eked out a living on this high plateau even though it had been bypassed by the railroad and had no major rivers.

Whatever the reason, Floyd’s development has followed its own drummer. You won’t find a Wal-Mart here nor a four-lane road, and only two franchised eateries have been allowed into town, both banished to the north end. A shuttered sewing factory is now home to Winter Sun, a combination clothing store and music hall with a Mexican restaurant downstairs.

The Jacksonville Center arts complex is housed in an old dairy barn. The Station

Spring / Summer 2012

was converted into a wine tasting room and retail space from an old gas station.

Floyd’s main commercial block of century-old buildings sports new benches, public restrooms, a performance park, an eco-friendly hotel, and a new farmers and artisans market. The business district is rounded out by a hardware store, art galleries, an upscale toy store, a thrift shop, a coffee roastery, the homey Blue Ridge Restaurant and a high quality craft/gift/wine shop.

The latter’s name – Republic of Floyd – is a fitting nickname for this mountaintop town that prides itself on independence and an alternative approach.

WE CONNECT…

Parkway Communities Through Our Chapter Network FRIENDS connects Parkway communities with our network of chapters which provide a way for individuals and groups to help the Parkway through volunteer service and raising funds for special Parkway projects.

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 9

The Art & Craft of Blue Ridge Picnicking

By Su Clauson-Wicker

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acking a basket for a picnic on the Parkway is a great way to bond with nature and the Parkway’s magnificent vistas. Whether it’s a romantic meal, a family reunion, or a relaxing family get-together, the Parkway is the kind of setting that makes memories.

Everything – even tomatoes and white bread – taste better al fresco over an awesome view. (Not that I’m criticizing anyone’s tomato sandwich – I have fond memories of fresh-out-of-the-gardentomatoes smothered with mayonnaise on Wonder Bread.)

Planning a picnic should be easy. The key is a list. It could be as simple as this: pack a blanket and stop at Chateau Morrisette. For children a picnic can be as simple as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and juice box. You could plan a four-course meal with all the equipment: ice chest, picnic basket, table cloth, silver, glassware, plates, hats, bug spray,

lad s Chicken Sa n’ a m le o C y Kath

sunscreen, and a feast of salads, cooked ham, beans, ice tea, and maybe Cold Berry Soup (recipe below).

Food is the most important part of picnic planning. Some say their favorite picnic food is still fried chicken, but for safety, keep it on ice and serve it cold.

Baked chicken can go in sandwiches or salads, too. Ham is another favorite. Since it is cured or processed, it isn’t as likely to spoil, but carry it on ice. Deviled eggs are also an item that must be packed cold. Hard boil eggs and mash up the yolks. Add Dijon mustard, mayonnaise or yogurt, onion, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper, then stuff the mixture into the egg white halves and sprinkle with paprika – voila, just like Grandma used to make.

Fluids are important. Water is probably the best choice. Lemonade is a picnic favorite and juice boxes are easy. Jugs of tea are inexpensive and refreshing on picnics, too.

ked reasts ,coo 2 chicken b chopped y el in lery ,f 2 stalks ce hopped ion ,minced te grapes ,c hi w of ) 1 Tbsp . on es ap ch (20-25 gr 1 small bun pped ho ,c s ut of waln in yogurt) 1 handful ste aise (or pla n n yo a m epper to ta 1 cup of salt and p s lu p uiced 1/2 lemon ,j alf chicken a pot of h t in t ea h w and let res ium lo out of pot en on med ke ck . a T hi ks .

C s un k ur ch oo ho 1) C icken – 2 leftover ch ter for 1.5 d a ke w o lf co a e /h us broth chop . Or, inutes ,then for few m in bowl. to bowl. ed chicken 2) Put cub celery . Add p o ch y el n nd fi 3) Wash a to bowl. ced onion to bowl. in m 4) Add s and add er rt ua q to es in 5) Cut grap lad . d. uts and ad yogurt to sa ln a in la p r o 6) Cut w e n, nais cup mayon ix with spoo to salad . M 7) Add one in n o m le half a 8) Squeeze to taste. of greens . d pepper n a lt sa s or in bed d ll d a ro r o s ith cracker 9) Serve w

Here are a few menu suggestions that foodie friends take on their Parkway pilgrimages: Matt Nottingham and Brenda Springer, who moved from the Washington, D.C. area to Montgomery County, Va. not long ago, like to make a special outing of it. They pick up a local cheese made

by Meadow Creek Dairy near Galax at Milepost 215. (You can also find Meadow Creek at health food stores.) If they’re feeling lazy, they may grab a snack basket from Chateau Morrisette Winery, Milepost 171.5, pre-packed with fresh fruit, local cheese, salami, crackers, pecans, lemon cookies, and bottled water.

They might also add a bottle of Chateau Morrisette wine if they’re going to linger awhile.

Cheryl Ruggiero, of Blacksburg, throws together a quick repast of cheese and ham slices, grapes, bread, and bottles of water for her getaways on the Parkway with her husband Jim, children, and

Co

ld Berry Sou crea my m ix p This ta is th e ess n gy , en ce of s 3 cups mil u m m er its el k f.

1.5 teaspoo ns of vineg ar 2.5 cups o range juice 1 tablespoo n honey or maple syru 1 tablespoo p n lemon ju ice dash groun d cinnamo n dash groun d nutmeg 1 cup wash ed fresh b erries (blueb raspberries erries , str , or any co awberries , mbination ) 1) Whisk to gether the milk, vineg lemon juice, ar, orange cinnamon , juice, swee and nutmeg chill in frig tener, in a large . bowl and th 2) Pour into en a large ther mos or in the berries to jars in in a plasti your ice ch c bag and soup in cu est. Put pack in th ps and div e ch est. Serve ide the ber the ries among the cups .

Adapted fr om 'Picnic : 125 Recipes with 29 S easonal M

by DeeDee enus ' Stovel.

Send us your recipes for upcoming issues of the High Vistas Journal.

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Spring / Summer 2012

grandchildren. “I don’t work very hard on a picnic,” she says. “That’s part of the point. Fun!” Kathy and Al Coleman of Afton, Virginia, think along the same lines. For years, they’d head up to the Parkway with a real tablecloth, glasses, china plates, and silverware. “Always wine, fruit, bread, and cheeses, and maybe some salty thin-sliced Virginia ham,” Kathy says.

“I’d make a cold, fruity chicken salad with white grapes – great on a bed of spinach – but the last time Al and I went to the mountaintop to picnic, we grabbed Subway sandwiches, and we realized we would do more picnics if we worried less about the prep and just WENT … so that’s

what we do half the time.” They always take jackets, so as not to end up wearing the tablecloth if it gets chilly, she says.

Deborah and Alfred Chevalier of Christiansburg like to go up to Rocky Knob with friends and head south. They go the traditional picnic route with bread, cheese, raw veggies, small fruit tarts, sparkling fruit juice and potato salad and hummus (recipe below). This meal fuels a long hike down Rock Castle Gorge, which they like to do at least once a year.

Jan and John Fetter like to eat healthfully whether on a blanket in the Blue

alad Cold Rice S

ati rice oked basm 3 cups co ed ely chopp ntro, fin a il c h es r ¼ cup f ed celery ½ cup dic

almonds lnuts or a w ed p p o ¼ cup ch to taste to 2 Tbsp 1 r a eg n vi seasoned in a bowl. e vinegar th t u b ts n a time, e ingredie poon at s le b ta Mix all th a r the vinega vor.

Then add esired fla d e th ve a h u o until y Photo copyright by Pat & Chuck Blackley

Ridge Mountains or in their backyard in Los Altos, California. “I’d pick up some of those great Virginia Route 11 sweet potato chips, hummus, and some local pickled vegetables,” says Jan. “And make a cold rice salad (recipe below) and a cold carrot soup with dill (see member’s eNews for Carrot Soup recipe).

My husband Bruce and I like to carry along a cold picnic when we bike on the Parkway. Longtime vegetarians, we carry fruit, cheese, cold rice salad, and a three-bean salad that’s so easy to make – no cooking, little chopping, and a bit of mixing. In fact, we adapted the recipe below from the I Hate to Cook Book by Peg Bracken.

There are a few things besides the food to pack along. One is a trash bag so you can leave your picnic site clean for the next person. Pack some wet hand wipes or wash clothes with a few ice cubes into zip lock bags to make a cooling cleanup.

Now, spread out the checkered tablecloth and have yourself a picnic.

Three

Bean Salad 1 15-oz can Recip e green bean s , rinsed 1 15-oz can and drained kidney bean s , rinsed 1 15-oz can and drained garbanzo b eans , rinse ½ cup fro d and dra zen corn , ined warmed 2 celery sta lks , chopp ed fine 1/2 red on ion , chopp ed fine 1 medium fr esh chopped green or re 1/3 cup ap d pepper ple cider vi n eg a r 1/3 cup gr anulated su gar 1/4 cup oli ve oil 1 1/2 teasp oons salt 1/4 teaspoo n black pep per

1) In a larg e bowl, m ix the bean peppers s , corn , ce lery , onion 2) In a se , an d parate sma ll bowl, w olive oil, sa hisk togeth lt, and pep er the vineg per. Add th ar, sugar, Toss to co e dressing at. to the bean 3) Chill bea s. ns in the re frigerator beans to so fo r several ho ak up the urs , to all flavor of th ow the e dressing.

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 11

An Unusual Spring Break for Vanderbilt University Students

By Bella Mahfuz

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n its 76 year existence, the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina has collected a lot of admirers who have travelled and enjoyed the 469 mile route that connects two other popular U.S. National Parks – the Shenandoah in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountain in Tennessee and North Carolina.

According to Ron Smith, chair of the FRIENDS Rocky Knob Chapter, the committee and the representatives of the National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway, coordinated the March visit of a dozen Vanderbilt University students, “it’s easy to understand why they asked to work and learn here as part of a university program of community service and hands-on experience.”

Upon learning of the student’s interest in the Blue Ridge Parkway, the FRIENDS Rocky Knob Chapter agreed to jointly host the student’s visit to the Parkway from March 3 to March 11, 2012.

“We were excited to learn that the Vanderbilt students preferred to work on the Parkway and learn about the Appalachian culture,” Smith said. “It’s quite a testament to them that this was their choice for their Spring break.”

The students’ biggest work project was the removal of a rotted and collapsing

split rail fence at the Meadows of Dan exit from the Parkway and the construction of a new replacement fence. The project was completed a half day sooner than expected.

In addition to working on the Parkway, the students hiked the five-mile Rocky Knob Gorge Trail with historian Mike Ryan as he told them about the area’s history and culture, including its Native American and early Pioneer visitors and residents.

They also enjoyed traditional Blue Grass and mountain music at Floyd Country Store and were entertained at the Jacksonville Center with music provided by Scott Perry and some of his students.

Perry, a well-known Floyd musician and teacher, and his students entertained the group with Blues music and a discussion about differences in traditional mountain music.

A. Lee Chichester, author of Falcons and Foxes in the UK and a local falconer, also introduced her hawk and falcon to the audience and shared her love for the sport.

Rick Baker, who recently retired from the Blue Ridge Parkway, shared some of his Parkway experiences with the

group and discussed how the loss of the Chestnut tree has affected the livelihood of people in the area.

In addition, Charlie Thompson, a Duke University professor and author of a book on moon-shining, “Spirits of Just Men,” described the history and culture of this product on people and institutions in this part of Appalachia.

The success of the program for FRIENDS and the students is reflected in the comments made by the students prior to their departure to return to the university. Among them are: I’ve never been so proud to a Virginian.

Born in Harrisonburg and raised in Alexandria, somehow all this amazing culture has been hidden from me. The music, the dancing, the history and the food…I never knew there was such a powerful way of life down here.

-- Arthur Farmer

ng repair i d e e n e c al old fen The origin

WE ENGAGE FUTURE STEWARDS… 12

The Next Generation F Future Stewards in Vo Spring / Summer 2012

I think the thing that I’ve come to really appreciate and admire during my visit is how much pride the people have for the culture, the traditions, the customs and, obviously, the Parkway itself.

I find it incredibly fascinating how passionate everyone is about living here and preserving the environment. Everyone has been so kind and hospitable to us and that is in itself a great reflection of the character of the people here. It’s been such an incredible experience being immersed in the culture and the Parkway.

-- Christine Ke

This week I have been amazed by the gracious hospitality of FRIENDS. I am so thankful for the chance to experience the beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the culture of Floyd. I will leave this week with a profound appreciation of this place and the people. -- Rachel Conry

here and raising awareness for the Appalachian makes me realize how important it is to do this so that the younger generation will still appreciate the culture. -- Bella Mahfuz

I’m currently a junior at Vanderbilt University in chemical engineering.

Coming from a multicultural country really makes me aware about preserving my own culture and also other cultures around me that I grew up with.

It is all about protecting and preserving what is important to me. Coming

es rass music .provid eg lu b g in d n a st Under sight into local culture in

A. Lee introducesChhicerhester, falconer, falcon to stude nts

l craft. Education of local cultu ca lo s te ra st on ral heritage dem is vital!

Glass instructor

rs!

Fund Connects olunteer Service

Last year FRIENDS spent $26,903 to involve children, youth and students in outdoor volunteer activities. In 2013, FRIENDS’ 25th Anniversary, our goal is to raise $46,780 to engage the next generation in Parkway volunteer services with your support!

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 13

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Spring / Summer 2012

Engaging the Next Generation

By Fernando Gracia

F

ive students from the University of Notre Dame were in Galax, Virginia from March 11-17 assisting the Fisher Peak Chapter of the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Students Evan Brizius, Will Miller, Denver Lobo, Lindsey Forsberg, and Jackie Nord built a new fence at Groundhog Mountain, installed new water bars at the Blue Ridge Music Center, cleaned and maintained trails, and helped out at the area food bank, Willing Partners.

The Fisher Peak Chapter has been hosting students from Notre Dame since 2007. At Notre Dame, the students are members of the Appalachian Studies Program through the Center for Social Concerns, which works on issues related to economic and social development.

In past years, the Chapter has hosted up to twelve students. This Spring the group accomplished many tasks.

They worked during the day on the Parkway and became involved in local arts and culture in the evenings. The group enjoyed such activities as an Appalachian style square dance lesson

by Ann Boyer and a music performance at Stringbean’s, a local restaurant.

This particular group focused on academic development. To understand the education system of the region, the five students visited the Chestnut School of the Arts. They also toured the Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Factory, one of the biggest furniture factories in the United States. A hike to Fisher’s Peak was also part of the group’s experience.

Notre Dame Students at Fisher Pe

ak

erials for Preparing Maten Trail Maint ance THANKS TO OUR IN-KIND CONTRIBUTORS We wish to thank the following for their important in-kind contributions:

ntain Fence Building Groundhog Mou

Trail Maintenance on Fish er

Peak

Coming Spring/ Summer 2012!

“AmericA’s FAvorite Drive” At your Fingertips...

469 miles of scenic places, historic sites, lodging, outdoor recommendations and more delivered directly to your smartphone. tHe oFFiciAL moBiLe App For tHe BLue riDge pArKWAy scenic ByWAy. DoWnLoAD Here

Donate a Car & Support FRIENDS Programs A great way to receive a tax write-off and support FRIENDS of the BRP! 1. Call FRIENDS at 800.228.7275 2. Provide the make, model and year 3. Our Charity Car Company will contact you!

If your name did not appear on the list and you made a contribution between Jan. ‘12 - March ‘12, please contact us.

Best Printing, Inc. Blue Ridge Country Magazine Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock Creative Nursery & Landscapes, Inc. Darlington-Smith Graphics Dominion Images F & W Office Park, III,L.C. Flossies in Galax FRIENDS’ Chapters FRIENDS’ Staff & wide Office Volunteers 2.3" x 3" tall.

Mary Guynn Gloria and Kerry Hilton Kroger Leisure Publishing Company Plastics One Residences at Biltmore Don Stringfellow The Floyd Country Store The Sourwood Inn Virginia Forestry Service Wintergreen Resort Woodmen of the World FRIENDS needs your in-kind contributions.

Please call us at 540.772.2992 or 800.228.PARK (7275).

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 15

Frescoes in the Blue Ridge

By Karen Hall

This is the second installment of the 469 mile Bucket List, which is a list of things I would recommend to anyone seeking a new adventure or side adventure while touring the Blue Ridge Parkway. They are adventures that are not well known but worth your time to explore.

T

WR Knob, Nye Simmons Photographer

hree of the Fresco paintings completed by Benjamin F. Long, IV are located in the Blue Ridge Mountain Region of North Carolina.

Several are located very close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and make for a wonderful side trip.

Artist Benjamin F. Long, IV, was the grandson of well-known artist McKendree Robbins Long (1888-1976).

He was born in Texas but grew up in Statesville, North Carolina. His grandfather taught him art and grounded him firmly in the Western classical tradition.

After high school, his formal education began at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying writing. He then attended the Art Students’ League of New York, thus leading to a membership in the Art Students’ League under the direction of Robert B. Hale and Frank Mason.

Mr. Long’s art career was interrupted in 1967 when he joined the Marine Corps ahead of the draft. Two tours in Vietnam following his enlistment lead him to become a combat artist.

After completing his tours in Vietnam, Mr. Long journeyed to Italy to study art and apprenticed himself to Pietro Annigoni. Upon his arrival he discovered that Annigoni

was no longer studying oil painting but now was studying fresco painting. This apprenticeship lasted for eight years.

Mr. Long became the only non-Italian to paint a fresco at the Benedictine Abbey

of Monte Cassino. Once finished in Italy, he came back to North Carolina and has completed 14 frescos. His works of art can be found in collections in North and South America as well as in Europe. For

WE HELP FUND & PR 16

Spring / Summer 2012

over 30 years he dedicated himself to creating great works of art throughout the world.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church is located on Cowles Street, Wilkesboro, North Carolina about 30 minutes from the Parkway. Exit at Highway 18 and head south into Wilkesboro. A baptismal

ROTECT…

service began the congregation of St. Paul’s on September 13, 1836. It is the oldest congregation in Wilkes County. The Gothic brick structure was consecrated on July 8, 1849. It became an official parish in 1858. Ben Long completed the two frescoes depicting the life of Paul: “Paul’s Conversion” and “Paul in Prison”

in the early 2000’s. They are accessible from the side entrance of the church.

Located at mile post 259, one mile off the parkway at Glendale Springs you will find the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church where the Last Supper is depicted in fresco. Exit beside the trading post and follow the signs for the fresco paintings.

This fresco was completed in 1980 by Ben Long. Twenty young student artists studied with Long as he completed this painting. It became a community project.

This painting depicts evening sunlight streaming through a window over 2,000 years ago just before the crucial event of Jesus and the disciples having their last supper together. In front of the painting is an empty seat so that a believer may join them for “The Last Supper.”

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church is located at 400 Beaver Creek Road, West Jefferson, Ashe County, North Carolina, about a 15 minute drive from the parkway. Built with chestnut in the early 1900’s, this quaint little church appears to be directly out of Ireland. It is painted white and hunter green. Mr. Long completed three fresco paintings for this church: St. Mary, pregnant, with an eclipse over her head, John the Baptist in the desert, and Christ on the cross and ascending to the heavens.

They were completed in 1977.

To access St. Mary’s from Wilkesboro, take North Carolina Highway 16N and take Highway 163 to the left. Drive about 2 miles to the second stop light and turn left on Beaver Creek School Road. Within one half mile you will find the church on your right.

Parkway Historical Structures

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 17

FRIENDS Celebrates Its Silver Anniversar y

N

ye Simmons is preparing a Silver Anniversary book to celebrate and publicize FRIENDS 25 years of service to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Scheduled for release in the spring of 2013, the title is “Blue Ridge Parkway Poetic Visions.” The book will contain photographs to be paired with essays, quotations and poetry.

Submissions are open to the public, however FRIENDS members whose work is selected will receive notation in the book as a contributing FRIENDS member. Spread the word to your friends, neighbors and relatives as well - the more the better. Poems, essays (and songs, minus the musical scores) should have a regional cultural or natural history related theme that ties to the Blue Ridge Parkway and surrounding areas of

Blue Ridge Parkway Poetic Visions Photography by Nye Simmons Essays and Verse by Friends of the Parkway

Silver Anniversary Edition

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway Celebrating 25 Years of Service

our Southern mountains. The selection process will be juried, with the selection panel yet to be determined. Teachers at all levels can encourage their students to submit entries as well.

Authors whose entries are selected for publication will receive an autographed copy of the book as well as a

one year membership to FRIENDS. Previously published work is allowed, however please supply any relevant releases to avoid copyright issues. While the book will be reprinted as demand requires, only the initial print run (likely 2500 – 3000 copies) will be embossed as the “Silver Anniversary Edition” making this a collectible heirloom publication. The goal of this project is to both celebrate and publicize the unique accomplishments of our volunteer organization with an equally unique book.

A web site is being created ( blueridgeparkwaypoeticvisions.com), which should be up and running this spring. The web site will have instructions for submitting poetry or essays for review, as well as tracking the project’s progress.

By Joe LaFleur

A

s summer approaches, human tourists begin to migrate to the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, other migrants like the Rose-breasted Grosbeak have already returned to establish their summer breeding territories in mature hardwood forests.

The male is readily identified by his blood-red breast contrasted by his black and white body. The female appears quite different, more brownish overall with fine streaking on the breast. Both have an oversized cone-shaped beak that is specialized for cracking open seeds. In fact, they are a more familiar species because they often visit yard feeders. They prefer seeds like black oil sunflower and safflower. They are drawn to feeders with large perching areas like tray and hopper

style feeders. They are also common visitors to bird baths.

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks can be heard singing when they return in late spring and will continue singing into mid-summer. Their song is musical and robin-like, a series of thick, rich whistles.

Joe LaFleur has been birdwatching and collecting video and sound recordings of birds for over 20 years. He holds degrees in wildlife biology and communications

and lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. He often travels to promote birdwatching and in early June will be leading walks and programs at parks and stores in Virginia, including along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stay tuned to the betterbirdwatching.com website for more details.

In his book Better Birdwatching, he recommends a series of DVDs about birds of North America that help people learn to identify birds by sight and sound. The titles include state versions like Virginia and North Carolina that help beginners get started identifying about 150 of the more common birds of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The DVDs cost $20. For more information call 1.888.4142837, or visit www.betterbirdwatching.com to view a short demo video and lists of birds featured on each DVD.

WE PROMOTE… Parkway Volunteer Services Last year 1,876 Blue Ridge Parkway volunteers invested 64,951 hours in service on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Their service is valued at $1,387,353. FRIENDS invested $76,355, which includes in-kind donations in this program last year. In 2013, our goal is $75,450. This year we developed a new volunteer database used to track volunteer hours for the Blue Ridge Parkway which we will test in 2013.

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Spring / Summer 2012

Nye Simmons Photographer

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks Adds Splash of Color to Blue Ridge Parkway

FRIENDS President’s Message

2012 Mary Eileen Ness, Inspirational Poster Honoring Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Acrylic on canvas, 11 X 14 inches

Dear FRIENDS Members, This past December we received a $ 35,000 request from the Blue Ridge Parkway for needed funds to support interpretive and volunteer programs. We challenged our board of directors and our 9,000 members to meet this need. I am delighted to report that our small board stepped forward with $7,500 and your fellow FRIENDS members responded with more than $8,000 in matching contributions. As a result, we are providing the Parkway with $35,505 to fund interpretive programs for the 2012 season for our 16 million Blue Ridge Parkway visitors!

Thank you once again for coming through when our park needs you! Your donations through your membership make a difference!

Throughout this issue of the journal we’ve provided information about where your financial support goes and our needs for 2013.

Last year FRIENDS generated $300,365 for Parkway programs and services. Additionally, our efforts to recruit and coordinate volunteers resulted in $1,387,353 worth of volunteer hours contributed for the parkway’s benefit. Every $1 raised by FRIENDS last year leveraged another $4 in volunteer services.

Your support ensures FRIENDS can continue to provide Parkway programs which include Trails Forever Program, Next Generation Volunteers (part of the national Volunteers in Parks Program), Save Parkway Views, Junior Ranger Program and much more! As you will read in the message from Superintendent Phil Francis, these are challenging times and our work is so important.

Ten years ago, the nation’s most visited park had 240 per m ane nt posi tions to manage the 469-mile-long scenic drive. Today, Blue Ridge Parkway can afford to fill only 170 of those, leaving a third of the maintenance department unstaffed. With only 10 permanent interpretive rangers available for the 14 visitor centers along the parkway, park managers are spending $600,000 a year to hire seasonal employees to keep those facilities open during the busy season from April through October. Additional cuts could mean the Parkway has to cut ranger-led programs including campfire talks, guided hikes, historic craft demonstrations, music, and nature study.* In 2013 FRIENDS will celebrate its 25th anniversary! Our goal is to make this year a landmark year by providing a record level of support to our park.

You can help us towards that goal by returning the enclosed envelope with your pledge of support. A gift of any size is greatly appreciated. We will put your funds to work immediately to help our park during these difficult times.

Together we make a difference for the Blue Ridge Parkway!

*Quoted from “Made in America: Investing in National Parks for Our Heritage and Our Economy,” National Parks Conservation Report.

WE IMPLEMENT… The Save Parkway Views Program

Last year FRIENDS invested $ 27,937 in the Save Parkway Views Program. In 2013, we have two major tree planting initiatives planned and our goal is to invest $47,500 to restore Parkway views. Your support is critical!

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 19

LEAVE THE GPS BEHIND

and go on a real adventure at Wintergreen.

BLUE RIDGE VINEYARD EAGLE ROCK, VA 24085 540-798-7642 WWW.BLUERIDGEVINEYARD.COM Facebook.com/blueridgevineyard wines@blueridgevineyard.com

Book now at WintergreenResort.com/B2G3 or 800-266-2444

Buy 2, Get 3rdNight Free!*

* Restrictions Apply

OPEN: Daily, March thru December, noon till 5:00 p.m.

Sunday afternoon events April-October Check webpage for Saturday night events Complimentary tastings, children and friendly, leashed dogs welcome.

FRIENDS CORPORATE CIRCLE 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 9,000 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 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

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your giving increases. Please see our website for 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.

Spring / Summer 2012

Yelllowstone fog, Nye Simmons photographer

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A Way To Connect With The Blue Ridge Parkway

Essentials For A Better Hiking Experience

WIGWAM FALLS

Length: 0.4 Mile Loop Difficulty: Easy

Photo copyright by Pat & Chuck Blackley

T

he 30-foot Wigwam Falls is convenient to the Blue Ridge Parkway and requires only a short hike. It is worth a visit if you are up on the Parkway, but it is nothing like Crabtree Falls, the area’s most spectacular waterfall.

To reach Wigwam Falls, follow the easy and short Yankee Horse Trail, Milepost 34.4, on the east side of the Parkway through open hardwood forest. The waterfall isn’t actually on Wigwam Creek, but on a small tributary, which can just about dry up in the summer. In the winter, you can see Wigwam Falls from the road.

An interesting part of visiting this waterfall is learning about the logging in the area and seeing the 200-foot reconstructed track of an old railroad. This narrow-gauge line was part of the Irish Creek Railway, built by the South River Lumber Company to access trees that were untouched until the early 1900s. The area was logged out by the late 1930s.

The name given the trail – Yankee Horse – has a story behind it. This area was visited by Stonewall Jackson’s troops during the Civil War. Supposedly, a Union soldier’s horse fell here and had to be shot. The nearby Wigwam Mountain is said to be an ancient Indian hunting grounds.

There is a picnic table and an interpretive sign at this Parkway overlook.

DIRECTIONS: From Waynesboro, get on the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 0 and head south to milepost 34.4, Yankee Horse Ridge Parking Area. The trailhead is marked and obvious.

SPECIAL WATERFALL Excerpt from Waterfall of the Blue Ridge: A Hiking Guide to the Cascades of the Blue Ridge Mountains by Nicole Blouin, Steve Bordonaro, and Marilou Wier Bordonaro.

By Fernando Gracia

T

he Blue Ridge contains hundreds of hiking trails, with most accessible throughout the year, but no matter when you decide to go for a hike, the following tips will help you go farther, stay out longer and have more fun. As you plan your hike this spring, keep these essential tips in mind:

Plan Ahead Before you do any hiking, research the trail and area on the web. By looking up the trail’s name, you will receive information about the best season to visit the trail, activities, and even contact numbers that you can call for more information.

Many websites also include downloadable maps that you can print and bring with you on your hike.

Know Your Surroundings Along with researching the trail, you may also want to look up the weather patterns in the area.

Unless swimming in a flooded tent is on your agenda, be aware of what the weather will do during your time on the trail.

Familiarize Yourself with the Area Any time humans interact with nature, there will be an exchange full of discovery, but also a degree of risk. It’s wise to know which plants and animals in the area should be avoided.

Never Hike Alone Hiking is a pleasurable activity, but only if it is done with your family or in a group. When venturing into the woods, always plan on going in a group, telling someone your schedule, and notifying the ranger station of your location. Hiking is a group activity, and when you do it alone, the risk of getting lost, losing supplies or sustaining an injury is much higher.

Start Small Your first hike of the season should be a short one.

For many, the last hike was months ago and your body may not be ready for many of the hikes you have planned. To avoid undesired fatigue, start small and work your way up to longer hikes.

Be Smart with Food and Water When packing food for your hike, it’s a good idea to keep all food in tightly sealed containers. This will help prevent animals from smelling and getting to your rations. Also, be sure to bring your own water or water filter for drinking. It may be fine to wash in a stream, but an experienced hiker will only drink purified water, as most natural water sources contain huge amounts of bacteria.

Parkway Trails & Overlooks Last year FRIENDS invested $33,738 in the Trails Forever Program. Of the 137 Blue Ridge Parkway trails, 86 have been adopted.

Of the 272 Blue Ridge Parkway overlooks, 127 have been adopted. Our goal for 2013 is $43,800 -- help support FRIENDS’ Trails Forever work!

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 21

Follow FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway

800-538-3508 contact@gladevalley.com 330 Shaw Lane, Glade Valley, NC 28627 Close to the Blue Ridge Parkway, mp 229

Beautiful scenic views

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Enjoy a delicious homemade breakfast

Rustic cabin also available

Spring / Summer 2012

Thank You To Our Parkway Friends

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Photo copyright by Pat & Chuck Blackley

our loyalty to FRIENDS is priceless. We salute each of you for supporting the Blue Ridge Parkway through our organization. Through your financial support and faithful contributions, the important work of FRIENDS grows in its

PARKWAY FRIENDS $1,000 AND OVER

PARKWAY PATRON $999 TO $500

Arcadia Publishing, Inc. Appalachian Power The Bank of America Charitable Fund Blue Ridge Beverage Co., Inc. Brenton Group Bruce Ford Brown Charitable Trust Burrows Charitable Foundation Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, Inc. Corrugated Container Corporation County of Roanoke Dickson Foundation, Inc. Dominion Foundation Mr. & Mrs. George Lenfesty Fawcett Estate Forrest & Frances Lattner Foundation Foundation for Roanoke Valley, Inc. Mr. Robert C. Greear Mrs. June S. Hennage James River Equipment Virginia, LLC Leisure Publishing Company The Morningstar Foundation National Environmental Education & Training Foundation North Carolina State Employees Combined Campaign Plastics One, Inc. Roanoke Cement Roanoke Regional Partnership Rockydale Quarries Corporation Separation Technologies, LLC Mr. Thomas Statnick Mr. & Mrs. Bruce A. Stonestreet Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program

Adams Asphalt Paving American Road Association of Partners for Public Lands Mr. & Mrs. William D. Carter Cardinal Glass Industries, Inc. Carter Machinery Company, Inc. Dr. Linda E. Durham Mr. Stephen English Foundation for Roanoke Valley Mr. & Mrs. Phil Francis Kerry & Gloria Hilton HomeTown Bank Interactive Achievement, Inc. Dr. William J. Kehoe Mr. & Mrs. Philip G. Kinken Mr. & Mrs. Herbert L. Lawton Dr. & Mrs. Wood N. Lay David & Susan Lennox Yih-An & Hing-Har Liu Cynthia Petzold & Lowell Inhorn Ms. Elizabeth Mahler Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. Dave & Margaret Melchior The Newbern Foundation Oakey’s Funeral Service Mrs. Jean W. Parrish Partners in Financial Planning, LLC Premier Life Strategies, Inc. Mr. Richard M. Pryor Suzanne & Ken Randolph David & Carol Reger Dr. & Mrs. William R. Richardson Mr. Loren M. Rogers Scott Insurance Mr. Edward B. Scruggs Mr. W. Kelly Smith Structures Design/Build, LLC SunTrust Bank Valley Energy Verizon Communications Mr. & Mrs. David Wallenborn Mr. & Mrs. Gilbert E. Webber

support of our park. If you made a contribution of $250 or more between March 02, 2011 and March 01, 2012, and your name does not appear on this list, please notify us at 800.228.PARK (7275).

MILEPOST MENTOR $499 TO $250 Mr. Norman Addington Adele M. Thomas Charitable Foundation, Inc. Aramark Corp.

Asheville Bear Creek RV Park Bank of America Patrick & Rebecca Barnes Mr. & Mrs. Bill Blandford Boitnott & Schaben, LLC John H. & Ruth Ann Bowman Dr. Dale & Rev. Linda Browne Ben & Martha Burnette Martha & Randy Carson City of Waynesboro Mr. & Mrs. Hunter L. Clarkson Delta Dental Ms. Roxann B. Dillon Gail & Stephen Dula Ms. Virgiinia E. Ehrich First Citizens Bank Ms. Margaret H. Gamble Mr. & Mrs. Ray L. Garland Mr. John Gerlach Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Groce Ivan & Alicia Handwerk Mr. John F. Harkness Mr. & Mrs. Thomas B. Hilton Ms. Judy L. Hollohan Mr. Julius C. Hubbard Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Jeffus Dr. Gene & Jeannie Jester Dr. & Mrs. Daniel R. Jones Mr. & Mrs. Ben Geer Keys Denise & Marc Koff Kroger Lanford Brothers Company, Inc. Mr. Chiswell D. Langhorne Mr. John D. McGregor Dr. Paul J. Meis Mr. Hal Meyers

Susan & Bob Mills Mr. William E. Monroe Tom & Sally Moore New City Media, Inc. North Carolina Community Foundation, Inc. Oak Haven Lodge Mr. Kevin Parker Ms. Betty S. Parker Dr. & Mrs. Richard B. Patterson Pine Wind Music, Inc. Proforma Print Source Mike & Sharon Quisenberry Mr. Daniel B. Raber Rish Equipment Company Roanoke Gas Company Rachel & George Sanborn Mr. & Mrs. Frank Schrimsher Mr. & Mrs. John H. Schutte Mr. & Mrs. R. Dale Sheets Dr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Sikes Mr. Larry Sipos Kriss & Greg Smith Smoky Mountain Living, LLC Stanbury Winery Wesley & Claudia Sturges Donor Advised Fund Tar Heel MINI Motoring Club Dr. Jane K. Testerman Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Thomas Rutherford, Inc. Adele M. Thomas Charitable Foundation, Inc. Town of Jonesborough Mrs. Judy Lynn Trimble Ms. Phyllis Vance Mr. & Mrs. Michael B. Waitzkin Walkabout Outfitters Ms. Patricia H. Wellington Tom & Candy Wood Woodmen of the World Emily & Chip Woodrum Ken & Peggy Wright

www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org 23

enew You r Members R o t h ip e ?

Ti m Give Us A Call!

800-228-7275

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID ROANOKE, VA PERMIT #78

PO Box 20986 Roanoke, VA 24018 800.228.PARK (7275) 540.772.2992 www.BlueRidgeFRIENDS.org

Ways Of Giving

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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:

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 PO Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018, to be used at its sole discretion for its charitable purposes.

• Give gift memberships to family and friends for holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and honorariums

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 PO 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.

• 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 PO Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018, to be used at its sole discretion for its charitable purposes.

Photo copyright by Pat & Chuck Blackley

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 PO Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018. Tax ID#:581854404. 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.