Blue Ridge Parkway

FRIENDS of the
Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.

A National Park Service Blue Ridge Parkway approved
partner organization dedicated to preserve, promote
and enhance the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure,
for future generations.

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July 2008 eNewsletter

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 FRIENDSof the  
 Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.

eNewsletter
  
 
 
 
 
  Preserving the Parkway for future generations.                      July 2008 
 
New Book by Nye Simmons!
 
 
Parkway Etiquette 
Summertime vacation travel is on the rise on the Blue Ridge Parkway along with motor vehicle accidents. The tight, spiraling curves that help make the Parkway special and unique can catch the unobservant operator off guard. The trend for 2007 and the first six months of 2008 show an increase in collisions coinciding with increased traffic during the summer travel season. Click here for the full story!
Be a FRIENDS Ambassador 
FRIENDS Director of Membership, Virginia Ehrich, loves to open the mail! She admits that finding new members among the piles of catalogues, bills and donor mail sets the tone for the rest of the day. "A day without a new member is like a day without my morning coffee," Virginia tells us. Click here for the full story
 
 
Parkway Neighbors 
Every year that I worked on the Parkway as a ranger, my annual performance evaluation included an element that reflected my ability to establish cordial and cooperative relationships with our Parkway neighbors. Most of them made that part of the job a breeze. Rarely was I ever able to pass through Adney Gap without Jerry Shaver flagging me down wanting to chat. Author Tim Pegram provides us with excerpts from his new book, The Blue Ridge Parkway by Foot.  Click here for the full story.
 
 
Blue Ridge Parkway and FRIENDS' 2008 Third Annual Photo ContestIn a joint agreement between the Blue Ridge Parkway and FRIENDS, the official Parkway photo contest is entering its third year. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway received such an overwhelming number of photo entries in its 2007 Photo Contest that they decided to make it an annual event. Click Here for the Full Story
 
Chapter Updates
Keep up with your friends in the Updates for each of FRIENDS' Chapters up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway is simmering with summer stories.Click here for the Full Story.
 
 
 Update on Abbott Lake at Peaks of Otter
Bob Cherry, resource management specialist at the NPS, contacted FRIENDS for help with saving the fish at Abbott Lake. Draining the lake to make repairs at the dam, the NPS hoped to transfer the fish to nearby Otter Creek. FRIENDS sent out an e-Blast to all members and volunteers within driving distance of the Peaks of Otter.

Twelve volunteers braved the cold, muddy lake over a period of three days. Alongside Bob Cherry and some of the contractors draining the lake, the crew saved about 600 fish that would otherwise have died. Click here for further details.   
 
Senate Cosponsors Needed
If you have not already done so there is still time to encourage your Senator to cosponsor the NPS Centennial Initiative bill. To find out more about the bill please Click Hereand enter bill number S. 2817. For more information, please click here. 
 
Big Dig! 
Big Dig!  Join us for the Big Dig next weekend - July 25-27 on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Jefferson and N. Wilkesboro. We're working to close one of remaining gaps in the trail on the Parkway, and we could use your help!  Free camping and good company each night at the Doughton Park campground. Here's a link to basic information about the workday:http://www.ncmst.org/brpashe.htm . You must RSVP to Allen de Hart - 919-496-4771 or at adh4771@aol.comfor a campsite at Doughton Park. 
FRIENDS Members Make A Difference on the Parkway!
 
 
 
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc.P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, VA 24018, Phone: 540-772-2992, 800-228-PARK(7275)
Newsletter Editor: Phyllis Peterson
 
 
FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. | 2214 Electric Road | Suite 1 | Roanoke | VA | 24018