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Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Newsletter
May 2013


Join Our Mailing List! 

 
In This Issue
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A Special Evening to Support the Music Center
-
Kids in Parks Heads to Maryland
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Peaks of Otter
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E.B. Jeffress Park Picnic Area to Open
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Road Openings
Upcoming Events

May 4

Blue Ridge Music Center opens

May 10
Avery County TRACK Trail Grand Opening

May 11

Hanging Rock State Park TRACK Trail Grand Opening

 

May 11

Mayo River State Park TRACK Trail Grand Opening


May 25
TradFest! at the
Blue Ridge Music Center


June 10-13
Plates for the Parkway

June 14
Rosanne Cash and Wayne Henderson & Friends at the Blue Ridge Music Center

June 22
The Kruger Brothers at the Blue Ridge Music Center 

Save the Journey

 

Donate Now  
Donate today and your tax deductible contribution will help preserve America's Favorite Journey for future generations. 
 
Rainstorm credit Monty Combs
photo by Monty Combs
"Let the rain kiss you. 
Let the rain beat upon your head with silver liquid drops. 
Let the rain sing you a lullaby. 
The rain makes still pools on the sidewalk. 
The rain makes running pools in the gutter. 
The rain plays a little sleep-song on our roof at night-- 
And I love the rain." 

 - Langston Hughes

April Rain Song 

  

Save the Date!

   

2013 Plates for the Parkway logo   

The Second Annual Plates for the Parkway
is just around the corner!  Make plans to dine out at a participating restaurant June 10-13, and a portion of proceeds will go to protect YOUR Parkway.

Has YOUR favorite restaurant signed on to help? Encourage them to help us protect the Parkway by signing up for Plates today! Learn more at

 
Frog on a Log
 
"A small green frog 
On a big brown log; 
A black and yellow bee 
In a little green tree; 
A red and yellow snake 
By a blue-green lake, 
All sat and listened 
To red bird sing, 
"Wake up, everybody, 
It's spring! It's spring!"


 
Graveyard Fields - credit Solitary Traveler Photography
photo by Solitary Traveler Photography
"In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours."   - Mark Twain

Programs 

                                             
Be One of the Lucky 100 -
Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, with Wayne Henderson and Friends,
 on the Blue Ridge Parkway June 14
Photo by June Kirsch
Photo by June Kirsch

Join us on June 14, when Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal, along with Wayne Henderson and Friends, will perform at the Blue Ridge Music Center at MP 213, only 10 miles from Galax, VA and 20 miles from Mt. Airy, NC.  

 

In addition to the main stage concert beginning at 7pm, this evening offers an unusual opportunity. The first 100 people who reserve with a $100 donation will enjoy a private appearance by Rosanne, John and Wayne, where the artists will share personal experiences related to their lives and craft. Beginning at 5 pm, this special appearance will be followed by a private reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres, tour of the Roots of American Music Museum, and VIP seating for the main stage concert. Donations will support the Blue Ridge Music Center 2013 Season. To learn more about this special evening, click here. To reserve call Lynne Fletcher at 1-866-308-2773.

 

For tickets to the concert only, visit www.blueridgemusiccenter.org or call 276-236-5309.

 

Sponsored by:

 

WFDD





   

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Kids in Parks Heads to Maryland...and Receives Congressional Award!     

Kids in Parks
Kids in Parks' Tony Geiger, Elise Kahl and Jason Urroz, along with Kevin Mack (representing Congressmen John Delaney) and Kevin Brandt, superintendent of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park, at the opening.
On Friday, April 26th, the Kids in Parks program celebrated the grand opening of their first TRACK Trail in the state of Maryland at the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park. The trail was funded by the National Park Service's Connect Trails to Parks grant program, and installed as part of the Greater Washington, DC Region's "Healthy People Healthy Parks" project.

 

During the grand opening ceremony, the Kids in Parks program received two special "Congressional Recognition" awards for establishing trails at the C&O Canal in Williamsport, Maryland. The awards were presented to the program by Senator Barbara Mikulski and Representative John Delaney for working with the National Park Service to establish this trail, which helps gets kids outdoors and active in the park.

 

"It feels great to have received congressional recognition for the work we are doing with our partners to get kids reconnected with nature and our parks. The program has certainly grown over the last few years, and hopefully with this recognition, as well as future recognition, we will continue to expand, providing kids and families with outdoor adventures for years to come," said Jason Urroz, Director of the Kids in Parks program.

 

Get outside today! See a full list of Kids in Parks TRACK and Disc Golf Trails here.     

 

Parkway News  

 

Parkway Names Concessionaire for
the Peaks of Otter Lodge    

 
Peaks of Otter
The Parkway announced late last week that Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, a global leader in hospitality, has been awarded a 10 year contract for management of Peaks of Otter Lodge and Restaurant, as well as its retail stores and shuttle service. Along with the lodge, restaurant, and retail stores, Delaware North will operate the Sharp Top Shuttle service. Delaware North has announced that they will operate the lodge from April to November, but has not yet announced an opening date for this year.
           

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E. B. Jeffress Park Picnic Area to Open   

     

Jeffress Park Sign

Parkway managers have made the decision to open facilities at E. B. Jeffress Park Picnic Area (MP 271.9) this summer, including restrooms and trailhead access. This developed area was originally slated to be closed. The picnic area and its amenities will open on May 24 (along with many other facilities opening that same weekend).    

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Parkway to Open Between Craggy and Mt. Mitchell

Photo by Nancy Risch
Photo by Nancy Risch

The Blue Ridge Parkway has announced it will open the section of the road at Milepost 358 between Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell State Park on May 4. The Parkway road section was closed to allow for the implementation of critical slope stabilization and a road reconstruction project while ensuring public safety and to allow for the completion of the project in the most efficient manner. Traffic will be controlled to a single lane for periods during the next several weeks to allow the contractor to complete the final stages of the project.  

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Parkway Place Challenge 
Photo by Harald Schmidl
Photo by Harald Schmidl
Do you know where this is on the Parkway?

Submit your answer here!

3 winners will be selected at random from the correct answers that are submitted and will receive a special gift. Entries must be received by midnight, May 27, 2013.

 

Thank You
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation would like to thank you for your support. As the primary fundraiser and trusted steward of the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Foundation is forever committed to preserving the past, enhancing the present, and safeguarding the future of America's Favorite Journey™. Learn more at BRPFoundation.org.
 
Contact Info
Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation
717 S. Marshall Street Suite 105B
Winston-Salem, NC
866-308-2773