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Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Newsletter 

September 2013 


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Upcoming Events -  

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September 14, All Day: 

Mast General Store Friends Day at Asheville, Boone, Hendersonville and Valle Crucis locations.

  

September 15, 3pm:
Close Kin - A special concert of the best bluegrass and old-time music from the Blue Ridge, featuring Sammy Shelor, Linda Lay, Kirk Sutphin, and the New Ballards Branch Bogtrotters. Blue Ridge Music Center.

   

September 21, 10am:  

Farmington Nature Park TRACK Trail Opening   

  

September 29, 2pm:
Fall Heritage Series - Part I, Surry County Spotlight, featuring Bobby Patterson, Verlin Clifton, Chester and Nick McMillian. Seating is limited. Blue Ridge Music Center.

 



 Have you traveled the length of the Parkway from end-to-end, either on one trip or over time? Become an  End 2 Ender and join a special group of travelers who have completed the length of the Parkway.
Photo by Elise Kahl
  Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.

Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Save the Journey

 

Donate Now  
Donate today and your tax deductible contribution will help preserve America's Favorite Journey for future generations. 
Photo by Sharon Hartman
Nature is not a place to visit.  
It is home.

Gary Snyder 



Quick Links

Foundation News 

GOT MAST?

   

Mast Store Friends Day is back! On Saturday, September 14, Mast General Stores in Asheville, Hendersonville, Boone and Valle Crucis will donate 10% of sales to the Foundation to help preserve and protect the Parkway. Not that you need a reason to shop at one of Western North Carolina's favorite stores...but, since 2008, this event has raised almost $60,000 for the Foundation. Foundation representatives will be on hand at each of the participating Mast General Stores.

This year, Mast Store is proud to welcome Patagonia as a Friends' Day partner. Patagonia is supportive of groups that are working to preserve our environment and beautiful places for future generations to enjoy. They will be contributing funds from each Patagonia footwear and clothing item purchased between September 1st and 14th to support Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Please stop by and see us on the 14th and support our valued partner and the Parkway!     

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  GET THE PLATE

     

A few weeks ago, we were pleased to announce that the Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina Specialty License Plate program will continue, ensuring your ability to sport your favorite Parkway plate, while providing hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for OUR Blue Ridge Parkway.  

  

If you are a North Carolina resident and don't currently have a Parkway plate, there has never been a better time to get one and show your support for this special place!  

 

Click here to get yours today!

 

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MUSIC CENTER'S FREE  

FALL HERITAGE SERIES ANNOUNCED

 

 

 

Summer is almost over, but the outstanding programming continues at the Blue Ridge Music Center near Galax, VA and Mt. Airy, NC. The upcoming Fall Heritage Series features 3 intimate performance talks in the small theater. Learn about these performances here. Seating is limited - don't miss out on these free events!

News from the Park 

SLIDE UPDATE 
Courtesy NPS
The section of the Parkway that was closed due to damage from record rainfall - from Milepost 376 at Ox Creek Road in Asheville, NC to Milepost 355 at Mt. Mitchell State Park - was reopened last week using temporary bypass lanes. The speed limit in this section of the roadway has been reduced to 15 mph to ensure public safety while traveling through the bypass area. To better navigate the bypass alignment, motorists are urged to reduce speed as they approach this area. The reduced speed limit will be strictly enforced. The Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and Picnic Area, located at Milepost 364, was also reopened last week.

Need real-time updates on road closures on the Parkway? Click here to learn more!

Kids in Parks News 

 

The Kids in Parks program is 4 years old! On August 29th, 2009, Kids in Parks opened its first TRACK Trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, NC. Since then over 60 trails have been opened and thousands of kids and families have unplugged, gone outdoors and become more active. For over 25% of kids visiting a TRACK Trail, it was their first time hiking. Here's to many more adventures with KIP and TRACK! 

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GRAND OPENING
   

Next stop: Mocksville!

The Kids in Parks program will be opening another "community gateway" trail at the Farmington Nature Park TRACK Trail in Mocksville, NC. The trail will open on Saturday, September 21st in conjunction with the Farmington Bike Tour. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 10 AM followed by a guided hike and refreshments. For more information, click here.

Parkway Place Challenge 

 
Photo by Lisa Wilmoth

Do you know the location of this photo taken on the Parkway? Submit your answer on our website by midnight, September 30th. Three winners will be drawn at random from those who submit the correct answer, and each winner will receive their choice of an array of prizes.

 

Last month's correct answer was the Linn Cove Viaduct Visitor Center at MP 304. If you submitted a correct answer, the randomly selected winners will be drawn this week, and you will be notified if you are one of the winners.

 

Do you have a photo that you think would be a great puzzler? Submit it here! 

 

 

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