AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - Volume 2, Issue 8

Volume 2, Issue 8 - June, 2015
brought to you by Joe Harold, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

After a very busy AT Hall of Fame weekend, we now head quickly into Summer.  The days already are very warm and that evening thunderstorm picks our valley to run through every so often.  

We have entered the peak of northbound thru hiker season, with many getting a chance to visit the museum as they head along the trail on their quest for The Greatest Mountain. 

A "Festival" Atmosphere

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Summer is a time for Picnics

It seems that we have entered our "Picnic" season.  The Festival picnic was a success, with plenty of food for all who attended.  We had at least 50 people move down the food table and there was still some left over at the end of the day.

Our next picnic will be part of our Sunday Public Programs and will take place on Sunday, June 28th.  With PATC's help, we will cook some more burgers and dogs for any hiker or visitor who cares to join in.  Hopefully the hikers we feed will have some stories to tell.  Please consider being a part of this picnic.  Covered dishes (salads, desserts, cookies, chips, etc) are needed and requested.  Sign up on "Volunteer Spot"

In July we are trying something a little new.  Ron and Carol Bungay recommended having a summer picnic for all volunteers, so we can get to know each other and have taken the lead in the planning.  

Here is the information for this picnic scheduled for July 25th at the Brickyard Pavilion:

Wouldn’t it be nice to get to know the other docents?  Well, mark your calendar...

First AT Museum Volunteer Picnic-

Saturday, July 25, 12 PM at Pine Grove State Park, the Brickyard Pavilion

Bring a dish to share. Sign up on "Volunteer Spot" 

I will supply hot dogs and charcoal, so if you want to cook something, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Our fearless leader Joe will help organize the menu, so sign up on the volunteer website.

This gathering is not a replacement for our End of Season Docent Appreciation Dinner, but rather an opportunity to get to know the other docents

Who is invited?

Inviting docents and their family, museum volunteers and anyone interesting in becoming a docent. If you know of someone who is interested in becoming a docent, bring them along. We are always on the lookout for additional help.

Hope to see you on the 25^th.                                   

Ron and Carol Bungay

Questions, feel free to email or call: ronbungay@verizon.net  410 627 6367

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Renovations and Programs

Progress continues with the basement renovation.  The colorful paint has been going down on the floor and before long the exhibit will start to take shape.  

The "Appalachian Trail" takes form

Lorrie Preston presents her program Virginia is For- EVER

In the mean time, we have found that the basement left side is very convenient for our Sunday Public Programs that need audio/visual support.  We have presented three programs in the basement so far and not only is it a great space to present, but it lets us showcase the basement and our plans for the children's exhibits.  

A Yellow Trail is Added

Managers past and present

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2015 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet Honors Trail Legends

GARDNERS, PA. – The fifth annual Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet was held Friday evening, June 5 at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania.  
The highlight of the gala was the induction of the 2015 class of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame.  The honorees were: Nestell K. "Ned" Anderson of Sherman, Connecticut; Margaret C. Drummond of Atlanta, Georgia, Stanley A. Murray of Kingsport, Tennessee and Raymond H. Torrey of New York City, New York.  Complete details on the 2015 class are available at the Museum’s website: www.atmuseum.org

2015 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame honorees and representatives.  Clockwise, from top left, Bill O'Brien, representing Ned Anderson; Bill Torrey, representing Raymond Torrey; Judy Murray, representing Stan Murray; and Bob Almand, representing Margaret Drummond.
Photo courtesy Dan Innamorato

The Museum gave two additional awards. Nan Reisinger a/k/a "Drag'n Fly" was honored for her record breaking A.T. thru-hike, as the oldest woman to complete the trail in one year.  Chuck Wood a/k/a "Woodchuck" was honored for his many years of service to the Museum and other trail organizations.

The emcee of the Banquet was Cindy Adams Dunn, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR).  Randy “Windtalker” Motz entertained during the reception,  performing his unique contemporary style of Native American flute music described as “Native Soundscapes”, accompanied by beautiful photos of the Appalachian Trail.  Ronald J. Tipton, Executive Director and CEO of Appalachian Trail Conservancy, delivered remarks prior to the induction.  The Hall of Fame weekend continued with a festival on Saturday, June 6, National Trails Day at the Museum's home in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. 
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A Festival of Delights

Saturday dawned with a slight threat of rain, but other than a few sprinkles, we had a perfect day.  With vendors spread out on the Museum grounds and wonderful music provided by Windtalker and Folksinger, the day seems perfect, once I settled down with most things in place.  I was running around a lot early in the day, but it was all worth it.

We had about 10 hikers participate in the morning hike to Wood Chuck's Half-way sign and even though the Hiker Reunion part of the day didn't pan out very well, the guest artist didn't show and there were no kids around to run Mary's Mini Thru Hike,  all in all, it was a good day.  

Randy "Windtalker" Motz

Visitors

Duffy, Jay and Noel at the ALDHA Tent

Some of our vendors - Kym and Erica from "Inspired by Nature Jewelry" and Ginger from "Rustic Charms"

Vendor, Alison from "Damsels in Defense"

Leonard Adkins presented a wonderful program in the basement on the history of the trail in WV, MD and PA.  Leonard has some wonderful books about the trail, that we hope to carry at the museum soon.  

Georgia "Mom" Harris and
Leonard "Habitual Hiker" Adkins
sell their wares

Morgan "Folksinger" Evans

Hiker, "Sublime" rests near the ALDHA tent

Jim Samples, Howard Davis and Larry Luxenberg discuss important things

Drag'N Fly and Freckles hiked in from the trail and set up a "camp" down by the fire pit.

Music tent, Hiker camp, ALDHA tent

The cookout later in the day fed over 50 people and the campfire over at the Group campground was the perfect way to end the day.    

Cookout

Campfire

Group A Campground

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Special Program Addition

Some of you may recognize the name Warren Doyle.  Dr Doyle is in the midst of his 17th traverse of the trail along with a group that he has prepared for the journey.  

Warren will stop by the Museum on July 6th at 7:00 pm to discuss his love affair with the trail.  He promises his presentation will be inspiring, educational and provocative with ample time to answer your questions.  

If you are interested in hearing from one of our "people of the trail", come to the Museum at 7 pm on July 6th and prepare to be enthralled.  

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Docent Story: We Serve the Hikers

A few days ago, I had a wonderful conversation with on of my treasured Docents.  Georgia "TGIF" Freet, who serves most Fridays during the summer, related this story to me from her latest shift.  The story effected me in such a positive way, I had to share it with you all, with her permission.  

TGIF's usual co-worker couldn't make the shift, so she served alone.  While she greeted the visitors and hikers to the museum, she noticed one Thru Hiker (her trail name might be Apple Cider), who was hanging out in the Hiker Lounge.  As she talked to this girl, she found that she was in turmoil.  She had a severe case of Planar Fasciitis and was contemplating ending her hike.  This impending decision was causing her great lamentation as it does for all those who find they have to change their goals and dreams.

Georgia felt all had fallen into place as she offered her advice.  She explained that everyone has hard decisions to make in their lifetime and for this girl, this was one of those times.  She helped her work through her decision and offered her a lot of support and told of her own trials of life and how she coped and rose above them.

Georgia had just recently read one of our new book offerings at the Museum, "A Woman's Journey", by local girl and trail legend, Cindy Ross, and she remembered how Cindy had her own pains and trials to deal with long ago on her hike.  

TGIF grabbed the book off the shelf and turned to page 39 to show this girl how Cindy handled the crisis.  The rest of the day the girl read that book from that page to the end.  After doing this, she knew what she had to do.  She would go off trail to heal and when the time was right, she would come back and finish this quest.  Georgia assured her, that she would finish.  As we always say, the trail will be here for you when you are ready.

I know that Georgia served this girl well on that Friday.  She was the perfect person to help the girl deal with her hike and pains.  Things happen for a reason and you will hear me say time and again that "The Trail Provides".  Georgia is sure that if she had not been serving alone, then she might not have had the time to talk to this girl.  On this day, TGIF was the instrument that the Trail used to Provide what Apple Cider needed that day.  

You Docents are an amazing thing.  You might not realize it, but you ALL do your part in helping the hikers on their way, along with enticing the visitors who aren't hikers (yet) to think about the possibilities.  Most visitors to the museum are affected by the wonderful people who greet them as they come in.  Whether you realize it or not.

Thanks for ALL you do.
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Things Coming Down the Trail

June 21st, 2015 - 2:00 pm - Public Program - Historic Wood and Canvas Canoes
June 22nd, 2015 - 9:20 am - Road Scholar Hike
June 28th, 2015 - 12:00 pm - Public Program - Hiker Picnic and Trail Stories (pot luck)
July 5th, 2015 - 2:00 pm - Public Program - Movie: "The Long Start to the Journey"
July 6th, 2015 - 7:00 pm - Special Public Program - "My 42 year Love Affair With the Trail" - Warren Doyle
July 12th, 2015 - Public Program - The Craighead Naturalists
July 17th to 24th, 2015 - ATC Biennial - Winchester, VA
July 19th, 2015 - 2:00 pm - Public Program - The Gentle Art of Wandering
July 25th, 2015 - Volunteer Picnic (at the Brickyard Pavilion)
July 26th, 2015 - 2:00 pm - Public Program - Richard Judy

Take care,
EarthTone