AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - August 2016

August 2016
Brought to you by Joe Harold, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

As Summer winds towards Fall, the Museum continues to welcome visitors.  Later this month we shift our hours once again to Wednesdays through Sundays, Noon to 4:00 pm.  We have a few special request openings coming up as the Museum remains a popular place for groups to visit.

Thanks to all of you for your help.  It is certainly appreciated.

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WITF Visits Pine Grove Furnace State Park 

The local NPR radio station out of Harrisburg, came to the park last Monday and taped a show that featured, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, myself for a short time, Freckles and Drag'N Fly, two of our volunteers and Class of 2014 Thru Hikers and Andre Weltman, our local historian and Chairman of the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace.  

Scott LaMar and Secretary Cindy Dunn

The day was pretty much perfect and the audience chairs were almost full.  We had quite a good turnout.  As the technicians set everything else, a slight problem with the Wifi made them change their plans from a live broadcast to a taped show that would be aired later in the week.  

The topics were pretty interesting starting with Secretary Dunn talking about the state's parks and letting me talk a little about the Museum, its latest improvements and the Hiking Culture that we all become a part of when we set foot on the Trail.

Scott, Drag'N Fly and Freckles

Later Drag'N Fly and Freckles talked about their hike and we finished up with Andre talking about the history of the Park and its ironmaking past.
  

Andre Weltman, the best dressed radio star

If you missed the airing of the program, you can go listen to it on their website Here.

Very nice audience

Photos courtesy of Jim Foster
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Renovation Progress

The Museum continues to transform into a larger exhibit space with the help of our wonderful volunteers.  Jack Adams leads the crew that is building the ramp to the second floor and Ron Bungay leads the two upper floors work.  Howard Davis has also been doing a lot of tree planting with the help of Jay Sexton and Dan Taylor.

Jack's team consists of Al Black, Chuck Strehl, Ed Riggs and Howard Davis.

Ron's team is made up of Carol Bungay, Jeff Seal, Margy Schmidt, Randy Fishback and Mike Wingeart.

The ramp is nearing completion and the upper two stories are transforming each week.  Soon we will start the planning of the new exhibits for the second floor and start moving all the books and other resource items to the top floor library.

We couldn't do it without the help of these great volunteers.  Our thanks is huge.

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Fall Furnace Fest Events at the Museum

On October 15th and 16th the Park will have its Fall Furnace Fest.  This is usually our biggest day as far as visitor count.  I am planning for us to be open the full day on both days and will be running two shifts each day, just like in the summer.  We are also going to set up the Make Your Own Trail Mix booth on the grounds.  If you have the time to help out during this busy weekend, we sure do appreciate it.    
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Annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner

I have scheduled this year's Dinner for November 20th this year.  We will be at the Ironmasters again and we will keep the early schedule again with the event starting a 1:00 pm with dinner at 2:00 pm and the recognition after that.  I hope everyone can make it.  More details to follow.  I just wanted to let everyone know the date.
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Things Coming Down the Trail

August 21st, 2016 - Program: Hiking the Trail and Rarely Sleeping in the Woods
August 28th, 2016 - Program: Appalachian Odyssey 
September 12th, 2016 - Road Scholar Hike
September 19th, 2016 - Road Scholar Hike
October 10th, 2016 - Road Scholar Hike
October 15th and 16th, 2016 - Fall Furnace Fest
October 31st, 2016 - Road Scholar Hike
November 20th, 2016 - Volunteer Recognition Dinner