June 2017
Brought to you by Nathaniel "Angry Bird" Shank, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager
Mason-Dixon AT Outdoor Festival
Check out our website. It is being updated all the time with news of our HOF nominees and weekend programs schedule.
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After looking over some of the tents made by Hyperlite Mountain Gear at the AT Trail Days Festival I have decided to make my own ultra light tent with dyneema composite material. Just received the fabric in the mail so It should be under way soon. Expect to see pictures in a future newsletter!
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| cuben fiber |
This years HOF Festival drew a crowd of 271 people including 70 children and 15 thru hikers in attendance for the day. Our story time attracted 51 adults and 29 children. We also had five authors speaking and the Buc Hill Aces playing old time music at the furnace stack pavilion below the museum.
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| Ron Burger with ALDHA at the HOF Festival |
This was my second year attending the Mason-Dixon AT Outdoor Festival in Rouzerville, PA. Live music was great. I had to create some of my own as well but the hikers enjoyed it. Also got to meet some of my distant family from Quincy, PA. Easy thing to do with a big family.
Searching for an Intern
In past years we have had an intern to help with much that goes on at the museum. This year there has been some interest but to no avail. So here is an overview of what to expect and what we are looking for in a potential intern. We are not limited to strictly what is listed below but are flexible to suit the interest of anyone who would like to apply. Please spread the news of this request!
The Appalachian Trail Museum seeks students who want to join
our team for the summer to earn credit towards a degree program and gain real
world experience working with museum visitors and presenters. Interns provide a key function in the
operation of the Museum, while also enhancing their studies.
Location: The A.T. Museum
is located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park at Gardners, PA.
This is a part time, unpaid position which offers up to three
hours of academic credit. Prospective interns must coordinate with their
colleges or universities to ensure all requirements are met for academic credit.
Types of Internships at the AT Museum include
Public Programs Coordinator
Docent/Greeter
Retail Sales and Inventory
Volunteer Coordinator
Landscaping, Grounds Keeping
Hiking Guide
Videographer
Public Relations
Fundraising
Qualifications:
·
Pursuing a BS/BA in Adventure Education, History,
American Studies, Communications, Education, Journalism or Community/Social
Studies. (Other academic areas may also be considered)
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Junior or Senior. (Other academic years may also
be considered)
·
GPA of 2.5 or higher.
·
Excellent oral, written and
communication/presentation skills.
·
Basic computer skills.
How to Apply:
·
Contact the A.T. Museum
manager at manager@atmuseum.org
expressing your interest in starting an internship, your qualifications and
what you hope to achieve with an internship.
·
Work with your Intern programs advisor to
coordinate school’s requirements.
//Saturday July 1 2017 Noon-4:00pm - Hiker Picnic
Follow this link to Signup either as attending to greet hikers or to bring food.
//Saturday July 15 2017 2:00pm - Presentation by: Jeff Ryan
"Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-year hike on America’s trail"
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| Tom Johnson presenting one of his popular trail history programs |
If you or anyone you know is interested in presenting a program this summer please let Nathaniel know at manager@atmuseum.org.
Angry Bird Trail Stories
Not too often do people actually ask me how I got my trail name. The name did not come from the game, but it would be crazy for me not to play angry birds with a trail name like Angry Bird.
So here is the story of how it all happened...
6/8/2012: I started out my hike for the day at the pleasant pond lean-to. Not much was happening on that rainy morning, but as I was walking I noticed a bird making a lot of noise somewhere up in the trees ahead of me. I didn't think much of it but notice how it called out in intervals of seven. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 then it paused. What was going on up there? So I kept hiking and things got quiet. I had even passed where I thought this bird was. Seconds later I felt what I thought was a branch or tree fruit of some sort hit me in the top of my head. When I grabbed my head and reached up to stop a tree from falling on me I saw the gos hawk flying away ahead of me. So I looked around and saw nothing other than the bird that could have hit me. Other than my hat being moved up on my head I walked away with no harm done. Then to get my revenge I walked to Caratunk, ME and ate some eggs for breakfast. That'll teach 'em - or so I thought...
My journal entry says, "This morning on my way to Caratunk a bird swooped down and hit me in the back of my head and it felt like a nerf bat. Then I stopped in Caratunk for a bite to eat... eggs!
So here is the story of how it all happened...
6/8/2012: I started out my hike for the day at the pleasant pond lean-to. Not much was happening on that rainy morning, but as I was walking I noticed a bird making a lot of noise somewhere up in the trees ahead of me. I didn't think much of it but notice how it called out in intervals of seven. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 then it paused. What was going on up there? So I kept hiking and things got quiet. I had even passed where I thought this bird was. Seconds later I felt what I thought was a branch or tree fruit of some sort hit me in the top of my head. When I grabbed my head and reached up to stop a tree from falling on me I saw the gos hawk flying away ahead of me. So I looked around and saw nothing other than the bird that could have hit me. Other than my hat being moved up on my head I walked away with no harm done. Then to get my revenge I walked to Caratunk, ME and ate some eggs for breakfast. That'll teach 'em - or so I thought...
My journal entry says, "This morning on my way to Caratunk a bird swooped down and hit me in the back of my head and it felt like a nerf bat. Then I stopped in Caratunk for a bite to eat... eggs!
My drawing of the hawk in the background
In other news, I placed 20th overall for the half marathon that my uncle talked me into running with him. He more so just mentioned it and I said, "Yea, I'll do it." Then it turned into a family event...
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| Seven Shanks competed in the Iron Run and Charcoal Challenge |
Down the Trail
//Sunday June 25 2017 2:00pm - Movie Night: "Horace Kephart, His Life and Legacy"
//Saturday July 1 2017 Noon-4:00pm - Hiker Picnic
//Saturday July 15 2017 2:00pm - Jeff Ryan "Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-year hike on America’s trail"
//Saturday July 22 2017 2:00pm - Tom Johnson "Myron Avery and the creation of the AT"
//Saturday July 1 2017 Noon-4:00pm - Hiker Picnic
//Saturday July 15 2017 2:00pm - Jeff Ryan "Appalachian Odyssey: A 28-year hike on America’s trail"
//Saturday July 22 2017 2:00pm - Tom Johnson "Myron Avery and the creation of the AT"
//Saturday July 29 2017 2:00pm - Andre Weltman “Traces of the Pig Iron Industry across South Mountain"
//Sunday August 6 2017 2:00pm - Larry Marschall "The Great American Solar Eclipse of August 21, 2017"
//Sunday August 20 2017 2:00pm - Marian Orlousky "Leave No Trace"
