AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - Spring 2019

Spring 2019

Brought to you by Nathaniel Shank, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

Coming up the Trail

Volunteer Signup Link

Museum Cleanup Day March 16th
Saturday, March 16, 2019 is the date for the spring clean-up at the Appalachian Trail Museum. Activities will start at 9:00AM and we should be done by 12:00 noon or 1:00PM. If you cannot make it for the entire morning, we appreciate whatever time you can spare so we can have the museum ready for opening the following Saturday. Don't forget to also sign up for the docent training.

Volunteer Kickoff Celebration March 23rd
Come Join the party with snacks and games to kick off this 2019 season. We will talk briefly about the need for new volunteers and gather ideas as to what can be done to encourage existing volunteers. Then we will Play games, eat snacks, and play instruments if need be. Don't forget to bring your instruments!

Docent Training March 22 - March 31st (or by appointment)
The sessions will provide Docents with a review of the processes and refresh the memory. I will also be conducting hands-on training on the PayPal Here software at all sessions. Any new Docents will receive more intense training.

Flip Flop Festival Harpers Ferry WV April 27th and 28th
For a detailed schedule and more information, visit www.flipflopfestival.org.We need volunteers to represent the museum

Hall of Fame Banquet May 4th
Tickets are now on sale for our 2019 Banquet, to be held on Saturday, May 4.  The 2019 venue will be the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center, located at 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle, PA.  The evening will begin with a reception at 6 pm, with dinner to follow at 7 pm.  

Complete information on tickets is available HERE.

The M.C. for the 2019 Banquet will be Sandra “Sandi” Marra, Chair of the Board of Appalachian Trail Conservancy.  Music will be provided by Randy "Windtalker" Motz, an A.T. thru-hiker.  The highlight of the evening will be the induction of the 2019 Hall of Fame class.  We had record attendance in 2018, so get your tickets soon.

Hall Of Fame Festival May 5th
Five new exhibits will be introduced to the public. More details to follow. We are going to need a few helpers with games, cooking burgers, setting up, and tearing down for the festival. The lunch will be potluck style and free for all guests. There will be a donation jar and food donations are welcome. Come enjoy the music by Strings on Wings. We will have something for all ages. Plan to have a great time!

Mason-Dixon Appalachian Trail Outdoor Festival Rouzerville Pa
Saturday, June 8th 10-4
We need volunteers to represent the museum

Summer Programs
If you know anybody that would like to present at the museum for one of our programs please send an emial to manager@atmuseum.org
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Native Plants Garden to Benefit Wildlife coming to the A.T. Museum this Spring

Work began in earnest at the A. T. Museum last fall on the creation of a colorful garden full of PA native plants that will provide nectar, pollen, seeds and berries for butterflies, pollinators, birds and other wildlife.  The new garden is located in front of the historic stone mill building where the museum is housed along Rt. 233 at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Gardners, PA.  The garden and the wildlife it attracts will be easily viewed and enjoyed by museum visitors as they enter and exit the new main entrance to the museum via the extensive fully-accessible ramp that was built by Jack Adams of Maryland and his dedicated group of volunteers. 

AT Museum volunteers Lorrie and Bob Preston, Georgia Freet, Margie and Jeff Schmidt, and Dan Taylor worked to get “the bones” of the garden laid out and the soil prepared in anticipation of planting this spring.  Invasive and non-native weeds and grasses were removed and a layer of wet cardboard was applied to the soil and covered with mulch to smother the remaining roots.  River rock was spread in the false spring and dry stream bed areas to bring a sense of the mill’s historical past, as per former museum manager Howard Davis’ creative landscape plan.  

A stepping-stone pathway was created throughout the garden to add a natural design element and allow easy access for maintenance and ongoing care of the garden.

As the garden area was cleared, care was taken to preserve any of the native ferns and wildflowers that were trying their best to compete among the more aggressive non-native species.  These have some historical significance and may have been planted by previous generations who used this building or they may have grown there naturally over the years.

A common milkweed patch, planted in the fall of 2017, is the centerpiece for the garden and is already multiplying.  Milkweed is the only host plant for Monarch butterflies and these young plants supported their first few Monarch caterpillars last summer. 

Planting of some of the best PA native plants to provide food, shelter, or a place to raise young will get underway this April & May and the project will be evolving and ever-changing in the months and years ahead. 

The garden will provide opportunities for education about the critical relationships between native plants and wildlife and will highlight the extremely important wildlife habitat that the Appalachian Trail corridor provides from Georgia to Maine. 

If you would like to volunteer in some capacity with the creation or ongoing care of this garden or have any questions or pertinent ideas, please contact Museum Manager Nathaniel Shank at manager@atmuseum.org.

Financial donations for purchasing plants, tools, educational signage, and more are welcome and can be made to honor or memorialize someone special.  Note your donation for the Butterfly/Pollinator garden and mail to:          A.T. Museum, Att: Treasurer, 1120 Pine Grove Rd., Gardners, PA 17324.

_____________________________________________________________________


Volunteer Renovation Crew

Work has continued on renovations of the top two floors of the AT museum mill house.  With the addition of a "barn door"  to the library this past fall, the construction on the third floor is nearing completion. A hasp has been installed that will allow the library to be secure. Trim work for the bookcases is progressing and should be finished in the near future. On the second floor, about half of the walls have been painted. The rest of the walls are waiting for the finishing touches on the drywall. Then painting will complete the work on the walls.

    The next step for the bathroom is to install wall tile. When tiling is complete, the plumber will install the bathroom fixtures. A ceiling of beadboard will also be installed. 

A general clean up and organization will take place the end of April. Our goal is to have the construction site as presentable as possible for  

 the new exhibits to be on display the first weekend of May.

Several one-day work trips are scheduled this spring and additional work trips will take place this summer. 

Any individuals that want to volunteer are welcome. Typically our work is scheduled during the middle of the week. If interested contact Ron Bungay at ronbungay@verizon.net

_______________________________________________________________

New Exhibits

The Appalachian Trail Museum will mark a major milestone in its own history in 2019 with the installation of five new exhibits. Children will experience a “Night on the Trail” as they enter a replica trail shelter on the lower  level. Once inside, a skylight in the roof will frame a night sky illuminated with many constellations, and sounds of the night will pique every child’s curiosity. Exhibits on the newly renovated second floor will offer visitors a contemporary trail experience, with displays featuring long-distance hiking legend Walkin’ Jim Stoltz, a national hiking event “HikaNation,” and the landmark signing of the National Trails System Act.  A view to the upper floor will offer visitors the story of blazing the A.T. in Maine, complete with A.T. founder Myron Avery’s folding boat.  A celebration marking the opening of these exhibits is planned for Sunday, May 5, 2019. Exhibits are made possible through a grant from the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau.

Here is the list of accomplishments:

• Installed the Night on the Trail shelter with night noises on Dec 19-20. Photos attached. check out the night sky!!
• 2^nd floor exhibit panel for Walkin’ Jim Stoltz was completed. Photo attached.
• 2 additional frames to feature future hikers were completed
• 2^nd floor panel for HikaNation was completed. 
• 2^nd floor panels for “The Appalachian Trail becomes America’s Trail” were completed.

In addition, our volunteers painted 3 areas of the 2^nd floor in preparation for installation of these panels.

And the 3^rd floor exhibit on “Blazing Trail in Maine” was completed and installed earlier last year. 

Walkin' Jim Exhibit

Stars in Shelter

Children's Level Shelter Exhibit

__________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to volunteer in any capacity contact the museum at 

info@atmuseum.org

AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - April 2018

March 2018

Brought to you by Nathaniel "Angry Bird" Shank, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

New Mail/Register Box on 2018 Halfway Sign

Check out our new donation box. (feeding bear is not recommended in the wild)

                                                                                                                                                 

Important Reminders

Hall Of Fame Banquet & Festival May 4th & 5th

          On May 4th we will be at the Allenberry Resort Inn, located in Boiling Springs, PA. The evening will begin with a reception at 6 pm, followed by the banquet at 7 pm. The Buc Hill Aces will be our musical entertainment for the night.

2018 Appalachian Trail Hall Of Fame Inductees

Click Here For Tickets To The 2018 Hall Of Fame Banquet

We have established a special email address for questions concerning the Appalachian Trail Hall Of Fame Banquet: atmbanquet@gmail.com

Hall Of Fame Festival May 5th
          On May 5th the Festival will be held at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The picnic lunch is open to the public free of charge, but donations are welcome.

Volunteer for the A.T. Hall of Fame Festival

                                                                                                                                                  

AT Flip-Flop Festival

          April 28th & 29th in Harpers Ferry, WV. Anyone interested in volunteering to man a display at events like this one please let me know by email at manager@atmuseum.com.

http://www.flipflopfestival.org/

                                                                                                                                                 

AT Museum Library Help

          A crew of volunteers will be needed to attach film to each bookcase shelf (to protect books from wood off-gassing and acid) and put the shelves back into the cases. Someone with excellent penmanship will be needed to write call numbers on book slips as well.

Other jobs will come to light as the collection processing begins. Any volunteer with previous library experience could be especially valuable, but anyone with time and an interest in helping can let Linda know. She can be contacted at lpatton@fsu.edu.

You might want to check out her website at booksforhikers.com.

                                                                                                                                                 

Angry Bird Trail Story

          When I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail I did it in sandals and hiked with a banjo. The banjo was given the name Uncle Sam. My trail name could have been the detective, officer, cow whisperer or something along the lines of hillbilly banjo hippie creep but I stuck with Angry Bird because the people I ended up hiking with already knew me from the Appalachian Trail. I also had some very cool bird experiences where I was convinced that they had planned to attempt to kill me once again. Here is one great bird story I have...

          August 16th, 2014: That morning I had hiked a detour from Oldenburg Lake Trail to Crescent Lake, and then I took the White Fish Creek Trail to Odell Lake. Then at Windigo Pass (trail mile 1882.9 in Oregon) I had taken a seat on a log to break for lunch. As I was eating my lunch I noticed a high volume of chip monk activity. These chip monks were expecting me to drop food. I laughed at the thought of a thru-hiker dropping food! Then as I proceeded to eat my granola I noticed a screech??? As soon as I turned around I caught a glimpse of one of them flying away!!! A hawk had swooped down and grabbed him from right behind my left shoulder. I have heard owls catching prey in the middle of the night but finally just now saw a bird of prey in action actually catching its prey. The good news is that I was not the target this time. That made me very happy. :)

                                                                                                                                                 

April 28th - AT Flip Flop Festival in Harpers Ferry, WV

April 29th - Ironmasters challenge trail run and hike

May 4th - Hall Of Fame Banquet

May 5th - Hall Of Fame Festival

May 7th - Road Scholar Hike

May 31st - AT Museum Program about women of the Appalachian Trail

June 2nd - AT Museum Children's Festival

June 16th - Red Run Park AT Festival in Waynesboro, PA

AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - November/December 2017

November/December 2017

Brought to you by Nathaniel "Angry Bird" Shank, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

Volunteer Hours & Special Thanks

     On Sunday, November 5th the Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held at the Iron Masters Mansion. There were 40+/- in attendance. The overall attendance at the museum this year was 9327 visitors. The volunteers donated 2558 hours of their time greeting hikers and visitors from all over the world, guiding road scholar hikes, resource library organization, garden and lawn work, building maintenance, renovation to 2nd and 3rd floor and constructing our new walkway. I'm sure there is plenty more that I am forgetting. 

     At the banquet, we recognized Gwen Loose for finding the open door and following through with final reports for grants that were available to us this year and in past years. She has helped us to accomplish what was thought to be impossible. Another person who really helped us a lot with outreach and donations is Robert "Red Wolf" Croyle. He is a wonderful person to work with. I can't imagine the museum without him.

     We also recognized Ron Bungay for his countless hours thinking, planning and building the upper floors of the museum. For all of his help this year at the museum we have created for him and his crew a patch (pictured) and honored him with the 2017 Presidents Award. 

The 2017 Volunteer Of the Year is Berry Flicker. Berry helped maintain the yard all summer, he donated gas, fixed lawn tools when needed, brought an army of scouts to help with an early fall cleanup and placing pavers in our walkway and he is one of the happiest people to be around. 

Thank you all for a great year!

                                                                                                                                                 

Comming Events in 2018!

The Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet returns to the Allenberry Resort this coming May! In early April the inductees will be announced! The actual induction ceremony will be on Friday, May 4, 2018, at the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet, located at the Allenberry Resort. Follow THIS LINK to get your tickets.
Do you know someone who we should consider for the A.T. Hall of Fame?  Nominations are open now.  Just follow THIS LINK.  

The Appalachian Trail Museum Hall of Fame Festival will be held on Saturday, May 5th, 2018, at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. We will be located at the pavilion below the AT Museum like usual.

The Appalachian Trail Museum Children's Festival will also be held at the Pine Grove Furnace State Park on June 2nd, 2018. This event will be held on the museum grounds.

FIRST DAY HIKE
PINE GROVE FURNACE STATE PARK
January 1, 2018 at 1 PM
Meet at Fuller Lake Bath House
Join the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park and park staff on a hike to
celebrate the new year. This guided hike will start at the Fuller Lake Bath House then
follow Old Railroad Bed Road to the Mountain Creek Trail. The hike will continue to the
end of the Mountain Creek Trail and return along Old Railroad Bed Road back to Fuller
Lake Bath House. Total distance is approximately 4 miles. The Friends group will serve
refreshments during the program.
Please dress for the weather, bring water, and wear sturdy shoes. The trail is
relatively flat, but there are tripping hazards, large stepping stones across side channels,
and steps at the bridge: no strollers, please. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome.
In case of severe weather, check www.PineGroveFriends.org or our Facebook page:
www.Facebook.com/Friends-of-Pine-Grove-Furnace-State-Park-131815140192988.
We hope to see you “1/1 @ 1” at the Fuller Lake Bath House!
                                                                                                                                                 

Renovations

Janice Gibson donated seat covers.

Electricians have been working on track lighting for the second floor.

The water has been turned off for the season, but there are still a few cold weather hikers like myself who cannot stop exploring.
                                                                                                                                                 

New Merchandise

Check out some of the new merchandise that was added to our inventory near the end of 2017. We now have two books by Mic Louther, Walking North and Taking the Long Way Home.  We also have another book by Jeffrey Ryan called Blazing Ahead.

On the way is a waterproof map of the Michaux State Forest by Purple Lizard Maps. A few of the great groups that helped create this map include the Pine Grove Furnace State Park Friends Group, Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve and Gettysburg Bicycle and Fitness. This map will be available for sale at the AT Museum and at www.atmuseum.org in 2018.
                                                                                                                                                 

Angry Bird Trail Stories (Continued)
     I got to the Carl A. Newhall Lean-to as it was getting dark(er). My clothes were wet but the contents of my pack were totally dry. I had stuffed some dry wood from the last shelter into my pack in case I really wanted a fire. Instead, I decided that I wanted to go right to sleep... or not! Before I could go to sleep the people at this shelter were giving me some wonderful advice. It was all legal but highly unethical. Some of the advice they gave me was also definitely illegal. So the advise was in reality not so wonderful. About an hour later another hiker showed up. I'll call him Redhead since I don't know his trail name. He was drenched, sleeping bag and all. I thought I was in a bad spot but after seeing him I realized how well off I really was! It was also a cold night. I don't remember a whole lot after this because I actually went to sleep very quickly. That seems to happen when I least think it would. 

     When we hiked out in the morning Redhead left before I did, but not by long. When I caught up with him he asked, "Did you see my knife?" I replied with, "Noooo!" That made us very happy to be away from there. Minutes later when the other hiker who was there showed up we had a few laughs and sighs of relief. Then the Canadians showed up and we had to cross the flooded, waist high, bitter cold, fast moving, slippery west branch of the pleasant river. I was the first to test the water and cross. They said I made it look easy, but it was far from easy. One of the Canadians fell and went straight back to shore behind me. Then the female that was with us was carried 200+/- feet down river getting hit by rocks along the way. She managed to escape by using her poles to push herself across. She was bruised pretty badly but managed to get out. 

     When looking up videos of that river online it is only ankle high. In hindsight, camping until the water was lower would have been a great route to take. If planning to ford a river be sure to unbuckle the waist belt from your pack before trying to cross. It may save your life.

If you would like to listen to me give a tour of the museum and talk about some of my experiences on the trail then you are in luck. The A.T. Museum was featured in the podcast "Effing Weird Museums".  HERE is a link to the episode, in which host Emily Morman interviews Museum Manager Nate Shank.

Check us out on Facebook as well!

                                                                                                                                                 

Coming Down the Trail
First Day Hike (P.G.F.S.P. Park Staff) - January 1st, 2018, 1pm @ Fuller Lake Bath House
Hall Of Fame Banquet - May 4th @ Allenberry Resort
Hall Of Fame Festival - May 5th, 2018
Program: Women of the A.T. - Thursday, May 31st, 6:30 pm @ A.T. Museum
AT Museum Children's Festival - June 2nd, 2018
Halfway Hiker Picnic - July 7th, 2018

AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - August 2017

August 2017

Brought to you by Nathaniel "Angry Bird" Shank, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

 So far this year we have had over 6000 visitors with almost 1000 of them being thru hikers. Our programs have been dwindling down but mostly we've had an attendance of 10 or more for each one. Also, this week I decided to view the eclipse from Tennessee with my grandfather. The temperature dropped 15 degrees, the frogs were peeping, the clouds were more visible and the atmosphere of the sun was the brightest white glow around the moon. I also saw what I think was Venus glowing like it was one of the stars.

Here are some pictures of a few great spots to hike/climb within the Michaux State Forest.

White Rocks (Near Mont Alto)

More White Rocks

Sunset Rocks View

Sunset Rocks Trail

My 11oz Homemade Cuben Fiber Tent

                                                                                                                                                 
  

Lots of things happening!

      We will soon be continuing our road scholar hikes once again on Mondays starting on August 28th. These hikes have been a great way to meet people from all over the United States. It is also a great place to practice educating others about the trail and the environment. If you would like to learn more about what these hikes involve please contact me(Nathaniel) at manager@atmuseum.org.

      The Pine Grove Fall Furnace Festival for 2017 will be held on the 21st and 22nd of October. This year we are setting up a stand for the museum next to the park. Anyone interested in getting involved please let me know via email. 

      We are progressively seeing more south bound hikers coming from Maine this time of the year. Most of the SOBO hikers that I've talked to have started in June. Katahdin only opened for hikers on May 27th because of the weather. I was also told that the black flies were worse this year than any other in the last 50 or so. In 2012 I did not see very many on my thru hike south.

Also, read more below about our schedule coming up the trail. 

                                                                                                                                               

Renovations

The second and third floor renovations are looking great. Anyone who would like to get involved just let me know by sending an email to manager@atmuseum.org.

Here is Jim cleaning and staining book shelves

Nail holes were filled and sanded

Even Chestnut came to help!

                                                                                                                                                 

PCN Pennsylvania Cable Network 
     Airing on Sunday, September 3rd at 8:00 pm will be a guided tour of the Appalachian Trail Museum. On Wednesday, July 26th a camera crew came to the museum to film a guided tour led by yours truly. The tour started shortly after 9:00 am and continued until about 1:00 pm. I learned that when the cameras were not rolling I had no problems talking about all that I knew without any issues, but once the little red light let me know that I was being recorded all my thought went out the window. I did not anticipate that being on camera was going to be any different than talking to a group. This took a lot of trial and error, but I believe that all well.

For an update of when and where to find this show follow this link: ATMuseum Tour

                                                                                                                                                    

Angry Bird Trail Stories
     Last year I decided to show one of my brothers the most exciting swimming hole in Pennsylvania along the trail (Peace Rock). So we set out on the two hour drive north from home. Once we got to Port Clinton we had to walk. On the way up I decided that I was going to strap my GoPro camera to my head and record the jump from 40 feet above the water. To get to the rock we had to swim across the river and climb. That was all done with no difficulty whatsoever.

     Then It was time... Press record... Run to the edge! With the camera strapped to my head and recording, I jumped!

     Only a few seconds later I had felt what I thought to be a fish trying to eat my leg or a fishing net trying to latch onto my foot. As I kicked it away I scrambled to the surface of the water as fast as I could. Looking up at my brother and swimming back to the bank I celebrated with shouts and invites.

     He then asked, "where is the camera?"

     Hands immediately to my head I felt that the camera was gone. After a few minutes of searching, we decided that we were not going to try swimming to the bottom without some goggles. Then another thought came to my mind... What if I took a grappling hook and tried to fish it out so that I didn't have to swim to the bottom at all! Perfect!!! So we drove home and gathered up some scuba goggles, rope, and a grappling hook. The next morning we got there early before the crowd arrived and swam to the rocks. before entering the water I discovered that it was only ten feet deep where I jumped in. Then I got the grappling hook stuck on the bottom of the river. I had to swim down to get it loose. I tied the rope off above and climbed to the surface of the water below. As I swam out to the rope my heart pounded with excitement and fear all at once.

     I took a short breath of air and entered the water far too quickly. Using the rope I pulled myself to the bottom as fast as I could through the cloudy sediment-filled water. I thought I would run out of air and need to take another breath before I would reach the bottom. Not being able to see two feet in front of me in the first seven feet of descent had me nervous, but as soon as I reached the bottom and I saw the hook my lungs suddenly felt full of air again. As I grabbed the hook I noticed a little blue light and there it was, still turned on with the memory card full of the recording of what a rock's point of view from under the river would be.

     I did have my shirt stolen by a cleanup crew who really made that place shine, but other than that I went home with a well fought victory in my hands and a two hour recording of fish swimming near the bottom of the river.

                                                                                                                                                 

Coming Up the Trail

August 28th Road Scholar Hike
September 25th Road Scholar Hike
October 1st Program by Nan Resinger
October 6th, 7th and 8th ALDHA Gathering
October 9th Road Scholar Hike
October 21st, 22nd Pine Grove Fall Furnace Festival
October 23rd Road Scholar Hike
October 30th Road Scholar Hike

AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - June 2017

June 2017

Brought to you by Nathaniel "Angry Bird" Shank, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

     Check out our website. It is being updated all the time with news of our HOF nominees and weekend programs schedule.

     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!

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.

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.

Mason-Dixon AT Outdoor Festival

                                                                                                                                               

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)

·         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.

                                                                                                                                               

Renovations

Our crew of volunteers have really been doing some good work!

Jack Adams hangs drywall

Book shelves look level

Windows and door have been painted

See Ed painting in the top window?

Donation Plaques have been placed

                                                                                                                                               

Approaching Programs

//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"

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!

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...

Half-Marathon Results

5K Results

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 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"