AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 10

Volume 1, Issue 10 - August, 2014
brought to you by Joe Harold, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

You can see from the picture below, that the seasons wrap around the museum like a comfortable blanket.  I have been around long enough now to have taken pictures from each of the four seasons and I have found over the last nine months or so, that the old mill is a favorite subject of mine.  This is one of five new postcards that we are now carrying at the museum for purchase.  We were able to add these new postcards due to a grant from Conquest Graphics.  I think they came out rather well and visitors are starting to snatch them up already.  

Four Seasons at the Museum

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Desperately Seeking Helpers  (Reprint from last month)

As the museum grows and matures, we are constantly in need of experts and other professionals and their unique skills.  The following is a list of people/things we are seeking to help with the expansion and continued upgrading of the museum.  If you can help, or you know someone who may be willing to help, please let me know or pass this on.

1.  A plumber/HVAC professional to install two heat pump systems to provide the museum with year round climate control as part of the current renovation projects.

2.  People interested in working on cataloging the extensive artifact collection.  We also need 1,000 square feet of relatively nearby climate controlled storage space (heated and cooled).  

We have secured a space at the Rovegno Building in Carlisle.  It is much bigger than the other one and should take a little while to fill up, but we are always looking for more.  Especially climate controlled space.

3.  A Public Program Chairman to run the Sunday Afternoon Programs.  (A team of two or three would be the best makeup, but we need to start with someone taking the lead)

4.  Someone to video the Public Programs and events such as the Hall of Fame Banquet.

If you have any interesting in helping out, please email me at manager@atmuseum.org.
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Docent Stories: Fresh Peaches!

Docent Stories continues this month with a story told by Miclele Burton.  One of the things I love about this job is the stories I hear, not only from the hikers, (which are always interesting), but from the people who greet the visitors, our Docents.  

Since working at the AT Museum and attending the hiker picnics this summer I have often heard that Thru hikers like fresh fruit.  When peaches and nectarines came into season this month of July I decided to buy an assortment of peaches, both white and yellow, and nectarines, along with some nice sweet cherries. 

I brought them to the hikers box on one of my shifts at the museum. It happened to be a day when many Thru hikers where passing  by. There were at least 12 the first hour who came to the museum and a number of them sitting at the general store. When the first hiker saw the fresh fruit you would have thought she discovered gold. “FRESH PEACHES!” she exclaimed in glee. She picked it up and rubbed it with admiration before relishing her first bite. 

Soon a few more came to grab the fresh produce. One hiker left with his ripe peach in hand, savoring every bite as he headed over to the store. Before I knew it there was a parade of hikers coming to indulge in a morning treat! Who knew such a simple gift could make a hiker so happy? 

That day a few hikers lingered on the sofas connected to the wifi , looking at the book exchange and just simply relaxing . The girl who discovered the peaches earlier looked at me and said “This is the perfect day! WiFi, seeing this wonderful museum and eating a delicious peach! What could be better?” 

Indeed, what could be better? It is the simple gifts of life that bring real joy! Especially when hiking the AT. 

For me, it was a joy just watching these hikers enjoy their day. 

Michele Burton

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Earl Shaffer Exhibit and A Grip on the Mane of Life

On August 3rd the Museum officially unveiled the new Earl Shaffer exhibit within the old Peter's Mountain Shelter in the museum.  The exhibit looks great and this hiker (5-Hour) was the first visitor to see the new display when it was installed on July 31st.  You can see that Graphik Masters is still working on the installation and the final touches haven't been placed yet.  

5-Hour and the new Shaffer exhibit

August 3rd also was the day we released our newest publishing effort.  A Grip on the Mane of Life: An Authorized Biography of Earl V. Shaffer.  David Donaldson, one of the co-authors was on board to discuss Earl and the writing of the book.  We had six copies on hand and ended up selling 17.  We offered free shipping for anyone who wanted to purchase that day and David came back the next Sunday to autograph all the purchases after we received our shipment of 1000 books.  Yes, my basement does look like a warehouse now.  

David Donaldson talks about A Grip on the Mane of Life

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Public Programs Update

The end of July had Mark Wilson and Tom Jolin doing their very nice Family Concert of traditional music and clogging.  It was well attended and the kids seemed to enjoy the show.  

A stompin and a playin

The day was perfect and the little shady area near the fire ring has become a popular spot for our Program Presentations.

Family Concert in the "Grove"

The last scheduled program of the season was August 10th and it found Larry Luxenberg, Erich Shellenberger and Richard Judy at the Museum to discuss what it was like to hike the trail back in the last century, specifically 1973 and 1980.  It was a nice free flowing discussion on how things have changed with the advent of smart phones, ultralight gear and the Internet.  Can anyone even find a pay phone anymore?  

The day was also eventful as David Donaldson came by with his kids, Curtis and Katy to sign some books and it was nice having two of the three AT Museum Authors in house, David and Richard Judy.

Richard Judy author of THRU: An Appalachian Trail Love Story and
David Donaldson co-author of A Grip on the Mane of Life: An Authorized Biography of Earl V. Shaffer

Richard, Curtis, David and Katy

Katy and her doll Lagoona helped out with the modeling of our two publishing efforts.

Katy Donaldson and Lagoona

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Some New Retail Items

Last month saw the addition of coffee mugs, this month saw some new postcards and a new Halfway Bandana, specially made for the Museum.  We are also now carrying the book Grandma Gatewoods Walk and Railroads of Pine Grove Furnace.  

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Blue Star Museum

Even though the Museum is free for all (donations graciously accepted), Larry Luxenberg signed us up to become a Blue Star Museum.   

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve.

Becoming a Blue Star Museum helps show our support for those who serve our country and their families who keep the home fires burning.  

To find out more about Blue Star Museums go to their Webpage.  
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Publicity for the Museum

The Museum (and its books) have been in the local news quite a bit lately.  Here are a few links of TV spots, and news articles related to the Museum.

The Sentinel - Four different pieces on the Museum, the trail, the ATC, etc.

York Dispatch - A writeup on Mane of Life.

Grandma Gatewood Project - Some takes on various stuff that may go into the Grandma Gatewood Documentary.

Good Day PA - My piece on ABC 27.  Not my favorite thing to do, but I will always take one for the team.  

Len Foote Hike Inn and THRU - An article about the Hike Inn and Richard's book THRU.

Enjoy.

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Things Coming Down the Trail

September 1st, 2014 - Labor Day - Museum open on Monday.
September 15th, 2014 - Road Scholar Hike.  10am to 4pm (approx)
September 20th, 2014 - Joe goes hiking again.  The plan is to finish PA, Swatara SP to Delaware Water Gap.  Who wants to come along?
September 26th, 2014 - Homeschool Co-op visits the Museum.
October 10th - 12th, 2014 - ALDHA Gathering - Williamstown, MA
October 13th, 2014 - Road Scholar Hike.  10am to 4pm (approx) - Museum open on Monday (Columbus Day)
October 18th and 19th, 2014 - Furnace Fall Fest

I'll leave you this month with a few more interesting pictures from around the Museum.  Enjoy...

Larry S attends the Family Concert

Wine berries are in season

The new storage unit

New AT Museum Sign installed by Howard Davis

Another of our new postcards

AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 9

Volume 1, Issue 9 - July, 2014
brought to you by Joe Harold, Appalachian Trail Museum Manager

Well the peak of Northbound hikers has come and is starting to fall off a little now, but many section hikers still have plenty of PA hiking to do this year and our other visitors are still enjoying the museum.  There's still a good deal of summer left and the museum will be open to welcome all who come.  The 2nd floor ramp is slowly taking shape and the basement will be looking very different soon too.  Our retail sales are doing great and I am still adding items for our visitors to purchase.  Our latest addition will be Coffee Mugs with our logo.  I can't wait until they arrive.

Larry Luxenberg stands below our new flag donated by Georgia Freet

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Desperately Seeking Helpers

As the museum grows and matures, we are constantly in need of experts and other professionals and their unique skills.  The following is a list of people/things we are seeking to help with the expansion and continued upgrading of the museum.  If you can help, or you know someone who may be willing to help, please let me know or pass this on.

1.  A plumber/HVAC professional to install two heat pump systems to provide the museum with year round climate control as part of the current renovation projects.

2.  People interested in working on cataloging the extensive artifact collection.  We also need 1,000 square feet of relatively nearby climate controlled storage space (heated and cooled).

3.  A Public Program Chairman to run the Sunday Afternoon Programs.  (A team of two or three would be the best makeup, but we need to start with someone taking the lead)

4.  Someone to video the Public Programs and events such as the Hall of Fame Banquet.

If you have any interesting in helping out, please email me at manager@atmuseum.org.

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Museum Welcomes Warrior Hikers

On June 15th the museum along with Pine Grove Furnace State Park and the Friends of Pine Grove Furnace State Park welcomed the Warrior Hikers to the Park.  Of the fourteen or so veterans who started the hike, six were still hiking.  The park office dispatched a van to pick up the hikers at Caledonia State Park and brought them to Pine Grove Furnace where we proceeded to hear their stories and feed them some food.  

It was a pleasant day and the food was fantastic.  After a nice meet and greet, one of our volunteers, Michele Burton and her daughter, Meagan Consedine (a veteran herself and the spouse of a previously deployed soldier) provided a ride for the Warriors to Chambersburg, where the Marine Corps were putting them up in a hotel for the night.  Meagan said, "she wanted to help however she could because she respected what the program and what those veterans were doing."

André Weltman, President of Friends of Pine Grove Furnace,
cooks while the hungry hikers fill their plates.
Photo by Dan Innamarato
FotoProBono
danfoto@me.com

Tara Gettig (right) of Pine Grove Furnace State Park was instrumental in
getting the Warrior Hikers to the park for the feast.
Photo by Dan Innamarato
FotoProBono
danfoto@me.com

2014 AT Warrior Hikers
Photo by Dan Innamarato
FotoProBono
danfoto@me.com

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Museum and PATC Provide Another Annual Hiker Picnic

On the last Sunday of June, the Museum, along with the hard work of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) put on another Hiker Picnic which has become an annual event.  The day started out slow, with nary a hiker in sight as we set up the tables and the charcoal and got everything ready.  There was an abundance of food provided by volunteers and the PATC and we were ready to feed hungry hikers, but no one was around.

I had been spending the last few days in the area and I had noticed that each day around 11:00am or so, I could look over at the General Store and see from five to ten hikers sitting at the tables, eating their ice cream, but that wasn't happening today.  

We needn't have worried, because before too long, we had plenty of Hikers showing up, some after eating their half-gallon of ice cream, but most of them still with room in their always hungry stomachs.  About forty people participated in the event.

We finished off with having the hikers tell us their stories and answer our questions.  It turned out to be fun (and filling) for all.

All set up and waiting for some hikers to arrive

Thru Hiker Q&A Panel

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Docent Stories: TGIF

Docent Stories is a new feature of the newsletter that I hope to continue each month.  One of the things I love about this job is the stories I hear, not only from the hikers, (which are always interesting), but from the people who greet the visitors, our Docents.  This is the first installment.  This story comes from Georgia Freet, one of our Girl Fridays and our Master Gardener.

On a Friday in the month of June, Georgia was serving her shift as usual, but she didn't have her usual partner Joan McKean with her and was alone at the desk.  Georgia, being our Master Gardener and the person responsible for all those lovely native flowering plants outside the museum, usually spends some time each friday, weeding and watering the plants to make them look as good as they do.  Today was no exception and she had spent some of the day when there were no visitors, doing just that. But being alone, she would have to stop and come inside when visitors came to check out the museum.

During one such break a hiker (named Dreads), noticed the work that had been started and after talking to Georgia for a while asked if she could finish the job for her.  She mentioned that she was a gardener herself and one of the things she missed most during her hike was working in a garden.  Georgia happily agreed and Armila, aka Dreads, happily went to work to finish the weeding Georgia has started.

Spiderwort in the garden

As they talked, the subject of Trail Names came up and Georgia was gifted her own by Dreads.  She named her TGIF, which stands for Thank Georgia It's Friday.  A very fitting Trail Name for one of our Girl Fridays.  

If you have a Docent Story, let me know and you will be featured in the next newsletter, either tell it to me, or better yet, write it up yourself and receive your own By Line. No story is uninteresting when told by a Docent.  

Any inaccuracies or mistakes in the telling of this story are my fault and not that of the original teller.
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Steering Clear of Poison Ivy

Larry Luxenberg sent me this link with the suggestion that it might be a nice addition to the next newsletter.  I sure did see a lot of poison ivy on my hike the other day, but none of it touched me (I think).  Check it out here and share with your other outdoor friends and family.   

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A Bright New Flag Hanging at the Museum

I'm sure most of you noticed how faded the old flag that was hanging in the upper door was getting.  Well Georgia Freet has come to the rescue once again and has donated a very nice cloth flag to replace the old one.  It looks very nice hanging in the window and I have also added a solar powered spot light to properly light the flag at night as is required when flying Old Glory in the dark of night.  Make sure you thank Georgia for her donation the next time you see her.  

New Stars and Stripes with Larry Luxenberg

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How Do You Count Our Visitors?

We seem to have a number of ways to track the number of visitors we have coming into the museum.  We have the clicker, that little black device which increments one for each push of the lever.  We have the Visitor Log that can be used to number our guests and also is our source of which of the visitors are hikers and which are "normal" visitors.  There is also the Daily Sheet where we put tick marks for each of those who walk in the door.  

I'm sure there is no perfect way to numerate our visitors, but Larry did a "scientific" test during his last stint as a Docent.  He used the clicker and his partner used the visitor log and they came out with two different numbers.  

I will be the first to tell you that when we get an influx of people coming in, and some of them are asking questions and maybe someone else wants to buy things, an accurate count goes out the window.  All I can say is do the best you can.  

The numbers are important when we apply for grants, so trying to be as accurate as possible is key.  I personally will use each of the methods at the same time and try to match them up as the day proceeds.  But it is easy for things to go awry.  

Each of you can do what is most comfortable for you, but we have found that the clicker is an easy way to get pure numbers.  It is also a good backup for those large groups who arrive at the same time.

I have also prepared a second clipboard which is usually sitting on the bottom right of the docent desk that you can use when a number of people are waiting to sign in.  It helps move things along and gets the visitors looking at the exhibits quicker, which is why they came in in the first place.

So what is your method for counting our visitors?

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Things Coming Down the Trail

July 16th, 2014 - Goddard Leadership Legacy Institute visits the museum. 7:00pm
July 27th, 2014 - Public Program - Wilson and Jolin - Family Concert.  2:00pm
August 3rd, 2014 - Public Program - Earl Shaffer Biography Launch.  Also our new exhibit of Earl Shaffer artifacts is scheduled to be unveiled on this day.  2:00pm
August 6th, 2014 - Museum hours shift to Wednesdays through Sundays, Noon to 4:00pm
August 10th, 2014 - Public Program - Stories from the Trail: Adventures of the Early A.T. Hikers, by Larry Luxenberg.  2:00pm

I'll leave you this month with a few more interesting pictures from around the Museum.  Enjoy...

Larry S skin under glass

Happy Feet donates a shirt that he literally wore
until it fell off his back

Duffy, one of our newest Greeters

André Weltman fills the museum (as usual) with his
presentation on the Park Before the Park

AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 8

Volume 1, Issue 8 - June, 2014

We have entered our Busy Season.  Lots of NOBO Thru Hikers are coming through the Park, eating their ice cream and visiting the museum.  The days have grown warm and the grass is growing fast.  The Museum is in the peak of its full day hours and the visitors, sales and donations have been promising.  The time you give to the museum is like the water that used to flow into the museum and turn the grinding stone to make the flour.  With out it, the flour doesn't get made.  Thanks for All You Do.

Dusk at the Museum

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Renovation Progress

The basement renovation has begun and the old oil tank has been removed.  Lots more work will continue later in the Summer and we are hopeful that it will be complete before next season.  The 2nd floor ramp has also continued to grow and soon will be stretching towards the trees and then back.  Here are a few pictures.

Ramp progress

Bench near the door

Bye bye oil tank

Utility area

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Hall of Fame Weekend

Last weekend was a busy one.  Friday marked the Fourth Annual AT Museum Hall of Fame Banquet where we inducted its newest members.  You can read about the banquet here.  This article has some more detail on the Inductees.  
Saturday continued the fun as the reunion classes of 74, 79, 84 and 89 came to the Park and we heard lots of stories from the class of 74, had lots of food and a nice cookout, followed by a campfire at the Group Camp Area in the park.  There was also a kids Mini AT Race and some musical entertainment. The whole weekend was beautiful.  

All in all, the whole weekend was a success and I thank you all for your help in making it possible, especially Gongo, our web master (class of 1983), who organized the reunion.  We plan on continuing this tradition next year, which will honor the Class of 1980 (Larry Luxenberg) and 1985 (Wood Chuck).

HOF Inductee Representatives

Here is another interesting site.  John "Bodacious" Baudet is the talented artist who makes all of our Hiking Stick Awards (aka Bo D. Hofman or a BodHi)  Check it out here. ____________________________________________

A Letter from the Park Office

Tara Gettig, the Park Office's Environmental Education Specialists sent this letter to me to include in the next Newsletter.  This shows the importance of the Museum and the Park's relationship.  

AT Museum Volunteers- KUDOS!

As the 2014 summer season gears up, I have noticed more thru hikers trekking through the park, the weather warming and the general excitement about all things summer in the park.  I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank all the volunteers that make the museum a success.  When I conduct programs or talk informally to the public about the AT Museum, I always mention the tremendous volunteer effort that goes into making it all happen.  It is a testament to the love and dedication that many feel towards America’s beloved footpath and the importance of sharing the AT’s story with others.

I have consistently noticed the effort that docents take to reach out to the visitors of the museum and offer up fun and interesting tidbits about the exhibits or trail in general.  This casual interpretation is immensely important and it may be the visitors’ only interaction with any formal worker at the park.  In many cases, I believe it makes the difference between a visitor taking an uninterested stroll through some displays and piquing interest in a fascinating trail. Please keep up the good work and be encouraged to know that you may have fostered another advocate of the Appalachian Trail.

All the volunteers, whether he or she has front-line interaction with visitors, mows the lawn, works on construction projects or any other behind the scene jobs, are helping to share the story of a trail, a culture, an ideal and a dream.  I believe that the Appalachian Trail is a unique and important resource here at Pine Grove Furnace State Park and I am proud of the work happening to share the story.  Thank you for your dedication and keep up the good work.   

Tara Gettig, Environmental Education Specialist, Pine Grove Furnace State Park

Sadly, Tara will be leaving us soon as she moves on to more wondrous things down in Maryland.  She will be missed, but her replacement Angelea (Lea) Smith has reported aboard and is fitting in nicely.  We welcome Lea to the Park Family and look forward to continuing the amazing relationship that exists between all of the staff of the Park Office and the Museum.  
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Screen Door

You probably all remember that the screen door had some "issues" and looked like a pushed out fishing net, but thanks to Ed Riggs (Phys Ed - Who will be back on the trail when this gets published) used his skills to make it all right again.  Thanks Phys Ed for the nice job on the screen and good luck on finishing your hike.  See you in August.

Phys Ed + door = perfection

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Hiker's Lounge

This is the season where the Hiker Lounge in the Museum get its most use.  This picture is a quick look into a day when the rain is falling and the Hikers are waiting for the Hostel to open.  Charging phones, Skyping home, trading stories and having a good time.  Keep on hiking, Hikers.

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Think on your Feet Article

An interesting article on how to boost your creativity sent in by Larry Luxenberg.  Enjoy.
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Public Programs are Underway

Memorial Day weekend kicked off our Sunday Public Program agenda.  Our first presenter was Tara Gettig and she talked about "Myron Avery: Celebrating an AT Veteran".  My presentation was "lightly" attended and one of the two listening to me talk about "Social Networking and the Hiker" was a nice German Gentlehiker who needed a ride.  I had fun anyway.  Who needs an audience.  Last Sunday, was a very nice presentation by Dump Truck and Clever Girl, two 2013 Thru Hikers who created a beautiful picture book of the hike and talked about how to "Like Your Own Hike".  It was so fun finally meeting those two and I really enjoyed spending some time with them at the museum.  I would love to hike with them some day.  

We have more programs scheduled through July, but are still looking for interesting topics to fill out the calendar to at least Labor Day.  If you have something to talk about, or know someone who would like to present a public program, let me know.  You can check out the Program Calendar in the link up at the top of this page.

Myon Avery: Celebrating an AT Veteran

Like Your Own Hike

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Things Coming Down the Trail

June 22nd, 2014 - Public Program - Don's Brother: A Hike of Hope on the Appalachian Trail
June 23rd, 2014 - Road Scholars Hike - 9:20am-4pm

June 29th, 2014 - Public Program - Hiker Picnic - Potluck dishes requested
July 6th, 2014 - Public Program - The Park Before the Park: Jackson Fuller's Amusement Park at Pine Grove Furnace, 1878 - 1900
July 7th, 2014 - Museum Hours return to one shift Noon to 4PM.
July 7th to July 9th or 10th - Joe Hiking from Pen Mar to The Museum with a friend.  Who wants to come along?
July 13th, 2014 - Public Program - The Trail Journey of JD and the Princess and The Idea Miners: The Lost Lake Dig
July 20th, 2014 - Public Program - Cancelled.
July 27th, 2014 - Public Program - Wilson and Jolin - Family Concert

I'll leave you this month with a few more interesting pictures from around the Museum including some from our new White Blaze exhibit.  Enjoy...

Golden Ragwort in bloom

Old Blaze Markers

AT Museum Volunteer Newsletter - Volume 1, Issue 7

Volume 1, Issue 7 - May, 2014

Business has been booming.  We have had quite a few visitors in our first month and a half of being open and the sales and donations have been very satisfying.  The weather is (finally) getting Spring like and the people are heading to the parks to spend their leisure time.  As this issue comes to publication,  I'm hiking through the woods of Western PA in the Allegheny National Park on the North Country Trail.  I'm able to do this due to the time you most generously donate as Docents and Volunteers.  Thanks to you, I'm much obliged.  

Spring is trying so hard to come to the Museum

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The Passing of One of Our Own

Katy Sexton - 1940-2014

It is with deepest sorrow and utmost sympathy that I must announce the passing of one of our Docents.  Katy Sexton, wife of our Treasurer, Jay, passed away early on May 1st after a short, but grave illness.  Katy was a common fixture at the Museum, usually serving as Greeter alongside Jay during the season.  Jay and Katy also presented one of our Public Programs during past seasons.  Drawing on their many years of leading children into the wilderness, Jay and Katy would provide a wealth of information and many stories of their adventures over the years about distance hiking with children and youth groups.  She will be sorely missed and our sympathies go out to Jay and his family in this time of loss.  
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Programs Page Added to Newsletter Site

You may notice a new link at the top of the page.  This link will lead you to our Programs Page.  Here you will find dates and descriptions of our Summer Public Programs which run between Memorial Day and Labor Day, (but can extend further into the season), usually on Sundays at 2:00pm.  If you have something you would like to present, please let me know and we will get you on the schedule.  If you have time on a Sunday afternoon, please consider coming by the Museum to learn something new about the trail, the park, or any manner of interesting things.  

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AT Museum Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2014

The fourth class of Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame honorees will be inducted on Friday, June 6, at the annual Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame Banquet at the Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. 

Honorees in the 2014 Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame class are A. Rufus Morgan of Franklin, North Carolina; Charles R. Rinaldi of Boca Raton, Florida; Clarence S. Stein of New York City, New York; and Pamela A. Underhill of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

To read more about each of the honorees, check out this press release.  
To get your tickets, go here.

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Hall of Fame Weekend Events

Saturday, June 7th will be our Hall of Fame Festival.  Here are some of the things we have planned.

9:00am - Hikes to Sunset Rocks and Pole Steeple 
We are looking for volunteers to lead these two hikes.  If you are interested, let me know.

10:00am - Blazing the AT
Program includes a 1930s film featuring Myron Avery.  Museum

1:00pm to 4:00pm - Meet the Honorees
2014 Hall of Fame honorees, their families or representatives give talks and answer questions at sessions devoted to each of the honorees.  Furnace Pavilion

Thru Hiker Reunion Gathering
for the classes of 1989, 1984, 1979 and 1974.  Museum and Group Camp area

Richard Judy
Author of the new novel THRU: An Appalachian Trail Love Story.  Furnace Pavilion

Evening - Brats and Pot Luck Supper with Campfire
Bring a dish to share and trail memories to talk about.  Everyone is welcome - Group Camp area.  

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The Golden Ratio of the Trail

One of the things I love about working here at the AT Museum is I get to meet the most interesting individuals.  This was the case last week when I was hanging out at the picnic tables by the General Store and two hikers came up.  One was or very own Jack Harbaugh, aka Sequoia.  The other was Rags to Riches (Rags for short) a Thru Hiker who had started sometime in February.  

Once the conversation went through its usual check offs of gear, miles, start time, etc, the topic of the Halfway Point of the trail came up.  It seems Rags has another goal in mind for his hiking accomplishments.  That goal is the Golden Ration of the Trail.  Now, not having a strong background in mathematics or art, I had no idea what the Golden Ratio was.  

The Golden Ration or 2185.3 * .618 = 1350.5

When I asked Rags to explain a little more about the mystical point of the trail, he got a piece of paper out and started writing down all these formulas and calculations.  For me, it was like he was speaking Klingon.  I nodded my head a little and in my mind I started calling him Big Rags (like Big Bang, since his calculations started to remind me of Sheldon Cooper of that popular TV show) and once he left, I googled the topic and learned a little more about in the layman's terms I needed to understand.  

Golden Ratio in Art

Golden Ratio in Nature

The Golden Ratio is an interesting concept that is found over and over again in nature and artists and builders have used it in their works to create more aesthetically pleasing subjects.  When I asked my daughter (an artist) about it, she knew about it immediately.  Oh well.

I put it all in the back of my mind over the next couple of days as I hiked the trail east of the Susquehanna, but it kept coming back to me.  On my last day of the hike, I ran into Big Rags again.  We once more talked about the Golden Ratio and after some quick calculator functions, figured that the Golden Ratio of the Trail is at Mile Marker 1350.5, which is in New Jersey somewhere near Glenwood, NJ.  

So if a hiker has made the halfway point and needs a new goal to strive for, tell them about the Golden Ratio and when they get to New Jersey, they can celebrate another milestone of their hike.  

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Things Coming Down the Trail

May 25th, 2014 - Public Program - Myron Avery, Celebrating an AT Veteran - 2pm

May 26th, 2014 - Road Scholars Hike - 9:30am-4pm

May 28th, 2014 - Big Spring Middle School Field Trip to Park

June 1st, 2014 - Public Program - Social Networking and the Hiker - 2pm

June 6th, 2014 - Hall of Fame Banquet - Allenberry Resort, Boiling Springs, PA.  Tickets

June 7th, 2014 - AT Museum Festival

June 8th, 2014 - Public Program - Like Your Own Hike - 2pm

June 9th, 2014 - Road Scholars Hike - 9:30am-4pm

June 15th, 2014 - Warrior Hike (tentative) - Potluck dishes requested

June 23rd, 2014 - Road Scholars Hike - 9:20am-4pm

June 29th, 2014 - Public Program - Hiker Picnic - Potluck dishes requested
June 30th, 2014 - Road Scholars Hike - 9:30am-4pm (tentative)