September 2008

Parktips is a monthly compilation of newsworthy items and story ideas from the National Park Service. A new edition is posted on the first week of each month on our Internet site at http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/pressrm.htm -- Just click on the Story Leads link to access Parktips. You can view past issues of Parktips... You can also receive a personal copy of Parktips, via e-mail or fax, by registering at our World Wide Web site.

National Park Service Hero
(Georgia) -- On the morning of Monday, August 18, Cumberland Island National Seashore Biologist Doug Hoffman discovered a capsized fishing boat while en route from the island to the park’s main office in St. Marys, GA.  A man and his pre-teen aged son were located approximately 500 yards from their sinking vessel.  The son was wearing a life jacket, but his father did not have one and was beginning to experience severe leg cramps.  The two were safely retrieved from the water by Hoffman with no injuries.  Upon questioning, they stated they had been in the water for at least two hours after their boat suddenly began taking on water and capsized.  An incoming tide had carried them for over a mile and the strong current prevented them from reaching land.  The Coast Guard was notified of the incident and the boaters were transported to Lang’s Marina in St. Marys and assisted with locating a salvage operation to retrieve their boat.  For more information, please contact Julie Meeks at 912/882-4336 x225.

Limited Edition CCC Junior Ranger Program
(Arizona) -- Grand Canyon National Park has developed a limited edition Junior Ranger booklet to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).  The program hopes to connect young visitors with the young men who accomplished great deeds in service to their country during the Depression.  The CCC boys devoted their time, energy, and skills to public works projects at a time when the country really needed it.  The adventure filled story woven throughout the Junior Ranger booklet will hopefully inspire children to address and overcome adversity in their own lives.  The CCC Junior Ranger booklet, patch, and badge will only be offered until the end of October or until supplies run out.  The program is geared toward children eight and older.  Families should allow 1.5 hours to complete the booklet.  Also, in honor of the contributions of the CCC to the development of trails and facilities at the Grand Canyon, park rangers have been sharing the history of the CCC boys with visitors through special programs and an exhibit at the Kolb Studio entitled “Saving the Boys.”  For more information, please contact Shannan Marcak at 928/638-7958.

Coconut Frond Activities
(Hawaii) -- Children can learn the traditional Hawaiian craft of weaving coconut fronds from the park staff at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park.  Children will hear about the historical importance of the ancient skill while creating their own canoe, pin wheel, or fish from fresh coconut fronds.  The fun-filled activity will take place every Tuesday in September from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  For more information, please contact Donna Cuttone at 808/328-2326.  

Across the Bay
(Florida) -- Biscayne National Park is hosting a special exhibition of fine art photography as part of the park’s 40th anniversary celebration.  Across the Bay: A Photographic Journey in and around Biscayne National Park by John D. Andersen will be on display in the Dante Fascell Visitor Center Gallery until November 16, 2008.  Across the Bay will showcase the natural beauty and explosive color that make the largest marine park in the National Park System a true national treasure.  The exhibit is free and open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  For more information, please contact Gary Bremen at 305/230-1144 x3084.

Cabrillo Seeks Tidepool Volunteers
(California) -- In preparation for the upcoming tidepool season (October through June), Cabrillo National Monument will hold a fun, introductory orientation and training conference for new and returning Tidepool Protection, Education and Restoration Program (TPERP) volunteers on September 13 and 27 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Field experts, monument staff and VIPs will introduce new VIPs to the fauna, flora, geology and ecology of the beautiful, wild coastal environment of Cabrillo's rocky intertidal, which has been called the best protected rocky intertial area on the Southern California mainland coast.  VIPs will learn to provide informal interpretation of tidepool resources to families, children and the general public.  The successful TPERP program has been going for more than ten years protecting, restoring and helping visitors forge personal emotional and intellectual connections with Cabrillo National Monument's Rocky Intertidal.  For more information, please contact Marcy Marquez at 619/523-4573.

River Center Open House
(Maryland) -- Every Saturday and Sunday through October 26, the C&O Canal National Historical Park and the Potomac Conservancy will host an open house at Lockhouse #8 on the canal.  From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., docents will lead groups through the restored lock house and interactive exhibits that show the connection between the canal, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay. For more information, please contact Bridget Chapin at301/608-1188 x213.

Prairie Heritage Day
(Iowa) -- Celebrate Prairie Heritage Day on Monday, Labor Day, September 1 at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site and the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.  From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., interpreters demonstrate historic home crafts, games, blacksmithing, school teaching, and other activities from 19th century West Branch.  Guided half mile walks of the 81-acre tall grass prairie start at 10:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.  Park rangers will introduce families to the plants and animals of Iowa’s tall grass prairies and discuss how the National Park Service is restoring this endangered habitat. “Laura Ingalls Wilder Remembered” takes place at 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. with musical selections by the widely acclaimed Marengo Civil War Band. Following the music, Sarah S. Uthoff will portray Mrs. Wilder.   For more information, please contact Adam Prato at 319/643-7855.

Horse Sense and Survival
(North Carolina) -- The wild horses on Shackleford Banks at Cape Lookout National Seashore are fascinating to observe, but may be difficult to find.  Join Dr. Sue Stuska, a wildlife biologist, on a day-long walking trip on September 6 to find and watch the horses.  Her intimate knowledge of the horses will provide an exciting and enlightening glimpse into the relationships, family bonds, behavior, and daily life of these beautiful animals.  Reservations are required as the park will be arranging ferry transportation.  For more information, please contact Wouter Ketel at 252/728-2250 x3005.  

Celebrate Sequoias
(California) -- Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks along with Giant Sequoia National Monument in Sequoia National Forest will hold the annual Celebrate Sequoias Festival on Saturday, September 6.  The festival will look at the giant trees through the eyes of naturalists, scientists, and artists.  There will be vendors, information booths, and opportunities to participate in guided walks through lesser-known giant sequoia groves.  For more information, please contact Alexandra Picavet at 559/565-3131.

Star-Spangled Banner Weekend
(Maryland) -- Honor and remember the citizen-soldier past and present by being part of the Star-Spangled Banner Weekend at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.  The three-day event, from September 12 to 14, will feature parades, fireworks, a military encampment of over 100 War of 1812 reenactors, a symbolic ship-to-shore bombardment, noted authors, and a patriotic band concert.  The Star-Spangled Banner Weekend commemorates Defenders’ Day, Baltimore’s oldest holiday, which honors the successful defense of the city from British attack and the writing of the National Anthem in 1814.  It has been a state holiday since 1908.  On Friday, 900 children from Baltimore City schools will participate in “Young Defenders,” a curriculum based program highlighting Baltimore’s role in the War of 1812 and the Defense of Fort McHenry.  The kids will meet civilians, sailors, marines, and artillerymen from the War of 1812.  They will hear Francis Scott Key recite the “Star-Spangled Banner”, learn about the role of African-Americans in 1814 Baltimore, and unroll a full-size replica of the Star-Spangled Banner flag.  On Saturday and Sunday, Fort McHenry comes alive with a large military encampment featuring drills, cooking demonstrations, and musket firing.  Family-oriented activities include a dress parade, children’s programs, cannon firing, and raising of the large 30 x 42-foot Star-Spangled Banner flag.  Special guests include children’s authors and local historians.  On Saturday evening there will be a musket-firing “battle” demonstrating the tactics used to defend Baltimore in 1814.  There will also be a stirring patriotic concert playing music of John Philip Sousa and a historic sing-along with noted tenor, Doug Jimerson and Society for the Preservation of African-American Arts and Culture.  As dusk settles, a symbolic ship-to-shore bombardment will take place as pyrotechnic “bombs” are fired over the fort and cannon thunder a reply.  The evening program concludes with the singing of the National Anthem and a 30-minute fireworks display.  For more information, please contact Vincent Vaise at 410/962-4290 x224.

Denali Road Lottery
(Alaska) -- This year’s annual road lottery in Denali National Park and Preserve is taking place on September 12, 13, 14, and 15, weather permitting. Up to 400 vehicles per day, for a total of 1600 vehicles, will be issued permits to travel the Denali Park Road after the park’s shuttle bus system ceases operations for the season. If weather permits, the road could be open for its entire 92-mile length, offering exceptional opportunities for experiencing the heart of the park in its autumn splendor.  For more information, please contact Kris Fister at 907/683-9583.

Arlington House by Moonlight Tour
(Virginia) -- This is a rare opportunity to explore the grounds of Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery during a one-hour, escorted, full moon tour.  The tour will take place on Saturday, September 13 from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m.  It will focus on the relationship of Arlington House to the development and history of the Washington area and Robert E. Lee’s late-night decision to resign from the U.S. Army.  For more information, please contact Dana Dierkes at 703/289-2580.

Haunting in the Hills
(Tennessee) -- The 16th Annual “Haunting in the Hills” Storytelling Festival will be held on Saturday, September 20 at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.  The day’s events will feature storytelling, craft demonstrations, craft workshops, dulcimer and bluegrass music, afternoon storytelling presentations, and a chance for local storytellers and students to take the stage to tell their own stories.  The evening will culminate with the nighttime telling of a collection of ghost stories.  For more information, please contact Jeannine McElveen at 423/569-2404 x232.

City of Rocks Anniversary
(Idaho) -- The City of Rocks National Reserve will celebrate its 20th anniversary on September 20.  Public events include equestrian trail rides, wagon rides, living history presentations, climbing workshops, Junior Ranger activities, live music, food, and an Earth Caching competition.  Events begin 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m.  For more information, please contact Juanita Jones at 208/824-5519 x106.

An Influential Friendship: Clara Barton & Frances Gage
(Maryland) -- Clara Barton National Historic Site, former home of the Civil War heroine and founder of the American Red Cross, will host a lecture and open house with lamplight tours on September 20.  The lecture is from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and the open house is from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  Elizabeth Brown Pryor, author of Clara Barton, Professional Angel will give a lecture about the relationship between Clara Barton and Frances Gage, a lecturer and political activist who was a strong voice for equality on issues such as women’s rights and abolition.  For more information, please call Dana Dierkes at 703/289-2580.

231st Anniversary of the Battles of Saratoga
(New York) -- History will come to life at Saratoga National Historical Park on Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21.  Reenactors portraying 18th century American soldiers set the 1777 scene with tents, campfires, musket and cannon firings.  Discuss strategy with officers, judge an actual court-martial, browse colonial wares, see a dramatic performance of Thomas Paine (portrayed by actor Howard Burnham), listen to fiddle music, go on a “reconnaissance” party, learn about open-hearth cooking techniques, or take part in a mock drill.  Activities will take place on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  For more information, please contact Gina Johnson at 518/664-9821 x227.

Grand Opening at Gettysburg
(Pennsylvania) -- Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Foundation are planning a multi-day grand opening celebration for the new museum and visitor center with gala events, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, educational programs, special tours, and more from September 26 to 28.  The fully conserved Gettysburg Cyclorama painting premieres during the grand opening, fresh from a five-year, $15 million conservation effort.  During the celebration, one of only five known manuscripts of the Gettysburg Address will be on display in the museum and visitor center.  It is on loan from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL.  For more information, please contact Katie Lawhon at 717/334-1124 x3121.

National Public Lands Day
(Nationwide) -- National Public Lands Day on September 27 is an annual event designed to encourage everyone to get outside and visit places such as national parks.  All National Park Service entrance fees will be waived to encourage visitation.  Many parks will also sponsor volunteer restoration and clean-up efforts.  One example is a volunteer project to restore the tall grass prairie at Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in Iowa.  Volunteers are needed to cut woody shrubs and pick prairie seeds from the tall grass prairie at the park.  For more information, please contact Kathy Kupper at 202/208-6843.

Remembering the CCC
(Tennessee and North Carolina) -- Great Smoky Mountains National Park will host a day of commemorative activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on Saturday, September 27.  The activities will take place in and around the Sugarlands Visitor Center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The CCC was established in 1933 as a federal work project during the Great Depression, employing young men in conservation work on federal and state lands.  In Great Smoky Mountains National Park as many as 4,000 enrollees were assigned to 22 CCC camps at various times from 1933-1942, building roads, trails, fire towers, and structures.  The legacy of the CCC is enormous, and the work of these young men remains clearly evident today.  The September 27 event at Sugarlands Visitor Center will include interpretive programs entitled “That Magnificent Army of Youth and Peace: the CCC in the Great Smoky Mountains;” “Dollar-a-Day Boys: A Musical Tribute to the CCC;” and “CCC Fire Tower Construction in the Smokies.” Additionally, a panel discussion with former CCC enrollees is planned, and a dedication of a memorial plaque is scheduled.  Several CCC exhibits will be on view at the Park’s Sugarlands and Oconaluftee Visitor Centers.  Two moderate hikes to CCC camps are also planned, one on the Tennessee side of the park, and the other in North Carolina.  For more information, please call 865/436-1291.

La Fete d’Ecologie
(Louisiana) -- La Fete d’Ecologie on September 27 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. is a free day of food, music, dancing, exhibits, and fun with a serious message about saving Louisiana’s wetlands.  The festival is presented by the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program in Thibodaux, Louisiana.  The center, part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, sits on the edge of Bayou Lafouche.  The waterway is a natural backdrop for activities like cast net throwing and duck calling, enjoying Cajun music and a bowl of gumbo, watching artisans demonstrate local crafts like boat building and decoy carving, and picking up a few tips on how to save Louisiana’s coast and culture.  For more information, please call 985/448-1375.

45 th Annual Cabrillo Festival
(California) -- Cultures will come together at the 45 th Annual Cabrillo Festival on September 27 & 28.  This year’s festival opens with a 16 th century Spanish Soldier’s Living History Encampment, on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Cabrillo National Monument.   The festival continues with a concert by Navy Band Southwest Brass Ensemble, Kumeyaay Bird Songs and a Commemorative Ceremony and Wreath Laying at the statue of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo.  An open house will take place on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ballast Point, believed to be the actual location where Cabrillo landed on September 28, 1542.  This event features Mexican, Native American, Portuguese and Spanish food; Kumeyaay basketweaving demonstrations, a living history encampment, children’s activities, and the 2008 Miss Cabrillo Festival.  Re-enactors portraying Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo and crew will sail into San Diego Bay aboard San Salvador landing at Ballast Point and “claiming the land” for the King of Spain.  For more information, please contact Karl Pierce at 619/523-4562.

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Last Update September 04, 2008 - 11:55 a.m.
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