Georgia state parks news [Nov. 1969]

EWS
NOVEMBER 1969

ESTER G. MADDOX
overnor

GEORGIA STATE PARKS
NEWS

Ernest F. Jessee
Editor

JOHN L. GORDON
Director

MORE NEW COTTAGES IN FOUR STATE PARKS
A number of the 31 newest cottages in four Georgia State Parks are finished 1 furnished 1 and ready for occupancy. Those as yet unfinished are expected to be ready for visitors sometime early in 1970. The new two-bedroom facilities are located at Elijah Clark 1 Georgia Veterans I Hard Labor Creek 1 and Tugaloo State Parks.
A sign of dynamic progress in the expanding Georgia State Parks system, the new cottages will accommodate eight to ten persons. In addition to two bedrooms, the new cottages boast a large kitchen-dining area 1 living room with fireplace, patio-deck 1 and ample closet space. All are attractively appointed and complete with linens 1 heating, and 1 in warmer parts of the State I many have air-conditioning.
The 31 newest State Parks facilities bring the total number of overnight accommodations to 219.

ORPHANAGE WELCOMES GIFT FROM GORDON/A ALATAMAHA

When the lake at Gordonia Alatamaha State Park was drained in September to eliminate an excess of lily pads and unpalatable fish, a few hundred frying pan candidates failed to escape over the dam. Park superintendent Derrell Rush 1 however I saw to it that 600 pounds of the fish did not die in vain.

Derrell and a number of helpers gathered the helpless fish from the drying

lake bottom 1 packed them like sardines into two large drums 1 and presented the packaged seafood to the Georgia Baptist Children's Home in nearby Baxley 1 Georgia.

The unusual but tasty gift was

gratefully accepted by Mr.

Red 11

11

Coleman 1

superintendent of the Children's Home, who turned the fish over to approximately

225 delighted children.

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SEASON'S FIRST SNOW GREETS STATE PARK VISITORS
Visitors in a number of north Georgia's State Parks on Friday, November 14, weren't "just whistling Dixie" 1 but "walkin' in a winter wonderland", too.
Catching many by pleasant surprise, the first snowfall of the season blanketed at least six State Parks while flurries fell as far south as Atlanta. According to reports, those parks which received a measurable covering of the white stuff included Fort Mountain, Vogel, Black Rock Mountain, Amicalola Falls, and Cloudland Canyon State Parks.
Georgia Recreation And Park Conference
Stresses "Quality'' Theme
The 25th Annual Georgia Recreation and Park Conference, held in Savannah, November 16-17, stressed the importance of quality in outdoor recreation. The "quality" theme was in keeping with one of the organization's chief goals, "to provide recreation of the highest caliber for all"
The Georgia Recreation and Park Society, affiliated with the National Recreation and Parks Association, stands today on the belief that recreation is a way of life, that planned programs of leisure can enhance the life of an individual and a community, and that the many people and groups representing recreation and parks throughout Georgia I whether they be private or public I can do a better job for their communities by joining hands in a united effort toward common goals.
Attending the Annual Conference as representatives of the Georgia Department of State Parks were Director John Gordon, Assistant to the Director Robin Jackson, Supervisor Bill Fanning, and Superintendent and Mrs. Dodson Carter of Hard Labor Creek State Park
Miss Robin Jackson was elected to the board of the outdoor section of GRPS, succeeding Jim Prevatte of the State Planning Bureau. Tom Williams was installed as Society president for the coming year.
Among outstanding personalities at the conference were: Dr. J. W o Fanning, University of Georgia vice-president for services: Ira J. Hutchison, Jr. , special assistant with the Department of Urban Affairs of the NRPA, and Dr. Harold D. Meyer, University of North Carolina professor emeritus.
AUTUMN COLOR UPS STATE PARKS ATTENDANCE
Nature's fall color spectacle upped the total number of campers in many Georgia State Parks by as much as 10%, according to reports received by the State Parks Department's Information Office.

BOBBY BROWN HOSTS DIXIE DRIFTERS
Members of the Dixie Drifters Campers' Club, their families , and guests enjoyed an evening fish fry, October 25, at Bobby Brown State Park.
A brief business session was held with club president, Bud Sorrells, presiding. Charles Rucker, club advisor, presented a certificate to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Rucker, co-presidents for the past two years, in appreciation for their contributions to the club. A report on the Georgia National Campers and Hikers Association fall campout, held at Magnolia Springs State Park, was given by Mrs. Charles Rucker. Following the business meeting, everyone enjoyed cake, coffee, and conversation around a large bonfire.
GORDON SPEAKS TO "STAY GONERS" IN MARIETTA
In a November 4 speech to the 11 Stay Goners Travel Club" in Marietta, State Parks Director John L. Gordon talked on the history and progress of Georgia State Parks since 1925.
Gordon told "Stay Goners .. that he, himself I had been a family camper prior to joining the State Parks Department seven years ago, and that, for this reason, he has continued to maintain a special interest in the development of camping in Georgia
.. During the seven years that I have served with the Parks Department, I have tried to keep Georgia's camping areas abreast with those of other states, .. he explained. Emphasizing the overall progress of the Georgia Parks system during the same seven-year span, Gordon said:
..When I came with the Parks Department in 1963, the highest recorded total revenue for the Department was $99 I 000. This was for all parks in the system. This past year I the total revenue was nearly $1, 100 1 000. This has been an increase of $300,000 over the 1966-67 total revenue."
PARKS DIRECTOR ATTENDS DEDICATION OF WILDLIFE REFUGE
State Parks Director John Gordon was among both State and National government officials who attended the November 18 dedication of the Richard J. Reynolds Wildlife Refuge on Sapelo Island, Georgia.
The 81500 acres of land for the new wildlife refuge was sold to the State Game and Fish Commission by tobacco heiress, Mrs. R. J. Reynolds, for $885 10001 less than half of its estimated worth in the real estate market.
At the dedication ceremonies 1 Mrs Reynolds unveiled a memorial marker to her late husband. The address was delivered by Governor Lester G. Maddox.

COASTAL ISLANDS STUDY COMMITTEE TOURS HILTON HEAD
Members of the Georgia Coastal Islands Study Committee toured Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, November 17, invited by the Cumberland Island Holding Company and the Sea Pines Plantation Company. State Parks personnel on the trip included Director John Gordon and Supervisor Bill Fanning.
WhUe at Hilton Head, the Georgia committee members visited Sea Pines Plantation, a 5 1 200-acre planned recreational environment built during the past 12 years. The development is outstanding as the only community in America to be awarded the American Institute of Architects' Certificate of Excellence in Private Community Planning.
Of more significance to the Study Committee members and the State Parks Department, however, the development was a practical lesson in methods of controls over design and land use permitting land to be used for human enjoyment while pres erving natural beauty for future generations
ENGUSH NATURE GUIDE EDITOR SEEKS INFORMATION ON GEORGIA PARKS
Editor of a new guide to 600 world wildlife areas, Mr. M. J. Ross-Macdonald,
has asked for information on Georgia's State Parks for use in his publication.
In addition to general information on parks, preserves I and wildlife management areas 1 Mr. Ross-Macdonald has requested specific data on rare or semi-rare plant and animal species native or endemic to the "Peach State" and the State's 44 parks.
When completed, the guide will give information on the area, altitude, layout, and landscape of accessible outdoor recreation sites throughout the world. Facts on mammals 1 birds I plants, and fish will be included as well as information on available overnight accommodations and other facilities.
Mention of Georgia State Parks in this new publication could prove to be quite a boon to Georgia tourism, since it would expose facts on the State's growing parks to thousands of traveling outdoorsmen and nature enthusiasts around the globe.
NEW STATE PARKS FILM NEARS COMPLETION
The State Parks Department's third motion picture with color and sound was given final approval by Parks Director John Gordon at a special pre-view showing 1 November 24, by its maker, Shelton Productions , Inc.
Entitled I "An Outdoor Adventure, II the latest State Parks film will run for 13t minutes and features Blackburn, Fort Mountain, Kolomoki Mounds , Magnolia Springs, Georgia Veterans, and Hard Labor Creek State Parks.

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WELCOMES AND FAREWELLS
We welcome as newcomers: Opal Brown (Planning Division), David Hansen tt'ugaloo), and Walter Smith (Franklin D. Roosevelt).
We are sorry to lose, however, Jean Stansell, who is leaving the Planning Division to accept a new job closer to her home in Jackson, and James T. White, who is leaving Moccasin Creek.
Supervisor RAY KEASEY was injured Tuesday, Nov. 21, in an auto accident near Royston and Victoria Bryant State Park. Ray was not hurt seriously 1 however, and was back on the job three days later, complaining about that* !if!#** driver who hit him at 60 m.p.h. on the wrong side of a curve.

CARDS OF THANKS
I would like to thank each person who contributed time and money to make possible the memorial to Monroe B. Andrews , who was a beloved superintendent of Bobby Brown State Park for so many years.
Thank you especially to Mr. Paul Dixon for creating a memorial of such beauty, to Mr. Carl Scott for working so diligently to raise funds, and to Jimmy Bond and the State Parks Department for their cooperation.
Mrs. Malcom Wilson
I wish to express my appreciation to each of you who had a part in erecting the monument at Bobby Brown State Park, in memory of my late husband, Monroe B. Andrews, who served as superintendent from the time this park was established in 1957 until his death, February 24, 1969.
This was indeed a kind expression of your love for which I shall always be grateful.
Appreciatively, Mrs Monroe B. Andrews

Mr. and Mrs. ERNEST JESSEE returned, November 81 from a week's cruise to Port Antonio 1 Kingston, and Montego Bay, Jamaica.
OUR SYMPATHY to HERB MOYE on the recent death of his mother 1 Mrs. Henry Winter Moye, a native of Barnesville 1 Ga.

Bill Marx Dodson Carter Walter Adams

Birthday Greetings
Franklin D. Roosevelt Hard Labor Creek Franklin D. Roosevelt

December 16 December 17 December 22