Georgia state parks news [Apr.-May 1970]

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APRIL-MAY 1970

lESTER G. MADDOX
Govtii'IIOI'

GEORGIA

STATE PARKS

JOHN L. GORDON
DiiiiCtor,

NEWS

Ernest F. Jessee
Editor

2000 AT LAURA WAlKER FOR FESTIVAL

An estimated 2,000 persons assembled at Laura S. Walker State Park on May 6 for the second day of Georgias annual "Forest Festival~~. The festival, sponsored by the Waycross and Ware County Chamber of Commerce Forestry Committee, is held each year to pay homage to Georgia's fbrest resources and abundant recreation opportunities therein.

In keeping with the festival's "~nchanted Forest" theme, a highlight of the festivities at Laura Walker was the crowning of the 1970 Pine Queen. This year, the honor went to Miss Susan Everett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
J. P. Everett of Vvare County.

Susan has already been selected as a majorette in the University of Georgia's renowned "Dixie Redcoat Bank". She is currently ,~ "senior superlative" at Ware County High School where she is a member of the Anchor Club, Beta Club, Political Affairs Club, 4-H, and Student Council.

Susan has received recent honors in the Voice of Democracy Speech Contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign \"'ars and in the Elks Leadership competition.

The reigning Pine Queen received her crown from the former title winner, Miss Karen Adair of Waycross. Runners-up in the 1970 contest include Ellen Burke, Loretta Gillis, Martha Harris, and Patti Williamson. A total of 20 contestants vied for the Pine Queen crown at Laura Walker State Park.

In addition to tha queen contest, Forest Festival visitors to Laura Walker State Park enjoyed a barbecue of regal proportions and a firsthand look at displays exhibited by the State Parks Department, State Game and Fish Commission, and various units of the State Forestry network. Laura Walker Superintendent and Mrs. Bob McCraw hosted the many guests and dignitaries on hand for these events.

The preceding day s agenda included a gala parade in Waycross and a

banquet at which one of America's most outstanding young business executives,

Mr. Jackie Williams, was guest speaker.



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GEORGIA GETS FEDERAL FUNDS

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FOR PANOLA MOUNTAIN PU-RCHASE

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A $111,02 0 Federal grant for the future acquisition of Panola Mountain

Conservation State Park 18 mlles from Atlanta in Rockdale County has recently

been approved by Governor Lester Maddox and officials of the National Bureau

of Outdoor Recreation in Washington, D. C. Plans call for matching the grant

with State funds to bring the total costof the project to $213,500.

State Parks Director John L. Gordon, present when the plans were announced by the Governor's Office, also expressed his approval of Panola Mountain as a future Georgia State Park and called it, "an outstanding natural area.

The 531. 96-acre State Park site consists of high scenic .splendor and a rich variety of ecological niches The primary and unique feature of the area is the 100-acre mountain for which the park wUl be named. This mountain is a 300-foot dome of exposed granitic rock, one of the few remaining in the world today unravaged by man.

The primary purpose of developing the Panola Mountain area as a State Park will be to protect the epitomic plant and animal communities of this area Proposed facilities for the park include a network of interpretive trails T vista stations for scenic enjoyment and study, and facllit1es for the comfort and convenience of park visitors.

GOVERNORS.. CONFERENCE ON TOURISM . -......

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DRAWS STATE PARKS REPRESENTATIVES

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State Parks Director John Gordon and three other Georgia Parks representatives

were among those who represented the "Peach State" at the Southern Governors' Confe' rence on Tourism at the Atlanta Marriott Hotel, April 2:3-24.

The purpose of the Conference was to discuss the key issues facing Governors in the South and to develop recommendations pertaining to tourism for application in all states Recognizing that the development of tourism is an important factor in overall economic development, the Governors of the 19 member states selected this as t.he subject for initial sponsorship.

Major topics of discussion at the Conference included state tourism promotion and development I private travel industry needs from state government, state legislative actions affecting tourism, public recreation needs for the 70's, and national tourism programs
Following separate talks in each of these areas of concern, committee chairmen submitted their committees conclusions to a final drafte This report wlll be officially pres ented at the Southern Governors Conference, September 17-2 0, Blloxi, Mississ:l.ppie
In addition to Director Gordon, those representing the Georgia Department of State Parks at the tourism conference included Assistant to the Director Robin Jackson and Information Officers Mabel Wilkins and Ernest Jessee ..

ANOTHER GROUP SHELTER COMPLETED AT HIGH FALLS

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Another new family and group shelter has been completed and is now open. at High Falls State Park midway between Atlanta and Macon, just two miles east off Interstate 75

This new structure, which can accommodate 175 persons , is screened and has a barbecue grill, electric stove, drinking fountain, sink with hot and cold water, a soft drink machine 1 and private restroom facilities. Outing winter months 1 it can be heated, so weather need never cancel the plans of any organized group for an outing.

In addition to High Falls 1 there are ten other Georgia State Parks with a similar facility. These parks, which are convenient to every section of-Georgia, are: Chehaw at Albany, Elijah Clark near Lincolnton on-Clark Hill Reservoir, Gecirgia Veterans near Cordele on Lake Blackshear, Hard Labor Creek at Rutledge I Kolomoki Mounds at Blakely 1 Laura S. Walker at Waycross , Magnolia Springs at Millen, Red Top Mountain at Cartersville on Lake Allatoona, Reed Bingham at Adel, and Yam Grandy at Swainsboro.

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TWO PARKS EMPLOYEES !RECOGNIZED
Two Georgia State Parks Employees were recognized by Parks Director John L. Gordon for two decades of outstanding service to the State Parks Department at a five-hour Superintendents Advisory Committee Meeting in Atlanta, March 24.
Fort Mountain State Park Superintendent Tom Winkler was presented with a . certificate and pin commemorating the 20th anniversary of his appointment to a
State Parks position, while Mrs. Sara Armstrong, with the Department s Accounting Division, was recognized for 21 years of service. She had received the same award presented to Mr. Winkler at an earlier date.
During his entire period of employment with the State Parks Department, Mr. Winkler has served as superintendent of Fort Mountain State Park high in the Cohutta Mountains near Chatsworth. Prior to pursuing his career with the State, he served for four years in the Army I studied farming and carpentry under the G.I. Bill, and was self-employed in farming for a number of years.
In addition to her career with the State Parks Department, Mrs. Armstrong has been an active member and officer in the National Campers and Hikers Association as well as in the Metropolitan Atlanta Family Campers Club.

NEW TRAIL OPENED AT VICTORIA BRYANT
The- firs-foi ll new State Parks natUre trails was--officially opened in April
at Victoria Bryant State Park Appropriately named "Victoria Path" by its creator 1 Dr. Marton Skelton, and Royston elementary school students I the winding trail will enable visitors of all ages to see more than one-fourth of a mile of scenic and unspoiled woodlands

DIANE HOWERTON CROWNED AT REED BINGHAM

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Eighteen year-old Diane Howerton of Augusta, Georgia, was crowned Miss Georgia NCHA Teen Queen for 1970 at the recent National Campers and
Hikers Association Convention which drew :more than 2,000 to Reed Bingham State Park near Adel, Georgia. Diane is the daughter of State NCHA Director, Arch H. Howerton, also of Augusta.

Diane was crowned by the former queen, Nancy Herndon of Savannah, out of a total of nine contestants who were judged in the categories of beauty, talent, and poise. First runner-up was Nancy Turner of Waynesboro and second runner-up, Nancy Fussell of Savannah.

A highlight of the three-day convention was an address by Governor Lester Maddox. In this speech, the Governor said, "The big crack that finally put an end to the powerful Reed Bingham dam grew and grew until the river finally had its way. The dam being erected in America by judicial tyrants and
federal dictators can be washed away just as easily I" he commented after
giving an earlier talk to the Concerned Citizens of Worth County in Sylvester on the ethics of U. S. Supreme Court demands for desegregation plans from many southern counties

Other events enjoyed by the campers over the convention weekend included children's games 1 a miniature golf tournament for youngsters I horseshoe pitching contest for men, a crazy hat contest for women I a teen talent contest, a campers' parade through Moultrie, and a campfire program. There were also general meetings and Sunday morning church services.

SHORTY LETSON HONORED BY MONROE SPORTSMEN
The Monroe County Sportsman's Federation recently passed a resolution recognizing Superintendent Shorty Letson for his outstanding work in promoting and operating High Falls State Park. The resolution also cited Superintendent Letson's efforts to further interest, education,and support of conservation and preservation of Monro~ County's natural resources.
In a letter to Dan Stewart, President of the Monroe County Sportsman's Federation, State Parks Director John Gordon called the resolution "a gesture which we heartily endorse. In this resolution," he said, "you have described quite fully our own impressions of Superintendent Letson's relations with visitors to High Falls and his management of the State Park facilities there. 11
~CHA CLUBS HOLD SPRING CAMPOUT AT BOBBY BROWN Five National Campers and Hikers Association clubs attended a spring campout at Bobby Brown State Park near Elberton, Georgia, February 27 through March 1. Those present included members of the Dixie Drifters I Bulldogs 1 Gnat Slappers 1 Pioneers , and Dogwoods
A highlight of the three-day get~together, veteran Dixie Drifter camper I Clyde Webb, was presented with a plaque commemorating the dedication of the park's new group shelter as "Clyde's Shed".

KAYE ANDERSON, volunteer chairman for the Cancer Drive in the General Office, was recently commended by Governor Maddox for her outstanding efforts in realizing the importance of the Drive and in acceptfng such a challenge. The State Parks Department's 1970 Cancer Drive total tripled last year's donation, placing the Department among the top four in the State to contribute. Congratulations I Kaye!

DEEPES1' SYMPATHY to Herb and Roena Moye on the death of their infant grandson, Robert O'Neal, who passed away March 20.

GRACE PARKER, assistant personnel officer, reports that her husband, Gordon, will return to the Atlanta Veterans Administration Hospital on May 14 after a brief period of prescribed convalescence at home. Our hopes and prayers remain with Grace and Gordon as he continues to recuperate from a recent stroke.

WELCOME to our new park rangers , Rugus Small at Magnolia Springs, Jerry Tankersley at Fort Mountain, David Holden at Amicalola Falls , and William Chapman at A. H. Stephens

KAREN SAMMONS has taken JOY THOMAS' place in the Accounting Division after the latter resigned to become a full-time mother at home. Karen was formerly with the Georgia Department of Labor. She and her husband, Tommy, reside at 1931 Fisher Road, Atlanta.

NANCY COLLAR, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia I has joined the Informc;tiOf'c cH'l.d Public Relations Diviston.

JUANITA TRIMBACH, who comes to us from the State Board of Corrections, is now secretary to rom Massey in the Planning Division. She and her husband, John, are residents of Marietta.

B. F. YOUNG is now employed by the Parks Department as assistant superintendent a.t StE~p:1en C. Foster. B. F. and his wi~e, Anita, are also the proud parents of a new baby bo~ born April 10

Carole Price Hank Struble Joel Crane Grace Parker William Naglich Guy Dasher George Robinson Ann Johnsen Sara .Armstrong

Birthday GI'IHifings

April 9

James England

April 24

Wyatt Clark

April 28

Graham Morris

May 2

Ray Beasley

May 5

Floyd Hill

May 7

James Maher

May 8

Emmett Johnson

May ll Mav 11

Eugene Bell

May 17 May 18 May 19
May 20 May 22 May 25 May 28 May 29