Georgia state parks [Dec. 1961]

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Mfflffl CHRIST an</
flPPy NEW YEAH
To the Personnel and Friends of
GEORGIA STATE PARKS

CHARLES A. COULIER Director

4964

BARBARA RANKIN EDITOR

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Using the Gutenberg Bible for liis inspiration, Joseph Thuringer, one >t" this country, designed and set the accompanying print. appearance of incunabular printing, he painstakingl v fthavccl whole page achieved some of the beaut
-- of the French style of the fifteenth century. The result w
of all pieces of printing the forty-two-line Gutenberg Bible.

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Jessy Mae Coker
Rolling hills and pigmy canyons knee-deep in
soft, fluffy snow. Nights radiant with pale
light . . . sleigh rides . . . bells dancing on crisp,
quiet air!

Weeks of dashing in after frosty hikes from
school to smell the sweet, spicy fragrance of Mother* Christmas cookies . . . Dad*s mysterious
trips to town to bring in those wonderful rustly packages he hid in the closet!

*"' Sunday afternoon jaunts to the woods to pick mistletoe, bittersweet, and cedar boughs to decorate the parlor, or chinaberry pods to
make beads for a friend.

Carefully saving pennies for that very special

v:

gift . . . lingering hours along counters overflow-

ing with the magic spoils of Christmas . . . the

heart-twisting decision between the gaudy

brooch, or the warm gloves Mother needed . .

long, hungry looks at those beautiful doll

creatures with real hair!

"Stringing night" . . . the tantalizing aroma of Mother's fresh popped corn, which couldn't be eaten until enough was strung for the tree . . . singing carols while hanging ornaments on the tree, mistletoe on chandeliers, bells on the doors . . . heaping bowls of nuts, peppermint sticks, twisted candy, big, round oranges, shiny red apples . . . cracking "nigger-toes" on
a flat-iron!
Then, Christmas Eve . . . early supper (but who
could eat?) . . . that delightful bedlam of dressing
wL for the Christmas program . . . shining faces,

!

combed-doicn hair, and away we went, singing and
chattering through crisp, clear night to the
little country Church!

Ah, that giant Christmas tree, shimmering with
stars, glittering tinsel, multicolored lights . . .
dolls and toys bulging from every sprig . . . grownup songs and childish speeches . . . that
breathless wait for my turn to recite
At last! Santa with endless hags of treats and
toys . . that soul-crushing moment when he gives
the real-hair doll to Susan across the aisle . . . "Adeste Fideles" and the greeting of friends . . .
then home again to hang up stockings and rush
to bed to sleep nervously the expectant night away!

I1

-.-/-

Merry Christmas 2 At six in the morning . . . that tumbling race down the stairs ... a real-hair doll (prettier than Susan's) sticking a head out of a stocking . . . eggnog, as only Dad could -
make it, for Christmas breakfast (but who could eat?) . . . again to church, this time to sing hymns
and pray!

Wt
>~v
BS*'''
.

Finally, the famous Christmas feast . . . turkey with chestnut stuffing . . . candied yams . . . cranberry sauce . . . Grandma's fruit cake (made the
year before) . . . and mince pie (and who couldn*
eat? >
No school ... a whole week to play with Santa's
treasures . . . trips through drifting snow to Grandma's house . . bobsleds and ice skating . . . family reunions . . . the awesome, thrilling, spellbinding tones of majestic chimes tolling
"Silent Night"!

All this, and much, much more meant "Merry

1

Christmas" when I was young!

Cofyrithud and used by ftrmistion of tht author.

gaiMwr

.

.

.

As we approach the end of another year, I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of the employees for the splendid cooperation given to me and to the Department
I wish also to extend to each of you and to your families a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Happy New Year.
CHARLES A. COLLIER Director
*******

GENERAL OFFICE WISHES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Lou Adams

Lee Patterson

Sara Armstrong James Arnold Clara Cameron

Barbara Rankin M. F. Roberts Marie Simonton

William Carbine Henry D. Struble

Lucille Dennis bert Hunt ; ;?istine Jones B. McGarity

S. E. Wagner John Wilkes Mabel Wilkins

*******

NEW PROGRESS REPORT
You soon will receive the new ress Report for the fiscal year 196O-I96I. Be sure to read this book from cover to cover so that you will know the progress vihich is being made throughout the State. State park employees serve visitors in locations from the mountains to the sea, and they should know what is being done in all parts of our State.
If you have interested people you would like to receive a copy, send their names and addresses to
me
*******

ADMISSION CHARGE TO MUSEUMS
Beginning January 2nd, all State Park Museums will begin charging an admission fee of 25^. Children under 12 will not be charged when accompanied by an adult. Children of high school age will not be charged if they are in an educational group (school class or educational organization)
Any organization or group wishing to see the museums should make advance arrangements with the museum curator. Groups will be admitted, however, even if they do not make advance arrangements, but curators will be better prepared if they have the cooperation of these organizations .
Tickets will be issued to all state'parks having a museum or historical area and detailed information will be mailed to these curators.
*******
Use these winter months to
check on all park needs. There
are many small items which we do
not notice during the busy summer
season. Nov/ is the time to make a
list for yourself and for your
park employees so that next year
we will have all of our problems
corrected. *******
Practically all parts of Georgia are abundantly supplied with soft water.
*******

S

We are a nation of litterbugs, according to New York City's new Commissioner of Parks,, Newbold Morris , who declares, "As a nation we seem willing to allocate an enormous percentage of our income to pay people to pick up after us."
*******
17ITH0UT PRICE
If price were asked to view a setting sun
Or pluck the vjildf lowers on a hillj If toll were paid to watch a
silver moon And listen to the whippoorwill; If gold were charged for all that
friendship means, For sympathy and love unsought, The comfort found in understanding
hearts, The precious gifts that are not
bought; Would we, perchance, more grateful
be For all these blessings given free!
Unknown Author
*******
KENTUCKY WILL DEVELOP 5 NEW PARKS
Kentucky's State Park Development Program includes 5 new parks and greatly expanded facilities in existing areas. The program is financed by $10,000,000 bond issue funds and $7,000,000 additional revenue funds.
*******
There are approximately 40 species of mammals in Georgia, including bear, fox, deer, opossum, raccoon, mink, otter, wildcat and squirrel.
*******

COLLEGE CREDIT FOR TOUR OF NATIONAL PARKS
Students of Marshall University in West Virginia earned from three to six college credits as they toured our national parks this past summer. Under the leadership of Prof. N. Bayard Green, Chairman of the Zoology Department at Marshall, participants studied methods of land utilization, water resources, protection of park lands, and recreation developments. As part of their course in wildlife conservation they collected and identified plants and animals and considered the ecological relations of the wildlife to its habitat.
The college tour covered twentytwo States in six weeks. Among the national park areas the students visited were Yellowstone, Glacier, Crater, Yosemite, Bryce, Zion, and Grand Canyon National Parks, and Petrified Forest National Monument.
*******
GAS TAXES TO AID NEBRASKA PARKS
Nebraska is providing $10,000 per month from the State Gasoline Tax money to match County funds used for access roads to state parks where motor boating is permitted.
*******
MICHIGAN BOND ISSUE
The Michigan Conservation Commission's sale of a $2,000,000 bond issue has launched 19 park improvement projects, and $500,000 will be spent for 1,000 acres of park land.
*******

.

.

WILLIAM W. WELLS JOINS NATIONAL PARK STAFF
William W. Wells, Director of the Louisiana State Parks and Recreation Commission, has resigned to accept an appointment as Assistant Chief in the National Parks Service Branch State Cooperation in Washington, D.C.
****#*#
WEST VIRGINIA AND MICHIGAN GET NEW CAMP SITES
Michigan provided 7^5 new camp sites last summer to accommodate some 140,000 park visitors turned away in i960.
West Virginia tent camping sites in state areas have doubled.
DeTURK NAMED DEPARTMENT HEAD IN CALIFORNIA
Charles A. DeTurk, former Chief of the California Division of Beaches and Parks, has been named Director of the State Department of Parks and Recreation.
This new department under California's new Resources Agency includes Divisions of Recreation, Beaches and Parks, and Small Craft Harbors
*# *## **
Recreation can open doors that no other activity of our life can expands our horizons to make our world include new people, new settings, new enjoyment. Every time we branch out into a different activity, we add another dimension of excitement to our lives.
Robert D. Sisco Director, Recr. & Parks Livingston, N. J.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The American Camping Association is calling a camp consultation. This will be sponsored by the American Camping Association regional organization covering Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee,
Louisiana, and Arkansas. Related organizations in which the ACA co-
ordinates and cooperates are being
invited.

The meeting will be held Friday, January 5, 1962 from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. at the Piedmont Hotel in Atlanta. The reason for the meeting will be to discuss studies and research, standards, legislation, leadership, publications, family camping new concepts, and other subjects which will be in the interest of better camping throughout the Southeast

*###

-* *

Since laughter comes and laughter
goes And all the winds of summer pass, When underneath the drifted snows There sleep the violet and rose, The scarlet poppy and the grass; Doubt you, beside your window pane, That summer time will come again?

The barren fields shall green again, In silent trees the birds shall nest j
Then shall life desolate remain, Bleak with eternal gloom and pain?
Are roses more than mortals blest? Not sol For us who feel death 1 s
sting God keeps a lovelier, ampler spring!
Edgar Guest
#*****#
The first state agricultural experiment station was founded in Savannah, 1735*

PARK NEWS
VICTORIA BRYANT STATE PARK Submitted by p. h. Hill, Supt.
I have had the largest attendance this year that I have had since the park was established. Before this year, attendance was about over after the Labor Day Holiday. This year it did not drop until the second week in October.
During the week of the Park Meeting, we had three groups: a Girl Scout Group with their leader, Mrs. McConnel; Mrs. McLehan's class from Royston High School, and a Sunday School group from Elbert County.
I am proud to say I have not had the trouble with the Scouts that some of the superintendents have. I have some of our local Scout Troops most every week for a cookout and hike.
*******
CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK Submitted by Mr. K. DeLoach, Supt.
Our 'Filter System 1 for the swimming pool has been completed and we are looking forward to putting it into operation next spring. This will save us the labor of cleaning out the pool manually each Monday, as well as having to close the pool down each Monday to the swimmers.
We have two picnic shelters now in the park, not erected. These will help to accommodate our large picnic visitors during the summer, especially the numerous 'Family Reunions 1 and outings for the various boat clubs and church organizations
Five of our cabins have just been completed, with a new coat of asphalt shingles by Mr. Jim Glenn.

CROOKED RIVER (cont'd)
He did a fine job and they look mighty good.
It has not rained here at the park in two and one -half months and the fire hazard is very dangerous. All precautions are taken to prevent a fire, such as warning all guests, tenters, campers and visitors to be very careful about fires. No outside cooking or camp fires are allowed until after the dry season which, as announced over the Jacksonville Broadcasting Station, is the driest since 1872.
Special precaution to all hunters has been given to stay off State property. Two men were caught on the "Old Spanish Mission" property Wednesday night about 9:00 P,.M. by the superintendent and turned over to the Game Warden. They were thought to be hunting, but conveniently hid their guns somewhere. The Game Warden took care of them. I think they are now converted.
*******
KEG CREEK STATE PARK Submitted by James Sweat, C.T.
We have had a very good season this year in the park. Our attendance has been very good and the people were very nice. We didn't have any alcoholic difficulty. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves at each visit. We are now beginning to move forward in progress. Construction has been started; we have a new picnic shed that has been completed and also new tables have been built for the shed. Mr. Collier visited us last week and said other construction was on the way. We are looking for a greater season next year. Thank you, Miss Rankin, and the entire Department of State Parks for the wonderful work you are doing toward recreation for the people of our State.

A. H. STEPHENS MEMO. STATE PARK Submitted by Laura Lee Crawford
The Confederate Museum has a new look. Graham Morris and Jim Glenn have just completed recovering the roof with new cedar shingles. They are doing some repair work on the basement also.
Thanks to Mr. Collier and Barbara Rankin for obtaining the beautiful painting of the Battle Scene at Pickett's Mill, Georgia, and the murals for the windows . There are also other interesting scenes which add to the beauty and interest of the museum.
Ten army officers stationed at Fort Gordon, Ga., visited the museum and home of Alexander Stephens the 9th of November. Three were from the States of Massachusetts, California, and Florida. The other seven were from foreign countries: India, Italy, Peru and Iran. They are at Fort Gordon for special training. They enjoyed their visit to the park and were very interested in Confederate history.
We were also glad to have Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Jewett of the Georgia Historical Commission.
LAURA S. WALKER STATE PARK Submitted by Clay Morgan, Supt.
"40 -mile Jo" has just left our Park. Jo has used almost all the parks in Georgia and is well acquainted throughout the State. The Fred L. Cronengos of Wauseon, Ohio, have just left also. This couple has been using this park for many years, as well as the other Georgia parks. Mr. Cronengo is a Spanish-American War vet and is 92 years old. He reads without

glasses, drives the car and walks like a corporal in the advance guard. Many park people will be saddened by the fact that this is their last trip South.
we have completed our bulletin board and have some church notices on it. Also we have placed a Southeastern Map on this board. All the State Parks can be located quickly by observing the black-headed map tacks and all the national parks by red-headed map tacks. Several campers have expressed great interest in this idea in helping them to locate other parks on their way North or South.
Our new boat dock is completed. Mr. Waters really did a nice job here and the people in this vicinity really are appreciative of this added facility.
We are praying for rain since we let the water down low in the lake in order to build the dock and repair the gates at the spillway, also an addition to the present boat ramp.
We have some large parties coming out for cook-outs bhis coming Friday and Saturday nights. Last weekend we had around 200 boys and girls. At night, of course.
Some of the things I remember most vividly from the last In-Service Program:
That 5 --minute left-handed report of Tom Winters.
That cuisine by Mrs. Greene. Mr. Baseball and his World Series report, and the fine spirit demonstrated at the meetings.
See you I HOPE next spring at another one.
Since our son is in the Air Force and could not be home, and Mr.
(continued next page)

.

LAURA S. WALKER (continued)

Steedly was taking 6 days annual

leave,
park on

it was my duty to Thanksgiving Day.

be

at So

the we

invited our campers to have dinner

with us - "40 -Mile Jo" from New

York Ci ty, Mrs. DeCinco from Calif-

ornia, and Mr. and Mrs. Pre land

from We st Virginia.

We had an excellent dinner and all enjoyed themselves on this day and it took the "blue edge" off us
too.

* *-

* * -*

VETERANS MEMORIAL STATE PARK Submitted by Mrs. Josie Greene,
Wife of George Greene, Supt.
Dear "Elbow Benders" :

I am tickled pink with the gold blouse you gave me on my birthday! It is seldom one receives exactly what she ivants without having personally selected it, but your gift, my friends, culminated a 3 -month search for me. I had scoured the town looking for a long sleeve gold blouse to go with a skirt and pair of slacks which I already had - and until your gift, I had had no luck.

So lucky indeed I am to have such a perfect gift (plus the 5 bucks) to remember all of you very special friends L There really wouldn't be anybody in the world like you if you just didn't eat so often , and if you'd give up smoking I
Thank you ever so much.

Love,

JOSIE

* * * * * * *

INFORMATION BOARDS
Plans have been made for information boards to be built during the next few months. There will be one board placed in each park near the concession area. These will be used for posting announcements, rules and regulations, or any other information which will be helpful to the visitor.
There will also be boards placed in each of the new large tent and trailer camping areas. Special information should be posted on these boards, such as church services, local entertainment, special park regulations, and helpful hints to campers
A special camping handbook is being prepared and will be published before the Spring season. If you have any suggestions for this handbook, please send them to the office within the next few days.
### **# #
ROADSIDE PARKS DIVISION of the State Highway Department reports that Georgia's 206 roadside parks were completing another successful season as good-will ambassadors to the thousands of tourists who traveled Georgia's highways this year.
Standard equipment for the parks consists of tables, grills, waste receptacles and ample parking areas. Some of these parks are equipped with a mail box for the comments and suggestions of the users. During last summer, remarks were left by travelers from throughout the State, from 36 other States, the District of Columbia, Canada, Nova Scotia and England.
# -x * * * * *
Five fish hatcheries -.are maintained by the State, and two others are under federal control.

SOME CHRISTMAS PLANT LEGENDS by
C. Parker Meacham

acicsnaaocdnclaedorsercOlseneocdvloeelyCnhltywhriaaoigsishuftttnlsmgnaaomttsewoasinldEbslveeweeeionllbldemwhodariarstemcetmrfieolmttdseuhhselcaatnbteyboedeufrwtohirtimihntbeesyrkoteamhharednioedpldellssicaponiSadnraor.cfnkutYlmauiylsonTetughhataehnsiet,cryreeel.sewetshfwtoiosnfwTekihtllehcileihfnmriag.gli,ldtcrohrewmTonuhwiluenntpiwiiorhnl-nogifientc-haen stars, symbolic of the star which rose above the Judean hills to mark the birthplace of the Child, will cheer us all.
Many and varied are the legends that seek to tell how the Christmas tree became a part of Christmas celebration. Attempts have been made to identify our Christmas tree with Yggdrasill, the ash-tree of life, or "world-tree," of Norse mythology. Others refer the beginnings of the Christmas tree to the custom of the ancient Egyptians, who, in midwinter, decorated their homes with the leaves of the date palm, their symbol of immortality. Even Jewish festivals have had their share of attention in determining the origin of the Christmas tree. On the 25th of Kislev, which approximates our December, the Jews celebrate the Hanukkah, or Feast of Lights. This, it has been claimed, could be the forerunner of our custom of the lighted Christmas tree. Others call attention to the Roman festivities in honor of Saturn at about the winter solstices, and ask whether these could not have originated our Christmas festival with the attendant usage of a burning tree.
Some legends of the origin of the Christmas tree go as far back as the manger in Bethlehem's stall. On the first Christmas night, the story goes, trees from all over the world came to the manger-side to do homage to the divine Child. With the native palms there were mingled such foreign visitors as beeches, maples, oaks and hemlocks. There were shiny magnolias, graceful eucalyptuses, and gigantic redwoods, together with tall cedars. A small fir had come from the frozen north, and in all that array of stately trees it could not be seen at all; besides, its brothertrees did all they could to hide the little intruder from the eyes of the Infant in His impoverished cradle. But suddenly, star after star fell from heaven, and each shiny star fell upon the outstretched, pointed branches of the evergreen until it shone with the brilliancy of a thousand lights. And that, we are told, was the beginning of the Christmas tree.

ST. WINFRID VERSION

Another legend connected with the Christmas tree can be traced back to St. Winfrid, who was its inventor.

In the giant oak worship.

midst which As it

of had fell

a crowd of converts, it formerly been the object
backward like a tower,

is said, of the
groaning

Winfrid hewed down
convert s> DTMidic
as it split asundei

a

1
^!' vSun^fiS
l^^l^ axe Idropn, IanZd

there stood just

turned

to

s*peSakr

een to

behind it - unharmed by
Spire toward the stars -
the people.

the ruin Winfrid

-a let

the

o ,
tit how



Th S lttle ltoni^ghv.t}. It

tree >

a y u ng

child of

the

forest,

shall be

your holy

is the wood of peace, for your houses are built of fir.

is the sign of an endless life, for its leaves are ever green. See

it points upward to heaven I Let this be called the tree of the

Chnstchild; gather about it, not in the wildwood, but in your own homes;

there it will shelter no deeds of blood, but loving gifts, and rites of

kindness."

And yet another legend deals with a poor woodman and his family. On a stormy Christmas Eve, the family sat around a cheerful fire in a forest cottage. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. The father opened the door and in stepped a small child, hungry, ragged and shivering pitiably.
The young son of the woodman gave up his bed to the little stranger.

In the morning all were awakened by the singing of a choir of angels, and a dazzling light. Upon investigating they found their visitor transfigured, possessing a halo and cross. They recognized him as the Christchild, and worshipped Him. As He expressed His gratitude, He broke off a branch of the fir tree and put it in the ground. Presently it grew into a verdant tree. Then He said: "I have gladly received your gifts, and this is my gift to you. Henceforward, this tree shall always bear its fruit at Christmas, and you shall always have abundance. 11
#*-*-##***

The ancient Druids of the British Isles were accustomed to laying the mistletoe, or sacred "all-heal," upon their altars. In York Cathedral, a similar thing was done on Christmas Eve, at which time pardon and freedom, public and universal liberty were proclaimed at the gates of the
city.

Mistletoe, in the days of Druidism - and perhaps even later - was

hung up as an aid to conviviality. This practice was widespread among

pagan cults of England, as well as those of northern and southern Europe.

Mistletoe was said to possess magical properties which could render its

possessor fortunate. The custom of kissing under the mistletoe is the

only suggestion that remains of the happy benefit it was formerly supposed

to confer upon its custom dates very

votaries, far back,

and it or was

is not certain that practiced elsewhere

this than

particular among areas

peopled by Anglo-Saxon stock.

fy^f^^f^^-^Se ehrealevsrceterhiyivttIsehndinLbtgoahakesiiwc,shhliaacranihnnmguaeafsgvpreiroSlamcnaogfnhsidpsiiffrnlriamootowvm,etirhatsenhh,rea,vmyimftnFiohgsru.trilgeegnetamBloaeielmt(deyVenmertena,saugsna)sit-,nhes"ftigarigSevaBc,eiaalnndsmwdeteairtn,eaaarvl,likfaiosnarisimn.reAj"dpuoralynalaTnohf,irsom

iSw'from mistletoe,
mistletoe dart struck

which did Balder to

not the

grow from ground, and

the

tears

of

Frigga

became

/
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Later, the mistletoe was divested of its superstitious associations and became the symbol of friendship and love; and so it was brought into the Christmas season, a season of joy and love.

Clinging to a colorful and most popular Christmas plant, the poinsettia, is a sacred legend. The early inhabitants of Mexico tell most earnestly that in Cuernavaca, Mexico, it was the custom of every church and chapel to have a manger, in which lay an image of the Infant Savior. On Christmas Eve the village folk flocked into these places to decorate it in His honor with flowers.
One Christmas Eve, in the outer district of Cuernavaca, a small, dark-eyed child grieved and mourned because she had no flowers to take to the manger of the Christ. But as she cried, a beautiful angel appeared before her and said: "Lovely child, weep no more. Go pluck a weed from the roadside, bring it to the altar, and wait." The little girl arose and did as the angel had commanded, and when she had placed her weed on the altar it immediately became a vivid scarlet whorl. Today the Mexicans will tell you that this is the reason why the poinsettia is the most prized of all Mexican flowers for the beloved Christmas-tide.
National Parks Magazine December 1961

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