300 PI 963/6 VIEWS ! ) tab fijMIVEKi.lt Of GEORGIA] JUL-5'63 fane J96J GEORGIA RECREATION MONTH .jJgZS&r As Governor of Georgia, it gives me genuine pleasure to extend to the people of our State, as well as to the visitors, a cordial invitation to visit one of our State Parks soon. CARl E. SANDERS Governor of Georgia Horace G. Caldwell Director Mabel B. Wilkins Editor GATEWAY TO SUMMER June is the gateway to summer.... To a thousand pleasant things, To scents of the honeysuckle Borne on its filmy wings. It's fireflies dancing at nightfall; It's mornings sparked with dew; It's iris and delphinium In tones so gay and new. It's a field of nodding daisies; It's the peonies' sweet smell; The month of lovely roses sent To cast their magic spell. The cooling breath of the pine trees. All these... .and more it brings. June is the gateway to summer, To, oh, so many things! Georgia B. Adams /. : OUT OF THE MAIL BOX Dear Mr. Caldwell: Last Monday, May 13, 1963, Avondale Mills Pepperton Plant had an Open House Inspection and we followed up with a dinner at the Indian Springs State Park. I want to express my appreciation for the exceptional way that your Superintendent, Mr. Frank McMichael, gave of his time, services and good will to help in making the day and dinner a success We are very fortunate to have a facility such as the Park and a friend such as Frank to supervise it Again I express my appreciation and offer my full cooperation to the Georgia State Park System. W. D. Windsor Super int endent Pepperton Cotton Mills Jackson, Ga. Gentlemen We have just returned to our home in Jacksonville, Florida, after several weeks of camping through the Carolina and Georgia Mountains. We spent one full week at Black Rock State Park, Mountain City, Georgia. We felt you might appreciate our comments. We found Black Rock to be one of the "best, cleanest and most -cared for" Parks that we have had the pleasure to visit. We found the Ranger in charge (Mr. J. Christian) to be the nicest, most courteous Ranger we have ever met . He is certainly an asset and a real credit to the Georgia State Parks. In closing, we would like to say that the courtesy extended to us by Mr. Christian and the other Rangers will not soon be forgotten. Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Van Note 10551 Dove Lane Jacksonville, Florida ******* Dear Sir: This week end my family and I took our trailer and visited Indian Springs State Park. As usual, we enjoyed our stay very much and are very thankful that the State of Georgia has such fine parks. We, as trailerites, are very proud of the way the campers help the park superintendent keep the camping areas clean. Today at about 12:30 P.M., 25 to 30 picnickers swarmed into the camping area and completely took over the eating pavilion. We wish to commend Mr. McMichael, your park superintendent, for telling these people that the area was for campers only and they would have to leave. We have spent several week ends at this park and the superintendent has always been the finest person we know of in cooperating with all the campers to make their stay a pleasant one. I have visited with campers from all over the country while staying there and they all speak very highly of him. Again I want to say thanks to the Parks Department for hiring men of such high caliber. Jim Sharpless 2355 Robin Hood Rd. Macon, Georgia OUT OF THE MAIL BOX (continued) Dear Mr. Caldwell: The writer and his wife were fortunate enough to spend a night at the Roosevelt Inn, Pine Mountain, Georgia, some ten days ago. The grounds arid cabin were very clean and attractive. We also had some excellent meals at the Inn. This is to commend to you Mr . and Mrs. John W. Pelham, who were managing the Inn. They were very helpful and accommodating to us. W. W. Wedding ton Hawkinsville, Ga. ******* NEWS FLASH We are very happy to announce that the State Parks Department has been assigned several hundred thousand dollars from the Governor's Surplus Fund. Because of the great demand for cottages, a portion of this money will be spent for mobile trailers which will be installed in those parks where the public demand for such facilities is greatest ******* INDIVIDUAL PARK INFORMATION SHEETS Park Superintendents will be interested to learn, we are sure, that an individual folded sheet of information is being prepared for each park. A map showing the layout of the park is to be included. Please do not send in any requests for them just yet as they are all still in the planning stage ******* BE THE BEST OF WHATEVER YOU ARE If you can't be a pine on the top of the hill, -- Be a shrub in the valley but be The best little shrub at the side of the rill; Be a bush if you can't be a tree. We can't all be captains, some have to be crew, There's something for all of us here; There's work to be done and we've all got to do Our part on the way that's sincere. If you can't be a highway, then just be a trail, If you can't be a sun, be a star; It isn't by size that you win or you fail . . Be the best of whatever you are, Douglas Malloch ******* HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO : Tom Winkler June 19 (Supt., Ft. Mountain) John Wilkes (General Office) ******* June 29 INTERESTING STATISTICS People in this country had more income in 1962 than ever before in history, and incomes are rising still higher in 1963. The average American family had an income of $7,140 last year, compared with $6,920 in 1961. In just a year, more than a million families saw their incomes go above the $10,000 mark for the first time. ******* -- People go on vacations to forget things and when they open their suitcases, they find they have. s -- OF INTEREST TO HIKERS Hiking enthusiasts will be interested in the article entitled The Appalachian Trail Ends in Georgia which appears in the JuneJuly issue of Georgia Magazine. A map showing the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail is included. Also included in the article is a picture of Amicalola Falls. Summer foliage usually makes a picture of the falls difficult to take. This was taken in the winter season, however, and the lovely cascades of the falls can easily be seen. ******* MR. WYATT CLARK, HOST AT FISH FRY Mr. Wyatt D. Clark, Superintendent of Red Top Mountain State Park at Cartersville, was host last Friday evening, June 21, at a Fish Fry to which the entire General Office staff and their families were invited. The slightly misty weather failed to put a damper on the spirits of those present (or on the frying fish!) as everyone seemed to be having a most enjoyable time. Our sincere thanks to Mr. Clark for providing so much (fish) to so many (people) ******* -- SPEAKING OF FISH A baby sardine, happily swimming near his mother, was frightened by a submarine. "Don't be alarmed," his mother said, "It's only a can of people. ******* Re: Income Tax Refunds. "Never was so little waited for so long by so few. PERSONNEL NOTES During the week-end of June 14, Mr. Horace Caldwell, our Director, represented Governor Sanders at the Governors Conference on Recreation and Conservation that was held at Fontana Dam, North Carolina. We regret very much to announce the death of Mr . Hubert Hunt on June 16. Mr. Hunt was employed in the Accounting Division of the General Office. We are all happy to hear that Mr. Charles Collier, former Director of the State Parks Department, is out of the hospital and recuperating at home. To those who may wish to keep -- in touch with Miss Barbara Rankin during the summer she is now at Camp Chimney Rock for Boys and Girls, Chimney Rock, North Caro lina. Barbara is the owner and director of this camp and we all wish her a most successful season. 9 Friends of Col. S. E. Wacner will be interested to learn that he is now with the State Highway Department ******* The State Parks Department is very proud of its new information folder . We think it not only very attractive with its colorful scenes of our S*tate Parks, but the information contained is unusually complete and seems to be "just what the tourist ordered." ******* "Scenic South" has honored the Georgia Department of State Parks by including in its July issue a 2-page spread of pictures of the Museum and Liberty Hall at Alexander H. Stephens Mem. State Park which is located at Crawfordville. ******* STATE PARK NEWS- GORDON I A AL ATAMAH A STATE PARK Reidsville C. P. Flowers, Supt Again our pool is in operation and we, as well as those seeking recreation, are quite happy. Every year many requests come in for swimming lessons and again we wish to ask permission for such. For the past two summers we have been fortunate to have Mr. William Upchurch who is teacher and coach at Collins High School as lifeguard. He has earned his Water Safety Instructor's Certificate. Each summer he has been given permission to teach Junior and Senior Life Saving and Water Safety, as well as Beginner and Advanced Swimming classes. Certificates under the Red Cross program have been awarded and the response has been satisfactory. These classes will be held before the opening hours of the pool and do not conflict in any way. A small fee will be charged for his services. We sincerely hope that this will be a great summer season in all of our recreational centers of State Parks and assure you that Reidsville and surrounding communities will help as usual to make this summer the best one for Gordonia Alatamaha State Park. ******* INDIAN SPRINGS STATE PARK Indian Springs F. McMichael, Supt A count at noon Saturday, May 25, showed approximately 4,000 visitors on the park grounds. Of this number, there were 22 family campers, 12 busses of school students, 1 family reunion, and the remainder were picnickers and sightseers. Saturday the busses bore tags from counties as far away as Forsyth and Hall. Approximately 50,000 relaxationseeking tourists have used the facilities of the park since our season opened. Camping is proving to be popular in our park. The number of campers has doubled this year over the total during the same period last year . Among our largest group of campers was the Metropolitan Atlanta Family Campers. Approximately 35 members camped with us over the week-end of May 10-12. We are looking forward to a return visit from this club. ******* CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK Kings land W. R. Anderson, Supt. Families of the Kingsland Methodist Church held a churchwide picnic at our park on May 2 as part of the church's observance of National Family Week. The weather has been bad so -- far this month not too much ac- tivity except on week-ends. Speaking of weather, the R.A. boys from St. Mary's came out for overnight camping and the wind was blowing so much that the leader had to hold the toast down on the grill to keep it from blowing away. He said he put a couple of plates of food on the table and they sailed right off! They certainly had fun. A family from New York spent -- the week of the 21st here. A very nice family they said they enjoyed their stay here, though it was cold. They didn't plan on that in the Deep South. The Scouts from Jacksonville seem to like it here. We have a troop almost every week-end. (continued on next page) / CROOKED RIVER STATE PARK (cont'd) School will be out on the 28th and we are expecting our business to pick up. We feel sure it will. Cabin reservations are coming in real good. ******* FORT YARGO STATE PARK Winder W. S. Fricks, Supt At Fort Yargo we have had very good attendance during the month of May, considering the rain and cool weather, and the limited facilities We have really had the picnickers since the closing of schools. Have had several different schools represented and also several large church groups to use the picnic area during the month. We have the three new picnic shelters stained and ready to be erected. Today we have been cutting and spraying weeds and undergrowth. With so much rain last week, everything is growing especially weeds. Several interesting families from out of state have stopped with us recently. Last week a family from Maine came by to see the Old Fort They had just been to see the Vann House. We had visitors also from Mexico, Louisiana, Florida, California, and Alabama. These are just the ones who came by the Superintendent's residence to ask for information. We appreciated the copy of Mr. Caldwell's speech at Rock Eagle. Several from the General Office were out during the month getting our construction work ready to begin. They are welcome anytime as we can hardly wait for more and better facilities to take care of the people who come by to visit our park ******* VICTORIA BRYANT STATE PARK Royston F. H. Hill, Supt. We have had a good attendance for May. The Northeast Girl Scout Council met May 18 at the park. Eleven different troops were present On the same day, the Dalton Candlewick Corporation had a barbecue dinner for the employees and their families. Have also had three family reunions, eleven different school groups from Madison, Banks, Jackson, Elbert, Hart, and Stephens Counties, and nine church groups. ******* A. H. STEPHENS STATE PARK Crawfordville J. L. Taylor, Supt. Submitted by: Miss Laura L. Crawford, Curator, A. H. Stephens Museum Monday, May 27, started off as a rainy day. We thought it was just another blue day but, instead, it turned out to be a very busy and interesting day. Eighty pupils from Sandersville school came. Of course, they were sheltered at Liberty Hall and the Museum. We were glad they could find some shelter at the picnic area. Later in the day, we had Mrs. Dozier and son of Atlanta, but formerly of Columbus. Mrs. Dozier is 83 years old and was so interesting to talk with. Her parents were ov/ners of St . Elmo in Columbus and she was born and married there. She told me about Civil War relics she had that would add a lot to our museum collection, and is considering donating them to the museum. This gentleman and his wife from Macon visited us. He makes color slides for his private collection. His hobby is collecting data of Georgia rivers. His trip to our park was in the interest of the Ogeechee River which runs through (continued next page) s A. H. STEPHENS STATE PARK (cont'd) our county. He was getting pictures and information of historic sites along the river. He uses these in his talks to Civic Clubs all over the State of Georgia. We are proud of the Ogeechee. It is known as the Lady of Rivers. The map cases came for the museum vault. The documents, original newspapers and maps have been displayed in them. The swimming pool in the park will be open to the public June 1. Now that the spring school groups are behind us, we are looking forward to a busy summer season. d I ? like to take this opportunity to welcome Mr. Stokes as Supervisor of our park. ** ***** LAURA S. WALKER STATE PARK Waycross C . H . Morgan , Supt The 1st of May in some parts of the world is May Day, in the USA it is Law Day, but at Laura S. Walker State Park it is Forestry Festival and Queen -naming Day. Everyone for miles about puts on a long, long dog that particular day. We had 1,018 cars and served 1,100 pounds of fine barbecue. Peter Zack (Geer) was here with all the eloquence of the Lieutenant Governor's office, and distinguished guests were too numerous to mention. We had 22 of South Georgia's most beautiful high school girls competing for the Queen title. I had a -- big time just looking. Jo had the concessions going fine and business was good. -- Had another interesting trailer camper from Halifax, N.S. Mr. Jack Bray ley, Chief of Bureau, Canadian Press. He was there when the big explosion happened in 1917. What a long talk we had, since I sailed into the harbor the next day after the terrible event. News extraordinary: A Waycross doctor's wife lost a pocket book with $65.00 in it during the ceremony of naming the Queen. It was returned with all $65.00 and the important papers. 'Sho was glad. We really had a thunderstorm recently. It hit the largest tree in the park and also our flag pole. Hunks of concrete was thrown 50 feet and all the bark was torn off the tree. Hail as big as quarters ruined almost all the tobacco crops Our new tent camping area has been cleared off, burned, and water running to the spot where the comfort station will be built. During this last part of May, business is getting better and better.... ******* NEWS NOTE Last month, Little Ocmulgee State Park was the site for the annual meeting of the Georgia Ornithological Society. Two field trips were conducted while the Society was there. They reported that 102 different species of birds were seen during the trips The usual number is 90. **#**** FOREIGN VISITORS Charles R. Keasey, Area Supervisor of Fort Mountain State Park, reports that on June 1st and 2nd, three young men students at the University of Kentucky camped at Fort Mountain. These men were from Bandung, Indonesia. ******* Happiness is that peculiar sensation we have when we are too busy to be miserable. . Park Superintendents v/ill be interested to learn that the Tourist Division of the Department of Industry and Trade (address: 100 State Capitol, Atlanta 3, Ga.) will soon have available for distribution the July -December Calendar of Events. It no doubt would be of much value to every Superintendent in answering questions from park visitors ******* -- Georgia now has two Tourist Informa tion Centers one at Sylvania and one at Savannah. ******* INFORMATION TO ASTOUND YOUR FRIENDS WITH .. . -- NOW THAT SCHOOL IS OUT or WHAT EVERY TEACHER KNOWS "We must view with profound respect the infinite capacity of the human mind to resist the introduction of useful knowledge." -- Thomas R . Lounsbury ******* ADVICE TO TOURISTS Take it easy on long trips. Safety experts recommend that you rise early and limit your driving distance for the day. Three hundred miles is a good safe average, giving you time for a leisurely swim or siesta before dinner More than 200 feathers make up the fan of the peacock. A camel can drink 25 gallons of water in half an hour. There are more than 7,000 different kinds of ants. ******* ******* THOUGHT FOR TODAY The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm. ******* IMPORTANT NOTICE ALSO ABSOLUTELY IRRELEVANT- -BUT INTERESTING "Going Whole Hog" might make a dent in your food budget , but the expression does not have its origin in food, according to the American Meat Institute. Long ago a ten-cent piece was called a hog. So a sport who was willing to squander a dime was said to "go the whole hog." ******* The above information explains, at least, why people won't do as much for a dollar as they once did that dollar won't do as much for people as it once did. ******* It has been decided that in the future, Georgia State Park Views will be issued on a quarterly -- basis the next issue to appear in September These 3-month intervals will afford each Superintendent enough time and opportunity to assemble news of interest and value to the readers The issues will be published on the 15th day of September, December, March and June. All news must be in General Office no later than the 5th day of these months. So, let's all see that the parks are represented 100% in our first quarterly issue in September! *******