The Voice of Vogel, 2004

GA N 2.Dl>

pz_

Sl '/b

tbJJ

VolumeX

Vogel State Park, Georgia

2004 Issue

Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at Vogel State Park

Seventy years ago on a late winter

making lem- rough textured brown siding and large

day in 1934 a group ofboys between the

onade from posts supporting the porch. This was lum-

ages of 17 and 25 disembarked from a train

lemons. We ber cut off the park from Pine Beetle sal-

in Murphy, North Carolina and were .

are to this vaged trees. The CCC planted these trees

loaded on trucks and transported to

day enjoying when the park was under development. The

Blairsville, Georgia. These young boys

the fruits of museum features photo exhibits of camp

were thin, they had ragged clothes, and

the labor of life; a diorama of a CCC camp; exhibits of

they appeared to have no direction in life.

these hard various trades the boys would have learned

What was this? Was some community-clear-

working in- such as forestry, masonry, blacksmithing

ing house and evicting their unwanted hoo-

dividuals. To and surveying; and a photo history of Vogel

ligans? Nothing. of the sort. These boys

recognize the through the years.

had joined the Civilian Conservation Corps

work of the

The John B. Derden Civilian Con-

(CCC) and they had come to Blairsville to

CCC, volun- servation Corps Museum at Vogel State

live in a _camp and build a State Park. That

teers, indi- Park is named for a long time Vogel Vol-

State Park would be Vogel and seventy

vidual and unteer

years later it is still as popular as ever.

corporate do0 a n d

If it Were not for these boys and mil-

nors, and the former

lions like them during the ensuing nine

staff of Vogel C C C

years National and State Parks would not

State Park Boy who

- have been developed, forests would not ing, factories and businesses shutting down, have contributed to build a museum to has been

have been protected, the Midwest Plains families going hungry, and people wan- honor the works of the Civilian. Conserva- instr u -

would have continued to blow away, and dering aimless!y across the country with tion Corps. This new museum has been a me n t a l

soil erosion would not have been slowed; no sense of direction. The CCC was just. dream of the Vogel Volunteers. The ob- in pre-

The boys of the CCC made a difference. one of a score of new agencies started dur- ' jective in building a museum was to pro- serving

These ing the. New Deal of President Franklin tect the hundreds of photos and artifacts the CCC

young Roosevelt. This administration was referred that tell the CCC story. Through financial history of Vogel. The museum is open on

men were to as the Alphabet Soup Administration and material donations the museum has be- Saturday and Sundays from 1 -4 p.m.

u n em - because of the new acronyms for infant come a reality. David Foot, Vogel State David Foot, Park Manager is available for

ployed as agencies. Agencies such as the WPA - Park Manager said, "this museum has been_ public speaking engagements on Depres-

were mil- Works Projects Administration; FDIC - a dream for rriany years. It would not have sion history and the Civilian Conservation

lions of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; been possible were it not for the generous. Corps.

o t h e r TVA -Tennessee Valley Authority; REA donations and help of so many people and

For further information, call the park

Ameri- -'--- Rural Electrification Administration. businesses. This museum will be a regional office at 706-7.ciS-2628.

cans dur- These and many more helped pull the attraction and a source of research for stu-

Vogel State Park operated by the

ing the Great Depression of the 1930's. United States out of a dark period.

dents of the Great Depression."

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

This period in American history was per-

Vogel State Park became a reality in

Perhaps the most noticeable feature is located 11 miles south of Blairsville on

haps the most challenging with banksclos- 1934'because of hard times. This was like of the museum when one first sees it is the - US Highway 129 / 19.

The VoiceofVogelis
10 years young in '04
This issue of The Voice Of Vogel marks the 10th issue. David Foot, Park Manager said, "It is hard to believe that this time has passed by so quickly. A newspaper for Vogel State Park has always been a dream of mine. It started out as a multi page photocopy newsletter years ago. "This just didn't come across as an effective means to get information across about the park's history,programs . and general park news. It is always satisfying to see. the final outcome after a year's work of writing and pl?f)aration. Of course this paper would notbe a reality were it not for the layout and design of Norman Cooper, Editor/Sports Editor/ Photographer of Union County's North
See Tenth, Page 8

WorkDa,,

"'1

The first Saturday of April 2004 saw 110 volunteers show

up ready to get sweaty and dirty. What a wonderful turnout

anxious to accomplish a myriad of jobs. These jobs included

building a campsite, performing trail rehabilitation, cleaning

up the beach and spreading mulch, working on the CCC Mu-

seum building a back porch, working on the Memory Walkway

in front of the beach, planting a native garden along the Memory

Walkway, staining bridge rails, cleaning up litter, painting metal

hardware on the CCC Museum, and fabricating a welded fea-

ture to one of the CCC Museum exhibits.

Besides accomplishing all these projects, the volunteers

were fed breakfast and lunch by a dedicated kitchen crew. Sat-

urday evening saw 64 volunteers and staff enjoying a delicious

catered meal in the park's group shelter. The banquet featured a

program by park manager, David Foot and awards presenta-

,,)

This photo of the rocking chairs on the. front porch of the visitor's tion.

center wastaken_on April 14. 2004. We had 3 inches of snow but the

The park would not be in the wonderful shape it is today

ground was.too warm for it to stick. Colder surfaces like the chairs were were it not for the dedic.i.tion of our volunteers. This is always a

cold enou~h to prove we are not immune from snow, even in April.

See Workers, Page 6

Memories

At Right Arlie (age 5) and Carter (age 3)

of Vogel

'children of Dennis and Laura May of Augusta are trying to make the

best of a. cold day on Febru:ary 1,

2004. Even withportions ofthe lake

Group shelter in the

frozen over, these two are dreaming

1940s with row boat

of wanner days when they can go

J

dock in foreground

- swimming.

My family moved from

The next summer, 1947, I

At Left

Ashburn to Gainesville in 1934 spent several weeks at Vogel with

What a. day for bidet. These

when I was two years old. A few the Reins and with the family of

youngsters were seen enjoying the

years later, around 1938, my fam- another friend. The Durdens re-

shower on the beach.

ily shared the cabin nearest the turned, and Carol and I pro-

Trahlyta dam with relatives from gressed to cautious smiles and

Camping family experience ;:~;r~ Atlanta one weekend. That week-
end, 65 years ago, was the first of

~~~~~~~!/1~~t:tt~~

many happy visits to Vogel State Park.
During the summer of 1946, my best friend's family
rented the same cabin for two weeks and invited me to go along. It was a 14 year old boy's dream vacation. Bill Reins and I swam, rode the horses which were kept at the park .back then, paddled around the lake in the rowboats which were docked near the concession stand, went frog gigging
. at night in the marshy area where Wolf Creek flowed into the lake (there's a parking lot there now), climbed Blood Mountain on the Appalachian Trail from Neel's Gap, and played. the juke box and pinball machines at the concession stand until our nickels gave out. The Durden family from Buckhead was there the first week, and I had a bad crush on 12 year

i"tPe esgonogsMoy.n Htheearjtu"keanbdox"Nweearer
You" by the Harmonicats, and "I
Wonder," performed by the Four AatceWs.alWasei-aytiteInndne. dTahsequchar;ieirdsa anncde tables in the dining room (now used for a souvenir and book store) were stacked and pushed back against. the walls to make room. A local band consumed moonshine from Mason jars in the parking lot and played favorites like "Down Yonder" and "Under The Double Eagle" with increasing enthusiasm after each break. Local residents, the young men with taps on their heels, led the way as we "flat landers" learned to "circle up four," "doce do,"
""sGweionrggiyaoruorunopdptooswiten.,l,ady," and I visited Vogel many times
in later years. My high school

WithLeVere;ElinoreBrown

Macon,Georgia , Life was good for LeVere

i\nd Elinore Brown when they got

married. They bad survived the

Depression and felt far removed

from t4e turmoil going on in other

parts of the world. Their small

world in Macon, Georgia was se-

cure!

-

-

Things changed when

LeVere was drafted to fight in

Worltl War II. Elinore was expect-

ing their first child who would

come into this world 1 month af~

ter LeVere was shipped.overseas

to the Pacific Theater. Despite the

fact Elinore would write. every-

day, LeVere would not receive any mail for months on end. The

mail never would quite catch up

with him as he bounced around

the Pacific. When he finally did

get an opportunity to respond to

his name being called at mail call he would receive a stack of let-

ters. Some of these letters would

have photos of a little girl that he

watched grow up from thousands

of miles away. It was discourag-

ing to see his little girl grow with-

out him being around. When he

finally did get to go home, this

little girl was 1 1/2 years old. She

didn't know her daddy!!

To make up for lost time,

LeVere thought he should spend

some quality time with his fam-

ily. The best way seemed to be

camping. So off they went pack-

ing up their army surplus pup tent

and going on many grand adven-

ptu1areyse.d

It was fun. The and swam while

children mom and

dad sat around the campfire. Mom

would cook in an ol<;l iron frying

pan. When this got to be too much trouble, they decided to trade in Green Stamps for a new gas stove. This new equipment allowed the
family to travel across the coun-
try in comfort and style. This family tradition continues today with that little girl taking her children camping using equipment handed down from LeVere and Elinore.
- Camping is a family experience. Consider making it part of your family fun and create lasting memories. You will never regret this time well spent.

Vacation that has lasted_ 58 ears old Carol but was too shy to let

her know it.

~~::: i~a19tJ. ~%1ea~~nst~!~

y

The park looked a good leave from West Point, a friend



deal different in those days. The and I up drove up for a weekend

_Gina and I

original, log boat house I dress- visit with another Gainesville boy met when I Was

ing rooms /lifeguard's quartets, who was a lifeguard that summer. stationed at Fcirt

built by the C.C.C., was in use, I took my family there for a sum- McClellan in

There was a diving board on the mer vacation after I married and Anniston,, Ala-

boat house cleck, a floating dock, had children, and had become a bama in 1945 at

a creosoted wooden platform Florida resident. In 1981, I the height of

floating on 55 gallon drums, an- bought property five miles south World War II.

chored about 100 feet from the of Vogel, with views of Slaughter When I was dis-

deck, and a log rail marked the and Blood Mountains, Brasstown charged from the

beach swimming area for small Bald, and the mgged ridges be- Army, I pro-

children. There was no admission tween them, and have gl'.eatly en- posed to her and

fee for the park or for the beach. joyed spending summer and fall wewere married

A small building containing a at my second home there since on August 10,

concession stand and the park of- retiring in 1992. Occasionally l 1946. I had al- GeorgeandGinaWilsontoday. Gina and George at Vogel Lake Dam in August 1946.

fice was located where the re- visit Vogel and Walasi0yi, and in ways enjoyed

cently modernized .group shelter spite of all the changes those fishing and spent

time. Our cabin was nearing 10 years earlier.)

now stands. The gravel road from places bring back fond memories. many fine hours north of Atlanta completion but there were still a

While on our honeymoon

Highway 129 into the park con- I learned to fly many years ago, fishing some lakes. One ofi:y old few odds and ends that had to be we took in all the beauty, walk-

tinued up the mountain to Sosbee and now travel from my Florida fishing buddies sugge:5ied Vogel tidied up. The next morning ham- ing around Lake Trahlyta, hiked,

Cove and Suches. U S 129 was a home. to Union County by plane. State Park would be a great place mering on the wall of the cabin fished, rode horses (Vogel had

narrow shelf with a strip ofasphalt It is always a thrill when I first for a honeymoon. We thought that awakened us. This made for a rude horseback riding at the time.) We

maybe 8 or 10 feet. wide down the see the mountains, from as far sounded like a good idea so we awakening on the first day of our also went swimming and diving

middle. Passing another car, you south as Macon when.visibility is made the arrangements.

honeymoon. We thought this in the lake.

had to drive with two wheels on good. When I get close enough Following the wedding in might have been a chivaree. (A

We have been co.ming to

the pavement and the other two to identify Blood Mountain on the Sylacauga, Alabama we drove to chiv1;1ree is a noisy, obnoxious Vogel ever since. Perhaps one of

on a gravel shoulder. There was horizon, I head for Neel's Gap, Vogel. Arriving at 11:00 P.M., serenade to newlyweds.) It seems the attractions is the Cherokee

no campground for tents and start down over Cleveland, and not knowing how we got there,we the construction workers wanted Indian history. Gina is 118th

campers, and only about 12 cab- never fail to look for Lake found cabin #10. We don't re- to finish their work not paying Cherokee so we have enjoyed vis-

ins. On weekends there were day Trahlyta as I descend over the member where we picked up the attention to the fact there was iting the Chief Vann House in

visitors, but during the week. it Owltown District and head for-the key. (They say love is blind. That someone sleeping on the other Chatsworth; l)ahlonega Gold

was like a priv:ate club for those Blairsville airport. I doubt that inust have been the case with us side of the wall. (Editors note: Museum; New Echota, the Chero-

renting the cabins at about $25 anyone could. have happier because we don't remember a bit Cabins 1 - 20 were constructed kee Capital in Calhoun; and of

per week, which was quite reason- memories of Vogel State Park than about the trip to Vogel.) Cabin by unemployed World War II vet- course Brasstown Bald. It has been

able even at the dollar value of I do.

#10 was one of 20 cabins that erans under a program similar to fun researching her ancestory.

those days.

Charles Cheves were under construction at the the Civilian Conservation Corps

George and Gina Wilson

Voice ofVogel

Park Staff

Page3

Historic markers

W[mt

Q
~i



Have yo~ ever noticed those historic markers

on the side of the road throughout Georgia? They

may identify the site of a Civil War battle or the

birthplace of a famous Georgian. The Department

of Natural Resources believe it or not is respon-

sible for maintaining these signs. More specifically

the Georgia State Parks.

Duties of maintenance include: washing each

sign once per year; tightening .bolts and securing

loose posts; removing for painting as necessary; and

generally making an inspection to -insure each sign

is .in good repair.

Vogel is responsible for six markers in Union

County. These include the Union County marker

on the Courthouse Square in Blairsville; The marker

on top of Brasstown Bald, recognizing the highest

point in Georgia at4,784'.

Davenport Mountain located south of Nottley

Dam on Pat Colwell Road. recognizes several early

settlers. The marker for Blood Mountain is located

at Neel Gap recognizing the disastrous Creek and

Cherokee Indian battle. The marker at Track Rock

Gap. recognizes the ancient rock petroglyphs is lo-

cated on Track Rock Road. A marker at Woody

Gap School in Suches recognizes Joseph Emerson

Brown a former Georgia Governor.

-

Next time you come upon a historic marker

on a Georgia byway, stop and take a minute to reaq

it. You just might gleem a tidbit of Georgia history.

,rrk rml~~r?
Randy Gambrell, assistant manager, was caught repairing this young mans bicycle. Work of a park ranger never ends.

_Jii
Roger Phillips is shown repairing a customer's fishing rod
The term park ranger really does not do justice to the occupation itself. The actual job of a ranger encompasses a multitude of professions that it is sometimes hard to define the occupation in one sentence.
A good ranger is able to get along with and communicates well with the public, interpret the natural environment (such .as wildlife signs and types of plants); perform educational programs about bear awareness, signs and symptoms of hypothermia; lost prevention and the do's and don'ts of hiking.
Rangers are law enforcement officers, conservationists, environmentalists and counselors. Park rangers also initiate or assist in search and rescue operations and bandage up a whole lot of scraped up knees and elbows. But, don't be fooled by this seemingly endless list of duties. Being a park ranger is a ver-y fulfilling job that gives one a sense of pride and self-worth. And more importantly, rangers get to live and work in breathtakingly beautiful parks.

45 years of combined service When things get slew

It is with mixed : emotions that Vogel State Park has seen two of our valuable employees leave the park's employ for
their retirement. On 011e hand we are proud for these two individuals for reaching their retirement

The park staff stays busy even when the park is slow. This is the case with the housekeepers as well. When we have no guests, there are no cottages to clean, so this is the perfect time to do some interior painting on a rainy winter day. Shown painting are Maudine Fortenberry, Gay Cross, Dale Culberson, Mary Lou Whitt, Wanda Green, & Linda Fortenbeny. To show how interested they are in their job, they even volunteered for this project.

and having many years

of productive enjoyment

ahead of them. On the

other hand we are sad to

let them go because they have provided such an outstanding employ-

ment resource to the Department of Natural Resources.

Maudine Fortenberry has been in housekeeping for 25 years

and Reba Crpwe has been working in housekeeping for 20 years.

This combined service of 45 years represents a tremendous loss to the

park. To put this in perspective consider what 45 years means: work-

ing 93,.600 hours; making approximately 50,000 beds; and cleaning

approximately 100,000 commodes. For obvious reasons we did not

release these figures while these two ladies were still working.
Thank you to both Maudine and Reba. They were fim to work

with and a joy to be around. We wish them the best of luck during

their well-deserved retirements.

A few Ranger tales

by David Foot, manager, Vogel State Park

Can you identify this park employee? This photo was taken of a park employee when he was two years old. Even at this tender age he was already playing in the
dirt practicing to be a ranger. Can you guess who this future ranger is? See answer on page 5.

Every ranger has a few stories of his days on the job working with the public. This .ranger is no exception. Having worked with state parks for 25 years, Ihappen to have some interesting questions that were asked by inquiring minds.
Is Confederate Memorial Day a North or South holiday? Is the beach anywhere near the lake?
A woman calls in to ask if we -have an_y cqbb11ges? WlJe.n she was told we are not a veg

etable stand, she said, "no, you don't understand, you know those cabins cottages you rent."
How much do your volunteers get paid?
When a man is asked for his tag number during registration, he says, "it's on my car, do I need to take it off?"
The park has been experiencing power failure for over three hours. The visitor's center staff is working by lantern light
_at th_e J~prg coun.teJ., A gues_t
comes in and asks if we know the

power is out? A camper asks if a ranger
can cut some trees down around his campsite? He is having a diffcult time getting television reception with his satellite dish on his RV.
A woman asks if our -mountain lake is fresh or salt water.
And then there was the man who asked us to turn the creek off because he couldn't sleep at night for the rushing noise. He sincerely thought this was like

Disney World where they can
control all of nature. This is the same man -
whose wife was laughing as she was washing her sleeping bags. When asked what was so funny she responded, her husband had wet his bed during the night because of the rushing creek:
So, as you can see from these questions. our guests sometimes do not have a complete understanding of the natural and historical resources afforded them at Vogel.

Page4

Safety

Voice ofVogel

Rules for the road for bicyclist Does your helicopter

RIDE A BIKE THAT IS THE RIGHT SIZE FOR YOU BUY THE HELMET THAT FITS
WEAR CLOTHING THAT CAN BE SEEN MAKE SURE SHOE LACES ARE TIED
WEAR PROPER SHOES (NOT SANDALS) CHECK OVER THE BICYCLE FOR SAFETY MATTERS

pad ever get used?
This is a common question. The answer is, yes! The helicopter pad in the lakeside parking lot is used occasionally for emergency medical evacuations. This photo was taken when a highway 129 accident victim was airlifted to Atlanta. The park staff assisted with the extrication of the victil:n and secured the parking lot -for the landing of the helicopter.

WHEN EXITING A DRIVEWAY, STOP, LOOK LEFT, LOOK RIGHT, LOOK LEFT AGAIN AND . EXIT WHEN THERE IS NO TRAFFIC . .

RIDE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC

USE PROPER HAND SIGNALS TO INDICATE TURNS

RIDE SINGLE FILE

GIVE THE RIGHT OF WAY TO PEDESTRIANS

CARRY NO PASSENGERS (EXCEPT ON APPROVED BABY SEATS)

STAY WITHIN SITE DISTANCE OF PARENTS (UNLESS TOLD OTHERWISE)

ALWAYSWEAR YOUR HELMET

''

PROPERLY ADJUSTED AND SNAPPED

ALWAYS LOOK WHEN LEAVING ATRAIL OR A YARD FOR VEHICLES AND PEOPLE - THEY ARE NOT EXPECTING YOU MOST OF THE TIME

DON'T RIDE ON THE WRONG SIDE THE ROAD (EVEN IN THE PARK)

RIDE ONLY ON THE BIKE SEAT

BE CAREFUL WHEN PASSING PARKED VEHICLES DO NOT PLAY RIDE GAMES IN STREETS OR ROADWAYS
DO NOT HITCH TO VEHICLES TO PULL YOU ALONG DON'T CARRY PACKAGES (USE A BICYCLE BASKET) DO NOT RACE WITH OTHERS ON A PUBLIC STREET GET OFF THE THE STREET WHEN YOU HEA,.R A SIREN
LOOK OUT FOR YOUR BUDDY
Sandy Lugar, a Vogel Volunteer, is shown grading the beach fora new day o f swimming.

A few mountain remedies

The park staff was sitting ache. Chew pine ros.in that has

in the office one day when oozed from a tree to clean teeth.

someone mentioned they .bad a

UPSET STOMACH: Mix

cut on the finger. Linda, one of flour and water as a drink to settl.e

the housekeepers told the per- . an upset stomach. Drink warm

son to place a spider web over Jello to settle an upset stomach.

the cut to stop the bleeding and Eat a raw Irish potato to settle an

heal the wound. The individual upset stomach. Eat blackberries

decided not to follow her advise for an upset stomach.

but instead. got a Bandaid from . POISON IVY: Mix the

the medical kit and applied it. flower of Wild Touch-Me-Not in

Hearing this .mountain remedy alcohol in a Mason jaf. Hold till

gave me the idea for this article. you need and place on poison ivy

So, I questioned the staff that or poison oak. A sure cure to get

have grown up in the mountains rid of the itch.

as to what else they may have

BEE STINGS: Make a moist

learned from their parents and mash of meat tenderizer and place

grandparents about medical over bee sting. This will draw the

remedies. Keep in mind th.is was stinger out. Place a wad of chewed

way before walk-in clinics, tobacco. over the sting bite to

health insurance and HMO's. draw out the stinger. Dab nail

Some of the other moun- polish over chigger bites to kill

tain remedies that they have used the bug.

have included:

BED BUGS: Fortunately,

TEETH: Brush your this is not a major problem these

teeth with a twig from a days, but they can still appear.

Blackgum tree. Mash the end of However, back in the Depression

the twig till it is flat and apply days of the 1930's, bed bugs were

soot from the chimney (tooth common. Individuals would wake

paste) and brush your teeth. up in the morning and find their

Rinse well and spit well. Vanilla bed linens blood red from the bug

flavoring is good for a tooth- bites. Burri a wool rag with sulfur

by David Foot
and red pepper in an iron skillet. Let it smolder in the room till it goes out. The fumes will kill any bug it comes in contact with. However, you won't be able to go back in the house for several days until the odor dissipates.
BURNS: The juice from the Aloe plant makes an ideal soothing agent to cool the burn. Running cold water over the burn cools the burn down. Do not use butter as this will only aggravate the burn. Do not break the blisters. Dress with a sterile bandage. If the blister should break, apply antibiotic and dress,
CONGESTION: Bake onions and squeeze the juice out. Place. drops of onion juice on sugar to give to tbe baby to break loose congestion in the chest.
SKIN SORES: Mash soap and sugar together until suds appear. Place on sore. Rub lye soap on sores to clear them up. Boil Yellow Root in Vaseline to place on sores. Rub green Black Walnut hulls on cracked {tngers to heal the cracks. Your hands will turn black. Place fat back on a boil to draw it out.

Voice ofVogel

History

Page5

Interview Interview Interview The Civilian Conservation Corps

In the early 1930's the United States was financially and mor-

With Gail Wright

With Willard Holloway

With Odis Richmond

ally bankrupt and the spirit of the. people was at an all time low. It has

Dallas, Georgia

Fayetteville, Georgia

Alpharetta, Georgia

been estimated that more than two million youths were aimlessly wan-

Elmer Cummings was born in 1911 growing up in Fort Valley in South Georgia. When you are one of fourteen children living as sharecroppers on a cotton farm you learn hard work and the ability to step forward and make yourself heard. Elmer decided one day that he had to do something to help his parents support the family. On May 31, 1933, Elmer went to the County Courthouse in Tifton, Georgia where he as-

Talking with Willard Holloway you would think you were talking with a 65 year old. It is not until he mentions that he was in the Civilian Conservation
Corps and in World War II that you real-
ize the age you think he is, is not his real age. Either this

On a warm October Satur- dering the cities and country in search of jobs and a future. On March

day in 2003, I had the privilege 4, 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt became president of the United States.

of speaking with CCC Boy Odis In the first 100 days in office he initiated numerous programs to get

Richmond. Mr. Richmond was in the CCC from 1936 - 1938. He was in longer than most

the country back on its feet again. The most widely acclaimed and accepted program by nearly all of the people at the time was the Civilian Conservation Corps. The plan was to recruit young men into a peace time army. An army that would reclaim the land, waters and forests that had been so abused in the preceding years; as well as build parks such as Vogel while at the same time attempt to save the youths themselves. The Department of Labor recruited the youths from the relief roles. Clothing was provided by the Army which also

boys as he. managed the camps. Control of the work accomplished by the CCC

was a cook was under the direction of the US Forest Service, Soil Conservation

sembled with about 300 other South Georgia boys to sign up for the Civilian Conservation. Corps.
This was an exciting time for

Willard

gent 1em an joined the CCC at age 2, or he is, be-

Odiswithwife, daughter and granddaughter

and cooks were allowedl. tot re-en 1s

Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Vogel State Park was under the direction of the National .Park Service.
Life in the 3 C's appealed to the American frontier spirit. The

Elmer as he was going to help his lieve it or not 89 years old.

for as long as tliey wanted. It took 3,240,399 young men worked for a dollar a day plus room and board.

large family survive the Depres-

Joining the CCC at age 21, a long time to train a cook to ere~ (This was referred to three hots and a flop). Besides restoring the

sion. From Tifton, these boys Willard worked in Chipley, Geor- ate edible meals, so they genera depleted natural resources of this country the other primary purpose

packed up and were placed on a gia building the foundation of The ally didn't want them to leave. of the CCC was to provide financial support for the families at home.

troop train to travel to Fort Little White House. This is where Mr. Richmond was in several Many of the men who were in Roosevelt's Tree Army said it was the

. Benning where they were issued President Franklin Roosevelt bed sacks, blankets, mess kits, and would eventually spend his vacatoilet articles. With these articles . tions. ChipJeylaterbecameWarm they were quartered in tents sleep- Springs. Willard worked at ing on hay sacks on the ground. Amicalola Falls State Park for sevAfter inoculations for typhoid and eral weeks helping a surveyor and vaccinations for Smallpox the next engineer lay out the trails. Back day the men were divided into companies. After three weeks of in Chipley he also assisted in the training Elmer was going to a construction of the stone Inn at place called Tate in North Geor- FDR State Park. He will always gia. Camp GA. P-77 or Camp Lan- be proud of his time in the three gley as it was better known was C's. After 14 months in the Corps,

camps. The first camp was located in Ten Sleep, Wyoming. Yes, this town still exists. It is located in the northern part of the state in the Big Horn National Forest. The camp planted trees and fought wildfires.
From Wyoming Mr. Richmond transferred to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. This camp built the trails into the canyon that are still used today in the

best years of their lives. The Civilian Conservation Corps was the only government conservation organization that worked to save our country's environment on a _national scale. It still holds that title. While many youth work programs have been initiated, none have come close to the accomplishments of the CCC.
With the buildup of the war effort in 1942 the various CCC projects were completed and the organization was shut down, Many of the CCC Boys enlisted in the various branches of the military. These boys were unique as they were already disciplined, having worked under military commanders in the CCC camps; They were in excellent physical and ment<:11 shape having worked at hard labor and been given an education, good food and medical care. Because of their training, the boys spent little time in boot camp, but went straight

designed to do forestry work. The he got out so his brother could National Park. Odis had a hobby to the war front.





The New Deal boys would build forest trails, join.

of photography that he used to

construct fire towers, install tele-

You see, only one family teach the other CCC Boys. Be-

phone lines, plant trees and fight member could be in the CCC at sides taking the photos he also did

October 1929 saw the beginning of the Great Depression. This

forest fires.

- one time. However, his brother the developing. Odis also taught economic disaster was to last more than a decade culminating with

Elmer always enjoyed talk- got more than he had bargained math to the other boys. As a cook World War II. Life was good in the Roaring 20's with free spending,

ing about the CCC. He was al- for. He was immediately sent ways proud of the fact he could. across the country to Oregon; The

work and earn money that went Holloway family had some hard home to his parents. It was diffi- times during the 1930's.

cult to feed all those children on

The money the brothers

what a sharecropper made Elmer earned and had sent home helped

made a difference.
Looking for old:photos of Vogel State Park

feed a large family of six other
brothers and five sisters. When Willard left the CCC
he got a job with General Motors.

The park. is soliciting old Six months later he was drafted photos from the 40's, 50's and into the Army. Willard became a

Odis would get up a 3: 30 in the morning to stoke the wood stove to bake bread that had been rising from the night before. I can smell the aroma of the baking bread as I write this.
For entertainment the boys went to town on Saturday nights. This excursion also provided fun for the girls in the area. One town's girls had a parade to welcome the CCC Boys to the area,

real estate booms and a rising stock market. All that ended with collapsing credit, natural disasters and the crash of the stock market.
Franklin Roosevelt was running for the Presidency with a promise he had a New Deal. An idea that would help the United States out of the greatest economic disaster the world had ever seen. The idea was to put Americans to work under government run programs. The programs were referred to as the Alphabet Soup Administration because of all the new acronyms that were being used for the government run programs. Names such as the WPA - Works Progress Administration (built roads, government buildings and schools); TVA - Tennessee Valley Authority (built dams and hydo-electric projects to develop the south and to control flooding); REA - Rural Electrification Administration (ran power to the rural areas where it was too expensive

60's. Did you take a camping trip member of the Military Police. Following his service in the CCC, for private companies to serve); and the CCC - Civilian Conservation

in an old Army pup tent or stay His tour of duty consisted of Odis became a Civil Service En- Corps (This was President Roosevelt's pet project. He came up with

in one of the cabins before the guarding the FDR White House gineer for the military. He was a the original name of CCRYRM or the Civilian Conservation Refores-

roads were paved?

during WWII for 2 1/2 years.

naval Architect designing ships. tation Youth Rehabilitation Movement. For obvious reasons, he was

Do you have a photo of the

His most exciting assign- Because of his valuable skills he encouraged th.at the name be shortened.)

park when there were overhead ment was when he escorted Presi- was exempt from military service,

Some agencies of the New Deal were more successful than oth-

power lines? How about a photo dent Roosevelt and England's avoiding the draft.

ers but it was the intent of each of these programs to help bring the

of the visitors center before all the Prinie Minister Winston Churchill

Mr. Richmond came to the nation back to its feet. Each program contributed to this effort, but it

expansions and there was just a to church one Sunday.

park with his wife, daughter and is the unfortunate reality that it took a war to revitalize the American

stone building?

Following his White House granddaughter. They had all economy with the tremendous war machine buildup.

Were you camping in the ball field before it was a ball field? Pull out the old shoebox and show us your Kodak moments from years past. Contact David Foot, Park Manager for further details.
Photo Quiz Answer from page 3
David Foot, Park Manager

duty, Willard was assigned to escorting German Prisoners of War to Pocatello, Idaho where they were imprisoned and grew potatoes.
You never know who you
are going to meet. All you may have to do is ask a leading question and the person you have just met will give you a history lesson like none other.

heard his stories over the years and knew how proud he was of his time in the Civilian Conser-
vation Corps. His granddaughter was en-
couraged to write his stories down so they would not be lost. All youngsters are encouraged to interview their grandparents to learn more about what life was like when they were young.

Be on lookout for those CCC boys
Mary Whitt, a Vogel employee was talking one day about her encounter with some CCC Boys back in the 30's. Mary was born in Union County in 1930. She remembers the trucks full of CCC Boys driving by the house. As a child she enjoyed standing beside the road waving to the boys as they went to work in the forest. One day on the daily trip one of the boys threw a loaf of bread to Mary and her eight other brothers and sisters. This became a routine. Mary thinks the boys did this just to get a good laugh watching these little children fighting over the loaf of bread. To this day Mary can still smell that bread. It was by far the best bread she ever ate

Volunteers

Voice ofVogel

Volunteers ... Continued from page 1
fun day where strangers come together to work a day in the park and leave tired but having made some new friendships. How about trying this next year.. Being a Vogel Volunteer is very rewarding. Who knows you just might find yourself having fun. Sign up today at the Vogel visitor's center for neat way to give something back to the natural resources.
Volunteer

Webster's first definition of friend-

learn who left firewood, etc on your site.

ship is "one that seeks the society or

This isjust another sign of friendship.

welfare of another whom he holds

As a result our Christmas card list

in affection, respect or esteem or

and our email address book have

whose companionship and person-

tripled over the past nine years! _

ality are pleasurable". As a child,

We recently took a 15,000 mile

we formed friendships easily and

trip pulling our fifth wheel through

q11ickly with neighborhood children, ,~..;::;::::::::.::::.:::==:::::::==:::::::::;::::::~~ our wonderful and beautiful west. High-

cousins or schoolmates never evaluating the

lights of our trip were renewing old acquaintan-

advantages or disadvantages. As we matured, friendships came _ces and reaffirming friendships. We met camping friends in

slower. We weighed likes and dislikes, personal habits and South Dakota for lunch one day and at another stop revisited

preferences and, especially as teens, what our peers would a park secretary's 10,000 plus acre ranch. We visited close

think. Teen friendships were, oh, so special.

hosting friends in a.Utah state park tbo. We

We look back on those years mostly with

have hosted with this couple in New Hamp-

great pleasure of all our good times.

shire and Texas and coaxed them to host in a

.Then: as mature adults, careers, mar-

Georgia park. Our entire trip was a walk down

riage and raising families, the press of a 24-

memory lane.

hour day, most often interfered with deep

Another sad but true example of friend-

friendships. Now, however, as seniors, we

ship occurred when we recently witnessed

have more time and energy to devote to

visits and telephone calls to a bereaved

friends. In Walt's and my case, our present

widow. This couple, one of Georgia's first

lifestyle of fulltime RVing has accelerated

camp host volunteers, had touched the lives

close friendships. And in several cases, Vogel Walt and Nancy cook for DNTC of so many in the.ir 10 or 12 years of volun-

has been the background for these friend- Search and Rescue team, another teering, making friendships as they hosted

ships. As we have hosted around the country volunteer project

in park after park. It was so evident how last-

and throughout the state parks of Georgia,

ing are these friendships as we watched of-

friendships form quickly when you share a campfire, a cup of fers of help and sympathy being made from campers arid

coffee and a marshmallow. If you pull into a campground, set Georgia park staff.

_

up and then raise the hood of your trunk before you know it

Friendships form when you share a common goal. Work-

you have offers of help from half a dozen other campers even ing on park projects, building campsites, clearing trails; reg-

though you are just checking the oil.

istering guests, orientating new campers, cleaning the park

Here are a few examples of friendships formed at Vogel. for spring and summer all help to form friendships. This is

One personal example, ,a leak in the trailer and a.new friend the beauty of hosting. You stand back and look at your la-

helped remove and reseal a window. -Another time, we ar- bors and share the accomplishments with volunteers who have

rived early February at Vogel and.it was just a little cold up quick become friends. These are the friendships we value.

here. b friend helped install additional electrical outlets in

Vogel is such a special place. The park, community of

our trailer so we could stay warm. Still another time, Vogel's Blairsville, the surrounding mountains, the friends with whom

Christmas party invitation arrived and other friends room we have bonded it all keeps calling us back. Even to a

and boarded us.

''grumpy old man", this community of Vogel and Blairsville

Also you get wise and experienced at this thing plled is a magnet to Walt and to me, too. We are blessed to have

hosting, you learn to check the host.arrival sheets and then found this lifestyle and Georgia's parks.

contributions Her first snow .

Vogel has had the privilege of having a strong volunteer following for the past1en years. Without this wonderful group of individuals, Vogel would not be in the fine shape it is today. Besides donating in excess of 100,000 hours of time to the park in hosting, maintenance, and programming the Vogel Volunteers have .donated financial resources to the park.
With budget cuts these donations in equipment and supplies has helped keep the park budget ifi the black. The following is just a sampling of what has been contributed over the years. .
The Volunteers have raised in excess of $20,000 for the development of the new CCC Mu-

At age 68, Jean Evans saw her first snow on February 26, 2004. Although it was only 2 inches, you would have thought we had received 2 feet from her reaction. Having grown up and lived in St. Petersburg, Florida all her life, Jean never had the opportunity to see snow first hand. A retired physical education teacher, Jean is a Vogel campground host. This is what she was doing when things turned white. Jean is a wonderful volunteer who has been hosting for four years. This just sort of comes naturally as she has been camping for eight years.Staying at Vogel during .the off season has its benefits. Besides being quiet you just might you just might get to experience something for the first time.

seum. They also contributed many hours to actual

construction. Funds were donated for the office

and meeting room expansion in the administra-

tive building behind the visitor's center. They have

participated in Volunteer Work Days for the past

nine years accomplishing many projects that would

have otherwise gone undone.

.

/ Some examples of these projects include:

constructing campsites, spreading mulch, clean-

ing the beach, installing wind screens on the pa-

vilion, installing seating under the pavilion, in-

stalling erosion control on stream banks, install-

ing trout stream habitat structures, and tree plant-

ing. Purchases have included: A mountain bike

for park patrols, cold water ice rescue suit, sound

system for programs, fire fighting equipment, taxi-

dermy, and CCC Museum displays.

Many thanks go to our wonderful volunteers.

Being a Vogel Volunteer does make a difference.

Consider being a part of the fun. From January

2001 to March 2004, volunteers have contributed

$43,650 to .park projects.



Memory Walkway at V?gel

The Vogel Volunteers are sponsoring the development ofa Memory Walkway by selling engraved bricks. The

r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - , walkway is located on the pathway in front of the

-I

Vogel State Park Memory Walkway Order form

I

beach. The goal is to have the entire length of the pathway paved with the bricks. This is an ambitious

Name

goal, but one that is quite obtainable with the response

I Address_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _-=----,==---- I we have received so far. The money raised from this

I City ------=--__,,,---State _ Zip_~_ I project will be used by the Vogel Volunteers to work on

I Phone .

E-mail - = - - - - - - - - - - -

I

Number of bricks: I have enclosed

a

x $30 check or money

order

in

the

amount

of

I I

special park projects or to purchase equipment for the park staff that could not have been

I

$ .oo

I

purchased otherwise. The bricks

I Mail to: Vogel State Park Memory Walkway Fund,

I are $30.00 each. They can be engraved with up to three

I

c/oVogel State Park, 7485 Vogel State Park Rd. Blairsville, GA 30512

I lines with 14 characters per line. Ordering a brick is
easy. Just fill in the application below and submit a

,________ _____, I

Brick should be engraved as follows
.

I check f~r $30.Q0 per brick. Make checks payable to:
The Vogel Volunteers, Inc. Mail orders to: Vogel State

Park, Memory Walkway Project, 7485 Vogel State Park

I .
L-

-
-

--=-=.. :-._-.-.=.:.....=...-,~. ,"-.=

-...

,

-.=..,-,.=-~.-.

- - I -= --=..J

Road, Blairsville, GA 30512. Any questions can be directed to the park staffat 706-745-2628.

Voice ofVogel

Wildlife

Page7

Animals-in the park Fishing at Vogel State Park

Vogel is a refuge for wildlife. We have awide assortment of

The most common questions

creatures. Some are more abundant at different times of the year. asked of the park staff during the

Mammals that are most prevalent and include the white tailed deer, summer are where is the nearest

black bear, red fox, bobcat, gray squirrel, chip- restroom and how can I catch a

munk, skunk, cottontail rabbit, raccoon, field fish? And they may not necessar-

mouse, brown bat, beaver, muskrat, coyote, ily be asked in that order. It all

ground hog, and opossum.

depends upon the questioners pri-

White tailed deer come into the park_ orities. This article is going to try

when life gets quiet during the fall and win- to answer some of the fish ques-

ter. They find refuge during hunting season. tions.

This opposum_is a

This past season we have

Lake Trahlyta is a 22-acre

frequent visitor to

seen an eight-point buck.

impounded reservoir. It is stream

the park manager's Skunks are possibly the

and spring fed making the water

residence

most visible of nocturnal

cooler. The water at the bottom

animals. They enjoy walk-

of the lake averages 10 degrees

ing through campsites and vacuuming up food

colder than the surface water tem-

scraps. They generally do not leave their tell tail

perature. The lake1s bottom sur-

scent if left unmolested. Other large wildlife in- The tell talke sign face s pretty much void of any ob-

elude the Barred Owl, Great Homed Owl and thatoneofVogel's stacles. When the lake was built

Screech Owl, Wild Turkey, Red-Shouldered Hawk critters has been 67 years ago all the trees and

and Red-Tailed Hawk, Canada Goose, Mallard active. What stumps were removed. Over the

Duck, an occasional Wood duck and even the

woulditbe? years the park has made a few ef-

Common Loon was once seen here. There are also

forts to install brush piles and

a wide variety of smaller songbirds. Fish include largemouth Bass, other cover to create fish habitat,

bream, rainbow trout and channel catfish. Other aquatic wildlife in- but this has not helped the fish-

clude bullfrog, salamanders and the hellbender. Snakes include the ing much.

garter snake, timber rattlesnake, copperhead, banded water snake,

Channel catfish have been

hog nosed snake.

-

stocked in past years and have

All wildlife is protected in the park. Fishermen 16 and over seemed to thrive in these

require a license. Please respect the wildlife. They trust us to look

cold waters. Rainbow Trout

after them and to keep their home free from harassment.

are stocked several times during

Take a walk in the dark
Sometimes, too many of us are sheltered by luxuries we confuse with necessities. Going for a walk through the woods at night would be a good example. It is difficult to convince people they can walk through the woods at night without the aid of a flashlight, street lamp or lantern or even on amoonless night. The human eye has a visual acuity somewhere between a rabbit and a bobcat. Just once, try to remove yourself from the shelter of man's artificial light and discover a whole new perspective on a familiar place,

the spring up until June 1. They are not stocked after
May because the water temperature gets too warm to keep a
healthy population. Other fish in the lake include Bream and Largemouth Bass.
The Largemouth Bass have grown to 14 pounds in the park's lake. The bass is a warm water fish

that is best caught from late spring to early fall. They can be found in the prespawning phase when the water temperature gets to 58 degrees. They will spawn (Lay eggs) on beds in shallow water. It is possible to catch bass while on the spawning beds if they are agitated by a cast lure. This takes patience and persistence. Largemouth Bass like shade or brushy areas. They are most commonly caught in the evening and early morning. Don't let your shadow cast across the water because they will see it and steer clear of biting. The best bait for bass is night crawlers. Top water lures and plastic worms work as well. The creel limit is 10 Bass per day.
Bream are a warm water fish as well. They are most easily caught during the summer. They like crickets. Bream will spawn ih shallow water on the full moon around mid May. The creel limit for Bream is 50 per day. Rainbow Trout are a coldwater fish. They are stream oriented and will search out the running water. They are
easiest caught in the spring and fall. Trout are caught on small spinners and flies using a #8 hook. The creel limit is 8 per day. Channel Catfish are a warin water fish. They are tempted by smelly bait such as chicken livers. Catfish arc easiest caught on a warm summer night on the dark of the moon. Catfish are not structure oriented so they can be caught most any-

where in the lake. There is no possession limit for channel catfish.
Some of the best times to fish are right before a weather front comes through and when it is cloudy with low fight. The worse time to fish is right after a storm has passed.
The combined creel limit of all fish caught excluding catfish is 50 for one day. Once the daily
limit is caught for a particular species it is unlawful to continue to fish for that species.
Handling and releasing a fish: Use a barbless hook if you are not planning on keeping the fish. Play and release the fish as rapidly as possible. Whenever possible, do not take the fish out of the water. Handle the fish with bare, wet hands. Do not squeeze the fish, put your fingers in the eyes or gills or cause scale loss. Remove the hook as quickly as possible using needlenose pilers Hold the fish in an upright position and move it gently back and forth so water runs over its gills. Release the fish when it is able to
swim. Fishing licenses are re-
quired by anyone 16 and over fishing in Lake Trahlyta. Trout stamps are required if you are fishing the streams in the park, but they are not r,equired to catch trout from the lake. Trotlines are not allowed on the park waters. Have fun fishing at Vogel State Park.

Canada Goose management program

Vogel's new native garden
The walkway started on Vogel's den Club planted this_project on ~ol-

Problem: As beautiful and graceful as tions. 2)The live trapping or netting of geese Annual Volunteer Day during April of unteer. Day. ~here will be somethmg

they are, Canada Geese are posing a problem is another option. An area is baited. When 2001 as a Vogel Volunteer fund raising bloommg dunng each month for ymt

for parks, golf courses and other public ar- the geese are feeding a net is shot over the project. The project has helped pay for to see and smell throughout the &row-

eas. Because these creatures are eating ma- feeding area. This method has been used at our new John B. Derden Civilian Con- ing season. At a later date there will be

chines, what goes in must come out. This fact Vogel in years past. The problem with this is servation Corps Museum and the edu- a stone pl~cecl at each_ different plant in

.of life poses pollution problems for

you have only one opportunity cational displays inside.

the beddmg area .wit~ the co~mon

bodies of water and makes

before they are wise to what is

We wanted to use this area be- name, so you can identify them m the

walking on grass areas and

happening. 3) The last cause of the historic significance dating mountainsid_e lan~scape throu~hout

sidewalks uncomfort-

option and one that back to 1937 as shown on the blueprints North Georgia. This new area will be

-able. Canada Geese can

Vogel is presently us- in Vogel's archives. The area was once ent~red into the_ ~eo~gia.Garden Club

also be rather aggres-

ing is referred to as a flagstone promenade with benches for ProJect Competi!i~m m May. .

- sive, especially during

goose harassment. This _ our parents and grandparents to sit and

Other a~d1t10ns now and m the

nesting season.

option is the recom- watch their children and families swim near future will be benches and low

Waterfowl History

mended course of action by and have an enjoyable time on the beach. wattage !igh!ing placed along the walk-

at Vogel: Vogel's Lake

the Georgia DNR Game Man-

The native plants were planted on way. ThlS will be for you and your fam-

Trahlyta has always been a haven

agement Division and the U.S. Fish either side of the walkway to enhance ily to have a resting place while on an

for waterfowl. In years past the park store and Wildlife Service. A noise-maker that the beauty of this historic area. Our lo- evening stroll.

.

would sell bags of corn for 25 cents. This sounds like whistling fireworks is shot over cal landscape design artist, Kathryn

Please keep the little tots off of

tradition always helped maintain a large popu- the heads of the goose gaggle floating on the Litton, chose plants that are suited for the plant beds so they may get estab-

lation of ducks and geese on the lake includ- water. They immediately fly off, sometimes the location. The local Blairsville Gar- lished. Thank you very much!

Bear Hair Gap Trail revitalized ing Mallards, Ring-necked Duck, Wood Duck, to the other end of the lake. This has to be
American Coot; Hoodecl .Merganser, and the done repetitively until they take flight and

Common Loon. All these waterfowl are pretty much migratory except the Mallard, Wood Duck and the Canada Goose. The migratory waterfowl will stay for a while during the winter then go on their way.
Options to remove geese: 1) Shooting geese is one option, but not practical in a park setting. There is a hunting season from November through January for large bodies of water. State parks are wildlife sanctuaries and hunting is prohibited with a few excep-

leave the lake. This method causes no harm to the geese except for some anxiety. The ducks do not seem to be alarmed by the noise_.
So, if you hear a whistling firework in
the vicinity of the lake, do not be alarmed, for the noise that is to follow will be the
honking of a gaggle of geese heading toward
more peaceful waters. If you have any ques-
tions, please do not hesitate to ask one of the
park rangers. David Foot, Park Manager

Following years of compaction by waffled soled boots, major rains, freezing and thawing from severe winters, the trails leading from Vogel have taken a beating. The Bear Hair Gap trail the heaviest traveled trail has become eroded, with exposed roots, and in some places has disappeared completely. With this problem facing us, and budget funds non-existent to make the necessary repairs, the park applied for a Georgia

Recreational Trails Grant. The park received $35,000 to make the necessary repairs.During April a contractor was hired to revitalize the trail tread and to relocate approximately one mile of trail. We were fortunate to have found this individual. It is hoped those who walk the four mile Bear Hair Gap Trail will notice the improvements. Enjoy your bike and take the time to soak in the beauty.

Pages

Programming

Voice ofVogel

Junior Ranger Halloween hoedown

program

The annual Halloween Hoedown is s.;heduled for Oct.

Youngsters are encouraged 23~ 2004. This event is always

to participate in the Department popular with the park guest.

of Natural Resources Junior Activities include dancing in

Ranger Program. Each park and the lakeside parking lot, hay~

Historic Site in Georgia has the rides, story. telling by the

booklets to begin campfire while roasting marsh-

the adventure. mallows and a new addition

There are three this past year with the

level of participa0 . Cakewalk, .an opportunity to walk for a donated homemade

tion for ages 6-12. cake with the possibility of being able to bring one home ..

Level I is for ages The funds raised through the Cakewalk go to the Vogel Vol-

6-7; levelll is for unteers for projects on the park.



ages 8-10; and

level III is for ages . 11- 12. Each level

Kids

fishing

rodeo

Kristen Jones has a few more

The Kids Fishing Rodeo held on th

Marietta ' challenges and in- second Saturday of June is a whole lot of fu

shows '

cremental degrees for youngsters 12 and under. However, i

offhernew of difficulty.

the adults are not careful they may be caught

Junior Ranger . Subject mat- up in the fun as well. Wolf Creek will be

patches.

ter mcludes study stqcks with hundreds of. trout guaranteein

of the natural re- a catch for every child participating. Volun

sources found in Georgia, fish-

teers are

ing, wildlife, fruits and flowers,

available to

histoty, animals and more. This

assist first time fisherman.

should be fun for the entire fam-

There is no competition

ily. The books can be picked up

involved with this program.

at any park or historic site office. If you have questions, feel free to talk with a park ranger.
Join in on the fun. The staff

Rather we emphasize the fun of fishing, Every child receives a prize. This program is sponsored in part by Coca

of Georgia State Parks and His-

Cola Bottlers and Wal-Mart.

toric Sites is waiting to show you the fun and excitement that can

Mountain Music Festival, Sept. 11

be found in the outdoors..

The 2004 Mountain Music Festival will be held on

Tenth ...
Continued from page 1
Georgia News, and the printing by the West Printing Company. Norman has contributed scores of hours to this paper over the years. He is a true friend of Vogel State Park."
Park guests are encouraged to be part of this annual paper by submitting articles and photos of park activities from "yesteryear". Articles could. be about anything related to the park. We are also taking suggestions for stories and how the paper can be improved. Consider being a part of The Voice Of Vogel as we travel through the next 10 years. Contact David Foot at 706-745-2628 or e-mail him at vogel@allteI.net if you have any constructive input.
VOICE OF VOGEL Published by
Vogel State Park 7485 Vogel State Park Road
Blairsville, GA 30512 Operated by the
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Park Manager David Foot
Assistant Manager Randy .Gambrell
Layout and design Norman Cooper Printed by
West Printing Company

September 11. This annual program celebrates Appalachian

culture with

music, song,

dance and

cralts. This

ever popular

event is a hit

with folks

who want to

hear quality

Bluegrass

and Moun-

tain music.

The quality

crafts are al-

ways popular

,

as well. The program begins at 11 A.M. and ends at 6 P.M.

Admission is $5.00 adults, $2.00 children. A lunch conces-

sion is available as well.

Music bi the' park, Saturdays at 8

H o w
about spending an enjoyable summer Saturday evening listening to beautiful music wafting over Lake Trahlyta? Every Saturday at 8 PM from Memorial Day weekend through mid October Music In The Park can be experienced. What a wonderful way to relax and soak up the cool night air. Watch the park bulletin boards for performance schedules. Above: Chuck and Peggy Patrick of Brasstown, NC, play during Music in the Park program.

CCC reunion held annually

The "Boys" of the CCC gather on a the second Saturday every May to reminisce about a simpler time. Everyone is invited to attend this living history program. This is a great opportunity to meet a real CCC Boy who experienced the desperate time called the Great Depression. These . boys worked across the country in the Tree Army. They have tales to tell of planting trees, fighting fire, planting kudzu, building
dams and parks and other experiences th.at some say were the best days of their lives. This is a fascinating trip .back in time as these fellows relive their life in the CCC. This is a great opportunity for young people to learn what life was like during the Depression.. The program begins at 11 a.m. in the park group shelter. The programis free. The luncheon meal is covered dish. Bring a friend, bring a dish and come listen to some stories of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

A mountain cake walk

Just what is aCakewalk? Before there were mega

million dollar fund raising campaigns. and organiza-

tions like the United Way small isolated communities

like Blairsville in the late 1800's and early 1900's

needed a way to raise funds for special projects. Pur-

chases like books for a school or a piano for a church

were not easily made. One method of fund raising was

the .traditional Cakewalk.

Members of the cQmmunity would bake cakes.

The entire community would gather for the fund rais-

ing festivities. As each cake was presented, the com-

munity members would pay for a chance to walk for

the cake. It might be 10 cents or a quarter. Any number of people could pay.

Chairs ot. bales of hay would be set fu a circle. The paying bidders would

circle the arranged seating. Music would then be played and the group would

circle the seating. When the music stopped the bidders would sit on the

nearest bale of hay or chair. A number would then be drawn and the bidder

who was sitting at the corresponding number would win the cake. This would

go on until all the cakes were gone.

.



The Vogel Volunteers held their first Cakewalk at the Halloween Hoe-

down in October 2003. It was a huge success. The funds raised went to the

Civilian Conservation Corps Museum.

Asea of watermelon

These youngsters are impatiently waiting for the signal to start the annual July Fourth watermelon eating contest. Come join us as we celebrate Independence Day with fun and games.
Activities include paddleboat races, water balloon toss, dizzy Iizzy, sack races and a host of other
old fashioned fun games. This is the highest attended
program of the year. Come on out to see what all the fun is about.

School field trips
During the spring, Vogel hosts hundreds of school children taking end of the year field trips. The Vogel rangers give programs that are educational and fun, The children all look forward to coming as they_ have heard from previous year's participants of what fun it was to go to the State Park. These youngsters are participating in Park Ranger Greg Brock's bear program.