The Voice of Vogel, 2007

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Volume XIII

Vogel State Park, Georgia

2007~e

Park rustic to be re-created

Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at Vogel State Park

By David Foot Whether you called it the beach
house, bathhouse, or boat house, the names all referred to the beautiful log structure that presided over Vogel's Lake Trahlyta for thirty years. Origi-

took on a life of its own. The beach house accommodated restrooms, showers, boats, concession, and bunkrooms for lifeguards. It was the symbol ofVogel State Park and the Georgia State Park system in general. Unfortunately,

By David Foot Seventy-four years
agoonJune21, 1933192 boys between the ages of 17 and 25 hopped off a train in Murphy , North



time, moisture, and the el- Carolina, were loaded on

ements all took their toll trucks , and transported to

on this beauty. The costs Blairsville , Georgia , I

to repair the structure These young boys were

were too exorbitant to thin, they had ragged

warrant such a major out- clothes, and they appeared 1 lay of precious state funds. to have no direction in

;.

It was decided to demol- life. What was this? Was

ish the building and build some community-clearing house and Midwest Plains would have continued

a more modem weather getting rid of their unwanted hooligans? to blow away , and soil erosion would

resistant building.

Nothing of the sort. These boys had not have been slowed . The boys of the

The result is what joined the Civilian Conservation Corps CCC made a difference. These young

nally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1935, the beach house seemed to offer a welcome to visitors with its park rustic design that was so common with the CCC architecture.
The Vogel beach house was a landmark in North Georgia for three decades. It was a massive structure that

you see today with the concave roof and its dramatic sweep. Today's pavilion originally housed restrooms, an office, and concession much like the old log building did . These facilities were removed in the 1980' s to accommodate seating for interpretive and cultural programs , leaving the roof as cover.
See Rustic, page 6

(CCC) and they had come to Blairsville men were unemployed as were mil-

to live in a camp and build a State lions of other Americans during the

Park. That State Park is Vogel and Great Depression of the 1930' s. This

seyenty-four years later it is still as period in American history was per-

popular as ever.

haps the most challenging with banks

If it were not for these boys and closing, factories and businesses shut-

millions like them during the ensuing ting down, families going hungry, and

nine years national and state parks people wandering aimlessly across the

would not have been developed , for- country with no sense of direction. The

ests would not have been protected, the



See CCC, page 6

LEGOV KRAP ETATS

Luke and .Leannah Gam.brell

By Teri West Gary

ground in all

As a little girl, my

the country,

family stayed in state parks

was Legov

all over Georgia as well as

Krap Etats.

across the country.

The reason it's

Wherever we camped

Legov Krap

we bought a decal to put

Etats is be-

on the back window of our

cause Vogel

camper as a testimony of

was at the top

our travels.

of the decal

The window was

and State Park

eventually covered with in-

was at the bot-

dividual states and park campground decals . On

Window with campground decals

tom. My hus-

rainy days when I couldn't

band and I still

go outside to play , my daddy and I would enjoy camping in that very same 1969

play a Shasta Lo-Flite travel trailer at Vogel.

game

Although those decals on the back

inside window have faded a bit, my love for

o u r Legov Krap Etafs has not!

camper.

Editors note: Teri submitted an or-

I would derfor a brick to be placed in the Memory

choose a Walkway . It caught our attention with

de Ca I these strange words. We didn 't know ifit

and pronounce the title backwards . My was some secret password. Come to find

daddy then had to guess the correct pro- out it was a password to Teri's lifetime of

nunciation. Then it was his tum. My fa- family camping memories. We suspected

vorite decal , as well as our favorite camp- this_always made for a nufemag.

After many years, the policy of not allowing private boats on Lake Trahlyta has been rescinded. This has.been a hot topic for those individuals who have wanted to enjoy the lake in their personal boat while staying at the park. David Foot, Park Manager stated, "this has been a long time in coming. The lake is a perfect setting to ride a canoe or kayak. It might even give the fisherman a better chance of catching those elusive bass. This change will round out the waterfront opportunities for the guest. "
The change allows non-motorized boats only. The boat must be Coast Guard approved. There must be a life jacket (PFD) for each occupant of the boat. Any child under the age of 10 must be wearing a life jacket. Boats must be off the lake by dark. The park staff hopes the guests enjoy this change.

Page2

History

Voice of Vogel

Chester Duckworth

By David Foot Vogel State Park's
first ranger was Chester Duckworth. Chester worked on the park between 1939 and 1941. Chester's intimate knowledge of Vogel as a CCC boy working on the park probably garnered him the advantage of the job placement. At 6 foot 6 inches ta ll Chester was referred to as the gentle giant. He was kind and sensitive. This made him a perfect fit as a park ranger.
Chess, as he was called by friends, was a talented builder. There is no record of what he may have constructed on the park while-he was ranger. Rex Ballew, Chess' nephew said he was an excellent stonemason. We are sure he was responsible for much of the stonework done by the CCC throughout the park. Chess built the stone house across from Sunrise Groceiy just 2 1/2 miles north of the park. The dog in the photo is Amos. These two were inseparable. If you saw Chess, Amos was not far away. Amos was very intelligent as the following story shows.
In the early years of the twentieth cen-
tury , far~ers would brand their bogs and let them run wild, foraging on acorns and chestnuts . The brand would be the way others would know what animal belonged to what farmer. As happens in nature , these hogs decided to make friends with other hogs , which in turn created little bogs. These little hogs did not have brands and eventually grew up to be big hogs. If you know anything about hogs, they

can do ' a lot of damage by tearing up the ground looking for roots to eat. (This is a big problem today in the Smoky Mountain National Park.) These bogs had a tendency to end up in the park. Chess did his best to control the nuisance hogs but it was an ongoing problem. Amos, without being trained to do so, learned to take matters into bis own paws by just watching the problem Chess was dealing with. Amos would catch the hog by the ear and swim across the lake with the squealing creature, depositing him on the far shore. The hog got the idea that he was not supposed to come back to the park. Chester joined the Navy Seabees, fighting in World War II. The fighting Seabees could sure use Chester with his construction skills. With Chester going off to war, this left Amos home under the care of Chester's mom. Everyday Amos would go off looking for Chester. Each evening, returning just a little more crestfallen. Each trip away from home took a little longer as if Amos was traveling further away looking for Chess. Amos refused to eat. One day Amos never returned. The loyal dog died of a broken heart. When Chester found out, his heart was broken as well. The staff of Vogel appreciates Chester Duckworth and Amos for setting the precedent of providing quality service to the park and to this country. We will continue to strive to be the quality stewards of this resource that these two were .

Modem Highways

By David Foot

. means we are getting closer to Vogel State Park.

We may complain about the traffic on I hear it is pretty up there with new log cabins

the highways or the pothole in the road that on a crystal clear lake. They say there are bear

hasn ' t gotten fixed in a timely manner. But if that try to get in the windows of the cabins.

you were a traveler en-rotite to Vogel State

As we begin to climb the mountain to Neel

Park in 1937 you would have a right to com- Gap , the road is curvy and one lane. We en-

plain . Place yourself on a time travel machine counter another car coming toward us. We have

and go back 70 years ..You are coming to Vogel to pull over to let them pass. It sure is scary . I

State Park from Atlanta. For the time, the noticed the old Model T that passed was drag-

roads are in pretty good shape. They have ac- ging a large tree branch behind them. Looks

tually paved some of the roads on the outskirts like they may have cut. it at the top of the hill .

of the city.

Dad says they were dragging it behind them

But as you get up into Forsyth and to slow themselves down as they descended.

Lumpkin Counties the roads are gravel or dirt. The brakes on the old cars are not very good.

Talk about potholes, that one you have to He also said some of the older model cars had

skirt around on Peachtree Street every morn- to back up the mountain because they did not

ing is a pinhole compared to the car swallow- have fuel pumps.

ers we encountered as we go up toward

They had to rely upon gravity to feed the

Dahlonega. It has taken half a day to travel gas to the engine because the grade is so steep.

100 miles. We are dirty, hot, and tired. We Driving to Vogel in the earlier days was more

can see Blood Mountain in the distance. That like an adventure.

Volume XIII
Publishedby Vogel State Park 7485 Vogel StatePark Road Blairsville, GA30512

Voice of Vogel
Park Manager: David Foot Assistant Manager: Randy Gambrell
Layout &Design: Norman Cooper

Volume XIII
Operated by the GeorgiaDepartment of
Natural Resources

Printed by West Printing Company

Funded by The Vogel Volunteers

Summerday '53

Joyce and Dan Johnson are

enjoying a summer day on Lake

Trahlyta in 1953. This photo came

in the mail one day after a plea

for old snapshots of Vogel State

Park. The scene is a view of the

log beach house where the present

,

day pavilion stands today. We are

looking for old photos of the park to place in the park's archives

and museum. Consider sharing a Kodak moment with the world. We are looking for shots of camping, waterfront activities ,

horseback riding, ana the Vogel Express amusement train ride.

See David Foot, Park Manager for details .

A Hero's story

W. T. Akins, Jr., CCC Boy, born 1918 Sergeant First Class W. T . Akins, Jr. was a medic with

the 8th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division. He was listed

as missing in action while tending to his wounded comrades

near Unsan, North Korea on November 2, 1950. He was pre-

sumed dead on December 12, 1953 . Sergeant First Class Akins

was awarded The Purple Heart, The Korean Service Medal,

and The National Defense Service Medal.

Prior to joining the U.S. Army, W . T . Akins was a

member of the Civilian Conservation Corps. He joined the

CCC 's in the late 1930's where he served several years in

various Georgia projects one of which was Vogel State Park.

When W. T. told his mother he was joining the CCC, she

asked him, "Why?" W. T . said, "I am tired of eating black

eyed peas ." W. T. enjoyed his CCC service. He left when the

United States entered World War II .

Submitted by: W. T. 's Niece, Barbara Akins Loyd

A Young CCC boy

The age requirements for joining the Civilian Conservation Corps was 17-25 years. However, birth certificates were not that common so it was difficult to prove ages at times .
One fourteen-year old boy took advantage of this lack of documentation to join the CCC . His mom was washing dishes when be went into the kitchen. He placed a paper on the counter and asked her to sign it. She did not pay attention to what she was doing except she wanted to get the kitchen cleaned up. Sign her name she did and off the young man went.
The next day he found mom again and asked her for a clean set of clothes. When she asked why? He said I got a job. When she came back asking, "Doing what?" He said proudly, I joined the CCC. She said you can ' t do that without my pe!mission at your age. He promptly corrected her th_at_she did give permission by signing that paper yesterday . This 1s how a boy younger than seventeen could enter the ~iv_ilian Conservation Corps. It would be an adve nture of a hfet1me.

Investigate SOIOOHISTORY

One of the New Deal programs during the Great

Depression was the WPA . The Works Progress Ad-

ministration constructed roads, public buildings such

as post offices, courthouses, jails, community centers,

schools and hospitals. Locally, the WPA constructed

the Woody Gap School in Sucbes and the city ball in

Blairsville, which was originally built as a jail. The

WPA also employed artists and authors to produce works

of arts and to write a series of travel guides of all the

United States.



The WPA accomplished many projects that are

still in use to this day. If you want to do a little inves-

tigation to discover a bidden WPAjewel, follow these

directions. Go to the park entrance and take a right.

Go 2 l /2 miles to Byron Reece Parking area on the

right side of the road. Park, walk toward the bulletin

board . You will see a stream running under the road .

Walk below the roadway and examine the culvert. This

hidden wonder looks like a cathedral and is cool on the

hottest day. Watch your step, as the rocks are slippery.

Voice of Vogel

History

Page 3

What's the
BIGDEAL
about the
NEWDEAL
When you are out of work and there is no hope of finding a job; when you go to the bank to withdraw your last 25 dollars to feed your family of five and discover the bank is closed and you have lost that money; when your children are attending a dilapidated school; when you never had electricity to light youi: home ; when you are sleeping on beds infested with bugs; when your farm is blowing away from dust erosion; you may think life is pretty bleak. You would probably start hoping for something or someone to come along to help you out of these de~ pressing times ..
There was a time in American history when this scenario was all too common. It was called the Great Depression of the 1930's. Trus depression was not a local problem but affected everyone. This depression was not just an American problem it was a worldwide issue. These were desperate times that called for desperate measures .
Tqere was a man who was up for the job. Franklin Roosevelt was elected President in 1932 with the promise that he had a New Deal for the country. With the help of every American he would help them get out of this great economic depression and get on the road to recovery .
The New Deal was an initiative of FDR's that was aimed at recovery. It was successful in making life more bearable during some very bleak days. Within 100 days following FDR's inauguration in March of 1933 , the New Deal was taking shape. The family in the beginning of this article saw some immediate relief Dad got a job with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helping build a new hospital. The money he was making allowed him to deposit a few dollars in the bank that he was able to trust following the bank holiday . The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) now insured the family money in the bank. The children were going to attend a new school made of native rock constructed by the Public Works Administration (PWA). For the first time the family home was getting electricity provided by the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). The public health agency provided a service where mom could go and make new mattresses for e-ve~yone in the family so they would not have to share a night's sleep with bed bugs. And an army of young men from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was planting grass and trees to control the erosion protecting the family farm .
The New Deal was a big deal for this family and for every other American. The New Deal provided hope and made a difference that is still felt today . Join us in 2008 as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the New Deal.

First park superintendent

By David Foot Robert MacGregor,
shown relaxing in front of the fireplace was Vogel' s first
Park Superintendent. Mr.
MacGregor graduated from the University of Georgia in 1937 , majoring in forestry. The position at Vogel was his first job. Robert eventually worked his entire career with the Georgia Forestry Commission .
His son Bruce, who gave us this picture, retired from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources , Environmental Protection Division.
It seems conservation and resource management run

in the family . The

dog in the photo is

Amos (coinciden-

tally the same name

of the dog in the

Chester Duckworth

article).

,i

This Amos Bruce MacGregor (right) is liked to chase wild shown y.,ith his family while hogs as well. The visiting the park. Bruce is the spiked collar Amos son of the park's first manis wearing made it ager. difficult for a hog to

get a hold of his

neck. The fireplace Robert is sitting in front of no longer

exists on the park. This log cabin was the caretakers cabin

that was torn down and replaced with today's

Superintendent's residence on the same site.

Early park programming

By David Foot

country music at its best. 1:he dancing got livelier as the

When Vogel was much younger, programming for evening progressed. During breaks, the participants would

guest entertainment primarily consisted of holding square step outside to get a breath of fresh air walking to their

dances. These dances would be held at Walasi-Yi on top vehicle to take a drink from a mason jar. The refresh-

of the mountain and at Lake ment was moonshine made in some isolated hollow down

, rrp,mt irptrf7Alll: Winfield Scott. At the time these in the valley . This may explain why the evenings got live-

two locations along with Vogel lier and the guests kept returning to their private club.

were operated by Bonnell Akins a

Our programming has become tamer in recent years ,

local businessman and entrepre- but we still have guests returning time and again. Perhaps

neur. Mr . Akins leased the prop- today ' s guests just enjoy drinking in the beauty of these

erties from the State of Georgia Appalachian Mountains with their eyes instead of from a

and the Federal Government in the mason jar.

case of Winfield Scott.

~.

Keep in mind that this area

was quite isolated. Like our guests

of today, the visitors to the park

back in the 1940's came from

"metro" Atlanta. It just wasn't as

metropolitan as it is today. The

roads were primitive one lane strips. When you came to

Vogel for a vacation you were determined to have a good

time because it might be a while before you came back. It has been said that those who stayed at Vogel treated it more like a private club.
Music was live, played by groups such as Johnny and Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys. This was

biit:i~ . ~
~ w~-~' uo~t
Cayce Friedly and her cousin found a program of a 1.947 Folk Festival at Walasiyi Inn program. It belonged to Ralph Twiggs. Above part of the program.

Failed Scheme

By David Foot Bonnell Akins, the concession-
aire who operated Vogel during the 1950' s and early 1960's, was always the shrewd operator.
Of course making money was the benchmark of his successful business. Mr. Akins was always coming up with new ways to draw guests into Vogel . Keep in mind the park, having been developed beginning in 1934, was still a youngster at this time. It was a job getting people to visit Vogel, let alone actually find the park hidden in the mountains.
Mr. Akins had the idea of renting a helicopter to offer rides over the lake and surrounding area. But, how do you promote this new venture?
He thought to himself the "copter" might fly over Blood Mountain and swoop down low over the lake in front of the beach for all to see. That would be nice, but there was no

imagination to that. How about tak-

ing one of the Stanley boys who hap-

pened to be a lifeguard and have the

helicopter tow him across the lake

in the lifesaving boat? Perfect!

The helicopter would come in

low over the Jake trailing a hemp

rope . The lifeguard would grab the

rope, tie it to the boat and get a

pleasure ride across the lake. This

would then entice all who were

watching to pay to have the same

fun. Mr. Akins thought trus was a

sure way to create manna from

heaven.



It didn' t quite tum out the way

he had planned . The Stanley boy

wearing his sunglasses and bucket

sun cap (sort of reminds me of

Gilligan) grabbed the rope. But in-

stead of tying it to the boat he

wrapped the rope around his arm.

This way, he thought, he could let

go if there was a problem and he

still had the boat under him . When the copter sped up and began to move forward , the fearless lifeguard was pulled out of the boat and dragged through the water. This extra drag hindered the forward momentum of the helicopter. It began to go down. With the rope still around his arm the lifeguard went under the water.
To save the helicopter from crashing in the lak~ , the pilot had to cut the manila rope. This saved the helicopter. Miraculously the guard popped up to the surfiice still wearing his sunglasses and hat with the rope around his arm.
Mr. Akins saw a lawsuit waiting to happen if he attempted this with the public. He told the helicopter pilot in no uncertain terms that he did not want to see or hear that flying machine around trus park anymore. Moral of the story: Keep things simple or you might get more than you bargained for.

Page4

Volunteers

A REAL "VOGEL" VOLUNTEER

Lauren Vogel has been a Vogel Volunteer for the past 12 years. It is only appropriate that with a name like Vogel she has to be good. Lauren came camping at Vogel State Park with her family because of the common name. She was curious to see what and who we were. It only took her one trip before she fell in love with the park. Lauren and her son Matthew come camping as often as possible. Volunteers and staff have watched Matthew grow up and mature over the years as he returns to enjoy his park. Matthew recently used Vogel as an example of his volunteering experience on a school project. He couldn't help but get an A+ .
Lauren has taken her volunteering experience one step further . As an employee of Wachovia, she has an opportunity to apply for a matching gifts program through the Wachovia Foundation. They will match cash for employee volunteer hours. Over the years Lauren has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours through the Vogel Volunteers, which in turn have seen matching gifts of $400 from her ernployei:. Thank you to Lauren

Photo: Grace Simmons and to the Wachovia Foundation for their generous contributions.
Volunteers are encouraged to check with their employers to see if there are similar employee incentive programs. In the past volunteers have contributed time and money through Horne Depot and Eastman Kodak.
It takes special people like Lauren and Matthew to make the Vogel Volunteers prosper. Consider being a volunteer so you can see how your contribution can make a difference in yourself and for those who you are helping.

Vogel hosting

Sandy Lugar from Largo, Florida is performing her hosting duties at Vogel. Bei11g a campground host is a rewarding experience. Someone once asked what do the volunteers get paid? The response was we can ' t pay them enough for what they do, so we don' t pay them anything. The accomplishments of the volunteer hosts are priceless. A typical day might consist of picking up litter in the campground, cleaning out fire rings, checking on the comfort stations, bagging ice for the visitors center, hauling firewood from storage, running errands or delivering emergency messages to park guests, and helping campers locate a campsite.

The hosts are also the eyes and ears of the park staff in the campground. We appreciate what the hosts do for us. Many of them say it is reward enough to just be able to camp at Vogel for months on end and enjoy the thousands of campers who pass through. Consider being a campground host. It may just be an experience of a lifetime.

Volunteer Work Day
Every April finds scores of volunteers corning out to the park
to work. can you imagine corning
to Vogel State Park to work and having fun at the same time. This
is exactly what happens when up- . wards to 120 volunteers rake and shovel, paint and stain, hammer and saw, plant and sow. There is wonderful fellowship as these volunteers labor and sweat together making Vogel a better place to
visit. During the day the volunteers 1
are served breakfast and lunch and then are treated to a banquet hosted by the park staff and Vogel Volunteers. The banquet is the culmination of a hard days work where we celebrate the accomplishments of a year of volunteering. Consider being part of the difference that makes Vogel such a unique place to work and play . For further details, contact a member of the staff.
Vogel Volunteer Contributions
Over the past twelve years the Vogel Volunteer have made more than $110,000 in financial contributions to the park. Many improvements to Vogel would not have been possible without this support. Due to state budget cuts, labor hiring freezes, and purchasing constraints, many expenditures would not have been possible or would have been delayed. Examples of some of the contributions made by the Vogel Volunteers have been: Development of the CCC Museum . They performed the fund raising for this project. Participated in the construction. Assisted with exhibit acquisition and development. Act as museum docents. Continue to make changes and improvements. Purchased public safety equipment to include: Cold water/ice rescue suit. Mountain bike for park law enforcement patrols. Supplemented the purchase of fue fighting equipment. Paid for the expansion of the administrative offices and meeting room behind the visitors center
They participated in the construct_ion ?f offices as
well. Money is not the only contnbuuon made to Vogel. The volunteers have contributed more then 100 000 hours of time to the park. This includes Volunt;er Work Day, campground hosting, and special projects. The volunteer who contributes time and ....._ money to Vogel is more than just a number. Each volunteer has been an integral part of the puzzle that makes up Vogel State Park. Each ~olu_ntee~ has a story to tell of his or her love of this h1stonc state park. As a member of the Vogel family they will forever be remembered .

Sarah the volunteer
Sarah Wolfe is staining the garbage can racks while her brothers and mother assist. Sarah from Idaho was camping at , , Vogel while her dad a contractor was performing trail work. Sarah had surgery to remove a brain tumor . Although she can walk she sometimes finds it more comfortable to sit. Sarah enjoys volunteering as her family travels across the country. Consider being a volunteer to give back a little bit to this world that has given us so much.

Hauling mulch
These two young volunteers were found hauling mulch on Volunteer Work Day in April. Consider making a difference by volunteering like Eli Wishon (left) and
Ryan Green did.

Voice of Vogel

Voice of Vogel

Safety

Page5

Search and rescue team

The Georgia Department of Natu-

ral Resources Search and Rescue Team

__

,rr ' is on duty to save a life. The team is -
comprised of volunteers from Parks & /

,,,.~
!IJ!"""/"!"

;;..
,

~-t ,,~,,,,.r

Historic Sites, Wildlife Resources, and -~ ~ ---

Environmental Protection. The team 's ~ _... ~ ...,

SLOW DOWN!
. The speed limit throughout the park is 15 miles per hour. With all the pedestrian traffic it is imperative that drivers pay attention to this law. Many of the children and even some of the adults are not paying attention to what they are doing or where they are walking . Park law enforcement rangers will enforce the speed limit. Please don' t be a statistic. DRIVE DEFENSIVELY .

purpose is to perform search and rescue on DNR properties as well as as-

_,,r.I_'_,".:', -- #

sist on missions through the Georgia Search and rescue team members practice ice rescue on Vogel's

Emergency Man_agem_ent A_gency. . Lake Trahlyta.Yes,the lake does freeze over during the win-

_The team 1s tr~med 11:i survival , ter, posing a hazard to individuals who venture out onto the

technical rock rappell~g, Incident C?m- ice. In the unfortunate event that someone should fall through

mand , ground searchmg and first aid. the ice, the park is prepared to attempt a rescue. Hopefully you will never have a

need for the services of this team. But you distress. David Foot, Park Manager and Randy

can rest easy knowing there are trained rang- Gambrell , Assistant Manager are Vogel's rep-

ers ready to come to the aid of a guest in resentatives on the team.

Leave No Trace

Tips for the Outdoors

Principles that Limit Impact by Emily Wilson
With more people going in to our nations forests there is more impact than ever. From

By Emily Wilson 1. Toasty Toes. If your feet get cold at night boil water on your camp stove and pour the water in a clear (not white) Nalgene bottle.

Le"a'nnah and Luke, children of
Randy and Lynn Gambrell, are being safe bicycle riders wearing their helmets
Bike helmets are required
Georgia State Law requires all children ages 15 and younger to wear a bicycle helmet. This law is enforced to keep your family safe. Every year park rangers respond to

Lost Prevention

people taking their first day hike to experi- Throw the bottle in the bottom of your sleeping bicycle accidents . Some of enced outdoors people going backpacking for bag and you will have toasty toes all night. Not these have to go to the emer-

Tips

the wt;ek we all need to remember the seven -only do you have toasty toes you all so have a gency room. Bicycle helmets

The rangers at Vogel want to give a few helpful hints on how to prepare before taking a hike. Have a plan. Know where you are going.Always report in when

principles of outdoor ethics. These are some principles that we all need to practice . These seven principles are the Leave No Trace principles. LNT has been a common practice among avid hikers throughout the nation for

drink of water late at night. 2. Don't sleep naked. What your buddy
said about sleeping naked keeps you warm is wrong. Wear layers.
3. Get a lofty sleeping bag. The more

do prevent major injury and do save lives. Please, keep our children safe by insuring they are wearing a helmet every time they are on a bicycle.

you return.

several years.

loft (thickness) of your sleeping bag the more Georgia Law 40-6-296.

Tell a responsible person what

I. Plan Ahead and Prepare. Know heat is held in. Always go with down bags.

your itinerary is. Tell them where where you are going, weather conditions, leave

4. Duct Tape. If it wasn't for duct tape

you are going, when you will re- a copy of your itinerary at home, split big the universe would fall apart. You don't need a turn , and what to do if you do not groups in to small ones, and know the regula- whole role. Wrap the tape around your trek-

Car Emergencv

return as scheduled.

tions of the area you are going to.

Become familiar with the area you

2. Camp and Travel on Durable Sur-

will be traveling by studying maps faces. Stay on established trails (don't walk

and literature.

around puddles, go straight through) and camp-

Do not travel alone.Hiking is safer in numbers.This way if someone gets hurt, the other person is avaifable to give aid or to go for help. Stay with your group. Stay on marked trails. Do not take shortcuts. Do not travel after dark. Pay attention to the weather for

sites, camp 200 ft. away from a water source, don't make new campsites and don't camp on ones that are showing new impact.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly. Pack it in pack it out. If you see litter pack it out with you. Deposit solid human waste in a cathole at least 6" deep and 200ft. from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise

the duration of your hike and be- cathole when finished. Pack out all toilet pa-

yond. Dress appropriately. For per and personal hygiene products. Scatter all

colder weather, dress in layers so waste water.

king poles , walking sticks or Nalgene bottle. This way you don't take up room in your pack for a role of tape. It is right there at your finger tips.
5. Do the Sprinkler. After brushing your teeth don' t spit in a pile. Practice your dance moves and become a human sprinkler. Spit your toothpaste out like a sprinkler waters the yard.
6. Don't take a mule. If you are out with some one else disperse the weight. You can break down the tent to three parts and everyone take a part. Break down the stove and food. This is supposed to be a fun trip, don't ruin it for one person by making them the mule.

Kit
By Emily Wilson It is vacation season here at Vogel. We would like to remind you of an item that is sometimes over looked while packing up for your next trip. The item can be small in size but will give you more peace of mind then any other item you might take. Now you may be asking yourself "What is this ijem they are talking about?" Well I am glad you asked.The item Iam referring to is your CAR EMERGENCY KIT.

as you warm up, layers can be

4. Leave what you fmd. Do not take

7. You never know when it is going to

You never know when some-

shed and as you cool down, you or touch what you find. If you want to look at rain. Put your rain gear at the top of your pack. thing might happen while you are

can add them back on. Be pre- it later take a picture. Don't introduce new This way you are not digging in yourpack try- in your car.The staff has discussed

pared for rain. The weather man species into the area. Do not build shelters, ing to find your gear and getting everything what would be the most important

is not always accurate.

trenches, or furniture.

else soaked.

things to have in the trunk of your

Avoid cotton clothing.Cotton when . wet does not dry fast and will cool the body faster when air passes over it. When wet, get dry. When cold, get warm. Stay out of the wind when resting. Drink water before you get thirsty. Obtain water from a safe source. Assume all wilderness water is impure. If you do get lost, STAY PUT. Make yourself heard by blowing awhisije.
Make yourself visible. It is hoped you have a safe and enjoyable hike. If you have any questions, the staff of Vogel will be

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts. Use a pre established fire ring. Ifone is not present create a small one but make sure you tear it down. Pick up sticks from the ground. If the stick is larger than your wrist don't use it. Make sure fire is out and scatter cool ashes and return any thing you didn't use.
6. Respect Wildlife. Do not follow or approach wildlife. Observe wildlife from an appropriate distance. Don't feed the animals and hang any food from a tree out of reach of wildlife. Keep and eye on your pet and keep them on a leash.
7. Be considerate of Other Visitor. Respect other visitors, be courteous, step down hill to passing visitors, take breaks and camp away from trails, and avoid loud noises and

8. Take a first aid kit. Not everyone car. Here is the list we comprised:

needs to pack a first aid kit. Make sure you 8ft. Jumper cables

have the standard first aid supplies and always Blanket

double check it to make sure everything is in Foam Tire Sealant (Fix a flat)

stock.

Flashlight (with new batteries)

9. Wear durable shoes. Wear a pair of Standard & Phillips screwdriver

shoes that still has tread on the sole. Having Electrical Tape

on a pair of shoes that fit and have tread helps DuctTape

keep your feet in good condition. It also helps Emergency flairs or triangles

prevent accidents due to slipping.

Tire pressure gauge

10. Layer Up. When you are going to be FirstAid Kit

out in the cold make sure you have on a few Boffle of Water

layers of clothing. This way if you get hot you Pen and small pad of paper

can easily shed a layer or two. And remember always wear a water wicking base layer. This wicks the water away from your body and keeps you.warm.

Disposable flash camera Spare fuses $20 in small bills and change Cell Phone

glad to assist. , ,

voices.

. ,

''

Page6

Guests

Voice of Vogel

Homeschooling, camping

A Vogel proposal

Nose for ice cream
This young lady knows how to cool off on a hot summer day at Vogel. She is enjoying a traditional break of a sno-cone on the front steps of the visitors center

Close call
Beads of perspiration appeared on the forehead of David Foot, Park Manager when he heard how close the baby was to being born at Vogel. Kimberly and Stan Snell of Acworth, Georgia were staying on the park on September 8, 2006 when Kima berly had pre-mature labor pains. She was still several weeks away from her due date. The couple decided to take off to Union General Hospital just to be safe. Twenty minutes from leaving the park, Kendell decided to make his entrance into the world . He came so quickly a nurse had to make the delivery leaving the doctor out of the picture. Eight months later, Kendell made his first visit to the park. We are proud to say we have another believer in the magic of Vogel.

Barney and Susan Crawford of Sugar Hill, Georgia are shown enjoying the sunshine on the front porch of the visitors center.

By Ochs girls, as told to David Foot
The Ochs family was camping at Vogel this past spring when it was noticed the children should be in school.
When inquired if they might be home schooled, and replied yes, they were asked to write about their experience.
Maddie(age 8) - WHAT I LIKE ABOUT HOME SCHOOL - We have lots of fun doing home school. You can do school and vacation at the same time. We meet lots of new friends . Mommy and dadd y meet lots of new people too . Mommy counts our Junior Ranger book as school .
Abby (age 9) - I LOVE HOME SCHOOL - When we go camping we have to do school. But some times it can be fun , like getting our Junior Ranger badge . My favorite thing about Vogel is the creek,

mini golf and meeting new friends. I like studying the creek while I play in it.
Bekah (age 10) - WHY I LIKE HOMESCHOOL - I
like home schooling because you get to go on trips and still do school. My mom likes it because she gets to go places and we still get school done. We love doing home schooling. It is very fun! We like to come to Vogel State Park. We always get our Junior Ranger badge.
We like the mini golf because we are getting to have fun and we have to add up our scores. See, we are doing math too!

CCC: Museum enjoyed by guests

From page 1
CCC was just one of a score of new agencies started during the New Deal of President Franklin Roosevelt. This administration was referred to as the alphabet soup administration because of the many new acronyms for infant agencies. Agencies such as the WPA Works Projects Administration ; FDIC - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; TVA - Tennessee Valley Authority ; REA - Rural Electrification Administration. These and many more helped pull the. United States out of a dark period.
Vogel State J>ark became a reality in 1934 because of hard times. This was like making lemonade from lemons . We are to this day enjoying the fruits of the labor of these hard working individuals. To recognize the work of the CCC , volunteers , individual and corporate donors, and the staff of Vogel State Park have contributed to build a museum to honor the works of the Civilian Conservation Corps. This museum has been a dream of the Vogel Volunteers. The objective in build-

ing a museum was to protect the hundreds of photos and artifacts that tell the CCC story. Through financial and material donations the museum has become a reality . The museum is a regional attraction and a source of research for students of the Great Depression.
Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the museum when one first sees it, is the rough textured brown siding and large posts supporting the porch. This was lumber cut off the park from Pine Beetle salvaged trees. The CCC planted these trees when the park was under development. The museum features photo exhibits of camp life; a diorama of a CCC camp; exhibits of various trades the boys would have learned such as forestry , masonry, blacksmithing, and surveying; and a photo history of Vogel through the years.
The John B. Derden Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at Vogel State Park is named for a long time Vogel Volunteer and former CCC Boy who has been instrumental in preserving the CCC history of Vogel.

By Andrew Huff

We started the day Sat-

urday with my "random " sug-

gestion to bead up to Athens,

Georgia to have lunch and visit

our favorite spa for a massage.

After a great afternoon, I sug-

gested we take a ride through

the mountains since it was such

a beautiful day. Anne agreed

and I made a fake phone call

to our favorite state park,

Vogel , to check for cabin

availability. It bad to appear

spur of the moment although I

had checked in on Friday. Af-

ter arriving we took a nice

sunset walk around the lake

before dinner. At 10:30 on a

near full moonlit night , we

took another walk around the

lake. This time we traveled

down the Memory Walkway in

front of the beach. As wear-

rived at the last section of

bricks, Anne looked dow n to

see three bricks inscribed with

"WILLYOU - MARRYME

- ANNE? " After a long jaw dropping 20 seconds on my knee , she finally said , "yes "? The rest is history .

[Editor's note: Anne and Andrew have planned a Spring 2007 wedding. Congratulations to this couple .]



Flamingos spotted at Vogel

How will you celebrate your 90th birthday? Apparently Dot, whose name appears on the flamingo to the right, has some friends who like to celebrate the big day in a pink way - despite the fact this bird in not normally found in the mountains of north Georgia.

Rustic: Guests will enjoy the changes

From page I
One interesting design feature of the newer pavilion is the fact it was built ori the old CCC constructed stone piers. This is a testimony to the stout nature of the construction techniques of those CCC boys.
After forty years of living with the pavilion, time, once again has proven it is a too powerful force to compete with . Several roof repairs have had to be made over the past few years that are showing the roof is aging. We want to make one more change that we hope will last for generations to come.
We want to bring back the park rustic feel of the original log beach house. Using the

existing foundation and floor, The plan is to re-create
the original roof design . The programming area would not be enclosed serving the same purpose as it is today .
The Vogel Volunteers have appropriated funds to beg in design and engineering. The next step is to find the funds to complete the project.
The Vogel Volunteers are promoting this project in hopes that state and private funding can be raised to complete this project. The Vogel Volunteers are accepting donations for this project. The Vogel Volunteers are nonprofit (50 1 (c) 3) organization. For further information on this project, contact David Foot, Park Manager.

Voice of Vogel

Guests

Page 7

of 11,,farch 1993

By Dot Wheeler
Our first camping ex-
perience began in October 1974. There were ten of us.
Our parents, cousins, chi!- .
dren, and ourselves, Carlton and Dot Wheeler. Our
camping equipment consisted of two pickup trucks
with camper covers and a
tent with a propane heater. We were very excited as we
left for Vogel on Sunday
afternoon. The temperature fell to 25 degrees that night. This freezing weather did
not dampen our spirits at all. We have been coming back
to Vogel every October since then, as well as other
times during the year. One of those times was
March 12, 23, & 14, 1993.
This time our party consisted
of my sister and her husband, their daughter and her planned this trip for 21 month old son. Some months. Friday afternoon others who were planning to was not bad. We even rode come cancelled when they to Blairsville and around the found out that snow was pre- surrounding area. "Still no dicted. Oh, how excited we snow" , we said , almost in were when we left on Fri- denial that this projected day. Our camping equip- storm would really happen. ment had improved since Hotdogs , hamburgers, 1974. We were now in a Brunswick stew, and the travel trailer and motor works were our dinner on home. We had heard there Friday night. After dinner, might be up to seven inches just as predicted, snow beof snow in the North Geor- gan to fall. This was not a gia Mountains. "Hey, that "big Flakes" snow, but a could be fun", we thought. very fine snow . However, it Many preparations were did not stop. As it had been made. Even our neighbors so dry, I believe every flake got in on the fun of prepar- stuck as it continued to snow ing, insisting that I take her throughout the night. Someboots she had purchased in time around midnight the Alaska along with her sled. park lost electrical power.
When we got to The propane stove in the Vogel, the ranger said we camper had long ago quit might get as much as 13 working, but we did have inches of snow and even sug- the stove. As you can imaggested that we might not ine there was very little want to stay. We could not sleeping that night. We heard be dissuaded, as we had the wind howling and trees

breaking. All night long, we were wondering if the next tree falling would hit the trailer. By Saturday morning the temperature was 10 degrees . Everything was blanketed in snow. It was a truly magnificent winter wonderland. It was very hard to walk in that much snow. We all used our neighbor's size 8 boots. We even squeezed a size 12 into them somehow . Everything in North Georgia came to a halt. Trucks normally delivering firewood and other supplies could not make it through. On Saturday, the rangers opened the park's group shelter by the lake for guests to take refuge from the cold. Many ef the park guests took advantage of the shelter.
By Saturday evening the snow was 25 inches deep. Most of us had never seen this much snow. I can-

not thank the staff enough for their care and concern for the safety of the guests during these most difficult circumstances. They were terrific! This was called "The Blizzard of 1993 - The storm of the Century."
We did leave the park on Sunday, much to my protesting. After much slipping and sliding, we were able to get the motor home out of the park, but we had to leave the trailer. Driving was very treacherous and nerve wracking as Carlton drove the van to Blairsville. Many cars were left stranded in ditches on the side of the road. We decided it was too risky to make it all the way to Fayette County. Fortunately, the motel in Blairsville had two rooms left. "We will take them", we all said in unison. We had two warm meals at a nearby restaurant and a

Carlton "Snowman" and Dot Wheeler, survivors of the Bliuard of1993
warm shower and bed to sleep. We were never so thankful.
We had to leave the motor home in Blairsville. We all piled into the van for the trip home. We had survived the Storm of the Century. It was that weekend that Carlton acquired the nickname - Snowman.
Editors note: This was a very trying time for the park staff. The cottages were not completely full as some had cancelled due to the forecast , but we still had to make life as comfortable as possible for many people. The park was without power for ten days. All guests were able to get off the park on Monday, at which time the gates were closed and the clean-up began. Several hundred trees were lost. Because all the upcoming reservations were on computer and the park had no power, an employee had to take a computer and back up disks to a power source off the park to get a print out of arrivals to make cancellations. It took the park several weeks to get back to normal. We are thankful our guests were so cooperative and adventuresome. It made a difficult situation much more bearable.

Memory Walkway at Vogel State Park
The Memory Walkway located along the promenade in front of the beach is seven years old this year. Consider leaving a lasting memory of your family trips to Vogel in the form of an engraved brick. This Vogel Volunteer project is a fund raising program that puts money directly back into the park. The bricks are $50.00 each. Three lines of engraving are allowed with fourteen characters including spaces per line. Make checks payable to the Vogel Volunteer's, Inc. C/O Vogel State Park, 7485 Vogel State Park Road , Blairsville, GA 30512. An order form is available at the front registration desk in the visitors center.

r---------------------7 Vogel State Park Memory Walkway Garden form Name Address - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - City _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ State_Zip _ __ Phone E-mail Number of bricks _ x $50 =$ _ _ I have enclosed a check/ money order in the amount of $ Mail to: Vogel State Park, Memory Walkway Project 7485 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville, Ga 30512 Brick should be engraved as follows
L---------------------~

Pages

Employees

Voice of Vogel

David Foot, Vogel Park Manager

David Foot, Park Manager, has been at Vogel for 23 years. He is proud of the park staff and volunteers who all contribute to create an outstanding recreational experience at Vogel. Colin Bedingfield who was visiting from the Republic of Ireland took this photo. David and Mr. Bedingfield struck up a conversation and before David knew it, his photo was taken. A few weeks late r the photo ends up in David ' s e-mail as promised.

The Park Ranger Job

By David Foot

have to work a day in your

Guests often ask me if I life." This statement may be

have enjoyed my career? It is a little far fetched but it holds

apparent that having worked a lot of truth. This just goes to

for the Georgia Department of show that all the money in the

Natural Resources for 29 worldwillnotmakeyouhappy.

years, I must have gained some

The most appealing as-

affection toward my job. The peel of the job is the variety

answer is always , "yes " ! I of duties . On any one day , the

would not have traded it for " rangering" job might have us

anything .

.

performing a law enforcement

Ever since I was a child, detail; administering first aid

I had wanted to work as a to a bicycle accident victim;

ranger. I had no idea what one looking for a missing child in

did , but the title and the out- ,, the woods; using rappelling

door office environment ap- skills to aid a stranded victim

pealed to me. It has been a on the waterfalls; giving a pro-

great career and a wonderful gram to kindergarteners; fight

lifestyle to raise a family.

a fire ; answering guest ques-

1 have written several tions and giving directions; fix-

articles over the years for this ing a plumbing leak or cutting

paper on what is involved in a tree that had fallen across

the job of ranger .

the road. If variety is the spice

When I get an opportu- of life, this job is mighty sa-

nity to participate in a career vary.

day at school or speak to young

A natural resource ca-

people on the park, I empha- reer is very rewarding. If a

size that they need to go into young person is contemplating

a job they will enjoy.

a career in this field, there are

I have met too many many opportunities in both the

people who have been making public and private sectors.

some fine money but they have

One can enjoy the great

been miserable in the work outdoors and make a living at

they do. Confucius said, "if you it at the same time. It is a win

enjoy your job, you will never -win situation.

Making repairs
Mike Delsario is shown repairing a fireplace in one of the cottages. The brick had decayed from many hot fires over the past 60years.

' '

Randy Gambrell Janette & Sharon, Backbone

Assistant Manager
Randy Gambrell , Assistant Manager has been with the park for seven years. He is responsible for guest serv i Ce S. Randy is David's right hand man who is an integral part of the Vogel team.

Janette Watson (Left) and Sharon Kidd are the backbone of Vogel ' s administrative operation. Janette is the store manager who does such a wonderful job of purchasing retail merchandise that is quality and appropriate for the needs of the park guest.
Sharon is behind the scenes with her responsibilities of budget management and accounting . She pays the bills. Both of these ladies continually make Vogel look good.

Five wranglers, the housekeeping staff

r,~ These five wranglers are the
housekeeping staff. Dressed in west-

ern attire for the annual Volunteer Day

Banquet they 190k a moment to make

this pose. They were responsible for A.
pulling together a delicious meal for F

100 people . (Left to right) Dale

Culberson, Gay Cross, Wanda Green,

Linda Stancil, and Linda Fortenberry. R

\\

These are the ladies who clean the 35 cottages and cabins, along with the comfort stations and

restrooms. They are extremely hard workers who take great pride in their responsibilities.

They are the reason our guest keeps coming back to enjoy the clean facilities .

The Crew, the maintenance staff
This is the crew that performs the maintenance of the park. (L to R) Glenn Alderman, Tony Cruce, Roger Phillips, Larry Thomas. Their work consists of wastewater treatment, well water moni-
l toring, carpentry, electrical, plumbing,
painting, grass mowing, garbage pickup, vehicle maintenance, heavy equipment \ operation, snow plowing, tree removal, erosion control, wildlife habitat improvement, trail maintenance, building renovation and construction, and storm cleanup. They are responsible for over 70 structures, wastewater treatment plant, 22 acre lake, three miles of roadway , and an innumerable amount of other park features that need constant attention. When you see one of these guys, give him a pat on the back, he could use a gentle massage for the outstanding job performed.

Winter activities

Life does not slow down during the cold winter months at Vogel. Maintenance is priority number one for the staff preparing for the next season. This past winter several projects were completed along with routine maintenance.
Thehousekeeping staff deep cleaned all the cottages . This entails cleaning each unit from ceiling to floor. Cleaning of the larger cottages requires the entire five-person crew taking several days to complete the taslc. These ladies are real troopers who take extreme pride in their work. The beach restrooms were completely renovated.
They were gutted with

tile floor, wall paneling, lighting, and stall partitions all newly installed. These restrooms have taken on a new luster.
Erosion control measures were undertaken at the hillside cottages with the installation of retaining walls and some grading. Numerous trees were removed throughout the park that posed a danger.
Fireplace brick was replaced in six cottages where 60 years of fires had destroyed the brick integrity.
A new building was constructed in the maintenance area to accommodate a wood working shop.
A contractor cleaned a

mile of the main sewer line and ran a camera through the system to isolate problems. Problems encountered were breaks in the pipe, root infiltration, and crushed pipe. These problems were corrected.
The lake water level was dropped five feet to make the removal of winter storm debris and leaves from the beach area easier. 100 tons of white sand was added to freshen the beach. Various staff participated in training to include an orientation program for all employees, Search and Rescue training, First Aid and CPR tefresher, and erosion control class.

Voice of Vogel

Natural,

Page 9

Vogel creates habitat for fish

Meet Stephanie, your summer naturalist

Fishing in Lake Trahlyta has always been somewhat challenging. The staff over the years has taken measures to create habitat cover for fish to raise young. One way to do this is to leave trees where they fall in the lake. The brush makes ideal cover for the fish. This photo shows a DNR fisheries boat being used to access a fallen tree. The limbs were cut and placed under the water surface to create additional cover.
Have you noticed the small waterfalls in Wolf Creek created by the

Stephanie Butts was camping at Vogel

State Park less than one month before she was

born. That's right; her

mama was heavy with

child in her eighth

month when she had a

craving for camping.

Some women crave ice

cream when they are

pregnant,

not

Stephanie's mom. Ap-

parently the apple

didn't fall far from the

tree. Stephanie has not

Stephanie is a student at Coosa Valley Technical majoring in Environmental Horti-
culture. Stephanie's interests may
give you some idea of what she will be programming this summer. She enjoys camping, hiking, backpacking and rock climbing. It looks like she has her summer programs already lined up. Stephanie is extremely enthusiastic about her job. Welcome her and be sure to attend her programs. Oh, by the way, she is a poor college student who

placement of large logs across the

missed a year in the

likes to eat.

stream? These stream features are

past 21 years of camp-

When you see her, invite her

called trout habitat structures de-

ing at Vogel. Now she

to your campsite for an evening

signed to create a more suitable living environment for the fish. The purpose is to create plenty of splash, which in turn supplies addi-

will be living at Vogel this summer as the 2007 ~turalist.

Stephanie is shown installing abird house on volunteer day.
Photo by Grace Simmons

meal. She will be the one with the utensils in her back pocket, just in case she gets an invite.

tional oxygen, a much needed requirement for the trout. Notice the deeper holes below the log. This too improves the

Common Snapping Turtle

trout's habitat requirements by providing deep colder water. Roger Phillips, Senior Ranger has been instrumental in establishing these structures. With the help of his staff and volunteers, Vogel has been able to improve the fishing opportunities in the park streams.
WhenVogel is the most colorful

By David Foot The snapping turtle
which makes its home in Vogel's Lake Trahlyta gives the impression that you are looking at some prehistoric

perature. Perhaps the most unique
characteristic of the common snapping turtle is how sex is detennined. Researchers have discovered that if the eggs are

dinosaur. The long tail that can

kept at 58 degrees F during

The forest floor and hillsides in and around Vogel are be used to wrap around objects

the early stages of incubation

always in a constant change of flowering colors. From early has triangular plates on the top that cannot puH their head and the hatching turtles will be

spring to late fall, the flower, plants, and trees are sharing giving it an ancient appear- limbs into their shell for pro- female. When the incubation

their delicate gifts of beauty . The following is a listing of ance. The snapping turtle is tection. They are also slow temperature is 73 degrees the

when blooms can be expected around Vogel. The dates will one of the largest freshwater and awkward. When they are turtle will be male. When in

vary some from year to year. Some years, there may still be or salt-marsh turtles in North threatened the snapping turtle a natural nest setting the tem-

colored foliage through late November.

Serviceberry {white blooms)

April 1

Dogwood blossoms

Month of April

Bluebells (small wildflower)

April 15

Wild Magnolia tree (large white blooms) April 15

Pink lady Slipper (Dry pine woods) Last of April

Iris and Trilliums

First of May

Flame Azalea (Orange Blossom)

May 5 -25

Mountain Laurel

May 15- June 1

Native Rhododendron

June 15- July 15

Sourwood {white blooms)

First of July

FALL COLORS

Sourwood {red leaves)

Mid September

Poplars (yellow leaves

Late September

Maples (red & orange leaves)

October20

America weighing as much as 60 pounds. The turtle in this photo is probably a female looking for a suitable location to make a nest to deposit her eggs. She was found walking across the pavement in the park in June. This is generally the only time the snapping turtle will leave the water. When the snapping turtle is out of the water, they are vulnerable to predation. Skunks, raccoons, and fox enjoy the soft

can bite. On land they turn to face threats by spinning around to maintain a head on view . They do not go looking for
trouble. In the water the snap-
ping turtle is shy and will avoid human disturbance.
The most common resting place for t.he snapping turtle is in the mud on the lake bottom . They may occasionally be found sunning themselves on a log, but this is rare. During the winter they can

perature will vary, thus there wilJ be both male and female hatched from a nest.
When you see one of these ancient survivors stand back and observe it for while. If you harass one, you might be startled by a sudden swinging of its tail and be face to face with some fierce looking teeth. The snapping turtle is just one more of our neighbors that deserves to be left al.one in waters of these mountains

Hickory (yellow leaves)

October20

round eggs usually devouring sometimes be seen walking on where their relatives have

Oaks (red & yellow leaves)

October25

the entire nest.

the lake bottom as they have a called home for many thou-

Vogel has some strange weather

They are the only turtle tolerance for low water tern- sands of years.

Warm Vogel: January 29,2005. Augusta - 24 degrees .

Shrinking mountains

with freezing rain; Gainesville - 31 degrees with 2" of snow

The Appalachian Mountains where Vogel

over frozen rain; Atlanta - 29 degrees with freezing rain. Vogel rests are the oldest mountains in the world.

State Park -45 degrees , with a cold rain. Blairsville is one of When they were young, they were taller than

the warmest locations in Georgia. Living in the mountains does the Himalayas. Eons of erosion have carved

not always guarantee snow. One reason for this is the upper them down to what you see today . Evidence of

level highs carry warmer temperatures getting trapped at the this constant erosion is seen in LakeTrahlyta

higher elevations. When you want to see snow at Vogel, it may with the sediment that has collected at the

not be here when everyone else is getting socked.

outflow of Wolf Creek. This silt buildup was

Hail strips leaves: Ten years ago on a warm June after- exposed when the lake was dropped five feet

noon, the skies began to turn black indicating an impending during March of 2007. This water drop was

thunderstorm. What happened next was anything but normal. It began to hail. It hailed so hard the leaves were shredded off the

necessary to perform some shoreline maintenance. Some of this siltation is caused by man,

trees creating a strange green snow all over the roads.

but the majority of it is from rain drops pelt-

Brrr Easter: On Easter morning, April 8, 2007 the morn- ing the ground , dislodging soil particles and

ing wake-up temperature was 40 degrees colder than the previ- carrying them to the stream into the lake. If

ous Christmas. Campers on spring break at Vogel discovered . left unattended over a period of thousands of

they should have packed their long johns and extra firewood . years, the lake would eventually silt in and be

Just one week before Easter the temperature was 84 degrees. reclaimed to form a naturally flowing Wolf

Creek with very little evidence that a manmade lake was once present.
A side note: A common question at Vogel is whether Lake Trahlyta is natural? Lake Trahlyta is man-made with a Civilian Conservation Corps constructed dam .

Page 10

Guest Stories

Voice of Vogel

Help of a
friend Part II
[Addendum to story in last year's paper]
Review: On November 25, 2005 , a single engine plane crashecj into the Blood Mountain Wilderness Area adjacent to the south end of the park . The pilot Randy Hackle survived . Sadly his wife, Barbara had died in the crash. Randy eventually walked out to the park to find help after spending over 12 hours in the woods. He was badly burned and traumatized .
Several miracles occui:red during and following this accident. One additional miracle occurred many months after the accident. The pilot end ured several months of painful recovery in an Augusta , Georgia burn hospital. Upon his release he wanted to return to the crash site to see where he had lost his wife. In April of 2006 Randy felt well enough to travel to Vogel to view the crash site. Randy Gambrell, Assistant Manager and Roger Phillips: Park Ranger, volunteered to escort Randy and his family to the crash site. This entailed a walk of about a mile. Due to the steep terrain, Randy could not make the entire trip. Roger stayed with him while the family trekked to the site with ranger Randy . While they were pondering what they were seeing (The crash debris has been cleaned up five months earlier immediately following the accident.) Randy Gambrell was scraping the leaves with his boot when he saw something glimmer on the ground. They bad found Barbara's wedding ring. They had also found the radio headset Randy had been wearing when they crashed. God was with Randy Hackle throughout this entire ordeal. Several miracles occurred following this crash. Finding the ring was just the culmination to a terrible event that provided closure for a distraught husband. The Lord does work in mysterious ways.

Three Generations of Simmons at Vogel

By Joy Simmons . Growing up , many fond
memories for me were made while camping with my family. We have camped in many campgrounds across north Georgia but Vogel has become our favorite.
When my grandparents, Fonnie and Delanie Simmons, (Pop and Granny, to me) first camped at Vogel in the early 1950s, there were no established campsites. They simply

Setting up papa's camper in early 1970s

chose _a promising looking spot, cleared the area as needed and set up camp.
Not owning his own tent at the time, Pop borrowed one from his Boy Scout troop. After setting up his tent his next objective was likely to set up bis horse.shoe stakes and bring out the horseshoes to enjoy his favorite pastime.
My father , Ron , sa id bis most memorable times at Vogel as a child were swimming through the chilly waters to the dock on the lake and being in the old lake house. He can still recall

the certain smell of the treated lumber in that building and placing bis change of clothes into the basket lined shelves where they were kept safe, even w ithout lock and key.
Sitting around the campfire in the even ing , wh ile si nging and listening to instruments play is a special memory for my mother, Faith. She, as all of us do , delight in the times that neighboring campers , bearing the music , wander in to join us around the fire.
My brother, Doug, sa id bis favor-

ite memories a re of camping with Pop and watching in wonder as he set up many tarps (" tarp city ", as we call it) in his attempt to keep his entire camp site dry in ra iny weather.
Doug's fondness for Vogel is so strong that he and bis wife , even spent part of their honeymoon in a cabin here and named bis first dog Vogel.
I have my own special memories of camping at Vogel. Many times we've camped here for my birthday in September, picnicked with friends or family, hiked the trails, bad balloon races in the creek (my favorite memory) , enjoyed the crafts and music of the Mountain Music , Arts and Crafts Festival.
Now our family , the second and third generation, returns our love for Vogel by being part of the Vogel Volunteers.
My sister, Grace, and I, known by some as "Southern Harmony ," also sing and play our instruments occasionally for Vogel's Music in the Park program. All of us look forward to the days when we can make new memories at Vogel with a forth generation.

Life as alifeguard at a little piece of Heaven (Vogel State Park)

By Jack Stanley It is the day after Labor
Day, September 1959. As I leave Vogel State Park, I look across the lake at the bath house and swimming area. Many thoughts flood my memory of being a lifeguard four summers straight. I think about how it all began.
My first to Vogel from Copperhill, TN was the summer of 1947. I was ten years old and my brother Bob was a lifeguard. On that very day I decided I wanted to be a lifeguard , not a lifeguard just anywhere but at Vogel State Park. From then on I took every life swimming course the Red Cross offered. My courses included, Beginning Swimmers; Intermediate; Junior Lifesaving; Senior Lifesaving; and finally Instructor.
You see, Copperhill, TN,
which is only about fifty miles was a complete contrast to the lush green forest and cool streams and lakes of North, GA. All the land around Copperhill, a copper mining town, was the unfortunate victim of many years' abuses from the mining industry. As I grew up there, Copperhill was surrounded by 30 square miles of eroded red clay hills. Thank God it has changed!
My brother, Jimmy, followed Bob as a lifeguard . By this time I was old enough to spend time at Vogel with Jimmy. We stayed in the bath

house with all the other life.: guards. Over the years, I lea~ed how to be a lifeguard and all the other extra curricular activities it included to make it such a great, enjoyable job. In the summer of 1954 I became a lifeguard.
This would be the first of the four summers working at Vogel. The job began on Memorial Day (when the swimming area opened) and ended after Labor Day.
Vogel was quite different in the 1950' s. What is now the Family Group Shelter was the store and office. Half of the building contained tables , chairs and a juke box . At night the young people would enjoy socializing and dancing to the music of the juke box. When enough people attended we would have a square dance. In previous summers I had learned to call square dances from my brothers Bob and Jimmy .
In the fifties there were many families who came to Vogel for a one or two-week vacation every year. Every summer, friendships were renewed and bonds were strengthened. We also got to know many people from the surrounding areas, Blairsville, Young Harris, and Cleveland who made day trips to the Park.
Being a lifeguard was a fun-filled job with a serious responsibility. There were swimmers who would dive off

the dock and attempt to swim out to the platform. There were many who could not make it and had to be helped to the dock or visa-versa.
The lifeguards had the responsibility of cleaning the bath house and beach area on a daily basis. As you can imagine three or four boys living together did not have the best diet. We usually purchased whatever was available at the Park Store. Of course we purchased nutritious items like chocolate milk, sweet rolls and other assorted " health " foods We all looked forward to the evening meal at Camp Enotah (now Goose Creek) . Dinner was served family style, great southern cooking (everything fresh) and all you could eat for seventyfive cents. Not only did we enjoy the home cooking but also the camaraderie of the other folks sifting at the big table .
Weekends were crowded and busy. We bad to stay on our toes. However, Saturday nights were the nights for " fun and dancing" . We would go to Lake Winfield Scott, a nearby park, located about six miles away. It would be square dancing and buck dancing to the music of Johnny and Gerald and the Georgia Mountain Boys.
Two brothers, A . J. And Randall Collins played in the band . They worked with the

horses at both Vogel and Winfield Parks. A. J. played a guitar and Randall the fiddle. Randall went on to become a well known fiddle player in country & bluegrass music. The square dances were attended by locals, as well as people from Vogel and Winfield Scott. Some had never square danced before. It was fun teaching the calls and steps. Between dances there was always a group who walked outside the pavilion to the wooded area . I noted they had a bottle of Coca Cola in their hand. Then I would watch them congregate in one area and pass around a quart jar that contained a clear liquid. Each one would take a drink from the jar and then from the Coke. It was obvious these men seemed to be having more fun than they did at the beginning of the evening. They hooped
and hawed and danced more . vigorously. There are many more stories I could tell and many I should not tell.
All the wonderful times I shared with new and old friends are burned in my memory forever . My two younger brothers , Tommy and Johnny, followed me as employees of the Vogel and Lake Winfield Scott. This made a total of five "Stanley" brothers who worked at Vogel from 1947 until 1963, a span of 16 years. We still return for reunions and to reminisce.

Voice of Vogel

Guest Stories

Page 11

By Dock Green (aka Silverhawk) When not in the North Georgia
mountains I live in Plant City, Florida where my wife Cindy and I raise Appaloosa horses. During hurricane Francis while taking care of my panicstricken baby horses I was bitten 3 times on the calf of my leg by a brown recluse spider. I became very ill and almost lost my leg . It took surgery and nine months of treatment before it was all over.
Shortly after recovering from the spider bites I was lifting some bags of horse feed out of my jeep when I tore a muscle in my lower stomach creating a hernia which strangled an intestine which then turned gangrenous . This was now a life threatening situatuion requiring surgery where they almost lost me on the table. The day after surgery I developed pneumonia. If this wasn't enough my heart then went into an arrithmia going to 287 beats a minute where it remained 20 seconds and'then stopped. I died. My doctors called this "sudden cardiac death". Everything went black.
When I came to I had my knees against my chest with my arms wrapped around them squeezing as hard as I could as the doctors came

Return to Green Mountain

running in with a

defibrilator to try and re-

vive me. They had seen

it all happen on the moni-

tors. Having never seen

anything like this happen

before they were quite

surprised . I was told the

pressure I was exerting on

my chest had restarted

my heart. The Holy Spirit

had used me to restart my

own heart. The doctors

recognize the fact they had

.

witnessed a miracle . I had walked with

the Spirit.

I was in the hospital for a month

and in the Intensive Care Unit most of

that time as my life hung in limbo. I

was not out of the woods yet. During

this time I had plenty of time to think

as I drifted in and out of conciousness.

My thoughts were consumed with my

family, my Lord Jesus Christ, the

American Indian Christian Church I

had started, and my secret place, the

Hawk's Nest, in the North Ga. moun-

tains.

I am of Cherokee and Creek In-

dian blood and play the Native Ameri-

can flutes and after surgery Cindy

brought me my flute and eagle prayer

feather . For years I've brought the healing of the flute to others in the hospital, but now I needed it for myself.
As I would play I would long to be at my special place the "Hawk's Nest" on Green Mountain just three miles north of Vogel State Park. I've been camping at Vogel 35 years and perform with my flutes there every summer. And I've owned that little piece of mountain forest, the Hawk's Nest, 30 years. That whole area is very special to me and1aying there in the hospital I made a vow that as soon as I was able I would go back to my secret place the Hawk's Nest on Green Mountain. ' My body and spirit had been thru the mill and after months of recovery I was finally able to make the trip by myself and loaded up my jeep and headed for the mountains. I knew this was going to be a very spiritual trip of healing, recovery, and rejuvination. A journey to walk and commune with the Lord. On arriving I went right to Green Mountain and walked up to the Hawk's

Nest. Oh I needed this so badly. There is a certain kind of magic here, you can feel it all around . You can almost hear it. I call it the voices on Green Mountain.
For the next ten days I walked and worked on the mountain building a camp. Every morning I would build a fire and keep it stoked up all day to have a place to warm up. Day by day I could feel my strength and energy returning as my body absorbed the medicine here. Sometimes the presence and power of the Holy Spirit was so strong you could almost cut it with a knife. It was winter and the air was a little crisp but not cold and I would sit beside the fire and play my flute. It felt unreal , almost like a fantasy , almost as if the mountain talked to me.
As my body regained strength I could feel strengthening in my spirit as well, as the Lord prepared me for the work He had for me to do.
Finally it was time to head back to Plant City. As I stood there, a revitalized man, absorbing and drinking in my surroundings before I left, I knew this had been a healing trip. I could feel the magic of the North Georgia mountains all around me. I knew, the Silverhawk is back.

"AMO TE"
By Vivian Amos No doubt about it, Vogel is
"our" place! It was 1958 when, as high school sweethearts we came together for the first time to Vogel.
The occasion was our school's Junior - Senior picnic. It all began when we met as classmates at South Habersbam High School in Cornelia, Georgia. We met in Miss . Mary Griggs Latin class. After all these years and 46 years of marriage , we still enjoy each other and Vogel State Park. We come to Vogel as often as we can.
We don't remember much about Latin; only that "amo te " means "I love you". So, if you are visiting Vogel, look for our brick on the Memory Walkway next to the beach. The brick was a special gift given to us by our dear friends from the First Crown Financial class we taught at Helen First Baptist Church.
The brick reads: AMO TE 1958, DOUG & VIV AMOS, THANKS CROWN I. We still "amo te" each other and we "amo te" Vogel State Park!
Gotta good story?
Tell us your story. What spe-
cial memories does Vogel State Park
bring to mind for your family? Send
it to us . See address on page 2 .

Bah-Humbug

By Fay Farley

ence than coming to Vogel?

our vaudeville could do so. It takes a

"Bah! Humbug ," I thought to

So, for that Thanksgiving, we bit of bravado to dress up like Sonny

myself in answer to David Foot, Vogel actually did a Thanksgiving and Christ- and Cher and do a rendition of "I Got

State Park Manager, querying me about mas altogether. We trudged through You Babe" for your children and grand-

my thoughts on missing Christmas at boggy land and icy winds to cut a tree children.

Vogel after almost a decade.

and bring it back to the cabin. Rest

Every year we seemed to need

The Voice of Vogel is an upbeat assured that we weren ' t cutting down more time to do au the things we

and informative newspaper. Saying, trees on state lands. We were at a tree wanted to do together and apart. Ev-

" Bah! Humbug ," just sounds a bit too farm. The cabin of choice for me was ery year we anticipated snow and many

negative for this newspaper even if it' s one of the old CCC cabins. This was years we got it. It would come as no

how I feel. Maybe I should instead fo- our first time in one of them. It more surprise to say that snow isn ' t some-

cus on the upside of spending Christ- than surpassed my greatest expecta- thing that is anticipated in Florida

mas at Vogel.

tions. Then the tradition started.

(maybe in one' s dreams .)

My husband, John. our youngest

I thought to myself, "How would

In order to leave Florida each

daughter, Heather, and I have been the other children like to join us for Christmas for two weeks, we decorate

coming to Vogel for almost three de- Christmas holiday at Vogel? " And this our home with artificiaf trees and gar-

cades. We were campers in the begin- time, I was thinking about the real time lands .

ning. Our older children were out on of Christmas-not Thanksgiving.

There is nothing artificial at

their own completing college and start-

Our daughter and her family from Vogel. It's fresh cut trees , fresh gar-

ing their own families while the three SC said yes. Our son and his wife from lands, and fresh wreaths. I can smell

of us would come up from Florida and NC said yes . Heather was now in col- the evergreen just thinking about it. I

camp during the fall.

lege and she said yes . And soon even can smell the cinnamon in the hot apple

There's not a lot of fall in her boyfriend (future husband) said yes. cider. I can feel the cold winds blow-

Florida. You have to really look hard

So as the Christmas holidays ing and hear them howling through the

to find it. The Christmas tradition of rolled around , everyone got their own park. 1 can feel the excitement when

corning to Vogel began on my 50th cabin and our cabin became the cen- the snow would fall.

birthday. I was given the choice of tral meeting place until we outgrew it

John had set up every cabin our

going anywhere I wanted to go and with more grandchildren. Then we family occupied with a walkie talkie .

having it done my way to boot. It took started going to our oldest daughter's This was our mode of communication

me all of a second (maybe not) to de- cabin up on the hill as she had the big- when we were in our own cabins. I

cide that I wanted to come to Vogel. gest cabin since she had the biggest remember the thrill of the

I was born on Thanksgiving and family.

grandchildren's voices calling on the

if memory serves me correctly, my

Christmas at Vogel meant all of walkie talkie, "SNOW! "It brought out

birthday again came on Thanksgiving us cutting a tree , decorating it, deco- the child in all of us.

for my 50th celebration.

rating our cabins, present giving, food

Now, due to circumstances be-

I've always wanted Christmas in sharing, hiking, and lots of game play- yond our'control, we aren't at Vogel

a cabin in the mountains-something ing. We even developed our own this year .

quiet and calming and back-to-nature. "Vogel Vaudeville ." Who ever in the

How does that feel? I can't help

Can you get any closer to that experi- family was brave enough to partake in but say, "Bah-humbug! "

Page 12
Kids fishing rodeo
What a day to go fishing. Youngsters, 12 and under will have the opportunity to fish Wolf Creek for rainbow trout. You will never see so many smiling faces. If the adults don't watch out, they may be caught up in the excitement as well. Wi ldlife Resources Fisheries Unit will stock Wolf Creek with hundreds of trout. This pretty much guarantees a catch for every child present. Volunteers will be available to assist those children who need assistance. There is no competition involved with this program. Rather, we emphasize the fun of fishi ng. Every child does receive a prize. This program is sponsored in part by Coca-Cola Bottlers and many other area businesses. This fishing event is held on the second Saturday of June.
Christmas at Vogel State Park
Every year the staff and volunteers decorate the park to celebrate the Christmas season. The large blue spruce in f.ront of the Ranger' s Residence is decorated with lights to create a wonderful radiance. Because the tree is so large we need a little lift to get the tree lit. The Blue Ridge Mountain EMC is generous enough donate the time of a cherry picker and operator to help us do the decorating. Consider spending some time with us during the Christmas season.

Programs
July 4th Celebration
Join hundreds of your closest park friends as they play all day to celebrate our Nation's Independence. The day's excitement consists of a bicycle parade, paddleboat races , sand castle building contests, field games that consist of sack races, greased pole climb, dizzy lizzy , water balloon toss , egg throw and the traditional watermelon eating. These activities are reminiscent of simpler times in Appalachia when the locals gathered for a July Fourth picnic and games.
Music in the Park
How about spending an enjoyable summer Saturday evening listening to beautiful music wafting over Lake Trahlyta? Every Saturday at 8.m. from Memorial Day weekend through September M usic 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.
Halloween in the Park

Voice of Vogel

Leannah, Sadie, Luke, Lance in

December 2004

BRMEMC puts up lights

These square dancers are enjoying a fali evening at the Halloween Hoedown held on the third Saturday of October. This is one of Vogel's more popular programs. Besides dancing , the program offers storytelling by a campfire and hayrides. This type of program is very similar to what may have been offered at Walasi-Yi in the 1940s

Mountain Music & Craft Festival

Jr. Ranger Program

The Saturday after Labor Day in September sees the park celebrating Appalachian culture with music , song, dance and crafts. This popu lar program is placed in the beautiful setting of the theater on the
shores of Lake Trahlyta. As visitors peruse the crafts 1 - o;p14~..,.:, .,.._..,..-
and watch live demonstrations , music that was common 100 years ago can be heard. The program begins at 11 A.M. Admission to the music is $5 .00 for adults, $2.00 children. A lunch concession is available.

Annual CCC Reunion

Mud therapy

The "Boys " of the CCC gather 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 that 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 is held in the park group shelter. The program is free . The luncheon meal is covered dish . Bring a friend , bring a dish and come listen to some stories of the Civilian Conservation Corps. There is a tour of the CCC Museum .

These younguns don't believe in aromatherapy. They instead think a mud bath was the solution to clearing their minds of all their worries . After participating in a July Fourth event these two guys had to face their moms and the challenge of being Maytagged.

Youngsters are encouraged to participate

in the Department of Natural Resources Jun-

ior Ranger Program. Each park and Historic

Site in Georgia has the



booklets to begin the ad-

venture. There are three

level of participation for

ages 6- 12. Level I is for

ages 6 & 7; level Il is for

ages 8 - 10; and level Ill

is for ages 11 & 12. Each

level has a few more chal-

lenges and incremental

degrees of difficulty . Subject matter includes

study of the natural resources found in Geor-

gia , fishing , wildlife, fruits and flowers , his-

tory , animals and more. This should be fun for

the entire family. The books can be picked up

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 of Georgia State

Parks and Historic Sites is waiting to show

you the fun and excitement that can be found

in the outdoors.