RiverLink Hosts Volunteer Information Sessions

RiverLink is an exciting place with an abundance of opportunities for volunteers to get involved. From office work to helping host special events to cleaning litter from local waterways, RiverLink can match most everyone with a way to help out.

Western North Carolinians (and others) who would like to be involved in restoring the French Broad Watershed as a place to live, work and play are invited to join the team by attending one of two volunteer information sessions on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012. There's a morning session at 10 a.m. and an afternoon session at 5 p.m. at the RiverLink office, 170 Lyman Street in the River Arts District of Asheville.

The information session will detail RiverLink's volunteer positions in a Powerpoint presentation. Volunteers will have a chance to fill out a volunteer application, and Volunteer Coordinator Dave Russell will be available to answer questions and help everyone find their best fit at RiverLink.

RSVP to Dave by calling (828) 252-8474, ext. 11 or via e-mail at volunteer@riverlink.org.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park Announces New Program

Officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in conjunction with the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountain Association,  are announcing a new opportunity to experience the Smokies. The new program, Experience Your Smokies, is a unique opportunity to get to know the park and its employees in a whole new way.

"If you have ever wanted to be a park ranger or get a behind the scenes look at what goes on in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, this is your opportunity," said park Superintendent Dale Ditmanson of the new program. Experience Your Smokies is a program designed for local business, civic and educational leaders to get a behind the scenes look into the national park, while networking with others from western North Carolina. "Our surrounding communities and their leaders are very important to us, and this program gives us a chance to make more meaningful connections with our neighbors and for them to do the same with us."

Participants will attend two half day and three full day sessions at a variety of locations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, accompanying park employees in activities that may include radio-tracking elk, excavating archeological sites, and monitoring salamander populations. This is a perfect way to get an insider's look at park operations as we explore areas like Cataloochee Valley, Deep Creek, Oconaluftee, Clingmans Dome, and Purchase Knob.

Assisting in planning for the program are representatives of Smoky Mountain Hosts, the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians, the Swain County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Waynesville and others. "Western North Carolina and the people of this region have such a deep and long connection with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park," said Waynesville Town Manager Lee Galloway, "This program is intended to give participants an inside look at the day to day operation of the Park and a better understanding of this wonderful asset we have in our region."

Experience Your Smokies is seeking diverse applicants from the surrounding communities for a program this spring. Program dates are as follows: Tuesday March 13th and 27th, April 17th, May 1st and Saturday May 19th. Class size is limited to 25 participants. Those attending will be asked to commit to attending all class days. Applications will be accepted between now and February 15. Please visit www.friendsofthesmokies.org/events.html  or call 929-452-0720 for an application.

Valentine's Day Special: Asheville Tourists Baseball Valentine's Gift Pack Special

Valentine's Day Gift Package:  Get the perfect gift for the baseball fan in your life. The Asheville Tourists Baseball Team has  the perfect package.  For only $39.00, the Tourists are offering an exclusive Valentine's Gift Package through February 14, 2012.

The 2012 Valentine's Gift Pack gives you 5 Box Flex Vouchers good for 69 games* of the 2012 season of Asheville Tourists Baseball AND a moisture wicking athletic shirt featuring the primary logo in the upper left chest area. Regularly a $77 value, specially priced for your Valentine at  $39.  *Box Flex Vouchers are not valid for the July 4th Fireworks Extravaganzas. Box flex vouchers must be redeemed at the Asheville Tourists Box Office for an actual ticket. Seating subject to availability.
Add an additional WOW factor:  Still Looking for that Extra *WOW* factor?  Have Mr. Moon or Ted E. Tourist Deliver your Sweetheart's Gift!  For an additional $35, Mr. Moon or Ted E. Tourist will deliver your Valentine's Gift Pack order to your sweetheart at home or at their place of work on February 14.  Act quickly, as their delivery schedule is certain to fill up fast! Deliveries are limited to a 15 mile radius from McCormick Field. Order online or call the Tourists Ticket Office at (828)258-0428.

Get a link for the Asheville Tourists Baseball Team and other Asheville NC Attractions HERE.

Stories of Mountain Folk Podcast 1-28-12

If you like close harmony old-time gospel, listen to this week's Podcast of Stories of Mountain Folk..  Amy introduces the show, and then Doreyl interviews the “Spirit-Filled Trio,” made up of Alana Powell Fisher, Nola Powell Brown, and Betty Collins Brown, all from Tuckasegee. During their interview they sing “You are My Hiding Place” accapella. Amy’s guest is Lori Anderson, who learned to make corn shuck dolls from Annie Lee Bryson, and volunteers at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s Pioneer Farm Museum in Cherokee. The Spirit-Filled Trio ends the show with “Reunion Time in Heaven.”

Listen to the Podcast anytime at: www.storiesofmountainfolk.com