Thoughts from the Board
Dear Friend,
Estate Planning to Save OUR Parkway! 
By Broaddus C. Fitzpatrick
Broaddus Fitzpatrick is an attorney who specialized in estate planning issues. He was Vice President of the Western Virginia Land Trust and represented the City of Roanoke as a Board Member of the Blue Ridge Soil and Water Conservation Board immediately before assuming his current position as an Easement Specialist with Conservation Partners, LLC. He now works full-time to permanently preserve Virginia’s open spaces and forests from development. He has been a FRIENDS board member since 2004 and is passionate about preserving the Parkway and the quality experience it gives those who enjoy it.
The magnificent landscape that surrounds us – our beautiful streams and the rich flora and fauna that enrich our area – can no longer be taken for granted. They are in great danger of disappearing in the next 15 years! Development is taking place at increasing speed as our region has been “discovered.” A quick look around you, particularly the view of our North Carolina mountains at night, shows that our countryside is becoming more thickly populated and broken-up into ever-smaller pieces.
As a lifelong resident of Southwest Virginia, where I have hiked, kayaked and fished, I mourn what is taking place. That is why I am an active member of the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway. But like any effective organization, FRIENDS cannot do its job without substantial funding. FRIENDS’ goal is to preserve, protect and promote the outstanding natural beauty, ecological vitality, and cultural distinctiveness of the Blue Ridge Parkway and its surrounding scenic landscape, thereby preserving this national treasure for future generations. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate several ways for all of us to help it do so.
I practiced law for twenty-five years, most of which involved specializing in estate planning. With our current tax laws and those in place for the foreseeable future, charitable giving through bequests of property, cash, investments, etc., through your Will or Trust can be extremely beneficial, not to mention naming FRIENDS as a beneficiary of life insurance policies, IRA’s, 401(k)s (special rules apply to beneficiary designations on retirement type plans, so consult an attorney or qualified financial/tax adviser before changing beneficiary designations), charitable gift annuities and other financial investments that are payable upon death. As an estate can receive a dollar for dollar deduction for most charitable gifts, substantial estate tax savings are possible while accomplishing great things for this area we all love. A discussion with a qualified attorney is crucial as I can only generalize in this article and cannot give specific advice.
An example of a simple way to help the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is to name it as sole beneficiary of your 401(k) and/or IRA upon your death if you are a single or widowed individual. As this does not affect your benefits during life but does give your estate a charitable deduction equal to the fund’s balance at death, this is a win-win situation for you and FRIENDS.
Present gifts of equities (stock) make a wise choice for most donors as they reduce income taxes through the charitable deduction and avoid capital gains taxes. Gifting a stock in which one has a low cost basis with high appreciation is a particularly effective tax avoidance technique that helps the donor as well as FRIENDS.
Yet another easy way to help is by creating a specific bequest in your Will. You should rely upon your personal attorney to create the Will and its language, but a general example is to simply say, “I give, devise and bequeath the sum of $________ cash (or a certain specific property, investment, etc.) to the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, currently located for identification purposes at 2214 Electric Road, Roanoke, Virginia, 24018 to be used in its sole discretion for the purposes of the organization.” Similar “distribution” language may be used in a trust to accomplish a post-mortem gift to FRIENDS. Again, this not only helps preserve what we love so much about this region, but it can create substantial tax savings in your estate depending upon your personal circumstances.
Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina are still “gems” but their wealth of natural diversity and beauty is threatened. We are stewards of this magnificent landscape, with its diverse flora and fauna, so let’s work together so that it is not squandered but preserved for those who follow us!
This article is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Please consult your estate planning professional to discuss the ideas expressed here. A member of our staff will be happy to be part of that discussion if you wish.
New Year's Resolutions for 2008!
Every year we consider resolutions that will improve our lives. This year consider these eight resolutions that can make a difference for your charity of choice, FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway! 1. Give a Gift Membership to FRIENDS!
2. Encourage one friend to Join FRIENDS!
3. Instead of a birthday party this year ask your family and friends to either Make a Contribution to FRIENDS in your name or Join FRIENDS as your charity of choice!
4. As a part of your exercise program, be a Parkway Volunteer. Volunteer Online!
5. Join or start a FRIENDS Chapter in your area!
6. Remember FRIENDS in your will!
7. Purchase merchandise from FRIENDS' Online Store for gifts for family and friends throughout the year!
8. Make a gift of stock!
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Now available at FRIENDS' online store.
The Blue Ridge Parkway by Foot - A Park Ranger's Memoir - a new book by former park ranger, Tim Pegram
 One of the premier tourist attractions of the eastern United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway stretches from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in western North Carolina. This volume relates the author's one-of-a-kind backpacking trip along the 469-mile road, along with his observations and recollections regarding the Parkway, the most visited unit of the National Park Service. Beginning with his experience as a summer college intern, the book also covers the twelve years he spent working as a ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Anecdotal history and accounts from some of the Parkway's earliest rangers complete this tale of one of our country's national treasures. The appendix contains a chronological, mile-by-mile re-creation of Pegram's 2003 trek, including the names of all the Parkway landmarks mentioned in the book.
Price: $29.95 each
For a complete listing of merchandise, visit our online store.
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FONSI Issued for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Control Strategies along the Blue Ridge Parkway
 (Asheville)—The National Park Service, Southeast Acting Regional Director has approved the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Control Strategies along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The FONSI has determined that there will be no significant environmental impacts that would occur by implementing a combination of chemical and biological controls to treat individual hemlock sites throughout the park, as described under Alternative D in the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Control Strategies along the Blue Ridge Parkway Environmental Assessment.
Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis said using a combination of chemical and biological controls will allow more areas throughout the park to be treated; thus, park managers can more effectively use limited funds and resources to treat a greater area across the landscape.
The National Park Service has determined that the proposed project will not significantly affect the human environment within the project area; therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared.
The recently approved EA and FONSI are available by visiting the National Park Service’s planning website at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/documentsList.cfm?parkId=355&
projectId=18306.
A limited number of printed copies are available at Parkway headquarters, located at Milepost 384, just north of US 74A.
Learn more about FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway's efforts to Save the Hemlocks by visiting our website HERE.
Make a contribution today to SAVE THE HEMLOCKS!
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Youth Volunteers in Parks Programs
Congratulations, Junior Ranger Essay  Contest Winners!
"Why are national parks important, and what can we do together and as individuals to preserve them?" This was the topic on December 11th when the National Park Foundation president and CEO, Vin Cipolla, announced the winners of the 2007 Junior Ranger Day nationwide essay contest.
The Junior Ranger Essay Contest, launched during Junior Ranger Day (April 28, 2007), received more than 100 entries from across the nation and served as an exciting opportunity for the National Park Foundation and park lovers from across the nation to receive advice from young park stewards.
"We are thrilled with the enormous interest in this essay contest, and particularly with the great ideas offered in the winners' essays," said Cipolla. "The National Park Foundation is continually working on finding new ways to connect with kids and to teach them to love, appreciate and enjoy the parks, so that they will help protect these special places in the future."
And the winners are...
1st Prize – Ramona Leanna Watson (11) of Flint, MI
2nd Prize – Liz Austin (10) of San Diego, CA
3rd Prize – Jonathan Petrosino (11) of Albany, NY
Nationwide funding for the Junior Ranger program is made possible through the sole support of the National Park Foundation with funding from Unilever, Best Buy Foundation and Ball State University. For more information contact Anne Marek, National Park Foundation at (202)354-6480, amarek@nationalparks.org.
Click the link below to read the essays.
Winning Essays: 2007 Junior Ranger Essay Contest
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Parkway News
Destination Center Opens
 The National Park Service and the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area announced the opening of the Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center at milepost 384 on the parkway on December 17. The center’s exhibits highlight the natural and cultural diversity, economic traditions and recreational opportunities found in western North Carolina and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Center also houses a 70-seat theater, information and orientation services and book sales area.
The building itself reflects the cutting edge of energy saving technology. Constructed to LEED certification standards (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), it features active/passive heating and cooling, radiant floor heating, a “green” roof and other energy efficient features. According to Blue Ridge Parkway Superintendent Philip Francis “We are excited that in addition to orienting visitors to the region and Parkway, the structure exemplifies natural resources stewardship for the long term.”
The theater’s main attraction is a new movie “The Blue Ridge Parkway-America’s Favorite Journey”. Shown hourly in high-definition surround sound, the 24-minute film captures a father-daughter trip along the motor road that incorporates history and the region’s contemporary sights and sounds. The center’s exhibits feature a variety of listening stations and interactive exhibits.
Hours of operation are from 9 am to 5 pm daily. A grand opening celebration will be scheduled for spring 2008. For more information contact the Destination Center at 828-298-5330.
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National Park System Advisory Board Gets New Members
 (Washington, DC) – The National Park System Advisory Board has five new members and a new chairman in William F. Baker, PhD, polar explorer, author, filmmaker and current CEO of Thirteen/WNET, public television in New York City. “Make that former polar explorer,” said Baker, who in February moves to emeritus status at WNET and will have sufficient time for the National Park board, which advises the Secretary of the Interior and the National Park Service Director on matters relating to the National Park Service, the National Park System, and programs administered by the National Park Service.
The National Park System Advisory Board has been inactive recently because its original Congressional authorization expired last January 1st. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said, “I am glad to have been able to use my secretarial authority to reactivate the National Park System Advisory Board and I look forward to hearing from them as we continue to make the National Park System a jewel of the nation." Seven of those serving when the board expired, including Baker, will be members of the new board. Kempthorne appointed five new members.
"The Board provides valuable advice to the National Park Service leadership on many important issues relating to our 391 park units and our other natural and cultural heritage responsibilities," said National Park Service Director Mary A. Bomar. "I was pleased to name Bill Baker to lead the board, and I look forward to a wonderful working relationship with both the new and reappointed members."
Baker’s interests are wide-ranging: amateur radio, horology, astronomy, electronics, sailing, and polar exploration. In 1983, Baker carried the Explorers Club flag to the top of the world, becoming one of only a few people to have visited both the North and South Poles. He returned to the South Pole in December 1988 to tape a documentary about Antarctica, and he revisited in 1992 and 1996.
“Like most Americans, I have a love of our national parks,” Baker said, “I’ve actually been involved on the National Parks System Advisory Board for several years and when asked to lead I was happy to do so. The appointment, in fact, is a great honor. America's national parks are irreplaceable treasures. They are sources of beauty, inspiration, history, and life. Many Americans don't fully comprehend the wonders of our parks and, in this new role, I am thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to help the public understand and appreciate the National Park Service to its fullest."
The Board’s membership consists of 12 United States citizens having a demonstrated commitment to the mission of the National Park Service and representing various geographic regions. Members include individuals who have outstanding expertise in fields such as history, archeology, anthropology, landscape architecture, biology, ecology, social science, and natural or cultural resources management. At least one of the 12 members is a locally elected official from an area adjacent to a park. Members are appointed by the Secretary of the Interior for terms ranging from one to three years. On November 19, 2007, Secretary Kempthorne appointed 12 members to the Board.
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Commercial Vehicles on the Blue Ridge Parkway
 In a recent article in the Asheville Citizen Times columnist John Boyle answered several readers’ questions, one of them concerning commercial vehicles driving illegally along the Parkway. The questions, his response and his ensuing research are quoted below.
Question: Who monitors the illegal vehicles on our beloved Blue Ridge Parkway? Each week, we see more and more commercial vehicles riding on the BRP.
My answer: From what I’ve gleaned, this writer is the only person doing much monitoring.
Real answer: Blue Ridge Parkway Chief Ranger John Garrison gave me one heck of a thorough answer to this question, but it comes down to this: They don’t really have much staff to do a lot of monitoring.
“The parkway is 470 miles long and runs through 29 counties through two states, and we have 34 commissioned rangers, including myself and the assistant chief,” Garrison said, noting that they’re a “full-service law enforcement agency” charged with handling all sorts of crime and accidents on the parkway.
I asked him how many rangers are on-duty at any given time, and he said, “I’d rather not talk about it.”
Since 1999, the biggest concern has been reducing accidents, and they’ve had solid success with this. It’s not as if they don’t enforce the law about commercial vehicles, and Garrison knows they can detract from motorists’ scenic enjoyment.
He puts it this way: “When there’s a low level of adverse impact, we don’t spend lot of time on it.”
That doesn’t mean they don’t care. They do, especially about hot spots. So, if you see a violation, alert them by calling 800-727-5928.
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Additional Snow Gates on Blue Ridge Parkway
 In preparation for winter operations, two new snow closure gates have been added near the Boone/Blowing Rock area of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The locations of the new gates are: MP 290.8 - just south of Green Hill Road and MP 291.7 - just north of US 321. To detour around these gates, southbound traffic will exit the parkway at Green Hill Road; take Green Hill Road to US 321 and then US 321 north to parkway. Northbound traffic will follow US 321 south to Green Hill Road.
Gates are used along the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway to close areas during inclement weather. Snow removal on parkway is completed by park staff. With limited staffing, the parkway may have snow and ice cover long after state roads are clear. Motorists should avoid the parkway during periods of snow and ice and should expect gated sections to be closed whenever road conditions are hazardous. At times, some sections of the road may be closed in advance when winter weather is predicted. Gated sections are opened as soon as road conditions are safe for motorists.
For information regarding road closures on the Blue Ridge Parkway, call 1-828-298-0398.
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Mountains To Sea Trail News
Mountains-to-Sea Trail Featured by American Trails
American Trails.org has included the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea trail on their website listing of Featured National Recreation Trails, giving the following description.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway Segment — This backcountry trail extends nearly 193 miles and is the longest section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The scenic foot trail ascends and descends with the contours of the Parkway, crossing expansive forests, wildflower gardens, major rivers, and historic sites. The entire trail stretches nearly 935 miles from Clingman's Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks. When completed, this trail will connect 37 counties, including numerous cities, state parks, and U.S. Forest Service lands. Given the numerous partners and landowners involved, this trail system should be commended for what has been achieved through a diverse partnership. With almost half of the trail now open to the public, this amazing trail is connecting North Carolina in a truly unique way (designated 2005).
For other featured trails visit the American Trails website at http://www.americantrails.org
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Chapter News
The Asheville Chapter Steering Committee has scheduled a working meeting for Wednesday, January 23 at 3:30pm at Park Headquarters. At that meeting, co-chairs Hugh Stephens and Tom Morgan will facilitate in the selection of the chapter’s communication's secretary, assign leadership from the committee on Park projects, and plan for a general meeting in Asheville in the spring. Also on the agenda are open-floor discussions about fundraising, business networking, and house-parties.
The brief meeting will include refreshments. For more information contact Tom Morgan at tmorgan51@bellsouth.net.
Fisher Peak Chapter - As we move into 2008 the FRIENDS Fisher Peak Chapter would encourage all chapters to consider the great opportunity they have before them.
After four years we can say … FRIENDS chapters are more than just volunteers who take on great work to help FRIENDS with Blue Ridge Parkway projects. FRIENDS chapters are more than dedicated community volunteers who love the Parkway. FRIENDS chapters are more than members providing work for projects and fundraising -- they “connect between people” as members of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
FRIENDS Fisher Peak Chapter, after four years of working to construct the 4.5 miles Fisher Peak Trail at the Blue Ridge Music Center, have more than bonded … as the song says, “we are family!”
Annually the chapter has a covered-dish holiday gathering. This year was no exception. Inviting Susan Mills, FRIENDS director, chapter members shared a wonderful evening at Mary Guynn’s home, a chapter steering committee member. Here the chapter members were able to celebrate “our families’” accomplishments and simply have fun together.
FRIENDS Chapters are about the close bond that is created through a mutual love, the Blue Ridge Parkway. FRIENDS provides its members the unique opportunity to come together to make a difference.
The Fisher Peak Chapter salutes all the FRIENDS chapters that are mushrooming along the Blue Ridge Parkway corridor and encourage others to begin a chapter! The more you give the more you receive!
For more information regarding the Fisher Peak Chapter, contact Dottie Bramley, Volunteer Coordinator at pdbramley@valink.com.
Roanoke Valley Chapter: There will be a meeting at 10:00 AM, Wednesday January 16 at the FRIENDS office (2214 Electric Road, Roanoke) to start the planning process for our next Viewshed tree planting event (to be held March 29). Any FRIENDS members who are interested in serving on the planning committee and help with this event are invited to attend. Contact Mark McClain 540-387-0930 or e-mail Mark at mcclainmark@comcast.net for more details.
This photograph of the Appalachian State University Chapter was taken at their last meeting. Chapter President, Caroline Thompson, tells us that members are eager to begin planning for spring projects. If you are interested in getting involved with this chapter, contact Caroline at caroline.g.thompson@gmail.com.
 Rocky Knob Chapter: Submitted by Chapter Chairperson, Gloria Hilton. Our district is very sad to no longer have the help of Lester Wood from the Parkway. He has been such a help with all of our projects and he will be missed tremendously. He retired on January 3.
I believe the Parkway is planning a retirement party for him during January. We intend to give him a gift membership to Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway. We wish Lester many wonderful years of fishing and working on his farm. For more information regarding the
Rocky Knob Chapter e-mail Gloria Hilton at gjhilton1@yahoo.com.
A Member Reminisces...
Dear FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway,
I had made many trips to Gatlinburg driving through the Smoky Mountain National Park. I remember very well when President Roosevelt dedicated the beautiful overlook at (Newfound) Gap.
I had my first automobile in 1950. The first place I wanted to go when I learned to drive in the mountains was to Gatlinburg. Soon links of the Blue Ridge Parkway were being completed. At first it didn't go very far. It seems the next link encircled Asheville, or maybe around Sylvia. Finally, all but the Viaduct were complete.
 In a few years we discovered "Big Lynn Lodge". The Little Switzerland area was soon our favorite spot. There was so much to do and see with a trip each day. I don't think there are any trails of any significance that we didn't cover many times as the years went on. Craggy Garden was always special when the Rhododendrum bloomed.
Further North – Doughton Park, Mabry Mill, The Peaks of Otter, Jefferson Mountain and all the picnic areas from the start to the end of the Parkway became very special to us. We did most of it in June and October (1 – 2 wks each time). Mt. Pisgah was always special for lodging and eating in the dining room and snack bar. I go to Lake Junaluska every August for a 3-day conference and get to go to Pisgah. I’m 86 now and drive only locally. I do want the Parkway saved. Let’s keep the Parkway for future generations.
– Mrs. Josephine Creel
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FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway offers young and old, together, the opportunity to connect with friends and family to save the Blue Ridge Parkway for their continuing enjoyment - and for future generations. The Blue Ridge Parkway connects the Shenandoah National Park with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It is America's most scenic drive encompassing 469 miles traversing 29 counties in Virginia and North Carolina. Over 20 million people touch its borders annually - making it America's most frequented park treasure! By joining Preserving the Legacy you will be supporting projects that will protect this extraordinary Parkway and adjacent land and views for yourselves and for future generations. FRIENDS is an official National Park Service partner. Please join us by choosing one of our deserving Programs today!
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Take Pride in America® is a national partnership program aimed at increasing volunteer service on America’s public lands. It is the goal of Take Pride to empower volunteers from every corner of America to maintain and enhance our natural, cultural, and historical sites.
Take Pride encourages citizen stewardship through an innovative public awareness campaign and an interactive website that showcases volunteer opportunities at natural and cultural sites.
Please forward this e-newsletter to anyone you feel would be interested! If this message was forwarded to you by a friend, you can receive your own subscription contacting us here. If you have any questions, please Contact Us.
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