Interpretive Programs for July 2011

Date: July 1, 2011
Contact: Howard Duncan, 423-569-9778

The Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will host a series of day and evening programs during the month of July. Park rangers will present a variety of programs in both Tennessee and Kentucky. The programs in Tennessee will be held at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center or nearby facilities. Programs in Kentucky will be at the Blue Heron Campground or the Stearns Depot Visitor Center. In addition to these programs, park rangers will present short talks at the Blue Heron Mining Camp during scheduled trips by the Big South Fork Scenic Railway. All programs are presented on Eastern Time.

Friday, July 8

10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Fiber and Spinning Demonstration - Stearns, Kentucky, Depot Visitor Center – Natural fibers surround us every day in the clothing we wear, the linens we use for bed and bath and even on the dining room table. Plants and animals provide these natural fibers. Park Ranger Sue Duncan will be demonstrating hand spinning with one of the animals whose wool is used to make garments.

Saturday, July 9

10:30 a.m. - Totally Terrestrial Terrapins - Bandy Creek Visitor Center - Meet with Park Ranger Jessica Moore on the Bandy Creek Visitor Center back porch to learn all there is to know about terrapins. There will be a Junior Ranger craft activity following the program.

7:00 p.m. - Scavenger Hunt - Bandy Creek Campfire Circle - Join Park Ranger Dustin Beaty for an exciting and fun filled scavenger hunt. Please wear sturdy shoes, bring a flashlight and use an insect repellent. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. This activity will take approximately 1 1/2 hours.

7:30 p.m. - “We only wanted to be left alone”, True Stories of the Civil War on the Cumberland Plateau - Blue Heron Campground - Come meet “Lizzy”, a fictitious lady who lived in the Big South Fork country during the Civil War. She has “stories that will make your skin crawl because they are the truth as best I know”. This program commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. You will hear about events that actually took place on the land that became Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Saturday, July 16

10:30 a.m. -- A Tale of Tails - Bandy Creek Visitor Center - Did you know that beaver sometimes use their tails as a chair? Why does an opossum have a bare tail? Join Park Ranger Brenda Deaver and hear some tales of interesting tails found in the Big South Fork area. Meet on the porch of the building across the brick walkway from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center.

7:00 p.m. – In Cold Blood – Bandy Creek Visitor Center – Is this a murder mystery? Not really. Some animals actually are called cold-blooded. Park Ranger Jessica Moore will tell you about cold blooded reptiles that live in Big South Fork.

7:30 p.m. - Turtle Tracks – Blue Heron Campground - The box turtle is the most common terrestrial turtle in the eastern United States. He carries his home with him and eats poisonous mushrooms. Join Park Ranger Debby Zimmerman as she introduces a few special guests.

Saturday, July 23

10:30 a.m. - Lost in the Woods - Bandy Creek Visitor Center - Join Ranger Amber Hamblin as she shows some useful tools to help you survive if you become lost in the woods.

7:00 p.m. – What’s in a Name? - Bandy Creek Campfire Circle - There really is a town in Tennessee called “No Name!” Why would anyone want to visit a place called “No Business?” Join Park Ranger Brenda Deaver and discover the stories behind some unusual names given to places in the Big South Fork. Meet at the campfire circle behind Loop B in the Bandy Creek Campground. In case of rain, the venue will be changed to the building across from the visitor center.

7:30 p.m. - Blue Heron Campground – It Started with the Gum Tree - Join Ranger Lynn Thornton as she tells the story about how the town of Stearns was developed as the Stearns Company began. Original photographs will be used to show the history of the town throughout different years.

Saturday, July 30

10:30 a.m. - Ticked-Off! - Bandy Creek Visitors Center - Have you ever found a tick on your pet ... or worse, on yourself? Join Teacher-Ranger Tracy Spain as she explains why these pesky parasites are drawn to mammals.

7:00 p.m. - Mini Beasts – Bandy Creek Campfire Circle - What kinds of eyes are watching you from the forest? Who is lurking about your feet on the ground? Who is watching who? See if you can find them. Join Ranger Bill Herman on a quest for the mini beasts.

7:30 p.m. - Wonders of the Wild – Blue Heron Campground – There are some animals in Big South Fork to be avoided and Park Ranger Shauna Milillo will be telling you what they are.

Other July Programs at the Wayne County Library
July 19 - Eastern Box Turtle – 1:00 p.m.
July 21 - Exotic Animals – Hedgehogs – 1:00 p.m.
July 22 - Snakes – 1:00 p.m.

Daily Bleacher Features short talks will be presented about various cultural, historical and natural resources topics at the Blue Heron Depot according to the following schedule:

Wednesday- Friday at 12:30 p.m.
Saturday at 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

For more information about these programs or the park, call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center in Tennessee at [phone] or the Stearns Visitor Center in Kentucky at [phone].