The Arch, Vol 6 Nbr 2, Spring 1999
CIVIL WAR HERITAGE COMMISSION
The Friends of Gathland hosted the February meeting of the Civil War
Heritage Commission. The main topic was the battlefield state park concept,
which the Commission heartily endorsed. Friends of Gathland member Tim
Reese gave a slide presentation on the battle of Crampton’s Gap, as well
as a tour, both of which were will received.
FRIENDS HOST GROUP FROM LEADERSHIP FREDERICK
In April The Friends of Gathland hosted a group from Leadership Frederick.
The program enrolls Frederick business/community leaders and discusses
all aspects of life in Frederick County. The April topic was "Quality of
Life in Frederick". In addition to a walking tour of Gathland State Park
by Marge Magruder, Al Preston gave a talk on the Battle of South Mountain
and a representative from the Planning Department discussed current and
proposed bike paths.
MARCH AND APRIL WORKDAYS
Workdays in March and April were a great success. In March, nine students
from Mount Saint Mary’s College and three Community Service Workers joined
Friends of Gathland volunteers and accomplished more than anticipated.
The shed next to the Hall was cleaned out and all the rubbish taken away;
the first floor of the Lodge was painted and a lot of the ever present
leaves were raked. In April, additional plantings of azaleas and rhododendrons
were added in front of the Hall and more leaves raked! A big thank you
to all who helped and a special thanks to Donna Brightman, our volunteer
lanscaper "extraordinaire", who secured the plantings and provided the
planting instructions.
TOWNSEND ARTIFACTS FOUND BY VOLUNTEERS
On April 29th, a group of volunteers who said they were from Camp Victor
(or Victory) Boot Camp found several pieces of metal while picking up trash.
They left them in the door of the museum and were about to leave when Duke
Magruder arrived to check the coke machines. They informed him who they
were and of their find but left before he saw the metal pieces. It appears
that the metal pieces may be pages of linotype from Townsend’s manuscript
"Mrs. Reynolds and Hamilton", published in 1890. We have tried unsuccessfully
to find out about Camp Victor, in order to contact the leader so as to
pinpoint the location where the group found the pieces. If anyone has information
about Camp Victor (or Victory), please contact Marge Magruder. When the
artifacts are authenticated, they will be displayed in the musuem.
PAVILION RENTAL
Pavilion Rental has been brisk this season. So far, 10 days have been
reserved but there are still plenty of openings. Bob Hayas has volunteered
to ready the pavilion for guests on reserved days. Please spread the word
that it is a great place for family reunions and other get-togethers. Marge
Magruder is the contact person.
DELAWARE AUTHOR DIES
The Friends of Gathland were saddened to learn of the death of Jerry
Shields, author of "Gath’s Literary Work and Folk". the book contained
a biography of townsend as well as many of his essays. Several F.O.G. members
attended the initial book signing sponsored by the Delaware Heritage commission.
We had a chance to meet and talk with Jerry and in October 1996, he brought
Ruthanna Hinds, who worte a biography of Townsend for her thesis, to the
Centennial Celebration. Herry lived with his family in Dover, Delaware
and was active in the literary community. We extend our sympathy to his
family.
Volunteering can be fun; you help out a specific group and at the same time meet very interesting people! Unfortunately, F.O.G.’s cadre of docents is very small this season, and the tourists are starting to flock in to the park. To date, there have been several days when the museum was closed due to the lack of a docent volunteer. Anne Long is looking for people oriented docents that she can train for one five hour shift a month (Saturday or Sunday from 12pm to 5pm). If interested in volunteering, please contact Anne Long.
Volunteers are also needed to work at the F.O.G. booth during Middletown Heritage Days (Saturday 9/25 or Sunday 9/26) and Brunswick Railroad Days (Saturday 10/2 or Sunday 10/3). It is a great way to promote The Friends and the Park and have a good time to boot! If interested in volunteering for any of the mentioned days please contact Sharon Schroebel.
Buy any Friends of Gathland Centennial Memorabilia Item and get a second one of lesser or equal value for 1/2 price. Items include Youth T-Shirts/Sweatshirts, Mugs, Patches and Key Chains.
1999 Board Meetings
March 9th, June 8th, Sept 14th
All Board meetings are at 7pm in Gapland Hall and are open to members. Meetings may be rescheduled in cases of inclement weather.
1999 Membership Meetings and Other Events
May 15 Membership Meeting
June 19 Workday: 9am - Noon
July 17 Membership Meeting
Sept 11-12 Civil War Living History Weekend
Sept 11th (evening) Cigar & Brandy Social
Sept 18th Annual Meeting, Elections, and Picnic
Sept 25-26 Middletown Heritage Days
Oct 2-3 Brunswick Railroad Days
Oct 31 Museum closes for season
Nov 20 Membership Meeting
Dec 4 Antietam Illumination
Dec 11 Museums by Candlelight
All Membership Meetings are in Gapland Hall and begin at 10am on the 3rd Saturday of every other month.
"FIGURATIVELY" SPEAKING - Friendly, people-oriented non-profit group ISO friendly, number-oriented person to join us as a treasurer. Looking for someone who likes long walks in the (Gathland State) park, congenial talks about our mutual interests (finances, park activities, funding, grants and more!) and casual dining (i.e. coffee and cookies) in an informal setting (quarterly board meetings). Contactl Marge Magruder for details!
TAXING MATTERS - The same friendly non-profit group ISO friendly CPA. Looking for someone who enjoys occasional chats about "seasonal" (tax season, that is!) topics and would be willing to offer a little guidance during this very busy time. Contact Marge Magruder.
May 15th FOG Membership Meeting 10 am @ the Hall
Please read message from the President regarding meeting agenda.
In the last issue, we mailed Volunteer Surveys to local members only a few were returned. Please check that pile of "mail that I must do something with at a later date", dig it out, fill it in and return it by mail or at the May 15th meeting. THANKS.
Kudos to Joe Motter he signed up SIXTEEN New Members!!! Anyone want to try to break that record? Of course, if each member signed up just ONE new member, our membership would double. How about it??
Lorna Hainsworth sends out membership renewal notices on a quarterly basis...our thanks to those who renew promptly.
This newsletter is a publication of The Friends of Gathland State Park, Inc. Its intent and use is solely to promote Gathland State Park, which is part of the State Forest and Park Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The Friends of Gathland State Park are wholly separate from the Park Service. The Arch is published quarterly. The Newsletter deadline is 10 days prior to the first of the month for the next quarterly issue. We welcome your submissions to the newsletter and reserve the right to edit and determine placement of all items submitted.