Join us for SSVC's 2022 Annual Meeting on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at Arey Assembly Hall in Bridgewater. This is a potluck dinner, so bring one of your favorite dishes to share with the group. We will have water available to drink. To be more sustainable, please bring your own plate, silverware, and drinking cup or bottle. After the annual meeting we will have a presentation by Pamela Gray. Pam has volunteered with the Shenandoah National Park, Natural & Cultural Resource’s “SNP Bear Tech” Team (Biological Science Technicians – Wildlife) for the last three seasons. The purpose of this program includes assessing nuisance black bear and white-tailed deer behavior in developed areas and keeping people and animals safe. Other duties may include assisting with wildlife monitoring, forest pest management, wildlife relocation and peregrine falcon restoration work. Every season, the Bear/Wildlife Mitigation Team works to separate people from wildlife. Pam will talk about how the team works towards their goal to reduce the likelihood that they will become conditioned to human food or garbage and to re-establish the natural fear of humans in wildlife, which ultimately minimizes human-wildlife conflicts.
PATC Annual Meeting
Tuesday, November 15: at 7:00-9:00 PM, PATC 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting. You can "attend" this year's PATC Annual Meeting through Zoom. Our guest speaker is Ranger Angela Crenshaw, who will give a talk entitled "Harriet Tubman: The Ultimate Outdoorswoman." To read Ranger Crenshaw's bio, please visit www.patc.net/AnnualMeeting2022
Zoom Info to join the meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84068675769
Notice from Shenandoah National Park: Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Pat Kenney announced that the Park now has a new option for visitors to track campground site availability, Skyline Drive status and other important safety alerts via text. The new visitor alert system allows the public to opt in to two separate information channels to receive updates. Subscribers to the new SHENALERTS will get emergency notifications and significant event texts. These alerts will include hazardous situations, road closures on Skyline Drive, wildland fires, and other significant incidents that may affect visitors’ time in Shenandoah National Park. To subscribe, text SHENALERTS to 888777. A separate information channel has been established that allows subscribers to track campground availability by texting SHENCAMP to 888777. On weekends, subscribers will receive an early afternoon text about the number of available campsites at each campground. An additional text will be sent when each campground fills. “We hope this new system will provide valuable information to the public for planning their visits to Shenandoah,” said Park Superintendent Pat Kenney. North River Ranger District's 90 Mile/Hour Challenge
We have gotten off and running with the NRRD's 90 Mile/Hour Challenge. So far we have four who have notified Jean that they have completed the Challenge. John Burkhardt, Jean Stephens, Jim Fye, and Lavern Beachy. There are more of you out there! Contact Jean to get your patch when you have completed the challenge. Click here for more about this challenge:
http://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
PATC Annual Meeting
Tuesday, November 15: at 7:00-9:00 PM, PATC 2022 Virtual Annual Meeting. You can "attend" this year's PATC Annual Meeting through Zoom. Our guest speaker is Ranger Angela Crenshaw, who will give a talk entitled "Harriet Tubman: The Ultimate Outdoorswoman." To read Ranger Crenshaw's bio, please visit www.patc.net/AnnualMeeting2022
Zoom Info to join the meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84068675769
Notice from Shenandoah National Park: Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Pat Kenney announced that the Park now has a new option for visitors to track campground site availability, Skyline Drive status and other important safety alerts via text. The new visitor alert system allows the public to opt in to two separate information channels to receive updates. Subscribers to the new SHENALERTS will get emergency notifications and significant event texts. These alerts will include hazardous situations, road closures on Skyline Drive, wildland fires, and other significant incidents that may affect visitors’ time in Shenandoah National Park. To subscribe, text SHENALERTS to 888777. A separate information channel has been established that allows subscribers to track campground availability by texting SHENCAMP to 888777. On weekends, subscribers will receive an early afternoon text about the number of available campsites at each campground. An additional text will be sent when each campground fills. “We hope this new system will provide valuable information to the public for planning their visits to Shenandoah,” said Park Superintendent Pat Kenney. North River Ranger District's 90 Mile/Hour Challenge
We have gotten off and running with the NRRD's 90 Mile/Hour Challenge. So far we have four who have notified Jean that they have completed the Challenge. John Burkhardt, Jean Stephens, Jim Fye, and Lavern Beachy. There are more of you out there! Contact Jean to get your patch when you have completed the challenge. Click here for more about this challenge:
http://www.ssvc.org/north-river-district-challenge.html
Presentation to the Bridgewater Retirement Community
On Thursday, October 20, Pam and Jean gave a presentation to the Bridgewater Retirement Community on their adventures on the Appalachian Trail, as well as what PATC does. They also gave suggestions on local hikes that the residents might enjoy.
On Thursday, October 20, Pam and Jean gave a presentation to the Bridgewater Retirement Community on their adventures on the Appalachian Trail, as well as what PATC does. They also gave suggestions on local hikes that the residents might enjoy.
New Change in the Hunting Law:
As of July 1, 2022 Virginia law now allows hunting on Sunday on public and private land, including National Forest System lands.
I’m planning to use a trail in the national forest during hunting seasons, what should I do?
As of July 1, 2022 Virginia law now allows hunting on Sunday on public and private land, including National Forest System lands.
I’m planning to use a trail in the national forest during hunting seasons, what should I do?
- Wear bright clothing. Make yourself more visible. Choose colors that stand out, like red, orange or pink, and avoid blacks, browns, earth-toned greens and animal-colored clothing. Orange vests and hats are advisable.
- Keep your dog visible, too. Have your dog wear an orange vest and stay close to you.
- Make noise. Whistle, sing or carry on a conversation as you walk to alert hunters to your presence. Sound carries well across mountain basins, and hunters should be listening for any sounds of animal movement. Stay on designated trails. Hunters expect people to be on National Forest trails, and may assume the noise they hear from someone bushwhacking through the woods is an animal and not a human.
- Be courteous. Once a hunter is aware of your presence, don’t make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife. Avoid confrontations.
- Make yourself known. If you do hear shooting, raise your voice and let hunters know that you are in the vicinity.
- Know when hunting seasons are. Continue to hike, but learn about where and when hunting is taking place.
Court Square Theater Play: December 1st-4th
“Can't Feel At Home”, an original play by Dr. John Glick will be presented at Court Square Theater from Thursday, December 1 through Sunday, December 4th.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the history of Shenandoah National Park and the families that lived there. Be sure to get your tickets soon. They are going fast.
Showtimes are:
Thurs (12/1) 7:30
Fri (12/2) 7:30
Sat (12/3) 3:00 & 7:30
Sun (12/4) 3:00
Tickets cost is $20.00 Advanced and $25.00 At Door
Tickets available at: https://courtsquaretheater.org/
“Can't Feel At Home”, an original play by Dr. John Glick will be presented at Court Square Theater from Thursday, December 1 through Sunday, December 4th.
This is a great opportunity to learn more about the history of Shenandoah National Park and the families that lived there. Be sure to get your tickets soon. They are going fast.
Showtimes are:
Thurs (12/1) 7:30
Fri (12/2) 7:30
Sat (12/3) 3:00 & 7:30
Sun (12/4) 3:00
Tickets cost is $20.00 Advanced and $25.00 At Door
Tickets available at: https://courtsquaretheater.org/
