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Sumbitted by Donna Myers
Centuries ago, Native Americans devised the ingenious Three Sisters garden, a method whereby corn, beans and squash plants are grown together in a mutually beneficial arrangement. Tall corn provides stalks for climbing beans, while squash spreads across the ground shading out the weeds. Not only do these plants grow well together, they are said to provide complete nutrition.
On August 13, these three – corn, beans, and squash –provided the basis for the Three Sisters Dinner and Auction, hosted by Friends of New Echota (FONE). "The Three Sisters are symbolic of Cherokee culture, and the success of our inaugural effort supports our intent to make this event an annual fundraiser to benefit educational programming at New Echota State Historic Site," said Donna Myers, President of Friends of New Echota (FONE).
Friends of Amicalola Falls members are hard at work making a difference for their favorite site. Volunteers are coming from far and wide to lend a hand accomplishing much-needed projects and having a great time in the process. Friends volunteer and Master Gardner, Bob Putman, has volunteered his time and talents pruning and weeding the landscaping at Amicalola Falls.
Another volunteer, Liz Martin, drove from her Tennessee home to spend time cleaning the offices, creating a brighter atmosphere for the staff. Friends John Thomas and Arliss Brigman repaired the rail fence in the campground and entire teams of Friends volunteers recently worked on trail maintenance, beautifying various areas of the park.
Submitted by Anthony Lamprose
Under a blue October sky and a colorful canopy of autumn leaves, Black Rock Mountain State Park's Friends chapter, Black Rock Buddies, joined park staff in officially dedicating the Marie Mellinger Center, capping a decade-long effort to build an enclosed activity building for Georgia's highest state park.
During the ceremony, Black Rock Buddies treasurer and past president, Debbie Chisholm, recalled her efforts with Norma Campbell, the late co-founder of the Friends chapter, to persuade members of the Georgia General Assembly to support the project. "The beautiful facility we are dedicating today just shows you what one person's dream can achieve," said Chisholm, referring to Campbell's concept of building an activity building for the park. "Norma saw the need and set about finding a way to fill it," Chisholm said. "Without Norma's vision, the park would not have such a fine building. It shows us all what one person can accomplish."
