Friends of the Park - Friends of Pickwick Landing State Park

Volume 6, Issue 2 Fall 2013
Friends of the Park
2013 Officers
President
Mr. Jeff Woodside
Secretary
Marcus Anderson
Treasurer
David Giesler
Board Of Directors
Johnny Bellis · Pam Goese
Randy Rinks · Paula Woodruff
Monthly Meetings
Every 3rd Thursday
of the month at 11:30 am,
at Pickwick Inn Restaurant
Your Membership Investment is
very important to our park.
Race to the Landing 6 Mile Run
On Saturday February 1, 2014, the
third Race to the Landing will be held
at Pickwick Landing State Park. The
race is one of twenty-one foot races
in the annual Tennessee State Parks Running Tour. In its
35th year, it is the oldest state parks running series in the
nation! The Friends group will again sponsor the race by
providing trophies and recruiting volunteers to assist with
registration, on course guidance, and water for the runners
and post race refreshments.
For race details and registration information/forms, visit the
official website: www.tennesseerunningtour.com
Runners, grab your sneakers and ready-set-go!
You'll want to mark your calendars now for our
4th Annual Wine Tasting event!
On Saturday, January 18, 2014, at our beautiful
Pickwick Landing State Park Inn, we are celebrating the wine culture of South America! Last
year's event was sold out so get your reservations in early. It's sure to be a great evening of wine, friends,
food and music. The doors will open at 5:30.
For reservations, call Tommy & Fran Thomas at 731-6898657, or email [email protected]. It's going to be muy
caliente...hot! hot! hot!
PO BOX 15 · PICKWICK DAM, TENNESSEE 38356 · WWW.FRIENDSOFPICKWICKPARK.ORG · PAGE 1
Visitors to our Park are now being welcomed in a very special way – a majestic arch
that spans the main road just past the Butterfly Garden.
The entrance side of the sign is lighted at night and is visible from Highway 57.
We are excited that, in addition to welcoming visitors year round, the arch will be decorated for
Christmas in the Park and serve as the grand entrance to the motor tour of the lighted displays.
Guy Garner, Park Manager said, “This is a great and unique addition to the Park. Many visitors and
local residents have made complimentary comments about its appearance.”
The arch was made possible by an extremely generous donation to the Friends from an individual
who loves the Park and wishes to remain anonymous. The arch was designed, manufactured and
installed by Design Team Sign Company, LLC who also provided partial funding. First Utility District
provided trenching to bring electricity from the fish weighing station to the arch. We know they are
all proud of the arch and will be excited to see it decorated for the Christmas holidays!
PO BOX 15 · PICKWICK DAM, TENNESSEE 38356 · WWW.FRIENDSOFPICKWICKPARK.ORG · PAGE 2
In 2012 the conference center at the Inn hosted 240 group meeting/events, ranging in size from our small
Friends meetings to Dancing with the Stars and the Chamber Banquet, with a total of 9,600 attendees. Also
hosted were 52 family or class reunions and 10 weddings with an additional 3,100 attendees. The center is
clearly a tremendous resource for the citizens of Hardin County as well as other Tennesseans and residents of
our neighboring states.
The Friends have collaborated with Inn management over the last several years to enhance the conference
center audiovisual capability by providing two multimedia projectors and a portable sound system. And last
month we provided their newest enhancement: a black pipe and drape stage backdrop.
Whereas before only a plain painted wall was behind the stage, the new backdrop visually frames and focuses
the stage within the room, dresses up the room and provides a pleasant and soft background. Mary Jane
Mills, Hospitality Manager, expressed her appreciation, “We are so thankful for everything the Friends Group
has done for the entire park. Most recently they purchased a black pipe and drape back drop to go on the
stage in the conference center. It brings a more professional and elegant appearance to any conference or
banquet.”
These improvements, as well as many others, would not have been possible without the support of your annual dues, donations and participation in our fundraising activities. A huge THANK YOU to you all!!
PO BOX 15 · PICKWICK DAM, TENNESSEE 38356 · WWW.FRIENDSOFPICKWICKPARK.ORG · PAGE 3
Christmas in the Park
The Friends of Pickwick Landing State Park invite you to visit the Park for our
Friday December 13th and Saturday December 14th
You'll want to bundle up the whole family and ooh and aaah over the new decorated
arch at the entrance to the beautiful lighted displays...then warm up inside at the Holiday Mart.
You'll find wonderful hand-made Christmas decorations and gift ideas and lots of tasty holiday
treats. Shhh...rumor has it that Santa may even drop by. Ho Ho Ho, we'll see you there!!!
Please support our many projects by renewing your
Friends Membership and inviting our Friends to join!
It is your generous support that makes our
park a great place to visit!
Remember, RECYCLE this newsletter … or better yet,
pass it on to a FRIEND!
PO BOX 15 · PICKWICK DAM, TENNESSEE 38356 · WWW.FRIENDSOFPICKWICKPARK.ORG · PAGE 4