Cheese!

A couple weeks ago Rangers Brian, Alann, John (Hoptak), and I traveled to NPS headquarters in Washington DC ("downtown") to be a part of a little recognition thingy for the NPS folks who participated in January's presidential inauguration.  Of the zillions of park personnel who participated in the event a representative 200  or so turned out for the recognition event.

I always enjoy such gatherings as they're a nice way to meet NPS folks from other parks.  Its a reminder of just how big the Park Service is.  At the very end of the proceedings they took a group picture.

I'm the one with his hat on.

Mannie

Our man in uniform(s)

Service

Clayton Barker, Antietam Park Ranger and member of the West Virginia National Guard, was this week, deployed to Kuwait enroute to Afganistan.  All of his friends at the Park wish Clayton the very best.  We are very proud of him and his service both as a Ranger and as a soldier.

Prescribed Burn: the Movie

Put on your Nomex pants, crank the volume, and hit the "play" button.

Still a little smoky, just north of Sharpsburg.

Ranger Mannie

Park Day 2009

Let's Work Together!

Today was Park Day at our nation's National Parks. Here's some scenes of eager volunteers helping to replant the East Wood to its Civil War era boundaries.


Debbie registers volunteers as they came rolling in early this a.m.


Tree-planters assemble just south of the East Woods.


Volunteers come in all sizes.


Tools of the trade await the budding arborists.


Joe instructs eager learners in the basics.



Shovelers Post!

Handle with care.


Wind-blown hair.


New trees in the shadow of history.

Joe Calzerette oversees a great day's work by some fantastic volunteers!

The historic East Woods looks to its future.



Park Day, join us next year.


Now here's a little movie I edited this evening of Park Day activities I've been getting footage of for the past three years.  I hope you enjoy it.

for the volunteers!

Ranger Mannie

Cross-bloggial pollenation*

Today to celebrate the completion of my term paper (or the draft anyway) I spent the afternoon casting 54mm pewter Civil War soldiers.  I made this little "how-to" video if you've ever thought about doing it yourself.

Staying handy,

Just north of Boonsboro.

Mannie

*I stole this term from a fellow blogger, though I can't remember who.