WELCOME

Please welcome Maleea Brooks, John Hood, Sandra Barnes and Al Tornabene.

PARKS VIE FOR PRIVATE GRANT MONEY
Sun News July 9

An online voting campaign could help South Carolina’s state parks with private grant money. It’s part of the national annual “America is Your Park” campaign, which
encourages families to become more active in summer. Participants are invited to vote for their favorite state park at www.LivePositively.com, through September 6.
The top three vote-getters will receive $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 in recreation grants. Last year’s winner, with more than 1.6 million votes, was Bear Head Lake
State Park in Ely, Minn. The campaign is presented by Atlanta based Coca Cola, in collaboration with the National Park Foundation, America’s State Parks and the National Recreation and Park Association.

Let’s do our part by voting early and often.

Now that the summer season is pretty much over, it’s time to start thinking about the rest of the year. Park attendance records were at an all time high. Thanks to some new
members, we have been able to offer Atalaya programs every day. Scout troop 766 from Charleston gave Atalaya a thorough sweeping in July. Their work is much appreciated.
Charlie Kniffin and crew are busy building shelving to store Atalaya artifacts. The next time you visit Atalaya, check out the new interpretive wall signs. They have been updated with more correct information and several additional signs have been posted.


Friends kiosk at the Education Center has been updated thanks to Cheryl Reilly.


Karen Korszeniewski has updated bulletin boards at the Visitors Center.


PRESIDENT’S CORNER

Joan Crow

Dear Friends,
September is here; however, there are still many things that need our attention before the end of October when many programs close for the season. Our final beach sweep will be Tuesday, September 6. Meet in the south parking lot at 8 AM. It always amazes me how much trash we can collect in just 1 and 1/2 hours after a major holiday weekend. On Wednesday, September 14 we are having a picnic supper at shelter #1. See the details elsewhere in the newsletter. Let's have a record attendance and
celebrate what we have accomplished so far this season and plan for the upcoming Atalaya Arts and Crafts Festival. We will need help all three days, September 23, 24, 25 at our booth. Once again we will sell the festival T-shirts. Maybe a preview of this year's design will be available at the picnic. I think all willbe pleased with the logo. Since March we have welcomed a record number of visitors to the Visitors Center as well as provided guided Atalaya tours. 1400 people enjoyed alligator talks and learned about these captivating critters who reside in the park. Thank you to those who assisted with the Atalaya Folklore program on Friday evenings during June, July, and August. Each week either Ranger Mike Walker or Naturalist Elisabeth Miska entertained adults and children with stories regarding our local folklore. Plans for the Atalaya Holiday Celebration have begun. Some new features and displays will be part of the year's festivities. All in all it will be an exciting day for Friends and those who attend. Mark December 3 on your
calendars. More information will be in the next newsletter. Many hands will once again be needed to make this a successful fund raiser for the Friends and the park.


PLEASE NOTE:

Friends provides one yellow T-shirt with our logo for each volunteer member. Anyone wanting an additional shirt can contact Surfwater Promotions, 9629 Scipio Lane (off Holmestown Road) on left just past the South Strand County Offices. Phone: 215-6123. They have our logo programmed into their system and can put it on a yellow shirt purchased from them or one you supply. Please make sure your membership decal is firmly adhered to the driver's side of your car's windshield. The decal will allow your vehicle and all occupants entry into the park. HAND HELD DECALS WILL NOT BE HONORED BY THE BOOTH ATTENDANT. The decal on your windshield lets the attendant know you are a paid member of Friends of Huntington Beach State Park. Enjoy the remaining days of summer.
I'll see you at the beach sweep and at the picnic. And as always, I'll see you around the park.


Joan


ANNUAL ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL ATALAYA, SEPTEMBER 23,24 AND 25

This annual festival draws thousands to the park every year. This will be the ninth year Friends has participated in the festival.Once again Friends will be selling T-shirts. Karen Korszeniewski, VP and Membership Chair, with a group of volunteers, is working to create the shirts. Friends will also be selling coffee mugs, cards and fans.Volunteers are needed to staff both Friends booth and the Visitors Center which will be open during the festival. Tour guides will be available to give impromptu tours and information to festival attendees. We need a person to set up and close our booth on Saturday, Sept. 24. Jim Dankosky and Rebecca Dehl have volunteered to handle Friday and Sunday.

FRIENDS GENERAL SEPTEMBER MEETING

Our September meeting will be held Wednesday, September 14, 6:00 pm at picnic shelter #1 (south beach near Atalaya). Friends will supply hamburgers,
hotdogs and soft drinks. We are requesting you bring either a side dish or dessert to share. Our meeting will be held outdoors and the park is open till 10:00, park rules do not
permit us to bring wine or beer. We are doing our part to “be green”. If you can, please bring reusable plates and eating utensils. Of course if you are unable to do so or forget we will supply them.If you plan to attend, please contact Sue Green at green.suz@gmail.com.


CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Our second annual Christmas event will be Saturday, December 3, (11:00 till 4:00). This event was a huge success last year and we’re hoping it will be even more so in 2011.
Lots of help is needed. If you can help, either that day or by contributing crafts and/or baked goods, we need you.One the most popular events last year, voting for the best decorated room, will again be a part of this year’s event. Several commitments to decorate rooms have already been received.More information will follow in our Nov/Dec newsletter.

NATURE NOTES
THE BALD EAGLE


In keeping with Halloween, this month's nature notes will cover legends and myths of the bald eagle.There is an old legend that the eagle alone among animals can look into the sun. According to the translation of St. Augustine, "The sun invigorates the eyes of eagles, but injures our own".Athapaskan myths portrayed eagles as the deliverers of people from famine. A prince who gave an eagle a salmon during time of plenty was repaid in the lean year that followed by grateful eagles who first dragged salmon, then sea lions, and eventually whales to shore in gratitude for the prince's kindness. Such legends were probably inspired by the sight of eagle parents carrying food to their nests.
A Kwakiutl legend has it that the eagle once had very poor eyesight. Because it could fly to the highest treetops, a chief asked the eagle to watch for invading canoes. Anxious to assist, the eagle convinced the slug, which in those days had excellent vision, to trade eyes temporarily. The slug agreed, but when the eagle'ssentinel duties were finished, the eagle refused to trade back eyes. Thus, goes the legend, not only is the eagle's sharp vision accounted for, but also the slowness of the slug.The Navahos have a myth telling how eagles originated when a warrior, Nayenezgani, slayed a monster who lived at Wing Rock. Afterwards, he turned to the beast's offspring, who were now alone in their nest. Rather than have them grow up evil, he turned the youngest into an owl and the oldest into an eagle, who would be a source for feathers for rites and bones for whistles.Native North Americans believed the thunderbird, a mythical super eagle, was responsible for creating thunder and lightening by beating its wings.The Pawnee believed the eagle to be a symbol of fertility because they build large nests high off the ground and valiantly protect their young. They honored the eagle with songs, chants, and dance. Aztecs and related tribes established in the valleys of Mexico revered the eagle as a strong symbol, with feathers used by that society's elite.