Podcasts about visitors center

In this episode of The Travel Tidbits Podcast, host Jamie Weitl welcomes fellow Pineapple Escapes travel agent Samantha Harris to share all about her recent winter FAM trip to Fairbanks, Alaska! Samantha takes us through her week-long adventure, including gearing up for the cold, exploring cultural sites like the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center and the University of Alaska Museum of the North, and chasing the Northern Lights. She also shares her firsthand experiences with thrilling winter activities like snow machining, ice fishing, dog mushing, and soaking in the rejuvenating Chena Hot Springs. Whether you're dreaming of seeing the aurora borealis or looking for unique cold-weather adventures, this episode is packed with expert insights and inspiration for planning your own Alaska winter escape. Tune in for all the details, plus our Travel Favorite of the Week—a must-have item for staying warm and comfortable on cold-weather trips!

The question continues to get asked - "What are the current needs in Western North Carolina?"We have dedicated this week's episode of Mind Your Business to answering that question, with discussion straight from the community leaders that are working in the ever-evolving trenches of Hurricane Helene recovery.This week's panel of guests include:Casey Gilbert, Vice President of Public Policy, Asheville Chamber of CommerceKim Effler, President/CEO, McDowell Chamber of CommerceRobin Morgan, Executive Director, Avery County Chamber of CommerceKitty Honeycutt, Executive Director, Ashe County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.Panel moderated by David Jackson, President/CEO, Boone Area Chamber of CommerceOur panel will discuss current conditions in each community, silver linings that have developed since the storm, and how can people provide impactful help at this time.Each community is working on local fundrasing initiatives for individual and business support:Asheville Chamber of Commerce: - Mountain Strong Fund for Small Business Recovery McDowell County Chamber of Commerce - Hurricane Helene Business ReliefAvery County Chamber of Commerce - Avery County Business Recovery FundAshe County Chamber of Commerce - Ashe County Advantage ProjectBoone Area Chamber of Commerce - Hurricane Helene Business Resiliency Disaster GrantsMind Your Business is a weekly production of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. The show is made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate.Support the show

We still believe in Visitor Centers, even though Visit Fort Colins CEO Cynthia Eichler recently wrote a CDME paper entitled, Visitor Centers are Dead. Why then did she just open a Visitors Center in Downtown Fort Collins? Because it's not simply a Visitor Center. Join us for a fascinating conversation on the creation of a Community Hub, the partnerships that came together to make it happen and how the Center is blowing away initial estimates and expectations. And, we spend one of our questions on the innovative online retail hub they created during the Plague that helped save several Fort Collins businesses.

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau held a world premiere of “Fedelta. Solider. Prisoner” at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Chambersburg. It is a documentary of the Italian Prisoners of War that were kept at the Letterkenny Army Depot during World War II. The documentary was created by Stephen Mancini. “Steve Mancini Productions did a fantastic job shining a spotlight on such a special piece of World War two history. And to have the families bring to life the impact that the experience of being here at Letterkenny Army Depot during World War Two had on their family members. And we look every day we drive by the Letterkenny Chapel. And that's an artifact of that history that forever will make it part of Franklin County and then connect us to those families in Italy. And that was the documentary that just drove that whole, “said Janet Pollard, Executive Director of the Franklin County Visitors Burau. During the Second World War, the depot was about 20,000 acres of farmland. After the attack on Pearl Habor, the government decided to construct an army facility. About 50,000 Italian POW's came to America. 150 of the 50,000 ended up at the Letterkenny Army Depot. “They came here as with at that point in the war, the Italy had which size and become an allied supporter. So those folks that were captured had the opportunity to become cooperators. And most of them, maybe 85% of them of the 50,000 did, they became the Italian service units. So, we had 150 soldiers at the depot. “And as I said, they worked alongside the civilians,” said Dave Sciamanna, Board member of the Historic Letterkenny Chapel. The POW's built the Letterkenny Chapel. According to Pollard, it was built out of sorrow. They didn't know what was happening to their families in the same way that they really wanted to in their hearts. And out of that, they took their well, their desire to do something there, their fear, I think, with feelings of homesickness and sorrow. And they put that into building the Letterkenny Chapel, “said Pollard. The Franklin County Visitors Bureau is showcasing the Letterkenny Italian POW story in the lobby of the 11/30 Visitors Center. The exhibit will be open from Sept 6 and will be available to the public until November 11.        Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's "Staycation Destinations" on Family Life Keystone Elk Country Visitors Center - the PA Wilds North Central Pennsylvania is gearing up for a massive influx of tourism, as we move past Labor Day Weekend. The Elk Country Visitors Center at Benezette, Pennsylvania, sees 400,000 guests annually. Add in the people who go elk watching each fall in the public lands without stopping by the visitors center, and you'll know why this interaction with nature's unique wildlife is such a big deal. Ben Porkolab is the Conservation Education Coordinator for the Keystone Elk Country Alliance. In this Family Life News Feature, he offers our listeners a radio tour of the Pennsylvania Wilds, one of only two regions in the U.S. where Elk are this numerous. You will hear about the Pennsylvania elk herd, plus what makes these huge animals so unique. He talks about why Elk County and the surrounding regions captures the imaginations of so many people. It draws crowds from through the local area and throughout the world. (Porkolab gives the example of one couple who came half way around the world, with three specific tourism goals.) Porkolab also gives insights into how this kind of Wildlife Tourism is so significant to the region.   Check out the Elk Country website for full details, recommendations for your visit, and live cameras and recorded videos to "take you there" (even if you can't visit in person). In addition to this Staycation podcast, we also have web-only BONUS CONTENT with elk viewing and elk-viewing safety tips for you and your family. Check it out as well.     Staycation Destinations is a weekly summer feature presented by Family Life News. Even as we arrive at the end of Summer 2024, your radio travels don't have to end. All of Greg Gillispie's features are available from your "Family Life News" podcast feed or through the NEWS tab at www.FamilyLife.org. You can visit -- or revisit -- these unique places in New York State and Pennsylvania by listening to or downloading our audio.You can also scroll through our Staycation archives from previous summers. You can also share these interviews with friends and family, or choose to subscribe to receive notifications each time your favorite Family Life podcast posts a new episode. Find all our podcasts on our website or through the Family Life Now mobile app.     https://youtu.be/APeZxt_3jy4

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. A new solar power plant in Nicholas and Clay counties is expected to generate enough power for 90,000 homes…discover West Virginia's vibrant and flavorful agritourism scene…and plan an outdoor adventure from the heart of the Capital City…on today's daily304. #1 – From WOWK-TV –  The Public Service Commission has approved a new solar power plant meant to service Nicholas and Clay counties.  The 150-megawatt plant, which is expected to generate enough power for 90,000 homes, will be built on 1,521-acres of a reclaimed surface mine, with parts of the project area already being mined. Originally applied for on March 25 by Deep Lake Energy Center, LLC, the investment is estimated to be around $386 million and is expected to generate more than 300 jobs throughout construction. Work on the project will begin within the next five years and completed within 10. Read more: https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/new-west-virginia-solar-power-plant-receives-approval-for-construction/   #2 – From WV LIVING – From al fresco farm-to-table dinners to pick-your-own fields of flowers to the rustic rambles known as farm crawls, West Virginia offers a bounty of agritourism opportunities. Travel the Mountain State to discover agribusinesses that remain dedicated to the values of Appalachia and West Virginia in exciting ways. Pick a bouquet at the whimsical Nellie's Flower Farm in Augusta, where you can also take classes and enjoy glamping amenities and a geodome. Load up on fresh produce at Orr's Farm Market in Martinsburg. Sit down to a Sunday Supper of gourmet prepared local foods at Bop & Nana's in Calhoun County. That's just a sampling of what's offered. The opportunities are endless! Read more: https://wvliving.com/harvesting-memories/#google_vignette   #3 – From LOOTPRESS – From award-winning chefs to live music all around, Downtown Charleston is a vibrant neighborhood with something to interest everyone. For those who like life a little more on the wild side, Charleston also offers a variety of outdoor recreation. Both beginner and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts can create their own hiking, biking and kayaking adventures. Explore miles of hiking and biking trails at Kanawha State Forest and Coonskin Park. Take a stroll on the Sunrise Carriage Trail that links downtown Charleston to the South Hills. Paddle the Elk River Water Trail. (There's even a kayak launch at the Charleston Coliseum and Visitors Center!) Check out charlestonwv.com to learn more about outdoor recreation opportunities in the Capital City. Read more: https://www.lootpress.com/outdoor-adventures-await-in-charleston/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

On this episode of Mormonish Podcast, Rebecca and Landon delve into the LDS church's rocky relationship with the town of Nauvoo and learn not much has changed in almost two centuries.In a scenario that will sound familiar to everyone who follows LDS temple building with Mormonish, the underhanded tactics used by the church to push through a new temple visitors' center follow the same playbook. You really have to hear this story to believe it!***How to DONATE to Mormonish Podcast:If you would like to help financially support our podcast, you can DONATE to support Mormonish Podcast here:Mormonish Podcast is a 501(c) (3) https://donorbox.org/mormonish-podcast ****WE HAVE MERCH! **** If you'd like to purchase Mormonish Merch, you can visit our Merch store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mormonishmerch We appreciate our Mormonish viewers and listeners so much! Don't forget to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to Mormonish Podcast. You can contact Mormonish Podcast at: mormonishpodcast@gmail.com

The Franklin County Visitors Bureau will be hosting on Aug. 17 "Frederick Douglass in Chambersburg:  More Than A Speech". The presentation will include lunch, a bus tour to showcase Douglass' visit, and the major meeting between Douglass and John Brown. Janet Pollard, Executive Director of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau, says the speech that was made August 17,1859 was really to conceal the true reason he was in Franklin County. "He was getting off of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, one of the trains of the Cumberland Valley Railroad in Chambersburg. And he was supposed to be there secretly, that so that he could meet with John Brown about Brown's planned raid of Harpers Ferry in the arsenal there. But as soon as he got off that that train, the public recognized him, and they queried him about why he was in Chambersburg. And so there had to be some fast thinking. And it was like, I'm here to give a speech. I'm here to give a speech. And at the Franklin Hall. So, that's really he is one of the most photographed men of his day in his lifetime. And just to think about that in 1859, that he would be that recognized is is really an amazing, an amazing place to be in his life considering how his life started. And so that's why we called it Frederick Douglass in Chambersburg more than a speech, because the speech was actually actually a way to conceal the fact that he had a definite purpose to be in Chambersburg." When Douglass made the speech Saturday, Aug. 17, 1859 at Franklin Hall to deliver a speech about the inhumanity of slavery and the emancipation. Just like Douglass, John Brown was an abolitionist. "They may they may have had different perspectives, perspectives on how that abolishing would take place. But they were partners in wanting to move America of 1859 beyond the place it was on with slavery. And, you know, that was John Brown. Many people look at what occurred at in Harpers Ferry as the precursor to the Civil War. It was kind of, a fuze that ignited the reality that we were not going to be able to legislate out of slavery, that we were going to have to more directly confront the issue. And so they both recognized it. I don't know that they necessarily thought the path would be the same."   The event will run  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and including lunch. You can purchase tickets in person at Franklin County 11/30 Visitors Center, 15 S. Main St., Chambersburg. Contact Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 71-552-2977. CLICK HERE to purchase tickets.    Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our conversation for Tourism Tuesday - Winchester/Frederick County edition - included Renee Bayliss from the Winchester/Frederick County Convention & Visitor Bureau to discuss the Hungry for History food event happening August 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024. Renee explains that the event features local historical sites where attendees can sample foods and learn about history. The event spans Winchester, Frederick, and Clarke County and is educational. New participants and a kickoff event have been added this year, increasing its appeal.  Hannah McDonald from the Patsy Cline Historic House joins the discussion, explaining the house's mission to honor Patsy Cline's legacy with tours and exhibits. She shares that Patsy Cline's historic house is now a national historic landmark. Learn more about the Patsy Cline Historic House including details about their block party by following them on Facebook. The Hungry for History event allows venues to participate flexibly across multiple days. Renee highlights other participating sites and their historical significance, mentioning various food and beverage tastings, including hard cider history presentations. More details about the event participation and specific programming are discussed, showing the event's rich and diverse lineup. Mike Robinson, a local history author, will present at Handley Library about Winchester's historical taverns. He makes history engaging and accessible. Each participating site may have different admission policies, some requiring reservation or fees, and details are available on their website. Other sites like Stonewall Jackson's headquarters and Belle Grove Historic Plantation will offer unique programs, engaging participants with historical reenactments and traditional food samples. We also discuss a special program at the Visitor Center focusing on African American history, featuring a talk on shoebox lunches and the Green Book, with meals mimicking those historical lunches available for purchase. Reserve your lunch in advance by calling the Visitors Center, (540) 542-1326.  Detailed schedules and event programs are accessible online and at local participants' locations. Renee emphasizes the importance of these events in bringing history to life for the community, and encourages the public to explore and support these cultural experiences. Learn more about the event on their website: https://visitwinchesterva.com/hungry-for-history-food-event/ 

Welcome to the daily304 – your window into Wonderful, Almost Heaven, West Virginia.   Today is Saturday, July 13, 2024. Jobs & Hope tackles the substance abuse crisis by helping those in recovery obtain job training and employment…West Virginia Botanic Garden celebrates the opening of its new visitor center…and Concord University becomes a leader in the increasingly popular e-sports industry…on today's daily304. #1 – From JOBS & HOPE –  Do you have a barrier to employment?  Jobs & Hope West Virginia is the state's comprehensive response to the substance use disorder crisis.  Established by Governor Jim Justice and the West Virginia Legislature, this program offers support through a statewide collaboration of agencies that provide West Virginians in recovery the opportunity to obtain career training and to ultimately secure meaningful employment. Learn more: https://jobsandhope.wv.gov/   #2 – From DOMINION POST – Local organizations and community members gathered recently to celebrate the opening of the West Virginia Botanic Garden's new Equitrans Midstream Visitors Center.  The Visitors Center is housed in a new facility emulating the modern, elegant style of the garden's popular event venue, The Terrace at Tibbs Run. The facility features an eye-catching gift shop for nature lovers of all kinds, information desk, and rear patio overlooking a garden. Also in the works is the addition of a snack cafe, tentatively projected for summer 2025. The center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. For more information, visit WVBG.org. Read more: https://www.dominionpost.com/2024/07/01/west-virginia-botanic-garden-celebrates-a-really-special-day-for-the-garden-with-ribbon-cutting-of-new-visitors-center-and-gift-shop/   #3 – From METRO NEWS – E-Sports is a booming industry, and right at the forefront of that meteoric rise is Concord University. The Athens, West Virginia school made history when it became the first public university in West Virginia to create a competitive program for e-sports, an organized form of video gaming that's often played in front of spectators. Since the program began in 2019, the school has fielded National Championship teams nearly every year. The Concord Maroon Team captured the 2024 title in the Eastern College Athletic Conference by taking down Brewton-Parker College. Concord University's E-Sports Team Director Austin Clay, who created the “e-sports management” major, says the major is very fluid and conforms to the interests of the students. “Right now, e-sports is a $2 billion industry and looking to become a $12 billion industry by 2030, so we want to make sure our students coming through Concord, competing in e-sports, can get a job within that industry, as it's a rapid-growing industry within the tax sector,” Clay said. Read more: https://wvmetronews.com/2024/07/07/concord-university-proving-to-be-innovative-in-booming-e-sports-industry/   Find these stories and more at wv.gov/daily304. The daily304 curated news and information is brought to you by the West Virginia Department of Commerce: Sharing the wealth, beauty and opportunity in West Virginia with the world. Follow the daily304 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @daily304. Or find us online at wv.gov and just click the daily304 logo.  That's all for now. Take care. Be safe. Get outside and enjoy all the opportunity West Virginia has to offer.  

This is your 6 a.m. All Local update on June 29, 2024. 

The First State National Historical Park has an official Visitors Center.Since its creation a decade ago, the Park has been without any kind of welcome center, which can help visitors orient themselves and provide a sense of place.For this edition of History Matters, Delaware Public Media's Tom Byrne stopped by the visitors center inside Historic New Castle Sheriff's House and spoke with Park Superintendent Joshua Boles about the new center and ongoing development and interpretation of Delaware's unique multi-site National Park.

(May 14, 2024) In Buffalo yesterday, Governor Hochul unveiled the design for a memorial to honor the 10 Black people killed in a racially motivated mass shooting at a Tops Market two years ago; the St. Lawrence Seaway officially opened its new visitor center yesterday in Massena; the new leader of the DEC says his priorities include land conservation in the Adirondacks and the state's climate agenda; and astronomer Aileen O'Donoghue explains the large sun spots' potential impact on Earth.

Here's your top news and events for the week of March 25, 2024. For more details on any topic, please visit www.rowlett.com   Subscribe to the Podcast: www.rowlett.com/podcast   Subscribe to the Friday@5 newsletter: https://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=0011mjno1tVc1agPQc7f1u7A27hdMUPEAyt-9V6swOjEFqr6tTFWiAuz-YTBMoc8QGqNh1J0ghzaJKP-xKHuyOqWm2QzMBnlV8h   City of Rowlett social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/CityofRowlettTexas  https://www.youtube.com/user/RowlettTexasVideo  https://www.instagram.com/cityofrowletttexas  https://twitter.com/RowlettTexas  https://www.linkedin.com/company/city-of-rowlett/    PUP-A-PALOOZA CANCELLATION We were all bummed that we had to cancel the Pup-a-Palooza on Friday due to the muddy conditions at Scentral Bark Dog Park. The good news is that we'll have a scavenger hunt at Barks, Brews, and Brats on Saturday, May 18.   TASTE AND TRADE The Rowlett Area Chamber and Visitors Center is hosting the Taste and Trade Business Expo tonight from 5:30 to 8:30pm at Rowlett High School. Tickets are $7 at the door. Come enjoy Rowlett's finest businesses and restaurants in one location!   ROWLETT SINGS Don't miss your chance to become Rowlett's next superstar! The deadline for 'Rowlett Sings' entries is next Monday, April 1st. The vocal contest has additional categories for youth and seniors as well as a group category. Admission to the contest held on Saturday, April 27 at 6 pm is free!   TRASH ART CONTEST KRB is sponsoring a "3D Plastic Trash-Art" contest as part of the Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 20 on the Downtown Rowlett Green. So dig through that recycling bin and get creative. Deadline is midnight April 1.   POERTY CONTEST KRB has another contest deadline coming up. The Library is teaming up with with Keep Rowlett Beautiful for the “Planet vs. Plastics” Poetry Contest. Open to all ages, deadline to enter is April 6. Winning entries will be displayed as a poster at the library.   WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH At last week's council meeting, March was proclaimed Women's History Month in Rowlett. The women of the Rowlett Police Department, who courageously serve our City alongside their male counterparts; and who currently account for 22% of our sworn officers, which is higher than both the Texas average of 11% and the National average of 13%, were recognized as well.   FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT STEM AT LIBRARY The Frontiers of Flight STEM Morning is Saturday, March 30 at 10:00am at the Rowlett Public Library. Enjoy STEM activities that will leave your family in awe of our world.     ANIMAL SHELTER The City of Rowlett Animal Services shelter is still at capacity. If you've been considering adding a new member to your family, now is the time – all adoptions are FREE! The shelter is open from Tuesday-Saturday (10am-5pm)   UPCOMING EVENTS     The Farmers and Crafts Market The Farmers and Crafts Market starts April 4! Come on out to the Downtown Rowlett Green every Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. to enjoy a variety of food trucks and visit with local vendors while shopping for produce, flowers, meats, honey, eggs, crafts and more!   Kid Fish Kid Fish is Saturday, April 6. Join us from 9am-Noon at Community Park for this fun free family event designed to foster a love of fishing and the great outdoors!    Total Eclipse Watch Party Join us on the Downtown Rowlett Green Total Eclipse Watch Party on Monday, April 8 from 12pm to 3 p.m. Activities include a DJ, rocket ship bounce house, food trucks, and educational programs to learn more about this astronomical event. FREE solar eclipse glasses from the Rowlett Public Library for event attendees while supplies last.

THE PURIFICATION ritual necessary for building the Third Temple in Jerusalem could be just over a year away. Israel National News reports that a pure red heifer has been brought to the site of ancient Shiloh. Two others, which were delivered to Israel from Texas last September, will join her at the Research and Visitors Center there soon. The heifers are 22 months old. According to rabbinic interpretations of the purification ritual outlined in Numbers 19:1–10, the red heifer sacrificed must be without defect, never yoked, and at least three months old. That means the heifers in Israel could be prepared for sacrifice as early as next winter. Also: The silliness of “egg theory” on “TikToxic”; globalist bankers want “finance shock” to kickstart Great Reset and Central Bank Digital Currency (i.e., financial tyranny); BRICS plans their own gold-backed currency; and the Secret Service claims it just doesn't know who dropped their bag of cocaine in a secure area of the White House (but Soldier of Fortune magazine says they do know but won't way—surprise, surprise). Our Build Barn Better project is making progress! Our 1,200 square pole barn has been cleared of all the junk and extra furniture. Work begins on the floor this week! After that, we'll insulate the building, install an HVAC system, and move our studios and book/DVD warehouse and shipping office out of our home. If you are so led, you can donate by clicking here. Get our free app! It connects you to this program, our weekly Bible studies, and our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker. The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.pidradio.com/app or www.gilberthouse.org/app. Please subscribe and share our YouTube channel, www.YouTube.com/GilbertHouse! Check out our online store! www.GilbertHouse.org/store is a virtual book table with books and DVDs related to our weekly Bible study. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Join us in Israel! Our 2024 tour of Israel features special guest Timothy Alberino! We will tour the Holy Land March 31–April 9, 2024, with an optional three-day extension in Jordan. For more information, log on to www.GilbertsInIsrael.com. Follow our weekly studies of Bible prophecy at www.UnravelingRevelation.tv, or at www.youtube.com/unravelingrevelation!

Today's Strolling Strasburg conversation with Olivia Hilton, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Town of Strasburg was a rundown of several events and happenings going on in June & July. First, Olivia gave us a recap of "Pizza Week" and told us about the winners and community involvement. Then we dived in to talk about the lineup for Front Porch Fridays which kicked off on Friday, June 2, 2023, with a performance by Ryan Jewel. The Front Porch Fridays Music Series features a local/regional band, plus brews/snacks for sale from a local non-profit. The community is invited to bring their lawn chair, snacks, (and bug spray) to enjoy live entertainment at the Strasburg Square every Friday in June, July, and August beginning at 7pm. Click here for more information, or download the rack card by clicking here. Olivia gave details for the 5th Annual Fish Fry Float for Father's Day and explained why that event might be getting a name change. She told us how the event has changed this year and who a few vendors/demonstrators will be. This FREE family event happens in the Strasburg Town Park from 11am - 4pm on Sunday, June 18, 2023, and features community partners like Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River and the Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District. There will be live music, food trucks, yard games, inflatables, kids' activities and games, a free kayak float (click here to register), and a free tube float (click here to register.) For more information about the day's activities, click here.  We learned about a new partnership with Strasburg Museum that will take over the existing museum space within the Visitors Center, plus we got details for July 4 fireworks. Before we wrapped up, Olivia talked about the new Sensory Music Garden that will be coming to Strasburg Town Park in July thanks to Strasburg Rotary. To stay up to date on everything that's happening in Strasburg, be sure to follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverStrasburg 

We get on the phone with Tina Thompson of the Tomah Chamber & Visitors Center, we talk about day trips, local products, and get into their “Downtown Thursday Nights” music series!You can find more conversations, food reviews, live music, weekend picks and events on our website https://lacrosselocal.com.

Althemese Pemberton Barnes founded the John G. Riley Museum in 1996, serving as the executive director; in 1997 she established the Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, a statewide professional museum association. She had a career of 30 years with Florida's Departments of Education and Labor, retiring in 1995. Her works include: several oral history and cultural development projects, historical publications, heritage trail maps, guides, and documentaries. She is a member of the American Alliance of Museums, the Florida Association of Museums, the National Association of African American Museums, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Ms. Barnes received a B.S. and an M.S. from Florida A&M University. In 2013, Ms. Barnes oversaw the construction of a $300,000 Visitors Center addition to the Riley Museum property. She left a $900,000 Endowment Fund invested for the upkeep of both the Center and Riley House for the future upon her retirement as Executive Director in October 2014. Continuing her work in historic preservation, Althemese worked with the City of Tallahassee and Leon County Governments, and co-chaired a Smokey Hollow Commemoration Group. In September 2015, Althemese received the Greater Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Leadership Award, the highest annual award of this organization.

Jump In Me Pocket has a new STUDIO! Take a listen as we christen the studio with a bottle of 20yr Four Roses Visitors Center Private Selection, supplied by our good friend and previous guest Larry Milan. Let us know how it sounds as we talk about weird state laws, would you rather, and a visit from Conner O'Conner! Also, If you're a local listener you may or may not have seen B-Rad in not one but two Super Bowl Commercials! listen to find out how to watch them again! And as always thanks for listening! #fourroses #bourbon #superbowl --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jimp/message

This week I talk with food blogger, cookbook author, and Emmy award winner, Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack, about her new cookbook, Muy Bueno: Fiestas, and ways to incorporate her recipes into traditional American holidays.  We also talk about how her Dia de los Muertos passion project ended up winning an Emmy award!I've also got some tasty tips from my recent trip to Puerto Rico. If you've got this destination on your list, you need to hear about the amazing food I had!Have a great weekend,Christine xoLinks:Blog: Muybuenocookbook.comCookbooks: Muy Bueno: Three Generations of Authentic Mexican Flavor, Latin Twist: Traditional and Modern Cocktails, and Muy Bueno: Fiestas (release date: May 11, 2023)Emmy-award Winning Video: Day of the Dead Sugar SkullsBeefy Stuffed ShellsAir Fryer Ground BeefRecipe of the Day PodcastRecipe of the Day Facebook GroupPuerto Rico Restaurants: Cocina Abierta, Marmalade, Rainforest Cafe in Visitors Center at El Yunque National ForestPuerto Rico Food Tour: Flavors Food Tours

We had a fun conversation for today's Tourism Tuesday - Winchester/Frederick County edition. Justin Kerns, Renee Bayliss, and MiKayla Hatfield joined me to look back at tourism-related events & projects from 2022. We talked about their newcomer events, holiday lights trolley tours, and the group shared their favorite things from the past year. We also looked ahead to 2023 and learned about upcoming projects that include improvements to the Visitors Center, Native American historical markers, a local Beer & Cider Trail, and even a virtual reality spin on various locations around the area. We talked about the "Uncommon to the Core" campaign that will focus on locals in the coming months and all three talked about how lucky we are to live in a community with so much to offer to residents and visitors alike. Learn more about things to do and places to go in Winchester/Frederick County on their website: https://visitwinchesterva.com and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. You can also stop by the Visitors Center 7 days a week between 9am - 5pm at 1400 S. Pleasant Valley Road, Winchester, VA 22601

Tribally-run museums offer two important benefits: they offer a Native voice for Native history within a system dominated by traditional European perspectives – and they bring the promise of economic development. Today on Native America Calling, Shawn Spruce takes us on a field trip to celebrate Tribal Museums Day with Shannon O'Loughlin (Choctaw), attorney and the CEO of the Association on American Indian Affairs; Dehrich Chya (Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak), language and living culture manager for the Alutiiq Museum; Billie Jean Guerrero (Pyramid Lake Paiute and Walker River Paiute), museum director for the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center; and Sunshine Thomas-Bear (member of Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska), tribal historic preservation officer, NAGPRA representative, and cultural preservation director for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and museum director for the Angel de Cora Museum.

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 110922 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 110222 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 102622 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Find the full show notes at www.jurassicparkpodcast.comWelcome to The Jurassic Park Podcast! In episode 339, we relay some fun news regarding Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous and Jurassic World Aftermath!After that, we hear from Ben inside the Visitors Center, where he chats with an actor from Jurassic World Dominion, Liam Edwards! Liam is found within the lecture hall scene in Jurassic World Dominion, so check out this episode to hear all about the making of that scene. Sit back, relax and ENJOY this episode of The Jurassic Park Podcast!News Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous Hidden Adventure Jurassic World Aftermath comes to Nintendo Switch Don't forget to give our voicemail line a call at 732-825-7763!Email us: jurassicparkpod@gmail.comBook Club Email: jurassicparkbookclub@gmail.comThanks for listening, stay safe and enjoy!

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 101922 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 101222 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

In this week's episode we are going to talk about What To Do In Halloween In Maine. There are a bunch of amazing things to do in Maine for Halloween, in this video we are going to discuss activities for adults, children, and families! The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine is presenting After Dark a 21+ fundraiser for the CMTM's Community fund! If you are looking for an activity for the whole family head on down to Kennebunk to the Seashore Trolly Museum for the Annual Pumpkin Patch Trolley, board at the Visitors Center and take a trolley ride on our heritage railroad to The Pumpkin Patch! Scavenger hunt, costume contest, and more, you don't want to miss this great event! Last but not least check out Damnationland at the State Theater! This film festival is full of horror films made by Maine locals! Las tbut not least check out all the cool Halloween events at Aquabogan! These are just some of the amazing activities to do this Halloween, so let us know in the comments what is your favorite thing to do in Maine for Halloween, and remember, if you Make Maine Your Home, you don't have to do it alone!   View the blog post on my website...   To checkout listings all over southern Maine visit: https://www.makemaineyourhome.realestate/ Check out our Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MakeMaineYourHome You can listen to the audio podcast on any podcast app.  Just search for Make Maine Your Home. Be sure to subscribe, like, share and tell your friends.   To contact Doug you can call or text to 207-838-5593, email to doug@makemaineyourhome.com or check out http://www.MakeMaineYourHome.com. 00:00-00:40 What To Do In Halloween In Maine00:41-00:42 Doug puts on his glasses00:42-01:38 The Children's Museum & Theatre of Maine  After Dark01:39-03:35 Seashore Trolly Museum  the Annual Pumpkin Patch03:36-04:55 Damnationland04:56-06:03 Aquabogan   Links:https://www.kitetails.org/events-calendar/after-dark-halloween-event-21https://trolleymuseum.org/https://damnationland.com/

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 092822 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 092222 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 091522 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Tamara Trash Can feels a little uncomfortable when Rhonda Recycling Bin arrives at the Ahway Island Animal Sanctuary's Visitors Center. Will the two become friends?

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 090622 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 083022 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Uvalde CISD Coyotes 082422 Brought to you by the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center    Terry Bennett brings you news and information about the Uvalde Coyotes in his interview with Head Coach Wade Miller. In each episode, he recaps what has been happening with the team and look forward to the coming […]

Hometown Radio 07/11/22 3p: Learn about the new Elephant Seals Visitors Center

Find the full show notes at www.jurassicparkpodcast.comWelcome to The Jurassic Park Podcast! In episode 328, we dive into a bit of Jurassic News regarding Jurassic World Dominion's Box Office, Visual Effects and Animatronics. Plus we recap the updates for the Final Season of Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous.After that, we head into the Visitors Center to hear from Kevin Jenkins, Production Designer on Jurassic World Dominion! Tom Jurassic had the chance to chat with Kevin all about his work on Jurassic World Dominion, so be sure to take a listen! Sit back, relax and ENJOY this episode of The Jurassic Park Podcast!News Jurassic World Dominion's Box Office Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous Trailer Indie Wire Article on Jurassic World Dominion's Visual Effects and Animatronics Don't forget to give our voicemail line a call at 732-825-7763!Email us: jurassicparkpod@gmail.comBook Club Email: jurassicparkbookclub@gmail.comThanks for listening, stay safe and enjoy!

Find the full show notes at www.jurassicparkpodcast.comWelcome to The Jurassic Park Podcast! In episode 327, we feature the latest news on Jurassic World Dominion's Box Office and the DVD release. After that, we  head into the Visitor's Center to chat with Gary Gerani about the creation of the Jurassic Park Topps Trading Cards! Gary created the trading cards, so we had a great time chatting about the cards, the creation of the trading card book and also Dinosaurs Attack! Sit back, relax and ENJOY this episode of The Jurassic Park Podcast!News Jurassic World Dominion Box Office Jurassic World Dominion DVD Release Don't forget to give our voicemail line a call at 732-825-7763!Email us: jurassicparkpod@gmail.comBook Club Email: jurassicparkbookclub@gmail.comThanks for listening, stay safe and enjoy!

In this podcast, we cover what you will find when you arrive in Yellowstone Country. What is open and closed and the most updated park conditions that I have seen so far this year. We cover what trails are open in the Canyon Area and which ones are closed including 2 of the best-the trail to the Brink of the Lower Falls and Red Rock Point and when they should be open. We also cover how the best Visitors Center in the park is getting a quick facelift and when it should be open. We cover how the bears are REALLY moving around and staying down low due to the deepest snow this late in the year I think I have ever seen in my life.  We go over when you can dine at the fabulous Lake Hotel and more importantly-when you can't but how to find what may possibly be the best hot dog ever!!When then cover how the Old Faithful Inn is FINALLY open including the hippest bar in the US-The Bear Pit Bar. Finally we cover some big news about who wants to advertise on the Explore Podcasts and  then how the Forest Fenn Treasure simply won't die. And then top it all off with the summer launching  announcement of our 3rd podcast series-Who Killed Who? Which should be a lot of fun. And we start and end this podcast with some of our most popular intro music ever for a bit of fun!

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Renée Price speaks with 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell on Wednesday, May 4. She catches listeners up on recent county board meetings about the operations budget and the local school districts. Plus: Price shares details on the expiration of the county's state of emergency order and an upcoming groundbreaking. The post Orange County: Budget Prep, State of Emergency and A New Visitors Center appeared first on Chapelboro.com.

The Chamber of Commerce is probably not the first entity that springs to mind when you think about interactions with the natural world. Rebekah Burns, my guest on this episode, is  Executive Director of the Powell Economic Partnership which oversees both the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors Center in Powell, Wyoming. She recognizes the value of living and working in a town that sits within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and all it offers. Our discussion centers on her efforts to create an event that encourages women to interact in a natural setting on nearby Heart Mountain. 

Clearview on Business — a new podcast from the Clearview Library District — showcases the amazing local businesses in the communities we serve. Every two weeks, host Kelly Hall, Business Resource Librarian, and guests will interview a local business owner. In these quick, 10-minute interviews, we'll introduce you to the business and encourage you to shop locally as much as you can. You'll be surprised by these great entrepreneurs. If you think you no longer need a travel agent, this podcast will change your mind. Owner Sandy McMillen has traveled extensively and brings her love of travel, culture, history, and people to her clients' itineraries. She and her co-owner daughter, Jennifer, love helping their clients experience their best possible vacations by providing peace of mind that the details are handled. Kelly Hall is joined by her guest host, Michelle Vance, Executive Director of the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. Location: 631 Birch Street Unit B, Windsor Website: www.ordinarycoupletravels.com/ Phone: 970-218-8700 Year Established: 2013 Business' hours / services may have changed. Check out their website for the latest information. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the business owner, and not necessarily those of the Clearview Library District. An interview on this podcast is not an endorsement or referral by the district.

Clearview on Business — a new podcast from the Clearview Library District — showcases the amazing local businesses in the communities we serve. Every two weeks, host Kelly Hall, Business Resource Librarian, and guests will interview a local business owner. In these quick, 10-minute interviews, we'll introduce you to the business and encourage you to shop locally as much as you can. You'll be surprised by these great entrepreneurs. Suzannah Mattson and Greg Osborne, owners of Red Zone NoCo, are enmeshed in the downtown Windsor community. They offer small group and personal training for adults as well as community-based events for the whole family.They also recently announced NoCo Premier Venue, a rentable space for weddings, receptions, and parties. Kelly Hall is joined by her guest host, Michelle Vance, Executive Director of the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. Location: 500 Main Street, Windsor Website: https://redzoneathletic.com Phone: 970-460-9044 Year Established: 2020 Business' hours / services may have changed. Check out their website for the latest information. The views expressed on this podcast are those of the business owner, and not necessarily those of the Clearview Library District. An interview on this podcast is not an endorsement or referral by the district.

Gus and Jepperd begin their journey for real as our Sweet Tooth podcast recaps Episode 2, "Sorry About All The Dead People." After Gus goes on a bender eating Jepperd's food, they spend the night with a family at a Visitors Center, and Gus discovers that maybe his father wasn't being so truthful, after all. Meanwhile, Singh gets a new job, with some horrifying implications. And we meet Aimee, who lives in a zoo. Plus, we review 3 Musketeers. SUBSCRIBE TO CANDY MEN: A SWEET TOOTH PODCAST ON ITUNES, ANDROID, SPOTIFY, STITCHER, OR RSS, WITH MORE TO COME. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK. SUPPORT OUR SHOWS ON PATREON. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/comicbookclub See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's episode, Brandon Mathews is joined by Cathy Drew, Executive Director of Ozark Gateway Tourist Council, and Gloria Sanders, Executive Director of the Calico Rock Community Foundation and Museum and Visitors Center.  A host of topics were discussed including the benefits of being a member of Ozark Gateway, why the whole community needs to be on board when it comes to promoting an area; opportunities for reaching markets outside of Arkansas, and some new programming launching in the region soon. Ozark Gateway Tourist CouncilFacebook: facebook.com/ozarkgateway/Twitter: twitter.com/ozarkgatewayWebmail: ozarkgateway.comPhone: 870-793-9316  Calico Rock Museum and Visitor CenterFacebook: facebook.com/calicorockmuseum/Twitter: twitter.com/rockcalicoWebmail: calicorockmuseum.comPhone: 870-297-6100

We pre-recorded today's episode via Zoom to have a conversation with the movers and shakers in Shenandoah County when it comes to events and small businesses. Kary Haun (Shenandoah County Tourism), Olivia Hilton (Community Development Coordinator, Town of Strasburg), Katie Mercer (Enhancement Coordinator, Town of Woodstock), and Amber Smoot (Events & Marketing Director, Town of New Market) gave us a list of all the deals and happenings in their localities to celebrate Valentine's Day in Shenandoah County. Below is a list of all the places and things we discussed. Strasburg Olivia told us about the "gift oasis" that is their Visitors Center in Strasburg and talked about specials at Lydia's Clothes Closet, Clementine's Vintage, and The Strasburg Emporium. She also gave us a heads up about what to expect in the spring from the Strasburg Farmer's Market and upcoming events. For more information, follow Discover Strasburg on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverStrasburg Woodstock Katie told us about the yummy offerings from Happenings, Flour & Water Co., and encouraged listeners to check out their Valentine's Day Gift Guide. She will be sharing more events and specials on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/woodstock.enhancement New Market Amber told us about giveaways from The Home Store, specials at Jon Henry General Store, The Buttercup and Valley Sports Connection. She will be sharing additional deals & events on their Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/NewMarketVA Shenandoah County Kary told us about some of the great offerings from local wineries such as: Star in the Valley, Muse Vineyards & Cave Ridge Winery. She also talked about a special Valentine's Day event hosted by Fort Valley Ranch and snowshoe events at Bryce Resort. We also discussed their recent blog post: Top Shops to Support Local This Valentines Day in Shenandoah County, Virginia which you can find here. For more information about what's going on across Shenandoah County, visit their website: https://visitshenandoahcounty.com/ and follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VisitShenandoah

Photo: Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation with Pyramid Lake in the back.   https://kpfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Burning-Man-Paiute-FINAL_22.14.mp3 jQuery(document).ready(function($) { var media = $('#audio-342776-58'); media.on('canplay', function (ev) { this.currentTime = 0; }); }); ThisIsLucyKang · Burning Man Special: Black Rock City is built on Northern Paiute land   ______ Around this time in normal years, Burning Man would be taking place in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. Nearly 80,000 people attended the annual arts event in 2019, which started in the mid-80s and which has gone down in Burning Man lore. However, there's a deeper history that many Burners may not know – one about the original inhabitants, who are still here. Our reporter Lucy Kang went to the Black Rock Desert to learn more. (We wanted to add a quick note that this story was mostly recorded and produced before the COVID-19 pandemic, so a lot of things have changed. We'll hear a quick follow up from our reporter at the end of the story.) ______ Black Rock City is built on the ancestral territory of the Northern Paiute People, the Numu. And their direct descendents are still here, grouped among different bands and tribes, like the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. If you've ever driven to Burning Man from Reno, you've probably passed through their reservation, 50 miles south of here. Burning Man gives several hundred free entry passes for tribe members to attend. Cassandra Davis is from the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone tribe. She is married to Andrew Davis from the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, who's also known as Blackowl.   Photo: Cassandra Davis at Burning Man 2019. I toss my bicycle into the back of their truck, and hop in. Cassandra is behind the wheel. Blackowl is riding shotgun. “Alright, so we kind of tell people, you know, when we're out here like yeah, we're part of the tribe here, you know,” say Cassandra. “I'll tell people straight up man, I'm from Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, boy,” says Blackowl. “And this actually used to be part of the Pyramid Lake,” continues Cassandra. “This used to be the dry lake bed that was Pyramid Lake,” says Blackowl. “That's why everybody drives through our lake, drive through our reservation. That's why we get wristbands.” Those are the free passes that the Burning Man organization gives to members of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe as a sign of goodwill. “This is all sacred land,” says Blackowl. They drive slowly through the streets of Black Rock City, looking for a place to camp. Blackowl jumps out of the truck. “He's my wildcard,” says Cassandra, laughing. He comes back after a few minutes with someone who's offered them a place to set up their tent. “I said, we're Burners,” he explains. “We came here for the same reason. He asked me if I need a place to camp. Yes, I need a place to camp. And that's how we do it. You don't come in expecting to place somewhere. If you're a real Burner, it always comes through.” “What are you always saying, the playa provides?” asks Cassandra, laughing. “The playa will provide, yup,” answers Blackowl. Cassandra and Blackowl are locals. And when Burning Man comes to town, it's a family affair. Between me and my husband we have eight kids,” says Cassandra. “And our kids love Burning Man. They think it's probably one of the funnest places on Earth.” “They look forward to all the traffic and all the Burners coming through,” she continues. “They get excited seeing all the different art cars, you know. They'll stop and take pictures. And they helped us with our bikes. They'll put the lights on and help decorate our back-bags.” Blackowl and Cassandra have been coming to this event for a long time. Blackowl says it's year 22 for him, though he doesn't consider himself a Burner. Cassandra says, “I'm a Burner five years in.” “I'm a local,” says Blackowl. “And yeah, we're locals,” says Cassandra. “But it's more of a heart thing, you know, like you feel in your heart, you know, when you come out here just you know being home… We're still local. We still have our jobs to go to. We still have to go to work every day and provide for our families, you know… I know a lot of people feel like this is their home.” In fact, “Welcome Home” is how a lot of Burners greet each other. “But you know at the end of the week, they go home,” she continues. “And we're still here.” Underneath Black Rock City is Black Rock Playa, an ancient lakebed that's one of the largest and flattest places on earth. There are some areas here that are still sacred to the Northern Paiute people.   Photo: The Black Rock Playa in December 2019. “You can see it on the Playa; you can see the sacred places that we still use,” says Dean Barlese. Dean is a Pyramid Lake Paiute elder with a lot of spiritual and cultural knowledge. In fact, he's on the tribe's Cultural Committee. Right now, he's sitting in a Burning Man camp, answering questions from camp members. “People think we're gone just because we're on the reservation,” he says. “But we still come out here and make offerings in a lot of our sacred places that very few people know about. But we do – I do anyway.” In fact, Dean says that his ancestors are buried in the mountains around Black Rock Playa. Dean's been going to Burning Man since 2001. He says he enjoys it. And he blesses the Burning Man Temple every year, at the request of the Temple volunteers. After the throngs of Burners have left, Dean comes back to bless the playa, to clear it of any negative energy Burners may have left behind. “No matter what anybody says, no matter what the laws say, we're still caretakers,” says Dean. “That has not been taken away from us by Creator.” I wanted to learn more about what Dean means when he talks about the tribe's relationship with the land. So in December, months after Burning Man, I drive to the Pyramid Lake Paiute reservation. I take the route many Burners take, north on highway 447. The landscape here is high desert, with shrubs everywhere – the type of place where tumbleweeds blow in the wind. This is the largest Native American reservation in Nevada. About a quarter of it is taken up by Pyramid Lake's 200 square miles of blue water. Photo: A view of Pyramid Lake with the pyramid-shaped rock in the distance. From the road, there's not much that marks the reservation except the occasional sign on the highway. I drive into Nixon, one of three towns on the reservation. I pass by what look like working ranches and single family homes. Some have rusting cars and trailers parked outside. One of the most distinctive buildings in Nixon has a triangular roof. It's meant to evoke the pyramid rock formation that Pyramid Lake is named for. I'm here to talk to Billie Jean Guerrero. She knows a lot about the history of this place. She is the Museum Director for the Pyramid Lake Museum and Visitor Center, the only tribal museum in the state of Nevada.   Photo: The Pyramid Lake Museum and Visitor Center To really understand the tribe's relationship with the Burning Man event, you need to understand a longer span of history. “The Paiute people have been in this area for thousands and thousands of years,” says Billie Jean. “We have petroglyphs in our area that are known as the oldest in North America, and they are dated 14,800 years old.” The original territory of the nomadic Northern Paiute people spanned Nevada, California, Oregon and Idaho. They lived here for generations and lived off the land. They gathered pinyon pine nuts and hunted antelope and deer. The band that would eventually be called the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe was known for eating the cui-ui fish, which was found only in Pyramid Lake. They roamed over the vast territory. Everything changed for them in the mid-1800s. The discovery of gold and silver in California and Nevada sent thousands of white settlers onto Paiute land. The mines built immense wealth for white settlers. But they decimated the traditional ways of life. The settlers took water, grazing land and food sources – all scarce in the desert to begin with. Many Paiutes starved to death. Armed conflict broke out. Wars were fought – and then mostly lost because the settlers were backed by the full force of the United States military. Fighting also took place in the Black Rock Desert. Local historian Sessions Wheeler called these battles a war that “in respect to its ferocity, probably had no equal in Nevada history.” By the end of the century, the Paiute people had been pushed off of 95% of their territory. Most of the land was taken by the federal government or white settlers and homesteaders. Some was carved into reservations, like the Pyramid Lake Paiute Reservation where I am now. “It basically was a prison camp because people could no longer go off the reservation to hunt and gather as they survived in the past,” says Billie Jean. And then the federal government developed a policy known informally as Kill the Indian, Spare the Man. They forced Native American communities to assimilate into white society. “And one of the ways to assimilate was through boarding schools, which was to beat the Indian out of a person,” says Billie Jean. Stewart Indian School was one such boarding school in Carson City, Nevada that children from nearby tribes were sent to. “And basically children would be kidnapped from the reservations and taken to Stewart Indian school…, sometimes as early as five years old and parents not knowing where they were, says Billie Jean. “It was a very traumatic experience.” Schools like this tried to completely wipe out Native cultures and languages. “They had to forget about the Indian ways and adopt the white man's ways,” she continues. “And if they didn't follow that program, they would be beaten. Sometimes they would be killed.” The US government didn't end the policy of assimilation until 1934. Not long after, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe gained federal recognition. Tribal elder Dean Barlese sums up this history. “They tried to destroy us, annihilate us, waging wars of genocide against us. We're still here,” he says. Native communities are still dealing with the aftermath of policies enacted by our government. “Those events caused trauma, which is long lasting,” says Billie Jean. “So it carries over from one generation to the next. And if there's no healing that happens, then it just keeps on going.”   Photo: Billie Jean Guerrero, Director of the Pyramid Lake Museum and Visitor Center Ultimately, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe was never completely displaced from its ancestral homelands. But they lost most of the land their ancestors used to roam and forage, including places like the Black Rock Desert. That land is now owned by the US government and overseen by the Bureau of Land Management. It is also home to Burning Man. It's really important to appreciate if you're on Playa and you're at Burning Man… to realize there's a lot of people who have been there before you, says the Burning Man Project's Marnee Benson. “And we're just the most recent visitors.” Marnee works year-round to coordinate with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. “We recognize that there's a long history that includes… the tribal ancestors and more recently those Western settlers,” says Marnee. “And now our Burning Man community is included in that.” “The Burning Man Project's relationship goes back as far as 1990, when Burning Man first went to the Black Rock Desert,” she continues. Those first Burners — about 90 in total — didn't have a permit from the Bureau of Land Management. Rumors circulated among locals that hippie Satanists had flocked to the desert. From a small group on the playa, Burning Man has grown to a city of tens of thousands. From a gathering on the fringes of society, it became first a corporation and now a non-profit with gross receipts of nearly $48 million in 2019. It's impact on the tribe has grown too. And that's where Marnee comes in. Her official title is Director of Government Affairs for Burning Man. She deals with a whole alphabet soup of federal, state and local agencies, as well as the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe. “People need to understand that, that we are a nation within a nation,” says Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Chairman Anthony Sampson. “A lot of people don't realize that the reservation is a sovereign nation with its own rules and laws,” says Water Quality Manager Kameron Morgan, who is not a tribe member but is employed by them. To be clear, Chairman Sampson and Kameron are the only two people in this story authorized to speak officially on behalf of the Tribe. A former tribal business officer explained in Reno News and Review that “For many years the Tribe worked off a handshake with the festival organizers who paid $10,000 for police, ranger, trash and emergency response services that the Tribe provided during the festival.” By 2011, the former business officer realized that Burning Man only partially repaid the tribe what the extra services cost. Burning Man and the tribe signed an agreement for the first time the following year. These days, the tribe meets with the Burning Man Project every year to discuss the contract. “I think it's 50-50,” says Chairman Sampson. “We throw out what we were looking at and what our needs are, and they'll come back with… what they can… help the tribe with. I think it's somewhat off balance. But I believe that, you know, as this year we sat down with, with Burning Man, they were more open.” “When you say off balance, do you mean in favor of Burning Man, slightly?” I ask. “That would be, yeah, I guess so. Yeah,” he answers. Fifteen hundred people live on the reservation. 80,000 go to Burning Man. And the median household income of Burners was over $100,000 in 2018 —  more than two and a half times the median household income on the reservation. So, it's not surprising that Burning Man has a lot of negotiating power, and impact. Locals like Blackowl can have deep ties to Burning Man. But they see what most other Burners don't – the costs that are externalized onto their communities – and onto people who are often just trying to go on with their daily lives. “The festival itself is amazing,” says Andrew Davis Blackowl. “People bring problems.” Cassandra Davis brings up two common concerns. “The impact it has on the environment is number one, you know the trash,” she says. “People are courteous enough to clean up the playa because that's the rules. But on the way out and on the way in, it's more of an issue negatively because of all the trash that, you know, falls off the trailers, people leave behind when they pull over on the sides of the roads.” Burning Man cleanup crews do come after the event to pick up trash on the state roads on the reservation – though trash can sometimes blow away before they get to it. The second problem – is traffic. Like almost every local I talk to, Cassandra has a horror story about reckless drivers. “One year we came out, and there was a lot of people coming, coming back in,” she says. “And they were crossing in front of us trying to pass an RV. There was a semi behind me, and he was hauling a**. I had to slam on my brakes. But I had to do it so much to where the truck behind me wouldn't hit me and almost ran us off the road.” In fact, last year a Nevada man died in a head-on collision with an RV on the highway that brings people to the playa. Burning Man and its community does try to give back in various ways. There are volunteer work days on the reservation, and a donation of solar panels a few years back. And then there's the cash. “We have as an organization, made donations to the tribe for many, many, many years,” says Marnee. “So [the] senior center, the fire rescue, EMS department, and the museum. It's several thousand dollars.” Burners also bump up the local economy while they're here. “You Burners out there, stop by our convenience stores and the vendors out there,” he says. It helps boost the economy for our tribal membership and even our tax revenue on the reservation.” (A quick note here: the reservation and Pyramid Lake are currently closed to the general public due to COVID-19 concerns.) Some families on the reservation rely on roadside vending to make ends meet. Every year at Burning Man, the highway to Black Rock Desert is dotted with food trucks, trash hauling services, and stands hawking blinky lights. Bunny's Tacos was one of the earliest Indian taco stands. If you don't know what an Indian taco is, here's Bunny: “Bunny's taco stand started with a taco bread made from grandma's kitchen, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa made, homemade from Bunny's little kitchen,” she says. “All homemade.”   Photo: Bunny's Tacos, during the off-season. Bunny's Tacos is run out of a trailer that sits next to Maureen Pancho's house in Nixon. Bunny is Maureen's grandmother, but Maureen calls her Mom. The family has been selling Indian tacos during Burning Man for two decades. Maureen started helping out when she was just a kid. “About 10 years ago Burning Man was just nonstop traffic,” says Maureen. “Everybody wanted a stand. Everybody. It's everybody's extra income during that time. So everybody's popping up stands, whether it's food, crafts, anything… Everyone counts on Burning Man because it's an extra income to help everybody out here because there's barely any jobs for those that don't have one, and that's how they can make their money.” Historically, unemployment here was more than double the state average. And Maureen says the Burning Man business just hasn't been as good for a couple of years. Some think the drop in traffic might be due to the rise in alternative transportation like the Burner Express bus or private flights. Yes – Black Rock City has an airport. Whatever the reason for the slowdown, Maureen is feeling the effects. “Back in the day, I was looking at least five to six grand,” says Maureen. “Now, honestly, I'm at, we'll say, about a minimum wage of a week's work… You're barely making anything now… We count on Burning Man every year.”   Photo: Closeup of Bunny's Tacos trailer. Aside from the organization, there's one group of Burners currently addressing the poverty here– the queer camp Comfort & Joy.  They run a food drive every year. People leaving Black Rock City can drop off extra food at Bunny's Tacos. Then Maureen helps distribute it to the many, many households that rely on food bank services. “We have gotten over, I want to say roughly eight truckloads of food,” she says. “We fed over 150 families. And it varied from cans to fresh vegetables to eggs… Everything was gone within three days.” Comfort & Joy Camp also holds a separate fundraiser. It raised around $14,000 last year for the tribal food bank. Fabien Gestas, known on the playa as Biscuits, runs both the fundraiser and the food drive. He says he wants to see more awareness from Burners. “You're not just driving through on State Route Nevada 447 heading to Black Rock City,” says Fabien. “You're going through the land that has belonged to somebody for way longer than the United States has ever been here. And that there's a sacredness to it.”   Photo: Fabien Gestas, aka Biscuits, at Comfort & Joy, Burning Man 2019. I ask Fabien if he thinks Burners have a moral responsibility to redistribute some of their wealth and resource privilege. “Just as human beings we have a moral responsibility to help one another,” he says. “But obviously that's even compounded when we're coming here to have this crazy celebration on their sacred land… And we do have a moral responsibility. Absolutely.” Many Burners talk about the Black Rock playa as a blank slate. They build their city, like new, every year. But every year, they build it on land taken from the Northern Paiute people, who are still here. This story was recorded primarily in 2019 and produced before the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot has changed since then. Andrew Davis Blackowl, the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe member who let me tag along and jump into the back of his truck, died earlier this year. In April, Burning Man was cancelled. For Paiute vendors like Bunny, the money is gone. And the tribe itself is struggling with COVID-19. Chairman Anthony Sampson had the following to say from a video update on May 5, 2020. COVID-19 cases had just jumped into the double digits. Now the reservation and Pyramid Lake are closed to the general public. “I'm pleading with you people out there, This is not a laughing matter. This is not a drill. This is the reality of what's going on in our communities. This is reality, and it's going to hurt people.” On Paiute land, I'm Lucy Kang, for KPFA. ______ This story is a co-production of KPFA and KALW and is part of the Intersection podcast. It was edited by David Boyer and engineered by Gabe Grabin. Additional reporting from Jonathan Davis. Special thanks to the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Museum and Visitors Center. Comfort & Joy's fundraising campaign for the Tribal Food Bank can be found on Facebook. Thanks also to Anjali L. Nath Upadhyay from Liberation Spring. “Kaiva waito saugaymian” and “Weather Song” from the album Circle Dance Songs of the Paiute and Shoshone (CR-6283) by Judy Trejo. Courtesy Canyon Records, License 2019-092. All rights reserved. “Sweet Betsy From Pike” as performed by Zelmer Ward and Vester Whitworth at Arvin FSA Camp, August 1, 1940. Charles L. Todd and Robert Sonkin Migrant Workers Collection, America Folklore Collection. Library of Congress. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/afcts.4099a2. Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions (CC BY-NC 4.0 license). The post Burning Man Special: Black Rock City is built on Northern Paiute land appeared first on KPFA.

Wisconsin is the birthplace of snowmobiling and continues to offer some of the best snowmobiling opportunities you are likely to find, especially in the northern part of the state. Eagle River is the Snowmobile Capital of the World and host of the Amsoil World Championship Snowmobile Derby. On this episode, Kim Emerson, Executive Director of the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center, sheds light on the mecca of snowmobiling. With more than 200,000 registered snowmobiles hitting Wisconsin's 25,000 miles of groomed trails each winter across the state, safety is an important part of the ride. DNR Warden April Dombrowski has tips on how to ride smart from the start. Listen in and discover why Wisconsin is where it's at when it comes to snowmobiling. --------------------------------------TRANSCRIPTAnnouncer: [00:00:00] Welcome to Wisconsin DNR's Wild Wisconsin - Off The Record podcast. Information straight from the source.Katie Grant: [00:00:13] Welcome back to another episode of Wild Wisconsin - Off The Record. I'm your host DNR's digital media coordinator, Katie Grant. When it gets cold outside and the snow starts to fall, you might start to hear a familiar noise.Snowmobiles .At Wisconsin DNR we just finished  celebrating International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Week. With over 18,000 miles of funded snowmobile trails in Wisconsin, we think it's an important topic to talk about. Northern Wisconsin is a haven for snowmobiles. I mean, what we think of as a snowmobile today was actually invented by Carl Elliason in Sayner, Wisconsin back in the 1920s. So it was kind of meant to be. But beyond that legacy, Northern Wisconsin gets a lot of snow. According to the Minocqua Area Chamber of Commerce, thye average 65 inches of snow per year. Less than 30 miles away is the "Snowmobile Capital of the World" -- Eagle River. I called Kim Emerson from the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce to learn more about snowmobiling in the area. Kim Emerson: [00:01:26] I am the Executive Director of the Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.Katie Grant: [00:01:31] Fantastic. So Eagle River is known as kind of being the "Snowmobile Capital of the World." Why is that? Kim Emerson: [00:01:39] Well, we are the "Snowmobile Capital of the World." We've got spectacular snowmobile trails here. And with all of that and how well they're groomed, and the many people who are aware of our trail systems, that's how we can be the "Snowmobile Capital of the World."Katie Grant: [00:01:55] Fantastic. And what about the Eagle River area? What makes it such an attractive place for snowmobiling and even other vacations throughout the entire year? Kim Emerson: [00:02:06] Sure. Eagle River area as an as a family destination, it's a four season family destination. There are activities for everyone... for any type of activity that they like to do.Uh, for instance, during the winter, we have our snowmobile trails. We've got over 600 miles of groomed trails right here in the Vilas County area. And then of course, so we're, we're seated right here next to the Nicolet National Forest. We have lots of county acreage of, um, County Forest. And we also have the Wisconsin American Legion Forest as well.The other thing we're known for is our chain of 28 lakes. And so that offers all kinds of activities during the summer. So if you hike, bike, snowmobile, fish, uh, we have it here in Eagle River area. Katie Grant: [00:02:58] Absolutely. So by your estimates, how many people visit the area every year in the winter for snowmobiling or other outdoor winter activities?Kim Emerson: [00:03:09] Well, I would say, um, winter activities is our second busiest season of the year. I would say there are, oh, I, I would gather close to...During the whole winter months, probably over a hundred thousand people. Katie Grant: [00:03:26] Wow. Kim Emerson: [00:03:27] It's a great activity area. Snowmobiling alone brings in over $40 million, uh, to the Vilas County area from December through March.Katie Grant: [00:03:39] Wow. That's a lot. How....How are trail conditions so far this year? Kim Emerson: [00:03:44] Trail conditions are in good shape. This year we've had some really good snow. Other parts of our state, unfortunately have not had snow. So if you are interested in snowmobiling, Eagle River is the place to be. Uh, we do... If you go to EagleRiver.org, we update our trail conditions continually. Uh, by 8:30 every morning. So for the most up to date reports, EagleRiver.org. Katie Grant: [00:04:10] Fantastic. So what are some snowmobiling must do's in the area? Is there like a specific trail or a place to go eat while you're out or if you come up there, what do you have to make sure you do. Kim Emerson: [00:04:24] Well, right here in Eagle River, again, we've got over 600 miles of snowmobile trail that you can enjoy. Uh, they do connect many different businesses. And, uh, for instance, you can go to, uh, you can snowmobile for breakfast, you can snowmobile for lunch, dinner. It's a great opportunity. There are so many different wonderful restaurants. It's hard to name them all.Katie Grant: [00:04:49] Now, before we go any further, we need to give a huge shout out to all of the volunteers and snowmobile clubs throughout the state who work to make sure these trails are maintained. The DNR also offers grants to these clubs to help make their work possible. The grants are funded by things like snowmobile registrations, the state trail pass program, and a small portion of the state's gas tax.These grants are used to fix things like old trails and bridges, to build new bridges and even to add new miles to already existing trails. There's plenty of snowmobile fun to be had, but our goal is to make sure that you do it safely and responsibly. That's why I sat down with Warden April Dombrowski. So sit back and listen in.April Dombrowski: [00:05:34] So I'm the section chief, uh, with the Recreation, Safety and Outdoors Skill Section within the Bureau of Law Enforcement here at DNR. Katie Grant: [00:05:42] So what all does that cover? April Dombrowski: [00:05:43] That in encom...encompasses a lot. So I oversee, um, our safety programs as it relates to boats, snowmobile, ATV, um, hunter education, off-highway motorcycles...Um, but then it also incorporates other, R3 programs, so the "Learn to Hunt," um, "Fish for Food," the shooting ranges, those type of things. So, um, a lot that covers, um, wwithin the recreational side of, of our program.Katie Grant: [00:06:10] All the fun stuff.April Dombrowski: [00:06:11] All the fun stuff. But then there's, so there's the educational component of, of, uh, um, those disciplines, but then there's also the enforcement side of those disciplines.Katie Grant: [00:06:20] Absolutely. What? Well, first of all, how long have you been here with the DNR? April Dombrowski: [00:06:25] I've been with the DNR in this, in this capacity with the Bureau of Law Enforcement for 22 years, and I've been in my current position, uh, for five years. Katie Grant: [00:06:34] Okay. And what got you interested in this world of becoming a warden? April Dombrowski: [00:06:40] Sure. Um, good question. I've always been, uh, really connected to the outdoors growing up, whether it was fishing, camping, hunting, mountain biking, ATV, snowmobiling, those type of things. But as far as, uh, becoming a conservation warden, it was really... I was inspired at a young age. I'm at the age of 15, um, I was actually working for the DNR in their youth conservation camps.They no longer exist. Um, but, uh, that was my first job. And, and, um, it was a summer job, uh, basically working in the parks, ah trail maintenance, fish habitat, uh, planting a lot of trees. And that's really where I was able to, uh, grow, um, into my interest of the, of the, uh, natural resources and, and what we have here in Wisconsin.Katie Grant: [00:07:26] Yeah. Fantastic. So you're here today because January is International Snowmobile Safety and Awareness Month. Why is talking about this so important here in Wisconsin? April Dombrowski: [00:07:38] This is very important in Wisconsin because we're a unique state in the fact that we have a snowmobile season, and depending on where you are in the state of Wisconsin, you can have a long season or you can have a very short or a short season.We kind of have that magic belt of where the snow falls within a given season. So, um, it's very important, um, because obviously, you know, I believe snowmobile safety is important, um, because the, the people, uh, deserve, uh, to have a safe and enjoyable experience while they're out recreating, um, you know, on our landscape, whether it's, you know, on our trails or on our waterways.Katie Grant: [00:08:14] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:08:15] So, uh, Wisconsin is also the birthplace for this tradition that we have of snowmobiling. Um, and it involves friends and families, uh, being able to do this activity outside together. Uh, we do have a number of miles of trail, like probably over 25,000 miles of the trail.Katie Grant: [00:08:34] It's a lot. April Dombrowski: [00:08:35] Not to mention all, all our frozen bodies of water, uh, during this time of year.So it's just very important that, you know, people that are out there recreating, uh, they have that opportunity to enjoy it, to have those experiences and then being able to do it safely. Katie Grant: [00:08:49] Right, right. When we're talking snowmobile safety...What are the most important things that people should keep in mind when they're out snowmobiling?April Dombrowski: [00:09:00] So when people are out snowmobiling, uh, really what it comes down to a couple of categories I like to categorize, um, kind of, uh, uh, where, where people need to be thinking when they go out and doing that activity. Um, really being able to ride within your capabilities. And when I say that, it's operating at safe speeds, not only that the operator can handle, but what the terrain provides them.Um, the terrain is different when it, when you go from a groomed trail to a frozen body of water and all of a sudden it's glare ice. The snowmobile responds differently to those conditions. Um, and then also knowing the capabilities of the machine. Um, we have many different machines out there, many different year models, and they all handle differently.So it's being able to, uh, ride within the machine's capability, just as the user. Uh, this also includes ah riding at night versus daytime operation. When you're riding at night, you know, you got to slow down because you gotta be able to see and respond to any hazards that, that come out in front of you.And, um, you know, what, what, what we gotta be cautious on is that we're not overriding our headlamps. We override our headlamps, um, obviously that, that, uh, um, can end in just not being able to properly identify those hazards. Katie Grant: [00:10:15] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:10:17] Um, it's also, uh, important for snowmobilers uh, again, not to, um, really just, um, you know, being cognizant of, of other operators out on the trails.So, um, just being cognizant of the space that you're taking on those trails. Katie Grant: [00:10:34] Okay. Yeah. Playing nice with everyone out there.April Dombrowski: [00:10:36] Playing nice with ev--. It's a big playground, but we all got to play nice together. The other thing is really riding responsibly, and that is, I talked a little bit before about our trails and our groomed trails. It's staying on the marked trails. Um, there's a number of miles of trails that landowners open up their properties so that the, the trails can go through the property and really respecting those landowners and staying on the trails um in accordance with the signs. Um being courteous and safe when operating in a group.And then always remember to, you know, if you're following somebody, maintain a following distance that you're going to be able to respond and react if that snowmobiler in front of you has to make a sudden stop. Um, the other thing with, trail conditions is, um, you know, a snowmobiler in front of you can, can, uh, kick up, you know, snow dust and, and kinda, um, interfere with your vision of what you can see, um, at any given time.So just being cognizant of those things. Um, and then as I mentioned before, you know, really just staying to the right most side of the trail because there's other users out on the trail, you know, that may be going the opposite direction of you and in obviously, being courteous to that space. Katie Grant: [00:11:47] Right, right.April Dombrowski: [00:11:48] So, and then the other thing is really just practicing zero alcohol, uh, which is a personal choice, uh, to refrain from drinking any alcoholic beverages, um, until you're done operating, you know, your snowmobile for the evening.Um, whether that's going back to a hotel or a lodge, resort, you know, back to your residence, those types of things. Um, and then, uh you know, with more snowmobile traffic on the trails the last thing we want um to do is to, um, you know, have that, have your reaction time slowed down because of, um, you know, because of, of those beverages that, that you may have taken, uh, prior to, you know, to, uh, being done for the night.Katie Grant: [00:12:25] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:12:26] Um, and then the other thing is really, um, talks about that equipment. Uh, winter provides a uniqueness in the fact that, you know, the weather conditions can change. I mean, you got to dress for the conditions. So the most important thing is, you know, wearing that helmet, you know, protecting your head.Um, and then also, um protecting, you know, the other parts of your body from the elements. Um, you never know snowmobile goes down and you're standing out in the cold and you didn't anticipate that that's what you're going to be doing. Um, and then obviously if operating on a frozen body of water, wearing a life jacket, um, in case you would happen to find yourself in open water.Um, and that obviously helps with that flotation. And then also really, um, you don't go alone. Um, typically snowmobilers will go with friends, family, they'll have a partner with them. And that's always good to have that extra companion out there on the trails with you. Katie Grant: [00:13:15] Yeah. Yeah. So let's kind of shift gears a tiny bit. Uh, you mentioned riding on ice. Um, tell me a little bit about staying safe on the ice, whether you're on a snowmobile or out ice fishing, or even just going for a walk. April Dombrowski: [00:13:34] Sure. Um, and, and there's a number of recreationalists that utilize the frozen, uh, waterways during the wintertime, whether it be a snowmobiler, a fat bike rider, cross country skier.There's a lot of activities, ice fishing, you mentioned. Um, and really just keep it in mind that when you're out on those frozen bodies of water, uh, that, that brings another set of hazards. Um, and the best advice to follow is no matter what the month, what the temperature is, um, just consider all ice as unpredict...predictable.Because when you're in that, that element in the environment there's a lot of changing factors in the ice condition. And it can be, you know, four inches in one spot and then all of a sudden you have it really thin in another spot. And, and you know, obviously that can, um, uh, you know, have its own issues in it in itself.So. When we talk about ice and just the arm predictability, um, just, just being on a snowmobile too, I mentioned it a little while ago as far as, you know, uh, it, it presents challenges from going from a groomed trail to now you're on ice conditions. There could be cracks or heaves in the ice that all of a sudden throws you off a little bit.Um, the steering, the braking, um, and the overall control of the machine, um, it just changes its characteristics um, when you are go from groom trail to to ice conditions. Um, another thing is some lakes and rivers, um, you know, have, have notorious bad spots, whether it's a spring is there, um, a current runs through there, those type of things.So when that energy is still running through that system, um, you know, the ice ain't going to be as solid as maybe in a spot, um, that, that, uh, you know, is frozen up in a little bit harder. Katie Grant: [00:15:21] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:15:22] Um, so really using a high degree of caution while traveling on ice, um, and checking the ice conditions with, with the local, um, the, the local individuals that have that particular knowledge of that body of water. And that could come from bait shops, fishing clubs, I mentioned snowmobile clubs before. Um, and then if there's any local Outfitters that have a connection to that body of water, um, whether that be a sportsman's, um, you know, store or, or a bait shop type of thing.Um, they usually have those daily reports coming in, um, if not hourly reports coming in because the customers are coming in and out and those conditions change. And then as mentioned with ice, you know, making sure to either carry or wear a life jacket, um, have a cell phone. Handheld spikes are really good because if you would happen to fall through, um, some ice, uh, they just provide you some leverage and grip to get back up to a more solid surface.Um, if that would happen. And then again, um, riding with a companion is always. I'm good. And then the other thing is, if you're, if you're unfamiliar with the conditions, um, you should maybe think about, do I need to be out there now? Do, is it, is it, do I need to be out there in the evening hours? Those types of things.So that unfamiliarity, um, really needs to be in check when, when venturing out on, on those frozen bodies of water. Katie Grant: [00:16:45] Yeah. So in Wisconsin and a lot of states, we have required Hunter Safety courses that you have to take. Is there something like that for snowmobiling and what are the requirements to need to take that?April Dombrowski: [00:16:58] Sure, yeah. All, all riders, um, at least the age of 12 and born on or after January 1st of 1985 are required to complete a Snowmobile Safety course before they can legally operate. Um, so really what that means is, uh, anybody turning 35 this year, um, has to have that snowmobile safety certification. Um.Riders ages 16 and older, they can complete a course over the internet. So we have internet options for them to be able to take that course and get their certification that way. Uh, those that are under the age of 16, uh, we'll typically have courses set up around the state, and that'll be like a in-classroom, in-person with our volunteer instructors, uh, teaching... teaching that course.Katie Grant: [00:17:46] Right. And I assume it's just a like one day, several hour type thing, or is it a fairly long process? April Dombrowski: [00:17:52] No, it's not a long process. Um, typically, you know, courses can take place in about two days or two evenings. Um, whether it's a Friday evening, Saturday or breaking it up through the weekend type of thing, maybe a couple hours a evening, a night.Um, but it's really not uh, a long drawn-out process. It's just a, a familiarity for snowmobile safety and ethics, uh, for those, um, for those individuals coming in, um, requiring that certification. It provides awareness and really just a, a kind of a a starting point of where everybody, you know, kinda has that base knowledge, but then really the true experiences, um, come from then, you know, taking the rides out on the trail and learning things from friends and family, you know, as they continue to grow.Just like, just like an automobile, you know, um, you, you, you gain experiences the more time you're behind the wheel. Right? Katie Grant: [00:18:48] Right. April Dombrowski: [00:18:48] So, and then as far as information on safety classes, you know, we have them posted throughout the state. And, um, you know, we try to have them in every county, but, uh, we really rely on our volunteer instructors, uh, to perform, uh, and kind of, um, meet, meet the demand of our students.But if anybody is looking for more information on a snowmobile safety course, they can simply visit our website at www.DNR.wi.gov and then really just the typing in a keyword of "snowmobile safety." Um, and that'll get them to the homepage and they'll find a lot of information, um, that they can navigate, um, and learn not only what safety courses are in their area, but also safety tips, regulations, um, just that, um, information as they enter that snowmobile world. Katie Grant: [00:19:42] Yeah. And if you're interested in becoming a volunteer, I assume there's information on that there too. April Dombrowski: [00:19:47] Yep. There's information there on that. And then obviously part of our program is, uh, working with our volunteer instructors and providing those, uh, the training and the materials to be able to go out and conduct courses accordingly.Katie Grant: [00:20:00] Perfect. Anything else that you think we should know about snowmobiling in Wisconsin? April Dombrowski: [00:20:06] A snowmobiling  in Wisconsin is, it's really a great time. I mean, my family comes from, um snowmobiling there's again, a lot of great memories and great stories, uh, with that activity. But you know, at the DNR here in Wisconsin, we really just want everybody to be safe -- being able to enjoy that experience in the outdoors and really create, continue to create those, those memories with friends and family. Um, I think common sense is the greatest ally in preventing ah snowmobile and ice related, um, incidents. Um, and this really includes checking and ice conditions and riding responsibly, uh, when venturing out on our trails and frozen water bodies.So I guess I'd like to end with just, um, everybody to happy trails and, uh, um, have a great winter season. Katie Grant: [00:20:54] Yeah. Stay safe out there. April Dombrowski: [00:20:55] Yes. Katie Grant: [00:20:56] There is still plenty of winter left, so as you head out to enjoy it, keep these tips in mind and do it safely. We'd love to hear about your snowmobiling adventures.Email us to share your stories -- DNRpodcast@wisconsin.gov Thanks for listening.