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Several Alabama State Parks are hosting “Open House” events on August 28, 2010. Some parks will have lodge rooms and cabins open for visitors to take a peek. Other parks are offering discounts and other incentives.
Here are a few events taking place that day:
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Cathedral Caverns will give away “Friends of the Cave” passes for the first two registered visitors on each scheduled tour on August 28. The passes will give the holder a discount on a future visit.
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At Paul Grist near Selma, all boat rentals will be reduced to half price. Register for a drawing for two free nights of camping.
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Register to win a free round of golf at Lake Guntersville’s newly renovated course.
23rd Annual Coastal Cleanup
Gulf State Park will be participating in the 23rd Annual Coastal Cleanup on September 18, 2010. Always the third Saturday in September, the Coastal Cleanup is a chance to take pride in our unique and treasured waterway system. Over the past 20 years, the Alabama Coastal Cleanup has had 58,000 volunteers remove 1.1 million pounds of marine debris from a total of 3,500 miles of coastline!
The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is coordinated through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division, Coastal Section and the Alabama People Against a Littered State (PALS). Call 251-621-1216 for more information.
Upcoming Events
8/21/2010
Weigh-ins at 3 p.m. CST at the Marina.
8/27/2010
8 p.m. at the campground. Many animals at Little River mimic backgrounds or other more threatening critters to survive the challenges of their environment. Join Little River Canyon National Park Ranger Larry Beane to learn more.
8/28/2010
9 a.m. This 2.5 mile hike is rated easy to moderate. Meet at the Town Creek Fishing Center on Highway 227, about 3 miles past the main park entrance. Email: patti.donnellan@dcnr.alabama.gov or call 256-571-5445.
9/3/2010
Explore how amphibians transform from a single cell to the wonderful hopping creatures we adore with JSU’s Dr. James Rayburn.
9/5/2010
1 p.m. Doggie bags full of great prizes for the biggest, smallest, youngest, oldest, fluffiest, best dressed, and most talented. Sign up at the Nature Center located in the Main Campground by 12:45 p.m. patti.donnellan@dcnr.alabama.gov or call 256-571-5445.
9/10 to 9/11/2010
The gathering will be held on the grounds of the park, with shelter and shaded areas that promise comfort. Car classes include MG, Rolls Royce, Triumph, Jaguar, Austin Healey and more.
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Enter the 2011 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest
Are you an amateur photographer with an eye for Alabama’s diverse natural heritage? If so, you are encouraged to submit your images to Outdoor Alabama magazine’s 2011 Photo Contest. Winning entries will be published in the February 2011 issue of the magazine.
One of the categories is Alabama State Parks, so when you visit your favorite park, don’t forget to take a few snapshots. Other categories include youth ages 6-12, youth ages 13-18, nature-based activities, scenic/pictorial, wild flora, birds, mammals, reptiles/amphibians/fish, and other native wildlife.
Entries must be postmarked by
October 30, 2010.
RECIPE OF
THE MONTH
Aunt Maudine’s Marinated Ham
From First Lady Patsy Riley
3 to 4 ham steaks or thick breakfast ham
1 C. brown sugar
1 ½ C. red cooking wine or cooking sherry
1 jar peach pickles
1 jar red apple rings
Cut ham into serving size pieces. In an oblong casserole dish, add brown sugar, sherry, juice from pickles and juice from apple rings. Stir to dissolve brown sugar. Place ham in juice. Marinate for at least 1 hour or longer, turning every 20 minutes. Meat should be turned often during the soaking process. Cook over low heat on a charcoal grill turning three or four times. Cook about 15 minutes. Makes a great ham sandwich or is great between a buttermilk biscuit.
Mrs. Riley has been a strong advocate of the state parks system since Gov. Riley took office in 2003. She notes that this recipe would be great addition to your picnic menu at an Alabama state park.
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