Below is the November 2008 Calendar from Georgia’s State Parks & Historic Sites.More information is available at www.GeorgiaStateParks.org or 1-800-864-7275.

November 2008 Events – Divided By Region

NORTHERN GEORGIA

Southern Appalachian Mushrooms
Saturday, November 1, Two sessions: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Smithgall Woods Conservation Area and Lodge – Helen
Photographer and Smithgall volunteer Debra Davis will present a lecture/slide program on Southern Appalachian mushrooms. A short walk to view mushrooms will follow. Participants will be provided a unique experience to learn about the important role of fungi in the environment, basic ID and safety. $3 parking. (706) 878-3087.

Saturday Evening Music Concert Series
November 1 and 8, 8 p.m.
Unicoi State Park and Lodge – Helen
Regional musicians perform a variety of music from Appalachian Mountain, Bluegrass, and Southern Gospel music. The series lasts from June through mid-November. “Pass-the-hat” donations for musicians. $3 parking. (706) 878-2201 ext. 305.

Full Moon Suspension Bridge Hike
Wednesday, November 12 and Thursday, November 13, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Tallulah Gorge State Park – Tallulah Falls
Enjoy the gorge in the magical, shimmering light of the full moon. The hike will begin at the Interpretive Center, following the North Rim Trail, with a descent of the Hurricane Falls Trail staircase of about 325 steps to the suspension bridge over Hurricane Falls. This is considered a strenuous hike, consisting of approximately 700 steps. Register in advance. $4 parking. (706) 754-7981.

Concert: Alaska String Band
Saturday, November 15, 1 p.m.
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge – Dawsonville
Amicalola Falls presents entertainment for the entire family from an entire family of entertainers. Five people with seven instruments add up to lots of enjoyable listening as they perform bluegrass, gospel, blues and swing. $3 parking. (706) 265-1969.

Fort Yargo Cyclocross Race
Sunday, November 23, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fort Yargo State Park - Winder
Join the park staff for hayrides, storytelling by the campfire, children’s games, and viewing the restored Old Fort by candlelight. $1 - $3, plus $3 parking. (770) 867-3489.

SOUTHERN & CENTRAL GEORGIA

Syrup Making and Storytellin’
Saturday, November 1, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Jarrell Plantation Historic Site – Juliette
The traditional syrup cookoff was an important fall event on middle Georgia farms and featured family and community get togethers for work and play. This program brings the event back to life with demonstrations of the sugar cane mill, syrup kettle, steam engine, woodstove cooking and storytellin’. $2.50 - $4. (478) 986-5172.

Annual Fala Day
Saturday, November 1, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site – Warm Springs
Join the Greater Atlanta Scottish Terrier Association for an opening parade, costume parade, grooming exhibits and bagpipe music. All Scotty dogs welcome on a six-foot leash. Free admission to the program held in the picnic area. $4-$7. (706) 655-5870.

Changes of Fall Overnight Backpacking Trip
Saturday, November 8 through Sunday, November 9, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park – Pine Mountain
This guided trip on the Pine Mountain Trail includes breathtaking vistas, cascading waterfalls, pretty valleys and plentiful water crossings. The 7.5-mile hike will begin at WJSP TV tower. From there we will hike and camp at Sassafras Hill Campsite. Hikers supply their own gear. Register by October 26. $15. (706) 663-4858.

Tribute to Veterans
Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Georgia Veterans State Park - Cordele
This Veterans Day celebration includes World War II living history, a model airplane fly-in, model boat show and 1 p.m. ceremony with guest speaker, bagpipes and drums, and color guard. $3 parking. (229) 276-2371.

Geology Day
Saturday, November 8, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Providence Canyon State Park – Lumpkin
Join Professor Rich McWilliams of Thomas University from Thomasville, Georgia as he conducts a hike through the canyons so visitors will see one of the geologic wonders of the southeastern United States. Pre-registration is required. $3 parking. (229) 838-6202.

An Evening of Astronomy
Saturday, November 22, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
F.D. Roosevelt State Park – Pine Mountain
Constellations and planets have been an important part of human society and folklore since humans lived in caves. Join the Columbus Coca-Cola Space Science Center at the amphitheater for an evening that will include star talks, star maps, and viewing of the night sky. $3 parking. (706) 663-4858.

Pioneer Skills Day
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
General Coffee State Park – Nicholls
The Heritage Farm will come to life as volunteers demonstrate the skills of farm life from the 1800s. This festival includes crafters, musicians and dancers. $3 parking. (912) 384-1581.

8th Annual Cane Grinding
Saturday, November 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
George L. Smith State Park – Twin City
Watch cane being ground, buy a jar of cane syrup, and sample the juice before it is turned into syrup. Afterward, explore our covered bridge/grist mill, walk our hiking trails, fish and see our beautiful cypress trees changing their fall colors. $3 parking. (478) 763-2759.

Battle of Griswoldville Commemoration
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Jarrell Plantation Historic Site – Juliette
Enjoy Civil War soldier-life presentations, walking tours and a commemoration program at the battle site which is east of Macon. Call for directions. (478) 986-5172.

A Warm Springs Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Roosevelt’s Little White House Historic Site – Warm Springs
Descendants of band members who played for President Roosevelt will continue the Thanksgiving and family tradition of folk music on the lawn of the Little White House. $4-$7. (706) 655-5870.

COASTAL GEORGIA

The Debatable Land Fall Encampment
Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Fort King George Historic Site – Darien
A wide range of living history presentations will highlight various cultures and people that inhabited our region, long before Georgia was established in 1733. A battle reenactment will take place at 2 p.m. $2.50-$5. (912) 437-4770.

“Come and Take It”: A Revolutionary War Encampment
Saturday, November 22, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fort Morris Historic Site – Midway
This American Revolution encampment commemorates Col. John McIntosh’s defiant reply to a British demand for surrender, “Come & Take It!” There will be colonial demonstrations, musket and cannon drills, a small skirmish and more. Interpreters in historical attire will represent a variety of colonial life. $1.75-$3 (912) 884-5999.

METRO ATLANTA

Introduction to Backpacking
Saturday, November 1, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
This beginner’s class will take place in an outdoor classroom setting. This is a great introduction on how to prepare for backcountry hiking: what is essential, how to save weight, and what to leave at home. Register in advance. $5 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Tree Top Excursions:Open Climb
Saturday, November 1, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
Join us “on rope” for an adventure exploring the canopy above. This is an introductory climb to Canopy-Adventure-Research-Educational Technical Tree Climbing (CARE TTC). Participants will use rope and harness for this moderately strenuous activity. We will climb near Lake Alexander. $10 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Basic Fly Fishing Clinic
Saturday, November 8, 9:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
This clinic covers equipment, knot tying, casting, safety issues and other tricks of the trade. If time permits participants may stay to catch the “Fish of Fish.” Local instructors C. H. Brown and Michael Reilley suggest wearing long pants/shorts and hiking shoes, and bringing snacks, water and sun lotion. Georgia fishing license required. $7 - $10 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Life on the Southern Homefront
Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Historic Site – Dallas
Gather the family and join us at our 1850s log cabin. Learn the ways pioneers settled this region and the lifelong struggles and hardships they had to endure. See open hearth cooking, farming practices and clothing styles. $1.75 - $3. (770) 443-7850.

Advanced Fly Fishing Clinic
Saturday, November 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park – Stockbridge
This clinic is for graduates of our Basic Fly Fishing Clinic and Experienced Fly Fisherman call (prerequisite) and will focus on “On the Water Techniques.” We begin at the Rockdale River Trail parking and then head to the lake for instruction in advanced casting technique (Steeple Caste, Roll Cast, and Double-haul Casting), line mending, reading the water and entomology. $12-$15, plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

Nocturnal Treetop Excursion
Saturday, November 22, 6 p.m.– 9 p.m.
Panola Mountain State Park - Stockbridge
Join us aloft in “Naomi Ruth,” a wonderful 90-foot Southern Red Oak, which is our living classroom. This nocturnal climb will include fluorescent lichen and other glowing critters of the night, stargazing and night climbing activities. We may even have a barred owl join us. Register in advance. $20 plus $3 parking. (770) 389-7801.

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