News
From The Director
Mirror, Mirror, On the Wall...
The other day I was trying to make a decision, and I called a friend to ask her advice. She gave me her expert advice, and I still hemmed and hawed. Then she said “I’m going to hold up a mirror and tell you what you always tell me.” And you know what? It was advice I’ve given her many times. I followed her (my) advice and everything turned out great.
It’s sort of how our Byway Specialists work here at the Resource Center. We have expertise on several subjects or we know who is an expert to go to for answers. We listen to people involved in byway organizations, State organizations, Federal land management agencies and tribes. We talk about their plans, visions, projects, and concerns. We offer tools, information, education and ideas for solutions. Then we hold up a mirror. Sometimes, you already hold the solution; you just need help uncovering it.
Inspiration
I was presenting at a meeting recently and one of the attendees made a comment about the current state of affairs and how difficult it is to do anything and how people are discouraged. Others mentioned how busy they were and how they didn’t have time to add new tasks to their list.
I disagree.
What Byways Mean To Tribes
I received a great e-mail from an Our Native Pathways: Byway Opportunites for Indian Tribes workshop participant, and I wanted to share her insight with you:
Baseball and Byways
I was listening to the Milwaukee Brewers pre-game show on the radio yesterday while driving home from a fun-filled day at my in-laws’ cabin. The announcer welcomed everyone to the sold-out game and he said everyone traveled on “highways and byways” to get to Miller Park. I wondered how many Major League Baseball stadiums are on or near one of America’s Byways®. What a great connection: baseball and byways. It doesn’t get any more American than that.
This Little Piggy
Do you remember the little piggy nursery rhyme?
Summer Time!
My husband owns a big Lake Superior fishing boat and we took it out for a ride this past weekend. It was a beautiful day; the lake was smooth and the sky was bright. We putted for a bit in the harbor and up the North Shore and then headed for Wisconsin waters to see if the lakers were biting. We all had a great time. It’s so fun to be out on the water. And it’s especially fun when you are out on the lake that has such a huge impact on our daily lives. It is a big part of our culture, our industries and our landscape. It impacts the quality of the watershed and it directs our weather (it’s cooler by the lake!).
Count Down
Sixteen days. My son Wyatt knows what happens in sixteen days. It’s the big fishing opener in Wisconsin. He has asked me every day for the last two months, “When can we go fishing Mom?” Soon, Wyatt. Soon.
Little Red Dot, Part 2
Remember Robin Gyorgyfalvy’s quest for a little red dot at the 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference in Baltimore? She was asked to travel to China to make a presentation about byways at the International Forum on Geoparks: Interpretation and Sustainable Development. Below, read the report that was published in a US Forest Service newsletter.
Family Ties
During the 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference, I hosted a special luncheon to introduce Scott Sufficool, Tribal Liaison, to a small group of Tribal members and individuals who helped the Resource Center establish the position. This was Scott’s first day on the job - literally.
Role Models
The other day my sweet, innocent baby girl [She’s eight, Michelle, not a baby anymore. — Ed.] told me she wants to be like Britney Spears when she grows up. The conversation went something like this:
Career Day
A recent newsletter from my boys’ pre-school (Tucker and Wyatt, both four) offered parents the opportunity to come to school and talk about our jobs. I’ve already signed up! Next will be the challenge of explaining byways to four- and five-year-olds. I think I’ll bring treats.
Using Tools Wisely
Have you ever used a hammer to pound in a screw? Sounds sort of funny, doesn’t it? No matter how hard you pound, that screw just doesn’t budge. I know this from actual experience. I won’t do it again, trust me.
Where In The World Is Curt Pianalto?
One of the frequent questions we are asked is, “How can you help our byway?” The Resource Center provides three specific services:
Byways and Indian Country
As I write this, I am 25,000 feet and climbing somewhere over eastern Tennessee. I am on my way home from attending the 2007 American Indian Tourism Conference in Cherokee, North Carolina.
A Challenge: What Are Byways Doing To Connect Kids With Nature?
The other night while I was watching TV (the kiddos were tucked in bed, natch), I made an interesting observation.
Ode To The Farmer's Market
Every Saturday, the kids and I go to the Farmer’s Market on Barker’s Island. It’s not a very large market - only ten or so vendors - so it doesn’t take very long to pick up our favorite fruits and veggies. But it has become a much looked forward to weekly ritual.
The Power of the Little Red Dot
I received a call the other day from our newest Advisory Committee member, Robin Lee Gyorgyfalvy. She left a message telling me that she wanted to talk about the Power of the Little Red Dot. Ooooh. Interesting. She had my attention. I returned her call immediately.
The Right Tools for the Job
How do you hang pictures on a wall? The proper way is to measure your wall space and the pictures, especially if you are hanging more than one frame.
A Leader's Legacy
Rob Draper, Director of the National Scenic Byways Program, officially retired on July 27. His passion for byways will be missed.
The Right Tools for the Job
How do you hang pictures on a wall? The proper way is to measure your wall space and the pictures, especially if you are hanging more than one frame.
Hitting the Road...
It’s that time of the year where I load up the van, the kids, their toys, pillows, closet of clothes, more shoes than we need, a year’s worth of food, and the kitchen sink. All this for the big trek to visit my brother in Gaylord, Michigan.
Take Me Fishing
Little Bay De Noc is good fer hookin’ da walleyes dis year. Try draggin’ a shiny crawler harness bout twenty ta tirty feet down wit bottom bouncers ta keep yer bait down. Dem ‘eyes like da choppy water so keep yer rod tip up and yer head on straight. Good luck to yous guys, eh?
New Tribal Liaison Position at the Resource Center
We are pleased to announce the addition of Scott Sufficool to the America’s Byways Resource Center staff!
Connecting Kids to Byways: The Flat Stanley Way
If you attended the National Scenic Byways Conference in Baltimore, you heard author Richard Louv give a great talk about the value of nature to children.
Welcome To bywaysresourcecenter.org!
America’s Byways Resource Center is pleased to welcome you to our new website. The information here focuses on education and training for byway groups.
