Check out the Designation Event T-Shirt Design!

DATC Graphics Committee chairperson, graphic design professional and Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club member Susan Norris has created an AWESOME t-shirt design based on the concept presented by Paul Smith.  Check it out at left!  Thanks to Susan for all her amazing efforts.  These graphics help promote the mission of the event and also the "brand" of Duncannon as an outdoor recreation destination.

Duncannon Appalachian Trail Panel Design Finalized

The design has been finalized for the Appalachian Trail interpretive panel slated to be installed along with two Susquehanna Greenway panels and a Main Line Canal Greenway panel this Spring as part of Susquehanna Greenway's River Towns initiative (**Apologies that the image isn't larger and more legible!).  The content and funding for the panel was provided by Mountain Club of Maryland rep Mike O'Connor through a grant from MCM's Miles Fund.  SEDA-COG's Adam Wynn assisted with the layout and graphic design work.  

Exciting that the panel will be in the ground in advance of the designation event in June!  Special thanks to Mike O'Connor and MCM for their important efforts in marking Duncannon's place as an important stop along the Appalachian Trail.

Duncannon Highlighted on Progress Pennsylvania

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/veender/2209733518/

Over the weekend Duncannon made an appearance on the Progress Pennsylvania blog, tales of Pennsylvania revitalization and economic development told by blogger Roy Keeler based in Pottstown, PA.

Duncannon PA Designated an Appalachian Trail Community

"This tiny town of 1,522 people, 15 miles north of Harrisburg, is making the most of having the Appalachian Trail running down its main street.  Taking advantage of natural surrounding is a tool for economic development.  Nature-based Tourism also known as Ecotourism is a great way for a town like Duncannon to revitalize itself." - Progress Pennsylvania

Also check out the Case Studies page to read about post-industrial town turned outdoor recreation destination - Jim Thorpe, PA.  Also highlighted is Damascus, VA - which dubs itself the "friendliest town on the trail."  Do I smell a challenge?

ATC Appoints A.T. Ambassador in Duncannon

Committee member Paul Smith was just named an A.T. Community Ambassador for Duncannon! Paul, also the Duncannon A.T. Advisory Committee's Arts & Music chairperson, will join nine other A.T. Community Ambassadors along the whole trail corridor as a local community representative trained to facilitate outreach to community members and youth groups for volunteer stewardship projects.   

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy very excited to have Paul on board for this position as he's done awesome work and brought great ideas and enthusiasm to the A.T. Community Committee in Duncannon since its formation this past summer.  

P.S. Did you know these hats are on sale at the Borough Office??  

The Value of Outdoor Festivals to PA Communities

Paddlers on the Susquehanna River, Source: PennLive.com

The A.T. Community designation celebration and town-wide outdoors festival themed "Saving Our Community from Nature Deficit Disorder" hopes to resonate beyond June 2012.  The concept of an Outdoor Festival as a means to promote sustainable economic development by linking economy, society and nature is not a new one in Pennsylvania.  Sustainable Pittsburgh's "Guide for Organizing an Outdoor Festival" explains it best:

• Outdoor recreation is a magnet for people of all ages and integral to the changed image of a region.
• Outdoor recreation contributes to equity by serving all people and narrowing the disparities gap.
• Participating in outdoor recreation contributes to healthy lifestyles for young and old.
• Outdoor enjoyment leads to awareness, appreciation, and likely action by all to be better stewards of the environment at home, at work, and at play.
• In common with Pennsylvania's two biggest industries - agriculture and tourism - recreation amenities are resource-based strategies for significant economic development.
• Recreation resources such as trails, watershed, connected parks, rivers and streams know no political boundaries.

Promotion of amenities within regions and communities can lead to legitimate economic development in the form of jobs, tourism, and vitality.

Vendor Commitments and Duncannon/Susquenita Middle School IN THE NEWS!

Over the weekend two articles by reporter Sarah Kramer appeared in the Perry County Times - one focusing on Susquenita Middle School's participation in the Trail to Every Classroom program and one about Duncannon's designation and plans for the event!   Follow the below links to read the articles:

"Initiative Links Fitness and Science"  and "Town Celebrates Conservancy Link"

Update for Designation Event Planning: Commitment forms for information and retail vendors, hike leaders, presentations on topics relating to the outdoors, musical entertainment, river trips, shuttle service, donations for free lunch for hikers, volunteers for manning event central, photographer and videographers, donations of cash and/or hiking gear, and donations of books relating to the AT and outdoors are due to Mary Parry Event Coordinator by January 10, 2011.

Commitment forms have been received from:

• Retail Vendor - Appalachian Primitives, donating an item for raffle
• Retail Vendor - Tastefully Simple, donation an item for raffle
• Information Vendor - Appalachian Music Conservancy
• Information Vendor - Keystone Trails Association
• Musical Entertainment - The Disturbinators
• Book donation from Jennifer Pharr Davis, unofficial A.T. speed record holder

 

Jennifer Pharr Davis and
Event Coordinator Trailangel Mary

Graphics, TTEC, Business Committee Meeting Minutes

Designation event planning has been moving forward with a recent meeting amongst members of the Graphics, Trail to Every Classroom and Business Committees at The Doyle Hotel on December 1st.  Minutes are below.  The next Graphics Committee meeting will be held on Sunday, December 18th at 2pm at The Pub on Market St. in Duncannon.  Please join us if you're interested in helping out!

Attendees:

• Mary Parry, Event Coordinator
• Susan Norris, Graphics Chairperson
• Malissa Hoover, TTEC Chairperson
• Paul Smith, Music and Arts Chairperson
• Vickey & Pat Kelly, The Doyle Hotel Owners
• Annette Mullen, Owner of Curves in Duncannon, Wheatfield Township Supervisor

Meeting Topics:

Event Central

• Mark Lukens to provide 2 free standing panels, each 4' x 8'
• 4 sides - display schedule, Top 10 reasons we need "Vitamin N", Raffle & information on Items for Sale
• Susan Norris will create chalkboard surface on the display base and then use flourescent chalk

Trail to Every Classroom Committee ~ Malissa Hoover accepted the Chairperson position 

T-Shirt Design

• Additional T-Shirt design submitted by Susan Norris.  Both designs were discussed and final plan for design will be completed by Susan for the Dec. 18th meeting.  
• T-shirt design will be consistent with other graphics & the web page.

Business Window Decorations

• Mary explained her vision for designs for business window displays
• Paul and Mary will approach businesses - how will it be funded?
• Susan and Malissa will recruit participants to help with this project

Potential Mural at Miller's Store

• Kim McKee checking in Norfolk Southern Corp. will paint the wall white.
• Mr. Miller wants to know the size and see design before approving.
• Mary's vision is of a large trail map of the area with embellishments of nature/natural features
• How will it be funded?
• Susan stated she will have design for presentation to Mr. Miller done by January 10th

Basic Timelines

• Wooden nickel design is done
• ASAP - Event Web Page
• December 18th, Graphics Committee Meeting - review and assign all tasks and finalize timelines and T-shirt design.
• January 10th - Miller's Newstand mural design - need sponsor and budget, game card design
• February - order shirts
• March - designs for window decorations, event flyer ready for printing, start Miller's Mural
• April - event central base ready, start finish of event central, banner designs, thank you notes, elementary school contest
• May - directional signs, window decorations, shuttle stop signs, print game cards
• Post-event - Semi-permanent event display, send thank you cards, evaluate event

Thanks to the Graphics Committee for all their hard work!!!