Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, February 28, 1994 TAG: 9403010008
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
At 5,729 feet, Mount Rogers is Virginia's highest vista; even so, it's no Alps-like peak. What counts here isn't how high you can climb, but how far back a trail in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area can take you - back to another era, another ecosystem, another part of the world. Every direction harbors something lovely, and often rare.
There's always much to learn about the high-country balds, the wilderness areas, the horse trails, the hiking pathways, the wild ponies, the natural relics of the Ice Age. A fine time to do so will be Saturday during a symposium, at Sugar Grove Combined School, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free seminar (you can arrange for a $5 box lunch) will include an impressive roster of experts on the area. It will concentrate on efforts to protect this often fragile resource. For more information call the area headquarters in Marion,
703-783-5196
11 - An evening to talk turkey
If you like to talk turkey, or hear turkey talk, the Airport Marriott will be the place to be on March 11. That's the date of the annual fund-raising banquet of the Roanoke Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Money raised by the chapter goes for wild turkey research, habitat improvement and other ventures, including major projects in Virginia.
Tickets cost $40, which includes a $20 membership; couples $60; youngsters 17 and under $15. Tickets may be purchased at On Target, Trebark Outfitters, Blue Ridge Sporting Supplies, Valley Gun and Star City Archery. The social hour begins at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7:30.
13 - Mud and mountains for bikes
Mountain bikers will be pedaling for pride and points during the 11-race, six-state Pedro's Mid-Atlantic competition, which begins March 13 in Bedford County. Three other races in the series also will be held in Virginia, including the finals at Otter Creek along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Competition during the Commonwealth Games, July 17, will be a part of the package, as will a race in the Lynchburg area on April 10.
Some of the nation's top bikers, from Florida to New England, are expected to compete, said Jim Swasey, who is coordinating the event (703-586-6471). But you don't have to be an expert to race. There are 11 classes, including one for youngsters and a Clydesdales class for bikers who weigh 200 pounds or more.
The March 13 race begins 10 a.m. at Fiddlers Creek (take U.S. 221 south out of Bedford, then right on Virginia 746 and right on Virginia 680). It is a good one for spectators because of its highly technical nature, said Swasey. Additional information is available at the Cardinal Bicycle Shop in Roanoke 344-2453 or Bikes Unlimited in Lynchburg, 804-385-4157.
25 - Ice out for the boat show
As soon as the ice goes out the boats go in. We aren't talking about the ice that has covered many impoundments this winter, but ice in the Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum. Hockey ice.
The Southwest Virginia Boat Show opens at the Civic Center March 25, nearly four weeks later than in the past. The opening was delayed to accommodate the hockey schedule. Boat dealers hope the weather will be nicer and people will have the urge to look at boats. The show runs through March 27.
25 - A feast for grouse hunters
Like most grouse hunters, J.D. Kallam of Ridgeway didn't have a great season, except for one special hour along a creek bottom. In the space of about 300 yards ``we put up seven grouse, bagging three which were full of dogwood berries,'' he said. Two weeks later, not a single bird could be found in the same area.
It was a season of more famine than feast, but grouse hunters can count on a full table March 25 at the Tanglewood Holiday Inn. That's where the Virginia Mountains Chapter will hold its annual fund-raising banquet. Money raised goes to grouse research and habitat improvement projects.
Tickets are $50; $75 for a couple, and that includes membership in the organization. The social hour is 6 p.m.; the dinner 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available from Mike Taylor, 703-345-2634.
by CNB