ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 1, 1996 TAG: 9604050123
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN
April 6 - Help for beginner birders
The past winter was a vintage one for bird watchers. Cold weather drew a large variety of birds to the region, and snows frequently kept them close to feeders. These conditions attracted newcomers to birding and rekindled interest in others.
Now there's a chance to keep on birding into spring. The Roanoke Valley Bird Club has scheduled a beginner-birder's field trip Saturday on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Participants will learn favorite birding spots of area birders, and maybe see a migrating hawk or two, the club promises.
To take part, meet at 8 a.m. at the parkway's information island one-quarter mile north of U.S. 460. Tad Finnell, 473-1271, is the club's field trips coordinator.
7 - Still time to go skiing
April skiing? You will be able to find it at West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort through Sunday. When the season closes on Easter Sunday, it will be more for a lack of interest than a lack of snow.
Atop Cheat Mountain, Snowshoe recorded a record snowfall of more than 250 inches. Accompanying the natural snowfall have been frigid temperatures that have allowed snow making into spring.
``We anticipate closing with 100 percent of the skiing terrain open,'' said Joe Stevens, a Snowshoe spokesman. Late-season skiers can take advantage of a 50 percent discount on lodging, skiing, rentals and lessons.
13 - A record year for gobblers?
Maybe the best preseason preparation for a spring turkey hunter is to locate his roasting pan before the season opens April 13. The outlook for a record year is that promising.
There were above-average hatches in 1993 and 1994, and these 2- to 3-year-old toms are at a peak age to challenge hunters. What's more, state game officials believe the carry-over of turkeys from the fall season has been high.
About the only negative is a hard winter and late spring could mean a slow beginning for the nesting season, and hunters will have to compete with large harems of hens around each mature tom during the early part of the season. Even so, last spring's record of 11,694 toms should topple.
13 - Taking the `Big Walk'
It is being called ``Big Walk Day,'' but there may be more looking than walking. The Woodpecker Ridge Nature Center and Roanoke Valley Bird Club have scheduled a joint venture April 13 to observe birds, butterflies, wildflowers and amphibians. With nature beginning to break loose, the day promises to have something for every nature lover, no matter the interest.
The target area is the Salt Pond section of the Appalachian Trail and Woodpecker Ridge Nature Center in Botetourt County. The outing offers three options, ranging from taking a five-mile hike to simply showing up in a vehicle. At 3 p.m., all participants are scheduled to meet and share lists of creatures that were observed. For information, call Kathy Summers, 890-4984.
20 - Fishing with a good feeling
The Star City Bassmasters have scheduled a bass tournament April 20 on Smith Mountain Lake. Actually, it is more than a bass contest. As always, participants will cast for cash, but the tournament's purpose is to raise funds for the Special Olympics, namely the Virginia Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. At its conclusion, youngsters will be given boat rides and entertained in other ways, said Roy Caldwell, a club member. Charles Hart, a captain with the Roanoke County Sheriff's Department, is club president and regional coordinator of the torch run. Information on the tournament is available from him, 387-6136, or from Caldwell, 343-1515.
27 - Tour de Cure is cycling fun
You say you don't qualify for the Tour DuPont? Well, here's a biking event where you can choose the distance you ride, set your own pace, be pampered at rest stops, then join a victory celebration. Or, you can make a fast-as-you-can-go challenge out of it.
It is called the Tour de Cure and is set for April 27. The purpose, in addition to providing fun for participants, is to raise money for the American Diabetes Association.
The ride begins and ends at Appomattox County High School and offers three loops through Appomattox County. There is a discount for registering before April 15. Entry forms and other details are available at area bike shops, including Cardinal Bicycle, Cooper's Schwinn Cycling and Fitness Center, East Coasters Cycling and Fitness and Peddler Bicycle Shop. You also can register by phone, 1-800-TOUR-888.
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