Photo of NC Zoo Gorilla

“A gorilla at the North Carolina Zoo checks out his new facility for the first time Wednesday. The 16-year-old male, who recently arrived at the park from the Columbus (OH) Zoo, will be slowly introduced to the female troop members and is expected to go on exhibit permanently by about the end of May.”(NC Zoo photo and caption by Tom Gillespie)


South Carolina marks 75 years of its state parks, and adds a little bit of Rock and Roll

Photo of Devil’s Fork Waterfall

A waterfall at Devil’s Fork

(NAPSI)-Who would have thought serene landscapes would lend themselves to adrenaline-pumping excitement? This year, the South Carolina state park system is celebrating its 75th anniversary with plenty of bells and whistles. Today, the dozens of beautiful parks throughout the state offer visitors a wide variety of environments to enjoy.

The South Carolina Forestry Commission was empowered by law in 1933 to begin building “state forest parks,” and soon after, the legendary Myrtle Beach State Park opened. Its beauty and location make it still one of the state’s most popular parks.

There are now 47 state parks in the system, offering serene settings and diverse diversions from the mountains to the sea, according to the agency that now oversees the operation, the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism.

“An estimated 7 million people visit our state parks each year,” said S.C. State Park Service director Phil Gaines. “Our system comprises nearly 90,000 acres across the state and includes more than 3,000 campsites and 200 lodge rooms, cabins and villas.”

Rock On

Fun seekers coming to Myrtle Beach now have another type of park--the new Hard Rock Park--to give them something they’ve not experienced anywhere else. Several themed zones--Rock & Roll Heaven, Born in the USA, Cool Country and British Invasion--will offer five roller coasters. Led Zeppelin: The Ride is the park’s signature attraction, featuring “ultramodern, on-board audio” synchronized to the Zeppelin anthem “Whole Lotta Love.”

Then there’s Nights in White Satin: The Trip; the haunted-mine ride Midnight Rider; the London Cab Ride; Kids Rock! State Park, with kid-style rock climbing, bungee jumping and rope swings; and much more. Details can be found at www.hardrockpark.com.

As part of the celebration, each park is planning its own special event. More information about the parks and all their attractions are at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.

Parks Rock: South Carolina’s state parks are celebrating 75 years with outdoor events every month. Also new, Hard Rock Park, the world’s first rock and roll theme park, in Myrtle Beach.

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Observer Calendar

Showcase announcement

Info courtesy of Liberty Showcase

This Saturday, May 10 at 7:00p.m., Chad & Kristi Gaines will return with their feel good Oldie Goldie Rock-N-Roll Music Come and enjoy the music and get your feet moving on the dance floor.

Also, a reminder that Lorrie Morgan tickets are on sale now for September 27 We realize this is early warning, but if you want good seats be sure to call Ron and make your reservations.

Have a great week and see you Saturday night.

Zoo forced to close for the weekend

Posted 5/10/2008 11:40a.m.

Courtesy Rod Hackney
N.C. Zoo

ASHEBORO-The North Carolina Zoo will be under emergency closure Saturday and Sunday, May 10-11, as the result of a broken water line that prevents the park from providing water fountains, restrooms, food and other visitors’ services.

A 12-inch water line that provides water to much of the zoo’s African exhibit region ruptured on Thursday. Crews have been working since then to repair the line and zoo officials had planned to operate over the weekend using portable toilets in the African section. At that point, the water system was operating normally in the zoo’s other major exhibit area, North America.

But late Friday workmen learned that the water problem in the African region could not be repaired without shutting off water to the entire zoo. Those repairs, along with Health Department requirements that the entire water system be flushed and sanitized, forced zoo officials to close the entire park until at least Monday. The problem does not affect the zoo’s animals which are being provided with water from ponds and other temporary sources.

“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this causes for visitors,”said Dr. David Jones, zoo director. “It certainly comes at an inopportune time with Mother’s Day normally one of our busiest weekends. But we have absolutely no alternative.”

Broken water line may impact zoo visitors

Posted 5/9/2008

Courtesy of Rod Hackney
North Carolina Zoo

ASHEBORO-A broken water line that has disrupted water service to a portion of the North Carolina Zoo may cause some inconvenience for visitors to the park this weekend (May 10-11.)

A 12-inch water line that provides water to much of the zoo's African exhibit region ruptured on Thursday. As a result, visitors touring that portion of the zoo over the next few days will be required to use portable toilets brought in until the water line is repaired.

The Crocodile Café restaurant near the zoo's African entrance as well as water fountains in the African region will also be unavailable to visitors this weekend. But limited food service will be provided in the African section by portable snack stands. The park's African animals remain on exhibit and are being provided with water from temporary sources. Meanwhile, restaurants, restrooms and water fountains in the zoo's North American region as well as those in the Junction Plaza located at the center of the park remain open and fully operational.

“We hope this will be only a minor inconvenience for our visitors,” said Dr. David Jones, zoo director. “We've had crews working on the problem since Thursday, but it could be several days before water service is restored to the African exhibit areas.”

The zoo is located on Zoo Parkway (N.C. 159) six miles southeast of Asheboro off U.S. 64 and U.S. 220. Operating hours from April through October are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children 2-12 and $8 for senior citizens 62-plus. For information visit the zoo’s Web site at www.nczoo.org or call 1-800-488-0444.