Appalachian Trail Museum to Host the “Windtalker Experience” at Two National Trails Day Events

GERMANTOWN, Md. - May 28, 2015 - PRLog -- On June 5th, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, The Appalachian Trail Museum Society will induct its fifth class of honorees during its Hall of Fame Banquet at the historic Allenberry Resort in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. Larry Luxenberg, President and founder of the A.T. Museum, said: “The 2015 class continues our tradition of honoring pioneers who helped to start the trail, as well as their successors who preserved and protected it.” The 2015 class is Nestell K. "Ned" Anderson of Sherman, Connecticut; Margaret C. Drummond of Atlanta, Georgia, Stanley A. Murray of Kingsport, Tennessee and Raymond H. Torrey of New York City, New York. Each honoree will receive a one of a kind hand carved hiking stick made by John “Bodacious” Beaudet, a two time A.T. thru-hiker.

Four classes were previously elected to the A.T. Hall of Fame. The Charter Class, elected in 2011, was comprised of Myron Avery, Gene Espy, Ed Garvey, Benton MacKaye, Arthur Perkins and Earl Shaffer. Members of the 2012 class were Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, David A Richie, J. Frank Schairer, Dr. Jean Stephenson and Major William Adams Welch. The 2013 Class was Ruth Blackburn, David Field, David Sherman, David Startzell and Everett (Eddie) Stone. The 2014 class was A. Rufus Morgan, Charles R. Rinaldi, Clarence S. Stein and Pamela Underhill.

Jim Foster, chair of the Appalachian Trail Hall of Fame selection committee, said a 6 p.m. reception will precede the dinner, which begins at 7 p.m. The cost of the reception and dinner is $30 for museum members and $40 for others.

Complete information on the Hall of Fame Banquet is available at http://atmbanquet2015.eventbrite.com. Tickets may be purchased either at that website, or directly from the Appalachian Trail Museum by sending a check to: Appalachian Trail Museum, 1120 Pine Grove Road, Gardners, PA 17324.

From 6:00-7:00pm, during the cocktail reception that precedes the banquet, popular Native American flute player and 2006 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, Randy “Windtalker” Motz, will perform his unique, contemporary style of Native American flute music described as “Native SoundScapes.” The blending of flute with lush orchestration and Native percussion, weaves a musical tapestry that creates a warm and soothing ambiance guaranteed to make for a special event.

Against a backdrop of dramatic photos of the Appalachian Trail taken by his wife and thru-hiking partner, Georgia “Mom” Harris, "Windtalker's" beautiful and creative compositions serve as a captivating soundtrack, taking the audience on a soothing, sometimes playful, and always entertaining journey through the grandeur of this country's most iconic hiking trail.

The Hall of Fame Banquet will be the kickoff of the Museum's Hall of Fame Weekend. Other events on Saturday, June 6th at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, in Gardners, Pennsylvania, home of the Museum will include a Museum Festival, are a day hike to Pole Steeple, music, guest speakers, a hiker reunion, a children's mini thru-hike, and much more. The “Windtalker Experience” will be one of the featured artists with a performance from 11:00 am to 12:30pm near the museum.

Audiences throughout the mid-Atlantic area acclaim “Windtalker’s” show as mesmerizing, breathtaking, moving, hauntingly beautiful, profound, soothing, entertaining, educational, heartfelt, captivating, enchanting, vibrant, relaxing, exotic, and a performance that must be seen and heard."Windtalker" will be performing compositions from his CDs, "Native SoundScapes," and the recently-released, "Canyon Whispers," as well as some unique versions of jazz, blues and classic rock tunes.

For years, "Windtalker" has been bringing this special brand of music to festivals, state and national parks, coffee houses, wineries, senior living facilities, schools, churches, private parties and other intimate venues. He was also the guest performer for a moonlight tour held by the National Park Service at New Mexico's Pueblo Bonito ruins at Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. Songs from his latest CD can be heard on numerous internet radio stations and on Pandora.