America's Byways®
Bulletin

September 2006 / Vol. 3 No. 3

WHAT'S NEW

National Scenic Byways Program 2006 Grants Announced

Washington, DC - The 2006 National Scenic Byways Grants were announced August 29. Acting Secretary of Transportation Maria Cino has selected 309 projects in 45 States to receive a total of $25.5 million in discretionary National Scenic Byways Program '06 grants. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has provided over $275 million in funding for 2,181 State and nationally designated byway projects in 50 States, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. For more info, see bywaysonline.org or contact your State Byway Coordinator.

Public Awareness of America's Byways

Duluth, MN - A year ago, SAFETEA-LU legislation expanded the America's Byways Resource Center's authority to include public awareness. ABRC advertised a RFP for the development of a Public Awareness Plan, and 24 responses were received. Three finalists gave oral presentations to a diverse panel, and the destination marketing firm of Development Counsellors International (DCI) was selected. The travel research and branding firm, Longwoods International, is part of the DCI team. We are excited to work with DCI/Longwoods to identify public awareness strategies and tactics for the America's Byways® collection.

Former Highway Chief Named Transportation Secretary

Washington, DC - Posted CNN and Associated Press: September 5, 2006. President Bush has chosen Mary Peters, a former Federal Highway Administrator, to succeed Norman Mineta as Secretary of Transportation, a senior administration official said Tuesday. Check www.bywaysonline.org for more info as it becomes available.

GREAT IDEAS

Colorado State Travel Teams up with the Byways on TV

A spokesperson from Colorado TV's 9News reports: "We have received our initial results for Explore Colorado and have exciting news to share. The response has been phenomenal!! Clearly there was an appetite for this information in the market place. To date, the Explore Colorado message has reached approximately 93% of all households an average of 6.4 times each. The web area on 9NEWS.COM has received over 35,000 visits - more than our 9NEWS.COM Community page, Education page and other high profile pages on the web site. The Colorado & Company segments have shown immediate traffic and verbal feedback to the sites. And, the campaign continues until early October. I have attached one of the most recent on-air vignettes for your files. We are in the process of gathering additional quantitative data from the selected sites, including sales tax data, but the anecdotal response we have received from the sites has been equally outstanding."

Sally Pearce, Colorado's State Tourism Coordinator adds: the attachment is a sample of the vignettes (actually commercials) that have been running each week for the featured site. The Anasazi Heritage Center is on the Trail of the Ancients. In fact, 7 of the 20 sites featured this summer are located on America's Byways and another 7 are located on State Scenic Byways.

People are still learning about the byways because there is a link on the Explore Colorado home page (http://www.9news.com/bridge/exploreco/) to our website, and the data shows that the Scenic Byways page is the second most clicked on topic (Flat Tops Scenic Byway is #3) behind the Curious and Rare category (evidence that your quirky facts are things people look for). So we know people are interested in the program and the byways. Now we're looking for funding so we can continue this next year with another 20 sites. Fun project. To find out more, contact Sally Pearce at Sally.Pearce@dot.state.co.us

See video from 9NEWS (MPEG, 30 seconds, 6 MB)

Geocaching on America's Byways

Sackets Harbor, NY - Geocaching enthusiasts are discovering not only the geocaches hidden along the Seaway Trail - but the treasure that is the byway travel experience. In its how-to guide "Driving Financial Sustainability for America's Byways Organizations," Seaway Trail, Inc., suggests that nonprofits promote geocaching to attract visitors to the byways. Seaway Trail created Geocaching events along the Byway--the Minna Anthony Nature Center at Wellesley Island State Park hosted a "Using Your GPS, An Introduction to Geocaching" program; the Western New York Land Conservancy held a geocache walk; and the 2nd Annual Geocache Gathering at Wellesley Island State Park will be held Saturday, October 21. In addition, a military theme Seaway Trail multi-part geocache provides clues based on the start and end years of distinguished female servicewomen's careers. For more information contact: Teresa Mitchell, Seaway Trail, Inc, 315-646-1000, 800-SEAWAY-T

Great Motocycling Tour ideas from Seaway Trail

Sacket's Harbor, NY - Excerpt from Teresa Mitchell's August 20-25 press release Motorcycling Magazine Editor Taking NY's America's Byways Tour:

New York's America's Byways will be the focus of a six-day tour by RoadRUNNER Motorcycling Magazine Contributing Editor/Photographer James T. Parks. Parks and photographer Bruce Read will travel on three federally-designated America's Byways: The Mohawk Towpath, the Great Lakes Seaway Trail and the Lakes to Locks Passage.

Parks and Read began their 956-mile ride Sunday, August 20 on the Mohawk Towpath and along the Erie Canal, connect to the Seaway Trail for three days of touring, leave the Seaway Trail at Massena to ride across Northern New York through the Adirondack Mountains to follow the Lakes to Locks Passage along Lake Champlain and the Hudson River to their starting point at Waterford, NY.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Christa Neuhauser, says, "The main focus of RoadRUNNER is touring and traveling on two wheels. It's about the adventure and discovery of new roads and destinations. We try to inspire tours and encourage people to have an open mind. We have enjoyed planning this tour with representatives of the Seaway Trail, New York's first nationally-recognized America's Byway."

Seaway Trail, Inc. President and CEO Teresa Mitchell chairs the National Scenic Byway Foundation and says motorcycle travelers are a niche audience not only for New York's Seaway Trail, but for byways nationwide. Those who enjoy touring by motorcycle are generally an upscale market with discretionary money and interested in the types of scenic, historic, cultural, recreational and natural resources found along America's Byways." To learn more about the Seaway Trail, visit www.seawaytrail.com. To learn more about RoadRUNNER magazine, visit www.rrmotorcyling.com.

Note to reader: To generate more interest, Teresa and her staff sent out media alerts for all the stops on the tour. Info included who was coming, what they were looking for, where they would be at each location, and why this stop was important.

Telling the Byway Story

Erie, PA - As part of the Pennsylvania Seaway Trail Corridor Management Plan (CMP) implementation, four interpretive/educational panels will be installed along the Seaway Trail.

Each interpretive panel's theme will educate visitors on the following:

• Erie's Land Lighthouse, On Top Again
• Why Do Grapes Grow Here? The Concord Grape Belt
• Freshwater Fishing Capital, Industry and Innovation
• Dobbins Landing, Erie's Hub for Travel and Trade

For more info: Chris Pennsy, EACVB (814) 454-7191 ext. 136

Partners Celebrate in Alabama

Selma, AL - The National Park Service, the Alabama DOT, the FHWA and other partners, hosted a series of events to celebrate the opening of the first Interpretive Center of the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail with a three-day event including a Grand Opening Ceremony and a reception. For more info contact Diane May, 334-877-1984.

Virginia Byway Resolution

Richmond, VA - Scenic Virginia was successful in passing a commending resolution (Senate Joint Resolution 177) during the 2006 Session that recognized Virginia's America's Byways.

In addition, former Governor Mark Warner received the Scenic Hero Award last November for his (and his Administration's) support of the effort to secure the America's Byways designation for the four Parkways.

For more information, contact Leighton Powell, Executive Director, Scenic Virginia 804.282.5522 lpowell@scenicvirginia.org

River Road National Scenic Byway Dedication

Oscoda, MI - The River Road National Scenic Byway was officially dedicated on June 24, 2006, at the Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center near Oscoda, Michigan. Ranger Chuck Andrina of the Huron Shores Ranger District of the Huron-Manistee National Forest was the official host for the dedication ceremony. Prior to the ceremony, there was a bus tour of the River Road National Scenic Byway for distinguished guests and individuals who were instrumental in assisting the Forest Service with the nomination of the River Road as a National Scenic Byway.

The ceremony consisted of welcoming remarks, introduction of distinguished guests, and a history and overview of the River Road National Scenic Byway made by Ranger Andrina. Peter Hanses, Michigan State Byways Coordinator, and Tom Ferguson, Executive Director, Michigan Sunrise Side Tourism Association made brief presentations. Mark Conley, Federal Lands Scenic Byway Coordinator, spoke about the National Scenic Byways Program and the Forest Service's long-term involvement with the program. Huron-Manistee National Forest employees were recognized at the dedication ceremony for their contribution to the Byway. For more information contact Nick Schmelter at nschmelter@fs.fed.us or Mark Conley at mconley@byways.org

Paul Bunyan Greets the Crowd at the Designation Event

Pequot Lakes, MN - A celebration was held in honor of Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway, Minnesota's newest member of the prestigious America's Byways® collection. Lynn Scharenbroich, Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway Assoc. chairperson, joined the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce ambassadors and others at the event. Strolling musician, Drew Hines, gave the event a light-hearted toe-tapping, and Al Klocke of Al's Bakery in Pine River, MN made a custom decorated "Paul Bunyan" cake and cookies for the occasion.

Partnership Efforts with the Minnesota Byways and the Minnesota Tourism Office

St. Paul, MN - A number of promotional efforts are planned and/or underway for Minnesota's 22 Scenic Byways. A summary of the promotions is attached, including:

• Star Tribune Solo E-Mail Blast
• American Road Magazine Sweepstakes
• Best Western, Explore Minnesota, AAA Magazines and WCCO TV Minnesota Treasures Sweepstakes
• Fall Direct Mail
• Online Advertising

For more information, contact Colleen Tollefson, Colleen.Tollefson@state.mn.us

Show us the Way to the Byway!

ON THE WEB

A Brief Update on Grants.Gov

I know everyone is wondering where we stand with grants.gov -- we're getting close and hope to solicit grants later this year. We have been working very closely with the grants.gov folks to match up the National Scenic Byways Program grant application with the standard forms used for other grant programs. While the application will look different and be submitted via grants.gov, you should find the questions very similar to those asked in previous years. Before the next solicitation, FHWA will release a step-by-step instruction guide on how to fill out the new grant application, as well as a revised grants guidance document. If you have any questions, please contact your State scenic byways coordinator or Rob Draper at rob.draper@dot.gov.

NEWS BRIEFS

Congratulations to Arizona's "Byway and Tourism Champion"

Flagstaff, AZ - Kathie Knapp was presented the "Tourism Champion of the Year" award at the 2006 Governor's Tourism Conference. Kathie sent an email to us telling how excited she was, and that "I remembered to point out in my thank you speech that the Byways & their volunteer committees are the stars of the program." Thanks for all your great work Kathie! Contact Kathie at KKnapp@azdot.gov

KUDOS to Todd Davidson!

Salem, OR - Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon, was named State Tourism Director of the Year by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), a non-profit organization representing the U.S. travel industry. Todd has worked very hard for his State and is a great friend to the America's Byways! Congratulations!

Media Success with the Historic National Road Bicentennial

Joseph Jarzen, Byway Leader, Indiana Historic National Road reports: "I wanted to let you know about the incredible coverage we are receiving for the Bicentennial of the Historic National Road. Obviously, all of the local papers, TV stations and radio (even some that usually ignore us) are covering the events and the Road in general. We have also been featured in Family Circle (April), Midwest Living (April), Ohio Magazine (March), AAA Home&Away (March/April), Vintage Ford journal (March/April), local NPR, a popular feature newspaper in Indianapolis called INTAKE, and several others.

"One of the most impressive however, was a series of five articles that were published in Japan by the USA Today-Japan Edition, the Sankei Shimbun. A Japanese reporter drove the National Road and spent considerable time between Richmond and Indianapolis. He stopped by my office and we spoke about the Road, its challenges and its role in our society today.

"We are halfway through the Bicentennial year, and it has already been a great success. I wanted to be certain to share it all with you." Joseph Jarzen, inra@historiclandmarks.org

View one of the articles, in English (PDF, 14 KB)

Tin Can Tourists on the Historic National Road

Members of the Tin Can Tourists, an all make and model vintage trailer and motor coach club, participated in the 200th Anniversary of the Historic National Road. The Six State Alliance of the Historic National Road chose 30 vintage trailers and motor coaches to travel the road from June 4-10, 2006 from mile marker zero in Cumberland, Maryland to its original terminus in Vandalia, Illinois. Find the webpage regarding the caravan at http://www.tincantourists.com/hnr/.

Woodward Avenue Goes "Hollywood"

Detroit, MI - Debbie Schutt writes, "At the NSBP conference in Cleveland, I introduced several of you to film maker Michael Rose who was commissioned by PBS to do a series of "Great Drives" launched from the "Great Cars" series. I am excited to report that Woodward Avenue will be one of the segments. Michael will be in town this week to finalize the filming. Yahoo!" For more information, contact Deb at 248-332-0326 dkschutt@schuttandcompany.com

Acura Discovers The International Selkirk Loop

Bonners Ferry, ID - Carol Graham writes: Hello Folks! Just wanted to let you know that The International Selkirk Loop scored a 4-page feature article from a major automaker. This is produced by the automaker Acura and is sent to every Acura owner with a press run of 865,000 copies and a readership of close to 2 million! Great exposure for both sides of the border! Contact Carol Graham, 888-823-2626, selkirkloop@verizon.net, www.selkirkloop.org.

Midwest Living Gives Kansas Byways Good Press

Salina, KS - Deb Divine from Kansas reports, "Check out page 119-126 of the Midwest Living Magazine, Sept-Oct edition! Their two America's Byways, Flint Hills and Wetlands and Wildlife, got a great feature article!" Congratulations everyone!

Want to know more? Contact Deb Divine 785-827-3603, ddivine@bwrcorp.com

The Grand Tour for Honda Red Rider magazine

The July/August RedRider magazine launches part one of a six-part series on a motorcycling route across the USA and back again. Page 26 has a great sidebar on the www.byways.org website. Special thanks go to our own Dennis Adams for assisting Ken, the RedRider writer, with Byway routes! powersports.honda.com/motorcycles

America's Byways in the News

Washington, DC - The National Scenic Byways Program and America's Byways have been in the news...check out this list of some of the publications/media outlets that have spread the word this summer...Associated Press; Wallowa County Chieftain - OR; Palladium-Item - IN; Miami Herald - FL; Elmira Star-Gazette - NY; Centre Daily Times - PA; Logan Herald Journal - UT; Belfast Telegraph - United Kingdom; DetNews.com - MI; Boston Globe, MA; Winston-Salem Journal - NC; The Free Lance-Star - VA; Vancouver Sun - British Columbia, Canada; The Courier News - IL; North County Times -CA; The Wichita Eagle -KS; San Antonio Express -TX; TravelVideo.tv; MSN.com Travel section; Community Press -KY; Ruidoso News -NM; Rapid City Journal -SD; Lincoln Courier -IL; Clay County Democrat -AR; Atlanta Journal Constitution - GA; WBOC TV 16 -MD; Frontiersman -AK; Manawatu Standard -New Zealand; Madison County Journal -MS; Pine Tree -CA; Winston-Salem Journal -NC; OneWheelDrive.Net - Vancouver, BC, Canada; Siskiyou Daily News -CA; AAA Midwest Traveler; Onalaska Life -WI; Salt Lake Tribune -Utah; PR Web -WA; All American Patriots - Taeby, NA Sweden; Newswise; Glens Falls Post-Star -NY; Virginia Gazette -VA; Jackson County Pilot -MN; The Morning Sun -MI; Chicago Tribune-IL; Cleveland Plain Dealer -OH; Akron Beacon Journal -OH; Billings Gazette - Billings, MT; San Jose Mercury News - CA.

Special thanks to the AAA Midwest Traveler publication that has mentioned us the most!

TIA's GetATravelJob.com Launches

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