Fee Waiver Weekend at Land Between the Lakes in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Golden Pond, KY – Saturday through Monday, January 14th-16th, Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area will be waiving fees at participating day-use facilities in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. General admission to the Elk & Bison Prairie will be free and Wranglers Campground will also be waiving day-use riding fees.

“We encourage visitors to come out and enjoy numerous free outdoor recreation opportunities year round,” said LBL Customer Service Manager Brian Beisel.“Bring your family and friends and experience hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and scenic driving in the great outdoors.” [Read more]

Progress Being Made on New Land Between the Lakes Bike Trail and Hiking Trail

Golden Pond, KY – Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area recently welcomed a crew from Trails Unlimited to carry on construction of the new biking and hiking trail that parallels US68/KY80. The continuation of this new trail is a mitigation project for the newly constructed four-lane highway through LBL.

The new 8.5 miles of trail will include 12 bridges and 6,000 tons of surfacing stone made of manufactured sand from the Canton Quarry. LBL invites everyone to enjoy the 3 miles of paved trail already completed from Lake Barkley west to Road 160. Completion of the new trail is tentatively planned for March of 2012 (weather permitting). [Read more]

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Sign-Up Period for Conservation Stewardship Program

Washington, D.C. – USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) today announced that the ranking period cut-off date for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) is January 13th, 2012. Producers interested in CSP should submit applications to their local NRCS office by the deadline so that their applications can be considered during the first ranking period of 2012.

“CSP is one of our most popular conservation programs, and we expect to receive many applications,” NRCS Chief Dave White said. “I encourage all farmers and ranchers who are interested in applying to contact their local NRCS office as soon as possible so they can meet the deadline.” [Read more]

A Consumer Guide to Safely Roasting a Turkey

Washington, D.C. – Learn the basics of cooking turkey safely this Thanksgiving.

Every facet of getting a turkey from the store to the dinner table is included in this Consumer Guide, from buying fresh vs. frozen, safe thawing methods, stuffing, roasting, storing leftover turkey and reheating the leftovers.

[Read more]

Thanksgiving Turkey Basics: Alternate Turkey Cooking Methods

Washington, D.C. – Just as a detour causes driver to find an alternate route, circumstances can alter the chosen cooking method for a turkey. An oven may fail at an inopportune time, a power outage may occur, and more than one large food item may need cooking.

The conventional oven—the appliance most often used to cook a whole turkey—is not the only way to get the big bird cooked safely. The following methods suggested by the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline are alternate routes for cooking a turkey safely. [Read more]

Land Between the Lakes Offers Free Cedar Christmas Trees

Golden Pond, KY – Beginning December 1st, Land Between The Lakes (LBL) National Recreation Area is again giving people the opportunity to come outdoors in search of your very own cedar Christmas tree by offering Christmas tree permits.

The permit, valid December 1st-24th, entitles a family to cut one cedar tree at no charge. Permits, maps, and cutting guidelines may be obtained from the LBL Administrative Office, 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday, and at the Golden Pond Visitor Center, 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday and Sunday. On Christmas Eve, December 24th, the Visitor Center will close at 3:00pm. [Read more]

Thanksgiving Day Facts

Washington, D.C. – In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims, early settlers of Plymouth Colony, held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest, an event many regard as the nation’s first Thanksgiving.

Historians have also recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America, including British colonists in Virginia in 1619. [Read more]

Tennessee Announces 2011-2012 Free and Reduced Price meal Guidelines

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Education today announced the 2011-2012 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy for free and reduced price meals for children in Tennessee’s schools. The USDA’s school meals programs help ensure all students have access to nutritious meals. [Read more]

Generic Drug Decision Disastrous to Patient Safety

SCOTUS Decision in Pliva v. Mensing Affects 70 Percent of All Drug Prescriptions

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday’s U.S. Supreme Court decision in Pliva v. Mensing is a disastrous outcome for patient safety, giving generic drug companies legal immunity when they ignore harmful side-effects of the drugs they manufacture and profit from. This decision eliminates any incentive for generic manufacturers to ensure their drug is safe and adequately warn consumers of their drugs’ potential dangers.

This decision also means that brand-name manufacturers will be held to a different yet safer standard. The Supreme Court decided in Wyeth v. Levine, brand-name manufacturers are responsible for their warning labels and required to update them at all times. [Read more]

DHS and USDA Kick Off 2011 Summer Food Program

Local Agencies Throughout State Assist Children With Nutrition Needs

Nashville, TN – The need for healthy nutrition does not end when school lets out for the summer. Providing proper nutrition options is especially important for those children in low-income areas so they may learn, grow and be active throughout the summer months.

Thanks to the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), free meals and snacks will again be available for low income children during the summer months through the 2011 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). [Read more]

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