<p id="E76" class="qowt-stl-NoSpacing"><span id="E77"><img class="size-medium wp-image-39562 alignleft" src="https://theenterprise.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2020/10/Blue-265x300.jpg" alt="" width="265" height="300" />The “new guy” at the Blue Ridge Music Center is actually a familiar face. </span><span id="E78">A longtime volunteer and past </span><span id="E79">S</span><span id="E80">easonal </span><span id="E81">R</span><span id="E82">anger, Aubrey Arrington is now a </span><span id="E83">P</span><span id="E84">artner </span><span id="E85">R</span><span id="E86">anger at the popular </span><span id="E87">music destination</span><span id="E88"> at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. </span></p> <p id="E89" class="qowt-stl-NoSpacing"><span id="E90">The partner ranger position is funded through the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and works in conjunction with the National Park Service (NPS). This year, staffing at Parkway visitor centers proved difficult </span><span id="E91">as</span><span id="E92"> COVID-19 delayed </span><span id="E93">the </span><span id="E94">hiring of seasonal rangers</span><span id="E95">. When </span><span id="E96">Midday Mountain Music sessions and concerts resumed at the Blue Ridge Music Center this summ</span><span id="E97">er, there was a clear need for additional staff to assist</span><span id="E98"> visitors</span><span id="E99">, which</span><span id="E100"> prompted the collaboration. </span></p> <p id="E101" class="qowt-stl-NoSpacing"><span id="E102">“</span><span id="E103">This is another great example of how support from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation helps bring the Music Center to life,” said Alexa </span><span id="E105">Viets</span><span id="E107">, Chief of Resource Management & Interpretation for the Blue Ridge Parkway. “We are excited to see the Partner Ranger position working side by side with the Parkway staff to welcome visitors, answer questions, and provide educational programs.”</span></p> <p id="E108" class="qowt-stl-NoSpacing"><span id="E109">Arrin</span><span id="E110">gton has volunteer</span><span id="E111">ed</span><span id="E112"> at the Music Center for many years,</span><span id="E113"> and served as a </span><span id="E114">NPS Seasonal Ranger</span><span id="E115">. </span><span id="E116">Over the last 15 years, Arrington </span><span id="E117">has</span><span id="E118"> </span><span id="E119">volunteered </span><span id="E120">with the F</span><span id="E121">RIENDS</span><span id="E122"> of the Blue Ridge Parkway </span><span id="E123">on projects that include</span><span id="E124"> trail and vista maintenance, setting up wildlife cameras, </span><span id="E125">and repainting signs. Arrington plays the dulcimer and has </span><span id="E126">led interpretive sessions for </span><span id="E127">hands-on musical </span><span id="E128">demonstrations as a volunteer and ranger.</span></p> <p id="E129" class="qowt-stl-NoSpacing"><span id="E130">“</span><span id="E131">We are so glad to have Aubrey on the team to </span><span id="E132">help </span><span id="E133">provide enriching and meaningful </span><span id="E134">musical </span><span id="E135">experiences at the Music Center,” </span><span id="E136">said Richard Emmett, </span><span id="E137">Program Director for the Blue Ridge Music Center. </span></p> <p id="E138" class="qowt-stl-NoSpacing"><span id="E139">Although the </span><span id="E140">main </span><span id="E141">Visitor Center </span><span id="E142">building, including the Roots of American Music Museum, </span><span id="E143">is</span><span id="E144"> closed, </span><span id="E145">rangers are greeting and assisting visitors at an outdoor station </span><span id="E146">from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Sunday.</span><span id="E147"> Visitors can catch free, live Midday Mountain Music sessions from noon to 4 p.m. on the same days. </span><span id="E148">The America’s National Parks gift shop is </span><span id="E149">operating</span><span id="E150"> in the Luthier Shop. </span><span id="E151">These visitor</span><span id="E152"> services will continue through November </span><span id="E153">1. For more information, visit </span><a id="E154" href="http://www.blueridgemusiccenter.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span id="E155" class="qowt-stl-Hyperlink">BlueRidgeMusicCenter.org</span></a><span id="E156">.</span></p> <p id="E158" class="qowt-stl-NoSpacing"></p>
