Appalachian Festival: Would You Survive?

For those used to the urban and suburban lifestyle, attending Frostburg State University requires a transition to a more subdued and laid back Appalachian culture. That culture was on display this weekend at the 5^th annual Appalachian Festival. Described as a “celebration of the region’s natural landscape, history, culture, food, musical and artistic traditions,” the event attracts exhibits and performances showcasing the area’s unique atmosphere.

            The warm, calm Saturday afternoon seemed perfect accentuated by the folk performances taking place in front of the Compton Science Center and Sowers residence hall; the music permeates the entirety of the upper quad where the presentations and displays are set up.

            One such presentation, “Would You Survive? Wilderness Survival,” reminds attendees of the more rugged, active, outdoors activities available two and a half hours from Maryland’s main population centers. Presented by naturalist Liz Neroni who works in New Germany State Park in Garrett County, the event was attended by an active audience of both students and locals. Surprisingly, not every student there was attending for academic purposes. 

            Linnard Corbin, a junior, when asked why he was attending said, “This is good stuff to know. I want to go hiking eventually and it’s definitely good to know how to survive.” Kendra Roberts, another junior who grew up in the area and was attending for class, still said she found the presentation helpful and interesting. At least three others, likely locals, found the exhibit so essential that they were recording it.

            Neroni, who was well versed in survival techniques, gave a dynamic and engaging presentation. Going through the essentials of the survival kit she had built, that would be raffled off later, she noted “there’s so much you can do with fishing line it is unreal.” Aside from its obvious uses, it can be used to hang ornaments indoors and to set up traps and tie various things outdoors among other things. 

            She moved on to navigation, asking if anyone in the audience knew how to properly use a compass. She was surprised by how many did commenting “usually I don’t get anyone who knows how to use it. What’s the point of having it if you don’t know how to use it?”

            Continuing, she implored interested parties to keep up with proper maintenance of their survival kits. “You can’t expect it to take care of itself.” This prompted an audience member to mention the space blanket he noticed in the kit, noting that if left unopened and unused it can actually melt and become useless. To inform every one of the multiple advantages of a properly kept space blanket, she shared a story of a young man who had become lost in Yellowstone National Park a few years ago. At night, he would use the blanket for sleeping, and during the day he would climb a tree and spread the blanket at the top using its reflective properties as a signal for rescuers. Thanks to the ingenious plan, he was eventually rescued.

            Finally, Neroni displayed the poncho she packed into her kit continuing a theme of items with multiple uses. Aside from its conventional use, it can be used to line the ground and collect water. Water that can be poured into a bottle with a built in filter, a novelty many of the students admit they did not know existed.

            Belying the expectation of unengaged Frostburg students, a number of attendees swarmed Liz Neroni to ask follow-up questions and participate in the raffle. When all was said and done, Ms. Neroni quietly noted that it had been a good crowd.

- Devon Hill