More Than A Vacation is the name assigned to the College's summer alumni college. It is an informal event that runs from Wednesday to Sunday and encompasses a variety of experiences, classes, field trips, and discussions.  Participants stay in E&H residence halls and enjoy several days together learning about a range of topics and enjoying time together back on campus.

More Than A Vacation 2012 is inspired by the book Follow the River, which was shared by an MTAV participant years ago. Follow the River tells the riveting story of Mary Draper Ingles. As the basis for this year’s MTAV,  the 2012 group will dive into a few river topics through the branches of history, science, commerce and nature. More Than A Vacation begins Wednesday, August 1 with a dinner in Van Dyke at 7 p.m. and concludes Sunday, August 5.

The 2012 MTAV schedule and resources guide are listed below. Or you can view the College's August Calendar for more information.

Wed., Aug. 1
7 p.m.: Dinner in Van Dyke, followed by Kathy Shearer speaking on her book, “Tales from the Moonshine Trade.” This will be followed by a little sampling for those interested. The evening will be free for games and such…and, perhaps, viewing the shine of the moon.

Thur. Aug. 2
8:30 a.m.: Our favorite economist is back to cover the waterfront!  Linda Dobkins is an E&H professor of economics and has served this year as the interim vice president for academic affairs.
11:30 a.m.: Author and alumna Patsi Barnes Trollinger (’72) will give us her picks for great children’s literature, and will introduce us to her new book. Lunch will follow, and the afternoon is free.
6 p.m.: Dinner with Stewart Harris, Esq. Mr. Harris is an associate professor at the Appalachian School of Law, and hosts a weekly radio show about constitutional law.  He’ll talk with us about Prohibition. Your evening is free.

Fri., Aug. 3
9 a.m.: We’ll pay a visit to a local Natural Area Preserve (NAP) called The Pinnacle.  We’ll learn what an NAP is, and take a short (1.5 mi) walk along the river to the waterfall.  We’ll learn about plants Mary Draper Ingles may have eaten on her long way home, and we’ll hear a bit about what’s in that water flowing by our path. Our special guest is Dr. Laura Hainsworth from the E&H Chemistry department. If you don’t wish to take the walk, bring a chair and take a NAP!
Your afternoon is free.
6:30 p.m.: We’ll enjoy dinner on campus and then head to Barter Theatre to see The Red Velvet Cake War.

Sat. Aug. 4
Road Trip!   
We’re headed to Radford to meet with a descendent of Mary Draper Ingles. We’ll visit the farm where she lived, learn a bit about the mighty New River, and if everyone behaves we’ll even visit the lair of Radford’s biggest celebrity – E&H alumnus, Ken Farmer (from Antiques Road Show).  More surprises to come!

Resources
Follow the River , by James Alexander Thom
(available through Amazon)

Mary Draper Ingles (try Wikipedia)

Tales from the Moonshine Trade, By Kathy Shearer (Emory resident). Available from www.clinchmountainpress.net

Dr. Linda Dobkins (Bio from www.ehc.edu)

Stewart L. Harris, Appalachian School of Law
Your Weekly Constitutional, podcasts

Dr. Laura Hainsworth (Bio at ehc.edu)

Thrill in the ‘Ville, by Patsi Trollinger (E&H’72) is available  from her website, www.patsibtrollinger.com
or try Amazon

The Wettest County in the World, by Matt Bondurant (being made into a feature film)

Kentucky Bourbon: the Early Years of Whiskeymaking, by Henry Crowgey (E&H ’37)
(available through Amazon)

Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve (Google!)

Red Velvet Cake War at Barter Theatre (www.bartertheatre.com)