Four Retirees Recognized as Lake James' Top Volunteers

We love our volunteers at Lake James State Park! Four volunteers topped our 2023 list with over 200 hours of service each, and during a short-staffed year, their generosity has been priceless.

All retirees, these volunteers enjoy outdoor activities, such as hiking, boating, and exploring nature, and they all agree that being friendly and welcoming are essential job skills. In addition, our visitor center volunteers stress working knowledge of computers and an adventurous attitude.

But what motivates these folks to donate their time to the park? Extroverts Annette and Teena both serve on the Friends of Lake James State Park’s board of directors, but more importantly, they both knew that visitor center work would be fun. The Olsons, on the other hand, had their fill of deep Iowan snow, so they looked to spend their winters in a warmer climate.

In 2023, visitors and staff benefitted from these and other volunteers donating 3,339 total hours to the park. Through enjoyment of a beautiful park and interactions with interesting people, they shared n their love of Lake James and the surrounding areas. May our 2024 volunteers, like the Olsons, continue to “welcome people like it’s your home.”

Name: Annette Bryant

Hometown: Marion, NC

Job: Visitor Center

Favorite Trail: Holly Discovery Trail

Experience: Hosting a weekly public affairs talk show on WBRN, the local radio station.

Fun Fact: She has moved 20 times in her life, living in seven different states.

Name: Jeff and Sandy Olson

Hometown: Hudson, IA

Job: Camp Hosts

Favorite Trail: Lake Channel Overlook

Experience: Hosting at a KOA campground in Arizona and an equestrian campground in Wisconsin.

Fun Fact: They met while working at McDonald’s and have been married 44 years.

Name: Teena Fox

Hometown: Burnsville, NC

Job: Visitor Center

Favorite Trail: Fox Den Loop (obviously)

Experience: Years of waterskiing and camping with her family on Lake James.

Fun Fact: Roy Acuff once brought her onstage at the Grand Old Opry to be a caller and clogger.