Above: Elizabeth Nager of the Polk County Community Foundation and Polk County Commissioner Ray Gasperson cut the “ribbon” to officially open the Marjorie M. and Lawrence R. Bradley Nature Preserve at Alexander’s Ford in a ceremony Friday, Oct. 5. In keeping with the nature preserve ideals, a length of vine was substituted for the ribbon.
Below: Paul Carson of the National Park Service speaks about the historical significance of Alexander’s Ford during the ceremony Oct. 5. Carson is the superintendent of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail for the National Park Service. (photos by Barbara Tilly)