The Inside Scoop

Everyone would like to hear the inside scoop. Well, here it is from three ZNHA Lead Sales Associates who will tell you the hottest items to buy at the Zion Visitor Center Bookstore, why they wanted to work for ZNHA at Zion, their favorite spot in the park, where they came from to work in this beautiful place, and why park visitors should become members of Zion Natural History Association.

Melissa says “Crawford,” the Adopt-a-Bighorn plush animal, is her favorite item, “not only because it supports a great cause, but I love to see all the cute names visitors come up with when filling out the adoption paperwork.” Margaret bought the plush jack rabbit because she thinks it is so cute.  When we asked Basia what her favorite item in the store is, she replied, “T-SHIRTS, T-SHIRTS, T-SHIRTS! We have so many wonderful styles and designs, and the new shirts this year are beautiful. They make great gifts and stocking stuffers, and they make great clothing layers to stuff in the backpack.”

Basia came to Zion as a volunteer to work at the information counter in the visitor center. She said, “I learned so much, had such a wonderful experience, saw so many visitors go into the bookstore, and admired the mission of ZNHA so much I wanted to aid as many park visitors as possible, so I sought to join the ZNHA team. Now I not only help the park I love so with the sales, I also get to help visitors with their needs (sometimes with questions the info counter can’t answer) — the best of both worlds.”

Basia’s hometown is Lomianki (pronounced to sound like Wom-yong-key) Poland. “Imagine living in a small farming community outside Warsaw of just under 17,000 people nestled between the Vistula River and Kampinos National Park.” Her favorite spot in the park: “Well…,”she said, “this is a very hard question to answer if you’ve explored this park as much as I have, seen it in all its seasons, sunset to sunrise, peaks to deep canyons chasing the melodies of all the wonderful song birds. My truly favorite spot is anywhere in the park with a smile in my heart.”

Margaret left the beaches of Southern California and eventually made her way to Zion National Park. She says, “My favorite spot in the park is the bookstore! Or, some of the trails off the Kolob Terrace Road.” She thinks visitors should become members of ZNHA to “connect to a cause and a positive community.” She chose to work for ZNHA so she could support the park.

Melissa’s ancestors were Mormon pioneers who helped settle Zion. Hence, her love of Zion National Park. She wanted to work for ZNHA, “Because of all the wonderful things it does to help support the park.” Her favorite spot in Zion is the Riverside Walk. She muses, “I love watching all the wildlife, listening to the river flow, seeing and smelling all the pretty wildflowers. The mountains have a magical glow to them. It’s a very beautiful spot to be.”

Melissa grew up and still resides in LaVerkin, Utah which is just a short distance from Zion. She is one of ZNHA’s top membership advocates. Her enthusiasm for the program is evident in her comment, “It’s a great cause that supports Zion National Park! When you become a member, you help fund the free Map and Guide we give out and the great Jr. Ranger programs that are offered during the season. Plus, you get great gifts and discounts at our store and other cooperating associations across the country.”

These loyal sales associates are delighted to assist you in selecting the best products to remember your Centennial trip to Zion National Park and give you the inside scoop.