Gadsden Grotto’s 1st TAG Work Weekend
With The Dogwood City Grotto

It was Saturday July 17, at 8:oo am Jim Loftin Pulled up in our driveway to get ready to go to the TAG work weekend. When we arrived that morning, the DCG and Birmingham Grotto was there. We signed in and asked the SOB (site operations boss) what we need to do to help out with the volunteer work. He mentioned several things to do, so we decided to clear trees. We picked an area that looked like they were getting ready to clear out, so we started clearing and gathering trees to start a fire. We got the fire going good, and shortly after that, more members of the Birmingham Grotto arrived at the site. Then the DCG came over and the chainsaws started up, weed eaters running and people moving limbs etc. and piled them on the fire. Then the bush hog swept through the area. The site looked nothing like it did when we arrived there that morning. In the field they were spreading grass seed and hay, picking up rocks and small sticks, digging trenches for water drainage pipes, and putting up power boxes. Water pipes were put in at certain areas. The day went great I worked with a lot kind and wonderful cavers. Some I knew and some that I have met for the first time. It was a great thing helping out and being a part of the TAG volunteer group, and I will continue helping out with the DCG as much as I can until everything has been accomplished. It may take several years to get it the way they want it, but so far so good. A lot of yellow jacket nest are all spread out about the area and hopefully the will soon be gone. I heard that several people were stung by those little pests. Above all, we had a great day of fun, and a lot of calories burning.
Written By: Kelly A. Keener
Photos By: Kelly A. Keener