Gadsden Grotto Minutes
Gadsden Grotto of the National Speleological Society August 10, 2004 ,Jim Loftin called the meeting of the Gadsden Grotto of the NSS to order at 6:30 P.M. Tuesday August 10, 2004 at the Rainbow City Recreation Center. All the members that were present were one, Jim Loftin. No minutes were read, as there was none. Old Business: The Gadsden Grotto, via Jim, Mark, and Kelly, has worked 2 weekends now at the TAG Fall Cave In site. We’ve mostly been clearing campsites as they are advancing further back into the woods. For our assistance, we become DCG volunteers with preferences over camping sites by being able to arrive early. [Steve and Sharon Brewer showed up at 6:38 and announced there is a new outdoor store on the square in Jacksonville next to the police station. Mark and Kelly came in at 6:42.] The 450 Mile Long Yard Sale was going on this past work weekend. We stopped at a few sales and found a large pointed chisel for $1 and the old NGS out of print bulletin “The Caves of Madison County” for $10. Steve stated it was on the NGS website. Discussion from last meeting: David didn’t think 25’ deep climb downs or pits with 25’ horizontal passage should be put on the ACS. The discussion tonight is that ACS rules say yes, it’s ok and with us, too. Others have been turning in such [Glenn Ledbetter.] The ACS book is no longer in JSU’s library’s Alabama Room, says Steve. Lots of cave locations in the ACS are wrong because of latitude-longitude conversions, David said previously. [He had been an ACS board member.] These need to be field checked and corrected in the ACS- a good topic for the next ACS meeting. New cave turn in’s should require a sketch [at least] map with them, said Sharon. Ideally they should all have photographs of their entrances as well. Narrative sections are helpful. Sharon suggested that we tackle this problem a county at a time. She will take on Calhoun County’s 28 caves. Jim read some announcements:
1)Tag Fall Cave-In is October 7- 10, 2004. Gates open at 12 noon Thursday Oct. 7. Early arrivals camp elsewhere. Pre-registration closes Sept. 1.
2)Hodag stories are needed for a book.
3)New sewer system for Grant located between Grant and Swearingen. Discharge will go thru John Law hollow Source: Glen Ledbetter.
4)2005 SERA Cave Carnival will be May 14- 15 at Boy Scout Camp Comer near Mentone. You can arrive as early as Wed. May11. If you want a banquet, vote for it on the Birmingham Grotto website.
Program: Jim showed slides of local caves and of formations in not so local caves and some slides he took in Flowing Stone. Meeting was concluded at 7:55 p.m.
Submitted By : Jim Loftin
Up Coming Events
September 14: Grotto Meeting at the Rainbow City Recreation Center ,Rainbow City Al, at 6:30pm.
September 25-26: Sinking Cove Get Down. (Jim’s B’day) Some will be arriving the day before. Call for Jim Loftin more info. 256-237-3060. October 8-10: TAG FALL CAVE IN at the new site.
October 12: Grotto Meeting at Rainbow Recreation Rainbow City 6:30pm. Grotto fees due in October.
October G.G.G.G : Gadsden Grotto German-food Get together at the Sports Nut Bar &Grill. Great food & beer. Highway 21 N, Jacksonville, Al. Meet at 6pm. Call 256-892-1388 for more details.
News About Cavers
David Teal went in for a heart catheter procedure last Friday and they found such blockage that they had to do surgery right away. David had triple bypass surgery done and back at home. He cannot drive or work for 6- 8 weeks. I'm pulling for him and he will need help from his friends to get thru the next few weeks.
Gary is back from Alaska. Welcome back, Gary!
How about the Bell South guys? Are yall back from there too?
I'm anxious to hear about both trips.
Jim Loftin
