by Troy J. Simpson
Well, there have been some pretty exciting things happening at the Near Normal
Grotto lately. First, after over half-a-year, we've finalized the new Near Normal
Grotto t-shirt design. The design should be debuted at the Third Annual Near
Normal Grotto picnic. It will be available in long and short sleeves. Speaking
of which, the picnic date is now set and the plans are coming together. I'm
real excited about what is in store this year! First, as many of you might notice
this year's picnic is changing locations from Bloomington to Utica, IL September
14. It will be an all-day affair with a variety of activities going on. The
day will start off at the Clark Falls Farm at 11:00am with some vertical practice
on scenic sandstone cliffs. At 1:00pm, approximately, there will be a picnic
lunch. We're asking that you bring your on picnic lunch for logistical reasons
and enjoy the time with family and friends overlooking a scenic canyon and waterfalls.
At about 3:00pm, those wanting to tour the Utica Manufacturing Mine will gather
and head back into Utica. This is a unique experience to see cave formations
at their birth. The trip will require a short hike to the entrance and basic
caving gear. Other activities include visiting the historical museum, downtown
shops, and of course Starved Rock State Park. That being said, there will be
NO regular grotto meeting on the second Friday of September. We'll have a VERY
SHORT meeting on Saturday at the picnic.
Other news...Don Coons has information regarding the Karst Conservancy of Illinois,
including recent acquisitions. If you are interested in being a part, contact
him for more information. Amy and I recently accompanied Mike Roux, a free-lance
magazine author, and two children, to visit Illinois Caverns. He is writing
a children's article on cave exploration for a magazine produced by Buckmaster's.
Amy and I were also interviewed for a syndicated radio show that will be aired
on August 31. Speaking of Illinois Caverns, if anyone is interested in doing
graffiti clean-up at Illinois Caverns, let me know. I talked with Chris Hespin
personally and we could coordinate a possible clean-up trip in the near future.
This may include an overnight stay on the property with necessary permits. Let's
see what we can do.
Oh, on one final bit of exciting news... The rumors are correct, I am officially
engaged to marry Amy next summer. No, this hasn't diminished my ability to be
your fearless president, for she likes to explore caves!! This was reinforced
on a recent trip to Crystal Lake Cave in Iowa. While doing the walking tour,
she made the comment "I wish had some gear, because I want to see where
that side passage goes!" Woo Hoo!!
Well, I've rambled on too much again. Can't wait to see you all at the Picnic!!
Your President, Troy
-Troy o[;)>
by Jim Jacobs
PICNIC/VERTICAL PRACTICE/MINE EXPLORATION
We're really looking forward to the big outing on September 14th, at Clark Falls,
near Utica, IL. There will be signs pointing the way to the fun. We plan to
have vertical practice sessions, a picnic and a "caving" trip to one
of the limestone mines near Utica. There will also be a chance to do some shopping
at the Antique and Craft shops in downtown Utica, and a tour of the Utica Historical
Museum. It looks to be a fantastic day! Miss it at your peril! The members of
the Board took an advance-scouting trip recently to check out the areas, and
if we have half as much fun at the outing as we did checking it out, it'll be
a fine day, indeed! Invite family and friends! See you there!
NO MEETING ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 13. There will be a short meeting at the picnic
on Saturday.
VERTICAL PRACTICE
We had a really great vertical practice at the ISU tower on Saturday, August
24. We had great weather, and lots of folks showed up for some great rope work.
A BIG thanks to Marc Tiritilli, who organized the day, and served as instructor.
Great job! It was a great day of practice. I have some good video footage that
we may want to show it at a meeting soon.
CLEANUP TRIP
This from Vice President John Schirle:
Hey Near Normals,
Les Vaughn of Little Egypt Grotto sent me this email today. They're planning
their annual clean-up of Equality Cave for Nov. 16. Check your calendars --
maybe we can get a group to go. A couple of us joined them for the Ava Cave
clean-up, and it was fun and a great way to meet some fellow cavers from other
grottos.
John Schirle
From: Les Vaughn <rocketcaver@yahoo.com>
To: John D Schirle <jds217@juno.com>
Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 11:08:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: Equality cleanup
Hi John,
They set the date for the fall Equality cleanup for November 16th at 11:00am.
All you folks are invited.
I will try to find out if the nearby campground is open that time of year. If
it isn't, we might do the campout / cookout bit at my family farm.
Les
- - - - -
IN MEMORIUM
As many of you know, we lost a good friend recently, Larry Reece. Many of us
met him at the Mammoth Cave Restoration Camp. I was fortunate to have spent
a bit of time with Larry, and loved his laid-back attitude and dry sense of
humor. It is to Larry Reece that this issue of the NNN is dedicated.
Norm Rogers sent this:
"It is with great sadness that I tell you that our very good friend Larry
Reece passed away yesterday morning (July 22). Larry attended every summer restoration
camp since the beginning in 1989, and many of the weekend camps. His contribution
to the success of the camp is unparalleled. For the past several years he acted
as official camp photographer and historian. He was a good friend and will be
missed.
I invite those that knew Larry to post their feelings and possibly a story or
two about him on the camp, Yahoo website found below. We will see many of you
at camp in just a few weeks. Take Care, Norm"
Go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Restoration_Camp
Here is a message from his son, (Matt), who also participated in the project.
LARRY REECE
Matt Reece
mreece@caves.org
Sent: Wednesday, July 24, 2002 8:22 PM
Subject: For my Dad's friends...
Greetings all,
You are receiving this email because your address is included in my Dad's address book. Unfortunately, I have to be the bearer of bad news. My Dad passed away early Tuesday morning, July 23, 2002. He was an amazing father, an incredible husband, and a dedicated friend. The following is a short obituary that my Mom asked me to forward along to his friends.
Lawrence A Reece, born in Mt Vernon IL on June 27, 1943, died on July 23, 2002 in Indianapolis, IN.
He started caving in the early 1960's and founded RBS Labs shortly thereafter.
He was very proud to be a lifetime member and fellow of the NSS
He really enjoyed volunteering at Mammoth Cave for the last 13 years. John Vargo took this picture of Larry, and I felt this appropriate for you to remember him by. Besides, he's so cute in this picture
I know Larry would want us to say goodbye for him. He was always saying, "I told you I was sick..."
So, Goodbye all you Hodags.
At my dad's request, there will be no calling or funeral services. Memorial gifts can be made to the NSS, CIG, or IKC, three organizations in which my dad was actively involved.
Sincerely, Matthew Reece
MINUTES
OF THE MEETING
August 9, 2002
Called to order by President Troy Simpson. Present: Marc Tiritilli, Tracy Tiritilli, Vice-President John Schirle, John Walther, Jeffery Gosnell, Bill Morrow, Larry Bird, Ralph Sawyer, Secretary Jim Jacobs, Don Coons, Treasurer Dave Carson.
EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORTS:
SECRETARY: The August minutes were approved as read by Secretary Jim Jacobs.
TREASURER: Treasurer reported no transactions since last meeting. Approved.
OLD BUSINESS:
--Annual picnic north of Utica. Bring your own food. If you wish, you can bring
something to share. Bring gear for vertical practice, and cameras. Troy will
put info on the website, and in the NEWS. Board members Troy S., Jim J., Marc
T. and Dave C. met Larry Bird in Utica to scout out the areas for the picnic.
We toured the picnic site (Clark Falls), and the Utica Manufacturing Mine. There
are also many other recreation possibilities and areas of interest such as Starved
Rock State Park, shopping in Utica's curio and craft shops, and a tour of the
Utica Historical Museum by Larry Bird.
--THERE WILL BE NO MEETING ON FRIDAY NIGHT, SEPT 13. We will instead have a
brief business meeting at the picnic site.
--We voted on the T-shirts. A design was picked, and tentative orders were placed.
Place your firm orders with Brian Braye. The shirts will be a dark green with
gray design and lettering. You're going to like them! Prices are: long sleeve,
$15, short sleeve $12, sweat shirts $20. We must have as much ordering money
as we can up front, so that we can pay the printing company for the shirts.
NEW BUSINESS: none
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND TRIP REPORTS:
--John Schirle reported on the Ava Cave cleanup. About 27 people showed up,
and were able to do a lot of cleaning in the "Party Room" in a very
short time. We should really promote it next time.
--Marc T. is organizing a TAG trip, sometime in October. Camp's Gulf Cave may
be on the agenda. Give some SERIOUS thought to this one, folks! Those who have
been to that cave just shake their heads when trying to describe how big it
is!
--Marc also traveled to New York to participate in rescue training at Knox Cave.
He is now at level three. He will be going for level four (instructor) the next
time.
--Don Coons has been caving in Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
--Troy is now engaged. (Congrats, Troy!)
--Vertical practice is one the 24th at noon.
--There will be a weekend camp at Mammoth Cave on November 2 and 3.
Adjourned.
The program was a slide show by Don Coons of the property and the cave entrance recently purchased by the Karst Conservancy of Illinois, of which he is the Treasurer. Elections were recently held, and the organization has opened up their agenda and released a lot more information about themselves and their projects. They now own one cave entrance, and are planning more purchases or leases in the future. They may also work to provide management of caves to relieve cooperating owners of the responsibility and liability. Donations are being solicited.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Jacobs, Secretary
MINUTES
OF THE MEETING
July 12, 2002
Called to order by President Troy Simpson. Present: Ralph Sawyer, Angela Carson, Dave Carson (with Matthew and Justin), Larry Bird, Jim Jacobs.
EXECUTIVE BOARD REPORTS:
TREASURER: Report read by Treasurer Dave Carson. Approved.
SECRETARY: Minutes of the previous meeting approved as published in the NEWS.
OLD BUSINESS: T-shirts were discussed. (discussion had been tabled from the Cascade Canyon meeting) (inside joke). More discussion. No action. Check out the designs on the website.
NEW BUSINESS:
--Troy will be heading a trip to Illinois Caverns accompanied by Mike Roux,
a magazine writer from Quincy.
--We discussed a possible cleanup trip to Illinois Caverns
--We decided to have the annual picnic in September rather than August this
year. We choose the 14th, with the 21st as a back-up in case of bad weather.
The site will be north of Utica, IL on private property owned by a Mrs. Clark.
This property has waterfalls and scenic cliffs suitable for rappelling. Larry
Bird is making the arrangements.
--Troy will begin to send the meeting agenda to all members rather than just
to the Board. (Ah, the wonders of email!)
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
--Next meeting, August 9.
--Calendar items, Mammoth Cave Restoration Camp, Indiana Cave Capers, Karst-o-Rama,
and NNG vertical practice at the ISU tower (August 24th).
Adjourned.
