Bloomington Indiana Grotto
Minutes
November 14, 2002
Patti Cummings, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:38 pm.
List of attendees
Drew Packman, Don Paquette, Molly Wright, Cherie McCurdy, Anmar Mirza, Cami Morrow, Bud Dillon, L. R. McCarty, Steve Clark, Sam Frushour, Lukas Olsen, Alex Rang, Chris Daniels, Jackson Moore, Dave Everton, Peter Strickholm, Bill Baus, Kate Siebert, Charles Cummings, Kriste Lindberg.
Upcoming events and announcements
- November 16, HNF/IKC Karst Inventory Project Fieldwork Day. Contact Kriste Lindberg,
- December 7, IKC Winter Quarterly Meeting – Greenwood. Contact Bruce Bowman,
- December 14, CIG Christmas party – Indianapolis (home of Dave and Soozie Strickland). Contact
- December 21, HNF/IKC Karst Inventory Project Fieldwork Day. Contact Kriste Lindberg,
- December 31, BIG/CIG New Year’s Party (Paquette/Kimmell estate). Contact Don Paquette,
- January 8, CIG meeting. Contact Eric Higbie,
- January 18, HNF/IKC Karst Invetory Project Meeting and Fieldwork Day. Contact Kriste Lindberg,
- August 4-8, 2003, NSS Convention 2003. Porterville, California. Contact Peri Frantz,
- Sam Frushour announced that he, Dave Everton, and others have been working with area landowners to inventory karst features on their property as they are concerned about the potential of proposed I-69 routes taking their land. Much has been found and is being documented. If you can help in this endeavor, contact Sam at
- Kriste Lindberg announced that the old Furrow’s building on the southwest intersection of SR 37 and SR 45 is being converted into a Gray Bros. Cafeteria. The parking lot is being “naturalized”. Karst features may be in need of attention.
- Charles Cummings announced that there will be a cleanup of an entrance to Showcase Cave tomorrow, Saturday, November 16. See him for more details,
- Charles Cummings announced that logging is going on by Leonard Springs Cave and that it is closed for the winter to help protect the hibernating bats within. The cave is enterable during the times it is open by permission only.
- There is a rumor going around that Salamander Cave is gated. This is as yet unsubstantiated but doubtful. The landowner does wish for the cave to be closed, though.
- Patti Cummings announced that a Ladies Brunch needs to be held soon. It has been awhile. A date in January will be set.
- Congratulations to Patti for passing the bar and being sworn in as an official attorney!!!
- Bud Dillon announced that CRF is seeking new members. Contact Bill Baus,
- Reminder: Don Paquette is working on plans for local cavers to "trainpool" to and from Convention in California next year via Amtrak sleeper cars. The cost isn't too bad considering roundtrip with transportation, four nights, and all meals included is somewhere around $900/person. More details will be forthcoming as they unfold...
Old business
- Charles Cummings announced that the BIG Halloween Party/cleanup of Buckner Cave was a great success. Overall, over 50 people attended. Much fun was had by, well, okay, most. Hopefully we will see future events held at the Buckner property.
- Become a member! Requirements: You need to have gone on at least one caving trip with a member w0ho will vouch for you as a responsible caver, attend at least three grotto meetings, and pay the $7 membership fee. Such a deal!
- A brick was purchased to support WonderLab in the BIG's name. It will be displayed outside of the museum’s new building. Folks are to donate what they can and the BIG will make up the difference. See Sam for more details,
New business
BIG board elections for 2003… The following are putting in their names as nominees for the following positions: Chairman – Patti Cummings, Vice Chair – TBA, Secretary – Dave Everton, Treasurer – Sam Frushour
Cave trips
- Lukas Olsen reported that he did a trip to Waynes Cave with friends. They made it to the second formation room and returned.
Presentation
Thanks to Bill Baus for his slide presentation on southwest caves and a theory on their development.
Meeting adjourned at 8:59 pm.
After meeting meeting
- Tortilla Flats. Note: Until sometime in February, Tortilla Flats will write you a check for 25% of your bill for parties of 10 and over to put towards your favorite non-profit organization. Local cave-related non-profits include the NSS, IKC, and Lost River Conservation Association. The BIG donated approximate $20 to Planned Parenthood last night.
Next meeting
- Thursday, December 12, 7:30 pm, IU Geology Building 143
Respectfully submitted,
Kriste Lindberg
Acting BIG Secretary