BLUE RIDGE GROTTO of the National Speleological Society

BRG Minutes for 11/15/24

Taylor Masonic Hall, Salem, VA

 

Attendance:

Dave Socky, Vice Chair

Kevin Johnson

Carrie Doupnik

Susan Burr

Bob Alderson

Barry Ferguson

Cyndi Hutchison

Helene Ferguson (Sub)

Jeff Huffman

Trish Geiger

Abbey Mays

Mary Sue Socky

Alex Thompson*

Robert Balch*

Nick Schmalenberger

Ernst Kastning*

 

 

*Guest

 

Vice Chair David Socky chaired the meeting.

Mary Sue Socky took minutes for outgoing secretary Marian McConnell, who was not present. 

 

Meeting called to order 7p. 

 

Dave Socky requested that the meeting program, which had been moved to near the beginning of the meeting, be moved back to the end of the meeting, and that meetings would be shorter.

 

TRIP REPORTS

10/8/24: Ernst Kastning attended Dr. Bill Halliday’s (98) funeral in Cave City, KY, with the burial and ceremony at Campground Cemetery next to Mammoth Cave National Park that afternoon. Bill wanted to be buried as close to Mammoth Cave as possible    Several cavers were in attendance. It was not a funeral, more a Celebration of Life for a life well-lived.  Dr. William Halliday, NSS 812 RL, PH, HM, FE, CM, AL.

 

10/9/24:  Ernst Kastning visited the American Cave Museum in  Horse Cave, KY  and toured Hidden River Cave, KY at that site, back to Sunset Dome. Nice show cave, complete with swinging bridge!!

 

10/22: Lowmoor Cave, VA.  Participants included David Socky, Dave Jackson, and Jessie Rochette. Took Dave and Jessie on a great tour of Lowmoor. Went to the Capital Room, and then up to the left into the 'climby' route to the Iron Room. Up along the short nail climb and then around and down through the maze, down the little climb down hole, through the Bone Yard, and out from under the breakdown back to the Devil's Kitchen. We then went down the long finger passage to the far end where it connects to the mine through the little window. Then out. Good trip which everyone really enjoyed.

 

10/23: JS Williams Cave, VA. Participants included David Socky, Joe Zokaites, Bob Alderson, and Jason Sargent. Finished the cave by surveying the lower level, accessed via downclimbs near the entrance. There was more cave than we all expected. In one part of a higher section we saw cave rat droppings, plus Bob saw a live cave rat. There was air too. We figured we were close to the surface. The bottom level is a stream crawl (no actual water) that gets really tight. It is a dig and not a good one. No air. We exited by 5:30pm and went to dinner at Penny's Diner.

 

10/23/24:  WS Williams Cave, Alleghany Co. VA.  Bob Alderson: This is a fissure entrance cave, you rappel 60’ to a low right hand turn to get into the extension of the cave.  This is a very climbey cave and has pack rat middens and live pack rats. Let the biologists know! 

 

11/1/24:  Nick Schmalenberger, Jerin Manalel, Gary Hollandsworth visited New Castle Murder Hole, VA.  They only did the entrance pit (60’) and rescued a turtle and a snake at the bottom.

 

11/1: Kula Kai Lava Tube, HI. Participants included David Socky, Mary Sue Socky, Wm Shrewsbury, and Carolina Shrewsbury. This is a commercial cave (lava tube), but Wm and Carolina took us on a tour of the noncommercial sections. Mostly walking, with a few crawls. Neat formations and lava structures.

 

11/7-9:  Ernst Kastning  attended the 4th Appalachian Karst Symposium in Lewisburg WV, including two field trips. The first one visited Lost World Caverns. The last time I was there was as it was being developed by Cliff Forman in the late 1960s. 

 

11/9: Lost World Caverns, WV. Participants included David Socky, Gary Feilden, & Karst Symposium group. Part of a field trip for the 4th Appalachian Karst Symposium. Toured the commercial part of the cave.

 

11/9/2024: Germany Valley Karst Survey, Shoveleater Cave, WV.  Bob Alderson, Mark Minton, and Vonny Droms returned to Shoveleater Cave, did a 50’ bolt climb – using the old bolts in the cave.  Some bolts wiggled.  Bob re-drilled, re-rigged for the group.  Did some stemming through the canyon, then another bolt climb, exploring fissures with good air.  They need to go back. 

 

11/13: Hobbit Hole, VA. David Socky, Joe Zokaites, Rick Lambert, and Jason Sargent. Worked on the dig in hole surrounded by a dead tree. 22 feet deep with a cable ladder, a nice feature to get down the last part. Dig face is now a small 5 inch by 4-inch hole going straight down. Blowing warm moist air. Very close to Warm River Cave. Going to take LOTS of digging to make progress.

 

This Month’s trip –   tomorrow, 11/16/24, Porter Cave, Bath Co. VA. Susan Burr is leader, and promises it will be a nice, easy trip (NO going through the Keyhole!).    

 

Next Month’s grotto trip –TBA

 

BUSINESS MEETING

November 15, 2024 - BRG Treasury Report
Fund Amounts

$      112.96          Cave Bucks

$        2.00             Conservation Fund

$    144.12             Equipment Fund

$ 5,677.76             General Fund

     $ 5,936.84    Total Funds

               

Asset Amounts

$    459.00             Petty Cash

$ 5,295.48             BRG   Checking Account

$    182.36             PayPal Account

     $ 5,936.84    Total Assets

 

T-Shirt Sales

Total Cost for T-Shirts = $571.31

Total Income (37 sold) = $464

PayPal Cost                           = $5.64

                Net Loss                               $112.95

 

Income/Expenses since October meeting (Oct 18, 2024 to Nov 15, 2024)
Expenses

Donation to Cave Sim       -$150.00

Carbide Dump Expense   -$  46.21

                Total Expense                                     -$196.21

 

Income

                None                                                                      $0.00

 

(Treasury, cont. ) In addition, Dave Socky said he has all the accounting and funds on T-shirts.  Susan Burr questioned if all the T-shirt money collected had been turned over to BRG. Dave and Susan will get together and discuss T-shirts at another time.  

 

 

Committees:  

Newsletter – short issue, produced in 24 hours.  Please write articles! 

Membership – currently we have 53 members & 5 subscribers. Please pay your 2025 BRG dues!  (List of ‘already paid’ cavers was circulated.  Several people paid their 2025 dues on site.)

ROCKS – Not much in Roanoke Co. Allegheny County Warm Springs Project on Wednesdays and the 4th Saturdays of each month.(D. Socky)

Safety & Techniques –  Nick Schmalenberger continues to work on the Squeezebox. Nick has added 3 coats of polyurethane, adjustable sides.  Members request that Nick post his progress with photos sent to the BRG Google Group.  Note: The Squeezebox might be ready to debut for the BRG Winter Party. 

 

A few minutes of discussion and memories of Lynn Ott, NSS 15257, who died 11/8/2024.  A sympathy card was passed around for everyone to sign. 

 

Membership Proposals:  Helene Ferguson, NSS 60182.  Helene is sponsored by Barry Ferguson, NSS 12436, and Marian McConnell, NSS 37358.  Mary Sue Socky NSS 24206 motioned that Helene’s membership letter be accepted.  Susan Burr NSS 53888 Seconded the motion; Helene’s membership is tabled until the Jan. 17, 2025 BRG meeting. 

 

Old Business 

Officer Nominations and Election.  After a brief discussion, Nominations were closed.  Voting:  David Socky motioned that the slate of nominated officers be accepted and railroaded voted in. Susan Burr  Seconded.   Eleven Regular members voted, plus two absentee ballots. No abstentions. By acclimation.  Newly voted officers continued doing what they had been doing since 7p. 

 

BRG OFFICERS for 2025:

Chair – David Socky                      NSS 16334

Vice Chair – Susan Burr               NSS  53888

Secretary – MarySue Socky       NSS  24206

Treasurer – Marian McConnell NSS  37358

 

Former Chair Nick Schmalenberger was recognized and thanked for his term as BRG Chair; Nick is devoting more time to the Safety and Techniques position and the squeezebox.

 

 BRG Payment (PayPal) Account – Dave Socky asked “Should BRG charge a fee for PayPal?

Current addr is BlueRidgeGrottoOfficers@gmail.com  This is set up as a business account.

OR Close PayPal account and look for a similar service without a fee (bank offered?) . 

There was a discussion on business vs. friends & family’ accounts. 

OR, add a convenience fee for those using PayPal.   

More discussion.  Trish Geiger wants users to pay a convenience fee.

Nick Schmalenberger- what does the bank BRG uses offers/allows for free.  What about Zelle?

PayPal fees are ‘minor,’ as $5.64/month.  These fees add up!  Susan Burr suggests a surcharge with PayPal orders. 

 

Chair Dave Socky TABLED the discussion.  Dave Socky will investigate the grotto using Zelle, PayPal, etc. and look for a cash app everyone can use.

 

BRG Data and Reports Digitized – Chair Dave Socky tabled this item indefinitely.  DONE.

 

GO FEST- Final balance owed for BRG booth = $0.  No reimbursement to Nick Schmalenberger is needed. DONE.

 

CaveSim –(Mary Socky)  Dave Jackson reported that a total of 1,024 trips (people) visited CaveSim over two days during the Roanoke GO FEST.  That is a very impressive turnout!  Thanks to all the volunteers who made CaveSim an outstanding success! 

 

T-Shirts – Pay up!  There are extra shirts! 

 

BRG Post-Christmas/Winter Party – at the Socky’s place, Sunday January 12, 2025.  Noon – 5p.  Potluck, BYOB. Caver Casual, friends and family are welcome. 

  

BRG Meeting Space in 2025.  We need a space that is either free or not more than $50/month, has enough room for 15-25 people, and a TV for viewing programs.

Must be available on weeknights (prefer Fridays) after 5p.

·         Susan Burr- Frank’s on Brambleton Ave -requires a minimum of 12 dining customers to use the meeting room. Fridays are usually NO.  Susan did not get to talk with the Manager. 

·         Kevin Johnson – BRG can rent Taylor Mason Lodge for Jan 17 and Feb 21, 2025, for the discount price of $30.00 per meeting. Kevin must be present for meetings, and he cannot commit to anything past Feb 2025.    

·         Libraries close early on Friday evening, but they are open M-Th from 10a-8p. 

·         Chair David Socky motioned to TABLE the discussion,

Investigate all options, Franks, Mason Lodge, Salem Library, South Roanoke County Library, etc.

Think about possibly moving meetings to Thursdays.

Look for updates in the DUMP and on the BRG Google Groups. 

 

Christmas Cards - Marian submitted a bat art drawing (see last pages) , Nick Schmalenberger submitted two photos; still open for more photos by tonight so we can get the Shutterfly discount of 50% off.   After some discussion, the room decided that the BRG Christmas card to Landowners should have Marian’s artwork on the front, and a group photo on the back.  All in favor, PASSED 11 for, 0 Anti.    (No vote was held on how many cards should be printed: Landowner roster notes say, “Order 75 for 2024”.  MSS))  See photos, artwork on last page of Nov 2024 Minutes. 

 

New Business

Squeezebox Update – Nick Schmalenberger –making progress - see Committees/Safety & Techniques

 

Announcements:

·         Rest in Peace Lynn Ott – passed November 8th peacefully at RMH 

·         NSS Awards Nominations are due tonight, midnight!

·         Healthy Caving – let’s be healthy going underground.  Rules were posted in the DUMP. 

·         Please send verified cave info updates for https://var.caves.org/index.php/conservation/closed-caves/closed-cave-list to Brad Blase.

·         Catawba Murder Hole Cave is CLOSED

·         We are in  Winter Bat Closure for some caves.  WV – closed Sep 1 - May 15. VA – closed Oct. 15 – Apr 15.

·         Karen and Ernst Kastning  started the original Appalachian Karst Symposium at Radford University VA in 1991.

·         2025 is the 100th anniversary of Floyd Collins’ entrapment in Sand Cave, KY. 

 

 

 

 

CAVER CALENDAR:

 

Nov 29-Dec 1, 2024 – Roanoke Valley Rock &Mineral Show, Salem Civic Center. $5 per adult for all 3 days.  Minerals, fossils, gems, and geode cutting.  See https://www.rvmgs.org/472-2/ 

 

Dec. 14, 2024 – WVACS Christmas Banquet @ the fieldhouse in Frankford, WV.$20.00 per person.  Contact  frostickchuck@gmail.com  and please include the names of all persons for whom you are making reservations. If you prefer vegetarian, please indicate that when you e-mail your reservation.  Dinner is $20 per person payable at the event, or may be paid online at https://wvacs.org/payments

   

NO BRG MEETING IN DECEMBER! 

 

Jan 1, 2025 – Happy New Year

Jan 12, 2025 – BRG Winter Party, @ the Socky’s in Cave Spring, VA.  Noon- 5p.  Potluck, BYOB, see you there!

Jan 17, 2025 -  BRG meeting 7p TBA

Feb 21, 2025-  BRG meeting 7p TBA

Mar 21, 2025 - BRG meeting 7p TBA

Mar 22, 2025 – Meeting of The Explorer’s Club, NYC.

May 9-11 - Spring VAR, Hosted by Out of Bounds Grotto, at Spruce Knob, WV.  NEW!

Jun 23-27, 2025 – NSS Convention, Cobleskill, NY.    

 

Cold Beer!  8:03p. 

       

Program: video “Hunting for Zebras,” an eleven-minute program on Wind Cave, SD.  Winner of the 2024 NSS Video Salon Merit Award.  

 

Additional Stuff:

 

Artwork, photos for the 2024 BRG Christmas card to landowners.

See Below:  Christmas Card photos;- Marian is working on a draft of the BRG Christmas card with the bat art on one side, and the BRG group photo in new t-shirts on the other side (the "nice" shot). 

 

There is room for another landscape format photo, so if you have a great cave or caving photo please send your high res version to me marian.mcconnell@gmail.com

 

Marian’s artwork for front cover

Photo # 1 for back of card                        (Marian)

(landscape)

 

 

Photo # 2 for back of card              (Marian)

(landscape)

 

 

Photo # 3 for back of card (N. Schmalenberger)

(portrait)

 

 

 

Photo # 4 for back of card. (N.Schmalenberger)

(portrait)

 

 

 

Photo # 5 for back of card.  (D. Socky)

(landscape)

 

 

 

Photo # 6 for back of card. (D Socky)

(landscape)