CMC Weekly News
11/27/03
______________________________________________________________________________
Jack Davis, longtime CMC Member dies
Jack was a enthusiastic leader in CMC for almost 30 years - from the late '60's until the early '90's. Although he led many hikes and organized canoe trips all over the place, he also worked politically to protect a lot of the special places in Western North Carolina.
**Memorial service for Jack this Friday with a reception to follow at Sara Davis's office**
Asheville - John Williams "Jack" Davis died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, at the VA Nursing Home in Asheville. He was 89. Mr. Davis was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on June 8, 1914. His parents were the late Price Morgan Davis and Maud Grainger Tompkins Davis of Wawautosa. He was married to Evelyn Thatcher Davis for 57 years until her death in 1997.
He graduated from Milwaukee Country Day School, where he excelled at football and baseball, and attended Dartmouth College. During World War II he was a member of the U.S. Armys elite First Special Service Force, a combined U.S.-Canadian commando team trained as ski paratroopers. He served in both the Pacific and European theaters of war, spending months on the front lines in Italy. He was captured by the enemy at Anzio Beachhead in April 1944 and spent 13 months as a prisoner of war in Germany.
A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Mr. Davis loved the mountains of Western North Carolina in which he hiked and backpacked for many years. He was a life member of The Appalachian Trail Conference, a founding member of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and a former president of the Carolina Mountain Club. He also loved the canoe country of Quetico Provincial Park in Canada which reminded him of his boyhood years spent in northern Wisconsin.
In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his brothers, Price M. Davis Jr. and Robert R. Davis. He is survived by his sister, Sarah Davis Pearson of Tucson, Ariz., and his children, Gwyneth D. Buell of Salem, Mass., Elizabeth S. Davis of Corvallis, Ore., John W. Davis Jr. of Culpeper, Va., and Sara H. Davis of Asheville. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov 28 at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. Following the service the family will share memories with friends at a reception at 81 Central Ave with a reception for friends at Sara Davis's office.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Appalachian Trail Conference, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 or Carolina Mountain Club, P.O. Box 68, Asheville, NC 28802
Jack Davis, CMC Leadership Contributions
Jack and Evelyn Davis moved to Asheville summer, 1967.
- Began hiking with CMC soon after - Became A.T. maintainer 1968 - President of CMC 1972-1974 - Vice President - Jim Maddox - Secretary-Treasurer - Eloise Whitson - Council Members - Lex Grice, Arch Nichols, Sam Kent, Gerry McNabb and others
Jack was a CMC maintainer from 1968 until one last trip in 1996.
- Worked with Arch Nichols to persuade U.S. Forest Service to acquire land at Max Patch Mountain
- Spearheaded effort to build A.T. relocation at Max Patch, including innovative use of local mule for construction of side-hill trail through rhododendron.
- Participated in construction of Flint Mountain Shelter, Hogback Ridge Shelter, and Roaring Fork Shelter
- Most important accomplishment for CMC: Implemented the current system for Trail Maintenance by dividing CMC's A.T. maintenance into 16 sections, each with its own maintenance leader.
- In the 1970's, went with Gus Morris to Washington, DC to get the support of Congressman Roy Taylor to form the Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness Areas.
- Helped organize and lead CMC hiking and canoe trips to Gila Wilderness, Okeefenokee Swamp, Suwanee River, Little Pee Dee River, Lumber River, Edisto River, and Cumberland Island.
- Served as a member of Board of Managers of the Appalachian Trail Conference from 1979-1983.
- Served as member and chairman of the Board of Trustees of Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (Highlands of Roan) 1974-1977.
- Also: Member, N.C. State Trails Advisory Committee 1976-1978 Treasurer, Mountain Ramparts Health Planning Agency 1973-1976 President, North Asheville Community Club Board member and officer, University Botanical Gardens Board member - Buncombe County Council on Aging Active member - Buncombe County AARP and Meals on Wheels
- When Evelyn was stricken with Alzheimer's Disease in 1977, he cared for her at home for ten years, then cared for her in nursing home for nine years, by feeding her twice a day while caring for other residents as well. At age 75, he took a 120-hour course at AB Tech and became a Certified Nursing Assistant so he could work at Aston Park, caring for Evelyn and other residents.
CMC History Fact
CMC Dues History
YEARS INDIVIDUAL FAMILY ASSOCIATE JUNIOR INITIATION COMMENTS 1931-1934 $1.25? $1.00? Dues are deduced from records ($83 for 57 members and 12 Junior members.) Definition of Junior members is unknown. 1935-1941 $2.00 $0.25 Junior members are between ages 12 and 18 1942-1957 $2.00 1958-1968 $2.00 $2.50 $0.50 Associate dues were for people living out of state, or too far to hike regularly with CMC. 1969-1977 $3.00 $3.50 $2.50 $1.50 Junior members are between ages 12 and 18. 1978-1986 $5.00 1987-1991 $7.50 $2.50 1992-2004 $12.00
Speaking About Dues !
from
page 1 of the 3rd Quarter 1986 Let's Go
The CMC Council after careful consideration and in the face of mounting printing and mailing costs for "Let's Go" is asking the members for an increase in dues for 1987. Our present figure of $5 would be increased to $7.50 a year and new members would be asked for an additional $2.50 for an initiation fee. This will be voted on at the fall annual meeting.
We respectfully submit that the club has done a remarkable job of holding down its dues structure since its inception. We have one of the lowest dues in the country.
We hope to have a budget for this coming year which will give the members a better idea of our costs as related to our income.
While we are primarily a Hiking Club, we do feel a strong bond with conservation groups and rely on their support in matters which effect the preservation of our trails and the beauty of the North Carolina Mountains. Contributions to these organizations should come primarily from individual members, but the club should also lead the way with token contributions. This will be better regulated with a budget which is presented to the members at our annual meeting.
The above information is provided courtesy of Bruce Bente. What I think when I read about the dues history and what was said in 1986 about the finances of the Carolina Mountain Club is that today's situation is exactly the same. Our largest single annual expenditure is still the printed newsletter, we have increasing outside pressure for contributions and support and we are trying to balance our budget by considering raising our dues. More to come....! Don Walton.
Happy Thanksgiving from our Cave Dog Friends
Happy Thanksgiving Everybody, Loretta and I will be spending Thanksgiving Day with the Pilgrims at Plimouth Plantations in Plymouth Massachusetts. We have been celebrating with the pilgrims for many years. A full scale replica of the 1629 village is set in the woods and occupied by all of the original pilgrims in period dress. They are referred to as interpreters because they play the roles of the pilgrims without flaw. Once after I had discovered Roger Williams' Key to The American Language I greeted a pilgrim using the Algonquin Indian Language and he knew it! It is tremendous fun to interact with these professional actors and actresses. Loretta and I are keeping our eyes on TheDogTeam.com and both look forward to the next Dog Team challenge. Until then we wish you the best of health and happiness. Lucky Dog, Paul and Loretta Lavoie
Southern Highlands 2005 Fact Sheet
What: The 35th meeting of the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC)
When: July 1-8, 2005
Where: East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee
Who: Southern Highlands 2005 will be hosted by the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) maintaining clubs of the southern region: Smoky Mountains Hiking Club (Knoxville), Tennessee Eastman Hiking Club (Kingsport), Carolina Mountain Club (Asheville), Nantahala Hiking Club (Franklin NC) and Georgia A.T. Club (Atlanta).
Attendance: Approximately 1,000 hikers, volunteer trail maintainers, A.T. Conference staff, and others interested in outdoor recreation and the A.T. Most participants come from the 14 Trail states between Georgia and Maine; others come from all over the country.
Events: Workshops, exhibits, A.T. membership meeting, entertainment, excursions, and organized hikes within 100 miles of Johnson City.
Purpose: Conduct the official business of the ATC Educate, inspire, and inform the membership and the public about the A.T. and Trail-related issues; Provide camaraderie; Encourage sharing of ideas and techniques among trail maintainers; Organize hikes, excursions, and other recreational events in upper East Tennessee and southern Virginia.
Background: The 2100-mile A.T., completed in the 1930s, runs from Springer Mountain, near Dahlonega, GA, and Mount Katahdin, ME. A few hundred backpackers complete the entire Trail each year, and hundreds of thousands of people enjoy dayhikes and camping trips. Volunteer maintainers, organized into 32 clubs, take responsibility for the Trail with regular maintenance and special projects such as building bridges, steps, and shelters. The Trail is a unit of the National Park Service with headquarters in Harpers Ferry, WV
FOREST ENTOMOLOGIST TO ADDRESS HEMLOCK WOOLLY ADELGID THREAT
Rusty Rhea, forest insect expert with the USDA Forest Service, will speak on "The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: Dealing with a Rising Menace? at 4:00 p.m., December 1, on the UNCA campus, Room 228 of Robinson Hall. The presentation is free and open to the public. The hemlock woolly adelgid is an Asian insect that was accidentally introduced to the United States. It fatally attacks native Carolina and Eastern hemlock trees, and has no natural North American predators. It was first discovered in the eastern United States in the 1950s, and has since killed more than 80 percent of the hemlock trees in Shenandoah National Park. It was first documented in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2002. Scientists fear the adelgid may eliminate the hemlock from Appalachian forests, like chestnut trees were eliminated by chestnut blight. One of the region?s leading experts on the hemlock woolly adelgid, Rhea works extensively with researchers and land managers in the region to deal with the threat posed by the adelgid. His presentation will be the fourth in a year-long lecture series presented by the UNCA Environmental Studies Department, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the USDA Forest Service. The lecture series examines a number of regional environmental issues, ranging from air quality to national forest management. Contact: Gary Peeples, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 828/258-3939, Ext. 234
News on the NC At Specialty Tag
Hello all - We are starting to get a number of applications in for the new NC specialty tag that will offer a permanent source of funding for the portions of the AT that run through North Carolina. However, we have received less than 100 applications so far, and we HAVE to have a minimum of 300 people sign up before January 15, 2004!!! There is a great informational article on the ATC's web site, along with a link to the 1-page application form. For all AT-L'rs who live in NC, or know folks who live in NC, this is a personal plea from me to both consider buying a tag yourself, and to get the word out to any and all friends, stores, scout troops, hiking groups, other civic-minded souls, etc. Please help us all get the minimum 300 applications in before 1/15/04! One thing to remember is that once we get 300 applications in, this tag becomes a permanent source of funding for the AT!! We still are in the process of finalizing the design - the latest draft design can be found at: http://gallery.backcountry.net/NC-AT-License-Plate-Designs/aac The link to the ATC's information is: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/trailnews/nc_plate.html Thanks so much for your consideration and help! :) Thru-Thinker [Clark Wright]
Firefly camping week-end June 18 to 20, 2004
I am planning a camping and hiking week-end in the Elkmont campgrounds in the Smokies. There will be several levels of hikes, depending on the group The main attraction will be to see the synchronous fireflies, a phenomenon which occurs no place else in the world but Maylasia. As part of their mating ritual, fireflies flash on and off. The other attraction will be a tour of the Elkmont houses with a great amateur historian. The cost per person will be $20 which includes two days of camping at Elkmont and a stipend for the historian.
If you are interested in the week-end, I need the following information from you: 1. How many people will you have in your tent? 2. Do you like to hike A. 6-8 miles? B. 8-10 miles? C. 10 ++ 3. Would you be interested in participating in a group dinner on Saturday evening (maybe a barbecue)??
If we have enough interested people, I need to make reservations soon. Please send the answers to these questions to me Danny Bernstein at danny@hikertohiker.org . Please sign your email with your first and last name.
National Trails Day 2004 Set
Save the date for National Trails Day Saturday, June 5, 2004. The theme – Trails and Health…A Natural Connection - continues to focus on the health benefits of trails. By working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we want to encourage people to learn about the enjoyment of trails as well as how they can become healthier. Start planning your event today! Whether it is a gentle walk, an industrious work trip, a nature hike, or a variety of activities, it takes time to organize, obtain a place, and get the word out. Contact local retailers, including, Galyan’s, REI, and Eastern Mountain Sports who can help recruit volunteers and publicize your event. They are also good to partner with for hosting an event, along with local health organizations, parks, forests, nature centers, Boy and Girl Scouts – be creative, invite any local organization with an interest in health or trails to participate and broaden the trail experience! Include events for kids – the next generation of trail users and maintainers. For more information visit our web site at: www.AmericanHiking.org .
What you need for a day hike
Bringing the proper equipment will add greatly to your enjoyment, your safety, and the enjoyment and safety of the group. This stuff is essential if you are going out in the woods for more than a couple of hours. Make sure that you are comfortable with your equipment and you know where it all fits in. Do not carry anything in your hands; do not tie a jacket around your waist. Everything should fit in your daypack. Carry your wallet and keys in your daypack, at all times. In your daypack: Two quarts of water in plastic water bottles (not soda bottles) Lunch and snacks Rain jacket (no matter what the forecast) Long sleeve shirt (no matter what the forecast) Sunglasses Wool or fleece hat and gloves Insect repellent Sunscreen Tissues Personal first aid kit Small flashlight Plastic bag for trash If it is not the height of a warm summer, add: Warm fleece hiking sweater or jacket Rain pants How to dress: Shorts and a short-sleeve T-shirt as the bottom layer. Hiking boots that are well broken-in and that go over the ankles Good hiking socks (not sports socks). Sunhat with a wide brim Bandanna which you need to keep handy Dress in layers: Your first layer should be a short-sleeve t-shirt (synthetic, not cotton) even if it seems cool in the morning. You will warm up. Your second layer should be a long-sleeve shirt (also synthetic). If you need extra layers, you will have your warm hiking sweater and rain jacket. Shorts give you more mobility and keep you cooler; pants give you more protection from insects and brush. Questions, comments, additions to the list? Send to danny@hikertohiker.org