This is a picture of two CMC Friday crews working at Johnson Farms on Dec 17. We cut many large oaks which were blown down by the storms of September helping the Hendersonville School System restore their trail through the wooded part of Johnson Farm. Pizza was served by the School Board marking the first time the crew had their longstanding wish for pizza delivery accomplished. This marks the last work day for 2004. We wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

John Soldati's Wednesday Work Crew

I sit and reflect on our labors we addressed in these mountains woods and trails. As we begin to close the door on 2004, our first thought goes out to Skipper's "Big Friday" crew and their extraordinary work in rustling the many heavy logs down the one thousand foot "log-way" to the new Roaring Fork shelter (now under construction). They have worked in heat, mud and cold weather almost all year and the patience and ingenuity of this crew and Howard's fortitude has been simply remarkable. Our hats are raised to this crew's grand achievement! This year, our Wednesday Crew has visited almost all the four corners on CMC's trail maintenance responsibility. A few that come to my mind: From the top of Snowbird Mt. south to School House Road; A long day into Rice Gap and south close to Boone Cove; Some of us explored the roads beyond Catpen Gap and on up to the south slope of Bluff Mt. For the first time, some of us gazed at High Rocks, a good 5 clicks north bound from Whispering Gap. In late spring, we finally reached Commissary Ridge and more or less finished a project in which we were "weathered out" the late summer before. On two occasions, we experienced the long, hot and hard climb out of Douglas Falls trail up to the BRP. We weathered the Storms of September, paying most of our attention to the MST (see attached). We had a new arrival join our crew, Jane Christainsen. And we were thrilled to have our "very own" Mr. Roberts out with us for two good periods between Hollywood projects. We appreciate his giving us any time he can spare. We have missed Mr. Bair who, we understand, is close to "beginning to finish" his new home in Asheville. It will be good to have him back in the new year. We will be missing Charlie (who seeks warmer weather for a few months) and Jorge will be away until April. Often on Wednesdays, we have thought of the "Chairman" and miss his presence in the shotgun seat on our way to and from the trails. We don't expect to have Felix out anytime soon. We picked up a sawyer or two: Barth and Bruce received FS certifications in November which is very good news. We still have Bob Poe with us (for some reason!), finishing up his second year of solid, hard work and our "clean-up" man, Don Christensen is still swinging for the fences. During the year, we had the pleasure of a few of Bill's "Huge" Hendersonville volunteers joining us at Garenflo Gap to Hot Springs one day and, in return, I was "invited" in to Rice Gap to hump up to Hog Back Ridge and the shelter that is nestled in a beautiful hard wood forest. We did pretty well this year, no injuries and we all came back alive. I extend to each of you a Happy Holiday and a Merry Christmas and I'll be seeing you on the trails in the New Year. JS

nyone interested in joining the trail crews contact: Hendersonville area-Bill Newton, 828-693-4033, Brevard area-Dick Johnson, 828-884-3685, Asheville area-Skip Shelton, 828-891-3264 or Piet Bodenhorst, 828-298-8371, Misha Lazer, 828-259-9729, lazerm@bellsouth.net , Mike Lang, 828-658-1914, mlang626@buncombe.main.nc.us

Save the date - February 5, 2005 - for the FMST Annual meeting in Greensboro, NC. This years guest speaker will be Deirdre F. Hewitt with the RTCA program under the National Park Service in Asheville, NC. She will tell us all about the RTCA program; you can visit here for more info: http://www.nps.gov/rtca/ . The FMST is discussing along with the Department of Parks and Recreation in using this program for the MST East Plan. This meeting of Task Forces has proven to benefit the MST with reports and planning for the new year. Information will be mailed out in the near future about this meeting. Thanks for your time. Jeff Brewer www.ncmst.org

There has been a Sawyer S212 chainsaw certification class set up. The following information should be communicated ASAP as time is short.

WHERE: December 17 Pisgah Ranger Station Conference Room December 18 Pisgah Ranger Station Work Center Shop (east end Of building AKA Carpenters shop)

WHO: 12 (TWELVE ONLY) Persons in need of certification. Class members will be selected from all clubs/crews.

PREREQUISITES: Student MUST have a current First Aid and CPR card in hand on the day of the class. No cards - no class. See class availability schedule attached.

WHAT TO BRING: December 17. Lunch and open mind! December 18. Hard Hat (FS will provide if student does not have). Eye Protection “ ” “ ” “ Hearing Protection “ ” “ ” Leather work gloves Minimum of 8" high leather work boots - This is MANDATORY. Lunch Plenty of water Be prepared for inclement weather. Class will go on in cold weather. Only exception is heavy rain or icy conditions. Field class would then be postponed.

Each crew chief will be notified of selected students by Monday, December 13, 2004.

Additional S212 classes and re-certification classes will be announced as soon as classes can be set up. There is a new FS rule that requires one instructor for each four student. We only have three certified instructors.

The attachment is a picture of the two CMC Friday crews working at Johnson Farms on Dec 17. We cut many large oaks which were blown down by the storms of September helping the Hendersonville School System restore their trail through the wooded part of Johnson Farm. Pizza was served by the School Board marking the first time the Hendersonvile crew had their longstanding wish for pizza delivery accomplished. This marks our last work day for 2004. I hope for each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Bill

Folks,Just a quick reminder that we will not be working the next two Fridays. I Hope everyone has a great Christmas and a very happy new year.
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