Annual Meeting

Where: Grove Park Inn, Asheville

When: Friday, November 9, 2001

Time: 6:00 PM Social Hour (wine & beer available on donation basis)

7:00 PM Dinner

Cost: $13 per meal if paid by November 2. Only checks received by that date will receive the discount. Cost at the door, $26 per person. You can also renew your annual membership, plus meal, for a total cost of $25!! Please mail your check to CMC, PO Box 68., Asheville, NC 28802.

– Don Walton, 298-5084

October 28 Hike Tuckasegee Gorge History

Prior to WWII, the Tuckasegee River that forms the gorge was a trip to a rugged roaring stream with huge boulders, numerous cascades and heavy waterfalls. A trail on the banks was the only route for hiking. Bernard Elias, Lehman Kapp, Art Loeb and Gladstone McDowell explored it soon after the war to schedule a trip for CMC, but all had changed.

A power dam, Tanasee Lake, had been built at the head of the gorge to provide electricity for the war effort. An aqueduct channeled the water to a turbine downstream, leaving only a minimum flow in the river. As a result, more boulders and thousands of potholes were exposed (see photo).

Now the trail is gone, and we make the hike by picking and engineering our way through the labyrinth in the riverbed. It’s a wonderland to see. There’s nothing like it anywhere, but it’s challenging and somewhat threatening., Not for the fainthearted! It is to be avoided in rain or wet conditions. For more,information, call Bernard Elias, 274-0202.

In Memoriam: John William Wohltman, Jr., Sam Kent, Dottie Goodman

John William Wohftman, Jr.,1938-2001. As a man of many interests, ranging from cooking to communication, writing to hiking, those who knew John in the wider community consistently found him to be eager to reach out to others, concerned to make a difference in the world. He was educated at Thiel College in Pennsylvania, receiving a BA in History, and then at the University of Norte Dame, graduating with a MA in Government and International Relations.

Following a distinguished career as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Air Force, he served many years as a senior executive in the health insurance industry. He moved from Staten Island to Asheville and semi-retirement in 1999, but he could not be idle. His activities in his congregation included the worship committee, hiking and social groups and the men’s breakfast group. He spoke Russian fluently, and is fondly remembered by many for his skill in teaching English as a second language.

His children Melissa Offenhartz, Laura and Mark Wohltman, one grandson, four sisters, and many friends survive him. At the request of the family, memorial donations may be made to the Memorial Fund of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville.

Sam Kent, CMC member since 1964, died on February 18, 2001, shortly after his 92nd birthday, and after several years of declining health. After a tour of duty in the Navy, he and his wife, Ann, made their home in Brevard, but later lived for many years in Asheville. Sam worked for Olin Co. in Brevard until his retirement.

He and Ann were avid hikers and hike leaders who often amused us with their sense of humor. Sam’s other love was fly fishing, and he was known for his beautifully hand-tied flies. He was a quiet and gentle man with a warm heart. Those of us who knew him will remember him fondly. We extend our condolences to Am and hig nephews.

Dottie Goodman died Aug. 22, 2001, at the age of 74 from pigeon breeder’s disease. She joined the club in 1970 while working for the weather records center from which she retired. She soon became a member of the CMC council and was editor of “Let’s Go” in the 1970s.

In addition to half-day and all-day hikes, she also participated in overnight backpacking trips. A single lady, she lived with her brother, Arthur, in Leicester. She was an avid animal lover with over 100 pigeons and 14 dogs at one time. She had her paintings for sale at New Morning Gallery and at the Blue Spiral Gallery in Asheville. If you would like to contact Arthur, you may call him at 683-2543.

Saturday Work Day, Trimmer Donation, And More News

Trimmer donated to CMC: Bob Lawrence Power Equipment, with the help of American Honda Motors, has donated a string trimmer for use by our section maintainers on the MST and AT. CMC has also purchased another Honda trimmer, and both will be stored at Bob Lawrence Power and Equipment, 265 Broadway (5 Points area) in Asheville. By calling 252-3561 on a weekday or Saturday AM, trail maintainers can check out a trimmer and return it the next business day. These trimmers do not require oil and gasoline mixing, so please bring your own gas for use, as we cannot store gas at Bob Lawrence’s. Ear muffs and safety glasses are also provided. Hats off to Bob Lawrence on this project, as this gives all trail maintainers more ready access to some vital equipment for our trails! Any questions, call Les Love at 658-1489 or Don Walton at 298-5084.

Saturday Work Day

When: October 27

Time: 8:00 AM

Where: Moose Cafe for breakfast, then off to the woods!

Return: Around 4:00 PM

Fun, educational, productive way to give some of your outdoor time back to the trails. Come learn what is involved with trail maintenance. Call Les Love 658-1489 and let him know you are coming!

Wednesday AT Hikes: The Wednesday hike schedule includes hikes on the 92 miles of the AT maintained by CMC. The series starts with Neal Andrea’s hike on Nov 11, and Curt Holiday’s hike on Nov 21, with one or two AT hikes being scheduled each quarter until it is completed. If you would like to lead any of these hikes, please call the schedulers.

Book Recommendation: “Touching My Father’s Soul” by Jamling Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa whose father, Tenzing, made the first ascent of Mt Everest with Edmund Hillary in 1953. One of the best Everest stories yet! Climbing with the Everest I-Max team in 1996, Jamling’s journey was a pilgrimage to relive his father’s experiences on the mountain, to understand him better, and to find his soul. Throughout, Jamling instills us with his philosophy, spirituality, Buddist beliefs and reverence for The Mountain. This, more than anything, makes the book special. – Brad VanDiver.

Attention trail maintainers: If you have more than 10 years of service as a trail maintainer, would you please call Don Walton (298-5084) and let him know by November 1. Thank you. – CMC Council

Thank you, Marietta Morgan, Anita and Richard Walkey, for your dedication and hard work as hike schedulers. You have done a fantastic job, and the club is really going to miss you! (They really have retired, so your help is needed). Call John Pawcio and volunteer!!!!

Mailing list: To assure that you are not dropped from the mailing list, and continue to receive the newsletter, be sure to send any change in address to the club as soon as possible. This would save return postage and make maintaining the mailing list a lot easier. – Elisabeth Feil 684-8719

Car vandalism: Please do not leave valuables in your car at the trailhead. There is a recent report of a car being broken into and cell phone stolen. Fortunately, the driver decided to take his billfold with him on the hike.

GSMNP Trails: After 30 years of hiking in the Great Smoky Mtn. National Park, I completed hiking all the maintained trails in the park (as reflected by their current trail map) on June 16. Whew! – Dennis Winner

CMC Council meeting: November 12 at 6:00 PM (sharp) at McGuffey’s Restaurant off Tunnel Rd. Call John Pawcio, 299-8126, for reservation.

New Members: Danielle & Leonard Bernstein, Frank & Kay Cooper, Neenah Dressler, Klaus & Ann Koch, John Koenig, H.C. Tony Martin, Howard Martin, Skip & Val McGaughey, Jack Moore, Sarah Oram, James Porter and Marilyn Stroud, Elizabeth Acree, Jim & Susan Cox, William Cutler, Linda Emerick, Muriel Hintz, Hank & Peg Lahey, Jody Roltgen, Edie Page, Laura Ware, and Barbara Welchel.