Minutes of the Chouteau Grotto Meeting


January 5, 2000


The meeting was called to order at 7:10 P.M.

19 members were in attendance.

Treasurer's Report: $980.04 in the coffers


Hail and Farewell

Mike Wardin, the Grotto's web master, passed away on December 27,
following major surgery. The Grotto is deeply indebted to Mike for his
dedicated efforts for the group. Our sympathies are with Mike's family. At
the meeting a collection was made for his memorial fund. A unanimous
decision was made to recognize Mike posthumously with the title of
Honorary Webmaster. Mike Walk volunteered to take his laser to marble to
create a plaque to present to Mike's family.


Melissa Shiver, who works with Bill Elliott in the MDC, attended
tonight's meeting with much zeal and plans to join the Grotto.

Mike Leahey, MDC's regional biologist based in Columbia, was at
tonight's meeting and also plans to join. Mike is the man officially
responsible for Hunter's Cave. Welcome aboard Mike and Melissa!

In February, Jennifer Wolff will take a temporary nursing position in
Phoenix, Arizona. All of us hope this will be truly temporary. Good
luck, Jennifer, and come back soon!


Old Business

Term limits. There was discussion of the pros and cons of setting term
limits of two consecutive one-year periods for the offices of Grotto Chair
and Vice-Chair. A vote was held, and the result was a unanimous defeat of
term limits.

Patti Williamson is still seeking good photos for the new Grotto brochure.
Please bring your best to the next meeting. Patti's handsome handmade
Grotto flag made its first appearance at a meeting tonight.

Mike Morgan reported that Mark McGimsey has undergone major surgery. Mark
is now home and is eager to keep in touch with Grotto members. His email
is batsurveys@aol.com. A speedy recovery to Mark!


Cave Activities and Reports

Anna Dennis will be studying invertebrates of Bass Creek, upstream from
Hunter's Cave, in February. She is looking for assistants; contact Anna
at AMD4407@aol.comfor more information

Jennifer Wolff will lead a "beginners'" trip to Hamilton Spring Cave in
the Meramec State Park on January 15. Contact Jennifer at rncaver@aol.com
for details.

Jennifer put together a "Caving the Millennium" trip for New Years
Eve/New Years Day and it was a howling success, with gorgeous warm
weather. The trip featured Doss Cave.

Jeff Williams reported on a trip to Bear Cave in the Huzzah Valley, and
the mapping of 70 more feet of Hunter's Cave on December 18.


The meeting was adjourned at 7:50


The program was Bill Elliott's video "Journey Through the Underworld,"
aired by National Geographic Explorer in 1995. This was an account of
work done by Bill and a Belizian archaeologist in several caves used by
the ancient Maya. It featured the "crystal skeleton" of a Maya human
sacrifice, and numerous staged wildlife segments. Bill told us a bit
more about his research and the filming process, as well as the
extraordinary cave riches of Belize.


Daryl Greaser was dearly missed both at the meeting and at G and D.


Respectfully submitted,


Joe Hobbs