Minutes of the Chouteau Grotto   

Meeting April 5th, 2000

Meeting was never really called to order....

There were 16 members in attendance,

    Bob was out enjoying the weather and walking his bike home after
something broke, so he missed the fun.

We had a casual gathering in place of a "formal" meeting.

 
Bill Elliott gave a presentation on cave cleaning equipment.

He showed us the backpack water sprayer pump. It will put out about 40
psi, it is a common clean up tool.

Also, a 3M drill buffer pad, an abrasive wheel.

Bill talked about cave conservation and plans to gate Little Scott Cave
on 4 6-00.  Bill also encouraged clean up trips for Hunters.  Bill
offered us the sprayer to use in clean up trips, if we'd like to borrow
it.

*** Thanks to Jeff Williams for taking notes during the first 20
minutes of the meeting, since I was running late too.


Mike Walk passed out the membership data base forms for people who
haven't filled them out in hopes to update the member data base.


Mike and Patti worked on the grotto information brochure, but were
unable to successfully print a clean copy.  So we may have to look into
other alternatives.  *** Update.. since the meeting, I bought a color
printer, and if the grotto is still willing to pay for a new color
cartridge, I'll print them out at home.  I have ran off a copy or two
and they look really sharp!!!


The Annual NSS report was completed and submitted by Rick Walk.


Also, April 16th is Wild life day at the American legion.  We had a
booth planned and Mike was working to recruit some help for the event.


Bill Elliott presented a paper at the MO Academy of Science.

Mike Walk will be presenting his work on carabiner strength at San
Diego in June.

Patti Williamson attended FASEB in April in San Diego  and presented
her research work on zinc-deficient rats and food intake.


REUNION:

David Webster is working on locating past members.  He has compiled a
list of 450 names that date as far back as 1957.  The list will be
posted on our web site.  Take a look at it and if you know any of the
"lost" members, contact David Webster with information you might have
or can find.

Potential locations and date conflicts were discussed.  Turns out the
Fall MVOR shouldn't be in conflict.


MCKC/MSS mtg., will be SAT June 10, at Onondaga cave state park.  The
event will be a BYO Picnic at the shelter, and everyone is invited and
encouraged to attend.


Spring MVOR is coming up next month, so is a Stream Team workshop.
Also the MCKC NCRC rescue training weekend.


Bob Lock has 2 boxes of old Chouteau grotto and Foresight stuff that he
is wanting to get rid of.


Cave trips:

Roger Brown did a good job with the Icebox trip last month.  Everyone
had a good time and stories to tell.

Jeff Williams did his first trip into the Icebox as an assistant guide
on Sunday 3/26.

Ben Miller, Rita and Grace Worden went caving in Fulton last month.

Jim Huckins was planning a trip to Shannon County to Allen Branch
Cave.  Also, Jim reminded us of the "potential cave" that needs some
entrance work to get into.

Ben Miller was planning a trip the 15th-16 if anyone was interested.


We all went to G&D's for some fun and food.

 

Respectfully submitted, even if it was late,

Patti Williamson