DECEMBER 2006 GROTTO NEWSLETTER

IN THIS ISSUE
• Cave fund, 2
• RKC calendar, 3
• Minutes, 3
• Calendar, 2
• Party, 4

The ‘eyes’’ have it!

Officers elected to lead
ESSO Grotto in 2007 are:
President Jonathon Lewis,
Vice President Allen Blair,

Crawlathon’s on for 2007!

Secretary Cindy Duncan and
Treasurer Sheila Gilliam.
Thanks to all past officers for
jobs well done!
––
Welcome to new member
Jennifer, who recently moved to
the area. She joined the grotto
at the December Christmas
party and looks forward to cav-
ing with is soon!
––

NEXT BIG
TRIP: New
Year’s Due to
a loss of a
competent
guide to lead
S HORT
the Blue Springs C RAWLS
Trip for New Years,
the trip will now be centered
around Cumberland Falls State
Resort Park. It is in the Pulaski-
Rockcastle Co. area of
Kentucky and home to some
great caves, including the NSS’
Wells Cave Nature Preserve,
and hiking.
Check with Jonathon at jon-
lewis@zoomnet.net, or visit
www.essogrotto.com.

––

Looking for a last minute

Christmas gift for your favorite
caver? Why not a pre-registra-
tion for Kentucky Speleofest
he Crawlathon Web site - www.crawlathon.com - is officially up and run-
2007! Check http://kentuck-
yspeleofest2007.eventbrite.com
Event is Memorial Day
Weekend, Friday, May 25th -
T ning. You can view trip descriptions, including several new ones this year,
as well as keep checking on trips you're leading to see how fast they fill up.
Look for kids extreme, geomorphology, historic cave lighting, natural bridge rappels
Monday, May 28th. Held at the and more newness this C-thon season! If you don't have a trip to lead, or tailgun,
Lone Star Preserve in Upton, in don't worry. Coy can probably find a spot for you to help! E-mail him at
western Kentucky. coy@crawlathon.com, or call (606) 286-4411. Check the grotto's Yahoo group page
Hosted by The Louisville (see Page 2) for information on bunkhouse availability or other. The next Crawlathon
Grotto.
staph meeting and chili luncheon is Jan. 13, with caving at Cow & Counterfeiter!
 Page 2
Notes from the Underground

Grotto ‘cave fund’ growing Caving Calendar

by Allen Blair the Scouts really enjoyed themselves.
ESSO has embarked perhaps on On the CC Cave trip it was a perfect December 29-Jan. 1, New Year’s
one of its most ambitious dreams to opportunity to test something Coy
date -- ownership of a cave or land has been toying with, regarding trip Trip, to Rockcastle-Pulaski area.
that secures access to a cave. It started sizes. We have been encouraged by Four days in cave country! Visit the
when ESSO decided to invest some of the park to increase the limits on the grotto web site or Contact
its hard-earned funds, and has since trips for several caves and came to the Jonathon at jonlewis@zoomnet.net
catapulted fund-raising into overdrive. conclusion to increase the limit on CC for details.
At present, we have $1,500 in the Cave trips to 18 from 15, this means January 13, Final Staph Meeting at
Cave Acquisition Fund. The original actually 20 with the leaders included. Carter Caves, 10 a.m., followed by
$1,000 that ESSO started with some The scouts were well behaved on our
months ago from its own checking trip. I did have to laugh regarding
chili lunch provided by the park.
account and $500 from member Marti their pack sizes and informed them Trip at 1 p.m., Cow and
Jacobs. The hope is to secure land at that a pack is like a ball and chain Counterfeiter familiarization!
Burchett’s Cave, as that is the grotto’s which some of them learned in a few January 15, ESSO Grotto meeting,
historic favorite exploration cave and of the crawls. We worked on their 7:30 p.m., Flatwoods library, eats
home to many ‘first times’ among its leadership abilities and team work, at Giovanni’s.
members. Thought has also been having them help each other in diffi- January 26-28, Crawlathon, 26th
given to other caves, and in just buy- cult spots, which was great for them
ing land in order to secure access to a and us. We enjoyed the evening and
annual event at Carter Caves!
cave. At December’s Christmas party, did not even get to complete the stan- •
Treasurer Sheila Gilliam made a sur- dard trip due to time constraints with February 19, ESSO Grotto meeting,
prise announcement that she planned the trip lasting 4 hours. However they 7:30 p.m., Flatwoods library, eats
to donate $100 if five other people were all pooped I was told and most at Giovanni’s.
would pledge the same. She got those were asleep by 9:30 back at camp!” •
pledges, and more. As of now, seven On the way back from that trip, March 3-4, Mammoth Cave
people have committed $100 each in Marti told Sheila she had heard about Restoration Camp.
the year 2007 to be put toward the our cave fund and would like to
fund, Sheila reports. Plus, Marti had donate to ESSO to keep its mission of March 19, ESSO Grotto meeting,
pledged another $1,500 in the future. conservation and caving moving for- 7:30 p.m., Flatwoods library, eats
Here’s how it happened. Several ward into the future. at Giovanni’s.
members got to know Marti at At the Christmas party, we all March 24-25, First ever Carter
Mammoth Cave Restoration Camp, signed a card for her, as a thank you. Caves Restoration Camp! Help
and she joined the grotto. In Here’s what she wrote back: clean up caves. Signup starts in
November, she asked for some help “Got your nice card with all the January. Work Saturday, half day
with taking Scouts on some wild cav- signatures and the membership cards
ing trips at Carter Caves. Several today. Thank you so much! ... I'm
Sunday. Bunkhouses provided at no
ESSO members obliged, and trips to delighted to donate to the cave fund expense. Park cookout Sat. night!
Tarkiln Cave in Elliott County and and just feel lucky I can give. Someday •
Cow and Counterfeiter in Carter City. I may actually make it to a meeting... April 16, ESSO Grotto meeting,
As Jonathon Lewis reports, “It Merry Christmas! Marti and the boys 7:30 p.m., Flatwoods library, eats
was a major success, both trips, and (Eli,Simon, Michael, and Jack).” at Giovanni’s.
April 28, Spring VAR weekend.
Eastern States Speleological Organization (ESSO) Grotto, Inc. •
May 5-6, Mammoth Cave
Restoration Camp.
May 21, ESSO Grotto meeting,
7:30 p.m., Flatwoods library, eats
at Giovanni’s.
Meets third Mondays monthly in Flatwoods, Ky. •
Lisa Pruitt-Thorner, President; Brian Saul, Vice President; June 16, Summer Grotto Picnic
Cindy Duncan, Secretary; and Shelia Gilliam, Treasurer and ESSO meeting, Carter Caves!
June 22-24, Karst O Rama at Great
Saltpetre Preserve.
HTTP://WWW.CAVES.ORG/GROTTO/ESSO
HTTP://GROUPS.YAHOO.COM/GROUP/ESSOGROTTO More: www.essogrotto.com
 Page 3
Minutes, News

November grotto meeting minutes Carter restoration

by Cindy Duncan been taken away. Coy is trying to put these
camp coming
The November 22, 2006, meeting of folks where needed and on extra trips to by Jonathon Lewis
ESSO Grotto was called to order by Vice the caves available. We have great news here in
President Brian Saul. Several members were Jonathon would like to do a Bat Cave Carter County as we prepare for
in attendance for this one. Back Door like in older times, torch tossing something new - something special
The minutes and treasurer's reports and lanterns. - the first Carter Caves Restoration
were given and accepted. A table for ESSO will again be set up in Camp!
Sheila said she had put the $1,000 from the lodge for those who want further in for- ESSO is beginning to work
the grotto's treasury in a one month CD at mation about our grotto. Need some people with the park to develop long-term
First National Bank of Grayson. A resolu- to sit there and look "cool." Possibly a mes- conservation and restoration proj-
tion needs to be adopted for this fund. sage board for those who are trying to find ects that will enable cavers to help
Sheila said that after the Scout's caving someone. That sounds like a great idea. heal these heavily-used caves in
trip November 18, she received a donation Also geo-caching will be again this year. Eastern Kentucky. And we need
of $500 with the promise of $1,500 more Next C-thon meeting will be January YOUR help! We envision a yearly
from Marti Jacobs who had heard of our 13, 2007. Of course the chili is then. Mark spring weekend restoration camp
fund to purchase land in Carter County. has requested our help in cleaning up where teams of cavers can jump
She also has a book out "Best Friends" avail- Tarkiln. Logging has been done and a big ol' start needed projects under-
able at Target Stores. Sheila also received a mess has been left. This we would like to do ground. So when does the fun
$100 donation from the Scout troop's leader. after the meeting and chili luncheon maybe. begin? The weekend of March 24th
Thank you very much to all involved with The wedding ring donated to the grot- & 25th will be the opportunity to
the money for this worthy cause. to has been put on eBay by Jonathon. Voted participate in this first annual new
Trip Reports: Bridge Day was huge on that $100 minimum to start the bidding. event. Time will fly, so be sure to
success and great time for all members You tube website: ESSO has loaded mark your calandar so you will be
involved. into the zipline videos Pipeline Cave, plus clear to attend.
70/70 Pit. Don Davis, Tim Moots, Steve others. The videos will be linked to our Details of
and Susie Duncan said it was still pristine web site and MaCa web site. this new restora-
and the "frog family" was doing fine. A Sara Corrie Award. We give this out tion camp will be
couple years ago several of us dropped the occassionally to those who have done cav- available in the
Pit and found a family of frogs. Glad to ing and helped others in that area, more or upcoming weeks S HORT
on the ESSO
know all's well in their world.
Matthew and Charlie Munn went to
less, those who have gone above and
beyond the usual. Brian mentioned an Grotto web site: C RAWLS
Tarkiln, had a great time. Mark Walker and award for those who are "newbies," one to www.essogrotto.com. It will be
Charlie the dog took the Boy Scouts to three years with ESSO, and an award for under a new section labeled
Tarkiln, everyone had a good time also. No those who have been doing this a bit CCSRP Restoration, so be sure to
they didn't get that wet. longer. The Awards Commitee are Terry W., check for details.
Landowners: Nothing new to report. Charlie and Brian S. ––
Bone Hole Hollow is now state owned. The First Annual Carter Cavers
Maybe in a couple years we can survey and Restoration weekend will be held March 24- From Andy Niekamp: Buy a
do trips in it. 26. Reservations need to be made for the Rob Coomer 2007 cave calendar
Photography classes, possible next bunkouse. Jonathon said the state and Coy and support the Rockcastle Karst
year. were really into this activity. There will be Conservancy! Two calendars are
Nominating Committee: Still looking set projects and specific caves to be target- available - the RKC Hidden Worlds
for others to run for offices. Contact Dave ed. More on this exciting project to be calendar and Barns & Bridges.
Junker, Mark Walker or Bryan Queen if announced. Proceeds from the calendar sales
you'd like to be an officer next year. Voting The meeting adjourned abut 9:00. A benefit RKC.
will take place at the Christmas party shortened version of Charlie Munn's Bridge The RKC Hidden Worlds calen-
December 9, 2006, at the library in Day video was shown. His "helmet cam" dar is a special version of Rob
Flatwoods, KY. was good, but his "butt camÓ was better. Coomer's Hidden Worlds calendar.
Crawlathon Meeting, Nov. 18. Showed an up close and personal landing. The calendar has a beautiful cave
Discussed were new times for the caves It truly was a great video. Thanks Charlie photo for each month. The color
available. About 90 participants have been for showing us all the fun you guys had RKC logo is on the front and back
displaced because access to Burchett's has that day. pages. Inaddition each month con-
tains the RKC logo as a watermark
on the lower half of the calendar.
Go From Jonathon Lewis: For those of you who not leading a trip on Friday
night of Crawlathon and are interested in participating in a trip, Jonathon
The cost is $15 plus $2 ship-
ping. Limited quantities are on
back and Larry will be looking for a few good men and women to assist in a special
trip. They will be leading a historic trip into Cascade Cave to take travelers
hand. Orders will be shipped the
next day and will arrive by
Christmas. To order a calendar
in time back thru the history of lighting techniques used over the last few thousand
years up to modern equipment. They will be demonstrating various lighting and/or see the calendar images
visit: http://www.rkci.org/calendar.
next fuel sources such as cane reed torches, coal oil lanterns, MaCa torch throwing
techniques and much more as the story unfolds. They will need a few people to
Payments are accepted via PayPal.
You do not need a PayPal account
month! participate in various things. So check your schedule and see if you are open
that Friday night from 10 p.m. till Midnight. Practice Jan. 13!
to purchase a calendar. Payments
are also accepted by mail.
 Page 4
Web Extra

Team ESSO at The Bridge!

Clockwise from top, Lee Ann Blevins, Brian

Saul, Dennis Blevins and Ron Patrick, Don
Davis and Tim Mootz, just a few members of
Team ESSO who took the plunge in October!
Photos courtesy Dennis Blevins
 December 2006

Allen Blair
3520 Elizabeth Ct.
Catlettsburg, Ky. 41129

NEXT ESSO GROTTO MEETING: JAN. 15, 7:30 P.M.

AT GREENUP CO. LIBRARY - FLATWOODS, KY. - CRAWLATHON JAN. 26-28!

An ESSO Christmas:
The grotto held its
annual Christmas cele-
Photos by Larry Matiz
bration Dec. 9 with
plenty of food and fel-
lowship! The auction
was a huge success
with plenty of items
sold. The election was
also held. Thanks for a
wonderful year Lisa,
and welcome to
President Jonathon!

Coming in January’s Bee: More party pics, trip reports to

Tarkiln, Cool James and Wells caves, Bridge Day per-
haps, even a retrospective on the 2006 ESSO year!