CMC Weekly News

11/19/03

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Jack Davis, longtime CMC Member dies

Asheville - John Williams "Jack" Davis died peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2003, at the VA Nursing Home in Asheville. He was 89. Mr. Davis was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on June 8, 1914. His parents were the late Price Morgan Davis and Maud Grainger Tompkins Davis of Wawautosa. He was married to Evelyn Thatcher Davis for 57 years until her death in 1997.

He graduated from Milwaukee Country Day School, where he excelled at football and baseball, and attended Dartmouth College. During World War II he was a member of the U.S. Armys elite First Special Service Force, a combined U.S.-Canadian commando team trained as ski paratroopers. He served in both the Pacific and European theaters of war, spending months on the front lines in Italy. He was captured by the enemy at Anzio Beachhead in April 1944 and spent 13 months as a prisoner of war in Germany.

A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Mr. Davis loved the mountains of Western North Carolina in which he hiked and backpacked for many years. He was a life member of The Appalachian Trail Conference, a founding member of the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and a former president of the Carolina Mountain Club. He also loved the canoe country of Quetico Provincial Park in Canada which reminded him of his boyhood years spent in northern Wisconsin.

In addition to his parents and beloved wife, Mr. Davis was preceded in death by his brothers, Price M. Davis Jr. and Robert R. Davis. He is survived by his sister, Sarah Davis Pearson of Tucson, Ariz., and his children, Gwyneth D. Buell of Salem, Mass., Elizabeth S. Davis of Corvallis, Ore., John W. Davis Jr. of Culpeper, Va., and Sara H. Davis of Asheville. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov 28 at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Ave., Asheville. Following the service the family will share memories with friends at a reception at 81 Central Ave.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Appalachian Trail Conference, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807 or Carolina Mountain Club, P.O. Box 68, Asheville, NC 28802

News on the NC At Specialty Tag

Hello all - We are starting to get a number of applications in for the new NC specialty tag that will offer a permanent source of funding for the portions of the AT that run through North Carolina. However, we have received less than 100 applications so far, and we HAVE to have a minimum of 300 people sign up before January 15, 2004!!! There is a great informational article on the ATC's web site, along with a link to the 1-page application form. For all AT-L'rs who live in NC, or know folks who live in NC, this is a personal plea from me to both consider buying a tag yourself, and to get the word out to any and all friends, stores, scout troops, hiking groups, other civic-minded souls, etc. Please help us all get the minimum 300 applications in before 1/15/04! One thing to remember is that once we get 300 applications in, this tag becomes a permanent source of funding for the AT!! We still are in the process of finalizing the design - the latest draft design can be found at: http://gallery.backcountry.net/NC-AT-License-Plate-Designs/aac The link to the ATC's information is: http://www.appalachiantrail.org/trailnews/nc_plate.html Thanks so much for your consideration and help! :) Thru-Thinker [Clark Wright]

Nantahala Outdoor Center Jobs Available

Dept: Ocoee Business Unit Job Title: General Manager Classification: Salary, exempt Reports to: President/ CEO

Job Summary: A member of the Operating Team of the company responsible for the performance of the Ocoee business unit. Responsible for maximizing revenues and profitability and for building customer loyalty through the delivery of the highest quality products and services. The General Manager will provide strategic leadership to the company as a member of the Operating Team by establishing goals, strategies, plans and policies. Promotes and encourages exceptional employee performance and relations through teamwork within the business unit and the company at large.

Scope The General Manager – Ocoee is responsible for all business operations including: marketing & sales, rafting operations, retail & photo sales, training, vehicle maintenance & operation, equipment & facility maintenance, staff lodging & food services, business & budget planning, accounts payable, human resource functions, OSHA & DMV compliance. Annual sales of $850K. Market $10M. Staff 55 peak season, estimated 8 core staff.

Essential Duties/ Responsibilities: - Plan and implement the business unit’s revenue growth and financial performance. - Ensure the delivery of the highest quality whitewater rafting trips. - Direct and implement a marketing strategy that will increase market share. - Provide overall leadership and manage all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the business unit. - Provide leadership to the company’s total business as a member of the operating team. - Responsible for P & L and providing strategic financial input and leadership on decision-making issues affecting the business unit and company. - Ensure adherence to company policies and federal, state and local regulations regarding standards of operation, product quality, and safety. - Foster a positive and productive working environment through the development of a dedicated team of highly motivated and effective employees.

Qualifications: - Experienced leader and seasoned professional with appropriate industry experience. - A dynamic, energetic, enthusiastic, and forward-thinking individual with high ethical standards and excellent communication skills. - A strategic visionary with strong sales and marketing and operational skills. - A practical, decisive, well-organized and self-directed individual. - A leader and team player that displays the ability to attract, recruit, develop, motivate and lead a high performance team. - Proven ability in coaching and mentoring employees at all levels of an organization resulting in a highly customer focused staff. - Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office package. - Candidate must be willing to reside in the local area.

Experience: - Bachelors Degree in Business or Marketing/ Sales or other related field. - Minimum 5-7 years related management experience in a multi-faceted operation. - Proven work history of successfully managing a business for growth and profitability.

Salary commensurate with experience and skill level. Compensation includes performance bonus.

Submit resume and cover letter by November 15, 2003 to:

Larry Pitt Nantahala Outdoor Center President & CEO 13077 Highway 19 West Bryson City, NC 28713 828-488-2176 ext. 100 pitla@noc.com

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Dept: Nantahala Business Unit Job Title: General Manager Classification: Salary, exempt Reports to: President/ CEO

Job Summary: A member of the Operating Team of the company responsible for the performance of the Nantahala business unit. Responsible for maximizing revenues and profitability and building customer loyalty through the delivery of the highest quality products and services. The General Manager will provide strategic leadership to the company as a member of the Operating Team by establishing goals, strategies, plans and policies. Promotes and encourages exceptional employee performance and relations through teamwork within the business unit and the company at large.

Scope: The General Manager – Nantahala business unit is responsible for all business operations including: marketing & sales, rafting operations, retail & photo sales, staff hiring & training, vehicle maintenance and operation, equipment & facility maintenance, staff lodging & food services, business & budget planning, human resource functions, OSHA & DMV compliance. Annual sales of $8M. Staff 350 peak season, estimated 50 core staff.

Essential Duties/ Responsibilities: - Plan and implement the business unit’s revenue growth and financial performance. - Ensure the delivery of the highest quality whitewater rafting trips. - Direct and implement a marketing strategy that will increase market share. - Provide overall leadership and manage all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the business unit. - Provide leadership to the company’s total business as a member of the Operating Team. - Responsible for P & L and providing strategic financial input and leadership on decision-making issues affecting the business unit and company. - Ensure adherence to company policies and federal, state and local regulations regarding standards of operation, product quality, and safety. - Foster a positive and productive working environment through the development of a dedicated team of highly motivated and effective employees.

Salary commensurate with experience and skill level. Compensation includes performance bonus.

Submit resume and cover letter by November 15, 2003 to:

Larry Pitt Nantahala Outdoor Center President & CEO 13077 Highway 19 West Bryson City, NC 28713 828-488-2176 ext. 100 pitla@noc.com

Southern Highlands 2005 Steering Committee Meeting Minutes 11-9-03, for the 2005 ATC Conference

I attempted to summarize the highlights and action items from the Southern Highlands 2005 Steering Committee Meeting. Please excuse my brevity and spelling of names. This is just to keep everyone informed. Please forward to anyone who may need some info covered here.

Southern Highlands 2005 Steering Committee Meeting Minutes 11-9-03 Location: Knoxville, TN Time: 4 hrs each for meeting plus travel time Attendees: Doris Gove, Phil Royer, Betty Royer, Phyllis Henry, Lenny Bernstein, Larry Jelley Next Meeting: SRMC- March 18-20th, meeting Fri Next Sub Meeting: Tentatively Nov. 20th at ETSU if Kim Young is available

Highlights:

Entertainment: AC Entertainment (Ted Heineg) may help us w/ entertainment, production and perhaps support and offer a discount for 1 main entertainer. We would then identify opportunities for low cost or free entertainment for some other nights.

Workshops and Excursions: NH had 70 workshops which was too many. Maybe shoot for 20/day over 3 days. ATC will provide a few workshops after we ask for their participation. The number of rooms may dictate the number of work shops at 1.5-2 hr in length. Evenings may offer slide presentations as an alternative to entertainment. Some flexibility in scheduling will minimize competiting situations.

Excursions: Costs for excursions should be breakeven. Some excursions to Biltmore will be made available. Johnson City and Kingsport will use Chambers of Commerce. We could do an excursion to a fire works destination.

Displays/Exhibits: Club displays are no charge along w/ other non-profit organizations.

Vendors: (Joe Kossan) Vendors work to sell items for profit. These will be charged a fee.

Publicity: (Hiram Rogers) Hiram will do press releases and generate articles for ATN. Some mailings to AT clubs.

Corporate Sponsors: Berts Bees ($5,000). We will attempt to get each club to recruit 1 sponsor. Use Mt Rogers and other trail clubs to also assist. Phyllis will help w/ other corporate sponsors. Each Club will be asked to help recruit 1-3 sponsors.

Silent Auction: Each club will be asked to donate items for the silent auction. Clubs will split the money from income generated from the silent auction.

Hiking: Majority of hikes will be AT sections from around Pulaski, VA or northern terminus of Mt Rogers NRA to Hot Springs, NC. Overnight hikes may be offered for Smokeys or Nantahala. Clubs will offer the support for organizing hikes overnight. Maybe Mt to Sea Trail could be offered near Blue Ridge Parkway. Each Club should provide a contact to offer hike leaders for their area. TEHCC to contact other nearby Clubs for assistance. Key contacts for recruitment- Doris Gove, Leonard Bernstein will provide some names.

Generate Local Favorites List: Best place for Blueberry pie, BBQ, pizza ....

Business Meeting Plan: Business meeting on July 2 or 3rd w/ entertainment both competing for either Sat or Sun night.

Committee Update: We reviewed the list of subcommittees and attempted to assign them to the appropriate trail club for responsibility. Doris will send out an updated list.

Action List:

1) Phillip to check on stationary w/ 2005 design/logo w/ SMHC as main contact w/ key club contacts listed in the margin 2) Phillip will coordinate w/ GATC to follow up on the budget and related subcommittees 3) Phyllis to help Doris w/ MOU w/ ATC Brian King 4) Lenny to review files from previous workshops 5) Larry to review fees for exhibitors from previous meetings 6) Each committee will need to supply their AV needs to the Electronics Committee 7) Steve to get copy of NH sponsor sheet and share with trail clubs 8) TEHCC will generate a list of favorite places or best places to get items 9) TEHCC will identify a source of BBQ for dinner or if ETSU has ability to supply it 10) Each committee expected to bring a preliminary report with each committee 11) Steve to check w/ Kim on approved RV parking locations and camping 12) Phillip will see if GATC can upload website with campus site info w/ parking and workshop layouts 13) Steve to ask Kim about set up costs for camping and shower access 14) Steve will see if ETSU has a day care person for our Youth Activities Program or if they know of another resource option 15) Steve to see if ETSU rents walkie talkies or what other sources are available for communication or is there an internal system (are there service providers that lease these too?) 16) Steve to ask Kim about assistance needed for AV support for 3 days (Fri-Sun) 17) Steve to get pricing info for evening access to Recreation Facility 18) See if ETSU has ice for hospitality room for vendors 19) See if Mayfield would sponsor a ice cream event on one day or evening 20) Steve to get pricing for big room from Fri-Mon and half the room for all week 21) Set up time w/ Doris, Larry and Lenny, Phyllis for Nov. 20th in morning 22) Steve to check on local cab services for transportation and supply info 23) Steve will check w/ ETSU to see whether meal cards or tickets are preferred 24) Steve to check to see if there is a low cost way of way of making name tags w/ color (6/page) 25) Steve to check on ATC Hospitality Reception for sponsors, and organizers at Mellenium Square (Fri) 26) Steve to ask about Medical Emergency Plans for Conferences at ETSU 27) Steve to check w/ Kim when contract needs to be signed w/ ETSU 28) Doris will send an update of all committees and who is responsible for them

Steven T. Perri Eastman Chemical Company 423-229-1484 sperri@eastman.com

Firefly camping week-end June 18 to 20, 2004

I am planning a camping and hiking week-end in the Elkmont campgrounds in the Smokies. There will be several levels of hikes, depending on the group The main attraction will be to see the synchronous fireflies, a phenomenon which occurs no place else in the world but Maylasia. As part of their mating ritual, fireflies flash on and off. The other attraction will be a tour of the Elkmont houses with a great amateur historian. The cost per person will be $20 which includes two days of camping at Elkmont and a stipend for the historian.

If you are interested in the week-end, I need the following information from you: 1. How many people will you have in your tent? 2. Do you like to hike A. 6-8 miles? B. 8-10 miles? C. 10 ++ 3. Would you be interested in participating in a group dinner on Saturday evening (maybe a barbecue)??

If we have enough interested people, I need to make reservations soon. Please send the answers to these questions to me Danny Bernstein at danny@hikertohiker.org . Please sign your email with your first and last name.

National Trails Day 2004 Set

Save the date for National Trails Day Saturday, June 5, 2004. The theme – Trails and Health…A Natural Connection - continues to focus on the health benefits of trails. By working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we want to encourage people to learn about the enjoyment of trails as well as how they can become healthier. Start planning your event today! Whether it is a gentle walk, an industrious work trip, a nature hike, or a variety of activities, it takes time to organize, obtain a place, and get the word out. Contact local retailers, including, Galyan’s, REI, and Eastern Mountain Sports who can help recruit volunteers and publicize your event. They are also good to partner with for hosting an event, along with local health organizations, parks, forests, nature centers, Boy and Girl Scouts – be creative, invite any local organization with an interest in health or trails to participate and broaden the trail experience! Include events for kids – the next generation of trail users and maintainers. For more information visit our web site at: www.AmericanHiking.org .

What you need for a day hike

Bringing the proper equipment will add greatly to your enjoyment, your safety, and the enjoyment and safety of the group. This stuff is essential if you are going out in the woods for more than a couple of hours. Make sure that you are comfortable with your equipment and you know where it all fits in. Do not carry anything in your hands; do not tie a jacket around your waist. Everything should fit in your daypack. Carry your wallet and keys in your daypack, at all times. In your daypack: Two quarts of water in plastic water bottles (not soda bottles) Lunch and snacks Rain jacket (no matter what the forecast) Long sleeve shirt (no matter what the forecast) Sunglasses Wool or fleece hat and gloves Insect repellent Sunscreen Tissues Personal first aid kit Small flashlight Plastic bag for trash If it is not the height of a warm summer, add: Warm fleece hiking sweater or jacket Rain pants How to dress: Shorts and a short-sleeve T-shirt as the bottom layer. Hiking boots that are well broken-in and that go over the ankles Good hiking socks (not sports socks). Sunhat with a wide brim Bandanna which you need to keep handy Dress in layers: Your first layer should be a short-sleeve t-shirt (synthetic, not cotton) even if it seems cool in the morning. You will warm up. Your second layer should be a long-sleeve shirt (also synthetic). If you need extra layers, you will have your warm hiking sweater and rain jacket. Shorts give you more mobility and keep you cooler; pants give you more protection from insects and brush. Questions, comments, additions to the list? Send to danny@hikertohiker.org