Looking back to the December 2007 chapter meeting
RMSC Overbooking on December 12
Kim Goppert Programs Co-chair
I contacted the Hospitality Manager at Rochester Museum & Science
Center, Anita Joan Angelico, regarding the lack of parking for what is
traditionally one of the club's best-attended events. I expressed our
disappointment and noted that many prospective attendees left, as they were
unable to find a parking spot. Anita was very apologetic and stated that what
the museum had intended to be a goodwill gesture to the community (free
admission to "Our Body: The Universe Within" exhibit) resulted in many unhappy
circumstances – not just ours.
As a goodwill gesture, the director of Marketing & Community Affairs,
Debra Jacobson, sent the club a letter of apology and offered a partial refund
of our rent for December. In the future, the museum has asked the promotions
team to communicate more clearly with the hospitality staff ahead of time.
At our December meeting, Kevin Flynn shared his 15 year journey to
become a member of the Seven Summit 'Club'. After taking us on a brief
visit to each of the other six continents' highest summits, the focus of
his program then turned to his two attempts to reach the summit of
Everest. The first attempt was in 2002, when he was forced to turn back
with the goal only a few hundred feet away, and the second was in 2004,
when he finally stood on top of the World but was unable to fully enjoy
the moment since his body was rapidly deteriorating with pneumonia &
signs of HAPE. Kevin was able to survive in large part due to the
encouragement & support of his Sherpa. Thanks to a series of short
videos incorporated throughout the program, we felt like we were almost
on the mountain with Kevin, jumping crevasses, scaling seracs,
weathering a storm, and constantly struggling for air.
Looking back to the November 2007 executive committee meeting
Main club executive director Neil Woodworth met with the GVC chapter executive committee and other
chapter members to update us on the state of the club, particularly with
regard to conservation issues. Read Deni's report here.
[Photographs]
Looking back to the November 2007 chapter meeting
We welcomed the Edison Tech Hiking Club. Chapter member donated a large collection of excess
equipment to help them on their way.
[Photographs]
Victor Poleshuck: Africa and Antarctica
Dr. Victor Poleshuck took us to Antarctica via a National Geographic
icebreaker to climb snowfields and kayak with humpbacks and penguins. Then it
was on to southern Africa for a safari to see the amazing birds and animals.
If you missed the grinning lion, well, you missed the grinning lion.
Looking back to the October 2007 chapter meeting
We welcomed Dan DeLawyer, Regional Director of Western New York Ducks
Unlimited. [map] With more
than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest and most
effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization. Since its founding
in 1937, DU has raised more than $2 billion to conserve over 11 million acres
of critical wildlife habitat across North America. Wetlands are nature's most
productive ecosystems, but the United States alone has lost more than half of
its original wetlands, and continues to lose more than 100,000 wetland acres
every year. Through public support and volunteer effort Ducks Unlimited
continues its mission of conserving wetlands and waterfowl habitat throughout
North America benefiting not only waterfowl, but also mammals, amphibians,
reptiles, as well as over 130 species of shorebirds and songbirds.
http://www.ducks.org/
Looking back to the September 2007 chapter meeting
Alpine Flora of the Adirondack Mountains
The delicate nature of the Alpine flora of the Adirondack Mountains
and the Mountains of New England were explored by Dr. Nancy Slack at
our September meeting. We were taken on a journey through the Alpine
Zones in a beautiful side show taken from her book "Adirondack Alpine
Summits An Ecological Field Guide". An abundance of fragile flowers,
mosses and lichens await any one who is wiling to explore the
endangered nature on the summits. Dr Slack presented her field guide
through stunning photographs and insightful knowledge of the flora
and fauna. In her reflections to us, we must all be aware of the
potential endangerment of these fragile plants and birds. We have to
use caution when hiking as not to disturb the delicate environment
and we all should be providing continued education and conservation
information to all whose who hike these beautiful Mountains.
Fifth High Summit Honor Society Induction Ceremony
At the September 12th chapter meeting, the following members were
inducted into the High Summit Honor Society: Alan Bushnell, Michael Dobner,
Karen Malecki, David Newman, and Edgar W. Trainer. The High Summit
Honor Society exists to honor those distinguished members who have contributed
to the continued growth and development of the Genesee Valley Chapter over an
extended period of time. This year we honored five exceptional individuals who
have more than met that criterion. Each inductee was awarded a certificate
after a brief presentation of their outstanding contributions to the chapter.
Inductees also shared their own perceptions of how their volunteer experience
has enriched their lives as well. Unfortunately, Edgar Trainer passed away in
March of this year, but his daughter, Susan Stolov, came into Rochester to
accept the award on his behalf. Susan also shared pictures of her father in
early GVC-ADK trips.
A special thanks to each of the speakers: Bill Crowe, Daan Zwick, Mark Baker
and Rich Sensenbach. Also a note of thanks to Steve Tryon for taking pictures
at the ceremony, and to Barb Brenner who researched and wrote the article on
David Newman. Please feel free to check out the plaque at the monthly chapter
meetings that list all of the inductees from each of the five classes of the
High Summit Honor Society.
Click here a short summary
of the contributions of each of these five inductees.
Looking back to the June 2007 chapter meeting
The following 2007-2008 chapter officers were elected at the June chapter meeting:
- Chair - Deni Charpentier
- Vice Chair - Laura Williams
- Secretary - Bruce Tehan
- Treasurer - Bill Crowe
- Director - Judy Immesoete
- Director - Tom Wallenhorst
- Alternate Director - Shirley Thomas
- Alternate Director - Gail Soucy
- Alternate Director - Steve Tryon
- Alternate Director - Jackson Thomas
|
|
Looking back to the April 2007 chapter meeting
Our April speaker, Christine Sevilla, will be leading a "Weed Walk" on June
23. Says she, "It's really great to talk to a group that is interested and
enthusiastic about these places. I'll look forward to seeing many of them on
the weed walk." Click here for more information.
Looking back to the March 2007 chapter meeting
The Ups and Downs of Members' Night
Looking back to the December 2006 chapter meeting
By Mary Warchocki
Carol Stone White, along with her husband David, highlighted several stories
and adventures of the first 29 brave women to complete their Winter 46. The
audience was treated to a spectacular slide show of some amazing winter climbs
in both the Adirondacks and New Hampshire's highest summits. Despite the
unseasonable warm temperatures outside, you could almost imagine yourself on a
beautiful snow covered peak with a spectacular vision of ice covered pines and
endless views.
Looking back to November 2006
(Click on any of the images for the slideshow.)
By Jackson Thomas
Could you feel your chair shaking from all of the toe-tapping and
foot-stomping around you? Was your view periodically obscured by a sea of
heads or bodies bobbing to the music in front of you? If you were involved
with either or both of these questions during Carl and the Dans' sensational
program, you know what a superb evening of visual beauty and auditory delight
was enjoyed by a standing-room-only crowd of about 450 people.
Carl Heilman, one of the finest landscape photographers in the
Northeast, showed his award-winning slideshow titled 'Images and Music of the
Adirondacks.' Dan Berggren and Dan Duggan, two of folk music's
nationally acclaimed and award-winning musicians and songwriters, sang and
played some of the music from their CDs. Peggy Lynn, 'The First lady of
Adirondack Music,' could not join us for this performance during which we heard
and saw why our passion for the Adirondacks continues to grow. Thank you,
Carl, Dan and Dan, for sharing your love of these mountains with us, and all of
us look forward to your next visit!
Looking back to September 2006
By Charlie Helman
After listening to the achievements of the people our chapter honored on
Wednesday night I was concerned as the sponsor of our program for the evening.
Fortunately, Louise Adie our speaker came with quite a resume herself.
She has been a avid cross country skier, rock climber, bike racer and for the
last 12 years a kayaker. She has completed a solo circumnavigation of Lake
Ontario and as we found out , for the last two years she has been a kayak guide
from a tour boat in Antartica. She presented us with a very animated talk
complete with spectacular photos of the region and the abundant wildlife. On
behalf of our chapter, thanks...Louise!
Looking back to June 2006
By Judy Immesoete
Gretchen Schauss biked us across the Untied States over 4000 miles
from Washington State and the Pacific Ocean to Maine where she touched the
wheels of her bike in the Atlantic Ocean. She took us over the Rocky Mountains
with their majestic peaks and unexpected snow storms, peddled us across the
mighty Mississippi River, braved thunder storms around the Great Lakes, through
the quaint towns and villages of New England culminating in her successful
journey; cycling across America.
To add to his many high mountain experiences Doug Smith added one
more amazing accomplishment he through hiked the Appalachian Trail. Doug hiked
from Springer Mt. Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine 2160 miles of continuous
marked foot path. He journeyed over countless mountains, through valleys and
meadows, steams, rivers and 14 States making him one of a very small yet
distinguished group of individuals; a Through Hiker of the AT.
Chapter officers
the following officers were elected at the June 2006 chapter meeting:
chair – rich sensenbach
vice chair – laura williams
secretary – mark baker
treasurer – deni charpentier
director – judy immesoete
director – tom wallenhorst
alternate director – susan aiello
alternate director – gail soucy
alternate director – steve tryon
alternate director – jackson thomas
Looking back at the March 2006 Program
By Bill Crow
At the March 8th chapter meeting, chapter member Dick Herbison told the
story of his late 2001 expedition to Aconcagua, South America's hightest
mountain. Mixing his many scenic photos with several short videos (accompanied
by audio) Dick told the story of how the local group of four planned the trip
on their own but were thwarted just 0.7 miles from the summit by a combination
of bad weather and bad luck. An yet, most importantly, all arrived home safe
and sound. Thanks, Dick, for an informative and exciting presentation.
Looking back at the February 2006 Members' Night
By Susan Aiello
A packed audience was treated to three wonderful presentations at our annual
Members' Night program! From Mark Baker's exotic shots in far-away locales, to
Ken Harbison's breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon, and Nancy Donny's funny
(and successful) first GVC-ADK canoe adventure, all were kept entertained (and
smiling!) throughout the evening!!! Thanks to all three for sharing your
travels with us!
Looking back at the October 2005 program
By Mary Warchocki
Over 100 people, many from other area outdoor clubs and organizations,
attended the October program at the Eisenhart Auditorium. This was a pretty
incredible show rate given the fact that many of us failed to receive our
monthly newsletter (including myself) because of a glitch at the post office. Neil
Woodworth, the Executive Director and Counsel of the Adirondack Mountain
Club, presented an overview of the club activities including trail maintenance,
educational workshops, and the latest environmental concerns both around
the state and those specific to the Western New York area. Earlier
in the evening, Neil met with the Chapter’s Executive Committee for
an informal question and answer session.
|