June 25, 2004

Posted June 29, 2004

 

IN GEAR—June 25—Rotarians gathered to fellowship, celebrate the swan song of President Mike Freeland and participate in the induction of incoming President Mary Joan Pugh. Joy Menius entertained us with music ranging from My Girl to themes from Pink Panther and Batman. Rotarians and guests dined on sliced turkey, lasagna, greens, carrots and deserts. President Mike welcomed us and asked us to greet someone we hadn’t spoken to. He led the Pledge of Allegiance and called on newly elected DG Don Allred for the invocation.

Prithvi Hanspal introduced the following visiting Rotarians from the Randolph Club: Assistant District Governor Charles Allen, Hal Powell and Ken Clark. –President Mike announced that Richard and Betty Pugh celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary last Sunday. –President Mike congratulated the golf team of Don Allred, Duffy Johnson, Wayne Thomas and George Gussler for their winning performance in a recent golf tournament. –President Mike announced that there will be no meeting next week (July 2). Dues, of course, will be added the following week.

In his parting remarks as chief, Mike expressed his appreciation to everyone who helped make last year a year of accomplishment. He thanked club members for their attendance participation and support of all our goals; committee chairs for their programs and committee goals, as well as Rotary goals; board members for their support this year; Joy Menius for her most enjoyable piano music for our meetings; the AVS Staff members who have not only provided good food but have been so helpful in many ways, making our meetings more enjoyable; the treasurer and sergeant-at-arms, who took very good care of the business end of our meetings; Philip Shore’s Club Bulletin Committee for its work in writing and transmitting the club bulletin. Mike stated his appreciation to all members for making the past year a pleasant and successful one.

President Mike presented newly installed District 7690 Governor Don Allred to install the incoming slate of officers. Don started his presentation by congratulating Mike for a “really good year”. He said that he looks forward to Mary Joan’s coming year. He can tell by the level of planning that has been done that we are in for another successful year. Don felt the need to give Richard Pugh some advice on wedding anniversaries. Don and Pat almost celebrated their 37^th anniversary on their trip to the Rotary Convention in Japan. Almost – because the fateful day came during the crossing of the International Dateline. Don declined to give Pat her present because they lost the day that the anniversary was supposed to occur. Sometime we will report on Pat’s reaction to that. Don should probably stick to subjects that he is more of an expert on, like fighting the red horde in South Dakota. He talked about the trip to Japan and how everything in Japan is high tech. He did not mention any problems with language but did say that after being in the electronics business for twenty-five years, he and Pat could not operate the high tech hotel room. He also said that he didn’t have any trouble spotting Mary Joan among the 2.7 million Japanese people in Osaka. As district governor, Don will visit each of the 50 clubs at least once. He will probably be able to make our meeting at least once in a while.

In installing the new officers, Don called on Assistant District Governor Charles Allen to present the new officers with their pins and also with Rotary 100^th Anniversary pins. Don congratulated the new officers on being selected to serve during Rotary’s Centennial year. He charged the new officers and directors with the responsibilities and authority of their new offices. He stated, “This a high honor, and with this high honor comes high expectations. You’ll be expected to serve Rotary through Rotary’s four avenues of service. Our theme for Rotary’s centennial year is ‘Celebrate Rotary’. So you’ll be asked to Celebrate Rotary through Club Service by maintaining and expanding membership rolls and by encouraging all your fellow Rotary Club members to contribute to the Rotary Foundation. You will be asked to Celebrate Rotary through Vocational Service by stressing the ethical component of business. You will be asked to operate your business in accordance with the Four Way Test and urge others to do the same. You’ll be expected to Celebrate Rotary through Community Service by completing your Centennial Project and sharing that with the rest of the district on February 23, 2005, Rotary’s 100^th birthday. You’ll be asked to Celebrate Rotary through International Service by joining your 1.2 million fellow Rotarians as we strive to provide water to the thirsty, food to the hungry and medicine to the sick. Rotary brings out the best in people and this club has chosen its best to be its officers for ‘04-’05 Rotary Centennial Year. It is my honor and privilege to install you as officers of the Asheboro Rotary Club. Congratulations.”

 
The following officers and directors were installed: President, Mary Joan Pugh; Vice President, Mike Freeland; Secretary, Ed Clayton; Treasurer, Prithvi Hanspal; Executive Secretary, Alice Dawson; Assistant Treasurer, Talmadge Baker; Sergeant-at-Arms, Carole Gilliam and Directors, Elizabeth Cox, Larry Peraldo, Gene Johnson and Kathy Homiller.

 

Newly elected president Mary Joan Pugh took the podium to present Past President Mike with his Past President’s Pin. She also presented Mike’s Past President’s Plaque by citing all the IRS code references to Mike’s service as executive officer and promising that we have now heard the last of Tax Talk.

Mary Joan said that it is an honor to be president. She acknowledged the high level of planning undertaken by the committee chairs She then presented Mike Freeland, Don Allred and Charles Allen with recycled wood pens. This will be the honorarium presented to speakers at our club in the following year.

June 17, 2004

Posted June 22, 2004

 

IN GEAR—June 17—The glitterati of District 7690 turned out for the big doings at Pinewood Country Club in honor of the installation of Don Allred as District Governor.  PDGs were all over the place (Henry King, Wilbert Hancock, Richard Earl Johnson, Jack Green, Sam Cranford, Ray Taylor, John Haynes, Stuart Fountain) Presidents and Past Presidents were even more numerous and loads of interested members from the membership of the fifty clubs in our district came too.

                If a person came fifteen minutes fashionably late it was difficult to find a seat close to the front tables.  The principals of the evening—Don and DG Bob Newton and the Assistant Governors were seated on the raised dance floor.  Everyone else had to find a place.

                Everything was going just swimmingly until Ed rang the bell.  He began by saying, for the benefit of those who do not know Don, that the longest year of his life was the year Don Allred was President of Asheboro Rotary.  For some reason, everyone laughed.  Maybe a lot of people know Don already.

                Ed called on Don’s father Rev. Howard Allred of the High Point Club to give thanks.  Howard thanked God for the inspiration of four men in Chicago to start Rotary one hundred years ago. Now grown to 32,000 clubs in 163 countries, we have in common the goal of eliminating polio.  Howard asked God to continue giving us challenges for the benefit of our fellow human beings.  He asked blessing upon Don as he goes about his Rotary work during this important year.

                Ed resumed the meeting by welcoming all guests and forewarning us that it was going to be the longest year WE had ever spent—we wouldn’t know where the shots were coming from.

                Ed called District Governor Bob Newton up to the speaker’s stand.  The people in the room rose as one in honor to Bob and his accomplishments, the first of four standing ovations during the evening.

                Bob thanked all the clubs for receiving Donna and him so graciously during the past year.  He was deeply grateful for the sense of welcome he always found in his visits.  His task this night was to install Don Allred as District Governor.  Bob said there is no script for this ceremony given in Rotary literature so he made up his own.  Bob said that the few simple words with which he transferred authority to Don were far less rich and complicated than the experiences the year will bring to Don.  Bob asked Don if he would uphold the principles of Rotary to which Don affirmed he would. 

                Another standing ovation as Bob turned the evening over to District Governor Don Allred.  Don said he almost kissed Bob and shook his wife Pat’s hand during the congratulations.  “We owe Bob a great debt of gratitude—but what we’re going to give him is a plaque.”  In the presence of Bob, his wife Donna, Rotarian son Corey, and Rotarian father Ernest (67 years!) Bob received a plaque honoring his selfless dedication to Rotary and District 7690.  Standing ovation.

                DG Don then introduced the Assistant Governors for this year.  Area 1—Terry Titus; Area 2—Julia Tuggle; Area 3—Randy Perkins; Area 4–Ed Robbins; Area 5—Patrick Eakes; Area 6—David McCoy; Area 7—Wesley Patterson; Area 8—Charles Allen; Area 9—Karl Ecker; Area 10—David Spivey.  Each AG was presented with an AG pin by DG Nominee Mitzi Ellis and a gift (a briefcase) by DG Elect Phil Morris.

                DG Don recognized PDG Stuart Fountain.  Stuart began by referring to Ed Clayton’s introduction of Howard Allred earlier in which he said Howard had influenced his spiritual life.  Stuart wondered allowed that if Ed is who he is WITH Howard’s influence, how might he have been without?  After the laughter subsided, Stuart spoke of the Rotary Foundation Permanent Fund and its capabilities to heal the sick, help the lame to walk, help people all around the world experience different cultures.  Stuart quoted Jaci Betts in saying we are like crayons in a box, different shapes and sizes, each with different purposes, but basically all alike.  Stuart praised Don and Pat Allred for being leaders by example in support of the Foundation.  He presented Don and Pat with the Bequest Society crystal and a diamond pin for becoming the 100^th member of the Bequest Society, designating $10,000 or more in their will to the Permanent Fund.

                Ray Covington of the Greensboro Club along with Mary Joan Pugh of the Asheboro Club came forward to transfer the District Governor Banner.  Ray thanked Bob Newton and congratulated Mary Joan.  He finished with “Don will do a marvelous job.”

                Now it’s Don’s turn.  He thanked us for coming.  Don wished his mother had been here, but her death four years ago precluded that.  He was thankful that his father Howard, step-mother Ann, son Dustin with his fiancée Evelyn, daughter Beth, sister Susan and her husband Ron along with Pat’s sister Martha and her mother were present.  Don was surprised at the presence of the DGE and his wife from District 7550 in southern West Virginia, John and Becky Beckett

                After a few lurid Allred Family historical anecdotes, Don thanked his home Area 8 clubs: Asheboro and President Mike Freeland; Randolph Club and President Sandra Allen, AGs Charles Allen and Derrick Grantham; and the Troy and Liberty Clubs for canceling regular meetings to celebrate this night.  He thanked Wayne Thomas for proposing him to membership 22 years ago.

                Don described his view of Rotary as a major global influence for goodwill and peace.  Rotary is the largest scholarship organization in the world, scholarships made possible by our contributions.  He cited statistics about giving in District 7690: 5487 Paul Harris Fellows, 21 100% Paul Harris Fellowship Clubs, 682 Benefactors, 53 Major Donors, 101 Bequest Society members and the only 100% Benefactor Club in the world—Crescent Rotary Club.  Our gifts over the years have amounted to $6,700,066.  To Don this proved that District 7690 with its 50 clubs and 3400 members has the Biggest Heart In The Rotary World.  He thanked all Rotarians for the honor to serve Rotary during the Centennial Year.  After a concluding standing ovation of support for our new District Governor, the meeting was adjourned.

Enjoyed by Philip Shore

June 11, 2004

Posted June 15, 2004

 

IN GEAR—June 11—It was a treat to have Joy Menius back playing the piano for us.  Conversation just seems to be more sprightly when the tunes are flowing.  President Mike Freeland called on Doug Pugh to give our invocation.  In it Doug asked for blessings on the young men who are our guests and expressed thanks for summertime and baseball.

            Mike invited Jaci Betts to the dais.  Jaci began a tribute to Joy Menius and her beautiful music.  She informed us that Joy had been Miss Aberdeen, Miss Randolph County and that not only is she a musician, volunteer, wife and mother, she is a music teacher, a church organist and the president of a realty firm.  Joy listened to this with good-natured humor but her expression changed when Jaci announced that she was Asheboro Rotary’s newest Paul Harris Fellow.  Her surprise and pleasure were evident as Jaci slipped the medallion over her head.  Joy thanked the club for the honor of the award and the privilege of providing music for the club.

            Seargeant at Arms Prithvi Hanspal introduced visitors.  Bonita Porter came with Mazie Fleetwood and Dede Reese, much the better half of Rob Reese, came with her husband.  From the Randolph Club we had Hal Powell and Susan Milner.

            President Mike asked the members to stand for a minute of silence honoring President Ronald Wilson Reagan who died last week. 

            Linda Cranford told us to wear comfortable shoes and casual clothes for the “Evening Under The Australian Stars” this Saturday.  She remarked that the event was almost at maximum capacity but there were still a few spots left.  The Asheboro and Randolph Clubs are co-signatories.

            Richard Pugh announced that 69 people (of which 46 are Rotarians) are currently signed up for the installation of Don Allred as District Governor on Thursday, June 17.  (NO MEETING, FRIDAY, JUNE 18.)  Guests from all of District 7690 will be attending.  Ed Clayton is the Master of Ceremonies.

            President Mike announced June birthdays for Huntley Bossong, Carolyn Cox, Alice Dawson, Fred Kearns, John McGlohon, Garner Sizemore, and Al Laprade.

            When Mike told us that the program for June 25 will be the installation of officers for the 2004-2005 Rotary Year.  He seemed very light-hearted as he announced this.

            Doug Pugh returned to the podium to introduce our speakers and program guests.  This is Asheboro Copperheads’ day (and July 29 will be Family of Rotary Copperheads’ night—more about that in a moment).  The co-general managers of the Asheboro Copperheads are Aaron Pugh and William Davis.  Aaron spoke for a few moments about the league and the current team organization.  The Coastal Plains League is eight years old with headquarters in Raleigh.  There are twelve teams in the league now, two teams having dropped out because of financial troubles. There are North, South and West divisions. Thomasville, Spartanburg, and Gastonia are in Asheboro’s division.

            The Coastal Plains League is one of nine summer college leagues sanctioned by the NCAA and Major League baseball.  Aaron recounted that former owner Pat Brown began recruiting in the fall previous.  The club changed hands this spring with members of the Pugh family taking ownership.

            Aaron said that one of the most frequently asked questions about the team members is “How much do they make?”  They don’t make anything.  But they receive other consideration such as scouting by the pros, and great competition to develop their skills.

            Aaron first introduced the coaches.  Coach John Smith is from Duke University and assistant coach Andy Fleischacker is from Guilford College.  The players present lined up and each took a turn at the microphone.  Trent Goree of Waco TX, Chris Norwood of Jamestown NC, Kyle Pugh of Asheboro NC, FA Vildosola of Pembroke Pines FL, David R. Williams from Burnsville NC, Greg Delgeorge from Staten Island NY, Brandon Williams from Vidalia GA, Jaime Tucker of Midland NC, Keith Hahn of Valley Stream NY, John Pugh of Asheboro NC, Josh Stewart of Bloomsburg PA, Lance Cole of Asheboro NC, David Huth from Suffield OH, Cory Koliscak from Radford VA, Clay Konas of Boiling Springs NC, Kory Radford from Asheville NC, David A. Williams from Maiden NC, and Brian York of Midland NC.  Not with us but also on the roster are Drew Davis of Salisbury NC, Jon Banke of Charlotte NC, Josh Cotton of Fuquay-Varina NC, and Marcelo Albir from Miami FL.

            William Davis closed the program by thanking the Pugh brothers for buying the team and keeping it in Asheboro.  He also recognized the importance of the sponsors and the host families who keep the players during the summer.

            President Mike called for questions and Doug Pugh spoke to the value of this activity for families and young people.  Seeing these young men play is very impressive, particularly to young children.

            Mary Joan Pugh announced that July 29 would be Rotary Night at the Copperhead’s game with the Thomasville Hi-Toms.  This will be an official all-district 7690 Family of Rotary activity.

            Just to cause trouble Ed Clayton asked the players who the best player was.  Four hands shot up.

            With the laughter from that ringing in the room, President Mike adjourned the meeting.

Out in Left Field–Philip Shore

June 4, 2004

Posted June 8, 2004

IN GEAR—June 4—The rains came.  And kept the people away.  Or was graduation at Asheboro High School what kept attendance light?  Or was it the threat of Tax Talk?   With the ringing of the gong President Mike Freeland called the meeting to order. 

            Mike led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Jason Hughes invocation of thanks for Rotary and for the nourishment we received in the meal today.  A restrained Treasurer Ed Clayton performed the introductions while Sergeant at Arms Prithvi Hanspal ran the moneybox.  Ed would have insulted more people but there weren’t many to insult.  Visiting Rotarians comprised Michael Trogdon of the Randolph Club and Paul Chandley of the Troy Club.  Paul was doing chauffeur duty for our program today.  Ed took the opportunity of informing the club that the entire Troy Club will be coming to Don Allred’s “Coronation”—methinks that is a challenge which as yet we have not met.

            “Real” guests included Matt Dunn, son in law to Barron Mills, Owen George with Rob Reese, and Sharon McDaniels with Jaci Betts.

            All fears were dispelled when Mike announced that there would be no Tax Talk.  Applause erupted.  Elizabeth Mitchell announced the availability of tickets for “An Evening Under Australian Stars” (Signature co-sponsors are Asheboro and Randolph Rotaries)—Saturday, June 12–$65 per person.

Robin Johnston announced the RCC Foundation Auction and Gala for June 10.  Mike announced that PDG Wilbert Hancock was still collecting for RI Foundation sustaining membership.  He needs the dough by June 15 so it can be counted for this year.  Richard Pugh let us know that tickets for the Don Allred’s Coronation June 17 are $30 per person and that we haven’t bought enough of them yet. There is one more week to pay for that.

            President Elect Mary Joan Pugh asked the members present whether they wanted to meet July 2 or July 9.  The vote was July 2 zero to July 9 everyone voting.

            Rob Reese, standing in for John Redding, introduced our program, Lucy Tucker Yates, lyric soprano, and Sophia Pavlenko, piano.  Before consulting prepared notes, he spoke warmly of hearing Lucy at the Church of the Good Shepherd on Christmas Eve when her powerful voice soared above the unified voice of the choir and the congregation.  Lucy is the daughter of Ogburn and Eleanor Yates.

            Lucy’s accomplishments are numerous and international in scope.  She has been praised by the New York Times for creating operatic characters “musically pleasurable and dramatically present.”  Her voice has been described as “burnished rubies”.  Last season Lucy made her debut as Violetta in La traviata directed by Franco Zeffirelli and conducted by Placido Domingo.  She sang the title role in Bellini’s Beatrice di Tenda for the inaugural Fletcher Opera Institute at the NC School of the Arts.  She has performed the role of Monica in The Medium in Spoleto, Italy, under the direction of Menotti.

Principle roles in Rigoletto, Le nozze di Figaro, Carmen, The Rake’s Progress, Cosi fan tutte, and in works by Poulenc, Vivaldi, and Puccini, to name a few, sparkle in her resume.  She presently serves as music director for the New York-based vocal quintet ArtSong Nouveau with whom she tours regularly.

            Lucy earned her Masters of Music degree in voice from Manhattan School of Music.  She also holds a BA in piano and English from UNC-Chapel Hill where she was a Morehead Scholar as well as holding diploma Ottimo from the Accademia di Lingua Italiana di Firenze.

Lucy’s partner in music is Sophia Pavlenko.  She is widely considered to be one of the most talented young Ukrainian composers and pianists of her generation.  In 2002 she performed 30 concerts.  She is the featured pianist and composer of the duo-piano concert team “Chandley and Chandley”.  A regular soloist with the Kiev Symphony and Chorus, her many compositions have been performed in concerts and competitions across the U.S., Europe, and the Slavic world.  Sophia has been featured on PBS and in Our State Magazine.

            Sophia was raised in Kiev where she studied for six years at the same conservatory that trained Vladimir Horowitz.  She was regular pianist at the American Embassy Residence in Kiev where she met and played for many American leaders both civilian and military.  Her performances were also broadcast on Kiev National Television.

            Barely had Rob finished this introduction when Lucy, already in character squeezed him away from the speaker’s stand.  Eyeglasses down on her nose, she picked up the vamp from Sophia’s piano and launched into a patter song about a society matron’s best society dish, “Lime Jell-O Marshmallow, Cottage Cheese Surprise!” by William Bolcom (as sung by Joan Morris).  It is safe to say that we staid Rotarians weren’t sure what to think until the warm laughter began to fill the room.

            A bit breathless from the recipes she sang so quickly, Lucy said she wanted to pay a tribute to Rotary.  There are organizations that serve themselves, she said, and there is Rotary which serves others.  She offered John Musto’s setting of Langston Hughes poem ‘Litany” in our honor.

            Lucy moved around the room during her next number, “I’m A Stranger Here Myself” (Music by Kurt Weill, Lyrics by Ogden Nash) from One Touch Of Venus.  She visited with every easily embarrassed man to great effect and the perfectly respectable merriment of all.

            This was followed by “Adelaide’s Lament” by Frank Loesser from Guys and Dolls.  Lucy said that when she returns home one of the questions that always greets her is “You murried yet?”  Consulting her compendium of health advice, Lucy as poor Adelaide found that by the misapplication of love “A person can develop a cold” or a cough or la grippe.

            The last number was a fresh setting of Jenny Joseph’s immensely influential poem “Warning (When I Am An Old Woman)” by Lucy’s friend Brad Cresswell.  This is the poem that the Red Hats took as their raison d’être.

            Instead of performing an encore for the membership which stood to honor Lucy and Sophia, Lucy surprised Sophia by asking her husband Paul Chandley to come to the piano.  The last song was for Sophia: “I’ll Know (When My Love Comes Along)” also from Guys and Dolls, perhaps in reference to Paul and Sophia finding one another twixt Kiev and Troy.

            At the conclusion Mike thanked the ladies and adjourned the meeting. 

Note for note by Philip Shore

May 28, 2004

Posted June 1, 2004

 

Greetings!

All our overseas voyagers are back–can’t wait to hear about their experiences.

Mary Joan asked me to let you know that at this Friday’s meeting we’ll vote to decide whether to meet on July 2 or July 9, taking one off for the Fourth.

At the back table, an all-star array of collectors–

Richard Pugh–collecting for the coronation celebration at Pinewood, Thursday, June 17, when His Eminence becomes His Highness.  $30  per person, please–no Friday meeting June 18.

Wilbert Hancock or Talmadge Baker–$100/Every year to Rotary Foundation. (It’s no surprise–pony up!)

Linda Cranford–An Evening Under The Australian Stars–with shrimp on the barbie, wombat on the ken, an exceptionally scrumptious desert, great musical entertainment and they’ve even imported the Southern Cross to make a guest appearance, or so I was not told–$65 per person–WE are signature sponsors, better go see if your name is spelled right.

The newsletter this week is all about Russ William’s “Hike”.

See you Friday!
Philip

IN GEAR—May 28–Chin music to dine by, beans on the plate, hint of rain outside and hope of more: the ingredients of a sense of well being among the Rotary ilk.  President Mike Freeland (present!) rang the gong and the meeting began.  We recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  David Roudabush led the group in the Lord’s Prayer, with the invitation to those of other faiths to hear the wisdom it contains.

            With Sergeant at Arms Prithvi Hanspal at the back table receiving meal funds, The Clayton introduced the guests.  He (and we) welcomed Gerry Thomas back with a huge round of applause.  We’ve missed you, Gerry! Real guests were Don Haynes, guest of Allen Holt, and Dr. Imran Haque, guest of Gale Thomas.  One and one-half Randolph Rotarians visited:  Linda Brown and Cheryl Turner (who was helping with the program, so Ed didn’t count her as a whole one.  Kathy Homiller introduced our student guests from Asheboro High Schools.  Both are seniors.

            Perla Medina has participated in Art Club, French Club, Drill Team, Adopt-A-Highway, Student LIFT.  This prim student completed her Senior Project this past Wednesday night on the topic of Belly Dancing.  Perla plans to get a degree in Graphic Design at RCC and own her own business. Josh Faircloth has been on the Quiz Bowl team and participated in National Honor Society and Young Republicans Club.  He plans on majoring in political science at NCSU.

            Because Mike had time to work up a Tax Talk, we let him natter on for a couple of minutes about this his favorite topic.  He reminded us about the Dollar Gauntlet at the back table: Talmadge Baker was collecting the annual contribution to the Rotary Foundation; Richard Pugh was collecting for King Don’t Coronation (Pinewood, June 17, $30 per person, no meeting June 18); and Linda Cranford was registering people for “An evening under the Australian stars”, a United Way event at the Zoo sponsored by Asheboro and Randolph Rotary Clubs. (June 12, $65 per person).

            Then Mike turned the program over to Russ Williams, a Past President (94-95) and member of the Environment Committee along with George Bain, Chairman, and Bob Morrison.  Russ said he was going to describe “a hike” he took in February and that he would relate that to the international environment.  “The Hike” was up Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

His group of three men, including himself, Mike Loomis, Zoo veterinarian, and friend, Dr. John Kovacich, began the adventure in Arusha National Park.  (This talk was thoroughly illustrated with digital images which spoke volumes about the terrain and conditions.)

Mt. Kilimanjaro is a major source of water in Tanzania.  It is the highest mountain in Africa at almost 20,000 feet and one of the world’s largest volcanoes.  But the mountain is changing with global warming.  The snowcaps that used to begin at 9,000 feet now begin at 18,000 feet.  It is a very young mountain, somewhat less than a million years old as compared with our Uwharries at 500 million years of age.

            Besides the three hikers there were two guides, Serea Emanuel and Kaen, and a support team of fifteen attendants.  Russ said their experience provided employment for these people and made him feel like they were a small industry.  10,800 people a year visit Mr. Kilimanjaro.  There are six trails; Mike Loomis signed the group up for “The Western Breech”.  (The easiest trail was code named Coca Cola by the guides; The Western Breech was called the “Whiskey” trail.  The trail would keep them nine days on the mountain, long but good for acclimatization..

            The group passed through strata of terrain: savanna gave way to the Montane Forest Belt that gave way to Sub Alpine Moorland and Alpine desert.  Each area emphasized that the Mountain is a critical water catchment for Tanzania and Kenya.  Due to ice cap loss and deforestation, several rivers have dried up.

            Slides showed the trail accommodations: kitchen tent, dining tent, and individual sleeping shelters.

            Not a lot of fauna, Russ reported.  Birds of prey and some colobus monkeys. 

            They had breakfast, lunch, high tea, and dinner daily, but as the trip progressed food and other amenities began to lose interest as stamina wore down and the higher altitudes were attained.

            Slides showed the wonderful views looking down on the clouds.  A slide of one of the guides using his cell phone began Russ’s description of the rigors of the climb.

            Altitude sickness became a major concern.  It affected the different members of the group in different ways.  Symptoms of light altitude sickness are headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, malaise, usually worse at night.  Moderate and severe forms of the ailment brought on vomiting, severe headaches, shortness of breath at rest, fluid build-up in brain and lungs. “We rested a lot.”

            Rapid ascent exacerbates the condition as do severe exertion and extreme cold temperatures.  The group considered turning back before attaining the summit.  The only real cure is to descend to 4,000 feet and acclimatize.

            Slides:  The desert area…The rocky trails appearing less as trails and more as rocks…View from the rim of the caldera looking down on the camp…Group from Houston, Texas, on same trail at same time. 

            There was no photograph of the summit.  Mike’s camera froze.  Russ promised Jute Ramsey that he really did make the summit to great laughter.

            After making the summit, the team descended 10,000 feet in one day.

            Before he called for questions, Russ said to those who wanted to know if he would do it again, the answer was an emphatic “NO!”  A very strong and wonderful experience, but it took a great toll on the hikers.

            Was it a hard climb?—It was not a difficult technical climb.  Not much vertical, hand over hand climbing.

            How did you know what equipment to take?—Booklets and other printed materials had a great deal of information.

            Did you carry a pack?—Yes, about 25 pounds with lots of clothes and water.  Water was very important.

            Did you increase your caloric intake?—We ate a lot but didn’t force it.  Sometimes food had no appeal.

Scaled by Philip Shore