Written by Joe Durant for the Philadelphia Grotto 50th Anniversity 1997
1990
Officers
Joe Durant Chairman
Editor Digest
Craig McFall Vice Chairman
Mike Mostardi Treasurer
Jim Gombold Secretary
Tom Stewart Board Member
Ron Miller Board Member
Jed Mosenfelder Board Member
New location for Grotto meetings. Geology Lounge Hayden Hall University of Pennsylvania
Special Projects
Mar Bulletin 18 Caves of Berk’s County
Pinney Cave Survey
Membership
Joe Durant Art Fortini Dottie Eckert
Tom Lovejoy Greg Acland Trish Geiger
Tim Schafstall Craig Mcfall Lou Detofsky
Jim Steet Scott Welsh Jed Mosenfelder
Paul Racette Mike Cerio Ron Miller
Steve Fugett Ed West Dave Morgan
Joe Lugg Carl Walker Fred Stewart
Alexa Asher Fred Behm Agnes Maderich
Doug Brevoort Byron Blomquist Steve Guerra
Jim Gombold Bill Vis Andy Fust
Kera Belkin Mark Leipert Ken Leipert
Art Fortini Mary Hrenda Paige DiPlano
Eric Schultz Jim Gombold Jim McCullough
Gretchen Schock Don Rice Rene Crouse
Tom Stewart Chuck Warren Bill Feiger
Mark Nelson Snake Owens
Treasury
Beginning Balance: 192.83
Ending Balance: 391.25
1991
Officers
Jim Gombold Chairman
Joe Durant Treasurer
Mail Stop
Librarian
Field Trips / Events
Special Projects
Membership
Brian Jenkins Joe Durant Mike Mostardi
Ron Stern Dottie Eckert Trish Geiger
Bill Wentz Jim Steet Lou Detofsky
Jim Veit Robert Moyer Jim Gombold
Kirk Holzapfel John Lyles Les Good
Bill Vis Rod Trautz Kira Belkin
Shadi Farbin Eric Schultz Mary Hrenda
Don Rice Renee Crouse Roger McCurdy
Mike Hunter Wendy Hunt Phil Cook
Mike Cerio Ken Leipert Brian Peck
Craig McFall Meghan Doling Tom Stewart
Treasury
Beginning Balance: 391.25
Ending Balance: 389.82
1992
Officers
Mark Nelson: Secretary
Joe Durant Treasurer
Mailstop/Librarian
Equipment Manager
Special Projects
Completeion of MAR Bulletin 18 Caves of Berk’s County
Completeion of Pinney Cave Survey
Pinney Cave Map
drawn by Dottie Eckert
NSS Cartographic Salon Honorable Mention
Published in the NSS News
Membership
Brian Jenkins Mark Nelson Gretchen Schock
Eric Brodnax Rob Boyd Barb Gallagher
Frank Knuettel James Steet Bill Vis
John Haskell Molly Krueger Joe Durant
Dottie Eckert Jeremiah Stewart Snake Owen
Don Rice Scott Welsh Art Rhodes
Mike Hunter Herb Holyst Bill Wentz
Brian Bolt Mike Fernandez Tricia Geiger
Debbie Zabel Mike Mostardi Tom Stewart
Kris Kowal Bruce Katz Kira Belkin
Paul McKenzie Ken Leipert Alexa Asher
Kristan Walken Mike Cerio Joe Durant
Treasury
Beginning Balance: 389.82
Ending Balance: 225.00
Pinney Cave Project
NSS News Report
MAR Bulletin 18
Caves of Berks County
1993
Officers
Bill Wentz Chairman
Rob Boyd Secretary
Joe Durant Treasurer
Librarian/Mail Stop
Equipment Manager
Field Trips
Special Projects
Membership
Kim Freeze Brian Jenkins Robert Blescia
Gretchen Schock Donna McNutt Rob Boyd
Jim McGonigal Ruth Scharz Wendy Hunt
Jerry Dubek Mark Nelson Tom Askins
Mike Hunter Joe Durant Bill Wentz
Herb Holyst Frank Strahan Tom Stewart
Jeremiah Stewart Ken Leipert Mike Mostardi
Mike Cerio Dottie Eckert
Treasury
Beginning Balance 225.00
Ending Balance 120.90
1994
Officers
Bill Wentz Chairman
Herb Holyst Vice Chairman
Rob Boyd: Secretary/Editor
Joe Durant: Treasurer
Librarian
MailStop
This year saw the Grotto move it’s meeting location out to the suburbs in response to a car theft. Meetings were held for a short while at the Fellowship house in Conshohocken but soon moved to our present location at Pat’s Tavern on Elm St in Conshohocken
Field Trips / Events
12/10/94 Craig Co VA on the property of
Tom Lovejoy (now lifetime member) as reported by Rob Boyd The birth of the Sinking Creek Project. And the discovery of LoneOak Cave and Buddy Penleys (Giles Co.)
Special Projects
The Sinking Creek Valley Cave Survey
Membership
Joe Durant Gretchen Schock Bill Wentz
Herb Holyst Frank Strahan Tom Stewart
Jeremiah Stewart Ken Leipert Mike Mostardi
Mike Cerio Robert Williams Mike Fernandez
Debbie Zabel Snake Owen Tony Smith
Rob Boyd Sam Rhee Dottie Eckert
John Schaible Russ Smith Paul McKenzie
Dan Hoffman Donna McNutt Stan Belkowski
Eileen Hoffler Kevin Hunt Tom Askins
Kim Freeze Steve Noble Greg Foster
Greg Ratliff Helen Hales John Hart
Bruno Malisheski Peg Okane Brian Berkle
Dennis Carr John Fuges Judy Leatherman
Steve Zeitler Bill Vis Ben Eckert
Peter Bruinsma Steve Warnek Mike Thomas Mike Hunter Herb Holyst
1995
Officers
Herb Holyst: Chairman
Mike Mostardi Vice Chairman
John Hart: Secretary/Editor
Joe Durant: Treasurer
Librarian
MailStop
Bill Vis: Board Member
Bruno Malisheski Board Member
Field Trips / Events
01/01/95 to Pendleton Co WV reported by Bill Vis caves visited included Quarry, Bowdens, Mystic, et al.
01/14/95 to Bucks Co PA as reported by Rob Boyd caves visited included Gamblers Den, and Indian Caves
01/28/95 to Craig Co VA (Tom Lovejoys) trip included Ridgewalking , and Lone Oak Cave Philly Grotto winter trip
02/25/95 to Centre Co PA as reported by Herb(such a great name) Holyst to J-4 cave this was Herbs 25th trip to cave!
03/18/95 to Centre Co PA as reported by Bruno Maleshefski to visit J-4
04/03/95 to Grant Co WV as reported by Joe Durant to visit Elkhorn Mtn Cave
05/06/95 to Lancaster Co PA as reported by John Hart to visit Wind Cave
05/06/95 to Tucker Co WV as reported by S Zeitler to visit Otter Maze Cave
05/20/95 to Fayette Co PA for Spring MAR asreported by M Fernandez Caves visited included Askon Hollow Cave, Laurel Caverns
06/17/95 to Craig Co VA (Lovejoys) for Ridgewalking & tourist trips to New River and Smoke Hole Caves (Grotto summer trip)
07/18/95 to Blacksburg VA NSS Conventionas reported by John Hart, Bruno Mcaves visited included Pig Hole, Links, New River, James Caves plus a lot of the convention sessions!
07/24/95 to Missouri as reported by M Fernandez caves visited included Fiery Fork, Little Smittle, & Lowell Caves
08/12/95 to Sullivan Co, NY as reported by D Eckert, cave visited – Mystery Cave
08/15/95 to Craig Co VA Lovejoys Keffer Cave location & recon Laurens Cave – survey
09/16/95 to Craig Co VA Lovejoys as reported by Paul McKenzie – Lone Oak Cave -dig & survey completion beyond the sump Laurens Cave – surveycompletion Keffer Cave – survey completion Maywood School (Givens) cave location
11/11/95 to Northumberland Co PA as reported by M Fernandez – Ron Martin Cave TJ Cunningham, Kevin Hunt
Special Projects
Sinking Creek Valley Cave Survey
Membership
Mike Cerio Herb Holyst Ken Leipert
Bill Wentz Julie Hart John Bowers
Frank Strahan Fred Hunter Tom Stewart
Chris Gervasi Joe Durant Mike Mostardi
Linda Filipone Don Rice Mary Hrenda
Eric Baisch Marc Barber Jean Berwick
Mathew Beale Larry Thomas Bill Wilson
Donna McNutt Tom Askins
Gretchen Schock Sam Rhee
John Hart Bruno Malesheski
Paul McKensie Steve Noble Bill Vis
Dottie Eckert Mike Fernandez Debbie Zabel
Ellen Hoefler Allyne Cheifert Steve Zeitler
Rob Boyd TJ Cunningham Tina Shendge
Kevin Hunt Scott Davis
1996
Officers
Bruno Malisheski: Chairman
Mike Fernandez: Vice Chairman
John Hart: Secretary/Editor
Joe Durant: Treasurer
Librarian
MailStop
Herb Holyst: Board Member
Bill Vis: Board Member
Bill Wentz Board Member
Frank Strahan Equipment Manager
Field Trips / Events
01/01/96 to Pendleton Co WV as reported by Bill Vis to visit Keys, New Trout, Alpena Stream, Eliza Davis, and Blood Caves
02/10/96 to Cumberland Co PA as reported by M Fernandez to visit Carnegie Cave tour w/ Phila. Inquirer reporter
02/18/96 to Craig Co VA (Lovejoys) for theGivens Cave dig – the breakthrough!
03/24/96 to Bath Co VA as reported byM Fernandez to visit Clarks Cave and Marshalls Cave
04/13/96 to Centre Co PA as reported by John Hart to visit J-4
04/20/96 to Centre Co PA as reported by Paul McKenzie to visit Sharers Cave
05/31/96 to Jefferson Co Wvto visit John Browns Cave
06/22/96 to Craig Co, VA (Lovejoys) to visit Pig Hole, Smoke Hole, New River, and Tawneys (Summer Trip tourist) Stonewall, Green Mouse, Givens caves (survey)
07/20/96 to Sullivan Co, NY as reported by M Fernandez to Mystery Cave
07/27/96 to upstate NY as reported by Donna McNutt for whitewater rafting on the Black River
08/15/96 to Bucks Co, PA led by TJ Cunningham for vertical training at High Rocks
08/17/96 to Greenbrier Co. WV led by J Durant, with Hoflers to visit Piercys Mill Cave, and Acme Quarry Cave
09/01/96 OTR – Cast of thousands
09/14/96 to Sullivan Co, NY led by M Fernandez to visit Mystery Cave
10/19/96 to Centre Co, PA led by T Blomer J-4 Cave
11/02/96 to Ulster Co., NY led by M Fernandez to visit Pompeys and Salamander Caves
11/13/96 to Lancaster Co PA by Hofler, Paul McKensie to visit Refton Cave
12/16/96 to Hunterdon Co, NJ by M Fernandez, and Don Rice for survey training in Leigh Cave
12/21/96 to Craig Co VA (Lovejoys) for digging & ridgewalking
Special Projects
Sinking Creek Valley Cave Survey
“50 Years Underground A History of The Philadelphia Grotto”
Membership
Steve Warnek Frank Strahan Don Maley
Ben Eckert Dan Lanciault Joe Durant
Mike Cerio Eileen Hoefler Tom Stewart
Herb Holyst Mike Mostardi Linda Filipone
David Beltran Feo Jacobson George Irving
Thomas Blomer Bud Baun
Don Rice Mary Hrenda Karl Kappel
Ken Katz Eric Haun Bruce Justus
Bruce Freedberg Julie Hartman
Andrea & Paul Frustaci Ken Leipert
Tom Askins Chris Znagulli Mike Kernzey
Mark Nelson Bill Covelusky Geroge Kaloudis
David Knable Don & Mary Raskin San Sullivan
Donna McNutt Heather Godsay Joe Oknalls
Ted & Laura Briggs Leanard Cassidy
Susan Stott James Hawk John Vose
Steve Noble Steve Warnek
1997
Officers
Paul McKenzie: Chairman
T.J. Cunningham: Vice Chairman
Julie Hartman: Secretary
Frank Strahan: Treasurer
Equipment Manager
Mike Fernandez: Editor
Mike Mostardi: Board Member
Joe Durant Board Member
Librarian
Mail Stop
Field Trips / Events
01/03/97 to Cumberland Co PA by E Hofler to visit Frustration Pit
01/25/97 to Berks Co PA led by J Durant, and M. Mostardi to reopen Dreibilbis Cave
02/22/97 to Mifflin Co PA by S Zeitler, B Vis to visit Kingston, and Kerosene Caves
02/22/97 to Craig Co VA ( Lovejoys ) by TJ Cunningham to visit New Castle, and Murder Hole, and more ridgewalking
02/23/97 to Berkely Co WV by Haun, Hoffler to visit Whitings Neck, and Jones Quarry caves
03/15/97 to Wales, UK by E Hofler to visit Ogof Fynnan Dhu
03/15/97 to Berkely Co WV by Donna McNutt to visit Whitings Neck (youth trip)
03/15/97 to BRAZIL! By Laura Briggs to visit several caves in a national park
03/28/97 to VA/ WV by M. Fernandez to visit Clarks Cave, VA and Thistle Ass Cave, WV (Wardensville)
04/12/97 to Fayette Co PA by M. Fernandez to visit Casparis Cave
04/12/97 to Fayette Co PA by Hofler, Blomer for the NCRC Basic Cave Rescue Orientation at Laurel Caverns
04/24/97 to Albany Co NY by D McNutt to visit Clarksville Cave, en route to a rafting trip on the upper Hudson
05/10/97 to Franklin Co PA for Spring MAR by M Fernandez, “P” Caves – Python, Perseverance, Platter E Hofler visited Welsh Run Cave, and Baker Caverns
05/17/97 to Berks Co PA by E Hofler for Onyx Cave work weekend Paul McKensie , Steve Warnek
06/25/97 to Sullivan, MO for the NSS Convention M Fernandez visited Cathedral, Green, and Lone Hill Onyx Caves S Zeitler, B Vis visited Little Scott, Hamilton., and Cherokee Caves
07/04/97 to Tennessee (Andy Wilson’s) by TJ Cunningham for Fogit Cave mapping & exploration with D Rice, and Paul McKensie
07/18/97 to Seneca Rocks, WV led by TJ Cunningham for vertical training weekend
07/26/97 to Western PA by M Fernandez tovisit Tytoona Cave & Arch Spring, Blair Co and Davey Lewis Cave, Bedford Co
08/09/97 to Sullivan Co, NY by M Fernandez to visit Mystery Cave
08/09/97 to Craig Co VA (Lovejoys) for more diggin & ridgewalking
09/01/97 to OTR. Hofler, Strahan, Blomer, and Canike attended and visited Stillhouse, Sinks of Gandy, and Confluence Caves
09/13/97 to Sullivan Co, NY by M Fernandez to visit Mystery Cave
Special Projects
Sinking Creek Valley Cave Survey
“50 Years Underground A History of The Philadelphia Grotto 1947-1997”
Membership
John Hart Bruno Malesheski Frank Strahan
Joe Durant Ellen Hoefler Sam Rhee
Mike Cerio Steve Zeitler TJ Cunningham
Kristi VanHorn John Juzbasich
Mike Fernandez Jason Trezza Greg Hinkle
Alexander Robinson Robert Eberhardt
Charles Eckert Patrick Lingafelt David Smart
Paul Mckenzie Mike & Linda Mostardi
Linda Murphy Tom Blomer Jessica Otto
Don Rice Mary Hrenda Julie Hartman
Sean Sawyer Jessie Wilson William Troy
Bill Vis Anthony Canike Paul Fisher
Don & Mary Raskin Howard Bussard
Joe Easker
Acknowledgments
Many thanks to all the cavers whose dedicated note taking made this document possible… special thanks to one special Dottie Milligan for help in typing this manuscript. I would also like to thank Dottie Eckert and Mike Mostardi for their generous donations of materials.
Joe Durant NSS 26455
Philadelphia Grotto 50th Anniversary
October 10-12, 1997