The Nineties (1990-1997)

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
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 Article Title Page

Pinney Cave Project
NSS News Report

Berks County MAR #18
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