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2011 Konvention
A Big Hit! |
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Looks as though there was a good time had by all at Campbell Hill. The atmosphere was great and the weather forgiving as we roamed that area around Bellfountaine. We had 176 visitors at this years Konvention.
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| Registering at "THE OHIO HIGHPOINT!" |
Seems, from a report taken from the 40 attendee Questionnaire/Evaluations that were collected, what most liked about this year's Konvention was the location, facilities, time of year (time school is out), the special classes and the base camp. Meeting Highpointers, especially those that made it to 50, Friday Brat picnic, displays and classes were more common place as we do that every Konvention, but, they always seem to get better… still great! Registering directly on top of the actual Highpoint was definitely a rare occasion. Just about everyone thought the banquet was great and the workshops were awesome.
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| Jerry Lee's "Wash Board Band" |
We have to give large credit to the folks at the Career Center allowing easy access to the Highpoint and lots of space for the Merc, the classes and a room for the Annual Board Meeting.
Kudos go to Bill Urbanski, all the volunteers and convention committee and the people of Bellefontaine for the welcomes we were given! The door prizes and give-a-ways were fantastic at the banquet and the cavern tours at Ohio Caverns really gave an added treat. Accordion music by Polka Virtuoso, and Board Member, Jerry Lee Cobleigh also made for a fun event. Hope I’ve not missed anyone, as far as thanks go, if so… you’ll read about the Konvention on our website and in the newsletter.
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Stony Burk's Base Camp Display
with Dave Covill in the back? |
Congratulations go to Jean “Mother Merc” Trousdale for receiving the Jakk Longacre Lifetime Achievement Award as she well deserves it in my book. And congrats also go out to long time Highpointers, and good friends, Charlie Feris and Gary White for their receiving the Vin Hoeman Award. The great members in this Club, and folks like these working hard in the background, make this Club work.
Please send your latest updates and count changes. I know many of you have a few, yeah right? Check the 2011 Directory and see your info is current. Send them to Updates@highpointers.org or text/message at 865-660-0027.
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Oregon Konvention 2012 |
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| 2012 Oregon Konvention Hosts |
Members of the 2012 Oregon Konvention Team at the Ohio convention. From left: Ray Nelson, Ardell Frick, Charlie Feris, Marie Feris, Al Dempsey, Wendy Comstock, Mark Comstock, Kathy Mitchler, Maion Bauman, Jan Nelson, John "JD" Mitchler and his crutches.
Here’s the 2012 Oregon Registration packet for the convention to be held June 8th and 9th at Mount Hood. These are pdf files so you may need to download Adobe Reader?
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The Highpointers Merc will be Closed Temporarily for the month of August. Orders will be taken but will not be filled until September. |
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Books * Pins * Shirts * Caps
48/50 Plaques * 5 State Patch
Books * Guidebooks
& Much More...
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| The Merc in Ohio - 2011 |
Highpointers Mercantile
Attn: Jean Trousdale
1416 Aladdin Street
Norman OK 73072-6039
405-329-6189
Click to Enter Here
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Volunteers and Help Needed |
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"PowerPoint" Presentations - You will get a "
PowerPoint" CD and Club information to mix with your Highpointing Experiences. Clubs, groups or organizations would enjoy this presentation. Contact Bill Deitzer: billdeitzer@fuse.net or 513-777-4435 with your offer to present the following topics:
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What is Highpointing? - What it's All About?
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Who - How the Club Got it's Start - Past History
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Club Memberships and the 48/50 Completers
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Highpoint Comparisons - Difficulty, Elevation, Risks
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Club Assistance to Members via e-Bulletins/e-Alerts, Newsletter Articles and the Annual Conventions
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Keeping Access Open to Highpoints
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In the News |
2013 Konvention to be Held in Millenocket, Maine
Steve Urbanski and Mick Dunn will host the 2013 convention in Maine. They made the nomination at the 2011 convention in Ohio and were the only nominators. Steve hosted the 2009 convention. See the video of their presentation at www.highpointers.org. More to come...
Craig Bobzien Receives John R. McGuire Award for “Extraordinary Can-Do Effort”
The National Association of Forest Service Retirees has awarded Craig Bobzien, Forest Supervisor for the Black Hills National Forest and Honorary Club Member, the John McGuire Award for exceptional managerial and professional skills and extraordinary effort in leading the Black Hills NF to exceed expectations and Multiple-Use goals. Bobzien oversees four Ranger Districts and over 300 employees on the Black Hills NF which covers 1,252,749 acres in both Wyoming and South Dakota.
 Museum Coming to Campbell Hill
The Air Force Radar Museum Association has got permission to build the National Air Defense Radar Museum atop one of the former radar buildings on Campbell Hill. The radars in there were part of the 664th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron. The museum is to be located in a building that housed an FPS-26 radar.
Club & Members Press Coverage
The Bellefontaine Examiner of July 15, 2011 under the headline “Hitting the high point” featured a photo of Cassandra Hayes registering on the Campbell Hill summit marker. Nikki Hemphill is at the desk with Jean Trousdale on the right.
The June 25, 2011 Austin Statesman had a profile of Gene Stouder who started highpointing at age 50. The article by Pam LeBlanc is headlined “Stroke can’t keep Gene Stouder from climbing to high point of 49 states.”Gene has done 49 states.
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Shenandoah National Park
Grayson Highlands State Park - Virginia
This year, Virginia celebrates the 75th anniversary of the state park system with special programs, contests, activities and souvenirs. 75 Days of Summer Contest Ends on Sept. 5th. Enter the grand prize drawing for a pop-up trailer, daily online contests and sweepstakes with daily winners of prizes. Weekly prizes include a camping trip with a fully furnished camper trailer. Details: www.virginiaoutdoors.com. Submit Digital Photographs (Sept. 5 - Oct. 31) This contest has four categories (flora, fauna, seasons and people and nature) with both adult and 15 and under divisions. Photos must be taken in a Virginia State Park in 2011. Prizes include Virginia State Park cabin and camping packages.
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"The Crew" - Help at Conventions & Club Functions. |
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Couple of hours when available. On the Job Training
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Making new friends while meeting/greeting convention attendees
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Reserved seat at the banquet with fellow
"CREW Members"
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Recognition and praise from the host for all your tremendous hard work at the banquet and after it is finished
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All the goodies you can eat at the registration table
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The satisfaction that you have given your club a valuable service
Call: Nikki Hemphill
219-545-2169 greyghost92@yahoo.com
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Road Work and Construction |
Clingmans Dome - NC/TN
There will be repaving on the road from the North Carolina state line at Newfound Gap northward into Tennessee. Also, workers will be repairing thousands of feet of stone masonry retaining walls and several drainage culverts.
From June 11th - August 15th, daytime lane closures will not be permitted, but will be allowed overnight from 9 pm - 8 am
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Conditions, Closures, More... |
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Ebright Azmuth - Delaware
"... I don’t know how many people have had the incredible pleasure of visiting with Doreen Kupchik who is our official “helper” for Delaware. She happened to be mowing her grass when my wife and I parked. We went to the marker and took the obligatory pictures and were walking back to the car when she turned off the mower to come visit. She wanted to know if we were members of the Highpointers Club and she was delighted to learn we were. She retrieved her registry for us to sign and also shared some articles on highpointing. ... I would highly recommend that anyone visiting the Delaware highpoint, tarry a bit with the hope that Doreen will appear. ... a beautiful spot so sit on the bench and chill for a few minutes. We probably visited with her for 30 minutes or so."
- Highpointers Terry And Debbie Bird
Jerimoth Hill - Rhode Island
"Rhode Island was wonderfully non-eventful. But those of us who have been around awhile are incredibly thankful that the access issues were resolved. Just going to the sign on the road is just not the same. This is a real success for the club leadership in getting this access issue resolved."
- Highpointers Terry And Debbie Bird
Mount Mitchell - North Carolina
"Black bears have been active in and around the park, inflicting damage to vehicles and camping equipment. All of these incidents have resulted from the improper storage of food, toiletries, and trash.. NEVER feed bears. They can lose their fear of people and may have to be destroyed. NEVER leave food unattended, even if in coolers. Secure ONLY in bear-proof container or car trunk with windows completely rolled up."
- NPS WEbsite
Wheeler Peak - New Mexico
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions Effective at 12:00 p.m., July 22, 2011, the Carson National Forest will enter into Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. These restrictions will remain in effect until further notice.
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Stage 2 Fire Restrictions include the following: • No building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or wood or charcoal burning stove or grill. • Smoking is allowed only in vehicles or inside buildings. • No possession or discharging of any kind of fireworks or other pyrotechnic device. Fireworks are always banned from the National Forest. • No use of any explosives. • No chainsaw use or other internal/external combustion engine use between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6 p.m. • All internal or external combustion engines must have a spark-arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order. • No welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. • No motor vehicle use off-road on federal lands, except when parking in an area clear of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway. This includes ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles. • Camp stoves are only permitted in developed campgrounds
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- USFS Press Release
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Highpoint Visitation Info... |
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Black Mountain KY - All Visits Require Waivers! Download the waiver and mail it to this address. If not returned in time, please have it with you!
Black Mountain KY Waiver Download Here!
Penn - VA Resource Part. LP
7 Sheridan Sq, Suite 400
Kingsport TN 37660
Brasstown Bald GA -The VIS at the top and gift shop at the base are open daily from May 27 - Oct and weekends thru Nov. For more info call: (706) 896-2556
Campbell Hill OH - Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Access Mon - Fri 6:30 am - 10 pm, Sat 6:30 am - 3:30 pm. Call 937-599-3010 - Ext. 211 for other arrangements
Charles Mound IL - 2011 open dates are: July 2/3, Sun July 17 only, Aug 6/7, Sept 3/4.
Clingmans Dome TN - Road closed Dec 1 - Mar 31 and due to conditions. Visit the tower via walking Clingmans Dome Rd or the Appalachian Trail. Add 14 mi round trip from Newfound Gap (US 441) at the TN/NC border.
High Point NJ - Vehicle fees from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
Jerimoth Hill RI - Daily 8 - 4. Respect all property and stay on gravel path.
Katahdin ME - Get a Day Use Parking Reservation to insure trailhead access. Parking is limited! 207-723-3877 - Online
Kings Peak UT - Possible ice problems, even in summer. The Elkhorn Crossing bridge is washed out and the Henry's Fork Trail is open, but water covers the trail in parts so plan ahead.
Mauna Kea HI - Harper Car Rental is the only that rent autos for this purpose. 800-852-9993
Mount Greylock MA - Summit roads open late May - Nov 1 and weather permitting into fall. Road conditions. 413-499-4262
Mount Hood OR - National Forest roads generally impassable due to winter snow and not plowed letting it to melt in the spring and summer. For road conditions: 503-668-1700
Mount Rainier WA - Climbing fees have increased from $30 to $43.
Mount Whitney CA - Requests for permits must be completed by March 15th. F/S Website
White Butte ND - Please pay $10
"Courtesy Fee" per vehicle at the trailhead mail box.
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Highpointers Foundation
Auctions
The Foundation held a "Live Auction" for the "Oregon - 2012 Package" at the Ohio Banquet which includes:
- Registration for 2.
- 2 Nights at Timberline Lodge,
- Wine and Seats at the Head Table,
- A Newsletter Cover Photo and more....
The highest bidder, after a very heated bidding frenzy, was Al Dempsey with a bid of $2,012. Others in the bidding was Will Mokszycki and Doug Heroux.
Next "Silent Auction" will be the signed book by Royal Robbins "Fail Falling - My Life, Volume Two."
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Highpoint Entries Needed and Constant Field Updates. Help Keep these Updates Current and Correct.
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Gift Memberships for any Occasion |
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.The Gift for friends and family that love the outdoors, travel or to just have fun...
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Nuggets
in the Scree... |
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Mt. Arvon has a trail to a view, short easy path. Stop in at the Tourist Information Center as you enter L'Anse for the latest directions and a summit certificate. Don't forget to visit the Hilltop Restaurant and sample one of their famous sweetrolls. They're huge! Stop in at Indian Sports and meet owner, Steve Kioski. He's a great resource for Mt. Arvon and has cool stories about other Highpointers he has met over the years.
Tracey at the Tourist Center can also provide directions to Mt. Curwood. It's worth the visit since it was believed to be the highest point in Michigan back in the day when early club members were bagging peaks. She also has a summit certificate for that.
Hoosier Hill has a new stone marker at the summit and a nice souvenir postcard is provided in the register box.
If you're going to Eagle Mtn. stop in at the Tofte Ranger Station just before the turn on Caribou Rd. and they can give you the latest updates and info. Tell 'em you're a Highpointer! Let's get our club name out there.
- Highpointer Stony Burk
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Keep your Highpoint Counts and Membership info updated while on the move or at home.
Updates, Trip Reports, Address Changes...
(865) 660-0027
Voice or Text Messages Only
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
Highpointing can be a dangerous and strenuous activity. Be sure to prepare yourself for each highpointing trip. Whether physical conditioning/training for the technical climbs or a car tune up. Plan carefully and be prepared for anything that may happen. Keep up with weather conditions and adjust properly. There are many books available on travel, hiking, camping, mountaineering and everything else that goes along with Highpointing. The more technical climbs can be made with the services of professional guides. There are also schools and training courses that can train you. Get the knowledge, be prepared, and drive safely. |
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 Highpointers Club 2011 |
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