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Quote of the Day (#16)There is magic in the feel of a paddle and the movement of a canoe, a magic compounded of distance, adventure, solitude, and peace.Sigurd F. Olson
Bow and Stern
March 6, 1983
A Letter from the Editor |
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Dear Fellow Paddlers,
Inside tonight's issue of the Bow & Stern you will find reports from club officers, a trip report, announcements of upcoming events, and the tentative Whitewater Schedule. But, what I want all of you to look for is what's not there that you might like the Bow & Stern to have. We haven't changed the format for a long time, and perhaps some of you club members have some suggestions on how to improve the newsletter, making it more useful, informative or fun. If so, let me know.
See you on the river,
Larry Thomson
Minutes of the June 1982 Meeting |
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The June potluck supper meeting, held on Wednesday, June 16 was called to order by President Al Roberts at 7:30 p.m. Al welcomed all in attendance and thanked Margaret and George McIntosh for doing an excellent job on the dinner for the second year.
The committee reports are as follows:
Peter Alden, White Water Chairperson, thanked all trip leaders for a very successful season. There were a record number of trips this past Spring.
Ray Gonda, White Water Training Chairperson, reported this year's class had 51 participants in the classroom and 40 on the river. Specials thanks to all instructors for making this another successful year.
Editor of the Bow and Stern, Larry Thomson, thanked the typing staff and George Agnew for arranging the printing of the newsletter for such a reasonable cost. He also announced there would be no formal limerick contest this year. The entries are in the Bow and Stern between trip reports. Let's try again next year.
Co-chairpersons for the summer events, Brian Kooiker and Brenda Clarkson, announced the completed schedule is in the Bow and Stern. They reminded members if you are interested in a trip, please call the trip leader a few days before the trip.
OLD BUSINESS
Al Roberts spoke on the club incorporating. An insurance agent that Al spoke with said it would be cheaper for trip leaders to increase their homeowners insurance than for the club to incorporate. Also, a representative of the Green Mountain Club was contacted, and he indicated the major reason for the GMC incorporating was for tax purposes.
Al also gave a brief status on the following dams:
Pontook Dam: The matter will soon be in court. The defense fund reports it has sufficient funds to defend their position.
The dam on the Lower Lamoille has been shelved for the time being.
Chase Mill: Barb Kehaya, who is a resident of Winooski, discussed the fact that the Winooski is a "working river". In addition to residents from Winooski, people from Burlington, Colchester, and So. Burlington should be concerned as the Winooski has several sewage treatment plants on it. Immediate concern is for the hearings being held with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
NEW BUSINESS
None
Meeting was adjourned and followed by the films, Fast and Clean, and Uncalculated Risk.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lavigne
Secretary/Treasurer
Treasurer's Report |
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Beginning Balance as of June 11, 1982 | $481.24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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Balance as of January 1, 1983 | $339.26 |
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lavigne
Secretary/Treasurer
Executive Committee Meeting - 1/26/83 |
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A meeting of the executive committee was held on Wednesday, January 26. The meeting was called to order at 7:45 p.m. by President Al Roberts. The following members were in attendance:
Peter Alden
George McIntosh
Al Stirt
Margaret McIntosh
Mary Lavigne
Bob Schumacher
Rich Larsen
Ray Gonda
Elaine Lavoie
Norm Lavoie
Al Roberts
The minutes of the June meeting and treasurer's report were read and accepted.
Old Business
Al Roberts reported that Pontook Dam on the Androscoggin River is being built.
Al also reported he received a letter asking for a representative from the club to be a contact person in regards to the water diversion tunnel on the West River. If the tunnel were built, the upper stretch would not contain enough water for paddling. There would be less impact to paddlers if the existing dam were fitted for power generation. Peter Alden suggested the club write a resolution stating our position on the tunnel. Ray Gonda will write the resolution and it will be voted on at the March meeting.
Al Stirt will give a general status on dams at the March meeting.
New Business
Peter Alden asked if the club would be interested in T-shirts with the club logo on them. Peter will investigate and report at the March meeting.
The club is missing one throw bag and Al Roberts asked if anyone has it to please return it to him.
A donation was made this past December to the Audubon Society as a memorial gift for a club member who past away. The question was raised as to what club policy should be on memorial gifts. It was decided that it will be at the discretion of the president to decide if a memorial gift should be sent.
Al Roberts announced the chairpersons for the following events:
Summer Events:
Brian Kooiker & Brenda Clarkson
March Dinner:
Norm Lavoie
Whitewater Chairperson:
Rich Larsen
Watewater Training:
Ray Gonda
Editor of Bow & Stern:
Larry Thomson
June Dinner:
Moe & Connie Desilets
Al mentioned that the response for day trips during the summer has been poor, but the weekend overnight trips are successful. After some discussion it was agreed that day trips will still run, but if there is no interest in a trip by the preceding Friday, the trip will be cancelled. So if you are interested in a trip, please call early.
Peter Alden will explore the possibility of a joint trip with the Green Mountain Club.
Norm Lavoie reported the Dattilios will cater the March dinner again this year, but the price has risen. It was voted to have the chicken dinner again and the dinner price for 16 and under will be a dollar less than adults.
The whitewater training blackboard and pool session will be on a Saturday again this year. The pool has to be used during spring break at UVM, so the day will be either March 26 or April 2. March 26 is the weekend of the boat show and April 2 is the day before Easter. After much discussion on which was the better day, a resolution was passed choosing March 26 for the blackboard session. However, if any problems arise in scheduling for that day it will be left to the discretion of the whitewater training chair to change to day. The training trip will be on April 9. It was recommended that the following weeks have trips suitable for beginners.
There was no further new business and the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lavigne
Secretary/Treasurer
Announcement from Andy Nuquist |
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A.F.S. (American Field Service) benefit slide show
Tundra journey on the Hamburg-Thelon rivers (Northwest Territories)
With Bill Haines, Charlie Phillips, John Bates.
Thursday, March 24 - 7:30 p.m. Union Elementary School Auditorium, Montpelier.
Adults: $3.00, Students & Senior Citizens: $2.00
Limerick Contest (one more time) |
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The Bow & Stern is sponsoring a Limerick Contest again this Spring. Last year only two Cruisers sent in any offerings, so we are hoping more of you will participate this time around.
Send your limericks or other poems to:
Larry Thomson
P.O. Box 45
Richmond, VT 05477
All entries should be received four weeks prior to the June Supper.
1st Prize: $20.00 gift certificate+
2nd Prize: $15.00 +
3rd Prize: $10.00 +
Judging will be on the basis of meter and humor, and the theme of the limericks should relate to paddling. Good luck.
+ from Canoe Imports.
Pontook Dam Finally Gets Go-Ahead |
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Dummer NH - Delay and inflation have jumped the cost of the project from $21 million to $26 million, but developer Robert Shaw has finally gotten the okay to build his Pontook hydro dam. The New Hampshire Water Resources Board gave its affirmative vote at its August 4 meeting.
"I'm delighted at the board's vote," says Shaw. "I'm ready to go. Hopefully this will be the last delay in the project." Shaw says that most of this construction season has been lost and probably the best that he can hope for is to get the cutting and clearing for the channel done before winter sets in. He does say that if there is a late fall this year, construction on the dam itself could at least begin. If there are no further legal delays, Shaw estimates that the
"I'm delighted at the board's vote," says Shaw. "I'm ready to go. Hopefully this will be the last delay in the project." Shaw says that most of this construction season has been lost and probably the best that he can hope for is to get the cutting and clearing for the channel done before winter sets in. He does say that if there is a late fall this year, construction on the dam itself could at least begin. If there are no further legal delays, Shaw estimates that the
dam will be completed by the fall of 1985.
The search for Tamarack wood for construction of the dam itself has begun, says Shaw. This is a very oily wood that is often used in the construction of dams and in mines because it naturally repels water. Shaw says that he will probably have to go to some of the larger timber suppliers such as Boise Cascade, St. Regis or Seven Islands for this wood. In the New Hampshire Water Resources Board's order, it did find that the reconstruction of the dam at Pontook "will change the nature of recreation from predominantly fast water to still water activities..." and that "there will be some adverse impacts on certain recreational activities in the two mile river section affected by the diversion." The board
The search for Tamarack wood for construction of the dam itself has begun, says Shaw. This is a very oily wood that is often used in the construction of dams and in mines because it naturally repels water. Shaw says that he will probably have to go to some of the larger timber suppliers such as Boise Cascade, St. Regis or Seven Islands for this wood. In the New Hampshire Water Resources Board's order, it did find that the reconstruction of the dam at Pontook "will change the nature of recreation from predominantly fast water to still water activities..." and that "there will be some adverse impacts on certain recreational activities in the two mile river section affected by the diversion." The board
also said that there will be significant beneficial impact on recreational activities in the impoundment area above the dam.
It was also found that the project would reduce the fish habitat in the two mile river section affected by the diversion, but that a riverine fishery of significance would be maintained in the original river channel in the two mile section. The board noted that there would be a positive impact on the fish habitat in the reservoir area and that the project would create a new fish habitat in the proposed tailrace. The minimum water flow for the project is still set at 350 cfs.
Says Appalachian Mountain Club spokesman Steve Rice, "I was surprised that the board didn't weigh more heavily the information we presented at the June 2 hearing in
It was also found that the project would reduce the fish habitat in the two mile river section affected by the diversion, but that a riverine fishery of significance would be maintained in the original river channel in the two mile section. The board noted that there would be a positive impact on the fish habitat in the reservoir area and that the project would create a new fish habitat in the proposed tailrace. The minimum water flow for the project is still set at 350 cfs.
Says Appalachian Mountain Club spokesman Steve Rice, "I was surprised that the board didn't weigh more heavily the information we presented at the June 2 hearing in
Berlin." He says he would have at least expected a change in the minimum flow requirement of 350 cfs.
Rice says that the entire Committee to Save the Upper Androscoggin, of which the AMC is one of nine members, will meet shortly to discuss what options are available to them this point. He feels that the trade made-white water canoeing and fishing for hydroelectric power generation - is not a fair one. "That area has generated a substantial following of New Hampshire and New Hampshire residents who fish and canoe. It will be a great loss to them."
Governor Hugh Gallen has reportedly set ground breaking ceremonies for the Pontook project for the afternoon of September 18th.
Rice says that the entire Committee to Save the Upper Androscoggin, of which the AMC is one of nine members, will meet shortly to discuss what options are available to them this point. He feels that the trade made-white water canoeing and fishing for hydroelectric power generation - is not a fair one. "That area has generated a substantial following of New Hampshire and New Hampshire residents who fish and canoe. It will be a great loss to them."
Governor Hugh Gallen has reportedly set ground breaking ceremonies for the Pontook project for the afternoon of September 18th.
N.V.C.C. OFFICERS |
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President
Al Roberts
878-3187
Vice President
Al Stirt
933-2125
Secretary/Treasurer
Mary Lavigne
879-0354
Watewater Training Director:
Ray Gonda
862-6164
Whitewater Schedule Chairperson:
Rich Larsen
862-6878
Bow & Stern Editor:
Larry Thomson
434-3454
June Supper Chairpersons:
Moe & Connie Desilets
879-7364
Summer Events Chairpersons:
Brian Kooiker & Brenda Clarkson
456-7047
Trip Report |
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Lamoille River - Ten Bends: July 25, 1982
Leader: | Brenda Clarkson |
Participants: | Al Stirt, Rosie Stirt, Simon Stirt, John Carriqan, Chris Carrigan, Al Roberts, Bob Kemp, Ray Gonda, Mary Lavigne, Rose Bloomhardt, Connie Knodt - 6 canoes |
Put in below the power dam below Lake Lamoille. Water level was low -we scraped bottom on the first half dozen riffles. Good current for first half of the trip. Ate lunch on a sandbar. Continued on down toward Johnson, scraping bottom a few more times and took out at the last curve where the river meets Route 15 before heading into Johnson. Nice easy trip for the summer, with pleasant scenery. Took about 3 hours.
Brenda Clarkson
Whitewater Clinic |
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Call for Instructors
Please Respond by March 12
Blackboard and Pool Sessions
The key elements in any successful program lies in the degree of organization of that effort and in the level of interest, enthusiasm and commitment of the individuals engaged in that effort. In the interests of maintaining the long-term vitality of the clinic it is desirable to allow new interested persons the opportunity to contribute their efforts to the program. It is also desirable to retain instructors who are experienced with the program for the sake of continuity. We have had good success the past several years because the level of interest of the instructors has been high. Hopefully instructors would be willing to move in and out of the program and back into it as the years pass.
Interested persons please call me at 862-6164.
River Session
As in previous years we will need all the instructors we can get. From past experience it has proven quite time consuming to attempt to reach all potential river instructors individually by phone in a recruiting effort. Instead it would be very helpful if instructors would call and volunteer their efforts. The river session is expected, organizationally speaking, to run very much like last year. Individual groups would arrive at the river at offset times, put on the river as a self-contained group and stick together for the duration of the day. A group would typically consist of two instructor boats and four student boats. Retaining group integrity is important for safety reasons. A shuttle will be provided to simplify logistics.
Please call Al Roberts or me by March 12.
Post River Session Party
As last year, I will host a slide show/party/bull session the evening of the river session for instructors, students and other contributors to the clinic.
Ray Gonda
Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers Annual Whitewater Canoe Clinic 1983 |
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As a non-profit public service and as a service to its membership, the NVCC is offering a two-day clinic to introduce the novice canoeist to the fundamentals of whitewater paddling.
The clinic will consist of one day of classroom and pool sessions. The classroom session will cover paddling equipment, river reading, river running techniques, trip leader vs. trip participant responsibilities, protective clothing, and hypothermia. An emphasis will be placed on safety and on the dynamics involved in organized group river running. Following that, a pool session will cover the basic strokes needed for whitewater. The club will provide all the needed materials and equipment for the above sessions.
The second day of the clinic will be spent on a suitable river in the area. The club will provide neither the canoes nor the equipment for this session.
To participate in the pool and river sessions, the student must be competent in flatwater paddling, be a competent swimmer, be in good health and good physical condition.
Although this is a non-profit activity, a contribution estimated to be less than $10 will be collected at the classroom session to cover expenses associated with the clinic. This contribution applies to club members as well as non-members.
Ray Gonda
Please direct inquires to:
Al Roberts
Club President
878-3187
Club President
878-3187
Ray Gonda
Clinic & Training Chairperson
862-6164
Clinic & Training Chairperson
862-6164
Pre-registration by March 30 by phone is required. Class size limited to 36 students.
Whitewater Clinic Schedule
for Saturday April 2
Patrick Gymnasium - UVM
Bring a bag lunch & bathing suit.
8:00 | - | 8:30 | a.m. | Completion of Registration |
8:30 | - | 9:45 | Instruction | |
9:45 | - | 10:00 | Break for refreshments | |
10:00 | - | 11:45 | Instruction | |
11:45 | - | 12:00 | Morning session wrap up | |
12:00 | - | 12:30 | Lunch | |
12:30 | - | 1:00 | Dressing Room - change to swimsuits | |
1:00 | - | 4:00 | Pool Session - open boats | |
4:00 | Details of the river session will be given. Students will be assigned to groups for the river session. |
Northern Vermont Canoe Cruisers Whitewater Schedule 1983 |
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Date | Trip | Contact | Degree |
March 27
Sun |
Len's Choice |
Len Carpenter
863-6236 |
Easy |
April 1
Fri |
President's Choice |
Alan Roberts
878-3187 |
Easy-Med |
April 2
Sat |
Beginners Intro |
Ray Gonda
862-6164 |
|
April 3
Sun |
Huntington River |
Rich Larsen
862-6878 |
Med |
April 9
Sat |
River Training |
Ray Gonda
862-6164 |
|
April 10
Sun |
Waits River |
John King
863-6429 |
Med-Diff |
April 16
Sat |
Mad River |
Dick Allen
878-3853 |
Easy |
April 16
Sat |
White River |
Fred Jordan
223-3935 |
Med |
April 17
Sun |
Upper Lamoille |
Peter Alden
863-6585 |
Diff |
April 23
Sat |
Lower Lamoille |
Norm Lavoie
863-5456 |
Easy |
April 24
Sun |
White River |
Ray Gonda
862-6164 |
Med |
April 30
Sat |
Upper Lamoille |
John King
863-6429 |
Diff |
Apr 30-May 1
Sat-Sun |
NH Rivers |
Peter Alden
863-6585 |
Med-Diff |
May 7
Sat |
Local River |
TBA
|
|
May 7-8
Sat Sun |
West River |
Rich Larsen
862-6878 |
Med-Diff |
May 14
Sat |
Local River |
Ray Gonda
862-6164 |
|
May 14-15
Sat-Sun |
Sacandaga or Hudson NY |
Alan Roberts
878-3187 |
Med-Diff |
May 21
Sat |
Local River |
TBA
|
|
May 21-22
Sat-Sun |
Hudson Overnight NY |
Peter Alden
863-6585 |
Diff |
May 28-29
Sat-Sun |
New York Rivers |
Len Carpenter
863-6236 |
|
Jun 4
Sat |
Schroon River NY |
Rich Larsen
862-6878 |
Easy-Med |
Jun 18-19
Sat-Sun |
Androscoggin Weekend NH |
Alan Roberts
878-3187 |
Easy-Med |
EVENING TRIPS ON LOWER LAMOILLE TUES-WEDS-THURS NIGHT DEPENDS ON WATER AND WEATHER; FIRST THREE WEEKS IN MAY. CALL RICH LARSEN (862-6878) OR RAY GONDA (862-6164) OR ALAN ROBERTS (878-3187) FOR DETAILS.
SOME TENTATIVE SUMMER EVENTS:
- JULY 4 AND LABOR DAY WEEKENDS - DEAD RIVER IN MAINE
- JULY 23 CANOEING AND TUBING ON THE LOWER SACANDAGA IN NY