April 21 board meeting

Even though it was a cold rainy, windy spring day, with occasional thunder and lightning, and hail mixed in, your board held the monthly meeting in the lodge building at the J. G. Bradley campground.

No heat, little lighting, hard chairs, not real comfortable, but comfort is not important when their is work to be done.

some things worked on, discussed, acted

upon, included the sewer system, a new canopy for an improved picnic shelter, the upcoming pedal and paddle program on may 16 that will be catered by the Buffalo gals, and several other topics.

so, even though the co-op may be out of sight, out of mind for some, there is still a lot of work going on.

once the sewer system is in place a lot more work can be accomplished, and you can help with that.call the campground, talk to Roger, or whoever, and offer your services. that number is 304 587-6055.

one thing that is really needed is a camground director. that would be someone who would be willing to live in their camper at the campground, and work as a volunteer to be the director, in return for free camping privileges.

right now this would be a volunteer position, but in the not too distant future we expect to be able to make it a paid position, as the business starts to grow.

now, about the pictures--not much has changed yet at the campground, so i took a couple of pictures of the lower end of Clay and put them on here. if this doesn't bring back memories, i don't know what would.

LOTS OF GOOD NEWS

FIRST, THE REALLY GOOD NEWS. WE EXPECT AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE MADE SOON confirming a grant from Senator Byrd's office for the lodge building. It has gained approval in the Senate, and there should be a public announcement in the near future.

Also, Connie has spoken to a company that is going to donate all the 2x4's - 2x6's - 2x10's & sheeting
for one cabin. That will save us about 1300.00. Brian Holcomb already has the plans and
will begin very soon on the first cabin.

The installation of the sewer system should begin in a couple of weeks. That bid came in
at around $ 56,000 for all of the septics plus the grease trap. Start to finish will be
less than 120 days.

And the Elk River Pedal and Paddle competition will be finishing up at the Campground on May 16, with an awards ceremony and gospel sing.Buffalo Gals will be making food available. promises to be great fun for all.

Spring will be here before we know it, and then, summer, with camping season in full swing.

thank you, members

Just a word of Thanks to all the members who have made everything happen at Dundon.
many hours of work have been put in by members and volunteers, and it looks like this is going to be a year of progress.
chances remain excellent that the money will be appropriated to continue work on the lodge, and the sewer system will also become a reality.
now, if you have a camper, or know anyone who has one, head them this way. nothing would be more helpful to the Co-op, and to Clay County than to see the camp ground full of fun-loving campers all summer.
with your help, it will happen.
jerry murphy

SENATOR BYRD

I just recently followed up with Brian Booth in Senator Byrd's office about the request for funding to help finish the lodge building.
As you can guess, what with all the stimulus package talk going on, people from all over have been on them like a pack of dogs on a three legged cat.
However, Brian assured me that the Senator has our request in play, and has it earmarked, and that it will be voted on in due time, but after all the stimulus stuff.
I asked him if it would help if we put on a calling or letter writing campaign, and he told me that it would be unnecessary for us to do so.
In fact, he said that the Senator's earmark is about as good as it gets, and it is best to leave well enough along, or some words to that effect.
He did tell me that it should have been voted on last September, but all this other stuff has gotten in the way of it, and when it is voted on, it will be for the 2010 budget.
I consider this to be real good news. Even though Brian was quick to caution that it can't be counted on until the votes are in, Senator Byrd's name carries a lot of weight, and he is definitely working for us.
So, we will just keep waiting and hoping for the best.
jvm

janurary 3, 2009 membership meeting

On january 3, 2009, member representatives of the Co-op met at the seniors building in Clay for a regularly scheduled meeting.

reports were given on the sewer system, on the possibility of grant money from Senator byrd, and vaarious other matters.

Connie Lupardus submitted her resignation as treasurer, and Charles Cantrell was eleccted to replace her, effective as soon as it was possible to get together to transfer signature accounts, etc.

top left picture shows Secretary Janine Potasnik and Vice President Roger Nutter in deep thought.

The top right picture includes Charlie Cantrell and his wife Irene,, Andy Waddell, Sindy Smith, and Roger's arm, plus one other whose name escapes me. I will have to check on that.

Bids are being solicited on a sewer system, and on cabins for the campground.

Efforts are underway to convert the cabooses to camper use.

Now, this is important--our best bet for vitalizing the entire project is to get a lot of campers into the campground this summer.

so if you know anyone with a camper, encourage them to come to Dundon for a visit. once they get here they will love it.

it would be great to see the campground full all summer.

make it fine in 09.

jvm

OH! THE HILLS, BEAUTIFUL HILLS

Even though fall colors have now mostly faded, the view from the J.G. Bradley campground is still fabulous.

Looking up at the stark forest green of the Hemlocks against the contrasting bright blue of the sky, backdropped by the gray stone cliffs--is a sight never to be forgotten.

And, for those trees that still have color, we are reminded that there is beauty all around. in this bottom picture, not only are there some colorful leaves, but also some pink surveying flags outlining the location of the proposed leachbed for the sewage system.

Then there is the campfire--kept burning by Ralph and Judy Dunn, who are providing campground security through the winter months.

You might notice that the campfire is not exactly traditional, since it is entirely contained. This has been required due to the extremely dry weather that we have experienced this fall.