THE HEAT OF THE SUMMER

Well, this has been an interesting summer. Plans have been made and re-made for getting a sewer system in place.

However, it has proven very difficult to get official approval for any of the plans. we are still working with the various bureaucracies trying to get approval to start digging the dirts fora septic system.

But, even though we can't build a system yet, their has been some dirt

digging going on, getting the lot leveled up, and some other work being done.

the top picture is a grader which was in use, but at the time of the picture was in a the process of being repaired.

the lower picture is clearly an operable bulldozer, and has been effective in leveling a big dirt pile.

we will continue to try to get the necessary permits to allow for sewer construction, so that we can proceed. without a sewer system, little else can be accomplished.

but, come and see for yourself. it is still a very restful place to visit.

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.

November 11, 2008 Board meeting

Board of Directors members were hard at work on November 11, working on many details of the Co-op operation.

Shown in these pictures from the top are: Connie Lupardus; Bill Carr; and Ramona Samples. The next picture is the same group plus Randall Workman. The bottom picture is Bill Carr and Ramona Samples.

Discussion included the sewage system which will begin the bidding and construction process soon; communication with legislators and congrressmen in the near future regarding grants; cabin construction; caboose placement and others.

Bill Carr has done a lot of work distributing the campground brochures, and has arranged to have them in all 8 W.Va. welcome centers, plus a lot of other locations.

ABOUT THE RAILROAD

Just a few words about the railroad purchase status.
Negotions are ongoing, but there are deed restrictions involving coal company usage of the track. That matter has to be resolved before it can be sold to us.
Right now, we are told that someone is suing the coal company for one of those environmental considerations, and they can not yet determine their options.
So, again, we are in a hurry up and wait mode on this, but, be assured that everything possible is being done to resolve this issue.

THE CHANGING VIEW

Fall brings its own beauty to our great West Virginia Hills, and the view at the J.G. Bradley Campground has certainly been no exception this fall. But, the view is changing.
Lots of activity has been, and will be, taking place. Engineering studies are now complete for a sewer system, and bids will shortly be taken for construction. It is anticipated that a sewage system will be in place sometime in late January or early February. This is a really important development, since it now makes possible the completion of other facilities.
In other matters, a new campground brochure has now been drawn up, printed and distributed throughout the state, and shortly will be distributed even further.
Thanks to the efforts of Bill Carr, the brochure will be placed in all the W.VA. welcome centers throughout the state.
The brochures refer to Caboose Camping as "Coming Soon".
It now appears that the Cabooses will be able to be set up very soon. Roger Nutter and crew have prepared the site where they will be located, and as soon as we can get the crane up there, which is expected to be soon, they will be put on site.
The state tourist folks are very interested in caboose camping, and really want to promote it, as soon as we are ready.
Another Biggie--now that the election is over, maybe attention can now be given to our grant requests, and perhaps something will begin to flow from those promises that we have been given.
So, lots of activity has been going on, and will continue to be. Feel free to some by and visit anytime.

more october 4 meeting notes

Treasurer connie lupardus reported that our income taxes have now been filed, and we should be on track there.


We are getting more and more interest in using the building for a variety of activities, so work will proceed to phase in more opportunities.


Connie also reported on the status of the railroad negotiations. at the present time, the coal company is considering whether or not they want to renovate the track and use it to haul coal. once their decision is finalized, then we can expect a resolution as to the co-op usage.

The bottom photo here shows Bob Johnson and his wife among others. Bob is the grandson of Tom Graham, and is just completing a book on Whetstone.
the top photo is a view of part of the attendees, and i can't identify all of them from the picture.
vote was taken to change the time of the next meeting to 10:00 a.m. and it will be on January 3, 2009.
be sure to mark your calendar.

October 4, 2008 membership meeting

Saturday, October 4 at the new campground building was the scene of the October meeting of the B, C, and G co-op membership.
The top photo here shows vice president Bill Carr as he discusses the new campground brochures that you can see stacked in front of him.
Also on the table you can see a rolled up paper, which is a layout of the new sewage system which was discussed.
The lowere picture shows Roger Nutter passing out the campground brochures to the members. Right behind him are Sue and Emil Short, and standing by the post is board member Earl McCune.

In other board action, Randall Workman was elected to the board to replace Carl Wilson, who passed away shortly after being placed on the board.
(More info on the next post.)

AUGUST AT THE CAMPGROUND

Monday, August 18, the board of directors met at the lodge and worked over a number of issues.

The attached pictures show the building with flags flying on the front porch, and the campground pictures shows where work has been done on the bank towards the creek, smoothing and landscaping it. Also, trees were being trimmed back from the electric lines.

We worked on a campground brochure, and expect to have it printed in teh very near future.

And, in the better good news department, there is an indication of tentative approval of our grant request for $200,000 from Senator Byrds office.

If in fact it is finally and totally approved, it will be in the 2009 year budget, and may be dependent upon the political climate after the election.

However, if all goes well, we should be able to expect to receive money of that magnitude during the next year sometime.

One observation--Monday was such a beautiful and peaceful day there at the campground. Beautiful bright blue fall sky, with the dark green of summer leaves contrasting against it--coupled with the sounds and sights of football practice in the ball field across the road--makes a person feel almost timeless.

If you haven't seen it, put it on your must do list. Swandale days is coming up, followed by the apple festival in Clay, so you owe it to yourself to make it a destination for this fall.

camping at J.G. Bradley campground

spring flowers will soon be turning to fall foliage, but there is still plenty of time for camping.

and, at the J.G. Bradley campground, it is still a bargain.

$10.00 per night for a camper or tent with electric and water,

or $5.00 per night for just a tent.

and we don't charge to use the dump station.

so, pack up the camper and come on in.

CARL WILSON

WE ARE VERY SADDENED TO REPORT THE DEATH OF RECENTLY ELECTED B, C, AND G CO-OP BOARD MEMBER CARL WILSON.
Carl has been a long time supporter of the co-op, and also, of Clay county in general. He has earned the respect of everyone, and will be sorely missed.
He passed away tuesday night, august 5, and his wake will be on Thursday, August 7.
I have no more details at this time.
jvm

B, C, and G Board MeetingC

July 15, 2008 the Board of Directors once again met in the under construction Lodge building at the J. G. Bradley campground. pictured here on the front steps of the building are:

Front row, left to right -Ramona Samples, president of the Buffalo Gals, Jerry Murphy, Co-op president, and Roger Nutter, 1st vice president, and founding president of the co-op.

Second row left to right is treasurer Connie Lupardus, and Secretary Janine Potasnik. And third row are newly elected directors George Workman and Earl McCune.

Absent were Director Carl Wilson, who was unable to attend, and 2nd Vice President, Bill Carr, who was out of town on business.

membership meeting june 28

Well, it was another historic occasion. The new lodge building, although still under construction was the site of the co-op general membership meeting on June 28. Here are some pictures of part of the crowd as they were leaving.

A number of matters were discussed at this meeting, but the primary item of business was the election of officers for the coming year.

Officer will be: President, Jerry Murphy; Vice Presidents Roger Nutter and Bill Carr; Treasurer--Connie Lupardus; Secretary--Janine Potasnik.

Also, pursuant to a by-laws change, three directors were chosen, and they are Earl McCune; Carl Wilson; and George Workman.

Welcome to the new officers and directors, and thanks to Charlie Cantrell for his service as treasurer.

The next board meeting will be July 15, and we look forward to seeing all of them there, as well as any other members who wish to attend.

One item of note--there is a window display about the co-op in the window of Nancy's Flower Shop, complete with a model steam engine. if you haven't seen it, take a look.

campground

It occurred to me that we didn't really have much of a view of the campground. So, here it is, totally un-obstructed by campers or equipment, although there were some building supplies in evidence at the time of the picture.

there is still a lot of work to be done, but it is very functional for most campers, whether tent or rv unit.

There is water on site, a dump station, and , several electric hook-ups.

More work being done every day.

Board meeeting, june 17, 2008

Tuesday, June 17, the J.G. Bradley campground Lodge was the site of a meeting of the B, C, and G, co-op officers.

We already have pictures of the officers at work, so here are some pictures of actual work being done on the buildings.

The small building is being repainted, and these pictures show Carl Wilson, his wife Lois, and Wilma Ramsey wielding the paint rollers, changing the interior from wood chip to white.

Also, workmen on the lodge itself, working on the exterior of the building.

Inside, work is ongoing on a number of items, including installing ceiling fans. Leonard Loving was on hand to do some wiring work on that job.

Lots of work yet to be done and volunteers appreciated.

Oh! yes, pretty soon the window display will be up in the store window at Nancy's flower shop. Be sure to look for it.