Sierra Club State Retreat at Camp Sumatanga
The Alabama State Sierra Club will hold its annual retreat October 28-30 at Camp Sumatanga in west Alabama. Camp Sumatanga is a hidden treasure! It is nestled beneath the Chandler Mountain Range in St. Clair County. There are wonderful walking trails that range from easy walking to strenuous – many of them beside the beautiful lake at the foot of the mountain.
The retreat theme this year is CHERISHING THE ENVIRONMENT BEGINS AT HOME. You will be treated to interesting and motivating workshops, outings in beautiful mountainous settings, and a delicious local foods dinner. Fun evenings are also planned - a hayride and bonfire on Friday evening and a Halloween party on Saturday evening at the nearby home of Peggie Griffin. The party will feature a visit from the famous Reverend Dave, international folk dancing, and dulcimer music provided by local musician, Ellen Harris. If you have a Halloween costume, bring it along!
If you arrive Friday evening, the hayride and bonfire will start around 7:00 pm. If you arrive Saturday morning, the program starts at 8:45 am.
Join us for a wonderful weekend retreat at beautiful Camp Sumatanga!
- Peggie Griffin
Questions?
Web page – Call Steven Baty 489-0990
Want the newsletter by email? Email Tom at
Newsletter questions or comments - Email the editor at
drostj@bellsouth.net
New Members Wanted!
The new member contest is still under way! Remember, the club member who signs up the most new recruits will receive a cash prize of $100.00. The period of the contest is from June 1, 2005 thru June 1, 2006.
All new checks ($25.00) should be mailed to:
David Kostowny
116 Pebblebrook Circle, Madison, AL 35758.
Phone: 325-2296.
E-mail: divadlk@msn.com
Join the Sierra Club or Renew your Membership for $25
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Contributions, gifts and dues to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible; they support our effective citizen-based advocacy and lobbying efforts. Your dues include $7.50 for a subscription to Sierra magazine and $1.00 for your chapter newsletter.
Enclose check and mail to:
David Kostowny
116 Pebblebrook Circle
Madison, AL 35758.
Strong Sierra Showing at ADEM CAFO Hearings
With only one week’s notice to prepare for a hearing on the Alabama CAFO regulations, Sierra Club and Sand Mountain Concerned Citizens (SMCC) were successful in making a good showing! They chartered a bus from NE Alabama and outnumbered the “other side” by about 35 to 5. Many thanks to the folks who made comments stressing that factory farming is a bad way to raise animals – and that the ADEM regulations do not protect Alabama citizens.
The director of the Alabama Poultry and Egg Association was the last person to speak. His comments were so supportive of the CAFO regs and “what a good job they are doing”, that Sierra Club volunteer Leslie Burgess stood up and asked to speak, even though she had not registered to do so. She retaliated with “Let me tell you what the CAFO regs have done for me!” She told the story of how she and her husband Bryan had worked two jobs to save money to have a cattle ranch in their retirement years – but after setting up their beautiful cattle ranch, a hog CAFO located near them. When Bryan tried to work the cattle and run the ranch, the stench made him ill. One day Leslie found him on the ground, with his throat swelling – and unable to breathe. Because of the unhealthy stench from the hogs, they had to sell the cattle – their source of a retirement income.
- Peggie Griffin
Changes to Sierra Club Newsletter
For the past year, the Alabama Sierra chapter has been discussing with North Alabama and other groups the feasibility of having a combined state newsletter instead of each group sending out its own. A combined newsletter would continue to feature news and outings from the various groups, and also allow some of the smaller groups such as West Alabama to have a vehicle to publish news and outings since they cannot afford to do so on their own.
The combined newsletter would be printed as a small newspaper and mailed out to members. A larger format would also allow for more pictures and graphics which we currently cannot do. The estimates so far are that the cost would be about the same. However there is still some discussion as to whether the paper would be issued monthly or bimonthly. No date has been set for a change,
If you have any comments to make on this proposal, please contact one of the Excom members to express your opinion. Contact information for all the Excom members can be found on the back of this sheet.
- the Editor
Shining Rock Wilderness Hike
Friday evening drizzle caused five would-be hikers to seek hotel accommodations while the remaining four hurriedly assembled tents and dove in. Saturday morning the drizzle tapered off just in time to start the walk. After a brief chat with the camp director, we headed south, exiting the scout camp and entering the Shining Rock Wilderness. The long and steady climb began immediately and some quickly realized they had on one too many layers of clothing. On this day with several vista opportunities, we instead found ourselves staring into fog and clouds as the remnants of a tropical storm hung over eastern North Carolina and filtered west. A pleasantly foggy evening again prevented what would have otherwise been a remarkable sunset. Throughout the night, moisture was coaxed from the passing clouds by the surrounding trees which then promptly passed on the droplets to our tents.
We arose Sunday morning to find the skies intermittently clear enough to see the surrounding Blue Ridge mountains. Some of us ventured up to the Cold Mountain summit in hopes of catching the sunrise from one of the most revealing vistas in the Southeast. Although a layer of clouds was stacked on top of the distant mountains over which the sun officially rose, to our amazement, we witnessed multiple "sunrises" as it rose above the cloud layer one moment, only to "descend" into the clouds the next moment. This dance of cloud and sun continued for several minutes, all the while clouds surrounding our vantage point swirled about us. After we recompiled our gear into our backpacks, we all journeyed up to the vista to take in the views and make a group photo. During the descent down out of the wilderness to our vehicles, our minds were disengaged by the memories of what we had seen.
-
Steven Baty
2005 ExCom Members
Chair Judy Jones 852-6179
Vice Ch/Treas. Sam Denham 539-1033
Conservation Bruce Martin 256-725-2168
Fund Raising Freddie DiPlacido 533-0651
Membership Dave Kostowny 325-2296
Newsletter Jack Drost 880-2644
Outings Lee Hollingsworth 461-3060
Publicity Liz Poleretzky 461-5819
Programs Brenda Cummings 881-7447
Programs Logistics Coordinator
Doug Horacek 772-6788
Secretary Judy Burley 883-4267
Tuesday Hikes Nancy Dudney 882-9408
Web Page Steven Baty 489-0990
General Meeting
Thursday October 20, 6:30pm. Downtown Library auditorium.
Sunday, Oct 16 – County Bike Ride. Easy. The bike ride will start at 1:00pm in the New Market area. We will ride to the County Lake and surrounding area. We will ride about 20 miles at a moderate pace. Brenda Cummings, 881-7447.
Tuesday, Oct 18, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Leader: Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.
Sunday, Oct 23 - Monte Sano Dayhike. Moderate. We will hike 5 miles. Meet at 1:00pm at the hiker's parking lot. Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819, hiker@knology.net
Tuesday, Oct 25, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Leader: Nancy Dudney, 882-9408.
Excom Meeting
Thursday Oct 27th - Outings 5:15, Excom 5:45. Info Judy Burley, 883-4267.
Sat-Sun, Oct 29-30 - Day hike and Car Camp Mt Cheaha. Strenuous. On Saturday, fall color dayhike along Pinhoti Trail ridgeline. Saturday night campout at Turnipseed campground, optional dinner at lodge and watch sunset, or stay in camp and eat gruel. Halloween costumes optional. Sunday short hike to High Falls. Meet 7am at Hampton Cove McDonalds on Highway 431. Lee Hollingsworth, 461-3060.
Tuesday, Nov 1, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Leader: Judy Burley, 883-4267.
Saturday, Nov 5 - Flatrock Trail hike. Moderate. Come hike the Flatrock Trail before developers spoil the area. Meet at the Hikers Parking Lot on Monte Sano at 8:00am. Bring $1.00. We will do the Flatrock via the Stone Cuts and Logan's Point and the Sinks. Bring a lunch, water, bug spray, and sturdy hiking boots Call Doug Horacek 772-6788 for information.
Saturday, Nov 5 - Walls of Jericho Dayhike. Strenuous. Meet at 8:00am at the former Winn Dixie location on Winchester Dr. Bring lunch, water and hiking boots for this 7 mile strenuous hike. Liz Poleretzky, 461-5819 or hiker@knology.net
Sunday, Nov 6 - Cornfield Maize Brownsboro. Easy and Fun. Join us for an amazing trip through the cornfield maize. Imagine being plunked into a field of cornstalks towering 12 feet high. Everywhere you turn, it's a sea of green and gold and downright corn-fusing! That's the idea behind the corn maze craze that's stalking the country. Where can you get some good exercise, enjoy a fall day, laugh, and learn about agriculture all at the same time? Admission is $10 age 12 and up. Meet at the old Winn Dixie on Winchester Road at 12:15. Contact Judy Burley at 883-4267 or jcburley@knology.net for further information.
Tuesday, Nov 8, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Leader: Virgil DeStefano, 539-0348.
Newsletter Labeling
Wednesday, November 9th, 5:30pm. Barbara Martin's office, Holmes Ave at Church St. Info: Judy Jones 852-6179.
Saturday, Nov 12 - Sipsey Dayhike. Strenuous. We’ll travel the southern triangle (201/209/202) for an 11-mile strenuous hike through our favorite wilderness. Bring lunch and water. There will be autumn leaves and late wildflowers and two crossings of the Sipsey River (water level unknown). Meet at Hardee’s on South Parkway at 8:00am or at Wren Trading Post at 9:30. Late return to Huntsville. Bruce Martin 256-725-2168.
Tuesday, Nov 15, 6:00pm - Downtown Evening Hike. Easy. Meet at Huntsville Land Trust Office, 907 Franklin St. Leader: Bruce Martin, 256-725-2168.
Saturday, Nov 19 – Pinhoti Trail Construction. Strenuous. Help build the trail that will eventually connect Alabama's Blue Ridge Mountains to the AT in Georgia. Bring loppers, lunch, water, and work gloves. Other tools provided. Free early supper afterwards for everyone who shows up! Meet at Publix in Hampton Cove at 7:00am. Sam Denham 539-1033(h), 961-0436(w).
Sunday, Nov 20 - Cloudland Canyon hike. Moderate. Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, this is one of the most scenic parks in the state. The park straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek, and elevation differs from 800 to 1,980 feet. We will first hike to the bottom of the gorge where there are two waterfalls cascading into pools below. We will then hike the 6 mile rim trail which should provide some spectacular vistas. Meet at the old Winn Dixie on Winchester Road at 8:30am. Contact Judy Burley at 883-4267 or jcburley@knology.net for further information.
Other Outings / Events
The following activities are not sponsored or administered by the Sierra Club. The Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities and makes no representations or warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities. They are published only as a reader service because they might be of interest to the readers of our newsletter.
Speaker on Ivory-Billed Woodpecker
On Tuesday, November 8 at 7:00pm, the Huntsville Land Trust is hosting an evening with Bobby Harrison, one of the two people who recently saw the Ivory-Billed Woodpecker in Arkansas. Bobby will tell the story of the Ivory-Bill's near demise and miraculous resurrection and discuss how the "Lord God Bird" was rediscovered. The event will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Road, in the new auditorium on south side of the church. Reservations are required through the Huntsville Land Trust office: (256)534-5263; Tickets are $10, or $5 for HLT members.
Nature Wanderers
Saturday, Oct 15 - Walls of Jericho
Take a moderate hike to the Walls of Jericho on the border of Tennessee and Alabama. Scenic area with bluffs and cascades, if we have rain. Fall colors will abound. Bring water and snacks. Call Teresa Young 256-773-1945 for info.
Saturday, October 22. Bike Ride – Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. Easy bike ride along the north side of the Tennessee River. Paved and gravel roads, about 20-25 miles. Bring water and snacks. Lunch afterwards optional. Call Teresa Young 256-773-1945.
Saturday, October 29. Sipsey Wilderness Hike. Easy-to-moderate hike in the Sipsey Wilderness area of the Bankhead Forest. Meet at Trading Post in Wren at 9:00am. Bring lunch and water. Call Ted Kuzma 256-974-7771 or Janice at Wild South 256-974-6166.
Monday, Oct 31 - Nature Wanderers Meeting. The quarterly meeting of Nature Wanderers will be held at 7:0pm at Wheeler Basin Library on 6th Avenue in Decatur.