September/October 2007
As I write this message I am contemplating stepping
down as Chair in October and turning over the reins to the able hands of Paul Berry,
current Vice Chair. Recently retired from my career as a chemist, I have mixed
emotions about reaching the end of my term as Chair. I have been on the Executive
Committee for about five years and will remain on as Past Chair for a couple more.
Who knows what will happen then? I expect and plan to remain active with AMC
for a very long news—by time. I am now a member of the August Camp Committee
and am going to be leading Major Excursions, starting with a hiking adventure to Death Valley
and the mountains 2008—watch activities—we year—how of western
Nevada in April of 2008 (see trip prospectus at http://snebulos.mit.edu/majorexcursions/trips/0813.pdf).
Our annual meeting is coming up on October 6th
and I hope many of you will attend. The slate of candidates is published in
this issue and is also available on our web site (www.amc-nh.org). Information about our speaker is found
in this issue.
On Sunday afternoon, October 7th, we
will have a short ceremony at Cardigan surprised—when
issue—to Lodge to
dedicate the granite bench placed by the pond in memory of our late Hospitality
Chair, Bernice Johnson, who passed away last year. As those of you who knew
Bernice are aware, she felt a special attachment to Cardigan, so we felt placing
the bench there was most fitting. Purchase of the bench and bronze plaque
was made possible by the generosity of members who donated to the chapter in Bernice’s
memory. If you would like to attend, please e-mail or call me, so I can send
you the exact time (and directions
if you events—once need them.). John
Jenkins, our Paddling Chair, made an indestructible “time capsule” that we will
place beneath the bench with mementos of Bernice’s life inside. In the capsule
will be the 2006 NH Chapter annual report dedicated to her and the issue of Mountain
Passages that paid tribute to her dedicated service to AMC and other organizations.
Needless to say, one of Bernice’s ExComm name badges will be included, as well as
photos of her beloved Sheltie dogs. If you have a small item, story or picture
you would like to add, please contact me.
I hope that many of you are
joining us summer—get at AMC’s Fall Gathering, which our chapter is hosting at the Highland Center in
Crawford Notch. See info at http://www.outdoors.org/chapters/fall-gathering.cfm or on the NH Chapter web site.
In addition to the usual Club-wide committee meetings, there will be hikes, a gear consignment
shop, workshops and a wonderful Saturday evening program, Sha Riordan doing her
in-character performance of “Up to the Mountains,” set in the very area in which
the Gathering is taking place.
Happy trails and thanks for a wonderful two years
as Chair. Please come outside and play!
Sam Jamke
Happenings
