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continued
The grotto assisted in the formation of the North Carolina cave survey and has helped to locate, explore and map over 180 caves to date in what was previously considered to be a "cave less state". Their discoveries have included the integration of what may prove to be one of the longest tectonic cave systems of its type in the world. Also, several new species of troglobitic organisms have been discovered.
Two speleology courses have been taught by Flittermouse members at a local community college, and the grotto has established an excellent working relationship with a nearby rescue squad in the event of a caving emergency. This is in addition to its membership in the CRCN.
During the past years, Flittermice have been seen on the site of numerous cave cleanups, and have even assisted with drafting an environmental impact statement involving one of the state's better cave areas.
One of our most recent projects was to serve as consultants for the building of a cave display and audiovisual presentation at the Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, NC. This should hopefully be completed sometime early in 1979.
In summary, the Flittermouse Grotto believes in quality rather than quantity. Though considered a small group, compared to many others, it is composed of a proud band of hard-working, dedicated cavers. --January 1979.
The Mountain Empire Grotto was formed by Roy Powers in 1976. The new grotto serves cavers located from Abingdon to Marion, VA. One of the early members was Ellen Pietsch, affectionately known as "Peaches', who works at the Barter Inn in Abingdon. Ellen, NSS 733, had been a founding member of the Philadelphia Grotto, and had dome some of the early artwork in the NSS NEWS. Peaches has served as the secretary of the Mountain Empire Grotto since the group's formation.
With the help of Cave Conservation institute, also formed by Roy Powers, MEG members rented a fieldhouse near Alvarado, VA, from Larry Kirksev. They worked hard to restore portions of the house which had fallen into ruin. They sealed the house against cold weather, replaced a decaying chimney, installed a new outhouse and generally improved the property. By using the fieldhouse for MEG meetings and get-togethers with other area cavers, members have been able to better explore Lowe's Caveand locate other karst features of the area.
The departure of the Powers family from the Abingdon area in 1977 to Lee County caused the grotto's headquarters to relocate in the Bristol, VA-TN area where Chairman, Tony McGee, resides. The group meets once a month on a weekend night. Locations vary from Bristol's Statzer's Cafeteria or Bonanza to the Alvarado Fieldhouse or the home of grotto members Larry and Joan Sells. Frequently, after a Sunday evening meeting, members adjourn to the Foxfire, a pub in the Bristol VA Hall, where grotto member, David Foster, is a featured performer.
Because of a shared interest in area caves, members of the Mountain Empire Grotto and the older Holston Valley Grotto have many functions together. HVG members have given programs at MEG meetings and have helped in vertical training sessions, while MEG members have supported HVG's biannual caving seminars at ETSU and assisted in mapping Gap Creek Saltpeter Cave. Joint caving trips have been held to Barn Pit, Rattling Hole, Gilley Cave, Morrell Cave, Stamps Pitand Ferris Pitin the last two years.
In April 1977, the two grottos sponsored the VAR Spring Council meeting, and plan to work together in October 1979 to host the Fall VAR meeting in Abingdon. --Anne Whittemore, April 1979.
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