OTR 2001 - A Cave Oddity

Free Da Fun!

Need we say more about the theme this year?  Everywhere you looked you found something having to do with space, aliens, space travel, stars, and of course a Galactic Goddess.  

This is Fang's (Chris Kramer-Harnage) first year as OTR chair, er, uh, Galactic Goddess, and she has been all over the universe fine tuning the operation in preparation for the event.  Did you get a chance to see the monolithic bonfire on Thursday night?  It was quite the spectacle.  You can thank Harny for that event.  Complete with drums and apes.  Just like it was in the movie, sort of.

Everywhere the motto "FreeDaFun" was evident.  From shirts to the guide book to the nightly party, Fang's goal was to make this a fun weekend.  Don't keep the "fun" locked up, let it out so everyone can enjoy it.  Did it seem like a mellow OTR to you?  Not if Fang had her way.  Woop, Woop, Woopieeeeeeeee!

Thursday also provided the late night crowd with a triple feature movie viewing in the pavilion.  Flash Gordon, Forbidden Planet, and for the really late night crowd Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Three new events were introduced this year for the Speleo-Olympics.  A knot tying contest, Orienteering, and the first ever, Bob Lutz Memorial "Tug-A-Rope-A-Rama"  which was very well attended.  The rules stated that you needed women on your team or guys dressed like women.  OTR, the only place where there are more men wearing bras than women.

The bands were Larry Groce & the Carpenter Ants with special guest star Kevin Coyne, and a Saturday night appearance of Bill Danoff the author of "Country Roads".  A special treat was the opening of the TRA awards on Saturday where vocalist Lora "the Light" Goldenecho (Latterner) who graced us with her talented singing.

The Robertson Association presented its highest award, the Robbie Award, to long time contributors Paul Stevens and Chuck Hempel.  The award goes to individuals who have devoted a significant portion of their life to bettering OTR.  Also presented were the Fellow awards.  These awards were given out to Evelyn Bradshaw, Bill Bussey, Berry Chute, Mike Fitzpatrick, Mary Ellen Garten, Carol S. Jackson, Charles Kahn, Garry Moss, Brian Preaux and Johnny Parsons.

This year was also the start of the "No Early Arrivals" policy.  As early arrivers showed up, they were given wrist bands and set to work on work crews.  As it got closer to opening time, new arrivers were directed into the overflow area as a holding pen until 12:00 noon on Thursday.  Everyone was given notice that next year, unless you are on a work crew, you won't be allowed in to the campground, so plan ahead.

The party in the pavilion died down late night on Sunday as everyone gravitated toward the mud wrestling.  The crowds were thick and videos were switched off as the contestants got down and dirty.  It was all in fun though.

What's a reunion without a little rain?  Well this one was no exception.  Thursday and Friday had some real gully washers.   As OTR progressed we began the drying process.  The drenching we had Friday gave way to a much brighter Saturday morning which we welcomed with a wonderful alien doo dah parade, complete with the electric chariot, the drunk wagon, mad cows, the OTR survivors, "Cover the world in Duct Tape", the plastic wrapped "Ralphs in Space", NSS 2002 Maine Convention, and Mardi Gras Grotto.

An important addition this year was the new hot water heaters for the showers, purchased by the donation of $5,000 by Dick Blenz.  The boiler room is now aptly named "Blenz's Boilers" so you won't forget.

This year also is noted for the institution of the ROOTs classification.  Where as a COOT is typically someone who has attended 20 reunions, a ROOT is someone who has attended 40, or double that of a COOT.  With this being the 52nd OTR, we already have quite a few ROOTs.

TRA recording secretary Sharon Brinkman-Windle stepped down and is replaced by Lor Windle. The TRA elections resulted in the reelection of Paul Drennan, and Lizette Molina Deem as the elected trustees this year. 

This year also saw the first ever color logo for the staff shirt, and a monolith shaped program guide.  We hope you read it, it was packed full of information, pictures, and alien humor.  If not, you may need to wait until next years auction to see a copy, or check with Dale Ibberson, I'm sure he has a copy in the OTR museum.