OTR 2002 - A Look Back
|
| 53rd Reunion |
Remembering
our past
|
|
 This
year we showed up despite the weather predictions of rain throughout
the week, knowing that the gates wouldn't open until noon Thursday
and that we wouldn't be able to rope off space for our late arriving
friends. Somehow the thought of missing an Old Timers Reunion was
out of the question. Wasn't it a pleasant surprise when when we
arrived to discover the overflow campground had been opened for us
to park until OTR started. There were longer delays with the road
crews out on the main road than there were at registration, and how
often do we have an OTR with no rain?
This was Fang's (Chris Kramer-Harnage)
second and final as OTR chair. We had 2,108 attendees this year.
About 90 people less than last year, but with the no roping off
policy in effect, we had MUCH more green space available for
camping. It's always questionable when a new policy is put into
effect, but with our overcrowding situation getting worse each year,
it was necessary to do something. This year people were not allowed
to save space by roping off their camping area. Yes, it's true that
some people didn't end up camping in the same place as they have for
years, but all in all, there was plenty of camping space available.
 The
theme this year was "A Look Back", and
the goal was to remember past reunions, past caving experiences and
our friends from years gone by. OTR started with a very touching
memorial ceremony at the new Lutz Rock and Memorial garden for our
lost comrades. Immediately following the memorial service was the
lighting of the bonfire. This year a nice touch was added to the
bonfire, a larger than life 12 foot carbide lamp was on display. As
night fell the lamps flame ignited for some impressive
pyrotechnics. Oddly enough, the lamp was inscribed as a "Premier",
but as the flames started to blaze it brought back memories of the
plastic Justrite.
Thursday night had a triple feature
showing of "Journey to the Center of the Earth", "Caveman" and a
return of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" for a midnight showing.
 Friday
night the streets were filled with toga clad cavers. It was rumored
that the local Walmart had such a run on fabric during the day, that
they were sold out. We had togas of all shapes, sizes and colors.
Like they say "when in Rome do as the Romans". At COOTERS the
standing stone grotto had their Roman banquet catered in the new
"Brown Van Room", extension to COOTERS. In the pavilion Reverend Al
& the Moaning Lisas provided music for the limbo and other
favorites.
Saturday morning the streets
were packed with people watching the Doo-Dah parade. Many old time
favorites showed up as grottos took a look back to past parades and
costumes. The crowds
 got
a big laugh as RASS reenacted the beer quarantine area from the
Maine NSS convention this summer. "No Beer In! No Beer Out!" was
their chant. Everyone dodged the squirt guns as the Hillbilly Pool
Party drove by. Many other wonderful entrants went by, one of the
largest turn outs we have seen.
 This
was a day for contests, the tug-a-rope-a-rama had a large turn out
as we watched team after team get pulled into the mud pit. Not
completely mud free, the winning team had it's group photo taken in
the mud pit.
This was the 25th OTR auction, and it
was also Kelley "Decon" Deem's final year as auctioneer. Kelley was
presented with an award for all of his years of service, as we all
know the award was "Auction Sized".
The Lyons Club chicken dinner was
excellent as usual. They are now serving 900 chickens at an OTR,
with requests for more.
At night fall we had the annual TRA
awards in the pavilion. The recipients of these awards are fellow
cavers who have committed significant time and energy throughout the
years to make TRA and OTR better. Recipients of the TRA Fellow
award were Kim Kehs, Terry King,
Lee Stevens, Lizette Molina Deem, Chuck Coatney, Ray Garton, Charlie
Williams, Vic Ward, Dale Ibberson, David Shackelford, Marshall
Fausold and Paul Drennen. The Robbie award which carries the
highest honors and the gratitude of a grateful membership was
presented to Doug Gary who is our master plumber and can always be
counted on. Be sure to thank Doug for the hot water in the showers
at OTR.
Following the awards was the start of
the Mardi Gras Mischief Masquerade party. Music was provided by the
Fabulettes, and masked and beaded patrons packed the dance floor
'til the wee hours of the morning.
 Sunday,
after the TRA board meeting we were given a wonderful opportunity to
meet with the old and new chair. Seated in their equally old and
new chairs were Fang the out going chair, and Mike Oatney the chair
for 2003 and 2004 reunions. We had a chance to sit back and relax
with root beer ice cream floats served by the TRA board members. A
nice treat for a rather warm day. With the rain earlier in the
week, the water in the river was up, and you could find many people
in lawn chairs taking advantage of the cool river and shade trees
during the late afternoon heat.
TRA elections were held and the newly
elected TRA board members were A.J. Goslin and Doug Gary.
Sunday night heated up the dance
floor once again to the sounds of the Tuscarawas River Band with a
"Bran' New Party". The Loyalhanna Grotto sponsored their 3rd annual
OTR wrestling championship, and Johnnie Parsons the OTR DJ kept the
dance floors packed till 4:00am with a great selection of music.
Monday everyone said their goodbyes
and promised to meet again next year at the same time. Mike Oatney
(next year's chair) had a worried look on his face wondering just
how he was going to beat this year's spectacular reunion. You can
count on us Mike, we're here to help.
Thanks Fang for a
wonderful time.
 |
