Bob & Linda Domine, GA Navigator Cup (GNC) Meet Directors

The 2004 USOF Convention and 2004 Georgia Navigator Cup have been accomplished!

WHAT AN EVENT! It was a week of terrific classroom instruction and one O activity after another, culminating in the 2004 GNC A Meet.

It was great having orienteers from all over the nation join us in Georgia for the fun, laughter, excitement and challenge of the north Georgia woods. The Mountain Laurel thickets are deceptively impenetrable and mapped for good reason. Respect for and choosing routes around the Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron was much more evident on Day 2.

The weather was kind to us with cooling showers each day. The person that provided the buses for our day one shuttle said it was the coolest July 4th he could remember.

Laurie, Sam, Robin, Steve, Martha, Bill, Guido, Kevin and Mike Ferguson’s family lead and performed the LION’S share of the vision and effort. Linda and I, along with many others, deeply Appreciate your passion and determination to see this week-long Event through. You guys and gals are Magnificent!

A BIG Thanks goes to the many volunteers beyond this core group, including George, Donna, Vinton, Pam, Nancy, Rita, Felicia, Liz, Valerie, Joey, Rick and John. It would have not been possible without you.

This will be one of those weeks in life that we’ll never forget. For all those who contributed, “Thanks from all the rest of us,” for making it possible.

Let me add my thanks also. COK and GAOC can be proud of our "once in a lifetime" hosting of the USOF convention.

Looking back over the week I can't remember a single problem that was significant. We adapted and improvised when necessary, and that made all the difference.

Everyone I spoke to had a good time. The fears of hot weather and impossible terrain were proven wrong. Yes, the maps are green, but excellent course setting by both clubs more than compensated.

And there was always something to do - we kept everyone busy and entertained. I'm sure they got their money's worth.

The mapping clinic was well attended - I think we had 18 plus J-J and myself. This was the first time that USOF had a computer lab available for the OCAD class, and everyone thought it was great to get hands-on practice.

What's next? Don't forget we are going to help Joey put on his A-meet in Birmingham next January - it's only a couple of hours from Atlanta.

There's still 2k of basemap at Duke's Creek I haven't field checked - between Asbestos road and the old landfill, north to the creek.

GNC '06? I would suggest going back to Duke's Creek in winter or early spring. Who wants to be meet director?

Let me say thank you to you all too. I had two great weekends and it's a shame I didn't find the time to join you during the convention.

Because I didn't help at all the last 10 days and although 2006 is still very far away, I think I could take over the job of the course setter for GNC '06. I don't care where this meet is going to take place as long as it isn't Mistletoe and it always takes me hours to drive out there... In January Dukes Creek is quite good runnable (although I'm not sure if it was better than now, I might have become used to the green). But it's probably a good thing to check the new area for how green it is before you go out there and map it, Sam.

 My thanks, also, to the entire crew, especially to Sam Smith and J-J Cote for the excellent mapping clinic. I really learned a lot.

... and to Guido for the excellent awards.

... and to Linda for keeping me focused at the finish line.

... and to Rick Shane for picking up Park-O controls and giving a little more than he should have during the construction of the A-meet facilities.

GAOC has some very hard-working volunteers.

Hey All,
I wish to add my Thanks too.
It is easiest to Thank All... everyone I asked -- helped!

A special Thanks to Steve... I know how much he did -- 'cause I was there for much of it -- 99% done in the rain. He was very upset about Rick's injury (smashed his thumb -- badly), but continued to get things done.

Most of us worked hard, but Walter... offered his meet, then came over and set the Vampire O (Night O)... picked it up...along with the Park O and still won or finished at the top of every event!

Pam Ferguson and her beautiful daughters, Nancy and Emily, ran the "pre-school"... the hardest job!

Valerie Meyer, the lady from out-of-town, who helped with Trail O, then ran the e-punch at Kevin's Park O, gave a workshop and her hardest job... convinced me that Sportdent was the way to go!

Linda and Bob Domine, simply did everything that needed doing.
Sam did the most... when Steve and I finally got to bed, Sam was still pounding on his computer... doing more stuff.

Robbie, Queen of Everything... "Ask Robbie" were the words heard most.

Laurie -- THE BOSS! She had to put up with all of us, plus the guest, plus the staff and even the police... but handled all with a big smile.

GAOC is a wonderful family -- I am glad to be part of it! Bill.

I forgot to re-mention Joey Ciza from VOC (AL). I "fell-out" one day and Joey helped Steve while I took a nap. He was there whenever we needed him.

Now we get to help Joey with his MLK weekend '05 meet with the O team. The team will be in charge... but I'll bet there will be plenty to do, so we will help. It would be a good time to try Sportdent... borrowed or "rented".

The team wants a sprint on Monday... but maybe we can do an Extreme O too.

GAOC... 2005 too.... maybe AND 2006 definitely!

Let's talk about it. Bill.