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BARBARA MUNSON, Coordinator Route 9, Box lOG NCA CaveTa k McMinnville, TN 37110 NATIONAL CAVES ASSOCIATION (615) 668-3925 February 22, 1988

PRESIDENT'S COMMENTS As we get ready to start the 1988 season, NCA President Russ Campbell shares some thoughts with us ...headings will be starred (***). Thanks, Russ, weill look for more in future issues ..•

•••REFLECTING Each of us are in the travel industry. We participate on two different levels. First as a supplier ...we own or operate attractions. Second as a consumer ...we all travel for recreation. Now~ neither of these observations taken individually are very significant. Put them together, though, and they produce a great opportunity.

Stop and think about the last few trips you've taken. I'll bet that a good portion of what you recall was negative~ poor food, slow service, a clerk just "putting in time", dirty carpet, the long lines, and remember that restroom? It seems as you travel that most businesses that produce service have forgotten just that. There just doesn1t seem to be much service left in this' country. Now on the other hand remember the positive~ the fella who took time to simply visit, the gal that gave you the map, the clean restroom, and what about that attraction? ..sure it cost a little more than you expected but it sure was worthwhile ..•they really took care of us.

So what's the great opportunity? Well, as both operators and consumers we can apply our consumer standards to our own attractions. After a trip come home and make sure you're not guilty of the same negatives you just experienced. If you saw something that pleased you try to incor- porate it. It's amazing just how far you can go in this world by simply treating folks nice ..•They'll give you just about anything you want from life.

Don't miss your opportunity.

***PLAIN SENSE "Our customers expect the same things we expect when we travel ...friendly service, a smile, and a clean restroom."

***SURE THING The man sho say's he can1t do it ...is certain to be right.

***CONSIDERATION The best value isn't necessarily the cheapest price.

CHIINGES Starting in March CAVE OF TilE WINDS will have a new area code (719). their phone number will be: (719) 685-5444.

WOODWARD CAVE's phone number is (814) 349-9800

ALABASTER CAVERNS has a new box number - 32

The address of SEA LION CAVES is now 05914 view Loop.

ADVENTURE The enclosed flyer tells about Mexican Caving Expeditions Steve Fairchild is offering. Each NCA member cave is being offered two trips at half price. The fee covers all expenses except transportation to and from Mexico City. The trips will be offered year round. Steve will be happy to answer any questions if you'd like to give him a call: (209) 736-2708, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific Time. NEW PRODUCT The PENNY SOUVENIR vending machine with four exclusive designs is a"Jailable for yout scenic attraction. TIle beautiful oak cabinet with eye-catching graphics attracts the customers. using less than four sq. feet of Eloor space the Penny machine can add to your income. The person sees their own penny pressed into a souvenir. The machine has a 180 day warrenty and requires very little m(lintcnance. You design the four exclusive souvenir designs for your specific location. For further information contact Miles Romney, President, Penny Design, Inc., 3098 Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106 or call 801-466-]711.

NEW ENTERPRISE A new enterprise for HOWE CAVERNS over the Holidays was wholesaling fudge (Calico Cottage Candies fudge made right there at HOWE CAVERNS) to area businesses. This proved to be very popular as well as profitable. They also ship (prepaid) to businC's~es out of the area. Contact Janette Van Schaick, HOWE CAVERNS, 518-296-8990.

GOLD P1\.NNING DeSOTO C1\.VERNShas struck i.tRich! They are now offering Gold Panning for their visitors while they wait for their tour. Visitors pan for real gold as well as gems and minerals found in Alabama. For $2.00 you are guaranteed to learn how to pan for gold - and you might even f~nd some.

POSTERS The Graphics Department at ENDLESS CAVERNS now has four different 18' x 24" full-color photographs of the Caverns. (We've seen them, and they are really great! SCM) 'These posters are on lo~n to various businesses, motels, restaurants, etc. also for sale to the public - in a frame ($24.00 each) or rolled in a shippincJ tube ($3.75 each). Call Gary 703-740-3993 if you'd like more informatic)n.

CH1\.NGESAND ADDITIONS CAVE OF THE WINDS is adding another room to their cave tour and a fancy new light show. Also, the Gift Shop and bathrooms are bring remodled (is this a pre-convention tradition?). We'll see all this and lots, lots more during the 1988 NC1\.Convention at CAVE OF THE WINDS September 27th-29th and the weekend activities.

and poo}-at the C~SCADE 1880'S THEME Jill Beadsley tells us they h~ve a new pavi.lion that they are continuing to remodle)the campground CAVERNS campground and '--" along an 1880's theme.

5TH & 6TH GRADES Randy Langhover has been showing the COSMIC CAVERNS movie to area 5th and 6th grades - he dosen't charge for the movie, but urges the classes to set up a field trip to the cave at less than half the regular admission.

SHORTER DOURS CRYSTAL CAVE in Nisconsin hilS shortened their hours from 8 to 8 to 9:30 to 6:30. Jean Place says they feel they will not lose business with the shorter hours during the summer. Also, they plan to be open :or the general public on weekends only in September and October. They will continue to take groups on weekends during those months.

NEW PAVING In December MARENGO CAVE had their entrance road and lower parking lot paved. Looks great, but speeding is now a problem. This winter they have been cleaning the floors in sections of the cave and have also put in two small waterfalls to recirculate the natural water during the dry periods of the year.

SPECIAL REQUEST Dick and Denise, SENECA C1\.VERNS,have received a special request to send some cave post cards to a little boy, Clint sanker, 7442 Elkwood Dr., West Chester, Ohio 4~069, whose special dream is to receive cave picture post cards" from allover. FAMILY DISCOUNT COUPONS ENDLESS CAVERNS is using the enclosed Family Discount Coupons in their area this year and would also like to supply their brochures, with a coupon attached, to !nember NCA caves. If you'd like to disp:ay their brochure, please let Gary Berdeaux, ENllLESS CAVERNS, P. O. Box 859, New Market, VA 22844, know the number you'll need.

BOUQUET Steve Stokowski, Chairman., National Speleological Soceity Educational Opportunities in Speleology Committee, writes, "The 'Caves and Caver-ns' video is excellent! I commen(l the National Caves Association on a job well done."

CONFERENCE The first National Tourism nn(l Parks Conference will be held March 9-11 at Biloxi, Mississippi. An impressive lineup of speakers from the National Parks Service, the National Pnrks & Conservation Association, The Travel Industry Association of America, The National Tour Association, The Recrea- tion Vehicle Industry Association, as well as Dr. John Hunt, distinguished Professor of Travel and Tourism at the University of Massachusetts, will lead discussions of topics of interest to all involved with tourisrr in the United States. For further information please contact Priscilla Baker, NPS Tourism Director, Washington, D.C., (202) 343-4917, or Jim Howard, Public Affairs Officer, NPS Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, (404) 331-5187.

N1\.TION1\LTOURISM WEEK "Tourism WorkS for l\merica" will be the theme of National Tourism Week '88, May 15-21. May 16th has been designated Tourism Awareness ~, and members of the tourism industry will be encouraged to weal~ red on this day to signify their involvement in the industry.

MR ROGERS NEIGHBORnOOD LURAY CAVERNS was chosen as a site for the filming of a segment of the popular PBS TV Program, MR. ROGERS NEIGHBORHOOD. The cast, including the star, Fred Rogers, Betty l\ller1in,anrl guest star, Eric Kloss, noted blind jazz saszphonist, along with the Di.rector, Paul Lally, Producer, Margy Whitmer and seven technicians arrived in Luray on Sunday, Feb. 7th, and spent all day Monday filming a nine minute segment of the show in the cave. A highlight of the program, which will be released to the network on May 3, was Mr. Hogers playing his theme song lilt's A Beautiful Day," on the Caverns Stalacpipe Organ, while being accompanied by sClxaphonist Eric Kloss, as the theme wns sung by Betty Aberlin who plays Lady Elaine on the show.

IN PRINT Both the January 1988 and I~ellruary1988 issues of NSS NEWS carried articles about WIND CAVE. Several were by John Scheltens, winner of our 1987 NCA/NSS Award.

A number of our southeastern NCA member caves will be mentioned in the summer issue of RoadTrips magazine, sponsored by Chevy.

NEW OWNER Arkansas' HURRICANE RIVER CAVE has been purchased by Barbara Szlemko and her son Robie. The Sz1emkos, who are from New England, have been busy, despite snow, ice, rain, and freezing weather, getting the cave ready to reopen in the Spring. Their address is P. O. Box 240, pindall, Arkansas 72669, pbone: (501) 429-6200.

AWARD ALABASTER CAVERNS has received a plaque for Attraction of the Year in Red Carpet Country. Red Carpet Country is a multi-county organization in northwest Oklahoma. The award was given for having the most outstanding attraction for the year in Red Carpet Country.

ICE CREl\H MERAMEC CAVERNS now features Ice Cream Churn ice cream. .' .

NATIONAL CAVES ASSOCIATION - Summary of months open in 1988

Alabaster Caverns Year round, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas

Beautiful Rushmore Cave

Black Hills Caverns May 15th - September 31st

Blanchard Springs Caverns April - October, everyday. Nov - March, Wed. - Sun.

Boyden Cave Last weekend in April to last weekend in October.

Bridal Cave Year round

Bristol Caverns Year round

California Caverns Usually Mid-May thru Thanksgiving (depending in water level)

Cameron Cave May thru Sept.

Carlsbad Caverns All year

Cascade Caverns Year round

Cave of The Mounds All year

Cave of The Winds All year

Caverns of Sonora All year, closed Christmas Day

Cosmic Caverns Year round

Crystal Cave (PA) March thru Oct., everyday. November, Fri., Sat., Sun. Crystal Cave (WI) April - Oct.

Crystal Cave Park May 15 - Oct. 15

Crystal Lake Cave May thru Oct.

Crystal Onyx Cave Feb. - Dec.

Cumberland Caverns June - August, everyday. May, Sept. & Oct. weekends and by appointment

DeSoto Caverns April - Sept. everyday. Oct. - March, weekends

Diamond Caverns Year round

Endless Caverns Year round, closed Christmas Day

Fantastic Caverns All year, closed Tues. & Wed - Jan, Feb, half of Mar. & Dec.

Forbidden Caverns April 1st - Oct. 31st

Howe Caverns Year round

Ice Cave All year

Indian Caverns Daily April 1st - Dec. 1st, weekends all ye~

Indian Echo Caverns April - Oct., everyday. Mnrch and November, weekends

Inner Space Memorial Day - I,nbor Day, everyday. Labor Day - Memorial Day, Wed thru Slln. Closed 2 weeks prior to Christmas

Jewel Cave Early April - late Sept.

Lake Shasta Caverns All year

Laurel Caverns May - Oct. daily. Mar., Aflril, Nov., Dec., Sat. & Sun. . " .- Lincoln Caverns March thru Dec.

Lost Sea Every Day except Christmas Day Lost World Caverns Year round Luray Caverns All year Mammoth Cave National Park Year round, everyday but Christmas Day Marengo Cave All year

Mammoth Onyx Cave All year

Mark Twain Cave All year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Marvel Cave Early May - late October Maramec Caverns March thru December Moaning Cave All year Motlow Cave All year

Natural Bridge Caverns Year round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year Ohio Caverns All year - closed Dec, 25th Olentangy Indian Caverns April thru October Onondaga Cave March thru Oct.

Penn's Cave Every day Feb 15th until Dec. Weekends only in Dec. Closed Jan to Feb. 14th Polar Caves Mid May.- mid Oct. Raccoon Mountain Caverns Year round

Rickwood Caverns S. P. May 23rd - Labor Day, everyday. Weekends April, May, Sept, Oct. Ruby Falls Every day Sea Lion Caves Year round

Seneca Caverns May 1st - Oct. 15th

Sequoyah Caverns Mar. - Nov., everyday. Dec. - Feb., Sat. & Sun. Shenandoah Caverns All year Squire Boone Caverns March - Dec. Skyline Caverns Year round

Tuckaleechee Caverns April 1st - Oct. 31st War Eagle Cavern May thru Oct.

Wind Cave National Park Year round (Oct. - Feb. short tour - no charge) Woodward Cave All year Wyandotte Cave Year round

Zane Caverns May - Sept. every day. April & Oct., Fri., Sat, Sun.