SEZ Vol. 6. No. 7 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency July 1977 EPA's National Computer Center Sam Brown - Analyzing an equipment utilization report. The National Computer Center (NCC) has undergone a complete face lift within the last two years. Not only have offices been remodeled and new equipment added, but since January of this year a new director is at the helm. Samuel C. Brown, NCC's new director, has outlined several objectives for the Center to pursue: (1) Readiness -The only true measure of NCC's value to its customers shall always be its ability to respond on short notice to carry out its missions, whatever the place, time, or circumstance; (2) Flexibility - Recent events have clearly demonstrated the worth of a NCC capable of responding to a wide spectrum of tasks ranging from implementing a large, complex, planned system optimization such as the aerometric data bank to quick response requests such as the processing required by an ad hoc congressional report; (3) Computer Capability - The NCC computer system must be able to accomplish real benefits for any potential customer; (4) Balance - Without proper balance in service types, NCC becomes relatively inefficient and flexibility of action is reduced; and (5) Personnel professionalism and stability. (Continued on page 2) Burchard Named Senior Official Dr. John Burchard Dr. John K. Burchard was named Senior Research and Development Official by Dr. Wilson K. Talley, former Assistant Administrator for Research and Development, EPA, Washington. In making the appointment, Talley said Burchard's extensive experience in planning and management along with his strong technical and research background make him exceptionally well qualified for the position of Senior Official at EPA's largest research operation. "Dr. Burchard's knowledge of energy technologies and their application to industry are invaluable to EPA's efforts as we face the tough but solvable problems in the energy/environment area," continued Talley. Dr. Burchard joined EPA in 1970. This Laboratory has responsibility for development of control techno- logies in areas of air, water, and solid waste for industry. Burchard received his B.S., M.S., and Ph. D. in chemical engineering from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie-Mellon University) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Sigma Xi, and Tau Beta Pi, an honorary engineering Society. Dr. Burchard lives with his wife and two sons in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His hobby? Tennis, anyone? ------- Vivian Jackson - Storing a tape in the Mag-tape 1ibrary. COMPUTER CENTER (cont'd from page 1) Customers have the right to expect the first four objectives, but achievement depends on people. Therefore, every man and woman must strive for pro- fessionalism and take personal pride in their work. NCC is in the process of expanding its mission not only to provide the National Data Center Service with information, which it has been doing for the past several years, but also to include some other significant national functions. NCC now has the responsibility for managing and formulating EPA policy and objectives for the National Telecommunication Network and serves as the EPA technical focal point on telecommunication matters. Fred Kastner and Toinmie Rogers are the foremost EPA experts in this area. NCC has recently initiated the development of a large scale management information system for EPA in the area of personnel management. This was assigned to NCC because Don Worley is recognized as an expert Mac Chaisson - Mounting a magnetic disc. in the field of large-scale systems development and data base systems technology. Other systems being converted to NCC are the Per- sonal Property System which will be operational by July 1 and the Contracts Information System which will follow in FY-78. Mike Steinacher's branch leads this effort with Joe Wilson and Ernie Watson having prime responsibilities. NCC is presently evaluating proposals for a facilities management contract. Under this arrangement the contractor would have total responsibility for the day- to-day management and operation of the Center, including providing professional analysis and programming services, software optimization, user consulting services, and remote site equipment operation. NCC is proud of having established a record of high reliability and stability during the previous six months. (Continued on page 5) Charles Evans - Analyzing a central processor and 1/0 Channel. Kathy Kruziak - Cleaning a magnetic tape. ------- Person-to-Person Raymond Graves, GSD, wishes to express his appreciation to everyone in General Services along with all OA and other EPA employees for their concern and help to him and his family upon the recent death of his father, Raymond Graves, Senior. David Mobley, IERL/RTP, and his wife, Peggy, are the proud parents of a little girl, Diane Christine, born June 21. Diane weighed in at 7 Ibs. - 6 ozs. Congratulations to Richard Linko, HERL/RTP, and his lovely bride, Patricia Hickman, NIEHS. The couple were married June 18 in the University Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill, N.C. , and honeymooned at Myrtle Beach, S.C. Bon Voyage.' Robert Fankhauser, a meteorologist with the Environmental Monitoring and Support Laboratory, will retire the end of July after 37 years of Federal service. The lab honored him at a picnic June 10. Robert and his wife plan to travel to the west coast in their camper to visit their daughter in Seattle and their son in San Francisco. The couple plan to do some more traveling and then return to North Carolina for at least four more years until their youngest son graduates from high school. Robert hopes to keep his hand in by doing some consulting work. Joseph Bufalini and his wife Marijon spend a lot of time under the hood. Why so? It's only natural when you collect and rebuild cars. The Bufalinis have eight vehicles including: a 1947 MG TC; 1948 MG TC; 1951 MB-TD; 1954 MG-TF; 1967 MG-Magnette; 1958-MGA; 1963 Jaguar Mark II sedan; and a 1967 Mark II sedan, com- pletely rebuilt. Joe said, "I sometimes feel over ex- tended," but noted how gratifying it is to see the cars come to life. But then, what's a hobby for? IERL had the busiest booth at the recent APCA con- vention in Toronto according to Bruce Harris, Environ- mental Engineer in the Public Health Service. He and Bill Kuykendal distributed more than 4,000 copies of selected reports. The SASS Train (see the last "Cleaner Times" for a description) was there for inspection along with several other instruments which included a droplet counting device for sizing and counting the number of water droplets in stack emissions and an automatic particulate sampler. All CSD employees wish a speedy recovery to Sa'id Salaam who recently underwent knee surgery. Doug Richmond, Director, Contracts Management Division, made a video tape up in Washington recently about the contracting organization in general and RTP's operation specifically. Using slides and graphs the presentation was very much "to-the-point." It is one in a series of programs about the contracting process, and will be used in employee orientation and in EPA's regional offices. From MDAD comes news of George Manire. He was in a serious car accident recently, but is recovering on schedule. He recently went home from the hospital and we wish him well during his convalescence. Also from MDAD—after 34 years of government service—Martha Abernathy has retired. In the next 1 1/2 years she and her husband will be planning and building a home on the Tennessee River near Knoxville. They plan to move there as soon as Mr. Abernathy retires. We wish them much personal happiness and many happy years. CSD/HERL is losing the services of three employees this month . Bill Isley has taken a resident position in San Antonio, Texas. Tom Hinson and Jim Sanderford are leaving to devote full time to 3rd year medical school work at NCMH. Dr. William P. Kirk, Chief, Developmental Biology Branch, was installed as President of the North Carolina Chapter of the Health Physics Society at its annual meeting May 20-21 at EPA's Environmental Research Center. Dr. Kirk is a Scientist Director, U.S. Public Health Service, and has been assigned to EPA since 1970. A technical program dealing with the effects of non- ionizing radiation was presented by scientists from EPA, NIEHS, RTI, ERDA, FDA, Bureau of Radiological Health and Duke University. Dr. Joe Elder, HERL, coordinated the presentations . Walter Barber, Director, OAQPS , announced the ap- pointment of Betty Abramson, MDAD/OAQPS , as the OAQPS Federal Women's Program (FWP) representative. She will serve on the EPA-RTP FWP Advisory Committee , along with representatives from ORD , OA , and Local 3347. Betty has been an active participant in the Federal Women's Program since its inception and has been formally recognized in the past for her worthwhile contributions to the Program. She is counting on the continued support and cooperation of EPA personnel in promoting the objectives of the FWP. Martha Mueser, HERL/RTP, was married to Roy Girolami July 2 in Raleigh . Roy is an engineer with the N.C. Department of Transportation . Nancy Wilson, HERL/RTP, and husband, Jim, are the proud parents of a little girl, Leslie Keeler, born May 25. Leslie bowed in at 8 Ibs. 10 ozs. Steve Scarabin, HERL/RTP, and wife Sandra have a little daughter, Kendra Lyvette, born June 3, weighing in at 7 Ibs. 13 ozs. The staff of the Analytical Chemistry Branch, HERL/RTP, entertained Dr. Robert Moseman with a surprise stork shower July 8. The honoree opened gifts for the baby-to-be and refreshments were served. New OSHA Chief may be Activist Dr. Eula Bingham Look for a lot more action from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration under its new administrator, Dr. Eula Bingham. She will continue to stress the prevention of occupational disease, as did her predecessor, by step- ping up the issuance of more health standards for widely known carcinogens. Dr. Bingham also wants OSHA to do a better job of notifying the public of health dangers at the earliest (Continued on page 5) ------- PSP - What is It? Have you heard about PSP' It's not a new dance step or letters on a bumper sticker It's something much more satisfying, more profitable, longer lasting PSP stands for the Payroll Savings Plan Over nine and one half million Americans have joined it for the automatic purchase of U S Savings Bonds It's a painless way to save. No sweat No fuss No forget- ting Once you sign up, the money is never missed, yet it grows every payday in the form of interest- bearing bonds Your payroll allotment isn't really a deduction It's just a deferred payment that's always yours when you need it—plus interest1 What do you do for ready cash when an emergency strikes' Everybody needs a rainy day fund—and the easiest way to build it is through the PSP Pay yourself first This automatic plan makes sure your future gets a share of your paycheck The 1977 Federal Agencies Savings Bonds Program is underway with Shirley Bowens, PMD/OA, as Campaign Coordinator Canvassers have been designated in every office, lab, and division and will be contacting employees individually INVEST IN YOUR FUTURE - ENROLL IN THE PSP TODAY! Personnel Corner Did you know' An employee is prohibited from any action that might result in, or give the appearance of, using public office for private gam, giving preferential treatment to any person, or any action which will affect adversely the confidence of the pubbc in the integ- rity of the Government Generally, an employee should not, in the course of his employment, solicit or accept, directly or in- directly, any gift, gratuity, favor, entertainment, loan, or any other things of monetary value An employee should not engage in outside employment or other outside activity not compatible with the full and proper discharge of the duties and responsibilities of his Government employment When a program is based on law or Executive order, every employee has a positive obligation to make it function as efficiently and economically as possible An employee shall not directly or indirectly use, or allow the use of Government property of any kind for other than officially approved activities An em- ployee has a positive duty to protect and conserve Government property including equipment, supplies, and other property entrusted or issued to him. An employee shall not participate, while on Govern- ment owned or leased property or while on duty for the Government, in any gambling, including the operation of a gambling device, in conducting a lottery or pool, in a game for money or property, or in selling or purchasing a numbers slip or ticket Welcome, New Employees J. David Foster is an environmental engineer in the Control Programs Development Division, OAQPS He has completed his course work toward his doctorate at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. David and his family reside in Trinity Park, Durham Robert Weber began working in the Emission Standards and Engineering Division, OAQPS, May 23rd. He is a chemical engineer and received his degree from Lehigh University He is attending the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, for a graduate degree in Public Health Robert previously worked in the Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act He and his wife live in Chapel Hill Atlee Jefcoat is not a newcomer to EPA, having worked in the Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory for two years under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act while at Christian Brothers College, Memphis, Tennessee He has accepted a permanent position as chemical engineer in IERL Atlee and his wife live in Durham Kerri Brothers, a chemical engineer in the Emission Standards and Engineering Division, OAQPS, has the distinction of graduating with her mother from North Carolina State University, Raleigh Both mother and daughter graduated with high honors Kern's husband is studying for a master's degree in chemical engineering The couple live in Raleigh David Mage - a recent transfer from EMSL/Las Vegas,is a supervisory physical scientist in the Health Effects Research Lab, He arrived at RTF April 10 Dave and his family live in Chapel Hill, N C (Continued on page 7) QUALITY SALARY INCREASES EMSL Bobby E Edmonds Malcolm C Wilkins Cynthia B Fox ESRL Susan W. Bass Peter A Gabele IERL Robert V Hendriks Raymond S Steiber Robert C McCrilhs James H Abbott ESRL Sara O Sharpe OA Stacy D Blackman Bertha R. Johnson Fannie T Lee OAQPS Thomas R McCurdy Patrice Mansfield Gary H Wilder Mary C Wilkins CONTINUED SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE Gloria L Rigsbee Marion B Watson ------- Dynamometer Testing in ESRL The mobile source test facility evaluates new emission measurement methods for fuel studies, and pollution control systems effects on automobiles and truck tailpipe emissions, and for work on evaporative emissions. r One engine dynamometer is used for testing the regular gasoline engine for catalyst control while another is used for testing hydrocarbons and particu- lates emitted from heavy duty diesel engines. Two chassis dynamometers are used for testing pas- senger cars and light trucks weighing up to 10,000 pounds. These treadmill-like devices simulate the roadway loading effects on a stationary automobile. With this apparatus, it is possible to operate a car over controlled driving cycles to derive a close approx- imation of vehicular emission characteristics for city street, urban expressway, or highway cruising models. Such equipment is also useful for the measurement of fuel consumption. COMPUTER CENTER (cont'd from page 2) In fact, during the last three months the mean time between failure of the system has been significantly above the industry average. A great deal of credit must go to Don Fulford and Dave Fields for their efforts in this area. Sam Brown says, "With this stability record now becoming a norm, my personal goal for the National Computer Center is to add a new meaning to the name of RTF. Most people when they hear the initials RTF think of Research Triangle Park. NCC's goal will be to make those initials stand for Reliable and Timely Processing when people think about RTF in context with NCC." NEW OSHA (cont'd from page 3) possible moment and continuing to communicate while the agency moves through the often lengthy standards- setting procedure. The guidelines OSHA will issue at the onset of a public health emergency will be unenforceable but should help lower risks. Another change Dr. Bingham says she wants to make is the simplification of safety standards so they can be readily understood by businessmen. (Reprinted from Chemecology) The CLEANER TIMES is published monthly by Public Affairs, Office of Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Research Triangle Park. N.C 27711 Liz Martin Editor Dorothy Rose Assistant Editor Elaine Hyman Reporter Produced with the assistance of the Word Processing Center; Graphics. Composition. Printing Sections, and Forms and Publications Center. GSD ------- Conferences U.S. EPA, Technology Transfer and Region IV present a design seminar for small wastewater treatment systems at the Atlanta Hilton, Atlanta, Ga., July 27- 29. The conference is sponsored by EPA as part of the Technology Transfer Program to disseminate the latest information on the design of small wastewater treatment systems. Participation is offered to consulting engineers, municipal design engineers and federal and state pollution control officials concerned with pollution control and abatement. Air Quality Meteorology and Atmospheric Ozone Con- ference, August 1-6, Denver, Colorado. Contact: Alvin L. Morris, Ambient Analysis, Inc., P. O. Box 4056, Boulder, Colorado 80306. The First Mid-Atlantic Conference on Bio-Fluid Mechanics will be held at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia, August 10- 12. A call for papers has been issued and abstracts must be received no later than November 1. For more information contact: Dr. Daniel J. Schneck, Dept. of Engineering Science & Mechanics, VPI, 227 Norris Hall, Blacksburg, Va. 24061. Meteorology and Air Pollution Control Seminar, August 22-25, Nashville, Tennessee. Contact: Prof. W. Wesley Eckenfelder. Jr., P. O. Box 6222, Station B, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235. Stationary Source Combustion Seminar, August 29- September 1, New Orleans, Louisiana, sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Contact: Betty Farley, Symposium Coordinator, Acurex Corp./ Aerotherm Division, 485 Clyde Avenue, Mt. View, California 94042. Environmental Aspects of Fuel Conversion Technology Symposium, September 13-16, Hollywood, Florida, sponsored by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Contact: Franklin A. Ayer, Research Triangle Institute, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, N.C. 27709. Air Pollution Control Association, Southern Section Annual Meeting, September 21-23, Jackson, Mississippi. Contact: Jim Haynes, Tennessee Air Pollution Control Division, 256 Capitol Hill Bldg., Nashville, Tennessee 37219. A call for technical papers has been issued for the 1977 meeting of the East Central Section of the Air Pollution Control Association (ECS-APCA). This is the thirty-fourth annual meeting of private, industrial, and governmental representatives concerned with air pollution control. It will be held in Akron, Ohio, on September 21 through 23, 1977. Meeting coordinators are soliciting papers on air pollution topics and state that preference will be given to papers related to the theme "Energy and the Environment." Persons interested in presenting a paper should submit a 100-word abstract to Dr. Glenn A. Atwood, Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Akron, 302 E. Buchtel Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44325. A National Conference on Chlorination: Environ- mental Impact & Health Effects will be held October 31- November 4 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The conference is sponsored by EPA, ERDA, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Contact: R. L. Jolley, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P. O. Box X, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830. International Environment Improvement Conference, November 1-3, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Contact: David H. Paterson, Technical Section, Canadian Pulp and Paper Association, 2300 Sun Life Bldg., Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3B 2X9. Sensing of Environmental PoEutants Conference will be held in New Orleans, Louisiana, November 6-11. Contact: Dr. V. E. Derr, Program Chairman, 4th Joint Conference on Sensing of Environmental Pollutants, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, ERL- WPL, R45.3, Boulder, Colorado 80302. Annual Purdue Air Quality Conference and Exhibition is being held November 15-16 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Contact: Robert Jacko, Rm. 220, Civil Engineering Bldg. , Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907. ORWOW-IW PROCESS MEASUH lERL's Process Measurements Branch displayed newly developed hardware and distributed reports dealing with environmental measurements to attendees at the recent Air Pollution Control Association meeting held in Toronto, Canada.(See Perscn-to-Person, pg-3; Speaking Engagements Bill Hamilton, Chief, Economic Analysis Branch, OAQPS, was in Sophia, Bulgaria, June 22-July 2. He participated in the Inter-Regional Course on Environ- mental Pollution Control and gave two lectures during the course, one on Economic Aspects of Pollution and its Control and the other on Control Technology for Air Pollution. The course was sponsored by the World Health Organization. Dr. E2ra Berman, HERL/RTP, presented a paper on "Observations on Mouse Fetuses Exposed to 2.45 GHZ Microwave Radiation," July 6, at the annual meeting of the Health Physics Society in Atlanta, Georgia. Fred Porter, ESED/OAQPS, spoke to approximately 100 members of the Durham Kiwanis Club at a luncheon meeting in Durham, July 14. He gave a general over- view of EPA in North Carolina and discussed the effects of environmental pollution on our daily lives. J. F. Thompson, HERL/RTP, attended a Pesticide Residue Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, July 11-13, and gave a presentation entitled "Analytical Quality Control--What, Why, Who, When." (Continued on page 7) ------- Leg Power Versus Gasoline Power! John Summerhays We, as Americans, waste an estimated 30% of the energy consumed in this country. We can help eliminate this waste of our precious resources, save money, and contribute to a better life now and for the future by wise use of our energy fuels. We all know that automobiles are the major con- sumers of gasoline. With this thought in mind we turned our efforts towards finding out if people were using other means of transportation to come to work and we found quite a few were riding bicycles. John Summerhays, MDAD/OAQPS, has ridden a bicycle for over 20 years. In fact, he has traveled more miles on a bike than in a car. He has commuted to EPA by bike for the past three years and before that to school. Some of his reasons: pro-bike, exercise, aesthetics, freedom from parking hassles, and economics (the average 24% of people's budgets spent on transportation for him runs about 0.5%). Some other reasons are anti-car relating to the fact that cars are the major source of a variety of air pollutants, noise levels, and they consume valuable land space. Don Lokey, SASD/OAQPS, has been riding his bicycle to work through summer sun and winter chill since he started with SASD two years ago. He first developed the habit of bike riding while a student at Auburn University, where parking spaces were hard to get. He selected his residence in Durham so that he could continue commuting by bike. Some of his reasons for bicycling to work are: physical exercise, economic incentive, and conservation of energy, but an added bonus derived from biking is the sheer enjoyment of being able to hear birds singing in the morning, smelling flowers in bloom, and exchanging smiles with folks along the way. Such perception of the surroundings is not possible while driving a car. Don says, "Since life is so short, it seems a shame to routinely pass by opportunities to partake of nature's bountiful sensory stimulations." John Davis, ESED/OAQPS, has been asked, "Why do you ride a bike to work?" His initial response is to fire back with, "Why aren't you riding a bike to work?" To his way of thinking it's the only choice of transporta- tion for those who wish to practice what we preach at EPA—a clean environment. John says, "I ride a bicycle because it's fun and economical. Bikes don't require gasoline, oil, tune-ups, insurance, and all the other necessities that cars require. Also, there's no problem finding parking spaces and traffic jams are easily by-passed when you're on two wheels. And, for people worried about extra pounds, it's a great form of exercise. There's the additional satisfaction of knowing you are not contributing to air, water, or noise pollution. So come on the rest of you! Get out of your cars and onto your bikes. Your environment, body, and wallet will appreciate it." David Mascone, ESED/OAQPS, began riding a bike when he was in college. He travels 12 miles round-trip to work by bike every day. David says, "I ride a bike to keep me in shape, save money and energy, reduce pollution, and because I really enjoy bicycling. I even rode this past winter when the temperature got down to 10° F." Jeff Shumaker, ESED/OAQPS, also rides a bike to work. He travels about three miles each way daily and finds it most enjoyable. We salute all of our energy conservationists and hope more people will take to biking. WELCOME (cont'd from page 4) John O'Neill - transferred from NIEHS a month ago. He is a research physiologist in the Health Effects Research Lab. John and his family live in Raleigh, North Carolina. SPEAKINfi (cont'd from page 6) H. L. Crist, HERL/RTP, attended the same conference on pesticide residues. His presentation was entitled "Micro Derivatization of Polychlorinated Biphenyls in Biological Tissue." The Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory will hold a Flue Gas Desulfurization Symposium (FGD) in Hollywood, Florida, November 7-11. Michael Maxwell will chair the meeting and Julian Jones will be co- chairman. Robert Borgwardt will give results of IERL- RTP FGD pilot tests. Wade Ponder will discuss the Wellman-Lord/Allied Chemical FGD demonstration plant. Richard Stern will talk about regenerable FGD processes. James Kilgroe, IERL/RTP, will be general chairman of the Coal Cleaning Symposium in Hollywood, Florida, May 14-17, 1978. ------- White Water Rafting The Chattooga, the roaring, boulder-strewn, tumultuous, killer river used for filming the movie Deliverance, was tamed last month by a group of daring adventurers from SASD Fortunately, there were no casualties Everyone made it to the end, though several of the more daring did end up for a tune in the churning rapids The group, consisting of Neil Efird, Bill Hamilton, Dick Jenkins, Bob Kellam, Ken Lloyd, Tom McCurdy, John O'Connor, Skip Schippers, and former SASD'er Mike Berry, was somewhat apprehensive as to what to expect from the much ballyhooed river The wild and scenic river forms the northern part of the South Carolina-Georgia line, and is touted to have "the best white-water in the Southeast " Since the filming of Deliverance, the river has become the mecca of both experienced and novice canoeists, kayakers, and rafters in search of an exhilarating and challenging experience However, several foolhardy people have perished in the river's more difficult and perilous rapids, creating a dangerous aura to the river Being basically sound minded individuals, the SASD crew chose to be on the safe side The trip was organized through a professional rafting company which provided experienced guides and four-person rafts, which tend to be safer modes of travel With the guides explaining the correct manner to run each series of rapids, the rafters were able to approach each challenge confidently and sometimes successfully The trip covered the adjoining portions of sections III and IV of the river, with the latter being the most treacherous stretch of river which is only for the most expert or foolhardy river riders Numerous swift rapids with names like Screaming Left Turn, Jumble, and Sock 'Em Dog, often one on top of the other, challenged the rafters and provided an exciting trip The highlight of section III was Bull Sluice, com- posed of two successive-five-foot drops ending in a whirlpool of white foam These rapids were the scene of tragedy in Deliverance where the canoes capsized, the wooden canoe was smashed, and one of the canoeists was killed after being thrown into Decapitation Rock Though many of the rafters ended up sprawled in the middle of the raft looking at the scenery above after the first drop, each raft made it through the rapids without incident The trip culminated at Woodall Shoals, one of the river's most dangerous spots These rapids are char- acterized by a deep hole at the bottom of a ledge which creates a hydraulic that has snatched people and boats back into it, holding them for up to two hours After portaging around the ledge, the rafts put in again just below the hydraulic, but close enough to make taking off interesting Only one group had an anxious moment as one member was tossed overboard when the raft started out With the current tugging at his feet, the fallen rafter moved faster than anyone thought possible as he swiftly jumped back into the raft The raft triumphantly shot the rapids without any further pitfalls All in all, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip In fact, the group feels so confident now that they are ready to go back and take the entire stretch of section IV After just one trip they are all confirmed river rats It's Your Ballgame Summer means baseball and the RTFEA Softball league is in full swing According to Ken Lloyd, SASD, and League chairman, this is the largest number of teams to compete in the three years that he's been playing in the league It's mid-season and as we go to press the Meteorology Laboratory's team, DEW POINTS captained by Jack Shreffler, is undefeated Tied with a one game loss apiece are NCC and TONY'S TAVERN (NCHS) headed by Steve Knudsen, George Scruggs, and Jim Sullivan Battling for last place are the OA TURKEYS with Theresa Butts catcher and captain, and ARMY RESEARCH led by Phil Parrish Other teams are BIOHAZARDS (EBL), Blair Rehnberg, ISI, another computer center team headed by Jim Johnson, BELLO'S BOMBERS(ESED), Jim Eddinger, SWEATHOGS (Northrop), Joe Clay; MEAN MACHINE (MADA/SASD), George Schewe, and NIEHS, Ralph Hester The teams are hitting home runs and chasing down fly balls every evening at Lowes Grove The final tournament begins mid-August and cheer- leaders and rooters are always welcome. ------- |