The Georgia paddling community lost two friends the same day when Jay and Carol Srymanske, long time operators of Mountaintown Outdoor Expeditions (better known as MOE), both died November 21. Jay was only 59 and Carol only 55, but they operated MOE for nearly 30 years. Jay and Carol are survived by their son, Roy, a graduate of Berry College now living in the Charlotte area.

The Chili Run on January 1, 2009 was to have been the last one sponsored by MOE, which Jay and Carol had decided to close due to their declining health. Instead, this 23rd annual version of the event will be held in their honor. As always, the Chili Run will take place on the Cartecay River near Ellijay.

Shuttles will be provided between 10:00 a.m. and noon by MOE and Cartecay Watershed. Entries in the Chili Cook Off need to be at MOE by noon: eating of the entries and other food will begin about 1:00. At 3:00 p.m., an auction of MOE memorabilia will be held to benefit Hospice of North Georgia, which helped Jay and Carol in their battles against cancer. Chili Cook Off prizes will also be awarded. The 23rd Annual Chili Run is being jointly organized by GCA’s Edward Stockman and Mark Neisler of Atlanta Whitewater Club. Many details were still to be worked out when The Eddy Line went to press, but more information is available from Edward on the GCA groupmail or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jay and Carol were as much beloved in the mountain biking community as in the paddling community. According to a post by Doug White of the Chattanooga Chapter of SORBA (the Southern Off- Road Bicycle Association), MOE organized what might well have been the first mountain bike race in Georgia. Jay was also on the first SORBA Board of Directors.

A memorial service for Jay and Carol is planned for Saturday, January 3, at 2:00 p.m. The memorial service will take place at Camp Mountaintown. (From the square in Ellijay, go north on Highwy 52 to New Hope Grocery (Conoco); turn left on Roberts Ridge Road, then immediately right onto Craigtown Road; go about 3.5 miles, look for sign and turn right on dirt road.) The memorial service will be in an outdoor pavilion, so dress accordingly.

The 2009 Chili Run will include sale of a commemorative t-shirt. At Jay's request, proceeds from sale of the t-shirts will be divided between the American Cancer Society and Hospice of Northeast Georgia. The design of the t-shirt was not available as The Eddy Line went to press.

Channel 2 in Atlanta did a piece on the 1990 Chili Run, including a brief explanation by Jay of how the event got started. That piece can be seen here.

By Rick Bellows
From The Eddy Line, January 2001

ALTAMAHA RIVER Fall Canoe Excursion

“Linda Coleman Carson” Memorial Paddle & River Cleanup

REGISTRATION FORM

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Meet at Davis Landing in Appling County at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at

Carter’s Bight Landing in Appling County for a total of 13 miles.

Bring your canoes, kayaks, lifejackets, sunscreen, and drinks.

A grilled hamburger and hotdog lunch will be provided for all canoe paddle

participants at Carter’s Bight Landing between 12:00-1:30pm.

Only one shuttle service will be provided to takeout point.

Shuttle will leave promptly at 8:00a.m. from Davis Landing.

Entry: Adults: (Pre-registration $15.00) or (Day of event $20)

*********GCA MEMBERS GET A $10 DISCOUNT**********

& (Children 12 years and under FREE.

Non-profit/Group Rate of 10+ or more is $10 per person (must be noted on application).

For canoe and kayak rentals, call Larry Brantley at Altamaha River Expeditions

Cell: (912)294-3604 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Bottled water and T-shirts will be available!

Sponsored by: Baxley-Appling County Board of Tourism

A registration form needs to be filled out for each individual participating, even minors accompanying parents. Please indicate # of people in canoe (2 adults & 1 child-maximum capacity), and # of canoes that will be used. Mail registration and check to Baxley-Appling County Board of Tourism, P.O. Box 537, Baxley, Ga. 31515 or fax to 912-367-2073. For more information call Karen Tharpe at (912) 367-7731 or visit our web site at www.baxley.org

Name ____________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________ City ________________________

State_____________ Zip _________­­_____ Phone _________________________

Fax _________________________ Age of Child______ # of Canoes _______ Group:___Yes or ___No List names that will ride together: _________________ __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Email Address:_____________________________________________________

Please sign attached Waiver and Release of Liability and/or Parent-Guardian Permission Form if applicable.

PARENT/GUARDIAN PERMISSION FORM

(This form to be used for minors only – under 18 years of age.)

I hereby grant permission for my child _______________________________________________________ to participate in the Fall Canoe Paddle provided by the Baxley-Appling County Board of Tourism on September 25, 2010.

I fully understand and acknowledge that: (a) risks and dangers exist in my child’s use of canoeing and kayaking, and my child’s participation in river activities; (b) my child’s participation in such activities and/or use of such equipment may result in injury or illness or death or damage to personal property; (c) these risks and dangers may be caused by other participants, or by accidents, or by the forces of nature or other causes. Risks and dangers may arise from foreseeable or unforeseeable causes including, but not limited to, selection of trail or river route, water level, weather conditions, risks of falling out of a canoe or kayak and such other risks, hazards and dangers that are integral to recreational activities that take place in a wilderness, outdoor or recreational environment, including risks from native flora and fauna,; and (d) hereby accept these risks and dangers.

I have been advised that my child must wear an approved personal floatation device at all times while on the water. I affirm that my child will not be under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance, and will not carry, use or consume these substances before or during his/her scheduled activities. Any claims or dispute arising from my child’s participation in the Fall Canoe Paddle or use of any equipment provided shall be venued in the Appling County Court in the state of Georgia.

My child is in good health and is at or above the minimum age stated in the Fall Canoe Paddle advertising. I understand that strenuous physical exertion may be required and my child has no known physical disabilities or health problems, which will present any risk to his/her participation in the event. I permit the use of any photos, slides, films, or sketches of him/her taken or created during the day’s activities for publicity, advertising, promotion or other commercial purpose. The above agreement shall be binding on my heirs, successor, assigns, administrators and executors.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE, AND BY SIGNING IT AGREE. IT IS MY INTENTION TO GRANT PERMISSION FOR MY CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FALL CANOE AND KAYAKING EVENT AND TO ASSUME AND ACCEPT ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH.

Group Name (if applicable) Georgia Canoeing Association

Parents Names _________________________________ Signature ________________________________

Street (Apt) Address _____________________________________________________________________

City _________________________________________ State ___________ Zip _____________________

Phone Number (s) (____) _________________________________________________________________

Child’s Name ________________________________ Age _________ Trip Date ____________________

Child’s Signature _______________________________________________________________________

DO NOT LOSE – GIVE COMPLETED FORM TO YOUR GROUP LEADER PRIOR TO PARTICIPATION

WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY

(Read Carefully)

In consideration of the Baxley-Appling County Board of Tourism (BACBT) furnishing services and/or equipment to enable me to participate in the Fall Canoe Paddle event, I agree as follows:

I fully understand and acknowledge that outdoor recreational activities have (a) inherent risks, dangers and hazards and such exists in my participation of BACBT activities; (b) my participation in such activities and/or use of such equipment may result in injury or illness including but not limited to bodily injury, disease, sprains, fractures, partial and/or total paralysis, or other ailments that could cause serious disability or death; (c) these risks and dangers may be caused by the negligence of the BACBT employees, officers, agents or volunteers of BACBT; the negligence of the participants, the negligence of others, accidents, breaches of contract, the forces of nature or other causes. Risks and dangers may arise from foreseeable or unforeseeable causes including, but not limited to, guide decision making, including that a guide may misjudge terrain, weather, trail or river route location and water level, risks of falling out of or drowning while in a canoe or kayak and such other risks, hazards and dangers that are integral to recreational activities and/or use of equipment, I hereby assume all risks and dangers and all responsibility for any losses and/or damages, whether caused in whole or in part by the negligence or other conduct of the BACBT, employees, officers, agents or volunteers of the BACBT, or by any other person.

I, on behalf of my personal representatives, my heirs, and myself hereby voluntarily agree to release, waive, discharge, hold harmless, defend and indemnify BACBT and its employees, officers, agents or volunteers from any and all claims which may arise out of my participation in BACBT activities. I specifically understand that I am releasing, discharging and waiving any claims or actions that I may have presently or in the future for the negligent acts or other conduct by the BACBT, employees officers, agents or volunteers of the Baxley-Appling County Board of Tourism.

The venue of any dispute that may arise out of this agreement otherwise between the parties to which the Baxley-Appling County Board of Tourism or its agents is a party shall be in either the Appling County Courthouse in the City of Baxley, Appling County, Georgia, or State Supreme Court in Atlanta, Ga.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE WAIVER AND RELEASE, AND BY SIGNING IT AGREE. IT IS MY INTENTION TO EXEMPT AND RELIEVE THE BAXLEY-APPLING COUNTY BOARD OF TOURISM ITS BOARD MEMBERS, EMPLOYEES, AND ITS VOLUNTEERS OR AGENTS FROM LIABILITY FOR PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR WRONGFUL DEATH CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE OR ANY OTHER CAUSE.

Signature___________________________________ Age____________ Date_______________________

Print Name_____________________________________ Group Name_____________________________

Street (& Apt) Address ___________________________________________________________________

City ___________________________________________ State______________ Zip _________________

Phone: H (____)____________________________ W (_____) __________________________________

Emergency contact name ________________________________ Relationship ______________________

Phone (____) ___________________________ Date of event _____________________________

My canoeing/kayaking experience is: ____ Never been in a canoe or kayak ____ Beginning (check one)

____ 1 to 2+ years paddling ____ 3+ to 10+ years paddling ____ Expert

Please list any medical problems here: (HPB: high blood pressure; ALL: allergies (what); HRT: heart; RES: respiratory; OTH: other)________________________________________________________________________