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We got about 6 inches of craphas here.  Nice timing for the shearing pin on my snow blower to break.

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Great idea!

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Me too!

 

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Per Dawn’s reminder to post suggestions on the WGA forum instead of the FaceBook LCG site, the following is a suggestion on the Lonely Cache Game.  Essentially it is to stop awarding bonus points for replacing missing caches (which encourages unmaintained, often crappy caches), and instead if a cache is to be replaced within the context of the game, it should be done as the cache rescue option.  Here is the copy/paste from the FB site.  It’s three separate posts:

POST #1

An interesting issue with the Lonely Cache Game is that of bonus points for replacing a cache “with owner permission.” If you’ve played the LCG for a while I’m sure you’ve noticed times when people have replaced a missing cache (with the owner’s consent “ahead” of time) to receive 5 bonus points. I’d remove that bonus entirely! I think it runs counterproductive to the spirit of the game. If it’s missing, don’t replace it, even with permission. Archive it if the CO cannot maintain it. I’ve come across caches that get found less than 1x/year and have lame replacement containers that should have been archived, but someone replaced it to get the bonus points. Wrong action with misguided motivation.

 

POST #2

I’m not keen on the idea of players replacing someone else’s missing lonely caches, even though it’s allowed and even encouraged by the awarding of extra points. I feel that once the replacement is placed, it still won’t get maintained, and the location blocks new caches from getting placed there. However, I thought of a cool workaround! Part of the Lonely Cache Game is an option called a CACHE RESCUE, which has to be requested/initiated by the cache owner (or the LCG admin). Cache rescues are for either removing physical cache containers and stages by others if the cache is being archived, or a request by the CO to rescue/repair a cache that they are unable to get to themselves in a timely manner. 10 points are earned for each cache rescue. Why not discontinue points for replacing a cache through current LCG rules, but allow (as always) points earned for cache rescues? That way the rescues are still initiated by the actual cache owner (or the LCG admin), rather than involving a cache that is no longer maintained and the cache owner is inactive and long gone. Makes sense to me.

POST #3

 

CACHE RESCUES
Benefits of Cache Rescue Removals requested by the CO:
• Clears out geojunk: removing containers for caches that have already been archived (This can be important to land managers and parks)
• Eco-friendly, cleaning up our green spaces
• Removes cache containers that are about to be archived but for whatever reason the cache owner is unable to do so at the time
• Doesn’t have to be a lonely cache that hasn’t been found in a long time; it could be caches that are found regularly

Benefits of Cache Rescue Replacements requested by the CO:
• Others can verify that all stages of a multi are in place and readable, and repair/replace stages if needed
• Damaged containers can be replaced per the CO’s instructions for those that are doing the rescue/repair
• CO has to request the rescue, so it helps the owner, the environment, and the person(s) doing the rescue repair
• Doesn’t have to be a lonely cache that hasn’t been found in a long time; it could be a cache that’s found regularly

I know of a lot of caches that have been archived and the caches are still in place, especially if it’s a series of caches or a powertrail. If you’re archiving caches and you’re the owner, without any desire of going out there to remove your containers, why not let us earn some rescue points and help you out? Submit those caches as cache rescues to be archived (or repaired). It’s a win-win for everyone!

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1. Change the WGA Facebook “page” to a WGA Facebook “group.”  With groups, any member can post and see their message (and replies) immediately.  You can’t do that with a FB page; it’s more like what a business would have to communicate their products and services.  There are at least a half dozen Wisconsin geocaching FB groups that have lots of posts on a daily basis.  It pains me to think of how so many of those posts could have been on the WGA FB site if they would have had the access to do so.  Why have people go elsewhere?  I just now checked on the three most active FB geocaching groups from WGA members: in the past 7 days those three FB groups have posted 270 messages between them.  How I wish most of those would have been on the WGA Facebook site!

2. Bring back the WGA committees that non-board members can participate in.  And call them committees and promote it.  If committees currently exist they sure don’t have much visibility, which makes it more challenging to inspire others to participate.  They seemingly have been buried for the past several years.  I feel that if there was member involvement in committees it would invest more people in the WGA activities, as well as equip and prepare for future board members.

3. Actively promote the cache rescue portion of the LCG.  It’s not only underutilized, most people likely don’t even know about it.

4. Post minutes of board meetings, both formal face-to-face board meetings and online meetings.  There are some things in the online meetings that likely don’t need to or shouldn’t be reported, but a greater visibility of the BOD’s actions, discussions, and topics could lead to a greater awareness and appreciation of the WGA as well as its purposes, goals, and activities.

As many of you know I’m a fan of the WGA and try to help out in many ways.  Always have.  Please don’t interpret the above discussion topics as negative, but rather as for what they are intended: discussion topics for the new board of directors meeting.  In any case the WGA is still my favorite organization, and I’ll continue to find ways to support and promote our organization.

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GrouseTales wrote:

It was interesting to see that I own 3 of the oldest caches: Jefferson Co, Oneida Co, and Vilas Co.

Brian you DO get around!

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Quarterly update January 2020.  We’re up to 119 known WGA-ers that have created a pathtag.  Shown here is one from each of them.  🙂

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The wording on the poll is a bit questionable.  “Should the BOD consider swapping…”

Should they consider it?  Sure!  It’s always good to evaluate.  But the better question is “Should the BOD swap the picnic and the campout.”  I would say yes to the 1st question but no to the 2nd question.  But the way the question is currently worded is not as helpful.

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You could possibly use that picture, but add a funny object to it via Photoshop to introduce humor.

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The WGA has traditionally hosted four annual events:

• A WINTER bonfire/chili feed get together
• A SUMMER pancake breakfast at the West Bend mega event
• A SPRING campout (May)
• A FALL picnic (late August/September)

In addition to those four staple events, the WGA has hosted GIFF events, CITOs, and random gatherings on occasion.

The campout and picnic often have attendance of around 100, sometimes more (depends on location). Although I think the campout would do well in either May or September, I think the picnic is best suited for that late summer/early September time frame. Scheduling a picnic in May just doesn’t have the same appeal as a picnic taking in the Fall colors. If I had to drive for example 200 miles for a picnic in May I’m not sure if I’d go. However, if it was a picnic in Fall I’d likely go anywhere in the state. Except Cudahy. 🙂

I’ve always liked Fall better than any other season.  Whatever we schedule in Fall will do just fine, not only because of the weather and the colors, but also because a lot of new caches are hidden for the campout.  I’m not sure if the picnic will do as well if it is held in May, especially since not as many caches are placed for the picnic compared to the campout.

If the two respective events are switched, I would suggest that instead of switching to May for the picnic, perhaps schedule it in the first week or two of June.  Better weather will hopefully produce better attendance for a four or five hour picnic.  I’m not nuts about it, but I like it better than switching dates for events.

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Shoot.  I have to be logged in to post a reply.

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Trekkin and Birdin wrote:

hack1of2 wrote:

Geez Gywn, Photoshop Elements 2.0? Was that from the last century? FTP by the way.

Probably. I don’t take well to new stuff. Works fine for me, why mess with success? I actually don’t do a lot of post processing, anyway….all those years doing single chance with the 4 x 5 Graphlex kind of trained me to do the work while shooting, LOL

Actually they’re up to version 18 now (they call it Photoshop Elements 2020).  I have version 11.  Like you, why bother downloading a newer version if the older one works and you’re comfortable with it?

Not sure what we’ll do yet with upgrades from Windows 7; it’s a familiar old friend.  I know of numerous people who had problems with it not working with printers, software, and the like.  <sigh>  But it’s good to know what Photoshop Elements will still work with it.  I use it every week!

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No snow yet in Milwaukee.  I hope we get some before January.  I’ve forgotten what it looks like.

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Geez Gywn, Photoshop Elements 2.0?  Was that from the last century?  FTP by the way.

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Last post on page 1135.

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