Just thought you'd like to know that Harold Bradley is featured in Part 6 of Ken Burns' National Parks documentary (currently showing on PBS)!! That's the same Harold Bradley who founded Hoofers in 1931 and for whom the Bradley Hoofer Lounge is named. In the 1950s he helped prevent dams from being constructed in Dinosaur National Monument. http://www.pbs.org/
If you get a chance, watch Part 6 of 'National Parks: America's Best Idea.' (Actually, watch the whole series if you have time.) If the 'Heeler' program is ever brought back, watching this documentary should be the first task new members undertake.
happy hoofing,
Mary Collins
outing club pres
[Photo courtesy of www.pbs.org]
What's the "Heeler program"?
ReplyDeleteDustin! Sorry for the delayed response. Great question! Back in the days of Hoofer yore, new members were called "Heelers" and had to perform various tasks to achieve the rank of full "Hoofer." It was actually a neat program because members were immediately integrated into the organization with assignments and activities. Jim Rogers knows all about it, but it is my understanding that many of the heeler activities incorporated some sort of service to the club (e.g. gear maintenance, volunteering at events, etc.) Also, it separated the true hoofers (hardcore) from the fairweather members (not hardcore) and helped build a sense of community.
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