OASC is pleased to announce that several new Leaders came on board in 2007!  In addition, we have a few new "Leaders-in-Training" – the learning phase which comes first.  OASC Members, please feel free to use the Member Directory and send welcome emails!  If you have interest in becoming an OASC Leader, the more we have, the merrier ... please contact Matt!
	Karen Barnes, Leader since December 2007, Member since August 2006.  Karen was OASC's 200th Member!  She is looking forward to leading horseback trail rides, hikes, gourmet cooking club, bowling, and more!
	Ari Daniels, Leader since January 2007, Member since December 2006.  Ari has led a wide variety of adventures, including hiking, indoor rock climbing, mountain biking, Via Ferrata, movie and dinner socials, craft-making and much more.
	Sergei Egorov, Leader since December 2006, Member since November 2004.  Fit and cultured, Sergei has led numerous longer-distance hikes, road cycling, tennis, symphony orchestra concerts, and much more.
	Fred Esenwein, Leader since July 2007, Member since April 2007.  Fred loves architecture, photography, hiking, and more, and as such has led many hikes including some with a focus on nature photography, interpretive architectural tours of UVa and the Charlottesville downtown, and more.
	Ashley Gralnick, Social Activity Leader since March 2007, Member since July 2006.  Ashley enjoys treating the club to a wide variety of frequent social activities, including wine tastings at a wine bar (at a major discount to OASC Members!), movie nights, dinners, and more.
	Peter Leavesley, Leader since April 2007, Member since February 2006.  Hiking, canoeing, and kayaking are Peter's favorite adventures to lead and assist with.
	Virginia Masterson, Leader since April 2007, Member since May 2006.  Virginia has enjoyed leading casual hikes and walks, concerts, and more.
	Dorie McHugh, Leader-in-Training beginning in December 2007.  Dorie is looking forward to taking the club on even more hikes, and perhaps mountain biking adventures down the road.
	Michelle Prysby, Leader since December 2006, Member since January 2006.  Head of the Virginia Master Naturalists program, Michelle favorite type of adventure to lead is hiking.
	Lisa Van Winkle, Leader since May 2007, Member since December 2006.  Hiking and backpacking are Lisa's favorite adventures to lead.
	Michelle Warthan, Leader beginning in December 2007, Member since December 2006.  Michelle is looking forward to leading hikes, frisbee golf, wallyball, and more.
	Andrew Woodard, Leader-in-Training beginning in November 2007, Member since June 2007.  Andrew is looking forward to leading hikes and more.

Welcome to the Meet a Member section! Part of the joy of being involved with the OASC is getting to know new and exciting people in Charlottesville. Each issue, we will introduce a club member to the OASC community by exploring their interests, background, and of course, what makes the club special to this person!  If you'd like to be considered for the Stream's next Meet a Member, please contact us!

Kimberly Wells, Member since January 2005
By Kim Doan, Leader since July 2005, Member since May 2005

Kimberleigh Wells arrived in Charlottesville in July 2004 in order to serve as an associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church. Kim did not consider becoming a person of faith until college and acknowledges that she started seminary without fully knowing that she wanted to be a pastor.

After seminary, Kim looked for a place to call home and found Charlottesville. Kim joined OASC because she loves the outdoors and wanted to make friends with people outside of the church. When asked to describe the members of OASC, Kim says they are “a diverse group of people from various backgrounds, welcoming, and friendly.”

Kim’s first hike with OASC was a hike to The Priest during the winter. She recalls this trip under the guidance of leader Pete Runge with a smile. Kim wore a pair of very old tennis shoes, and during the hike the treads of the soles of her shoes literally fell off, making it difficult to gather traction in the snow. The views were astounding and Kim was hooked on the club after that. Especially noteworthy is that Kim grew up playing the violin and avoided physical activities that might hurt her hands. Now, she wants to try more physically demanding activities.

The most memorable trip for Kim was the rock climbing trip to the Via Ferrata under the guidance of leader Ari Daniels. It was the most challenging trip, physically and mentally, says Kim. “I never would have imagined myself doing something like that. The club allows me to push myself to go do something I didn’t believe I could do. Only in the club can you learn how to climb a 300 foot wall.” Kim likes that the club provides the support and encouragement to do things she didn’t think she could do. Her goal is to be more involved in the club and to do more “Sergei hikes.”

A typical week for Kim, the pastor, includes 2 to 3 committee meetings; planning a trip to Appalachia, Mexico, Brazil, or Pakistan; preparing class for Sunday school; taking the youth group outdoors; meeting with the young adult group or Presbyterian Women; figuring the budget for the church’s benevolence fund; providing pastoral care to a family dealing with a recent death, providing premarital counseling or bereavement counseling, and conducting outreach to the homeless. Kim also delivers 8 to 10 sermons a year. Kim views her role as minister is “to equip the congregation for ministry.”

Kim, we are glad that you are part of OASC. You have stated that OASC provides many opportunities for you to do things you wouldn’t normally do. Well, you give just as much to the club with your big smile, your open heart and generosity of spirit.
 

The Leaders and Manager volunteer much of their time to bring you the experiences in the club you love.  Please let us know your testimonials if you appreciate our efforts, so we know what to keep on doing well, and so we can share your enthusiasm with prospective club members.  Simply contact us.  Thanks!