The “1-2-3 Project” funded by FoOT’s Designated Maintenance Fund was completed on November 16. The project was a total success in spite of some weather conditions we had to deal with. We completed all items of priority in Sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Ouachita Trail. Many thanks to all of you who contributed in one form or another to this Maintenance Fund.

Bill Sears, Billy McMillen and Kris McMillen served to supervise and work alongside the crew for 10 days of labor. We also received assistance from Mike Kelsey, James Holton, Ed Hawkins and Sue Hawkins.

Bill Sears, our District Captain for Sections 1 and 2, sums it up well: “Well after spending a week on the trail doing tread work and seeing other tools, I will be making some changes. I guess what I am saying is that I have a better understanding as to what works and what is a waste of time. I wish more of the members could have had the experience that we had. It would give them a better understanding of what can be done on the trail. Those really bad areas that look impossible can be made into a great trail given the right resources. It was money well spent, worth every penny.”

The E-Corps Trail Crew from American Youth Works of Austin, TX was perfect. We were very pleased with their performance and I would recommend hiring them again. We were amazed at the amount of work that was completed by a crew of professional young adults who knew exactly what they were doing and were extremely cooperative and flexible.

The money was well-spent and the trail in Sections 1-2-3 is a better place.

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On another note we wanted to let you all know that the “Forest Road 76 Re-Route Project” has been mostly completed. There is still some finishing work to be done, but the trail is open and ready to use. I have hiked it and it is wonderful!! Beats walking down a gravel road for 3 miles any day. The scenery is beautiful as it takes you down into a lovely valley and then up high to some great views.

This awesome project comes to us courtesy of Martha and David Doty, the Ouachita National Forest and Montgomery County, Arkansas paid for by a special grant involving the Forest Service and the County. The same crew that we worked with on the “1-2-3 Project” worked on this re-route behind the Forest Service mini excavator and they all did a fantastic job. We hope they can return and do more finishing work on the new trail section. Watch for future news updates on the progress.

Thanks to all our wonderful Volunteers,
Kris McMillen
Outgoing VP of Maintenance
Friends of the Ouachita Trail

The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them to the impossible. -Arthur C. Clarke

The FoOT annual membership meeting was held at 11:00 am, Saturday, Nov 5, in the Chopping Block Restaurant in Mena, AR.  The primary business of the meeting was the election of three new board members to run the non-profit corporation.   Ron Mayfield, Bill Mooney, and Sid Wood were elected to fill the expiring terms of Ed Hawkins, Kris McMillen, and Mike Sims.  This infusion of fresh blood and enthusiasm for the organization was praised by President Jim Gifford as an exciting moment in the perpetuation of the organization.

FoOT Secretary/Treasurer Cheryl Gaskill gave a strong financial report and then summarized the votes for directors received to date.  Those wishing to vote in person were given the opportunity to do so, and then a motion made and approved to accept the election results.  New Directors Mayfield, Mooney, and Wood will begin their three year terms in January when the board meets to elect officers for 2012.

Attendees were given a recap of the past year’s accomplishments, including:

• Outstanding current trail condition report;
• Over 4800 volunteer man-hours contributed;
• Continued membership growth;
• Unsolicited recognition in newspaper and television;
• FoOT hosting of the “40th anniversary of the Ouachita Trail” event, and Art Crowley remembrance, at Arkansas Trails Day in May;
• FoOT support of the “Ouachita Challenge” mountain bike race, resulting in a $5000 contribution to FoOT;
• USFS approval of the first new shelter;
• Improved and expanding internet presence.

President Gifford closed the meeting with presentation of special recognition awards to five FoOT members:

• Carolyn Shearman, for her tireless effort as our record keeper and producing the required USFS volunteer man-hour reports;
• Loretta Melancon for her years of service on the board and Vice President of Recruitment, and specifically for her efforts this year in organizing the 40th anniversary event;
• Mike Sims, retiring Board member;
• Ed Hawkins, retiring Board member and District Captain;
• Kris McMillen, co-founder of FoOT, retiring board member, and retiring Vice-President of Maintenance.  Kris has been the heart and soul of FoOT since its beginning and deserves much of the credit for our success.

A very special Arkansas Trails Day event was enjoyed at the Lake Sylvia OT Trailhead on Saturday May 7th to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the completion of the first section of the Ouachita Trail and to honor, Art Cowley, Father of the Ouachita Trail. To learn more about the early days of the trail and Art’s contributions in the 1970′s, please visit the history section here on our website. This section is in process and will soon contain early trail pictures, stories from the OT “pioneers”, and a time line of activity during the construction of the trail.

Loretta wishes to thank all who made this event such a success: USFS, Ouachita Nationa Forest Jessieville-Winona Ranger District, Arkansas Department of State Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Von Bothmer Family Foundation, Bennet Brothers Stone Works, Hot Springs Monument Company, FoOT Board of Directors and volunteers, and of course the OT Pioneers without whom there would have been nothing to celebrate!

Scroll down the page for photos from the event and listen to Jay Miller’s Keynote address. Continue reading →