Applegater Summer 2017
A view worthy of a trail:
East ART progress
BY DAVID CALAHAN
Since March 23, the Applegate Trails
Association (ATA) has watched our locally
hired crew lean into the task of creating a
new hiking trail high on the slopes above
Bishop Creek. Whack, whack, whack,
foot by laborious foot, grubbers and
Pulaskis bit into the earth, leaving a narrow
brown path that crept slowly across the
incredibly beautiful and diverse landscape
of our valley. On the ground, progress was
measured in hundreds of feet per day. On
the map, progress was measured in tiny
quarter-inch segments.
By now the actual construction of
the 5.6-mile East Applegate Ridge Trail
(ART) is nearly completed. Although
improvements at the primary trailhead off
Sterling Creek Road are done, a number
of tasks still need to be accomplished
before the trail is officially opened to the
public, hopefully this summer. The trail’s
proximity to Jacksonville, jaw-dropping
views, and an easy grade for the first three
miles are bound to make the East ART
very popular. Shortly after we started, the
trail was discovered by mushroom pickers,
hikers, mountain bikers, and critters, all
pleased to be using a trail across those
steep slopes.
For me, reality set in during the first
days of trail building. After so many
years, thousands of volunteer hours, and
thousands of dollars, this community
dream was coming true. But as the thin
brown line grew, I had to ask myself, what
have we done? “If you build it, they will
come.” It is true, they will come. I know in
a short time the disturbed earth will blend
again and from a distance the trail will
disappear. Mother Nature is an excellent
healer. But I had to wonder, will all the
benefits of the trail outweigh the impacts
of so many humans coming to what once
was a difficult place to visit? Analyzing
this question from many angles, I felt my
internal scales tipping heavily to “yes,” and
every thoroughly delighted and astonished
hiker reinforces that conclusion. The trail
is a good thing.
This undertaking has elicited so much
support it is impossible to thank all
those who deserve it. But some special
praise should be given to the ATA board
(past and present); Siskiyou Upland
Trails Association; Annette Parsons;
Duane and Katy Mallams; Zach Million,
recreation planner with the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM); the late Ed
wilderness
Reilly; Rogue
status or
WorkSource;
p ro t e c t i o n .
Nor thwest
ATA
is
Youth Corps;
convinced
and all those
that the
volunteers
public can
who showed
sway BLM
up for the
away from
three East
logging the
A RT w o r k
few isolated
parties. Few
patches of
can appreciate
timber in this
how much
incredible
these people
Aerial photo of East ART view by Scott Harding. b a c k y a r d
have put into
gem. It is our
this project.
For those wielding a tool, the work caused hope that BLM will recognize the true
some sweat and maybe a blister or two. value of recreation in southern Oregon,
Funding for the trailhead improvements, especially nonmotorized recreation in wild
trail planning, and construction came from places, and give it the attention it deserves.
ATA has two more scheduled events. On
REI, the Schwemm Family Foundation,
Title II grants, fundraising, and your Sunday, June 18, Alex Weinbrecht (alex@
applegatetrails.org) will host a horseback
donations.
What’s next for the East ART and ride on the Enchanted Forest Trail. Bring
ATA? First we seek funding to establish your own horse. On Sunday, July 9, Diana
an improved trailhead on the west end Coogle (diana@applegatetrails.org) will
off Highway 238 near Forest Creek Road. host a hike on Mount Elijah. For more
Then we start planning for the Center information, go to applegatetrails.org.
When it is ready, you must go up on
ART, from Highway 238 to Humbug
the
East ART. The grade is gentle, and the
Creek. This section of trail will access the
7,000-acre Wellington Wildlands, which is views, starting in a few hundred yards, get
comprised of all the public lands between better and better around every corner. It is
Highway 238, China Gulch, Humbug a whole new way to see the Applegate. See
Creek, and the Forest Creek ridgeline. you on the trail.
Even though these public lands look and David Calahan • david@applegatetrails.org
feel like wilderness, they do not have official
Chair, Applegate Trails Association
Annual Williams scholarships awarded
Williams says farewell to
beloved teacher Joanne Wardle
Joanne Wardle has been teaching school
for more than 30 years (since 1985), the
past seven of which have been at Williams
Elementary School. Now retiring, she will
spend her last day with students on June
15.
While Joanne may be looking forward
to retirement for sleeping in on school
days, gardening, traveling, and spending
precious time with her grandchildren,
there are those at Williams Elementary
who say she will be sorely missed.
“I have had the pleasure of working
with Joanne for the past three years,” said
Darrell Erb, principal. “She’s an amazing
teacher—so committed to students and
this community, so caring and positive—
we will miss her big-time. She picked us
all up every day!”
The search has begun to fill Joanne’s
position. There is always a new chapter,
but Joanne’s service has left a legacy at
Williams Elementary.
“Joanne’s story is one of unselfish
service to us all, and her impact will live
on,” said Mindi Gallegos, office manager
at the school. “We will miss her infectious
smile, her upbeat disposition, and, best of
all, her home-baked goodies!”
We wish her the best in her retirement!
Each year scholarships toward ever-increasing college expenses are given to deserving
students who live in the Williams School District. This year a total of $3,250 was awarded
to three exceptional students. Congratulations to:
Autumn Hewitt • Autumn Wilkins-Kahn • Calder Wilson
The Williams Community Scholarship Fund was established in 1982 by Ray and
Peg Prag, Wendell and Irene Shampine, and Burt Eikleberry. In the last 35 years, well
over $50,000 has been awarded in the form of 115 well-earned and much-needed
scholarships of varying amounts.
Originally, money for these scholarships was earned by selling soft drinks at Pioneer
Round-Up. Later, funds were raised by selling plants, mainly donated by Forestfarm.
Each year most of the earnings were awarded as scholarships, while a small portion was
saved and invested so that the Williams Community Scholarship Fund could award
scholarships based on annual interest earnings. This year, however, with such outstanding
students, more money was given out than earned, making your donations all the more
important.
In the face of rising tuition costs and the increasing importance of continuing
education, the scholarship fund was created to “promote post-secondary education
for members of the Williams community.” Scholarships are awarded on the basis of
scholastic achievements, extracurricular activities, financial need, and long-range goals.
Please consider donating to the Williams Community Scholarship Fund. Donations
enable us to provide more and/or larger scholarships. One hundred percent of
donated funds goes towards scholarships. There are no administrative costs—the five
Board members volunteer their time. Donations from community members stay in
the community. For more information, contact Peg Prag at 541-846-1100 or peg@
pacificagarden.org.
Applegate Store & Cafe
Carol
Milazzo
Debbie Tollefson
23
Don Tollefson
Principle Broker
Owner
Principle Broker
Owner
Broker
541-973-9184
541-973-9185
541-415-1844
Open 7days a week!
Deli & Picnic Supplies
Breakfast • Lunch •To-Go Orders
Gas • ATM • Espresso
Beer & Wine
15095 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR
541-846-6659
“We Focus on Relationships, not Commissions.”
List with us!
Your local
independently
owned Realtors!
Applegate Valley Office
Jacksonville Office
7380 Highway 238 / Ruch, OR
935 North Fifth Street / Jacksonville, OR
Next to Ruch Country Store
By the Gas Station
541-261-0949
541-218-0947
Horsefeather Farms
Ranchette
Guesthouse Stayovers B & B
13291 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR
Stay at a real country farm on the
Applegate River!
Call for information and reservations:
541-941-0000
www.horsefeather-farms-ranchette.com
Bring the kids
! Pet friendly
!
