Winter “The challenge goes on. There are other lands and rivers, other wilderness areas, to save and to share with all. December 2014 I challenge you to step forward to protect and care for the wild places you love best.” — Dr. Neil Compton

OZARK SOCIETY DELTA BIKING TOUR NOVEMBER 1 – 4 By Janet Nye

This tour could have been called the tour de windy flat lands in the delta of , but to anyone who has spent any time in the delta they know that the delta is always windy. The tour began in Tyronza, AR at the Museum of the Southern Tenant Farmer, which is a museum worth your visiting with or without a bike ride. This ride is an annual event hosted by the Sunken Lands Chamber. It is a 54- mile circuit touring museums and historic sites in the Sunken Lands of Poinsett and Mississippi Counties. Brian Thompson, Alan Nye and I began this day of riding in 43 degrees and winds out of the north, north east. It was a sunny day which made it absolutely beautiful. Riding in the farm counties of Arkansas is amazing. Of course one can see for miles ahead all hopped in a pick-up and were We returned to our bikes and and all around, but there is a deep taken to the house of the most the north wind heading to Lepanto. appreciation for the lifestyle and non - famous of the families who became a We were headed for the Painted stop work that is evident at the end of part of this colony, the Cash family. House which was used in the filming the harvest season. We were escorted into the Johnny of the movie of the same name Our first stop was the Dyess Cash house and saw the original from the novel by John Grisham. Colony, formed as part of Franklin furnishings, bedding, piano, photos, This bike tour is not meant to Roosevelt’s New Deal. This museum etc. Seeing the meager furnishings ride fast unless you make no stops. is another property that Arkansas and hearing about how difficult life The people at each stop were like State University is supporting. was for those who were a part of this family. We so enjoyed hearing their Having never been to this area, Colony was very humbling. Also stories and about their communities. we were all amazed by what we we had the perspective of knowing Not to mention that the people we learned and how this whole area was how Johnny Cash’s life was full visited with were inside buildings converted to farming in the 1930’s of hardship and later an incredible and we could get out of the wind. to help those suffering during the music career. Depression. As part of this stop we (Continued on page 4) SOCIETY OFFICERS (as of Jan. 1, 2015): President: Alan Nye, (501) 851-7524, [email protected]; Past BUFFALO RIVER TRAIL President: Bob Cross, (479) 587-8757, racross@uark. edu; Vice President: Duane Woltjen, (479) 521-7032, VOLUNTEERS BUILD [email protected]; Financial Chair: Bob Ritchie, (501) 225-1795, [email protected]; Recording Secretary: Sandy Roerig, (318) 686-9481, [email protected]; NEARLY TWO MILES MORE! Conservation Chair: Alice Andrews, (501) 219-4293, [email protected]; Education Chair: Fred Paillet, Well, actually about one and eight-tenths miles. But without accurate (479) 935-4297 [email protected]; Membership Chair: measurement yet, let’s call it nearly two miles. Jenny Hackman, (318) 288-9096, jandgman@bellsouth. In October and November, and after last-minute changes in plans, net; Communications Chair / Editor, Pack & Paddle: Carmen Quinn, (501) 993-1883, [email protected]. construction took place in two areas between U.S. 65 and the Red Bluff Road. The result was that the trail was made about 99% complete in that STATE DIRECTORS: ARKANSAS: Laura Timby, eleven-mile stretch. Most of what remains to be done there is breaking (870) 439-2968, [email protected];: Ed Vollman, [email protected]; MISSOURI: Position open; away rock protruding into a few short sections of trail tread and building a LOUISIANA: Roy O’Neal, (318) 272-0259, roneal2@ 21-foot-long trail bridge across a deep gully. That, and providing signage, bellsouth.net; Catherine Tolson, (318) 343-7482, catherine. etc., at three trailheads. Only after those last improvements can the trail [email protected]. be opened to the public. CHAPTER CHAIRS: Bayou Chapter: Karen Pitts, The entire trail, U.S. 65 to Highway 14, is divided by county roads into [email protected]; Pulaski Chapter: David five parts. Parts 4 and 5, nearest Highway 14, are complete and open to the Peterson, [email protected]; Highlands Chapter: public. Parts 1 and 2, beginning at U.S. 65, are 99% complete as described Terry Frederick,(479) 442-3812, [email protected]; Sugar Creek Chapter: Joseph Meyer, [email protected]; Buffalo above. Construction in Part 3, the trail’s 5.5-mile midsection is being River Chapter: Farrel Couch, (479) 200-2621, f.t.couch@ delayed until archeological requirements are met and a tract of private land att.net; Mississippi Valley Chapter: Virginia Wiedefeld, astride the trail (or a right-of-way across that tract) can be placed in public (573) 270-1812, [email protected]. ownership. Ozark Society Supplies & Publications: Mary Gordon, Ken Smith, coordinator of volunteers for building the trail, says that (501) 425-4471, [email protected]. more than forty volunteers participated in building trail this Fall. He says Buffalo River Trail Coordinator: Ken Smith, (479) 466- also that 2.4 miles, in Part 3, are left for volunteers to build. 7994, [email protected] (new email address) OZARK SOCIETY DEPOSITORY: Special Collections Division, University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville, NEW OFFICERS FOR 2015-2016 TERM AR 71701, (501) 575-5577. MEMBERSHIP: Dues for membership in the Ozark The general meeting at Buffalo Point in October included the election of Society are: Individual and Family: $15; Contributing: $25; new officers for the 2015-2016 term: Sustaining: $25; Life (one-time fee): $200 under 65 years, or $100 for those over 65. President: Alan Nye Chapter membership adds to the fun of Ozark Society Vice President: Duane Woltjen membership, but is not required. However, chapter Treasurer: Bob Ritchie membership requires membership in the Society. Their dues structure is as follows: Mississippi Valley Chapter Secretary: Sandy Roerig of Cape Girardeau, Missouri: $5; Bayou Chapter Membership Chair: Jenny Hackman of Shreveport, Louisiana: $10; Highlands Chapter of Conservation Chair: Alice Andrews : $10; Sugar Creek Chapter of Northwest Arkansas: $5; Buffalo River Chapter of North- Education Chair: Fred Paillet Central Arkansas: $10, or $5 for email newsletters only; Communications Chair: Carmen Quinn and Pulaski Chapter of Central Arkansas: $10; Student State Directors: Membership: $5. Mail one check for both Society and chapter dues to: Ozark Society, P.O. Box 2914, Little Rock, Arkansas: Ed Vollman, Laura Timby AR 72203. Louisiana: Catherine Tolson, Roy O’Neal

PAGE 2 Winter - December 2014 CARGILL LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN IN PROGRESS

Brian Thompson of Fayetteville is 1) Cargill is a corporate behemoth publicly traded company. They have no working on a program that has a strong with $134.9 billion dollars in annual public shareholders to answer to. This chance of influencing Cargill regarding revenue, four times the size of our own is mightily convenient as shareholders the C & H Hog Farm issue. This is a Tyson Foods. It is the largest privately might consider Cargill’s position on the grass-roots program separate from any of held company in the . If it risks posed to a national river as callous. the groups fighting factory hog farms in the were a public company, it would be the There is no legal requirement for them to Buffalo River watershed. The Ozark Society second largest in the world. They are publish an audited financial statement. A approves and encourages you to participate extremely powerful, and they are very privately owned company of this size is in Brian’s letter campaign but it is not an good at advancing their cause through very difficult if not impossible to examine official Ozark Society program. It is your back channels and public institutions. and likewise, very difficult to influence. choice to help in a new way. So far there They have plenty of public relations 4) Cargill has almost no brands. are about 60 participants. and legal personnel who deftly manage They are not selling labeled products to If you should decide you wish environmental disputes and they have you and me. They are selling ingredients to participate by writing letters to lots of experience doing it. and logistical services to the Fortune 1000 Cargill’s customers, send an email to: 2) Cargill keeps a low profile. In food producers, restaurants, and grocers [email protected] with a message 1979 they listed this phrase as one of their that in turn sell to us. The practical that simply says “opt-in”. If you simply nine strategic beliefs. Brewster Kneen, purposes, is not a Cargill customer. We want to stay informed by receiving the who has written extensively about Cargill, are “downstream”. Cargill is effectively letters, reply to [email protected] refers to them as “The Invisible Giant”. beyond the influence of the average with “opt-monitor.” Consider this: Cargill’s trading and citizen. Brian’s description of the program processing businesses include grains, oil is below; please contact Brian Thompson seeds, fruit juices, tropical commodities, So, in order to influence Cargill, we with questions. fibers, meats, eggs, petroleum, and have to shine a light on the issue;, but fertilizers. It is one of the largest sources this must be done for the right audience: Program Information: There have been of grains and oilseeds in the domestic Cargill’s corporate customers. Restaurant a lot of letters written to Cargill with very and international markets. In fact, it is chains, food producers, and grocers need little effect. This is not surprising when almost impossible to eat at a restaurant or our letters to educate them on the risks you take a closer look. To understand buy from a grocer without Cargill having of this farm to the Buffalo National River why, read on: been involved. That Cargill is so large and and appeal to them to contact Cargill to so influential in our food supply and yet do what is right. Most of these companies Why Influencing Cargill is Tough to have so little known about them, is a have corporate cultures centered around Cargill responded to extensive public testament to their success at keeping their strong ethics-we need to appeal to outcry in opposition to the location heads down. For example, if you contact these values and their commitments as of C & H Hog Farm near Arkansas’ Cargill about their role in contracting this sustainable corporate citizens. How do we Buffalo National River by steadfastly farm, they will immediately redirect back know this will work? Because NOTHING committing to the factory hog facility’s to the “family farm” itself. And indeed, is more important than the customer. ill-sited location. It seems obvious that when a severe weather event eventually Multiple departments are established an industrial feed lot generating waste leads to an overflow of the waste lagoons whose sole purpose is to cater to and roughly equivalent to a city of 20,000 resulting in the economic destruction of a coddle the customer. Nothing could be upstream of a pristine national treasure 44 million dollar tourism industry, Cargill more distasteful to Cargill than having is a pretty bad idea. You would think will take a step back and point directly a bright light illuminating corporate Cargill would want to resolve this, and toward the farm’s owners. They strive to customers to Cargill’s misbehavior. But it it is certainly within their power to do maintain a “background” role. will take letters to have the desired effect, so. They simply choose not to. Why has 3) Cargill is privately owned. and the Cargill CEO needs to be copied Cargill been so difficult to influence on As a privately held company, Cargill is on every one of them. this matter? Four reasons: not subject to the same oversight as a

Pack & Paddle PAGE 3 Bike Tour (continued from page 1) inside buildings and we could get it was another beautiful day. We were to the St. Charles Museum at city hall. out of the wind. treated like royalty at the Post. The St. Charles is known for the deadliest Our tour stopped again at the Friends of AR Post treated us to a chili single shot of the Civil War. The museum museum in Marked Tree. By then we lunch complete with cookies. We were focuses on that and other aspects of the were traveling with the wind and we treated to the “Medicine Woman” stories. community that have contributed to what were riding much faster and easier. We Dyan Bohnert, president of the friends it is today. The last night of the tour completed the ride at 4:45 pm, which group, presented a brief description of the was at Cypress Island Duck Lodge. All is not a typical time for a 54 mile ride, medicine women who helped with the I can say about this place is ‘WOW!” but the people and historic sites were so injured during the Civil War. We heard It is amazing. We relaxed on the deck amazing and we were all excited about about how the friends group works with overlooking a beautiful cypress lake. what we had seen and learned. We topped the Post and later got a tour of part of We also were treated to an understanding off our day with dinner at Tyboogies in the area led by Joe Herron, interpreter of Arkansas County’s history with rice Tyronza. We inhaled our food. at AR Post. The Post is rich in cultural farming and duck hunting by Sloan The first night we stayed at the and natural history. In one site there was Hampton who lives in the same area Schoolhouse Lodge in Bayou Meto, AR. a Revolutionary War battle, Civil War as his great grandparents and continues We drove to this community in Arkansas battle, the first European settlement in to rice farm as his parents and County and met up with Ti Davis, Ann AR, and an Important Bird Area. It also grandparents did. and Rick Owen and JoJo Duncan. This has the champion osage orange tree and The tour was fantastic. We lodge is a former one room schoolhouse alligators. It is an amazing place. Four of met wonderful people who love their built in the 1930’s and was used as a us rode back to the lodge traveling with communities and have lived there for school until the late 1960’s The owner the wind. generations. It was such a different world who came and told us stories of his life The next day three of us rode to St. from central Arkansas where people in this community, went to this school as Charles, AR through DeWitt, on AR move in and out. Arkansas County has a a child. Hwy.1. We were riding with the wind, community of people who have lived the On Sunday, the 2nd we rode to which made the warmer day fantastic. same life as their parents. They are rich , a 28 mile ride from Bayo We arrived at White Ink to eat lunch. in community spirit and pride in what Meto. We were riding into the wind, but We had a great lunch and then rode over they do.

Cypress Island Duck Lodge

PAGE 4 Winter - December 2014 2015 BUFFALO RIVER TRIP JUNE 9 – 13, 2015

You are invited to join us for the includes the car shuttle, food from Would you like to go for free? We return of the Buffalo River Float, a noon Tuesday to noon Saturday, and need at least two people to drive our tradition dating back to the founding an ice drop on Thursday afternoon john boats carrying the group gear. of the Ozark Society. for coolers. Boat rentals can be The boats will have small outboard Trip leaders Stewart Noland and arranged for a fee. Let Stewart or motors. Ask Stewart or Steve. Steve Heye are ready to lead a four Steve know if you want to rent a boat. Send a check to “Ozark Society” day fun float on the Buffalo National You will be responsible for all after January 1st to: Bob Ritchie, River from Tyler Bend (Hwy. 65) to personal gear, shelter and personal Ozark Society, 707 Pleasant Valley the river’s mouth at Riley’s landing on drinks of choice. The john boat will Drive #10, Little Rock, AR 72227. the White. be carrying most of the group gear, Please also send an email to either The float begins on Tuesday, kitchens, all the food and group address below telling us that you have June 9th, at 10 a.m. The next three shelters, but save room in your boat sent in your check: [email protected] days will be easy-paced paddling, for a small piece of group gear. We are or [email protected]. You can also stopping to take in the sights, swim also leaders in river hygiene: we use email either address for additional info. in the rapids, fish and enjoy the “groover” toilets while on the float to Signup will close May 26, 2015. company of fellow paddlers. Saturday minimize environmental impact. We look forward to having you and is an easy half day to the end of the Space will be limited to 60. We your family and friends along for a Buffalo and our awaiting cars. Non- will split into groups of no more than great time! stop natural fun! 20. Each group will have a kitchen Cost is $175 per person ($150 and group gear. for children 12 & under.) The cost

COLORADO TRIP JULY 12 -18, 2015

The 2015 Colorado High Adventure you prefer motel accommodations to of qualified raft captains that are part Trip will be Sunday July12 thru camping, you can make reservations of the group and the water levels. Saturday July 18. The campground at nearby Mount Princeton Hot You must be an Ozark Society reservations have been made at Springs Lodge, 15870 County Road member to participate in this trip. the Cascade Campground in the 162, Nathrop, Colorado, 719-395- If you are not already a member, Collegiate Peaks area of the San Isabel 2361 or other nearby motels or bed & you can join by sending $15 annual National Forest. The campground breakfasts. Meals at the campground dues along with trip fee of $150 for is located on County Road 162 west are provided for all trip participants, campers and $100 for non-campers. of Nathrop, Colorado. The trip is regardless of whether you are camping Confirm your place on the Colorado limited to 60 people; you need to or staying elsewhere. outing by sending a check made send in your reservation in by June There will be a variety of outings out to the Ozark Society for the 1, 2015. to choose from: commercial rafting appropriate amount to: Bob Ritchie Plan to arrive at the campground or boating on the Arkansas River, 707 Pleasant Valley Dr. #10 Little by mid-afternoon Sunday July 12. The hiking, fishing, mountain biking, Rock, AR 72227. If you have any first meal will be that evening. All horseback riding, or sightseeing. questions concerning the Colorado meals will be provided through dinner Rafting on the Arkansas River may outing, contact: Bob Ritchie at on Friday July 17 as part of the trip. If be available depending on the number 501-225-1795 or [email protected].

Pack & Paddle PAGE 5 Zion National Park Thanks to Robert Medley of the Highlands Chapter for the photos below, taken during the September OS trip to Zion National Park.

PAGE 6 Winter - December 2014

Time to Renew for 2015!

Dues are for one calendar year and include a subscription to the Society’s newsletter, Pack & Paddle, and conservation bulletins. Remit to: The Ozark Society, Inc., P.O. Box 2914, Little Rock, AR 72203 using the form below, or you can renew online at: www.ozarksociety.net – click on the “About Us/Membership” link.

1. Please check one: New Member:  Renewal:  2. General Dues: (Required - Please Circle One)  Individual/Family: $15  Life: $200 (over age 65: $100) (This is for OS  Individual Students: $5.00 (High school or membership only-it does not include chapter college, if not included with family) membership.)

 Contributing/Sustaining: $25

3. Chapter Dues: (you may choose not to join a chapter, or choose more than one)  Bayou Chapter - $10 (Shreveport, LA)  Mississippi Valley Chapter- $5 (Cape Girardeau,  Buffalo River Chapter - $10 ($5/email newsletter MO) only- - N. Central AR)  Sugar Creek Chapter - $5 (Bentonville Area)  Highlands Chapter - $10 (N. West AR)  Pulaski Chapter - $10 (Central AR)

Name:

Phone: (Home) (Work) (Cell)

Address:  Please send newsletters to my email Email: address instead of by U.S. Mail

Total Amount Enclosed:

BayouBayou Chapter Chapter - -Sabine Sabine RiverRiver Trip Trip - October - October 25, 2014 25, 2014 By John Joyce By John Joyce

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Pack7 & Paddle PAGE 7 FIRST CLASS The Ozark Society US Postage P.O. Box 2914 Little Rock, AR 72203 PAID Permit No. 3161 Little Rock, AR

Please Note: If you would like to receive Pack & Paddle ONLY by email, not through US Mail, please contact Mary Gordon at [email protected].

Sabine River Trip (continued from page 7) If you wish to participate in Ozark even Daisy had a time in the water. Kenzie learned the fine art of “surfing” and a Society outdoor events, please make couple of eddy turns. She even had a chance to try ferrying, It was fun watching her. Abby, being the old pro at driving a kayak had no problem going from top to note of the following statement and bottom and starting all over again dragging the boat back up and heading down. requirement: The child is AGILE. It was a time getting them to head down river ‘cause they I acknowledge that I understand the all wanted to continue to stay and play. We did get down to the take out though and managed to get everybody out nature of this event and represent that I safely in spite of the gumbo/slippery mud that was on the ramp. What a mess that am qualified, in good health and proper was. Anyway, this was a fun day and so, thanks again to all of you who came: physical condition to participate in the David & Karen Pitts; Gary & Jenny Hackman; Toni Spitale; Sandy Roerig; Dee Jaye Teutsch, Abby and Daisy; Susan Ramares; Kenzie Joyce & John & Cathy activity. I understand the risks to my Joyce. person and property associated with the By the way, we all thought that the river level was just about perfect. Six event. I agree to release from liability and inches higher on the gauge would not have been a problem as we saw it. I think it was at 6.67 or close to it. So, if you are looking at going, make sure that that is not to sue the Ozark Society (including the what the level is. individual Chapters of the Ozark Society) and their officers, directors, the event Stay Informed on the Web! leaders, coordinators or instructors for any Visit us at www.ozarksociety.net injury, damage, death or other loss in any way connected with the event.

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