A Notice from Alice Andrews:
On Tuesday, June 3rd, the Coalition of the Ozark Society, Buffalo River Watershed Alliance, Arkansas Canoe Club and the National Parks Conservation Association sponsored a media float trip from Grinders Ferry to Gilbert. There were 11 reporters from Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee plus volunteers, about 32 persons.
The Ozark Society gives our heartiest thanks to these Buffalo River businesses, serving the food, recreational and tourism needs of thousands of people who come to enjoy the River and its environs. They care deeply about protecting the Buffalo and understand how important a beautiful and healthy river is for business and for the economy of Arkansas.
Our warmest thanks to:
Wayne Thompson, owner of Fergusons Restaurant and Country Store, 121 E. Highway 333, St. Joe, AR, which provided cinnamon rolls, coffee and a place to meet;
Monty Smith, owner of Silver Hill Float Service, 9862 Hwy. 65 (South Hwy 65) St. Joe, AR, who provided complimentary canoes and shuttle service;
Melissa Welbourne, owner of the Gilbert Café, in the “big middle of Gilbert”. She served sandwiches, chips and drinks, kindly opening her café on Tuesday when it is normally closed;
A huge thank you goes to the Pulaski Chapter of the Ozark Society for providing lunch for the reporters and volunteers at the Gilbert Café. Lunch was enjoyed by a hungry crowd!
I would also like to thank our outstanding volunteers who shared the canoes, oar-rigged rafts and drift boat with the attentive and eager reporters. During the 3 hour float, there was ample time to enjoy the sunny day, clear water, an eagle, river otters, great blue herons, fishing and many interviews about our efforts to resolve the hog factory challenge in Mt. Judea – the public health issues and highly probable pollution of Big Creek and the Buffalo from hog waste.
Our volunteers: Gordon Watkins, Dane Schumacher, Jack Stewart, (BRWA); Emily Jones, Perry Wheeler, (NPCA); Margaret Bartelt, Debbie Doss, Alice Andrews, David Gruenewald, Richard McFadden, Steve Heye, Marcel Jones, Bob Allen, Allen Rittman, Tim and Cyndy Eubanks, Laura Timby (Canoe Club and Ozark Society).