ANOTHER GOOD YEAR AND GROWING!

This year we had two major launches, and several smaller initiatives. There was the impressive debut of our newest state chapter in North Carolina (for details see my column in the Spring 2008 issue). To my knowledge that is the first chapter launch that coincided with the publication of a lookout history book (in this case for western North Carolina). Director Peter Barr has lost no time in recruiting new FFLA members. He also listed all the remaining fire lookouts in the western section of the state on the National Historic Lookout Register.

Across the country, Brad Eells has been appointed Chair of the San Diego/Riverside Local Chapter of FFLA, a part of the Southern California Chapter. Already they have entered into a long term agreement with the Cleveland National Forest to restore and staff High Point Lookout, have inventoried all the lookouts that remain or once stood in San Diego and Riverside Counties, and have listed those standing in the NHLR. To the north in Central California, Jeff May is leading the new Yosemite/High Sierra Local Chapter.

Another Local Chapter, Beebe Hill in New York, continues a major restoration of their fire tower with the expertise of members of the local steelworkers union. That sounds like the kind of partnership that many of us could use! Having to purchase that kind of help is out of the question, but volunteers made it happen. In addition, another New York Local Chapter, Berry Hill, has just been announced (see page 8).

Back on the west coast in Washington state, a new South Cascades Local Chapter under the leadership of Dick Morrison has initiated a long-needed analysis of the effectiveness of lightning grounding on several structures. This is not an easy task, because the electrical codes are difficult to understand and subject to interpretation. Dick, who has years of experience in removing and restoring lookouts, is taking coursework to bring his expertise in grounding requirements up to date.

Our magazine and websites continue to fill with stories of restorations in many states. www.ffla.org and our partner, www.nhlr.org--the National Historic Lookout Register--are updated and improved weekly. www.firetower.org now points to a new site: the Historic Lookout Sites Register already has nearly 600 sites of former lookouts listed, and it is not even one year old. Thanks are due Southern New England Director Henry Isenberg for his enthusiasm in getting this site underway. So far, Pennsylvania leads with 374 former lookout sites listed.

In 2008 we had two outstanding meetings, both of which were hosted by Howard Verschoor, our Oregon Director. We really appreciate is hard work and dedication. As his reward, we have promised not to ask him to host another meeting for a few years! In this issue you will find a report of the wonderful western regional meeting in Roseburg, Oregon in September. This year an eastern regional meeting was not held.

At the Juanary, 2008 annual board meeting at the Tillamook Forest Interpretive Center we reviewed the accomplishments of 2007--our most active year yet (see page 3 of the Winter 2008 Lookout Network Magazine). We also adopted an ambitious budget, nearly $19,000. Often this modest amount is matched, sometimes by as much as 5:1 with additional dollars, for which we are grateful.

We will start the new year with our 2009 annual meeting on January 17 near Tampa, Florida. Now, that is just about as far from Oregon as one can get. But it is a testimony to the breadth and depth of FFLA. We are truly a nationwide association with a proud record of international partners. All our meetings are open meetings with the public welcome. Look at our website: www.ffla.org for details and meeting location. There is no attendance fee, either!

Stay tuned: We have big plans for 2009!

Keith A. Argow
Chairman of the Board
argow@cs.net

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