ANNUAL REPORT - 01/06/07

Dr. Keith Argow, President & Chairman &
Ladies & Gentlemen

(Financial) Chapter funds in the hands of the National Treasurer stand at $359.02. Local Chapter operations are funded by the current Director, and by sale of long-held FFLA related and previously purchased inventory.

(Membership) There are currently twenty-three memberships in this Chapter. (Ohio - 1, Pennsylvania - 22), We regret to report the passing of Allan R. Knox since our last report, (former USDA-FS).

(Natl. Historic Lookout Register) Ten Fire Towers are presently listed on the Register. Five others are being considered for nomination which include two privately owned and three State-owned. Action has been slowed pending adjustment of process in a previous nomination.

(Partnerships) The Contact & Research Station continues to be a joint function of the Keystone Chapter, FFLA and the PA Forest Fire Museum Assn. Research related to all aspects of fire detection are shared by botb organizations, regardless of source. And -

Elements of a "Fire Tower" exhibit at the PA National Fire Museum last year have been used at four sites since as a traveling exhibit crediting both organizations. One of these was offered in Maryland as a part of the Maryland Forest Service 100th Anniversary events, at Deep Creek Lake State Park, their Fire Warden & Fire Lookout Remembrance Day, in October.

The Museum Assn. has in hand a dated 1917 Osborne Fire Finder, which was displayed at the 2006 Eastern Regional Conference in New Jersey. Ray Kresek of the Forest Fire Lookout Museum in Spokane, WA has assisted in the research following this acquisition.

The Museum Assn. will shortly be restoring a small 1936 structure in the Caledonia State Park, (2nd oldest operating State Park in PA, where they will develop an interim museum, to be called a Discovery Center. Fire Towers will be one of the featured exhibits.

Mr. Merl Waltz, retired PA forester, is heading tower and lookout research for the Museum group and is working actively with FFLA people, including Hark Haughwout, Henry Isenberg, Robert Spear, and Chapter Members.

(Projects) The Goulds Tower, owned by tbe family that provided lookouts to the Tower is currently under early stage restoration by the family. Technical assistance is being provided by the chapter. Goulds is a twin of the former Cornwall tower, now in PA Museum hands, allowing for close photography of detail as well as measurements.

Steve Cummings