The Applegater

Applegater Winter 2016 23 BY DIANA COOGLE With a broad smile, ATA reports a successful Call of the Wild fundraiser As many as 150 people joined the Applegate Trails Association (ATA) at Pacifica in Williams in early October for the premiere viewing of Walking the Wild Applegate, a documentary film by Tim Lewis of the first-ever thru-hike along the ridges between Ashland and Grants Pass. T h e f i l m s h o w s b o a r d members Luke Ruediger and Josh Weber camping in the snow and hiking in the rain but also walking through gorgeous fields of sea blush and lupine, on open slopes of oak woodlands, and in deep fir forests. Its shots of other hikers and horseback riders joining them on the trail and its interviews with David Calahan, ATA chair; Duane Mallams; Chant omas, et al., not only deepened the viewers' understanding of the Applegate Ridge Trail project but helped explain the enthusiasm the organization has for it. ATA is making plans to show the film widely around the Rogue Valley. Look for announcements in the media, social and otherwise. Possible venues are the Northwest Outdoor Store in Medford, regional libraries, and similar places. DVDs are being made as well. Contact ATA (through Facebook or at applegatetrails.org) to set up a presentation or find out how to get a DVD for viewing. e large turnout at the fundraiser also meant a good boost to ATA's treasury. We obtained grants from the Bureau of Land Management and REI for building the East ART, the first leg of the Applegate Ridge Trail—approximately six miles of nonmotorized trail from Sterling Creek Road west to Highway 238 near Forest Creek Road. We're hoping to begin actual construction this winter. We extend a hearty thanks to all who attended this year's Call of the Wild and especially to all who donated items and time to help make the event such a success. Special thanks to Lily Kaplan, our newest board member, for jumping in with such energy at the penultimate moment. And, as always, we extend heartfelt gratitude to those who Photo above: A large crowd at Pacifica sits enthralled, watching Walking the Wild Applegate. Photo right: Josh Weber (front) and Luke Ruediger (back) hike through a field of lupine on what ATA hopes will become part of the Applegate Ridge Trail. Photos by Alexandria Weinbrecht. give generously to the Applegate Trails Association in support of our goals. Diana Coogle dicoog@gmail.com Open 7days a week! Deli & Picnic Supplies Breakfast • Lunch •To-Go Orders Gas • ATM • Espresso Beer & Wine Applegate Store & Cafe 15095 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR 541-846-6659 13291 Hwy 238, Applegate, OR Stay at a real country farm on the Applegate River! Horsefeather Farms Ranchette Guesthouse Stayovers B&B www.horsefeather-farms-ranchette.com Bring the kids! Pet friendly! Call for information and reservations: 541-941-0000 On September 24, 2016, Friends of Applegate School provided a world-class race venue with a view, 7 Dogs Running, and outstanding race organization. e Applegate School Parent-Teacher- Student Group (PTSG) organized the volunteers to work on race day. This team effort resulted in a successful Enchanted Forest Wine Run at Wooldridge Creek Vineyard and Winery—a fundraiser for Applegate School's strings music program and a bunch of fun for participants. Nearly $3,000 was raised through the event. Eighty runners participated this year, but "next year, it's going to be bigger!" said race organizer Robert Hodge, one of the lead dogs for the nonprofit 7 Dogs Running and president of Siskiyou Corporation in Grants Pass. Enchanted Forest Wine Run raised funds for the Applegate School Strings Program 24K Female Anne Carter (53) 2:22:06 Jessica Lamanna (30) 2:28:27 Annie Southam (40) 2:31:08 24K Male James Southam (38) 1:54:15 Hal Koerner (40) 2:09:56 Pete Wallstrom (43) 2:18:30 12K Female Megan Janssen (34) 1:12:42 Kathryn Turpin (29) 1:21:01 Jill Lovin (20) 1:26:33 12K Male Gary Pierce (39) 1:12:28 Gabriel Lipper (41) 1;14:59 Jakob Shockey (24) 1:17:10 5K Female Alaina Lehrburger (24) 25:58 April Cummings (40) 28:53 Lydia Shockey (24) 29:19 5K Male Josh Hastad (21) 20:53 Colin Cougle (13) 25:39 Derick Cougle (49) 26:35 Enchanted Forest Wine Run Top Finishers "So many thanks to give—to Robert for organizing this race, to Greg and Kara of Wooldridge Creek for opening their doors and providing support at their beautiful winery, and to Seana Hodge, who worked hard as the PTSG representative to get running shoes on the ground to support the event," said Darrell Erb, Applegate School principal. Thanks to the team of on-the- ground volunteers. ey helped make this event a lot of fun. We're already looking forward to next year! Applegate School principal, Darrell Erb (left), thanks organizer Robert Hodge for a successful fundraising event for the school's Strings Program.

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