FOSP News...

Oracle State Park Reopening
Close to 1,000 visitors celebrated the reopening of Oracle State Park on Saturday, Feb. 4th, enjoying a wide range of activities—from bird-watching to interactive trail odyssies to making sun dials and more. Mary Bast’s Kannally Ranch house tours were full to capacity, all of the treats donated by FOSP members were gobbled up ... and we managed to recruit new members and raised over $700 to boot. Plus President Mary Ann Pogany and Park visitors were interviewed by KOLD (see link below).

Many thanks are owed to everyone who participated, including Park Ranger Jennifer Rinio, Cindy Krupicka who designed a beautiful table spread, Neil Krupicka who helped with clean up, Karl Pogany for his photographic talents (see below), Mary Ann Pogany for her tireless efforts and all the Park and FOSP volunteers. Of the hundreds of goodies baked by Nancy Lasse and especially Charlotte (aka the Cookie Monster), not a crumb remained.

→ Click here to see Grand Reopening photos.
To learn more about how the gates were reopened:
→ Read the latest KOLD press story
→ Download our press release
→ Read a letter from former FOSP President
→ Watch PBS interview, “Volunteers Rescue State Park”...

Golf Fundraiser Exceeds Expectations!
We had 127 golfers and even had to turn some away. Neil and Cindy Kurpicka managed the event and pulled it off spectacularly. Everyone had a great time. The box lunches were delicious. Many awards were given out, accompanied by a lot of laughter. A power point presentation and 200 pictures of the event were displayed on a large screen during the ceremonies. This event was so successful that we hope to make it an annual fund raiser. Friends wants to thank everyone that helped make this a success, especially all the fantastic golfers!
→ Check out some great shots!

FOSP December Meeting & Members Annual Christmas Party
At this year’s traditional December meeting and Christmas soirée, Members had plenty to celelbrate! In addition to welcoming a new roster of officers and paying tribute to the old, new exciting plans were outlined and recent accomplishments reviewed.
→ Download the Minutes to learn more (pdf)
→ See Christmas party photos

RICO Education Award for At Risk Kids
The award of a Pinal County RICO Grant will underwrite education programs for children at risk, many of whom have never been to a park or had a wilderness experience.
→ Click here to read Copper News Article...

Kannally Ranch House Restorations
During the hiatus of the Park’s closure, the Friends have have embarked on an extensive restoration program. Recent major accomplishments include:

• Contracting a Pinal County penal sytem work crew to repaint the Kannally Ranch House exterior, in accordance with historic preservation standards
• Helping to host a cadre of young Americorps volunteers, who pruned, regraded and made other general improvements to the Park’s walking trails
• Designing a display of Kannally Ranch iron brands for the museum
• Enlisting FOSP volunteers George and Lynne Bradley and Chcuk LeFevre in improving the Kannally Ranch House gardens.

→ Click here to learn more about FOSP improvement projects...