Model arch to hit the road

A scale model of the Springfield/McKenzie Arch will hit the road soon thanks to a successful month-long online fundraising drive to generate $2,500. The Friends of the Springfield Arch Committee's Kickstarter campaign went over the top this week with Karen Craiglow's pledge of $100. Hers was one of two memorial pledges: "In Memory of Bill Lincoln," and another by Carlene and Kalena Karp, "In Memory of Chris Karp." 22 backers contributed a total of $2,570.

Behind the scenes, Leaburg artist Cathy Hickman has assembled thousands of miniature bricks and other intricate pieces that all mesh and work together to form the five-foot scale model. This month, people will have an opportunity to see a 3-D image of what the future Springfield/McKenzie Arch will look like when a "work in progress" version of the model makes a showing at the McKenzie Arts Festival on August 17 & 18. Other showings at public venues are planned and will be announced when confirmed.

The Friends of the Springfield Arch Committee is a public benefit non-profit corporation recognized by the Oregon Secretary of State. Contributions are being accepted to support construction of the full scale Arch. They can be sent to Friends of the Springfield Arch, POB 506, Walterville, OR 97489. At this point in time an application to the Internal Revenue Service for tax-deductible status is in process.