Mike Lemaster, former president of the Ozark Highlands Trail Association and a longtime member, was abuzz with excitement one day in August. A Swiss woman named Sophie Dumortier had posted on the Ozark Highlands Trail Association website that she planned to thru-hike the trail.
Group sets two hikes: Hill N Dale Hiking Club will hike Fire Tower Trail loop at Roaring River State Park near Cassville, Mo., on Wednesday. Distance is 4.8 miles. The group will hike in the Buffalo River area on Oct. 17. Hikes will be to Balanced Rock, 2 miles out and back, and from Ponca to Steel Creek, 4 miles out and back.
‘Friendraiser’ for water quality: Beaver Watershed Alliance will host a “Friendraiser” event from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bunch Park, 162 Church Ave. in Elkins. It features live music, local beer and barbecue.