Highway Commissioner Trammel points out the importance of good roads to Arkansas

Dick Trammel, one of the five members of the Arkansas State Highway Commission, was the guest speaker at the Thursday, Sept. 16, 2010, meeting of the Van Buren Rotary Club. His purpose on Thursday was to talk about Arkansas Highways. However, several of the Rotarians in the audience warmly remembered Dick Trammel as the District Governor of Dist. 6110 in 1985-86, and Dick spoke with the authority and enthusiasm of someone who as a Rotarian for 50 years has spent most of his adult life involved in public service in one form or another and at the same time, built a very successful business career along the way.

According to Commissioner Trammel, Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department is the 5th largest state agency with 3,618 employees who are responsible for Arkansas' 16,438 miles of roads and highways. Last year, the Commission received $267 million to maintain all those roads. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was projected to provide an additional $351,544,468 for highways and bridges, of which $28 million was set aside for transit capital grants and $10 million for local city and county projects. So far, Arkansas has used the balance to complete 121 major projects covering 273 miles and only six project are not finished at this point. To put some of those costs into perspective, the latest 2009 revision shows the following Estimated Costs per Mile for highway construction:
4 Lane Freeway - urban area w/ no bridges -   $10,350,000/mile
4 Lane Freeway - rural mtns w/ no bridges -     $12,250.000/ mile
Add new interchange to existing Freeway  -     $11,130,000

Currently, fifty-two percent of the money to maintain Arkansas roads comes from the Federal Government. Congress has added an additional $36 million toward additional highway repairs over the last three years. But overall, the current system, which dates from when gasoline was only a dollar a gallon, is outdated and doesn't match the current need to maintain highways and bridges all over the nation.

Arkansas' Blue Ribbon Committee, seeking to find acceptable ways to increase the funding for highway construction and maintenance, also faces the reality that highway construction costs have tripled over the past six years while a fixed $0.21/gal. gas tax for Arkansas highways generates less money as people are motivated to drive more economically and travel less. Even without an estimated $8.7 billion necessary to meet anticipated construction needs, close examination also shows a need for an additional $200 million per year just for maintenance to keep our roads at their current level.

Commissioner Trammel also introduced Joe Shipman, the District 4 Engineer based in Fort Smith, who reviewed the current highway projects in the Van Buren area. The district expects to spend about $13 million on local highway projects this year, and has already spent $72 million in the Van Buren area over the last 10 years. Hwy 71 improvements and I-49 construction projects are expected to cost $424 million.

Commissioner Trammel added with his characteristic smile, "I won't see I-49 in my lifetime, but I'll start it! Someone else can finish it."

Growing a part of history at Fort Smith National Historic Site

At the Thursday, September 9, 2010 Van Buren Rotary Club meeting, Ranger Keri Powers,  First Bloom Coordinator at Fort Smith National Historical Site, provided some of the background behind the new garden that has been growing over the past two years near the former officers' quarters at the historic site. The family-style garden features the vegetables, herbs and flowers that would have been found at the historic site in 1860. The soil is tilled with hand tools typical of the same period and the gardeners use no herbicides or insecticides that were not available for the inhabitants of Fort Smith in the 1860's.

What makes the garden so special are the gardeners. Girls Incorporated partnered with the national historic site and the young girls from the Fort Smith area wear period dresses, aprons and bonnets while working in the garden. The girls have already won an award for their efforts, with a trip to the White House and meeting with members of the Arkansas congressional delegation. First Bloom projects around the country also compete for the top prize - a $15,000 trip to a national park such as Yellowstone or Mount Rushmore to plant a First Bloom garden.

The Fort Smith First Bloom project is the only one of its kind in Arkansas or Oklahoma. Starting with a 4' x 40' raised bed two years ago, 30 young volunteers have worked every Wednesday after school and during the summer to expand the plot to its present 44' x 40' size. The garden's produce is either cooked and sampled or shared among the participants in the project. Besides learning about gardening, the girls also learn about their heritage and the unique history that made Fort Smith one of the gateways to the Southwest.

Expressing her pride in the effort made by the local group, Ranger Powers explained. "The kids really got involved." She also mentioned that the project is also looking for additional partners to help make the Fort Smith project even better. Interested parties may contact Ranger Powers at 479-783-3961.

Ranger Powers also invited the Van Buren Rotarians and members of the community to visit the Fort Smith National Historic Site and see how the First Bloom garden has grown. For more information about the FSNHS First Bloom project:
http://www.nps.gov/fosm/parknews/first_bloom_contest.htm
FSNHS First Bloom Project slideshow:
http://www.nps.gov/mwr/_cs_apps/fls_photoGallery/customcf/display-slideshow.cfm?gID=236733
For more information about the many activities at the Fort Smith National Historic Site, visit: http://www.nps.gov/mwr/fosm/

Everyone benefits by thinking regionally

Lea Taylor, Regional Executive Director of the Fort Smith Regional Alliance, explained the goals and purpose of the new economic development organization at the Thursday noon meeting of the Van Buren Rotary Club on Sept. 2nd. Economic development issues and benefits don't follow arbitrary boundaries or even state lines. "There are no boundaries," Taylor said. "We're all in this together."

Ms. Taylor cited several examples where economic development projects initiated in one county have spilled over into one or more neighboring communities to everyone's benefit. The alliance was formed in early May of this year and includes 14 cities and chambers in LeFlore and Sequoyah counties in Oklahoma and Crawford, Franklin, Logan and Sebastian counties in Arkansas.

Van Buren High School Pointers ready for 2010 season

"I have never been more proud to represent our football program than I am today," Coach Mike Lee said with a certain intensity that conveyed that football was a serious topic. At the Van Buren Rotary Club on July 29th, Coach Lee opened his review of the 2010 Van Buren High School football season talking about how proud he was of his players and "the tremendous commitment by these young men, particularly at the level football is played in Arkansas."

Football starts in the spring with players on the practice field by 5:30 A.M. and in the weight room at 7:20 A.M. Coach Lee explained that each player works hard to earn his pads at Van Buren.  Coach Lee added that his 68 players this year are in excellent condition and the all the coaches and players are looking forward to the 2010 season.

Van Buren Pointers will conduct a preseason scrimmage on August 23 at Greenwood with the JV starting at 6:00 P.M. and the varsity at 7:30. The Pointers' officially open their 11 game schedule against the Alma Airedales in Alma on September 3rd at 7:30 P.M. Click on the blue link for the complete 2010 Van Buren Pointer schedule.

Van Buren School District Fine Arts Center 2010-2011 schedule opens with Three Dog Night!

Van Buren Fine Arts Center - Saturday, Sept. 18, at 8:00 P.M.

Tom Watkins, Director of the Van Buren School District's Fine Arts Center, distributed brochures with the center's 2010-2011 schedule and ticket order form on July 22nd at the Rotary Club luncheon. Talking about the productions on the schedule, Watson said that in previous years, "the quality of programs has exceeded expectations." With the mix of professional artists and entertainers with local school groups scheduled for the current season, the center seems assured of extending that record.

The season starts on September 18th with Three Dog Night, one of the most popular rock bands of the early 1970's, and continues into October 2nd with Mark Nizer's 3D Comedy and Juggling, and the classic tale of Cinderella, "Happily Ever After" for the entire family on October 23rd. Bring your own special person to the Valentines' Day performance with Robin Spielberg's "Moonlight and Lovesongs". March hosts a variety triple-header: The Hunt Family on March 11 with mix of Celtic, bluegrass, and inspirational music and dancing; then on March 13, the Gilbert and Sullivan Players full-length production of "The Pirates of Penzance" and on March 31, "The Tartan Terrors" with a program of traditional Scottish music and dancing, "...and a wee bit of rock and roll." The season ends with the Spectrum Brass Gershwin Review on April 8, with popular instrumental and vocal selections from Broadway productions. On December 17th, a special program performed by former soldiers, "4 Troops" has also been added to the list of professional events.

The VBHS Theater will present the family musical, "Peter Pan" scheduled for November 12-14, and "Radium Girls" on March 4-5. A smiling Watkins assured the Rotarians that the local school actors would earn their wings and actually fly using special effects during the production - a first for the Fine Arts Center. The production of "Radium Girls" tells the tragic story of young women employed to paint the glow-in-the-dark numbers on watch dials used by the military in 1917.

Mixed in between productions and in conjunction with several of the programs, the Fine Arts Center also offers special free performances for groups of elementary school students to experience dramatic arts and music.

The full season schedule with dates, times and ticket prices is available online at: http://www.vbsd.us/fac/season.aspx  Season tickets are available and a special "family pack" increases the savings. Tickets may be ordered online or by calling the box office at 479-471-4017.

Van Buren High School Band hosts the "Battle on the Border" July 20th

Van Buren High School's Assistant Band Director, Justin Chambers, updated the Van Buren Rotarians on the band's Fall music and marching program on Thursday, July 15th. Noting the band's "significant progress on overall performances", Mr. Chambers also explained that band members are now doing more detailed work with individual and sectional rehearsals.

Mr. Chambers also provided a preview of the July 20th "Battle on the Border VII" which will be held at Van Buren's Blakemore Field at 7:30 P.M. Tickets range from $17 to $25 depending on location with a $3 surcharge if purchased the day of the performance. For advanced tickets, community members were urged to call 479-459-1268 or 317-275-1212. Tickets can also be purchased at the stadium on the day of the show.

Drum Corps International's World and Open Class units that will perform on Tuesday night include:
The Cadets - Allentown, PA
Santa Clara Vanguard - Santa Clara, CA
Colts - Dubuque, IA
Crossmen - San Antonio, TX
Teal Sound - Jacksonville, FL
Music City - Nashville, TN
Forte - Grand Prairie, TX

For more information, visit the "Battle of the Border VII" website.

Alma's Rotary Club makes progress on community center

The City Wire has an update on the progress the Alma Rotary Club and the City of Alma are making to build a new community center. Slowed by economic conditions, the joint project has seen renewed interest. Read the details at: http://www.thecitywire.com/index.php?q=node/10398

Van Buren Rotary Scholarships announced

Warren Blaylock, who chairs the club's scholarship committee, reported that six $1,000 scholarships have been awarded to graduating seniors at the June 3rd Van Buren Rotary Club meeting. The scholarships are normally announced at graduation ceremonies and are intended to help deserving Crawford County students attend colleges or universities of their choice. The 2010 scholarship recipients included:

Van Buren High School
Britani Burgess, UA Fort Smith
Irving Orellana, TBA
Alma High School
Courtney White, UA Fort Smith
Mulberry High School
Kendra McClurkin, UA Fort Smith
Cedarville High School
James Adair, UCA
Mountainburg High School
Lauren Fryar, UA Fort Smith

The members of the Van Buren Rotary Club congratulate the six Rotary Club scholarship recipients and all the 2010 Crawford County high school graduates who finished the first step of a life-long learning process. We also need to add a special thanks to all the Rotary event sponsors and contributors who make these scholarships possible.

The 2010 Council approves a new, fifth Avenue of Service for Rotary Clubs

Rotary's 2010 Council on Legislation has approved a new Avenue of Service for Rotary Clubs. According to Rotary International's newsletter:

"New Generations joins Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, and International Service as the foundation of club activity. Before starting a project, Rotarians are asked to think broadly about how their club and its members could contribute within each avenue."

Rotarians have always recognized that our youth are the key to the future. Van Buren Rotary has supported a program of scholarships at the high school level for many years. More recently, the club has supported dictionaries for 3rd graders and reading programs at elementary schools. The new Van Buren High School Interact Club and RYLA are further examples of a strong commitment to future generations of leaders. For more information about the new legislation, see: "Council approves fifth Avenue of Service."

A reminder about posting comments

As most of you know by now, comments on this blog are welcomed, even encouraged, but moderated: first, to make sure that if anyone has a comment, question or suggestion that is relevant to the post, someone will see that comment and respond accordingly; second, to make sure a legitimate question can get an email answer if an email address is included with the comment. As a rule, we filter anonymous comments that do not specifically pertain to the blog entry and unsolicited commercial advertisements, etc. As to the anonymous compliments, they are read and appreciated - whether deserved or not...\B)

King Elementary PTA hosts 5th Annual 5K "Run with the Knights"

For the last five years, the King Elementary School PTA has sponsored a 5K Run as a fund-raiser for the 4th Grade Camp program. This year, the run is scheduled for April 10th and starts at 8:30 A.M. in front of the school. On site registration will be available from 6:30 to 7:30 A.M. A brochure with all the relevant details and application form is available online.

Once again, Rotarians have been asked to help provide crossing guards at critical intersections along the route. Rotarians may volunteer to help by email to info@vbsd.us/king or phone 479-474-2661.

Sylvester Smith asks who pays for change?

Like so many Rotarians, Sylvester Smith has watched the 2008-10 election cycle with a lot of interest, and he shared several of his observations with the Van Buren Rotary Club on Thursday, March 11th. He has enjoyed several unique vantage points from which to make those observations, first as a policy advisor to Gov. Mike Huckabee and serving both Gov. Huckabee and our current Gov. Mike Beebe as Director of Small and Minority Business Development at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. From his vantage point of working to promote small and minority businesses and the impacts of major changes in health care and efforts to limit excessive carbon emissions, Mr. Smith's common concern throughout the discussion was, "Who pays?"

Mr. Smith received his MBA from Harding University and has been named one of the "40 under 40" business leaders by Arkansas Business and one of the 20 most influential African Americans by Powerplay Magazine. He currently is President of  Change Agents, a lobbying and public relations firm whose client list includes the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).

Rotarian of the Day, Stan Vlademar introduced Mr. Smith, whom he met while both men were participating in the Leadership Arkansas training program several years ago.

VBHS Interact Club raises money to eliminate polio

The new Van Buren High School Interact Club's first Purple Pinkie Project raised over $300 by the end of lunch time today, March 8, 2010, with several hours remaining in the one-day special event. When children have polio immunizations overseas, one of their little fingers is dipped in purple ink to make sure they don't accidentally take a second dose of the vaccine before the permanent ink wears off. The high school students and adults donating a dollar today had their little finger painted to show they too were also fighting polio. The funds raised by the students will protect children in countries were polio is still a real threat today and help wipe out polio in their lifetime.

According to Shirley Williams, President of the Van Buren Rotary Club, the students did almost all of the planning, finding support materials and ideas on the Rotary International website, and quickly preparing a PowerPoint presentation to explain the plan to club members. Shirley added, "I was overwhelmed with their obvious enthusiasm for their newly formed club."

One of the Interact Club sponsors, Missy Hefner had a personal reason to join the fight against polio. Her father had polio as a child. Click on the purple underlined link to jump to Channel 5's news reporter, Jared Broyles, special video report on the Purple Pinkie Project and hear Missy's story in her own words.

Ten Rotarians volunteered to help during various parts of the day, but the Rotarians met the students and mostly observed as the Interact students and sponsors had things well organized and running smoothly. The VBHS Interact students are an impressive group of young people and look to be off to a grand start.

UAFS Dept of Music programs and upcoming concerts

Dr. Edward White, representing the Department of Music, discussed the wide range of courses and programs leading to a Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Arts in Music offered at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith. During his March 4th presentation, Dr. White was joined by his wife, Dr. Katherine White, who also teaches voice  at UAFS, singing several duets accompanied by Kristin Ditlow on the piano.

Dr. White also invited the Van Buren Rotarians, guests and members of the community to several featured performances scheduled for April:
April 5      Musical Theater Showcase (Free) 
                  Reynolds Rm. UAFS Campus Ctr., 7:30 p.m.
April 8      Jazz Concert
                  FS Convention Center, 7:30 p.m.
April 13    Chorale Concert
                  FS Convention Center, 7:30 p.m.
April 16   Chad Burrow, Clarinet
                  Breedlove Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
April 22   Symphonic Band Concert,
                  FS Convention Center, 7:30 p.m.

Noting that a number of scholarships are available to high school graduates, Dr. White added that scholarship auditions are conducted three times each year.  More information about the UAFS music programs and scholarships is available at: http://www.uafortsmith.edu/music.

GSE Team and Earthquake Update

TO:  ROTARY DISTRICT 6110 ROTARIANS FROM:   A. C. MONCRIEF RE:   CHILE At this time we have been told all of our Vision Team members are safe and continuing with their planned project.  All of the visiting GSE team members are safe, but one member, Teresa Araya  and her family have lost everything, their home, all possessions. If you like to make a contribution on behalf of Teresa, or even a general contribution, which can be assigned as we receive more information,please make your check payable to: MEDICAL SUPPLIES NETWORK ATTN:   LARRY BIRON, DIRECTOR 1123 SOUTH ERIE TULSA, OK 74112-5307 On the subject line write FBO  Teresa Araya Or  Rotary 6110  Chile Relief As more news develops and for detailed reports on how the funds paid to MSNI  501-c-3 on behalf of Teresa and Chile please go to our ri6110.org. website. Thank you, A.C.Moncrief DG 6110  09-10 UPDATED: 3/1/08 - 5:50 P.M. - Email messages from Caroline Aedo and Teresa Araya were appended to The City Wire news story earlier today at: http://www.thecitywire.com/index.php?q=node/8545. UPDATED: 3/5/10 - The Rotary International Weekly Update newsletter reports on RI's efforts in Chile. See: http://www.rotary.org/en/MediaAndNews/News/Pages/100302_news_chile.aspx

News from Chilean Group Study Exchange Member

The City Wire in Fort Smith has posted a report received on Saturday, Feb. 27th, from Robinson Esparza who was a member of last year's Rotary Group Study Exchange from Chile. Robinson reports he and his family are shaken but OK. Click on the blue link to read the full report: "Chilean Rotary member reports on earthquake." Please let us know if any of you Van Buren members receive any news from the other team members. They are all in our prayers.

UPDATED 3/1/10 - Last night after I completed the above note that at least Robinson Esparza and his family were OK, I received the following in an email from Club President Shirley with a few more details:

I thought you might want to hear about an article Rotarian Michael Tilley posted on The City Wire today regarding the devastating earthquake in Chile.  As you recall, a Group Study Exchange team from Chile visited our club and the district last fall. Cathy Gifford was able to get in touch with Robinson Esparza, who lives in Santiago and reports that he and his family are OK.  I then forwarded her correspondence to Michael who did the story. Please go to this link to read the entire article. http://www.thecitywire.com/?q=node/8545

Thank you Michael and Cathy.

 ...and Shirley.

Scott Duke, writing for SiliconValley.com, explains how Twitter, Facebook and the Internet became hubs for information about family members and friends immediately after the earthquake. If you're interested in learning more, check out: "Digital connections - Bay Area to Chile - remain open and vital despite quake devastation." The article also includes a slide show with pictures of some of the destruction caused by the earthquake in Chile.

Interact Club Officers installed

The Van Buren High School Interact Club officers - the first officers to serve the new club - were introduced and officially installed at the February 25th meeting of the Van Buren Rotary Club by the Rotary District Governor, A. C. Moncrief, District Interact Chair, Steve Lovick and Club President, Shirley Williams. The following students will serve as Interact officers this year:
    Irving Orellana,  President
    Andrew Russell, Vice President
    Donna Freeman, Secretary
    Alec Justice, Treasurer and Historian

Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 14 to 18. Interact, sponsoring Rotary Clubs and local schools work together to provide additional opportunities for students to meet and make new friends, improve their community, develop leadership skills and make a difference in the world. The Van Buren Interact Club is already working on a "Purple Pinkie Project" for March 8th to help raise funds to eliminate Polio around the world.

Rotary Clubs sponsor more than 10,700 Interact Clubs in 120 countries with 250,000 members worldwide.

Happy 105th Birthday Rotarians!

The first Rotary Club was founded Feb. 23, 1905 in Chicago, Ill. Present were: Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Hiram Shorey, and Silvester Schiele. At present, Rotary International has over 1.2 million members in more than 33,000 local clubs in 200 countries.

Happy Birthday to all Rotarians around the world. 

Learn more:
How other clubs are celebrating Rotary's 105th birthday
Historic Moments -- Rotary's 105th anniversary

Van Buren Rotarians welcome Coach Norm DeBriyn

Introduced by Clarke Moore, a former University of Arkansas football player, many friends and baseball fans welcomed Coach Norm DeBriyn to the Feb. 10th meeting of the Van Buren Rotary Club. "Coach D" helped shape the education and careers of hundreds of young men and won 1161 baseball games in his 33 years as head coach. While his teams were winning three conference championships, 15 appearances in the NCAA tournaments and four appearances in the College World Series, at least 30 of his players advanced to the major leagues.

Since retiring in 2002, Coach DeBriyn has been Vice President of the Razorback Foundation, Inc. in Fayetteville. The present Razorback Foundation developed from the original Razorback Scholarship Fund started in the 1970's and continues to provide a way for Razorback fans to "support the athletic endeavors of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks." The 11,000 members of the foundation currently provide college scholarships, competitive facilities and support programs for the university's student athletes.

Coach D expects the University of Arkansas to field a good team this year. He noted that all of the boxes at Baum Stadium were already sold out. 

If you would like more information about how you can participate in the Razorback Foundation, visit their website at: http://www.razorbackfoundation.net/index.htm

RYLA makes learning life's lessons fun

RYLA is an abbreviation for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, but like many acronyms, it doesn't convey what the program is about or the impact that participation can have on developing leadership skills in high school students. Click on the picture or the blue link to see a recent Rotary online newsletter article and multimedia presentation about how RYLA influenced Taylor Mathis, a high school junior from Orland Park, Illinois.

To learn even more about Rotary International's RYLA program, visit:
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) web page.

Nurse Practitioner Jeannie Findley and the importance of staying well

Jeannie Findley (left), Family Medicine Specialist and Nurse Practitioner at Cornerstone Internal Medicine in Van Buren with the Rotarian of the Day, Paula Morton, at the 2/11/10 Rotary Meeting. During her after-lunch presentation, Findley discussed her role as a nurse practitioner and the importance of annual examinations and lab tests to establish "healthy" baselines from which any later changes due to an illness can be evaluated.

And now, her side of the story...

Joyce Rapier, columnist for the Press Argus-Courier, who was the featured speaker at our January 21 meeting tells what it's like to be a first-time visitor and speaker at a Rotary meeting. Her column is not on the web yet, but be sure to check out page 4 of the Feb. 6th edition of the Press Argus (on the news stands today) and read about the "Four-way test." Joyce said she loved to write. We enjoyed reading her story and certainly hope all our speakers feel similarly welcomed.

The American Red Cross - More than just emergency services

Whenever we hear of a national disaster many of us automatically think about the American Red Cross which is usually already working to provide emergency relief. At the February 4th Rotary Club meeting, Susan Krafft, Director of Communications and Fund Development for the Northwest Arkansas Chapter detailed many of the other services provided by the Red Cross. For example, one of the major efforts undertaken by Red Cross chapters is training people in specific skills such as CPR, first aid and other procedures needed to cope with emergencies. The Red Cross is still America's resource for swimming and lifeguard training. The Red Cross continues to be involved in providing support for families with servicemen overseas.

You can learn more about the many programs and services offered, or how to support all of these activities through volunteering and your donations at http://www.redcrossnwa.org/.

Van Buren High School builds an Interact Club

Dear Rotarians,

I wanted the membership of the Van Buren Rotary Club to know the impact they have had on Van Buren High School. The organizational charter meeting of the Van Buren High School Interact Club was held on a snowy morning Friday January 29, 2010. The absentee level at the school was high so our numbers to charter the club could increase. I have pasted below the email that I received from one of our teacher sponsors immediately following our meeting. I have also attached two pictures with some of the students and of the banner and bell that our club purchased for the club. 

Yours in Rotary Service,

Shirley H. Williams

Dear Van Buren Rotary Club,

While Missy Hefner and I counted 90 (give or take), we ended up with 80 signatures, so I suspect the 90 is pretty accurate.  We are continuing to gather signatures from Honor Society members who were unable to attend our meeting but want to be a part of Interact.  Those signatures are not among the 80.

Our janitor J.R. has provided a hook and our banner is now permanently hanging outside Missy’s room.  It should be visible from the street at night when driving west on Pointer Trail.  The bell and gavel are now prominently displayed in my classroom.

I have made copies of the roster and will bring you the original.  Both Missy and I have copies and there will be an official “Interact Club” file with a copy.

Mrs. Guthrie is thrilled with our numbers and is pleased that we are providing an international club membership opportunity to our students free of charge. 

I hope you were able to notice the faces of our members.  We crossed all racial and cultural boundaries. This club is a positive addition to Van Buren High School.

Elizabeth J. Williams 

Lead Teacher, English

Van Buren High School

I'm sure every Rotarian who reads these two notes today will stand a little taller and extend their assistance and best wishes to the new Van Buren Interact Club and its new members.

District 6110 Helping Haiti

I'm not sure how many area Rotarians have subscribed to the various Rotary International and District 6110 newsletters, but area Rotarians have joined the many others who are actively helping Haitians or donating money to a variety of Haitian relief projects.  The RI Weekly Update has featured several first-hand stories on the disaster in Haiti:
    Rotarians witness chaos in Haiti
    Rotarians focus on Haiti relief

In addition, District 6110 Rotarians have launched their own relief effort through the Medical Supply Network, Inc. (MSNI) program in Tulsa. Larry Biron, Director of MSNI reports that district Rotarians have now collected close to $70,000 district wide in support of the water box initiative for Haiti. In addition to the donations from Rotarians, many of the donations are from the general public.

Starting first with a request for 50 water boxes, the order was quickly expanded to 200 water boxes which have already been shipped. The water boxes cost $150 per box. These 200 water boxes will fill 1 million 16oz bottles of safe drinking water. MSNI is also exploring the purchase of 2 portable 40' x 40' clinics and seeking donations of medical supplies.

It is NOT TOO LATE to help. Checks made payable to "MSNI-Haiti Fund" can be mailed to Medical Supplies Network, Inc., 1123 South Erie, Tulsa, OK 74112. All donations collected will be combined as a district-wide effort. MSNI is a 501c3 and letters of contribution will be sent to all donors.

The Boy Scouts celebrate 100 years of service.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. Over 110 million young Americans have learned to "Be Prepared" during that century of service. Telling that story, Casey Norwood, Asst. Scout Executive for the Westark Area Council in Fort Smith, received a warm reception at the January 28th Rotary Club luncheon. Many of the Rotarians in the audience were Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts in their youth. The Westark Area Council supports scouting in 17 counties and operates 3 Boy Scout camps in its region.

"Scouting is looking forward to what it can do during the next 100 years," Norwood said. "America needs the values promoted by scouting more than ever."


In other news: Stan Vlademar reported that the Van Buren Rotarians and Van Buren High School Interact students who braved the cold on December 12, 2009, helped the Salvation Army raise $2,282.32 toward assisting those in need this past Christmas, an increase over last year. Stan thanked all the Rotarians and students who participated.

Two Van Buren history lessons

Joyce Rapier, author, storyteller and columnist for the Press Argus-Courier, was the featured speaker at the January 21st Rotary Club meeting. Ever since the 2nd grade and her first exposure to the Weekly Reader, Mrs. Rapier said she wanted to be an author. One of the points Mrs. Rapier discussed was the value of looking at the past to learn more about the future, "If you don't write down what you did or who you talked to, then all those experiences could be lost forever. "Look for her column in the Saturday editions of the Press Argus-Courier.

The club also preserved a bit of its own history and recognized Fines Batchelor at the end of the program. Fines had presented the club with a picture of the Rotarians present at the golden anniversary of the Van Buren Rotary Club in March, 1955. President Shirley Williams had the picture matted and framed, and displayed the final product for all present to see. The framed picture will join other treasured items on display in the club's meeting room. Pictured: Fines Batchelor, Pres. Shirley Williams, Judge Pete Rogers and Warren Blaylock remember many of the Rotarians in the 1955 club portrait.

Club earns DG's compliments for accomplishments

Last month, A.C. Moncrief, Dist. 6110 Governor made his "official visit" to the Van Buren Rotary Club. Dist. Gov. A.C. was accompanied by his wife, Doris, and Area Assistant Gov. Steve Lovick. During such visits, the Dist. Gov. usually sits down with the officers and board members of each local Rotary Club and reviews the club's accomplishments and plans for the future. Dist. Gov. A.C. complimented the officers and club members for the club's membership growth and its outstanding list of accomplishments during the first six months of this Rotary year:

Regional Installation Banquet
Van Buren Rotary Club Past President, A.C. Moncrief was installed as Governor of District 6110 in Altus. Rotarians traveled from all over the district to attend. Fines Batchelor, our clubs longest serving active member, took the opportunity to present Pres. Shirley Williams and the Van Buren Club with a framed photograph of VB Rotary Club members taken in 1955.

Signature Rotary Event Meetings
The Van Buren Rotary Club is working to develop a "Signature Rotary Event" that will not just help raise funds for Rotary projects in the local community but increase participation by community members in their own community. The committee has narrowed down event ideas to three.

Warren Blaylock WWII vet honored by Congressman John
Boozman
On August 7, 2009, Congressman John Boozman presented the Army medals and decorations earned by Warren Blaylock during World War II. Like many other servicemen returning from long tours overseas, Warren was honorably discharged and returned home before the paperwork awarding the medals could catch up with him. Among those medals was a Bronze Star, awarded only for valor or meritorious service. Warren's award included both elements as he volunteered to remain with a group of medics who stayed behind with soldiers too seriously wounded to be evacuated. The hospital staff and wounded soldiers who could be moved were evacuated to keep them out of the hands of advancing German troops.

The story had a happy ending. The next day reinforcements arrived in a last minute effort to move the wounded. Warren's volunteers and the wounded soldiers were all evacuated without the loss of a single soldier.

Warren’s family was in attendance to watch while the medals were pinned on Warren's jacket.

From Left: Donna Blaylock, Darrell Blaylock, Lucinda Blaylock, Heather Lewis w/ great grandson Logan, Warren Blaylock, Rep. John Boozman, Shirley Williams-VBRC Pres., LTC Steve Gray. Jerred Lewis, Warren's grandson was in Iraq.

You can read the whole story at:
http://www.kfsm.com/news/kfsm-news-veteran-receives-late-medals,0,922575.story

First Lady Ginger Beebe Visits VB Rotary Club
Ginger Beebe, wife of Gov. Beebe, visited the Van Buren Rotary Club on August 6, 2009 promoting her “Together We Read” statewide program. Nine Rotarians volunteered and participated by reading to VB second graders on Sept 11. Van Buren Rotary Club and the Alma Rotary Club also support the schools' reading program by purchasing a dictionary for every third-grader each year.

October Group Study Exchange Team Visit
Cathy Gifford coordinated the Group Study Exchange and the team from Chile claimed Van Buren their favorite place to visit. The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for businesspeople and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who have an opportunity to learn about the host country. The VB Rotary Club pulled together to provided an excellent experience for the team.

Members of the GSE Team visiting Lake Fort Smith State Park with Brad Hyman, Assistant Park Superintendent.

Regional Rotary Social Event
The Rotary Clubs in the Fort Smith area jointly sponsored an informal get-together to allow Rotarians to meet members of other clubs. Stan Vlademar coordinated the event and Kevin Bell led the cooks that provided the hamburgers and brats for the assembled members, wives and guests.

A. C. and Shirley noted that the coordination of the event would be rotated among the various clubs in the Fort Smith area. Great event and Ft. Smith Downtown club has agreed to coordinate for next year.

Annual Hog Auction
The Annual Hog Auction raised $2,400 for the Van Buren Rotary Scholarship Fund awarded to help deserving Crawford County seniors attend college each year. Best auction (and most funds raised at a single hog auction) in memory. Warren Blaylock once again volunteered - this time as auctioneer.

Van Buren High School Interact Club
The Van Buren Rotary Club Interact Committee held initial meetings with the Van Buren High School principal and teacher sponsors. The plans include officially chartering the local Interact Club before the end of the year.

Rotarians and potential Interact Members Ring Bells for Salvation Army
On December 12, 2009, Van Buren Rotarians and potential members of the Van Buren High School Interact Club joined together to ring the bells for the Salvation Army in the Van Buren area. Additional Rotarians manned the bright red fund raising kettles in Alma.

That's a substantial list of accomplishments for just the first half of the Rotary year from July through December. A.C. encouraged all the Rotarians to continue their support for the Paul Harris Foundation programs fighting to eliminate polio's debilitating effects all over the world.

Rotary still has more projects in the planning stage and will continue to seek more members to help make Van Buren a better and more prosperous community. At this rate, 2009-2010 will be another outstanding year. Like A.C. said, "Keep up the good works."