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.