The Great Cornbread Debate!

Our Rotarians Thurman & Pete began, what is to be a fun event, while on the A&M Excursion train with the GSE Team from Algeria.  The front of the car was heavy with discussion about who could make the best cornbread.  "Lets have a club cornbread challenge day to benefit our scholarship fund" says the retired judge & attorney.  The back of the car began plotting their entry as they overheard the plans.

Anyone can participate in the CORNBREAD CHALLENGE.  Winner gets to hold the title as "CORNBREAD CHAMP".  All losers pay $50 to our scholarship fund.  Bring enough cornbread samples for about 30-40 Rotarians & guests.  You may also bring complimentary sides for your cornbread.

We will have ham, turnips, turnip greens, beans & salad to go along with our championship cornbreads.

Winners will be determined by you voting with your dollars.  You may add as many dollars as you wish to each of the participants kitty, all voting monies going into the scholarship fund as well. 

Pork on the table!

Thanks to Rotarian Jay Clark's bidding skills and AOG's checkbook our Van Buren Rotary Club raised just over $2100 today at our annual "Hog Auction"  The processed hog, who notably had 4 hams?!, was auctioned off by our own Rotarian Warren Blaylock and his buddy Jan Nordin.  The hog was purchased at the Crawford County Fair in Mulberry last month.  The livestock in the auction were all raised by the steadfast caring hands of Crawford County youth.  The money paid for the livestock at the auction goes to the kids who have raised these show quality animals.  The money raised today by our club will provide education and leadership skills to these same young and rising stars of Crawford County. Thanks again Jay Clark & Arkansas Oklahoma Gas Corporation.

Algerian GSE Team Visit

What a whirlwind of activity for our Rotarians of Van Buren.  After a great evening at Altus to pickup our team Friday evening, we rode the A& M Excursion Train to Winslow and back, then took a guided tour (thank you leader Dwight Hopkins) of Historic Downtown VB. After the host families and their team had an eventful Saturday evening we met at the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center on Sunday afternoon.  Chad Lowe gave us a tour of the facility and an outdoor walk around Wells Lake.  After a hearwarming thanks to our team and host families for a memorable time we parted with our new Algerian friends and sent them on their way to the Fort Smith Rotarians.

Wiggle & Giggle Kids Fishing Derby Pictures

 The Wiggle & Giggle Kids Fishing Derby was a success!  Kids had a blast and even though it was a hot morning, everyone had plenty to drink & eat.  Facepainting and games in the shade were a big hit as well.  Looking forward to next year now!

No dinner caught this time!

If this fish Wiggles they are going to Giggle!

Rotarians Providing Refreshments

Our Troop 45 Boy Scout Volunteers

COMING SOON, JUNE 23rd! 9am-1pm

The Wiggle & Giggle Kids Fishing Derby is            

 expected to be a fun event hosted by the                                          

Van Buren Rotary Club.  Arkansas Game & Fish have

committed to stocking Lake Cap Bedell located in the Van Buren

City Park.  That is where as many youth as we can pack around an 11 acre lake will have the opportunity to catch those whiskery catfish!  All fishing and all other activities will be free of charge to the kids.  Lunch and drinks will be available at a family friendly price.

Please join us in making this wholesome activity a memorable event by participating with our suggested amount of $75.00, or “any amount that you wish” or our suggested package amount of $75.00 plus the donation of a prize you think best represents your company.

Thank you for your generous contribution to support the Wiggle & Giggle Kids Fishing Derby.   Please be assured 100% of funds raised will be used exclusively to benefit area youth.  To assist in planning, the suggested date to receive contributions by is June 15, 2012.

Please mail your gift to:  Van Buren Rotary Club- Wiggle & Giggle Kids, PO Box 1502, Van Buren, Arkansas, 72957-1502.  All gifts will be recognized with a thank you from the kids and a receipt.

We also invite you and all the fine folks you work with to bring youngsters out to the park on this exciting day.  Feel free to copy the derby flyer and share!

Please contact us if you would like us to pickup a company related prize for the children.

The Wiggle & Giggle Kids Fishing Derby is expected to be a fun event hosted by the Van Buren Rotary Club.  


Arkansas Game & Fish has committed to stocking Lake Cap Bedell located in the Van Buren City Park.  That is where as many youth as we can pack around the 11 acre lake have the opportunity to catch those whiskery catfish!  


All kids under age 16 are eligible to fish, participation is free.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Please bring your own fishing pole, but a limited number of fishing poles are available for use during the derby.  


Experienced guides will help teach kids to fish.  


Date:  Saturday June 23
Hours:  9am - 1pm
Place:  Van Buren City Park, Lake Cap Bedell


Updates will be posted asap.

Old Timer's Day

No less than 21 Rotarians will be on hand this weekend at the Old Timer's Day Festival.  We are sharing our Rotary Avenues of Service to all who stop by our booth and purchase raffle tickets to win a variety of unique prizes.  Topping off the items is a Remington 870 Shotgun, Stainless Steel BBQ Tools, Butcher Boys Gift Certificates, and on and on.  Please come by and give us a visit!

Clarke Moore MC's the awards presentation

It was a great night on April 12th when our own President Clarke Moore announced the winners during the 67th Annual 4H Achievement Banquet.  Crawford County Judge John Hall congratulated and presented the awards.  Our very own Rotarian Warren Blaylock recieved a recognition award for his committed service through the 4-H Foundation, most recently as Treasurer.  The crowd at this event was scattered throughout with Rotarians.  Thanks to ALL who attended and we send our congratulations to the 4-H members and leaders who work so very hard.

Next big event is our 18th Annual Van Buren Rotary Invitational Golf Tournament.  Along with other projects, our focus is to award graduating high school seniors in Crawford County scholarships.  Please participate in our events so we can continue to support Crawford County.