Group Study Exchange schedule announced

Cathy Gifford, who has spearheaded the group of Van Buren Rotarians working to promote the Van Buren portion of the Group Study Exchange from Chile, announced the final schedule of events this morning, September 28th. Rotarians also received a copy of the schedule by email. Rotarians: be sure to contact Cathy at 459-3351 if you can help or attend one or more of the special events on the schedule.

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 are in the early stages of their careers. For four to six weeks, team members visit a number of host clubs and observe how their vocations are practiced abroad. Team members and Rotarians in the host clubs also develop personal and professional relationships, and experience the host country's culture and institutions.

The Van Buren Rotary Club also wants to extend a special thanks to all the host families and businesses who have sponsored visits to share information about their firms and professional practices, and all the Rotarians in the area who have volunteered to help with the event.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Tuesday 9/29 -
9:00 a.m. Pick-up guests at airport, transport to Holiday Inn Express for a day of rest; Rotarians Jim Spears and Cathy Gifford

Wednesday 9/30 -
10:00 a.m. Jim will pick-up GSE team take to make presentation to Downtown FS Rotary
1:00 p.m. Tour of Historical Sites in Fort Smith Thurman Ragar will assist Jim
5:00 p.m. Welcoming Reception for Guests, Host Families, Rotarians at Sisters Bistro

Thursday, 10/1 -
9:30 a.m. Tour Lake Fort Smith State Park Meet at VB Police Training Center For Host families and GSE Team
Noon: GSE team makes presentation to Van Buren Rotary Club
1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Professional Visits
Ricardo visits with David Ford, Hubbs Animal Clinic
Carolina, visits WAGCC, Warren Blaylock
Robinson, visits with Kenneth Fry, Press Argus Courier, East Lab
Veronica , visits Rusty Myers and Staff, WAPDD
Teresa, Tom Watkins, VB School District, Fine Arts,

Friday, 10/2 -
9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Professional Visits
Ricardo, MarrLynn Trucking, County Extension Office
Carolina, Center for Arts and Education
Robinson, Michael Tilley, Williams/Crawford
Teresa, UAFS Takeo Suzuki
Veronica, Van Buren Chamber, County Judge Hall, Mayor Freeman
6:00 p.m. Tailgate party at Blakemore Field Attend Pointer football game

Saturday, 10/3 -
10:00 a.m. Visit Historical Van Buren Main Street
11:00 a.m. Train Ride to Winslow
2:00 p.m. Free Time
7:00 p.m. Toxic Audio, Acapella Singing Sensation,Van Buren Fine Arts Center

"Sensational entertainment... Something for everyone!"

Tom Watkins, Director of the Van Buren School District's Fine Arts Center, provided a preview of the Fine Arts Center's 2009-2010 Entertainment Season at the August 27th meeting of the Van Buren Rotary Club. The schedule provides an outstanding set of professional events as well as three theater productions and four concerts showcasing the students of Van Buren High School. Watkins reminded those present that the programs not only promote cultural and entertainment opportunities for the community, the Fine Arts Center programs include components that promote arts education for Van Buren school students.

Season highlights include:

September 26, 2009 7:00 p.m. - Groovelily Concert Musical "Sleeping Beauty Wakes"
October 3, 2009 7:00 p.m. - Toxic Audio
November 14, 2009 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.- Bits N Pieces Puppet Theater "Alice in Wonderland"
November 19-22, 2009 VBHS Music and Theater Cole Porter's "Anything Goes"
November 19 7:00 p.m.
November 21 7:00 p.m.
November 22 2:00 p.m.
December 11-12 2009 7:00 p.m. - VBHS Choir Dinner Concert "Ye Olde Madrigal Feaste 2009," Tickets: $15.00
December 15, 2009 7:00 p.m. - VBHS Band Free Community Christmas Concert
February 27, 2010 7:00 p.m. - Larry Dalton in Concert
March 13, 2010 7:00 p.m. - The World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra
March 19, 2010 7:00 p.m. - "Route 66" (new hit musical comedy review)
April 10, 2010 7:00 p.m. - The Harlem Gospel Choir

For more information about the schedule including artist's web pages and video previews visit: http://www.vbsd.us/fac/Showdetail.aspx

Both season tickets and tickets for individual shows are available online at:
https://secure.ticketsage.net/EventsPage.aspx

Season tickets may also be purchased by calling the box office at 479-471-4017.