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 But overall, the current system, which dates from when gasoline was only a dollar a gallon, is outdated and doesn't match the current need to maintain highways and bridges all over the nation.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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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/.

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.

"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.

Comprehensive Juvenile Services covers six Western Arkansas Counties

Support services for troubled children as young as 10, teenagers and young adults and their families were the topic at the August 20th program at the Van Buren Rotary Club. John Furness, Director of Comprehensive Juvenile Services, Inc. and Janice Justice, the organization's Assistant Director, discussed the types of help available within the Western Arkansas area covered by CJS.

Established in 1976, over 10,000 children and families have received assistance for problems such as runaways, family difficulties, abuse, delinquency and truancy. CJS operates an emergency shelter, provides mental health services, parenting classes, and a variety of other state contracted services. CJS counties include: Crawford, Logan, Montgomery, Polk, Scott and Sebastian.

More information about the CJS program is available at: http://cjservices.org/content/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=104

CASA helps Crawford County Children

Debra Rieske, Program Director for the Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Crawford County was the guest speaker at the August 13th Rotary Luncheon. CASA volunteers are trained to monitor the care of abused and neglected children in the custody of the state. In an underfunded and over-burdened child welfare system, CASA volunteers help make sure abused and neglected children have a voice in court. For more information about how you can volunteer or support the important work of CASA of Crawford County contact: Debra Rieske at 479-474-8502.

Airport Security in Arkansas: Staying Safe

Larry Lundeen and Bill Smiley who work with the Transportation Security Administration, briefed the Van Buren Rotary Club on the current status of airport security on May 7th. Larry explained that the TSA's role covers all modes of transportation: air, ground and sea, however their security role has evolved as threats have evolved. He also noted that there are 20 layers of security that must be cleared before a passenger gets on a plane.

Bill Smiley (pictured) brought a display of prohibited items that are not allowed through security inspections and distributed guidelines that can help passengers get through the security check point at airports faster.

For helpful information on how to pack and help you speed your way through airport security see:
Getting through the line faster: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/screening_experience.shtm
Prohibited items: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Stan Vlademar introduced the program as Rotarian of the Day.

Relay for LIfe on June 12th

Kayci Haberer, Community Representative for the American Cancer Society, spoke to the Van Buren Rotary Club on April 30th. Kayci provided an overview of local services and noted that the American Cancer Society's local Relay for Life was scheduled for the Van Buren High School Track on June 12, 2009. The relay provides an opportunity for everyone in the community to participate in the fight against cancer. You can learn more about the event, sign up, donate, or volunteer at: http://www.relayforlife.org/crawford
Rotarian Dennis Motes arranged for the program as Rotarian of the Day.

While the editor was away...

While the "web-editor" was out of town, the Van Buren Rotary Club continued with excellent programs. On April 2, 2009, Cindy Long and Jennifer Goodson presented a program on the Fort Smith Library. On April 9th, the club learned about the Group Study Exchange Program and that District 6110 will be hosting a group from Chile this year. Cathy Gifford and Shirley Williams will serve as local team members for the exchange program. Then Tom Watkins, Director of the Van Buren Fine Arts Center, brought his bagpipes to the Rotary meeting on April 16th. Tom discussed the colorful history and traditions that eventually led to their use in the Highlands regiments formed by the British Empire.

Thanks to the speakers and the Rotarians who arranged for the interesting programs.