The Celebrate America 2008 Fireworks Show will take place on Friday, July 4 at Riverside Park on Chaney Drive in Batesville. Musical entertainment begins at 5 pm when Vickie Dale takes the stage. At 5:30 pm Rob Hopper will address the crowd as he brings his “Fallen Soldiers Flag Display” to the park.

The flags represent every Arkansan that has lost their life fighting for freedom in Iraq. Randy Wade and the Brushy Road Band will perform at 5:45 pm followed at 7 pm by the band, Doghouse.

Activities are planned for children which include inflatable slide, maze, jumper, and Pony rides. These activities require a nominal fee. A variety of concessions will be available including BBQ, hamburgers, hotdogs, funnel cakes, snow cones and dippin’ dots ice cream. Other vendors will be in the park as well.

The fireworks begin approximately around 9:15 pm. People attending the entertainment inside Riverside Park should bring lawn chairs.

The Rotary Club of Cleburne County presented special awards and  installed new officers for the year 2008-2009 Thursday evening June 26, 2008.
Dr. Bob Warner of Jonesboro, outgoing Governor of Rotary District 6150,  addressed the  Rotary membership and their spouses about all the good Rotary does in the world, including fresh water and scholarships and polio eradication efforts.
New officers installed are President –R. D. Wilkinson , President Elect—Bobby Hargis, Vice President –Howard Chapin, Secretary—Sherry Niehaus, Treasurer—Todd Brown, Sgt.. At Arms—Randy Grubbs
Director of Community Service –Bruce Ziegenbalg. Director of Club Service –Jimmy Wilkerson,Director of International and Vocational Service—Alex Aiken and Past President –Ben Traylor. Paul Roberts Assistant  Governor for District 6150 installed the new officers and Directors.
Rotarian of the Year was presented to R.D. Wilkinson. Also special recognition was given to Past President (1996) Dave Marshall and his wife June who are moving to Dallas.  Jack Barber was recognized for his years of service to the club.
The Rotary Club of Cleburne meets each Thursday at 7:00 AM at the Red Apple Inn. For Information contact R. D. Wilkinson at 501-362-9600.

The Van Buren County Community Band will perform A Star Spangled Salute concert on 30 June in Morgan Park, here in Clinton. The concert will start at 7:00 p.m. and will also feature a community choir. Please bring a picnic dinner, lawn chairs, blanket and just have a great time listening to your community band. Since last months concert got rained out this will be the first concert of the summer concert series. If it should rain the concert will be held at the Van Buren County Fair Grounds in the main building.

Central Baptist College Alumni Association Golf Tournament to be held on Saturday, June 28th at Mountain Ranch Golf Resort in Fairfield Bay . I hope you will all make plans to take part in this year’s event. Feel free to pass this e-mail on to other golfers or friends of CBC.

There will be a shotgun start at 8am. Lunch will be provided. For more information call 501-329-6872 ext. 100 or e-mail dott@cbc.edu.

Join others interested in oral histories, living history, folk tales and story telling on Wednesday, June 25 at 9:00 in the lobby of the Ozark Folk Center Administration Building. This informal group is being created to share ideas and techniques of sharing, performing, creating and researching stories.

For more information, call Jeanette at 870-269-3851.

ALL BUSINESS OWNERS KNOW IT TAKES MONEY TO MAKE MONEY! Does Your Business Have the Right Type of Financing to Remain Competitive? or To Get Your Business Idea Off the Ground? Find out by Attending:

BUSINESS FINANCING OPTIONS WORKSHOP – Batesville

Arkansas State University Small Business Development Center and the Citizens Bank of Batesville

Whether you are a start up business looking for financing or an existing business needing funds to expand, provide lines of credit, or even refinance existing business debt this informative workshop, Business Financing Options, will walk you through the sources of funds available to business owners and entrepreneurs.  This 3 hour workshop will explain the loan process, look at funding options, determine the right type of debt for your business needs, find out about assistance available through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Guaranty Loan Program, even about Grants.  Find out what types of funding is available for your existing business or start up and get the money you need to grow a successful business.

Speakers will include Herb Lawrence, Center Director, ASU SBDC and James Street, Commercial Loan Officer with The Citizens Bank of Batesville.

Other co-sponsors include the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, White River Planning & Development District and UACCB.

WHERE  –  The Citizens Bank Annex at 3rd and College Street in Batesville
WHEN  –   6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 24th

REGISTRATION – Registration fee has been paid for by The Citizens Bank of Batesville for all attendees, HOWEVER, you must call to register for this workshop to ensure adequate handout material and refreshments.  To register or for more information, call the Arkansas State University Small Business Development Center at (870) 972-3517 or e-mail the ASU

SBDC Training Coordinator, Susan Glasgow at sglasgow@astate.edu.  To find out about other small business training and consulting assistance go to the ASU SBDC website at http://sbdc.astate.edu and get the help you need to grow your business successfully!

Herb Lawrence
Center Director

Arkansas State University
Small Business Development Center
P.O. Box 2650 State University, AR 72467

(870) 972-3517 (office)
(870) 972-3678 (fax)
(870) 897-5125 (cell)

The Missouri and North Arkansas (M & NA) Railroad arrived in Heber Springs on June 24, 1908.  The Cleburne County Historical Society will present a program commemorating this 100th anniversary on Sunday, June 22 at 2PM.  The program will be presented by noted M & NA historian Jim Wakefield in the Entergy Room of the new campus of ASU-Heber Springs.  ASU-Heber Springs is located on Hwy 110 East, at the foot of Sugar Loaf Mountain just east of the intersection with Hwy 5/25.  Admission is free and no reservations are necessary.

The 2008 spring rains raised Greers Ferry Lake to a record high level 25 feet above normal.  This resulted in numerous campsite closures, but the lake level is dropping and is making additional campsites and facilities available for use.

Additional areas opened Friday, June 20.  These included Camp Area D, sites 12 through 34, in Choctaw Park.  In Devils Fork Park, the high water boat ramp and Camp Area D, sites 1 through 15, opened Friday.  In Old Highway 25 Park, Camp Area G, sites 1 through 25, also opened.

These additional openings increase available Greers Ferry campsites to 760.  Corps officials are anticipating Dam Site Park camp area “F” and Old Highway 25 Park camp area “D” will both be open by June 27, bringing the total available sites to 788 out of 1,238 campsites for the Independence Day Holiday.  Additional sites will open with lower lake levels once officials can make needed repairs. Corps officials are encouraging campers and boaters to come enjoy the lake.

        Information about Greers Ferry campsite conditions is available on the Internet at http://www.swl.usace.army.mil/park_conditions/gf.htm.  Information can also be obtained by calling the Greers Ferry Project Office at 501-362-2416 or by visiting the office located near the dam on Hwy 25, three miles north of Heber Springs. During the weekends, persons have questions should call the William Carl Garner Visitor Center at 501-362-9067.

(Below) Steve Mitchell and Bob Connell Talk Live

 (Below) Jamie and Bob Connell talk about great Deals 

(Below)  Darcy May and Danielle May say Hi to their Mom and Dad with Bob Connell

(Below) Justin will talk with Bob for a free hat 

(Below) Ashley Mitchell and Bob Connell Announce winners

Keeping your mind active and your memory sharp is a key part of aging well and enjoying better quality of life. The good news is that by challenging and engaging your brain, and by continuing to learn throughout your life, you can help maintain your independence with a healthy brain.

The Center on Aging0Northeast will present “Healthy Brain Strategies” on Tuesday, June 24th. There will be two program locations. The first program will be at 10am in ASU Heber Springs, Energy Room. The second presentation will be held at 2pm in First Community Bank 1325 Harrison Batesville.

The speaker will be Teresa Guerrero, development coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association. Ms. Guerrero will give tips on how to keep your memory sharp and accurate.

To register, or for more information, call 1-800-745-0557.

The program is co-sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association and the U. of A. Cooperative Extension Service.