Old Independence Regional Museum is proud to announce the recipients of the Dennis Wright Award, the creation of a new annual volunteer award, and the conveyance of a Life Trustee.

Dr. Sharan Pittser and MaryAnn Marshall are the 2009 recipients of the Dennis Wright Award.    This annual award is named in honor of Dennis Wright, who was the first recipient in 1999, and recognizes a behind the scenes volunteer, or volunteers, who go way beyond the call of duty.   Nominations for this award are solicited from the museum’s volunteer corps and are confirmed by the museum’s board of trustees.  The award has become a tradition of engraved stone bookends from a local quarry.

Dr. Pittser has been a volunteer with the museum for several years.  She works in the archives helping to catalog artifacts in the museum’s collection.  This year she has taken on the role of Curatorial Assistant.  In this new position she is learning the ins and outs of not only cataloging but caring for the collections.  She has also worked many hours transcribing a collection of journals.  She often assists with research requests and is “always patient and helpful when a visitor or other volunteer needs help, even though she is very busy,” comments one of her fellow volunteers.  In addition to her “behind the scenes” work, Dr. Pittser also assists with special events and projects and can regularly be seen leading school tours.

Ms. Marshall can be found at the museum almost every Saturday and some Sundays, with the exception of tax season.    She spends the day working up a collection, which includes describing the artifacts or documents and then entering the information into the museum’s computer cataloging system.  In addition, she frequently donates artifacts to the museum’s collection and items to be used in museum exhibits.  “I see her coming and going in the archival area, and even though that is her main area, she also goes out of her way to help with special events, like decorating for the museum at Christmas, and even with the gift shop,” stated another volunteer.

Past recipients are:

1999. Dennis Wright
2000. Barbara Stevenson
2001. Nona Floyd
2002. Janet Grey
2003. Anna Parks
2004. Polly Livingston
2005. Archival Volunteers:  Linda Wann, Judy Purnell, Marilynn Chlebak, George Pouliot, Bertha Perkey, Mildred Thomas
2006. Jimmy Hughes
2007. Ann Rhodes
2008. Frances Mathis

The Board of Directors and staff of Old Independence Regional Museum are pleased to announce the creation of a new award for volunteers in 2009.  This award will annually recognize a volunteer who shows an outstanding dedication of time and service to the Museum.  This new award will be named in honor of its first recipient – Twyla Gill Wright.

Mrs. Wright has given over 15 years to the development, building, operations, and expansion of Old Independence Regional Museum.  She has worked tirelessly and has devoted THOUSANDS of hours for the success of this institution.    She served as President of the Founding Board and now continues to serve the museum as Curator, a full time volunteer staff position.   She serves the museum in many other capacities as well some of which include:  designs and creates in house exhibits, maintains the museum’s cataloging system, trains the archival volunteers, chairs the Collections, Exhibits and Programs Committee, and chairs the Fundraising Committee.

In addition to the honor of an award being created in her name, the board of trustees of Old Independence Regional Museum is conveying the title of Life Trustee to Ms. Wright.  This title was established in recognition of retired governing board members who have excelled in their service to the museum.  Recipients of this title have served the museum in a trustee capacity for a minimum of six years and have distinguished themselves through service to the museum.

Other Life Trustees are Ronald Spillers and Hail Bryant.

If you are interested in learning more about joining our wonderful group of volunteers at Old Independence Regional Museum, please contact Amanda Nikkel, Education/Volunteer Coordinator.

Old Independence Regional Museum, located at 380 South Ninth Street in Batesville, is a private, non-profit institution.  It serves 12-counties in north central Arkansas.   The Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Sundays.  Admission is $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for seniors and $1.00 for children.  Call 870-793-2121 for more information.

LITTLE ROCK – In a statement released today, Republican Congressional
Candidate David Meeks challenged Congressman Vic Snyder to uphold his oath
of office by voting against the House health care bill.

“Congressman Snyder took an oath of office to ‘support and defend the
Constitution of the United States.’  As the current House health care
bill will defeat the 9th and 10th Amendments of the Constitution by taking
away the personal rights of the people, and the several states, I challenge
the Congressman to uphold his oath of office and vote against the House
health care bill.” Meeks said.

About David Meeks

David is a common man running for the United States House of
Representatives for the Second Congressional District of Arkansas.  A
Christian, husband, veteran and Arkansan, David believes it is time to
elect a true representative of the Arkansas Second Congressional District.
David, and his wife Naomi, live in Conway where he drives a truck for
Ferrellgas and is actively involved in his church.

For more information visit www.DavidMeeksForCongress.com or follow David on
twitter www.twitter.com/Meeks4Congress.

Estimated 637,000 Arkansans will not receive Social Security Cost of Living Increase in 2010; 100,000 of them will also pay more for Medicare

Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) today announced a comprehensive plan to help Arkansas’s seniors who face no annual cost of living increase from the Social Security Administration and rising Medicare premiums.

Cost of living adjustments are tied to the Consumer Price Index to protect the purchasing power of our seniors and to ensure their benefits keep pace with inflation.  The index declined this year due to the weakening of the economy.  As a result, Social Security payments for 2010 will not include a cost of living adjustment for an estimated 637,000 Arkansas seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.  Approximately 130,000 Arkansas seniors rely on Social Security as their only source of income.

Of the 637,000 Arkansans who will not receive a cost of living increase, more than 100,000 of them will also pay more for their Medicare Part B premiums, which are rising for 2010.  Current law states that most Medicare beneficiaries do not have to pay the increased premium in any year in which they do not receive a Social Security cost of living adjustment (COLA).  However, this law does not cover about one-fourth of Medicare beneficiaries who will be forced to pay the premium increase, estimated in Arkansas to be more than 100,000 people.

“For Arkansans on fixed incomes, the absence of an increase in Social Security benefits is extremely difficult,” Lincoln said.  “Faced with the ever-increasing costs of health care, prescription drugs, energy and transportation that make up a disproportionate part of spending for seniors, they are also burdened with declining pensions and home values. I believe in the promise our government made to working Americans, that if we work hard, Social Security will be there to help us in our golden years.  As Chair of the Senate Finance Committee’s Social Security Subcommittee, I will continue working to ensure that our seniors are not hit hardest by what would essentially be a cut in benefits, especially during times of economic hardship.  I also believe we can do this in a fiscally responsible way that does not increase the deficit or negatively impact the Social Security program for current or future beneficiaries.”

To provide relief to our seniors, Lincoln, who serves as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee’s Social Security Subcommittee, is drafting legislation that would:

1.      Provide $250 economic relief payments that would compensate Arkansans for the lack of a Social Security COLA increase.  These payments would bring an estimated $160 million into Arkansas’s economy, helping an expected 637,000 Arkansans.

2.      Ensure that Medicare beneficiaries do not see premium increases that would subsequently result in a decrease in their Social Security benefits.

3.      Require the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to assess the merits of a price index that more accurately reflects true inflation for the elderly by taking into account their unique spending trends. The BLS would also be required to report to Congress on whether this index could or should be tied to the COLA for Social Security beneficiaries.

READ Senator Lincoln’s new county-by-county report detailing the number of Arkansans who would benefit from the $250 economic relief payments, the resulting economic impact on each county, and the number of Arkansans in each county who would be hit by rising Medicare premiums.

§         In Central Arkansas, over 129,410 Arkansans would receive approximately $32.4 million in one-time payments.  Approximately 25,000 Central Arkansans will pay more for Medicare Part B.

§         In Southeast Arkansas, over 67,145 Arkansans would receive approximately $12.5 million.  Approximately 16,000 Southeast Arkansans will pay more for Medicare Part B.

§         In Southwest Arkansas, over 80,330 Arkansans would receive approximately $19.3 million.  Approximately 16,000 Southeast Arkansans will pay more for Medicare Part B.

§         In Northeast Arkansas, over 128,904 Arkansans would receive approximately $33.2 million.  Approximately 26,000 Northeast Arkansans will pay more for Medicare Part B.

§         In Northwest Arkansas, over 194,630 Arkansans would receive approximately $47.7 million.  Approximately 37,500 Northwest Arkansans will pay more for Medicare Part B.

The Arkansas State Fair youth talent winners were named in Little Rock on Saturday evening.

The Gardner Boys, of Heber Springs

Title: 27th Annual Beanfest & Outhouse Races in Mountain View
Description: The 27th Annual Beanfest & Outhouse Races will be held in Mountain View October 29th-31st. The main location is the Courthouse Square. Over 1,000 pounds of
pinto beans will be cooked in giant kettles around the courthouse square. Come join the fun! For more details, call 870-269-8068.
Start Date: 2009-10-29
End Date: 2009-10-31

Title: Boys and Girls Club Auction Extravaganza
Description: 15th Annual Boys and Girls Club Auction Extravaganza
will be held on Thursday, October 29th at 6:30 p.m.The event will be at Centennial Events Center! Featuring
Live Music by Tragikly White. Tickets are $25. For more
information, call 472-2862.

Date: 2009-10-29

The Stone County Farmer’s Market which was scheduled to take place on Friday morning from 7 am to 11 am behind the Court House has been cancelled due to weather conditions expected for Friday morning.

WHO:              Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) in every county in the state, along with local partners from law enforcement, local and county government and thousands of volunteers statewide

WHAT:            Mass Vaccination Clinics—the largest vaccination effort in the state’s history

WHEN:            Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 29-31  CHECK YOUR LOCAL AREA FOR EXACT TIMES

WHERE:         CHECK YOUR LOCAL AREA FOR EXACT LOCATION(S)

NOTE:             FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS FOR CLINICS IN YOUR AREA, GO TO http://www.healthyarkansas.com

·       Supplies of H1N1 vaccine are arriving in the state in very limited quantities.  This is happening in states nationwide.

·       We have more seasonal vaccine available this year than in past years, but we expect the demand to be high.

·       We would like to be able to vaccinate everyone who wants to get the H1N1 vaccine during the Mass Flu Clinics scheduled for October 29-30, but there is not enough vaccine at this time.

·       Our supply of H1N1 vaccine is so small that we are currently vaccinating only priority groups at most risk for serious complications from H1N1 flu:
1.      pregnant women, because they suffer the most complications from flu infection;
2.      children 6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age with underlying medical conditions.  These include:  chronic pulmonary (including asthma), cardiovascular (except hypertension), renal, hepatic, cognitive, neurologic/neuromuscular, hematological or metabolic disorders (including diabetes mellitus); children that are immunosuppressed (including immunosuppression caused by medications or by human immunodeficiency virus); are receiving long-term aspirin therapy and therefore might be at risk for experiencing Reye syndrome after influenza virus infection;  are residents of long-term care facilities.
3.      We will vaccinate persons in these two priority groups until our supply of H1N1 vaccine runs out.

·         We ask for the public’s patience at the mass flu clinics.  Many of the staff at the clinics are community volunteers.  They and ADH staff are doing the best they can to vaccinate as many people as possible given limited vaccine supplies and adverse weather conditions.   Local ADH staff and volunteers did not set the priorities for who would receive vaccine.  These are national recommendations based on people most at risk for serious complication from flu.

·         There are positive indications that the supplies of H1N1 will increase substantially over the next 3-4 weeks and additional mass flu clinics will be scheduled at later dates.  Also, as supplies increase, we will be providing vaccine to the roughly 900 private providers that have pre-registered to distribute vaccine.

·         As we get more H1N1 vaccine, those doses will continue to be given to priority groups first. These include pregnant women, children ages 6 months through                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     24 years, health care workers and emergency medical responders, people living with and caring for infants under 6 months of age, and people ages 25-64 years with underlying health conditions (like asthma and diabetes).

·         All vaccines are FREE at the mass vaccination clinics, but we ask that if you have insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or ARKids First, bring your cards with you so that we can file with your insurance.

The forum will take place on November 10, 2009 at the Ozark Folk Center.
For additional information, call 501-366-0640.

Who should attend?

Law Enforcement and Military Personnel – Active and Retired

and

All Concerned Americans

If you believe in:

*       The sovereignty of individual states as defined in the US
Constitution
*       Limited federal government
*       Taking a strong stand against the federal government’s intrusion
into state affairs
*       The protection of individual rights as defined in the Bill of Rights
*       The sovereignty of the US and Arkansas should be preserved for
citizens or legal aliens

Then you need to attend this Constitutional Forum!
Featured Speaker

Sheriff Richard Mack
The renowned Arizona Sheriff, who fought the Feds and defeated The
Brady Bill.  He went to the US Supreme Court and WON, a Huge Victory for our
2nd and 10th Amendment Rights. Sheriff Mack, author of his latest book, “The
County Sheriff, America’s Last Hope” will conduct a book signing following
the forum.

Sheriff Mack’s Life History
Author/speaker and former sheriff, Richard Mack, has served in a wide
variety of roles over the course of his nearly twenty year career in law
enforcement, which began in Provo, Utah.  Mack began his career with the
Provo Police Department as a parking enforcement cadet while attending BYU.
A couple of years later he became a full-time officer and was soon promoted
to Corporal, Sergeant, and Detective.  His most traumatic experience there
was a one-year assignment as an undercover narcotics agent. After nearly 11
years at Provo PD, Mack decided to return to his childhood turf in Arizona
and run for Graham County Sheriff.  His campaign took off and he was elected
in 1988.

He was sheriff for two terms until 1997.  He was named Elected Official of
the Year by the Arizona-New Mexico Coalition of Counties in 1994, received
the NRA Law Officer of the Year, and inducted into the NRA Hall of Fame,
1995 Cicero Award, Samuel Adams Leadership Award from the Local Sovereignty
Coalition, and Gun Owners of America Defender of the Second Amendment Award.

During his tenure, federal officers informed the sheriffs of the state that
they would be required to enforce the so-called “Brady Bill” and run
background checks at their expense under the law. In 1994, Mack and six
other sheriffs from across the country, challenged the constitutionality of
the Brady Bill and ultimately, fought it all the way to the United States
Supreme Court, where they won a monumental decision for freedom.

(Above) More folks signing up

(Above) Baptist Health Medical Center

(Above) Sonic setting up for a big crowed

(Above) Harris Chiropractic and Triplet Hearing Centers

(Above) Petit Jean Meats is a favorite

(Above) Red River Music Company preforming great music

(Above) Ladies Signing Up for Great Prizes

(Above) Rich Welcomes all to Ladies Night

(Above) Seven Springs Health and Rehab

(Above) Seven Springs Massage and Mary Kay Cosmetics

(Above) Bead on a Wire

(Above) Cruise Planners

(Above) Fairfield Bay Chamber

(Above) Main Street Mall

(Above) Cathy Drollinger Helping folks with information

(Above) Margie’s Haven House

(Above) Red River Music Company provided great music

(Above) State Farm Louis Lee

(Above) The Browsing Post

(Above) Verve a Different Drink