Obituary: Rowland J. Coonradt

Rowland J. Coonradt, 87, of Eden Prairie, MN, died peacefully at home on July 19, 2011.  He was born on Feb. 19, 1924, in Osage, IA, to Ora and Janet Coonradt.  Rowland was a WWII army veteran and bronze star recipient.  He married Leone (Esser) Coonradt on July 4, 1947. Following a 35 year career with International Harvester, he and Leone moved to Fairfield Bay, where they enjoyed 27 years of retirement.  He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who generously donated his time to Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church and the community.  In addition to Leone, he is survived by; son, Terry (Jeanne) Coonradt, and daughters, Sharon (Mike) Olson, and Janet (Paul) Papaevagelou; grandchildren Mary Beth, Julie, Jim, Nonda, Dimitri, Mitchell, and Spencer; great-grandchildren Sam, Lily, Teddy, Janie, Lucy, and Allison; brother, Harold (Marlene) Coonradt as well as many relatives and friends.  Funeral services are Saturday, August 6, 2011, at 10:30, at Washburn-McReavy Funeral Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Road, Eden Prairie, MN, 55344.

Obituary: Berl Wayne Woolsey

Berl Wayne Woolsey went to be with our LORD and SAVIOR on Monday, July 25, 2011. Berl Wayne was born to Vera Arlene and Berl James on October 10, 1940, in Fresno, CA. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Berl James Woolsey born in Wright, MO, and his mother Vera Arlene Rowe of Stotts City, MO, and sister Lorraine Gale (Woolsey) Taylor of Fresno, CA. Surviving him is his wife Carol Edythe (Stevens) Woolsey; a daughter Carol Lenee (Woolsey) Beirne; and a son Wayne Thomas Woolsey and his wife Rose Michelle, all of Fairfield Bay. Grandchildren are as follows: Michael Scott Daniel III and Mitchell Sean Daniel the twins of Fresno, CA, Timothy Sean Beirne of Russellville, AR, Meghan Skye Daniel of Fairfield Bay, AR, Tanlynn Christine Woolsey of Madera Ranchos, CA, and Joseph Wayne Woolsey of Fairfield Bay. Great-grandchildren: Trinity Sanmaniengo of Fresno, CA, and Shelby Irene Turner of Fairfield Bay, AR. He was born second out of four children. They were born in this order: Kenneth James, Berl Wayne, Brenda Joyce, and Gale Lorraine. Siblings and spouses include Kenneth James and wife Marcia of Fresno, CA, Brenda and husband Forest Robinson of Santa Cruz, CA. Numerous nieces and nephews. Wayne was employed with Pacific Gas & Electric or better known as PG&E for 30 years working his way up to gas foreman. Prior to working for PG&E he worked with his father and brother Kenneth laying flooring; it was called Berl’s Floor Service. He attended Sanger Schools and after graduating high school in 1959 he moved to Santa Cruz to work for his father’s business. On February 14, 1961, he met his wife Carol Edythe Stevens. They were engaged on the 4th of July 1961 and married on October 14, 1961. Once married they resided in Santa Cruz, CA, and had two children Carol Lenee in 1962 and Wayne Thomas 1966. In 1992 they moved to Fresno, CA; in 1995 when he turned 55 he retired from PG&E. In 2002 they moved to Fairfield Bay where they made it their home. He and Carol attended Fairfield Bay Baptist Church. His favorite hobbies growing up were watching sports on TV, mainly baseball, fishing, camping and spending quality time with the family. He believed in Christian family values, the value of a dollar and the love for one another. Wayne will be missed by all of us deeply; but we know in our heart of hearts that he is at peace with OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS. Our family would like to thank everyone who came to visit, the prayers, the cards, the food, our church family, beside prayers, the girls from Arkansas Hospice (Amy and Charlie). Come share and celebrate with us the life of Wayne Woolsey at Fairfield Bay Baptist Church, 481 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay, AR 72088 on Monday, Aug. 8, 2011, at 11 a.m. www.olmstead.cc

KFFB Health And Wellness Fair Scheduled

Radio station KFFB 106.1 will host its annual Regional Health and Wellness Fair, Saturday, September 24 at the HART Center in Fairfield Bay. The hours are 8 AM to 1 PM. and is open to the public. For Vender information call 800-356-5106. In addition to health screenings and tests, health professionals will provide health related information. Most tests and screenings are free and a few will be done for a nominal charge. There will be a wealth of information on Health, Wellness, and financial services. KFFB will give away $106.10 each hour, and vendors will have door prizes and giveaways. This is a regional health fair held the last Saturday in September to promote wellness in North Central Arkansas.

August APL Meeting Set

The August Open Board Meeting of the Fairfield Bay Animal Protection League will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday August 4 in the Puppet Theater in the Artisans Gallery, 104 Pine Grove Rd (Post Office Bldg). Members, visitors and guests are welcome. One topic of conversation will be the continuing effort to find funding for a public “dog park” where owners can bring their pets for exercise and socializing. Interested residents are also encouraged to discuss the open board seat following the retirement of long-time charter member/organizer/volunteer/Board Member Peggy Camper. Meeting information: Bob Holiday 884-6000.

8th Annual Greers Ferry Lake Benefit

This year the 8th Annual Greers Ferry Lake Benefit is hosting a Poker Run for Special Olympics on Saturday, August 27. On-site registration begins at 9 a.m. at the Devil’s Fork Fishing Pavilion. Pre-registered players may begin when the Marina of their choice opens. Registration fee is 30.00 (includes free t-shirt & door prize ticket), extra registration is $25. All nine marinas and the Drasco Trading Post, are participating in this Special Olympics fund raiser. Any and all modes of transportation are welcome, whether you are traveling by water (boat, pontoon, waverunner, house boat) or by land (motorcycle, car, truck, bus). During registration, and at the evening festivities, you will be given the opportunity to participate in a 50/50 drawing. For each $5 donation you will receive one ticket. To receive an information pamphlet with a pre-registration form contact Jan Simonetti at 870-633-1454 or 901-212-3677.

The 2011-2012 Board Of Directors Election Results

There was standing room only during the 2011 Annual meeting on Thursday, July 21 at Indian Hills Country Club. Bob Berdine, Board of Directors President, conducted the meeting. He presented the financials and the position of the Club and future plans. But first lets discuss the outcome of the 2011-2012 Board of directors election results. Clarence Radford Election Committee Chairman presented the results as follows: There were 2,070 valid ballots received, 25 ballots not delivered by the post office, 7 spoiled ballots, and 16 ballots received after the deadline. Robert McBride received 1,367, Bob Berdine received 1,365, Brian Moore received 1,114, Ken Winberg received 910, and Jerry Short received 853. By the numbers, Robert McBride, Bob Berdine, and Brain Moore were elected to the 2011-2012 Community Club Board of Directors. On Friday morning, July 22, the new Board met to decide on the new board positions for 2011-2012. Here are the results. Bob Berdine-President, Robert McBride-Vice President, Carlene Barra-Treasurer, and Francis Grillot-Secretary. Back to the business end of the meeting. Mr. Berdine stated that the financial audit conducted by Thomas and Thomas out of Little Rock showed to be better than excellent. The Board Auditing Committe, which consists of Carlene Barra, Bob Berdine and Robert McBride have kept things in check. The cash position of the Club as of June 30, 2011 is as follows: Operating cash- Club $153,678, Operating cash – Waste Water $4,125, Real Estate Tax revenue $87,783 and S/T Contingency Fund $203, 045 with a total of $448, 631.  A new budget strategy was implemented for 2011. Working with a total budget of $6.6M, anticipated member dues have been allocated to each department, each department is to operated on a ‘break even’ budget, retained profit (unallocated dues) of $43, 184, NO New Debt to be incured in 2011 and all capital projects funded internally. The total debt is $3,320,063, monthly payments are $65,887 with an annual debt reduction of $484,426. Challenges ahead for the club include working with the gas extraction process to make it as smooth as possible and not cause any disuptions. Working together with the City is a priority and the current relationship is the best its ever been. The Club supports the University initiative and their hotel efforts. The new marketing program is vital to ensure our future success. Here are some of the developments so far: new brochures, resort map, updated printed material, new website content and regular updating. Creating an accurate customer ‘contact’ database, new billboards coming on Hwy’s 16 and 65. Working with Wyndham on their weekly timeshare meetings and focus on ‘day trippers’. Mr. Berdine said that we must change our mindset and realize that we are in the Resort Community business. We are both members as well as owners and it’s important for us to patronize our own amenities, and promote tourism here in Fairfield Bay.

Cancer Project Poised to Video Its Charity Work

Thanks to a designated contribution, the Care Cap Connections™ community project is set to make an instructional DVD. Ingram Philips, association president, reports that John and Lois Lorch, San Antonio volunteers, recently provided funds necessary for a video to show all aspects of the cancer support activity. There will be no charge for discs once they are produced.. “This is a long-dreamed idea”, said Ingram. “We have needed a good way to expand our effort. So many times over the years, we turned prospective groups away. We could not visually demonstrate how independent sewing and shipping can be accomplished. John and Lois knew this. They offered their generous donation while visiting here in June. Lois is a long-time Care Capper; John, a retired USAF officer.” The cancer project, founded by Mary Philips, in Fairfield Bay, was established by her in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas. Two independent works spun off Mary’s method—one in Arkansas and one in Florida—because team leaders learned first-hand. “As time and driving range limit her leadership, Mary takes on no more start-ups”, said Ingram. “The DVD will make that possible.” Baton Rouge-based BCLIP Productions will video. The company designed and maintains the Care Cap web site (http://www.ccvols.org). It is sending a director and camera team to the August 9th “sew-in” at Diamondhead Community Church, near Hot Springs. The camera team also will shoot at the UAMS-Winthrop Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Little Rock, and interview the Philips and staff at UAMS. BCLIP discounted its usual fee by 30% as a memorial gift. Anyone may participate in the Diamondhead sew-in. Several volunteers from the Bay are planning to car pool from Lott’s Grill and Bait Store at the West Entrance, departing at 6:30 a.m. on August 9. Contact Mary Philips, 253-1447, to link up with those planning to attend. A light lunch will be provided during the sew-in by the Men of the Church. The next Fairfield Bay sew-in is Thursday, August 11, at the Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church activity hall. Sew-in time is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone is welcome—whether sewing or helping in some other way—female or male, senior or youth and for any amount of time. No equipment is necessary as Care Caps provides all that is needed. To date, over 35,000 care caps have been given away to women and girls undergoing chemotherapy. Care caps are shipped nationwide. Funds for the project are donated by individuals and groups. Volunteers are not solicited for monies and no one in the project is paid. The work is a 501(c)(3). All contributions are tax-deductible.

Technology At It’s Best

by Jim and Phyllis Wilkins

During our lifetimes most of us retiree age folks have seen many fantastic technological developments such as cell phones, home computers, DVD’s and yes some of us are old enough to even remember transistor radios. There are some of us who are at the forefront of developing technology, some of us who wait until it becomes more mainstream and others like us who are finally dragged, kicking and screaming to use new technology. Recently, while re-visiting the Leader Dogs for the Blind web sight, we were very interested to see information regarding the use of the Global Positioning System (G.P.S.) as a personal navigation system for the blind. The history of G.P.S. at Leader Dogs for the Blind began in 2005 when they became the “first guide dog organization to provide Trekker G.P.S. training to people using a cane or guide dog”. (www.leaderdog.org). “But with price tags of $2,040 for 1st generation technology and $925 for second, these devices were out of reach for many people and the cost limited how many we could give to our clients for free.” Now such devices are available for $295 with a future goal of only $99 each coming soon. In a recent research paper “more than 90% of the research participants felt more capable, confident and less anxious while using G.P.S. as a wayfaring tool.” While we have barely learned to use the G.P.S. in our car it is amazing and gratifying to see technology at it’s best with the use of G.P.S. for the blind and vision impaired., FFB Lion’s BINGO is held each Monday evening at the Lions Den on Dave Creek Parkway with doors opening at 6:30 pm and the first game at 7 p.m. On Monday our two cover-all BINGO’s are worth $500.00 each, one with a coverall in 60 numbers or less and the other in 55 or less. Our All-U-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfasts are each Tuesday and Saturday morning from 7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. Our next regular meeting will be Thursday July 28 and our speaker will be FFB Police Chief Kerry Brown. Dinner will be served at 5:30 p.m. and our regular meeting and speaker will follow at 6 p.m.

Community Spotlight

Chuck Lang
Birthplace: Joliet, Illinois
Current Hometown: Fairfield Bay
Employment: Retired

Q: What is your favorite thing about where you live now?
A: The people
Q: What is your least favorite thing about where you live now?
A: Loss of local tax revenue because we are a dry county.
Q: Where is the farthest you have traveled?
A: Ireland, Scotland
Q: Who is the person you admire most and why?
A: My wife because she puts up with me.
Q: What is the best advice you have received?
A: Live one day at a time.
Q: What would be or has been your dream job?
A: A spy for C.I.A.
Q: Where would you go on a dream vacation?
A: Tahiti
Q: What’s your biggest pet peeve?
A: People that drive in the left lane and won’t move when you want to pass.
Q: What would you do if you won the lottery?
A: Help family, give to worthy charities, and buy a 1967 Mustang Convertible
Q: Who is the one celebrity you would like to have lunch with?
A: Pro Golfer, Tom Watson
Q: What is your favorite book or movie?
A: Any book by John Sanford
Q: What is the one thing about you that would surprise people?
A: If I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise.
Q: What is the one thing you would change about yourself?
A: Never would have started smoking.
Q: What is your favorite memory from childhood or school?
A: When I discovered girls and family vacations, in that order.

Low Gap Road Ribbon Cutting

 

 

Left photo: Alread end – Front row: Hugh Ethridge, Roger Hooper, Thomas Shirley, Virginia Shirley, Leo Phillips & Dell Holt, Second row: Roberta Phillips, Paulette Dyer, Gilbert Ott, Butch Dyer, Georgia Ott, Joe Proctor, Barnett Bruce & Clifford Mosley. Right photo: Scotland end – Doris Ingram, Cecil Sharp, Bonnie Sharp, Mary Scroggins, Doyle Scroggins, Roger Hooper, Earl Tatum, Dell Holt & Bob Sharp.

Members of the Alread and Scotland communities were on hand with VBC Judge Roger Hooper and VBC JP Dell Holt to cut a ribbon on each end of Low Gap Road. The ceremonies were held Tuesday , July 12 to mark the recent completion of an update project improving ditches, culverts and application of 922 loads of gravel to the road. The history of Van Buren County is closely tied to the creation of roads in the county. In the early 1800’s only paths and trails are shown on maps taken from surveys of the U.S. Engineers from 1826 to 1845. By the late 1800’s petitions were being filed with the County Court in nearly every term to open new roads. The petitioners laid out the roads by locations of farms and names of residences along the proposed roads. Sometimes creeks, rivers, and hills and mountains were used to locate the road but until the petitioners began using sections, townships and ranges, it is often difficult to actually locate the road on modern maps. Lo Gap Road was taken in as a public road in a manner that is still law today. A petition was filed with the County Court with notice to the public being given in a local publication and a bond for damages filed with the County. The County Judge approved the petition and appointed three viewers to look at the proposed road. Upon recommendation by the viewers, the County Judge would grant the petition and the Petitioner could then build the road according to the specifications of the time. Throughout the years, petitions were filed for changes in the road making the roads better and connecting them to larger roads.

Dear Editor: July 27

Dear Editor:

A BIG Thank-you to all the sponsors, volunteers and golf teams, each one of you made our tournament a success. Special Thanks goes to, Dr. Pepper/Coke, Heber Springs State Bank and Goodwin and Daughters, your generosity is greatly appreciated. I also want to especially say thank you to Peggy Camper and Gene Berghorn they have indicated this will be the last year they help me with the tournament. They have helped the animal shelter for numerous years, so if you see them around please say thank you to them. Every dollar raised goes toward the care of our animals at the shelter, on behalf of the animals I say THANK YOU, or in their terms bow-wow and meow. I’m already looking forward to 2012, so I hope to see you all at the tournament.

The Fairfield Bay Animal Protection League and the Bill Duncan family

Dear Editor:

My journey as a Animal Protection League Board Member has come to an end. For the past ten years I have enjoyed seeing many positive changes and many great memories. I want to thank the many volunteers who helped along the way, you were special and much appreciated. To the community and surrounding areas of Fairfield Bay I say a big thank you for your support. We needed that support,and again thank you. Our animal shelter is a number one facility, and everyone should be proud of it. I urge you to visit it and support it in every way. Thank you to all and God Bless.

Sincerely,
Peggy Camper

White River Area Agency On Aging Legal Notice

White River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is a private, nonprofit corporation with regional offices in Batesville. The goal of White River AAA is to serve the over sixty population in Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, White and Woodruff Counties. WRAAA is currently soliciting nominations for a vacated board of director’s position representing Van Buren County. Nominees should live in Van Buren County and be willing to attend meetings in Batesville 4-6 times per year. They may be nominated by publicly elected officials, community agencies or individuals. All nominations should be accompanied by a resume of the nominee’s qualifications or by a statement as to why nominee would make a good board representative. It is our desire to have broad representation on our board. We are seeking out dedicated, knowledgeable individuals who may fall into one or more of the following categories: Community leaders, business leaders, health professionals, individuals over age of 60 and persons with a background in aging or human services. All nominations should be received in writing no later than August 12, 2011. mail all nominations to Ed Haas, White River AAA, P.O. Box 2637, Batesville, AR 72503.

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