All Boxes Are Not The Same

Most of us take pride in the amount of material we are able to recycle from our households each week, even at the risk of being called recycling geeks or the trash police at home, school and work. However, because of closer scrutiny by the cardboard mills, we need to be more careful about what we call “cardboard” these days. What cardboard mills use is corrugated box material (honeycomb design between two layers of paper). That includes, and is basically limited to, corrugated shipping and product boxes and dividers, take-out pizza boxes (with all food removed) and brown paper bags. Because of the increased scrutiny of the material that recycling centers ship to the mills, the following materials are not acceptable: #1 No chipboard boxes – These are single ply boxes that are grey on the inside. The paper fibers in these boxes are at the end of their recycling life. That means no Cheerios, Hamburger Helper or macaroni and cheese boxes or boxes like them. As much as we want to recycle them, the mills set the rules. #2 No wet strength boxes – Cartons and boxes that hold wet and frozen items have a lot of glue and wax on them. The reason those cola 12-packs and frozen pizza boxes are so hard to open is they are heavily glued. Wet strength boxes are considered a contaminant by the cardboard industry. By checking to see that these items aren’t in our recycling bins, we save our recycling center employees a lot of extra work and help them keep their quality up to standard. Please help spread the word that these materials are not recyclable. Thank you!

Trina Jones Seeks Another Term As Assessor

Jones will seek the Democratic nomination for a fourth term as Van Buren County Assessor. She is currently serving her 3rd year as District Two Representative on the Arkansas Assessors Association Executive Board. Jones is a graduate of Clinton High School and is a life-long resident of Van Buren County. She is married to Ronnie Jones of Shirley, they have three children: Megan, Whitney and Jeremy. She and Ronnie are members of the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Shirley. Jones said she feels honored to be working for the citizens of Van Buren County and looks forward to the opportunity to continue to serve as County Assessor. She would like to express her appreciation to all the citizens of Van Buren County for their continued support.

Van Buren County Judge Roger Hooper Seeking Second Term

Roger Hooper will be seeking the Democratic nomination for an additional two (2) year term as Van Buren County Judge. Judge Hooper is currently serving on the executive committee of Ozark Opportunity, White River Planning & Development District board, and the Solid Waste board through White River Planning. He is also an active member of the County Judge’s Association. Roger is a graduate of Lyon College in Batesville, AR. He has had a 38 year association with Van Buren County and lived in the County for a total of 15 years. Roger and his wife, Jeanie, have two (2) children and several grandchildren. Roger and Jeanie are members of Fairfield Bay Baptist Church, where he serves on the deacon council. Judge Hooper stated that he feels it to be a privilege to serve the citizens of Van Buren County and looks forward to the opportunity to continue. Judge Hooper is also looking forward to making further road improvements, promoting local businesses & tourism for jobs, obtaining grant funds, and keeping the citizens informed thru news paper articles and personal involvement. Roger stated that he appreciates the Van Buren County citizens for their support and understanding during his first year as County Judge and he looks forward to serving you in the future.

Sara Michael Honored As Rising Star

By Sherry Guess Staff Writer

Sara Michael has always been someone to be admired here in the Bay, but now her fame is spreading out over the state of Arkansas. She has been chosen as one of the Top Twenty To Watch in 2012 by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. She was recently invited to attend a luncheon to be honored and to receive a certificate of recognition. After receiving a hot tip from one the many Friends of the Library volunteers, I asked for an interview to get in-depth with Sara. She graciously accepted my request on the spot. How does one get “on the list” I asked? While Sara had no clear cut answer for me, she said that she has been interviewed a couple of times in the past concerning our outstanding private library which rivals the best of the best public libraries in the state of Arkansas. Once Sara accepted the position as Director of the FFB Library, she began to do plenty of research finding out just how to go about forming partnerships with local organizations as well as qualifying for assistance through the Arkansas State Library Association. Sara’s warm personality has drawn many volunteers to work with her in providing a top notch facility offering a full array of services and information, including all types of literature, books, movies, dvd’s, periodicals and computer work stations for internet access, student and young children’s work stations. Sara found ways to get technical support and assistance with a Summer Reading Program. By demonstrating a need, she was able to secure improvement funding for internet computers, new chairs, even an updated youth section. Sara feels lucky to have the support of the Fairfield Bay Community Club and the City, the cooperation of Wyndham, and the many organizations who provide donations that help keep up with expenses. The Library is well supported by the Artist community including the Artists League and Stas’ Productions performing arts. Volunteers provide more than 6,000 hours of volunteer work each year. Being a volunteer at the library requires only a cheerful attitude and a willingness to pitch in where needed. If you’re better suited to working at the front desk greeting patrons and helping them find what they’re looking for, that’s great. If you prefer working more behind the scenes, keeping the cataloging up to date, checking new book orders or boxes of donated dvd’s, that’s just as great. According to the criteria explained by the judges at the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, those chosen among the 20 honored have accomplished much, but have much more to offer. We applaud you, Sara Michael, for your energy, your accomplishments and your untiring efforts in helping to put Fairfield Bay in the limelight right along with you. We are fortunate to have you in our midst and count you as a leader and more importantly as a friend.

IHCC Golf News

2012 Indian Hills Twilight Golf Schedule

Indian Hills Golf Association has scheduled Twillight Golf and dinner for the 2012 season. The dinner is held at the Indian Hills Pavilion following golf. Please mark your calendars for April 15 – June 24 at 3:30 p.m. and Sep 23 and Oct 21 at 3 p.m. This is a 9 Hole Scramble; $11.50 per person for golf and meal. Non-member must pay green fees to play. Wally and Nancy Mueller will be asking for host/hostess for each of the planned events. If you will be here visiting on the weekend or a timeshare, you are welcome to sign up and play with the locals!!! We have so much to offer here in the Bay; and this is just one of many activites we would love to share with you. Twilight Golf articles will contine to be published in the Fairfield Bay newspaper before the event. Please call Wally or Nancy Mueller if you have any questions. (501-844-6339).

IHGA 2012 News

“New” appears to be the theme right now in FFB. We are beginning “2012” with many changes and fresh starts happening everywhere. Everyone should be excited and positive as we all welcome in these new & renewed efforts and staff to help improve our lifestyle in FFB. Well, the IHGA is all new too. The Board of Governors and all committees are fired up for the 2012 season. We anticipate full support from all golfers in FFB to help us have a “GREAT” year. To get us started IHGA “Open Enrollment” started January 28 and will end March 7, 2012. Enrollment forms will be available at the Pro Shop and will be e-mailed to last years members, if we have your address. The form also provides for optional participation in the “Hole-in –One” jackpot, which runs all season. Complete the form and return it to the Pro Shop with your payment. Be sure to get your “receipt”. Contact Toby Glyde or Ernie Campbell if you have any questions:

Rotary Clubs Worldwide Meet US $200 Million Fundraising Challenge For Polio Eradication

Despite a stagnant global economy, Rotary clubs around the world have succeeded in raising more than US $200 million in new funding for polio eradication. The fundraising milestone, announced today at Rotary’s annual International Assembly in San Diego, was reached in response to a $355 million challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All funds have been earmarked to support polio immunization activities in countries where this vaccine-preventable disease continues to paralyze children. “We’ll celebrate this milestone, but it doesn’t mean that we’ll stop raising money or spreading the word about polio eradication,” Rotary Foundation Trustee John F. Germ told the annual conference of Rotary leaders. “We can’t stop until our entire world is certified as polio free.” “In recognition of Rotary’s great work, and to inspire Rotarians in the future, the [Gates] foundation is committing an additional $50 million to extend our partnership,” said Jeff Raikes, chief executive officer of the Gates Foundation. “Rotary started the global fight against polio, and continues to set the tone for private fundraising, grassroots engagement and maintaining polio at the top of the agenda with key policy makers.” Since 1988, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99 percent, from about 350,000 infections annually to fewer than 650 cases reported so far for 2011. The wild poliovirus now remains endemic – meaning its transmission has never been stopped – in only four countries: Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. However, India on January 13 marked a full calendar year without a case, paving the way for its removal from the endemic list. But other countries also remain at risk for polio cases imported from the endemic countries. In Africa in 2011, Chad and the Democratic Republic of the Congo had significant outbreaks. Also in 2011, a small cluster of polio cases in China, which had been polio-free for a decade, was attributable to a virus from Pakistan. Rotary members not only reached into their own pockets to support the Gates challenge,but engaged their communities in a variety of creative fundraising projects, such as a fashion show in California that raised $52,000; benefit film screenings in New Zealand and Australia that netted $54,000; and a pledge-supported hike through Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, that brought in $38,000. Many events were planned around October 24, widely observed as World Polio Day. To date, Rotary club members worldwide have contributed more than $1 billion toward the eradication of polio, a cause Rotary took on in 1985. In 1988, the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention joined Rotary as spearheading partners of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. More recently, the Gates Foundation has become a major supporter. In 2007, the Gates Foundation gave Rotary a $100 million challenge grant for polio eradication, increasing it to $355 million in 2009. Rotary agreed to raise $200 million in matching funds by June 30, 2012. Reaching children with the oral polio vaccine in the disease’s remaining strongholds is labor and resource -intensive due to a host of challenges, including poor infrastructure, geographical isolation, armed conflict and cultural misunderstanding about the eradication campaign.

An Arkansas Lion

By Jim and Phyllis Wilkins

During my term as president of the FFB Lions, Lion Phyllis and I had the opportunity to visit the Lions World Services for the Blind in Little Rock. During the visit we were provided information on one of the founders, Lion Roy Kumpe and a couple of months ago fellow FFB Lion, Glenn Shunneson provided us with a copy of a book, “The Lion’s Share”, a history of Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind (now LWSB) by Roy Kumpe written with Jim Lester. Before reading the book we did some research and found that Roy Kumpe (1910-1987) was born in Arkansas and after the onset of blindness at age eight, he attended the Arkansas School for the Blind and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a law degree in 1938. After starting a job placement service which linked federal vending stand sites with competent operators who were blind he realized there were not enough people who were independent enough to be successfully employed which inspired his dream to create a training facility for the blind or visually impaired. “One of the goals toward the fulfillment of Roy Kumpe’s dream was to persuade a state wide convention of Lions Clubs to sponsor a civilian rehabilitation center and to raise $10,000 for its first quarters. Thus, the first rehabilitation center to open under non-governmental auspices in the country was incorporated in 1947 as Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind .” (Hall of Fame Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field). Our first meeting in February will be on Thursday February 9 which will be an Old Time Pot-Luck Dinner followed by game night. Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m. and every one is encouraged to bring a dish to share, if you wish to partake, as there will be no cost for the dinner. At our meeting on February 23, Robert and Pat Reeves will give a presentation on their recent trip to Africa..

Investors Can Learn Much From Super Bowl Teams

It’s Super Bowl time again. And whether you’re a sports fan or not, you can probably learn something from the Super Bowl teams that you can apply to other endeavors — such as investing. What might these lessons be? Take a look: Pick players carefully. Super Bowl teams don’t usually get there out of luck; they’ve made it in part because they have carefully chosen their players. And to potentially achieve success as an investor, you, too, need carefully chosen “players” — investments that are chosen for your individual situation. Choose a diversified mix of players. Not only do Super Bowl teams have good players, but they have good ones at many different positions — and these players tend to play well together. As an investor, you should own a variety of investments with different capabilities — such as stocks for growth and bonds for income — and your various investments should complement, rather than duplicate, one another. Strive to build a diversified portfolio containing investments appropriate for you situation, such as stocks, bonds, government securities, certificates of deposit (CDs) and other vehicles. Diversifying your holdings may help reduce the effects of market volatility. (Keep in mind, though, that diversification, by itself, can’t guarantee a profit or protect against loss.) Follow a “game plan.” Super Bowl teams are skilled at creating game plans designed to maximize their own strengths and exploit their opponents’ weaknesses. When you invest, you also can benefit from a game plan — a strategy to help you work toward your goals. This strategy may incorporate several elements, such as taking full advantage of your Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan, pursuing new investment opportunities as they arise and reviewing your portfolio regularly to make sure it’s still appropriate for your needs. Stay dedicated to your goals. Virtually all Super Bowl teams have had to overcome obstacles, such as injuries, bad weather and a tough schedule. But through persistence and a constant devotion to their ultimate goal, they persevere. As an investor, you’ll face some challenges, too, such as political and economic turmoil that can upset the financial markets. But if you own a diversified mix of quality investments and follow a long-term strategy that’s tailored to your objectives, time horizon and risk tolerance, you can keep moving forward, despite the “bumps in the road” that all investors face. Get good coaching. Super Bowl teams typically are well-coached, with disciplined head coaches and innovative offensive and defensive coordinators. When you’re trying to achieve many financial goals — such as a comfortable retirement, control over your investment taxes and a legacy to leave to your family — you, too, can benefit from strong “coaching.” As your “head coach,” you might choose a financial professional — someone who can help you identify your goals and recommend an appropriate investment strategy to help you work toward them. And your financial professional can coordinate activities with your other “coaches,” such as your tax and legal advisors. Unless you’re a professional football player, you won’t ever experience what it’s like to play in the Super Bowl. However, achieving your financial goals can be a fairly big event in your life — and to help work toward that point, you can take a few tips from the teams that have made it to the Big Game.

2012 Community Club Board Of Directors Election Schedule

Thursday, April 5, 2012 Voter eligible/ineligible listings are printed by the Accounting Office.

Thursday, April 19, 2012 Filing deadline for petitions, end of business day.

Thursday, June 30, 2012 Ballots must be received by this date, end of business day.

Thursday, July 19, 2012 Annual Meeting 7 p.m. – Election Committee reports results at the meeting.

Certified Municipal Officials Training

Mayor Paul Wellenberger, Alderman Sharon Luxon, and Alderman John Foster were recently recognized by the Arkansas Municipal League for being the first graduating class to successfully complete 21 hours of Certified Municipal Officers Training. The training topics included: Municipal Finance, Municipal Personnel Management, and Municipal Governmental Structure. “Knowing the requirements of the job, the most effective and efficient way to accomplish it, and understanding how the bureaucracy works is key to our ability to stay out of trouble and to get things done”, stated Mayor Wellenberger. All of the Fairfield Bay Aldermen are in the process of completing certification.

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