Clubs

Kansas Sunflower Club The next meeting will be Monday, May 19, at 5:30 p.m. at Metfield Neighborhood Grill. Hosts will be Marjorie and Richard Davis. Meals will be ordered and served in the dining room. Following the meal, Margie and Friends will entertain with a sing-along. The club meets the third Monday of each month. All former Kansans are invited to join. There are no dues. For more information, call the Davises at 855-7163. Democratic Women’s Club The Benton County Democratic Women’s Club is scheduled to convene May 19 at 11:30 a.m. at the Bentonville Clarion Hotel and Convention Center. S p e a k i n g will be Randall Woods, a professor from the University of Arkansas where he has taught history since 1971. His topic will be the unparalleled growth of the military industrial complex from the Vietnam era through the present Iraq War, as well as how the fear of terrorism effects citizens of the U.S. The public is invited. Reservations for the buffet lunch, at a cost of $10, can be made through May 15 by - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

What’s Cookin’ ? : Parties for one are no fun for this local cook

Jane Robshaw

I am always looking for cooks to feature in this column. I never know where I might find them, who might recommend them or how I will get a new name. I am naturally an outgoing person — someone who tends to strike up a conversation with many a stranger. So when I found myself at a local kitchenware store, hunting for silicon cupcake holders, I naturally had to comment to the woman who got to them first. And a lucky conversation it was, because Janet Tackett, great Bella Vista cook, is that woman. Janet’s skills go far beyond baking or cupcakes. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

It’s official: ArkAppella becomes chapter of Sweet Adelines

From Staff Reports

SPRINGDALE — The ArkAppella Show Chorus has received its official charter as a Sweet Adelines International chapter, after completing all steps in the chartering process and being approved by the international board of directors. The local group accepted the appointment April 25 at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, Texas. Peggy Gramm, president of Sweet Adelines International, and Sarah Montgomery, Region 25 membership coordinator, presented the official charter to ArkAppella Director Brenda Fleming and Team Coordinator Marilyn Annen. The charter assures membership in an organization that provides opportunities for people to learn and perform music in the barbershop style. Sweet Adelines International offers a variety of educational experiences, such as annual summer music camps for all members and additional classes in directing, arranging, judging and leadership. Region 25 consists of five states — Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma. The region held its annual meeting and chorus competition - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Teams forming for Relay for Life

From Staff Reports

BENTONVILLE — Team recruitment is now under way for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of eastern Benton County. The relay is scheduled for June 13, starting at 7 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Bentonville. Relay For Life is a noncompetitive, overnight event. Teams are recruited from businesses, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and service organizations. Each group chooses a team theme, and members take turns walking around the track during the night. Games and activities held during the event make it a festive occasion. Money raised from the relay supports American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and patient service programs. To register a team, or to find out more about Relay For Life, call event chairwoman Shannon Mitchell at (479) 787-6549. Individuals or teams also may sign up online at www.easternbentonrelay.com. For cancer information, call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345 — (800) 227-2345 — or visit www.cancer.org. The American Cancer - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Nonagenarians celebrate birthdays

Special to The Weekly Vista

Alfred Wise, age 99, and Victor Wise, 98, celebrated their birthdays together on April 25 at Ryan’s Restaurant in Rogers. Both men were raised in the Champaign, Illinois, area and, until recently, lived in the Swan Valley of Montana since the early 1930s. Alfred Wise now lives in Albuquerque, N.M., with his son and daughter-inlaw, Paul and Betty Wise. Victor Wise resides in Bella Vista with his daughter, Cathy Miller, and her husband, Ed Miller. Alfred Wise’s daughter and son-in-law, Alice and Gene Bond, flew here from Swan Lake to attend the celebration. Also in attendance were the birthday boys’ grandchildren, greatgrandchildren and greatgreat grandchildren from Tulsa, Okla., and other family members from Bella Vista. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Assessment deadline is May 31

BENTON COUNTY — May 31 is the last day taxpayers can assess personal property without a 10 percent late fee being added. Assessments can be paid in person at five locations: 215 E. Central in Bentonville ; 2308 S.E. 28th St. in Bentonville ; 108 Main St. in Gravette; 707 S. Lincoln, Suite B, in Siloam Springs; and 300 W. Poplar in Rogers. Payments can also be made by phoning 271-1033 or out of the Bentonville area at (888) 267-7337 ; or by computer at www.co.benton.ar.us. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Web site is mother lode of information for moms

From Staff Reports

FAYETTEVILLE — With new families moving into northwest Arkansas monthly, and many of them with no support system to fall back on, community is key. That’s why two local mothers, Shannon Magsam and Gwen Rockwood, have stepped up to fill the gap with www.nwamotherlode.com, the region’s first comprehensive online resource for moms in northwest Arkansas. Designed as an online getaway for busy moms, MotherLode combines the best features of women’s magazines with the interactivity of the Internet. With a home page that updates daily, the Web site features blogs, articles from community experts, questions and answers with local mothers, recipes and helpful hints on everything from hair to health. The site is teaming up with Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas to bring relevant health information to mothers, the people who commonly make medical decisions not only for themselves, but for their spouses, children and aging parents. “In the first two weeks that the site has been live, moms have told us that they lo - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Camp just around the corner

The Property Owners Association’s Camp Bella Vista promises summer days filled with arts and crafts, swimming, day trips and games. This summer’s camp will feature special events three days a week. Sessions will be June 9-13 ; June 16 and 18; June 23-27 ; June 30 and July 2; July 7-11 ; July 14-18 ; July 21-25 ; July 28 to Aug. 1; and Aug. 4-8. The cost is $75 a week, or $15 for Monday, $35 for Wednesday and $25 for Friday. Children will need to bring their own lunch on Wednesday and Friday. Registration information is available at Riordan Hall and at the POA Recreation Department, and online at www.bellavistapoa.com. Payment and registration forms should be mailed to the Recreation Department, 98 Clubhouse Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72714; or be returned to Riordan Hall. For information on camp activities, call Gloria Garrison at 855-8181. For registration details, call Riordan Hall at 855-8170. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Plans set in motion for festival’s 40th year

Special to The Weekly Vista

The Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival is only five months away, and the event staff have been hard at work to get everything ready to celebrate its 40th year. A few new things are planned to celebrate the anniversary, but most of the festival will remain the same, according to Director DeLane Cox. “It takes about 16 months to get everything ready for festival each year,” Cox said. “And since we are a totally volunteer staff, we don’t keep regular office hours. But we are in the office at least one day a week right now.” Cox said that schedule will continue until August, when the staff goes to five days a week. Around the first of October, they often have to work seven days a week getting everything in order and ready to go, she added. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Senior Housing Fair to be presented May 30 at Riordan

From Staff Reports

The Schmieding Center of Bella Vista, in partnership with the Property Owners Association, will host an Options in Senior Housing Fair from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, at Riordan Hall. The event is free and open to the public. Door prizes will be awarded. Jim Hicks and Sherri Proffer, with the Office of Long-term Care, and LeAnn Edwards, with the Department of Aging and Adult Services, will present “Options in Senior Housing.” Senior-housing experts also will speak on a variety of living options and ways to finance them. Booths with information about a variety of senior-housing facilities in northwest Arkansas will be on display. Following the lecture, a panel discussion will cover such topics as housing available through the Area Agency on Aging, funding and programs available to veterans, innovative housing concepts on the horizon, reverse mortgages and the kinds of design features to look for in senior housing. Panel members will include Vicki Watts, director of housing for the Area Agency on Aging - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Mark your calendar for upcoming events

Friday, May 16 Noon to 5:15 p.m. CZAP Insurance Agency is sponsoring the AARP Driver Safety Program at Apple Blossom Retirement Complex in Rogers. This class is designed to provide useful safety tips for drivers aged 55 and older. A $10 fee covers the cost of materials. Completing the class may qualify participants for a discount on auto insurance. Class size is limited. Call 273-1402 to register. Saturday, May 17 10 a.m. to noon Securities consultant Patrice Stewart will lead a free course on “Investment and Brokerage Basics” in the Lyla Wiley Reading Room at Bella Vista Library. Enrollment is limited to 40 people. Attendees must reserve their seats by calling the library at 855-1753 or leaving a message at 855-2374. Tuesday, May 21 6 p.m. String orchestras from Bentonville Public Schools will perform their annual “Pops on the Lawn” concert in front of Old High Middle School, 406 N.W. Second St. in Bentonville. Monday, May 26 6:30 p.m. A free Memorial Day concert featuring the Arkansas Winds Community Concer - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Vann’s art featured at Wishing Spring

From Staff Reports

Multimedia artist Bobbie Vann is Wishing Spring Gallery’s Artist of the Month for May. Vann has been a member of the Village Art Club for many years and served as gallery director for two years. While the main focus of her work in the gallery is on hand-beaded and embroidered jewelry and amulet bags, her love for crafts of all types started at an early age. During World War II, she learned to crochet. Vann’s grandfather would make her needles out of wood, and she used colored twine unraveled from sacks to make her grandmother a doll dress. At 10 years of age, Vann secretly bought material, then proceeded to make a dress of her own design, much to the surprise of her family. Many evenings she sat by her mother’s side in the lamp light learning to make quilts, clothing and do embroidery. A little later in life, when she was pursuing her doctorate and had trouble sleeping, she would sew cloth dolls for relaxation. When Vann and her husband moved to Bella Vista, she joined the Village Art Club and the Embroidery - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

‘Pops on the Lawn’ set for Tuesday, May 20

From Staff Reports

BENTONVILLE — Student string orchestras from the public school system are preparing for their annual outdoor “pops” concert. “Pops on the Lawn” — formerly “Pops on the Square” — will be presented at 6 p.m. May 20 on the front lawn of Old High Middle School, 406 N.W. Second St., in downtown Bentonville. Performing will be students from the local high school and all junior high and middle schools in the Bentonville system. The event is free. A fundraiser hot dog supper will be served beginning at 5 p.m. Ample parking is available behind Old High. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

The British are coming — to teach soccer

Special to The Weekly Vista

BENTONVILLE — Challenger Sports, a youth soccer company based in the U.S., has again been invited to hold one of its nationwide British Soccer training camps here. The weeklong camp will be in town Monday through Friday, July 7-11, at the soccer fields adjacent to Memorial Park. Sessions will be available for youth ages 3-18 years. Each child will be coached by a member of Challenger’s British coaching staff, which will be flown to the U.S. exclusively to work on these programs. Bentonville’s camp is just one of 1,900 that Challenger Sports is running throughout the U.S. and Canada for a record-breaking 91,000 boys and girls. Challenger has become the largest soccer camp provider in North America by combining age-specific soccer instruction with equally important elements of character, cultural and nutritional education, according to a press release from the company. - Wednesday, May 14, 2008