Hempstead County Bicentennial Committee Meets

By Staff, 03/6/18 10:43 AM

The Hempstead County Bicentennial Committee met Monday March 5th at the Cairo/Fulton Depot. Cherry Stewart chaired the meeting. The first report came from the Promotions and Advertising Committee. The finance committee was asked to provide a report at the next meeting. It was reported by a couple of members that they had checks to contribute to the fund.
George Smith gave a report in Arts and Culture. He reported the Fl”Food Fair and Clothesline Art Show” is set for October 13th and 14th at the Fair Park Coliseum. Smith also reported an “Old Time Music Festival” is set for September 23rd and 24th at Hempstead Hall featuring the Leatherwood from Eureka Springs. Smith also reported that the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council has collected 450 images for their website project”A Year In the Life”. He also noted an effort would be made to gather young people’s handprints in concrete for a project called “Hope For the Future”. This would be part of Train Day.
Under Education, Ken McLemore gave an update on the Hope Educators Hall of Fame. He noted that for the County Educators Hall of Fame he understands Spring Hill is still working on their first honorees and he had not heard anything from Blevins. Dale Gathright suggested they consider M.H. Peebles from the old Saratoga School District and the Haygood Seminary was mentioned by Keenan Williams.
McCaskill Mayor Marion Hoosier gave an update on townships and noted the Mayor’s of Hempstead County have had two meetings.
Under old business, John Hollis noted the college’s recent “Beads, Bags,and Bangle” event had a Hempstead County Bicentennial theme and it was very successful.
Under new business, Richard Read noted the Clinton Birthplace has a 5K run on the evening of April 14th and it will be a Bicentennial event. Read also proposed a time capsule to be displayed at the new courthouse and offered some proposed designs. It was discussed that the college welding department be engaged to produce a time capsule. The committee voted to pursue the time capsule.
Cherry Stewart suggested the Committee needs to reimburse Warren Hanson for his money spent on Bicentennial items. The next meeting is set for April 2nd. George Smith finished the meeting suggesting some of the Committee should work to secure some funding from the county. He suggested the Committee seek $10,000. Josh Williams mentioned the Jonquil Festival March 16th, 17th, and 18th. The meeting then adjourned.