Hempstead County Bicentennial Committee Meets

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The Hempstead County Bicentennial Committee met Monday April 2nd at the Tailgaters Meeting Room. McCaskill Mayor Marion Hoosier chaired the meeting due to the absence of Sharon Caldwell due to illness.
The meeting began with a financial report. Keenan Williams updated the items sold at the Beads, Bags,and Bangles event. He also noted some other funds received from the sale of Bicentennial Bowie Knives. Judy Flowers also reported $4,000 had been pledged by four local financial institutions.
Under arts and cultural, Keenan Williams shared a report from George Smith detailing the arts and cultural involvement. This included the Arts Council photography exhibit, an “art patk” project, a presentation at Hempstead Hall of the Ozark group the Leatherwoods, the Arts Council’s ” A Year In the Life of Hempstead County” project, and a “Cultural Food Fair and Clothesline Art Show” set for October 12th and 13th at Fair Park.
Ken McLemore gave an update on the educational committee activities. Cherry Stewart suggested McLemore reach out to the homeschool group and he noted he has been trying to find a representative. Alan Woll also offered to visit with the Blevins Schools further about the Bicentennial.
Judy Flowers and Mark Keith gave a breakdown of their idea of sponsorships and what was presented ranged from $5,000 to $35.
Under passports and tokens, Josh Williams noted the passports have been ordered by Honeycutt Printing and the passports will be ready by mid-April. Participants will get the passports stamped at various places and events around the county. When people get their passports stamped at every site, they will receive a commemorative token. Williams also noted the Historical Society had their first bus tour and toured the Wallaceburg township. The next tour will be the third Sunday afternoon in April and that tour will be down to the Dooley’s Ferry area. Keenan Williams also talked about a solid silver token. He proposed a limited number of these sold silver tokens be struck. A Bicentennial Christmas ornament was also discussed
Josh Williams gave an advertising update. He noted events they are promoting include the President Clinton 5K, the Ozan Volunteer Fire Department fundraiser, and the Blevins Benefit Bar B Que for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. It was also discussed that the Committee have passports available at Train Day in Hope and the Blevins Bar B Que.

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