GRAVETTE — A Gravette High School junior, Russell Sharp, last Saturday completed the project he chose to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Sharp, 16, has been involved in Scouting since he was in the first grade.

After driving through town with his parents, Roger and Janna Sharp of Gravette, Russell chose painting the park bandstand as his project.

The bandstand was erected through the effort of a group of ladies in the Civic Improvement Club of Gravette in 1920 where it has served as a focal point in Field Kindley Memorial Park. Its first use was by the Gravette Community Band in that year almost 100 years ago.

Russell, who is shown kneeling in the accompanying photo, was aided in painting by others, including those pictured, from the left, his father Roger Sharp, Rob Benson, Scout leader Kelly Kane, TrentTrembly and Scout leaders Scott Key and Mike Cowick.

Persons attending theGravette Days celebration in August will be able to see a newly-painted, bright white bandstand.

Community News, Pages 12 on 07/13/2011