GRAVETTE — First Saturday events, sponsored by the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce, kicked off early last weekend when the volunteer firemen at Gravette Fire Department held a pancake breakfast in the big bay at the fire department. Several folks came out to enjoy pancakes, sausage, biscuits and gravy, juice and milk. The breakfast was to benefit the department's women's auxiliary, many of whom were on hand to help serve.
Down on Main Street, a bounce house was set up for the enjoyment of area children. Jack's ice cream truck was on hand to serve them frozen treats, and a bake sale booth also offered sweets. The American Legion had a booth offering membership information and displaying entries in their recent Stamp Out Drugs poster contest. The United Methodist Church and Gravette Assembly of God Church also had booths. The Gravette Gym was selling aloe vera plants, both large and small, and several shoppers visited the new Sophie's Boutique, which just opened Tuesday.
A highlight of the day was open house at the new Gravette Public Library. Refreshments were served and tours were given of the library. A PowerPoint presentation played in the GED room at the library, showing some history of the library. Youngsters enjoyed coloring and doing crafts in the children's room. Several new library patrons were signed up.
Dodie Evans, a member of the city's first library commission, gave a short speech. He said "you could write a book" about the history of the library, but he focused primarily on the library's first two years. The idea for a library was first conceived 41 years ago, in January, 1975, as one of the activities to celebrate the country's bicentennial. The bicentennial commission members were Evans, Walter Houck, Lewis Day, Charles Kelley, Vernon Marshall, Dan Fagala, Chris Waller, Ann Furlow and Sherman Waters. The library received a $1,000 grant from the state bicentennial commission, which was matched by the city. Many contributions of $10 each were received.
Ann Furlow was chairman of the first library commission, Evans was vice-chairman and Betty Raby was secretary-treasurer. Vernie Schickling, a local carpenter, built many of the shelves. Each $10 donation paid for a shelf. The first library was set up in one room at the civic center. It opened May 1, 1976, with all volunteer workers. It had 1,100 books at the time of opening. Margaret Miller, a retired elementary school teacher, donated her home to the library upon her death. It was sold and the money helped finance the library, which was later moved to the old school cafeteria. The library moved again, to its present location at 119 Main Street S.E., this February.
Evans thanked the city council members and mayors over the years, saying all had been very supportive of the library. He said he thought the library was "a great facility," pointed out that membership is free and encouraged everyone listening to get a library card and tell their friends to come get one.
Glenn Albert Duffy, Jr., also made remarks at the open house and gave a brief history of the present building. He said his family bought it from the Bank of Gravett in 1969. His mother and his aunt operated a clothing and gift shop, Duffield's, there for several years. He commended library manager Kim Schneider, library staff and volunteers and said, "We're proud of what you have done. It's beautiful." Duffy's wife, Betty, spoke of Glenn's dad, Glenn Albert Duffy, Sr., who was superintendent of Gravette schools for 29 years. "Education was very important to him," she said. "He would be very proud of what you all have done here."
General News on 05/11/2016