GRAVETTE -- Students from Glenn Duffy Elementary School enjoyed a walking tour field trip on Tuesday morning, May 14. They were able to get some beneficial exercise to work off the end-of-school fidgets and learn about several businesses and services in the community at the same time.
One of the places they learned about was the Gravette Public Library. Since the students were not allowed to cross a major highway on their walk, library manager Karen Benson and library clerk Brittany Mangold set up a table in the Civic Center with a display of books and materials. The books were related to the summer reading program theme, "A Universe of Stories." The children were told about upcoming library activities, including the summer reading program June 11 to July 9 and Bedtime Math's Crazy 8's Club which they will be eligible to attend when they enter third grade next year. Each child received a book donated by the Bentonville/Bella Vista chapter of Altrusa.
Second graders also visited CV's Family Foods store and the Gravette branch of Arvest Bank, toured the businesses and heard about the services they provide to the community.
Marion Harris, one of the veterinarians from Countryview Animal Clinic, and clinic staff members brought some animals to the grounds of the city pool. The students had fun petting the rabbit, goats and baby chicks, viewing the display of tools used by the vets and learning about taking care of animals.
Another highlight of the field trip was visiting the Kindley House and annex at the Gravette Historical Museum. Museum commission chairman Steve Mitchael and several museum commission members were on hand to welcome the youngsters, show them around and teach them a bit of Gravette history. John Mitchael gave them a tour of the Kindley House. Bob Kelley showed the museum's display of World War I memorabilia and told the students about Gravette's war hero, air ace Field Kindley. Lavon Stark explained displays in the annex "school room" and showed the photos of GHS graduating classes there. And Al Blair donned his engineer's cap and ran the train in the Gravette diorama, much to the delight of all the visitors.
One of the teachers, Angie Denver, said, "The second-grade teachers would like to thank all the participants for doing this trip for our kids. They certainly had a great time."
Community on 05/22/2019