GRAVETTE -- Area residents had an opportunity to learn a little about a lot of different topics when the Gravette Lions Club hosted its second Live and Learn Day Saturday, Nov. 9. The event was held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gravette Civic Center. Program topics covered a variety of hobbies, including photography, model railroading, fly fishing, gardening and music.
Four sessions of 45 minutes each were offered during the day. Those attending could select from six topics at each time period. Several classes offered informative handouts to be taken home for future reference.
Denise Klinger, an Arkansas master naturalist, led a session on creating healthy habitat for birds and other animals. Birds, bees, butterflies and amphibians are declining, she said, and she offered suggestions on ways to help protect these species. These included tips on feeding, watering and providing shelter and nesting sites. JB Portillo, a certified master gardener and member of the Benton County Master Gardeners, offered a related program with suggestions on native species to plant in area gardens.
Area hunters and fishermen could learn about Arkansas wildlife from Brian McKinzie, recently retired from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, or take lessons on fly fishing from Lions Club treasurer Jeff Davis, who gave instructions on selecting a fly rod and demonstrated basic casting techniques.
Lions Club president Al Blair shared his love of model railroading with a display of railroading books and photos and several model train cars. Local photographer Steve Huckriede displayed many of his wildlife and landscape photos and gave suggestions for taking good shots. Music teacher Mary Bourn brought several musical instruments, conducted sessions on playing the ukulele and mountain dulcimer and conducted a sing-along of popular campfire songs.
Rick Marshall, president of the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society, was on hand to present a session showing amateur astronomers what they can expect to see in the night sky in the next few months. Darin Bell, an occupational therapist with Ozarks Community Hospital, presented range-of-motion and strengthening exercises that can be done at home to prevent injury.
Karen Benson, manager of the Gravette Public Library, set up a booth displaying various programs and services offered by the library and gave free children's books to interested visitors. Another booth featured Ozarks Community Hospital and its services.
Myrna McGee, of Bella Vista, a past district governor of Arkansas Lions Clubs, set up a booth with a display featuring Lions Club projects and offering information on Lions Club history, service opportunities and membership requirements. Local club secretary manned a booth offering one-pound bags of pecans and walnuts for sale. Anyone interested in purchasing nuts for fall and holiday baking can pick them up at several local businesses, or they may call Jeff Davis at 479-787-1068.
Since diabetes awareness is one of the Lions Club's focuses this year, Lions Clubs throughout the world set a goal to screen one million people for the disease before Nov. 14, National Diabetes Day. Local club members Sue Rice and Snooky Garrett were on hand to give free blood sugar screenings, pulse ox and blood pressure testing to help with that effort.
Lions Club members thank everyone who attended their Live and Learn Day, as well as all the presenters and sponsors who made it possible.
Community on 11/13/2019