GRAVETTE -- Nicole Jowers, secretary of the Greater Gravette Chamber of Commerce, was the guest speaker for the regular meeting of the Gravette Lions Club Tuesday, April 19.
Jowers and her family moved to Gravette from Louisiana in 2019 after living in the same community all their lives. They came to Arkansas every summer to canoe and camp, she said, and decided they liked the area well enough to relocate.
Her husband had worked 28 years for the largest international glass manufacturer, making food-grade bottles. Nicole worked in long-term healthcare, geriatric and hospice care. She was immediately impressed with the way community members welcomed the family and helped them feel at home. Her son is very active in 4-H, having served as president of the Gravette Gleamers, as a 4-H ambassador and running for state office. Her daughter plays on a local softball team as well as travel teams.
Jowers told Lions Club members that "Gravette is going to grow whether we like it or not" and stressed that community members must have a vision and goals for the future in order to manage that growth responsibly.
"You have a jewel here," she said of the town. "Don't get so hung up on holding on to the past that you can't grow but don't let newcomers force unwanted, irresponsible growth. People are moving here because they like what they see but many don't know how to be a part of it," she said.
Jowers said she feels that Gravette represents smalltown USA and loves the fact that kids can play on Main Street with little supervision and parents don't have to worry. She enjoys seeing children riding all over town on their bikes and enjoys going to ball games. She said she would rather see more mom-and-pop stores come to town rather than a big chain restaurant.
"I feel more at home here after three years than I ever expected. I'm happy. It feels good to be a part of the community," Jowers said. "Gravette's special," she said, describing herself as a transplant who had made it home.
She urged those present not to let the heart of downtown die.
"We don't want Main Street buildings to sit empty," she said, expressing pleasure that the new mural on a Main Street building is drawing attention downtown.
Jowers also praised the Lions Club for all the community service work it does and said volunteer organizations never get full credit.
She also told a bit about the new restaurant, Lagniappe, a Cajun restaurant and shop her family just opened on Main Street. She said the word lagniappe means "something a little extra or unexpected." She said a Louisiana-style restaurant is definitely something unexpected for Gravette Main Street. Current hours are 3:30 to 9 p.m. but open hours are scheduled to expand soon to include the lunch hour.
After club president Linda Damron called the meeting to order, the pledge of allegiance to the flag and an invocation by Melissa Williams opened the meeting. Sue Rice presented the tail twister, asking those present to name the five countries that have no airports.
Minutes of the April 5 meeting were approved and treasurer Jeff Davis gave the treasurer's report. He also submitted a report showing that the club had served 1,131 people with 61 service activities so far this club year. 240 volunteer hours have been logged and $180 donated to community projects. He passed around a tally sheet and urged members to record their volunteer hours.
President Damron reported that Reese Long, the club's local winner in the annual Peace Poster Contest had gone on to win second place in the district and has received a $50 check. Jeff will contact the school superintendent to arrange a time to present the award at an upcoming school board meeting. Randy Cannon and Davis are continuing to work on establishing a branch club at Rogers.
Damron and Davis have almost completed the literacy program training, with only one more session to go, and will soon be available for tutoring students. A time will be arranged soon for an induction ceremony for new member Jay Oliphant.
Lions Club meetings are held the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 12:30 p.m. at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center. The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, May 3. Prospective members and guests are always welcome.