GRAVETTE -- Sherri Beth Johnson, curator of the Gravette Historical Museum, was guest speaker for the regular meeting of the Gravette Lions Club Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 21. She told club members a bit about her job at the museum, her love of history and her interest in preserving it.
Johnson, who became museum curator in January of this year, related a bit of her background. She is a Gravette native who is a published author of 11 historical Christian romances. Sherri and her husband also now own a production company and are filming their first movie based on one of her books.
Johnson told about her husband Jared, who works in the construction industry, and their two children, daughter Victoria, 22, who is a graphic designer, and son Zane, 17. Sherri worked for her father-in-law in his poultry supply business until it closed in 2020 during the covid pandemic. She applied for a job at the museum because she said she had long been drawn to the historic Kindley house and had used a photo of the home on the cover of one of her books.
"It just felt like home," she said.
Johnson read a part of the essay she wrote with her application for the museum job. She said many people seemed to feel that history should be relegated to the past, "but I disagree. History is still alive and in the making. It is the essence of today strengthened by thousands of yesterdays."
She believes that people should study history to learn about the knowledge, skills and traditions our ancestors learned. They have a legacy of wisdom, she said, and have much to give younger generations. So many skills are being lost, she said, and she urged her listeners to share any skills they have with their children, grandchildren and other youngsters.
"If you have knowledge of gardening, of cooking, of construction skills, any type of crafts, pass it along," she said. "We need to share these skills and help future generations to increase their self-sufficiency."
Johnson concluded by announcing the museum's upcoming "My Collection Exhibit," which is planned for Sunday, April 23, from 1 to 5 p.m. She encouraged each one to display collections they own, to contact others with collections and ask them to become involved or at least to attend the event and enjoy the items displayed.
Following Johnson's presentation, Sue Rice, club tail twister, tested the group with several questions about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln since the President's Day holiday had just passed.
Treasurer Linda Damron reported there were no changes in the financial report since the Feb. 7 meeting and said she had received news that the lady who is being given assistance with her vision problems has had her first cataract surgery.
Members recorded their hours of service during the last month, and president Jeff Davis reported that an article about the Gravette and the Gentry clubs' vision services appeared in the previous week's Westside Eagle Observer.
An upcoming block party was discussed, and Davis outlined a number of committees that would be needed and asked members to volunteer for ones in which they were interested. Damron suggested seeking sponsorships from local businesses and other organizations to assist with the event.
In other business, members voted for the club to become a cosponsor of the new club being formed at Springdale and set Saturday, May 20, as the date for a flag sale to provide flags for area people before Memorial Day.
President Davis reminded the group that the election of officers would be coming up in April and asked members to consider offices they would be interested in filling. He also said he has invited District Governor elect Russell Bryan to attend the club's 10th-anniversary celebration in July.
Linda Damron encouraged each member to attend the upcoming state convention April 21 and 22 in Fayetteville.
The next regular meeting of the club will be held Tuesday, March 7, at 12:30 p.m. at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center. The club meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Center. Prospective members and guests are always welcome.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Sherri Beth Johnson, curator of the Gravette Historical Museum, speaks to members of the Gravette Lions Club about her job at the museum, her love of history and her interest in preserving it. Johnson was guest speaker at the regular meeting of the club Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center.
Susan Holland/Westside Eagle Observer
Sherri Beth Johnson, curator of the Gravette Historical Museum, speaks to members of the Gravette Lions Club about her job at the museum, her love of history and her interest in preserving it. Johnson was guest speaker at the regular meeting of the club Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the Billy V. Hall Senior Activity Center.