In the good ol’ summertime

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

— Summer is in full swing in Pea Ridge.

Fireworks

There were apparently no major incidents over the long weekend for the Independence Day celebrations and the first year for legally discharging fireworks. According to officials, it appears most people were neighborly and shut down the noise by about 11 p.m.

and those that didn’t pick up their trash, agreed to after being notified about it.

Member of the City Council have debated the fireworks issue for years. The current Council approved the ordinance allowing fireworks May 17. City residents should notify their council member and tell them whether they liked - or didn’t like - the change.

The fair

Summer Fest 2011 - the annual Pea Ridge Fair begun 61 years ago - begins tonight with a pageant and various events at City Park. The fair has traditionally been held on the old school grounds downtown, butwas moved because of construction.

There will be music every night following each of the pageants. There are more pageants than there were in the past in order to align the city’s pageants with the county’s categories. There will also be an opportunity for a voter favorite on Miss Pea Ridge.

Although there is not a carnival, there are many events planned through the week culminating with a car show Saturday morning. It’s a good opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors, meet new people and enjoy a familyfriendly event.

Saturday, there is the annual Pea Ridge Alumni gathering at the high school and the fair parade that evening.

VBS

Several churches have announced the dates for their Vacation Bible schools. They include:

◊ Free Will Baptist Church - 6-9 p.m. Monday, July 18, through Friday, July 22. For information, call 451-1115.

◊ Mt. Vernon Presbyterian - preregistration party 6-8 p.m. Sunday, July 17, in the lawn of Pea Ridge United Methodist Church. Shake It Up Café, 6-8:30 p.m. July 18-21. For information, call 451-1616.

◊Westside Baptist Church - 6:30-8 p.m. July 18-22, Rev it up! Full throttle for God! For information, call 457-1246.

◊ Twelve Corners Baptist Church - 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. July 24-28. Family night will be 5 p.m. July 31. For information call, 451-8905.

◊ Bella Vista Christian Church, 9 a.m. - noon July 11-15, Backstage with the Bible. Register at www.bellavistachristianchurch.com. For information, call 855-1616.

Vacation close to home

There are many opportunities for families this summer within an hour’s drive.

The bad economy, the high prices of gasoline need not keep families from enjoying their summer vacation. The local library has a reading time for children on Thursday mornings. There is a great hiking and bike trail on the Pea Ridge National Military Park. And, there’s always Beaver Lake - a destination for many people from hundreds of miles away.

Let’s enjoy our area of the state. And, be sure to tell the people responsible for the events how much you appreciate their hard work.

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Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County. A native of Louisiana, she moved to this area in 1980.

She has nine children, three sons-in-law, two grandsons and another grandchild due in January. She can be reached at [email protected]. The opinions of the writer are her own, and are not necessarily those of The Times.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 07/06/2011