PEA RIDGE — The city and the library received some really good news last week - a $3,000 check from the Northwest Arkansas Economic Development District GIF. The GIF Grant is funding for the Pea Ridge Community Library renovation and expansion to property donated to the city by Mercy Health Systems of Northwest Arkansas. We owe a debt of gratitude to Donna Hutchinson, Arkansas State Representative, District 98, for her assistance in helping us secure this grant.
I was so over the top after receiving this news that I had a hard time staying focused. But I did manage to get a number of new library books on the shelves. The volunteers and I are working hard to keep new materials available, make plans for the Summer Reading Program and the Summer Story Hour. We desperatelyneed someone to read and do simple crafts with the children for the story hour.
It will be from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each Thursday beginning in June. The kids who participated last summer had such a good time. If you are interested in helping out, come by the library and we’ll talk.
Don’t forget to come by and check out the beautiful quilt that is being raffled for the library. It will be in the library this week and then will “travel” to Arvest Bank.
Tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Drawing will be held on June 5, and you do not need to be present to win.
We have so many good books for children and adults for sale at the library. These hardback and paperbacks have been donated - some new and most used but still in very good condition. Prices can’t be beat! Pick up a few to take with you on vacation and then donate them to charity rather than bring them back home. Some of the books are on the sidewalk outside the library and more are inside. Thereare also a large number of magazines - current and back issues - Birds and Blooms, food-related, etc.
Please bear in mind that each book/magazine you purchase helps pay for the new library.
Have you seen all the activity at the SEEK Building across the street from the library? The Pea Ridge Historical Society is working hard to renovate that building. The outside of the building looks so good with the green trim around the windows. I haven’t seen the inside but I hear it is very nice also.
And, have you noticed the planters in front of City Hall and the flowers in bloom in the planter around the sign on the school grounds? Sure makes our area look nice.
Thank you to folks who tend these planters.
See you at the library!
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Editor’s note: Peggy Maddox is the librarian of the Pea Ridge Community Library. She can be reached at P.O. Box 9, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 05/09/2012