Fairfield Bay News

Digital Photography At Education Center Part 2

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:42:49 +0000

Sherry Guess, Staff Writer. Three classes later, I have learned some basic, perhaps some may say very simple rules that have helped to make snapping photos ever so much more enjoyable! My very old digital camera has suddenly begun to take some pretty darned good photographs. Lee Phillips, our instructor, suggested (maybe insisted would be a better word), that we check out the owner’s manual that came with our cameras. Needless to say, mine was misplaced or thrown out in the distant past. However, this information is still available on line all these years later. This past Sunday, I spent several hours out in the woods, along creek banks and lakeshores, looking at the same old scenery with a new eye. I guess what I’m trying to tell you is that this course has added much more enjoyment to my life that I could have predicted. New classes will be starting soon, so think about adding some fun to your life, too.

...............

Marina Rental Fleet For 2012

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:38:15 +0000

The FFB Marina’s rental fleet at year’s end consisted of eight pontoon boats. Six of those were 2007 models that have approximately 1200 – 1500 hours of service and two 2008 models with approximately 1000 hours of service. The Board had directed our management to delay any boat replacements during 2011 as a cost saving measure. We did realize cost savings but not without extra stress on our staff at the Marina. Increased maintenance was required and eroding serviceability of the boats resulted in unacceptable levels of customer dissatisfaction. We owe a great deal of thanks to Jim Stafford and his entire team for dealing professionally with the challenge we presented them. Historically, our practice would be to replace all eight of the boats in our rental fleet by this point in their service hours. Continuing cost reductions planned in our 2012 budget have resulted in the following plan for the Marina this year: 1) The rental pontoon fleet will be reduced from 8 to 6 boats, 2) Four new pontoons will be purchased, 3) The two most serviceable boats of our existing inventory will continue in service. Additionally, we are upgrading the four new pontoons to 115 HP motors. These more powerful boats will carry a slightly higher rental rate and will be targeted for those guests who intend to enjoy water sports on the lake. The two extended service older boats are 90 HP and will be promoted as touring boats, rather than water sport boats and will be available at a lower rental rate than the newer boats. This course of action will serve both our guests and ownership by: 1) Providing two tiers of rental pontoons permitting guests to more closely align their costs with the activity they wish to enjoy on our beautiful lake and 2) The four new boats will be purchased without financing, continuing the Board’s efforts to reduce long term debt burdens on the ownership. For the Community Club Board of Directors, Dwayne Miller

...............

First Concert In The Park Benefits Library

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:22:24 +0000

Shown Left to Right: Kay Otis, Sara Michael, our Library Director, and Linda Reynolds.

On a beautiful fall evening in October 2011, residents of Fairfield Bay carrying blankets and lawn chairs gathered at the Lion’s Amphitheatre to enjoy an evening filled with music. R & R Crossing, Steven Robb & Friends and Jerry Betnar & Friends performed under the stars to the delight of all listening. Jack’s and Little Red Restaurant set up a food court where residents could purchase a delicious picnic dinner before the concert began. The first “Dinner and Concert in the Park” was a huge success because of everyone who participated. Fairfield Bay Library Friends, Inc. “thank you” for your generous donations. Kay Otis, Co-Chair and Linda Reynolds, Publicity, present a check for $1,600 to Fairfield Bay Library accepted by Sara Michael.

...............

You’re Never Too Old To Rock

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:11:56 +0000

The photo above is the cover on a new documentary DVD that is now available at the Fairfield Bay Library. Sara Michael, Director, forwarded the folllowing review, written by one of our local residents who was the first to check out the new arrival. “This is a true story/documentary about older people who are part of a choral group who meet regularly. There is a younger team leader who works with the group primarily teaching and leading them. The singing results and the story of these lives are powerful, despite many of their limitations with breathing, hearing, seeing and so forth. My wife and I highly recommend this film to anyone, but most certainly seniors.” Available at the Fairfield Bay Library DVD #1231. Additional feedback: “”Wonderful. A Gem. Exhilarating.” Newsweek. And 5 Star – Winner of Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award. Recenlty, I had the chance to check out another Documentary Sara reccommended called “Buck”. My husband and I started watching it and wound up delaying dinner until it was over. It was a very moving story and testament to what goodness we humans are capable of, regardless of whatever shabby treatment we may have have received ourselves in our formative years. When Sara or her staff of volunteers reccomend a book or movie, I pay close attention. So far, I have not been disappointed.

...............

Mardi Gras Party Coming In February

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:04:44 +0000

Each year the Catholic tradition of Mardi Gras, or Shrove Tuesday is played out around the globe as a final night of celebration before the Lenten Season, or time of penance begins which leads up to persecution and death of Our Lord and the Joyous day of Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday. This party or celebration is the “last fling”or party until Easter time. Since everyone loves a reason to hold a party, the world in general has adopted this party and Mardi Gras which is French for “Fat Tuesday”, is celebrated around the world. In Fairfield Bay, you can find an annual Mardi Gras at St. Francis of Assisi Parish hall. On Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 7 – 10:30 p.m.,The Little Red River Band provides live music for dancing, refreshments are available and tickets are on sale for $15. per person. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate. To obtain tickets, call the parish office at 884-3349 Tuesday through Thursday or contact Therese Preusser at 884-3049.

...............

FFB Rotarians Read To Students Each Week At Shirley

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:55:38 +0000

The spirit of Johnny Appleseed has been wandering the halls of Shirley Elementary recently. Fairfield Bay Rotary is currently presenting a unit on Andy’s and Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure by Andrew Shoup to 2nd grade students. The unit began with the first chapter being read on Friday, January 13 and a chapter will be read each week until the book is done. This is a highly motivational book that includes a coloring and activity book for students to complete independently. The book introduces the students to the “Four Way Truth”, a plan for living that promotes, truth, fairness, building goodwill, better friendships and being beneficial to all concerned. Students enthusiastically sample four types of apples and prepared a graph to find their favorites. As the unit continues, representatives of the Rotary, along with teachers and students hope to prepare apple dumplings for sampling from Andy and Elmer’s recipe. In addition, they plan to plant two apple trees on the campus in the spring with the help from Mr. Matthews, from the Agri department. This study is an excellent addition to the new common core standards that allow students to become more involved and spend more time on subject or skill. Mrs. Seaton and Mrs. Henderson appreciate the Rotary’s educational promotions!

...............

Shirley Elementary Celebrates 100 Days

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:40:12 +0000

All the students at Shirley Elementary took a little time out of their busy scholastic schedule to enjoy a party with this cake which depicted 100 objects/events associated with their school days so far this 2011-2012 school year. Pictured here are just two of the classrom students who participated.

...............

West Side Students Shine At Business Leaders Conference

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:36:15 +0000

West Side students all dressed appropriately in business attire unlike some other schools at the conference. All our students showed up on time to leave for the conference at 6:30 a.m. – very early for some of them. They represented our school very well all day and we are extremely proud of them. It makes you appreciate what we have sometimes when you go to conferences such as this. The list of winners follows here: Mara Duncan – 6th place Hospitality Management Felicia Houston – 4th place Business Calculations Samantha Linebarger – 4th place Healthcare Administration Hayden Lay–4th place Public Speaking I. Becca Runion & Kayla Lawson – 4th place Desktop Publishing Natasha Walley – 3rd place Introduction to Business communications Laura Merritt – 2nd place Introduction to Parliamentary Procedure Andrew Houston – 2nd place Sports Management Ethan Reed – 2nd place Word Processing II Jacob Maez – 1st place Business Math Austin Gray – 1st place Word Processing I They will all be competing at the state level April 2 & 3. Great job to all who participated and good luck in the next competition.

...............

Barbara Foster Talks Roses To Master Gardeners

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:34:10 +0000

Barbara Foster will be the featured speaker at the February meeting of the Van Buren County Master Gardeners. Foster, a rose fancier and 10-year member of the organization, will give a presentation on Kordes Nursery in Germany, the world’s largest grower of roses. The famous nursery cross-breeds over 200,000 roses per year, of which two to five new varieties are then offered to the public. Kordes ships over 3 1/2 million rose bushes per year to international markets. Foster, a resident of Fairfield Bay, is serving her fourth year as Rose Garden Leader at Ed Leamon Park. Along with the able assistance of Jim Brown, John McIntosh, out-going MG president Paula Wilson, Project Leader Steve Smith and others, she especially enjoys the gentle guidance and loving assistance of 84-year-old MG charter member Al Marron, who tended the garden for several years before she became leader in 2008. With Fern Todd of Greers Ferry, Foster will again co-chair the May plant sale, an annual MG event. Foster has toured many gardens both in the United States and abroad. Her favorite garden in all her travels are the Powercourt Gardens in Ireland and the Wrigley Gardens on California’s Catalina Island. Barbara said moving to the area from Kansas proved to be a big gardening adjustment for her and husband John. “I had to adapt to gardening in rock as well as dealing with the deer!” Among agenda items for the club’s second meeting of the year will be a call for additional Garden Leader helpers, Garden Leader reports, a discussion on revising the club by-laws, and the selection of a date for a tour of the gardens of Searcy resident Ann Wood. The monthly meetings usually alternate between Clinton and Fairfield Bay. The upcoming meeting will be held at Kirk of the Hills Church in Fairfield Bay on Monday, February 6.

...............

Faith Lutheran Ladies Aid Meets

sherryguess — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:32:25 +0000

Faith Lutheran Ladies Aid will meet on Tuesday, February 7 at 9:30 am in the fellowship hall. Jean Klein will be our Topic Leader. Her Bible study “Lavish Blessings” is found on page 18 of the winter quarterly. Jean will also have the devotions. Ruth Grelck will be the hostess. Quiz: Complete the following command of scripture. “Choose you this day…” All ladies are invited to attend.

...............