SPOTLIGHT ON
CRAWFORD COUNTY 2018
Enrich.Explore.Engage Your guide to history, events, worship, education, recreation, dining and more.
2 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 3
Table of Contents
Dining 5 Events 9 Crawford County Adult Education Center
16
Elected Officials
17
Boys & Girls Club of Alma Area
18
Boys & Girls Club of Van Buren
19
National Register of Historic Places
20
Wilhauf House and Women’s Literary Club
21
History of Crawford County
23
Recreation in Crawford County
26
Crawford County Churches
36
High School Athletics
43
Crawford County Schools
45
County Services
48
Sparks Medical Center - Van Buren
50
Community Outreach
51
Press Argus-Courier/GateHouse Media 100North 11th Street Van Buren, Ark., 72956 479-474-5215 www.pressargus.com © 2018 GateHouse Media Cover Photography provided by George “Clay” Mitchell. Interior Photography provided by Kenneth Fry, Kim Hattaway, Taniah Tudor, Twila King, Aaron Shaffer, and Tammy Hobson.
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4 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Dining General J&J Family Restaurant, Alma, Intersection of Highway 74 and Highway 71 (Breakfast and lunch), 479-632-4066 Grandma’s House Cafe, Winslow (just north of Crawford County), 21588 South Highway 71 (Thursday-Saturday, breakfast and lunch; Sundays, lunch only) 479-634-2128. Chester Country Cafe, Chester, 315 East Front Avenue, 479-369-4900 (breakfast-dinner, but closes for about an hour to prepare for lunch) D’s Family Restaurant of Alma, 39 Collum Lane, 479-632-1014 Let’s Eat, Alma, 208 Collum Lane West, 479632-6322 (lunch-early dinner, closes at 7 p.m.) D’s Family Style Restaurant, Van Buren, 3200 Alma Highway, 479-474-3574 Western Sizzlin, Van Buren, 3120 Alma Highway, 479-474-2357 Larry B’s Rhythm Room Featuring Hazel’s Gourmet Chicken & Waffles, Downtown Van
Larry B’s Rhythm Room Featuring Hazel’s Gourmet Chicken & Waffles
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 5
Dining Buren, 719 Main Street, 479-262-6888 (lunch and dinner) Chat N Chew, Cedarville, Route 220
Americana Neon Moon, Mountainburg, 326 Highway 71 SW. 479-369-1705 Dairy Dream, Mountainburg, 1600 Highway 71 NE, 479-369-2295 (Open April to November) Boom-A-Rang, Downtown Van Buren, 600 Main Street (Breakfast-Dinner), 479-262-6004 Dairy Dip, Mulberry, 29 US Highway 64 East. 479-997-9991. (Breakfast-Dinner) Patrick’s Butcher Boy Burgers, Alma. 121 Southfork Street. 479-430-7270 Bob & Wanda’s Wagon Wheel Cafe, Between Van Buren and Alma, 5300 Alma Hwy., 479478-8298. (open 24 hours) Kopper Kettle Smokehouse, Van Buren, 6310 Alma Highway, 479-9949. (Breakfast and
Patrick’s Butcher Boy Burgers
lunch)
VAN BUREN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber membership has its perks! • Connections to a network of 430+ businesses, organizations, and individuals who are engaged and active in the community • Opportunities for free and sponsored marketing to Chamber members and social media followers • Economic development and workforce training programs offered exclusively to Chamber members Join today by calling
479-474-2761
VanBurenChamber.org @ChamberVanBuren
Research shows that consumers are more likely to support active Chamber members, helping to boost the bottom line. Through its “Go Local” initiative, the organization spotlights members and shares about the importance of spending dollars here at home. The Chamber also serves as an advocate for citizens on the regional and state level, helping to promote causes and issues that impact members and residents. Don’t miss your chance to take advantage of these exciting opportunities!
6 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
LIVE • SHOP • WORK • LEARN
VAN
BUR E
N CHA MBER OF COMMER C
E
Sunshine Cafe, Natural Dam, 14450 North Hwy. 59. 479-929-5743.(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Italian Frank’s Italian Restaurant, Van Buren, 525 North Plaza Drive, 479-474-7778 (closed Mondays). www.franks-restaurant.com
Cajun CrawPappy’s Cajun Cuisine, Alma, 1911 Highway 71 North, 479-430-0034 (open Wednesday-Saturday)
Cajun-Mexican Crazy Cajun-Mex, Van Buren, 700 Main Street, www.crazycajun-mex.com (opens Summer 2018).
Seafood Catfish Hole, Alma, 24 Collum Lane West, 479-632-9718. (Closed Mondays). http://www. thecatfishhole.com/the-alma-hole.html
Coffee Chapters, Downtown Van Buren, 816 Main Street, 479-471-9315. chaptersonmain.com Cafe Jitters, Alma, 117 Highway 71 North, 479632-1344. (Also serves sandwiches) Sweet Bay Coffee, Van Buren, 518 North Plaza Drive, 479-471-8991 sweetbay.coffee Stirred Catering & Coffee, Van Buren, 710 Fayetteville Road, 479-831-STIR (7847) (has lunch menu) www.getstirred.net The Coffee Shop, Mountainburg, 517 Hwy 71 North. 479-430-0320.
Barbecue JC’s Bar-B-Q Place, Van Buren. 2421 Kibler Road, 479-262-2544. D&R’s Trolley Stop, Downtown Van Buren, 703 Main Street (lunch and dinner) 479-9222060
Sandwich Shop Daily Bread, Van Buren, 513 South 4th Street, 479-471-1982. (Drive-In only) www.dbread.net
Donuts Paul’s Bakery, Van Buren, 1800 Main Street, 479-474-7044. (Also makes custom cakes and
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 7
Dining cupcakes) Donut Palace, Van Buren, 1514 Fayetteville Road. 479-689-5030. Smith’s Donuts, Alma, 641 Highway 71, 479-430- 7620 Super Donuts, Mulberr y, 309 Highway 64, 479-297-6015
Desserts Sweet Boutique, Van Buren, 46 Cloverleaf Plaza, 479-474-2767. http://www.sweetboutiquecakes. com/ Kopper Kettle Candies, Van Buren, 6300 Alma Highway, 479-474-6077 http://www.kopperkettlecandies. com/ Carolyn’s Cheesecake House, Van Buren, 2215 Fayetteville Road, 918436-6029.
Pizza
El Super Taco Sky-Vue Pizza, South of Winslow on Scenic
Fayetteville Road, 479-276-3331
Pizza Parlour, Van Buren, 2700 Alma Highway,
Highway 71, 479-634-2003 (Friday, Saturday
Golden Wok, Van Buren, 2308 Fayetteville
479-474-7066
carry out only)
Road, 479-471-8986
Pizza Parlour, Alma, 936 Highway 71, 479-632-
Pizza Place, Alma, 108 Highway 71, No. 110,
China Fun, Alma, 536 Highway 71 North, 632-
4176
479-632-0770
828
Geno’s Pizza By The Slice, Van Buren, 1611
Pizza Place, Van Buren, 727 Fayetteville Road,
Thai Curry, Van Buren, 518 North Plaza Court,
North 7th Street, 479-474-7400. http://www.
479-474-4100
479-471-1409
genospizzabytheslice.com/
The Vault 1905 Sports Grill, Van Buren, 624
Kabita Hibachi Grill, 824 Highway 71 North,
Geno’s Pizza By The Slice, Alma, 216
Main Street (Open Fall 2018 or Early Winter
479-431-1901 (Food truck)
Highway 71 North, 479-632-6060. http://www.
2019)
Indian
genospizzaofalma.com
Asian
Lee’s Pizza, Cedarville, 9541 Highway 59 North, 479-262-6699
Saku Saku (Hibachi & Sushi), Van Buren, 1402
Kountry Xpress, Mulberry, 1107 Georgia Ridge Drive, 479-997-1917
Tex-Mex La Huerta, Van Buren, 1915 Main Street, 479471-0113 El Lorito, Van Buren, 511 Broadway Street, 479410-2463 Las Fresas, Van Buren, 613 North Plaza Court, 479-474-2580 La Fiesta, Van Buren, 2217 Fayetteville Road, 479-471-5558 El Super Taco, Van Buren, 2624 Bryan Road, 479-410-5304 (Drive-Thru) El Trio, Alma, 214 Highway 64, 479-632-0248
8 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Events June 2018 June-July Each summer the Center for Art Education provides art experiences for kindergarten through 12th grades. Children’s art classes emphasize creative problem-solving and experimentation with instruction in various art mediums. CAE’s art teachers are practicing artists with teaching experience. Art camps include: • WeeDraw - For ages 3-5. Classes are designed so children will learn hand-eye coordination and elements of art. • STEM Art - For ages 10-up. Projects are designed to develop and encourage a passion for design, development of critical thinking, and build confidence in problem solving. STEM concepts will be emphasized through a series of art projects. • Art-A-Rama - For ages 6-up. Classes provide hands-on activities including painting and drawing using a variety of media. For information about art camps and dates, visit art-ed.org or call CAE at (479) 474-7767. The Center For Art & Education is located at 104 North 13th, Van Buren. June 30
Celebrate Mulberry
A family event at Kirksey Park with a beauty pageant at 4 p.m. and live music beginning at 6 p.m. Fireworks start about 8:30 pm. There will be refreshments, activities and vendor booths. For more information call the Mulberry Fire Department at (479) 997-1321. June 30
Fireworks on the Hill
Beyond Church will host a fireworks display on the hill across from Hilltop Plaza on the Rudy exit off Interstate 49. The event will feature music, food, activities for the kids and a patriotic program beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by a 20 minute firework display. June 30
City of Dyer 4th of July Celebration
Beginning at 6 p.m. at the community building on Loomis Lane in Dyer. The event will feature food and activities with fireworks at dusk.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 9
Events July 2018 July 3
Mayor’s Fireworks Display
Alma City Park, beginning at dark. The free event will have bounce-arounds for the kids before the fireworks. Music will be 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 4
Celebration and fireworks
Field of Dreams Sports Complex, Van Buren. Held at dusk. Gates open at 7 pm. For more information call (479) 471-1541. July 4
Mountainburg’s July Celebration
Held just after dark at the old truck stop on Tales of the Crypt
exit 39 off I-49 in Mountainburg. Music in the Park will be held at the mayor’s farm beginning at 6pm before the fireworks display. For more information call (479) 369-2791. July 21 Spark for the Arc Car Show Alma Middle School 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come support local artisans at the Middle School while enjoying the excellent display of cars.
August 2018 Aug. 2
Taste of Crawford County
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Crawford County presents the annual event with culinary delights from around the world. Sessions will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at the Freshman Academy, 821 E Pointer Trail, Van Buren, AR. Tickets are $10 Farmer’s Market
in advance or $15 at the door. August 9-11 Bargains Galore on 64 A 160-mile yard sale along US Highway 64. Aug. 11 Alma Dog Days Pet costume contest and other pet-friendly events (almafarmersmarket.com for details) Aug. 18 Table Toppers Fundraiser Held at the Center For Art & Education, 104 North 13th, Van Buren. A luncheon featuring tables decorated by local individuals, businesses, organizations and schools. The theme for 2018 is “Health & Beauty” and will also include a
10 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Events fashion show as well as a variety of health and wellness providers with tips for you to be the best you. For more information visit art-ed. org. If you would like to sponsor a table or be a participating vendor, call CAE (479) 474-7767.
September 2018 Sept. 1-2 Van Buren Downtown Junk Fest Features antique, rustic, and vintage-style merchandise, live music, and food trucks on Main Street. Sept. 9 Ad ul t Ar t Re ce p t io n , A w a rd s Ceremony Held at the Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th, Van Buren. Free and open to the public. The annual CAE juried art competition for non-professional artists 18-older. The artwork is exhibited in September and cash
Halloween on Main
awards are given in several categories. Starting Aug. 1, visit art-ed.org for artist competition guidelines and entry form. The artwork will be on display until Sept. 28. Sept. 10-15 Crawford County Fair Kirksey Park, Mulberry. Fair events include livestock exhibit, parade, midway, beauty pageants and talent contest. For more information contact (479) 997-5301.
October 2018 Oct. 13-14 Van Buren Fall Festival Historic Main Street, Van Buren. Exhibitors displaying fine artwork, handcrafted items, antiques, collectibles and flea market finds. Friday will feature live music at 6 p.m. and
Crawford County Fair
Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Event will be held rain or shine. Oct. 20 Tales of the Crypt This annual event is held at the beautiful and historic Fairview Cemetery in Van Buren from 2-4 p.m. Historical portrayals will give people a walking, talking description of Van Buren’s rich past. Cost is $3 for adults and $1 for children. Oct. 27 Halloween on Main Hosted by the Old Town Merchants Association in the 400-700 blocks of Historic
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 11
Events Main Street, which will be closed during the event beginning at dusk. Festivities include a children’s costume contest. Oct. 27 Alma Farmers’ Market Harvest Weenie Dog Dash, Chili Cook-off, Shopping (almafarmersmarket.com for details)
November 2018 Nov. 23-25 Holiday Express Pajama Train Van Buren Depot
Fall 2018 TBA
Pirates Day Festival
Cedarville City Park. The arts and crafts festival will include vendors, music, food and kids Alma Christmas Parade
activities. TBA
Van Buren Veterans Day Parade. Main
Street, Van Buren, 6:30 pm. A patriotic parade to honor veterans.
Fall 2018-Winter 2019 October-February on Mondays CAE’s homeschool and after school curriculum. Fall session: Oct. 8-Nov. 14; Winter session: Jan. 21-Feb. 25. Homeschool: 1-3 p.m.; After school 4-5 p.m. Fee: $60 (per six weeks) At the Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th, Van Buren. To register, call CAE at (479) 474-7767. Jingle & Mingle on Main Street
December 2018 TBA
Cedarville Christmas Parade
Parade will begin at 6:30 pm with the route from Cedarville Elementary School to Cedarville High School. Dec. 1
Christmas on Main (Van Buren)
Lighting of the Courthouse, Living Windows, Festival of Trees, and Jingle & Mingle. Van Buren’s Historic Main Street becomes a living history lesson as merchants have live window displays depicting Van Buren’s colorful history starting at 5:30 p.m. The lighting of the courthouse is a 6 p.m. featuring live music, holiday treats, and folks
12 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Events can visit Santa. The Festival of Trees will also be the same night. Downtown merchants will be open late for your holiday shopping. For more information on the lighting of the courthouse (479) 474-1511 or Festival of Trees (479) 474-2761. Dec. 1
Mulberry Christmas Parade
Will be held at 1 p.m. beginning on Main Street and ending at Kirksey Park, where kids can meet Santa. Dec. 6-15 Holiday Market Held at the Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th, Van Buren, on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, to shop for original, artfully made, handcrafted items including jewelry, pottery, hand-woven baskets, ceramics, artisan soaps and herbal products, fabric art, watercolor, oil, pastel, mixed medium, and more. The market will be open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 10 a.m.-
Living Windows
4 p.m. on Saturdays. Booth exhibit is free to participating artists. To register or more information, contact CAE at (479) 474-7767 or visit art-ed.org. Dec. 7
Holiday Open House, UAFS Drennen-
Scott Historic Site, Van Buren Dec. 7
Alma Christmas Parade
visit www.almachamber.com for more information. Dec. 8
Van Buren Lighted Christmas Parade.
Historic Main Street will be blocked off for the annual nighttime Christmas Parade, which begins at 6:30 p.m. All entries will be lighted. Everyone from antique car owners to children on bicycles are encouraged to attend. For more information call (479) 922-6862. Dec. 8
Mountainburg Christmas Parade
Will begin at 11 a.m. with line up at 10:30 a.m. at the old truck stop. The route will end at Mountainburg Elementary School. Santa will be at the school to hand out gifts. Trophies will be awarded for best float and other categories.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 13
Events Dec. 10-12 Holiday Express Pajama Train, Van Buren Depot Dec. 15 Dyer Christmas Parade. Will be held on Washington Street at 6 p.m. with lineup at 5:45 p.m.
January 2019 Arkansas Missouri Excursion Train offers roundtrip excursions from Van Buren every Saturday, January through March.
March 2019 TBA
Mulberry ComicCon
Usually held late in the month at Edamame Festival
Krksey Park. Features cosplay contest and informative/entertaining panels.
April 2019 TBA
Edamame Festival, Mulberry
The sixth annual festival will be held in Mulberry City Park. The festival will have activities and entertainment for all ages, including music, shopping, food and games. For more information call (479) 997-1321. • Arkansas Missouri Excursion Train offers roundtrip excursions from Van Buren every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, April through November. • Van Buren Farmers Market in Freedom Park every Wednesday and Saturday, AprilDecember. Mulberry ComicCon
April 6-7 R i v e r Va l l e y S t u d e n t A r t Competition Held at the Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th, Van Buren. The awards ceremony and open reception is free and open to the public. The annual CAE juried art competition for children in grades K-12 and open to public and homeschool students in both Arkansas and Oklahoma. The artwork is exhibited in April and cash awards are given in several categories. For more information and the RVSAC guidelines and forms, visit art-ed.org or call CAE at (479) 474-7767.
14 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Events April 27-28 Old Timer’s Day Steampunk Festival (Van Buren) A two-day arts and crafts festival held annually on Historic Main Street from 9 am to 6 pm. Six blocks of Van Buren’s Historic Main Street will be closed off to provide space for more than 200 exhibitors from more than seven states. A variety of food and entertainment, including pop-up acts, stilt walkers, fire breathers, sword swallowing and acrobats, will be available. Friday evening will feature a concert, and a children’s carnival will also be available.
May 2019 TBA
Van Buren Pioneer Day Parade
A parade of local riding clubs will be held at 1 pm on Main Street, beginning at the Crawford County Courthouse. For more information call Tammi at (479) 474-2581.
Veterans Parade
• Van Buren: Second Saturday Shopping is every second Saturday of each month. Each month is a different theme and stores and restaurants open till at least 8:00 pm
Ongoing Events First Sunday Each Month (through November) Art Gallery Exhibition Open Reception at the Center for Art & Education, 104 North 13th, Van Buren. Free and open to the public. Meet the artists, enjoy live music and light refreshments. Artwork is available for purchase. For monthly opening reception dates and artist information, visit art-ed.org. Big Little Theater The Center for Art & Education’s theatre program focuses on educating young actors in theatre basics while providing musical and theatre and acting experience. For information about seasonal performances or summer camp programs, visit art-ed.org or call CAE at (479) 474-7767.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 15
Crawford County Adult Education Center Learning is a lifelong journey and for many
C C A E C ’s n e w
local residents the Crawford County Adult
introduction to craft
Education Center plays a part in their story.
skills class is open to
Established in 1995, CCAEC’s mission is
adults interested in
“to provide ongoing learning opportunities,
obtaining training
preparing individuals for career advancement,
in skilled trades.
post-secondary education, technological innovation, and life enrichment.”
“Upon successful completion,
Executive Director Debbie Faubus-Kendrick
students will have
and her staff coordinate a wealth of programs,
the opportunity to
which are designed to help participants reach
gain an OSHA 10
their fullest potential and strengthen the
certification and
community-at-large.
National Center
Adult Basic Education courses help learners
for Construction
increase their abilities in reading, writing,
Education and
age five. CCAEC also houses an ABC program
and computation. Individuals wanting to
Research certification,” said Faubus-Kendrick.
for Head Start. Non-native speakers and those
earn their Arkansas high school diploma can
Training modules include topics such as basic
looking to obtain U.S. citizenship can find
receive individualized help and instruction for
safety, introduction to construction math and
helpful training through ESL (English as a
their GED test. Students can also learn basic
drawing and introduction to material handling.
Second Language) courses and instruction in
technology skills through computer literacy
CCAEC launched its industrial
U.S. Civics, history and government to prepare
classes, such as introduction to computers,
manufacturing pre-apprenticeship initiative in
for the United States naturalization test.
keyboarding/typing and Microsoft Office. A
2018. The goal of the program is to prepare
CCAEC holds classes both on campus and at
number of college prep classes geared toward
students for careers in manufacturing.
Tyson Foods.
preparing students for the college entrance
Participants have the opportunity to become
CCAEC also offers an alternative
exam, COMPASS, are also available.
National Apprenticeship Training Foundation
sentencing program, allowing individuals
With an eye always to the future, Faubus-
certified pre-apprentices. In the process, they
with misdemeanors to enroll in classes, such
Kendrick continually evaluates the needs of
also become CPR certified and receive an
as GED preparation, technology, and career
the job market.
OSHA 10 certification.
development, in lieu of completing community
“Whatever the need is, we seek to address
Programs extend beyond traditional adult
service. CCAEC works in conjunction with the
it,” said Faubus-Kendrick. The center recently
instruction and workforce curriculum, as
local court system and District Court Judge
launched new curriculum, which targets the
well. CCAEC serves as a satellite campus
Chuck Baker in implementing the alternative
nationwide shortage of skilled laborers.
for Vincennes University. The center also
sentencing program.
“The trades are aging out and there is a real
implements Parents as Teachers (PAT), a parent
In addition to its course offerings, CCAEC
need for employees in these fields,” Faubus-
education and support program for expectant
supports its students by educating them about
Kendrick said.
parents and parents of young children birth to
opportunities available to them. Attendees can visit the Educational Opportunities Center office to receive assistance with federal financial aid, career information, and college major selection. Employment postings can be found throughout the building, as well as on the center’s social media sites. CCAEC also hosts regular job fairs to give students exposure to local companies and to potential jobs. The CCAEC is located at 605 Alma Boulevard Circle in Van Buren. Call (479) 471-0019 or visit www.CrawfordCountyAdultEducationCenter. webs.com.
16 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Elected Officials U.S. Congress
County Officials
• The Hon. John Boozman, U.S. Senator. Senate Russell Courtyard 1, Washington, D.C., 20510, 202-224-4843. Fax 202-228-1371.
• County Judge Dennis Gilstrap, Crawford County Courthouse, Van Buren, Ark., 72956, 479-474-1511.
• The Hon. Tom Cotton, U.S. Senator. 124 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510, 202-224-2353.
• County and Probate Clerk Teresa Armer, Crawford County Courthouse, Van Buren, Ark., 72956, 479-474-1312.
• The Hon. Bruce Westerman, U.S. Representative. Washington, D.C., 202-224-3121.
• Circuit Clerk Sharon Blount-Baker, 317 Main St., Van Buren, Ark., 72956, 479-474-1821.
• The Hon. Steve Womack, U.S. Representative. Washington, D.C. office: 1508 Longworth Building, Washington, D.C., 20515, 202-225-4301.
• County Treasurer Beverly Pyle, Crawford County Courthouse, Van Buren, Ark., 72956, 479-474-6641. • Sheriff Ron Brown, P.O. Box 276, Van Buren, Ark., 72956, 479-
Fax 202-225-5713.
474-2261.
State Officials
• Tax Collector Kevin Pixley, Crawford County Courthouse, Van
• The Hon. Asa Hutchinson, governor. State Capitol, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, 501-682-2345.
Buren, Ark., 72956, 479-474-1111. • Assessor Sandra Heiner, Crawford County Courthouse, Van Buren,
• The Hon. Tim Griffin, lieutenant governor. State Capitol, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, 501-682-2144.
Ark., 72956, 479-474-1751. • Coroner Pamela Wells, Crawford County Courthouse, Van Buren,
• The Hon. Mark Martin, secretary of state. State Capitol, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, 501-682-1010.
Ark., 72956, 479-471-3231. • Prosecuting Attorney Marc McCune, 206 S. 3rd St., Van Buren, Ark.,
• The Hon. Leslie Rutledge, attorney general. 323 Center St., Suite
72956, 479-474-5000.
200, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, 501-682-2007. • The Hon. Dennis Milligan, treasurer. State Capitol, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, 501-682-5888. • The Hon. Andrea Lea, auditor. State Capitol, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, 501-324-6030. • The Hon. John M. Thurston, land commissioner. State Capitol, Little Rock, Ark., 72201, 501-324-9222. • The Hon. Terry Rice, state senator. P.O. Box 2195, Waldron, Ark., 72958, 479-650-9712. • The Hon. Bryan King, state senator. 206 Hillcrest Dr., Berryville, Ark., 72616, 870-438-4565. • The Hon. Charlotte Douglas, state representative. 5315 Ridge Road, Alma, Ark., 72921, 479-430-0170. • The Hon. Gary Deffenbaugh, state representative. 1424 N. 9th St., Van Buren, Ark., 72956, 479-474-5895, 479-719-8197. • The Hon. Charlene Fite, state representative. P.O. Box 7300, Van Buren, Ark., 72957, 479-414-1818. • The Hon. Bruce Coleman, state representative. 1198 N. Arkansas 348, Mountainburg, Ark., 72946, 479-8066825. • The Hon. Gary R. Cottrell, circuit judge, District 21, Division 1. Crawford County Courthouse, Van Buren, Ark., 72956, 479-474-6332. • The Hon. Mike Medlock, circuit judge, District 21, Division 2. 104 S. 4th St., Van Buren, Ark., 72956, 479471-3290.
County officials and local mayor s meet to highlight the changes from the past year and what to expect in 2018.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 17
Boys & Girls Club of the Alma Area
B
The Boys and Girls Club of Alma Area marks the start of summer with fun activities. oys and Girls Club of the Alma Area
are offered at the Alma club for children ages
school lunch; 43 percent of members live in
fills the gap between school and
5 to 18. The after-school program is 3 p.m.-6
single parent households.
home for many area children. The
p.m. Monday through Friday and follows the
What the club does: Tutoring and homework
club provides a welcoming, positive environ-
Alma School District school year schedule. The
help programs allow members to get one-on-
ment in which children and teens have fun,
summer program takes place during June and
one assistance with school work, and we offer
participate in life-changing programs and
July and the hours are 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday
a variety of supplemental programs such as
build supportive relationships with peers and
through Friday.
Spanish and computer classes; Youth of the
caring adults.
At the Alma club, an average of 182 members
Year and Keystone Club programs both offer
Located at 410 E. Main St., in Alma, the Alma
attend daily, and registered members in May
members the chance to build and demonstrate
club is headed by Chief Executive Officer Elaina
2018 totaled 813. More than 2,800 hot meals
good citizenship and leadership skills through
Damante, who has been with the club since
are served to members each month during the
experiences in and out of the Club; SMART
2013. Information on the club can be found
school year.
Girls, Triple Play, and counseling and
at AlmaBGC.com, on Facebook, Twitter and
Alma club statistics: 73 percent of members
mentorship programs support healthy lifestyles
Instagram, and by calling the Club at (479)
are age 12 and under; 100 percent of teen
while children learn about social pressures;
632-2070.
members attend the club for free; 77 percent
daily play in our full-size gymnasium and
of members qualify for free or reduced-price
soccer league offer opportunities for physical
Both after-school and summer programs
fitness, while healthy meals, a vegetable garden and cooking classes teach them about healthy lifestyles. Alma club impact: Among teenage members, 99 percent expect to graduate from high school and complete some kind of post-secondary education; 99 percent of members volunteer in their community at least once per month; 78 percent of members age 9 and older report getting at least an hour of physical activity five or more days per week. Go to AlmaBGC.com or visit us at the club to learn about other ways to assist the children in the community.
18 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Boys & Girls Club of Van Buren
Players in the Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren soccer program give each other high
fives after a recent game at Citizens Bank Stadium at Blakemore Field.
F
or more than 60 years, the Boys and
lessons and crafts. The club also offers engaging
esteem. The initiatives also demonstrate the
Girls Club of Van Buren has opened its
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
importance of making wise choices in school,
doors to local youth. With a mission “to
Math) curriculum, along with computer lab
at home, and in relationships. Torch Club and
enable all young people, especially those who
time, photography club, and other specialized
the Youth of the Year Scholarship program
need us most, to reach their full potential as
programming.
help mold members into leaders and give
productive, caring, responsible citizens,” the
“Our club is a safe place for members to
club strives to empower its members through
go when school gets out at 3 p.m.,” explained
mentoring, educational, and recreational
Faldon. “Our kids not only receive a healthy
“These programs help members to develop
programs. BGCVB is committed to ensuring
meal and homework help, but they also have
essential skills, make lasting connections, and
its members’ futures are bright and that they
access to staff who genuinely care for them
to have fun,” noted Faldon.
are set up for success.
and who are looking out for their overall well-
In addition to its after school programs, the
them opportunities to serve in the club and the community.
The organization was founded in 1958 as the
being. When they come here, they know they
club also offers summer sessions, which feature
Boys Club and had 50 charter members. Over
are welcomed and wanted, and that this is a
many of the same offerings, as well as fun
time, it evolved into the Boys and Girls Club of
place where they can be themselves.”
outings and summer learning initiatives.
Van Buren and expanded its mission to include
Programs such as Passport to Manhood and
The Boys and Girls Club of Van Buren is
a wide-array of sports and afterschool programs.
SMART Girls help reinforce Boys and Girls
located at 1403 City Park Road in Van Buren.
Today, BGCVB serves more than 1,500 youth
Club values and help students develop self-
Call (479) 474-9401 or visit VBClub.org.
annually, ranging in age from 6-18. Executive Director Cindy Faldon sees firsthand each day the impact the club has on children and teens. The club teaches teamwork and helps students stay active through various sports, including basketball, baseball, volleyball and soccer. More than 240 members also take part in the after school program every day. Upon arrival, they each receive a nutritious meal and are given the chance to interact with club staff. Members can get homework help for their school assignments or burn off energy playing games and sports. The learning and art centers allow members to participate in fun
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 19
National Register of Historic Places Bob Burns House (Van Buren - Crawford County) 821 Jefferson 1885 frame house, home of 1930s radio and movie star
Parkview Street behind City Heights Methodist Church on Fayetteville Road. 1841-1842 Greek Revival home of early newspaper publisher
Bryan House (Van Buren - Crawford County) 105 Fayetteville St. 1886 Queen Anne Revival structure
Col. Jacob Yoes Building (Chester - Crawford County) Front Street 1887 structure from railroad boom days
Bryant-Lasater House (Mulberry-Crawford County) 770 N. Main St. 1900 home, medical facility
Crawford County Road 32D Bridge (Natural Dam - Crawford County) County Road 32D over Cove Creek 1937 open masonry substructure bridge
Cedar Creek Bridge (Rudy - Crawford County) Arkansas 348 over Cedar Creek 1938 steel Pratt through-truss bridge Cedarville School Building (Cedarville - Crawford County) County Road 523 1931 educational structure Chester Masonic Lodge and Community Building (Chester - Crawford County) Front and Dickson Streets 1942 Plain Traditional-style meeting place Clarke-Harrell-Burson House (Van Buren - Crawford County)
Dr. Charles Fox Brown House (Van Buren - Crawford County) 420 Drennen St. 1867 house joining Greek Revival and Italianate styles Drennen-Scott House (Van Buren - Crawford County) Drennen Reserve-N. 3rd St. 1836 home of town’s founder Fairview Cemetery (Van Buren - Crawford County) Bounded by Arkansas 59, McKibben Avenue and Poplar Street 19th and 20th century (1816-
20 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
1955) city cemetery
Pennsylvania through-truss bridge
Fairview Cemetery, Confederate Section (Van Buren - Crawford County) Southwest of junction of McKibben and 10th Streets 1860s Civil War-era burial ground for Confederate troops
Lee Creek Bridge (Natural Dam - Crawford County) Arkansas 59 over Lee Creek 1930s Pennsylvania steel-truss bridge
Frog Bayou Bridge (Mountainburg - Crawford County) Arkansas 282 over Frog Bayou 1942 Parker steel through-truss bridge Henry Clay Mills House (Van Buren – Crawford County) 425 N. 15th St. single-dwelling home circa 1875 High Rock Petroglyph Shelter (Restricted - Crawford County) Location Restricted circa 1500 rock art site Joseph Starr Dunham House (Van Buren - Crawford County) 401 Drennen St. circa 1870 “Carpenter Gothic” house Lee Creek Bridge (Cove City - Crawford County) Arkansas 220 over Lee Creek late 1800s late 19th-century
Mount Olive United Methodist Church (Van Buren - Crawford County) Lafayette and Knox Streets 1889 vernacular Gothic Revival church of black congregation Mountainburg High School (Mountainburg – Crawford County) U.S. 71 1925 educational facility Mulber r y Home Economics Building (Mulberry - Crawford County) Church Street 1939 National Youth Administration-built structure Mulberry River Bridge (Mulberry – Crawford County) CR 67, Pleasant Hill 1929 Pratt three-span through-truss bridge No. 12 School (near Chester - Crawford County) East of County Road 402, six miles west of Chester circa 1895 one-room schoolhouse
Old School Presbyterian Church (Van Buren – Crawford County) 421 Webster St. circa 1900 religious, educational and social facility Slack-Comstock-Marshall Farm (Uniontown - Crawford County) North of Highway 220 Plain Traditional-style farmhouse built between 1885 and 1918, and related historic outbuildings Van Buren Confederate Monument (Van Buren - Crawford County) 3rd and Main Streets 1899 commemorative sculpture Van Buren Historic District (Van Buren - Crawford County) 6 blocks of Main Street commercial structures built between 1880 and 1900 Van Buren Post Office (Van Buren - Crawford County) 22 S. 7th St. 1936 structure featuring Depression-era mural on interior Wilhauf House (Van Buren - Crawford County) 109 N. 3rd St. Rear circa 1838 Greek Revival house
Wilhauf House and Women’s Literary Club
T
he Wilhauf House, a historic property in downtown Van Buren owned by the University of Arkansas – Fort
Smith, received a $600,000 grant in 2017 from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resource Council to continue renovating the property. The funds will continue the university’s work of restoring the house to showcase exhibits and provide historical interpretation learning opportunities. The locale also will house the Arkansas Archaeological Survey Research Station, which is currently located at the Echols Building on UAFS campus. Archaeological work is also being done at the site, focusing around a recently discovered cellar that dated to earlier in the house’s history. Estimated to be the second-oldest house in Van Buren behind the Drennen-Scott House – which is also owned by UAFS – the Wilhauf
The Wilhauf House
House is on the National Register of Historic Places and was built by German immigrant Leonard Wilhauf, who ran a bakery in Van Buren in the mid-19th century. The house, located at 109 N. Third St., south of the Drennen-Scott Historic Site, marks an expansion effort of the university’s footprint in Van Buren. UAFS acquired the property in 2015, after Sandra Pearson and Melissa Wick, whose parents owned the house previously, donated it to the university. UAFS also received a $350,000 grant from the ANCRC shortly after acquiring the property to begin renovations and received a $250,000 grant in 2016 to continue the project. Tom Wing, director of the Drennen-Scott Historic Site who is overseeing the Wilhauf renovations, said the university was honored to receive the grant. “This grant by ANCRC shows their approval of our work so far and will allow us to move the restoration much further towards completion,” he said. “We are honored to have such great support by ANCRC.” Wing estimated the restorations will be
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 21
Wilhauf House and Women’s Literary Club completed in 2019.
Drennen-Scott Site The Drennen-Scott Historic Site and Visitor Center is located at 221 North 3rd St. Admission is free and open to the public Thursdays 1-5 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations are accepted. For more information or to book a group tour, call (479) 262-2750 during operating hours.
Women’s Literary Club The tense, wildly unpredictable activity of the Civil War once threw a cannonball through the roof of one area building. Made of brick and wood and located at 421 Webster St. in downtown Van Buren, the single-story structure now serves as the home for the Women’s Literary Club of Van Buren, but back in the 1860s, the building acted as a hospital for both Union and Confederate forces. Part of the damage from that cannonball still lives on inside the building. “Our club’s wooden gavel was made from the building’s rafters after the cannonball went through the roof,” said Lynne Rotert, vice president and grant writer for the Women’s Literary Club. “There were six gavels made from the rafters, with other people having the other gavels. We are proud to have our gavel.” First built in 1844 and named on the National Register of Historic Places about 10 years ago, the building once served as the Old School Presbyterian Church, Rotert said. The land for the building was donated by the late John Drennen, she said. “Troops both from the North and the South used the building as a hospital, and the North used it as a headquarters,” Rotert said. “I had also heard that Native Americans came here to sign documents, but we haven’t been able to find the documentation for that yet. Women’s Literary Club, 421 Webster St.
“And of all the buildings in Van Buren during the Civil War, this building was the least damaged,” she added. “Because it had the least amount of damage, the building was used for church, for speeches, for plays and a lot of other things.” The Women’s Literary Club of Van Buren, established in 1896, took over ownership of the building in 1921, and the building served as a public library for Van Buren until the early 1960s, Rotert said. With the help of grants and donations, the Women’s Literary Club continues to preserve and make improvements to the historic building.
22 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
History of Crawford County
S
hortly after the first fort in what would
was considered, but problems of water supply
until June 2, 1825, (Osage) and April 15, 1843,
be Fort Smith was constructed, David
and transportation to the bluff outweighed
(Cherokee).
Boyd arrived at the future town site of
the advantages. The site for the new fort was
Van Buren in 1818 as a log raiser.
Fort Smith was established to help quell some of the fighting between the tribes and
purchased and built across the river.
Thomas Martin arrived later and was assisted
Van Buren was first incorporated as a town
various treaties, dating back to 1801, worked to
by Boyd in building a log house for Martin,
by the state legislature on Dec. 24, 1842. The
establish what lands the tribes had remaining.
who claimed squatters rights to the land. A few
town was re-incorporated on Jan. 4, 1845.
others gathered around Martin’s home, and it
The county was expanded in 1821 and the border continued to grow or contract until it
The County
became a boat landing and a small settlement.
was settled upon in 1881 when the boundary
Daniel and Thomas Phillips purchased
Crawford County was the third one formed
Martin’s claim in 1819, the same year Arkansas
after Arkansas became a territory in October
was organized as a territory of the United
1820. Crawford County was the eighth in what
States. The Phillips constructed a wood yard to
was included in Arkansas Territory, as five
supply fuel for the steamboat traffic along the
were formed while it was part of the Missouri
Arkansas River. The community was named
Territory.
line between Crawford and Washington counties was formally established.
The Courthouse Prior to 1821, the first county seat of Crawford County was in the home of John
The county is named in honor of William
Jay, who lived on the north side of the
The first post office at Phillips Landing was
Harris Crawford of Georgia, then Secretary of
Arkansas River between the eastern and
officially established on March 30, 1831, and
the Treasury (1816-1825) for both Presidents
western boundaries of the county. The county
was named for President Andrew Jackson’s
James Madison and James Monroe.
courthouse moved at least five times (including
“Phillips Landing.”
new secretary of state, Martin Van Buren.
At the time of the formation the area was
a location in Fort Smith and Logan County) by
Thomas Phillips became the town’s first
occupied by Osage and Cherokee tribes. The
1838. The Arkansas General Assembly formally
postmaster general.
lands weren’t formally ceded by the tribes
established Van Buren as the county seat (“seat
A new settlement called Columbus, about a mile below Van Buren, was established sometime prior to or in 1832. The first mention of the settlement was when Edward Cunningham relocated his mercantile business from Van Buren to Columbus. Later records show that John Henry & Company — which included John Drennen and David Thompson — moved into Cunningham’s building in 1835. Also, during that year, Drennen represented Crawford County at the Constitutional Convention and assisted in the drafting of the first Arkansas Constitution. Drennen and Thompson later bought the town site of Van Buren from Thomas Phillips for $11,000 sometime in 1837 after Arkansas officially became a state in June 1836. Soon, Van Buren became the center of distribution of goods for Northwest Arkansas and ferrying supplies and troops across the river to Fort Smith. The old Fort Smith at Belle Point was decommissioned in 1837 and the U.S. Government searched for a new site for a fort. The bluff at the mouth of Lee’s Creek
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 23
History of Crawford County of justice” as it was called then).
was not surveyed until 1879 and then
The first court sessions were held in a one-
incorporated in 1881. The first store
room log house with a shed room for the
was erected by Charles Crowell in 1875
clerk’s office and was utilized for a few years
just north of where the present post
before until the courthouse was built.
office is now located.
W
illiam Harris Crawford also served as
Secretary
of War (1815-
16), ambassador to France (1813-15) and U.S. sena-
On the condition that Van Buren would
Chester
remain the permanent home of the county
tor (1807-13). Crawford
The land was being developed as early
was nominated by Geor-
as 1839, but it wasn’t until 1884 with
gia (his home state) for
In the Battle of Van Buren, Dec. 28, 1862,
the completion of the Frisco Railroad
vice president in 1828, but
the building escaped damage by the Federal
that the area saw growth. Prior to the
withdrew his nomination due to lack of support
troops, but all the records of the years 1855 to
completion, Captain J.C. Wright erected
from other states. He considered running for
1860 housed there, were destroyed.
a small building to house the post office
vice president in 1832, but decided against it in
and to keep a few groceries.
favor of Martin Van Buren.
courthouse, Drennen and Thompson donated land, the public square, in 1839.
From 1854 until the start of the Civil War, Van Buren was host to the Federal Court of
The Frisco roundhouse, and a repair
Crawford was the leading nomination of the
the Western District of Arkansas. The Federal
shop were completed by July 1887 and
Democratic-Republican Party in 1824, but a stroke
Court was later moved to Fort Smith in 1871,
gave employment to about 100 men.
put him out of the running.
where it permanently resides.
Later that year a general merchandise
When he was a state legislator in 1802, Crawford
The courthouse burned on March 23, 1877.
store and a drug store were also in
killed an ally, Peter Van Alen, of a political rival,
Most of the county records, dating back to
place. J.W. Emerson started a saw mill
John Clark, in a duel. Clark, injured Crawford in
1820, were destroyed. An election was held to
in the fall of 1887 to supply the railway
another duel in 1806.
determine whether to keep the courthouse in
company. North Van Buren Methodist Church was
Van Buren or move it to Alma. Van Buren won.
Dyer
During the reconstruction, the original cupola was replaced and the town clock was installed.
The land where Dyer sits was purchased from
The courthouse was remodeled in 1940 with
the railroad company in 1880 by S.M. Dyer, but
an additional new wing built, as well.
Alma
the area was first settled by Steve and George Dyer. The railroad was completed in 1876 and
reorganized in 1886 after the membership dissolved sometime after 1856. The area was called “City Heights” after 1906.
Mountainburg
the first depot was constructed in 1887. The first
The present site of Mountainburg was
The land on which Alma now stands was
grocery store was located in the depot. Later
purchased by George Dyer in 1846 and land
bought from the government by Armstead
JW. Moss operated a separate grocery store near
was given to the Frisco railroad in 1882.
Smoot between 1835 and 1840. The property
the depot.
changed hands three times up until the Civil War until it was sold to Col. Mathias F. Locke, who built the first house in 1868 or 1869. The first post office was established near the corner
The first cotton gin and grist mill was running in 1888. On June 30, 1909, the entire business section of Dyer was burned and nothing was saved.
Mulberry The act in 1895 which redrew the Crawford and Johnson county lines put Mulberry in Crawford County. The home of Dr. T.A. Carter, located east of Main Street, was the
of Main and Fayetteville by early 1872.
Figure Five
The public hall, used as a school, church
first dwelling when it was erected in 1874. A
and other public purposes, was constructed in
The first store was erected in 1904 and the
store and another residence were constructed
1872 near the site of the present school. By
first post office was established in either 1904 or
by 1876 and the next store appeared in 1877.
early 1876, the Little Rock-Fort Smith railroad
1905. The first Baptist church was constructed
Mulberry incorporated in 1880.
had the line completed to Alma.
in 1902, followed by a Methodist church in
The first canning company operating in Alma was the Alma Canning and Evaporation
1909. The earliest settlers were recorded to have been in the area in 1840.
a newer settlement, a few miles south of the
Company, incorporated in August 1888.
Cedarville Cedarville was settled at about 1835, but it
Natural Dam The area was settled as early as 1828 and
Log Town
dam right on Highway 59, began after 1870.
(Collinsville or North Van Buren)
In 1876, a store and dwelling house became
The town was first settled in 1828. The
24 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
the nucleus for the new settlement.
Rudy The town of Rudy was originally called Kenton and was settled about 1830. Land was deeded to Frisco railroad to help ease the transportation of cotton to Alma or Van Buren. By the turn of the century, Rudy had its own cotton mill, grist mill and a saw mill.
Uniontown Originally called Hickor y Grove, it was settled in 1850 by Henry Howell of Tennessee. The name was changed to Unionville and then to its current name. The first store was built prior to 1861 and shortly thereafter a mill and cotton gin was constructed.
Other Notables The first newspaper to be published in Van Buren was the “Intelligencer” in 1842. This paper was in existence in 1859. The same year that the “Intelligencer” was discontinued, the Van Buren Press made its appearance with Joseph Starr Dunham as owner and editor. The first issue was printed on July 6, 1859, and continued until Jan. 23, 1862. Due to the Civil War it was impossible to obtain paper for printing. On Feb. 3, 1866, the “Van Buren Press” was again printed after a lapse of four years. Mr. Dunham, as editor and publisher, printed the Van Buren Press for 48 years, from 1859 until the day of his death in 1912. The Little Rock and Fort Smith railway was organized in 1853. The first president of the Company was John Drennen of Van Buren. On June 24, 1876, the first train entered Van Buren from Little Rock. The railway continued to opposite Fort Smith where passengers and cargo was moved across the Arkansas river on big flat boats. In 1916 the St. Louis Iron Mountain and Southern was re-named the Missouri Pacific railway. The Frisco, the St. Louis and San Francisco railway, was completed from St. Louis, Mo., to Van Buren in June 1882. On March 28, 1960, the last Missouri Pacific passenger train made its last run from Van Buren to Coffeyville, Kan. The Frisco passenger trains made their last run on Sept. 17, 1965.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 25
Recreation
Drivers get ready for the Memorial Day opening ceremonies at Crawford County Speedway, located north of Van Buren. The dirt track hosts racing from March to October each year.
rawford County has a variety of recre-
C
The season begins on Memorial Day
ational activities, ranging from boat-
weekend and continues until Labor Day
ing on the Arkansas River during the
wekend.
dition to hunting, hiking or camping at one
make a reservation.
summer, golfing at one of four courses; in ad-
Call (479) 632-0700 for more information to
of the nearby state parks.
Swimming
Swimming Pools
Bluff Hole Park located along Highway 64 in
Alma Aquatics Center, located north on
Mulberry. The bluffs are in Franklin County but
Highway 71 (turn right on Collum, then left at
the water is in Crawford County. Has 13 picnic
the sign) is open from noon-7 p.m. daily.
tables and a pavilion for group functions. Cost
The water park has two swimming pools
is $5 per day use fee.
with eight slides and a couple of play areas,
Movie Theater
including one with a covered wading pool for
Malco Cinema, located on Pointer Trail
the younger swimmers.
parties, (479) 424-1888.
Escape Room Great Escape Mystery Rooms, located at 505 Main Street in Van Buren. Offers several themed rooms to challenge your inner detective. Call (479) 689-9120. www. greatescapemysteryrooms.com
Tennis Courts • Located near Van Buren High School on East Pointer Trail. • Located near the Alma Aquatics Center.
Baseball/Softball Fields
The Aquatics Center is available for private
between Highway 59 and Van Buren High
• Field of Dreams in Van Buren, located
parties. There is a large pavilion adjacent to
School, is an all-digital, eight-screen theater.
on Lee Creek Road. Get on I-40 headin west
the Aquatic Center is also available for parties.
The theater has matinee shows during the
towards Oklahoma. The complex includes
The pavilion must be reserved for use during
summer, holidays and weekends.
little league fields, high school fields and newly
the regular season.
Malco also has a room set aside for birthday
added softball fields. • Alma has a baseball/softball complex behind the high school.
Flying Disc Golf • Alma Flying Disc Golf Course, 18-hole course. Mountain Grove Road. • Alma Middle School, 9-hole course. 706 Highway 64 East. • Mulberry City Park, 9-hole course. 419 Highway 64 West. • Practice courses, located next to Butterfield Trail Middle School, Van Buren Freshman Academy and Van Buren High School. • Van Buren City Park., 18-hole course. 1409
26 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Recreation City Park Road.
Golf • Cedars Country Club, a 9-hole course carved from a thick, wooded hillside within the Van Buren city limits. It offers a unique challenge to golfers of any age. Each hole has two sets of tees to allow a full-round of 18 holes. The course underwent a large renovation that installed a new irrigation system. It’s a par 71 course that measures 6,109 yards. Cedars has 4 par three holes, 3 par five holes, and 11 par four holes. Phone: (479) 474-2412. • Eagle Crest, nestled in the Ozark Mountains
Van Buren served as the site for the 4th annual Clash at the Dam held at Dr. Louis Peer Memorial
Park and Cedars Country Club in late March. The event, a Tier-B tournament, was hosted by the Western Arkansas Flying Disc Association (WAFDA) with more than 130 participants competing in both pro and amateur divisions.
with towering trees. Eagle Crest lies on a highrolling terrain east of Alma. The par 71 course measures 6,869 yards from the blue tees, 6,246 yards from the white tees and 5,254 yards from the red tees. Eagle crest has 6 par three holes, 5 par five holes and 7 par four holes. Phone: 1-888-966-GOLF. • River Valley Golf, sits quietly off Highway 64 east of Alma. River Valley golf offers much for the average golfer. The par 71 course measures 5,627 yards from the blue tees, 5,189 yards from the white tees and 4,097 from the red tees. River Valley Golf has 5 par three holes, 4 par five holes and 9 par four holes. Phone: (479) 997-1188. • Winn Mountain Golf Course, located eight miles north of Alma off of Highway 71. The par 70 course measures 5,524 yards from the blue tees; 5,209 yards from the white tees; 4,433 yards from the gold tees and 3,777 yards from the red tees. Winn Mountain Golf Course has 6 par three holes, 8 par four, and 4 par five. Call (479) 662-6007. (Continues on Page 30)
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 27
IN OUR GREATEST RESOURCES! Our children are our greatest resources, which is why the Van Buren School District invests so much into ser ving and protecting its students. VBSD utilizes tax-payer dollars to provide pupils with a high-quality educational experience. By investing in today ’s youth, District leaders are helping to set our children and our community up for future success!
In 2016, VBSD implemented a long-term plan to replace buses in its aging fleet. The plan was made possible by the passage of a communitysuppor ted millage increase. District leaders have utilized tax-payer funds to replace older, high-mileage buses with new models, equipped with top-of-the -line safety features. The upgrades help drivers ensure that students get to and from school safely. The improved replacement plan al s o p u t s V B S D i n - l i n e w i t h n a t i o n a l transpor tation safety standards.
Having passionate, qualified teachers is essential to a s c h o o l ’s s u cce s s. D i s t r i c t l e a d e r s k n ow t h at h a v i n g competitive staff salaries helps in recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers, w h o i n t u r n p rov i d e students with a more positive learning environment. In 2018, the VBSD Board of E d u c a t i o n announced that it would increase teacher pay by 3% and provide additional benefit incentives. Van Buren values its teachers and the commitment they have to our children and community.
Keeping students safe is a top priority. VBSD wants kids to feel secure so they can focus on learning. Over the past year, schools have implemented new check-in software to help better track visitors. Schools also employ “buzz-in” technology and keep entrance doors locked throughout the day. Tornado safe rooms are located on multiple VBSD campuses. These structures are built to withstand winds from an F4 tornado.
Exciting upgrades to VBSD facilities are taking place throughout the District! At VBHS, students will return to a new cafeteria this fall. They will have access to a wider range of healthy food options and additional check-out stations. The VBHS track is also getting a makeover. In addition to being resur faced, the facility will include new admission and concession stands. Such updates will enable the city to host regional meets, bringing in revenue for the community. Construction plans are also currently in the works for a new elementar y school in nor th Van Buren. The campus will be equipped with the latest in safety and instruction technologies and will help prevent overcrowding in existing classrooms. 28 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
In 2018, the District announced that ever y campus would employ a full-time School Resource Officer. SROs work with school leaders to address safety and discipline issues. The officers also interact with students daily to help them have a better understanding of and appreciation for law enforcement.
479.474.7942 vbsd.us twitter.com/vbsd facebook.com/VbSchoolDistrict SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 29
Recreation and shouldn’t be consumed by women who may be pregnant, want to get pregnant, or breast feeding, children under seven, and no more than twice a week by others. • Lake Lou Emma. Located just north of I-40 in Van Buren on Highway 59, behind McDonald’s. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass combined daily limit is five. The catfish daily limit is five. Open to fishing with rod or pole only and there is a handicappedaccessible fishing pier available. • Arkansas River. The Lock & Dam, located between Van Buren in Fort Smith along Highway 64, offers one of the best spots in the state for stripped bass as well as crappie. (Continued from Page 27)
Racing
Visit www.oldfortgunclub.com for more information and directions.
Outdoors
Crawford County Speedway hosts racing each Saturday from March to October. The
Hunting. Arkansas offers a variety of hunting
track hosts six classes of stock car racing with
seasons including in Crawford County. The
special Powder Puff, Mechanics and Vintage
most popular is deer season which is broken
stock classes on occasion.
down into six separate seasons (Archery,
The track is located six miles north of Van Buren on Highway 59. Visit www.crawfordcountyspeedway.net.
Shooting
Christmas Holiday Modern Gun, Modern Gun, Muzzleloader, Private Land and a special Youth Modern Gun). Crawford County has three separate deer hunting zones (1A, Zone 6 and Zone 7), as well as two turkey zones.
Old Fort Gun Club. Maintains two separate ranges. The River Range is the largest and
Fishing
most frequently used range for events and
• Lake Fort Smith. Located eight miles north
competitions. The Alma Range is smaller and
of Mountainburg on U.S. 71, or take Exit 29
is primarily used for shorter shootin distances
off I-540 at Mountainburg. The black bass (16
and shotgun related shooting sports.
inches or longer) has mercury contamination
• Vine Prairie Park in Mulberry. The Little Mulberry River and Vine Prairie Creek come together at the boat launch to provide access to the Arkansas River.
Camping Vine Prairie Park also offers campgrounds. The park has a large pavilion available for group functions, 13 campground spots with hook-ups and 10 primitive camping areas for tents as well as restroom facilities. Campground rentals are $20 a day with reduced rates for senior citizens. Primitive camping areas rent for $10 a day. Day use is $5 a day per vehicle. Be sure to check with www.afgc.com for license information in addition to other regulations and requirements.
State Park Lake Fort Smith State Park. Nestled in a scenic valley of the Boston Mountain Range of the Ozark Mountains, this state park is on the western side of 1,400-acre Lake Fort Smith. Here you can enjoy outdoor adventures including camping, fishing, kayaking, swimming, mountain biking, hiking, and nature study. For backpackers, the park serves as the western terminus of the 165-mile Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail. The park features campsites [20 Class AAA and 10 Class B], group facilities including
30 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Recreation of how, through time, good water made this valley a place of hope, faith and sacrifice. The gallery includes a log cabin, covered wagon, re-created Shepherd Spring, and a diorama of the lake. Many exhibits are hands-on, and some contain live education animals. Families with children will enjoy spending time here discovering the natural and cultural history of the area. A theater features a 16-minute video that further tells the park’s story and will connect you to the water resources of this valley. Interpretive programs are offered in the park throughout the year by the park staff. These activities include cruises and kayak tours on the lake, hikes, outdoor workshops,
a dining hall and two group lodges with
double lane boat launch ramp, hiking trails,
kitchenettes that can accommodate up to 32
and a playground. The park’s 8,000-square-
persons (16 in each wing) each, 10 cabins,
foot visitor center includes exhibits, a meeting/
picnic sites, a pavilion, 2,660-square-foot
classroom, and an outdoor patio featuring
From its original location, Lake Fort Smith
swimming pool with adjacent wading pool
a native stone, wood-burning fireplace and a
State Park was relocated to this site on the lake’s
and a splash pad, marina with boat rentals,
lake view. The exhibit gallery tells the stories
western side due to the enlarging of Lake Fort
and more.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 31
Recreation Smith and Lake Shepherd Springs into a single reservoir to provide additional water storage for the future needs of the municipal water supply serving Fort Smith, Arkansas. The park opened at this new site in May 2008. The design of the park’s facilities evokes the architectural style of the WPA facilities constructed in the 1930s that were featured in the original park. For those who remember the park’s original location, Lake Fort Smith State Park was relocated to this scenic site on the lake’s western side due to the enlarging of Lake Fort Smith and Lake Shepherd Springs into a single reservoir to provide additional water storage for the future needs of the municipal water supply serving Fort Smith, Arkansas. The park opened at this new site in May 2008. The design of the park’s new facilities evokes the architectural style of the WPA facilities constructed in the 1930s that were featured in the original park. For park details or to book campsite, cabin or group overnight reservations online, visit ArkansasStateParks.com/ LakeFortSmith. Campsite reservations can also be made by calling the park at: 479-369-2469. Lake Fort Smith State Park cabin and group facilities’ reservations can be made by calling toll-free: 888-695-3526. The park is eight miles north of Mountainburg on U.S. 71, or take Exit #29 off I-49 at Mountainburg and go east on Ark. 282 for 1.8 mile to U.S. 71, then travel north on U.S. 71 for 7.5 miles to Shepherd Springs Road, Dinosaurs at Mountainburg City Park.
then turn east on Shepherd Springs Road and go two miles to the park. [Alternate: Take I-49 Exit 34 at Chester and go east on Ark. 282 to U.S. 71 North.]
Lake Fort Smith Visitor Center Jan. - Dec. Sun. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. With the following exception: May 27 - Sept. 3 - Fri. & Sat. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Pool May 28 - Aug. 20 Sun. – Sat. noon - 6 p.m. Aug. 21 - Sept. 5 Sat., Sun. & Labor Day noon - 6 p.m. Note: Schedule may vary based on school
32 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Recreation openings and closings. Pool available for private
Open year-round.
The trail is a 15 mile looped backpacking
parties.
trail. It starts at Devil’s Den State Park. Trail
Marina
Directions: Head north on Arkansas 59 N/
Apr. 1 - May 21 Wed. – Sun. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fayetteville Road (past Northridge Drive). Turn
May 22 - Sept. 10 Sun. – Sat. 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.
left onto Old Uniontown Road (1.1 miles). Stay
Sept. 11 - Oct. 31 Wed. – Sun. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
to the right to remain on Old Uniontown Road
maps are available at the park. A free permit is required. Open year-round. Features cave, forest, lake, river, waterfall, wildlife, wildflowers.
(.5 mi.). Turn left onto Pine Hollow Road (2
Backpacking Ozark Highlands Trail - Western Terminus (C-2) (National Recreation Trail)
mi.). Turn left onto Gelly Drive (church on
Directions: Eight miles south of Fayetteville
the corner), destination will be on the right (.8
on I-49 (Exit 53), then 18 miles southwest on
mi.). The trail heads are on the NW corner of
Hwy. 170, or 7 miles west of I-49 (Exit 45) at
the parking lot.
Winslow on Hwy. 74.
Lake Fort Smith State Park Region: Ozarks Length: 3 - 165
Kayaking
Lake Alma trail The trail is a 3.3 mile moderately trafficked
Cedar Creek and West Cedar Creek
Difficulty: Easy - Moderate - Strenuous
loop trail near Alma. It features a waterfall
A 9.3 mile trail located near Cedarville. The
Brochure: Free downloadable topo map
and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers
trail is primarily used for whitewater kayaking.
available Location: Eight miles north of Mountainburg on U.S. 71. Trail begins at the visitor center
a number of activity options and is open year round. Dogs are permissible, but must be kept on a leash.
Directions: Head north on Arkansas 59 N/Fayetteville Road (about 10 miles from downtown Van Buren). Turn right onto State
Description: The western terminus of the Ozark Highlands Trail begins behind the visitor
Devil’s Den State Park
Highway 162/HWY 162 (2.2 mi.) Sharp left
center at Lake Fort Smith State Park. The park
Butterfield Hiking Trail
onto Creekway Bend (.3 mi.) Destination will
manages the first 3 miles in the park with the Ozark Highlands Trail Assocaition managing the rest of the trail system. Water falls, ridges, and valleys are all experienced as one hikes the trail. This trail can be completed all at once taking or by breaking it up into sections. The eastern terminus is located along the Buffalo National River at the location known as Woolum, 165 miles from Lake Fort Smith State Park. For Information: Park Superintendent, Mountainburg, Ark., 72946, (479) 369-2469
Hiking Lee Creek Public Use Area Crack In the Rock Loop trail The trail is a 1.5 mile walk along parts of a creek, through the woods to a bluff line with a nice crevasse and moss-covered rock formations. The elevation gain is about 223 feet and it is open year-round and has a waterfall. Cemetery Loop trail Takes you a bluff overlooking the lake, through an abandoned cemetery, past the remains of an old homestead. The trail is about .75 miles long.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 33
Recreation along Highway 309, south of Crawford County) Arkansas’s 2,753-foot high point is the most dramatic location for technical rock climbing in Arkansas. This flat-topped mountain, with its rugged bluffs, deep canyons and natural diversity, is the highest peak in Arkansas. Traditional Arkansas bouldering and sport climbing as well as rappelling is allowed in a designated area on the mountain’s south bluff overlooking the Petit Jean River Valley. This 1,500-foot wide stretch of sandstone boasts more than 100 routes up to 80 feet high, ranging from 5.5 to 5.12c in difficulty, with plenty in the 5.10 and under range as well as plenty of Arkansas bouldering areas. Before rock climbing in Arkansas at Mount Magazine, you are required to register at the state park visitor center. Phone: (479) 963-8502 or 1-877665-6343. be on the right.
onto AR-282 E/US-71 Bypass (.7 mi.) Turn left
Clear Creek
onto US-71 N (5.5 mi.) Turn left onto Schaberg
Schaberg to Mountainburg is a 9.5 mile
Rd (1.9 mi.) Slight right to stay on Schaberg Rd
trail located near Mountainburg. The trail is
(374 ft.) Destination will be on the left.
primarily used for whitewater kayaking.
Driving Directions: Head out on US-64 E/US-71 Bus
Boston Mountains Scenic Loop Byway
N/E Main Street and take the I-540 N ramp to
An 80-mile loop beginning at Alma, traveling
I-40/Little Rock/Oklahoma City. Merge onto
north on Hwy 71 to Fayetteville, and returning
I-540. Take exit 1B for I-40 East toward Little
to Alma I-49. Scenic views, hiking trails, camping
Rock. Merge onto 1-40 E (4.3 mi.) Take Exit
at state parks, are along the drive.
12 toward Fayetteville/I-49 (.8 mi.) Continue onto I-49 North (13.8 mi.) Take exit 34 for State Route 282 toward Chester (.3 mi.) Turn left
Rock Climbing Mount Magazine (located near Paris, Ark.,
Nature Center The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center sits on 170 acres of land in Fort Smith that were previously part of Fort Chaffee. The building overlooks Wells Lake. The trails around the lake feature exhibit signs highlighting the lake, grounds and animals using the area. Built in the fertile Arkansas River Valley, the center focuses on the wide variety of animals and birds that call the area home. In addition to resident Canada geese and small mammals and turtles calling the center home, many colorful songbirds stop by on their journeys to and from wintering grounds farther south. While many visitors come to the center for the interesting exhibits inside, just as many find the trails, native plants on the grounds and canoeing or fishing in the lake just as enjoyable. In addition to the interactive displays and a 1,200-gallon aquarium, the center houses a classroom for educational programs such as the Hunter’s Safety and Boating Safety courses and a multi-purpose room for community events. The Center is open Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sundays 1-5 p.m. The nature center is closed on Thanksgiving
34 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Recreation Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. www.rivervalleynaturecenter. com. From I-40 take the Fort Smith/ Van Buren exit (Exit 7) onto I-540. Take the Springhill/Chaffee exit (Exit 3). Turn south on Ark. Hwy 59. Travel 8-10 miles south, until Hwy. 59 ends at Ark. Hwy. 22. Take a left on Ark. Hwy. 22, and take the first right after the railroad tracks. Turn right on Fort Chaffee Blvd and drive ½ mile to Roberts Ave. Turn right on Roberts and follow it about 1¾ mile to its end at Wells Lake Road. Take a left on Wells Lake Road; the Nature Center and Wells Lake are on the right.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 35
Churches Access Road Church of Christ, 711 Access
Amazing Grace Fellowship, 2020 Rena Road
a.m., worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m., and
Road in Van Buren, has Sunday Bible study at
in Van Buren, has Sunday school at 9 a.m.,
worship and children’s groups at 7 p.m.
9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:20 a.m. and 5 p.m.
worship at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Wednesday
Wednesday. Call 474-0526.
and Wednesday worship at 7 p.m. Call 471-1915.
at 7 p.m. Center Point Freewill Baptist Church, 11103
Alma Church of Christ, 45 Railroad St. in Alma, has Sunday study at 9 a.m., worship at
Apostolic Faith Church, 108 South 8th Street, Van Buren. Call 410-2347.
10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Wednesday service at 7 p.m.
Beneux Bottom Road north of Mulberry, has Sunday services at 10 and 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call 632-4529.
Assembly of God Church, 332 Heard Ave., Mulberry. Call 997-1065.
Alma First Freewill Baptist Church, two miles
Chester Freewill Baptist, 308 Chester, Mountainburg. Call 369-4756.
east of Alma on U.S. 64, has Sunday School at
Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church, 3130
10 a.m. and worship at 10:45 a.m. Call (479)
Pointer Trail East, Van Buren. Call 474-3630.
632-2276.
Christian Life Ministries, 4606 W. Highway 220 in Uniontown, has Sunday School at 10
Butterfield Assembly of God, 1302 N. 30th
a.m.; worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Monday
Alma Full Gospel Outreach, 31 Orrick Road,
Street in Van Buren, has Sunday school at 9
recovery program at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday
has worship at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and
a.m., Sunday morning worship at 10, Sunday
worship at 7 p.m. Call 414-9248.
7 p.m. on Wednesday. Monthly singing is the
evening worship at 6 and Wednesday worship
fourth Sunday at 6 p.m.
at 7 p.m. Call 474-4410.
Church of Christ, U.S. 64 West, Mulberry. Call 997-8121.
Alma Heights Missionary Baptist Church,
Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 2117
638 Rudy Road, has Sunday school at 10
Alma Blvd., Van Buren, has Sunday school at
a.m., worship at 11 a.m., BTC at 6 p.m. and
9:45 a.m., worship at 10:40 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Call 632-4897 or
and Wednesday classes at 7 p.m. and worship
632-3929.
at 7:30 p.m. Call 474-0642 or 474-2630.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 125 Canterbury Drive, Alma. Call 632-4643. City Heights Methodist Church, 1002 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren. Call 474-1547.
Alma Northside Church of Christ, 4935
Catcher Freewill Baptist Church, 2434
U.S. 71 North, has Sunday Bible classes at 9:30
Catcher Road in Van Buren, has Sunday
Community Bible Church, 1514
a.m., worship at 10:10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and
school at 9:45 a.m., and worship Sunday at
Construction Way in Van Buren, holds Sunday
Wednesday Bible classes at 7 p.m. Call 632-9730
10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 6
service at 10 a.m. Call 452-9201 or visit www.
or 474-0165.
p.m. Singing is the third Sunday night of the
communitychurch.com.
month. Alma United Methodist Church, 416 Short St., has Sunday school at 10 a.m. and Sunday service at 11 a.m.
Community Praise Church, 1620 Mulberry, Cedarville First Assembly of God Church
Van Buren. Call 474-3050.
on Arkansas 59 has Sunday school at 9:45 Concord Baptist Church, 6105 Alma Highway in Van Buren, has Sunday school at 9 a.m., worship and children’s church at 10 a.m., worship at 6 p.m., and Wednesday night Bible study at 6:45 p.m. Call 632-4678 or 474-9336. Cornerstone Community Church, 8335 Arkansas 59 in Cedarville, has Sunday services at 10 a.m., family night Tuesdays with dinner at 6 and prayer service Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Call (479) 719-1129.
36 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Churches Cornerstone Full Gospel Church, 430 A
Family Worship Center, 17th and Baldwin in
St., has small group classes at 9:30 a.m. with
North Main St. in Mulberry, has services Friday
Van Buren, has service Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and
worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays
at 7 p.m. and Saturday Bible study at 10 a.m.
Wednesday at 7 p.m.
and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 997-1151.
and worship at 11 a.m. Call (479) 213-3383. Fern Assembly of God, 18200 U.S. 215 Cross Church, 1506 Oak Grove Road in Van
North, Mountainburg. Call 369-4143.
Main St., has small group Bible study Sundays
Buren, has Sunday services at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Thursday service and Bible study at 7 p.m. Call (479) 883-4224. CrossPointe Community Church, 3304 Kibler Road, Van Buren, has Sunday School at 9:40
at 8:45 a.m., with worship at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., First Assembly of God, 1014 Fayetteville
and Wednesday Bible study, “Holy Grounds,” at
Road in Van Buren, has Sunday school at 9
10 a.m. in the fellowship hall and 6 p.m. Bible
a.m., Sunday worship at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
study. Call 474-1271.
and Wednesday worship, discipleship classes and youth service at 6:30 p.m. Call 474-7573.
and worship at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call 4743588. Dean Springs Missionary Baptist Church, 2107 Dean Springs Road in Alma, has Sunday
First Baptist Church of Van Buren, 1121 E.
First Church of God, 1819 Rena Road in Van Buren, has Sunday school at 9:45 a.m.,
First Baptist Church of Alma, 211 North
Sunday worship and children’s church at 10:40
Mountain Grove Road, has Sunday services
a.m., Sunday evening worship at 6 p.m. and
at 8:30 and 10:50 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and
Wednesday worship at 6:30 p.m. Call (479)
Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m. Call 632-2020.
226-6244.
school at 10 a.m., services at 5 (BTC) and 6 p.m. and Wednesday prayer and study at 7:30 p.m. Call 632-4338.
First Baptist Church of Cedarville has Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
First Church of the Nazarene, 2520 Alma Highway in Van Buren, holds Sunday school at 9 a.m., Sunday worship at 10 a.m. and Wednesday
Deliverance in Christ Tabernacle, 5911 Alma
First Baptist Church of Mulberry, 453 Church
service at 6:30 p.m. Call (479) 474-1186.
Highway, has Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call 471-9674 or 474-0303. Dora Assembly of God has Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday and at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Call 410-3520. Dora Pentecostal Church of God, 4926 Dora Road, has Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., Sunday worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday worship at 6 p.m. Call (479) 236-6904. Dyer Church of Christ, 425 N. Washington St., meets Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call 471-9233. Dyer First Baptist Church, 605 N. Washington St., has Sunday School at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 997-1031. Fairview Regular Baptist Church, U.S. 64 east of Mulberry, has Sunday school at 10 a.m., and worship Sundays at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 37
Churches First Freewill Baptist Church, Alma. Call 632-
Sunday and 7 p.m. Thursday. Call 632-4006.
2276.
at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Bible study is at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
God’s House of Promises, 243 West Cherry First Freewill Baptist Church, 227 U.S. 64
St. in Alma, holds Sunday school at 2 p.m. and
Hamtown Miracle Church, located between
in Mulberry, has Sunday school at 10 a.m. and
Sunday worship at 3 p.m. Worship and singing
Mulberry and Dyer, has services at 10 a.m. and
worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday night
is held Saturday at 6 p.m. Call (479) 221-6717.
6:30 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Thursday. Supper
supper at 6:15 p.m. and Wednesday Bible study at 7 p.m. Call 883-3811.
and singing is 6 p.m. the fourth Saturday. God’s Miracle Lighthouse, 1518 Georgia Ridge Road in Mulberry, has Sunday School at
First Presbyterian Church, 24 Oak Street, Alma. Call 632-2105.
10:30 a.m., worship at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. or 997-5714.
worship at 10:30 a.m.
2211.
and mid-week service at 7 p.m. Call 806-4502
First Presbyterian Church, 108 S. 10th St. in Van Buren, has Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and
Harmony Baptist Church, Alma. Call 632-
Hearts of Hope Church, 108 Hwy 71 North, Suite 104, Alma. 479-430-7371.
Gospel Rescue Mission service begins at 11 a.m. Sunday with dinner at noon.
Heritage Church, 1604 Pointer Trail in Van Buren, holds a contemporary service,
Freedom Freewill Baptist Church, 1710 Old Freedom Drive northeast of Alma, has Sunday
Grandview Assembly of God, 14542 U.S. 59 North, Natural Dam. Call 929-5659.
School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., C.T.S. at 5 p.m. Sundays, and Wednesday Bible study and children’s class at 7 p.m.
Graphic New Hope Baptist Church, one mile
available. Call 474-6424.
north of the Graphic Store, has Sunday school at 10 a.m., and worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Highway 71 Church of Christ has service Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday
and Cherry streets in Van Buren, has services
Graphic Southern Baptist Church has Sunday
at 9:45 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m.
School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Wednesday.
Wednesday Bible Study at 6 p.m., and Monday women’s Bible study at 6 p.m. Call 369-2683.
God’s Anchor, 200 S. 4th St. in Van Buren, a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call
9:30 a.m., and contemporary worship at 11 a.m. Sunday school is at 9:30 and 11 a.m. Nursery is
Friendly Pentecostal Church of God, 18th
has Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11
“Awakening,” at 8:05 a.m., traditional worship at
at 7 p.m. Call 970-4336 or 739-6543. Highway 71 Freewill Baptist Church, U.S. 71 north of Alma, has Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Second
Greater Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 35 S. 22nd St., Van Buren. Call 474-6598.
Sunday singing, fellowship and dinner is at 6 p.m. Call (479) 996-7802.
806-7744. Gregory Chapel Church of Christ, 727
Highway to Heaven Church, 109 W. Highway
God’s Harvest Pentecostal Church, 325 Ray
Gregory Chapel Road in Mountainburg, has
64 in Alma, has Sunday School at 10 a.m.,
Lane in Alma, has services at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Sunday Bible study at 10 a.m. and worship
worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday worship and youth service at 7 p.m. Holiness Block Church, 21 N. 7th St. in Van Buren, has Sunday services at 10 and 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Thursday service at 7 p.m. Call 474-0866. Independence Freewill Baptist Church in Natural Dam has Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Stand in the Gap at 5:30 p.m. and Wednesday worship at 7 p.m. Jehovah’s Witnesses, 5236 East Highway 64, Alma. Call 997-2113.
38 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Churches Jubilee Christian Center, 1901 Liberty Lane, Van Buren. Call 474-8088. Kenner Chapel Freewill Baptist Church, Hobbtown Road at Kenner Chapel Road, has Sunday School at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call 474-5503. Kibler Assembly of God Church, 127 West Kibler Highway, has Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Kibler Freewill Baptist Church, 705 Red Bud Lane, has Sunday School and worship, beginning at 10 a.m. Call 369-4555 or 6323512. Kibler United Methodist Church, 19 E. Members of Calvary Chapel serve a meal at the Crawford County Adult Education Center as an outreach at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday school at 10:30 a.m. and to help the students in attendance. Call 632-4433. worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and ladies Momentum Church, 4810 U.S. 64, Van Kibler Highway, has Sunday worship service
Lee Creek Baptist Church, 2445 Old Uniontown Road, Van Buren. Call 474-7974.
prayer meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday. Call 632-
Buren. Call 922-2342.
3502. Mountain View United Methodist Church,
Liberty Fellowship, 5530 Alma Highway in
Maple Shade Church of the Nazarene,
9007 Arkansas 282 North in Alma, has
Van Buren, has Sunday services at 10 a.m. and
1411 Maple Shade Road in Alma, has Sunday
worship at 9:30 a.m. and Sunday school at
6 p.m., and Wednesday youth and worship at
school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 10:45 a.m.
10:30 a.m. Call (479) 462-1320.
7 p.m. Call 471-3053.
and 6 p.m. Call 632-2649. Mountainburg Presbyterian Church, 1401
Lighthouse Baptist Church, 2811 Fayetteville Road, Van Buren. Call 474-7770.
Merge Church, 500 Jefferson St., Van Buren. Call 922-5142.
Highway 71, has church school at 9:15 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m.
Living Water Fellowship in Dyer has Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., Wednesday Bible study at 7 p.m. and singing 6 p.m. the first Sunday. Living Word Church, 1445 Clyde Cate Road, Van Buren. Call 474-4800. Living Word River Valley, 4510 U.S. 71 North, Alma. Call 632-2340. L o c k e F r e e w i l l B a p t i s t C h u rc h i n Mountainburg has Sunday school at 10 a.m.,
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 39
Churches Mulberry Church of Christ, U.S. 64 West,
a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and
has Bible class 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m.
Wednesday Bible study at 7 p.m. Call 997-
Sunday and Wednesday Bible study at 7 p.m.
1873.
North Park Baptist Church, 1516 N. 11th St., holds worship at 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sundays and youth and children’s services Wednesday
Mulberry First United Methodist Church, 317 Church St., has Sunday school at 10 a.m.,
New Heights Baptist Church, 1003 Rudy
worship at 11 a.m. and Holy Communion at 11 a.m., the first Sunday of each month. Call 997-1191.
Oak Bower Christian Center, 14822 New Hope United Methodist Church, 1339
a.m. Call 462-1320.
school at 9:45 a.m., Sunday worship at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Thursday evening worship at 7 p.m.
Oakbower Road, Mulberry. Call 997-8311.
Oak Grove Road in Van Buren, has Sunday worship at 9 a.m. and Sunday School at 10:15
Mulberry Full Gospel Church has Sunday
at 6 p.m. Call 474-9594.
Road, Alma. Call 632-8585.
Oak Grove Baptist Church, 4929 Industrial Park Road, has Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., and worship at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and
New Life Pentecostal Church of God, 3624 E. Pointer Trail in Van Buren, has Sunday
Wednesday at 7 p.m. Discipleship training is at 5 p.m. Sundays. Call 474-6674.
school at 9:30 a.m., worship at 10:30 a.m. and Mulberr y Open Door Church, 460 N.
5 p.m. and Wednesday 7 p.m. Call 471-0072.
Main Street, has Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday worship at 7 p.m.
Oliver Springs Freewill Baptist Church, 3144 Highway 348 in Rudy, holds Sunday
New Life United Pentecostal Church of Alma, Lighthouse Drive and U.S. 64 East,
School at 10 a.m., worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m.
has Sunday school and worship at 2 p.m. and Mulberry Pentecostal Church of God, East 5th Avenue and Heard Street, holds Sunday
Wednesday Bible study at 7:30 p.m. Call 6322007.
school at 9:30 a.m., worship at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Our Savior Lutheran Church, 9625 N. U.S. 71 in Mountainburg, has Bible study at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. with a
New Vision Worship Center, a nondenominational church, 3rd Street and
fellowship lunch following the service. Call 369-9920.
New Beginnings Pentecostal Church
Sycamore in Van Buren, has Sunday morning
of God, 9622 Highway 71 North in
fellowship at 9:30 a.m., Sunday school at 10
O z a r k V i e w C h a p e l i n t h e Tu r n e r
Mountainburg, has Sunday School at 9:45
a.m., Sunday worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.,
Community has Sunday school at 10 a.m. and
a.m., service at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and
and Wednesday worship at 7 p.m.
worship at 10:45 a.m. Bible study is at 7 p.m.
Wednesday service and youth at 7 p.m. Call 806-2975. New Bethel Assembly of God on Main Street in Dyer holds Sunday School at 9:45
Tuesdays in the Easley Fellowship Hall. Newber r y Chapel United Methodist Church, 3406 Old Rudy Road in Alma, has
Parkview Alliance Church, 904 Pine St. in
Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11
Van Buren, holds Sunday school at 9:30 a.m.
a.m. Call 462-1320.
and worship at 10:45 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Call 474-9380. Hispanic service is held at 12:30 p.m. Sundays. Call 471-3094. Philadelphia Church, U.S. 71, Mountainburg. Call 369-2570. Pigeon Creek Freewill Baptist Church, 1421 Pigeon Creek Road, Mountainburg. Call 3694042. Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, 6020 Kibler Road, has Bible classes at 9:30 a.m. and worship services at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call 474-5866.
40 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Churches Rena Christian Church, 1402 Rena Road in
at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call 632-6272.
10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call
Van Buren, has Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship Sunday at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call 462-8553.
632-5310. Rudy Community Church on Arkansas 282 has Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesday Bible study at 6:30 p.m. Call 651-5799.
Southside Baptist Church, 620 Red Hill Road in Alma, holds Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and
Rena Road Baptist Church, 512 Rena Road
worship at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call 632-3680.
in Van Buren, has Sunday School at 10 a.m.,
Shady Grove Baptist Church, Arkansas 59
worship at 11 a.m. and Tuesday prayer, fellowship
and 348, holds Sunday Bible study at 9:45 a.m.;
Sovereign Grace Missionary Baptist Church,
and meal at 6 p.m. Call 471-0806.
worship at 10:45 a.m.; and Wednesday Bible study
1001 Maple Valley Road in Alma, has Sunday
and prayer at 7 p.m.
school at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Rena Road Church of Christ, 100 Rena Road
and 7 p.m. Wednesday. Call 632-5470.
in Van Buren, has Sunday Bible classes at 9:30
Shamrock Community Church, 15400 Arkansas
a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
220 East, has Sunday school at 10 a.m., and
Wednesday classes are at 7 p.m. Spanish classes
worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Call (479) 929-
are Sunday at 11 a.m. and worship at noon and
5767.
6 p.m. Call 474-6527.
St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 1025 Pointer Trail, Van Buren. Call 474-1211. Sunnyside Assembly of God, 939 Sunnyside
Shibley Baptist Church, 1136 Shibley Road in Revis Hill Assembly of God, 11515 Revis Hill Heights, Mountainburg. Call 369-2216.
Road, Van Buren. Call 474-5700.
Van Buren, has services Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Call 474-3904.
The Current Church, 414 S. 4th St. in Van Buren, holds services Sunday at 10 a.m.,
Rudy Baptist Church, 224 E. Bell St., has
Solid Rock Tabernacle, 1325 Rudy Road in
Sunday school at 10 a.m., and worship services
Alma, holds Sunday School at 9 a.m., worship at
Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Friday at 6:30 p.m. There is also a service for kids. Call 474-4410.
Sparks Clinic makes it simple for everyone in your family to see a primary care physician quickly. We have four locations in Crawford County with services that include pediatrics, family care, and adult medicine. Whether you’re looking for a new doctor or connecting with your current one, call 479-782-CARE (2273) and ask about same-day appointments.
PRIMARY CARE MADE EASY. SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS. ONE NUMBER:
479-782-CARE. Alma Family Medicine Clinic 937 Highway 64 East, Alma | Cornerstone Family Medical Clinic 14 Gothic Ridge Road, Van Buren Summit Pediatric Clinic 209 Pointer Trail West, Van Buren | Van Buren Family Medicine 209 Pointer Trail West, Van Buren
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 41
Churches The Master’s House, 3539 W. 220 in Van Buren, has Sunday school at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. The River Fellowship, 3221 Old Rudy Road, Alma. Call 632-4523. Trinity Baptist Church, 5020 North Highway 71, Alma. Call 632-4918. Trinity Episcopal Church, 918 N. 9th St. in Van Buren, has worship Sundays at 8 and 10:30 a.m. Call 474-3144. Uniontown Assembly of God Church, 1008 Old Church Lane, has Sunday School at 9:30 a.m., worship at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wednesday. Call 474-1966. Uniontown Baptist Church has Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday prayer meeting at 7 p.m.
Ready to kick off the Crawford County Day of Prayer back in May are (from left) County Judge Dennis
Gilstrap, Lee Denton of Kibler Baptist Church and David King, the organizer of the event who also gave the welcome. Due to rain, the annual event was moved to First Baptist Church in Van Buren from the courthouse lawn where it is normally held.
United Pentecostal Church of Van Buren, 804 Pointer Trail. Call 410-2323.
worship at 11 a.m. and Wednesday Bible study at 7 p.m. Call 632-3757.
Unity Baptist Church, 304 Arkansas Street in
Vista Freewill Baptist Church, 2301
Van Buren, has Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and
Fayetteville Road in Van Buren, has Sunday
worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays and
school at 9:45 a.m., worship at 10:45 a.m. and
7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Call 474-3682.
6 p.m. Sundays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays for prayer meeting and Bible study. Call 474-0761.
Van Buren Freewill Baptist Church, 4874 Alma Highway, has Sunday school at 10
Wood Memorial Christian Church, 10th
a.m., worship at 10:45 a.m. and 6 p.m., and
Street and Broadway, Van Buren. Call 474-2284.
Wednesday at 7 p.m. Zion Baptist Church, 1115 Spring, Alma. Call Victorious Life Ministries, U.S. 71, has
632-3031.
Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday Bible classes at 7 p.m. Call 632-3750.
Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 4131 Zion Road in Van Buren, holds Sunday School at 10
Vine Prairie Baptist Church, 2128 U.S. 64 West, Mulberry. Call 997-8419. Visionary Christian Church, 21 N. Oak St. in Alma, holds Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and
42 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
a.m., and worship at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call 474-2715.
Scholastic Athletics Alma High School Mascots: Airedales, Lady Airedales Conference: 5A West Colors: Kelly Green and Old Gold Athletic Director: Dr. Mike McSpadden, (479) 632-4791 School Phone: (479) 632-2162 Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Fastpitch Softball (spring), Soccer, Volleyball, Track, Tennis (fall), Golf (fall), Bowling, Cheerleading, Dance, and Cross Country.
Alma Middle School Mascots: Airedale Pups, Lady Airedale Pups Conference: River Valley School Phone: (479) 632-6128 Sports: Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Cross Country.
Cedarville High School Mascots: Pirates, Lady Pirates
Alma added soccer for the 2017 season. Athletic programs in Crawford County compete well at the state level and on the national stage.
Conference: 3A West Colors: Royal Blue and Gold Athletic Director: Darren Busch (479) 4747022 School Phone: (479) 474-7022 Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Fastpitch Softball (spring), Track, Bowling, Swimming, Cheerleading, Dance, and Cross Country. Junior High Sports: Football, Basketball, Track, Cross Country.
Mountainburg High School Mascots: Dragons, Lady Dragons Conference: 2A West Colors: Royal Blue and White Athletic Director: Tom Harrell, (479) 3692146 School Phone: (479) 369-2042 Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Fastpitch Softball (spring), Volleyball, Track, Tennis (fall), Golf (fall), Bowling, Cheerleading, Dance, and Cross Country. Junior High Sports: Football, Basketball, Track, Cross Country.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 43
Scholastic Athletics Mulberry High School (Mulberry-Pleasant View School District) Mascots: Yellow Jackets, Lady Yellow Jackets Conference: 1A North Colors: Black and Yellow Athletic Director: Dennis Fisher Gym Phone: (479) 997-1715 Sports: Basketball, Baseball, Fastpitch Softball (spring), Volleyball, Track, Tennis (fall), Bowling, Swimming, and Cross Country. Junior High Sports (Pleasant View): Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Cross Country.
Van Buren High School Mascots: Pointers, Lady Pointers Conference: 7A West Colors: Kelly Green and White Athletic Director: Randy Loyd, (479) 4747942 Crawford County’s schools offer ample opportunity for its student athletes to excel in both the classroom and on the field.
School Phone: (479) 474-6821. Sports: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Fastpitch Softball (spring), Soccer, Volleyball, Track, Tennis (fall), Golf (fall), Bowling, Swimming, Cross Country, Cheerleading, Dance, and Wrestling.
Van Buren Freshman Academy Mascot: Pointers, Lady Pointers Conference: River Valley School Phone: (479) 471-3160 Sports: Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Wrestling and Cross Country.
Butterfield Trail Middle School Mascot: Pointers, Lady Pointers Conference: River Valley School Phone: (479) 474-6838 Sports: Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Wrestling and Cross Country.
Northridge Middle School Mascot: Pointers, Lady Pointers Conference: River Valley School Phone: (479) 471-3126 Sports: Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Track, Wrestling and Cross Country.
44 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Education
Alma’s dance program is one of the largest in the state of Arkansas with classes starting in the seventh grade. Each year, the program puts on a show in the spring.
C
rawford County currently has five
• Alma Middle School, 706 U.S. 64 East, 632-
U.S. 64 East, Alma, AR 72921
2168, grades sixth through eighth.
school districts: Alma, Cedarville,
632-4791
Mountainburg, Mulberry and Van
The school district is comprised of four
Buren. The following is information regard-
campuses: • Alma Primary School, 1600 U.S. 64 East,
ing each district.
Alma
• Alma High School, 101 East Main St., 6322162, grades ninth through 12th. • Alma Performing Arts Center, 632-2129
632-5100, grades kindergarten to second.
Cedarville
• Alma Intermediate School, 1220 West
Dr. David Woolly, superintendent
Collum Lane, 632-2166, grades third through
Dr. Kerry Schneider, superintendent
Administration offices
fifth.
Administration offices 9500 Pirates Point, Cedarville, AR 72932 474-7220 The school district consists of three campuses: • Cedarville Elementary School, 9335 Armer Lane, 474-5073, grades kindergarten through fourth. • Cedarville Middle School, 9614 Pirates Point, 474-5847, grades fifth through eighth. • Cedarville High School, 9500 Pirates Point, 474-7021, grades ninth through 12th. • Chapter One, 474-7812 • Head Start Center, 474-2353
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 45
Education Mountainburg Dr. Debbie Atwell, superintendent Administration offices 129 U.S. 71, Mountainburg, AR 72946 369-2121 The school district consists of three campuses: • Mountainburg Elementary School, 2015 Lake Fort Smith Road, 369-2762, grades kindergarten through fourth. • Mountainburg Middle School, 129 U.S. 71, 369-4506, grades fifth through eighth. • Mountainburg High School, 129 U.S. 71, 369-2146, grades ninth through 12th.
Mulberry/ Pleasant View Dr. Lonnie Myers, superintendent Administration offices The Mulberry-Pleasant View robotics team received the highly-coveted Rookie All-Star Award for their
Mulberry, AR 72947
in Little Rock. The rookie team, nicknamed “MPV StingerBots #7106,” was one of nine rookie teams
The school district consists of four campuses:
performance in the Arkansas Rock City Regional competition held March 2017 at Barton Coliseum
997-1701
in the competition, which featured more than 50 robotics teams from throughout the United States.
• Marvin Primary School, 1319 N. Main St., 997-1495, grades kindergarten through fourth. • Millsap Intermediate School, 5750 Hornet Lane, 997-8469, grades fifth and sixth. • Pleasant View Junior High School, 5750 Hornet Lane, 997-8469, grades seventh through ninth. • Mulberry High School, 203 West Fifth St., 997-1363, grades 10th through 12th.
Van Buren Dr. Harold Jeffcoat, superintendent Administration offices 2221 Pointer Trail, Van Buren, AR 72956 474-7942 The Van Buren School District consists of six elementary schools, grades kindergarten through fifth; two middle schools, grades sixth through eighth; a ninth-grade academy; and one senior high school, grades 10th through 12th: • Head Start Center: 474-7427 • Career Center/Alternative Learning Environment, North 24th and Baldwin Streets, 471-3150
46 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Education
The Van Buren High School Marching Band won three competitions this season including the 2017 State Title in the highest classification at Little Rock
on Oct. 31, 2017. Van Buren edged out the 2016 state champion Bentonville by 0.2 points (91.4-91.2). Van Buren received a superior rating and took the top prize in High Visual. On Oct. 28, Van Buren defended its title at the NWAI in Siloam Springs. During the preliminary competition, Van Buren won its division and took Outstanding Percussion and Outstanding Auxiliary. The contest was abbreviated this season, but Van Buren won overall with high scores in percussion, music, visual and general effect.
• River Valley Virtual Academy, 821 Pointer Trail East, 471-3160 • Central Elementary School, 913 N. 24th St., 474-7059 • City Heights Elementary School, 301 Mt. Vista Blvd., 474-6918 • King Elementary School, 401 N. 19th St., 474-2661 • Parkview Elementary School, 619 Parkview, 474-8730 • Rena Elementary School, 720 Rena Road, 471-3190 • Tate Elementary School, Catcher Road, 471-3130 • Northridge Middle School, 120 Northridge Dr., 471-3126 • Butterfield Trail Middle School, 12th and Elm Streets, 474-6838 • Freshman Academy, 821 Pointer Trail East, 471-3160 • Van Buren High School, 2001 Pointer Trail
Butterfield Trail Middle School was recognized as
East, 474-6821
ceremony April 5 in the gymnasium. Holding the
Trail East, 471-4017
a “Diamond School to Watch” during a special
banner for the school (from left) are Jacob Moon,
• Van Buren Fine Arts Center, 2001 Pointer
Julissa Sayavongsa and Lydia Doolittle.
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 47
County Services
C
all 9-1-1 to report traffic accidents, fires, medical emergencies and criminal activity — dispatch communi-
cates to fire, police and medical officials. Agriculture Extension Office: (479) 474-5286 Assessor: (479) 474-1751 Circuit Clerk: (479) 471-1821 Child Support Registry: (479) 471-1821 Conservation District: (479) 474-2281 Coroner: (479) 471-3231 County Clerk: (479) 474-1312 Election Commission: (479) 471-3222 Emergency Management: (479) 471-3260 County Health Department: (479) 474-6391 County Judge: (479) 474-1511 Library System: (479) 471-3226 Prosecuting Attorney: (479) 474-5000 Public Defender: (479) 471-3270 Rural Fire: (479) 474-8000 Sheriff: (479) 474-2261
Law enforcement officers and other first responders participate in the 2018 Torch Run through Van Buren and Crawford County.
Tax Collector: (479) 474-1111 Treasurer: (479) 474-6641 Veteran’s Services: (479) 471-3200
2176; OG&E Electric Services (800) 272-9741 Gas: Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas Corp., (479) 784-2000 Fire: (479) 471-0522 (non-emergency)
ALMA
Police: (479) 474-0540 (non-emergency)
Aquatic Center: (479) 632-0700
Post Office: (479) 474-3801
Cable: Cox Communications, (479) 782-8941
Library: (479) 410-1853
Chamber of Commerce: (479) 632-4127
Senior Inn: (479) 474-5429
Electric: Arkansas Valley Electric (800) 468-
Telephone Service: AT&T (800) 201-4099
2176; OG&E Electric Services (800) 272-9741
Water: (479) 474-3365
Fire: (479) 632-2009 (non-emergency)
CHESTER
Gas: Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas Corp., (479)
Post Office: (479) 369-4203
784-2000 Library: (479) 632-4140
Water: (479) 369-2618
Mayor’s Office: (479) 632-4110 Police: (479) 632-3333 (non-emergency) Post Office: (479) 632-2093
DORA, FIGURE FIVE See Crawford County Services
Senior Inn: (479) 632-3535
DYER
Telephone Service: CenturyTel: (800) 201-
City Offices: (479) 997-8557
4099 Water: (479) 632-2254
Police: (479) 997-1577 (non-emergency) Post Office: (479) 997-8834
CEDARVILLE Cable: Cox Communications, (479) 782-8941 City Office: (479) 410-3400 Electric: Arkansas Valley Electric (800) 468-
48 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Water: (479) 997-8557 For additional numbers, see Crawford County Services
County Services VAN BUREN Building Inspector: (479) 474-8943 Cable: Cox Communications, (479) 782-8941 Chamber of Commerce: (479) 474-2761 City Attorney: (479) 474-8715 City Clerk: (479) 474-8936 City Engineer: (479) 471-5025 District Court: (479) 474-1671 Electric: Arkansas Valley Electric (800) 4682176; OG&E Electric Services (800) 272-9741 Fire: (479) 471-5042 (non-emergencies) Gas: Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas Corp., (479) 784-2000 Housing Authority: (479) 474-6901 King Opera House: (479) 474-2426 Library: (479) 474-6045 Police: (479) 474-1234 (non-emergencies) Public Facilities Director: (479) 471-5004 Craig Gentry celebrates a home run during the 2017 season. Gentry, the former Van Buren and Fort Smith Christian standout, made the highlight reel for the opening day this season.
KIBLER
Senior Inn: (479) 474-5378 Telephone Service: AT&T (800) 201-4099 Water/Sewer: (479) 474-5067
Family Clinic: (479) 997-1484
City Hall: (479) 632-3177
Fire: (479) 997-1321 (non-emergencies)
Police: (479) 632-3893 (City Marshal, non-
Gas: Arkansas-Oklahoma Gas Corp., (479) 784-2000
emergency) Water: (479) 632-3747
Library: (479) 997-1226
For additional numbers, see Crawford
Police: (479) 997-8235 Post Office: (479) 997-1505
County Services
Senior Center: (479) 997-1901
MOUNTAINBURG
Water: (479) 997-1321
Cable: Cox Communications, (479) 782-8941 Electric: Arkansas Valley Electric (800) 4682176; OG&E Electric Services (800) 272-9741 Family Clinic: (479) 369-2091 Fire: (479) 369-2200 (non-emergencies)
NATURAL DAM Post Office: (479) 929-5775 Volunteer Fire Department: (479) 929-5272 (non-emergencies)
Library: (479) 369-1600
RUDY
Municipal Office: (479) 369-2791 Police: (479) 369-2000
City: (479) 632-5340
Senior Inn: (479) 369-2643
Post Office: (479) 632-2493
Telephone: CenturyTel (800) 201-4099
For additional numbers, see Crawford
Water and Sewer: (479) 369-4281
MULBERRY Cable: Cox Communications, (479) 782-8941 City Hall: (479) 997-1321 Electric: Arkansas Valley Electric (800) 468-
County Services
UNIONTOWN Post Office: (479) 474-5689 For additional numbers, see Crawford County Services
2176; OG&E Electric Services (800) 272-9741
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 49
Sparks Medical Center - Van Buren
W
hether you’re in need of urgent care or a follow-up with a physician, Sparks Clinic makes it easy
for residents of Crawford County to receive the quality treatment they need close to home. Sparks Clinic has six family medicine locations across Van Buren and Alma to provide care for patients of all ages, as well as a specialists’ clinic for those in need of surgery or testing such as colonoscopies. Sparks Medical Center – Van Buren is a fully accredited, 103-bed acute care hospital providing emergency services, outpatient testing, inpatient surgical services, same-day surgery, rehabilitation services, and respiratory therapy. The emergency room offers a 30-minute service pledge, meaning it’s their
unit which opened in 2017 and was dedicated
Sparks Medical Center – Van Buren is also
goal to have patients seen by a healthcare
to the memory of beloved community physician
home to New Vision, an inpatient medical
provider within 30 minutes of check-in.
Henry Edwards, M.D. Patients in the ICU have
stabilization and withdrawal management
Other services provided include cardiology,
access to specialists in a range of disciplines who
service for adults with drug and alcohol-
orthopedics, wound care and radiology.
utilize advanced equipment and technology to
related health issues. For more than 5 years,
provide high-quality care.
the service has been offering hope to those
Sparks Van Buren also offers an intensive care
suffering from the abuse of drugs and alcohol in the River Valley, as well as their families and employers. The New Vision program at Sparks Van Buren accepts appropriate patients who are experiencing problems and incapacitation due to substance use and/or alcohol abuse, or are experiencing acute withdrawal symptoms from cessation of use of certain substances. The service accepts most insurance plans. The hospital is also active in the community and partners with local schools and nonprofits to provide health education and donations. The facility recently teamed up with the Van Buren School District to offer a mock hospital to teach 500 kindergarteners about the lungs, the heart and broken bones. Every year in October, the hospital hosts an annual 5K/10K to benefit the local River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Last year, the race raised more than $10,000 in 2017 for the charities. For more information about the race, call 479471-4435. To learn more about services provided at Sparks Medical Center – Van Buren, visit SparksHealth.com or call 479-709-DOCS.
50 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Community Outreach
C
rawford County offers a variety of opportunities for its residents to become engaged in the community or seeking some additional support in their endeavors.
Miscellaneous
Alma Masonic Lodge meets the second and fourth Mondays at the lodge building. Supper is at 6:30 p.m. Crawford County 4-H Shooting Sports 4-H Club meets the first and third Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. Call 474-5286. Crawford County Library System holds its board meetings the second Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November at 4:30 p.m. For meeting location or more information, call the library system at (479) 4713226. Crawford County Volunteers for Literacy, 2925 Alma Highway, Suite 9, in Van Buren, offers adult reading, math, English as a second language and other classes. Classes are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Call 474-4594. Double-Six dominoes with no gambling is played in the Van Buren Historic District. Call (479) 459-4169. English as a second language classes are offered at the Crawford County Adult Education Center, Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday, 6 to 8 p.m. Call 471-0019. GED classes are offered at the Crawford County Adult Education Center, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 471-0019. Introduction to computer classes are offered at the Crawford County Adult Education Center. Call 471-0019. Robert Jack VFW Post 1322 hosts a PTSD peer support group meeting the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 5:30 p.m. The meetings are open to anyone. Call service officer Shawn Wenninger at (910) 709-9853. Van Buren Farmers Market is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Freedom Park Pavilion on Main Street Saturdays and Wednesdays and 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Call (479) 259-7517. Van Buren Lions Club meets at noon the first, third and fourth Wednesdays at Western Sizzlin’ in Van Buren.
The Crawford County Mounted Patrol drops off food at the local food bank. Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Mulberry Methodist Church. Alma Rotary Club meets Wednesdays at noon at the Alma Community Center. Butterfield Assembly of God Church, 1302 N. 30th St. in Van Buren, will hold GriefShare classes each Wednesday at 10 a.m. in room 203 of the Family Life Center. For information, call the church office at (479) 474-4410. Cedarville Farmers Market is held each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at the Old Rock School. Cedarville Senior Center is open on Mondays beginning at 6 p.m. for dinner and karaoke. Dinner is $5.50 per person. Call 474-5429. Citizenship classes are offered at the Crawford County Adult Education Center Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m. Call 471-0019.
Crawford County Optimist Club meets at noon Thursdays at Las Fresas in Van Buren. DivorceCare will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sundays, excluding holidays, at Heritage United Methodist Church, 1604 Pointer Trail in Van Buren. Childcare will be available with advanced notice for kids birth to fifth grade. Call LaToya Shepherd at (479) 474-6424. Freedom for Life Ministries offers Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, 523 Main Street in Van Buren behind the literacy council office, Tuesdays from 9 to 10 a.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. Call Lonnie Bennett, (479) 226-9476, or Jerry Cowan, (479) 650-4738. GriefShare will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Sundays, excluding holidays, at Heritage United Methodist Church, 1604 Pointer Trail in Van Buren. Call LaToya Shepherd at (479) 474-6424.
Weekly
AA meetings are held Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Van Buren and
SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY - 2018 | 51
Hearts of Hope “Way Out” drug program meets 8 p.m. Mondays in Alma. Mulberry division meets Saturdays at 7 p.m. Kiwanis Club of Van Buren meets at noon on Tuesdays at Chili’s. TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m. at VFW Post No. 1322, 23 N. 20th St. in Van Buren. Call (479) 459-2771, (479) 414-1049, (479) 221-7349 or (918) 498-2029. Van Buren Rotary Club meets at noon Thursday at the Crawford County Extension Office, 105 W. Pointer Trail. Wednesday Lunch Bunch meets 10:30 a.m. in the Center for Arts and Education, 104 N. 13th in Van Buren. Fee is $3. White Rock Prayer and Teaching Center, 7723 Cain Road in Alma, holds scriptural teaching at 2 p.m. each Saturday. Call Gib Lutes, (479) 2218289.
Monthly First week
Autism Spectrum Disorders Support Group will meet the first Thursday at 7 p.m. at Bethlehem Freewill Baptist Church, 3130 Pointer Trail East in Van Buren. Contact Rickie Timmons, (479) 471-7110 or (479) 461-9333. Clear Creek Masonic Lodge in Mountainburg meets the first Thursday with dinner at 6:30 p.m and the meeting at 7:30. Crawford County Election Commission meets at 11 a.m. the first Wednesday at the commission office behind the courthouse at 300 Main St., Van Buren. Friends of the Alma Public Library meets the first Tuesday in the Alma Public Library. Call 632-4140. Friends of the Van Buren Public Library meet the first Monday at the library at 5:30 p.m. followed by a book talk. God’s Harvest Church, 325 Ray Lane in Alma, holds a fellowship singing at 6 p.m. the first Saturday. A covered dish meal precedes the singing at 5. For information call (479) 629-4307. Mountainburg FFA Alumni meet the first Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mountainburg High School. Remy Masonic Lodge No. 487 in Mulberry meets the first Tuesday at 7:30 p.m., with dinner preceding at 6:30. River Valley Chapter of the Blacksmiths of Arkansas meets the first Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1604 Daugherty Road in Van Buren. Call (479) 474-5547 or (479) 651-1507. Robert Jack VFW Post 1322 motorcycle riders group meets the first Monday at 5 p.m. Call service officer Shawn Wenninger at (910) 7099853.
52 | 2018 - SPOTLIGHT ON CRAWFORD COUNTY
Community Outreach Van Buren First Assembly of God, 1014 Fayetteville Road, serves home-cooked lunches from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $7 each the first Thursday, except for the summer months. Call 474-7832. Van Buren Masonic Lodge hosts a breakfast in the lodge the first Saturday, from 7 to 10 a.m. Cost is $5 per person. Children 6 and under are free. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1322 meets 6:30 p.m., the first Monday at 23 N. 20th St., Van Buren. The VFW Auxiliary meets as well. Call Post Commander Earl Duty, (479) 670-3836, or auxiliary president Holly A. Baker, (479) 4459303, or visit www.RobertJackVFWPost1322.org.
Second week
Alma High School Class of 1955 meets 11:30 a.m. the second Monday at D’s Family Restaurant on Collum Lane in Alma in February, May, August and November. Bond Special EHC meets at 10 a.m. the second Thursday at the Crawford County Extension Office, 105 Pointer Trail West in Van Buren. Boys and Girls Club of the Alma Area board
of directors meets at 6 p.m. the second Thursday at the club, 410 East Main. Cedarville 4-H Club meets the second Monday at the Old Rock School at 6 p.m. Call 474-5286. Crawford County 4-H Teen Leaders meets the second Monday at 6 p.m. at the county extension office in Van Buren. Call 474-5286. Crawford County Car Club meets 7 p.m. the second Thursday at Dee’s Restaurant in the Meador’s Inn in Alma. Call Ethan Gordon at 719-0757. Crawford County Genealogical Society meets 1 p.m. the second Tuesday in the Mushrush Room at the Alma Public Library. District 4 Volunteer Fire Department has its board meeting the second Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Station 1 in Cedarville. Locke-Fern and Dollard Road Waterworks Public Facilities Board meets the second Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the water office, 505 U.S. 71 SW in Mountainburg. Natural Dam Community Center meets the second Thursday at 7 p.m. at the community center. Natural Dam Volunteer Fire Department
meets the second Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Order of the Eastern Star Fidelity Chapter 86 meets the second Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Van Buren Masonic Lodge, 18 Fayetteville Road. Potluck supper begins at 6:30. Republican Party of Crawford County meets at 7 p.m. at the Republican Headquarters, 620B Main St. in Van Buren, the second Tuesday. Republican Women of Crawford County meets the second Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Republican Headquarters, 620B Main Street in Van Buren. River Belles EHC meets 7 p.m. the second Monday at 105 Pointer Trail West in Van Buren. Rocky Top 4-H Club meets in the Turner Community 2:30 p.m. the second Sunday. Call Luann Wise, 217-0280. Rudy Park Community Association meets 7 p.m. the second Monday in the Rudy Community Building. TLC Extension Homemakers Club meets 6 p.m. the second Monday at the Turner Community Building. Call Shirley Donnohue, 997-1590. Turner Community Development Board meets at 6 p.m. the second Friday in the community
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Community Outreach building. Potluck follows at 6:30 and family night at 7. Unit 14 VFW Riders Group meets at 6 p.m. the second Monday at 23 N. 20th St., Van Buren. Call Post Commander Earl Duty, (479) 670-3836. Van Buren Masonic Lodge No. 6 meets the second Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30. Woodmen of the World meets the second Monday at 6 p.m., 2410 Alma Highway. Call 410-1726.
Third week
Alma Area Chamber of Commerce meets at noon the third Tuesday at D’s Family Restaurant. Alzheimer’s Support Group from Memory Lane meets the third Thursday at Legacy Heights, 1012 Fayetteville Road in Van Buren, at 2 p.m. Call 474-7233 or 262-6466. Butterfield District 5 Volunteer Fire Department hosts a pancake breakfast the third Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m. Donations accepted. Clear Creek Masonic Lodge in Mountainburg hosts a pancake breakfast 7 to 10 a.m. the third Saturday. Cost is $5 per person. Crawford County Conservation District board National trails expert Mark Fenton talks to city leaders about building a walkability environment in Van Buren.
meets the third Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. at 701 Fayetteville Road in Van Buren. Crawford County Friends of Genealogy meets the third Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at the Van Buren Public Library. Meetings are not held in July and August. Call Janette Perryman, 474-0664, or Hilda Daugherty, 474-2270. Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 61, Van Buren, meets 6:30 p.m. the third Monday at 23 N. 20th St., Van Buren. Call Danny Molina at 632-2588. Dyer Women’s Auxiliary hosts community bingo the third Saturday 6-8 p.m. at the Dyer Community Building. Bring a small gift to be used as door prizes. Concessions are available. Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 260 meets 7:30 p.m. the third Monday at the Remy Masonic Lodge No. 487 in Mulberry. Dinner precedes the meeting. Order of the Eastern Star Melody Chapter 579 meets the third Tuesday at Fine Springs Masonic Hall in Alma at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments are served at 6:30. Uniontown Extension Homemakers Club meets the third Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at Uniontown Baptist Church in the fellowship hall. Call Sissie at (479) 474-6181.
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Van Buren High School Class of 1961 meets the third Saturday at noon at Western Sizzlin’ in Van Buren. Call Phyllis Brammer Hamlin, 632-3343, or Judy Bushong Coleman, 4746455. Van Buren High School Class of 1965 meets for lunch the third Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Western Sizzlin’ in Van Buren. Women’s Literary Club meets the third Monday 1 p.m. at 421 Webster in downtown Van Buren, September through May.
Fourth week
Alma Extension Homemakers Club meets 1 p.m. the fourth Tuesday in the Alma Public Library. Crawford County Animal Science 4-H Club meets at 2 p.m. at the Mulberry fairgrounds the fourth Sunday. Call Penni Templeton, 6291016. Sparks Regional Medical Center - Van Buren Auxiliary meets 1 p.m. the fourth Thursday in the hospital conference room. Call 471-4344. United Methodist Men of Alma United Methodist Church hold a breakfast with pancakes, biscuits and gravy and sausage from 7 to 10 a.m. the fourth Saturday.
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