Greetings Fairfield Bay,
Is it August already? Half of this 2018 year is already gone! July is the “hump” month in the Education Center’s annual cycle. Activities peak with the July 4th celebration and the Bay is always frantic with mid-summer fun. Once we get over that excitement then we ease into late summer and early fall.
Speaking of July’s events, how about that fabulous “One Nation Under God” performance by the Cherokee National Youth Choir in our Indian Rock Cave? What a way to start the holiday! We calculated about 250 spectators enjoyed this free concert, some in lawn chairs and some in golf carts. Fairfield Bay gave them a great reception, sang and clapped along with familiar tunes and even provided medical attention when some choir members got a bit overheated. The funding for this free event was provided by a grant from the Fairfield Bay Community Fund and approved by the cornerstone society members.
The 4th of July celebration in the Bay continued with our Tom and Huck float in the parade, and a live history reenactment at the Heritage Center in the afternoon. Many thanks go to Jill Bailey, Judy Walthall, Fran Schroder, Bryson Dacke, and Jackie and Sean Sikes for demonstrating crafts, playing music, telling stories, and providing tours of the museum and cave.
NATIVE AMERICAN FLUTE musician and instructor William Worden offered a FREE workshop on July 25th and August 1st. This class was part magic, part medicine, and had our 10 participants playing music in one short session.
Many residents and resort guests have been stopping by the Village Mall Gazebo on Thursday mornings to buy fresh produce at the Farmer’s Market. Aliza Cummings from Meadow Creek farms brings a variety of in-season vegetables and her home-canned sauces. Always fresh and health. Other vendors are encouraged to bring home grown food to sell. This will continue into the fall.
We continue to add new classes and speakers to our lineup. Our CASTING METAL on August 4th is a full day Saturday class on the technique of making tokens and jewelry with pewter and molds. This requires some preparation homework before the class so please RSVP by calling 501-884-4440.
The Sterling Scholars lecture series will pick up again in the fall with more great speakers. On Wednesday, August 8th Arkansas resident Robert Gaut will give a presentation on NATIVE AMERICAN THONG TREES. You’ve seen them in the Bay and now you can learn why and how the Native Americans cultivated them. The Sterling Scholars lectures are held from 11:30am to 1:00pm at the Indian Hills Little Red Restaurant during the Rotary Club meeting on the first Wednesday of the month. This event is open to the public and purchase of lunch is optional.
Many of the events and programs offered by the Education Center are free. This is possible because of generous donations and a minimal annual registration fee. First time students are given a grace pass to attend a class, after that we ask for a modest $20 registration fee that covers them to the end of the year. This is a real bargain. Think of this in terms of how many happy meals that you would forgo to join “our club”.
The major fundraising event is coming on Saturday August 25th at the Conference Center from 6:30-9:30pm. It’s the return of our annual Education Center Fundraiser – CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE! This year will be SMOKING HOT, with dancing music by the Sean Sikes band, smoked chicken plates, fireball cupcakes, games and a silent auction. Tickets for the dance are only $20, food plate tickets are $10, and the 50/50 raffle tickets are $5. All tickets can be pre-purchased at the Conference Center, the Education Center or from committee members Cindy Wellenberger, Kay Otis, Sharon Luxon, or Linda Duncan. Smoked Chicken plates (by award winning chef Greg Calaway) include beans, coleslaw and a roll and will be available for drive by pick up if you just can’t dance! Much thanks to Doug Landry for sponsoring our band this year.
The Education Center is located in the Village Mall, next to the Mayor’s office, and is open from 9am to 4pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Our classes and events can be found on our Facebook page: FFB Community Education Center. I hope you can join us.
Dr. Catherine Swift