By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
The Forrest City Easter Egg Treasure Hunt is in its second year, and the Forrest City Police Department, which sponsors the event, is hoping the event will offer fun for area children.
Sharon Johnson with the FCPD said they hope to teach the children about the dangers of drugs as well during the event, slated for Saturday, April 10.
"A big part of the event will be through our Drugs Destroy Dreams program," said Johnson. "We will have an officer there to speak to the children about saying 'no' to drugs, the dangers of drugs and other information about drugs. We want the children to have fun and let them know that drugs are not fun."
Johnson then offered some background on how the event started. "The hunt started last year," stated Johnson. "We thought it was a good idea and could help us reach out to the community, especially the children."
Johnson said that while they will speak to the children about the serious subject of drugs, many other activities will also take place, starting with the egg hunt.
"This year, the event will be held at the (Forrest City) high school in the field near the band hall. Our grand prize is a bicycle, which will be awarded by a drawing, but we will have several other prizes inside of the eggs. Also we will have special prizes inside the golden eggs that will be hidden. Other activities will include a 'Jumping Jack' (or moonwalk) and face painting.
"We will have two hunts, one for children from 2 to 5 years old from 2 to 3 p.m., and another for children ages 6 to 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. The first five children in each of the two age groups will receive a free Easter Bucket with candy and prizes inside," Johnson said.
Parents must accompany their children to the event, but only children will be allowed to hunt eggs. "We invite everyone to come out and have a good time on Saturday," added Johnson. "We also would like to thank Forrest City School District Superintendent Lee Vent for the use of the field and everyone else who has helped with the event. We couldn't do this project without your support."
In the event of rain during or before the scheduled hunts, candy and prizes will be handed out at the Forrest City Police Department, located at the corner of Rosser and Garland streets.
By ALAN SMITH
T-H Staff Writer
A bid was approved by the Forrest City Housing Authority on Wednesday to complete several improvements to housing units.
The bid, which was for the demolition of a portion of four buildings, the remodeling of those buildings and the completion of a project to provide central heating and air units, was presented to the board by FCHA Director Janet Duncan.
"We had asked for four bids, but only two were returned," said Duncan. "The bids that came back were from Arka-Tex (Remodeling of Little Rock) and Crawford (Builders, Inc. of McCroy). There were two separate bids given on the projects, one for the demolition of the four three-bedroom units, and for the remodeling of the four three-bedroom units and the 47 central air units for the Rice and Mann units." The other eight buildings are in the Turner Circle area.
According to information provided by Duncan, Arka-Tex gave a bid on demolition of $194,400 and $1,189,713 for the remodeling, making their total bid on the project $1,384,113. The bid from Crawford Builders was $200,000 on the demolition and $1,074,000, giving them the lowest total bid at $1,274,000.
Duncan said she was surprised by the amounts on both bids. "When we remodeled the four-bedroom units recently, the price per building was cheaper than what the remodeling will cost per building for the three-bedroom units now." The cost per building, according to a breakdown for the four bedroom buildings, was $252,000, and the current low bid breakdown of the three-bedroom buildings is $271,500.
"My thinking was that since the three-bedroom units were smaller, that the cost would be cheaper," added Duncan. "My architect said that the price of steel and plywood has gone up and that explains the higher cost per building."
Some questions arose as to whether or not the bids could be accepted. Duncan stated that the fund for demolition is at $450,000, and the low bid would leave $250,000. She also added HUD (Housing and Urban Development) provides the authority with funds for remodeling each year.
Chairman Gazzola Vaccaro said he felt the project should move ahead. "The material costs might be up now, and if we wait, they might go down. But something else will go up then. I think that we should go ahead and do this while we have the money to do it." Member Warren Faupel agreed with Vaccaro. "We have committed to do this, and I think we should do it," said Faupel. "If we don't upgrade our units, we could lose tenants."
The board unanimously voted to accept the bid of Crawford Builders, Inc. of $1,274,000.
In other business, Duncan presented the board with a proposal from the St. Francis Area Developmental Center to make use of a four-bedroom unit. "The Developmental Center spoke to us about using a four-bedroom unit for foster children," stated Duncan. "These are older children from what I understand, and they will provide 'parents' to watch them, make them go to school and do the other things they need to do. We have given them a unit on a trial basis to see if this will work. If it works out, I'd like to give them maybe a one-year contract for the unit. I also need to speak with HUD about the situation and see what they say."
Duncan added that the unit will not prevent another family from having a four-bedroom unit. "I can assure you that we are not taking anything away from anyone. We have a hard time filling the four-bedroom units now. Families are not as big as they have been in the past, and we have no waiting lists on those units. I believe they will follow our rules, and that this is a good idea for both the center and the authority," she said.
By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
There has been a recent emphasis on fundraising for a Center of Fine and Performing Arts at East Arkansas Community College.
At Wednesday's Kiwanis meeting, the emphasis was not only on fundraising, but the center itself.
The capital drive still has not had its "official" beginning, but David Cohn of Forrest City Grocery and Dr. Dale Morris, campaign chairman, gave a rundown of what is coming, much like they did at a recent Rotary Club meeting. This time, each table had several fliers which let everyone know just what their donations, large or small, will be buying.
The capital campaign aims to raise $8 million. That will accomplish several things.
First, it will allow construction of a 33,730-square-foot building, situated at the front entrance to the EACC campus (a gravel parking lot is located there at present). The centerpiece of the building will be a theater seating at least 1,000 people. The theater will have state-of-the-art lighting, sound, stage rigging mechanical systems and an orchestra pit.
There will also be two classrooms that will double as dressing areas for performances.
There will be a presentation gallery and reception area, for exhibits and gatherings.
The $8 million will also include an endowment for continuing operational support and scholarships, and a contingency fund for design alterations and unanticipated cost increases and expenses.
Cohn talked about his friendship with the Beach Boys, who are coming to Forrest City for a concert on May 26, underwritten by Cohn and Forrest City Grocery Co., with proceeds going toward the capital fund.
Admission will be $150. There will also be VIP admission for $200, which will guarantee closer seating. The evening will include a meal at the Forrest City Civic Center, catered by Corky's, followed by the concert at the Forrest City Junior High Auditorium.
Morris talked about an upcoming presentation of "The Fantasticks," underwritten by Don and Ellen Edmondson, to be presented by the EACC Music and Drama Departments on April 23, 24 and 25. Two performances, on April 23 and 25, will be at the EACC Lecture Hall. On Saturday, April 24, there will be a dinner theater production at the civic center.
Anyone wanting more ticket information on the Beach Boys or the dinner theater may call EACC at 633-4480.
Spring is a great time to clean up and fix up, and that goes for your car, too. Today's Times-Herald contains a spring car care section, made possible by the following sponsors.
Battery Warehouse, Caldwell BP, Car-Mart, Cooper Glass Co., Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute, Forrest City Bank, Hicks Body Shop, Hill's Exxon, Gray's Service Center, Lynaugh's Auto Body, Machen Ford, Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep, Mathes Auto Repair, M&M Miller Insurance, Parts Plus, Paul Spears-Shelter Insurance, Sonic, Taylor Glass, Tom Cole Tire Company, Western Auto Car Care Center and White Motor Company.