Arkansas Read to Investigate Arkansas Crimes

            Authors Mara Leveritt and Brooks Blevins will talk at the Garland County Library’s Great Arkansas Read summer reading program when its focus turns to two notorious Arkansas crimes the weekend of June 23^rd and 24^th.  The reading program, sponsored by the Friends of the Garland County Library, encourages readers to review books either about or written by Arkansans in order to have their names placed in a drawing pool for prizes, to be drawn July 27^th, including an i-Pad and Amazon Kindle e-readers. 

            “Two of the most fascinating crime cases we’ve ever had in Arkansas are the West Memphis Three murders and the Connie Franklin case,” Karen Covey, Circulation Supervisor at the library, said.  “We had Mara Leveritt here about a year ago to talk about her book, ‘Devil’s Knot,’ and she gave a really great talk, not just as an author, but also as an advocate for the convicted men.  So much has happened since she was here, including the release of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Miskelly, that I can’t wait to hear what she has to say about all the developments in the case.”

            Leveritt will talk at 2 pm Saturday, June 23^rd.  Her presentation will be preceded by a screening of “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills,” the 1996 documentary directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky, at 11 am.

            “We wanted to show the most recent installment in the documentary series, “Purgatory,” but the DVD doesn’t come out until August,” Covey said.  “I haven’t seen it yet, but I don’t know how it could top the power of ‘Paradise Lost.”

            Mara Leveritt is a veteran Arkansas reporter, editor at Arkansas Times, and author of two nonfiction books about crime and public corruption. She has focused her writing for the past 30 years on police, courts and prisons. Leveritt has served as a state leader of Amnesty International and president of the Arkansas ACLU. In her capacities as a journalist and activist, she has been named Arkansas Journalist of the Year for her investigative reporting and Arkansas Abolitionist of the Year for her work to end the death penalty. 

            Brooks Blevins will talk about “Ghost of the Ozarks: Murder and Memory in the Upland South” at 2 pm on Sunday, June 24th.  “Ghost”  takes the reader back to 1929, to a remote county of the Arkansas Ozarks, where the gruesome murder of harmonica-playing drifter Connie Franklin and the brutal rape of his teenaged fiancée captured the attention of a nation on the cusp of the Great Depression.

            National press from coast to coast ran stories of the sensational exploits of night-riding moonshiners, powerful "Barons of the Hills," and a world of feudal oppression in the isolation of the rugged Ozarks. The ensuing arrest of five local men for both crimes and the confusion and superstition surrounding the trial and conviction gave Stone County a dubious and short-lived notoriety.

            “ ‘Ghost of the Ozarks’ is one of the best books I’ve read this year,” Covey said. “In fact, some of our staff at the library have argued over certain points of the case, which indicates how intriguing a crime that took place almost a century ago can continue to be.  We can’t wait to hear what Brooks has to say about writing his book.”

            A native of the Arkansas Ozarks, Brooks Blevins is the Noel Boyd Professor of Ozarks Studies at Missouri State University. His other books include Arkansas/Arkansaw: How Bear Hunters, Hillbillies, and Good Ol' Boys Defined a State and Hill Folks: A History of Arkansas Ozarkers and Their Image.

            A limited number of “Ghost of the Ozarks” will be available to buy at the event for Blevins to inscribe.  For more information about The Great Arkansas Read, call the library at 623-4161 or 922-4483.  Visit the library’s website at gclibrary.com.

Reading Program Gets Arkansas Twist

This year, we’re giving the Garland County Library’s adult summer reading program an Arkansas twist.  In order to enter a drawing for some great prizes (probably including an I-pad and other electronic goodies), you’ll need to read and review a book from a list we’re compiling of essential books by and about Arkansans, the Arkansas 101.

            In addition to a fantastic menu of books, including best selling authors like John Grisham (born in Jonesboro) and Charlaine Harris (formerly of Magnolia), modern classics like True Grit, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and an array of lesser known but equally worthy titles, we’ll also host some great programs to go along with them.       Some are still in the works, but the line-up should include Brooks Blevins (whose Ghost of the Ozarks I reviewed last month for Senior Scene), Mara Leveritt (author of Devil’s Knot, about the recently freed West Memphis Three), Hot Springs historian Orval Allbritton, gardening guru Janet Carson, and local boy Trenton Stewart, author of the best selling Mysterious Benedict Society series.  There will also be concerts, films and other fun activities, all Arkansas related.
            Complete details, including a calendar of events, a reading list and review entry forms will be available at the library June 8th, when State Historian Wendy Richter will be visiting us to talk about her book They Can’t Go Home, a history of the lost, flooded towns Buckville and Cedar Glades.

            In the meantime, if you’d like to get started, I’ve culled a few of my personal favorites from our reading list.  These are not necessarily the best Arkansas books, but they highlight Arkansas’ propensity for producing cult figures of quirky genius.

            Disfarmer: The Vintage Prints.  Heber Springs photographer Mike Disfarmer died unknown, but his photography, stark black and white portraits of Arkansans in the 40s and 50s, has since made him a darling of the art world.  Take a peek back at a vanished world in this hauntingly beautiful book.

            The Battlefield Where the Moon Says I Love You by Frank Stanford.  Frank Stanford, who attended Subiaco Academy and lived in Eureka Springs,  was a true oddball, a poet who sadly committed suicide just before his 30th birthday.  Battlefield, his epic poem, has been described as “a labyrinthine, highly lexical book absent stanzas and punctuation.”  

            Masters of Atlantis by Charles Portis.  Most people know Portis for True Grit, as well they should since it’s one of the most entertaining books of the 20th century, but this Arkansas recluse has penned four other novels, all of them excellent.  Masters of Atlantis is not the funniest, but it’s certainly the most unusual-- a spoof of the arcane realm of secret societies.  The novel follows the history of the Gnomon society and its two co-founders, Lamar Jimmerson and Sydney Hen. It’s a hoot, as is all of Portis’ work.
            I hope you enjoy these unusual Arkansas reads.  I’ll come up with more ideas next month, when we’ll be in the swing of our Great Arkansas Read.  For more information on Arkansans, quirky geniuses or not, call the library at 623-4161 or 922-4483.

Attention Book Hounds! Library Sale This Week

The Friends of the Garland County Library will hold their annual book sale May 3, 4, and 5.  The first day is for members only, but a $5 membership can be bought at the door.  There are thousands of books and the Gordonelle Williams Hall is bursting at the seams.  I took a peak inside and felt my heart flutter.  I immediately forgot what I was looking for and even what authors I like.  If you like to be overwhelmed by a variety of books priced to sell, then please pick them over so I won't be so overstimulated next time I browse them.  Happy hunting, bargain bookers!

EARTH DAY!!!

                          Photo by woodleywonderworks

 

HOORAY!

 

Bluegrass Jam

                                         Photo by Steve Punter

Come out to the Garland County Library for our monthly acoustic Bluegrass Jam on the first Thursday of every month from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. All musicians and music fans of all ages are welcome to come out and play or just hang out and enjoy. Just remember, jam etiquette applies!!

Calling All Ukes! Library Hosts Great Uke Salute

(Donna Rusher and Tony Webb take a uke break.)

If all the ukuleles in central Arkansas played the same song at the same time, what would it sound like?  This is the musical question that Conway based ukulelist William Higgs hopes to answer during his appearance at Garland County Library, Hot Springs, Saturday, April 14^th at 2 pm.  The program, “Ukulele Bill and the Great Uke Salute” will feature a concert, prize give-aways, and a group play-along of “Sloop John B.” by the Beach Boys.

            “Since a couple of our staff members have started playing the ukulele, we’ve noticed an interest in the instrument and hope this will be a fun way to learn more about it from a ukulele master,” John Wells, Library Director, said.  “Bill Higgs is a fantastic musician and I’m sure that more folks will get uke fever after they’ve seen him play.”

            Bill Higgs was inspired by The Beatles to start playing music.  “I was in the 6^th grade when I heard them for the first time and I never looked back,” Higgs said.  “We started a band and played music at dances and parties until we graduated high school. In college I got into the acoustic guitar movement and followed that road for several years. After college in Memphis, I met a fellow from North Carolina and proceeded to play bluegrass (mostly banjo) in a band for the next four years.”

            After moving to Conway in 1992, Higgs began playing mandolin with the “ToadSuck Symphony.” For the next 15 years, “we proceeded to horrify traditional bluegrass lovers with our bluegrass versions of rock music from the 60’s on,” Higgs said.  Recently, Higgs has mainly

played ukulele.

            “It is truly a happy little instrument that can play almost any genre and time period,” Higgs said.  “It can be very sophisticated or very simple. You can truly celebrate life with your ukulele.”

            In addition to playing music, Higgs builds stringed instruments and has built four tenor ukuleles, three of which he currently plays, the other a gift to his son. “Building instruments is something that gives me as much joy as playing and I encourage any of you, if you are so inclined, to give it a whirl,” Higgs said.

            Chord sheets of “Sloop John B.” are available at the library for those who want to practice before the play-along.  “I have no idea how many people play the ukulele, but we want them all to come play along with Bill April 14^th,” Wells said.  “We know that there will be four more ukuleles in the area that day, because we’re giving them away as prizes at the concert.  I hope that anyone who plays or has interest in hearing some great music will be sure to sign up for the show.”

            The concert is free and open to the public, but registration is required.  Call the library at 501-623-4161 or 501-922-4483 to reserve a seat or for more information.

And They're Off!

The Garland County Library will host a  series of  lunchtime talks exploring horse racing at Oaklawn Jockey Club.  The first program, scheduled for Wednesday, March 7^th at noon,  will focus on women’s roles in racing. Guest panelists from various areas of the racing industry scheduled to appear include Kathy Howard, former jockey and current trainer; Kim Baron, Director of Marketing; Jennifer Hoyt, Director of Media Relations;  Deborah Keene, Director of Horsemen’s Relations;  Mary McGrew, Food and Beverage Senior Management; and Mary Rampellini, Daily Racing Form expert and journalist.

            “We’re really excited about resuming this series,” Library Director John Wells said.  “We had a blast last year with this program and lots of people have asked for a continuation, so I hope it’s an even bigger hit this year.  One of the things that makes Hot Springs unique is its history of live racing and we’re looking forward to learning more about it from track insiders. Once again, we’re working with Brandon Scott at Oaklawn to help us line up the most interesting and entertaining figures in racing.”

            Other programs in the series, scheduled for Wednesdays in March at noon, will feature Oaklawn’s new faces, handicapping, and a meet and greet with jockeys and trainers. 

            Participants are invited to bring a brown bag lunch; water and soft drinks will be provided.  Due to limited seating, registration is required for this event.  Call 623-4161 or 922-4483 to register or for more information.

A Blog on Blogs

Web logs, or blogs for short, have been popping up all over the internet in various forms since the 90’s. Originating from email lists, bulletin board systems, and other early internet social networking tools, blogs are basically personal online journals created by individuals about any topic imaginable. A blog is usually laid out in a reverse chronological order with the newest post at the top and every thread allows users to comment. Anyone can blog these days; knowledge of HTML (hypertext markup language) or FTP (file transfer protocol) is no longer necessary due to modern web publishing tools. Some blogs tend to concentrate on certain subjects and others are more like day-to-day personal interactive diaries. As of 2011, there were an estimated 156 million public blogs in existence. No wonder why the Garland County Library has its very own web log where we post about what’s happening at the library, exciting upcoming events, and absolutely useless knowledge. 

Here are just a few of my favorite blogs. And, no, they don’t have anything to do with anything. 

Portraits of dogs as they shake off water!!

And, of course,

Hey Girl, I like the library too!

Free tax help at the Garland County Library

Tax volunteers from AARP will be offering free tax help at your Garland County Library from now until April 14th. Their hours of operation are Monday-Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm and they also have evening sessions on Tue-Wed-Thu from 3 pm to 7 pm. To use this service, you'll need to bring your W-2s and a copy of last year's tax return. If you have rental or farm property, you are ineligible for this service. The service is first-come, first-served and can be hectic at times, so it might be a good idea to call ahead and see if they are full for the day. They do not, however, take phone calls or give tax advise over the phone.

While you wait, the library has a number of ways to occupy your time. We show movies during the week(check the schedule at http://www.garland.lib.ar.us/new/movies.html), you can read a book, use the internet, take in a book discussion or enjoy one of the library's many programs. The AARP volunteers do a great service to this community, so come by and get your taxes filed.

Sonny Burgess to Headline Library Cash Tribute

            The Garland County Library will host The Johnny Jamboree, a tribute to the late Kingsland, Arkansas native Johnny Cash, on Saturday, February 11^th.  Sonny Burgess and the Legendary Pacers will headline the event to a sell-out crowd. Other festivities will include a “Johnny Cash Birthday Bash” and a performance by Adayas, a local band.

            “Great music is a part of our heritage as Arkansans,” said Karen Covey, who is organizing the event for the library.  “Of all the great musicians who’ve come from Arkansas, the one who’s probably had the most impact and touched the most people is Johnny Cash.  This is our tribute to the Man in Black.”

            Rockabilly Hall of Fame member and Arkansas native Sonny Burgess, along with his band the Legendary Pacers, will perform at 3 pm in the Gordonelle Williams Hall. 

            Burgess formed his band in 1955 in Newport, Arkansas. They had five singles on Sun Records, the same label for which Cash recorded, including “Red Headed Woman” backed with “We Wanna Boogie,” which is considered by some critics one of the “wildest” rock and roll records ever. Sonny and the Pacers have played to sold out clubs, festivals, and colleges all over the US and Canada.

            “We’ve had Sonny and the Pacers at the library several times and they just keep getting better,” Covey said.  “They traveled and performed with Johnny Cash and they’ve promised to share some stories as well as music.”

            Adayas, a local band whose music blends old and new styles for an original sound, will perform at 12:30 pm.  “Our sound is a mix blues and rock riffs with catchy vocal melodies and rhythmic bass lines,” Tony Webb, who plays bass and guitar, said.  “We hope people will come to see us for our original songs, but until they get to know them, they’ll definitely enjoy some covers we do by everyone from the Doors to Roger Miller, and of course, Johnny Cash.”

            Adayas, which also includes Tim Webb on vocals and guitar, Charlie Hunt on bass and guitar, and Eric Powell on drums, takes its name from the Caddo Indian word for “band” or “us.”

            The Johnny Jamboree festivities will commence at 11 am with a “Johnny Cash Birthday Bash.” 

            “Johnny Cash’s birthday is February 26^th, so we’ll be celebrating a little early,” Covey said.  “But we plan to have a fun party, listening to his music, sharing stories, having refreshments, giving away some great prizes.  If anyone has any Johnny Cash memorabilia they’d like to show off, we might have a show and tell, too.”

            For more information call the library at 623-4161 or 922-4483.

Groundhog Day

As early as February of 1841, Americans have relied on a groundhog to predict how much longer winter weather will last. Although the rodent is very rarely accurate, rated at about 39% according to the National Climatic Data Center, thousands of people still gather to celebrate Groundhog Day every February 2nd. Supposedly if the day is cloudy when a groundhog emerges from the ground winter weather will end and the animal will leave it's burrow. If the sun is shining and the groundhog sees his shadow he will retreat and winter will continue for six more weeks.

This weather forecasting tradition began in the 18th and 19th centuries using not only groundhogs, but a variety of animals such as badgers, bears, marmots, and even hedgehogs. The modern holiday is mostly celebrated in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania where crowds as large as 40,000 people gather to eat, drink, dance, and of course watch Punsutawney Phil predict the end of winter.

This already widely celebrated holiday became even more popular with the release of the 1993 comedy film, Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray as the love-to-hate weatherman Phil Connors.

For more information on this bizarre holiday check out The Groundhog Day Book of Facts and Fun or watch the film, Groundhog Day.



Master Gardeners Propose Colorful Spring

The Garland County Library will host a brown bag lunch presentation by the Garland County Master Gardeners on Friday, January  20th at 11:30 am.  The focus of the talk will be on planting bulbs for spring color.

            “This is a great chance for everyone to learn more about bulbs and planning your spring gardens,” said Diane Daniel, a member of the Master Gardeners’ External Education committee, which educates community groups and individuals on gardening topics.  

             For more information on the Garland County Master Gardeners, email Diane Daniel at arhogfans@hotmail.com or call 501-922-1656.  Registration is required for this event.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch.  Some beverages will be provided.  Call the library at 623-4161 or 922-4483 to reserve a seat.

Women of Willoughby Art Show

The Garland County Library presents art by the “Women of Willoughby” for the entire month of January. “WOW” is a group of artists brought together by a passion to create and share. Their inception was in the historic Willoughby House where their art complimented each other.  This show features several kinds of art including jewelry, photography, paintings, graphic arts, and pottery.

Patricia Sullivan creates with fine metals, precious and semi-precious stones to conceive designs in wearable as well as functional jewelry. Nature influences her creations through themes and color combinations. Some pieces are custom made for a specific person’s personality.

 Tina Welchman, a country girl, often expresses her love of nature, God’s glory, and Arkansas’ rural life through her digital photography. Her dream to share her passions and to bring a smile to each face encountering her work is realized through her photography.

  When faced with blank walls in her new business Sherri Mac decided to work overnight to cover them with creations both colorful and affordable. Her quirky computer generated art comes from tweaking her drawings, paintings, and digital photos.

   Hannah Briggs, student of artist Jan Briggs, is a 3^rd grader at Lake Hamilton. She enjoys learning new painting techniques and having fun with color. She has sold some of her pieces and earned ribbons for her work.

    Hailee Briggs, Lake Hamilton 9^th grader, is also a student of Jan Briggs. She enjoys doing her own thing and has experimented with art since she was very young.

    Gesula Briggs has learned to manipulate oil pastels under the instruction of Jan Briggs. She loves animals and is a member of Three Rivers Art Guild in Glenwood, AR.

     Promise Deloach, age 14, has been a student of Nina Louton for four years. She enjoys all forms of art and fashion design. Her work has received several Best of Show awards.

     Mary Wigley, retired student of Joanne Kunath, works in pastels and oils. Her lifelong dream is to create a reflection of God’s beauty through art.

     Kevin Jiang has been a student of Nina Louton for one year. He is a very talented 10 year old Park Magnet student who loves all forms of art.

     Oliver Aguilar, homeschooled student of Nina Louton, is miserable when he can’t do art. Having been an art student for two years he plans to be an art teacher.

     Other WOW artists who exhibit regularly around the Hot Springs area include: Angela Stickels, Jan Briggs, Vanessa Ratliff, Norma Griffin, Joanne Kunath, and Nina Louton.

Come to the library any time during January to see the art by the Women of Willoughby. Also be sure to check out the Marjorie Lawrence exhibit. Learn about Ms. Lawrence's life, career, and time spent in Hot Springs, Arkansas from this temporary display.