Stories from Wednesday, September 8, 2004

The Greg McCoy family of Osage has been named the Northwest District Farm Family of the Year, making them one of eight finalists to be judged in September to determine the Arkansas Farm Family of the Year. The McCoys did not know of the announcement Tuesday afternoon until contacted by this newspaper. Delene McCoy expressed excitement, and immediately after the phone conversation went to the field where Greg was baling hay to tell him...

GREEN FOREST ---- An $80,000 settlement will be paid to Carol Ann Gratton, a former Green Forest teacher who filed a lawsuit against the Green Forest School District, claiming she lost her job because she complained about the district's treatment of Spanish-speaking students...

The blooms of three beautiful iris so captivated Dall Bowman that he and Marion Witherspoon now grow the stately stalks as an enterprise. "It's an enjoyment that got out of hand," explained Dall. "It all started with three iris my mom sent four years ago. I stuck them in the ground and the following spring they were up and pretty. And, they kept multiplying."...

Containing five lesson plans and video materials, this package is useful for teachers of a wide range of age groups, from middle school students to general church groups. With a running time of about 25 minutes, the DVD includes five videos, including a slap; a guy wearing a God baseball cap; a guy swimming; river scenes; and a goofy series of clips from a mercifully forgotten 1970s kung fu/spy/action television show...

The Berryville Lady Bobcat volleyball team had to fight for it, but earned wins over Alpena and Marshall this week to push its record to 4-0 overall, 3-0 in conference play. Coach Emily Webb's varsity had an easy time with Alpena, winning 25-9, 25-14, 25-6, but saw Marshall carry them to four games before her team could take the match...

The Eureka Springs Historical Museum Board of Directors unveiled new programs for fund-raising and an art gallery during the annual museum meeting Aug. 26. "Pillars of the Museum" will be a year 'round fund-raising effort with supporters able to make direct deposit donations...

Who would have thought that the study of physics would come in handy for shooting pool? That was one of several surprises Travis Ridenour of Eureka Springs got the first time he attended the Billiard Sanctuary Academy of the Cueing Arts in Mt. Snow/Dover Vt., last year...

The annual Holiday Island Art Show and Fair this weekend was another successful event, with prizes for the best of the art and many demonstrations and performances in the tent next door to the Barn. Thursday afternoon a reception was held in the Barn for the artists to award prizes...