Greene County Arkansas

Paragould, Arkansas

Centennial Edition Section 2

14- Section 2, Centennial Edition                                                                                                                      Paragould Daily Press, Monday, August 29, 1983

=============================================================================================================

"People Helping People  continued "
Masons have been an active fraternal organization in Greene County's history. For instance, A Masonic hall was located on the third floor of one of the Gainesville courthouses and this Masonic picnic drew a large number of prominent residents.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Photo courtesy: Della Bridges

 

Continued from Page 13

Girl and Boy Scouts, Boys Club
and 4-H have provided character
building, supervised recreation and
citizenship programs.
In times of emergency and distress,
food, clothing, shelter and medical ex-
penses have been provided by Good-
fellows, Mission Outreach, Salvation
Army and Sight Conservation. Hundreds
of people have been treated for alcohol-
ism at the Recovery Center, while the
Arthritis Foundation has cared for the
arthritics in the county.

Civitan Club
The Paragould Civitan Club was es-
tablished Nov. 3, 1963, to help the
mentally and physically handicapped.
There are 38 members.
In 1964, the club sponsored the Pa-
ragould sheltered workshop, proceeds
of which were used to start and ope-
rate the first special education class
in the city and county. In 1980, the
club purchased a new van to help
transport special children to field
trips and other events.
In 20 years, the club has contributed
more than $100,000 to the community.

Radio Amateurs Club
The Greene County Radio Amateurs
Club began in November 1965 as an
on-the-air get together by local radio
amateurs to discuss emergency proce-
dures and fraternal discussions.
The club soon began meeting in
member's homes, but met in the com-
munity center when it opened. The
club has 25 members and eight asso-
ciate members.
Its purpose is to help with communi-
cations on health and welfare. The
club continues to sponsor classes for
those interested in becoming a radio
amateur.

Fine Arts Council
The Greene County Fine Arts Coun-
cil Inc. was organized in 1969 and in-
corporated in 1975. It was established
to provide the community with a va-
ried cultural program and now has 130
members. Lyndal Waits is president.
The council has progressed from
programming three activities a year
to 11 activities a year. The budget of
  

 

Photo Caption:

The Ancient Order of United Workmen was once a prominent local organiz-ation. The AOUW hall, above what is now C&M Jewelers, was used for many community functions.

                                                                                                       Photo courtesy: Mary Colley

 

=========================

the biggest project, the summer  musical, has grown from $900 to $7,000.The council also provides exposure to the arts to school child-ren by way of dance, opera and theatre performances.
   Also available to the community are workshops in art, dance and theatre. Each year the programs provide entertainment and instruction to more than 6,000 citizens

Exchangettes
 The Paragould Exchangettes began
in November 1969 to help the local Exchange Club in community pro-jects.There are 14 members.
   The Exchangettes have sponsored a girl at Girls State, given a book scholarship to a student majoring in special education and contributed money and supplies to special edu- cation classes at Oak Grove and Elmwood elementary schools.

  =========================

Democratic Women
  The Greene County Democratic Women's Club started Sept. 23, 1971, to support the principles of the Democratic party and work for the election of Democratic party candidates. There are 25 members.
   The local club is affiliated with the
Arkansas Federation of Democratic
Women's Club and the National Federation of Democratic Women's Club with elected representatives on the state and national committees. Local projects include sponsoring the Miss Greene County and Little Miss Greene County pageants and a fair exhibit.
  The club also sponsors a Christmas
party for all special education stu- dents.It has sponsored a Girls State delegate and floats in local parades. Membership is open to all persons who are registered to vote and inter-ested in the objectives of the organi-zation and who declare allegiance to the Democratic party.

 
  BEES Senior Citizens
   Greene County Senior Citizens orga-
nized the BEES (Busily Enjoying Every-
day Seniors) in 1972. The program was designed to seek out the isolated elderly and get them involved in a socialization program at the Greene County Com-munity Center.
   In February 1973 the BEES received a van and began a transportation pro-
gram to help the elderly remain self-
sufficient. A group of women called
the Quilting BEES make quilts and
give them to county residents who
have lost their homes to fire. In the
last 11 years, they have given away
more than 100 quilts.
   BEES band members have been ac-
tive since 1972. Three Arkansas gover-
nors have asked them to perform at
special functions, and they have enter-
tained in Missouri, Tennessee and
Mississippi.
   In 1976, the BEES received another
buss and the Mini Rise was opened. In
March 1977 the group started a nutri-
tion program that provides noon meals
Monday through Friday at the Mini Rise
and community center. Home-delivered
meals are now available in Paragould, Marmaduke, Lafe and Oak Grove.
   Through the years, transportation
services have been increased to include a fleet of five buses, one of  which is equipped with a steel chair lift.

Retired Teachers
   The Greene County Retired Teachers Association was established in the fall of 1974 to help retired teachers keep in touch with each other and the teaching profession and to further the cause of education. There are 85 members.
   The organization has contributed
more than 12,000 volunteer hours to
projects during the past year. A used
book sale has been the group's main
money making project the past two
years. Last year's sale provided
$1,107.50 and this year's has already
exceeded $900.
   This money is used to purchase
books and other materials for the pub-
lic library. A book is placed in the lib-
rary as a memorial for each deceased
member. The GCRT association has
been honored two years for having 100
percent membership in Arkansas Re-
tired Teachers.
 

 

In February 1973 the BEES received

 

Transcribed from the 1983 Centennial Edition by : PR Massey

Return to Greene County, Arkansas Centennial Edition

Return to Greene County, Arkansas Newspapers

Return to Greene County, Arkansas Index Page

© 2011PR Massey