Midweek 8-31-16

PRS RT S TD U.S . PO S TA G E PA ID

Little Rock, AR 72202 Permit No. 471

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 Number 35, Volume 37

MID-WEEK

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Servin g th e H ot Sprin gs / G a rla n d C ou n ty a rea s in ce 19 77

The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn

WOMEN MENTORS: Speakers, from left, Rebekah Robinette, Alanah Claybaugh, Suzanne Mitchell and Andrea Roberts discussed STEM fields and mentors Aug. 24 for a Million Women Mentors launch

at National Park College. The national initiative is meant to advance girls and women in STEM careers through mentoring.

Initiative encourages girls, women in STEM fields JAY BELL

The Sentinel-Record

State and local speakers addressed the need to encourage more women to pursue interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics on Aug. 24 during a local launch of the Million Women Mentors movement.

National Park College hosted several speakers and more than 115 visitors in the Dr. Martin Eisele Auditorium of the Frederick M. Dierks Center for Nursing and Health Sciences. Million Women Mentors is an initiative of STEMconnector in collaboration with more than 60 partners, 45 corporate sponsors and 35 state leadership teams.

The initiative is meant to reach more than 30 million girls and women to in-

crease interest and their confidence to persist and succeed in STEM programs and careers. One million mentors, male and female, are being sought to help increase the percentage of high school girls planning to pursue STEM careers, increase the percentage of young women pursuing undergraduate degrees in STEM fields and increase the percentage of women staying and advancing in STEM careers through supporting workforce mentoring programs.

Wal-Mart has pledged to work with 5,000 mentees in Arkansas by 2018. The program was launched in the state in partnership with Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin.

Andrea Roberts, senior manager of STEM strategy at Wal-Mart, said more than 2,000 pledges have already been

made since February. She said the pledge goal could be doubled or tripled before 2018.

“We are already doing a fantastic job in reaching mentees,” Roberts said.

The initiative has accumulated more than 30,000 pledges in recent weeks to raise its overall total to almost 684,000 from 40 states. The total is updated daily at http://www.millionwomenmentors. org.

Kelli Albrecht, NPC vice president for workforce and strategic initiatives, said events, such as the launch on Aug. 24, are meant to help students understand the STEM opportunities available to them and possible mentors. She and NPC President John Hogan welcomed the visitors to campus.

Teacher champions computer science JAY BELL

The Sentinel-Record

Garland County will be represented for the second cycle in a row of the nation’s top teachers in mathematics and science for grades 7-12.

Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts’ computer science specialist Daniel Moix has been named a recipient of the 2015 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Moix was a member of the fourth graduating class at ASMSA. “As a computer science teacher, I am really excited that my selection was announced during a time that computer science education is in the press in Arkansas and is timely nationally,” Moix said.

President Barack Obama announced 213 teachers as recipients of the 2014 and 2015

Birthday

“We are very proud to be part of this,” Hogan said. “We are very proud to encourage students, in this case women, to enter in careers that will help them and the state of Arkansas.”

Roberts said other launches were held earlier this year in Bentonville, Little Rock and Pine Bluff. Future events have been planned for Fort Smith, El Dorado, Jonesboro and Texarkana.

Rebekah Robinette explained the role of mentors in her path to becoming an instructor of microbiology, anatomy and physiology at the college. She is also an alum.

Robinette lived in Benton when she originally traveled to Hot Springs with a friend to visit Magic Springs. They decided after learning Magic Springs was

closed to go to Mid-America Science Museum.

They passed the college campus on their way to the museum and it sparked her interest in attending the school. She said the decision to attend college was a radical decision to her family, but she began classes in Hot Springs 20 years ago.

Robinette said she was immediately intimidated by former instructor Ann Bragg. She excelled in school, but she had to commute and encountered anxiety. Robinette said Bragg helped her through it.

“I just knew that Dr. Bragg was teaching me something I could use,” Robinette said.

Bragg traveled with her when she

STEM, PAGE 3

awards. It is the highest recognition for teachers of mathematics and sciences for kindergarten through the 12th grade.

As many as 108 teachers are recognized each year to represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories and the Department Moix of Defense Education Activity schools. Winners are selected by a panel of scientists, mathematicians and educators after finalists advance through an initial selection process at the state level.

Awardees will travel to D.C. next month for an awards dinner. Their trip will include a tour of the White House, a series of recognition events and professional development opportu-

MOIX, PAGE 5

bash

The Sentinel-Record/Max Bryan

WINDING DOWN: One of the Speed Check garment conveyors used at ABC Cleaners is loaded

with clothing ready to be picked up. The dry-cleaning business closed down Aug. 26 after almost 60 years in operation.

Dry cleaner closes after six decades MAX BRYAN

The Sentinel-Record

Aug. 26 marks the final day of operations for a dry cleaner that has been a fixture in the laundry business in Garland County for more than half a century.

ABC Cleaners of Arkansas ran its final shift on Aug. 26. In its time of operation, the gray building located on the corner of Belding Street and Central Avenue not only made a name for itself as a dry cleaner, but also built a community around its practice.

ABC Cleaners of Arkansas began as a business The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn more than 58 years ago under the ownership of Makenna Simpson, 9, a fourth-grader at Kirby Elementary School, runs the obstacle course as part of Earl and Dorothy LaMontagne. Until 2001, the the activities for the National Park Service’s 100-year birthday celebration Aug. 25 on Arlington Lawn business stayed in the family, passed down from the in Hot Springs National Park. Other activities included horseshoes, hula hoops, badminton, crafts and LaMontagnes to their daughter, Joyce Piatt, and her learning about the park’s history. husband, Bob, and later to their son, Michael.

The dry cleaner’s current owners, Bob and Debbie Paulk, bought the business from Michael Piatt, whom they had originally met as customers. Debbie Paulk said their first interaction occurred when Michael Piatt had to regrettably inform Bob Paulk that the cleaner had lost his wedding pants.

Following this incident, Michael Piatt became friends with the Paulks. Six months later, in June 2001, the Paulks purchased the business from him after he had expressed a desire to sell it.

The Paulks began bringing it up to the day’s industry standards, moving from a written ticket system to a computerized one. They also bought equipment from Foster’s, a dry cleaner owned by Lila Kay Barnett, which was closing at the time. “(Michael) had the equipment that his grandfa-

CLEANERS, PAGE 4

25th annual Baron’s Ball to be held in October FROM STAFF REPORTS

The 25th annual Levi Hospital benefit gala The Baron’s Ball will be held this year on Oct. 29.

“A Black Tie Masked Cabaret” will begin at 6 p.m. in Horner Hall of the Hot Springs Convention Center, offering “jaw-dropping virtuosity” and “breathtaking showmanship” and will support the programs provided at Levi, said a news release from the hospital.

The fundraiser will include a reception, silent auction, live auction, and entertainment, and close with a dance party.

“The Baron,” Davis Tillman, and his wife, Suellen, will once again be

the “Excellence Sponsor” of the event.

Other sponsors include Dorothy Morris and the Morris Foundation, Brad and Elaine Wolken, Angela Rose — Rose Eye Clinic, Lou and Susan Siegel, Southern Bancorp, PLD Transport Inc., LifeNet, Q. Byrum Hurst, Robert Zunick, branch manager for Wells Fargo Advisors LLC, Hot Springs Village POA, Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield, National Park College, Regions Bank, David and Karen Reagler, Bear State Bank, First Security Bank, Legacy Printers, Simmons Bank, Jean Gershner, Carol Wootton, Lookout Pointe Lakeside Inn, and Ouachita Financial Advisors.

“Levi would also like to thank Glazer’s, Visit Hot Springs, The Sentinel-Record, US Stations, Central Arkansas Radio Group, and KVRE Station in the Village for their support of the Baron’s Ball,” the release said.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and include benefits such as tickets or a table for the event depending on the sponsorship level. Call Jackie Arrison, 622-3498, or visit http://www. levihospitalbaronsball.org for more information on sponsorships, or for ticket information.

All proceeds from the Baron’s Ball will benefit the programs at Levi, which include outpatient rehabilitation

services, student athlete programs, Levi Transitions counseling, and adult inpatient psychiatric care, the release said.

“For the third year running, the Outpatient Rehabilitation Department received The Sentinel-Record Reader’s Choice Award for best Outpatient Physical Therapy Provider. In addition, the hospital is well-recognized throughout the entire state for its work with those with psychiatric disorders, as it is one of the few hospitals that will take patients from 18 years of age and up,” the release said.

“While Levi has great facilities and equipment, our success comes directly from the team of dedicated profession-

• 300 Spring St. Hot Springs, AR 71901 • To subscribe or place an advertisement, call 501-623-7711 or 922-0979 in Hot Springs Village •

als whose only mission is to bring the patient to their highest level of function, whether that be physical, mental or emotional,” Pat McCabe, president and CEO, said in the release.

“Levi Hospital is one of the oldest and longest serving hospitals in the State of Arkansas having opened its doors on Nov. 1, 1914. Since that date, Levi Hospital has gained a reputation of providing superior care within its defined services. Levi has always focused on meeting the community health needs, and as such, has modified its programming to address those critical, unmet and underserved needs,” he said.

2 The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

FEMA grant to fund fire training simulator MARK GREGORY Editor

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-District 4, on Aug. 22 presented a Federal Emergency Management Agency Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $409,091 to the Hot Springs Fire Department to purchase a live fire training simulator.

“The award of this grant will allow the fire department to establish a true live fire training facility. We are very excited about the training possibilities this burn building will support,” Hot Springs Fire Chief Ed Davis said.

The mobile training structure will be used on a weekly basis by the 11 fire departments and more than 350 firefighters in the Hot Springs region, according to a letter Westerman wrote to FEMA in January in support of the grant.

“The MTS will provide training to firefighters which will help increase the response capabilities of all departments within the surrounding area. It will also provide realistic training scenarios to firefighters to help alleviate potential life-threatening situations,” Westerman wrote.

“These fire departments serve over 97,000 residents and host over 2.7 million visitors yearly. The MTS will be a valuable asset to the Hot Springs Fire Department and the surrounding volunteer fire departments,” he said.

The total cost of the simulator is $495,000. The city’s cost share will be just under $50,000; the city’s grant application says the funds have been identified to meet the city’s share of the obligation. The estimated overhead for the mobile simulator is $6,500 annually, including electricity, propane and a maintenance budget.

Davis said on Aug. 22 that the grant request was principally written by firefighters Andy Davis and Kevin McCain,

two of the department’s younger members who “shouldered the task with great enthusiasm.”

“They sought help from many people who assisted with the process of finalizing the application. In my opinion, the group effort produced a superior document,” he said.

“It’s always good when you have young people who want to learn, take on new tasks and succeed. The firefighter rank at Hot Springs Fire Department has a large number of those people. Andy and Kevin did a great job,” he said.

Davis said the department also appreciates the support it received from the city manager and the Hot Springs Board of Directors.

The “Dual 48-foot Portable Stacked Live Fire Training Simulator” is manufactured by Fire Training Structures LLC. of Phoenix and can cover a “broad spectrum of training scenarios,” according to the grant request, including ventilation training and simulation, vertical rescue training, and confined space rescue training.

The cost of the simulator, which is constructed on two tractor-trailer chassis, includes training on set-up/takedown of the simulator, delivery to the department, and certification of Hot Springs Fire Department personnel to safely operate and perform training using the simulator.

The simulator will be kept at the fire department’s training ground and, if the need arises, the department has the capability, with city resources, to move the simulator.

“As a department, we have tirelessly discussed and examined the various options for mobile training simulators.

In the end, we decided this particular model from Fire Training Structures best met our needs, and gives us the opportu-

The Sentinel-Record/Colbie McCloud

FIRE GRANT: U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-District 4, right, presents a Federal Emergency Management Agency

Assistance to Firefighters Grant of $409,091 to the Hot Springs Fire Department on Aug.22 at the Central Fire Station to purchase a live fire training simulator. nity to cross-train with other agencies,” the grant application said.

“A working structure fire is neither the time nor place to

realize our tactics differ from those of our mutual aid partners. Having the ability to train our department and firefighters from surrounding departments

Happy birthday: Hot Springs National Park celebrates NPS centennial MAX BRYAN

The Sentinel-Record

Hot Springs National Park, along with the rest of the country, celebrates the National Park Service’s 100th birthday on Aug. 25.

Starting with a sunrise hike from the porch of the Fordyce Bath House, Hot Springs National Park hosted events all day to commemorate the Park Service’s centennial. The events that were held in the park included bath house tours, video presentations and bat watching.

The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn Hot Springs National Park WORLD FAMOUS: Pedestrians stroll down world-famous Bathhouse Row on Aug. 24 in Hot Springs holds a special place in the fedNational Park. eral government’s history of preserving and protecting the country’s natural resources that predates the formation of the National Park Service itself. Legislation Congress passed in 1832 to protect what would later become Hot Springs National Park was the first of its kind, and led to the establishment of this country’s national parks system and, eventually, the National Park Service.

“We were the first land set aside by the federal government,” said Allison Jordan, HSNP administrative assistant. “We started it.”

In 1820, Arkansas Territorial Legislature asked the U.S. government to section off the city’s namesake thermal springs and surrounding mountains as a federal reservation. Twelve years later, their request was honored. On April 20, 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed legislation that would preserve the area, stating that the federal government would set aside “four sections of land including said (hot) springs, The Sentinel-Record/Mara Kuhn reserved for the future disposal THERMAL WATER: Charli Willeford, 2, of Kilgore, Texas, enjoys the thermal spring cascade on of the United States (which) shall Arlington Lawn. not be entered, located, or appro-

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in a controlled environment will alleviate potential life threatening situations in realistic training scenarios. This training is invaluable,” it said.

priated, for any other purpose whatsoever.”

Kevin Peppard, a park guide, said that this sort of legislation initiated the line of thinking that would lead to the establishment of the Park Service.

“This is the first instance of the federal government actually setting aside land for the American public and for the public’s use,” Peppard said. “That set the precedent for the National Park System.”

The Act to Establish the National Park Service was passed on Aug. 25, 1916, under President Theodore Roosevelt. The act protected the country’s 14 national parks, 21 national monuments and the two reservations (one of which was Hot Springs). Hot Springs Reservation was eventually designated as this country’s 18th national park on March 4, 1921, which allowed NPS to oversee the completion of Bathhouse Row, according to “The Hot Springs of Arkansas Through the Years: A Chronology of Events.”

Miguel Marquez, supervisory park ranger, expressed amazement at the park’s longevity, noting, “1832, and we’re still here today. It’s promoting the mission of the Park Service.”

In its 100 years of existence, the National Park Service has protected parks, monuments and reservations across the country from residential settlement while preserving such lands for public access and enjoyment.

Jeff Johnson, supervisory law enforcement ranger, expressed gratitude that the government has preserved lands across the country, particularly the park he serves in.

“There would be a few rich

people with a lodge on top of Half Dome, and that would be it,” Johnson said, describing this nation’s possible circumstances if the Park Service did not exist. “It’s pretty neat that our government has made those efforts and has set this property aside to keep it for generations to come.”

Kyle West, motor vehicle operator for the national park, said that he and others who work for NPS take pride in being part of the 100-year-old service that has made it possible for friends and families to make memories and take in history.

“We’re conserving historical, geographical and topographical resources, cultural resources and natural resources,” West said.

“We’re conserving them so that the public can consume them.”

When asked, all six Park Service employees interviewed by The Sentinel-Record said that the message they wish to communicate on their 100th anniversary is go and experience the parks.

Janda Bonham, a volunteer, said that the parks are there for the public to enjoy, they just need to get out and enjoy them.

“There are 410 different places in the United States for families,” Bonham said. “They don’t have to travel far to find a piece of our history that has been preserved and take part in it.”

Marquez agreed with Bonham, stating that NPS is ultimately “pushing experiences” for the American public.

“There are parks in every state,” Marquez said. “I want to encourage our audience to be healthy and explore the national parks for 100 more years.”

Film festival ‘coming together beautifully’ LINDSEY WELLS The Sentinel-Record

Planning is underway for the 25th annual Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, set for Oct. 7-16, and according to Courtney Pledger, HSDFF executive director, “everything is coming together beautifully.”

Though she can’t give away too many of this year’s surprises just yet, Pledger said one of the festival’s events will feature silver anniversary cocktails at artist Longhua Xu’s “magnificent” international art gallery to commemorate this quarter-century anniversary. She added that the popular filmmaker’s special guest sponsor lounge will also be bigger and better this year.

“One thing I can say is that people are always really, really in love with the filmmaker’s special guest sponsor lounge and this year it’s going to be even more central to the festival, larger and really in the middle between the two screening venues. So, for all access pass-holders, it will just be the place to stop in between screenings. Food and drink and special guests in there — people you can talk to from all over the world. We’ve kind of enlarged that this year,” she said.

Deltic Timber Corp. will return as HSDFF’s Exclusive Presenting Sponsor for the second year and Pledger said Mountain Valley Spring Water Co. has recently joined as a major sponsor on the executive pro-

ducer level. The company will be “heavily participating in the festival, including giving us the use of their building for a couple of key parties,” and a Mountain Valley Spring Water Best U.S. Documentary Award will be presented during the festival.

Emmy Award-winning actor Ed Asner will attend this year’s festival along with his “Lou Grant” co-star Robert Walden.

Asner will discuss his life, career, charity work and activism as the subject of the documentary “My Friend Ed,” a news release said. A screening of the film will take place on Oct. 15 and a question-and-answer session will follow.

“Ed Asner has always been a hero of mine.

Our paths have crossed a few times; he had a grandson at the same school as one of my kids so we would cross paths every once in awhile,” Pledger said. “Just the fact that, all politics aside, he really stands up for the things he believes in and really does something. He puts himself out there to help people raise money for causes and he’s a real-life hero. I think it’s going to be very exciting to have him and very exciting to have his former co-star Robert Walden, who is also an award-winning actor.

“It’s just going to make that evening even more personal because they know each other. It’s going to be a terrific night followed

FESTIVAL, PAGE 4

The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 31, 2016 3

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

The Associated Press

NEW WORLD: This artist rendering provided by the European Southern Observatory shows a view of the surface of the planet Proxima b orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to

the Solar System. The double star Alpha Centauri AB also appears in the image to the upper-right of Proxima itself. Proxima b is a little more massive than the Earth and orbits in the habitable zone around Proxima Centauri, where the temperature is suitable for liquid water to exist on its surface.

Jackpot: Scientists find Earth-like planet at star next door SETH BORENSTEIN The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — After scanning the vast reaches of the cosmos for Earth-like planets where life might exist, astronomers have found one right next door.

A planet that’s rocky like Earth and only slightly bigger has been discovered orbiting Proxima Centauri , the nearest star to our solar system, scientists reported Aug. 25. It is probably in the not-too-hot, not-too-cold Goldilocks Zone where liquid water — a key to life — is possible, if the planet has an atmosphere.

And it is a mere 4.22 light-years from Earth, or nearly 25 trillion miles.

It is easily the closest potentially habitable planet ever detected outside our solar system — and one that could be reachable by tiny, unmanned space probes before the end of the century, in time for some people alive today to witness it.

The international team of astronomers that announced the discovery did not actually see the planet but deduced its existence indirectly, by using telescopes to spot and precisely calculate the gravitational pull on the star by a possible orbiting body — a tried-andtrue method of planet-hunting.

saying: See this right here,” said study co-author R. Paul Butler of the Carnegie Institution for Science.

It would take more than eight years for an energy pulse or radio signal traveling at the speed of light to go there and back. NASA’s New Horizons probe, the fastest spacecraft launched, left Earth hurtling toward Pluto at about 36,000 mph. At that speed, it would take more than 78,000 years to get there.

Earlier this year, an all-star team of scientists and business leaders including Stephen Hawking announced Breakthrough Starshot , a project to send out hundreds of light-powered space probes that would weigh about a gram, travel at one-fifth the speed of light and send pictures back to Earth.

Breakthrough Starshot executive director Pete Worden, a former top NASA official, said organizers are hoping to include Proxima in their plans. Even at the hoped-for speed, it will take 20 years to get there and four more years for photos to come back. Worden said he hopes they will launch by 2060.

Yet in the vastness of space, Proxima b is practically just over the fence, “like your next-door neighbor,” Butler said. Proxima b is more than 50 trillion

miles closer than the previous closest potentially habitable exoplanet.

The next step may be for a powerful Earth or space telescope to get an actual image of the planet, Butler said.

But even when that comes, and it may be a decade or two away, it will only be a single dot: “You’re not going to see espresso bars at the beach. You’re not going to see aliens waving at us.”

Outside experts praised the finding as rock-solid and thrilling.

“It is inspiring to find a potentially habitable world on our cosmic doorsteps, around our next star,” said exoplanet expert Lisa Kaltenegger, director of Cornell University’s Carl Sagan Institute . “It is significant because if we needed inspiration to try to reach the next star, now we have it.”

Four years ago another group of scientists excited the world with a claim of a planet — not in the habitable zone — around Alpha Centauri, a star a bit farther away. That claim was met with suspicion by other astronomers, who later showed that it was unlikely to be real but a ghost signal from the past.

Xavier Dumusque, an author of the Centauri paper, said it is no longer clear if that was a planet, but in an email he said the team led by Angla-

From Page 1

later began college in North Carolina. Multiple local supporters traveled to Florida when she earned a doctorate. Robinette said Bragg and other mentors supported her academically, emotionally and financially throughout her education.

“Having that encouragement made a big difference in my life, obviously,” Robinette said. “So much so that — I could be making much more in the STEM field — but I moved back here and replaced Dr. Bragg on this campus to continue her mentorship for these students.

It’s the most rewarding thing you can do.”

Alanah Claybaugh said similar mentorship experiences have encouraged her to pursue her interests at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts. She is the first student to be accepted into ASMSA from Mansfield.

Her counselor at Mansfield was an ASMSA alum from Ozark. She said her counselor mentored her through the application process and helped convince her parents of the opportunities the school offered.

Claybaugh worked on a science project last year as a junior with a senior partner. The pair won multiple awards at the end of the year with the help of various mentors. Claybaugh is conducting her own project this year.

“I am trying to write protocols on a project that has never been done before and he has emailed me all summer, day in and day out,” Claybaugh said. “It was incredible. I am about to start testing, actually now, and I could not have done any of this without him.”

Claybaugh said the encouragement of her mentors has been crucial to her success.

“I would like to say thank you, not only to my personal mentors, but to everyone who has been a mentor,” Claybaugh said. “You have changed a life.”

Suzanne Mitchell, executive director of the Arkansas STEM Coalition, said she required her daughters to take science and math classes every year. She is also a professor at Arkansas State University and the No Child Left Behind coordinator for the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. Mitchell continued to require her children to take math and science courses in college.

“By then, they didn’t complain,” Mitchell said. “They knew I wouldn’t give. I didn’t really talk to them much about what type of career they should go into, but I knew in the background I was helping them lay that foundation to make a really good choice.”

One daughter became a chemical engineer and is now a vice president of a regional oil and gas company. The other daughter is a pharmacist.

Mitchell said the role of the Arkansas STEM Coalition is to be a catalyst for students and develop a pipeline of skilled workers for the state.

“I say all of this to tell you that we cannot give up on our students, especially we cannot give up on our girls,” Mitchell said. “We need to give them more options and opportunities.”

Diane LaFollette, executive director of Mid-America Science Museum, introduced Griffin on Wednesday. Griffin said the emphasis on female students in STEM is a “numbers game.”

He said current data shows about 50 percent of male high school graduates show interest in STEM fields. Only about 12 percent of female graduates are interested in STEM. “It just tells me that something else is going on,” Griffin said. “It tells me that, first of all, we are missing out on a lot of brain power in the STEM area because a lot of those young ladies are not interested.”

Griffin said Million Women Mentors is about recognizing and developing mentor relationships and progressing the work in STEM fields, which he said are now part of every day life.

“It’s like saying why are we interested in the sun, air or dirt,” Griffin said. “It’s just one of the fundamental building blocks of our society.”

Roberts said Wal-Mart and STEMconnector hope to grow the program across the country and the rest of the world.

“Lt. Gov. (Griffin) also said it’s not just about coming here and talking about it,” Roberts said. “It’s what are we going to do next. We need to make sure that this program is sustainable in our communities.

We are working to figure out the best way to do that and we want to provide you the tools that we can.”

Mentors are asked to have experience in STEM fields and be able to volunteer 20 hours per year. A 52-week curriculum is available to help mentors through the process. Additional information about how to volunteer is available at http://www.arkansasstemcoalition.com.

da-Escude makes a good case for its own discovery.

Anglada-Escude said there is only a 1-in-10-million chance that what they saw was a false positive, proclaiming “no doubt” that what he found was real. That’s because a telescope in Chile that was used to look at Proxima every night for 60 days found a gravitational effect on its star every 11 days or so. Then a close examination of years of data from a different telescope found the same thing, Butler said.

“That cinches it,” Butler said.

“You’ve now seen the exact same signal. Two different telescopes, two different techniques.”

There are still many questions, especially the crucial one of whether the planet has an atmosphere.

Harvard astronomer Avi Loeb, who isn’t part of the discovery team but is advisory board chairman for Breakthrough Starshot, said Proxima might someday prove vital to humanity’s future.

“A habitable rocky planet around Proxima would be the most natural location to where our civilization could aspire to move after the sun will die, 5 billion years from now,” he said in an email.

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“We hit the jackpot here,” said Guillem Anglada-Escude , an astrophysicist at the Queen Mary University of London and lead author of a study on the discovery in the journal Nature . He said the planet is “more or less what we have on Earth.”

They’re calling it Proxima b, and while it could be like Earth in the important features, it would probably still look very alien.

It is 4.6 million miles from its red dwarf star, or just one-twentieth of the distance between Earth and the sun, creating an incredible orange sky with no blue, so it looks like a perpetual sunset. And if that’s not different enough, the planet circles its star so quickly that its year is about 11 days.

The planet doesn’t rotate, so one side is always facing its star and the other side is always dark and colder. It is bombarded with X-rays and ultraviolet light, but that wouldn’t necessarily be fatal to life, since life can exist underground, scientists said.

Scientists in the past 20 years have found more than 3,000 planets outside our solar system, or “exoplanets.” And more than 40 of them seem to be in the habitable zone.

But this one “basically puts a giant flashing neon sign on the nearest star

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Local students medal at FCCLA conference 4 The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 31, 2016

JAY BELL

The Sentinel-Record

Lake Hamilton High School senior Emily Diedrich returned to school this year with a gold medal from the national Family, Career and Community Leaders of America conference last month.

Freshmen Brooklyn Inscore and McKenzie Rucker earned silver medals to cap their first year in FCCLA. The 2016 FCCLA National Leadership Conference was held in July in San Diego. Diedrich, a district FCCLA president, earned gold in the senior division of Focus on Children.

“I think that’s always the goal when you start because you have to make it through district and state,” Diedrich said.

It was her third trip to the national conference and her second time to compete. She previously earned a silver medal in the junior division of the same event.

Inscore and Rucker earned silver medals in the junior division of Food Innovations. The 2015-16 school year was their first in FCCLA as eighth-graders at Lake Hamilton Junior High.

Diedrich competes in the same event each year with a different topic. Participants in Focus on Children plan and conduct a child development project to have a positive impact on children and the community.

Participants must prepare a display and an oral presentation.

Diedrich and her team partner, fellow senior Emily Brock, chose fire safety as their topic for last year’s project. Brock was unable to attend the national event.

Diedrich, who wants to be a teacher, and Brock created a

lesson plan, taught elementary students about fire safety and developed a project to explain how it benefited students and the community. The oral presentation can be up to 10 minutes.

“I enjoy public speaking, which is kind of weird, but it helped me get out of my fear of public speaking,” Diedrich said.

The team sent out a newsletter to 300-plus second-grade students with information about fire safety. An aspect of the competition is to affect as many people as possible. Diedrich said she received positive commentary from the judges after her presentation.

“They told me I was really confident and I did really well,” Diedrich said. “I just felt really confident when I walked out there.”

Inscore and Rucker chose Food Innovations because they enjoy cooking. Participants must demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of food product development by creating an original prototype formula, testing the product through focus groups and developing a marketing strategy.

The junior division required participants to develop a breakfast item featuring an “ancient grain,” which appeals to students in middle school and high school.

Inscore and Rucker developed a granola bar with dates. They titled the item, “Mockingjay bars,” after the popular “Hunger Games” movies. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” was released last November.

Participants must demonstrate their knowledge of food science, nutrition, food preparation safety and product marketing. They must prepare a display, suggested product packaging and an oral presentation.

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SILVER MEDALISTS: Lake Hamilton Junior High freshmen Brook-

lyn Inscore, left, and McKenzie Rucker earned silver medals last month in Food Innovations at the 2016 FCCLA National Leadership Conference in San Diego. The team earned gold in the state competition earlier in the year.

The first-year FCCLA students said they did not expect to make it to nationals when they began their project. They improved from the silver medal they earned in the district Students Taking Action with Recognition event to place first in the state competition, earn gold medals and qualify for nationals.

“We were missing some things at district and we added them into our speeches and our board,” Rucker said.

“We weren’t as nervous in our speech,” Inscore said.

The judges do not taste any of the products. Students are graded on their presentations, which include feedback from others who did taste them.

Lake Hamilton’s events were done by the Monday of the conference. Awards were not announced until that Thursday.

Only one gold and one silver were presented at the state S.T.A.R. event and only the top two participants qualified for nationals. Gold medals at nationals were awarded to students who scored between 90-100. Silver medals were awarded for scores between 70-89.99.

“When I was sitting in the audience waiting for them to announce our awards, I sat next to a girl and her topic was cancer, because she had survived cancer,” Diedrich said. “She was teaching kids about diversity and cancers.

“I thought, ‘Wow, I did not

Submitted photo

GOLDEN STAR: Lake Hamilton High School senior Emily Died-

rich earned a gold medal at the 2016 FCCLA National Leadership Conference in San Diego for her Focus on Children project about fire safety. Diedrich advanced to nationals with a gold medal in the state S.T.A.R. competition with her team partner, Emily Brock, who was unable to attend the national conference. do a strong topic at all.’ I did fire safety, but she actually got silver and I got gold. I guess I did kind of good.”

The students coordinated fundraisers to raise $1,200 each, which did not include the cost of meals. High school sponsor Amanda Porter and junior high librarian Lori Bush traveled with the students.

Diedrich’s term as district

FESTIVAL

From Page 1

ther had put in the business to begin with,” Bob Paulk said. “When Foster’s went under, I approached Lila Kaye about buying the equipment. … She sold me basically all of the equipment you see in there today.”

ABC has had employees who worked there for decades, including Bessie Turner, an employee of 30 years, Lynda Thacker, more than 20 years, and Sharon Nix, 20 years.

Debbie Paulk also said that the business was made great by its faithful customers, whom she described as friends more than anything else. In recent years, some of ABC’s more prominent repeat customers have included Oaklawn trainers, the former chief of surgery of what is now CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs and Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs.

The dry cleaner also had a visit from actor John Ratzenberger in 2009 when he was serving as the grand marshal of the World’s Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“We had a lot of friends,” Debbie Paulk said. “People do business for people they like.”

Through their machinery, longtime employees and the bonds they formed with their customers, the Paulks had a practice built on friendliness and efficiency. Bob Paulk said that he and his wife always tried to complete orders as quickly as possible and make accommodations for each customer.

“If it was in by 8:30, it was done that day,” Bob Paulk said. “If not, all of our customers could pick it up the next day. …

If someone was in a hurry, we would try to get it done for them that day.”

The Paulks said that the reason they are closing their business is out of necessity. Debbie Paulk, who has had back surgery, finds the work difficult, and Bob Paulk, who is the territory manager for Arkansas and north Louisiana for Pellerin Laundry Machinery, doesn’t have the time to run the business.

Though they feel closing is what they must do at this point, the Paulks are happy with what they have done at ABC Cleaners.

Bob Paulk said the business was a lucrative one, and that it was worth their time.

president will end at next year’s national conference. She will host a planning committee for upcoming events. Inscore and Rucker were chapter officers at the school.

Rucker said she plans to participate in the same event this year, but with a different partner.

Inscore said she has not decided her event for this year. Diedrich said she needs to choose a topic soon to begin her next project.

From Page 2

by a terrific one-of-a-kind party at the Mountain Valley Spring historic building, and there will be live music at that party, to be revealed soon.”

Close to 1,300 films were submitted to the HSDFF this year for a total of almost 1,500 total films being considered for this year’s available screening slots.

Featured again this year will be the Academy-sponsored “Women Behind the Lens” series, which Pledger said is a recognition of the importance of the diverse female perspective in documentary filmmaking.

“Last year we did ‘Women Behind the Lens: Black and Latina Filmmakers’ and then we applied again to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and they gave us a grant for the second year in a row, so this year we decided to make it more inclusive, more diverse, and we changed the subtitle to ‘Women Behind the Lens: Diverse Perspective’ so we could include

possibilities from all cultures, all perspectives, as long as the filmmaker is female,” she said.

Pledger said she attributes the festival’s continued success to two things: “One, programming for the community where the festival takes place. We very much keep in mind who our audience is, even though we have people come from everywhere. We still very much keep in mind the Arkansas audience and the regional audience in terms of subject interests.

“We also look at the big picture; we look at the choices we make in terms of where the festival sits on the larger canvas of festivals to keep it relevant and to make it increasingly attractive for filmmakers from around the country and around the world to come and bring their films to us,” she said.

“It’s going to be some event, I can tell you — or I should say, some collection of events.”

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The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 31, 2016 5

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

National Park College math, science building to be renamed JAY BELL

The Sentinel-Record

National Park College will host a ceremony in October to formally rename the current Mathematics and Science Building.

President John Hogan announced the decision during the monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees in the Gerald Fisher Campus Center. The ceremony has been planned for 4 p.m. on Oct. 13.

“Our feeling is that we have a rich history between the mergers of the campuses, trying to preserve that, and also we have a couple of trustees who are going to be retiring from the board at the end of the year,” Hogan said. “We thought it was timely to make sure that not just their legacy, but the legacy of your service was preserved.”

Hogan said the college plans to recognize multiple trustees, as well as members of the faculty and staff. The two retiring trustees are the board’s two longest-serving members.

Board chairman Gene Parker and vice chairman Ray Donathan have combined to serve on the board for almost 83 years. Parker has served on the board since the college was founded in 1973.

Donathan joined the board three years later. The terms for their seats on the board will expire at the end of the calendar year.

Officials said they are optimistic about the college’s enrollment numbers for the fall semester. Steve Trusty, vice president for finance and administration, said the college remains in good shape financially.

Trusty said the college conservatively budgeted for a 4 percent decrease in revenue. He said early enrollment

numbers suggest revenue may not drop at all.

Jerry Thomas, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management, said he is also optimistic about the fall count. The college will report official enrollment on Aug. 31, the 11th day of class in the semester.

“This summer was a little atypical because we continued our recruitment efforts in June and July,” Thomas said.

Much of the college’s recruitment services are focused during the school year from September through May. Thomas said he believes the college will see positive dividends from the additional outreach.

External Affairs helped contact more than 400 students who have worked with the Adult Education department.

Students who earn an Arkansas High School Diploma through NPC’s Adult Ed services receive a 50 percent scholarship, but the scholarship expires after one year.

Thomas said recruitment staff is working to reach out to strategic partners. He said meetings have already been held with organizations such as Best Buy and LifeNet. The Student Support Services Talent Search grant was recently renewed for nearly $1.4 million and an additional five years. Talent Search received a perfect score on its application.

The board welcomed new faculty and staff during the first meeting of the 2016-17 academic year. Mike Wiles was recognized by the board in his new role as director of National Park Technology Center. Wiles succeeded Jason Hudnell, who is now dean of enrollment services.

Hudnell reported more than 500

students registered for freshman orientation. The college has previously hosted about 30-40 freshmen at a time for multiple orientation sessions.

Only four sessions were held this year with 150-165 students in each session. Orientation was held in the gym and included games and activities.

Kelli Albrecht, vice president for workforce and strategic initiatives, said Community and Corporate Training increased its fall offering from about 60 courses to more than 100 throughout the semester. The team trained more than 250 individuals during the summer for local business and industry.

Albrecht reported the college’s new Pharmacy Technician training program graduated 19 students this year. Four are currently employed, eight have completed or will soon complete externships, 14 obtained state licensures and four have passed national certification exams.

The grant awarded to the college applies to training programs throughout the state. The college is collaborating with Northwest Arkansas Community College and Pulaski Technical College to offer courses in Rogers and Little Rock.

Albrecht said renovations will begin next week in the Innovative Technologies Center facility on Albert Pike Road.

Fall classes for drones and Arduino software will take place on campus this fall.

The grant for Child Care Aware of West Central Arkansas at National Park College was increased by $100,000 annually to include three additional counties. Lisa Couch served on a state Child Care Aware committee.

Brass-A-Holics to close Jazz in the Streets Jazz in the Streets, a free outdoor concert on Sept. 3 that is part of the 25th Hot Springs JazzFest, will close with a special two-hour performance by BrassA-Holics.

Brass-A-Holics ranks among the time-honored traditions, culture and music that have come out of the city of New Orleans, a news release said.

The band consists of core New Orleans elements, trombone, trumpet, saxophone and features percussion, including a full drum set, keyboard, bass and electric guitars.

Concertgoers will hear the influences of Chuck Brown, Miles Davis, Nirvana, John Coltrane, Wham, Cyndi Lauper, Kanye West and Louis Armstrong, all in one set, the release said.

Jazz in the Streets will take place on Broadway Street under the Regions Bank skybridge from noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 3.

In addition to Brass-A-Holics, performers for the outdoor event will include The Great American Slide Show, a six-piece trombone jazz ensemble with rhythm, at noon; the Subiaco Academy School Jazz Band, at 1 p.m.; Henderson State’s NuFusion, at 2 p.m.; and the University of Arkansas in Monticello Jazz Band with guest clinician Patrick Hession and pianist David Kane, at 3 p.m.

The 25th Hot Springs JazzFest, Aug. 31 through Sept. 4, will include the JazzFest kickoff concert Rodney’s Block Party on Aug. 31, featuring the Rodney Block Collective; Jazz Night at the Ohio

NEW ORLEANS SOUND: Brass-A-Holics will close out the Jazz in the Streets free

outdoor concert on Broadway Street under Regions Bank skybridge on Sept. 3 during the 25th Hot Springs JazzFest.

Club on Sept. 1, featuring Clyde Pound Trio with the Diva Chicks, Dona Pettey, Fedette “Lady J” John and Shirley Chauvin; Classical Jazz Blow Out Sept. 2, with the ASO Brass Quintet, Anything

That Moves jazz combo, Earl Hesse on sax along with vocalists Don Gooch and Diane Kesling; and Jazz Mass, Jazz After Church and the Stardust Big Band Tea Dance on Sept. 4.

plays the title role of “Don Giovanni,” with other cast members.

Muses to present ‘Don Giovanni’ The Muses Project is scheduled to present its fall opera tour, the full production of W.A. Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” Sept.

14-18 in Hot Springs, Texarkana and Hot Springs Village.

Based on the legend of the fictional libertine seducer Don Juan, this morality play follows the story of Don Giovanni, an arrogant, abusive, nobleman who is driven by unbridled lust and hedonism. After a life of amorous conquests, he is challenged to change his ways. However, he remains unrepentant which leads to his ultimate demise, a news release said.

Classified as an opéra bouffe, blending elements of comedy, melodrama and the supernatural, “Don Giovanni” explores power relations and the complexities of seduction, murder and revenge, the release said.

In the title role is baritone Stacey Murdock, of Portland, Ore. He leads a principal cast of opera singers and instrumentalists from New York, Colorado, New Orleans, Mexico and Arkansas. The cast will be joined by local chorus members from the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts, Henderson State University and the Hot Springs community, and highlighted by professional dancers led by Muses choreographer Amy Bramlett.

Remaining principal cast members are soprano and Muses General Director Deleen Davidson, soprano Michelle Pretto, of New York City, tenor Cody Laun, of Colorado, bass Alex Boyd, of New York City, bass Steven Fredricks, of New York City, soprano Jessica Lustenberger, of Mexico, and bass Scott Lin-

droth, of New York City.

Performed in two acts with an intermission and sung in Italian with English supertitles, this production is designed to be accessible and culturally satisfying to contemporary audiences while it simultaneously holds onto the elegance and message of the classical opera, the release said. This masterpiece embodies the timeless moral message of reaping what one has sown, and is brilliantly scored

by Mozart’s transcendent music.

“The Muses’ full production of ‘Don Giovanni’ promises to be a memorable, high-caliber, culturally enriching experience that you won’t have to travel to New York to receive,” the release said.

Support for Muses Creative Artistry Project is provided, in part, by the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tour dates for the performance are: • 6 p.m. Sept. 14 — Muses Cultural Arts Center, 428 Orange St., Hot Springs, student performance, all artists, students and teachers can attend free, but must call 609-9811 to register.

• 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15 — Cabe Hall, Texarkana, for ticket information call the box office 903-792-4992.

• 7 p.m. Sept. 16 — Woodlands Auditorium, Hot Springs Village. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at http:// www.hsvticketsales.com.

• 6 p.m. Sept. 17, and 3 p.m.

Sept. 18 — Muses Cultural Arts Center. Tickets are $30; call 609-9811.

“Now, more than ever, is the time for computer science to be recognized on the same level of mathematics and science by the National Science Foundation.

“This award not only recognizes excellence in a given discipline, but focuses on the commitment to ensure that all children have access to the knowledge and skills needed

to thrive in the 21st century.

It fulfills the promises expressed by the president’s ‘Computer Science for All’ message. By selecting a computer science teacher, you are encouraging all computer science teachers across the U.S. and are supporting them in opening new doors and opportunities for their students.”

From Page 1

nities, and a potential opportunity to meet the president.

“The recipients of this award are integral to ensuring our students are equipped with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are vital to our nation’s success,” Obama said.

“As the United States continues to lead the way in the innovation that is shaping our future, these excellent teachers are preparing students from all corners of the country with the science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills that help keep us on the cutting edge.”

The awardees receive a certificate signed by the president and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, which sponsors the program. They also join an active network of more than 4,600 educators who have been recognized since 1983 for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. Awardees are meant to serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education.

Moix was one of eight finalists for the two 2015 awards for Arkansas. Five of the finalists are math teachers and the other three teach science.

This year’s awards mark the first time the program allowed computer science teachers to enter the competition. They were given the choice of whether to compete in math or science. Moix said

he chose math because his application focused more on the subject.

“This award is special to me because it is not just recognizing me as an individual teacher, but this is the first year that computer science teachers are allowed to enter the contest,” Moix said.

“Computer science teachers, we are traditionally not seen at the same level as other disciplines. We are either stuck in the back of the math class or pushed inside of a business classroom, but to have national recognition for computer science at this level is just fantastic.”

The state’s other award winner for 2015 is Diedre Young, a science teacher at Ridgway Christian High School in Pine Bluff. She was one of 12 national finalists for People Magazine’s Teacher of the Year award in 2013.

The award program alternates every year for teachers in grades K-6 and 7-12.

All teachers to receive 2015 awards teach grades 7-12.

Teachers chosen for the 2014 awards teach grades K-6. Both of the state’s 2014 recipients, Ashley Kasnicka and Cassie Kautzer, teach in Springdale. Kasnicka teaches at Harvey Jones Elementary School and Kautzer is a science teacher at Hellstern Middle School.

Lake Hamilton High School math teacher Brian Leonard was announced in the summer of 2015 as a recipient of a 2013 award. Leonard and the other 2013 recipients were recognized in

D.C. last summer before the 2015-16 school year.

ASMSA computer science instructor Carl Frank nominated Moix during the 201415 school year when Moix taught Mobile Application Development at Bryant High School. Moix was hired by ASMSA the following summer.

Moix went to school in Conway before he graduated from ASMSA. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia before earning a master’s from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

“ASMSA is like my home,” Moix said. “I went to school here. I got my teaching career started here. I was nominated

by Carl, who works here, and I am glad to be here doing what I am doing. ASMSA is the most supportive school of computer science in the state of Arkansas and we are doing the most exciting things.”

Marcia Lanier, library media specialist at Bryant, helped Moix complete his application. She previously worked with educators who applied to become National Board Certified Teachers.

They found the PAEMST application process was similar. Moix has planned for Lanier to accompany him to D.C. in appreciation of her assistance.

Moix was the high school grade level lead writer for the Computer Science Teachers Association 2016 K-12 Computer Science Standards, an author of the Framework for K-12 Computer Science

Education and contributor to many Arkansas computer science standards. He leads several ASMSA programs designed to prepare Arkansas teachers for state and federal initiatives in computer science and coding.

“Right now, there is an incredible influx of interest and acceptance for computer science education,” Moix said.

Tra n s itio n s Co un s e lin g Se rvice s

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Submitted photo

LADIES MAN: Stacey Murdock, of Portland, Ore., center, who

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6 The Sentinel-Record Mid-Week Extra, Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

The Sentinel-Record/Corbet Deary

UPRIVER: The view up the Arkansas River from Cherokee Park Recreation Area lends to an impressive scene of the nearby lock and dam.

Cherokee Park offers chance at quality angling C hicken W orld

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well-maintained campground and a longing to return with a quality rod and reel rigged with heavy line.

I watched on as anglers managed to coax several impressive stripers from the water within a short period.

And judging from some of the tales locals shared, this was also a great destination where one was apt to tie into a large catfish.

Finally returning a couple of years later, I was somewhat disappointed upon arrival.

The facility had obviously not been well maintained. The

Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about Cherokee Park.

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grass was ungroomed, and if not for one RV parked at a designated campsite, the park would have appeared completely desolate.

In all honesty, I was perturbed that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had failed to properly maintain a park that had such potential. It was only fair that I give them the benefit of the doubt, however, as there was a chance I had arrived just prior to when they were scheduled to pull maintenance on the facility.

So, I set up camp with a healthy attitude and anticipation of what might transpire in the hours to come. With my home away from home erected and secured to the sandy substrate, I immediately grabbed my fishing gear and embarked upon a short jaunt to the base of lock and dam 9.

Throwing a large white jig into the swift water, I focused on my huge bobber, but to no avail. This was the exact technique anglers were using with great success during my initial visit. But despite fishing for a couple of hours, I never got as much as a bite.

Returning to the dam later that evening, I decided to soak a big, fat, juicy night crawler. Although the bite was relatively slow, I did manage to coax a couple of channels from the water before a rising sun brought with it the beginning of the following day.

I opted to leave my fishing gear at home during my most recent visit, as my stay would be short. To be honest, I was mostly curious of how well the facility had been maintained.

Noticing a vehicle near the dam, I made a beeline to the parking area. Carefully placing my steps, I descended the steep riprap to the base of the lock. From a distance, I immediately grew intrigued upon seeing water splashing from the 5-gallon bucket sitting next to an angler. Although unsure what was in the container, one thing was for certain — the fella had experienced success.

After admiring a channel cat in the 3- to 4-pound range, I began picking the elderly angler’s brain. The local had fished this location on a consistent basis. And according to him, the catfishing had proved impressive earlier in the year. But as could be expected, the bite had slowed with the arrival of miserably hot days.

The kind fella shared an interesting story when I mentioned striper fishing.

Pointing at the water rushing through the nearby dam, he said, “They used to catch them over there like crazy.

But not anymore.” According to the angler, the striper numbers have dwindled in this particular section of the river during the past couple of years. Although he suspected a large flood changed the substrate, he had no concrete evidence why this particular species’ numbers had dwindled.

After sharing a few more tales, I opted to embark upon a short jaunt into the recreation area. Well, wouldn’t you know it. Things didn’t look much different from before, as the grounds once again needed mowing.

And although I did noticed three or four campers parked at designated spots, most of the facility was going unused. Parking at a vacant site,

Corbet Deary Outdoor writer and photographer

I struck out afoot, walking along the paved road leading through the facility.

Although the park was on the verge of desolate, I couldn’t help but admire the setting. Each site was nestled under the canopy of large trees and was spaced where one would not be piled atop their neighbor.

The park was obviously kid friendly, as the playground sported its fair share of equipment, and the large field adjacent to the camping area would prove a great location where a group could participate in a friendly game of ball.

A picnic shelter was also on the grounds and those visiting the facility were privy to water, electricity, showers, flush toilets and a boat ramp. According to information I gathered on the World Wide Web, the facility sports 33 RV/tent sights with water and electricity. And there are also some walk-in sites.

Although not seeing these spots, I would suspect they are designed with primitive camping in mind.

Completing my walk in the park, I then followed a faint trail leading through a grassy area and to the water’s edge. Wow. The view from the shoreline was beautiful.

Looking across the large body of water, I watched as a blue heron methodically placed every step in the shallows, searching for its next potential meal. Eventually growing wary of our presence, the prehistoric looking bird flapped his large wings and took flight.

Before long, a large fish rushed to the surface and made a big splash. Could it have been one of those elusive stripers the fella had mentioned earlier that had located and attacked an unsuspecting shad? I obviously wasn’t sure of the species, but anything of that stature would be worthy of a good fight.

Peering downstream, I watched as the river made a bend and eventually eased out of sight. And although several miles separated us from the next recreation area, I imagined an angler casting into the same water, or someone watching with awe as it would eventually rush from the depths and churn the surface at the base of a lower dam.

Peering upstream, I enjoyed an impressive view of a distant lock and dam 9. It was a huge structure and rightfully so, as it was built to control a large river that at times was roaring with fury. The river was huge and I could only imagine the numbers of large fish lurking in the murky waters between me and the dam.

Re t u r n i n g to my vehicle, I headed to my next destination wondering why Cherokee Park was not well maintained. That in mind, I couldn’t suggest an overnighter at the facility with a clear conscience. But I could suggest soaking a line in these waters, as I suspect one stands a slight chance of catching the fish of their dreams.