Our fantastic and fun annual softball tournament is right around the corner! Contact Jean Kebis to sign up if you haven't already. We need almost every member to take part in this fundraiser for it to be a success, so step on up to the plate!

March 27 : ROD Phyllis Johnson finished our series on Community Development with a presentation by David Matthews on the Future of Public Education in the State of Arkansas. David talked about the famous case Lakeview v State of Arkansas and what the decision means to us, especially those in higher education. You can read more here, or contact David here.

April 3 : ROD Patsy Brewer introduced Holly and Jerry Rose, who updated the membership on the Thai Kids project. Our donations, matched by District and RI, have built dormatories with beds and blankets, funded pre-school schalorships, and attracted better teachers for these kids. The project brought together 2 Rotary clubs in Thailand, and even garnered a grant from a Rotarian in Holland!

April 10: ROD Meika Hatcher introduced Sergeant Henders on the drug problem in Northwest Arkansas. His Task Force closed down between 70-100 methamphetamine labs in our three-county area in Fiscal Year 2002. We learned that ordinary household and poisonous items are used in making this drug; if you suspect someone of this criminal activity, call your local police department.

April 17: ROD Pat O'Brien presented the delightful Miss Maureen, who regaled us with her There and Back Again: A Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Tale. Maureen spent her scholarship in New Zealand, studying the endangered Yellow-Eyed Penguin. She has returned from her studies hooked on Vegimite!

Unless our representatives figure out how to implement the mandate handed down by the AR Aupreme court, our state Treasury will probably be enjoined to first fund our public schools; the remaining funds will be then be used to fund the various state departments, including Higher Education. Find your legislator here and urge him or her to act before the Jan. 1, 2004 deadline.

Service Above Self Banquet

Senator Bumpers has agreed to be our keynote speaker at the banquet.