Robert Phelps, also known as Bob, got a send-off that included several varieties of trail mix ... and some barbecuing utensils that took on lives of their own.
His recent retirement as executive director of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission was celebrated July 14 at the historic Governor's Mansion District home once belonging to Joseph W. House Sr. Attendees included Phelps' family and friends, as well as representatives from presenting company Mangan Holcomb Partners. Keep America Beautiful is one of the firm's accounts.
Guests signed a guest book and helped themselves to the trail mixes, which bore a "Happy Trails" sign. Also awaiting were scrumptious hors d'oeuvres by chef Donnie Ferneau, along with libations.
Later, everyone gathered for kudos and presentations made to Phelps by Mike Rosen of Stamford, Conn., a senior vice president for Keep America Beautiful, along with locals Ben Combs, Chip Culpepper, event co-host Julie C. Robbins and Minnie Hatchett. "One of my favorite quotes ... is that we sit in the shade today because someone planted a tree decades ago. And that's Bob Phelps," Combs said.
Highlighting the gifts for Phelps, a fan of cooking out, was "The Ultimate Bob-B-Q" kit complete with a cooking-glove puppet with tongs for a beak and steel-wool eyes and an "Edward Scissorhands" glove with other grilling tools emerging from the fingers. As a road-trip gift, Phelps received a Yeti cooler full of goodies.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 07/23/2017