Emily Van Zandt
Recent Stories by Emily Van Zandt
Back again: Car show to return to the mountain
updated: 06/14/2013 1:43 p.m. Discuss
What started out with just a few trophies and an idea to get car enthusiasts together has blossomed into a major event in Mountain View. In 2012, Kelly Simmons and Matt Sloan helped organize the first car show at Mountains, Music and Motorcycles. The annual festival, which has been part of the city’s summer schedule for eight years, has steadily grown to be the most popular event of the year in Mountain View.
New greenhouse leads to big plans
updated: 06/14/2013 1:38 p.m. Discuss
When Pam Baxter looked out at the bare-boned greenhouse on the campus of Sulphur Rock Magnet School, she knew the school deserved more. With a grant from Citizens Bank’s Education Initiative under her belt, Baxter set to work adding a cover to the greenhouse, planting trees, adding picnic tables and buying supplies to turn the space into an outdoor ecology lab and classroom. By the end of May, the area was ready for its official ribbon cutting. But that doesn’t mean Baxter is done with improvements.
Remembering the past: History, recreation come together at Jacksonport State Park
updated: 06/12/2013 10:30 a.m. Discuss
When Portfest is in full swing, it can be easy to forget the history of Jacksonport State Park. Crowds gather at the main stage with blankets and camping chairs. They pull in on boats and stand in line for gator-on-a-stick and funnel cakes. But even when the park is at its most crowded, park superintendent Mark Ballard can be counted on to remember what made the park — and the city of Jacksonport — what it is today. Ballard, who started working at Jacksonport in 1990, said that passing down the history of the area to the region’s young people and visitors to the park is vital to learning from that history.
Former Harding president passes torch to McLarty
updated: 06/07/2013 9:53 a.m. Discuss
On June 1, David B. Burks stepped down from his role as president of Harding University. Bruce McLarty took over the position in a Transferring of the Key ceremony May 31. With the new title of chancellor officially tied to his name, Burks took a few minutes to talk about his experiences with the university and what his goals are in his new position.
Keith Williams: Bald Knob school leader aims for improvement
updated: 06/07/2013 10:03 a.m. Discuss
Name a district superintendent in Arkansas, and chances are Keith Williams knows the person. Over the years, he’s been involved in nearly every level of education in the state, from student to teacher to coach to administrator to state Department of Education staff member and more. Finishing his first year as superintendent of Bald Knob Public Schools, Williams is looking over the checklist he made for himself and the district when he was brought on board. Of the two-page list, Williams said about one page is complete. He said he hopes to finish as much as he can of the second before the end of his three-year stint. Taking the job was a somewhat unusual move for Williams, who already had semiretired from public-school life when the opportunity came to get involved again with the Bald Knob School District.
Heber Springs native to lead college association
updated: 06/05/2013 10:49 a.m. Discuss
Heber Springs native and former Speaker of the House Bill Stovall will add another line to his resumé this fall. Stovall, chief operating officer of the Arkansas House of Representatives, will start Oct. 1 as executive director of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges. The issues surrounding the institutions are familiar to Stovall, who received an associate degree from Pulaski Tech. He was on the Cleburne County Quorum Court in 1998 when Arkansas State University at Heber Springs was developed.
The big 4-0: Unique state park celebrates milestone mark
updated: 06/05/2013 10:59 a.m. Discuss
Mary Gillihan is in the memory business. For more than 30 years, she has worked at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Mountain View as a park interpreter, helping teach the Ozark way of life through day camps, youth programs and other events.
Laura Bednar: Leader returns to Pulaski County Special School District
updated: 05/31/2013 11:31 a.m. Discuss
When it comes to education, Laura Bednar wants people to remember one thing: Classroom teachers have the most important and most difficult job.
Dog days of school: Therapy dog to spend time with Beebe students
updated: 05/31/2013 11:15 a.m. Discuss
Despite only being in the hallways for a few days, Badger Elementary School’s new therapy dog is already a hit with students. Korie, a black retriever mix, arrived at the school just a week before classes let out for the summer. The dog was trained through Arkansas’ Paws in Prisons program. Run by the Arkansas Department of Correction and the Central Arkansas Rescue Effort, the nonprofit partners shelter dogs with inmates who have been taught how to train the dogs in basic obedience.
Decades on the diamond: Volunteer baseball coach still going strong at age 78
updated: 05/29/2013 1:28 p.m. Discuss
When Bob Hickingbotham started coaching baseball in the ’50s, he didn’t think his career would span another six decades. But Hickingbotham, 78, has done just that, and still spends his summers volunteering as a coach for American Legion Baseball teams in Jacksonville.
