President Obama will be issuing a proclamation directing that the United States flags to be flown at half-staff on September 11, 2016 (Patriot Day) from sunrise to sunset; in respect of those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Click here; http://www.flagsexpress.com/HalfStaff_s/1852.htm for more information.
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The Iva Jane Peek Public library has 2 computers set up with access to ABCMouse.com and it is free to all that are between the ages of 2 and 7, but you have to go to the library to access it. You cannot access it from home. To learn more visit the following link:www.abcmouse.com/library_account.
The Iva Jane Peek Public Library has a new added feature called Basic ESL. Really, we cannot say it any better than how Basic ESL says it,
“Basic ESL improves an individual’s listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a simple to follow, and instructionally proven curriculum.
Students learn English quickly and effectively on relevant topics including: family, home, school and many other topics. In each lesson students learn key vocabulary and how to use that vocabulary in conversation.
No computer experience is necessary.” To access this feature, got to the tab at the top marked Departments and then click on Library. Scroll to the bottom and you will see a big instant access button marked “Basic ESL.”
I have been conversing with Marie Demeroukas of the Shiloh Museum (located in Springdale, Arkansas), via e-mail, about a song that was wrote by a couple named Pat and Marge Patrick. When she first contacted me she was looking for the sheet music to a song wrote by this couple called “Give Me Decatur” and was sung as part of the 1966 installation of Jack Clardy as Head of Decatur Chamber. In efforts to help, I found out that a copy of the record is on display at the Iva Jane Peek Public Library. I further learned from her that on the flip side of that record is “Beautiful Arkansas” that was used in a movie called “Wonder Valley.” (This movie was filmed in Cave Springs in 1951). I just received an e-mail from her this week where she was able to retrieve a recording of both songs. If you would like to hear both songs, please, I encourage you to click on the this link: Shiloh Museum. I am sure you will be delighted to read about this couple and the songs they wrote about Arkansas.
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You can now pay your water bill online or by phone. To find out more detail please visit the Water/Sewer menu under the Departments Tab. You can pay your water bill online by clicking on the “Water Bill Pay Online” under helpful links to the right of the screen.
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Old Kansas City Southern Depot. Photograph courtesy of Mayor Bob Tharp.
Decatur, located at the intersection of Arkansas Highways 59 and 102, is a great place to visit, start a business or call home. At first glance, Decatur may seem to be a sleepy little town along the railroad and built around the Simmons plant there — its population is only about 1,700 residents — but a closer look below will reveal churches, schools, city parks and lots of activity. A walk down one of Decatur’s streets on a summer evening reveals the sounds of children laughing as they catch fireflies on the lawn, and the smell of freshly-mowed grass. With an area of only about five-square miles, everyone is counted a neighbor.
The town has two convenience stores and a truck stop, a bank, public library, medical clinic, restaurants and numerous churches. Families can enjoy picnicking or fishing at nearby Crystal Lake or in one of the town’s parks. Swimming is available at the municipal pool, and there are plenty of ball diamonds available for a game of softball or baseball.
A 60-year tradition continues each summer on the first Saturday in August, with the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Decatur Barbecue held in Veterans Park. The annual festival causes the town’s population to swell to an estimated 10,000 with its famous barbecued chicken and other food, fun, games, contests, pageants, car show, motorcycle ride and first-class entertainment — with both local talent and a well-known country artist performing on the stage.
For those interested in railroad history, the Southern Belle engine — a landmark in the area — attracts attention from across the country as one of the last of its kind. Nearby stands a mid 1800s log cabin from just outside of town which was moved and re-assembled in its present location one log at a time. The cabin preserves some of the history of the area during Civil War days.
City Hall, located a block east of Highway 59, is a good place to stop for information on the city, its laws and city utilities. The city is served by a full-time police department and a volunteer fire department. It has its own water and new wastewater treatment facilities which are state-of-the-art.
Decatur Schools — with about 550 students in grades kindergarten through grade 12 — offer a low student-teacher ratio and dedicated teachers who know each child by name. A new elementary school facility was recently added on the west side of town.
The chief industrial employers in Decatur are Simmons Foods and FNA Group. Simmons Foods, which purchased much of the business established by the late Lloyd Peterson and Peterson Farms, operates a processing plant, hatcheries and a pet-food plant in the Decatur area.
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