Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Arts league sets busy schedule for 2006

2006 is shaping up to be a busy year for the Artesian Arts League.

Judy Duke, League president, told the club, at its monthly meeting Tuesday, Jan. 10, she had talked with Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown about kitchen equipment in the old hospital. The League had hoped to obtain some of it to put in a small kitchen in what used to be the Parks and Recreation Department office.

However, Duke said, there is nothing there the League could have, according to Brown. But, he did say if the League got a list of what it needed he would call Little Rock to see if the state had anything available.

Duke said the table rack the League had approved buying wasnt ordered. This is because the shipping cost as much as the rack itself. Instead, League members will see if someone local could build a rack for the tables used during League events, such as Table Toppers.

The League donated a basket filled with goodies to the Prescott Lions Club for its annual Christmas Auction. Duke said the basket brought about $60.

The book reading by Dan Marsh, former resident, went well, she said, adding there was a good turnout and the 15 books the League bought were all sold, though one was donated to the Prescott-Nevada County Library. We could have sold more.

Penny Richards reported on the events committee meeting. The League will spend January working on a cookbook filled with recipes from local cooks. A suggested title was L.A. Cuisine (Lower Arkansas).

According to Richards, if the League publishes the book, it will reduce expenses. There was discussion about what kind of art to use, with the main idea being centered around local photos.

The book will not have duplicate recipes, but will have different things that can be used in similar recipes. Anyone can submit a recipe to the cookbook.

There will be a Table Topper in February for Valentines Day. The theme will be Candlelight, Romance and You. The event will be primarily for couples, though individuals are also welcome. Tickets are $20 an individual or $40 per couple.

Those sponsoring tables must include candles in their decoration theme. The suggested menu included boeuf stroganoff, carrots julienne, salad and dessert. There will be entertainment as well, with a keyboard player and singers.

The Table Topper will be Saturday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m. Table sponsors are responsible for selling tickets to their table.

March is open, but there was discussion of League members possibly going to the Murray Dinner Theater in Little Rock, the Clinton Presidential Museum, the Arkansas Arts Center, or the Arkansas Repertory Theater. Other suggestions included the Perot Theater in Texarkana or see what Ouachita Baptist University has planned, as the college usually puts on a musical in March. A decision will be made at the February meeting.

The League also agreed to purchase an engraved silver punch bowl in memory of Jane Bemas, who recently died. Bemas was a supporter of the Arts League. The punch bowl will be kept at the library and used for special events.

Duke said the League has been paying the balloonist to come to the Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerces Easter Egg Hunt. But, because of the increase in gasoline prices, the balloonist is charging $225. This is the favorite part of the hunt for a lot of the children, she said. He comes early and stays until the last child leaves. The League agreed to fund the full amount of his services.