The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) recently held two ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
A ceremony for Cedar Ridge Elementary School’s new book vending machine in Newark was held last week.
Cedar Ridge Schools serves over 600 preschool through twelfth-grade students from a 270-square-mile area — including Charlotte, Cord, Magness, Newark, Oil Trough, Thida, and more.
According to a release from the chamber, the new book vending machine “…incentivizes students to read in a fun and creative way.”
“With the help of the Arkansas SOAR grant, the Elementary is bringing students the latest technology in book displays. The new ‘Bookworm Vending Machine’ showcases newly released books and novels for all ages. Students can select new books and showcase their knowledge through reading,” the release said.
“The new book vending machine will help build a culture of reading, as identified by residents as a strategic opportunity for our area to cultivate the skills and talents of students and strengthen the workforce pipeline in the IMPACT Independence County plan,” said Sarah Barnhill, BACC Director of Membership and Programs.
IMPACT Independence County is a grassroots community development plan focusing on healthy living and well-being, educational excellence, placemaking, and economic prosperity.
Barnhill concluded by recognizing the dedication to student growth, highlighting the work of Cedar Ridge Superintendent Tracy Owens and staff members Abby Limbaugh (director of curriculum and instruction), Rita Jennings (RISE facilitator), Carol Woods (gifted and talented), David Ward (alternative learning environments), Shirl Nelson (library media specialist), Megan Carpenter (kindergarten teacher), and Stacy Young (elementary counselor).
Ambassadors in attendance included: Sijle Antosen (Weichert, Realtors – The Property Shoppe), Amy Crouch-Howard (Weichert, Realtors – The Property Shoppe), Amanda Dickey (Block Insurance), Mary Duvall (Bad Boy Mowers), Ashley Engles (Citizens Bank), Brittney Harris (Independence Off-Road), Kirsten Harvey (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Megan Renihan (Batesville School District), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), and Chad Whiteaker (White River Now).
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was also held last week for Party People, a new party service in Batesville.
According to the chamber release, Party People “…delivers luxurious fun to your events by providing custom, eye-catching balloon backdrops and bounce house rentals.”
“What an honor it is to stand here and introduce this business to you all,” said Party People co-owner Ashley Holmes.
“After planning a few parties of our own, we started brainstorming how we could bring picture-perfect events to the Batesville area,” said co-owner Taren Gleghorn.
Party People offers “luxury backdrops and balloon installations for any and all events—from birthday parties and corporate events to weddings.” Party People can be contacted by emailing partypeoplebates@gmail.com or calling (870) 834-5734.
Ambassadors in attendance included: Sijle Antosen (Weichert, Realtors – The Property Shoppe), Amy Crouch-Howard (Weichert, Realtors – The Property Shoppe), Mary Duvall (Bad Boy, Inc), Ashley Engles (Citizens Bank), Natalie Emerson (Fringe Salon), Amy Finster (White River Health), Tammy Foster (First Community Bank), Jesse Freiert (Fringe Salon), Brittney Harris (Independence Off-Road), Kirsten Harvey (Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch), Eva Henriksen (Merchants & Planters Bank), Aaron Herndon (Citizens Bank), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods), Dana Millikin (White River Now), Sarah Perkins (Weichert, Realtors – The Property Shoppe), Megan Renihan (Batesville School District), Justin Russell (Bank of Cave City), Lori Tacker (Batesville Eye Care Center), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Carmen Waugh (Centennial Bank), and Chad Whiteaker (White River Now).
Images: Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce
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