Spring of 2006 Herschel took the ball, running with it! To get anything accomplished a motor needs a spark plug. With Keep Sherwood Beautiful group being the motor, Herschel was our Spark Plus, thus his nickname – “Sparky”!

 

July, 2006, bylaws were read, approved and Officers were setas follows:

Chairman - Herschel Bowman

Vice-Chairman – James Wear

Secretary – June Fitzgerald

Treasurer – Joey Parker

 

Additional Board members would be Betty Barnhardt, Marina Brooks, Marcia Cook, Virginia Hillman, Wilbur Johnson, Nancy Kirk, James Little, Blake Martin and Linda Nickle.

 

It was decided we would meet regularly on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Bill Harmon Recreational Center at 4:00 PM.

 

Our first Litter Index was accomplished September 13, 2006 with a score of 1.25.           

 

January 18, 2007 was the BIG day we worked so hard toward. We became an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, a very prestigious association. This shows visitors and investors that we care about our community – about Neighborhood conservation and Economic development. We were officially certified as Keep Sherwood Beautiful.

 

KSB came out of the shoot running! We began with used ink barrels, painted them green and sell annual sponsorships to individuals, businesses and community organizations. 

 

May 18, 2007 we had our first Great American – Sherwood – Clean up. Thirty five workers arrived at the City Hall Parking lot to divide into teams to clean several areas within the city. 

 

Life is what happens when you are making other plans so as of June 4, 2007, an Executive Director was acquired – Betty Barnhardt (Mrs. Walter C.).   She would be volunteering her time and efforts. Herschel Bowman kindly donated a corner of his Bowman Realty office’s lobby located on 4221 Richards Road in North Little Rock

   

July of 2007, our 501 C 3 certification and number had arrived!!! All donations would be tax deductable.

 

August 1 to 4, 2007, June Fitzgerald and Betty Barnhardt attended the Keep America Beautiful conference held at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN. 

 

During the May Great American Cleanup, Troy Bilt donated two vac/mulchers. In August we learned “we won!!”   We in turn donated it to our city. 

 

The Committee for the Fall Great Arkansas Clean-up went into action. What a Committee can do!!  October 13, 2007, we had the great “This Mum’s for You” promotion. We focused on the “SHERWOOD” bushes at the Bill Harmon Rec Center. Cardinal Health generously allowed us to use their facilities. Metropolitan National Bank again loaned us their cooker for the hot dogs with our famous Treasurer in charge!   

 

October 19, 2007, we performed our Litter Index which came out as 1.34.

 

Mr. James Wear did much to put us on the right feet in the beginning. Later he felt he should resign as he was traveling a lot. Mrs. Carol Wooldridge became our Vice-Chairman.

 

March 27, 2008, KSB sponsored a meeting of the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commissioners held at Sherwood Forest.

 

April 5^th a tornado ripped through our city. Our planned April 12th Keep American Beautiful Clean up concentrated on picking up tornado damage around the High School. The Clinton Green Team concentrated on beautifying the “Welcome to Sherwood” sign on Landers Road. Again Cardinal Health graciously allowed the use of their facilities. We had over 100 volunteers of all ages arrive. Afterward a great pizza lunch with a special desert was served by Cardinal Health employees. All donated by Le Starr Pizzaria, Cinergi and Two Sisters Catering. There were 50 door prizes donated by Sherwood and local merchants.

 

The office moved May of 2008 into Sherwood! It is located at 2202 East Kiehl Ave. 

 

Joining the CLPP program, we passed out pocket ashtrays and purchased 5 cigarette receptacles which were placed around the City office complex.

 

The 2008 Litter Index included the newly acquired Gravel Ridge area gave us a 1.39 score.

 

October 25, 2008 our next Great Arkansas Cleanup had 97 volunteers who received a delicious pizza lunch courtesy of Cinergi. 

 

In December we participated in the Festival of Lights. One small tree was decorated with recycled items and the other was a white tree with blue and green decorations.

 

December 22 – 25 we manned the Trail of Lights booths.

 

Spring of 2009 we received grants to extend the CLPP program to parks.  We will set out cigaretts receptcales at a later date.

 

May 2nd was our scheduled Great American Cleanup but rain postponed it to May 30th!