After touring Heifer International Visitor Center, we went next door to the Clinton Presidential Library. Presidential Libraries are one of our favorites for visiting in various states. An Elvis Presley exhibit was being held there. I have teased some of my Democratic friends that, “They are trying to get a crowd!”

AVOC

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August 12, 2011

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Dawson Vacation 2011- Arkansas – Part 3

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By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc

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We stopped at a Welcome Center in eastern Arkansas and got some maps and information.   We learned that much of the distance to Little Rock would be cropland.   We saw a lot of that – may have been soybeans – also grain soghrum.

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Cropland was in abundance along I-40 in Eastern Arkansas -7.9.11

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We visited Heifer International Headquarters in Little Rock on July 10, 2011.   Betty and I were familiar with Heifer International through our Seekers Sunday School Class at WFUMC.  For several Christmas’s we have made gifts of a half heifer to this charity that helps third world people start a program to grow their own food.   Jennifer’s Helping Hands Club at Lost Mountain Middle School in Kennesaw had sponsored a half a flock of Chicks or geese.    Heifer International is located adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, Ark.

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Heifer International Headquarters in Little Rock, ARK – 7.10.11

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Heifer International Exhibit in Visitor Center in Little Rock, ARK -7.10.11

After touring Heifer International Visitor Center, we went next door to the Clinton Presidential Library.   Presidential Libraries are one of our favorites for visiting in various states.   An Elvis Presley exhibit was being held there.   I have teased some of my Democratic friends that, “They are trying to get a crowd!”

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William Jefferson Clinton Presidential Library – Little Rock

   Betty and Jennifer Dawson approaching the library 7.10.11

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All of us remembered the Clinton Presidency and enjoyed touring the library and seeing the exhibits.   We ate at an upscale downtown restaurant named Sonny Williams Steak Room on President Clinton Avenue.   The waiter said the President had eaten there on occasion when he was in Town.   President Clinton has an apartment upstairs at the Library for overnight stays in Little Rock.

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Clinton Library Picture Collage- Note four Presidents at dedication – top middle- Clinton, George H W Bush, Jimmy Carter and then President George W. Bush- Dedication November 18, 2004

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Oval Office Replica at Clinton Library in Little Rock- 7.10.11

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Grounds and view of Arkansas River from Clinton Library 7.10.11

We saw the Arkansas State Capitol in Little Rock.It was a weekend so we settled for an outside picture.

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Arkansas State Capitol – Little Rock - 7.9.11

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Little Rock Central High School

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Betty and I remembered the Little Rock Central High School Crisis of 1957 when Governor Orval Faubus tried to prevent desegregation of the High School although school officials had agreed to comply.   Faubus called out the Arkansas National Guard.   President Eisenhower stood firm and nationalized the Arkansas National Guard.   He also sent troops from the 101^st Airborne Division to help enforce the court orders.  This was prominently covered by media, including television at the time.   It was a time of high national tension and drama.  

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Little Rock Central High School, National Historic Site –Betty & Jennifer Dawson 7.10.11

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Little Rock Central High School - Jennifer Dawson 7.10.11

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Little Rock Central High School –Visitor Center Tablet- Little Rock Nine & Federal Troops Escort -1957

       Little Rock Nine

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Little Rock Central High School –Visitor Center Tablet- President Eisenhower & Federal Troops Escort -1957

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SEE PHOTOS AT THIS LINK.– CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

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SEE PART 4 - OKLAHOMA