Beer, cheer flow at garden

Beer and good cheer were flowing at the third annual Gardens on Tap on May 20at Compton Gardens and Conference Center in Bentonville. The beer benefit for The Peel Compton Foundation featured bites, brews and other beverages from local businesses such as Airship Coffee, Bentonville Brewing Company, Bike Rack Brewing Co., Columbus House Brewery, Core Brewing & Distilling Co., Pedaler's Pub, Yeyo's, TrickDilly and Fred's Hickory Inn.

Programs the pints will help support include School Days, an annual event that brings some 600 fourth-graders to the gardens to see living history stations that teach them about pioneer life and struggles. School Days is one of the nonprofit organization's largest programs.

Those enjoying craft beer and food at Compton Gardens included Lynne and Jim Walton, Nancy Martin and Alan Lewis, Colleen Hendren, Becky McCoy, Lola Behrends, Charles Taylor, Jeff Siemers, Catherine and Kyle Alexander, Lee Wilson, Emily Roberts, Alan Dranow, Lowell Collins, Brenda and Mike Anderson, Tracey Hodge, Lisa Heilman, Ross Carver and Kim McKay.

Open Avenues welcomed more than 500 backers to the 20th annual Spring Fling benefit May 20 at the Embassy Suites in Rogers. The luau-themed evening helped the nonprofit organization raise some $167,000.

The organization serves adults with disabilities and helps its clients live as independently as possible while being active participants in the community at large. The nonprofit organization provides employment and job skills training along with job placement services.

Brenda Neal, executive director, presented the award 2017 Spirit Award to Jose Merlos, Open Avenues client, saying, "Each year we honor an outstanding program participant whose attitude, quality of effort and motivation distinguish them from the crowd. There are those who make the work environment better simply by being present. We are lucky to have such a young man. His genuine smile can illuminate a room, and he shows up day after day with a positive attitude. His trustworthy conduct has earned him respect among staff and co-workers alike. Regardless of the challenge, he doesn't fail to put forth his best effort. Yet we've never seen him lose his composure or easy-going manner."

"Due to changes in the law, Open Avenues is required to transition some of its services into a new model that's more inclusive in the community. It meant hiring more personnel and creating new services but without funding to implement the changes. It came at a time when we received funding cuts from other sources as well, so this year's event was critical. We appreciate so much, the many sponsors and the wonderful crowd that came out to support Open Avenues."

Those opening to support Open Avenues included Brandy and John Furner, Spring Fling honorary host, Brenda Neal and Jim McWhorter, Parr and Michael Byron, Susan and Tommy Coughlin, Betsy Reithemeyer, Matt Kendall, Abby and Trent Rogers, Amy and J.S. Bull, Leihua and Rob Burns.

For more event photos -- nwadg.com/photos/society.

Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].

NAN Profiles on 06/11/2017