CSA Finalist: Melba Brackin
By: Dave Woodman, KARK 4 CSA Producer
Updated: July 5, 2012
"I find so many interesting things that people, especially the older people, have stored in their minds that will be lost if it's not written down," says Melba Brackin, this month's Community Service Awards finalist.
Melba is busy making sure Beebe's history is preserved for future generations.
"I think she doesn't want the communities to forget about the past, especially with the veterans, that's very important to her," says Melba's daughter, Tracy Ragen.
Melba has combined her love of history and respect for veterans and members of the military into a focal point: Beebe parks.
"Melba has prodded us all along throughout the years for funding of the parks. Let's get busy, let's get to work on the grants and get 'em applied, " says Beebe Mayor Mike Robertson. "We are working on a park directly across from city hall now, which we just acquired a grant, and we just put an additional walking trail there."
A prolific community events writer, Melba is a regular contributor to the Weekly Beebe "News."
"Melba can write about anything," says Lee McLane, Editor of the Beebe "News." "I wouldn't call her a technical writer, but other than that she's very social and she has gone and gotten interviews with people that would not speak to me."
Parks, Christmas parades, veterans events, Melba Brackin has organized a variety of events.
"I had an outhouse race here, and from patriotism to outhouse races, I don't know if that's acceptable," she laughs.
"Melba came up with the idea that she wanted to design a city flag and through the work with the Beebe Public Schools there was a design and it was accepted," says Mayor Robertson.
Melba has her own assessment of her community service. "I'm a wife and a mother, and whatever I can do for my community, I want to do it," she says.
The citizens of Beebe agree that their community is better because of Melba Brackin.
Melba is busy making sure Beebe's history is preserved for future generations.
"I think she doesn't want the communities to forget about the past, especially with the veterans, that's very important to her," says Melba's daughter, Tracy Ragen.
Melba has combined her love of history and respect for veterans and members of the military into a focal point: Beebe parks.
"Melba has prodded us all along throughout the years for funding of the parks. Let's get busy, let's get to work on the grants and get 'em applied, " says Beebe Mayor Mike Robertson. "We are working on a park directly across from city hall now, which we just acquired a grant, and we just put an additional walking trail there."
A prolific community events writer, Melba is a regular contributor to the Weekly Beebe "News."
"Melba can write about anything," says Lee McLane, Editor of the Beebe "News." "I wouldn't call her a technical writer, but other than that she's very social and she has gone and gotten interviews with people that would not speak to me."
Parks, Christmas parades, veterans events, Melba Brackin has organized a variety of events.
"I had an outhouse race here, and from patriotism to outhouse races, I don't know if that's acceptable," she laughs.
"Melba came up with the idea that she wanted to design a city flag and through the work with the Beebe Public Schools there was a design and it was accepted," says Mayor Robertson.
Melba has her own assessment of her community service. "I'm a wife and a mother, and whatever I can do for my community, I want to do it," she says.
The citizens of Beebe agree that their community is better because of Melba Brackin.
