40 years and counting

Mayor Rich Sykes is joined by directors from the Mountain Home Arts Council as he prepares to sign a proclamation to officially start a yearlong anniversary celebration to mark the arts council's 40th anniversary. The main festivities begin this month as the local arts group hosts its yearly Summer Concert Series, which includes a performance by the Blues Brothers tribute band on July 21 in Carl Miller Park. Arts council directors present at the signing were, from left, Beth Devore, Rachel Curran, executive director Chris Devore, Betty Ashcraft, Gail Corlett-Trueba, Mildred McNeal and Courtney Lewis. In the photo, Ashcraft is holding a proclamation signed by Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter the also marks the art council's 40th season, which officially started on Saturday.