Submitted photo
The Fred Brooks Garden Club sponsored a Smokey Bear Poster Contest at Hodgesville Elementary with the third-grade class of teacher Marlena Reed. Smokey Bear is a nationally and internationally recognized symbol for fire prevention. The original Smokey Bear appeared in 1944. Smokey’s message, ‘Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!’ encourages personal responsibility for fire prevention. Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires and matches. On Oct. 19, club members met with the class and provided background on the Smokey Bear story. Linda Debarr led the group in a song about Smokey Bear and the story of Smokey was read to the group. On Nov. 7, the third graders were provided with the poster materials and guidelines on the poster requirements before proceeding to draw their individual posters. The posters will be sent to the West Virginia State Garden Club for judging. Any winners from the state level will be sent on to the National Garden Club for judging. Each child who submitted a poster will receive a certificate of participation from the Fred Brooks Garden Club.