Note 5 - Benefit Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]

5.           BENEFIT PLANS

The net periodic benefit cost relating to the Company's Pension Plan is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months						Nine Months
	Ended September 30,						Ended September 30,
	2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	108		$	51		$	300		$	253
Interest cost		86			88			248			252
Expected return on plan assets		(80	)		(97	)		(220	)		(225	)
Amortization of prior service cost		(7	)		(52	)		(19	)		(20	)
Amortization of prior loss		20			12			30			-
	$	127		$	2		$	339		$	260

Our policy is to fund the minimum contributions required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and, subject to cash flow levels, the Company may choose to make a discretionary contribution to the Pension Plan to reduce the unfunded liability. In the first quarter of 2011 we made an additional contribution of $0.36 million in order to exceed an 80% funding level as measured at January 1, 2011. In the second quarter of 2011 we made a required quarterly contribution of $0.11 million and in the third quarter of 2011 we made required contributions of $0.22 million. No additional contribution is expected for the remainder of 2011. However, we anticipate that additional contributions will be required in 2012 of approximately $0.1 million per quarter.