2 News
Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019
Pausing for a photo are, from left, Cutter Jester, Heidi Jester, Logger of the Year Kevin Jester and AFA Executive Vice President Max Braswell.
Arkadelphia business named Arkansas Logger of the Year LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Forestry Association recognized K.W. Jester Logging, Inc., of Arkadelphia as the Logger of the Year during the AFA’s recent annual meeting Oct. 10 at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Kevin Jester began K.W. Jester Logging, Inc., in 1995, but his life in the logging business started much earlier. He loaded his first log truck at the age of 7 and later joined his father in business in 1993 after graduating from the University of Arkansas. Kevin’s father, Bobby, was one of the first loggers in the region to haul more than 100 loads a week consistently and was AFA’s first Logger of the Year in1986. Today, Kevin’s son, Cutter, is a fourth-generation member of K.W. Jester Logging, Inc. “Kevin is an excellent businessman, innovative, and he and his crews pay attention to detail when it comes to safety and best management practices,” said Max Braswell, AFA executive vice president.
Jester also sets himself apart by “how he treats his crew and the example he sets for them.” “On many occasions, you can find Kevin out on the job shoulder to shoulder with a crew member,” Braswell said. “He also sets that example in his everyday life, understanding that sometimes there are things more important than work. He has stopped by the hospital to check on a crew member or friend and has helped friends and members of the community who are in need of support.” Organized in 1947, the Arkansas Forestry Association is the only private, nonprofit organization that represents the entire forestry community in Arkansas. AFA has over 1,200 members who join in AFA’s mission of advocating for the sustainable use and sound stewardship of Arkansas’s forests and related resources to benefit members of the state’s forestry community and Arkansans today and in the future.
Ouachita to stage Ibsen’s classic play, ‘Doll’s House’ By Gracie Stover OBU News Bureau Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present A Doll’s House in Verser Theatre Nov. 7-9 and Nov. 11, plus a matinee at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. A Doll’s House, a three-act play by Henrik Ibsen and adapted by Nicholas Rudall, is a mind-stimulating drama that questions the traditional roles of women and explores the ways in which society perceives them, especially in marriage and motherhood. It also analyzes the emergence of modernism in the 19th century and portrays an unlikely hero for the era: a housewife. “I play Nora Helmer, and she is the leading lady of this story,” said Autumn Romines, a junior musical theatre major from Cabot. “Nora is a woman who has taken on this role of the submissive housewife. Throughout the story, she gains strength to finally become the woman she has always wanted to be. I love that this play isn’t stagnant; it’s a roller coaster of emotion that I can’t wait to take people on.” Director Joe Hernandez, assistant professor of theatre arts, said he de-
cided to make this production unique by setting it in 2019 rather than the 1800s. “This adaptation has a modern approach that will relate to our contemporary audiences,” Hernandez said. Stacy Hawking, fine arts administrator and box office manager, serves as assistant director for the production; Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts, serves as scenic and lighting designer; and Kelsey Looney, visiting assistant professor of theatre arts, serves as costume and makeup designer. Abi Anderson, a junior theatre arts and education double major from Mesquite, Texas, serves as stage manager and is assisted by David Hudson, a senior theatre arts and education double major from Little Rock. Tickets are $10 and available for purchase at the OBU Box Office in Jones Performing Arts Center from 1-5 p.m. weekdays and www.obu. edu/boxoffice. Current Ouachita students may receive one free ticket upon presentation of their student ID at the box office. For more information, call the box office at 870-245-5555 during business hours.
Arkadelphians gather Wednesday to celebrate the reopening of DeSoto Bluff Trail, which closed for months due to the construction of a 25x35 foot pavilion that’s now open for public use on the bluff known for its upriver vista. One wedding’s even been held there already. The Ross Foundation paid for the new pavilion, which will be deeded over to the city for its upkeep. The pavilion features a stone-clad hearth and mostly Arkansas sandstone.
Arkadelphia Dispatch
Arkadelphia Parks and Recreation will present its annual Safe Trick or Treat event for ages 10 and younger at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, at the Arkadelphia Recreation Center, 2555 Twin Rivers Drive. >>> <<< The Arkadelphia Senior Adult Activity Center, 1311 N. 10th St., will hold a Spaghetti Supper fundraiser benefiting the center from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. The supper will feature live music by Jackie and Dino Ochello and a desserts silent auction. Takeout orders are also welcome, from 3-7 p.m. Plates are $6 for adults and $3 for 10 and younger. For more information, call 870-2469871. >>> <<< The Humane Society of Clark County will have a grand opening from noon-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 recognizing the restoration of its flood-damaged shelter, 627 Walnut St. The celebration includes free food and games, plus half-price adoption fees: $50 for dogs, $35 for cats. >>> <<< Group Living will stage its seventh annual Gala and Auction from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2. The event raises money for Group Living’s programs to help adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. This year’s theme is ’80s Night, and attendees are encouraged to wear their best ‘80s attire. (Awards go to the best outfits.) Also on tap: food, wine and beer, a live and silent auction and a DJ. Tickets are $50 each and can be purchased at the Group Living office or online at www.Groupliving.org/events or at the door. In 2018, Group Living raised more than $20,000 as a result of 90 guests and over 60 auction items. For more information, call 870-246-5849. >>> <<< Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church will hold a 19th anniversary celebration of its pastor, the Rev. Lewis A. Shepherd and his wife, Joyce R. Shepherd at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at the church at 16th and Caddo streets. D.L. Richardson of North Little Rock’s First Baptist Church on Main Street will be a special guest for the celebration. >>> <<< Nov. 4 is the deadline to register a team to participate in an Adult Kickball League now being organized by city Parks and Recreation. The five-week season, followed by a double-elimination tournament, begins Nov 11. Team fees are $185, and individuals can pay $35 and be assigned to a team. All players must be 18 or older. Teams must include seven-16 players, with three female players seeing action each game. For more information, call Megan at 870-246-5499. >>> <<< The Clark County Historical Association will meet at noon Tuesday, Nov. 5 at Western Sizzlin. Guest speaker will be David Armstrong, DeGray Lake State Park park interpreter, who will speak on the history of DeGray. Those planning to eat are encouraged to arrive by 11:30 a.m. >>> <<< The Clark County Democratic Women will meet at noon Wednesday, Nov. 6 at the county’s Democrat headquarters on North 6th Street. Guest speaker will be Joyce Schimenti, who’s running for Arkansas House District 24. Lunch is $3 for members and free for guests. >>> <<< Welch Funeral Home invites all Clark County veterans and their spouses to a Veterans Appreciation Luncheon from 11 a.m.1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8 at the Arkadelphia Masonic Lodge, 602 Carpenter St. (Veterans Day is Nov. 11.) >>> <<< The local Women's Library Association will hold its monthly meeting at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Clark County Public Library. The meeting is open to the public. >>> <<< Arkadelphia’s annual Christmas Parade, rolling with a Christmas Memories theme this year, will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 on Main Street through downtown. The parade will memorialize Mary Jo Mann, who served as Mrs. Santa Claus in this parade for 30-plus years. She died earlier this year. For more information on the parade, contact Ashlee Vaughan at Ashlee@ ArkadelphiaAlliance.com or 870-246-1460 or Herman Thomas at 870-260-2053. >>> Ongoing <<< A new exhibit, From Rangers to Troopers, featuring the Arkansas Highway Patrol and local law enforcement, continues through Nov. 30 at the Clark County Historical Museum, 750 S. 5th St. The museum’s staffed by volunteers, so hours vary. Call 870-230-1360 to check on its availability before planning a visit. >>> <<< Al-Anon meetings, designed to help family and friends affected by alcohol, are held four days a week in the Arkadelphia area: • Monday, 6:30 p.m., 173 Newcastle, Bismarck. 501-8651363 (call first). • Tuesday, 8 p.m., Sturgis Building corner of 9th & Caddo. 870-403-2019 • Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Park Hill Baptist Church. 870-2301954 • Friday, Noon, Clark County Library, 609 Caddo St., side door. 512-750-2292