March 11, 2020
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THE POLK COUNTY
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1168 Hwy 71 S ● Mena, AR 71953 ● 479.243.9600
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OLT Spring Musical “BIG” is Cast! It’s always exciting to see which of your friends and neighbors will be showing up in Ouachita Little Theatre’s spring musical. Jessica Kropp is directing “BIG”, the high energy Broadway Musical smash-hit version of the beloved Tom Hanks movie of the same name. She is assisted by Musical Director Judy Kropp and choreographer, Gini Burt. Makeup and hair will be overseen by Gayle Krahn. Makayla Kenyon-Ortiz and Alexis Payne will be keeping things calm and organized backstage as Stage Managers. Rudi Timmerman is designing and overseeing the building of the set, and Lorraine Timmerman will lend her artistic talents as she paints scenery to beautifully enhance the production.
Auditions are over, and the cast is selected. In the leading roles, we will see James Taylor as adult Josh Baskin, Anna Burt as young Josh, Jocelyn Parsons as love interest Susan Lawrence, Jefferson Smith as “the boss” Mr. Macmillan, Tiffany Cavelli as young Josh’s best friend, Alexyss Hildebrand as Mrs. Baskin, and Jaimeson Biard as Paul, a junior executive. The ensemble includes arcade workers, parents, office workers, and lots of kids played by the following people: Annie Baker, Gregory Blashka, Jeanie Bunyard, Kelhan Howell, Kiylee Hughes, Jacob Kenyon-Ortiz, Kristina Kenyon-Ortiz, Gayle Krahn, Larry Kropp, David McDonald, Cristian Miller, BIGCONTINUED ON PAGE 15
Arkansas Century Farm Program Seeks Applicants The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2020 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. There is no cost to apply. To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the certain criteria. The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by December 31, 2020. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption. The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.
Three family farms in Polk County have previously been named Arkansas Century Farms. They include: The Wiles Family Farm, established in 1889; the Fred Alston Farm, established in 1897; and the Ronald Alston Farm, also established in 1897. Applications must be postmarked by May 31st. Applications are available at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website at: www.aad.arkansas.gov . For more information about the Arkansas Century Farm program, call 501-225-1598. Arkansas has more than 42,500 farms, of which 97% are family-owned and operated. Since the Arkansas Century Farm program began in 2012, 464 farms have been certified.
Winning Lottery Ticket Sold in Wickes A cigarette stop in Wickes led to the ultimate payoff for a Shreveport woman Tuesday afternoon. Tiffany Schubert claimed a lottery prize worth $1 million at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center. Her win came from the lottery's $20 instant-ticket game, Millionaires Club. Schubert purchased the ticket from E-Z
Mart on Highway 71 in Wickes Tuesday afternoon. Schubert was traveling with her family to visit relatives in the area. Schubert plans to pay her tithes and donate to her church with her winnings. Schubert is the 70th person that has won a lottery prize worth $1 million or more in Arkansas since 2009.
Nancy Lewis, Manager of the Salvation Army Family Store with Ann Garrett, Second ViceRegent of James L. Polk Chapter in Mena. Submitted photo.
DAR Speaker Shines Light on MENA Salvation Army The February 20, program of the James K. Polk Chapter NSDAR was about "The Art Of Giving." The presentation was by the Mena Salvation Army Family Store Manager, Nancy Lewis. The Family Store is an off-shoot of the original Salvation Army founded by Methodist Minister William Booth and his wife Catherine in 1865 in London, England. Under the Booths' leadership, the Army grew to a worldwide organization known for its integrity, generosity, and effectiveness in meeting the needs of the people who so desperately need help - in time the motto became, "We go to the worst." When you donate goods or money, shop at the store, or when you drop a few coins or bills in the Kettle at Christmas, you're part of that mission that they started. The Mena Family Store is based on the original mission and vision: "Our Message is Based on the Bible; Our Ministry is Motivated by the Love of God; Our Mission is to Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to Meet Human Needs in His Name." The Mena Family Store is entirely self-sufficient, meaning the sale of donated
goods along with monetary gifts, including the annual Kettle Campaign (Bell Ringing), goes to pay all operating expenses including the salaries of two paid employees and funds all assistance. That assistance includes such things as lodging in the case of a burn out or natural disaster, food, gasoline for medical appointments, utility assistance once a year, and household items. Nancy Lewis retired to the Mena Area from Texas in 2016. Her last position in San Antonio was Program Manager for the largest military contract company located at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth. She became the Store Manager of our local Salvation Army Family Store in June of 2018. She and her husband "Love Mena, and after only three and a half years, Mena has truly become our home. " The next meeting of the Daughters of the American Revolution is Thursday, March 12, at 1:30 p.m. in the Polk County Library Community Room. Ladies interested in the DAR are invited to attend. - For membership information, contact Dotty Kinnun, Registrar(thekinnuns@gmail.com).