May 31, 2017

FREE WEEKLY

May 31, 2017

THE POLK COUNTY

Stay Connected!

1168 Hwy 71 S • Mena, AR 71953 • 479-243-9600 ...............................................................................................................................................................................

Your DAILY News Sources: KENA 104.1 FM & MyPulseNews.com

Mena to Host 1st Annual BREATHE Youth Conference

BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com

‘Ricochet’ to Headline 40th Annual Lum & Abner Festival

The first REATHE two-day youth conference will be held in Polk County this weekend, with the hopes to breathe life’ into today’s youth, to become tomorrow’s warriors for Jesus Christ. The idea was the brain child of a local girl who took an overseas mission trip and wanted to do more.

I was in Trinidad on a mission’s trip. While I was away, I was able to watch the news, something I never really did at home, but I wanted to keep up while I was away, and realized the terror that was going on everywhere. While in Trinidad I was working with youth and I realized that things happen to youth all over CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

State & County Unemployement Rates Continue to Decline

BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com

The Arkansas unemployment rate has again dipped into record numbers for the fourth straight month. ocally, Polk County has also experienced a decline in recent months. overnor Asa Hutchinson is well pleased with the numbers and said it tells us that we are on the right track in terms of implementing conservative policies that spur job creation and put Arkansans to work.

He continued, Our unemployment rate is even more impressive when you consider that the number of employees on the government payroll is shrinking, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Main Street Program Presents to ‘Downtown Partners’

BY MELANIE BUCK • news@mypulsenews.com

Downtown is a reflection of how the community feels about itself, said Main Street Arkansas Director reg Phillips while speaking to an audience at the Ouachita Center during an event held by Mena’s Downtown Partners. The purpose of the event was for Phillips to inform the community about the importance

The 40th annual Lum & Abner Festival will be hosted at Janssen Park this Friday and Saturday, June 2nd & 3rd, and country super group Ricochet will headline the event, with many other bands entertaining the crowds throughout both days o ena’s pre ier estival. ll on erts are presented to t e pu li ree o arge and all will take the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage in the center of Janssen Par , ne t to t e istori al log a in. READ FULL STORY ON PAGE 5 AND OUR COMPLETE LUM & ABNER SECTION BEGINNING ON PAGE 11 - YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO ALL THE FESTIVITIES!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

This Friday & Saturday!

LIVE Remote on

Friday, 12:30pm-2:30pm

See full section, including schedule of events, on pages11-17!

. .May . . . . .31, . . .2017 ......................................................................................................................

news

2

H

Weekly Publication

Hamlet Auditions Being Held This Week news@mypulsenews.com

BY MELANIE BUCK

amlet will be O uachita Little Theatre’s 2017 F all production and auditions will be held the first week in June so that cast members will have the entire summer to learn their lines and prepare for the Shakespearean roles.

Hamlet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare around the turn of the 17th century. The play is set in Denmark where young Hamlet is plagued by his father’s ghost. His father, K ing Hamlet, was murdered by his own brother, Claudius, who then marries Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. The play also includes a lovesick O phelia who pines after Hamlet.

The play has long been one of the most popular of Shakespeare’s works and still ranks among his most performed.

If you are interested in auditioning for Hamlet, there is no need to prepare ahead, the director, Brad Storey, will have exce rpts of the play onsite for everyone. Audition times will be from 6 p.m. 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 1st and 9 a.m. 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 3rd. Rehearsals will begin in August performances in October.

F or more information, contact Brad Storey at 479-234-2321.

Extension Office Holds Reception

PHOTO BY MELANIE BUCK

e Pol County tension e wel o ed t eir two new agents, ridgett artin and os Yates on uesday, ay , 01 . artin and Yates oin longti e agent Carla Vaug t. ll t ree will ave a and in edu ating t e ounty’s iti ens in all t ings agri ulture, and t ey will all play a role in H lu s a ross t e area. or ore in or ation on t e tension e, onta t t e at 01 , or stop y t eir o e, 11 De ueen Street in ena. e lo al o e is an e tension o t e o gri ulture Divison.

T he P olk County P ulse &

MyP ulseN ews.com

GET CONNECTED

Like us!

are publications of Pulse Multi-Media.

Receive Breaking News Alerts!

Meet Our Team Melanie Buck

Staff News Reporter/ Marketing Specialist

m.buck@mypulsenews.com

LeAnn Dilbeck

Publisher/General Manager l.dilbeck@mypulsenews.com editor@mypulsenews.com

Mark Hobson

KENA 104.1 Radio Personality/ Marketing Specialist m.hobson@mypulsenews.com

Emmye Rowell Assistant Graphic Designer

e.rowell@mypulsenews.com

To submit news items/ announcements: news@mypulsenews.com For billing questions: billing@mypulsenews.com To contact a marketing specialist: ads@mypulsenews.com To submit sports updates: sports@mypulsenews.com To submit calendar items: calendar@mypulsenews.com

Polk County Pulse

Follow us!

@MyPulseNews

Ilana Burk

Graphic Designer

i.burk@mypulsenews.com

Debbie Frost

Marketing Specialist

d.frost@mypulsenews.com

Logan McCourtney Marketing Specialist

l.mccourtney@mypulsenews.com

Curt Teasdale Radio Personality

c.teasdale@mypulsenews.com

Bevona Williams Billing/Traffic Specialist

b.williams@mypulsenews.com

The Distribution & Insertion Team

Dan & Linda Deramus, Kerin Wade, Jeff Flanigan, Bob Miller, Jami Miller, Clint Buck, Tim & Ananda Martin, Ryan & Kalyn Lee

PHONE: 479-243-9600 FAX: 479-243-9603 1168 Hwy 71 South, Mena

The Polk County Pulse is the area’s premiere and fastest growing news publication. The Polk County Pulse is F R EE and published weekly on Wednesdays with a distribution of 8 ,000 and estimated readership of 10,000. All rights to contents are reserved by Pulse Multi-Media. MyPulseNews.com currently has an on-line audience of 24,000 giving us a combined readership of 32,000.

PO LICY : The Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. All property rights, including any copyright interest, in any advertisement produced by Pulse Multi-Media and/ or The Polk County Pulse using art work and/ or typography furnished or arranged by Pulse Multi-Media and/ or The Polk County Pulse shall be the property of Pulse Multi-Media and/ or The Polk County Pulse. No such advertisement or any part thereof may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Pulse Multi-Media & The Polk County Pulse.

PO LITICAL ADV ER TISEMENTS: Advertisements of a political nature must be pre-paid and must also include the name of the entity paying for the advertisement. If an entity other than the candidate the advertisement is endorsing is paying for the ad, a statement must be signed by the candidate verifying the candidate has seen and approved the advertisement.

news

May 31, 2017

Weekly Publication

3

................................................................................................................................

Rotary Supports Single Cove Streets to be Resurfaced T Parent Scholarship

BY MELANIE BUCK

news@mypulsenews.com

he Arkansas State Highway Commission will begin work on a few roadways in South Polk County soon, with some causing detours in normal commutes for Cove citizens. The resurfacing of Lewis Street and a section of West Barton Avenue in Cove is anticipated to begin in early June according to Cove’s Mayor, Joan Headley. Approxi mately 1.5 miles of the streets will be resurfaced. This project, in addition to 1.3 miles of resurfacing in Wickes on O ak Grove R oad and O ld Highway 71, will be completed by Crow Paving, Inc., of Morrilton, whose awarded contract is $ 478 ,38 6.40.

Mayor Headley said she was told by the contractor that a portion of each street will be temporarily closed while the work is being done. Mayor Headley added she is sorry for the inconvenience these closures will cause, but it is for the safety of all involved and should only be for a short period of time. “We appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this time,” said Mayor Headley. If you have any questions or concerns about the projects in Cove, all are welcome to call Cove Town Hall at 8 70-38 7-5791.

SUBMITTED

Main Street Single Parent Scholarship recipient Shannon Jesse (r) thanks Polk County/Mena Rotary Club President Tiffany ane or t e Clu ’s $ 50.00 ontri ution to t e s olars ip und. esse, w o enrolled in 1 ours t is spring, earned a .0 grade point average w ile wor ing 0 0 ours a wee . n t an ing t e Clu , s e said t e s olars ip not only elped wit ollege e penses, it gave er t e opportunity to spend ore ti e wit er t ree year old son.

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE of a vibrant downtown and how it can not only benefit a community financially, but can foster a sense of pride as well.

Phillips exp lained that when people pull into a town, whether just traveling through or searching for a new home or industry location, the downtown area gives the first impression, and it needs to be a good one. Just the simple addition of lights, benches, and flowers gives a more welcoming feel, said Phillips.

Historically, downtowns are a place where communities come together, he said. This is true of Mena, specifically.

In downtown Mena, festivals are launched, races begin, and a budding arts district is showcased. It is also where many small businesses are located, and also typically where city and county governments are centered. “V isiting business and industry prospects like to look at downtowns to see what they’re potential employees would have in a town before they decide to relocate their business,” Phillips exp lained.

O ne key way to keep your downtown area healthy, vital, and inviting is to incorporate a director that focuses solely on downtown. Another is to become part of an official Main Street program. When you become part of Main Street Arkansas, you join programs across the nation,” said Phillips.

“O ver 2,000 communities have Main Street Programs across the U.S.” The Main Street approach to downtown revitalization is based on four key points: design, organization, promotion, and economic vitality. These areas are where Main Street can help a downtown area go from a slow, worn-down town, with no activity, to a place where residents and visitors love to be.

The design “conveys a visual message about what the downtown has to offer,” while organization means “building consensus and cooperation between the groups that play key roles in the downtown.” Promotion involves marketing an area’s uniqueness, and economic vitality strengthens exi sting economic bases while diversifying it. “Making the most of the unique sense of place and exi sting historical assets,” was another way Phillips described it. Main Street Arkansas assists members in all of these facets.

R etention of businesses can sometimes be challenging for small towns. However, the cost of an empty store can be insurmountable including loss of sales, tax revenues, salaries, and can cause a drop in nearby property values. K eeping locals in those stores is

January 6, 2016

Welcome to Mena’s Lum & Abner Festival!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

Welcome to the Lum & Abner

Located in the heart of Mena, Arkansas 1020 MENA ST. MENA, AR 71953 | SINCE 1939

www.washburns.com M o n- F ri 8 : 3 0 to 6 : 0 0 • S a t 9 : 0 0 - 3 : 0 0 (4 7 9 ) 3 9 4 -4 3 3 2 • (8 8 8 ) 3 9 4 -4 3 3 2

Festival!

701 12th Street, Mena • 479-243-0957

Free Consultation Call us when you’re ready to treat the problem, not the symptoms!

479-437-4444

701 S. Morrow, Mena menaspineandrehab.com

4

news

. . May . . . . .31, . . .2017 ......................................................................................................................

Weekly Publication

Undercover Operation Results MRHS Celebrates Employees with in Drug Arrest news@mypulsenews.com Hospital Awards

BY MELANIE BUCK

“

We are committed to arresting drug dealers in Polk County,” stated Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer on Thursday, May 25, 2017, in a press release following the latest drug-related arrest from the department.

O n Tuesday, May 23, 2017, the Sheriff’s Department and the 18 th West Judicial Drug Task F orce (DTF ) arrested John T. Pitchford, age 42 of Hatton, Ark., and charged him with three counts of Delivery of Methamphetamine. The specific amounts of methamphetamine that each delivery contained has not been provided, however, initial charges indicated each transaction was between 2 grams and 10 grams each.

According to Arkansas Code, two grams or more, but less than 28 grams, is a Class felony that could be punishable by five to 20 years of incarceration and a fine of up to $ 15,000.

The charges Pitchford faces are the result of a month-long undercover operation where he allegedly sold methamphetamine to an agent on three separate occasions.

“My Department and the DTF are working hard to keep our children and our community safe,” said Sawyer.

As a note, the charges listed in this article are allegations. The suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Caregiver Support Meeting • June 1, 2017 at 11:15 am

If you are a caregiver of an adult 60 years and older please come join us. This information could be extremely helpful to you.

The topic will be “Diabetes” presented by Kassi Strother, Mena Manor.

For information call Taryn Jinks 870-385-2373.

Hope to see you there. Refreshments will be served.

OWNER - JASON MILES

*Free Estimates*

“We’ll go the extra mile for you!”

* Custom Homes * Remodels * Window Replacement * Additions * Vinyl Siding

The Cossatot Senior Center

479-216-3072

7366 Hwy 71 S • Wickes, AR 71973 • Office: 870-385-2373

Brandie Harrison 479.394.4248 104 Port Arthur Avenue Mena, AR 71953-3344

Mena Regional Health System recently held its annual Hospital Week Awards Presentation. Awards for 2016 were presented to many employees. Pictured above (l to r): Jonathan Welsh was awarded the Provider of the Year; Lupe Gallegos was awarded the iCARE Star Employee of the Year; Judy Sisk was selected to receive the Spirit of Excellence Award; and Sara Hale was honored with the Leadership Award.

National F amily C areg iver Su pport P rog ram

MILES CONSTRUCTION & HANDYMAN SERVICE

Manufacturer of Quality CNC Parts

SUBMITTED

Congratulations, Brandie & good luck on the next chapter!

We love you!

Mom, Dad & Bub

Dallas Avenue Dental Care, Inc. Diane Marosy, D.D.S., F.A.G.D.

New Patients & Emergencies Welcome Monday, Wednesday 9-5 Tuesday, Thursday 10-8

Intersection of Dallas Ave. & Mena Street 479-394-7800 www.dallasavenuedental.com

Madi Fowler

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

MADI!!

Weekly Publication

Annual Free Fishing Days This Weekend T

he state’s yearly Free Fishing Days are coming up, and you’ll want to mark your calendar and take advantage of the treat. Free Fishing Days will be observed from noon on June 9th through midnight on June 11th. During that time, no angler will need a fishing license or trout permit to fish anywhere in Arkansas.

Both residents and non-residents can enjoy fishing the lakes and waters of the state free of charge. R egulations for Arkansas waters still apply and daily limits, slot limits, and length limits must be observed.

During the weekend, state park interpreters will offer a variety of fish themed programs and activities. Contact each state park for a detailed event schedule for their park.

40th Annual Lum & Abner The music will kick off on F riday at 12:30 p.m. with the R ose F amily Band, a popular local Southern/ Country Gospel group, comprised of multiple generations. The R ose F amily Band has had gospel music in their family for more than 60 years.

At 2:30 p.m. on F riday, you’ll find Stella Dee, a local act including Laura Lawson and Jeri Dee Amason, both with powerful voices set to impress.

R ichie O wens will follow the ladies at 4 30 p.m., bringing his one-of-a-kind high-energy show that includes southern rock and country music.

The always popular Lana Gail and Gail F orce will take the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage as the night’s opening act at 6:30 p.m. on F riday night. The group has

entertained crowds across the world, and you are certain to enjoy their upbeat treatment of songs from yesterday and today.

F ollowing the local acts, R icochet is set to take the stage at 30 p.m. The band’s top country hits include What Do I now and Daddy’s Money.

Their distinctive musical style and intricate harmonies have made them one of the most popular vocal groups in country music. Since forming in 2004, R icochet has won several distinguished awards from the Academy of Country Music, illboard Magazine, and the Country Music Assocation.

K nown as the “hardest working band in country music, Ricochet logs thousands of miles each year touring the United States and abroad, thrilling

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE fans of all ages.

The music continues on Saturday, June 3rd, with Gatling + Hoffpauir, a popular local country folk blues musical duo, at 12:30 p.m. The Leon Page Band, a local country group, will take the stage at 2:30 p.m. and will be followed by Highway 31, a bluegrass band, and festival favorite, at 4:30 p.m.

Saturday’s opening act will be Fort Smith-based band, The Warewolves. They play a guitar-driven combination of red dirt, blues, country, and jazz, shaping a genre all their own. Tom Ware, leader of the band was a founding member of the band Razorback and helped lay the groundwork of the emergence of country/ rock in the Nashville music scene in the 198 0’s.

The final headliner of the

news

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .May . . . . 31, . . . 2017 ......

5

festival will be The Crumbs, a bluegrass folk trio based out of Fort Smith. The Crumbs’ uni ue mix of Americana, bluegrass, and modern folk music has been described to harken back to the times when the iron men played wooden instruments.” A few of their musical influences include The Avett Brothers, O ld Crow Medicine Show, The Wood rothers, The Del McCoury Band, and Steve Earle.

If you are looking for more than just musical entertainment, don’t worry, the 40th annual um Abner Festival has something for everyone.

To see what all is in store, check out the special Lum & Abner section in this edition beginning on page 11. There, you will find events, times, locations, and more.

January 6, 2016

. . .May . . . .31, . . .2017 ......................................................................................................................

news

6

Weekly Publication

BREATHE Conference

Evangelist Arden Bevere will be the keynote speaker on Saturday night of the event. Bevere will speak at 7 p.m. in a session titled, “Identity.”

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE the world. It was like my call from God saying ‘you have to do something about this.’ I can’t change the whole world, but I can do something in my small town,” exp lained Anna Buckley.

Emmye Rowell, best friend to Anna, is also a key figure in bringing the conference about. It started out that we were going to do a back to school bash, but the bash never happened because God said, ‘that’s not big enough.’ Anna explained further, I was sitting at church one night talking about doing an event and we hadn’t done a back to school bash for a while. I talked to our youth pastors about it and I went home and couldn’t get it out of my head. That’s when it changed to BR EATHE. And so I went and talked to Jennifer McPherson about it and that’s how it began. That was eight months ago.”

In the eight months, the event has grown larger than the girls ever exp ected and now includes youth from around the region. O ne youth group that has pre-registered is coming from as far as Georgetown, Texa s.

So why REATHE I was listening to a song, Come Alive’ by auren Daigel, and it’s the story of Ezekiel and how the bones come alive and that made it visible that this conference is to breathe life into the youth,” said Anna. We want to breathe life into our dead generation, Emmye said.

With the help of their friends, REATHE Conference is coming to Iron Mountain this Friday and Saturday, June 2 & 3. They also have youth leaders, community, and more volunteers helping with the event – as many as 150 volunteers are needed each day to ensure success, safety, and that the word of God is spread to each budding youth. ut our support is our church (The Crossing) and our parents, smiled Emmye. The Crossing and their leadership has been such a huge part of this. They have matched all of our fundraising dollars. And to the community who has been a part and helped – thank you! And also, Mika Harry has been a huge mentor.

She has kept us on track.”

REATHE Conference will be held at the CMA Iron Mountain Pavilion with registration beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday conference begins at 6 30 and will last until around 9 30. anessa Martin will be the featured speaker that night, talking about The ove of od. REATHE Worship, a band comprised of members of several churches from around the area, will perform during worship services. The Caf will be open, making snacks

and drinks available for sale throughout both days of the event.

Following Friday night’s conference, there will be an after party held at immediately following services. There will be a dance party with Yonny Flores (owner of 3 Events) DJ’ing the event.

On Saturday, the doors will open at 9 30 a.m. with the conference beginning at 10 a.m. Featured speaker will be Anna uckley, speaking on the topic of Fearless Faith. REATHE Worship will also lead worship.

Saturday will also include breakout sessions titled Intenionally Designed for more individualized teachings. Emma Mae Jenkins will speak in the girls’ session, while Nathaniel Martin and Taylor Schuller will speak in the boys’ breakout sessions. ictor Rowell, pastor of The Crossing, will speak to the entire group at 2 p.m., focusing on Spiritual ifts, and Arden evere will speak at 7 p.m. on Identity. evere is an evangelist ncer: from Colorado that travels the country and the world spreading the good news of Jesus. unch will be provided for free on Saturday, which includes hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, water, lemonade, and cookies. The dinner break will be held from 4 p.m. 6 30 p.m. They will offer an optional pizza dinner with ice cream, lemonade and water on site for per person. Organizers need to know by Saturday morning if you plan on eating dinner.

One important facet of the conference it’s free Their focus age group is 6th 12th grades. So far around 7 have pre-registered, but plans are being made to take on 400 youth.

Following the Saturday night dinner break, the doors will re-open at 6 30. There will be no after party that night, although they will offer a game lounge to keep youth busy during todown get times. T-Shirts for the event will be for sale for 1 .

Anna said she hopes the youth take away a better understanding of who they are and how od can use them how they are. What od has called them to do as individuals, and a generation.”

If you would like more information or would like to volunteer for the event, there are many opportunities for you to serve, call or text Emmye at 479-216-4224.

394-1351 TOLL FREE 1-800-394-1351

479-394-7301

1102 Crestwood Circle Mena, AR 71953

Same location for over 45 years FIND US ON FACEBOOK

201 HWY. 71 N., Mena

Mon.-Fri. 7am-6pm, Sat. 8am-4pm

Mena’s ONLY locally owned and operated parts store

Used on: Cars • Trucks • Equipment • Trailers and much more...

479-234-1549

WHILE YOU WAIT!

news

May 31, 2017

Weekly Publication

7

................................................................................................................................

Unemployment

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE while private sector employment and the labor force participation rate continue to climb.”

F or the month of April, the state rate fell to 3.5% , another full percentage point drop from the previous month, holding to the previous trend. In addition, the state added 11,000 jobs in April, and the labor force participation increased from the previous month.

In fact, there are now 70,200 more Arkansans employed than when I first took office in 201 . Arkansans want to work. As Governor, I will continue to pursue policies that increase opportunities for Arkansans to work and raise the quality of life in our state,” he added.

In total, for the month of April 2017, the civilian labor force in Arkansas has 1,347,934 workers. O f those, 1,300,237 are employed with only 47,697 unemployed across the state. Compared with April 2016, there are more than 6,8 00 fewer unemployed this year, causing a 0.6% decrease in unemployment rates from year-to-year totals. This year began with a 3.8 % unemployment rate and has incurred a 1% decrease each month since.

In Polk County, the March 2017 rate (the latest data available) was 4.9% , falling 0.7% from F ebruary 2017. That is a 1.5 point difference between the state and county rate. In total, the 4.9% rate that Polk County currently sits at, represents 38 4 unemployed persons. In March, the county’s civilian labor force (those considered working capable citizens), was 7,8 57, with 7,473 of those being employed.

Comparing data from the last several years shows a trend where the county’s rates increase during winter and summer and decrease during spring and fall, which could be attributed to the seasonality of one of the area’s main economic generators – the logging industry. Seasonal employment is sometimes as factor as well. The fluctuation in the aforementioned trend is usually around a percentage point and equals less than 100 people.

Weekly Publication

Main Street

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 vital. O nly six cents of every dollar spent in a ‘big box retailer’ is retained in a community, but 20 cents of every dollar spent with a chain store is retained, and 60 cents of every dollar spent with a sole proprietorship, or small business, is kept local.

Phillips gave exa mples of cities in Arkansas that have taken advantage of all Main Street Arkansas has to offer and how they now have jumping downtown areas that bring in locals and travelers through interesting shops, businesses that stay open late, and nice nooks to sit and relax while enjoying the outdoors.

Mena’s Downtown Partners and others in attendance appreciate all that Main Street Arkansas has to offer, however, a fee is associated to join, and having a ‘paid person’ to make sure all advantages are taken, is currently at a roadblock. Some of the partners have exp ressed ideas that the City of Mena could help. However, there is much more discussion to be had before any final decisions can be made. For now, a volunteer, Judy Thompson, is serving as liaison for Downtown Partners. Thompson has many years of exp erience working as a Main Street director in Louisiana before retiring to Mena a few years ago. She, along with other partners, will continue to research if, when, and how, Mena may join the program to bring success to Mena’s Downtown. If you are interested in helping, contact Thompson or any other Downtown Partner.

STANLEY MICHAEL DICKISON Stanley Michael Dickison, age 61, of Cove, Arkansas passed away Monday, May 22, 2017 in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Stanley was born on July 21, 1955 in DeQueen, Arkansas to the late Sheryl D. Dickison and the late Verba Lee Pate Dickison. He was a devoted man to his family and loved his cats, especially Booger. Stanley enjoyed gardening, old Mopars, drag racing, and rebuilding old cars. First and foremost, he loved God and his family and will be dearly missed by all. Stanley was a loving father, grand-

The family of

father, brother, great-grandfather, and a good friend to all who knew him.

Stanley is survived by spouse, Carolyn Dickison of Mena, Arkansas; daughter, LaManda Evans and husband Clint of Mena, Arkansas; granddaughters, Delina Runyon and husband David of Mena, Arkansas, Paige Evans of Mena, Arkansas, Tori Evans of Mena, Arkansas; great-granddaughter, Kinsley Runyon; brothers, Troy Dickison of Cove, Arkansas, Tim Dickison of Kirby, Arkansas; and a host of friends He was preceded in death by his parents, Sheryl and Verba Dickison, daughter, Sarah Dickison, and an infant sister.

Funeral service were Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 2:00 p.m. at Revival Center in Cove, Arkansas with Brother Tim Smedley and Brother Mark yle officiating.

Interment followed in the Pleasant Grove

Cemetery in Cove under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

Visitation was at Revival Center in Cove, Arkansas prior to service, 12:002:00 p.m.

DOYLE WAYNE COOK

Doyle Wayne Cook, age 67, of Talihina, Oklahoma, passed away Sunday, May 21, 2017 in Poteau, Oklahoma.

Doyle Wayne was born in Mena, Arkansas on November 8, 1947 to Lewis Elvoy Cook and Elizabeth Susanna Brock Cook.

He graduated from Wickes High School in Wickes, Arkansas and was a veteran of

obituaries

................................................................................................................................

Vietnam.

Doyle was a very special, kind, and generous person, also a loving brother, uncle, and friend to all who knew him. He will be dearly missed by all.

He is survived by brother, Elbert Cook of Hot Springs, Arkansas; three nephews and two nieces; aunt, Gracie Parnell; loving cousins and lots of friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Marquita Richmond and Elizabeth Cook, and one niece.

Graveside service were Friday, May 26, 2017, 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Cove, Arkansas under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home of Mena.

January 6, 2016

Nodene Faulkner Dilbeck Goodgame

would like to express their sincere appreciation for the heartfelt condolences, flowers, cards, and food provided to us during our time of loss. Thank you doesn't seem adequate enough to our Crossing Church family, Victor and Susan Rowell, James Kelley, and Ilana Burk for providing such a beautiful service. We would also like to thank our Pulse Multi-Media family, Jay and Teresa Bunyard, and everyone who has shown us such kindness during this very difficult time.

God bless you all!

Richard "Dick" Goodgame, David and LeAnn Dilbeck, Tammy Broomfield

Caring for your family since 1928 479-394-1310 611 J anssen Ave. Mena, AR 71953 B easleyW

oodFuneralHome.com

479-394-4535 January 6, 2016 Open 7 Days a Week

Like us on Facebook!

school

8

May 31, 2017

Weekly Publication

................................................................................................................................

Acorn Elementary Selects April Students of the Month T

SUBMITTED

he April Students of the Month from Acorn Elementary School were chosen having displayed exce llent citizenship, exce ptional academic effort/ improvement, and good attendance. Simple Simon’s Pizza, Goss Electronics, and Laark Enterprises provided for lunch and games.

Pictured are: F ront R ow: Archer Sprague, K indergarten, son of Travis and R ebecca Sprague; Bryson Stockton, K indergarten, son of Matt and Tori Stockton; Z epplin Smith, 1st grade, son of Cheryll Dollarhyde and Jeremy Smith.

Middle R ow: Jakob Hostetler, 1st grade, son of Seth and Traci Hostetler; Nevaeh Daugherty, 1st grade, daughter of Holly Bunyard; Gracie Mabry, 3rd grade, daughter of Mark and Charity Mabry; JT Walsh, 2nd grade, son of Stacey R obbins; Ike R itchie, 2nd grade, son of Jaclyn R ose and Shane R itchie.

Back R ow: Caden Tarkinton, 4th grade, son of Josh and K endra Tarkinton; Juan Gee, 5th grade, grandson of Debbie Gee; R obert Hill, 5th grade, son of R obert Hill; Eathan Caldwell, 3rd grade, son of Jennifer Smith; K ailee Branson, 4th grade, daughter of Lee Branson and K ent Branson.

Vandervoort Elementary School 4th Nine Weeks Honor Roll K

SUBMITTED

inderg a rten - A ll A ’ s: Leliana Anglin, Makenzie Arthur, Aspen Boldrey, Gracelee Burk, K eelie Haynes, Easton Johnson, Cambree Manning, Tristan Pollard, Natalie R ushing, Ariana Shaver, Jace Shouse, Joslyn Watkins, Braxt on Wilkinson , Saphina Z immerman. K inderg a rten - A ll A ’ s & B ’ s: Jasmine Dunn, Aaron Jewell, Nevaeh Scott, Gracie Smith.

F irst G ra de- A ll A ’ s: Temperance Bell, Brody Creel, Charlie F ortner, Beaudy Lile, Trinity Standridge. F irst G ra de - A ll A ’ s & B ’ s: K oda Bailey, Lillyann Bennett, Autumn Dunn, Adan Garcia, Jakub Henry, Madison Jewell, Jacee McGhee, Jay Moss, Jayden Scott, Shiloh Taylor. S eco nd G ra de- A ll A ’ s: Ayden Arthur, Tayden Broach, Thomas Chesser, F lint Dickerson, Anthony Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Joe K ing, R ylee Manning, Jade Watkins.S eco nd G ra de - A ll A ’ s & B ’ s: Natalie Bailey, Jayden Broach, Matthew Dau, Emmie O wens, Wyatt R oss. T h ird G ra de- A ll A ’ s: Wyatt Gunn. T h ird G ra de - A ll A ’ s & B ’ s: Jacob Barrett, Alex Broach, Jaylunn Estes, Colten Green, Jimmy Glenn, Maleena Hopkins, Dylon Morris, Elijah O wens. F o urth G ra de- A ll A ’ s: Hunter Brett, Elijah Smith. F o urth G ra de - A ll A ’ s & B ’ s: Jennifer Arce, Dani Atchley, Michelle Broach, Landon Case, Laci Dixo n, R iley Dunn, Shawn Harris, Bradley Harwood, Jayden Johnson, K yler McK ee, Mattie R oss, Bradley Wade.F if th G ra de- A ll A ’ s: Austin Bailey, Caylynn Burke, Braylen R alls.

F if th G ra de - A ll A ’ s & B ’ s: Illiana Diaz de Leon, Brodie Dickerson, Landon Estes, Meera Henry, Z enia Schmidt. S ix th G ra de - A ll A ’ s & B ’ s: Toby Brown, Hunter Burke, Mia Dixo n, Jessica Green, K imberly Hackworth, Hunter Hamm, Christian Hoyle, Braylee Jewell, Harley Loyd, K eeton McCarver, Lillian McIntyre, Z achary McK ee, Connor Mink, K ylie O wens, Gracie Potter, Nathan Watkins.

Students Named to SAU’s President’s List S

outhern Arkansas University has announced the names of 295 students who earned a 4.0 GPA for the spring 2017 semester and a spot on the Southern Arkansas University President' s List.

Students from this area include: Cheyenne Bell is a junior Agricultural Education major from Cove, Arkansas. Cheyenne Anderson is a senior Agriculture Business major from Mena, Arkansas. Cameron Ulmer is a senior Business Administration (AS) major from Mena, Arkansas. Tamra Hudson is a senior K -6 Elementary Education major from Cove, Arkansas.R achel Bowling is a senior K -6 Elementary Education major from Mena, Arkansas. Allison Hughes is a senior K -6 Elementary Education major from Mena, Arkansas.

Jaqueline Wagner is a senior K -6 Elementary Education major from Mena, Arkansas. Candace F ord is a senior K -6 Elementary Education major from Wickes, Arkansas. K ara R ichardson is a sophomore K -6 Elementary Education major from Grannis, Arkansas.

A total of 294 students were honored to this year s President s ist, which is up from 22 students who ualified in the spring of 2016 and 272 in the spring of 2015. Established in 1909, SAU has built on its dedication to student achievement and caring atmosphere, both on campus and online, with more than 8 0 degrees in four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies. As career and professional trends change, SAU initiates new degree programs to fit those needs. The latest additions include an exciting new cybersecurity computer science program, a unique Welding Engineering Technology SAU System program, and a new track in the MBA program for Social Entrepreneurship. F or more information about SAU, visit https:/ / www.saumag.edu/

UA-Rich Mountain Offers Summer Kids’ College U

A-R ich Mountain will host K ids College in July and has opened up registration for the popular event. Courses include topics such as science, writing, publishing, technology, medical, cooking, dance, sign language, a drone workshop, and more.

UA R ich Mountain K ids’ College will be held July 17th - 20th. Three class periods will be offered each morning from 8 a.m. – 12 4 p.m., each class being one hour and fifteen minutes long. Students who completed grades - in Spring 2017 are welcome to apply. The curriculum has been developed to offer a variety of courses for introduction and enhancement. Pick up registration forms at the front desk in the UA Rich Mountain Tower Room or usiness Office. The priority deadline is June 1 th. Additional registrations will be accepted on a space available basis until 8 a.m. on July 17th. Cost of the program is $ 100 per student. The fee includes a t-shirt, refreshments each day, and most classroom supplies.

F or more information, contact Penny Lunsford at plunsford@ rmcc.edu or 479-394-7622.

Vandervoort Elementary School 4th Nine Weeks Perfect Attendance

K inderg a rten: Tristan Pollard, Jace Shouse, Joslyn Watkins.

F irst G ra de: Makayla Arthur, Joseph Bennett, Jakub Henry, Abagayl Pollard.

S eco nd G ra de: Anthony Johnson, Weston R oss..

T h ird G ra de: Blane Brett, Jimmy Glenn, Carolina March.

F o urth G ra de: Laci Dixo n, Dustin Pollard, Charles R ichardson, Mattie R oss.

F if th G ra de: Austin Bailey, Brodie Dickerson, Braylen R alls, Lyniya Treadway-R undel.

S ix th G ra de: Mia Dixo n, K imberly Hackworth, Tristan Pollard, Jace Shouse, Joslyn Watkins.

school

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May . . . . .31, . . .2017 ......

9

Weekly Publication

MHS Students Receive Mastery Certifications S

tudents in the Computer Applications and Digital Communications classes at Mena High School prepare for the world of work by learning the applications they will use either in future education or the employment they choose to seek. During the 2016-2017 school year, 137 certificates of mastery in Microsoft Office 2016 have been earned in Molly indsey s Computer Applications classes, including certifications in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Word Expert.

The certification company, Certiport, holds a statewide contest each semester to determine who the top three students are in the state of Arkansas and three Mena students, K aitlyn Simmons, indy Hull, and Avery owling placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively in the entire state, each with a perfect score of 1000 on the Word certification test. As the first place winner with the fastest perfect score, Simmons will be invited to the National Championship in Orlando, Florida, in June. One student, Sabrina Denmon, notably passed Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Word Expert. Two others, indy Hull and January 6, 2016 aitlyn Simmons, passed Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word Expert.

Students in the Digital Communications classes taught by Molly indsey and aren Purvis earned certifications in Adobe software titles. These students have earned 27 certifications in InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro. Two students, Christopher Thompson and Jada ass, notably passed all 3 titles re uired in Adobe Pictured left to right: Lindy Hull, Kaitlyn Simmons, CS6 to be named V isual Design Specialists.

Avery Bowling all scored 1000 in Microsoft Word These certification opportunities are provided by the Arkansas Department of Career Technical Education and 2016. a Carl Perkins grant.

Mena District to Host Summer Feeding Program Mena Public Schools will offer a Summer Feeding Program June 12th 1 th and June 19th 22nd. All children ages 1 and under can eat breakfast and lunch for free on those days at the Holly Harshman Cafeteria. reakfast will be served from 7 4 30 a.m., and lunch will be served from 11 30 12 1 .

If you are interested in bringing your children on any of those days, please call or text 479-234-2911.

Please make The Cole Team Bold & larger than the address & phone yournumbers PC... below it.

Stay connected...

on mobile device... laptop!

Omit the 800 number and the e-mail address and Anytime! Anywhere! substitute www.FarrellCole.com instead. powered by

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

In the web address across the bottom, capitalize the M in Mena, the R in Real & the E in Estate.

MENA REAL ESTATE

Farrell & Sharon Cole

The Cole Team

816 S. Mena St. Mena, AR 71953 Office: (479) 394-5000 www.FarrellCole.com www.MenaRealEstate.com

Williams Medical Clinic, L.L.C.

Dr. Robert S. Williams, M.D. All Major Insurance Accepted 403-E N. Morrow St., Mena, AR 71953

479-243-9024

New Patients Welcome

10

May 31, 2017

Weekly Publication

sports

................................................................................................................................

Polk County Soccer Players Earn Accolades S

BY LOGAN MCCOURTNEY l.mccourtney@mypulsenews.com

everal soccer players from Polk County were recognized for their play this season and have received post season accolades and honors. Cossatot R iver High had four players receive honors this year, three players from the boys team, and one player from the girls team.

Jonathan Castrejon, Daniel Perez, and Y air V alencia each were named All-State for the 2017 soccer season. Each year, based on team and individual performance, athletes are nominated by coaches in the conference or district they play in to be named as an All-State player. “Each of these guys played an important part on our team. Yair was our stabilizer all year, he provided a lot of stabilizer at midfield for us. When we were at Gurdon, our goalie went out injured after just ten minutes and I asked Y air to step in and play goalie, which he had never played, and he did great,” remarks Coach F ryar, boys and girls soccer coach at Cossatot.

In addition to receiving All-State honors, Daniel Perez was named to the 4A State Tournament Team. This honor is given to players who played in the state tournament and they ex celled in their play. This honor is also based on the nominations of coaches. “Daniel really picked up his play at the tournament. He is a junior this year, but he was named All-State as a freshman. He has such good foot motion, he can move the ball and can do things that are amazing with his feet.”

Also receiving additional honors was Jonathan Castrejon. He was nominated and then selected by coaches to represent the West in the All-Star Soccer Game that will be played in June in F ayetteville. “Jonathan is just another ex ample of a great player. He is really good at moving the ball around, and he was one of my top two scorers. It says a lot to be named to represent the West because coaches nominated him from our conference and coaches from around the state.”

Ashlen Gonzalez, a sophomore on the Cossatot girls soccer team was also selected as a 2017 All-State soccer player. She was nominated by coaches in the conference as well. “She is one of those players that whatever she does she goes full force. Ashlen is just a sophomore and so we get her back for a couple more years. She is really the strength of our team and she can play wherever we need her on the field, remarks Coach Fryar.

Two players from the Mena earcat soccer team earned accolades because of their efforts on the field this year. R yan O zanich and Cristian Lua both earned All-State honors. This honor is awarded to the best players as voted by conference coaches. While earning All-State, Cristian was rewarded for his play in the State Tournament by being named to the All-State Tournament soccer team. Coach Greg Tibbitt commented on the two star players, “They are really two totally different types of players, but both of them were crucial to our success this year.”

Each player served as a specialist on offense and defense respectively. “Cristian had a phenomenal year for us. He was coming back as our leading scorer, Cristian is an offensive threat anywhere on the field. He is a very gifted and knowledgeable player, even when he was being double teamed he was still able to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. I really feel that he came into his own at State Tournament, despite playing in ankle deep water and mud and being sick with the stomach bug, he still scored 4 of our 5 goals.”

“R yan O zanich is the type of player that every coach wants to have on his roster,” remarks Coach Tibbitt. “He is a relentless competitor and has great character.

He is constantly doing the right things to put himself and our team in a position to succeed. He played defensive midfield for us and played a lot of man against talented scorers. R yan drew a lot of praise from coaches for his on-ball defense.”

Congratulations to each of the players for earning All-State honors and to those who earned a spot on the All-State Tournament team.

Second Annual Renegade Ranch Modern Craftsmen Recreating & Knapping Stone Tools of the Past Arts & Crafts Some Campsites available, call (479)216-0155 and visit www.ouachitarenegaderanch.com

3680 Highway 88 East, Mena

Mena, Arkansas June 9-11, 2017 • 9am-5pm Dig for Artifacts Free $10 - Half Day Admission 4-Wheeler Trails $10 - Full Day Vendors Welcome Non-Food Vendor Fees: $10/Day • $25/3 Days

Hunter Computerized 4-Wheel Alignment & Wheel Balancing Tires • Brakes • Custom Exhaust • Shocks & Struts Hours: Mon.-Fri. • 8am-5:30pm 1500 Hwy 71 South, Mena

•394-1938• Owner : Stacy & Julie Nash

May 31, 2017

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

11

While you are in town for the festival, stop by the

Limetree Restaurant

Welcome to Mena & the MEDI SHOP PHARMACY Phar�acy for Your Health Lum & Abner Festival!

Festival Vendors Welcome!

FAMILY RESTAURANT • FRIENDLY SERVICE

6am-9pm • 7 days a week • Fri., Sat. & Sun. Breakfast Buffet 804 Hwy. 71 North • 479-394-4702 • Take out orders welcome.

Catering Available.

479-394-1222 1400 Hwy 71 N, Mena

Owners: Gary & Danny Miner

Bob Geyer Pharm. D.

Pharmacist

204 H w y . 71 S a t 2n d S t .

Ph o n e : 479- 394- 3254 To l l F r e e : 866- 575- 9594

12

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

May 31, 2017

May 31, 2017

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

13

Friday, June 2nd Swifty Swine Pig Racing

8 am 9 am 9:45 am 10 am

Tres Agaves Cove Taco Throwdown

Please help us keep Janssen Park and our community clean! Trash cans & recycle bins are dispersed throughout the park. Please use these to properly dispose of your trash, paper, cans, etc.

Thank you!!!

Zorbi Balls

10:30 am 11 am 11:30 am 12 pm 12:30 pm 1 pm 2 pm 2:30 pm 3 pm 4 pm 4:30 pm 5 pm 6 pm 6:30 pm 7 pm 8:30 pm

Saturday, June 3rd 8 am 9 am

Union Bank of Mena

10 am 10:15 am 10:30 am 11 am 11:30 am

CHECK OUT OUR 31st ANNIVERSARY SPECIALS!!

Skyline Cafe Thursday - Tuesday 5:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Closed Wednesdays

DINE IN OR USE OUR DRIVE THROUGH Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Sunday

Celebrating our 31st Anniversary!

Stop by and sign up for prizes!

LOCATED IN THE NORTHSIDE SHOPPING CENTER • 394-6201

618 Mena St.

479-394-5152

a l un h pe als ggest ttle ala ar n ena rea ast er e ll a ull enu er e ll a

el ome to the um

ner est al

Seniors (55+) Fishing Derby Ouachita Quilt Show Opens, Historic Armory Physically Challenged Fishing Derby Opening Ceremonies, Stage Vendor Booths Open The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show Donnie Pitchford Sketching Program, Stage The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Live Music - The Rose Family Band, Stage Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Live Music - Stella Dee, Stage Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Live Music - Richie Owens, Stage Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show Ouachita Quilt Show Closes The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Live Music - Lana Gail & Gail Force, Stage Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show Live Music - Ricochet, Stage

12 pm 12:30 pm 1 pm 2 pm 2:30 pm 3 pm S 4 pm 4:30 pm 5 pm 6 pm 6:30 pm 7 pm 8:30 pm

Car Show Registration & 5K Walk/Run Ouachita Quilt Show Opens, Historic Armory Kids (ages 5-12) Fishing Derby Opening Ceremonies , Stage Vendor Booths Open 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney, Mena Depot RE/MAX Baby Crawlin’ Contest The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show RE/MAX Baby Crawlin’ Contest Taco Throwdown Taco Sales Begin Donnie Pitchford Sketching Program, Stage The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Live Music - Gatling and Hoffpauir, Stage Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Live Music - The Leon Page Band, Stage Lum & Abner Car Show Awards wifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Live Music - Highway 31, Stage Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show Ouachita Quilt Show Closes The Outlaws Gunfighter Group Live Music - The Warewolves, Stage Swifty Swine Swimming & Racing Pig Show Live Music - The Crumbs, Stage

14

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

May 31, 2017

May 31, 2017

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

15

2017 Annual Lum & Abner Festival Activities T

he Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission would like to invite you to join the fun at the 40th Annual Lum & Abner F estival, June 2 & 3, 2017. V oted “Best New F estival in Arkansas” in 2006 by the Arkansas F estival & Events Association and “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” in 2010 by the Southeast Tourism Society, the festival has received statewide publicity in various newspapers, specialty publications, and television.

This year’s festival promises all of the traditional favorites… plus a few new ones sure to please!

Live Entertainment on the Festival Stage Great music has become a hallmark of the Lum & Abner F estival.

Both days there will be live music on the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage from 12:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m, with something for everyone including rock, country, gospel, bluegrass, and more. Award-winning country super group R icochet will be presenting a free concert on F riday, June 2 at 8 :30 pm. O pening for R icochet is Lana Gail and Gail F orce, who take the stage at 6:30 pm. The Saturday night headliner is The Crumbs, a talented bluegrass and folk trio who will perform beginning at 8 :30 pm. Saturday’s night’s opening act is The Warewolves, a band with a unique sound all its own, a combination of red-dirt, country, blues, and jazz. See the F estival’s schedule of events for a complete list of entertainment acts.

Don’t forget your lawnchairs!

Lum & Abner Car, Truck, Corvette & Motorcycle Show Presented by the Polk County Developmental Center, registration for the Lum & Abner Car, Truck, Corvette & Motorcycle Show is from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 3. No pre-registration is required.

Enjoy a great selection of beautiful cars, trucks, corvettes, and motorcycles displayed in the historic Janssen Park. R egistration fee is $ 20. All proceeds go to Polk County

Developmental Center. Free t-shirts to first 7 entries. Dash pla ues goodie bags for first 100 entries. Tons of door prizes, a 0 0 Pot, and a Wipe Out oard. Awards to be presented at 3 p.m.

Swifty Swine Swimming and Racing Pig Show New this year is the Swifty Swine Swimming and R acing Pig Show. It is a must see and sure to be a festival favorite!

There will be five of these family-friendly, fun swimming- and pig-racing shows each day of the festival, featuring “America’s F astest Swine.” The fun will begin at 11 a.m. both days.

The Outlaws Gunfighter Group The Outlaws unfighter roup will thrill the audience with their comical, yet authentic, old west cowboy show! The group will entertain from their own O ld West Town setup in the park. These family and kid friendly shows will take place throughout the day on F riday and Saturday and has become a Lum & Abner F estival favorite.

Meet Donnie Pitchford, Cartoonist of “Lum & Abner” Both days of this year’s festival, you can meet Donnie Pitchford – “Lum & Abner” comic strip writer, cartoonist, and voice actor at the historic cabin in Janssen Park. He will also be doing a special sketching program both days on the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage at 11:30 a.m.

Vendors V endors from nearby states, as well as local crafters, artisans, and more will be offering their items at this year’s festival. V endors include a wide variety of arts & crafts –with many located in the Union Bank of Mena’s Big Arts and Crafts Tent. F ood vendors will offer some tasty treats, such as, barbecue, tacos, hamburgers, grilled pork chops, along with festival favorites like funnel cakes, pork rinds, corn dogs, nachos and kettle corn.

The First Annual Lum & Abner Festival Taco Throwdown Who makes the best taco CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

8 16 South Mena St., Mena

MENA REAL ESTATE

Buy One Pork Sandwich, Get One Free on Tuesday

Breakfast Specials - Lunch Specials Ask About Catering

(479) 394-5000 www.MenaRealEstate.com

BABY CRAWLING CONTEST

Saturday, June 3rd 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

16

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

What’s New for the 40th Annual Lum & Abner Festival?

O

ver the past 40 years, the Lum & Abner F estival has regularly added new and different events and activities to the festival favorites to keep the F estival fresh and interesting for festival-goers. That is no different for the 2017 festival which features a number of new activities sure to entertain young and old alike, from the new Taco Throwdown food competition to pig racing (yes, that’s right – pig racing! )..

Swifty Swine Swimming and Racing Pig Show O ne of the most unique new attractions for this year’s Lum & Abner F estival is the Swifty Swine Swimming and R acing Pig Show. If you have never been to a pig race, you are in for a real treat. These little piggies do not race for the money; no, instead they race for the cookie waiting for them at the end of the finish line oasting America’s Fastest Swine, this show is a must see and sure to be a festival favorite. There will be five of these family-friendly, fun swimming- and pig-racing shows each day of the festival, with the fun beginning at 11 a.m. both days.

The First Annual Lum & Abner Festival Taco Throwdown

Who doesn’t love a good taco? We do in Mena and there has been more than one argument about who makes the best taco in West Arkansas. That argument will be settled this year in this new Lum & Abner F estival event sponsored by Tres Agaves Cove . The Taco Throwdown food competition will be taking place on Saturday, June 3rd as teams compete for not only bragging rights but also cash prizes for first, second, and third places in this open-category competition. Better yet, from 11:30 am-1 pm on Saturday, contestants will be selling their tacos to the public. Y um – CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

Visit the

Lum & Abner Jot ‘Em Down Store & Museum

Design exactly what you want!

Business Cards, Postcards/Invitations, Letterhead/Envelopes, Copies, Fax Service, Lamination also available!

822 Mena St. • Mena, AR 71953 Phone/Fax: 479-394-7377 ponyprint@gmail.com Tuesday - Friday 9am - 5:30pm Kathy Burks, Owner

May 31, 2017

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 in West Arkansas? That argument will be settled this year in this new Lum & Abner F estival event sponsored by Tres Agaves Cove . The Taco Throwdown will be taking place on Saturday, June 3rd. F rom 11:30 am-1 pm, contestants will be selling their tacos to the public. Y um!

Helicopter Rides The enormously popular helicopter rides provided by Arkansas Helicopters will be back in 2017 and available both F riday and Saturday. Make plans now to get a “bird’s eye” view of the Lum & Abner F estival and Mena on one of these scenic rides.

5K Walk/Run This year’s Lum & Abner F estival 5K Walk/ R un – sponsored by NonStop F itness – will both start and end at Janssen Park, going by the childhood home of Chet Lauck – “Lum” – along the route! The event will kick off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, June 3. R egistrations will be accepted until 7:30 am on race day. Entry fee is just $ 30 and includes a Lum & Abner 5K Walk/ R un t-shirt. F irst, Second and Third place winners in each division will be awarded medals.

3 on 3 Basketball Always a popular event is the Lum & Abner F estival 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament held on Sherwood Street. Event t-shirts will be included with the registration fee. The winning teams with receive medals. R egistrations will be honored until 9 am, June 3. The tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 3.

Fishing Derbies O nce again being organized by the local B.P.O .E. (Elks) with assistance by the Arkansas Game & F ish Commission, the derbies will offer 3 different categories: Seniors (55+ ), physically challenged and children ages 5-12. See schedule for exa ct times for each division. The derbies will be held at the ponds in Janssen Park.

There is no need to pre-register and no cost to participate. Bring your own tackle and bait.

RE/MAX Baby Crawlin’ Contest The festival that claims “something for everyone” holds true to the claim! Mena R E/ MAX sponsors this event which is held on Saturday of the festival. R egistration is on-site and race times are at 10:15 am and 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 3. F or additional information, contact Mena R E/ MAX at 479-394-5000.

Come and celebrate the Lum & Abner Festival

at Janssen Park

JUNE 2 &3 Welcome to Mena from Mena • Hatfield • Wickes | unionbankofmena.com

in Pine Ridge on Hwy 88 20 miles East of Mena.

Located in the original general stores on the National Register of Historic Places.

Monday 10 am - 2 pm, Tuesday - Saturday 9 am - 4 pm & Sunday Noon - 4 pm

870-326-4442

Mena

MEMBER

909 Mena Street

(479) 216-3584

Over 70 Vendors Indoors

Welcome to Lum & Abner OPEN TUES. - FRI. 10 AM - 5 PM SAT. 10 AM - 4 PM • CLOSED SUN. & MON.

May 31, 2017

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

17

Join in the Fun of the Lum & Abner 5K Walk/Run T

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 and that makes everyone a winner!

Zorbi Balls

Also new this year is the Z orbi Ball Track. In this new attraction, festival-goers are able to get into a Z orb ball (also known as Human Hamster Ball) and navigate around the Z orbi Ball Track. Not only will this be super fun to do, it will also be something fun to watch!

Have Your Picture Taken With Lum and Abner

he Lum & Abner F estival 5K Walk/ R un sponsored by Non-Stop F itness will be taking place on Saturday, June 3, 2017.

The race will both start and end at historic Janssen Park, going by the childhood home of Chet Lauck – “Lum” – along the route. R egistrations will be accepted until 7:30 am on race day. Entry fee is just $ 30 and includes a Lum & Abner 5K Walk/ R un t-shirt. The event will kick off at 8 a.m., rain or shine.

All fitness levels are welcome. This event is designed for the whole family to enjoy. F irst, Second and Third place winners in each division will be awarded medals to be presented on the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage.

After the race, be sure to enjoy the many events and activities of the 40th Annual Lum & Abner F estival. In addition to the 5K Walk/ R un, the festival will feature live music both days on the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage, the Union Bank of Mena Arts & Crafts Big Tent, the Lum & Abner Car, Truck, Corvette Motorcycle Show, the Ouachita uilt Show, great festival food, gunfighting reenactments, pig races, the Taco Throwdown food competition, fishing derbies, opportunities to meet Donnie Pitchford – cartoonist of the “Lum and Abner “ comic strip, the RE MA baby crawlin’ contest, a trackless train, inflatables, activities for children, and so much more!

The festival fun begins both F riday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3 at 10 am and goes until 10 pm each night. Everyone is invited to come enjoy this family friendly festival. Go to www.visitmena.com or call 479-394-8 355 for more information.

This year - for the first time - visitors to the um Abner Festival can have their picture taken with Lum and Abner! That’s right – the festival will offer a unique where visitors can come and take a picture of themselves with our dynamic duo. The cut-out will be adjacent to the historic cabin in Janssen Park and visitors are invited to take their picture and share that picture on Social Media with all of their friends and family the fun that they are having at the 40th Annual Lum & Abner F estival!

So Much to See and Do at the Lum & Abner Festival

While many are sure to enjoy the new events and activities at the 40th Annual Lum & Abner F estival, there will still be many of the festival favorites and other great things to see and do at the festival. In addition to the new attractions, the festival will feature live music both days on the Aleshire Electric Entertainment Stage, the Union Bank of Mena Arts & Crafts Big Tent, the Lum & Abner Car, Truck, Corvette & Motorcycle Show, the Ouachita uilt Show, great festival food, gunfighting reenactments, fishing derbies, opportunities to meet Donnie Pitchford – cartoonist of the “Lum and Abner “ comic strip, a 5K Walk/ R un, a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, the R E/ MAX baby crawlin’ contest, a trackless train, inflatables, activities for children, and so much more The fun begins each day at 10 am and goes until 10 pm each night. Everyone is invited to come enjoy this family friendly festival. Go to www.visitmena.com or call 479-3948 355 for more information.

Lum & Abner Festival

Nidec Pavilion-Janssen Park Friday, June 2nd • Saturday, June 3rd

Fundraiser to support Clarice’s Room of Hope

$5 - Smoked Bologna Sandwich

(Includes Chips, Lil Debbie Snack Cake, Water)

$2 - Pig-On-A-Stick (Grilled Pork Chop)

P r ov iding c om for t and hope for c anc er ap t ient s .

Free Wigs, Breast Prosthesis, and other Outreach Services Available:

$1 - Jalapeno-On-A-Stick $1 - Bottled Water

WE CAN DO IT ALL!

LICENSED RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONTRACTOR

W

elcome to Mena and the

G a s C a r d s • Ut i l t i t y Bi l l s • L o d g i n g V o l u n t e e r Tr a n s p o r t a t i o n

To inspire, encourage, and restore hope for persons affected by cancer and hair loss disorders.

L o c a l N o n- P r o f it Teena Brown - Founder • 403 Morrow N., Suite C • Mena, AR 71953

JAMES EARL TURNER (479) 234-6244 ERIC TURNER (479) 243-5549

T e lis s a M o n t g o m e r y 2 0 5 N M orrow, M en a 4 7 9 -3 9 4 -1 1 8 1

18

. . May . . . . .31, . . .2017 ......................................................................................................................

calendar

Weekly Publication

Thursday, 6/1 00 a. . – Pol County ar er’s Market is open next to the Mena Depot until they run out of goods to sell.

• 10:30 a.m. – Gator & Friends will be performing at The Mena Senior Center.

• 11:15 a.m. – Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes will host a Caregiver Meeting on Diabetes.

• 11:30 a.m. – Rotary Club of Mena/Polk County meets at Papa’s Mexican Caf . Contact Lisa Martin at 216-3383 or Charles Pitman at 216-4882 for more information.

• 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. - The Cove Branch of the Polk County Library is open.

• 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. - The Sonlighters in Action Card Shop will be open at 3671 Highway 8 West, one mile from Louise Durham.

• 5:00 p.m. - 9th Street Ministries will have a free dinner and fellowship in the 9th Street Ministries building.

• 5 0 p. . – ua ita egional Hospi e’s “Growing Through Grief” support group meets at the Hospice office, 110 South Mena Street. For more information, call 394-1134.

• 5:30 p.m. – Weight Watchers meets at Dallas Avenue Baptist Church Family Life Center.

Call 479-234-2297 for more information.

• 5:30 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous women’s meeting at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy, 71, S., Mena.

479-21 -4 0 or 479-243-0297.

• 6:00 p.m. – Christian Singles meets at Union Bank Community Room • 6:00 p.m. – Disabled American Veterans & Auxiliary meeting and potluck. Meeting follows dinner, American egion at eteran’s Park at Acorn.

• 6:00 p.m. – Live Country, Bluegrass and Gospel music in the Daisy Room at Janssen Ave Florist.

• 7:00 p.m. – Big Fork RVFD Business Meeting & Training will be at the Fire Station.

• 7:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159

BEATS

• PHOTOGRAPHY ENTRIES INTO THE 15TH ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW at the Mena Art Gallery will be accepted on Tuesday, June 6th, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Adults and youth (ages 12-17) may enter a total of four photographs.

Adults have five categories. Cash awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.

Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-21 -4 0 or 479-2430297.

• 7:00 p.m. – The Ink RVFD Business Meeting & Training will be at the community building.

• 7:30 p.m. – Dallas Masonic Lodge #128 meets at the Mena Lodge located in the Old Post Office by Janssen Park.

Friday, 6/2 • 8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Road tests are given at the Morrow Street Housing Authority Community Room unless the roads are wet.

Written tests are given at 1:00 p.m.

• 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Take a Guided Kayak Tour at Cossatot River State Park. Cost is 30.94 per person. Call 70-3 5-2201. Meet at the Visitor Center.

• 12:00 p.m. – The Lions Meetings are held in the Lions Club House on Highway 71 South.

• 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Fiber Arts Group meets at Mena Art allery. All types of fiber welcome.

• 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – Gator and Friends will be playing at the American Legion in Acorn. .00 admission. 50 50 drawing, potluck, and door prizes.

• 8:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-21 -4 0 or 479-2430297.

• 9:30 p.m. – Karaoke Contest at Fraternal Order of the agles, 3091 Hwy. 71 North. 5 Entry fee. Must be 21 years old.

Saturday, 6/3 00 a. . – Pol County ar er’s ar et is open next to the Mena Depot until they run out of goods to sell.

• 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Take a Guided Kayak Tour at Cossatot River State Park. Cost is 30.94 per person. Call 70-3 5-2201. Meet at the Visitor Center.

• 10:30 a.m. – Take a Snorkeling Exploration at Cossatot River State Park. Meet at the Cossatot Falls Parking Lot. • 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Fibers Arts Group meets at Mena Art Gallery.

• 1:00 p.m. – There will be an M.S.A.A. Support Group meeting in Room 156 at RMCC. • 2:00 p.m. – Cossatot River State Park presents Riverkeeper. Join them to investigate water creatures, take water samples, learn testing techniques, and more. Meet at the Low Water Bridge below the Visitor Center.

• 6:00 p.m. – Gospel Singing at the Little Hope Baptist Church near Pine Ridge with dinner following.

• 6:00 p.m. – PCVO Bingo at American Legion Building, Hwy 71 N., Acorn.

• 8:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71 S., Mena. 479-243-0297 or 479-21 4 0 .

Sunday, 6/4 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Take a Guided Kayak Tour at Cossatot River State Park. Cost is 30.94 per person. Call 70-3 5-2201. Meet

at the Visitor Center.

• 10:30 a.m. – Explore the Sandbar at Cossatot River State Park. Meet at the Sandbar Parking Lot. • 2:00 p.m. – Feed the Critters at Cossatot River State Park. Meet at the Visitor Center.

• 2:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-21 -4 0 or 479-2430297.

• 3:00 p.m. – Sulphur Springs Church worship at Sulphur Springs.

• 3:30 p.m. – Family Scavenger Hunt at Cossatot River State Park. Meet at the Waterleaf Trailhead at the Visitor Center.

• 5:00 p.m. – United Methodist Youth Group at the First United Methodist Church in Mena.

Monday, 6/5 • 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. – The Cove Branch Library will be open.

• 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. – Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church Food Pantry at 149 Polk Road 43, across from airgrounds. Non-perishable food, personal care items, and nutritional help. Everyone will be served.

• 6:00 p.m. – Polk County Fair & Rodeo meets at the Fairgrounds.

• 6:00 p.m. – PCVO Bingo at American Legion Building, Hwy 71 N., Acorn.

• 6:30 p.m. – Boy Scouts of America Troop 92 meets at First United Methodist Church.

Everyone is welcome.

• 6:30 p.m. – Shady Grove RVFD business and training meeting.

• 7:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-21 -4 0 or 479-2430297.

• 7:00 p.m. – Potter RVFD meeting at the Fire Station.

• 7:00 p.m. – Acorn RVFD meeting will be at the Fire House.

• 7:00 p.m. – Mena Emblem Club meets at the Elks Lodge.

Tuesday, 6/6 • 00 a. . – Pol County ar er’s ar et is open next to the Mena Depot until they run out of goods to sell.

• 8:00 a.m. – The Reynolds Gardner Comunity en’s rea ast at the First United Methodist Church in Mena.

• 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Polk County Family Mission is open in the 9th Street Ministries Building.

• 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – “Art Day” at Mena Art allery, 07 Mena St. Bring your current project and work with other artists.

• 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – The Sonlighters in Action Card Shop will be open at 3671 Highway 8 West, one mile from Louise Durham.

• 1 00 p. . – 5 00 p. . – e Hat eld Branch Library will be open.

• 5:00 p.m. - T.O.P.S. will meet in the Union Bank Community Room for weigh-ins, followed by a meeting.

• 6:00 p.m. – Sons of Confederate Veter-

ans meet at the Limetree Restaurant for their monthly meeting.

• 7:00 p.m. – Al-Anon for the families of addicts and alcoholics will meet at the ABC Club.

• 7:00 p.m. – Dallas Valley RVFD meets for training at the Fire House.

• 7:00 p.m. – Acorn Fire & Rescue meets at the Fire Department.

• 8:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. 479-234-2 7 or 479-234-3043.

Wednesday, 6/7 • The Emergency warning sirens will be tested in Hatfield, Wickes, rannis, andervoort, Cove, and Mena at noon.

• 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. – Charm Quilters will meet at the Free Will Baptist Church on the corner of Petros and Cherry St. • 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – The Cove Branch Library is open.

• 5:45 p.m. – The Mena First United Methodist Church Kidz will meet.

• 6:00 p.m. – Warriors for Christ will meet at the Southside Church of God. • 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Regeneration Youth Ministries meets at Mena Church of God Hwy 88 East.

• 6:15 p.m. – Dallas Avenue Baptist Church offers Discovery Kids – Kindergarten Thru 5th Grade; Collide Youth Ministry – 6th Thru 12th Grades; and Adult Bible Study.

• 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Trek and Varsity for Middle and High School students at Grace Bible Church, 1911 Hwy 71 N. Mena. All Area Middle and High School students are welcome.

• 7:00 p.m. – Alcoholics Anonymous at the ABC Club across from Chopping Block, 1159 Hwy 71, S., Mena. 479-21 -4 0 or 479-2430297.

• 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Inquiry classes into the Catholic Faith begins in the Parish Hall of St. Agnes Catholic Church at 203 th St. No cost or obligation. veryone is invited.

Call 394-1017 or 394-5 55 for more info.

May 31, 2017

Weekly Publication

19

................................................................................................................................

POLK COUNTY BIRTHS AT MENA REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM Alex Bell, of Mena, is the proud mother of a baby boy, born on May 19th.

April Hale, of Oden, is the proud mother of a baby boy, born on May 20th.

Ellie and Kasey Walker, of DeQueen, are the proud parents of a baby girl, born on May 21st.

Joy Reed and Jason Rosson, of Mena, are the proud parents of a baby girl, born on May 21st.

Lacie McCready, of Umpire, is the proud mother of a baby boy, born on May 23rd.

Kayla and Jordan Lowery, of Cove, are the proud parents of a baby girl, born on May 23rd.

Violet and Brendon Gibbons, of Mena, are the proud parents of a baby boy, born on May 23rd.

#LOL It was late at night and Heidi, who was expecting her second child, was home alone with her 3 year old daughter, Katelyn. Heidi started to go into labor and called 911.

Due to a power outage at the time, only one paramedic was able to respond to the call.

The house was very, very dark, so the paramedic asked Katelyn to hold a flashlight high over her mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby.

Very diligently, Katelyn did as she was asked. Heidi pushed and pushed, and after a little while Connor was born. The paramedic lifted him by his feet, and spanked him on his bottom. Connor began to cry.

The paramedic then thanked Katelyn for her help, and asked the wide-eyed 3 year old Katelyn what she thought about what she had just witnessed.

Katelyn quickly responded, “He shouldn’t have crawled in there in the first place.

Spank him again.”

Please share your favorite photo of your pet.

You may drop it off or mail it to: The Polk County Pulse | 1168 Hwy 71 S. Mena, AR 71953 or email: e.rowell@mypulsenews.com

January 6, 2016

Family Fun Pools & Spas Family Fun Pools & Spas

• Inground Pools • Above Ground Pools • Caldera Hot Tubs

479.394.6127 2850 Hwy 71 North Mena, AR 71953

Larry and Joanne Johnson larry@familyfunpoolsandspas.com

Receive a *FREE Nest When You Buy an Egg! *Father’s Day Sale Ends June 19th

. .May . . . . 31, . . . 2017 .......................................................................................................................

citizen

20

Weekly Publication

Freddie Easley - A Model of Consistency H

BY LOGAN MCCOURTNEY

l.mccourtney@mypulsenews.com

ave you ever had a hard time being consistent and sticking with something? Maybe it’s the new diet and workout plan that started with big aspirations, but died uickly. Or, possibly it is work, it can be difficult to continually be motivated and come to work each day with a positive attitude. Bruce Lee once said, “Long term consistency trumps short term intensity”, this is embodied in F reddie Easley, long time insurance agent at Mena Insurance Company, who just recently celebrated her 47th consecutive years working at Mena Insurance.

F reddie grew up in Polk County and graduated from Mena Public Schools in 1966. After graduating from high school she went to work for the Department of Welfare Services, a temporary secretarial job. “At the time, my boss knew Mr. R ichard and Hellen Barham, the owners of Mena Insurance Company, and she knew that he was looking for a secretary so she recommended me. Mr. Barham called me and we interviewed and I started in August of 1966,” recalls F reddie.

After working for two years at the insurance company, F reddie and her husband, R onald, moved to Little R ock so he could finish college. While he was finishing college, Freddie worked as a secretary in the Workers Comp. Commission until R onald completed school and they moved back to Mena.

After a friend knew that F reddie was moving back, she contacted her and told her that there was an opening at Mena Insurance. So, in 1970 F reddie went back to work at Mena Insurance and has continued working there ever since. She started working as a secretary when she returned, but that title of secretary was all inclusive, “There was no automation so every policy, invoice, and letter was typed individually on a typewriter. We didn’t have direct billing, everything came through the agency so we had to keep up with it all and write the invoices. Needless to say, it was a different time then,” says F reddie smiling. Thinking back on those early years, F reddie exp lained that there were only two typewriters that everything was typed on, “Imagine, we had two typewriters, one that was electric and the other was manual. Guess who was young and got the manual? ” says F reddie laughing.

If somebody stays somewhere long enough they are able to see the changes that take place and this was no exce ption for F reddie. In the 1970’s F reddie became an agent, and later in the 70’s, Mena Insurance became automated. “We were so thankful to move to automation, it made everything we did so much easier. It changed so much for us,” recalls F reddie.

Since becoming an agent, Freddie has worked on commercial, accounting, and business accounts, but she points out that working in the same place has its benefits, I’ve worked here long enough that I have picked up how to do many different things. When everything was done with pen and paper I learned how to wear different hats.” F reddie has seen a lot of things change in the insurance business and a lot of people come and go, but one thing has stayed the same, her satisfaction for work. “I think I have enjoyed this so much because I found my niche in the insurance world and I have always been satisfied with what I have done.

Dale Carnegie once remarked, “People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing.” This sentiment is felt by F reddie, who says she loves her ‘family’ at Th r o u g h t h e c e n t u r i e s m e n h a v e t r i e d t o d e s t r o y t h e Bi b l e , b u t i t i s s t i l l h e r e ! I t c o n t i n u e s t o b e t h e Mena Insurance, “I really enjoy my co-workers…t hey feel like ‘family’ to me and that b e s t s e l l e r t h a t n o o t h e r b o o k h a s e v e r c o m e n e a r . Av a i l a b l e g l o b a l l y t o d a y . has helped make my time here so much fun. I don’t know that I would have spent so J e h o ia k im , th e w ic k e d k in g o f d o o m e d J u d a h , c u t th e r o ll o f th e p r o p h e c y o f J e r e m ia h to p ie c e s w ith much time in one place if it wasn’t for the people I have worked with and worked for.” h i s k n i f e a n d b u r n e d t h e p i e c e s i n f i r e a t h i s w i n t e r h o u s e . J e r e m i a h p r o p h e s i e d c a p t i v i t y i n Ba b y l o n Having fun and enjoying the people she works with and serves has contributed to much a n d J e h o i a k i m t r e a t e d t h e m e s s a g e o f t h e p r o p h e t a n d o f G o d w i t h u t t e r c o n t e m p t . Th e w o r d s o f t h e of her success. In F reddie’s time at Mena Insurance, she has received the Charlotte p r o p h e t r e m a in to th is d a y a n d d is a s te r fe ll u p o n th e ir r e v e r e n t k in g . H e d ie d o r w a s m u r d e r e d a n d Patterson Memorial Award, an award that recognizes the insurance woman of the year w a s u n - m o u r n e d . " ... fo r th e lo r d w ill n o t h o ld a n y o n e g u iltle s s w h o m is u s e s H is n a m e " ( E x o d u s as nominated by members of the IIA of Arkansas. “Between working in the community 20: 7) . and meeting such great people and regularly trying to keep up with the latest regulaN e a r t h e e n d o f t h e t h i r d c e n t u r y , t h e R o m a n E m p e r o r Di o c l e t i a n l a u n c h e d a r e l e n t l e s s a t t a c k tions, I have enjoyed the time I have worked here,” remarks F reddie. a g a i n s t t h e Bi b l e . H e o r d e r e d e v e r y Bi b l e o r p o r t i o n o f t h e Bi b l e t o b e b u r n e d a n d t h o u s a n d s o f When F reddie isn’t at work, she relaxe s while she spends time working in her yard C h r i s t i a n s d i e d r a t h e r t h a n w i l l i n g l y g i v e u p t h e i r Bi b l e s . At t h e e n d o f t w o y e a r s t h e E m p e r o r e r e c t e d and enjoying the outdoors. Along with her work around the house, she loves spending time with her daughter K elley, and granddaughter, K atelynn. F reddie has served with a m o n u m e n t o n t h e a s h e s o f a b u r n e d Bi b l e w i t h t h e i n s c r i p t i o n , E x t i n c t o n o m i n e e C h r i s t i a n o r u m — the Lions Club in the past and is currently a member of Beta Sigma Phi. Her work ethic “ E x t i n c t i s t h e n a m e o f C h r i s t i a n s . ” Tw e n t y y e a r s l a t e r t h e n e w e m p e r o r , C o n s t a n t i n e , a s k e d f o r and consistency serves as an exa mple to everyone. c o p i e s o f t h e N e w Te s t a m e n t a n d 50 c o p i e s w e r e b r o u g h t o u t o f h i d i n g a n d p r e s e n t e d t o h i m w i t h i n t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s . Th e n a m e o f C h r i s t i a n s a n d t h e N e w Te s t a m e n t r e m a i n o v e r s i x t e e n c e n t u r i e s l a t e r , a n d Di o c l e t i a n b e c a m e “ e x t i n c t . ” V o l t a i r e , t h e f a m o u s F r e n c h a t h e i s t , p r e d i c t e d t h a t w i t h i n o n e h u n d r e d y e a r s t h e Bi b l e w o u l d b e a f o r g o t t e n b o o k . L e s s t h a n a h u n d r e d y e a r s l a t e r h i s o w n h o m e Owner Financing w a s o w n e d b y t h e G e n e v a Bi b l e S o c i e t y , f r o m w h i c h m i l l i o n s o f Bi b l e s w e r e p r i n t e d a n d s e n t t o a l l17 Considered p a r t s o f t h e w o r l d . Th e Am e r i c a n a g n o s t i c R o b e r t G . I n g e r s o l l o n c e h e l d a Bi b l e i n h i s h a n d a n d d e c la r e d to h is a u d ie n c e , “ In fifte e n y e a r s I w ill h a v e th is b o o k in th e m o r g u e !” F ifte e n y e a r s la te r I n g e r s o l l w a s “ i n t h e m o r g u e ” a n d t h e Bi b l e w a s m a j e s t i c a l l y m a r c h i n g o n .

Garage Sale H i t l e r t r i e d t o b a n i s h t h e Bi b l e f r o m G e r m a n y a n d m u r d e r e d c o u n t l e s s C h r i s t i a n s . Bu t t o d a y , H i t l e r i s g o n e , m i l l i o n s o f Bi b l e a r e i n G e r m a n y , a n d i t p o s s e s s e s o n e o f t h e s t r o n g e s t c o n t i n g e n t s o f June 2 & 3 Home For Sale in Board Camp by Owner C h r is tia n s in W e s te r n E u r o p e . S ta lin a n d o th e r C o m m u n is ts tr ie d to b lo t o u t a ll k n o w le d g e o f th e 8am to 4pm 2,193 sq ft, 2bdr/2ba w/lots of extra rooms for various Bi b l e , b u t w e r e u n s u c c e s s f u l a l s o .

Hwy 8 E. uses on 2 acres. 1/2 chain link, 1/2 woven wire fenced.

Th e y c a n n o t d e s t r o y t h e Bi b l e , t h e W o r d o f G o d . “ t h e g r a s s w i t h e r s , a n d t h e f l o w e r s f a l l , b u t t h e (See Signs) w o r d o f o u r G o d e n d u r e s f o r e v e r . ” ( I s a i a h 40: 8) “ H e a v e n a n d e a r t h w i l l p a s s a w a y , b u t M y w o r d s w i l l Addition makes great mother-in-law apt. n e v e r p a s s a w a y . ” ( M a t t h e w 24: 35) .

Easy to add bdr in main area. On quiet dead end road The Hatfield Church of Christ w e l c o m e s a l l t o W o r s h i p . 479-437-5276 a l s o o n F a c e b o o k .

Indestructible!

$75,000

Open House

in excellent neighborhood.

Call 234-8310

business

May 31, 2017

Weekly Publication

21

................................................................................................................................

Visiting Nurses - Their Heart is in Your Home O

BY LOGAN MCCOURTNEY

l.mccourtney@mypulsenews.com

ne person caring about another represents life’s greatest value. Everyday family members and friends take care of those who can’t care for themselves the way they have in the past. Caregiving means looking past one’s own preference to the preference of another. Honestly, caring for another means that we give our heart to them.

V isiting Nurses of Western Arkansas embodies this type of personal care, their motto says, “O ur heart is in your home.”

V isiting Nurses Agency is a division of Area Agency on Aging of Western Arkansas, a leader in providing quality in-home care since 1974. The agency is committed to providing individually tailored care that assists caregivers, and those they care for, pursue a better quality of life. In a desire to represent their mission in all areas, V isiting Nurses underwent a rebranding in 2015. “O ur whole purpose is service, helping others, and to be mission minded. This is not just something that is internal in our corporation, we want everyone to know that our mission is to serve. We want it to be unmistakable, our heart is with those that we care for,” ex plains Jennifer Hallum, CEO of V isiting Nurses.

Every patient that is under the care of V isiting Nurses is special, unique, and needing specialized care. This is why the agency offers such a vast array of services that can meet any need that arises for a caregiver or patient. In order to provide quality, individually tailored care, the agency provides hospice, home health, case management, and aide services such as personal care, homemaker, and respite to name a few.

Home health is one of the staples of the agency, skilled care is provided by licensed nurses, nursing aides, or physical therapists. “There are many things that fall under skilled care, which would include, but not always limited to, wound care, injections, I.V . therapy, and other skilled procedures that cannot be performed by a non-medical person,” ex plains R N Supervisor, Sherri McCourtney. In the case of a patient needing skilled care, they will need to be referred for these services by a physician.

Another way V isiting Nurses is specializing in patient care is offering non-skilled services through homemaker and personal care services provided by trained aides. The home health trained aides regularly visit patients’ homes and provide assistance with bathing, grooming, and other care that can assure the safety of the individual. Aides may also prepare meals, change linens, help with light laundry, and even light cleaning in the home. “The patients love our aides, many of the aides have served some of the patients for several years. Through their personal care, the patients and aides have developed close relationships. F or some of our patients, their aide may be their best friend and the only family they feel like they have,” says Sherri. Each of the aides that provide care for patients have received training so that they can provide the best of quality care. “Each of our home health aides go through training at our corporate office. Every six weeks we have a training course, each course lasts three weeks. We are ensuring our aides receive the best training, recalls Jennifer.

In addition to the thorough services offered by V isiting Nurses, the agency also provides hospice and pediatric care. “When most people think about Area Agency on Aging, it doesn’t cross their mind that we provide care for children as well,” comments Sherri. V isiting Nurses is the only contracted pediatric home health provider in the region. Through the many services provided, their goal is to help children stay in their home, where they are most comfortable, and to help the family feel safe while they care for their child. Along with pediatric care, the agency is providing quality hospice care. Hospice is assistance for terminally ill patients and families at home; these services are also provided by licensed nurses. “I need to commend Sherri on her work in this area. Our office in Mena has continually been making big strides in this area and we are thankful for the work and care she has put into it, remarks Jennifer.

The staff at V isiting Nurses believes that one of the biggest components of what they do is educating those involved in the process of care, both care providers and patients. “We are so big into education. We want to educate our staff through webinars and inservices, and we always want to educate patients and their family members. O ne of the best ways that we can care for patients is by teaching them to better care for themselves,” ex plains 1114A Hwy 71S Mena, AR Jennifer. A practical way that the agency is trying to educate is through their cooperation Keith & Sharon Aleshire, Toll Free: 1-888-394-4200 Broker/Owners with local senior centers. “O nce to twice a month one of our nurses goes to the senior cenKeith’s Cell: 479-243-5341 www.hollyspringsrealestate.com ter to provide clinics. She will discuss nutrition, blood pressure, ex ercise, and even information about medicare,” says Jennifer.

Services provided by V isiting Nurses are made available through insurance, Medicaid, 3705 - Off the grid Medicare, and even private pay if needed. Care and services are provided for patients in get-a-way a t S h a d y ! ! 3/ 4 m i both Polk and Montgomery County. V isiting nurses provides not only quality care, but peace o f N a tio n a l F o r e s t b o u n d a r y o n o v e r 36 a c r e s . C a b i n of mind that loved ones are receiving the best care possible. “We want our patients and w /s c r e e n e d in p o r c h & a families to know that their health is vitally important to us. This is not just a job, this is our p a tio o v e r lo o k in g a mission, to give our heart to work and love those we serve,” says Sherri. F or more informam o u n ta in s tr e a m th a t flo w s tion about the available services offered by isiting Nurses, stop by their office at 600 7th o v e r r o c k s fillin g a s m a ll Street, Mena, Arkansas, or call 479-394-5458 . p o n d . Ba r n t o k e e p y o u r

January 6, 2016

HOLLY SPRINGS REAL ESTATE, LLC 394-4200

ATV ' s u n d e r c o v e r.

Ab u n d a n t w i l d l i f e t o m a k e t h e f a l l h u n t i n g s e a s o n a r e a l p l e a s u r e a n d e v e r y s e a s o n s p e c t a c u l a r ! MLS17002989 $185,000

a d d itio n a s to ra g e a p e t s . Pi c J o i n s t h e N a t i o n a l F o r e s t a n d a p a v e d r o a d . Al l t h i s n e a r t h e

l o c c u p a n ts . It n d b u i l t - i n s . Do u n ic a r e a , s c r e e n ATV t r a i l s a t S h

h a s b le c e d g a d y !

3729 -The Cossatot River runs through it. Th i s 3 b e d r o o m , 2 b a th d w e llin g o n 3. 3 a c r e s m a k e s a n e a r - p e r f e c t g e ta w a y . C u r r e n tly u s e d a s a w e e k e n d r e n t a l , i t s l e e p s 10 w i t h t h e 3r d b e d r o o m a b u n k -ro o m s l e e p i n g 6. R V h o o k u p p r o v id e s r o o m fo r c e n t r a l h e a t & A/ C , w i t h l o t s o f a r p o r t, fe n c e d y a r d fo r s e c u r ity a n d a z e b o , a n d s h o p /s to r a g e b u ild in g .

MLS17012547 $185,000

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU!-- 394-4200

Your Choice

$1

Any Flavor of Single Flavor Soft Drink or Slush

Chicken Strip, Shrimp Steak or Hot Rod Basket w/ Medium Size Soft Drink

$5.79

50¢ Corn Dogs

22

May 31, 2017

Weekly Publication

history

................................................................................................................................

Moments from America’s History: The Battle of Midway

W

CONTRIBUTED BY JEFF OLSON

olson0371@gmail.com

hen the date of June 6 comes up on the subject of World War II history, usually we think of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy, which essentially began the liberation of Europe from Nazis Germany. However, another very important event also occurred on this date two years previous – an event which turned the tide of the war in the Pacific theater.

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 dealt a severe and crippling blow to America’s Pacific fleet and air power. Fortunately, our aircraft carriers were not at Pearl Harbor that day, which the Japanese were counting on.

No military had ever won more territory in six months (December 1941-June 1942) than had Japan. Its Pacific Empire ranged from the Indian Ocean to the coast of the Aleutian Islands, and from the Russian-Manchurian border to Wake Island in the Pacific. However, the Japanese were not finished. They were still on the move.

Regretting the absence of the U.S. Navy’s fleet carriers at Pearl Harbor and embarrassed by the Doolittle Raid against Tokyo, Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku, commander in chief of Japan’s Combined Fleet, was determined to annihilate his American opponents in a decisive battle somewhere in the central Pacific. The location he selected was the tiny atoll of Midway, some 1,300 miles northwest of Pearl Harbor. Midway hosted a large U.S. military presence and it allowed the U.S. to project power throughout the Central Pacific by offering anchorage to its submarines and aircraft carriers. If the island were to fall to Japan, the Imperial Navy and Air Force could turn that projection around towards Hawaii and the U.S. western coast and use it as an advance base that would establish an eastern shield for its own Pacific operations. Midway was also probably Japan’s best opportuntity to destroy U.S. naval power in the Pacific before America’s enormous industrial capacity created another new fleet entirely. With a captured Midway Island, Yamamoto hoped that the U.S. would sue for a negotiated peace, securing Japan’s conquests in Asia.

The odds in the battle favored the larger, more experienced Japanese Navy. The imperial fleet had four carriers to the Americans’ three, supported by many battleships, cruisers, and light carriers as part of the largest armada that had ever steamed from Japan. In addition, and most important of all, would be U.S. Navy intelligence successfully breaking the Japanese naval code. While U.S. Commanders gave some consideration of these intercepts as possibly fake or diversionary, it was their judgment that Midway was in fact the target for the Japanese forces. Enough information was gleaned from the code-breaking that a defense could be planned and remove the element of surprise which the Japanese were counting on.

Admiral Chester Nimitz, the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, executed an innovative, risky, and expeditious plan to engage the Japanese. He sent his three carriers, Yorktown, Enterprise, and Hornet, to rendezvous at what was termed Point Luck, some 300 miles northeast of Midway, and await the advance of Yamamoto’s armada. The concluding words of the entry in the CinCPac Command Summary for June 3 were prophetic: The whole course of the war in the Pacific may hinge on the developments of the next two or three days.

The battle began early on the morning of June 4, 1942, when U.S. bombers from Midway Island struck ineffectually at the Japanese invasion force about 220 miles southwest of the U.S. fleet. Early the next morning, Japanese planes from the strike force heavily bombed Midway. Wanting to follow up on the first attack, they re-armed their bombers.

However, in the midst of battle, scouts spotted the American fleet so the bombers were ordered to be refitted with torpedoes. Simultaneously, the Zeros defending the Japanese fleet returned to their carriers for rearming and refueling. At this moment, about 36 carrier-launched U.S. ‘Dauntless’ dive-bombers approached the Japanese carriers.

According to Mitsuo Fuchida, the air-strike leader of the Japanese carrier force that attacked Pearl Harbor, the American bombers were unimpeded because our fighters, which had engaged the preceding wave of torpedo planes only a few moments earlier, had not yet had time to regain altitude. Consequently, it may be said that the American dive-bombers’ success was made possible by the earlier martyrdom of 37 of their 41 torpedo planes. We had been caught flatfooted in the most vulnerable condition possible--decks loaded with planes armed and fueled.

As a result, three of the heavy Japanese carriers were sunk. Later in the day, U.S. planes disabled the fourth carrier, but its aircraft had badly damaged the U.S. carrier Yorktown. On June 6 a Japanese submarine fatally torpedoed the Yorktown and an escorting American destroyer. Given the loss of their carriers, the Japanese had already begun abandoning any efforts to land on Midway.

As we look back 75 years later, the Battle of Midway was one of the most important naval battles in world history, one which turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific. It is an inspiring story of bravery and sacrifice which we should memorialize and remember every year. However, it is also a story of leadership, ingenuity, calculated risk, improvisation, resilience, decisiveness, and yes - perhaps what some would call luck (and I would assume much prayer also).

In the words of Sir Winston Churchill: “The annals of war at sea present no more intense, heart-shaking shock than this battle, in which the qualities of the United States Navy and Air Force and the American race shone forth in splendour. The bravery and self-devotion of the American airmen and sailors and the nerve and skill of their leaders was the foundation of all.”

May 31, 2017

Weekly Publication

23

UP TO 20 WORDS - $4 PER WEEK, $0.25 EACH ADDITIONAL WORD • BORDER $1 • ALL CLASSIFIEDS MUST BE PREPAID.

Ad deadline is 12 p.m. on Monday. Payment is due with ad. Publishing and distributing 8,000 copies weekly.

FOR RENT: Beautiful 3 bed/2bath house. Great location, $750/month & $750 deposit. No pets. Call 394-4886. 5/31 Now Hiring: R & C Aviation Inc. is looking to hire skilled sheet metal mechanics. Experience and A&P license preferred but not required. Willing to train motivated employees. All positions include competitive salary and benefits.

Inquire at 293 Polk Rd 52 (at the airport) or email your resume to Rmcmellon@randaviation.com 5/31 Daniel’s Carpentry and Painting, home repair, decks, fence rows, underpinning, etc. Also lawn and garden work. Call 479-216-1101 or 479-216-2299. 6/21 Garage Sale – June 2nd and 3rd from 8 am - ?. 1700 Lena Ave, Mena, AR. 5/31 J&N Dozer- Trackhoe, Backhoe, Dump Truck, Ponds, Pads, Clearing, Roads, Hauling, Rich Top Soil, Fill Dirt, Shale, Gravel. Dozer operator Randy Egger, over 30 years’ experience. We appreciate your Business! Call 479-234-1357 TFN Garage Sale: 806 Kimberly Drive, Saturday, June 3rd, 9 am – 4 pm. Furniture, Clothing, and Lots of Miscellaneous. 5/31 DVDs $1.00 – 10 or More. Retirement Sale. Dan’s Pawn Shop. 100 Hwy 71 S at 1st Street, Mena. 6/21 Available for Rent June 1: Remodeled Historic 1650 sp. ft. commercial space; high traffic area, 711 N Mena Street; open floor plan, display windows, some shelving. Call 479-216-2724 for information. 5/31

classifieds

................................................................................................................................

House, 5 acres – 3 bedroom, 2 full bath with office space.

Laundry room, Large walk-in pantry. Call for more details, 394-6429. 6/21

Clean and comfortable housing since 1969, J. Ray & Maria’s MH Park and Rentals. Hwy 71 North, Mena, AR. 479-216-3085 TFN

Yard Sale – 605 Dewey. May 31, June 1-2. Lots of Clothes - $0.10/piece. Everything under $25.00. Pants $2.00. Shirts $2.00-$2.50. 5/31

Dugan Lawn Care and Landscaping a complete ground maintenance company servicing both residential and commercial lots in Polk, Sevier, and Scott County. Call for a free estimate on any of your lawn care or landscaping needs. 479-394-2699. TFN

Mena Sound Company – Sound systems with professional technician. Small to medium large live shows. Indoor or Outdoor (weather permitting) Reasonable Rates. Rick Gerard 479-394-1617. 5/31 The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce is seeking bids for the design and production of the 2017 Mena/ Polk County Connection Chamber of Commerce Directory Magazine. Contact the Chamber Office at 479-394-2912 for details. 5/31

Have Guitar will travel – singer/songwriter with P.A. systems. Parties – Weddings – Meeting – Etc. Reasonable Rates, Arkansas Songster. 479-394-1617. 5/31 Dan’s Pawn Shop is closing. All pawned items must be picked up be June 23rd. Almost everything in the store is 20% off. 100 Hwy 71 S at 1st Street, Mena. 479-3945515. 6/21

House Cleaning and more. Call Winnie Cotter at 2343418. 6/7 ADVERTISMENT FOR SEAL BIDS – The Polk County Housing Authority will receive sealed bids on a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado 2WD Pickup with Tommy Lift. Further information may be obtained upon request. The vehicle can be seen at the House Authority office at 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, AR, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The Polk County Housing Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids. Sealed bids must be clearly marked and received at the Housing Authority office no later than 3:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017.

Send sealed bids to: Polk County Housing Authority – SEALED BID-2009 Chevrolet Pickup – Attn. Dixie Shrader – 509 South Morrow Street – Mena, AR 71953 5/31

January 6, 2016

24

THE POLK COUNTY PULSE

May 31, 2017

entry www.GentryChevyInc.com 1-800-649-9929 hevrolet 1027 Hwy 70 East, • De Queen, AR

2014 P6993B

SRT

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT

Gentry Price:

2015

$38,926

Lincoln MKX

2012

Chevy Colorado

99K Miles 150746

Gentry Price:

$14,875

Manager’s Special

2015

Loaded

GMC Sierra Denali

T6998D

2008 Leather NAV DVD

P6845A

$22,963

Suburban 4x4

6.2L V8

468502

Gentry Price:

2015

$45,140

Chevy Trax LTZ

1 Owner

$14,266

Gentry Price:

Hemi

4x4

332128

Gentry Price:

2012 Lift Wheels Tires

$24,975

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara

Heated Leather U9981

Gentry Price:

2012

$29,412

Colorado 4x4

1 Owner

Loaded AWD

Ram 1500 4x4

Navigation

Denali Gentry Price:

2014

B6890A

Gentry Price:

$16,747

All Terrain Tires B6995A

Gentry Price:

$19,779