Duckett Outdoor Classroom groundbreaking

By Ethan Nahté

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on a blustery, overcast Thursday afternoon, March 30, for the new Ronnie and Mitzi Duckett Outdoor Classroom at the Mena Public School’s Natural Resource Lab. The construction was made possible through a generous donation by Mr. Ronnie Duckett.

The donation was strictly through Duckett’s benevolence according to Superintendent Lee Smith. “He called and said he’d like to build an outdoor classroom for the school. This was before the current 80 acres was purchased. We had nothing on the drawing board when Mr. Duckett called in. I was exploring with all of the principals. We had some ideas but nothing as grand as it turned to be.”

Duckett told the crowd at the groundbreaking ceremony, “I contacted Dr. Smith about a year-and-a-half ago, wanting to make a donation for an outdoor classroom. He put it before the Board. They agreed it was a good idea. Through that, Mr. Maye and the Ag teachers were work- ing on this 80-acre outdoor classroom that’s going to include several things. I think it’s going to be a great opportunity for the entire school to use, all the way from kindergarten through the seniors and provide opportunity for them that might not happen in the classroom.”

Duckett was the head teacher of Mena’s Agriculture Department for several years beginning in 1986. Before that, he was the head teacher of the Agriculture Department at Hatfield starting in 1974. It is named for himself and his late wife, Mitzi.

Agri Science Teacher Brian Maye at Mena High School said, “Mr. Duckett is contributing money to the construction of the outdoor classroom, which is located on the Natural Resource Laboratory for the Mena Ag Department. It’s a laboratory for our Natural Resource program of study. There’s going to be a lot to it. We’re going to focus primarily on the wildlife habitat management, and forestry and timber management. It’s for the kids to be able to get out there and get practical experience in how to manage the land according to those two objectives.”

The school just acquired the property back around the beginning of the 20222023 school year. Maye confirmed that the school district recently placed a notice in the Pulse accepting timber harvest bids for thinning and select cutting of hardwood and softwood timber on the back 40 acres of the 80-acre property.

“Our goal is if the kids are interested in natural resources and they possibly want to pursue a career in forestry, wildlife biology, and those kinds of things,” Maye said. “I just feel like this will give them a leg up and some added experience going into college.”

Maye feels like they’ve already accomplished a lot with the new property, thanks in part to their partners Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the USDA Forest Service.

“Steve Swall with NRCS is helping us

Around Town

The Polk County Social Seniors will be meeting at noon, Apr. 11, at the Charbroiler Restaurant, 58 Hwy. 71 North, Waldron, Arkansas.

New to Polk County? Come and meet with other social seniors and have fun. Any questions ? Contract Linda Johnson at (956) 241-2633.

Bring a friend or more and enjoy socializing and eating. Need a ride? Meet at Walmart in Mena parking lot by gasoline pumps before 11 a.m. for carpooling. Will leave at 11.

Applications for lifeguard positions at McMillan Pool may be picked up at City Hall, 520 Mena Street, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Polk County Farm Bureau Insurance will be closed for Good Friday, Apr. 7.

The Democratic Party of Polk County Arkansas will meet at PaPa’s Mexican Café, 1317 Hwy. 71 South, Monday, Apr. 10. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Come early if you plan to socialize and eat. We welcome newcomers and all residents of Polk County. Any questions or concerns call Linda G. Johnson at (479) 234-7966

2800 Craftsy meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m., 2800 Jerry Lee Dr., Mena. Free to all who are interested in crafting. (501) 617-7261. Visit 2800 Craftsy on Facebookgroups.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, noon - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 6 p.m. on Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at (479) 234-5289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a study, “The Evolution of the Bible”, in its Adult Sunday School Class on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45. The class will be conducted by Earl Harrell. Anyone with an interest in this study is invited to attend. Classes will be at the church in the parlor, 904 Church Ave., Mena.

Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary of Polk County will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, Apr. 6, at Veterans Park in Acorn. Potluck will begin at 6 p.m. with meetings to follow.

GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon - 4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

The Cove Branch Library is open Monday and Thursday from noon - 5 p.m. The Library is located next to Cove Town Hall at 5568 Hwy. 71 S.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30 10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

Hatfield First Baptist Church “Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m. - noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 2348366 or (479) 216-3786.

The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4 6 p.m., located at Fair Grounds Road. For more information, call (479) 437-4018.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows. Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street and Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

Bluegrass Jam Session is open to musicians and fans alike. Bring your instruments for an unplugged session to the Daisy Room (behind Janssen’s Avenue Florist & Gifts) the first and third Thursdays of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free event. Some snacks are provided.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 243-9600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!