Polk County Pulse October 12, 2022

Photographer Parks uncovers the truth

By Ethan Nahté

Mandy Parks calls in from Little Rock to be interviewed during October’s National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. She has just left the doctor’s office and takes a moment to grab a bit to eat before making the three-hour journey back home to the Wickes area. There, she has her husband Josh, two daughters, Reagan and Ziggie, her son Heath, and her photogra phy business.

Parks’ photography has made her a well-known name amongst fans of “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” for a niche industry she never would’ve imagined.

“I have Mandy Parks Photography, and I have Boudoir with Mandy P., which is my main business.”

Parks has had a whirlwind experi ence with breast cancer. She believed that at the age of 38, there was nothing majorly wrong with her health. “I used to never go to the doctor unless a bone was sticking out. I know it’s not right, but I’ve never been a doctor person.”

Parks has no family history of breast cancer. Now, it’s six months later and she’s having another check-up as a breast cancer survivor.

Parks first went to have imaging done in Texarkana. “I was diagnosed the first

Mandy Parks beating cancer. (Photo by Kyla McBrayer)

Article and Photos by Ethan Nahté

Mena, a beautiful tourist and vaca tion destination, recently had a make over, and not the type of makeover that either the city, business owners or residents preferred. Someone (or multiple parties) chose to vandalize Mena’s city parks, street signs, and the private property of businesses with spray paint. The graffiti and tags were spread throughout the area.

Mena Police Officer Steven Stout said, “That weekend that we got those reports, I was able to track down a ju venile and arrest him and turn him over to the juvenile courts. It was a multitude of street signs and several businesses and the property at the coop and it was the same individual.”

The co-op property Stout is refer encing is the new bulk feed bin lo cated at Fourth and Martin Streets, where the old Farmers Co-op build ing was recently demolished.

Graffiti vandals costing city

Manager Doc Sorge definitely plans on pressing charges. “The idiot who did that is lucky he didn’t fall off and break his neck.” Since the vandalism, there have been boards blocking ac cess to help deter others from climb ing the rungs.

City Property Parks Di rector Phillip Lance said that restrooms at Tapley Park was amongst the recent vandalism. He also men tioned that the city pool at McMillan Park had been hit with graffiti at the beginning of the summer.

Mayor Seth Smith said, “It’s very irritating. It also made my Parks [de partment] and Police mad. It’s not a problem I or they can fix. It starts at home.

“It pulls our guys off work we’ve already had planned and projects to help people instead of going back to fixing things we’ve already fixed. We’re working on some major projects, and we have to stop and go fix things.”

The Mena Street Department has ei ther managed to clean the signs or, the ones that could not be cleaned, had to be replaced, adding to the costs of supplies and additional man-hours to fix something that should have been unnecessary.

“We had just replaced a bunch of signs,” Smith said. “They completely replaced nine signs and got the graffiti off nine other signs.”

Smith pointed out the hourly rate includes all the standard tax with holdings, FICA and health insurance, totaling $36.50 per employee to clean up and replace the street signs. It takes an average of two employees per sign and two hours to either clean or re place the sign. Overall, with supplies and man-hours, the 18 vandalized signs cost the city $1100.16, a rather.

Fortunately, the brand-new re strooms at Janssen Park have specially fabricated wall that make removing

Letter to the Editor,

Election season is upon us again. And again, most running for city posi tions are those who currently hold the positions. While I would like for new people to run for local offices, those currently on City Council seem to have done a good job for Mena during their terms.

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Mayor Smith is also running again. I was harsh with him recently regarding our church’s alleyway, but repairs have been made that make crossing from the parking lot to the church much safer for handicapped members, and Mayor Smith deserves the credit for making it happen. Mayor Smith also deserves praise for his hard work for the City. He and his team have done a fantastic job getting grants for Mena’s outdoor venues and activities. He’s done a lot for the city and should be proud of the results.

While these accomplishments are wonderful, I would like to point out that nearly everything has been aimed toward attracting and entertaining the outdoor crowd. This is important consider ing the need for tourist income, but some people cannot, or should not, be outside in the heat and humidity. The tourists pay taxes for a weekend or so, but residents pay taxes year ‘round. What plans are being made for us?

Our seniors, youth, toddlers, and adults could all benefit from various types of indoor activity. Perhaps a pool that could be used all year, espe cially when it’s excessively hot or cold out. An in door pool could be used by the high school swim

team (for practice and competition), for open and lap swims, water aerobics classes, swim classes, and much more. Adding other indoor options, like a basketball/volleyball court, a community room for dance and other classes or games, and so forth, would make it an entire Community Center and increase the usability. It could be a legitimate draw to the area, and something popular when the trails are too soggy for biking or 4-wheeling.

I know there may be few grants for indoor rec reation centers, but Mena is great at coming to gether for a common cause. We have business es and residents who could sponsor the building project in return for usage passes or advertising. And we have an awesome local solar company who could put panels on the building roof to help with electrical costs.

Again, the Mayor and City Council have done great things for our community. But a community center that allows a place for teens and kids to come after school, and a place for families and the community to get together as a whole, is sorely needed. I would love to see such a thing come to fruition.

Thank you. Mary Meier, Mena

Want to share your opinion?

The Polk County Pulse welcomes letters to the Editor addressing any topic of interest to our readers. To be published, letters must not contain obscene or libelous lan guage.

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Letters are published at the discretion of the Editor and Publisher.

Letters may be submitted by e-mail to news@mypulsenews.com; mailed to P.O. Box 1450, Mena, AR 71953 or dropped off at 1168 Hwy. 71 South, Mena, AR. A drop-box is provided by the front door for after-hour convenience.

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Mena schools staff to get raises for fiscal 2023

The Mena School Board held their regular September meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the District Administration Building.

Dr. Lee Smith began the meet ing by giving the board details about the proposed budget for fiscal year 2023. Smith stated that overall, it was a healthy budget that included raises for all staff that would amount to $175,000$200,000.

He also said that enrollment at the Mena Public Schools was up to 1751 students. That is an increase of 52 students over last year.

Dr. Smith also noted that the October school board meeting would be moved to Monday the 17 due to a scheduling conflict.

The first item under new busi ness was the approval of the pre viously mentioned budget. Which was accomplished promptly and with no discussion.

Next the board approved the 2022-2023 standard of assurance and also the accreditation state ment of assurance as required by the state.

The board then approved the renewal of the Polk County Vir tual Academy with minor changes in the mission and vision as pro posed by Dr. Smith.

The board was then made aware of an appraisal on 6.5 acres owned by the district on East Boundary Road. The appraisal came in at $10,000.00 an acre and the board

approved the sale of said proper ty in that amount. The property is not being used at this time nor is it in any plans to be used in the future.

Next was a proposed waiver of employment for a candidate who had a deficiency in their back ground check when applying with Aramark. The incident occurred 24 years ago and the applicant supplied numerous character ref erences. It was determined that the applicant poses no threat to either students or staff and the waiver was approved by the board. It will now be reviewed by the state for their approval.

In the maintenance update, Dr. Smith told the board that work

continues on the drainage issue under the home stands at Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium.

The project includes paving and a larger pump installed. He also updated the board on progress at the new environmental science area.

Finally in personnel, the board accepted the resignations of Mon ica Belcher, Raegan Hansard and Mallory McConnell.

They accepted the retirement of Dalynne Randolph.

They also approved the hir ing of Emily Jacobs as a Para at Mena Middle School, Amanda Hohmann as a Para at Mena High School and Melody Rowe as a Para at Louise Durham Elementary.

From the State House of Representatives

There is an important deadline approaching for Arkansans planning to vote in the November election.

If you have not already registered to vote, you have until October 11 to file your voter registration applica tion with your county clerk.

the website, you can find a sample ballot for your pre cinct.

From the State Senate

The state Division of Chil dren and Family Services continues to struggle with high staff turnover and high caseloads for family service workers. The two problems are closely related.

the division, such as a 10 percent increase in salary for becoming a specialist.

If you submit your appli cation close to an election registra tion deadline, you are strongly ad vised to follow up with your county clerk before Election Day. The Gen eral Election and Nonpartisan Run off Election will be held on Novem ber 8.

Early voting will begin on October 24. Early voting is available between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mon day through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, ending at 5 p.m. on the Monday before the election.

At the voting site, an election offi cial will ask you to state your name, address, and date of birth. The elec tion official will request you provide an approved form of I.D.

You can check your voter regis tration status and find your polling location at www.voterview.org. On

Due to redistricting changes, we encourage you to review your ballot before heading to the polls. The boundaries of voting dis tricts for state legislators shifted to reflect popula tion changes in the 2020 Census. Districts were also renumbered. You may have the same lawmaker listed on your ballot but your House or Senate district number may be dif ferent than in previous years.

While Presidential elections get a lot of attention, the elections hap pening in midterm years are equally important. This election will deter mine our next Governor and con stitutional officers. This ballot also includes several city and county elections, candidates for the Arkan sas General Assembly, congressional races, and proposed amendments to the Arkansas Constitution.

For more information about vot ing in Arkansas visit www.sos.ar kansas.gov/.

Contact Your Legislators!

John Maddox

John.Maddox@ arkansashouse.org

520 Church Avenue

Mena, AR 71953

Call: (479) 394-6060

Larry Teague Larry.Teague@senate.ar.gov

P.O.

Nashville, AR 71852

John Maddox Larry Teague

John Boozman

1120 Garrison Ave. Suite 2B

Fort Smith, AR 72901

Phone: (479) 573-0189

Fax: (479) 575-0553

Bruce Westerman

101 Reserve St. Suite 200

Hot Springs, AR 71901

Phone: (501) 609-9796

Fax: (501) 609-9887

The division operates the state’s foster care system. The number of children in foster care went up during the pandemic, from 4,415 in March of 2020 to 4,855 in October of last year. By June of 2022 the number had gone back down slightly, to 4,541 children.

The division’s staff of about 1,000 workers frequently had to be under quarantine during the pandemic, causing a backlog of cases that add ed to the pressures of their jobs.

The average family service work er’s caseload rose from 20.2 in March of 2020 to 24.9 in September of 2021. When caseloads increase, staff turnover goes up.

Last year the turnover rate for family service workers went up from 44.5 percent ni 2020 to 63.2 percent in 2021. The extremely high rate in staff turnover creates addition al burdens for those workers who remain, and for supervisors whose duties include training.

The turnover rate for program as sistants in the division was compa rable to that of family service work ers. It went up from 45.3 percent in 2020 to 63.2 percent in 2021.

The division has tried to lower the turnover rate by raising salaries. Program assistants’ pay went from $26,000 to $28,500 per year. The starting salary for family service workers went up to $36,155, and af ter the worker completes classroom training it goes up by seven percent.

Family service workers have fi nancial incentives to remain with

The legislature passed Act 574 in 2021 to direct two committees to study the best methods of reducing the number of children in foster care. They are the Senate In terim Committee on Children and Youth and the House Committee on Aging, Children and Youth.

The two committees shall sub mit their findings to the Legislative Council by the first of December.

According to a draft of the com mittees’ report, the state has part nered with private organizations for additional help. One is called Re store Hope. It works with parents to improve family life, thus preventing the need for the state to step in and find a caring home for neglected children.

Restore Hope works with parents who are homeless, parents who have been in prison and parents who have not graduated from high school and who have not earned a GED. The organization offers help for those parents to attend vo-tech schools to learn job skills. It also helps parents find stable housing.

The division is part of the state Human Services Department. To il lustrate the division’s need to reduce caseloads and staff turnover, its di rector told legislators that Pulaski County needs 174 new positions in the next three years to address a cri sis in cases that has built up.

For example, she said, in Novem ber of 2019 there were 364 children in foster care in Pulaski County and last November there were 708.

There is a sense of urgency, be cause those children are at risk not only of neglect but of abuse.

Texas woman found guilty of killing pregnant mother, kidnapping unborn child

By Patrick Massey

TEXARKANA, Texas – Court records show a Bowie County, Texas woman was found guilty this week of the 2020 murder of a pregnant woman and of kidnapping her unborn baby.

Taylor Rene Parker, 29, was found guilty of capital murder following around an hour of jury deliberation on Monday.

Parker was charged in October of 2020 with capital murder after she killed a woman, cut open her abdomen and removed the unborn child. Prosecutors said Parker attempted to cover up the crime by pretending to be pregnant following the murder. Her deception included social media posts declaring her pregnancy, hosting a gender reveal party and preregistering for her delivery at the McCurtain County Hospital in Idabel, Oklahoma.

Investigators were able to tie Parker to the murder on Oct. 9, 2020, when the death of the pregnant woman was reported by her mother. Authorities found the victim dead and with her unborn baby removed.

Shortly after, Parker was pulled over for speeding. Parker told state troopers she had just delivered a child and was seen holding the baby in her lap. Both were taken to the McCurtain County Hospital. The child died.

Doctors quickly determined Parker had not delivered the baby. The resulting investigation ended with Parker’s arrest and the charge of capital murder filed against her.

Following Monday’s guilty verdict, Parker is now scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 12. The sentence could range from life in prison without parole to the death penalty.

Avian Influenza confirmed in Arkansas commercial poultry flock Producers urged to take precautions

LITTLE ROCK, AR – Testing has confirmed a case of avian influenza on an Arkansas poultry farm in Mad ison County that showed increased mortality over the course of several days. Following an investigation by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Livestock and Poultry Division (LPD) in collaboration with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Services field operations personnel, the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory has confirmed poultry from this farm have tested positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI).

Avian influenza is an airborne respi ratory virus that spreads easily among chickens through nasal and eye secre tions, as well as manure. The virus can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equip ment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers.

There is no public health concern, and avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat.

The Arkansas Department of Agri culture and partner agencies, including the USDA, are working to contain the situation. Actions include sampling and quarantining nearby poultry flocks.

“We have taken immediate action to contain this disease and will contin ue to work with poultry growers, the industry, and our laboratory partners to protect against its spread,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Arkansas poultry is safe to eat, and consumers can be confident in the safety of their food.”

“This finding is the first case of HPAI in commercial poultry in Arkansas since 2015,” said LPD Director Patrick Fisk. “Positive test results were con firmed by the USDA National Vet

erinary Service Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.”

The detected avian influenza virus is the highly pathogenic H5 type, which is more severe and can cause high mor tality in poultry flocks. It is the same strain confirmed in other states and wild birds in the Atlantic flyway.

“The farm is under quarantine to stop the spread of avian influenza to other flocks in the state,” said Arkansas State Veterinarian John Nilz. “The birds on the affected farm were depopulated to prevent the spread of disease and will not enter the food system.”

All poultry flock owners are encour aged to follow the strictest bio-security on their farms to prevent the spread of the disease. Those steps include:

Limit, monitor, and record any movement of people, vehicles, or ani mals on or off your farm

Permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm to limit the chances of bringing the virus from an outside source.

Avoid visiting other poultry farms and any unnecessary travel off the farm.

Disinfect equipment, vehicles, foot wear, and other items that come into contact with flocks.

Keep your flock away from wild or migratory birds, especially waterfowl.

Isolate any ill animals and contact your veterinarian.

For more information on avian in fluenza visit aphis.usda.gov/aphis/our focus/animalhealth/animal-disease-in formation/avian/avian-influenza/ai and for protecting poultry, visit aphis.usda. gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/ani mal-disease-information/avian/defendthe-flock-program.

Backyard flock owners who have sick or unusual deaths in their flocks should email info@agriculture.arkansas.gov or call 501-823-1746.

Spice up Game Day with these mouthwatering recipes

(StatePoint) It’s football season, and there’s only one thing to make game day a bigger win: delicious game day food!

Looking to add some kick to kickoff? Take flavor and heat off the bench and put them into the game with these recipes from Frank’s RedHot, America’s number one hot sauce. Whether you’re tailgating or hosting from home, Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce, made with a premium blend of aged cayenne peppers, is a musthave ingredient.

Classic Buffalo Chicken Wings

If you’re someone who agrees that no tailgate or watch party is complete without wings, you’re in good company. According to Chef Jordan Carfagno of Frank’s Red Hot, chicken wings are the brand’s most searched recipe during foot ball season. And it’s no wonder, Frank’s is the original Buffalo wings sauce flavor. Anyone looking to kick their wings up a notch can try this mouthwatering recipe for a classic take on wings, and it can be made in the oven at home, or in an air fryer if you’re tailgating.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup butter, melted

•1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce

• 2 and 1/2 pounds chicken wing pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Mix butter and RedHot Sauce in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Arrange wings on large foil-lined pan. Bake on lowest oven rack for 30 minutes or until crispy, turning once.

3. Toss wings in sauce mixture until well coated. Serve with blue cheese and celery, if desired.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

Chef Carfagno says dip recipes are gaining popularity this year, and this spicy creamy Buffalo chicken dip is the MVP of them all. Make it in the oven at home or plug in an instant pot or slow cooker for onthe-go prep.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cups Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Hot Sauce

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing

• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Spoon into a shallow 1-quart bak ing dish.

2. Bake 20 minutes or until mix ture is heated through; stir. Sprinkle with green onions, if desired, and serve with chips, crackers and cut up veggies.

Check out franksredhot.com for more game-day recipes and inspi ration.

This football season, bring your A-game to your tailgate spread by adding the perfect blend of flavor and heat to classic fan favorites.

GRAFFITI

continued from page 2

the paint relatively easy. Smith said the manufacturers, unfortunately, ex pect vandalism.

The bathrooms at Tapley Parks were a more difficult task and, though the graffiti was removed, there are obvious “scars” from the cover up. The couple of hours it took to remove or paint over the graffiti, plus supplies, wasn’t as much as the cost of the signs, but still comes out to $100 –plus. Smith believes the Tapley Park restrooms were built in 2013.

“They have some special graffiti remover and it’s insanely expensive,” Smith said. “The way the new re strooms are made, the type of paint and product, is way easier to clean. It’s amazing how much technology has changed in nine years. It’s definitely to our advantage.”

A Southern Disposal dumpster at Tapley Park was also painted.

Despite technological advance ments, it still requires time and sup plies. We’re still years away from the technology and Utopian-like ad vancements seen in films such as “Demolition Man” where graffiti is quickly rectified.

and tags. Again, the additional costs of paint, supplies, and man-hours are items that could potentially increase the cost of products or services. Not to mention a company might also in vest in security equipment or services, which can also be costly. It is probably a fair assumption that vandals rarely think about that correla tion.

“Even the kids who burn their tires think It’s no big deal,” Stout said, “until they have to buy their own tires. When they have to be responsible for pay ing for the damage or correcting it, it be comes a big deal.”

would’ve never done it and swore they’d never do it again. Juvenile pros ecution is quite different from pros ecuting an adult and what is allowed when it comes to penalties may differ. According to an employee at the juve nile court, a lot of what the juveniles do is weed-eat, cut brush and pick up cans on the side of the road. Some times there’s a church camp to clean up or they wash windows at a school.

Eyewitnesses

Of course, it would be beneficial and save the time of the police, work ers, and court system if any witnesses came forward when seeing such acts.

Private Property

As for businesses, Stout said several of them have painted over the graffiti

Prosecution and Penalties

Acts such as graffiti are considered criminal mischief under Arkansas Code.“I hope they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Smith said, “and this, in turn, will hopefully curb future vandalism.”

In past interviews for other publi cations, I interviewed juveniles who were given community service in Polk County. They were given various work details, including cleaning graffiti. Some of those who had once painted public property were made to scrub and remove someone else’s graffiti.

Those doing community service did not get the power washers and special graffiti cleaner. They were made to do it the old fashion way and use some serious elbow grease.

Smith believes something like that would hopefully get them scared straight.

Of those community service work ers who had to remove graffiti, they stated that if they knew how diffi cult it was to remove the paint, they

“Anonymity can only go so far with that,” Smith said. “If it doesn’t go to court, and you don’t have to testify, you remain anonymous. Everyone has cellphones these days. If someone sees it happening and get a video or pic ture, that’s all someone should need to get a conviction. If we can get a hold of that, then I don’t see a reason why a judge would need to have a person testify on the stand [against the defen dant].

Talimena Scenic Drive

Although it does not fall under the authority of the city, the Talimena Sce nic Drive is part of why tourists travel to the area. The regular littering and spray painting of the roadways, vista parking areas and the natural rocks is an unfortunate common occurrence. In turn, this “trashing” of our natural resources has the potential to keep tourists away if more pride and re spect is not taken to preserve the sur rounding splendor.

Speaking of witnesses, this past weekend, as bicyclists participated in the Wheel A’Mena event, they all saw the graffiti overshadowing the

Fighting to prevent, detect and better treat breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of death among women in the U.S. The American Can cer Society estimates that, in 2022, there will be over 300,000 new cases diagnosed and more than 43,000 deaths.

The average American woman has around a one in eight chance of developing this disease at some point in her life. It can and does happen to our family, friends and acquaintances every day. Fortunately, our constantly evolving approaches to prevention, detection and treatment are resulting in better odds and more survivals.

Sen. John Boozman

as part of the American Cancer Society Action Network’s 2022 Leader ship Summit and Lobby Day. These advocates from several different communities were dedicated to helping Congress understand the importance of continuing our support for research and other priori ties, including the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, which for 30 years has decreased disparities in breast and cervical cancer deaths by provid ing over 15.6 million screening exams.

AHS students learn about careers with electric cooperatives in Arkansas

John Larucci from Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative met with Acorn High School juniors and seniors on Monday, Oct. 3, who are interested in careers with an Arkansas Electric Co operative. Larucci serves as Member Services/Safety Coordinator/Engineer for Rich Mountain Electric Coopera tive.

There has been a concerted effort to study and fight breast cancer by re searchers and health care providers throughout our country. In Arkansas, we are committed to providing the services and support necessary to give those diagnosed greater hope.

The BreastCare program created by the state government provides nocost screening and follow-up services to eligible women who are uninsured or under-insured. It also supplies ed ucational information to Natural State communities about the importance of regular mammography exams and the risks associated with breast cancer. Since its inception 25 years ago, Breast Care has enrolled over 128,000 women.

The University of Arkansas for Med ical Sciences is also leading the way. Its breast cancer program at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute just re cently earned re-accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) in addition to two of its providers being named to the organization’s leadership.

There is a clear and firm commit ment to battling this particular health challenge throughout our state. One of the keys to doing so is through early detection.

I recently met with a group of Arkan sans who traveled to Washington, D.C.

And that’s not the only initiative at the federal level demonstrating the shared recognition that more must be done to save lives and protect Ameri cans’ health.

Two bills I led to specifically address this issue within the veterans commu nity became law this year and will help give our former servicemembers ac cess to new prevention measures and world-class treatments.

The “Dr. Kate Hendricks Thom as Supporting Expanded Review for Veterans in Combat Environments (SERVICE) Act” and the “Making Ad vances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act” will offer women veterans more peace of mind when it comes to their breast health. Since these bills are now law, if a veteran is at higher risk because of where she served, she will have earlier opportunities for screening. For those diagnosed with breast cancer, the De partment of Veterans Affairs will be obtaining world-class imaging tech nology and offer participation in more clinical trials to enhance treatment and outcomes.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we must continue to support every American suffering from this disease while also pushing to improve the likelihood that they will lead long, healthy lives. In Arkansas and through out our country, we are making good progress with more to come.

AHS would like to thank John Larucci for sharing such valuable information, opportunities and experience with their students.

He gave an overview of various occu pations and opportunities for students to pursue upon graduation in this ca reer field that included but not limited to the following: powerline mainte nance, information technology, engi neering, business systems, and careers from other technical specialties.

In the presentation, he also discussed some of the environmental situations that employees work in including post-disaster support and restoration.

Gov. Hutchinson and Arkansas Department of Agriculture announce State Meat Inspection Program

LITTLE ROCK, AR (October 4, 2022) –

Today Governor Asa Hutchinson, state legislative members, agriculture industry leaders, and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced approval of the state meat inspection program, finalized in a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The state meat inspection program will allow the Department to inspect meat products for shipment within Arkansas.

Arkansas joins 28 states participating in FSIS’s State Meat and Poultry Inspection (MPI) programs. These programs allow state inspectors to ensure program en forcement and regulatory compliance in small establishments operating within the state. The MPI programs must develop, ad minister, and enforce requirements “at least equal to” those set forth in the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA).

“In 2020, the food supply chain was dis rupted, and Arkansas’s meat production was severely limited. The creation of the Arkansas Meat and Poultry Processing grant and the State Meat Inspection Program will provide a much-needed boost to our pro cessing capacity,” Governor Hutchinson said.

“The overwhelmingly approved biparti san program is a great opportunity for not only producers, but also consumers. It’s a great day to be a beef farmer in the state of Arkansas,” said Representative Deann Vaught.

“The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is

thrilled to see the completion of this legisla tion,” said Michelle Shope, Food Sourcing & Logistics Director, Arkansas Hunger Re lief Alliance. “Proteins are one of the hard est foods for families to afford and are in high demand at food pantries. Increasing certified processors in our state helps us

reduce our transportation costs and allows efficient distribution through our member food banks.”

“This program is important for our live stock producers. Joining the State Meat and Poultry Inspection program and ex panding the market for their products will help smaller producers maintain profitabil ity,” said Dan Wright, secretary-treasurer, Arkansas Farm Bureau.

(l-r) Dan Wright, Arkansas Farm Bureau; Cody Burkham, Arkansas Cattlemen’s Associa tion; Governor Asa Hutchinson; Representative Deann Vaught, Eddie Schmeckenbecher, Office of Governor Hutchinson; Patrick Fisk, Arkansas Department of Agriculture; Dan Douglas, Arkansas Department of Agriculture; and Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

“The Arkansas State Meat Inspection program is the realization of multiple years of hard work by Arkansas cattle producers,” said Arkansas Cattlemen’s Association (ACA) President Phillip DeSalvo. “This pro gram gives Arkansas cattle producers the means to ensure complete control of their product from pasture to plate. The ability for producers to market Arkansas beef to Ar kansas consumers is a vital revenue source for some producers. In a time of continuing economic instability, this program will be beneficial to all Arkansans. The ACA would like to thank Governor Hutchinson for his support of this program as well as Repre sentative Deann Vaught and Senator Ricky Hill for their unwavering support and dedi cation in making this a reality.”

“The state meat inspection program exists to increase the availability of local ly-sourced meat and meat products to Ar kansans and ensure that all products are safe and wholesome,” said Arkansas Sec retary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

The need for additional meat processing capacity was highlighted by food supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. In 2020, the Arkan sas Department of Agriculture worked with industry stakeholders to receive and distrib ute $10.4 million in funding from the Coro navirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act through a Meat and Poultry Processing Grant Program. Subsequently, the Arkansas legislature passed Act 418 during the 2021 legislative session to cre ate a state meat inspection program within the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

Since December 2020, Arkansas’s instate processing capacity has grown by more than 5 million pounds per year. The processing capacity is expected to con tinue to grow under the new state meat inspection program due to increased mar keting and economic opportunities for local producers.

For more information on program re quirements or to apply, visit agriculture.ar kansas.gov/arkansas-meat-inspection-pro gram/.

GRAFFITI continued from page 8

natural beauty of the mountain. As some riders rode past Grandview Vis ta, an adult male was spray-painting the large slab of rock wall as an adult woman and two girls probably in their teens looked on. One girl could be

overheard asking if it was illegal.

Once the man finished, he tossed the can to the girls. One of them de cided to spray-paint the drive but was stopped by the woman who told them it was all right to spray the rock wall but not the pavement. The man was more concerned with the fact the paint was getting on some of their shoes.

In this re al-life scenario, the natural rock was third in im portance, falling behind the pave ment, which was superseded by tennis shoes… .

If this “art ist” was the fa ther, then the mayor was cer tainly accurate when he said, “It starts at home.”

The question is, what will you teach your chil dren and future generations?

It’s a good thing there is an abundance of na ture to vandalize

in the area, or the town might become one giant palette.

Keep Arkansas Beautiful

As a reminder, the Second Annual Beautify the Byway event for clean ing-up the Talimena Scenic Drive is

10 a.m.-2 p.m. this coming Saturday, Oct. 15.

To coordinate with the TSDA, please email Pasha Watson, pashar oss@yahoo.com, for Mena, and Reno Crims, crimsreno@gmail.com, for Talihina.

PARKS

continued from page 1 week of April [2022], I believe. I had, had some pain. At the time, everyone said, ‘If it’s painful, that’s a good thing because it’s not cancer.’”

Online, her statement for all to see is, “’If it hurts, it’s not cancer.’ Prior to my diagnosis, these are words I heard by several. It is a myth. If you feel some thing is ‘off’ schedule your mammo gram regardless of your age.”

Despite the pain, Parks had no in tention on going back to the doctor for a follow-up. She assumed it would go away and that it was nothing serious because of the myth.

“I went back for a second appoint ment after my friend Lori had called and asked, ‘Hey, did you go back to the doctor and follow up on that?’ and I said, ‘No.’ She had just been diagnosed and she said she wanted me to go back and get checked out.

“Usually, they don’t want you to have a mammogram until you’re 40. I wasn’t

even due for a mammo gram. Be cause mine was pain ful, and I didn’t have a lump… I just had some pain there. After some finagling for a mammo gram since I wasn’t 40, they final ly got me in. They usually do a mammogram and if there’s something off, they have you come back in and do an ultrasound. But then, if there’s something off, they usually do a biopsy.

“I went in for my mammogram and they did my ultrasound that day. The next morning, they did the biopsy. They did it [all] very quickly. The fol

lowing Tuesday is when they called and said that I had invasive lobular carcinoma. It’s not the common breast cancer that’s found in women. It’s usu ally ductal carcinoma. Mine was a lit tle bit different and that’s why I had to have mine removed versus treatments first. Mine was just treated kind of backwards.”

Parks had her surgery, a double mastectomy, at Baptist Health in Lit tle Rock the last weekend of May. “It happened very fast. After my surgery, that’s when they actually found out I had both types of cancer—invasive lobular carcinoma and invasive ductal carcinoma.”

According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, death rates caused by breast cancer declined 40% from 1989 to 2016 among women (yes, men can get it, too.) The progress is attribut ed to improvements in early detection.

Before her own battle, Parks was al ready a name amongst the breast can cer society.

“I did Charlie Johnson’s breast can cer shoot a few years ago, and that’s kind of what I was known for, for a very long time. That went very vi ral, and it was on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show.’ Everybody had known me as the breast cancer photographer. I’ve done more shoots with survivors since then. It’s very ironic in a way that I ended up with the disease as well.”

Johnson, a registered nurse from Gillham, was 34 at the time of the photo shoot Parks did in 2019. John son’s husband Kelsey, 33 at the time, shaved her head out in a field before a family-heirloom bureau with a mir ror, dropping her blonde locks into the grass before chemotherapy could claim all of her curls. Both husband and wife were teary-eyed, at first, but there are images taken by Parks, showing them kissing and smiling afterward. Parks was capturing Johnson’s “warrior” strength. The images quickly took off, being shared over 276, 000 times and had over 280,000 likes within a week. The story was picked up by People, Newsweek and numerous other publi cations around the world.

When Parks received the news re garding her own diagnosis, she said she didn’t believe it at first. “During my biopsy, the doctor came in and said ev erything but that. He said it was breast cancer without saying it. He said, ‘If it does come back benign, which I don’t think it will, then we’re going to do a surgical biopsy’ because the tumor was so tough that the needle couldn’t even get into it. That right there let me pre pare a little bit, but I was still saying it wasn’t that.”

The following Monday was a holi day, forcing Mandy and Josh to wait an additional day, only to discover that it was, in fact, cancer.

“I went and picked my kids up at school, took them home and told them immediately. They were devastated. We probably spent a half-hour on the couch hugging each other. I was still in shock.

“I was widowed in 2011 and I always remember I was the person consoling everyone else. I don’t want to say that it helps, but the more that I told them it was going to be okay, the more I be lieved it was going to be okay. That was just the reality check. I had these three kids depending on me.”

Having worked closely with other

Parks shopping with her children: Heath, Ziggie and Reagan.

cancer survi vors through her photog raphy, Parks had gotten to know these other women and, accord ing to her, had heard hundreds and hundreds of their stories.

“I think those photo shoots I did introduced me into a world of sis terhood. When those shoots went vi ral, I saw women come from all over the world that have went through this fight. I remember at the time, thinking, I have never seen a group of women come together like this before.

“I already knew that besides my family and my town, I knew there was going to be an unlimited amount of support because now, looking back, after you go through something like that, it’s a bond with another woman who has gone through something like that, that cannot be broken. When you know that they’ve had to sit down with their kids and do what you did and you know they had to sit in that doctor’s of fice and had to hear what you heard… .”

The next thing for Parks to consid er was whether to have reconstructive surgery or not.

“Even when I did my shoot, people reached out and said just because mine was a little bit different in the way my treatment was and how it was better for me to stay flat than get reconstruction. Treatments would not have done me any good. I had to do hormone therapy and oral treatments. Even though mine was different, it’s still the same fight.”

“There are women who have had re construction with no problem at all. It’s just too much of a risk. If you do

have to have radiation, you’re radiating an implant and that’s going to cause a risk. It’s a big decision. As a woman, it’s a part of you that you’ve had with you forever.

“It’s definitely been an adjustment, but I’m more comfortable now in my skin than I have ever been. Just to know that the sacrifice had to be made, and I know that, but I’m proud of it. It was devastating at first, of course, but I want other women to know that it’s definitely not what defines you. For me, to shoot boudoir every morn ing—my job is to make these women feel comfortable in their own skin. I didn’t know how I was going to have these women feel so comfortable in their own skin when I didn’t. I really just had to put my big-girl panties on and focus on my healing before I could do any good at work. Eventually, it all came together.”

Parks was uncertain about the pho to of herself with the blazer open and the boxing gloves on that was taken by her hair and make-up artist Kyla Mc Brayer, who is also her second shooter. Parks did not know if she was going to post the image or not.

“I remember as soon as it loaded, I just went straight to my photography page and just sent it out there. Within about half an hour, my assistant said, ‘You’ve got to check this post. You’ve

got to read this stuff.’ It was in that in stant I was completely okay with the way I looked.”

McBrayer also did Parks’ hair and make-up for the shoot. Parks had left McBrayer in charge of her business for a short time as she went through her health scare and the whole time she was out. The two have worked together approximately five years.

“She’s just a piece of heaven. I would not have been able to go through what I went through without her.”

Parks was supposed to wait at least six weeks before going back to work, but she only waited three weeks or so.

“The day I got my last drain taken out, I called my assistant and said, ‘Let’s book something tomorrow.’ I needed to get back to work immediately.”

She did take it easy, but she was working once more, being creative and keeping her mind and body occupied.

She will be seeing her surgical oncol ogist, Dr. Hagan, every three months, and her oncologist Dr. Mendelsohn at CARTI every other month.

“The lobular is the kind of cancer that has a re-occurrence rate. I won’t be in remission, per se, until I’m clear for five years. We just have to keep check ing to make sure it doesn’t come back in my bones, my brain and stuff like that.”

“If Lori had not asked me to go back for a follow-up, I know I wouldn’t have, and I’d be walking around with two types of cancer. “I wish every woman would get a mammogram starting at 23, and then 26—all the way up until the end of time I just feel that would cut a lot of this out. I’m sure there’s more to it with insurance and all of that. It just seems bizarre to me that they don’t want you to have one until you’re 40.

“You have to fight for what you think you need. Any woman who feels that anything is off, needs to get it checked out. Fight like hell for your mammo gram and fight like hell for all of your tests.”

For more information, visit national breastcancer.org/.

Obituaries

Patricia Venable

Patricia Ven able, age 70, of Fort Smith, Arkansas died on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She was born on Wednesday, February 20, 1952, to Della Flynn in Rawlins, Wyoming.

Patricia genuinely cared for people, es pecially the elderly. She spent many years as a certified nurses aid and volunteered with hospice patients. Patricia was a very talented painter and won awards for her art. She was very crafty and had an eye for de sign, creating many crafts and decorating her home beautifully. Patricia was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend and will be missed deeply by all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her son, Phillip Davidson; and her sister, Terri Gunderson.

Patricia is survived by her two daughters, Karen Hansel of Mena, Arkansas, Annisa Christiansen of Wasilla, Alaska; grandchil dren, RJ and Courtney Hansel of El Paso, Texas, and Kyle and Caitlyn Hansel of Mena; great-grandchildren, Jacob Harder, Quinten Hansel, and R.J. Hansel of Mena; and a host of other relatives and friends.

No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Ar kansas.

Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com

Rodney Emry

“Night Train”

Rodney Emry (Night Train), 50, of Mena, Ar kansas, passed away Friday, September 30, 2022, in Waldron. He was born to Tom Emry and Francis Moore on November 29, 1971, in Mena, Arkansas. Rodney was a family man who was known for his passion of smoking meat and riding his motorcycle. He loved nature and any thing to do with nature no matter if it was hunting, fishing, camping, or all the above. He loved his family and if you knew him, he didn’t believe in family is just blood, but his

family was his loyal friends as well.

Rodney is survived by his brothers, Her bie Atkinson, Scotty Emry, and Eric Cham berlain; Sisters, April Cant, Jana Molnar, and Sherri Bell; stepdaughter, Ashely Bou tin; stepson, Cody Davis; grandchildren, Noah, Miricle, and Tucker, and several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Aunt Mary, Uncle Joe, Uncle David, and his nephew Dakota.

Memorial service will be Saturday, Octo ber 15, 2022, at 12:00 pm, here at Beasley wood funeral home in Mena.

Elbert Don Bennett

Elbert Don Bennett, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, Octo ber 4, 2022, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He was born on June 16, 1933, to Roy and Julia Ann Bennett in Hempstead County, Arkansas.

Don was a loving husband, father, grand father, brother and friend and will be missed by all who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Annie Bennett, his daughter, Deb bie Ann Bennett, and his brother, Ardell Bennett.

Don is survived by his wife of 58 years, Anita Bennett; his son, David Bennett, his daughter, Tamara Long, grandchildren, Ryan Bennett, Nathan Bennett, Aidan Dunn and Shelby Oliver and a host of other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Fri day, October 7, 2022, at 2:00 P.M. at the Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena with Pastor Floyd Folsom officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.

No visitation is planned.

Online guestbook: bowserffh.com

Joe Lon Robertson

Joe Lon Rob ertson, age 86, passed away on Friday, October 7, 2022, at his home in Mena, Arkan sas. He was born on September 5, 1936, to Leonard Robert son and Gladys Burnett Robertson in Pla inview, Texas.

Joe was incredibly funny, sharp witted, sarcastic, and just a damn good man. He played trumpet in high school and later at tained Bachelor degrees in Business Ad ministration and Psychology from Texas Tech University. Joe really enjoyed work ing in forestry in Ohio. He loved football no matter who was playing, he would watch any game on television. Joe loved to shoot and was an incredibly skilled marksman, a truly A+ sharpshooter. He ran the Jr. Food Mart in Mena for fifteen years and everyone knew Joe by his pipe. He loved his family, his family loved him, and he will be missed.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Joe is survived by his wife of 44 years, Judy Helen Robertson of Mena; two daugh ters and son-in-law, Charlie Robertson Sessler and Anderson Sessler of Conway, and Charity Robertson Burkett and Chuck Burkett of Cove; one brother, Lee Robert son of Denver, Colorado; grandchildren, Taylor Betz and Alex Betz of Conway, JoeMax Lewis, Scout Lewis and Indy Lewis of Cove; great-grandson, Wyatt Xavier Lewis of Cove and one more great-grandchild on the way; his very special TEXAS family, Bubba Phil Wallace and wife Leta, Mandy, Susie Johnston and Tasha, T.J. Tonya, and Ruthie and Chris Cox, John Thomas, Erin, Hannah, he loved and adored them all, he was always known as PAPA JOE, he also had two previous children Jody and Sonya and he loved them too.

Memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online guestbook: bowserffh.com

Randy Egger

Mr. Randy Egger, age 67, passed away Wednesday, Oc tober 5, 2022, in his home in Mena, Arkansas.

He was born March 7, 1955, in Twain Harte, California, to Dean Egger and Vada Fern (Boggess) Egger.

Randy was a bulldozer operator by pro fession. He was a hard worker all his life and began going to work with his father at the age of two. He loved dozer work and was in the business for 48 years, he was highly sought after for his work. He also worked as a contractor for the forest ser vice for a time. He enjoyed hunting and fishing; but his greatest love was for his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Egger is preceded in death by his father, Dean Egger. He is survived by his son, Daniel Egger, and wife Elesha of El Dorado, Arkansas; daughter, Alecia House and husband Brandon of Mena, Arkansas; grandchildren, Isaac Egger, Addison Egger, Ashlynn Egger, Izzy Egger, Kaylin House, and Brynlee House; mother, Vada Egger of Cherry Hill, Arkansas; sister, Rhonda Co chran of Cherry Hill, and Vadena Hogan of Cherry Hill, Arkansas.

Graveside services for Mr. Egger will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 12:00 p.m., at Highland Cemetery in Cherry Hill, Arkansas. His son, Pastor Daniel Egger will be officiating, under the direction of Beas ley-Wood Funeral Home.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneral home.com

Steven Wayne Rose

Mr. Steven Wayne Rose, age 62, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022, in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. He was born November 10, 1959, in Mena, Arkansas, to Cecil Lee Rose and Brenda Oleta (Davis) Rose.

Steven loved music and the outdoors; additionally, he enjoyed riding around in vehicles. However, above all else, he loved his grandchildren and the Lord.

Mr. Rose is preceded in death by his father, Cecil Lee Rose; his paternal grandparents, Jackie C. and John Rose; and his maternal grandparents, Lois Davis and Doyce Davis. He is survived by his mother, Brenda (Davis) Rose; son, Marcus Rose; daughter, Melinda Rose; grandkids, Samantha Adams, Shelby McKenzie, Jamie McKenzie, Kristina McKenzie, Felicity McKenzie; 6 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ronnie Rose and wife Tammie of Prescott, Arkansas, Jeff Rose of Hope, Arkansas, and Alan Rose and wife Shannon of Hope, Arkansas.

Services for Mr. Rose will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 12, 2022, at First Freewill Baptist Church, in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Donnie Jewell will be officiating, under the direction of BeasleyWood Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Board Camp Cemetery, in Board Camp, Arkansas. There will be a visitation held one hour prior to the service, at 1:00 p.m. at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mena, Arkansas.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneral home.com

Eleanor Rose Mize Turner Jefferson

Eleanor Rose

Mize Turner Jef ferson, 87, was celebrated home to Heaven from Mena, Arkansas, on October 3, 2022.

She was born to the late Joseph and Callie Truesdale Mize on August 1, 1935, in San Antonio, Texas.

Eleanor grew up in Grannis, Arkansas, and graduated from Gillham High School in Gillham, Arkansas, in 1953. She raised her family and and graduated nursing school in 1973 in Ashland, Kentucky. Above all, she loved and served her Lord and Savior Je sus Christ. She loved people and her ser vant’s heart was happiest when she shared the love of Jesus with others. Her heart’s desire was that all of her family and loved ones had surrendered their hearts and lives to Jesus Christ. She loved her church fami ly at Cove Revival Center Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Esias Jefferson; one son, Charles Denver (Chuck) Turner; one grand son, Carl Jason Wells; five sisters, Blanche Border, Joann Shelton, Della Payseno, Reba Rigby and June Mize; three brothers, Frank Mize, George Mize and James Mize.

She will be deeply missed by her four daughters, Kathy Ann Turner, Suzanne Turner Smallwood, Sherri Lynn Turner McGranahan and Lisa Kay Turner; one brother Malvin Mize; one sister, Sharon Mize Snider; thirteen grandchildren, twen ty-two great-grandchildren; one greatgreat-grandchild; and a host of nieces and nephews. Her love grew her family with bo nus sisters, brothers, daughters, sons and grandchildren. She was a faithful prayer warrior for her family and loved ones.

Honorary Pallbearers are Joseph Wol cott, Shane Smallwood, Sean Turner, Ryan Turner, Corey Easter, Jay McGranahan, Derrick Stevens, Darris Burk, Eric Burk and Brad Burk.

Burial is in Grannis, Arkansas. Celebra tion of Homegoing will be at Cove Revival Center Church at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2022, with her Pastor, Reggie Fryar officiating. Services are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Ar kansas.

Robby Jack Zink

On Friday, October 7, 2022, Robby Jack Zink, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 65. Robby was born in Oklahoma City, OK, on September 11, 1957, and raised in Mena, Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and worked at Schmieding Produce in Springdale, AR, for 25 years before retiring. On April 12, 1986, he married Robin Renee Williams.

Robby is survived by his wife of 36 years and three children: Carli Renee Zink Keirns, 30, Jackson William Zink, 28, and Rikki Ann Whitlock Zink Haney, 26. Robby enjoyed golfing, college football, Walt Disney World, and vacations (especially the beach) with his loved ones. Robby loved listening to country and decades music, and he could name a song for every occasion. He touched so many lives with his generosity, kindness, and sense of humor.

A graveside service will be held in Mena, AR, at Pinecrest Cemetery on Friday, October 14, at 2:00 p.m. On Saturday, October 15, at 2:00 p.m. a Celebration of Life will be held at the Zink household in Springdale. Please text 479.225.1915 or 479.225.1804 for more information on these services. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association or NWA Circle of Life.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneral home.com

Erma Lorene (Davis) Lynn

Erma Lorene (Davis) Lynn, age 79, of Mena passed away Saturday, October 1, 2022. Erma was born December 21, 1942, in Black Fork, AR, the fourth of six children to Charlie and Lillian (Campbell) Davis.

She was preceded in death by her par ents; her brothers, Bennie Davis and Leon ard Davis; and her sisters, Eloise (Davis) Stobaugh and Charlene (Davis) Harris.

Erma is survived by her loving and devot

ed husband of almost 57 years, James H. Lynn of Mena; her daughter, Jaree (Lynn) Fisher and husband, Harold, of Greenbri er, AR; her son, Voyt Lynn and wife, Becky, of Douglass, KS; her sister, Marie (Davis) Hill and husband, Charles, of Garland, TX; six grandchildren, James and Lillian Fish er and Sarah, Hannah, Micah, and Eliyah Lynn; several nieces and nephews; and nu merous friends.

Erma was a 1961 graduate of Acorn High School and, pursuing her desire to teach mathematics, earned both Bachelor of Sci ence in Education and Master of Science in Education degrees from Henderson State University. Her teaching career began in Kirby, AR in 1964, where she met the fu ture love of her life, James H. Lynn, anoth er young teacher just beginning his career. Erma and James were married November 4, 1965, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Kirby.

They moved to Mena in 1968, where both had accepted teaching positions in the Mena Public Schools. In 1983, Erma and James were selected as members of the original faculty of Rich Mountain Commu nity College, where she served as instruc tor of mathematics until her retirement in 2004. Erma was passionate about teaching mathematics, and she cared deeply for the education and wellbeing of her students. Over the decades of her teaching career, she loved and was loved by the students, faculty, staff, and administration with whom she worked, and she served as an inspira tion for many.

Erma was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, and her faith was reflected through her servant’s heart. She was a selfless and compassionate person who delighted in giving generously of her time and re sources to others. For 19 years she loving ly served as a caregiver to multiple aging family members.

Erma loved nothing more than being with her family. She would spend hours loving, entertaining, educating, and spoiling her six grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Even in the latter stages of her strug gle with Alzheimer’s, she would look at her grandchildren and rejoice!

Erma also loved traveling, spending time outdoors, quilting and embroidery, and conducting genealogical research. She very much enjoyed active participation with Christ Community Fellowship, Delta Kappa Gamma, Daughters of the American Rev olution, and the Polk County Genealogical Society.

Visitation will be Tuesday, October 4 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Beasley Wood Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 5 at 2:00 p.m. at Beasley Wood Chapel, followed by interment at the Gann Cemetery, Polk County Road 170 in Potter, AR with Bro. Voyt Lynn officiating.

Pallbearers will be Harold Fisher, James Fisher, Rick Davis, Chris Gann, Danny Mill er, and Steve Phillips.

Memorial contributions can be made to the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain Foundation.

The family of Erma Lynn wishes to express our thanks for the many expressions of sympathy extended to us in the loss of our sweet and precious wife and mother.

We appreciate the prayers, phone calls, cards, floral arrangements, visits, food, and other acts of kind ness and support during this very difficult time.

May our gracious Lord richly bless each of you for helping to make this time of sorrow more bearable.

~James Lynn, Jaree and Harold Fisher, and Voyt and Becky Lynn

By Richie Lawry

For many years, whenever I traveled to Russellville, Jasper, Harrison, or Bran son, I would pass by a large open field with what looked like hundreds of RV camping spaces on Hwy. 250. There was a small sign that said Turkey Track Bluegrass music. I wondered why it was there and why I never saw anyone there.

One day a couple of years ago, I saw a flyer advertising the Turkey Track Blue grass Festival. I thought that it sound ed interesting. I love music, but I had never attended a bluegrass festival. The timing didn’t work out, so I couldn’t at tend the festival. Each year, in the back of my mind, I thought about attending the festival, but it never seemed to hap pen.

I decided that I would try to go to Turkey Track this year. A few days ago, a Facebook post on my phone showed that Rhonda Vincent would be playing at Turkey Track. I had heard her play at Silver Dollar City in the 80s and followed her career. I called my cous in, who likes bluegrass, and asked him if he would like to go. He said that he would, and we made plans to attend.

I tried to find information about the festival and when Rhonda Vincent would be playing, but I had a hard time. I couldn’t find any information on the internet. I finally found a phone num ber and found out who the performers would be, and the times they would be playing. I arranged my work schedule to leave an hour early and make it to the evening concert on time.

As my cousin and I drove past the Turkey Track venue, we saw hundreds of RVs sprawled out over the country side. We were amazed by the number of people at the festival. I learned that Turkey Track Bluegrass Park puts on one of the largest bluegrass festivals west of the Mississippi. The festival has been held there for the last 45 years. We parked and asked for directions to the stage. After finding a place to set our camping chairs, we checked out the craft booths and the food trucks. We settled on a healthy supper of piz

An Arkie’s Faith Turkey Track

God,” and Rhonda responded, “If you don’t love your neighbor. If you gossip about him, if you never have mercy, if he gets into trouble, and you don’t try to help him. Then you don’t love your neighbor, and you don’t love God.”

The song teaches an essential Biblical truth that has been lost in today’s Chris tian culture. In 1 John 4:7,8 (KJV), The Apostle John tells us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

za, grilled cheese, kettle corn, and softserve ice cream. Soon the evening con cert started, with the Roving Gambler Band playing their brand of infectious bluegrass music. Their fun-loving and lighthearted approach to perform ing kept the audience entertained and laughing.

Walter Schook, the lead singer and guitarist, started the Roving Gambler Band over 30 years ago with friends devoted to the idea that Bluegrass Music should be fun! The infectious laughter and great music were a great way to start the evening. Christine Tal ley played the upright bass and was a crowd favorite when she sang. Her ban ter with Walter, the band leader, kept the crowd in stitches.

Next up was SpringStreet. Their mu sicianship was amazing and featured wonderful vocal harmonies. They start ed in 1990 when founding members Mike Williams and Steve Carroll went to Eureka Springs to see Bill Monroe, the father of bluegrass music, perform. They decided to start a band and decid ed on the name SpringStreet because that was the name of the street next to the auditorium where they heard Bill

Monroe. Twenty years later, the band has developed its own sound with a combination of bluegrass, gospel, folk, and country, served up bluegrass style.

As talented as the Roving Gambler Band and SpringStreet were, when Rhonda Vincent took the stage, she had the audience in the palm of her hand. It was amazing to be sitting in the Arkansas countryside, miles from anything, and listening to an artist who has won seven female “Vocalist of the Year” awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association. After lis tening to great songs like “All-Ameri can Bluegrass Girl” and Rhonda’s beau tiful tribute to Loretta Lynn, “Blue Ken tucky Girl,” she sang a song that was a change of pace and had a message that hit home.

Her voice rang out over the Arkan sas countryside, and her band joined in with backing vocals as they sang, “There are many people who will say they’re Christians. And they live like Christians on the Sabbath day. But come Monday morning, till the coming Sunday, they will fight their neighbor all along the way.” Then a deep male bass voice sang, “Oh, you don’t love

In Luke chapter 10, there is a story of a religious expert who tries to trick Jesus. He asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” The man answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Deu teronomy 6:5 (NCV) And then he add ed a passage in Leviticus 19:18 (NCV), and “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

Then Jesus said, “Your answer is right.” “’ Ah,’ said the lawyer, wanting to win the point, ‘but who is my neigh bor?’” Luke 10:29 (NTE): Often, we as Christians are like the lawyer, trying to find a loophole that doesn’t require us to love others. We want to define our neighbor as the person next door who believes the same way we do. But even if we want to narrow the definition of who our neighbor is, Jesus tells us, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemies.’ But I say to you, love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.” Matthew 5:43 (NCV)

Gentle Reader, God hasn’t asked us only to love those who are similar to us or with whom we are comfortable. We love people by genuinely seeking what is best for them. Loving others does not mean agreeing with everything they say or do, nor does it mean acting in ways that always gain their approval. Loving our neighbors means attending to their needs—both physical and spir itual. As the song says, “You don’t love God if you don’t love your neighbor.”

man sued the airline

they lost his

Rhonda Vincent and the Rage performing at Turkey Track. (Photo by RichieLawry)

Wheel

Article and Photos by Ethan Nahté

The Wheel A’ Mena: Tour to the Top had a beautiful, mostly sunny start with a brisk breeze and temperatures in the high 40s Saturday morning. The 85 cyclists from Arkansas, adjacent states, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Nebraska soon warmed up as they hit the asphalt and made their way to the top of Rich Mountain amongst the fall foliage and temperatures climbed to a relatively comfortable low-80s.

For Kathy and Larry Bell of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, it was their first time riding up Rich Mountain on bicycles. They have previously ridden through Mena and along the Talimena Scenic Drive (TSD) on their motorcy cles. Then, they discovered the Wheel A’ Mena event online.

The tour, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Polk County/Mena, is the club’s major fundraiser of the year. It is not a

tops out

Larry and Kathy Bell enjoying their first bicycle ride up to Queen Wilhelmina State Park.

timed, sanctioned race, but most of the riders track their own time.

Linda Rowe stated , “Under the lead ership of our club president Tanner Hooper and past president Crystal Li les, this year’s Wheel A’Mena was one of the best of all 10 years.

“We had a wonderful group of spon

sors this year as well. People in Mena are the most generous. Wheel A’Mena is our major fundraiser of the year and the pro ceeds are used to fund our projects, Our Ro tary Club focuses on young people and lit eracy. We have made this our focus for the 20-plus years we have been organized. One of our new projects, of which we are very proud, is the Rotary Single Parent Scholarship Fund. Be cause the fund hasn’t been active for some time, we were asked to take over this wonderful opportunity. In the past, we have donated to the Polk County Li brary and the branch libraries in small communities in our city. We have a

Warm-Up Project that provides coats for those in need and we have a Bless ing Box near the courthouse for those in need of food.

Asked if there was a noticeable dif ference traveling via motorcycle vs. bi cycle, they laughed as Larry answered, “There seems to be. There was an EMS vehicle following us all the way over a half-mile back.”

While speaking with Mayor Seth Smith and his wife Jessica, who were manning the rest station at the Wonder House parking lot at Queen Wilhelmi na State Park, they mentioned the great sense of humor the Southwest EMS crew had as they escorted the cyclists. They played songs such as Willie Nel son’s “On the Road Again” then moved on to AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” as the cyclists slowly climbed up the last steep hill to enter the park.

See CYCLING continued on page 18

Wheel

Mena

CYCLING

continued from page 17

which the Bells opted to ride this time around.

Acorn to Page, Oklaho ma, and coming up the mountain from the other end of the TSD and back to

Granted, riding around Hot Springs Village and some of the roads and paths of Hot Springs has its steep climbs and challenges, but nothing like riding from Janssen Park in Mena to Acorn then traveling up the side of Rich Mountain, with the Mena Police Department escorting them through Mena, and the Polk County Sheriff’s Department escorting them along the highway to Acorn and beyond. That was a portion of the 30-mile version,

Then there is the Rich Mountain War rior Challenge, the 70-mile trek, which most of the cyclists chose to ride. Cy clists rode beyond

tions along the way, such as the one the Smiths were in charge of, had healthy snacks; drinks, in cluding pickle juice to help alle viate muscle

County Courthouse.

Along the way, there is a very steep, lengthy hill that falls somewhere be tween a 7% and 12% grade within the first mile of exiting the park and trav eling back toward Mena that many cyclists had to resort to walking their bikes up.

Many of them took the time to enjoy the vistas and look out over the moun tains. Granted, there was a bit of haze, possibly due to a couple of wildfires in

“We’ll do the 50 next year, if we get in better shape,” Kathy said. If rid ers want ed to go a little be yond the historical “1877” State Line Marker then turn around at the Chaha Vista, that would make for the 50-mile tour.

Wheel A’ Mena

northern Sevier County this weekend.

The ride was difficult, but pretty much what the Bells expected. “We’ve been up here a couple of times,” Larry said.

“We love it here. It’s just beautiful,” Kathy added. “It’s one of our favorite

we’ve had this year.”

Rowe said, “As usual, riders tell us what a beautiful ride it is and how they enjoy the views. They also tell us it is the most challenging ride in this area because of the mountains. One rider

Bridge 100 in Little Rock and even though it is longer, tell us this is a much

As for event riding, Lar ry said, “This was my first time ever. I used to bike all the time, but for nine years I was off the bike. So, I start ed training for this about three or four months ago.”

riding those all over Arkansas on gravel roads and single track. We realized we were getting a little soft with the e-bikes, even though we were having fun. We were getting out of shape because the e-bike was helping us too much. It moti vated us to get back on our hybrids and climb some mountains on them.”

As the couple mounted their bikes and made for the highway, Southwest EMS began playing Queen’s “Bicycle Race” to motivate them as they rode downhill with Queen Wilhelmina Lodge looking over them.

spots in Arkansas. There were some beautiful maples along the roadside that were gorgeous… despite the dry climate

said that, ‘you have mountains on top of mountains and it’s a great ride.’

“Many recently rode the Big Dam

Kathy said, “I’ve done several events, but mostly back in my 40s and 50s. I’m 62 now. I kind of laid off for a while. I wasn’t real serious.

“We got e-bikes. We’ve been

Our food and the honeybees that help make it possible

Submitted by Ouachita Beekeepers Association

Between World Food Day on Oc tober 16 and National Food Day on October 24, we can't help but be reminded of all honeybees, and the beekeepers who tend to them, do to feed our world.

Honeybees are a critical compo nent of today’s agricultural mar ket because they perform the vital function of pollination. It is thanks to honeybees that we can enjoy Mother Nature’s sweetener and feed communities with nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes.

In fact, there are more than 90 different crops that rely on honey bee pollination and the important

work of bee keepers. The craft of bee keeping is es sential to glob al food produc tion, and it ul timately helps put food on the tables of fami lies around the world. Enjoy this warm hon ey beverage during the cooler months and buy lo cal honey

Honey Pot Cider Recipe for Autumn and Winter

YIELD: Makes 1 serving INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cup - apple cider

1 T - honey

1 pinch - cinnamon

1 3/4 oz. - Apple Jack brandy (or substitute prune juice)

1 stick - cinnamon

2 - apple slices

Combine the apple cider, honey and cinnamon in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat for about 5 minutes or until heated through. Stir in the Apple Jack brandy and pour the cider into a mug.

With the tip of a small knife, pierce small holes in the apples and string them onto a cinnamon stick. Place the garnish across or in the cider.

Janssen Park is beginning to look a bit dramatic in the early morning light and cooler temperatures finally moving into the area, making for some good weather to get out and about.

Photos by Ethan Nahté

Mena City Hall already has a couple of greeters at their doorstep, welcoming you to enjoy the fall festivities. Next week will see the influx of more scarecrows as the annual Pick of the Patch Scarecrow Competition will be in full swing. Remember to vote for the Pulse Multi-Media creation in front of the Ouachita Little Theater… we mean, vote for your favorite.

If you’re out on Hwy. 88, feel free to stop and get a family pic in front of Jeff and Phyllis Cunningham’s festive 1951 Minneapolis Moline tractor. They are located on the same side of the highway, just beyond the turnoff for Mena Lake and Hwy. 88 Rock & Mulch. A bench sits in front of the scarecrows, pumpkins and mums on the trailer for easy access and a colorful photo.

Shade Trees on Playgrounds program accepting school applications through October 14

LITTLE ROCK, AR  –  The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division has extended the application deadline for the 20-year anniversa ry of the Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) program through October 14, 2022. Arkansas schools needing addi tional shade on playgrounds can find the STOP program application and guidelines at agriculture.arkansas.gov/ forestry/urban-community-forestry/ stop-program/.

Selected schools receive up to five na tive shade trees, mulch, watering sup plies, and planting guidelines, through grant funding provided by the U.S. For est Service.  Officials with the Forestry Division will help plant the trees during a ceremony with students this fall.

Urban forestry staff began the STOP program 20 years ago to help low er adult skin cancer risk by reducing

childhood exposure to direct sunlight on school playgrounds. Since then, ap proximately 150 Arkansas schools have received trees. The STOP program also provides teachers with curriculum re sources about the environmental ben efits of trees, how shade reduces skin cancer risks, and tips for keeping trees healthy.

“The STOP program combines hands-on, outdoor experiences with classroom curriculum about the im portance of trees and how to care for trees,” said Urban & Community For estry Coordinator, Kristine Kimbro. “We hope this program not only im proves the health of Arkansas students, but also leaves a lasting impression about the value of community trees and how to be good stewards of our natural resources.”

Trees native to Arkansas are cho

sen by Forestry Division staff to fit the unique region and conditions of each playground. Sycamores, oaks, tulip poplars, and black gum trees are com mon species for the program. To par ticipate in the STOP program, a school must meet the following criteria:

· Lack shade on a school playground

Participate in a virtual STOP work shop on Oct. 27, 2022

· Use provided curriculum resource materials to emphasize the impor tance of trees during the week(s) leading up to the tree-planting event

· Involve students in tree-relat ed projects that culminate with a school-wide tree-planting ceremo ny

· Hold a tree-planting ceremony pri or to Dec. 16, 2022 (can be held with limited attendance and lives

treamed or recorded for later play back to larger audience)

Be willing to maintain the trees af ter planting

Applicants may be any public or pri vate Arkansas school serving grades pre-K through 12, or a non-traditional educational facility such as a juvenile detention center, residential childcare institution, or long-term care facility that has a playground in need of more shaded areas.

Learn more about Urban & Commu nity Forestry services and programs at  www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/for estry/urban-community-forestry

With program questions, contact Kristine Kimbro at 479-228-7929 or  kristine.kimbro@agriculture.arkan sas.gov, or Harold Fisher at 501-5804054 or  harold.fisher@agriculture.ar kansas.gov.

Westerman Introduces Legislation Protecting Hunting, Fishing Access for Sportsmen

WASHINGTON (Sept. 30, 2022) Today, House Committee on Nat ural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and 34 other members introduced the Pro tecting Access for Hunters and An glers Act of 2022.

“Some of my earliest memories are of hunting and fishing near my home in Arkansas, soit’s extremely alarming to see the Biden admin istration attempting to restrict ac cess for the millions of Americans who use traditional ammo and tackle on federal land,” Westerman said. “Sportsmen and women are some of the best conservationists we have, because they know the importance of sustainably utilizing our resources to leave them in even

better condition for future genera tions. A blanket banon lead ammo and tackle will do nothing but im pede Americans’ ability to responsi bly recreate like they have been for years. This legislation will prevent any such bans in the future unless it is supported at the state level and by science and will continue promot ing access for all.”

“I am happy to introduce the Pro tecting Access for Hunters and An glers Act of 2022 with my colleague Bruce Westerman, Ranking Mem ber of the House Natural Resourc es Committee,” Wittman said. “As an avid hunter and angler, I find the Biden Administration’s attempt to restrict access for the nation’s sportsmen and women who use traditional lead fishing tackle and

ammo on federal lands and waters, to be upsetting. This wholesale pro hibition will only serve to incumber our sportsmen’s ability to respon sibly hunt and fish. The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act prevents the Administration from banning lead ammo and tackle on federal lands and waters, unless such a regulation is consistent with state law and supported by science. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legisla tion and continue to promote access to recreation for millions of Ameri cans.”

Background

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently entered into settle ment negotiations with activist lit

igants over a lawsuit regarding the use of traditional ammunition and lead on more than3 million acres of federal land.

This spring, Westerman joined members of the Congressional Western Caucus on a letter urging FWS to abandon settlement nego tiations and defend hunting access for sportsmen and women across the country. Shortly thereafter, FWS issued a rule that would phase out the use of lead ammunition on at least five National Wildlife Refug es in Virginia, West Virginia and Maine.

Two weeks ago, FWS issued a fi nal rule which opened new hunting and fishing opportunities, but it also phased out use of lead ammunition by 2026 on some lands.

The Ouachita Quilt Show: A tradition continues

The 40th Ouachita Quilt Show is Nov. 4-5 in the Education Building at the Polk County Fairgrounds in Mena. The quilt show features quilters from Polk County and sur rounding areas with over 100 quilts on display ev ery year. There are no entry fees this year, not at the door or to enter an item in the show. Mark your calendar with these dates/times. Intake day for quilted items is Tues day, Nov. 1, from noon-5 p.m. Show is open from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on Saturday. Pick up time is set for Saturday from 5-6 p.m. The Fabulous Fall Festival is this year’s arts and crafts event which takes place at the fairgrounds at the same time as the Ouachita Quilt Show (OQS).

With 32 different categories, every quilter from beginner to experienced has a place to showcase talent and art istry. The complete category list is on the Ouachita Quilt Show Facebook page. To qualify as a quilted item for judging, there must be three layers: the top, a batting, and the backing. Category 30 is not judged and “dis play only,” used primarily for antique/ vintage quilts and the featured quilter. Ribbons are awarded by outside judg es for first, second, and third place in each category, and 22 Community Leaders pin a special ribbon to their favorite quilt. Best of Show is select ed by the outside vendors from the first-place quilts. Prizes from local and national vendors are awarded to place ribbon winners and Best of Show.

Bear Paws in the Ouachitas (pictured above) is this year’s raffle quilt. The quilt was made and quilted by Nim

ble Thimble Quilt Guild members. Ticket sales will, once again, benefit college students. Over $22,000 have been donated in the last 11 years to the Single Parent Scholarship Fund for University of Arkansas Rich Mountain students. Show your support and buy tickets: one ticket is $1, six for $5, or 20 for $10. Raffle tickets are available from local guild and EHC members, at the Polk County’s Extension office where you can see the quilt on display at 211 Dequeen St. in Mena, or during the quilt show. Raffle quilt drawing will be held at the close of show on Saturday.

Material Girls fabric booth will fea ture two quilter’s fabric stashes for sale. Quality quilt fabric is priced at only $5 per yard. The fabric is predominately fat quarters and measured yardage. Fat quarters are priced at $1.25 each. Don’t miss an opportunity to shop this sale. Proceeds will primarily support food insecurity (like the food pantry and school backpack programs), and fund other local charity(ies) needs. The Country Store is Polk County Extension Homemakers Council’s regular booth at the quilt show and features handmade items and home

baked goods donated by EHC club and guild members. Country Store sales fund EHC projects.

We are providing you with three different areas to support local needs, the scholarship, food insecurity, and Extension Homemaker Club projects. Thank you for helping us continue the giving tradition in 2022.

While the OQS is hosted by the Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild, the show is possible by the sponsorship of the Polk County Extension Homemakers Council which is under the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.

Follow the Ouachita Quilt Show Facebook page for updates, postshow photos, quilt show advertisers throughout the next year, and details on future quilt shows.

For more information on entering a quilt or attending the show, please contact Joyce Sanden via text or mes sage at 479-234-3414.

Ouachita Quilt Show Categories 2022

1. Hand Pieced/Hand Quilted

2. Hand Pieced/Machine quilted (home, long arm)

3. Machine Pieced/Hand Quilted

4. Machine Pieced/Domestic home machine quilted

5. Machine Pieced/Long arm all over quilted

6. Machine Pieced/Long arm cus tom quilted

7. Machine Pieced/Long arm hand guided

8. Combined Techniques/Hand quilted

9. Combined Techniques/Machine quilted. (home, long arm)

10. Hand Applique/Hand quilted

11. Hand Applique/Machine quilted. (home, long arm)

12. Machine Applique/Hand quilted

13. Machine Applique/Machine quilted. (home, long arm)

14. Whole Cloth Quilt

15. Wall Hanging/Hand quilted

16. Wall Hanging/Machine quilted

17. Lap Quilt/Hand quilted

18. Lap Quilt/Machine quilted

19. Miniature (less than 18” on a side)

20. Baby Quilt

21. Apparel

22. Original Design

23. First Quilt

24. Group Quilt

25. Embroidered quilt/hand /hand quilted

26. Embroidered quilt/hand/ma chine quilted

27. Embroidered quilt/machine/ma chine quilted

28. Home Décor

29. Junior (Age 18 and under)

30. Not Judged, Display only

31. Art Quilts/Embellishments

32. Other

OLT’s ‘Silas Marner’ Prepares for Opening Night

Submitted by Julie Ulmer

October 21 is opening night for Ouachita Little Theatre’s fall production of “Silas Marner,” an original script written and directed by OLT veteran, Brad Storey. Remaining production dates include Oct. 22, 23, 28, 29, and 30.

Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30

p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Reserved seating tickets are available online at oltmena.com or at the OLT office on Thursdays and Fridays from 2 - 6 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Director Brad Storey stated, “Usually, our late October shows are about Fran kenstein or anything a bit scary. But this show just warms your heart.”

Bring your family and enjoy this classic tale from a time long gone by that has relevant themes to today’s audiences.

Don’t forget, Oct. 12 is the free showing of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera,” starting at 6:30 p.m.

Auditions for the Junior Ouachita Little Theatre holiday play “A Seussified Christmas Carol” will be from 4 – 6 p.m. on Oct. 17 and 18. Gradeschool students are en couraged to try out.

Brandon Davis to headline the Bull at The Blue

By Ethan Nahté

Country music fans get your boots on, and your blankets or lawn chairs out for Brandon Davis in concert at The Blue; Zip Line & Farm, Saturday, Oct. 15.

Davis was recently on tour for three months this past spring, opening for Tim McGraw, including his first night back on April 29 at The Walmart Am

vis at 7 p.m.

Davis has been topping the iTunes Country Chart with songs such as “Step by Step,” while he has peaked at No. 5 on the iTunes chart and No. 27 on the Apple Music Chart.

Davis is also a big deal on TikTok, with over 1.7 million followers.

Tickets are $28 and can be pur chased either at BrandonDavisMusic. com or BlueZiplineFarm.com/. For

phitheater in Rogers, Arkansas. Now, Davis will be at the new Bull Pasture Amphitheater at The Blue. Gates open at 3 p.m., with local duo Shades of Gray playing during the preshow. Texan native Hayden Woollen will hit the stage at 5, followed by Da

any fans coming from out of town, dry camping (15’ x 35’) is available at the location the night of the concert for an additional $15, meaning there is nei ther water nor electric, but there are portable toilets on site. More details can be found online at the ticket site.

Katie Norris and Austin Zarella in “Silas Marner.”

A beautiful afternoon for orchestral rock in the park

By Ethan Nahté

Music lovers were treated to a free concert in Janssen Park late Satur day afternoon as The Ouachi ta Strings and Friends Orches tra performed rock classics from the 60s through the 21st century during their final per formance for 2022.

The Ouachita Strings Ensemble were accompa nied by brass and woodwind in struments, piano, synthesizer, elec tronic drums and electric guitar for their Rock Extravaganza Concert. Approximately a hundred people of

all ages enjoyed a wide selection of 19 songs, ranging from The Beat les’ “When I’m 64” (a day before what would’ve been John Lennon’s

82nd birthday) to Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.” Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” was amongst tunes from ABBA, Kansas, and The Carpenters, which included vocals. Many of the musicians weren’t even alive when most of the music they were perform ing was created, al though some of the younger instrumen talists might have been babies when Coldplay was hot. Whether it was the arrangement or some other reason, Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine” was a bit lackluster but Led Zeppelin’s “Stair way to Heaven” and the Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” were especially dynamic and sounded great.

You can keep up with their up coming performances at Facebook. com/OuachitaStringEnsemble/ as

well as view some of their perfor mances on video.

UARM announces Science Club officers

Dr. Gyanwali expressed his appreciation to these students and their willingness to serve and provide leadership for the Science Club whose mission is to spread awareness in environmental and resource management issues, create interest of a younger generation in science engineering, and technology and to promote science overall.

Gates newest DKG inductee

Submitted by Brenda Miner

Dr. Krystal Thrailkill, president of Alpha Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International recent ly inducted Mysti Gates, English in structor at the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain, into the chapter.

DKG is a professional honor soci

ety for women educators with more than 83,000 members. Established in 17 member countries around the world, the Society defines its mission as promoting professional and per sonal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

To find out more about DKG, please visit https://www.dkg.org.

Self graduates from University of Central Arkansas

CONWAY, AR (10/07/2022)- Preston Alan Self of Mena, Ar kansas, graduated with a Master of Business Administration in Busi ness Administration from the Uni

versity of Central Arkansas in Au gust.

Self was among 204 undergradu ate and 285 graduate students who received degrees.

Dr. Gaumani Gyanwali has announced the Science Club Officers for Fall 2022. (l-r): Secretary Nicole Hill, Vice-President Lauren Bollmeyer, President Marcus Davis and Trea surer/Media Relations Officer is Lexi Dilbeck.

40-Year Club makes UARM donation

Submitted by LeAnn Dilbeck

Officers of the 40-Year Club presented UARM Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson with a $6,000 donation toward their scholarship fund with the college’s foundation. The money was raised during the group’s reunion event held Memorial Day Weekend this year.

when the group will welcome mem bers from the MHS Classes of 1983 and 1984.

Multiple scholarships from the en dowed scholarship provided by the 40Year Club are awarded annually to stu dents attending UARM. “The enduring legacy that these graduates are leaving through these scholarships will benefit

The Club is comprised of Mena High School alumni who graduated 40-plus years ago.

The next reunion will be held on Mena’s Homecoming weekend in 2024

generations,” said Chancellor Wilson.

UA Rich Mountain’s mission is to provide transformative education to all learners.

(l-r) Secretary Nancy Wright, President Linda Rowe, Treasurer Kathy Ad ams, and Chancellor Wilson. Not pictured are Sue Babel, registrar; and Molly Lindsey, IT support.

Community

Food commodities distribution on October 20

Food

2:00pm. The

20th at

County

above income guidelines are based on 130% of the Federal Poverty Guide

Add $512 for each additional family member.

ities for more than two

acceptance and participation in the

regard to race, color, national origin,

up

the same for everyone

or

City of Mena fall clean-up scheduled

The City of Mena’s 19 th Annual Fall Clean-Up is scheduled to be gin on Monday, October 24, 2022. Only yard waste items will be picked up (e.g. tree limbs, shrubs, leaves, grass, etc.) . Due to state law, we can not pick up construction debris and lum

ber Furniture and other house hold items will not be picked up. Please place items at curb side prior to Monday, Oct. 24 to in sure they will be collected.

It is required that smaller items, such as small limbs, gum balls, and leaves, be placed in garbage bags.

This service is free for the res idents of Mena . The Mena Street Department will begin collection in the northwest part of the city and work their way across town following the same routes as Southern Disposal.

This pick-up is scheduled for one week only and it is not nec essary to call City Hall in order to receive this service.

Around Town

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

Most of us are familiar with the colonies of honeybees that have been the workhorses of agricul tural pollination for years in the United States, but did you know they were imported from Europe almost 400 years ago? Learn more about honeybees at the Ouachita Beekeepers Association meetings on the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the terminal hangar of the Mena Intermountain Airport located at 269 Polk Road 52.

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 Ap plicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing.com

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

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

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Cross ing 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) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

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

Nimble Thimbles Quilt Guild meeting date for October is changed to Monday, Oct. 17 at the Extension Education Building at 211 DeQueen Street. The building will be open at 9 a.m. for those of you who want to catch up on blocks or work on something for the Ouachita Quilt Show, scheduled November 4 and 5. From 1 - 4 p.m. we will work on a new applique block for our row quilt.

Mena/Polk County Senior Center will be having a fish fry on Oct. 22, 3 - 5 p.m. We invite everyone in the community to come out and enjoy some amazing fish! Cost is donations only! The menu will be fish, beans, coleslaw, hush puppies, and dessert.

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

Potluck and Cake Walk! On Saturday, Oc tober 15, everyone is invited to attend the fall potluck Cake Walk at the Big Fork Community Center beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The First United Methodist Church of Mena, 501 9th Street, across from Janssen Park will be having Trunk or Treat from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Monday, October 31st. We will be giving out Halloween Handout bags that will include stickers and candy. Hope you will bring your kiddos and join us for the fun in the church parking lot.

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, 8:00 a.m. (full breakfast for small dona tion). All men from the community are invited to attend.

The Living Word Pentecostal Church in Hatfield would like to invite you to supper every Wednesday at 6 p.m. We are serving a free meal to our community. Everyone is welcome. We would love your company. Located at 171 Johnson in Hatfield. Turn at Jordan’s Tire.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 8 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, 9th & Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 2430297.

The Revelation of Hope Prophecy Sem inar with speaker Tommy Blount opening night presen tation “Hope Beyond Tomorrow” begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7, at the Mena Seventh-day Adventist Church, 149 Polk Rd. (Fairgrounds Road). The seminar continues Saturday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. with the first of two presen tations.

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

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!

CLASSIFIEDS

- SERVICES -

Wendell’s Tree Service - Tree Removal and Trimming. Experienced and fully insured for ALL your tree-trimming needs. Call (479) 394-0227 or (479) 216-4328. T1116

Mobile lawnmower repair and repair flats. Minimum, $20 service call. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204. T1012

Construction, pads, ponds, roads and more. Military discounts. Insured. Just give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T1026

Daniel’s carpentry and painting and handyman service. Deck and privacy fences, etc. Call (479) 216-1101 or (479) 216-2299. T1019

Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light re placement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate. T1026

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergen cy appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T1012

- YARD SALE -

Multi-Family Yard Sale, 1308 Magnolia Ave., Saturday, Oct. 15, 7 a.m. - ??? House hold items, clothes, furniture and tools. T1012

- MISCELLANEOUS -

Lost: Black Angus Steer, 500 lb. Last seen headed toward BBQ restaurant!!! - Jey Bird T1012

2022 Rural Fire Show celebrates Arkansas firefighters

Oct. 5, 2022 - LITTLE ROCK, AR –

The Arkansas Department of Agricul ture’s Forestry Division hosted the 2022 Rural Fire Show this past weekend, with over 650 in attendance represent ing 135 fire departments.

The Rural Fire Show is a free event held in appreciation for Arkansas fire fighters and their families to honor the service and protection they provide throughout the state. The event includ ed training opportunities, equipment demonstrations, resources and infor mation, networking opportunities, and a catered lunch, sponsored by the Ar kansas Rural and Volunteer Firefight ers Association.

Throughout the show 77 door priz es were given away. The grand door prize, an auto extrication combination tool valued at over $10,000, was won by Center Grove Fire Department in Grant County.

“The Forestry Division enjoys host

ing the firefighters and their families annually just to say thank you,” said State Forester Joe Fox. “We have more than 850 rural fire departments that partner with us when we fight wildland fires, and we simply couldn’t do with out them.”

“This year’s fire show was a huge suc cess, thanks to our staff, our vendors, and our Arkansas firefighters,” said Kathryn Mahan-Hooten, Rural Fire Protection Administrator for the For estry Division. “This is just one small way we can show Arkansas firefighters how thankful we are for the work they do.”

For more information about the Forestry Division’s Rural Fire Pro tection Program visit the Arkansas Department of Agriculture website at  agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry/ rural-fire-protection-program/.

Photos from the event are available at flic.kr/s/aHBqjA9HC9

Hogspore News:

Big doings coming at high school Saturday

By Clet Litter as told to Bob Simpson

Big doings Saturday coming over to the high school auditorium. The Little Miss Hogspore Beauty Pageant happens. Some years, it’s the Hit or Miss Pageant. For grandparents who don’t cotton to no new fangled electronic hearing machines, cour tesy ear horns are available thanks to the County Museum from donations of families. The museum has stored over a thousand ear trumpets of deef departed dear ones. Their slogan is “We Accept Art, But We Got Plenty Of Room For More Ear Trumpets.” It ain’t the most catchy phrase to come along. The Barbershop Think Tank was working this week. We discussed our favorite mem ories of Grandpappys and Grandmammys. Here’s our recollections: My memories of my granny forgetting to take a switch to me. Grandpappy would put his teeth in for group pictures. Granny finally had to go to a home cause she kept putting her cigarettes out in Baby Wiliker’s soft spot. When Grandma died, I sat behind Grandpa at the funeral. I could only see the back of Grandpappy,

and he was just ashaking from all the sob bing. I got in line to give him a family type hug. He weren’t crying. He was chuckling and holding hands with one of the church ladies.

Town Talks: Old Man Grimely says, “I’m so aged that my doctor gave me a referral to another doctor. It was the county coro ner.” Mumford Pickens poses, “You know who should swallow a mineral supplement, specially with trace minerals? A detective.” Widow Fenster says, “When indoors, co vens always happen at broom tempera ture.”

Final editor’s choice to leave in cause it makes fun of people in history: Hitler was never a great artist. He could only paint the top right part of the canvas, cause that’s where his right arm involuntarily went to. Medieval Identity problem: Trans-knight and queen of the drag, until he took a sick ness with the 24-hour plague.

The only theory of relativity I know is if an old timer asks a new comer, “Who are your people?”

Contact at Bobsimpson1947@yahoo. com. You know you wanna.

The following information was received from Polk County law enforcement agencies. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed, or that they have been found innocent, and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.

POLK COUNTY

SHERIFF’S LOG

October 3, 2022

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to Finan cial Identity Fraud.

Linette Oehrlein, 46 of Mena was arrested on charges of Disorderly Conduct, Fleeing on Foot and Re sisting Arrest after an incident on Hwy 8 West near Mena.

October 4, 2022

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a theft. Deputies responded to an area on Polk 37 near Mena in reference to an altercation.

Deputies responded to an area on Polk 38 near Hatfield in ref erence to a verbal dispute. Infor mation has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

October 5, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 71 South near Mena in reference to an unattend ed death.

October 6, 2022

Deputies responded to a theft re port.

October 7, 2022

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a sto

len firearm.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to finan cial identity fraud.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 70 near Cherry Hill in reference to a violation of an order of protection.

October 8, 2022

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 659 near Board Camp in reference to unlawful burning.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 375 East near Mena in reference to a land dis pute.

October 9, 2022

Michael Pearce, 41 of Mena was arrested on a Body Attachment Warrant.

Bradley Verba, 25 of Mena was arrested on a Misdemeanor 3rd Degree Battery Warrant.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Robin Lane near Mena in reference to a stolen camper trailer.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 0 vehicle accidents this week.

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 24 Incarcerated Inmates, with 10 Inmates current ly on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

October 2

A report of discharge of a fire arm in the city limits was taken at a residence on West Boundary Road.

October 3

Briseyda Bustos, 21, was charged with Criminal Trespass, Contrib uting to the Delinquency of a Mi nor, and Possession of a Schedule 6 Controlled Substance at a resi dence on Blake Drive.

October 4

A report of financial identity fraud was taken from a walk-in complainant.

October 5

A report of disorderly conduct, harassment, and stalking was tak en after a complaint at Northside Shopping Center.

October 6

A report of commercial burglary and theft was taken at Union Mis sion Pentecostal Church.

October 7

A report of harassment was tak en from a walk-in complainant.

October 8

James Bearden, 36, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

A report of theft was taken from a walk-in complainant.

3 boating safety tips just right for fall boating

Annapolis, Md., Sept. 07, 2022 –Fall boating season has arrived, and with it come different types of risks that cold water and air temperatures bring. Here are three boating safety tips from the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water just right for leaf peeping season.

A float plan is needed: A float plan is as simple as telling a responsible person where you will be going and when you’ll be back. With fewer other boats on the water (potential Good Samaritans) after Labor Day, a float plan ensures res cuers will be notified if you ever fail to check back in after your outing. Additionally, leaving a note un der your vehicle’s windshield wiper at the launch ramp can help trigger an alarm.

Got a way back into the boat?

Falls overboard may be ranked No.5 on the 2021 U.S. Coast Guard’s list of the “Top Five Primary Acci dent Types” with 273 ac cidents, but they also led the most number of deaths (170 fatal), as well as more fa talities than all the other four top ac cident types combined (No. 1 col lision with vessel-1226 accidents/31

Falls overboard can be deadly, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Something as simple as a rope with foothold loop, attached to cleats, can also easi ly function as an emergency boarding ladder.

fatal; No. 2 collision with fixed object- 508 accidents/43 fatal; No. 3 flooding/swamping-461 acci dents/55 fatal; No. 4 grounding-308 accidents/23 fatal). Your boarding lad der should be functional and accessi ble as cold water can quickly sap strength. If your boat doesn’t have a built in-lad der, a com pact emer gency ladder or even a

looped line attached to a cleat, prerigged with foothold loops every few inches and hung over the tran som, can substitute.

For life jackets, camo styling hides a danger: Dark green, tan and black camo patterns are remarkable at doing exactly as designed, blending you into your surroundings. However, that’s not a benefit if you happen to be floating in the water and rescu ers are searching. If possible, make their job easier and wear a life jack et with high visibility. For smaller vessels and paddlers, leaf peeping season is also a really good time to secure the life jacket to your body – that includes using buckle snaps.

Football

10/14 -

Volleyball

10/13 -

10/15 -

10/18 -

Tournament

Weekend fun

By Ethan Nahté

Seeking something to do out doors if the weather stays nice this weekend? Here are a few options within Polk County or an hour or less outside of Polk County:

October is a great time to vis it the area for some beautiful fall foliage and the Poteau Balloon Fest. Please note that all balloon events are wind and weather permitting. Any and all balloon flights are most likely to occur between the hours of 7-9 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. There will be other events happening with carnival rides, helicopter rides, BMX per formances and more. Check out poteauchamber.com/events for more details and prices.

Baseball

10/14

Cross Country

10/14

Soccer

10/16

Softball

10/14-10/15

Jamboree

There will be a half-marathon at Cossatot River State Park (Wickes) on Saturday. Registra tion and check-in begin at 6 a.m.. The shuttle to the starting line at Brushy Creek is a t 7 and the 13.1 mile single-track trail run begins. Contact the park at 870-385-2201 for more details or register in ad vance at getmeregistered.com.

There are plenty of activities for all ages atop Queen Wilhelmina State Park this weekend, includ ing the Wonder House Tour, var ious animal-related activities and a color wheel hike. Check out the park’s page on the ArkansasState Parks.com website.

Don’t forget the free trick or treating and haunted village at Camp High Point, out past Nun ley on Hwy. 8 East from 5-8 p.m.