Annular eclipse plays hide ‘n’ seek at Queen Wilhelmina State Park

By Ethan Nahté

The morning of the annular eclipse, Saturday, Oct. 14, began with clear skies and chilly temperatures for western Arkansas. It looked promising to observe the celestial event, and several people in the area appeared to be looking forward to it.

Several visitors and vendors at the 14th Annual Sorghum Festival in Mount Ida, as well as an equally large crowd on the other side of Mount Ida at the Gem and Mineral Show, had sporadic clouds but enough of a clear eyeline that the vendors at the gem show were passing around a welding helmet with a tinted visor to catch a glimpse of the eclipse, which was covering somewhere between 70%-75% of the sun at its maximum point in the area.

There were reports the viewing in Talahina, Oklahoma, was pretty nice.

It appeared there was a great view ibeow Rich Mountain if one was to judge by looking out over Lake Wilhelmina, seeing the sun reflecting off the lake and nearby chicken houses.

Being at Queen Wilhelmina State Park was expected to be nice, as well, not to mention high above utility lines and other obstacles… but not high enough for the thick blanket of clouds that rolled in just as the eclipse began and basically just parked over the peak.

The ideal location within the direct path were places such as Albuquerque, New Mexico, or south-central Texas and the Hill Country around Austin and down to San Antonio. This was their first annular eclipse since 1940. They got to witness the spectacular Ring of Fire.

Arkansas State Park Interpreter Ivory Detter had a Telrad telescope waiting to be set up, a box of approved solar eclipse glasses, and bags of popcorn and peanuts to give away. She was quite surprised by the turnout, expecting 50 or fewer people. She did a quick head count and estimated there were over 100 adults and 20-30 children.

She gave instructions on what was going to happen, how she was divvying up the glasses since there were more people than she anticipated, and warned people not to look at the sun even when it was at its maximum point.

More clouds rolled in, the wind was whipping at a constant 20 mph or more and the temperature began to drop. Most of the crowd went into the lodge to wait it out. With the windchill, the temperature was easily in the low 40s and several people were unprepared, only wearing short sleeves and shorts.

The eclipse occurred and a few people managed to get a few quick shots, including former history teacher George West and his wife, also a former educator.

The one or two dozen stalwarts who remained were excited and quite verbal with what they were able to observe with the glasses as noon approached and the eclipse reached its maximum point, so the event was not a total bust.

Here’s hoping for better luck come Apr. 8, 2024.

HSO’s monthly meeting is at La Villa Mexican Restaurant at 5:30 this Thursday, Oct. 19.

The October Van Cove School Alumni meeting is set for Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. We will meet at 156 School Street, Cove, AR. Please come and meet with us. We love your support and help.

GriefShare at First Presbyterian Church Mena has moved to a new day and time. They now meet every Wednesday at 1 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

Knights of Columbus’ Oktoberfest will be raising funds and helping the Special Olympics and PCDC, Oct. 21, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 203 Eighth St., Mena. $12 per plate. Live music, bratwurst, German potato salad, sauerkraut, beer and cold drinks.

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) 2345289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

Come play Pickleball! Open play Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., Aubrey D. Tapley Park, 2562 U.S. Hwy. 71, Mena. Bring your own equipment and come have fun. All levels are welcome. Unsure or interested? Come watch before purchasing equipment.

GriefShare at The Crossing in Mena meets every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

OLT’s “CLUE” will be performed Oct. 20-22 and 27-29. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Purchase tickets in advance at the OLT office, 610 Mena St. OLT business hours are Thursdays and Fridays from 2-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens.

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

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove gathers every Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

The Back Country Extension Homemakers Club meets the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at the UA Extension’s Education Building, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. We are a service organization affiliated with UA’s Division of Agriculture with a mission to have fun and learn new things while enriching our community and creating a more contented family life. We believe the greatest force that molds character comes from the home. Come join new friends and old as we together grow. For more info, contact Ginger at Gingerkm@protonmail.com.

Jam session every Tuesday night, 6-9 p.m. at Shady Mountain Events, 428 Hwy. 375 East, Mena. No charge, everyone is welcome. All genres of music. Bring your own instrument, come watch or dance. Call (479) 234-7174 with questions.

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a series on the Book of

Revelation in its Adult Sunday School class on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45. Earl Harrell will be the presenter and will focus on the titles of Jesus as revealed in the Book of Revelation. The public is invited to attend. Classes will be in the Helen Barham Room at the church, 904 Church Avenue, Mena.

The Ouachita Beekeepers Association is now meeting on the second Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. in the Education Building of the UA Extension Office, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. Come early and enjoy refreshments and bee talk with other beekeepers.

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

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

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

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

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

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors.

The hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

Hatfield First Baptist Church

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

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

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

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

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!

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.

October 9, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Evergreen Lane near Hatfield in reference to a physical domestic disturbance.

October 10, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 23 near Cove in reference to a domestic disturbance. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 21 near Cove in reference to a break-in. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

October 11, 2023

Johnathon White, 38, of Mena was arrested on a Body Attachment.

October 12, 2023

Tracy Mejia, 37, of Gillham was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on two Failure to Appear Warrants.

October 13, 2023

Gerald Martin, 62, of Batesville was arrested on a warrant for Failure to Pay. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on French Creek Lane near Mena in reference to a trespasser.

October 14, 2023

An accident on Polk 82 near Shady led to the arrest of James Ward, 76, of Mena on charges of DWI, Careless and Prohibited Driving and No Seatbelt. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on French Creek Lane near Mena in reference to harassing communications. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

October 15, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Treasure Lane near Acorn in reference to a property dispute. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 2 vehicle accidents this week.

October 8

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

Shawn Romele, 25, was served with warrants after a loitering complaint at the Northside Laundromat.

A report of dogs running at large was taken on Hamilton Avenue.

October 9

A report of harassment was taken at a residence on Crescent Drive.

October 10

Travis Wringer, 35, was charged with Theft after a complaint from a person at

Budget Inn.

October 11 No report.

October 12

A report of criminal mischief was taken at DLR Offroad.

Sarah Mitchell, 29, was served with warrants at a residence on Missouri Avenue.

A report of a dog bite was taken at a residence on Magnolia Avenue.

October 13

A report of a dog bite was taken at a residence on Sarah Way.

October 14 No report.