After a rainy start to the summer, August has left the majority of the state high and dry for the most part. According to arkfireinfo.org for Sept. 5, 31 counties are at high risk and 44 counties are at a moderate risk for wildfire danger
More counties are coming under a burn ban. Currently, 34 of Arkansas’s 75 counties are under the ban, including Polk County as of Aug. 31. The burn ban will remain in effect until Polk County
When a local fire district reports dangerous conditions after a long duration of dry weather, along with lack of adequate rainfall or precipitation has created dry and hazardous conditions, a burn ban typically goes into effect. The ban prohibits any outdoor burning until the ban is lifted.
Besides open flames, or coals, other dangers include but are not limited to smoking and littering; mowing areas with hard surfaces
Submitted by Pasha Watson
On April 8, 2024, nearly 2/3 of Arkansas will be within the path of totality for the Great American Total Solar Eclipse. This event will bring thousands of visitors to The Natural State to experience the phenomenon. Mena will experience four minutes of pure solar darkness, one of the greater lengths in Arkansas and will be a major tourism draw for the community.
To help the community prepare, the City of Mena is hosting their third Eclipse Town Hall meeting on Sept. 14, 2023. The meeting will be held at the Ouachita Center, on the campus of UA Rich Mountain, at 3 p.m. This is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the eclipse and how Mena, and the surrounding areas, can plan for and draw visitors to what will be an
See BURN BAN
continued on page 2
continued from page 1 such as rocks where a blade could strike a spark; dragging chains from items such as a trailer hitch, and backfiring vehicles.
According to Arkansas Forestry Commission’s AFC Fire Law 2013, it reads in part:
• Unlawful burning is a Class A misdemeanor: punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000, or a jail sentence of not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
• Failure to control or report a dangerous fire is a Class B misdemeanor: punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 or ninety (90) days in jail, or both such fine and imprisonment.
• A person commits the offense of reckless burning if the person purposely starts a fire or causes an explosion, whether on his own property or that of another, and thereby recklessly. Reckless burning is a Class D felony: punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000 or six (6) years in jail, or both such fine and imprisonment.
To see the status of an Arkansas county, visit www.arkfireinfo.org/.
The second annual Memorial Stair Climb will take place Saturday, Sept. 9, at Mena’s Bob Carver Bearcat Stadium once again, and the public is invited. They will be honoring those who lost their lives September 11, 2001, by climbing 110 flights of stairs to honor firefighters, police, and EMS workers. Those participating state, “343 — forgetting is not an option.”
Last year at the first stair climb, Mena Fire Chief Steve Egger said, “They are doing this to honor the 343 rescue workers and their valiant efforts to rescue others. It was 110 flights of stairs, equal to 2,200 steps those brave heroes took to try and saves the lives of as many others as they could.”
See MEMORIAL continued on page 8
1168 Hwy 71S
Mena, AR 71953
Phone: 479-243-9600
Fax: 479-243-9603
Email: news@mypulsenews.com
KENA 104.1 - KQOR 105.3
MyPulseNews.com
Jamie Hammack - General Manager
Ethan Nahté - Production Manager/Editor
Patrick Massey - Contributing Reporter
John Russell - Graphic Design
Alexis James - Account Executive
Erica Watts - Account Executive
Curt Teasdale - Programmer /On-Air Personality
Ariel Varner - Receptionist/On-Air Personality
Distribution & Insertion Staff: Chaz Welch
The Polk County Pulse is the area’s premiere and fastest growing news publication. The Polk County Pulse is FREE and published weekly on Wednesdays, with a distribution of 8,000 and an estimated readership of 10,000. MyPulseNews.com has hundreds of visitors daily and KENA and KQOR have thousands of listeners hourly.
POLICY: The publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. All property rights, including any copyright interest, in any advertisement produced by Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse using art work and/or typography furnished or arranged by Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse shall be the property of Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse. No such advertisement or any part thereof may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Pulse Multi-Media and The Polk County Pulse.
POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTS: Advertisements of a political nature must be prepaid and must also include the name of the entity paying for the advertisement. If an entity other than the candidate the advertisement is endorsing is paying for the ad, a statement must be signed by the candidate verifying the candidate has seen and approved the advertisement.
With regards to Jan Titsworth’s recent opinion labeled “Truth matters,” (The Pulse, July 26, 2023) it appears that she engaged in left wing propaganda and had little regard for the “truth.”
I am white, a U.S. Navy Veteran, and a proud nationalist. What I am not is a White “supremacist.” I do not suffer from white guilt and understand what happened in past centuries I had no part in and have no personal guilt from. For too long the left has used labels to assassinate political opponents. Terms like racist, climate denier, homophobic, and most recently, transphobic, are just a few.
Almost every American is a “nationalist” of one kind or another. So is almost every Russian, Chinese, or North Korean. Want to see nationalism on a global scale? Watch the World Cup Soccer games.
A “supremacist” believes a particular race, sex, genetic or cultural characteristic is naturally superior to others. Because you must know what the characteristic is that is believed to be “supreme,” an adjective has to be attached. Thus, there are “white supremacists,” “Muslim supremacists,” “Black supremacists,” and more. Racial and cultural groups can also have their own internal divisions, as in Sunnis who believe themselves “supreme” in relation to Shiites.
A “nationalist,” is someone who strongly believes in the interest of one’s own nation, however “nation” might be defined. President Trump is a “nationalist,” as are most liberals, populists, and everyone to the right and left.
Adding an adjective to indicate what “their” nation is can turn “nationalism” into a polarizing term. To the left, a “white nationalist” wants a nation of white people, yet the
same scorn isn’t applied to those of other racial identities, only whites.
World history up to current day is written by the horrors of slavery, yet we only hear about blacks. Millions of Chinese and Irish were enslaved as well. The American Indian wasn’t enslaved, they were annihilated. What about the modern-day slavery of child trafficking?
Wars have always been fought about power and wealth and the Civil War was no different. The Northern industrial economy ran on taking raw cotton and turning it into a finished product they could sell to Europe. The Emancipation Proclamation speech wasn’t given until 1863, three years into this bloody war. It was never about slavery until the North saw the war going badly. Lincoln needed a propaganda piece and slavery was it.
As Winston Churchill said, “History is written by the victors.”
The left has done everything in their arsenal to paint opponents as bigoted and racists. From tearing down statues, renaming sports teams and military bases, to claiming the Confederate battle flag is racist.
I refuse to allow the political left to set the terms of what is acceptable and proper for me.
If Ms. Titsworth is interested in the real “truth,” I suggest she stop getting her talking points from such politically biased sources such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, the NAACP, and other lunatic groups funded by George Soros.
Lynn A. Cowden, MenaThe 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 language. Letters do not reflect the viewpoints or opinions of Pulse Multi-Media.
The letter must include a signature to be considered for publication. Signatures will NOT be held out by request. Letters will be restricted to 500 words. Any letters longer than 500 words will require purchase of advertising space.
The following contact information is required when the letter is submitted: NAME, AGE, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER.
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.
TO SUBMIT: NEWS ITEMS / ANNOUNCEMENTS / LETTERS TO THE EDITOR / SPORTS UPDATES / CALENDAR ITEMS / CLASSIFIED ADS
Email: NEWS@MYPULSENEWS.COM
continued from page 1 for and draw visitors to what will be an epic event for Arkansas. Public leaders and stakeholders will be in attendance to help answer community questions.
If your business/group is planning an event or has rental space available, you are invited to set up a table and distribute your information. There is no charge, but you will need to RSVP, as space is limited.
Groups and organizations across Arkansas will be planning events focusing on this historic astronomical occurrence. Economic impact from the 2017 total solar eclipse in other states was massive. Since The Natural State is centrally located and our time of total darkness will be nearly twice that of the 2017 event, Arkansas is positioned to exceed those numbers.
For more information, contact Pasha Watson, Mena Advertising & Promotion Commission, 479-394-8355 or pasha@visitmena.com.
A solar eclipse is one of nature’s strange spectacles. This brief moment is a perfect opportunity to appreciate our planet’s natural beauty. Arkansas is lucky to be in the path of totality and has some of the best places to view it. Anyone within this path can watch the full eclipse. Outside of this path, you will only see a partial eclipse.
The Best Places in Arkansas to View the Eclipse
Polk County
The mountains of Polk County offer breathtaking views. The peaks between the Appalachians and Rockies offer the best places to watch this natural phenomenon. These peaks make Arkansas the perfect place to view this cosmic event.
The Blytheville region is a unique place to watch the eclipse. The city stands on the edge of an area rich in history and culture. It also has an ideal climate for viewing this celestial event, with relatively few clouds and plenty of sunshine.
The 2024 solar eclipse will be a spectacular experience. It is best to view it with friends or family members for the ultimate experience. Go prepared with food, water, a hat, sunblock, a blanket or jacket, and some
from large cities.
Tips for viewing through a camera/ telescope lens
When taking pictures of the eclipse, you will need a high-speed film or a high-speed digital camera. The best way to take photos is at the exact moment of totality. This will give you the clearest view of the eclipse. Carry a tripod to keep your camera still during the event. A solar filter is an excellent way to improve the view. The eclipse will change the color of the landscape and sky, so you will have to compensate for this.
In 2017, the percentage of eclipse totality in the western portion of Arkansas ranged from 87%-92% as viewed in the photo above, taken near Board Camp, before the moon moved past the sun (below). Overall, the event lasted approximately three hours.
(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)
This national park lies near Hot Springs, Arkansas, which National Geographic dubbed one of the top ten places to visit. The park is located in the path of totality and is a great place to watch the eclipse. Visitors can enjoy wildlife and nature from campgrounds, hiking trails, and more.
Ozark National Forest has abundant wildlife and numerous trails for hiking, horseback riding, and camping. This unique area offers many options for viewing the eclipse. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views and explore thick cedar, pine, oak, and maple forests.
safety glasses. The day of the eclipse will be hot and humid. If you should become dizzy or get too hot during your trip, drink plenty of water and lie down in the shade. If you are driving to see the eclipse, stop your car in a safe location before viewing.
Only view with proper safety glasses recommended by experts. Makers of protective glasses such as American Paper Optics have “… an optical density of 5 or greater, our ISO 12312-2 compliant and CE certified eclipse glasses are independently tested and safe for all phases of the eclipse.” These glasses protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays.
Look away from the sun frequently to avoid a headache. To get the best experience, you should be in a location surrounded by nature and far
If you are using a telescope, ensure good eye protection. You can see more with a telescope, but you may get heat stroke and wear out your eyes quickly. A telescope will give you a clearer view of the moon’s shadow and dark spots on the sun. They are also great for taking photos of the eclipse with a long exposure to capture its movement. You can purchase special filters to help you see more detail.
The beauty of the universe is in its mysterious ways, and it should be celebrated. Arkansas is home to some of the finest eclipse-viewing locations in 2024. Visit the state during this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the total eclipse. Bring a camera to capture the unforgettable experience.
(By Katherine Robinson, a writer for American Paper Optics)
Labor Day is more than just a day off work. It’s a day to celebrate the invaluable contributions of workers in our communities. In Arkansas, we have a good reason to celebrate.
The most recent report from the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) shows unemployment in our state at 2.6 percent. The jobless rate nationwide stands at 3.5 percent.
The median household income in Arkansas has increased steadily in the last 5 years and is now at $52,123.
ADWS releases the Arkansas Labor Market and Economic Report every year detailing projections for the job market. The most recent report shows Insurance Carriers are projected to be the top-growing industry in Arkansas. The Motion Picture and Video Industry is also projected to become one of the fastest-growing industries in the state, after having the worst drop in its history during the pandemic shutdowns.
Stockers and Order Fillers are predicted to be the top growing occupation as grocery stores and other retail establishments battle to keep store shelves stocked. The report notes there has been a decline in the number of teachers, tellers, and farmers.
The highest-paying occupations in the state are Emergency Medicine Physicians,
Ophthalmologists, Obstetricians, Surgeons, and Radiologists.
From those with a doctoral degree to high school graduates, all education categories are projected to see a positive net growth in occupations.
In the 2023 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed several bills aimed at increasing job growth and opportunities.
Act 517 increased the tax incentive for production and postproduction costs for a state-certified film project from 20% to 25% of costs and provided an additional 5% tax incentive for certain hiring, spending, and production activities.
Act 746 creates the Rural Economic Development Initiative to provide funds to planning and development districts for distribution to projects in rural areas to further rural economic development and revitalization.
Whether you are searching for the right job or the right person for the job, the Division of Workforce Services can help. ADWS offers a variety of services, like job search and résumé assistance, career counseling, workforce readiness training, and referrals to employers who are hiring. Learn about the labor market and the occupations that are most in demand in your area by visiting www.dws.arkansas.gov.
Over the course of the upcoming year legislators will study all the various laws in Arkansas governing firearms, with the intent of simplifying them.
The study was prompted by requests from law enforcement and instructors of gun safety. At legislative meetings this summer they have asked for clarification of when and where it is legal to carry firearms.
Legislators themselves have been seeking clarity on the state’s gun laws. Earlier this year lawmakers approved Act 777 to clarify that a concealed carry permit is not required in order to carry a concealed firearm in Arkansas. The purpose of issuing permits to Arkansas residents is to make it simpler for them to comply with gun laws in other states, and to qualify for reciprocal treatment.
The state attorney general already has begun working to clarify the state’s gun laws, along with the Senate co-chairman of the Legislative Council and the Senate co-chairman of the Council’s subcommittee that focuses on the Game and Fish Commission and the State Police.
As an example of how confusing the state’s gun laws can be, the attorney general said that in the past ten years, lawmakers had requested about two dozen official opinions about firearms.
The Game and Fish-State Police subcommittee will submit recommendations by October 1, 2024. The Legislative Council will consider the final report during its meeting in December of 2024, and the entire legislature will vote on the recommendations during the 2025 regular session. It begins in January of 2025.
One point of clarification will be the locations where carrying a concealed firearm is restricted, such as
courtrooms, jails and prisons. There is a distinction between ordinary concealed carry permits and enhanced permits, which allow the permit holder greater access to public areas.
Also to be decided will be the qualifications of firearms instructors, how much continuing education they must complete and the extent that the State Police is authorized to enforce standards for firearms instructors.
Arkansas laws and federal laws are not the same. Legislators will study and recommend which state agency is best qualified to answer questions about discrepancies between state and federal statutes.
The attorney general and legislative leaders emphasized that the purpose of the study will be to strengthen the protections in the Second Amendment, which guarantees the rights of citizens to bear arms.
The Arkansas legislature has never enacted a bill that would restrict the Second Amendment. However, understanding current laws can be complicated because there are so many on the books.
Representatives of law enforcement expressed support of the study, because they have sometimes have to interpret complicated and repetitive language. As the attorney general said, people should be able to make sense of Arkansas gun laws without having to hire a lawyer.
In 2017 the governor sent a letter to the State Police stating that “Act 743 of 2013 clarified that a person may open carry a handgun so long as there is no intent to unlawfully employ the handgun.” Any citation for mere open carry would be inappropriate and inconsistent with Arkansas law, the governor wrote.
Clarence Eldon Hardy, age 82, died on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at the National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born on Monday, May 26, 1941, to Clarence Bradford and Mildred Allene Cunningham Hardy in Lockney, Texas.
Clarence was a private man known for his honesty and industrious nature. He found joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as golfing, fishing, woodworking, sport shooting, and as a young man, playing fastpitch softball. Clarence was greatly loved by his grandchildren and known as “Papa Rascal.” He believed in teaching his loved ones the importance of nurturing family bonds and had a humorous lovehate relationship with stray animals, further illustrating his kindhearted nature.
One of Clarence’s most significant achievements was his service during the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Army. His bravery and dedication were hallmarks of his character, both on the battlefield and in his later life. Following his military service, Clarence married Joy Bradley, the love of his life, and soon welcomed their son, Lanny, into the world.
Clarence spent 16 years working for Coca-Cola in Plainview, Texas. In 1985, they moved to Mena, Arkansas, where he began a second career raising chickens for Tyson. They were members of the Hatfield
Church of Christ. His tireless work ethic was evident in everything he did, from his professional responsibilities to his recreational pursuits.
Clarence Hardy will always be remembered as a man of honesty, respect, and unwavering devotion. We celebrate his well-lived life and honor his enduring legacy.
Clarence is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 42 years, Joy Hardy; and one sister, Janice Aylesworth.
Clarence is survived by his wife Ragenia Hardy of Mena, Arkansas; his son and daughter-in-law, Lanny and Amanda Hardy of Noble, Oklahoma; one sister and brother-in-law, Allene and Donald Willis of Marietta, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Kayla and her husband, Derek Quillin of Chickasha, Oklahoma and Landon Hardy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one great-grandson, Wenston Quillin of Chickasha, Oklahoma; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 1, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Bowser Family Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas, with Brother Kevin Randolph officiating. Interment will follow the service at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas, under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, from 3-5 PM at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.
Online Guestbook: bowserffh. com
Millie Bea
Richardson, age 89, died, on Sunday, August 27, 2023, at the National Park Medical Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She was born on Monday, September 11, 1933, to Roosevelt David and Mozell Audrey Miles Richardson in Cerrogordo, Oklahoma.
Millie’s heartwarming presence touched the lives of many, leaving behind countless valuable lessons and cherished memories.
Millie was a woman of many talents and interests. She found joy in the tranquility of sewing, quilting, and crocheting, crafting beautiful items that were practical and filled with love. Just as she loved to nurture people, Millie also found peace and fulfillment in nurturing nature. She was an avid gardener, who had a profound love for the serenity of the outdoors. Her trips to the lake were her sanctuary, a respite from the hustle and bustle of life.
Her love for nature translated into her fondness for canning. She was known to share the fruits of her labor, literally and metaphorically, with her loved ones, filling their lives with the sweetness of her homegrown produce and the warmth of her hospitality.
Known for her kind and loving personality, Millie lived a life rich with lessons that she generously shared. She taught us the importance of loving one’s family and the power of a good heart. Her strength, resilience, and humility were stun-
ning, and the wisdom she passed on will continue to guide us.
Throughout her life, Millie’s Southern Baptist faith was a guiding light. She served her community and loved her family with unwavering devotion, reflecting the depth of her faith. For many years, Millie was a devoted homemaker, creating a warm and loving environment for her family. However, in addition to being a homemaker, she also worked at US Motors for six years, displaying a remarkable ability to balance her personal and professional life.
While Millie’s presence will be sorely missed, her spirit and teachings will live on in the hearts of those who loved her. As we mourn her passing, let us also celebrate the love and light she brought into our lives and the world around her.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Fred Richardson; one son, Steven Richardson; two daughters, Elizabeth Richardson and Margaret Gustafson; and one sister, Betty Clark.
Millie is survived by one son, Willard Richardson of Mena; one brother, Roosevelt Richardson Jr. of Las Mesa, California; seven grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Rock Spring Cemetery at Posey Hollow, Arkansas, with Brother Kenneth Posey officiating. No visitation is planned. Arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.
Online Guestbook: bowserffh.com
Paul D. Alexander, 87, of Cherry Hill, Arkansas, made his long-anticipated journey to heaven Friday, September 1, 2023, with family members present.
Paul was born in the farming community of Malden, Missouri, February 20, 1936. He served his country for 12 years as a Military Policeman in the Air Force in the states and in South Korea. After leaving the military, he pursued his dreams and became a livestock auctioneer for several cattle sales in the region, becoming well-known and highly sought-after for both his skills as an auctioneer and his reputation for honesty and fairness. He retired at age 80, after 50 years in that career. His love for family was at the forefront of his life. He still has a small hutch that was in his grandmother’s home during his childhood. He also still used and treasured the dining table his dad ordered for $5 from the catalog (chairs were $2 each) that he played under as a boy. Although he loved nothing more than staying in the home he and his wife had built on the farm, they rode all over the state with her daughter, Mitzi, to hundreds of football, baseball, softball, volleyball, track, and cheering events of grandchildren Clay and Whitney.
Paul was very much looking forward to reuniting with those who’d moved to heaven before him his beloved wife and soulmate, Joyce
Deramus Alexander; father and mother, Wayne and Ann Basey Alexander; brother Douglas Alexander; and devoted daughter Mitzi Duckett.
Paul is survived by his son, Monte Alexander, of whom he was extremely proud, and wife Eileen; grandchildren Clay Knighten (who he was sure could do anything) and wife Hayden; granddaughter he adored, Whitney Milum, and husband Michael; special sister-inlaw, Sue Egger (to whom he had gifted his prized mule, Lulu) and husband Arvin; wonderful sonin-law Ronnie Duckett and grandchildren Rhonda Benson and husband John; Kyle Duckett and wife Heather; great-grandchildren Kate, Easton, Hudson, & Kinley Diane (of the Knighten home); Cooper Mac, Conley Grace, and Mitzi Catherine (Milium); Maddie, Lauren, and Charlie (Benson); Trevor Pierce; and Parker and Mac Duckett; niece and nephew Duana Hawkins and Scott Egger; dear friends Ollie Williamson, Marietta Gillean, and Bruce Arrant.
He was very grateful to the outstanding staff at Homewood Cottages, to whom he spent his last months sharing his faith in Jesus and making numerous, very specific requests.
Graveside services will be led by Pastor Bruce Arrant at Cherry Hill Cemetery on Wednesday, September 6, at 10:00 AM under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena.
Pallbearers will be Monte Alexander, Clay Knighten, Ronnie Duckett, Arvin Egger, Scott Egger, and Johnny Miner.
Mrs. Gertrude “Trudy”
May, age 73, of Cove, Arkansas passed away on September 1, 2023, in her home. She was born on December 20, 1949, to Franklin Zeno Helms and Margaret Ann Helms, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Mrs. Trudy was a chicken house owner by profession, and enjoyed spending time gardening, reading, and working in her chicken houses, but above all else she loved to spend time with her family.
She was survived by her daughters, Loretta Jewell and husband Ronnie of Cove, Sherry Sullivan and husband James of Mena, Cynthia Carl and husband Mark of Jessieville; one son, Brian May and wife Nancy of Mena; along with 21 grandkids, 26 great-grandkids, and with many family and friends too numerous to mention.
She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Glen Dale May and daughter, Mary Willis.
Services for Mrs. May will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, September 7, 2023, at the Live Oak Baptist Church in Cove, Arkansas. Brother Paul Pullen will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. A visitation will be held Wednesday, September 6, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Beasley-Wood Chapel in Mena, Arkansas. Cremation services for Mrs. May will follow.
Pallbearers are James Sullivan Sr.,
James Sullivan Jr., Brian May, Ronnie Jewell, Cynthia Carl, and Stevie Willis.
Honorary Pallbearers are Bruce Willis, Steven Willis, and Dusty Stanley.
Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com
The blood of Jesus Christ not only washes away our sin; it washes away our past. The New Birth, if it means any thing at all it means that we get to start our lives again, free from the past regardless of what it may be. Christians must learn to live by the truth that the blood of Jesus Christ fully washes away the sins and the mistakes of our past. And all of us need that washing, no exceptions. And what we claim for ourselves we must allow for others, the past is the past; the blood takes care of it!
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese admiral who commanded the fleet that killed thousands and wounded thousands more at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, later became a Christian and then witnessed for Jesus Christ. Question: How can one who has done so much sinful damage and taken so many human lives, ever be saved, and delivered from that terrible past? Can it be possible?
Yes! The beautiful thing about the forgiveness of Jesus Christ is that He not only forgives sin, He cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness, past present and future (I John 1 :9). “If we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness ... all of it!”
No other knowledge is more important than this! Just to know that the past, all of it, with all that it contains of sin and mistake, has been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, and because of that washing we stand before God pure and clean. That is the power of the blood of the “Lamb of God.”
And this “washing” is possible for everyone, but it is not forced on anyone. It happens as we honestly pray to God (through Jesus), and acknowledge that we have sinned and fallen short of His plan for our lives. On the basis of this real confession we ask Jesus Christ to come into our lives and become our Lord and Savior. He will come in “all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
It is this “washing” that brings the “new birth” to us, and the “new birth” gives us new life in Christ.
And as God does not hold our past against us, we must not hold their past against others. In Christ we can do this! In our own “flesh” we cannot. Pretension will not do. We are what we are: We were sinners, now we are saints saved by the grace of God. Let us live by what we are, not by what we used to be. And let others do the same.
It is eternally true: There is power in the blood of the Lamb.
Joyfully paid for by the Friends of Jesus
continued from page 2
Egger was referring to the World Trade Center as more than 8,600 firefighters from the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) answered the call on 9/11, along with law enforcement and EMS. 2,997 people died that day, including 343 firefighters and eight EMS providers, dying to save others.
Many more rescuers died afterwards from cancer and other issues caused by toxic fumes and other related illnesses. Many survivors suffer from PTSD. Several of the survivors retired from the FDNY after 9/11.
Registration is at 7:30 a.m. and the climb begins at 8 a.m. Observing the firefighters last year — many of
them wearing their full 40 pounds of gear, not to mention some also wearing their oxygen tanks — it was an exhausting 30 minutes or so to climb the stadium bleachers wearing the same amount of gear similar to what the 343 would have worn. Some of the Mena firefighters had just finished a 24-hour shift.
The Mena Fire Department is excited to welcome the general public, fostering togetherness, and shared remembrance. Local fire, law enforcement, and EMS workers welcome you to climb with them.
Donations will also be accepted for The Benjamin Tyler Vincent Memorial Foundation.
This coming Monday, Sept. 11, is Patriot Day
Submitted by Julie Ulmer
Ouachita Little Theatre is producing a fall mystery-comedy based on the famous Clue board game by Hasbro.
The script itself is adapted from the “Clue” screenplay by Jonathan Lynn and is written by Sandy Rustin. Additional material is by Hunter Foster and Eric Price and is based on the Paramount Motion Pictures film of the same name.
The show dates will be Oct. 20, 21 ,22, 27, 28, and 29. Fridays and Saturdays will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m. All advanced reserved seats are available for purchase now at oltmena.com.
Director Jered Biard announces his cast: Chris Benner (Wadsworth)
Tara Cornelius (Yvette) Lindsey
Hamilton (Miss Scarlet) Linda
G. Johnson (Mrs. White) Alahna Norton (Mrs. Peacock) Robert Canterbury (Col. Mustard) Logan
Byrd (Prof. Plum) Chris Beaver (Mr. Green) Stacey Musgrave (The Cook) Arianna Davison (Singing Telegram) Silas Baker (Mr. Boddy) Drew Philpot (The Motorist) and J. Shane Carter (Unexpected Cop).
Ouachita Little Theatre looks forward to welcoming the community to another crowd-pleasing show!
In last week’s article “Giving multiplied with school supplies for children overseas” (Pulse, Aug. 30, 2023) the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation
information regarding Operation Christmas Child is at the same web address.”
The website offers free materials that includes the free shoebox label as well as instructions on how to pack a shoebox, suggested items, and a short list of
The Arkansas Self Storage Association (ARSSA) held its annual state convention and expo in Rogers at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Aug. 23-24.
Loren and Linda Whisenhunt, owners of the local Space Center Self Storage and Climate Control and Cathy Ollar, facility manager, attended these educational seminars. Loren is a founding member of the association. He has served as president and is presently on the board of directors. There were 105 registered attendees for the event with 37 vendor partners showcasing the latest building, security and insurance available for the industry.
The event featured guest speakers and learning seminars:
Christmas Child was described. School supplies, personal care items and fun toys are packed into shoeboxes. The boxes are then delivered to children in more than 100 countries, delivering over 10 million shoebox gifts.
Mary Meier notified The Pulse. “My church, Mountain View Methodist on Sutherland Avenue, is a collection point for shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. If you have filled shoeboxes that you’d like to donate, you can bring it by the church any Sunday morning between 10 a.m. and noon or contact me at 757-897-0967 and leave a message; I will be happy to arrange a meeting with you to pick up your box(es). We will need all boxes at the church by Nov. 5, so pick-ups must be before that date.
“There is a fee of $10 per box for shipping costs. This is a Samaritan’s Purse charge and collected by Mountain View Methodist to send with each shipment. It can be paid with cash or go online to samaritanspurse.org/occ and get a label with a tracking number. All
items not to include.
“If you are interested in donating,” Meier said, “but do not want to do an entire shoebox, please start collecting items on the Operation Christmas Child lists, as we will be putting together and collecting boxes next year as well, and we will be taking donations starting in the summer of 2024.”
Samaritan’s Purse shows to be in good standing with the IRS and they have received favorable ratings from organizations Charity Navigator, Candid, and Charity Giver. These organizations collect data about charities such as their mission, income, donation reliability and any fraud reports.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance (Give. org) reports that the organization has not responded to written BBB requests for information for has declined to be evaluated.
These organizations are linked from the Federal Trade Commission’s official Consumer Advice website.
• Scott Zucker, legal expert with Weissman Zucker Euster & Katz, P.C. presented an Arkansas operations and compliance update. Zucker also presented a legal perspective seminar on automation in the self-storage industry.
• Author Anne Ballard of Universal Storage Group presented seminars on both management metrics and marketing metrics featuring her 10+10=100 strategies.
• Cole Carosella of Argus Self Storage Advisors presented a market update for the self-storage industry.
Attendees were able to tour three state-of-the-art facilities in Benton and Washington county during the Expo. The event also hosted panel discussions made up of experts in the industry and roundtable discussions to foster shared learning among vendors and owner-operators.
The ARSSA annual meeting of members was held during the expo. The membership elected two new
board directors.
Board Officers for 2023-24:
• President Jody Harris, Eastside Self Storage, Fayetteville
• Vice President Stuart Finley, Arkansas Self Storage, Benton
• Secretary Jacob Tankersly, Uncle Tank’s Self Storage, Springdale
• Treasurer Michael Hall, North Pulaski Storage, Jacksonville
• Emeritus Bill Humble, U-Storit, Little Rock
Additional board directors include:
• Alex Clark, Pettigrew & Citadel Storage Advisors, Fayetteville
• Derek LaFargue, Southern Storage, Fayetteville
• Lance Liddell, Liddell Store-all, Paragould
• Jake Rennie, Mini Mall Storage, Plano, Texas
• Loren Whisenhunt, Space Center Self Storage, Mena.
The 2024 ARSSA Convention and Expo will be held in Hot Springs on Aug. 6-7, 2024, at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort. For additional information go to arsssa.org.
The Arkansas Self Storage Association exists to provide leadership and support for owners and operators in the self-storage industry across Arkansas. We address issues that specifically affect the self- storage industry in our state. We aim to be the resource for legal communication, education, and industry information, with the goal of a stronger self-storage industry in Arkansas.
By Jeff Olson
Since the mid-1970s, America has experienced a strong resurgence of Christian influence in the political spectrum. Movements such as the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition became viable forces in the process and outcome of elections in our country.
Beyond these organized groups, other people of faith have become more informed and active as citizens and some even as political candidates. This is good and how it should be, but it has presented a dilemma for the faith community because how we view, prioritize, and apply politics within our lives in the kingdom of man can place us in conflicting and compromising situations which may threaten or negate our identity and effectiveness in the Kingdom of God.
Since government is one of God’s ordained institutions and therefore derives its authority from God, it is within His design and purpose that it serves to preserve our God-given freedom to live, serve, and worship according to the scriptural precepts and the dictates of conscience.
The Bible is not explicit on how strong a role Christians are to play in politics, but it does instruct us implicitly: God’s purpose and design for government (Exodus 18); the Christian’s relationship to government (Romans 13); the Christian’s obligation to government (Matthew 22:15-22); and the Christian’s universal influence on society and culture (Matthew 5:13-16). Given these general Biblical principles, it then becomes the Christian’s decision on how he or she will prioritize and balance the commitments to personal and family life, life within the Church’s mission, and in being the salt and light we are to be in every other aspect of our lives.
It is not the intent of this writing to link any particular brand of politics to the Christian faith because this simply should not be done. However, it does
bear emphasizing that whatever choices are made will be a direct reflection of not only a person’s values but also the source of those values.
This is especially true for the Christian because the Christian faith is not only about relationship with Christ but also living in Christ through a Christian worldview where every area of life is under His lordship and instruction. However, it is very important to distinguish between what is merely a belief in God and the Bible and what is a committed daily lifestyle of the Christian life under the principles, power, and will of God. We must always consider how Christians and the church are viewed by the world around us.
One of my favorite songs is titled “By Our Love.” Its message is that the world will know us first and foremost by our love for God and one another. Our identity from the inside out must be measured most importantly by our relationship with, obedience to, and likeness to Christ (1 John 2:1-6) and not as another special interest group, voting bloc, or American subculture interested primarily in specific policy proposals. Regeneration of our lost neighbors is foundational to reformation of the national polity if the latter is to ever become an enduring reality.
Given these considerations, the Christian must decide if Caesar or God deserves first priority in his or her life? Jesus’ passion was/is His love for the Father and His desire to be one with Him, and His desire should be our desire as well (John 17:21, John 14:20).
This oneness is not only to be enjoyed internally, but it is also to serve as a message and example to the world that there is only one true God. Much too often the world sees a jigsaw puzzle picture of Jesus through our differences in theologies, priorities, traditions, lifestyles and in our inconsistent or absent love for one another. This also carries over into our roles as citizens of the state, in that some Christians and churches have more of a consensus on social/mor-
al issues and policies than on fundamental truths such as the inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures or the Trinity. Lest we forget, God’s authority is total and complete while Caesar’s is derivative and limited.
Having said all this, the Christian’s role as a citizen of the state must not be marginalized nor neglected but thrive in such a way that Christ is honored, and biblical principles are perpetuated. It is in fact a Christian’s duty to participate in public affairs because it is a part of his or her responsibility to bring all areas of life into conformance with the created order. Church and government must function within their ordained and defined roles while at the same time complementing one another.
The concept of religious freedom and other God-given rights arose from: the core biblical truth of man’s/woman’s creation in God’s image, inherent worth, dignity, and unique capacity for faith, reason and reflection; and nature of free will. It was through the Christian’s dual role as citizen of the kingdom of man and the Kingdom of God that fundamental human rights and freedoms were first articulated, codified, and preserved. In America, this is well documented through her colonial/ state civil/social orders and constitutions and her founding documents, primarily the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Political decisions play a major role in influencing and shaping culture. Therefore, it is necessary that those decisions be informed by transcendent biblical principles and the lessons of history so that our society and culture can be one characterized by an environment that is conducive to liberty of conscience and freedom of religious expression.
Maintaining the freedom to live the Christian life, share and preach the Gospel, defend the sanctity of human life, and preserve time-honored, God-ordained social institutions should motivate us to lead the way
in active and responsible citizenship where God has placed us.
A Christian’s dual citizenship should make us the best of citizens, because we do out of obedience to God that what others do only if they choose or if they are forced. And the Christian’s very presence in society means the presence of a community of people who live by the law behind the law.
Bringing about enduring Christian influence in America has more to do with vacation Bible school and discipleship training than with political science and history. While all of these are very important and can be symbiotic, keeping first things first is even more important. In the long term, America will be changed only from the inside out, one heart and one mind at a time. Those who are truly regenerated will love God and indiscriminately share His love and spread His salt and light through all avenues of life, including that of politics. This is the great cultural commission of the Kingdom of God, and if carried out will permeate our social, educational, and political institutions, and help preserve all of our God-given freedoms.
I’m so thankful for my customers and the business I’ve been blessed with. Mena is a beautiful place to run a business. So many of my customers feel more like friends. I enjoy visiting with my customers and learning their stories.
I have been particularly blessed the past few weeks as customers have brought produce from their gardens. It is encouraging when customers tell me that they enjoy reading my articles. Several have made special trips to my shop to say they enjoyed and appreciated a specific article.
One customer who made a special trip to see me is Tom Cody. When I worked for him some time ago, I got to know him and learned about his fascinating life on the railroad. I was so interested in his stories, that I wrote about him in one of my articles. When he stopped by my shop to visit, he gave me a stack of hand-typed stories that he had written.
As I read through Tom’s stories that evening, I was struck by how personal they were. They made me feel like I was riding the rails. When Tom gave me his stories, he permitted me to share them with my readers. One story resonated with me, as I have often experienced mechanical trouble.
“It’s hot, real hot, and the bell starts ringing. There is a dead engine back there somewhere because we are losing speed. The train is heavy and without just that one engine we cannot pull the hill. Our amps are climbing in the lead engine, and we know we are in trouble.
“It isn’t his job as a brakeman to know how, but if he is worth his salt, he has learned how to start downed units. So out the door, walk the catwalk and cross engines sometimes in excess of twenty-five miles per hour, and search for the culprit.
“Third engine back lights on, ‘hot engine,’ but it is still working. On back to the fourth, the engine is dead. The
low turbo pressure light is on, the governor button is out, and the sight glass is half empty. I isolate, reset, and then try a restart.
“Bingo, at least the batteries are okay, and the engine whines at idle. The blast of heat is nearly unbearable. I step back and watch the governor safety button. Damn, it popped out again, and the mechanical monster goes silent.
“I monkey along and walk all five units, looking inside engine compartments for just one pint container of governor oil because that is all the engine needs. Engine straining at maximum rpm, turbos whine, heat and noise, which is worse, both exceed the bearable… I cannot find oil.”
The Bible has several stories about running out of oil. We find one of those stories in Matthew 25. “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten young bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Now five of them were wise, and the other five were foolish. The foolish ones took their lamps but didn’t bring oil for them. But the wise ones took their lamps and also brought containers of oil.
“When the groom was late in coming, they all became drowsy and went to sleep. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Look, the groom! Come out to meet him.’
“Then all those bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. But the foolish bridesmaids said to the wise ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our
lamps have gone out.’” Matthew 25:18 (CEB)
Running out of oil can be a disaster. But running low on oil can also be a problem. In 2 Kings chapter 4, we find the story of a widow running out of oil. The widow came to the prophet Elisha and said, “’My husband, is dead. You know he honored the Lord. But now the man he owes money to is coming to take my two boys as his slaves!’ Elisha answered, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?’ The woman said, ‘I don’t have anything there except a pot of oil.’ Then Elisha said, ‘Go and get empty jars from all your neighbors. Don’t ask for just a few.’” 2 Kings 4:1-3 (NCV)
Interestingly, Elisha didn’t tell the widow to ask her neighbors for food or money. Instead, she was to ask for containers. Imagine with me what her neighbors were thinking. “What is she going to do with all these containers?”
I imagine that the widow was wondering the same thing herself. But she believed in God, and she trusted God’s prophet, Elisha.
Once they gathered the containers, Elisha told the widow, “‘Go into your house and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and set the full ones aside.’ So she left Elisha and shut the door behind her and her sons. As they brought the jars to her, she poured out the oil. When the jars were all full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another jar.’ But he said, ‘There are no more jars.’ Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told Elisha. And the prophet said to her, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay what you owe. You and your sons can live on what is left.’” 2 Kings 4:3-7 (NCV)
If we put what little we have in God’s hands, it’s not limited by our capabilities anymore; it is only limited by how much we think God can do. It is determined by how many containers we have rounded up. In the widow’s story, the oil stopped flowing when there were no more jars.
In Luke 18:27 (NKJV), Jesus says, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” The widow and her sons were in an impossible situation. Their cupboards were empty. But God had a way to take care of their impossible situation. The only thing that limited them was the number of jars that they had borrowed.
God gives us what we have and then tells us that if we use what He has given us, we will have what we need. He has given each one of us talents and gifts and strengths and abilities. The widow’s story teaches us that we must make them available to God; even though they seem small and insignificant, He can do great things for us.
Gentle Reader, all things are possible when you place them in God’s hands. If you run out of oil, ask Him to handle your situation. God doesn’t need what we have to produce more for us, but He is looking for us to trust Him with what we do have. “The wise have a generous supply of fine food and oil in their homes, but fools are wasteful, consuming every last drop.”
Proverbs 21:20 (VOICE)
Mena Mountain Resort has been in operation for 15 years. The Longorias built it from the ground up. The hotel and event venue caters to weddings, parties, conferences and reunions. The stone and wood structure is attractive and classy on the inside and out, including once you get to the central part of the building hidden away from the parking lot and highway, there’s a relaxing area with a pool.
It was built right around the time the April 2009 tornado hit Mena, with the owners getting ready to open. The Longorias chose to wait another year before opening.
The event center is more than a simple room with tables and chairs. The marble floors and decorative columns lead up to a stage.
Lou Longoria, co-owner and produc-
tion manager said, “We’re calling this theater the Grand Illusion Theatre.”
The name is an homage to Styx and their single “The Grand Illusion” off the triple platinum album of the same name, maybe with a hint of another triple platinum Styx album “Paradise Theater” (or “Theatre,” depending on which part of the album cover you look at.).
“’Welcome to the Grand Illusion. Come on in and see what’s happening. Pay the price… .’ That will be our theme, then the band will start, or the theater will start,” Lou said.
The theater has a decent-sized main stage, including a curtain barrier for backstage to house props, flats and other technical aspects. There are trusses and rigging to hold the lighting cans, spotlights and a sound system above the audience. Lou helps with the sound, lights and building things.
Denni Longoria, co-owner and actor, said, “We’ve done quite a few shows.”
She not only has experience working with the Ouachita Little Theatre (OLT), but her background goes back to her days living in the Dallas, Texas, area doing repertory theater off and on, as well as working in-the-round.
If it’s dinner theater performance, they can accommodate approximately 200 people, which is primarily what they do. They can seat quite a few more, of course, if it’s simply chairs with no dinner tables.
They have also begun performing shows on an extended stage to perform theatre-in-the-round, which allows the audience to surround the stage. This allows the actors to play to different parts of the room, requires little-tono scenery and leaves nowhere to hide mistakes.
“Only the last couple have been in the round,” Denni said. “The reason I wanted to do that is so we could use the upper stage for scene work and then we could drop some down low.
“We could probably get 200 in here, but we try not to get it so full that everybody doesn’t have a good seat. We limited the last one to 70 people because we weren’t onstage. It was mystery dinner theater. You can’t see good if you’ve got too many people and the actors are wandering the tables.”
As for the free adult acting workshops, this also includes high school students and is open to everyone, whether they have previous theater
experience or not. This includes interested people outside of Mena. The sessions begin Saturday, Sept. 9, and continue each following Saturday through Sept. 30 from 2-4 p.m. at the Mena Mountain Resort, located at 2817 Hwy. 71 North, just outside of Mena on the way to Acorn.
“There are quite a few people in town,” Denni said, “who have quite an extensive background. We’re trying to cultivate those people.”
The facilitators who will be instructing are Timothy Hesse, Scotty Jenkins, John Puddington and Michael Rohland. Combined, they have in excess of 100 years acting and directing experience.
Hesse has been acting and singing since he was a young child. He eventually received his Bachelor of Arts in Theater at Augustana College. After coming to Mena, he has acted in and directed plays at OLT, not to mention building sets, costuming, production work and several other hats. He also served as president of the OLT Board of Directors.
Denni said, “Scotty has probably been acting that long. He’s pretty active at OLT.
Submitted by Lena Day, Polk County Master Gardener
Polk County Master Gardeners is pleased to announce the winners who participated in the 2023 Polk County Fair talent competitions in the Horticulture, Farm Crops, and Fruit & Vegetables Crops categories. Each winner received a certificate.
Department / Section Divisions
Adult Senior (13 – 18) Youth 12 & under Horticulture / Flower Bouquets & Arrangements
Dawn Stoeckinger N/A Sadie Singleton
Horticulture / Fresh Cut Flowers Vickie Krehmeyer Reese Floyd N/A
Horticulture / Potted Plants Floyd Hayner Kohlea Carmack Kyelee Horn
Horticulture / Best of Show Dawn Stoeckinger Kohlea Carmack Kyelee Horn
Farm Crops Candace Thompson Kohlea Carmack Jasten Higgins
Fruit & Vegetable Crops
Elma Bantrager Abbie Dees Bracyn Richardson
Congratulations!
Lena Day, 2023 Fair project chair
Patsy Drager, 2023 Fair project co-chair
Judy Petty, PCMG president
Winners’ Exhibition Tables
continued from page 13
Big Fork Mall has recently had a double expansion. The cafe has a wide offering of down-home, comfort food. The mall has amenities for locals and travelers alike. They have a full-service restaurant, convenience staples, and your favorite brews. Stop by and check them out! Don’t miss their Fish Friday on the second Friday of each month. You can keep up-to-date via their Facebook page, Big Fork Mall (Erica Watts/Pulse)
Calvary Baptist Church’s service times will be changing effective Sept. 3: Coffee and donuts served starting at 9:15 a.m., Sunday school/Bible study (all ages) - 9:45-10:45 a.m., worship service @ 10:55 a.m., Sunday evening service @ 6 p.m., and Wednesday prayer service @ 6 p.m.
Polk County Disabled Veterans and Auxiliary will be holding their monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 7, at Veterans Park. A potluck will be served with meetings to follow.
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.
Free meal and a message at Living Word, 171 W. Johnson, Hatfield, Wednesdays @ 6 p.m.
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.
The Polk County Democrat meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 11, at PaPa’s Mexican Café on Hwy 71 South. Come early to socialize and eat. Bring a friend or two. Any questions? Call Linda Johnson at (479) 234-7966.
The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing. com
First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a 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.
GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.
The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from
noon-4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.
The Cove Branch Library is open Monday and Thursday from noon-5 p.m. The Library is located next to Cove Town Hall at 5568 Hwy. 71 S.
Polk County Social Seniors will be meeting at noon, Sept. 12, at the New China Restaurant on Hwy 71 North. Come and meet new friends. Bring a friend or two. Any questions call Linda Johnson at (956) 241-2633.
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. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 3852373.
Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove gathers every Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.
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.
The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4-6 p.m., located at Fair Grounds Road. For more information, call (479) 437-4018.
American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows. Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.
Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.
Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street and Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.
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!
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. T0920
Carter’s Excavating - Licensed Contractor: Heavy and light dozer work, heavy excavation, soft ground to rock excavation, heavy off-road hauling, road design and construction 50 years in trade, 40 years in area. Subsidiary of RCI Construction (479) 394-9227
T0906
Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate. T1101
Carter’s Excavating - Licensed Contractor: Roads, bridges, house pads, building pads, basements, land clearing, small lots to large tracks, ponds, stream crossings, farm roads, building demolition, site planning & prep.
50 years in trade, 40 years in area. Subsidiary of RCI Construction. (479) 394-9227
T0906
Mobile lawnmower repair and repair flats. Minimum, $20 service call. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204. T0906
Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, and roads. Military discounts. Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T1101
Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T0920
F.M. Dix Foundry is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.
Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.
T0830
Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced CNC Machine Operator. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.
Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.
T0830
Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for a technical/phone sales position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering technical inquiries, providing product information and recommendations, troubleshooting with potential and current customers, and processing orders in a fast-paced office setting.
Parts, automotive, and computer experience would be helpful.
Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.
Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.
T0830
Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.
Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment
T0830
For sale - AKC English Bulldog puppies. Two females, standard colors all in the same litter, and ready for their new home. Facebook Arklatex Bulldogs to see these beauties. Call 870-642-3104 for more information. TFN
The Polk County Road Department will be accepting sealed bids for a new portable self-contained hydraulic material stacker. Bids are to be opened in the Polk County Judge’s office at the Polk County Courthouse at 507 Church Avenue in Mena, Arkansas at 3:00 PM September 19th, 2023.
All interested parties should contact Polk County Judge Brandon Ellison at 479-394-8133 for complete specifications and instructions.
The Polk County Road Department will be accepting sealed bids for one new bottom dump trailer capable of hauling a minimum of 24 tons. Bids are to be opened in the Polk County Judge’s office at the Polk County Courthouse at 507 Church Avenue in Mena, Arkansas at 3:00 PM September 19th, 2023.
All interested parties should contact Polk County Judge, Brandon Ellison at 479-3948133 for complete specifications and instructions.
September 6, 2023
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.
August 28, 2023
An incident at a residence on Mena Street near Hatfield led to the arrest of William Dollarhyde, 27, of Mena on charges of Criminal Trespass and Public Intoxication.
August 29, 2023
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 31 near Cove in reference to an altercation.
Deputies responded to a report of property damage at a residence on Polk 76 near Acorn.
Thomas Jones, 24, of Wickes was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.
August 30, 2023
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Peaceful Lane near Mena in reference to a missing firearm. Deputies responded to a report of a physical altercation at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 648 near Mena in reference to a welfare check.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 42 near Mena in reference to a tracking device being found on a vehicle. Information has
been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.
August 31, 2023
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 35 near Hatfield in reference to a structure fire. Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to harassment. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 36 near Hatfield in reference to a verbal altercation leading to the arrest of Curtis Womack, 60, of Hatfield on a charge of Disorderly Conduct. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.
September 1, 2023
Deputies were dispatched to a business on Hwy 71 S near Hatfield in reference to harassment.
An incident on Hwy 71 near Cove led to the arrest of Allen Loving, 58, of Hatfield on a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Also arrested was Alithia Loving, 48, of Cove on a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine. Martin Dollaryhyde, 48, of Mena was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.
September 2, 2023
A traffic stop on Hwy 71 South led to the arrest of Christina Eskew, 44, of Broken Bow on charges of DWI, Open Container, and Careless and Prohibited Driving.
An incident at the Polk County Fairgrounds led to the arrest of William Cude, 40, of Mena on charges of Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, Open Container and Possession of a Schedule VI Controlled Substance.
Deputies responded to an area on Polk 59 near Board Camp in reference to disruptive ATVs leading to Kevin House 20, of Point, Texas being issued a citation for Minor in Possession.
Shannon House, 56, of Grannis was arrested by an officer with the Grannis Police Department on charges of Disorderly Conduct and Drinking in Public.
September 3, 2023
Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Pate Lane near Board Camp in reference to a trespasser. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 485 near Wickes in reference to a dog bite.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 1 vehicle accident this week.
Polk County Detention Center
Jail Population: 38 Incarcerated Inmates with 10 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.
August 27
A report of theft was taken from a walk-in complainant.
August 28
A report of unauthorized use of a vehicle was taken at a residence on Canterbury Street.
A report of criminal mischief was taken from Mena Water Department.
August 29
William Pierce, 39, was charged with Violation of a Protection Order and served with a warrant after a disturbance call to a residence on Janssen Avenue.
A report of criminal mischief was taken at Janssen Park.
August 30
A report of harassment was taken from a walk-in complainant. Madison Scott, 21, was charged with Theft at Walmart.
A theft report was taken from a walk-in complainant.
August 31
No report.
September 1
Tyler Cornelius, 29, was served with a warrant at the county detention center.
Drake McKelvey, 22, was charged with Theft at Walmart.
A report of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct was taken at a residence on Evans Circle.
September 2
John Cook, 49, was served with a warrant at a residence on 7th Street.
HOT SPRINGS, ARK. – August 22, 2023 – The Ouachita National Forest is proposing to implement recreation fees at Wolf Pen Gap Off-Highway Vehicle Trail Complex, Little Missouri Falls Day Use Site, and the Shady Lake Recreation Area Caretaker’s Cabin. The public is invited to provide input to these proposed fee changes.
The goal of these changes is to establish a consistent fee schedule for all recreation areas in the Ouachita National Forest and to provide extra value for forest visitors through the federal America the Beautiful program.
For over a decade, fees have remained at their current levels with some remaining unchanged since 2004. As a result, the Recreation Resource Advisory Committee has been established to ensure fee proposals are reasonable and publicly acceptable. By law, fee change proposals for National Forest recreation areas are presented for public comment and must be approved by the RAC. Members of this committee are citizens representing a broad array of recreational interests.
Proposed fee changes include:
• Wolf Pen Gap OHV Trail Complex: The proposed fees are to be phased in over a period from March 2024 to March 2028, beginning with a fee of $5 per OHV/ATV/UTV per day, or $40 annual yearly pass; then increasing to the final fee of $10 per OHV/ATV/UTV per day, or $60 for annual yearly pass in March 2028.
• Little Missouri Falls Day Use Site: Proposed fee of $5 per motorized vehicle, per day.
• Shady Lake Recreation Site, Caretaker’s Cabin and area: Proposed use fee is to be $100 per night for use
of the cabin and $10 per tent, per night, set up adjacent to the cabin. A maximum of four tents, no more than 48-inches in height at center pole, would be allowed.
America the Beautiful Interagency Passes will be honored for applicable discounts.
The “Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004” allows the Forest Service to retain 80% of fees collected at recreation sites to use locally in the operation, maintenance and improvements of these sites.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed fee changes to the developed recreation program. The comment period is set to end by close of business on Oct. 31, 2023. To ensure that your comments are considered, please send your comments no later than the above date to:
Ouachita National Forest
Attention: Bill Jackson P.O. Box 1270 Hot Springs, AR 71902
or via email at r8_ouachita_recreation@usda.gov.
Comments can also be provided online at https://usfs.maps.arcgis. com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=72a44f7743c948b69e9b273c6cfc5f60/
Oral comments may be provided in person at the Ouachita National Forest during normal business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.) or by calling 501-321-5253 and indicating a desire to provide comments on the proposed recreation fee changes.
For more information on the proposed project, visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita/.
This is an exciting time of year filled with hope and promise as students begin a new school year. It’s also a season that brings people together to cheer on their favorite football team.
There is something unique about the enthusiasm for the sport that shapes the identity of schools, communities and fans. Like many Arkansans, I know firsthand how athletics builds character and teaches lifelong lessons that extend beyond the field.
Growing up in Fort Smith, I looked up to Razorback players and coaches and watched games on Saturdays. Having the opportunity to suit up in Hogs gear under legendary Coach Frank Broyles was a dream come true.
Outside of family, the people who had the greatest influences on my life were coaches and teachers. Perhaps none more so than Coach Broyles.
Coach Broyles had a great ability to attract good people to surround himself with, and he made them better. Since he had so many assistant coaches come through the program that went on to do great things in football, the award given to the best assistant coach in college football is now named after him.
He was a great mentor for his staff and the athletes he recruited.
Coach Broyles was fond of saying “there are two types of people in this world: givers and takers. Live your life as a giver, not a taker.”
I have carried that bit of wisdom with me throughout my life and certainly while serving Arkansans in the Senate.
In a recent episode of The Elephant in the Room podcast, we talked about how sports teach us to work as a team.
On the field players learn quickly that by working together you can achieve great things, but it requires cooperation and the participation of all team members.
It’s a practice coaches share that also translates off the field.
When I was first elected to Congress to represent the Third District of Arkansas in 2001, I became friends with Congressman Tom Osbourne who was representing a district in Nebraska.
Prior to serving in Congress, Tom was one of the winningest head coaches in collegiate football history. He coached Nebraska teams to 13 conference championships, three national championships and earned a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.
He understood that this life we are given is about more than personal accomplishments. He felt compelled to give back and thought the best way to use his talents was to serve in the House of Representatives.
The old football player in me sought out the Coach for counsel when I got to Washington.
He provided a wealth of advice, but perhaps the best lesson he taught me was that, even in a place like Washington, you can get a lot accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit.
There is so much truth in this insight. We are stronger and smarter as a team. When each person brings their individual talents to the table we can change things for the better and celebrate the victories together.
As the 2023 football season kicks off, I wish all players, coaches and fans a great season, and I encourage all of us to remember the valuable lessons learned on the field are just as important after the final whistle blows.
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division is now accepting applications for wildland fire suppression kits through Oct. 20. The application can be found at cognitoforms.com/ArkansasAgriculture1/ Application ForWildlandFireSuppressionKit.
The Forestry Division received $293,154 through a United States Forest Service grant to provide 85 kits this year to rural volunteer fire departments across the state. Since 2014, more than 670 wildland fire suppression kits have been distributed.
Volunteer fire departments are the primary partner to Forestry Division crews in wildfire response and suppression, but they are often in need of specialized equipment and gear necessary for safe wildfire suppression. The necessary equipment and gear in the kits include lightweight wildfire-resistant coveralls, wildland gloves, rakes, backpack water pumps, and leaf blowers.
Rural volunteer fire departments are encouraged to apply online, but paper applications are available upon request. Applications are scored according to specific criteria to include the population of the fire district, the number of square miles covered, the average number of wildfires a department responds to annually, and other factors.
The selected departments will be notified in November and kits will be delivered in the spring of 2024 or as soon as supplies are received.
Fire departments may contact Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at kathryn. mahan@agriculture.arkansas.gov or 501-679-3183 with questions. More information about the program can be found at agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry /rural-fire-protection-program/.
The 2023 Great Arkansas Cleanup begins Saturday, Sept. 9 and will continue throughout the end of October. The event takes place annually in Arkansas the first Saturday after Labor Day and lasts through October.
Not only is Keep Arkansas Beautiful a certified affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, but they are a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, which is one of four state agencies that share proceeds from the Amendment 75 1/8-cent Conservation Tax. Their 1% of the 1/8-cent tax provides an annual budget of approximately $869,000.
In 2022, all 75 Arkansas counties participated in some way. More than 17,500 volunteers put in over 145,000 volunteer hours. The total economic value returned back to communities in 2022 was nearly $4.8 million.
Polk County does have at least three events at the time of this writing that will be taking place. Volunteers are welcome and asked to help at any, or all, of the events.
Clean Up Polk County
Date: Saturday, Sept. 9
Time: 8-10 a.m.
Meeting Place: Handy Hardware
2584 U.S. Hwy. 71 N Mena, AR 71953
Contact: 479-234-7966 or bandljohnson@hotmail.com
Details: Human Rights Mena will be joining the Democratic Party of Polk County for a Great Arkansas
Cleanup event, called Clean Up Polk County. The groups will meet at 7:45 at Handy Hardware to register and pick up supplies. They will pick up litter from 8-10 a.m. They are inviting everyone to join them. All items needed will be provided. They will pick up litter along Hwy. 71 in Mena for at least a 1-mile stretch on both sides of the highway. All volunteers welcome. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes, bring plenty of drinking water. Hats, bug spray and sunscreen suggested.
Centennial Day of Service: Keep Arkansas Beautiful Fall Cleanup Event
Date: Saturday, Sept. 30 Time: 9-11 a.m. Meeting Place: Wonder House Parking Lot
3877 Hwy. 88 West Mena, AR 71953
Contact: 479-394-2863
Details: Celebrate a century of Arkansas State Parks by helping preserve Queen Wilhelmina State Park for future generations. Take in the scenery of Rich Mountain while ensuring the park is clean for future generations to enjoy! By participating in a Centennial Day of Service, you can work towards meeting a 100-hour service goal with prizes along the way. Meet at the Wonder House at 8:45 a.m. to register and pick up garbage bags, gloves, and a free t-shirt. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes and bring plenty of drinking water for gathering litter along park roadsides.
Centennial Day of Service: Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area
Date: Saturday, Oct. 14
Time: 1-4 p.m.
Meeting Place: Visitor Center
19080 Hwy. 278 West Wickes, AR 71973
Contact: 870-385-2201
Details: Please join the staff at Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area and members of the Arkansas Canoe Club for a Great Arkansas Cleanup event. A clean, beautiful park is something you can enjoy and be proud to share with future generations. Volunteers will help clean up the wild and scenic Cossatot River, access points, or surrounding roadways. Registration will be held at the park visitor center. The park will provide trash bags, gloves, safety vests and other supplies. Bring your snacks, water, and pick-up sticks or grabbers. We also highly recommend wearing boots for this event.
By Ethan Nahté
Since 2017 the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Association (ASA) has presented Red Ribbon Grants to Schools in the state of Arkansas. Arkansas sheriffs have had the honor in presenting these funds to their county schools to help promote a drug free community.
ASA’s mission for “…the drug program is to provide children, K-12, with the information they need to live the best drug free life as possible. We aim to provide skills that lead to better decision making and a healthier life.”
Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. The United States Postal Service issued the Drug Free USA stamp during Red Ribbon Week in 2020.
For a school to be considered for an ASA Red Ribbon Grant, an application must be filled out before this month’s deadline of Sept. 25. Up to $1,000 could be awarded. The grant money must be used for Drug Education during the 2023-2024 school year. School’s that are selected will be notified by Sept. 29. Additionally, a general statement of
need, a description of the school’s goal and/or purpose, an itemized and detailed budget, a count of the potential number of students to reach, and any additional information to consider.
Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer said, “I know Mena has received the Red Ribbon Grant before. I’m not sure about Ouachita River and Cossatot.”
Sawyer also posted on his Facebook page: “Cossatot River SD, Mena SD, and Ouachita River SD... The Arkansas Sheriff’s Association ‘Red Ribbon Week’ grant application has opened up. The deadline is September 25, 2023. I’d love to see all 3 of our school districts get some of this grant $$.”
The application, instructions and other information can be found at https://arsheriffs.org/red-ribbon-html/. The page is also where all completed materials must be uploaded.
The Mena Bearcats were in action Friday, Sept. 1, at Centerpoint. Jair Hernandez, who has been known to win the game in the final couple of minutes, if not seconds, made a 44yard field goal to give the Bearcats a 17-16 victory over Centerpoint.
The game had been scheduled for broadcast, but there were issues due to internet connectivity, preventing the KENA 104.1 FM play announcers from obtaining a signal.
Mena improves to 2-0 and will play at Lincoln in northwest Arkan-
sas on Sept. 8. The Wolves are also 2-0.
The Mount Ida Lions played in northeast Arkansas on Sept. 1, taking on the McCrory Jaguars. The game was bogged down by penalties, primarily against Mount Ida. In the second quarter a penalty that the Lions’ announcers both said should have been called a dead ball penalty went uncalled and resulted in McCrory scoring the first touchdown. The last :39 seconds of took over five minutes to play due to tall of the penalties and timeouts. The quarter ended with Mount Ida behind 14-0.
When the second half began, it had been confirmed that the dead ball penalty would’ve been the right call, but the game went on. Mount Ida did begin the third quarter with No. 25Ben Woodfield returning for a 40-yard gain from the kickoff, making it to the Jaguar’s 25-yardline. From there, it seemed there was confusion on downs, turnovers, and more. The Lions got to less than a yard from the endzone on penalties against the Jaguars, then the penalties went the other way and
saw the Lions getting further away until they ended up 4th and long and never managed to score.
The three officials on the field seemed to be calling different things on several plays, to the point that the announcers stated they were arguing on the field.
The evening ended with McCrory winning 28-0.
Select Mount Ida games can be heard on KQOR 105.3 FM.
The new Cossatot River Eagles were scheduled to play their debut game in school history on Tuesday, Sept. 5, after we went to press.
The Mena Ladycats had a tough night playing at Lakeside last Thursday. Both the JV and the Varsity teams lost 0-2.
They were scheduled to take on Malvern at the Union Bank Center Tuesday evening after we had gone to press.
You can hear select Ladycat games announced by Sherri Hines, also on KENA.
continued from page 12
“Mike is fairly new. He’s from California and done theater out there.
“John has done professional theater in London, I think. He’s been around.”
“It’s not going to be the actor’s workshop in New York City. We’re wanting to get to know more people who have the same interest that we do, and that want to be involved with our projects… show a little bit of dedication to the project.”
Evelyn Dedman, the workshop coordinator and an actor, said, “In general, it’s a good life-building exercise. We’re hoping that they’ll have an interest in the theater, even if they’re just hoping to gain more confidence in getting up to speak in front of a crowd.”
Evelyn and Denni agree that improv training is very good for an actor who forgets their lines, or the other actor forgets their lines.
formed small-cast plays, everyone tends to wear many hats at the Grand Illusion Theatre. Even if someone isn’t enthusiastic about being on the stage, the group is also looking to meet people with creative, technical or construction skills.
“We’re offering the free sessions for high school and up because we feel like there might be a lot of high school students who have an interest,” Evelyn said. “With our instructors, there’s such a vast amount of experience from all aspects of it, from professional theater to local theater to directing.”
“Most of our plays are fairly modern,” Denni said. “We’re going to look at the workshops and see if there are people in there that we might want to consider casting so we can do a bigger cast show. We focus on small casts for now, but we’d love to extend that and have more people. It’s just that you work with what you’ve got.”
Lou said, “Once they get comfortable with the workshop, we can graduate them into the scene for playing and performing. I think it’ll work. It just takes time.”
The class is not only for those wanting to perform in local theater, but people seeking new friends, wanting to improve their public speaking skills and confidence, feeling more self-assured and increasing teamwork.
There may be some education on stage placement, blocking, auditioning, read-throughs, and stage terminology.
The workshop will not be including singing or dancing.
“It’s getting together a bunch of people with a common interest,” Denni said. “We want them to have a good time. We’re going to be doing some improvisational work. We’re hoping that the workshop will help people to hone their skills. Even if they’re doing a show somewhere else, they can do scene work or work on projects they are currently involved in.
Denni said, “I use to always say that I can do anything on the stage reading somebody else’s words, but if I have to say my own words or be me, no,” she laughed. “I hated speech in college.”
Evelyn, who has performed in only one play and acted as stage manager in another, said, “I went to the OLT to see ‘White Christmas’ and they talked about the audition for ‘You Can’t Take It With You.’ I thought I’d like to learn theater. I auditioned and got a part. Little did I realize that I not only needed to learn my part, I needed to learn the part of everybody else so I knew when to say my part. If you’re somebody like me, who knows nothing, this is a good opportunity to get a good understanding. I wish I had known that before I auditioned.”
Being a small group that has per-
Denni said, “This is a hobby for me. I love it, I’m passionate about it and I’m serious about it, but mainly, it’s about having fun.”
They have been reading several plays and hoping to do something in November, so it won’t conflict with OLT’s performance schedule. People attending the free sessions could find themselves with a role before the end of 2023.
For those interested in participating, there is no scenes they need to prepare before arrival, nor is there anything they need to bring. They do prefer people calling 479-394-3110 before the first class so they have an idea of what size class they will be working with.
“It’s free and there’s no commitment,” Evelyn said.
“Whoever is interested in joining,” Lou said, “welcome aboard.”
