Polk County Pulse July 21, 2021

Pulse THE POLK COUNTY

FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600

July 21, 2021

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

Mena Schools look forward to upcoming year

INSIDE:

Christmas in July

New leadership at helm promotes togetherness

By Jeri Pearson

Page 10

Crash causes road congestion Photo courtesy of Sheriff Scott Sawyer A motor vehicle accident involving multiple vehicles blocked both lanes of US71 north of Cossatot High School Friday evening. First responders worked swiftly to open both lanes of traffic within a couple of hours.

Extension Day Camp

Page 15

Page 12

See MENA SCHOOLS page 3

Standridge announces intent to run for office

for 30 years.

"We are an established, loyal, committed family and Lisa Standridge has anit is those values that I want nounced she will run for the to bring with me to the ofPolk County Clerk position, fice of county clerk," Stanwhich will be vacated by Terdridge said. ri Harrison next year.

Lisa was born and raised Standridge will appear on in Mena and completed her the ballot in May 2022 and associate's degree from Rich desires residents to be made Mountain Community Colaware of her intent to serve the people of Polk county.

Lisa Standridge lege and then went on to SAU for her bachelors, before Lisa has been married for 33 years to Jimmy, who has been em- obtaining a masters degree. She is certiployed by a local propane distributor fied to teach K12 special education and

By Jeri Pearson

Dirt Track Dreams

Dr. Lee Smith is busy making rounds across the community as the new superintendent of Mena Public Schools, along with Bridget Buckley, who has taken the position of assistant superintendent.

Their goal for the district is to engage the community while inspiring students and preparing graduates.

Smith and Buckley spoke to Mena-Polk County Rotary last week and shared the districts vision to be a col-

has worked for Mena Public Schools for seven years and has 13 years of teaching experience.

In addition to her qualifications to educate, inform and assist, Standridge also has experience in managerial roles in the banking and medical industries, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other administrative areas that transition well to the county clerk position.

"I've been attending Quorum Court meetings and familiarizing myself with the operations of the county, as well as

See STANDRIDGE page 2

2 News

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July 21, 2021

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Lisa Standridge with her husband, Jimmy, sons Jacob and wife Taylor and their children, and Jared and wife Emmalie.

STANDRIDGE continued from page 1 researching and educating myself with information from the Arkansas Association of Counties and other avenues so that I'm familiar with the duties, expectations, policies and procedures," Standridge said.

"I have wanted to serve the people of Polk County in a capacity like this for a long time," she continued. "When the opportunity came up for me to exercise my right to run for office, I felt led to begin researching and passionately pursue the call I feel is on my heart. We are so fortunate to be able to have free elections in our magnificent country and being part of that process is humbling. I hope to bring that reverence for our nation to the office and run a campaign that is a living testimony that honors our country and the residents of Polk County."

Lisa and Jimmy attend Hillcrest Baptist Church and pride themselves on family values.

"We are just like everyone else, fam-

ily is everything," she said, noting the things that are important to residents of Polk County are important to the Standridge family. "We have truly been blessed to have our children choose to continue to make their lives here and raise our grandchildren right down the street."

The Standridge's children include Jacob, a 2012 graduate of Acorn, and his wife Taylor and their two children, and Jared, a 2015 graduate of Acorn, and his wife, Emmalie.

The family enjoys going on ATV rides and enjoying the natural beauty of Polk County together.

Jimmy said he fully supports his wife's desire to serve.

"We are Polk County people and I know she cares about this a lot, and I love her and have never held her back," he said. "She knows what Polk County stands for, and I hope the voters will stand with her in May."

THE POLK COUNTY

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July 21, 2021

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MENA SCHOOLS continued from page 1

laborative community of life-long learners and independent thinkers who strive beyond academic excellence and contribute to society, the world, and the future.

Smith said his primary goal this year is to emphasize the districts vision and mission.

“We've been experiencing changes and with new leadership it is important to revisit and engage with community and have a unified vision of what Mena needs to be,” he said, noting this year’s theme is Better Together.

“We spent so much time a part last year, and during that time we learned that we are better together - unified,” he said. “We’ve been so distracted by the pandemic. We want to come back together and get focused on learning.”

Smith said the district developed a ready to learn plan last year as a result of changes required by the state to adhear to policies developed as a result of the pandemic.

He said 1,105 students or staff were quarantined last year.

“That's a large portion of our population that was sent home for at least 10 days,” he said. “But we did not have to close school and felt like we faced that challenge well with the procedures and changes that were put in place to mitigate the spread of COVID.” Smith said,though, the district cannot mandate masks at this time, he feels confident the challenge of COVID variants can be faced.

Smith noted there were academic casualties as a result of the changes last year.

“At one time 20 percent of middle and high school students were failing one course,” he said. “K5 and emerging readers, were also impacted.”

Plans to spend more than $7 million restricted federal funds to overcome learning loss and mitigate COVID are being developed and community par-

ticipation is requested by filling out a survey available on the district’s website.

A portion of those funds have been used to hire four new certified staff to assist students who are the furthest behind.

The air quality at the middle school and Holly Harshman may also see an improvement, with federal funds being used to upgrade the HVAC systems there.

“Those systems will be replaced with HIPAA air filters and a system that uses UV to treat air,” Smith said. “That’s at the expense of $4,000 per classroom, that won’t have to come out of our budget because we can use the federal money.”

A new k5 curriculum will also be introduced this year at the cost of $350,000, also from federal funds.

“The Science of Reading approach is now mandated and this curriculum meets that standard. Teachers will be in training this summer for that curriculum,” Smith said.

Smith said there was a high correlation with students who failed a class with virtual learning.

“What's missing is the motivation to learn and what creates that is the personal connection with teacher. Sometimes it is friction but most of the time its encouragement,” he said.

Difficulties last year involved a lack of expectations and the state department of education requesting educators not put additional burden on families who were adapting to the changes in virtual education.

“Families and students and teachers were all in a learning curve last year as we found a way through the changes and challenges,” Smith said. “But policy was put out in January and that gave teachers power to give incompletes, which could turn into zeros on final grades. We were worried about the senior class, and in the end we had fairly good results.”

News 3

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Pulse AG Alert: Immediately Delete Vulgar Text Messages

July 21, 2021

Permanent display at UARM made possible through grant

In an effort to support the local artisan community, Johnson Learning Commons on the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain campus purchased several items to remain on permanent display. Using Libraries Transform Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries grant funds, several of the downtown merchants will be featured in JLC as a means to promote small businesses in the area while adding to the aesthetics of the library. The grant was a partnership between the American Library Association and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and was supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and a private donor.

For more information about Johnson Learning Commons, please visit https://www. uarichmountain.edu/library.

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Scammers have resorted to new lows in an age-old scheme to steal consumers’ personal information. Attorney General Leslie Rutledge is once again warning Arkansans of phishing schemes where scam artists will send a link through text or email hoping the cell phone users will allow access to information on the phone. The updated scam adds additional shock value because scammers have added vulgar and sexual messages in anticipation that users will click that link. This scam is an attempt to surprise users while gaining access to personal information stored on their device.

Do NOT answer or engage with the text message. These scams are attempting to get a response from group members to steal personal information off the phone.

Block the calling or texting number on your phone and delete the texts.

If the calling number is the spoofed contact of someone you know unblock

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the number after a few hours or days; otherwise, the person with that number will not be able to reach you.

Cell phone users may have an option to filter and block messages from their phones directly. Users can filter and block messages on an iPhone and block a phone number on an Android phone. iPhone and Android users also have the ability to report spam and junk messages that are sent to their phones. iPhone users can find additional information here while Android users can find information here.

Any cell phone user can also report text messages by copying the message and forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM) and reporting the message to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc. gov.

For more information and tips on how to avoid a scam, call the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office at (800) 4828982 or visit ArkansasAG.gov.

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State News 5

July 21, 2021

From the

State House of Representatives

items you can purchase taxThis week, we want to remind you about the upcoming free. In the most recent legislaArkansas Sales Tax holiday. tive session, we passed Act 944, This year, the event will begin which amended the sales tax at 12:01 am on Saturday, Auholiday to include electronics. gust 7, and end at 11:59 pm on Examples include a calcuSunday, August 8. lator, desktop computer, cell This is now the 10th year John Maddox phone, e-reader, computer that Arkansans can take advantage of this break from state and lo- mouse, laptop, monitor, printer, keyboard, and tablets. cal sales tax on certain purchases.

It does not include video game sysAct 757 of 2011 provides for a sales tax holiday in Arkansas during the tems or televisions.

The sales tax holiday does include first weekend of August each year. A sales tax holiday is a temporary peri- purchases made online. od when state and local sales taxes are The National Retail Federation estinot collected or paid on the purchase mates that this year the average famiof certain products. ly will spend more than $780 getting Clothing less than $100 per item is their children the necessary supplies exempt during the weekend, as well and clothes to go back to school. as clothing accessories less than $50 The sales tax holiday was created to per item. Clothing accessories include help reduce the financial burden on handbags, cosmetics, jewelry, umbrellas, and more. Most school supplies, families during this time. We hope you including book bags, binders, paper, take advantage of this opportunity.

We have posted a link with all tax-excrayons, pencils, and rulers, are also empt items on our website www.arkanexempt.

But this year, there are even more sashouse.org.

Contact Your Legislators!

John Maddox

john.maddox@ arkansashouse.org 520 Church Avenue Mena, AR 71953 Call: 479-394-6060

Larry Teague

Larry.Teague@senate.ar.gov P.O. Box 903, Nashville, AR 71852 870-845-5303

John Boozman

1120 Garrison Ave. Suite 2B Fort Smith, AR 72901 Phone: (479) 573-0189 Fax: (479) 575-0553

Bruce Westerman

101 Reserve St. Suite 200 Hot Springs, AR 71901 Phone: (501) 609-9796 Fax: (501) 609-9887

From the

State Senate

In the regular session of count of absentee ballot ap2021 the legislature approved plications received, and reat least 25 new election laws port the totals to the county that will go into effect on July board of election commis28. sioners weekly. Voters must Some of the new laws will use their residential address affect poll workers, county when applying for an absenelection commissioners and tee ballot. If an absentee balcounty clerks’ office. lot fails to declare the voter’s Others will affect voters the Larry Teague residential address, it will not next time they cast a ballot. be counted.

For example, Act 249 of 2021 tightens Act 973 of 2021 moves up the deadthe current photo ID requirement. line for delivering an absentee ballot It eliminates the option that allowed in person to the county clerk’s office, voters to have their ballot counted, from the regular close of business on even though they did not bring a pho- the Monday before election day to the to ID to the polling place, if they filled regular close of business on the previout a sworn statement that they were ous Friday. registered to vote.

Act 756 of 2021 broadens the jurisUnder Act 249, if they cannot pres- diction of the state Board of Election ent a photo ID they must cast a provi- Commissioners, for example it authosional ballot and it will not be count- rizes the board to “institute corrective ed unless they appear in person and actions” in response to a complaint present an ID to the county clerk, or about voting procedures. It allows the the county board of election commis- board to use local law enforcement ofsioners, by noon on the Monday fol- ficers to enforce subpoenas of public lowing the election. records being withheld.

Act 728 of 2021 restricts loitering Act 1022 of 2021 requires counwithin 100 feet outside the main en- ty boards of election commissioners trance to a polling site. You can stand to create reports on the total numin line if you are waiting to vote, but ber of provisional ballots, absentee you cannot stay within 100 feet unless ballots and in-person ballots cast in you intend to go inside and vote, or if early voting and on election day. The you have a lawful purpose. reports must include the number of Act 736 of 2021 changes the law ballots rejected, and the reasons for on absentee ballots. Under the act, if rejecting them. someone has five or more absentee Act 974 of 2021 requires the state ballots in their possession, it will be Attorney General to set up a hotline presumed that the person intends to for complaints about violations of commit voter fraud. Previously, a per- election law. Complaints will be sent son could possess 10 absentee ballots to the legislative Joint Performance without triggering a presumption of Review Committee, and to local prosfraud. The law exempts mail carriers, ecutors if necessary. The legislative people who deliver for commercial committee may investigate allegacarriers and administrators of resi- tions. dential care facilities.

Act 974 also empowers the state Under Act 736 county clerks may board to decertify county election ofmake absentee ballot applications ficials. The state board take over the readily available online, or in paper conducting of elections in the county form, but they may not send them if it discovers severe violations that unsolicited to voters. threaten free, fair and impartial elecCounty clerks must maintain a daily tions in that county.

6 Obituaries Curtis Milburn McCulley

Mr. Curtis Milburn McCulley, also known as Nub, passed away at his home on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at the age of 81. He was born on February 23, 1940, in Mena, Arkansas, to Lonnie McCulley and Lessie (Hamilton) McCulley.

Milburn was united in marriage to Patricia McCulley on July 8th, 1990.

He loved to hunt and fish and be outdoors. He liked to talk about how he traveled the United States and Canada.

He particularly loved Alaska. Milburn served our country in the United States Army and was stationed in Hawaii. He worked at Cimeron in Hatfield, and then went to work for Lewis Lumber in Cove. He enjoyed getting together with his classmates of Hatfield High School.

He also had many friends he loved to visit and talk with. Milburn was a kind man with a big heart. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia McCulley; daughter, Shelly McCulley-Miner and husband Brandon of Mena; stepdaughter, Sarina Floyd of Mena; stepson, Mike Floyd and wife Heather of Mena; grandson, Austin McCulley and fiancée Kayla Thomas; granddaughter, Destiny Floyd; great-grandchildren, Seattle McCulley, Reese Floyd, and Titan Green; and ex-wife, Freda McCullah. Milburn was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, James McCulley.

July 21, 2021 A memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 17, 2021, at the Beasley Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Troy Denton officiating.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Roy Lynn Vail

Roy Vail was born the morning of December 13, 1937, in a home on Pearl Street in Columbus, Indiana, to the late Marianna Vail and the late Richard Carlos Vail. While he was an infant, the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, and when he was in the sixth grade they moved to Richmond, Indiana, where he graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1956. While in high school he developed an interest in cactus plants.

He spent one summer working at the Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park, between Phoenix and Tempe, Arizona. He wrote many hobbyist articles on cacti. He entered Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and graduated in 1960 with a major in Biology and a minor in Education. While in Earlham College, he took part in a six-month foreign study in Mexico, led by the chairman of the Earlham College Biology Department. Roy wrote many articles about his own exploring for cacti in Mexico, one of which extended the range of a species several hundred miles.

He then went to graduate school at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he met his first wife, Barbara Ellen Tack. They were married and moved to Norman, Oklahoma, where he was a graduate student in the University of Oklahoma Botany Department for one year. He then started in a biology teaching position at Las Cruces High School, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he taught from 1962 to 1990. His leadership changed the structure of the Science program in Las Cruces High School.

For several years he led student groups to study intertidal marine biology in the Puerto Penasco, Mexico area of

the northern Gulf of California. Some of his marine biology photos were in a book published by the University of Arizona. He also took Science Club members to Carlsbad Caverns, The Scripps Institute in La Jolla, California, and to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

In 1967 he completed a Master of Arts in Teaching at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. In 1984 he was awarded the Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year award for the state of New Mexico by the National Association of Biology Teachers. By then his interest had changed to staghorn ferns.

In 1984 he self-published his first book, Platycerium Hobbyist’s Handbook, about staghorn ferns. It became the standard hobbyist’s reference on them for over 25 years. He has given staghorn fern lectures in Florida, California, Texas, New Orleans, and in Spanish at San Marcos National University in Lima, Peru.

After retirement and divorce he moved to near Wickes, Arkansas, and later to Mena where, in Ouachita Little Theatre, he met Mary Borsodi. They were married April 4, 1992. They made donations which helped develop, The Oaks Assisted Living Center, The Mena Polk County Senior Center, plus they bought and donated the land to The City of Mena for the parking lot next to Ouachita Little Theatre. Mary Borsodi Vail passed away October 4, 2012.

He became interested in Mena history. In 1994 he published his second book, Mena and the Queen Wilhelmina a Brief History, which he updated until after the 2009 tornado.

In 1995, Roy Vail revived the Polk County Possum Club (PCPC), which was originally started in 1913. For several years he hosted an October PCPC Banquet, which included a variety show and dinner. For many years he was the only living President of the Polk County Possum Club.

Roy Vail was an active member of Ouachita Little Theatre. He directed and was in many plays. He did a series of variety shows called “Saturday Night at The Lyric.” He was an OLT Lifetime Member. In 2019 he became only the fifth person to receive the Leda Award, which is named for Leda Benson, the founder of OLT. For fourteen years Roy Vail did “The

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Traditional Jazz Show’’ on the Rich Mountain Community College FM radio station. He turned in more produced hours of television video to the RMCC TV station than all the other citizens of Mena combined.

In 1996 he began an effort to save the tropical dry forest habitat of the only staghorn fern found in the Americas. It is also the largest fern in the Americas.

The city of Tarapoto, San Martin, Peru presented him the “Honor al Merito, Visitante Distinguido” award, May 13, 1997. On July 8, 2001, “El Quinillal,” a 50 square mile preserve, was dedicated due to the efforts he began. It is the only preserve in the world created to save the habitat of a fern. Inspired by El Quinillal, a group formed in the fairly nearby small town of Pucacaca, San Martin, Peru. After a period of work, dedication, and threats, they became the first organization in history to be given a forest to protect by the federal government of Peru. Roy Vail sponsored a catwalk up in the canopy of their forest. In 2014, they had an artist make a slightly larger-than-life gold colored statue of Roy Vail, with one human leg and the other leg that of a deer. This meant they considered him to be a Chullachiqui (Chew-ya-CHA-key), a spirit who lives in their forest to protect it.

The First Presbyterian Church of Mena three times sent Roy Vail to rural Honduras to work with Solar Under the Sun. He originated and sponsored nearly all of the fifty-five-panel solar system on the roof of their church. He sang in their choir over twenty-five years.

Roy Vail is survived by four children, Dr. Neal Kent Vail of San Antonia Texas, Leah Vail Compton of Gainesville, Florida; Ross Todd Vail of Friendswood, Texas; Troy Evan Vail of La Habra, California; three grandchildren, and his sister, Carol Vail Garner of Rudy, Arkansas.

Visitation will be 12:00 and Memorial Service, Thursday, 1:00 at First Presbyterian in Mena. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian.

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Pulse

July 21, 2021

History 7

Reflections from History and Faith “The Greatest Cheese in America...”

By Jeff Olson

What is the greatest cheese in America? I'm really not sure in 2021, but if you will join me on a journey back to 1801 and a small farming community in the Beckshire Hills of western Massachusetts, I can sure enough give you an answer from the folks of Cheshire, most of whom were dedicated Baptists by faith and staunch Republican by politics.

At the turn of the century, the Federalist Party dominated New England politics, and the Congregationalist church was legally established in Massachusetts. The Cheshire Baptists were thus among a religious minority and often subjected to legal discrimination and to some extent persecution in a Commonwealth dominated by a Congregationalist-Federalist establishment. Therefore, Thomas Jefferson's long-standing commitment to religious freedom was not lost on the Cheshire Baptists during the 1800 presidential election when they voted almost unanimously for him over his Federalist opponent, John Adams.

When Baptist elder John Leland (1754-1841) of Cheshire received the news of Jefferson's election, he stated, “This exertion of the American genius, has brought forth the Man of the People, the defender of the rights of man and the rights of conscience. To fill the chair of state...Pardon me, my hearers, if I am over-warm. I lived in Virginia fourteen years. The beneficent influence of my hero was too generally felt to leave me a stoic. What may we not expect, under the auspices of heaven, while Jefferson presides, with Madison in state by his side. Now the greatest orbit in America is occupied by the brightest orb.”

John Leland came up with a unique idea to celebrate Jefferson's election and perhaps also to give a boost to Cheshire's chief agriculture commodi-

ty. He announced it from the pulpit and it was enthusiastically endorsed by his congregation. The monumental project of making a giant cheese would require a tremendous amount of planning and no ordinary cheese press could possibly accommodate one of such magnitude. So, a large hoop was placed on a cider press converting it to a makeshift cheese press more suitable for the task at hand. Since there was no recipe for such a large cheese, organizers had to calculate the quantities of ingredients and how to prevent contamination.

Two hundred twenty years ago, on the morning of July 20, 1801, the dedicated Baptist families of Cheshire showed up with pails and tubs of curds for a day of thanksgiving, hymn singing, and cheese pressing at the farm of Elisha Brown, Jr. They used milk from 900 cows, about every cow in town, except for that of any “Federalist” cows (cows owned by a Federalist farmer) in the production of the cheese. When completed, the cheese would measure more than four feet in diameter, thirteen feet in circumference, and seventeen inches in height. Once cured, it would weigh 1,235 pounds. According to eyewitnesses, its crust was painted red and embossed with Jefferson's favorite motto: “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” The cheese makers celebrated their creation as “the greatest cheese in America, for the greatest man in America.”

Next came figuring a way to transport the cheese to Mr. Jefferson. Due to its size, the cheese could not safely be transported on wheels, so a sleigh was hired to bring it to a barge on the Hudson River (North River) for the start of its trip to Washington, D.C.. After floating down the Hudson River to New York City, the mammoth cheese was loaded onto the sloop Astrea and taken to Baltimore where it was loaded onto a horse-drawn wagon for the trip to Washington. The 3 week, 500-

mile trip became a special event from town to town as word spread about the unique gift. It was delivered on December 29. Leland presented the cheese to Jefferson in a small ceremony in the President's House on New Year's Day. Accompanying the cheese was an address written by a committee of Cheshire citizens: “ [W]e console ourselves, that the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, who raises up men to achieve great events, has raised up a JEFFERSON for this critical day, to defend Republicanism and to baffle all the arts of Aristocracy. Sir, we have attempted to prove our love to our President, not in words alone, but in deeds and in truth. With this address, we send you a CHEESE....as a pepper-corn [token]of the esteem which we bear to our Chief Magistrate, and as a sacrifice to Re-

publicanism. It is not the last stone in the Bastile, nor is it of any great consequence as an article of worth, but, as a free-will offering, we hope it will be favorably received.” The cheese remained at the White House for over two years, having been featured in a public dinner for an Independence Day celebration in 1803. Today a cast concrete cheese press stands in Cheshire and a plaque dedicated to Leland is affixed to it.

Another group of Baptists which figure into our story were from Danbury, Connecticut. On October 7, 1801 leaders of the Danbury Baptist Association penned a letter to President-elect Jefferson essentially expressing the same level of enthusiasm about his victory as

HISTORY continued on page 11

8 Faith

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

July 21, 2021

An Arkie’s Faith: Mr. Canfield’s Transistor Radio

By Richie Lawry

The boy and his sister peered out of the window of the used furniture store. There was a white-haired man rolling past in a wheelchair. “What was he doing there,” they wondered.

They watched as he rolled up to the apartment at the end of the store.

Before long, it was common to see the white-haired man wheeling down the sidewalk in front of the furniture store.

Mr. Canfield, the white-haired man, moved into the apartment attached to the store. The boy and his sister had lived in the apartment before moving to a house in the country. Their Daddy owned the furniture store, and the boy and his sister spent a lot of time helping at the store. Whenever Mr. Canfield wheeled by in his wheelchair, he would stop and talk to them.

One day, the boy saw Mr. Canfield making several trips from his Chrysler to the apartment. The boy went outside to talk with Mr. Canfield and see if he could help. Mr. Canfield was taking groceries from the Chrysler to his apartment. He could only carry one bag of groceries on his lap as he turned the wheels of his wheelchair with his hands. The boy quickly took the rest of the groceries into the apartment and helped put them away. Mr. Canfield thanked him and gave him fifty cents.

Mr. Canfield liked to talk with the boy and his sister. Friends or family never came to see him, and he was lonely. Arthritis had deformed his hands and made it difficult for him to pick things up. He would ask the boy and his sister to do small tasks for him.

They swept and mopped his floors, put things away, and did anything else they could do to help out. Mr. Canfield always gave them twenty-five or fifty cents.

Sometimes the boy and his sister felt that Mr. Canfield asked for help with some small task so that he could visit with them for a few minutes. But he would always give them at least a quarter.

One day, Mr. Canfield showed the boy a small transistor radio. The boy had never seen one before, and his eyes lit up as the small black box crackled to life.

The sound was tinny, but the little box he held in his hand while it played music enchanted him. Envy

grew inside the boy. He coveted Mr. Canfield’s transistor radio and imagined all of the places he could listen to the radio, such as outside, in his room, and while he was doing chores. That night, the boy went to sleep thinking about Mr. Canfield’s little black transistor radio.

When he was visiting with Mr. Canfield, the boy would often ask to see the transistor radio. Mr. Canfield knew that the boy loved the little radio and one day told him that he would sell the radio for five dollars.

The boy was ecstatic. He had more than five dollars saved in a tin box in his room, and he wanted that radio more than anything else. That evening when the store was closed, the boy mentioned the radio to his Daddy. He wanted to be able to take the black transistor radio home with him.

But Daddy was in a hurry to get home, and the boy didn’t mention it again. He sat in the front seat beside Daddy and thought about the radio. He was so disappointed that a tear slipped down the side of his face.

Daddy saw that he was upset and asked him what was wrong. The boy told Daddy how much he wanted that radio, and he had hoped to get it tonight: adding that he had the money saved up at home. Daddy turned the car around and headed back to Mr. Canfield’s apartment.

That night I sat in my room and played the transistor radio, for I was the boy who bought the radio from Mr. Canfield. I turned the dial to 950 KIMN and listened to what I was sure was the best radio station in the world. Ode to Billie Joe, Pleasant Valley Sunday, All You Need is Love, Heroes and Villains, along with many other songs, drifted through my head as I went to sleep with my very own transistor radio under my pillow.

Before the Walkman, the iPod, or the iPhone, the first small portable music device was the transistor radio. The Regency TR-1 hit stores in October 1954, selling for $50.00. It received AM stations and was the first device you could slip in your pocket and use to listen to music. When Sony entered the market in 1957, the company sold 500,000 transistor radios in one year. Their ad slogan was, “So small it fits in your pocket. So powerful it plays everywhere. Play it at

home, at the office, when you travel . . . Anywhere!”

Although the original target audience was adults, teens made the transistor radio a hit. In the late 1950s, transistor prices fell, rock and roll took off, and AM radio stations began to spin Top 40 hits. Teens tuned in, and sales of the handheld units soared. Portability and a plug-in earphone made listening to music a personal experience that teens did not have to share with their parents.

My transistor radio was my constant companion.

Buying 9-volt batteries to power my radio was a significant expense. I would go to sleep with the radio under my pillow all too often, and the radio would play all night. I listened to every Denver Bears baseball game that I could, dreaming of the time I could attend a game. I started taking my radio with me when I worked with my Daddy on Sunday afternoons to listen to the hapless Denver Broncos. Even though my Broncos didn’t win very often, it was always exciting to hear about Floyd Little running through the opposing defenses. But mostly, my radio stayed tuned to KIMN, 950 on the dial. I knew every song on the KIMN top 40 and begged my Momma to stop

by Woolworths each week to pick up the latest KIMN hit parade listing that week’s Top 40. Then I would go home and write out the Top 40 for the week – in the order I thought the songs should be.

My transistor radio was my window to the world. It gave me news, weather, sports, and especially music.

There were powerful broadcast stations that sent out signals my little black transistor radio could receive.

We, as Christians, are constantly sending signals. It is sobering to realize that the signals about Jesus that some people receive are the signals we are personally broadcasting.

Gentle Reader, “you are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put the light on a lamp stand. Then the light shines for all the people in the house. In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do. Live so that they will praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 (ICB) Ask God for the ability to send a good strong signal to those around you.

Joke of the Week: Yesterday, a clown held the door open for me.

“What a nice jester,” I thought.

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July 21, 2021

Outdoors 9

OUACHITA BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL

WHITETAILS AND WAR MEMOIRS

By Steven E. Stillwell

Some of the most memorable hunting trips I can remember also entail meeting historical icons. At times, most of us have a tendency to focus on the immediate tasks at hand, and as the old saying goes; WE’RE IN OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD! Here’s a prime example; one day I was visiting a small town, near where I deer hunted,. and I saw an antique store that caught my attention. I just had to go inside. When I parked in front, I saw an old-timer sitting on the rustic looking porch in a rocking chair. He looked harmless, so I got out of my truck, and walked right past him. As I was opening the store’s door, he piped-up and said, “I’m 97 years old. I lied about my age, and joined the Navy when I was 16.”

It seemed like an eternity, I was frozen in time, so I let go of the door handle, turned around and replied, “I’d be honored to hear your story!”

I’M GRATEFUL THAT I TOOK THE TIME TO LISTEN. In retrospect, I wonder how many folks ignored this World War I veteran, because they were too busy to talk? This happened to me a long time ago, but it seems like yesterday, and when I listened to the old man’s stories, these historical events probably seemed like yesterday to him also? This humble, gray guy told me that he served on a destroyer, and fought in a couple of dangerous battles at sea during the war. “Enemy ships were sunk and sailors died,” he said.

I ended up harvesting a nice buck that season, but meeting this person was truly an honor, a highlight and a precious memory I’ll never forget.

WISCONSIN HAS A FEW WAR STORIES OF ITS OWN. When I traveled from Arkansas to my Aunt Karen’s farm, I was excited, because one of my cousins told me that they were seeing a really nice buck, and he was somewhat predictable

in his feeding patterns. “He’s a good one,” Amy said.

I decided to bow hunt that year, because the mature bucks in this area were cagey, and these big monsters had a way of vanishing during the firearm deer season.

I had to outwit my quarry and all of the competing sportsmen, so my best bet was to hit the woods before anyone else.

September 15th marked the beginning of the season, and my suspicions were immediately confirmed on my first trek to the back of the property. There was a logging trail that wormed its way through the center of the first 40 acres, and it crossed over to the next wooded 40 acre track, being separated by a set of electrical, power-lines. I never asked, but I suppose that this vast easement was maintained by the utility company, because it went through dozens of farms and properties. Common sense dictated to always stop and scout this area before crossing, because the deer loved this man-made corridor! During the proceeding rifle seasons, I’d taken a couple of shots at approximately 150-200 yards, filling several doe tags.

As fate would have it, when I slowly made my way to the edge of the woodline, I observed two young bucks walking on the opposing side, and both were headed in my direction. I was backpacking an Ol’Man self climbing tree stand, so I quietly slid out of the shoulder straps and removed the apparatus. I could feel the adrenaline rush, as I reached into my jacket to retrieve my grunt call. THE EXCITEMENT MOUNTED. One of the young bucks started to lay down a scrape with his front hooves, and he began hooking and rubbing the green conifer tree that he was standing next to with his antlers. HE WAS PUTTING ON QUIET A SHOW! I took a few moments to reflect, because I’d only been in the woods for approximately 20 minutes, and I was in the proverbial thick of the action! I methodically brought the call to my mouth like I’d done a hundred times, but I was breathing so hard, that I let out a series of awkward sounding grunts. I thought to myself, that sounds horrible, you blew it.

To my amazement, both of the whitetails

responded, and the aggressive one began trotting in my direction. They were less than 75 yards away, so maybe the distance helped muffle my pathetic sounding call, making it sound more realistic? About 10 seconds later, I was at full draw with my 15 yard sight pin firmly anchored behind the fork-horn’s shoulder, and he was oblivious to my deception! I was camouflaged and kneeling beside a tree, when a couple more thoughts entered my mind; this is too easy, these deer are uneducated when it comes to archery, and my cousin told me there’s a bigger buck hanging around.

I took a deep breath and slowly eased my bowstring back down. The buck stood there for a few more seconds, and slowly wandered off toward the power-lines.

HOW MANY OF US HAVE PASSED UP AN OPPORTUNITY AND REGRETTED IT? Two more days elapsed and nothing would come into range, so I began to feel a little frustrated. Maybe I should have filled that tag? But In the back of my mind, I was confident that patience would pay off. On the fourth evening, my hunch was correct, and the magnificent buck that I heard all of the stories about was now within range. He was feeding beside eight does and when he turned broadside, I slowly came to full draw and aligned my 25 yard pin. A half hour later I was posing with my trophy, and I was happy that I’d let the fork-horn walk.

ON THE EASTERN FRONT IN RUSSIA, THE BATTLE OF STALINGRAD WAS THE LARGEST AND BLOODIEST CONFRONTATION OF WORLD WAR II. I love history, because there are always lessons to be learned. Little did I know, that I was about to meet an iconic figure who had firsthand knowledge about the prestigious battle that turned the tide of Hitler’s Wehrmacht, and his quest for global domination.

The following morning, I filled one of my doe tags, and my aunt asked me if I wanted to take a break from hunting, and go with her and my uncle to supper. I was ready for a little rest and relaxation, so I eagerly accepted their offer. That evening, we drove a short distance from their farm to the neighboring community of Mid-

way, and it also happened to be the name of the bar-and-grill we were visiting. My aunt said the fish was exceptional, and from the looks of the parking lot, I could see that a lot of other patrons felt the same way. “We’ll have to wait an hour to eat,” she added.

When we walked inside, the place was packed, but there was an empty stool at the end of the bar, and a small table for two right next to this spot. We looked at one another and, without hesitation, we claimed our seats. The restaurant was located in the back of the establishment, so my aunt politely asked the waitress to put our names on the waiting-list. I could tell that my family visited often, because the lady responded, “I’ll do it Karen. What would you guys like to drink?”

I decided to order directly from the bar, so I bellied-up and asked the bartender for a large mug of dark beer. When I sat down, I noticed a distinguished looking couple seated to my right. The elderly gentleman sported a silver goatee, with nicely styled, slicked back hair, and from the looks of his graying, female companion, I figured they’d been together for a long time. When I studied his facial features, he reminded me of a dignified, Russian elder, and within minutes of conversing, my intuition proved to be correct, because he told me where he was from. After the quick introduction, he said his name was Nicholas. We drank several stout beers together and he began to reminisce, telling a few war stories, and eventually confiding that he was captured by the Germans during the epic battle of Stalingrad.

“The fighting was fierce, and many of my comrades were killed. They shipped me back to Germany via railway, and I remained a prisoner until the end of the war.

I decided to stay in the west for a while, after meeting and marrying this beautiful girl seated next to me. Who would have imagined, a Russian marrying a German?” the guy chuckled. They immigrated to America shortly thereafter, made a wonderful life together, raised their children and retired in rural Wisconsin. I can honestly say that it was an honor to meet this combat veteran, because this was the highlight of my trip!

10 Community

July 21, 2021

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

What’s Going On Downtown?

Melted Snowstorm, $250 Gift Certificate, Summer Santa, and More Submitted by Judy Thompson Mena Downtown Partners is once again sponsoring Downtown Christmas in July on Friday and Saturday, July 23 and 24. Linda Ostman, MDP president, advises there will be fun for everyone. In addition to great shopping discounts and specials both days, there are other activities which though reminiscent of Christmas, strictly scream ‘summer’. On Friday afternoon, Ostman invites everyone to the corner of Mena and Martin Streets from 5:30 – 7:00. The Melted Snowstorm consists of a firetruck compliments of Chief Steve Egger and the Mena Fire Department hosing water in the air to cool everyone off. Kids of all ages are invited to get wet and cool off. If you don’t want to play in the water, bring your lawn chairs for the sidewalk and enjoy the fun.

On Saturday, from 10:00 – 2:00, Santa will be taking a break from his summer vacation to greet visitors in front of OLT. Summer Santa will be glad to pose for your photos. Santa’s Workshop will be in Chameleon Arts where

kids can do different crafts. The Home Front Warriors of CMA will be doing free face painting in front of the art gallery. Everyone is invited to show their drawing skills by doing sidewalk chalk art. Non-profit groups or churches will be set up on the sidewalks selling baked goods and crafts.

There is currently a coloring contest going on for the ten and under group.

The drawing has been published in the Mena Star and online by the Pulse.

MDP will give a $25 cash prize to the winner.

Downtown businesses will be participating both days by offering product or storewide discounts, freebies, sidewalk sales and other specials. Look for the participating business flyer on the front window or door. The complete list will be on Discover Downtown, the MDP Facebook page, beginning Tuesday afternoon. Mena Downtown Partners will be giving away a $250 downtown gift certificate. You may register once per day per business. No purchase is necessary. The winner will be drawn Saturday afternoon. Judy Thompson, MDP downtown business liaison, urges support of this Buy Local, Shop Small effort. Bring your family and friends and take advantage of the shopping specials and fun events at Downtown Christmas in July.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

HISTORY continued from page 7 victory as did the Cheshire Baptists.

However, the Danbury Baptists communicated it in a more detailed, substantive, and cautious way, citing history and biblical and constitutional principle. In this letter, they also expressed some uncertainty about the security of their religious freedom, even in light of the First Amendment: Their main concern was whether “religious privileges and the rights of conscience are rightly regarded as “inalienable rights” or merely as “favors granted” and subject to withdrawal by the civil state. On January 1, 1802, the same day that Jefferson received John Leland as his guest upon acceptance of what he called the “monster” cheese, Jefferson prepared a response to the Danbury Baptists emphatically reassuring them of his commitment to religious freedom. He also took this opportunity to state his unwillingness as President to issue religious proclamations designating days for thanksgiving, public fasting and prayer. As governor of Virginia, he made such proclamations but with the understanding that matters pertaining to religion were outside the purview and jurisdiction of the federal government (but within that of the states) per the First Amendment. By way of illustration, Jefferson applied the now-famous metaphor “wall of separation between church and state.”

It is critical to understand that the purpose and the principle importance of his “wall” was the demarcation of the legitimate jurisdictions of federal and state governments on religious matters – not a theoretical pronouncement on the relations between government and religion. To this day, this still gets lost in politics, policy, the courts, and unfortunately even in history classes and law schools.

In the latter half of the twentieth century, the concerns expressed by Baptists have become a reality and the wall of separation metaphor has irresponsibly been given authoritative gloss on our First Amendment by our nation's courts, including the high-

History 11

July 21, 2021

est court in the land. By isolating the phrase from its original meaning and historical context, the courts have essentially turned the First Amendment on its head, misinterpreting and misapplying it in such a way that it has become a vehicle for judicial mischief and social engineering in America.

The First Amendment's text imposes explicit restrictions on Congress only.

The Congressional Records reveal that not one of the ninety Founding Fathers who framed the First Amendment ever mentioned the phrase “wall of separation between church and state.”

It is important to note that the correspondence of the Cheshire and the Danbury Baptists coincidentally commanded the president's attention on the same day. The “monster” cheese symbolized the same issues and themes addressed by the Danbury Baptists.

These were just two of many Baptist congregations and other groups of religious dissenters who had tolerated

discrimination and persecution and hoped, prayed and fought for the disestablishment of official state churches - Anglican (Episcopalian) and Congregationalist. Besides the Baptists, other dissenters included mostly Methodists, Quakers, and Unitarians with lesser numbers of Lutherans and Catholics.

However, it wasn't until 1833 that Massachusetts would officially disestablish its state churches, the last of the original thirteen states to do so.

In closing, my brief account of this chapter of our nation's history reminds us of how important but fragile our God-given freedoms are and how faithful some of our ancestors were in taking a strong stand for their preservation – even to the point of spending weeks preparing and delivering a monster cheese to the White House. While there is certainly an element of humor in Cheshire's gift, there is, more importantly, an element of principle and law which needed strongly re-stated and

defended, and this only a decade after the Bill of Rights was ratified. Here we are now, nearly two hundred thirty years after that ratification, and more than ever we would all do well in following their example in taking a strong interest not only in enjoying our freedoms but in staying vigilant in preserving them. As Samuel Adams reminds us: “The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men.”

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12 Community

July 21, 2021

Dirt Track Dreams

By Trey Youngdahl

Polk County is a hidden gear-head haven, hosting passionate car enthusiasts who invest time, energy and money making their cars the fastest and flashiest on and off the track. Dirt track racer Joseph Miller has spent upwards of $35,000 to 40,000 building his 360 sprint car.

Driving in the sprint class, Miller started racing in 2008 through 2009. He took a sabbatical from racing, however, when he joined the Airforce and started racing sprint cars again in 2015. Albeit, his roots in racing were planted much sooner than that.

“My dad used to race,” Miller said. “He started me off racing in the go-kart class when I was little.” His first races were in Nashoba, Oklahoma at Little River Speedway, which has since been named Kiamichi Mountain Speedway.

Miller is shooting for a successful year this season. Last year, he finished second in points in the American Sprint Car Series (ASCS) mid-south regional standings. In order to race, though, he has to get a little further on the map.

“Usually I have to travel,” he said. “We've raced in Jackson, Mississippi, West Monroe, Louisiana and West Plains, Missouri, although I didn’t end up getting to race there. My battery shorted out before the race started,.”

Most recently, he raced in Murfreesboro on June 26 and now he’s gearing up to race in Van Buren on July 3.

Despite being started in the 1920s, dirt track is still one of the most popular forms of racing. This is most likely because it is considered to be more challenging than other types of racing. Because the tracks aren’t paved, they are very unpredictable. Ruts and a lack of friction can jerk a car all across the track. As a consequence of that the cars also have to be built differently. Most sprint cars have a massive spoiler, or wing, built onto the back of the car to add downforce. The racing is fast-paced, loud, and dangerous.

Automotive magazine Popular Mechanics reports that there are 985 oval racetracks in America. Of those, only 233 of them are paved. The other 752 racetracks are dirt, making dirt track racing one of the most accessible forms of racing for fans to enjoy.

Dirt track racing events are structured differently than other types of racing. The race program starts off with hot laps, which are warm up or practice laps. These are typically two to five laps for drivers to get an understanding of the track conditions and the set up of their race cars. They are at the very start of the night before qualifying and the heat races. But, not before the qualifying session.

In big crown jewel events, this consists of two timed laps to get the racer’s times. Their times will determine the starting line-up of the Heat race. For regional series, this is determined by the “pill-draw.” Before the races each driver draws a pill from a bucket that is labeled with a number. That number determines the starting line-up of the Heat race. Heat races are essentially preliminary races for each class. The Heat races determine the starting race position in the main events and usually earn season championship points. The Heat races are shorter than the feature races, with less cars and from eight to 12 laps a race.

There also may be a semi-feature where unqualified racers may race their way into the remaining open starting positions in the A feature event.

This race is called the last chance qualifier or B feature. The cars who did not make the A feature through the heat race or qualifying session get one more chance to qualify for the A feature through the B feature. The B length is anywhere up to circa 20 laps. Depending on how many B's there are determines how many transfer to the A, anywhere up to circa 6 will transfer. If a driver transfers through the B, they will start behind the drivers who made it through the heats / qualifying position. After this, an A feature or main feature is held for each division. The top racers from the event will be the competitors for this race. The starting positions are usually determined by the point standings of the season, or by a combination of the finishing positions of the other races of the event.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

July 21, 2021

DAR Honors Veterans in July At Old Dallas

Saturday July 3, 2021, James K. Polk Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution met under the shade trees of the Old Dallas Cemetery in Polk County. With the permission of the Old Dallas Cemetery Association, JKP placed U.S. flags on Veterans graves in the cemetery which is south of Mena.

There were seven members and three guests placing flag holders and new U.S. flags at the graves of those who valiantly fought for freedom during the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korean War, and Viet Nam War. Dennis Cunningham, retired Mena Middle School history teacher addressed the group about the history of the Old Dallas Community. Polk County was created by the state’s General Assembly in 1844, with Dallas as its county seat. Dallas was a thriving community with businesses, a hotel, and a courthouse. Cunningham also spoke about the destruction of the early court houses along with all the records.

Brenda Cunningham, DAR member and wife of Dennis, spoke on the history of the Old Dallas Cemetery. It was through the dedicated work of Shirley Manning and the Polk County Genealogical Society that lead the DAR to this cemetery.

Several DAR members are also mem-

bers in the PCGS, and it was through Manning’s work that the DAR has “adopted” the cemetery for honoring our veterans.

Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890. It is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American History, and securing America’s future through better education for children. DAR members volunteer millions of service hours annually in their local communities. It is one of the most inclusive genealogical societies in the country. Any woman 18 years or older- regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership.

Saturday, August 21, 2021, from 9:30 to -11:30 a.m., the James K. Polk Chapter will be hosting a Meet and Greet Guests and a Membership Renewal at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall in Mena Arkansas. Come meet our members, enjoy refreshments.

Learn how you can become a part of the Daughters of the American Revolution. To reserve your spot and for more information about this event contact Brenda Cunningham, Recording Secretary, at (dar4brenda@gmail.com)

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Community 13

Pictured above, Harley Boyd, Shelly Collins, Cortez Copher, Skip Copher, Brenda Cunningham, Ann Garrett, Linda Craig, Era Looney, and Cheryl Anglin. (Not shown, Dennis Cunningham) at Old Dallas Cemetery.

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14 True Tales

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

July 21, 2021

True Tales from the West

Deadly Sequence

By Ray Shelley

Have you ever had a story you like to tell? Your thinking this story is the best thing since whipped butter?

I have one of those stories, and when I have a captive audience like you folks, I spring my 'Deadly Sequence' tale on them. As I excitedly tell the story, I look around at the group and observe their eyelids starting to droop or the cell phone starting to comes out of the pocket. But I'm not discouraged; I increase my level of excitement with my storytelling technique. I get a less than sincere, "that was a neat story, see you later have a good day," reply when finished. I'm the only one who sees the irony in this tale.

So, now that I have a captive audience, I'm going to let you judge for yourself. Should I put this story on the self!

The Dalton Story Friday, November 25, 1887, twentyeight-year-old Frank Dalton, a threeyear U.S. Deputy Marshal, dropped off prisoners at the federal jail in Fort Smith, AR. He then proceeded across the Arkansas River to set up camp for the weekend before returning to his man-hunting duties in the Indian Territory.

The following day U.S. Deputy Marshal James Cole rode into Frank's camp and told him he had a federal warrant

for David Smith on larceny charges.

Dalton also had a warrant on Smith for selling whiskey in the Indian Territory.

Dalton and Cole decided to relax for the rest of the day, then Sunday morning, they will go the few miles downriver to Smith's camp and make the arrest.

Unbeknownst to Dalton or Cole, David Smith had stated that he would never be taken alive.

Sunday morning, the two rode into Smiths camp that consists of a large cabin tent plus tables with cooking utensils sitting on them. Cole went to the back of the tent, and Dalton approached the front. No sooner had Dalton identified himself as the law; a shot rang out from inside the tent, striking Dalton in the chest. When Smith exited the tent, Cole confronted him and shot him dead.

As people started running out of the tent, Jennie Dixson ran up to Cole and pushed his rifle aside while Lee Dixon fired at Deputy Cole, the bullet grazing his chest. Cole returned fired, hitting Jennie in the chest; she would die twelve hours later from her wounds.

Cole also shot Lee hitting him in the arm. The rest of the people in the tent ran to the woods.

After checking on Dalton, who didn't respond, Cole returned to Fort Smith for help. When the posse returned, they found Dalton's dead body.

A witness said 19-year old William Towerly came out of the tent and, finding Frank Dalton still alive, shot him twice in the face, killing him. A murder warrant was issued for William

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December 2, 1887, U.S. Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas and several Deputies were returning to Fort Smith with around forty prisoners. Thomas received information that Wm Towerly is staying at his father's house in Stringtown, just fifteen miles north of Atoka, Indian Territory. Deputies Ed Stokley, Wm Moody, John McAlester, and James Wallace volunteered to ride to Stringtown and arrest Towerly.

Ed Stokley U.S. Deputy Marshal Ed Stokley was an interesting character. He worked as a posse member for Heck Thomas for about six months in 1886 before being arrested and extradited on murder charges stemming from an incident in Hunnewell, Kansas.

The story goes that in June 1881, Ed Stokley, a foreman for a large cattle operation, while drinking in a saloon, got into an argument with Fred Kuhlman.

In the fight that followed, Kuhlman ended up dead.

In November of 1886, he was found guilty of third-degree manslaughter and sentenced to six months in jail.

(Rather a light sentence, in my opinion, for murder, plus fleeing).

After completing his jail time, he returned to the Indian Territory reestablishing himself in law enforcement.

Heck Thomas, I'm sure, was instrumental in helping to obtain his Deputy status?

Before I continue, I would like to dis-

pel a myth about Judge Isaac C. Parker. (so-called Hanging Judge) Federal Judge for the Western District of Arkansas.

You have seen the movies where Judge Parker tells his deputies to "Bring um Back Dead or Alive." That was not the case with Judge Parker. If a deputy killed the bad guy, he would not get paid. Also, if there were no relatives or friends found to pay funeral expenses, the deputy was responsible for the price of the burial. (Deputies were paid a fee of six cents a mile to track down the bad guys, at that rate, It would take a lot of riding to pay for a sixty-dollar funeral.)

Stringtown When the Deputies arrived at the Towerly house, Stokley and Wm "Bill" Moody approached the front while McAlester and Wallace covered the back.

As Stokley and Moody started toward the house, Will Towerly, his father, mother, and sister, came out the front door with his gun blazing. Being unscathed, the Deputies returned fire, hitting Towerly in the shoulder and leg, sending him to the ground. At the same time, Moody was accosted by their mother and sister. As Stokley made his approach to secure the wounded Towerly, (most likely with the bring um back alive thought), the injured Towerly raised, shooting Stok-

See TRUE TALES page 16

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Community 15

July 21, 2021

Local Youth Participate in Outdoor and Navigation Skills Day Camp Polk County youth had the opportunity to visit the Queen Wilhelmina State Park this week for a day camp.

Participants learned about compass and pacing, stroke signs and when to call for help, fire safety and Dutch oven cooking, basic first aid and put together their own first aid kit. Participants even went on a short hike on the Spring Creek trail.

Huge thank you to the partners who worked with the Polk County Extension Service to make this happen. Queen Wilhelmina State Park Staff Casey Hines, Game and Fish Wildlife Officer Ray Hines, Rich Mountain Conservation District, and Southwest EMS. Polk County has over 200 youth enrolled in the 4-H program through the University Of Arkansas Division Of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service. The mission of 4-H is to provide opportunities for youth to acquire knowledge, develop life skills, form attitudes, and practice behavior that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society.

If you have any interest in joining Polk County 4-H, please email bsterner@ uada.edu or call the Extension office at (479) 394-6018.

LOC ATED IN MENA , ARKANSAS

( 4 7 9 ) 3 3 7 - 7 115

WWW.HOMEWOODGHC.COM

JUNE KESTERSON

LOVED THE GOATS COMING TO VISIT SO MUCH THAT SHE WANTED HER PICTURE IN THE PAPER. THE VISITING GOATS WERE COURTESY OF JAMES AND MONA DAVIS.

16 Community

July 21, 2021

TRUE TALES continued from page 14

ley in the chest and throat, killing him.

In the meantime, Moody battled the mother and sister back into the house before breaking free. He then fired several shots through the window at Towerly, who died several hours later.

William Moody March 15, 1889, U.S. Deputy Marshals William Moody and Gratton Dalton (younger brother to Frank Dalton) arrived in Tulsa, Indian Territory, at the office of the Indian Police. Marshal John Carroll sent the two with an arrest warrant for Jeff Berryman, charging him with robbery and murder. The Indian Officers knew that Jeff sometimes stayed at his Dad's house ten miles N/W of Tulsa.

As the Deputies and the Indian Police Officers approached the house, shots were fired from within, striking Wm Moody . in the chest and Dalton in the arm. Moody got off his horse, laid down without saying a word. Dalton took cover then advised the people

inside that their house would be set on fire if they didn't surrender. After being assured they wouldn't be killed, William Berryman and William Bruner came out with their handheld high.

Berryman told Dalton his son Jeff had not been at the house. The two were arrested and brought back to Tulsa.

Dalton checked Moody and found him dead. Three days later, Wm. Moody was laid to rest in Tulsa.

Dalton had his wound treated, then he and two Officers returned Berryman and Bruner to Fort Smith to stand trial in front of Judge Parker.

The jury found Berryman not guilty for lack of evidence, plus his statement that Bruner was the lone shooter.

Bruner was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to ten years at the Ohio State Prison at Columbus.

So, the Deadly Sequence is; the murderer of Frank Dalton, being killed by Wm. Moody, who approximately two years later died in the presence of Gratton Dalton, Frank's brother.

SUMMER ENERGY CONSERVATION TIPS TO HELP AVOID HIGH ELECTRIC USAGE : • TRY TURNING YOUR HOUSEHOLD THERMOSTAT UP A COUPLE OF DEGREES. • AVOID USING LARGE APPLIANCES DURING PEAK HOURS OF THE DAY. • KEEP THE SHADES CLOSED WHEN YOU CAN. • TURN OFF ANY UNNECESSARY LIGHTING. • ABOVE ALL, CHECK AND REPLACE ANY DIRTY AIR FILTERS. AND, AS ALWAYS, CONTACT US AT RICH MOUNTAIN ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE IF WE CAN HELP. REMEMBER, WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

(479) 394-4140

515 Janssen Ave, Mena, AR 71953

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Hogspore News

National Pi Day on Thursday

By Clet Litter from the Ozarks Window Fenster is still at it, writing books and spouting her opinion on everything. She even has an angle on picking up something from the floor. She said, “I kick it to the wall and wait for something else to fall later. Then I slide that one over to the same wall and pick them both up.” Most people’s angle on bending to get objects off the floor is at least 90 degrees.

National Hammock Day is this Thursday. It’s also National Mango Day, Selena Gomez’s birthday, and National Pi Day. I skipped one on the list out of respect for Diabetics. It’s kinda funny to me, since a lotta you will want to go research the missing one for July 22.

I pondered why Pi Day was not in March, since it’s 3.14, (about). Don’t look for an explanation. There ain’t no reason. Some folks celerbrate by ating pi, but thos popl ar insan, naiv, and unwis.

The question left is, what does hammocks, mangos, Selena Gomez, and 3.14 have in common? If you don’t know, then you might be one of those pi-eating people on Thursday, cause the answer is that they’re all celerbrated on July 22nd.

Junior Bickum is deliberating about opening another business, as well as his hardware store. He said, “We were in Mena, Arkansas to do a bit of bowling. Me and the missus bowled about 20 games in the morning and afternoon. We liked it so much that we stayed overnight. We got in some more the next day and headed home.

There was a sports bar inside the place, and the night before it was full of thirsty sports fans having a right rowdy good time. That’s when I got the idea for my new business in Hogspore. I’m thinking that we run a lounge, but in place of bowling lanes in the back half, we have a 20-lane shooting center.”

I asked him, “Do you have any long range plans for expanding in the future?”

He sez, “No, we’re gonna keep the lane lengths at 25 yards. We do have some ideas for slow nights. The barmaids will bring you a drink in between shootings.

We’ll probably call it Shots Night. Plus, the customers are gonna feel safe there, since all the bartenders are gonna be licensed paramedics.”

Mumford Pickens says, “The problem with hippie-raised babies is that they have flashbacks and disappear. They reappear three weeks later, needing a diaper change. This happens cause they were not old enough to just say no.”

Contact Clet Litter at bobsimpson1947@yahoo.com. You know you wanna.

St. Agnes Catholic Church 203 8th Street Mena, Arkansas

TREASURED “YOU’RE PRICELESS TO GOD”

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL AGES 4YRS  6TH GRADE MON. JULY 26TH  FRI. JULY 30TH 5 PM  7:30 PM NO COST ● MEALS, TSHIRTS & CRAFTS PROVIDED

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

July 21, 2021

Around Town

Vacation Bible Schools First Christian Church 1010 Port Arthur, Mena, July 25 - July 29, 6pm - 8:30pm for ages 4-12. Music, scripture, games, crafts and snacks.

St. Agnes Catholic Church 203 8th St., July 26 – July 30, 5pm - 7:30pm for 4-year-olds – 6th grade. No cost, meals, T-shirts & crafts provided.

First Baptist Mena Operation Space Vacation Bible School on July 26 - July 30 from 5pm - 8pm. Register online at firstbaptistmena.com or call 479394-2541 for more information.

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

We kindly ask that non-vaccinated individuals wear masks.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, Mena First United Methodist Church, 8:00 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

The Mena Art Gallery is hosting its annual Folk & Fiber Show through August 20th. The Gallery is open Wed – Sat from 10am - 3pm. Come by and see the show! 607 Mena Street, across from the Ouachita Little Theater.

The annual Jewell reunion will be held on Saturday, July 31, 2021, beginning at 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Vandervoort Baptist Church in Vandervoort, Arkansas. Potluck meal will begin around noon. Come with an appetite and your favorite dish. Enjoy the good food, family and fellowship.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 8pm Fridays at the First United Methodist

Church, 9th & Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study For information call 479-243-0297 Narcotics Anonymous meet at 7pm Monday, at 7pm Thursday, at 7pm Friday, and at 6pm Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at 479-216-7249.

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

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 3pm Sundays, at 5pm. Tuesdays and at 8pm Saturdays at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call 479-234-8366 or 479-216-3786 Free Summer Lunch Program, Janssen Park pavilion, Tuesday’s July 6-Aug 10, 11:30 - 12:30 or until meals are gone.

Drive-thru and pick-up sack lunch, or stay and eat at the pavilion. Sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church Mena.

To donate, volunteer, or for more information call 479-234-3419 or 214-212-8012. A Living Memorial Tree will be planted for Gerald “Jerry” Barker at The Green House Cottages of Homewood on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. Every-

one is invited to attend.

Barker was 70-years-old when he passed on June 20, 2021.

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 479-2439600 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!

Around Town 17

18 Police Reports

July 21, 2021

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

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG

of Possession of Schedule I or II, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting Arrest, and a Warrant for Domestic Battery 3rd Degree.

July 12, 2021 Report from complainant on Polk 21 near Cove of being harassed.

Deputy responded.

Arrested was Stephenie Ashcraft, 29, of Mena, on a Charge of Contempt of Court.

Arrested was Christopher D. Dougan, 47, of Saratoga, Arkansas, on a Charge of Failure to Comply with Order of the Court.

July 16, 2021 Report from complainant on Polk 41S near Potter of a scam. Deputy responded.

Traffic stop on Polk 72 near Cherry Hill led to the arrest of Robert L. Schmidt, 26, of Mena, on a Warrant for Delivery of Meth or Cocaine and a Charge of Disorderly Conduct. Additional information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration of charges.

July 13, 2021 Report from complainant on 375W near Shady Grove of trespassing. Deputy responded.

Report from complainant on Polk 24 near Cove of a theft. Deputy responded.

Report of a domestic disturbance at a place of business near Cove.

Deputy responded.

Report of damage to property in the Polk County Detention Center.

Arrested was Dawnylle D. Boutwell, 52, of Cove, on a Warrant for Theft $1000.00 or Less.

Arrested by an officer with the Game and Fish was Brianna Ramirez, 21, of Mena, on a Body Attachment Warrant.

July 14, 2021 Report of a lost wallet at a campground near Board Camp.

July 15, 2021 Report from complainant on Polk 58 near Board Camp of the theft of insulation and tin. Deputy responded.

Traffic stop on Hwy 71S near Potter led to the arrest of Carrie L. Garza, 50, of Mena, on a Charge

July 17, 2021 Report of child abuse. Deputy responded.

Report of a camper fire on Polk 23 near Cove. Deputy responded.

Report of a juvenile being harassed. Deputy responded.

Arrested was Gavin E. Whitmire, 29, on a Warrant for 3rd Degree Assault on Family or Household Member and a Warrant for Fleeing in Vehicle, Criminal Mischief 1st Degree, and Careless and Prohibited Driving.

July 18, 2021 Report of a disturbance involving a juvenile. Deputy responded.

Report from complainant on Polk 685 near Cherry Hill of the theft of a chainsaw valued at $500.00. Deputy responded.

Report of a four-wheeler accident on Polk 81 near Shady. Deputy responded.

Traffic stop on Hwy 8W near Mena led to the discovery of a suspicious substance. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration.

Traffic stop on Hwy 71S near Hatfield led to the arrest of Jereme L. Baughman, 44, of Hatfield, on a Warrant for Possession of Meth or Cocaine and Charges of Disorderly Conduct, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Schedule VI. Report from complainant on Hwy 246W near Hatfield of damage to a property. Deputy responded.

Report from complainant on Hwy 71S near Cove of a verbal dispute between neighbors.

Arrested by a trooper with the Arkansas State Police was Austin T. Nickles, 23, of Smithville, Oklahoma, on a Warrant for Criminal Mischief 1st Degree.

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

Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 23 Incarcerated Inmates, with 6 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.

MENA POLICE REPORTS July 11 John Grigsby, 37, was charged with DWI and Careless or Prohibited Driving after a traffic stop on Highway 71.

David Sinyard, 45, was served with five warrants at the county jail.

A death investigation report was taken at a residence on Sarah Way. July 12 Michael Curry, 34, Stacey Burnett, 35, and Kenneth Sipe, 43, were charged with theft of services after a complaint from Shelter Insurance.

A report of harassment was taken from a person at La Villa.

A report of battery was taken at a residence on Warner Avenue.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse July 13 A report of theft and criminal trespass was taken at a residence on Magnolia Avenue.

A report of a disturbance was taken in the parking lot of Country Express.

July 14 Joseph Stubbs, 45, was served with a warrant at the police department.

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

A report of harassment was taken at a residence on 10th Street.

July 15 A report of financial identity fraud was taken from a walk-in complainant.

Tyler Cornelius, 27, was charged with Aggravated Assault and Carrying a Weapon after an assault call to Dallas Avenue.

July 16 A death investigation report was taken at a residence on 9th Street.

Jason Rosson, 39, was charged with Theft, Violation of a No-Contact Order and Obstructing Government Operations after a complaint from a walk-in complainant.

July 17 Shannon Shaw, 40, was charged with Possession of Meth after a stop on Deridder Street.

Kyleigh Johnson, 18, was served with a warrant at the police department.

Timothy Bass, 41, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Janssen Avenue.

A report of unauthorized use of a vehicle and violation of a no-contact order was taken from a walk-in complainant.

Matthew Miller, 39, was charged with Theft after a complaint at a residence on Magnolia Avenue.

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

Puzzles 19

July 21, 2021

07.21.21

07.21.21

ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 07.14.21

Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK

Hi! My name is Beau! I have long curly brindle fur. I am a shepherd/chow chow mix. I am good with children.

However, I would love to be an only dog. I am about a year old and weigh in at about 45 pounds. I use a dog door and am catching on fast to my leash training. I am a high energy happy boy who loves to play. I would love a large yard to play and run. I love treats and super smart. I am just waiting for my loving family to come and get me.

Are you looking for a new best friend? If so, I invite you to come by HSO and meet me today!

All selected Pet of the Week animals come with a gift package. This special starter pack for dogs includes a collar, toy, clothing, and harness selection.

All animals at the Humane Society of the Ouachitas are current on their vaccinations and spayed/neutered prior to adoption.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OUACHITAS TUES. THROUGH SAT. 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. 368 POLK 50, MENA, AR 479 3945682 WWW.HSOMENA.ORG

20 Classifieds

Tree Service, Storm Cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and Lights replaced. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 T0721

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries.

(870) 490-1191 T0811 Land Management, Tree Service—.

RC Customz can handle your construction needs, mulching and more. Military discounts available. Insured. Call (479) 216-2976. Free estimates T0911

- EMPLOYMENT -

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.

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.

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.

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced TIG Welder for a permanent day shift position. The applicant must be proficient in welding aluminum. 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.

T0804

Pulse

July 21, 2021

CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES EMPLOYMENT

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

T1006

THE POLK COUNTY

OPPORTUNITY

The POLK COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY will accept applications along with a required resume for the position of Maintenance Mechanic “A”. Drug testing and criminal background check will be a requirement.

Persons interested in applying may pick up an application along with a complete job description at the Housing Authority office located at 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, AR between the hours of 8:30 and 4 Monday through Friday.

Applications and the required resume should be returned to 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, AR on or before August 30, 2021. No applications will be accepted after that date.

The Polk County Housing Authority is An Equal Opportunity Employer.

IMMEDIATE JOB

10 tips to save on hot summer days SHREVEPORT, La., July 15, 2021 – When the temperature rises, so can energy bills. Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO), an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, offers 10 tips to help its customers manage both the heat and their electric bill: 1. Turn off lights and electronics when not in use.

RELIGION

2. Replace incandescent light bulbs with ENERGY STAR-certified LEDs. 3. Pull the plug on devices, like phone chargers, when not in use. These still consume energy even when turned off.

4. Use smart power strips for electronics likes computers and televisions. These can sense when a device

See TIPS page 21

End Time Bible Questions? There are over 380,000 churches with 200 different denominations in America.

Do you believe they ever explain all salvation issues?

If you said not one, you’re correct.

The Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Ghost shall teach you all things. John 14:26 & 16:13 & 16:15 Only the Holy Spirit knows all salvation issues you need to overcome, so you will be welcomed into the kingdom.

We must never rely 100% on friends, church or loved ones for the salvation issues we must have!

Study to shew thyself approved unto God. 2 Timothy 2:15. T0804

TRANSCENDENCE energy + body work

479-394-7301

1102 Crestwood Circle Mena, AR 71953

OPPORTUNITY Director of Career Pathways

MENA REAL ESTATE

For qualifications, job description list of benefits, and application process, go online to EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES at: UARichMountain.edu

EEO/AA/ADA EMPLOYER Qualified women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.

www.MenaRealEstate.com

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

TIPS continued from page 20

is turned off or not being used and will shut off the power automatically.

5. Close blinds and drapes during the day to keep the heat out.

6. Save up to 10% on cooling costs by increasing your thermostat's temperature setting by seven to 10 degrees Fahrenheit higher for at least eight

July 21, 2021 hours a day.

7. Replace air conditioner filters.

Clean filters can lower air conditioner energy consumption up to 15%.

8. Use ceiling fans to cool you while in a room. Turn the fan off when leaving.

9. Caulk, weather-strip and insulate windows and doors wherever air leaks are found.

10. Use large appliances, such as a dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, as late in the evening as possible. These appliances add heat to a home and make an HVAC system work harder.

For more ways to save, visit SWEPCO.com/Save.

About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) SWEPCO, an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, serves more than 543,000 customers in north-

Community 21 west and central Louisiana, northeast Texas and the Texas Panhandle, and western Arkansas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. News releases and other information about SWEPCO can be found at SWEPCO. com. Connect with us at Facebook. com/SWEPCO, Twitter.com/SWEPCOnews, Instagram.com/swepco, Youtube.com/SWEPCOtv, LinkedIn.com/ company/swepco and SWEPCOConnections.com.

22 Education

THE POLK COUNTY

July 21, 2021

PEO awards dedicated nursing student

OBU Baseball welcomes Efird Congratulations to 2021 graduate Sam Efird. Sam will be attending Ouachita Baptist University & on Monday he signed his letter of intent to play baseball for the Tigers. Efird was an all conference performer for the Bearcats in baseball, football and basketball.

Pulse

Philanthropic Education Organization, PEO, has awarded Enchantres Carroll a $2,000 scholarship from the Program for Continuing Education, sponsored by the local Mena Chapter AO. She is a nursing student at University of Arkansas Rich Mountain trying to earn her RN by December. She decided to pursue this degree after working for 14 years as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Fort Worth, Texas. In order to accomplish this, she and her family had to split up. Enchantres went to Texarkana to an apartment, her 8 year-old daughter went to stay with her grandmother in Louisiana, her husband went back to work full time. She commutes to campus several days a week traveling 100 miles each way. The program for Registered Nurses at the college takes a year of study and clinical experience. Enchantres hopes to work as a medical surgery nurse or teach in a nursing program. The ultimate goal of this group is to award scholarships to worthy candidates in several categories. The P.C.E. grant is a scholarship given to students who have had at least a 2- year interruption in their schooling. If anyone is interested in trying to get a scholarship, please contact Martha Edwards, President of Chapter AO, at 479-216-2645.

Holly Springs Real Estate, LLC

1114 A Highway 71 S, Mena, AR 71953

479-394-4200 hollyspringsrealestate.com

Keith Aleshire Principal Broker

479-243-5341 kaleshire@aol.com

4217 - In Mena's Country Club Estates!!

Beautiful 4.3 Acres with Stunning 3513 sq ft 4 Bedroom/4 bath home perfect for entertaining.

New Roof!! Floor to ceiling windows, custom chandelier and rock fireplace in the Living room. New granite in the kitchen and in two of the bathrooms. Hardwood floors in kitchen and dining room. Lovely Guest room suite.

Master suite opens to the terrace with a hot tub. Upstairs a Large bedroom suite w/bath, downstairs a walk out basement den/theatre room. 18x32 Pool w/Cabana-kitchen-bath.

Spacious 30x50 Shop w/bathroom plus side extensions. $450,000

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse

July 21, 2021

Community 23

Polk County Library Purchases E-Readers Using Libraries Transform Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries grant funds, Polk County Library, a branch of the Ouachita Mountains Regional Library, announces the purchase of Kindle Fire e-readers. The grant was a partnership between the American Library Association and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and was supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Beginning August 1, patrons may checkout the e-readers to access the two e-book services Polk County Library offers.

For more information, please call Polk County Librarian Mary Renick at 479.394.2314.

Pictured with the new e-readers are Julie Ulmer, Marsha Riley, Mary Renick and David Williams, Polk County Library board members and librarian.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Welcome Emily Turner APRN to the team!

1010 PORT ARTHUR MENA, ARKANSAS

COME "FOLLOW ME"

TO VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Accepting Patients May 3rd

JULY 25-29, 2021 6:00 TO 8:30

Call 394.7301 to make your appointment!

FOR AGES 4-12 MUSIC, SCRIPTURE, GAME, CRAFTS, SNACK

Seeing All Patients

Humane Society of the Ouachitas shares Happy Tales After over a year of closing its meetings due to the pandemic, the Board of Directors of HSO has reopened the meetings to the public. Meeting are held in the banquet room at LaVilla.

Board members have expressed their appreciation of “the support of our caring community to keep the work going helping animals.”

Last year, 743 animals were helped and this year should be near 800. “This could not even be accomplished without your kind support! So many great things happening at HSO,” said board member Cheryl Murphy. “I hope to see some of you at the meeting to share the great news!”

On such happy tale has been shared on the HSO Facebook page, “Peppa’s Story.” Peppa, pictured here, went through a transformation as a result of the care received through HSO and foster parenting.

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July 21, 2021

THE POLK COUNTY

Pulse