‘Luv Among the Ruins’ auditions at Grand Illusion Theatre

Submitted by Tim Hesse

Open auditions for the February performance of the play “Luv Among the Ruins” will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9 at Mena Mountain Resort in the Grand Illusion Theatre. The following parts will be cast:

- Three actors (one male and two females) able to play characters 65-75.

- One male actor to play 25-35.

- Five actors (male or female) to play characters ranging from 35-60.

In addition to actors, anyone interested in working with lighting, sound, props, costuming or backstage are welcome to attend the auditions.

Rehearsals will start Jan. 2 with a flexible schedule. The show will be performed in a dinner theatre setting on Feb. 9 and 10.

Please call the resort at 479-3943110 with any questions.

Extended holiday hours at Mena Art Gallery

Submitted by Lauren Pursell

Mena Art Gallery is pleased to announce additional open days leading up to Christmas!

Fun and beauty await your viewing and shopping pleasure at the Christmas Show and Gift Sale! You won’t want to miss this wonderful array of handmade crafts and art by local artists.

In addition to regular hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday, the gallery will be open addi- tional days and hours leading up to Christmas:

Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, open late until 7 p.m.

Sunday matinee and Thursday evening Ouachita Little Theatre goers please note, if you arrive early to the plays you will have time to take a turn around the gallery before the show.

The cast of the OLT Lyric Players Readers Theatre Production “The Gift of the Magi” invite you to attend their performances at The Ouachitas, 7 p.m., Dec. 8 or 9 (limited seating, reserved $10 tickets at oltmena.com recommended), or at the Ouachita Little Theatre, 2:30 p.m., Dec. 10. The Sunday performance at OLT contains a bonus of an old-fashioned Christmas sing-a-long led by Judy Kropp.

(Submitted photo)

- SERVICES -

Wendell’s Tree Service - Tree Removal and Trimming. Experienced and fully insured for ALL your tree-trimming needs. Call (479) 394-0227 or (479) 216-4328. T1227

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 T1227

Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for free estimate. T0103

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T1227

Handyman Service - Electrical and plumbing. Prefer small jobs. For more details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204. T1206

Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, and roads. Military discounts. Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T0103

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 T1227

- PETS FOR SALE -

Christmas Puppies! AKC mini-dachshunds Call (479) 234-2882 for colors and pictures. T1206

For sale - AKC English Bulldog puppy, female, standard colors, and ready for her new home. Facebook Arklatex Bulldogs to see this beauty. Call (870) 642-3104 for more information. TFN

- FOR SALE -

Handmade quilts just in time for Christmas, brand new on the quilt rack. Baby quilt to king size, half price. Call (479) 234-1492. T1206

Large-capacity front load Whirlpool washer, perfect balance, $300, and top load Amana dryer $100. OBO, Must sell together. Good condition. (210) 544-0607 T1206

Nice gun cabinet, wood with glass door and lower cabinet, 74” tall, $150. (479) 243-0405 T1227

- BUSINESS -

Gifts! Unique, handmade with love by local artists - an entire store full. Mena Art Gallery, 607 Mena St., extra opendays/hours: Tues 11–2. Wed–Sat 10-3,Sun 1-4, Thu 10-7. (479) 394-3880 T1206

- WANTED -

Need two ricks of seasoned oak firewood, 18” long. (479) 394-1901 T1206

- AUTOS FOR SALE -

2004 Chevy Venture wheelchair accessible van, 140k miles, $7,000 as is or $10,000 with a brand new electric wheelchair. (479) 216-8254 T1213

- HELP WANTED -

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

T0424

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.

T0424

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.

T0424

HSO maintained no-kill status in 2022

Humane Society of the Ouachitas (HSO) maintained “no-kill” status in 2022, according to Best Friends Animal Society (BFAS), a leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025.

HSO joined the BFAS network of shelters and its statistical data is expressed in BFAS’s annual data report. HSO was recognized as saving more than 90% of the dogs and cats that entered the shelter last year. HSO’s actual life-saving rate was 98.7% in 2022.

According to Planning and Engagement volunteer Tina Ball, “HSO has maintained no-kill status for many years. To be recognized by a nationally renowned animal rescue organization like Best Friends Animal Society is a true honor and tribute to our work!

“Highlights of steps taken for the shelter to achieve no-kill status are: participation in ASPCA’s Animal Relocation Initiative, increased adoption event opportunities at the Petsmart store in Hot Springs and Petco store in Fort Smith, a wonderfully caring shelter staff, and the support of our local community through pet adop - tion, gifts and volunteerism.”

BFAS recognized HSO’s achievement by presenting an honorary plaque to be displayed at the shelter. HSO’s shelter is located at 368 Polk 50, which houses dogs and cats awaiting adoption into loving homes.

All animals are spayed or neutered and have their vaccines prior to adoption. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., HSO helps pets and people “meet their match.”

For more information, call the shelter at 479-394-5682. See photos of adoptable pets and learn more about HSO at hsomena.org.

For more information on BFAS, visit bestfriends.org.

The Owens Chapel Cemetery Annual Meeting will be S2 p.m., Sunday Dec. 10 at the cemetery. The public is welcome to attend.

GriefShare at First Presbyterian Church Mena meet every Wednesday at 1 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

Democrat Party will be having a Christmas potluck dinner at the Daisy Room (behind Janseen Avenue Florist & Gifts, 800 Janssen Ave., Mena), from 6:30-10 p.m., Dec. 11. Hope to see you there. Bring a friend.

The Polk County Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary will be holding their monthly meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7, at Veterans Park in Acorn. A potluck will begin at 6 p.m. and meetings will follow.

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

The Polk County Social Seniors will be having a Christmas potluck dinner at the Daisy Room (behind Janssen Avenue Florist & Gifts, 800 Janssen Ave., Mena) on Dec. 12, at noon. Gifts will be collected for CASA. Bring a friend.

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

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

Around Town

For more information, call 479-437-4018.

Hatfield United Methodist Church will celebrate 125 years at 9:30 a.m., Dec. 10, located at 100 Polk County Rd. 35,. Food and fellowship follows.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

The Ouachita Beekeepers Association is now meeting on the second Thursday of the month, 6 p.m. in the Education Building of the UA Extension Office, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. Come enjoy bee education, door prizes and socialization with other beekeepers. Call president Tommy Payne at (903) 521-4611 for details.

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

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

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

The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 394-5459.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors.The hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 3852373.

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

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

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

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

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

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