Beanbag baseball is a blast

seniors. We both agreed to go that Friday to try our hands at beanbag baseball.

The Senior Center hosts several activities, including bridge tournaments every first and third Monday of the month, pool tournaments every first and third Tuesday, and beanbag baseball every Friday at 10 a.m. While executive director Trena Looney was busy helping in the kitchen to serve a delicious lunch to the seniors at 11:45 a.m., Matt and I were assigned sides and learned the rules to beanbag baseball. The center competes with other Senior Centers around Arkansas but practices every Friday as a team. The Mena Senior Center team is called the Base Invaders, and they each have a team shirt with their name on the front of it.

first point of the game.

Gloria Smith, David’s wife, stood up and said, “I smell a skunk,” to the team across the walkway while they all laughed and said, “There’s no way you’re gonna beat us that easily.”

The competitive spirit of the local seniors was absolutely contagious amongst everyone there, including your KENA duo. I stepped up for my first throw and hit a third base score, got excited and started running toward the bases, only to be reprimanded as Patsy yelled, “No running and no stealing bases.” Matt, who helps coach girls’ fastpitch softball, threw in the comment “No Stealing?”

On Eddie Huckabee’s turn, he threw over the play board and everyone yelled, “Hey.” He turned a circle, threw the next bag and hit a home run and said, “The turn is the trick,” amongst a slew of cheers.

The joy, the laughter, the fun the seniors have together is something the Trena described as, “Being a big, fun-loving family.” line Nov. 14, after hearing Matt and me talking about how fun it would be to play beanbag baseball with the

To join the big, fun-loving family, head to the Mena Senior Center, 401 Autumn Dr. between 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday-Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays. Call 479-394-5459 for more information.

A board with a horizontal rectangle marked “Foul Ball,” and nine round holes — two each marked “1st,” “2nd,” “3rd,” and “Out,” and a central opening for “Home Run” with a gold-colored bell in the center. The board stands at the end of a 10-foot walkway lined by seven seniors on each side. This sets the stage for beanbag baseball to begin.

Behind the play board are three chairs with handmade base covers labeled “1st,” “2nd,” and “3rd” base, “in Arkansas Razorback fabric, of course,” stated Brenda Hunt who handmade each chair cover.

David Smith, who created the playing board, the scoreboard and several beanbags for the game, stepped up to throw his first bag to score a home run! Every member of the team, including Matt, stood up, cheered and high-fived David as he walked around and touched each base while he made his way back to home plate for the

continued from page 5 er rescuer — they were so sick that the woman there that was running those lots, she’s like, ‘Can we load these five at least or six onto your trailer? You can at least try to save them because they will die. They’re about to die.’ I said, ‘Absolutely, put whoever you want on the trailer, and we’ll do the best that we can.’

“We lost one of those babies but, of the most ravaged and the sickest one was this little foal named Starr. She looked like she had been in a bar fight. I’ve never seen a horse’s face look like her face looked. It was swollen and literally pus dripping from it like so much infection.

“We brought her back that night. It was raining and it was 3 o’clock in the morning by the time we got in, but we stayed up for the next hour and we doctored that little baby and got her penicillin, got her face cleaned and a lot of that infection removed at least for that night… and she is still alive.”

Starr was located in the vet facility down in Texas with Cameron so they could monitor her white blood cell count and get the infection down. The before and after images reveal quite a big change. On one video, even Olivieri didn’t recognize Starr and asked about her, only realizing it was her when Stoudt informed her it was Starr.

“[Cameron] has successfully gotten her to a level that is healthy,” Olivieri said. She was running and I literally couldn’t even believe that I didn’t even recognize her. You can follow her story back on the Instagram. It’s pretty insane.”

The interview with Olivieri will continue in next week’s issue of The Pulse. Meanwhile, the new website moonmountainsanctuaryandrescue.com is not only one of the ways to find out more about them, but their are limited edition holiday cards, each with a professional looking handdrawn design, including a Momma and Baby, the Leopard Appaloosa Kashmir, and Starr. The funds go back into the sanctuary.

The application process for those interested in adopting is also availabel at the site. The application is a six-page form that will require basic horse information and the property where the adopted horse would be kept, as well as a requirement from references, including an equine professional reference. The horses are meant to go to reponsible parties who can actually take proper care of a horse(s).

Instructions and other requirements can be found at the “Application” drop-down menu.

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 Christmas Party will be at the Daisy Room (behind Janseen Avenue Florist & Gifts), from 6:30-10 p.m., Dec. 11. Catered by Papas with fajita checken, rice and beans. Dessert is potluck, so bring your holiday goodies to share.

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.

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. For more information, call 479-437-4018.

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) 3941565 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) 234-5289 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 chang- es call (870) 385-2373.

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!

November 29, 2023

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

November 20, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 35 near Hatfield in reference to two missing juveniles. They were later located. Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a stolen vehicle.

November 21, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 43 near Mena in reference to livestock running at large. Deputies responded to a report of property being destroyed inside the county jail leading to Ronda Castillo, 46, of Mena being issued a citation for criminal mischief.

Teresa Destrini, 58, of Mount Ida was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a charge of Contempt of Court.

November 22, 2023

Deputies responded to a report of a possible theft at a residence on Hwy 88 E near Ink.

Deputies were dispatched to an area on Hwy 71 S near Hatfield in reference to an altercation. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies responded to a residence on Polk 42 near Mena in reference to a structure fire.

November 23, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 23 near Cove in reference to a Physical Domestic disturbance leading to the arrest of Derek Davis, 40, of Cove on charges of 3rd Degree Domestic Battery, 1st Degree Criminal Mischief, five counts of 2nd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Minor, and Interference with Emergency Communication. Also arrested was Mark Davis, 59, of Cove on a charge of Disorderly Conduct.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a child custody exchange.

Deputies responded to a report of a theft. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

November 24, 2023

Deputies responded to a report of a break-in at a property on Polk 76 W near Mena.

November 25, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a business near Hatfield in reference to the unauthorized use of a vehicle. Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 41 S near Mena in reference to a calf being killed.

November 26, 2023

Deputies responded to a report of a physical altercation that had taken place. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Prianna Suggs, 33, of Horatio was arrested on a Felony Failure to Appear Warrant.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 1 vehicle accident this week.

November 19

A report of criminal mischief was taken on Mena Street.

November 20

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

November 21

Richard Rausch, 49, was charged with Theft at Walmart.

November 22

A report of theft was taken from Walmart.

Christian Salgado, 31, was charged with Theft by Receiving and Fleeing on Janssen Street.

November 23

A death investigation report was taken on Highway 71.

November 24

Kaitlan Horner, 34, was charged with DWI, Careless Driving, Possession of Open Container Containing Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle, No Insurance, and Failure to Stop after Accident after a vehicle crash on Jones Street.

Makay Caramez, 21, was charged with Theft at Walmart.

November 25

Christopher Brown, 48, was charged with Criminal Trespass at Walmart.

Polk County Sheriff Scott Sawyer released a statement the afternoon of Nov. 27 to Mena Middle School parents.

“We’ve had several reports of parents receiving calls from an individual stating that their child had been abducted from the school. This is either a scam or a cruel prank.

“All our schools are secure and children safe. We’ve spent the last eight years turning our School Security teams into what I believe are the best in the state. However, for all of our peace of mind, I will be increasing security on our campuses and increasing patrols in and around our schools for however long we deem appropriate.

“The safety of all of our kids has always been a priority for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO).”