G (USPS156-140) Vol. 132, Number 22 DeWitt, AR 72042 • 16 Pages • 2 Sections • 75 cents
AROUND THE COUNTY
DEWITT AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY MEETING
illett Heritage Days Festival
Serving Arkansas k County, Arkansas k Since 1882 Thursday, May 29, 2014
Some “Fishy Business” in DeWitt
The DeWitt American Legion Auxiliary will meet at 5:30pm on June 5th, 2014 at Camp Doughboy. The meeting will begin with the installation of new officers for the coming year! After installation, the American Legion is having an appreciation hamburger super beginning at 6:30pm. Dessert will be served. We will have a speaker that will install the new officers.
WEST - EASTIN WEDDING There has been a correction in the upcoming wedding of Jayce West and Brandon Eastin. The two will be married on May 31, 2014 at the Gillett United Methodist Church at 3pm.
DEWITT PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2014 Summer Reading program will be every Tuesday and Wednesday in JUNE. This year’s theme is Fizz, Boom, Read. Young group ages 5-7 years old will be on Tuesday, and older group 8-10 years old will be on Wednesday. We will be conducting experiments so dress your kids in clothes they could potentially get a little dirty in! It will be tons of fun!
DIGGING WORD
IN
THE
Everyone is welcomed and encouraged to experience “Digging in the Word” by leader/teacher McCoy “Mac” Wibanks, the 1st Saturday of each month at 7pm at 510 South Whitehead Drive, DeWitt (J & J Tax Service). “Mac” received his summons from God over 40 years ago being called to the office of Prophet and teacher to take the message of freedom to those Christians bound in formalism and tradition. His gifts are manifest as he meets you or as he ministers. Bring a friend and prepare to be enlightened!
Story and Photos on Page B1
Left to right: JoAnna, Tracy, Jeff, Tina, and Jon Stortz
By Terrye Seamon It may not exactly be Dr. Seuss’s one fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish, but it is catfish and buffalo ribs at Stortz River Rats Fish Place on Second Street. The family owned and operated restaurant, located at 613 East Second Street (formerly Carter’s Building Supply), opened its door to customers May 15. Owners John Stortz and his wife, Tina, explained the origin of the restaurant’s name. “I’ve been on water since I was three, and love it,” John said. He, his father and grandfather were all raised on the river in houseboats, henceforth the name “River Rats.” After working for 15 years at Producer’s Rice Mill, John wanted to go into business for himself. He talked it over with his wife, who was a little scared about the endeavor at first. He told her, “With the Lord’s help, we can make this.” They then opened Paw’s Fish Market at 316 West 5th Street seven years ago. When asked why they decided to go into the restaurant business, Tina said, “Another adventure.” John, who has been a commercial fisherman all of his life, said, “I’ve sold fish to restaurants across the northern part of Arkansas. I’ve supplied fish for five years to some of those places.” After the owner of one of those restaurants became ill, John thought he’d might like to run her restaurant, Georgetown One Stop, for 5-6 months, and if he liked it, he’d buy it. Everything was great except it was 2 1/2 hours away from home.
“You can’t run a business 2 1/2 hours from here [home],” said John. The restaurant is definitely a family affair, from the Bible verse wall where customers can write down their favorite Bible verse, to the employees. John catches all the fish while Tina keeps the restaurant afloat as well as manages their fish market. Their two children and John’s brother are even in on the deal. Daughter Joanna serves as a waitress while son Jonathan fills in wherever and however he is needed. John’s brother, Jeff Stortz, is the restaurant’s cook. The self-serve buffet style menu consists of river fish only - no pond stuff here. They serve catfish, buffalo ribs, chicken tenders, and all of the trimmings such as hushpuppies, French fries, coleslaw and homemade lemon cake to cleanse the pallet. The family theme even carries over into their prices. All adult plates are $10, while children’s plates (6-12 years) are $7 and children under 5 years old eat for free. “We are a Christian family, and we want people around here to see that you can go and do things with your family, and it doesn’t have to involve all the ruckus and the drama and things of life. You can just come in and sit down and not have to worry about all the stuff in life,” Tina said. Stortz’s River Rats (946-1010) is open Mondays from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. and Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 A.M. to 9 P.M.