13 minute read
Delta Child
In Delta Child, author Talya Tate Boerner draws on her Mississippi County childhood to deliver readers back to a simpler time when screen doors slammed, kids tromped cotton, and Momma baked cornbread for supper every night. Boerner, a fourth-generation Arkansas farm girl, has been published in Arkansas Review, Ponder Review, and Writer’s Digest. Her award-winning debut novel, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, is also set in northeast Arkansas. Follow her blog Grace Grits and Gardening (www.gracegritsgarden.com) for more tales of Arkansas farming, gardening and comfort food. Her second book, Gene, Everywhere, will be available March 2020.
by Talya Tate Boerner
The Saturday Trail
Saturday afternoons were for running errands with Momma and getting stuck behind the train in Osceola. The railroad tracks cut straight through downtown between all the good stores — Newcomb’s Drug Store and Sterling’s on one side; Belk’s and Silverfield’s on the other. I remember the flashing lights and clanging bells and the way Momma stopped the car right away. Even when the train was a whole block away, she never tried to rush over the tracks. That’s one of the things about Mommas.
Sometimes when I’m back home visiting, I drive downtown just to go over the train tracks. Just to remember the Saturday morning train. Even in the dead of winter, I can see summer’s heat hovering over sidewalks and streets. I can hear Nancy Sinatra singing These Boots Are Made for Walking. Momma would turn up the radio, and my sister and I joined in, trying with all our might to memorize the words to the song.
Our desire for go-go boots grew stronger with each singing of the song.
Cars were bigger back then, and the seats in Momma’s Oldsmobile were as long as church pews. While the train passed in a rhythmic blur, my sister and I counted the boxcars from our front-row view. Some boxcars hauled grain. Some hauled coal. Other tanks flashed by with warnings of flammable contents on board. A few empty boxcars passed, their side panels open wide.
Never did we see a hobo, although we looked every time. Would the caboose ever go by? It seemed to me that while the locomotive must surely be pulling into the city limits of Luxora, the caboose was just passing the cotton gin in Wilson. And as for us? No matter which side of the tracks we were on, we needed to be on the other side.
One Saturday, while the train thundered along, I asked Momma, “Have you ever seen a penny flattened by a train?” “I don’t think so. Have you?” “Yeah. Last week, a boy at the swimming pool showed
me one. It had been squashed so flat President Lincoln’s face had been smeared. Almost erased even.” I thought of the penny he’d dropped onto my palm and even let me hold for a minute.
“Do you think a flattened penny would still buy a piece of bubble gum at Big Star?” I asked Momma.
“I don’t know. It probably depends on how bad the coin is damaged.”
That day at the pool, I’d asked the boy why he would want to ruin a perfectly good penny. He’d shrugged and looked annoyed. “I was trying to make the train jump the track. But it didn’t work. The train kept right on going,” he’d said. I thought that was a mean idea to want to wreck a train. I gave the coin back to the crazy boy and stayed away from him for the rest of the summer.
Today as I think back on those days, I doubt my sister and I ever successfully counted all the boxcars of a single Saturday morning train. Distractions of one sort or another always disrupted us. Conversation led to giggling. Songs on the radio led to singing. Or, we simply stopped counting when the train juddered to a halt and began backing up. Oh, the backing up of a train… To this day, I consider it one of life’s great mysteries. We pressed hands to foreheads and moaned and groaned, but really, it was all part of the fun, the waiting to see if it would stop, knowing it would, and feigning exasperation when it happened. Although the process of backing up never lasted very long, for a little while, time stood completely still. I had the same fleeting thought every Saturday — what if we are stuck behind the train for the rest of our lives?
Finally, with a wave to the caboose, usually red, but sometimes not, we bumped over the tracks and went on about our day. The train gave us a lonesome whistle goodbye. It moved on with its day too, delaying other people in other places. Probably Blytheville. Maybe even all the way to St. Louis. •
We go the extra mile.
Large Enough to Serve... Small Enough to Care
• Red Iron Buildings • All Steel Structures • All Bolt-Up Structures • Engineered Buildings 866-479-7870 Over 30 years of service Gravette, AR www.MARATHONMETAL.COM sales@Marathonmetal.com
ABS Global, Inc., a world leader in marketing bovine genetics, is currently seeking a highly motivated entrepreneurial salesperson to provide direct herd sales and insemination service for beef producers in Arkansas. ABS is recruiting for sales areas throughout the state. Successful Representatives generally possess a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science or related field and strong agriculture/livestock knowledge. Experience in artificial insemination highly preferred. This position follows the seasonal nature of beef cattle breeding with the highest sales volumes in the spring and fall.
Please forward resume to: Brian Brace District Business Manager 1607 170th Ave. Reynolds, IL 61279 563-260-4971 Cell brian.brace@genusplc.com
Front Porch
1,000 + Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com
Customer Rating $ 279 99 YOUR CHOICE OF 6 COLORS SUPER COUPON 26" x 22" SINGLE BANK EXTRA DEEP CABINETS $ 299 99
• 9800 cu. in. of storage • 1000 lb. capacity • Weighs 175 lbs. * 26027798 * 2 6 0 2 7 7 9 8 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
SUPER COUPON 72" x 80" MOVING BLANKET
Customer Rating
ITEM 69505/62418 / 66537 shown SAVE 70% NOW $ 5 99 COMPARE TO $ 19 99 BLUE HAWK MODEL: 77280
$ 8 99 * 26028617 * 2 6 0 2 8 6 1 7 LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
LATEX COATED WORK GLOVES NOW $ 1 49 $ 1 99 AVAIL. IN MED, LG, XL
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
ITEM 61437, 90912, 61435 90913, 61436 , 90909 shown SAVE 75% SAVE COMPARE TO $ 5 98 BLUE HAWK MODEL: LW30700-L
* 26045687 * 2 6 0 4 5 6 8 7 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating 2/10/50 AMP, 12 VOLT BATTERY CHARGER AND ENGINE STARTER ®
SUPER COUPON NOW $ 89 99 RAPID PUMP ® 3 TON STEEL HEAVY DUTY FLOOR JACK • Weighs 70 lbs. # 1 SELLING JACKS IN AMERICA Customer Rating ITEM 60581/3418 60653 shown SAVE 41% NOW $ 34 99 COMPARE TO
$ 59 77 SCHUMACHER ELECTRIC MODEL: SE-1250 $ 54 99 * 26049852 * 2 6 0 4 9 8 5 2 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
ITEM 56621/56622/56623 / 56624 shown SAVE $ 45 COMPARE TO $ 135 27 POWERBUILT MODEL: 647593 $ 99 99 * 26060946 * 2 6 0 6 0 9 4 6 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
SAVE $ 1,470
Item 64434, 64432, 64162 , 56104, 56105, 56106 COMPARE TO SNAP-ON $ 1,750 MODEL: KRA4008FPBO
SUPER COUPON • 30,000 hour LED life • Sturdy lightweight design (1.75 lbs.) 5000 LUMEN 4 FT. LED HANGING SHOP LIGHT Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON 130 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CASE ITEM 64410 $ 29 99 SAVE 33% ITEM 64410 $ NOW $ 1 9 99 * 26030045 * 2 6 0 3 0 0 4 5 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
Customer Rating
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating 29 PIECE TITANIUM DRILL BIT SET ITEM 68998/63248/64080/64263 / 63091 shown SAVE 54% NOW $ 29 99 COMPARE TO $ 66 39 ANVIL MODEL: A137HOS $ 39 99 * 26046184 * 2 6 0 4 6 1 8 4 LIMIT 2 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
ITEM 5889/62281 / 61637 shown SAVE 83% NOW $ 1 0 99 COMPARE TO $ 68 14 DEWALT MODEL: DW1369 $ 18 99 * 26055819 * 2 6 0 5 5 8 1 9 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
14" ELECTRIC CHAINSAW
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
ITEM 64498 / 64497 shown SAVE 50% NOW $ 39 99 COMPARE TO $ 80 74 CRAFTSMAN MODEL: 071-45247 $ 49 99 * 26068312 * 2 6 0 6 8 3 1 2 LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/30/20 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day. COMPARE TO
$ 13 52 PERFORMANCE TOOL MODEL: W2364 • Super-Strong, Ultra-Lightweight Composite Plastic • Magnetic Base & 360° Swivel Hook for Hands-Free Operation • 3-AAA Batteries (included) • 144 Lumens ALL IN A SINGLE SUPER POWERFUL LIGHT SUPER BRIGHT LED/SMD WORK LIGHT/FLASHLIGHT ITEM 63878/63991 64005/60566 63601/ 67227 shown * 26024602 * 2 6 0 2 4 6 0 2
20% OFF SUPER COUPON ANY SINGLE ITEM*
* 26013747 * 2 6 0 1 3 7 4 7
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, fl oor jacks, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral, Ames, Atlas, Bauer, Central Machinery, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Diamondback, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 3/30/20.
12" DUAL-BEVEL SLIDING COMPOUND MITER SAW WITH LED AND LASER GUIDE 6-1/2" VERTICAL CROWN MOLDING CAPACITY 4-1/2" TALL SLIDING FENCES LASER GUIDE LIGHT & LED WORK LIGHT COMPARE TO RYOBI MODEL: TSS120L SAVE $ 90 SUPER COUPON Customer Rating $ 179 $ 269 $ 199 99 Superior Features and Accuracy BETTER 3-1/2" VERTICAL CROWN MOLDING CAPACITY 2-5/8" TALL SLIDING FENCES LASER GUIDE LIGHT
MODEL: 8637 SAVE $ 88 SUPER COUPON Customer Rating $ 129 99 12" DUAL-BEVEL SLIDING COMPOUND MITER SAW $ 218 71 $ 159 99 COMPARE TO PROFESSIONAL WOODWORKER Standard Features and Accuracy GOOD
Blade sold separately.
Customer Rating 10" PNEUMATIC TIRE ITEM 63419/67646/62514/63418 / 63417 shown SAVE $ 189 SUPER COUPON Customer Rating NOW $ 1 0 9 99 17 FT. TYPE IA MULTI-TASK LADDER COMPARE TO $ 298 99 LITTLE GIANT MODEL: XE M17 • Versatile - 24 configurations • Safe + Secure + Stable • Super Strong - Holds 300 lbs. • Weighs 34 lbs. $ 139 99 ITEM 61970/56597/56775 / 61969 shown * 26048264 * 2 6 0 4 8 2 6 4 * 26035097 * 2 6 0 3 5 0 9 7 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 * LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
NOW $ 3 99
SAVE 50% $ 5 99
ITEM 69385/62388/62409/62698 / 30900 shown COMPARE TO $ 8 09 FARM & RANCH MODEL: FR1055 * 26056363 * 2 6 0 5 6 3 6 3 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 * BLADE INCLUDED VALUE $ 19 99 FREE
ITEM 64686
* 26035543 * 2 6 0 3 5 5 4 3 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
Customer Rating SUPER GLUE - PACK OF 3
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating NOW $ 449 99 2000 WATT SUPER QUIET INVERTER GENERATOR • 12 hour run time ITEM 42367 SAVE 75% NOW 99 ¢ COMPARE TO $ 3 98 GORILLA MODEL: 78001 $ 1 69 * 26049435 * 2 6 0 4 9 4 3 5 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
ITEM 62523 SAVE $ 559 $ 499 99 COMPARE TO HONDA MODEL: EU2000i $ 1,009 * 26058040 * 2 6 0 5 8 0 4 0 LIMIT 1 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating 30" x 18" HARDWOOD DOLLY • 1000 lb. capacity SUPER COUPON Customer Rating 4-1/2" ANGLE GRINDER
ITEM 69645 / 60625 shown $ 14 99 SAVE 44%
ITEM 69645 / 60625 shown NOW $ 9 99 COMPARE TO $ 17 99 PERFORMAX MODEL: 2411-1
* 26077321 * 2 6 0 7 7 3 2 1 LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
ITEM 38970/ 92486/39757/60496/62398 / 61897 shown SAVE 39% NOW $ 1 1 99 COMPARE TO $ 19 97 MILWAUKEE MODEL: 33700 $ 15 99 * 26090333 * 2 6 0 9 0 3 3 3 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 3/30/20 *
Front Porch
WINTER 2018
SPRING 2019
Winter Work Cold weather doesn’t slow down farm life Deli Delicious Recipes Why soybeans matter to Arkansas and the world Also: Rural Road Trip Doing it Her Way FALL 2019
Also: What Arkansas Grows
World’s Most Powerful Leaf Vacuum!
Perfect for SPRING CLEAN-UP!
• Rated #1 in vacuum power! • Huge capacity. • Stores fl at in minutes. • Easy, onehanded dumping. Tow-Behind
Walk-Behind
• Easy on/off collector bags hold up to 8 bushels! • Perfect for landscaped areas and smaller properties. • Self-propelled
model is available. NEWLY REDESIGNED with More Power and Capacity!
FREE SHIPPING 6 MONTH TRIAL
SOME LIMITATIONS APPLY Go online or call for details.
*Assembled in the USA using domestic and foreign parts. Go Online or Call for FREE Info Kit! DRleafmachines.com 888-213-1298 TOLL FREE
AUTHENTIC ARKANSAS
CULTURE ART FOOD HISTORY MUSIC ADVENTURE PEOPLE archives
Arkansas Arts Council Arkansas Historic Preservation Program Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission Arkansas State Archives Delta Cultural Center Historic Arkansas Museum Mosaic Templars Cultural Center Old State House Museum
Authentic Arkansas is a collection of archives that tell our story.
We are here to preserve and protect these pieces of our history. ArkansasHeritage.com
Plus Money Market Account Get more with your return.
This is your money... plus more. Do tax season right with Farm Bureau Bank®. Our Plus Money Market Account gives you more earning potential with online banking and access to funds. Take advantage of our best retail Money Market ever this tax season! Contact your Arkansas Farm Bureau agent and apply today!
