Community Calendar of Events
Tuesday October 15
Last day to pay Personal and Property taxes. Pay online or pay at Des
Prairie County Court hears complaints about dispensary
Two major discussions took place in the October 8 Quorum Court meeting. Only Justice Payne was absent from the meeting. Residents of the Newton Lane area spoke to the court about the placement of a medical marijuana store in their area. The residents were concerned about the increased traffic that would occur in the area and were upset that they were not consulted about the decision. The dispensary will be located on Highway 38 near the Prairie County border. The group was not against medical marijuana, just the location of the dispensary. According to a representative of the Dark Horse company who attended the meeting, 280 signatures had been collected in favor of the dispensary, including signatures from the area, even though the effort wasn’t required. “ I want to take full responsibility,” the representative said. “We attempted to do the
right thing,” he said. “I tried.” He said that the company had met the law and put the announcement on the local FaceBook group.
The dispensary was given the “go ahead” by the state ABC board the week before. The dispensary hopes to provide a service for underserved patients, including the elderly, who live within 30 minutes from where the new dispensary will be placed.
The group said that they knew nothing could be done to change the decision, but asked that the court consider creating a zoning committee to decide on future companies setting up busi-
nesses within the county. The second discussion was with representatives from the solar company Silicon Ranch, about the solar array that will be placed in Des Arc. There were some questions about the ordinance that was passed by the court to regulate solar companies within the county. Silicon Ranch asked that the court consider making changes to the ordinance to allow for different sizes of solar setups. The company asked that the court reconsider the decommissioning requirements, the reporting requirements, and the
number of fire department inspections. The solar array will be connected to the Entergy power grid and has a five megawatt limit per project. Hanna Nordin also handed out a report concerning the environmental consequences of solar projects and the effect on property values. The court will look at the changes requested and present changes at the next meeting. The company plans to begin construction on the project in February of 2025.
In other business, Judge Lawrence Holloway said that a study of Highway 323, which is owned by the
Arkansas Department of Transportation, is underway. He does not think that there are plans to turn it into a gravel road. Justice Paul Hooks brought up the subject of drainage problems and road flooding in the southern part of the county. Justice Gary King said that there was a pipe cutting into Roy Newton Road, which the judge acknowledged. Justice Rick Stallings reminded the county department heads that their budgets needed to be in by the end of October. With no other business, the court adjourned.
Moody, Sinkey give presentation at volunteer conference
This past week 4-H professionals and volunteers across the southern region gathered at Rock Eagle 4-H center in Georgia to learn, gain resources, network and have fun. Arkansas was well represented by Michelle McVay, STEM Instructor; Cindy Phillips, Tech Changemakers Program Tech; Breanna Wade, Program AssociateVolunteer and Staff Development; Kim Harrison, White County 4-H Volunteer; Misty Watkins, White County 4-H Volunteer; Prairie County FCS/4-H Agent Emilee Moody and Prairie County 4-H Program Assistant Amanda Stark/Sinkey. Michelle McVay and Cindy Phillips taught a training on using STEM in 4-H programs. Their lesson was on how to use circuits. They did this by making homemade birthday cards that lit up!
Breanna Wade made lots of connections and will bring back the knowledge she attained
to develop a volunteer conference for Arkansas. Kim and Misty attended many classes and are anxious to take them back to White County and use them in their clubs.
Prairie County’s own Emilee Moody and Amanda Stark Sinkey taught a lesson on Cupcake Wars, a sweet treat! Their program gave 4-H Volunteers the opportunity to complete the Cupcake War challenge but also learn the benefits of the program. Emilee and Amanda explained that it was more than just a baking competition but a chance for 4-Hers to work on team building and leadership. They also went over the chemistry of baking. Explaining several variations to make the program work in any environment. Giving examples of how they have had a day camp one year, have used it in library programs and will be at the high school FCS classes in the following weeks.
They went on to share how this is a great program to reach out to the community and recruit new 4-H members. Because who doesn’t like cupcakes? After their presentation they attended several other lessons to gain resources to bring back to Prairie County.
Robert Lee
Perkins
Robert Lee Perkins, 100 of Carlisle, Arkansas, left this life peacefully on October 10, 2024. He was born on December 6, 1923, to Charlie and Mary Zimmerman Perkins of Carlisle.
A devoted husband and family man, Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Louise Riddle Perkins. He was also preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Nellie James, Fred Perkins, Clara Donham, Martha Best, Vernon Perkins, and Ruth Woodall. He is survived by his five children Bobby (Chris) Perkins, David (Becky) Perkins, Phillip Perkins, Gayla (Carlos) Lopez and Marty Perkins. Grandchildren include Kim (Brad) Moran, Clark Perkins, Stuart (Alyson) Perkins, Shelley (Eric) Jameson, Charla Terry, Aaron (Alison) Perkins, Brandi (Travis) Hendricks, Blane (Megan) Perkins, Blake (Heather) Perkins. Robert is also survived by eighteen great grandchildren and four greatgreat-grandchildren.
A lifelong resident of Carlisle, Robert began his farming career in Carlisle in 1941. Being a man possessed with an incredible work ethic, he did not retire until the age of 90. He loved his chosen profession. His four sons eventually joined him in the family business.
In addition to farming, he was a dedicated supporter of his community. He was a life-long member of the Carlisle First
Methodist Church. Over the years, he was a member of Lions Club, City Council and served on the board of the Hazen Division of Riceland Foods. He was also a past President of the Grand Prairie Country Club as well as a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a self-made man who lived the American dream. He was a loving husband, a steadfast friend, a man of strong faith and his family’s devoted patriarch. A man of clear vision and discipline, Robert was a remarkable role model. His mega-watt smile and incredible sense of humor will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Visitation was held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, October 14 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen. Funeral services were held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 15 at the First Methodist Church in Carlisle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Carlisle First Methodist Church or the charity of your choice in honor of Robert.
Melvin John Schafer
the care of his crops. He did not end working in his fields until he was 88 years old and he went on to care for the love of his life, his wife of 71 years until her death 4 years ago.
Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Judy McMullen Schafer; son, Randy Schafer; daughter, Melba Burleson and grand-daughter, Sara Burleson Haney. Survivors include his daughters, Julie Schafer-Ingle (Roger), Cindy Uhiren (Mark) and son, John Mark Schafer(Patricia), as well as 9 grandchildren and 17 greatgrandchildren and his sister, Thelma Munnerlyn.
He was a life-long member of St. Rose Catholic Church in Carlisle. Services were at St. Rose Catholic Church in Carlisle at 11:00 A.M., Monday, October 14, 2024 with a receiving at 10:00 A.M. and rosary at 10:30 A.M.
Bobby Darrell
Wilson
Melvin John Schafer, our beloved father, grandfather, and greatgrandfather left this earth on October 11, 2024. He was a lifelong resident of Carlisle. Melvin was a dedicated farmer who took great pride in being a steward of the land and worked tirelessly in
By Vicki Skarda
The Class of 1974, of Des Arc High School celebrated their 50th Class Reunion this past weekend at Des Arc High, October 11 and 12, 2024. They started at the Homecoming/Pep Rally on the Football Field Friday October 11, 2024. The, the highschool principal B.J. Parshall gave us a tour of the new High School. We enjoyed it. Then the class headed to the Homecoming parade. After the parade we ate at the pizza place in Des Arc.
Homecoming game didn’t disappoint., Eagles
Colonel Bobby Darrell Wilson left his earthly home for his heavenly one Monday, October 7, 2024 surrounded by those that loved him. He was 89 years old.
Bobby was born November 20, 1934 to Harley and Viola Wilson in Humphrey, Arkansas. He was born as one of the middle children in his family and no doubt a completing piece to their loving home. Bobby attended and graduated from Hazen High School in 1953. Immediately following
school, he began his career with Arkansas Rice Growers Association. He was with the association through its transition into Riceland, and worked his way through multiple promotions throughout his more than 30-year career before retiring as Manager of the Stuttgart Grain Drying Association. Before graduating high school, Bobby also joined the Arkansas National Guard in 1952. While also working at Riceland, Bobby began training and working his way through the ranks of the Arkansas National Guard. Bobby Wilson was of the first class of the Arkansas Military Academy's Officer Candidate School in 1958, and would later be inducted into the OCS Hall of Fame in 2002. Ultimately in 1984, Bobby received his Silver Eagle as full bird Colonel when appointed as Inspector General and the Post Commander at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. Colonel Wilson’s last appointment was given to him in April of 1987 when he was named the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for the State of Arkansas.
Colonel Bobby D. Wilson served his country proudly for 43 years and retired from service in 1994.
While attending school in Hazen Bobby met the love of his life, Carol Jeanette Clarke. Bobby and Carol would marry May 20, 1955 and would go on to start their sweet family in Stuttgart, Arkansas. The Wilsons celebrated the birth of their first son, Stephen Mark Wilson, on July 31, 1959
and would later welcome the birth of their youngest son Michael Clarke Wilson on October 5, 1962 who completed their family. While they had their two sons, the Wilsons were considered “family” to a great deal of others throughout their community and across the United States. While Colonel Wilson already had accomplished careers and an unmatched strength and work ethic, the role that he excelled in most was “Papaw” and familyman. The Wilson families never had a shortage of love or support as Bobby Wilson was a wellspring of it for those that he cared for.
In retirement, Bobby and Carol moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas and expanded their lives and their faith even further in their later years.
Bobby served as Deacon at Lakeshore Heights Baptist Church where he could be found most days when not with his family. Their home in Hot Springs would become the home base for their family and what was a weekend getaway house was transformed by Bobby Wilson’s craftsmanship, becoming adorned in sweet memories of each of their children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren. Bobby was most adored by his grandchildren; there was never a single event or milestone in their lives that he was not present for. While those he left behind mourn the loss of their rock and pillar of their family, they are forever grateful to have had the privilege of having a champion such as Colonel Bobby D. Wilson in their lives and they find solace in the
thought of having such a strong, generous and commanding angel to watch over them from above.
Colonel Bobby D. Wilson was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Viola Wilson; his sister Irene Parks; his brothers, Arthur and Kenneth Wilson; his son, Michael Clarke Wilson; and a grandson, Joshua Robert Wilson.
Colonel Wilson is survived by his wife of 69 years, Carol Jeanette (Clarke) Wilson; his son, Stephen Mark Wilson; his daughter-in-law Alyson (Rodgers) Wilson; his grandchildren, Kayla Wilson, Kris (Dillon) Foshe, Abby (Johnny) Cheek, and Jared (Abigail) Wilson; and his greatgrandchildren Liam Wilson, Kaidence Foshe, Porter Foshe, Vivianne Cheek, and Peter Wilson. He is also leaving behind a host of family and friends too numerous to name and will no doubt be helping from above to usher in the newest members of the Wilson family expected to arrive in early 2025 as well.
Services for Colonel Bobby D. Wilson will be held at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen, Arkansas on Saturday, October 12, 2024, visitation will begin at 12:00 PM with a memorial service to follow at 1:00 PM, his military honors and send off will follow at his graveside in Hazen Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, those that wish to honor Colonel Wilson make donations to Arkansas Children’s Hospital or their own special cause in his name.
