This Week's Edition

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Scenes from the 2020 Slovak festival. (See page 6.)

Volume 121 Number 5 - USPS 225-680

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Community Calendar of Events

Tuesday February 1 Black History Month begins Master Gardeners’ meeting at Hazen Methodist Church 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday February 2 Groundhog Day Wednesday February 3 Bingo at Hazen Public Library 11:00 a.m.

Monday February 7 Hazen School Board meeting High School library 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday February 8 Quorum Court meeting Des Arc Annex 6:00 p.m.

Thursday February 10 DeValls Bluff City Council meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m.

Monday February 14 Biscoe EHC meeting First Baptist Church 10:30 a.m.

Community events brought to you by Hazen Chamber of Commerce

and the Please call F&M Bank (255-3042) or The Grand Prairie Herald (255-4538) to list events.

Slovak Heritage Day planned for February 12 The 7th Annual Slovak Heritage Day will be held in Slovak on Saturday, February 12, 2022, from 3:00-5:00 p.m at the Parish Hall.

This day also honors our patron saints, Sts. Cyril & Methodius.

Everyone is invited to view the exhibitions and visit. If you have any

Slovakian memorabilia or family information and/or photos to share, please bring it to display.

A mass in honor of Sts.

Cyril & Methodius will be held at 5:00 p.m. followed by a potluck dinner at 6:15 p.m., and we might even dance a little! Please bring your

favorite Slovakian or other family dishes, drinks, to share.

(The photo above shows some of the exhibits shared in 2020.)

Arkansas rent relief program pauses to make changes (LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — The Arkansas Rent Relief Program has paused accepting applications effective immediately to implement changes to how funds are paid so that checks go to both the landlord and tenant.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) will continue to process applications that already have been submitted and may re-open applications if available funding remains after approved applications are paid out using the new payment process.

The Rent Relief program has already distributed more than $68 million in rental and utility assistance across more than 22,600 applications, two-thirds of which were paid directly to landlords and utility companies. Currently, there are more than $50 million in applications in various stages of review, and the amount ultimately approved from this pool of applications will determine how much funding remains. More than $128 million in applications have been denied,

canceled, or withdrawn since the program began in May 2021.

Going forward, checks issued to eligible tenant-only applications will include the name of both the tenant and the landlord. Under the current process, landlord and tenant applications are matched, and funds are paid to the landlord if both parties provide required information within 10 days. If the landlord does not provide information, the funds are sent to the tenant only.

That process will still occur, but checks will now have the names of both parties. This means a tenant will still need to work with the landlord once the check has been received.

This program began accepting applications in May 2021 from tenants and landlords in every county in the state except for Benton, Pulaski, and Washington, which each operated their own rental assistance programs. This program began accepting applications from Pulaski County in November 2021 after that county program ended. DHS

Des Arc School District reports fewer absences

By Lisa Mills The Des Arc School Board held their monthly meeting on January 24th.

Superintendent Dr. Marc Sherrell was pleased to report a decrease in absences due to Covid. As of the time of the meeting there were only 22 students and staff out due to covid. Sherell said this is a big decrease from numbers in the 80s.

Attending the meeting were Superintendent Marc Sherrell, High School Principal Michael Strother, Elementary Principal Cheryl Holland, District Treasurer Natasha

Richards and board members Stewart Morton, Billy Hinson, Jordan Smith, Johnny Reidhar, Charlie Brown, Sylvester Holloway and Drew Widener.

Superintendent Sherrell reported that current enrollment is 350 in the Elementary and 256 in the High School.

Dan Lovelady from First Security Beardsley presented the board with bond closing documents and the board adopted a resolution to accept the documents.

The board approved the general and legal liability insurance rates of $7,038 for general and $541 for legal.

also reallocated $23 million to Benton and Washington county programs. This decision does not impact the Benton and Washington county programs.

Low-income Arkansans needing rental, homelessness prevention, or

rapid re-housing assistance can apply for funds through the Emergency Solutions Grant program, funded

by DHS, and administered by organizations across the state.

Funding is available for eligible individuals. To

find an Emergency Solutions Grant provider, please visit our website at https://humanservices.ar kansas.gov/wpcontent/uploads/COVID_ ESG_RentalAssistance Agencies.pdf.

Local graduate helping farmers Hayden Patterson, recent graduate of the University of Central Arkansas with a degree in Marketing and Management, has joined the Silveus Crop Insurance Group.

Hayden comes from a family of farmers and agri businessmen.

Hayden's father, Teddy Patterson, worked for the Arkansas Farm Bureau prior to his death; his grandfather, Billy Patterson, farmed near Biscoe and retired from Riceland Foods; and his uncle, Tony Patterson, works for Greenway in Des Arc. Hayden used to spend his summers working for his uncle, Willie Oxner, and cousin, William Oxner.

He enjoyed growing up hunting and fishing at Little Hill and still enjoys those activities in areas of Monroe and Prairie Counties.

Hayden realizes that farming is not stagnant—from new seed traits, equipment tech-

59° 31°

64%

nologies, and changing

ers better manage their

market pressures, farming changes at a rapid pace. He feels strongly that he can serve producers by helping them with risk management.

Like the field of agriculture, crop insurance is also constantly developing, and it is important for farmers to know what is available that will help them protect their inputs and assets.

As an agent for Silveus Crop Insurance, Hayden is excited to help farm-

risks for years to come.

He sees this as an opportunity to follow in his family’s footsteps, not by farming, but by helping farmers stay in business. It is important for farmers to ask questions, such as "Do I farm like I did five years ago?" and "Is my crop insurance the same plan I bought five years ago?"

It may be time to take a fresh look, and Hayden is ready to help.

35° 26°

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35° 17°

11%

39°

21° 5%

46° 27°

7%

Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Michael Lynn Fisher Michael Lynn Fisher, age 58, passed away Friday, January 28, 2022 at U n i t y Health in Searcy. He is survived by his wife, Tangelia Wheatherly Fisher; his mother, Pat Fisher; his children Calvin Michael Aaron Fisher and his wife Tiffany, Ariel Nichole Kendrick and her husband Matthew; Five grandchildren, Lynleigh & Waylon Fisher, Brentley, Grayson & Anna Kendrick all of Des Arc; Sister Betty Jane Bailey and her husband Bill and children, Shanna Rogers, Brandon & Shane Hinshaw and a number extended family members.

Visitation was held between 1-2 PM Tuesday with services following at 2 PM, at Garth Funeral Home Chapel in Des Arc. Burial was at Lakeside Cemetery.

Peggy Moore Lucas Peggy Moore Lucas was born June 24th, 1934 and entered her heavenly home on January 27th, 2022 where a joyous reunion took place with many family and friends who made the journey before her including her beloved grandsons, William and Jacob Greenwalt, her husband,

Arkansas Press Association Member 2020

The

Grand Prairie Herald (USPS) 225-680 The Grand Prairie Herald is an independent publication that has served Prairie County since December, 1901. It is published weekly by

Herald Publishing Company P.O. Box 370 111 Hwy 70 E Hazen, Arkansas 72064 Ph. 870-255-4538 Email: heraldpublishing@gmail.com

Subscription Rates In Prairie County $20.00/year In Arkansas $25.00/year Out of State $30.00/year Periodicals Postage paid at Hazen, Arkansas 72064 POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to: Grand Prairie Herald P.O.Box 370 Hazen, Arkansas 72064 Managing Editor/Publisher Roxanne Bradow Circulation/Accounts Trudy Johnson Sports Editor Mark Buffalo Photographer Ruth Corley

James Lucas, her parents, E.P. and Grace Moore, her brother, Wilburn Moore, her sisters, Walsie Jennings, Colleen Burnett, Twila Moore, Loretta Seymore and Marilyn Tefteller.

She is survived by sons Chuck(Denice) Greenwalt and Kym Greenwalt, daughter, Robin (Tony) Flippin, grandchildren, Scott (Stacey) Greenwalt, Jared (Wendy) Greenwalt, Emily Greenwalt, Ashley Thorup and Sarah Linders; 12 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.

She is also survived by her brother Eddie Moore, and sister Charlene Highfill.

As we mourn our loss, we rejoice in her body made whole and well again. She is talking, singing and laughing with her favorite people.

She will, no doubt, be planting a garden and welcoming all strays, human and animal, into her mansion on the hilltop. She was a caretaker by nature and comforted all who needed a hug or a shoulder to cry on.

She was a loving mother and a fun Nana.

A celebration of her life was held on Monday, January 31, at 2:00 p.m. at Walter’s Chapel Cemetery pavilion.

George Gene Pich George Gene Pich, age 78, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.

Known as George and GG by many and by his family as Dad and “Pop Pop” to his grandkids, he was a loving husband for 53 years, an amazing father to his three sons, and a doting grandfather to his six grandchildren.

George was born January 6, 1944 in Stuttgart, Arkansas to George and Katherine “Katie” Pich and was the youngest of four children. George grew up on his family’s farm spending his free time hunting with his favorite dog Wolfe.

He graduated from Hazen High School, in Arkansas in 1961. He was a proud University of Arkansas Razorback, class of 1966, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.

George served in the US Marine Corp Reserve.

He married Linda Sue Clarke in 1968. George then had a long career at Gulf Oil /Chevron bringing his young family to Texas from Arkansas. George enjoyed keeping in touch with old friends, the outdoors, do-it-yourself projects and tinkering in his workshop.

George is survived by his loving wife Linda, three sons; Clarke and wife Heather and their children Cooper and Lauren; David and wife Penny and their two daughters, Sabrina and Allison, Joseph “Joe” and wife Fiona and their two boys Andrew and Alexander “Alex”. He is also survived by his older sister Maryann Willey, and two older brothers Albert “Sonny” Pich and Bill Pich.

A service to celebrate George’s life will be held the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in DeValls Bluff, Arkansas on February 5, 2022 at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Salvation Army would be appreciated.

Ronnie West Simmons Ronnie West Simmons, 69 of Des Arc went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

He was b o r n August 10, 1952 to the late John and Marion Simmons.

Ronnie was a farmer and a member of Center Point Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and a teacher. He also served in the National Guard and was a founding member of the Oak Prairie Fire Department.

Ronnie is survived by his wife of 46 years Kathy (Holmes) Simmons of Des Arc; two sons Jason (Jenny) Simmons and Josh (Kim) Simmons all of Des Arc; three grandsons Owen, Ethan and Jase Simmons; one brother Johnny (Louise) Simmons of Cabot, a brother-in-law and friend Rick (Vickie) Holmes of Hazen; two nephews Jake (Laura) Holmes of Hazen and Patrick Simmons of Beebe; one niece Jocelyn (Drew) Pannell of Beebe; four great nephews and 1 great niece as well as many cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers and plants the family request memorials be made to Center Point Missionary Baptist Church 1164 Ruth Lane, Hazen Ar 72064 or Center Point Cemetery 2826 Hwy 249 North, Hazen, Ar, 72064.

The funeral service was held on Saturday January, 29, 2022, at Center Point Missionary Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. in Hazen with visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.

Burial was in the Center Point Cemetery.

Sweets for sale...

This brother/sister team spent a blustery, cold Saturday selling cookies, banana muffins, and Rice Krispy treats at Hazen City Park. (Editor’s note: The muffins were delicious!)

YOUNG ADULT City of the DeadJames Patterson Hawk- James Patterson One of Us is NextKaren M McManus One of is Lying- Karen M McManus ADULT Private Scandals- Nora Roberts The Loneliest CottageMelissa Storm The Brightest LightMelissa Storm Th Sweetest MemoryMelissa Storm The Strongest LoveMelissa Storm The Happiest PlaceMelissa Storm The Darkest HourMelissa Storm Cottage on Gooseberry Bay: Santa Who- Kathi Daley The Perfect MurderKat Martin Go tell the Bees that I am gone- Diana Gabaldon A Killer's Wife- Victor Methos Circle of Doubt- Tracy Buchanan Trail of DestructionTracy Buchanan A Witch for Mr. Holiday- Deanna Chase A Witch for Mr. Winter- Deanna Chase A Witch for Mr. Christmas- Deanna Chase

Coral Holiday- Jan Moran Something to HideElizabeth George The Last House on the street- Diane Chamberlain A Stranger's GameColleen Coble Not a Happy FamilyShari Lapena One Step Too Far- Lisa Gardner End of Days- Brad Taylor Watching over YouLori Foster Invisible- Danielle Steel The Last GoodnightKat Martin Find Me- Alafair Burke Trouble in Tall PineJohn Legg (Western) Bitterroot Badlands- B N Rundell (Western) Old Bones- Preston & Child Chain of CommandTom Clancy The Wreck- Landon Beach The Sail- Landon Beach The HorsewomanJames Patterson Last Seen LeavingCaleb Roehrig Indecent ExposureStuart Woods Long Road to MercyDavid Baldacci The Family You MakeJill Shalvis

Resort at Castaway Bay: Now and ThenKathi Daley Inviting DangerRobert Goluba Flight- Laura Griffin Chasing DarknessDanielle Girard Annihilation RoadChristine Feehan The Hero I NeedNicole Snow The Romeo Arrangement- Nicole Snow No Holding Back- Lori Foster Stranger Than You Know- Lori Foster The Best Friend ZoneNicole Snow The Worst Best Friend- Nicole Snow Unexpected- Lori Foster Biscuits and GravyWilliam W Johnstone (Western) Hell For BreakfastWilliam W Johnstone (Western) DVD’s No Time to Die Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness American Sicario Spencer Dune Shimmer and Shine Beyond the Rainbow Falls Barbie & Her Sisters in the Great Puppy Adventure

Hazen Cemetery Donations In Memory of: Geraldine Rhodes By: Suzy Schrantz Cheryl Jenkins Elaine Horn In memory of: Livesay

Jimmy

By: Sue Livesay In Memory of: Jerry Aycock By: Cheryl Jenkins Upkeep: Marie Price Mary Ellen Cook Worth Don and Eillen Vaught

Melba Stine Melinda Wheeler Donations are greatly appreciated and may be mailed to: Hazen Cemetery, P.O. Box 92, Hazen, Ar. 72064

Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 2, 2022

New medical billing protections for Arkansas consumers As of January 1, 2022, consumers have new billing protections when getting emergency care, non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers. Through new rules aimed to protect consumers, excessive out-of-pocket costs will be restricted, and emergency services must continue to be covered without any prior authorization, regardless of whether or not a provider or facility is innetwork.

Prior to the No Surprises Act, if consumers had health coverage and received care from an out-of-network provider, their health plan usually would not cover the entire out-ofnetwork cost. This may have left them with higher costs than if they had been seen by an innetwork provider. This is especially common in emergency situations, where consumers may not be able to choose the provider. Even if a consumer goes to an in-network hospital, they may receive care from out-ofnetwork providers at that facility.

In many cases, the outof-network provider could bill consumers for the difference between the charges the provider billed and the amount paid by the consumer’s health plan. This is known as balance billing. An unexpected balance bill is called a surprise bill.

The law applies to health insurance plans starting in 2022. It applies to the selfinsured health plans that employers offer as well as plans from health insurance compa-

nies.

The No Surprises Act, protects you from: • Surprise bills for covered emergency out-ofnetwork services, including air ambulance services (but not ground ambulance services), and • Surprise bills for covered non-emergency services at an in-network facility.

• A facility (such as a hospital or freestanding emergency room [ER]) or a provider may not bill you more than your innetwork coinsurance, copays, or deductibles for emergency services, even if the facility or provider is out-of-network.

•If your health plan requires you to pay copays, coinsurance, and/or deductibles for innetwork care, you are responsible for those.

• The new law also protects you when you receive non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. An outof-network provider may not bill you more than your in-network copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for covered services performed at an in-network facility.

You can never be asked to waive your protections and agree to pay more for out-of-network care at an in-network facility for care related to emergency medicine, anesthesiology, pathology, radiology, or neonatology—or for services provided by assistant surgeons, hospitalists, and intensivists, or for diagnostic services including radiology and lab services.

For additional information, consumers can call the AID Consumer Services Division toll free at 800-852-5494, or the No Surprises Help Desk at 1-800-985-3059.

7th Annual Slovak Heritage Day Saturday, February 12, 2022 Slovak Parish Hall will be open from 3:00-5:00 p.m. to view the exhibitions and visit.

Mass in honor of Sts. Cyril & Methodius at 5:00 p.m.

Potluck Dinner at 6:15 p.m.

If you have any Slovakian memorabilia or family information/photos to share, bring it to display.

Please bring your favorite Slovakian or other family dishes, drinks, to share!!

Blurred Vision -

By Nathaniel Bradow

“2022 - Historically?”

Historical significance is a big deal in most countries of the “old world.” In European and Eastern nations, there is a very deep sense of history that we don’t identify with here in the “new world.” In America, we have a storied history of around 350 years as a colony and then independent nation. We like to get up in arms about that history and scream in one way or another that some entity is repressing or “white-washing” or rewriting the history of those 350 years.

It is a great talking point to be sure, gentle readers. Who doesn’t disagree with something that happened in our not-too-far-away past that they would like to gloss over or at least soften up the more cringe-worthy edges of?

Generally, “old worlders” will look down their noses at we Americans and snort, “Come talk to me when you have 6,000 or so years of history under your belt.” I say that to illustrate that every nation of any age has to confront its past multiple times throughout its existence. What makes us think we should be any different?

Recently, I had an interesting discussion with a group of kids about the “destruction” of “our” history when it comes to all the “woke” people defacing and pulling down Confederate monuments placed throughout the South. I think the conversation started with some kind of World History assignment and morphed into a railing against “woke” culture.

After hearing several inaccuracies in argument (given in earnest) and a few tempers begin to flare, I decided to enter the fray and hope that logic would help level heads prevail.

One kid made the statement, “I can’t help that most of history was made by whites.” To which one kid of Asian descent immediately replied, “You just need to shut your mouth

right now.” In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, I added that some of the oldest texts actually stem from the Middle-East and Far-Eastern cultures.

Comparatively, America pales in comparison to the truly old histories of the world. The conversation veered to talking about Robert E. Lee’s birthday and why, when it overlaps with Martin Luther King Jr.’s, we choose to celebrate King instead of Lee. It is interesting to watch kids construct and try to defend arguments. It is one of the few times you can actually watch a mind change or alter how it looks at things. Kids have a great capacity to show what they are thinking on their faces.

This is one of the reasons I enjoy being a teacher.

As the conversation went back and forth between about eight kids with no real headway, I asked them to try an exercise. I asked them to think logically.

“Try to take out all emotional arguments, and just deal in the facts you know.”

Conversation stopped for a good 5-10 seconds before one kid said something like, “Lee is just as big a historical figure as King.” I responded with, “That may be; however, what is Lee historically known for doing?” We all know the response, gentle readers: general, brilliant tactician, only lost because he was greatly outnumbered, etc. From there I asked how many monuments to Lee there were. No one knew. I asked where they were located. None of them knew although they did guess a few spots. Then I asked, “How many monuments are there to Ulysses S. Grant, the winning general of the Civil War?” Again, silence.

Then I asked how many other losing generals had monuments which memorialized their losses. *Crickets* Just in case you think I

don’t know, there are statues to Nathan Bedford Forrest and Crazy Horse as well as a few others who were ultimate losers in war.

Then I asked if they knew when the Lee monuments were constructed. *The look of total innocents and ignorance.* The conversation went into a bit of a history lesson after that, but by the end of it, there seemed to be a little bit more appreciation of what “history” really is and how every culture has done bad things they would rather forget.

If you don’t know, gentle readers, Lee’s monuments are spread throughout the South and parts of the Midwest. Nearly all of them were built or dedicated or constructed between the 1930s and 1960s. Not immediately after the Civil War or even during Southern Reconstruction, but 70 to 100 years after the battles he fought in were won or lost. So, why were these monuments erected? During the 30s - 60s there was a reemergence of Southern attempts to further oppress African Americans. The statues were a counter to the talks of desegregation and to the laws barring things like poll taxes and intelligence tests to vote in elections. Lee came back into popularity during this time under the guise of “honoring a great general” when really it was an attempt to literally cement the subjugation of African Americans into the culture of the American South. These monuments were not meant as a symbol of Southern “greatness.”

They were built as a symbol of the ongoing oppression of an entire people based on the excess of melanin in their skin which causes it to be darker.

We like to wax philosophical about the “heroes” of our past.

The point is, people are complicated. We are tangles of hypocrisy and contradictions.

The same was true of our founders. People who want to pull down statues of Washington and Jefferson and Lincoln and any member of the 18th or 19th centuries aren’t entirely wrong.

But, they are making the same mistake of judging those founders by the same rubric we use for today’s society.

The truth is, most of the founders were rich,

landowni n g , s l a v e owners who complained about not having the same rights as British citizens even though they were, by law, British citizens.

The hypocrisy is cold butter thick. Jefferson’s own words contradict the practices of his plantation, and we can only marginally forgive him and Washington for freeing their slaves after they died.

It isn’t an excuse to say that they were idealists in an imperfect world.

They were imperfect men in an imperfect world. But, their monuments weren’t erected as a symbol of oppression, but symbols of hope in a country that needed all the hope it could get at the time.

We judge them for their imperfections, and maybe we should.

Maybe we should add to their legacies by varying them slightly.

Maybe they don’t deserve to be praised and worshiped as master’s of the universe (which they weren’t).

However, saying that they were responsible for the slave trade and all its evils, even though many of them participated in it, isn’t fair either. There needs to be a middle ground where we can honor as well as condemn. As the good book says, “Focus not on the splinter in your friend’s eye while you ignore the plank in your own.”

My point is this: intention matters. Lee’s monuments were built as a reminder and symbol of oppression and subjugation. Monuments to Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin, while flawed men, were constructed to bring hope to a country at its birth.

Ultimately, we each have to judge our “heroes” by our own moral compasses.

However, don’t make the mistake of thinking we are the only country that has had to deal with this kind of paradox handed to them by history. We are very much a toddler-aged country in the grand scheme of civilization on this green and blue rock we call home. So, our mistakes might seem a little too close for comfort, but time will reveal “the better angels of our nature,” hopefully.

To comment, you can reach me at thatbradowguy@gmail.com

Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 2, 2022

What did she just say? . . .

by Dr. James L. Snyder

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

(Psalm 133:1).

Calvary Baptist Church West North Front Street, Hazen, AR Phone: (870) 255 - 4038 Christian VanHouten, pastor Sunday School: 9:50 AM Worship: 10:45 AM BTC: 6 PM Evening Worship 6:45 PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7 PM First Baptist Church 224 N. Hazen Ave. Hazen, AR 72064 Phone: (870) 255 - 4464 Sunday Service Sunday School: 10:00 AM Morning Worship: 11:00 AM

To be honest, I don't always hear what I'm supposed to hear. I do have ears, but sometimes they are not working in such a way as to benefit me.

Often, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage will talk to me about something, and then at the end of that, she will ask me a question of which I have no idea what the answer would be. I did hear her talking; I just did not hear what she was saying.

That's why I say, "Yes, dear," to knock her off her game, thinking that I heard what she said.

Often, when I come home, as soon as I come through the door, she will say, "Did you stop and get what I told you to get at the grocery store?"

Now I'm in a situation where I have to explain why I didn't stop and get what she wanted me to get. I cannot let her know that I did not hear her say that nor that I did not remember what she said. So that, as you well know, gets me into some very serious problems, problems that I certainly do not want to deal with on any day of the week.

I must confess that when anybody, not just my

wife, is talking to me, I'm not 100% on target. So I can get the gist of what you're saying but I'm thinking of something else or, I'm thinking of the answer I'm going to give as soon as you stop talking.

However, with the wife, it is an entirely different situation.

Not only do I need to hear what she is saying, but I also need to understand what she is saying.

That is perhaps the most challenging aspect of listening. I can hear, but I don't always understand what I am hearing.

It's not that I am mentally challenged, but I just don't go through the proper thought process to the point of understanding. And when a wife is talking to her husband, that thought process is greatly challenged, if you know what I mean?

Frequently she will say, "Are you paying attention to me?"

One time, and only once, I said, "I'm too poor to pay attention."

That didn't get me very far in that situation. I think of it many times, but I don't speak it.

Paying attention is very expensive in many regards, but not paying

attention is much more costly.

I've been trying to save up some money recently so I can afford to pay attention to more things she is saying.

I've researched this and discovered why I have this problem. According to my research, the average woman speaks 20,000 words a day while the average man only speaks 7000 words a day.

I'm not sure where they come up with those figures but I think it's pretty close to the real thing.

I know the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage speaks more than 20,000 words a day, but I can only handle 7000 words.

That means two-thirds of what she says I do not hear, which explains why I get in trouble most of the time.

There has to be a way in which she can come down with her speaking, and I can come up with my hearing. I'm not quite sure how this would work, but I'm thinking about it.

In my thinking about this, I thought maybe it would be a good idea if the politicians would pass a law limiting how many words a person can speak each day. Then, as I was

thinking about this, politicians say ten times more words than anybody in the world. So there is no way they would do anything to curb the speaking in our country.

The only qualification for politicians is that they can speak faster than they can think. But, of course, the big challenge would be to find a politician who can actually think.

Then something happened recently that caught me off guard. I'm not sure exactly what was going on or what the situation was that my wife was speaking in. I couldn't keep up with every word, but I heard it, and at the end of her little speech, these traumatizing words, "You are right."

I've never heard such language from her all the time we've been married.

I can't remember what she was talking about at the time. I'm a little hesitant about asking her what I was right on that I have been tempted lately to ask her that question.

It would mean the world to me if I knew exactly what she thought I was right about. I'm sure that

would change my whole life in one way or another. Because if she thinks I'm right about something, it must be true.

Lately, I've been trying to listen more intently to see if I can find out what I was right about according to her understanding.

So far, I've not been too successful hearing anything along that line. It could've been a once-in-alifetime comment that will never happen again.

I remember a verse of Scripture that helps me understand this. "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

(Psalm 133:1).

For me, the basis of unity is listening and hearing what the other person is saying. But, as hard as it might be, it's an essential part of unity.

Evening Worship: 6:00 PM Wednesday Service Adult Bible Study and Prayer 7:00 PM Children's Program 7:00 PM "HYPE" Youth 7:00 PM

First United Methodist Church 211 North Hazen Avenue, Hazen, AR Phone (870) 255 - 4657 Pastor Chris Wright Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship Service: 10:55 AM

Phone (870) 673 - 2858 Rev. Andrew Toopes, Pastor Worship: 8:00 am-10:15 am Sunday School & Bible Class: 9:15 AM Radio - KWAK 10:15 AM Sundays www.stuttgartlutheran.com

Wed. Serv. 7 PM

Sunday morning -11:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening-5:00 p.m.

Wednesday Night-7:00 p.m.

Hazen Church of Christ 204 Adams Street, Hazen, AR. Phone (870) 255 - 3633 Sunday - Bible Study: 10 AM Worship Service: 11 AM Sunday Night: 6 PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7 PM

First United Methodist Church 215 East Third St., Carlisle, AR Phone (870) 552 - 7789 Rev. Michael Daniel, Pastor Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship: 10:45 AM

St. Peters Episcopal Church Highway 86, Tollville, AR. Worship Service: 9 AM Sunday School: 10:30AM

Immanuel Baptist Church Pastor Bill Ricks Highway 13 North Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3100 Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship:11 AM Sunday Evening: 6 PM Wednesday Evening: 7 PM

Center Point Missionary Baptist Church 2997, Center Point Road, Hazen, AR Bro. Billy Booth Pastor Sunday School: 10 AM Worship: 10:50 AM BTC: 5 PM Worship: 5:50 PM Wednesday - Youth Night 6:30 PM

Family Christian Fellowship 603 W Washington Hazen, AR. Pastor Scott Skarda 501-516-5971 Sunday: 10 AM, Wed, 7 PM New Bethel MB Church 8525 New Bethel Road P.O. Box 87 Hazen, AR. Pastor Bro. Freddie McCann Sunday School 10 am Sunday Service 11 am Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Pastor Joe Mills 7474 Highway 86 North, Hazen, AR Sunday School:10 AMService:11 AM BTC: 5 PM Sunday Night: 6 PM Wed. A.C.E. at 6:30 PM & Bible Study: 7:00 PM Prairie Chapel MB Church Center of North Washington & Woodlawn, Hazen, AR. Rev. Maurice Williams Pastor Sunday School: 9:30AM Worship: 11AM Wednesday 7 PM Bible Study Carlisle Pentecostal Church of God Scott & McDonald Sts., Carlisle, AR. Phone 501-438-1643 Pastor Daniel Strength Sunday School: 10 AM Sunday Worship Service: 11 AM Sunday Evening Service: 6 PM Wednesday Evening Service: 7 PM Mt Zion MB Church Rt 2 Carlisle, AR Rev. Rev. Cruthfield, Pastor Sun. School 9:45 A.M. Worship 11 A.M. Wed Prayer & Bible Class 7 P.M. Fellowship Baptist Church Des Arc, AR Elder Lee Russel Penn, Pastor First Pentecostal Church of Prairie County 3201 Hwy. 70 E., Hazen, AR (870) 255-9177 Pastor J N Holmes Sunday 10 A.M. Wednesday 7 P.M. First Baptist Church 319 Court St., P. O. Box 25, Carlisle, AR Phone (870) 552 - 7732 David Lee - Pastor Sun School: 9:45 AM Worship: 11 AM Awana: 5 PM Worship: 7 PM Holy Temple COGIC Elder McFadden, Pastor

“Catholic Action” with the Third Order of St. Francis

St. John's Lutheran Church Fifth and College Streets, Stuttgart, AR

Landmark Baptist Church 517 East Third, Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3568 Pastor Albert Young Sunday School: 9:45 AM Worship: 10:45 AM BTC 6 PM - Worship 7 PM Wed. Evening: 7:30 PM

First Assembly of God Hwy 33 and U.S. 70 Biscoe, Arkansas Sunday Services: 10:30 A.M., 6 P.M. Wednesdays WNYG, Kids Club, Bible Study 7 P.M. St. John's Baptist Church Biscoe, AR 870-998-2777 Sunday School 10 A.M. Worship 11 A.M. Rev. William Brown - pastor Holy Temple Church of God in Christ Elder James Clark, Pastor Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11 AM

Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, Ocala, FL 34483, where he lives with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Telephone 1352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.co m.

Website is www.jamessnyderministries.com.

Zion Lutheran Church Hwy 79 PO Box 158 Ulm, AR 72170 Phone: 870-241-3778 email: zionlutheran@hotmail.com Sunday School at 10 am Worship at 11am Bible study: Wed at 5:30 The Apostolic Church of Des Arc 712 Calhoun Street Services Sunday at 10:30 and Wednesday at 7:30 Pastor Russell Penn

Jehovah Community Temple Church 710 Sycamore St, DeValls Bluff, AR Elder Ronnie Mosby Sunday 10:30 AM Monday Bible School 7 PM

St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church of Biscoe Pastor Jerry Saxton Sunday School 10:00-11:00 Service 11:00-12:00

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Alan Minton Hwy. 70 West of DeValls Bluff Sunday School-10:00 a.m.

Hickory Plains United Methodist Church Rev. Debbye Harrison Intersection of Highways 13 and 38 Service starts at 9:45 a.m.

St. Rose Catholic Church Highway 70, Carlisle, AR. Phone (870) 552 - 3601 Father Shaun Wesley Sunday Mass 10:30AM English 12:00PM Spanish Tuesday Mass 6:00 PM Wednesday Mass in Spanish 5:30 PM Holy Hour & Confessions 6:05PM Friday (except First Friday) Mass 8:30AM Saturday Mass in Spanish 7:00 PM United Methodist Church of DeValls Bluff Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff AR. Pastor Chris Wright Sunday Morning Worship: 9 AM Friendship Lunch: 3rd Wed. of Month, 11:30 AM First Baptist Church of DeValls Bluff Pastor Bobby Powers P. O. Box 358 Highway 70 West, DeValls Bluff, AR. Phone (870) 998 - 7118 Sunday School: 9:45 AM Morning Worship: 11 AM Evening Worship: 5 PM Wednesday Evening: 7 PM

102 West Front Street 870-255-3954

Mount Olive MB Church Highway 70, DeValls Bluff, AR. Rev. Joe L. Pumphrey Sunday School: 9:30AM Worship Service: 11 AM Peppers Lake Church of Christ Hwy 302, SE of DeValls Bluff, AR. Sunday - Bible Study: 10 AM Worship: 11 AM Evening Service: 6 PM Wednesday - Bible Study: 7 PM Union Chapel FreeWill Baptist Church Metcalf Road, Rt.1, DeValls Bluff, AR Elder Sylvester Swanigan Sunday School: 9:30 AM Worship Service: 11 AM Sts. Cyril & Methodius Catholic Church Highway 86, Slovak, AR. Fr. Shaun Wesley, School: 9:45 AM Mass: 8:30 AM Thursday Holy Hours 5:00 pm and Mass at 6:00pm Biscoe Baptist Church Biscoe, AR. Pastor David Rogers Sunday School: 10 AM Worship Service: 11 AM & 7 PM Training 6 PM -

Joshua D. Jacobs & Yvonne J. Petrus Partners

Tax & Accounting Services 101 Highway 70 East, Hazen, AR 72064 Phone: (870) 255-4175 Fax:(870) 255-4176

Herald Publishing Co, Inc. The Grand Prairie Herald Prairie County’s Newspaper Publisher/Editor - Roxanne Bradow Accounts - Trudy Johnson Phone: 870-2554538 P.O. Box 370 Hazen, AR 72064 E-mail us at heraldpublishing@gmail.com Visit us at www.herald-publishing.com

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Piano Lessons Want to play keyboard like a pro? Now you can!

“Piano Lessons by Samuel” offers lessons from beginner to collegiate levels. We’re located in Hazen with in-home lesson options. Call 501-680-6489.

Bowman Plumbing Serving the Entire Grand Prairie Adam Bowman, MP 6142 Repair - Remodel New Construction Dependable Service Free Estimates Family Owned and Operated Call: (870) 256-5230

Heating, Air Conditioning, Electrical Keith Knupp 501.516.8285 knuppinc@hotmail.com

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To Whom It May Concern: A 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Vin# 3GTU2EC3E538040 was picked up on 1-2-22 at the Hwy 11 North at DesArc Hazen, AR at the request of the Arkansas State Police. This vehicle is in the possession of Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service 1111 Hwy 70 W, Hazen Ar. 72064, (870)255-3305. Towing, storage, & administrative costs are accruing as legal liability of the owner.

Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority possessory

lien on the said vehicle and its content for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle. To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm, provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

To Whom It May Concern: A 2014 Chevrolet Malibu Vin# 1G11E5515EF223740 was picked up on 12-2922 at Hwy 70 DeValls Bluff at the request of the CPD. This vehicle is in the possession of Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service 1111 Hwy 70 W, Hazen Ar. 72064, (870)255-3305. Towing, storage, & administrative costs are accruing as legal liability of the owner.

Rick’s Automotive & Wrecker Service claims first priority possessory

lien on the said vehicle and its content for all such charges. The vehicle and its contents will be dismantled, destroyed, or sold at public sale to the highest bidder if not claimed within 45 days and constitutes a waiver by the owner and lien holder of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle. To take possession of this vehicle, you must appear during normal business hours, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm, provide proof of ownership and pay all associated charges.

Billy’s Body Shop & Wrecker Service. P. O. Box 696, Hazen Ark 72064.

To whom it may concern: A 2016 Nissan Sentra Vin #3NIAB6AP4CL648593 is located at 1203 Hwy 70 East, Hazen Arkansas 72064. The vehicle is stored at P.O. Box 696 Hazen Ar. Phone 870255-4922 and is accruing storage as a legal liability

of the owner. The wrecker company claims a first priority possession lien on the vehicle and its contents for all charges.

Unless the vehicle is claimed within 45 days the owner and/or lien holder waives all rights, title, and interest in the vehicle and its contents and consents to the sale of the vehicle. The vehicle will then be sold for towing and storage fees.

Billy’s Body Shop & Wrecker Service. P. O. Box 696, Hazen Ark 72064.

To whom it may concern: A 2012 Skyline No Mad-Liberty Vin #1SN9OOR28YFOO2O12 is located at 1203 Hwy 70 East, Hazen Arkansas 72064. The vehicle is stored at P.O. Box 696 Hazen Ar. Phone 870255-4922 and is accruing storage as a legal liability

of the owner. The wrecker company claims a first priority possession lien on the vehicle and its contents for all charges.

Unless the vehicle is claimed within 45 days the owner and/or lien holder waives all rights, title, and interest in the vehicle and its contents and consents to the sale of the vehicle. The vehicle will then be sold for towing and storage fees.

Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Scenes from the 2020 Slovak Heritage Day The township of Slovak celebrated the 6th annual Slovak Heritage Day at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church and parish hall on Saturday, February 8, 2020, with food, fellowship, and dancing. Since the event had to be canceled last year due to Covid, we thought it would be fun to share pictures from the last time the festival was held. Exhibits of family photo albums, traditional clothing, and other memorabilia were on display for folks to see, and a potluck meal of traditional Slovak dishes was served at 5:30 p.m. after the 4:00 p.m. mass was held at the church. The evening ended with a polka dance. This year’s event will be held on Feb. 12.

Governor Hutchinson announces new 4 digit phone system, record low unemployment LITTLE ROCK – At his weekly news briefing today, Governor Asa Hutchinson made an announcement of a partnership between Arkansas State Police, the Arkansas Department of Transportation, and three national wireless carriers.

Governor Hutchinson said that the partnership will place a tool in the hands of Arkansas citizens to use for contacting the Arkansas State Police.

The new four-digit speed dial *277 or *ASP is available to all AT&T, TMobile, and Verizon cellular phones in Arkansas.

Callers will be connected to the Arkansas State Police and will be used as a non-emergency phone line to help make travel-

ing Arkansas a safer experience.

Arkansas Representative Stephen Meeks sponsored the legislation that led to the announcement of this partnership. He spoke about the importance of safety on the highways of the state. He said that he presented the idea after driving to Little Rock and seeing someone driving over 100 MPH weaving through traffic. "While it didn't rise to the level to a 911 call, their recklessness could have turned into a tragedy," Rep. Meeks said, "I have no doubt this will save lives, and it's a great example of how state government can work together with industry to make life a little bit safer for all Arkansans."

Director of the Arkansas

State Police, Bill Bryant, said that it will allow Arkansans to reach state police if they need them.

The types of calls he said they anticipate receiving are those from stranded or lost motorists or for reporting suspicious activity or safety concerns related to dangerous driving of others.

Unemployment Governor Hutchinson

highlighted the new unemployment rate in Arkansas, he said that the new numbers show Arkansas went down to 3.1% which is the lowest in the history of the state.

That's an extraordinary number to come down, it is lower than the national average which is 3.9%," Governor Hutchinson said.