This Week's Edition

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HHS has Senior Night. (See page 6.)

Volume 121 Number 6 - USPS 225-680

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Community Calendar of Events 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.

Creation Station Children’s Station Carlisle Public Library 4:00 p.m.

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

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!!

Thursday February 17 Hazen City Council Meeting City Hall 6:00 p.m.

Monday February 21 Presidents’ Day Local & County Offices are Closed 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.

Snow Days...

The Grand Prairie was covered in a layer of ice and snow last week, making for treacherous driving and days off fro school for students. This photo was taken by Patti Rye from in front of Prairie Marketplace in Hazen. More pictures, taken by Wendy Perry, can be found on page 4.

WRID fully funded for next 12 miles of construction

By Leigh VanHouten The White River Irrigation District (WRID) is now fully funded for the first 12 miles of construction after a recent vote of approval from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture (ADA). The ADA commission members voted in favor of the $26 million loan through the Arkansas Natural Resource Commission (ANRC).

“This funding is a loan and will be used to match $48 million of (Natural Resources Conservation Service) NRCS funding already approved. This means we are fully funded for the first 12 miles of canal started just west of DeValls Bluff and ending at the Hazen airport,” WRID Director and Chief Engineer Dennis Carman said.

This is a momentous step in bringing water to area farmers in portions of Prairie, Arkansas, Lonoke and

Monroe Counties.

“This funding will complete the 12 miles of canals to the Hazen airport and the five miles of canal from Tollville to near Roe, including delivery pipelines,” Carman explained.

In December WRID completed construction on Canal 1000, which is the first two-mile section near DeValls Bluff.

With the recently approved money WRID will be able to construct a total of 17.3 miles of canal and more than 120,000 linear feet of pipeline, which will be installed over the next three years.

“When completed this work will serve about 50,000 acres of irrigated crop land, Carman explained. “This is exciting. We have worked a long time to get to this point. Now we have to deliver a construction project in the field.”

The WRID will be holding neighborhood “shop meetings” over the next

couple months to help explain the schedule and answer questions from the public.

Individuals can find information regarding the time and dates of those meeting by following the WRID on Facebook at www.facebook.com/White-RiverIrrigation-District “Another milestone on this long journey to bring sustainable water to the Grand Prairie,” WRID Board of Directors President Dan Hooks said. “We are enjoying the support, cooperation and guidance from our partners, ANRC, NRCS, Army Corps of Engineers and others as we continue to meet our goal of providing water that is affordable to the farmers. We are farmers working for farmers and we are succeeding.”

Prior work includes a pump station, 7,500 feet of twin 10-foot diameter pipelines and the regulating reservoir con-

structed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

As the WRID celebrates this achievement they look to continue this momentum.

According to Carman, the district has awarded a $393,000 contract for the delivery of 10-foot square box culverts for the Downs Road crossing in Prairie County.

“A second bid has been opened for placement of the boxes and roadway,” Carman said. “Two more county road crossing designs are being completed by Michael Baker International Engineers, and state Highway 63 and 70 crossings are being evaluated for box culverts rather than bridges. We believe changing from the current bridge concept to box culverts will be easier to maintain and save significant money.”

Along with the box culvert designs by Michael Baker Engineers, NRCS has also delivered the

design for the next canal segment.

“We don’t know what the weather will be like for the next few months, but next summer and fall should be a busy time with the road crossings and canal work underway,” Carman added.

Breakdown cost of approved loans and other funding: C o n s t r u c t i o n $79,635,942 Engineering (planning, design and construction) $1,250,000 Engineering (inspection) $1,000,000 Legal fees $60,000 Administrative and contact administration $596,000 Right of way and utility relocations $6,469,091 Total estimated capitol and cost $89,011,033 Less-NRCS grant ($48,326,957) Less-Previous ANRC loan (-$14,600,000) ANRC funding requested and approved on Jan. 19, 2022: $26,084,076.

2022 Arkansas Century Farm applications due May 31 LITTLE ROCK, AR. – The Arkansas Department of A g r i c u l t u r e (Department) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Arkansas Century Farm program.

This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years.

“Arkansas Century Farm families have persevered for at least ten decades and have contributed greatly in making Arkansas agricul-

ture the success story that it is today,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

“As Arkansas’s largest industry, agriculture contributes $19.4 billion to the state’s economy annually and provides one in six jobs.”

To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria: The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2022. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be

through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption.

The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition and make financial contribution to the over all farm income.

Online and printable applications are available at agriculture.arkansas.go v/arkansas-department-

of-agricultureservices/arkansas-century-farm-program/.

Applications must be received via email or postmarked on or before May 31, 2022 to be eligible for designation as a 2022 inductee. There is no cost to apply for the program.

Qualifying Arkansas farms will receive a personalized Arkansas Century Farm certificate and metal sign list-

ing the farm name and year established.

Contact Beth Moore at 501-539-4027 or beth.moore@agriculture.arkansas.gov with questions.

Arkansas is home to more than 42,200 farms, of which 96 percent are family owned and operated.

Since the program began in 2012, 526 farms have been certified.

Des Arc baseball and softball registration open Des Arc Baseball and Softball registration is now open, and it is available online this year. The online registration site is: tinyurl.com/desarcbaseball.

Parents can either pay with Paypal using the form, or payment can be sent with your child to school by February 18 in an envelope with the student’s name on it. If the payment is for mul-

tiple children, put all of the children’s names on the envelope.

If you intend to send the registration payment to the school, do not click the fee box at the bottom of the online form. You can submit the registration form without making a payment.

You may also mail your payment to P.O. Box 1143, Des Arc, AR 72040.

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Page 2 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Lynn Hatcher Lynn Hatcher, 72, of Ward, passed away Wednesday, February 2, 2022.

He was born December 21, 1949, in Little Rock, to the late W i l l b e Mark and Alice Maurine Carter Hatcher. Mr. Hatcher grew up in North Little Rock, but spent much of his life in Jacksonville and Cabot.

He loved sports and was the owner of Arkansas Baseball Clinic, where he held annual baseball camps for 20 years. He was a terrific coach and coached youth baseball for many years. He, along with his brother, Doug, was a cabinet maker for 10 years and has been the Parks Director for the City of Beebe for the last nine years.

Mr. Hatcher also served his community as a justice of the peace for Prairie County.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to his parents, Mr. Hatcher was preceded in death by his nephew, Jason Hatcher.

Mr. Hatcher is survived by his wife, Kathy Huddleston Hatcher; children, Neil Hatcher (Terri), Robyn Williams (Brian), Nikki Hatcher, and Chris Dugan (Tim); eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and siblings, Doug Hatcher (Kathy), Sharon Hatcher, and Cyndi Timm (Jonathan).

Visitation began at 1 p.m. on Monday, February 7, 2022, and the funeral service followed at 2 p.m. at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, with Dr. David Mitchell o f f i c i a t i n g .

Arrangements by:

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

Moore's Cabot Funeral Home (501) 843-5816.

Please sign the online guestbook at: www.moorescabotfuneralhome.com.

Helen Marie Whitkanack Helen Marie (Mushrush) Whitkanack went home to be with her Lord Jesus on Sunday, January 30, 2022.

She was born on December 29, 1936 in Des Arc, AR to Lawrence and Ouida (Swan) Mushrush of Clarksville, AR. She is preceded in death by her precious husband, Bob Whitkanack, her parents Lawrence and Ouida Mushrush, Brothers Eldon and William (Cheryl) Mushrush, and her son, Michael Whitkanack.

She leaves behind her daughter Chellia (David) Hunt of Russellville, daughter-in-law Kara Whitkanack of Clarksville, her daughter Camellia Jean Bowden (Mike) of Northwest Arkansas, daughter Glena Burk (Jack) of Texas, a brother James (Tamela) Mushrush of West Virginia, and a sister-inlaw Margaret Mushrush of Alma. She was best known as Nanny to 10 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Helen was a servant in many ways and was known for being classy, sassy, and highly blessed. She served as a homemaker, an active member of First Baptist Church of Clarksville, and a volunteer for Clarksville schools. She loved to quilt for her family, knit hats for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and spend time in her garden.

A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, February 9th, 2022 at 2 p.m. at East Mt. Zion Trinity Baptist Church.

Cleo Virginia Gilson Cleo Virginia Gilson began her life's journey September 7, 1935 in Wo o d r u f f County, Arkansas.

She was the firstborn, of eight children, that Amos and Jewel Coles Gilson welcomed into their home. Virginia received her formal education thru the twelfth grade.

Growing up during the great depression era, caring for her younger siblings was part of her responsibility. This early training assisted Virginia when she began caring for children in her home to help supplement her own family's income.

On September 22, 1956, Virginia was united in marriage to Clarence Neal. This marriage was blessed with the birth of two children and over the year, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren was added to the family. Clarence and Virginia had 50 plus years together before his passing on July 29, 2009.

After baby sitting in her home for years, Virginia chose to work outside the home at the Kroger Deli where she enjoyed seeing and visiting with customers.

During her personal time she enjoyed reading, collecting Avon memorabilia, making her version of the Cabbage Patch Dolls and later in life coloring in

the adult coloring books.

On Tuesday morning, February 1, 2022, Virginia quietly slipped into eternity. She was preceded in death by her parents, Amos and Jewel; husband, Clarence; son, Eddie Neal; and grandson, Lance.

Family who mourn Virginia's passing are her daughter, Carolyn Brown of DeValls Bluff; her son, John Neal and his wife Yuping of Romance; seven grandchildren: Misty Smith of Texas, Charles and Misty Neal of Wheatley, Danny and Tracie Neal of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Clinton Brown of Hazen, Brittany and Michael Neal of Florida; four Great-grandchildren; Five brothers: Tommy & Hazel Gilson of Sheridan, Charles & Dorothy Gilson of MO, Jerry & Betty Gilson of Bauxite, Leon & Terri Gilson of Alexander, Gene Gilson of TX; and two sisters: Ella Bryant of Bauxite, Retha & Kenneth King of Hazen.

The family will gather at the funeral home to visit with family and friends, Tuesday, February 8 from 1 until 2 PM. Funeral services will follow at 2PM with burial at Sand Hill Cemetery.

The family request that all who attend the visitation and the services wear mask.

Edith Regina Martin Golleher Edith Regina Martin Golleher, age 63 of DeValls Bluff left this earthly home early on February 6, 2022.

Regina was a graduate of De Valls Bluff High School. She loved her family and was a fierce protector of her two children and an unforgettable devoted Nana to her grandson, Hunter. Regina loved being outdoors and working in her yard or just sitting on her deck with a cup of coffee listening to the sounds of living in the country.

She could be found at all hours with a tall cup of coffee posting on facebook ; she loved her facebook. family.

Regina lost her only husband, Mike Golleher to cancer in 2011.

They had two children from that marriage and I’m sure she was met at Heaven’s gate by Mike.

She leaves behind two children, Tiffany Michelle Golleher and Martin Christopher Golleher, both of De Valls Bluff; one grandson, Hunter Baxter; her parents, Leo and Fannie Martin; two brothers, Doyen Martin and Eric Martin; two sisters, Marlene Martin and Glendora Tarry to mourn her passing along with 24 nieces and nephews all of De Valls Bluff.

The family would like to thank everyone for their many, many, prayers while Regina was ill. They are so very much appreciated.

We all were praying for a miracle, but God always has the final say. May she rest lovingly, peacefully and whole in the arms of Jesus.

There will be a visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at Westbrook Funeral Home in Hazen.

Gubernatorial candidate Chris Jones to launch Promise of Arkansas Tour Chris Jones, Democratic candidate for Governor of Arkansas, will launch the most ambitious and demanding effort to reach Arkansas voters this election, hitting the road for his “The Promise of Arkansas Tour.” This full court press visiting all of the state’s 75 counties in one month, sets the table to launch an unprecedented voting

movement in a state with some of the highest potential and highest stakes in the nation.

According to his press release, Jones is committed to changing what it means to campaign in Arkansas, by listening and learning from all communities, by building an enduring and resilient grassroots campaign, and by sharing his vision – that Arkansas can build on

its rich history, can realize its full potential, and can reach its promise through Faith, Hope and Hard Work.

Chris Jones announced his candidacy in June 2021 and is set to run against Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders in the general election. He is scheduled to be in Prairie County on February 15 and in Lonoke County on February 10.

GFWC Elsie McCain Club learns about “Nutcracker”

By Chris Weems Members of GFWC Elsie McCain Club hears about some of the history of “The Nutcracker” at the regular meeting Thursday, at noon January 27, at the DeValls Bluff Dairy Bar. Rosetta Van Houten talked about the Christmas Holidays in Little Rock.

Chris Weems, president presided, and the lesson was first in activities.

The Nutcracker was first presented at the Marinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia, December, 1892. It was written by Pyotr Tchailkousky, the famous Russian cimposer. This was the last of

three ballets he did. He died during the next year, before he actually finished it. It was said that he “made changes” during the performance.

It is sometimes referred to as “The Sound of the Holidays.”

In 1944 the San Francisco performed the ballet from his notes. It started as a music box in the center of the stage. The music was done by the lighter instruments of the orchestra.

The bllet has undergone changes, but in the beginning, they still feature young ballet dancers from the locate.

Rosetta’s great-granddaughter performed one

year in Little Rock and as did Chelsea Clinton and some of her friends.

The ballet made the character a very popular figure, and has become a collector;s item.

Rountine business was taken care of. The president said reports are due by February. She asked members to turn in their lists of books they have read and the donations to the affiliates that they sent directly.

The next meeting will be at 11:00 a.m.

Thursday February 17, at the DVB Dairy Bar with Nell Pich hostess.

Her topic will be Health and Wellness Department.

Master Gardeners discuss elections The Prairie County Master Gardeners met Tuesday night, February 1, at the Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

Sue Clayton, president, led the meeting with ten members present.

The meeting began with refreshments provided by the president and the reading of the minutes by secretary, Rhonda Betzner.

The minutes were approved, and the treasurer reported that the financial statement was the same as last month.

Clayton said that she needed to resign as president of the Master Gardeners because she is so busy taking care of her husband. Clayton stated that since she last attended a meeting, her husband.

Chuck, has had health issues that involved a triple bypass.

This was the night to elect new officers, but due to the small attendance at the meeting, the election will be delayed until next meeting, which will be held on March 1st.

Sue requested that someone chair the fairgrounds project which would just entail making sure that the grounds are kept clean and requesting a workday when needed.

Current chairpersons are: Community Center, Larry Anthony and Janis Toll; Rhodes Park, Gail Norman; Welcome Sign, Sue Clayton and Roxanne Bradow; American Legion and Gazebo, Dee Black; and Des Arc Courthouse, Debbie Carpenter.

Amy Tallent provided scholarship forms, and the president will get one to Hazen High School.

Debbie will take one to the Des Arc High School.

The method of reporting the work-times of each member will be changed to an online format so that the hours can be sent directly to the Extension office. At the next meeting, Amanda Stark will

show members how it is done.

Amanda had a birthday on January 24th, and Roxanne has a birthday on February 11. They were honored with the Happy Birthday song.

A 2022 refreshment and program sign-up sheet was circulated, and there are several open dates available.

Amanda will furnish refreshments at the March meeting, and the

program will involve timekeeping.

Gail Norman was the lucky winner of the door prize.

The next meeting will be held on March 1st at the Hazen Methodist Fellowship Hall.

The Club expresses appreciation to the Hazen city workers for restoring the electricity to the Welcome Sign at the corner of Highways 63 and 70.

UALR announces fall 2021 Chancellor’s List Three local UA Little Rock students have been named to the Fall 2021 Chancellor's List . They are: Cory Gibson of Griffithville, Virgil Griffin of De Valls Bluff, and Nicole Reid of Des Arc. The UALR Chancellor's List, recognizes students who have shown superi-

or academic performance in a semester. To be eligible for the Chancellor's List, students must earn at least nine credit hours and at least a 3.9 GPA. More than 650 UA Little Rock students were named to the Chancellor's List for the fall 2021 semester.

Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 9, 2022

State Capitol Week in Review

Blurred Vision -

From Senator Jonathan Dismang LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas motorists who wish to contact the State Police for nonemergency reasons can now call *ASP on their cell phones. Dialing *ASP is the same as dialing *277.

Motorists will begin seeing signs on the side of the highway alerting them to the new phone contact.

The Department of Transportation is about to place 200 large, blue signs along Arkansas highways with information about the phone line.

When you dial the number, your call will be directed to the closest dispatch center.

State Police officials anticipate getting calls from lost or stranded motorists. Also, they encourage callers to use the new number for reporting suspicious activity, or unsafe driving that may endanger people’s lives.

The number is available to people who have phones from AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile. If your cell phone is not from one of those companies, check with your phone provider to determine whether the *ASP non-emergency connection is available in your network.

Landline telephones will not connect to the non-emergency number.

The *ASP number should be limited to non-emergency calls.

For emergencies, continue to call 911. Those calls are answered first

New Rental Assistance Rules At the urging of legislators, the state Department of Human Services (DHS) has changed how it awards payments in its rental and utility assistance program.

At a meeting of the Legislative Council, Arkansas lawmakers expressed concerns about potential fraud.

Specifically, they wanted to make sure that checks that go to tenants are used to pay landlords, rather than spent for other purposes.

DHS encourages both tenants and landlords to apply jointly for rental assistance. Previously, if the landlord declined to participate, the department would send a check to the tenant.

Under new rules, when the department sends a check to the tenant it will have to be cosigned by the landlord to be cashed. That virtually assures that the check will be spent on rent.

The department temporarily stopped accepting new applications while it implemented the change in rules.

DHS will continue to process applications that it had already received.

The program is meant to help families who have suffered financially from the Covid-19

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Arkansans.

In 2020, there were 8,621 deaths due to heart disease in our state.

Arkansas ranked 4th among all states for the highest heart disease mortality in 2020.

In most cases, heart disease is preventable.

February is American Heart Month, a time when we can all focus on our cardiovascular health.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease in the United States is coronary artery disease (CAD), which affects the blood flow to the heart.

Decreased blood flow can cause a heart attack.

High blood pressure,

high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease.

Nearly 1 in 2 U.S. adults have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Yet, only 1 in 4 have it under control.

Important lifestyle changes can help people who have high blood pressure reduce their risk of a heart attack or stroke. These include quitting smoking, moving more, and eating healthy foods.

We know changing your lifestyle can be challenging. That is why the General Assembly has worked to make more resources available.

In the 2021 Regular Session, we passed legislation that allowed the Arkansas Works program to be replaced by the Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me program, or ARHOME.

and will take precedence over non-emergency calls.

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!!

By Nathaniel Bradow

“Celebrating February”

pandemic.

For example, a household would qualify for rental and utility assistance if a family member was laid off due to the pandemic, or a family member incurred significant medical bills.

Be Pro Be Proud The state Office of Skills Development has awarded a grant of $1.4 million to add another mobile workshop that travels the state promoting career opportunities for young people who won’t attend a fouryear university.

It’s an 18-wheeler called “Be Pro Be Proud” that is filled with interactive technology. The current mobile workshop visits schools, but is book for the next three semesters.

Inside the workshop, students can simulate the experience of operating heavy equipment.

They get virtual experience with occupations like welding, HVAC, machinist, electrician, fiber optics technician, plumbing and commercial truck driving.

One of the workshop’s goals is to change people’s preconceptions about taking a career that doesn’t require a university degree.

More than 116,000 students have visited the mobile workshop, and 23,000 signed up for more information about technical careers.

Just like with Arkansas Works, ARHOME uses Medicaid dollars to buy health care coverage for qualified Arkansans from qualified health plans.

ARHOME focuses on improving your health, not just providing reliable health care coverage. ARHOME encourages you to be an active partner with your health care plan and work together to reach your health and wellbeing goals.

We also ensure tobacco cessation programs are funded with tobacco settlement funds. If you smoke, know that quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. For free help to quit smoking, call 1-800-QUITNOW. You can find other ways to improve your heart health by visiting www.bewellarkansas.org .

Happy February, gentle readers! It is a time of wonder and fascination as the dead earth turns its frozen smile our way and does its best to depress us into selfannihilation. Ah, yes, February.

The Groundhog’s month. The month of endless cycles of cold and warm and cold again, as the sinuses scream in painful admiration for the bare branches and infectious presence of moldy leaves.

Oh, and February also holds my mother’s birthday, Valentine’s Day, and the Super Bowl.

Let me take a few moments to wish my mother a Happy Birthday and many happy returns. She is a hard working, loving, kind, and principled woman who always does her best to see the good in people even when they don’t deserve it. To borrow a line from one of my favorite authors, “she doesn’t know half of you half as well as she would like, and she likes less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” By the time you do the math on that one you should have your Ph.D in calculus.

As for Valentine’s Day, I’ve never been that big of a fan. It is a commercialized holiday dedicated to the love of your significant other. As if the other 364-¼ days of the year we only put up with them in a deep and cynical blur of, “okay, whatever, dears,” tossed over the shoulder as we are each busy doing something we are really interested in. Just in case that is how you approach your relationship, I know a pretty good therapist, or if you are past that point a not half bad lawyer (if lawyers are capable of being only half bad).

I don’t like being told to make a special day out of a random day in February, but that doesn’t mean I can’t assimilate into this tradition like a good husband should. Let’s be honest.

This is a holiday for men to make women feel appreciated. We men are easy to please in that arena. Tell us, “good job” and kiss us on the cheek for any minor repair or weekly or bi-

weekly labor done, and we will be your loyal puppies forever. Women, on the other hand, have been oppressed for so long that they honestly deserve a holiday every month of the year just as reparations for how mind-boggling stupid men have been to and about them over the extent of the past 200,000 years of post Neanderthal existence.

I am especially lucky when it comes to Valentine’s day because my wife is easy to show appreciation to. She asks for the same thing every year, and as long as I remember the gift, she doesn’t mind if I put my own little crazy spin on it. She is sweet like that.

If you are one of the millions of Americans who don’t have a significant other to spoil or be spoiled by this Valentine’s Day, worry not. You are not alone, nor will you be without forever. There is someone out there who will not only match your level of insanity but double down on it with you. Trust me. I know from experience. There is no reason I should have ever found a significant other, much less the immensely wonderful woman I now call my wife. If I can do it, you can do it. It is true that she had to hit me in the head with a baseball bat in order for me to realize that, but better late than never - and what is a little head trauma between friends?

Keep being you and he/she/they are out there.

Now, on to the Super Bowl. Just in case you don’t watch ESPN on a regular basis, this year’s NFL final contest will be between the L.A. Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. I guess this would be considered the “new school” of Super Bowl finalists (no Brady, or Manning, or Breese, or Mahomes to cheer on). I still bear a little bit of a grudge against the Rams for taking the franchise out of St. Louis, but I will let that pass for now. I will also give the Bengals a pass for historically having the second worst uniforms of all time. (Add your own

l e a s t favorite u n i fo r m here.)

Honestly, I don’t have a dog in this fight. I’m not a huge fan of either team or any people on either team. However, I would like to see Matthew Stafford get a Super Bowl win as karmic payback for being stuck as a franchise QB for the Lions for so many years. I wouldn’t mind seeing Joe Burrow, the NCAA National Champion QB for the LSU Tigers, get a ring either. The Rams have a great defense and big-play weapons on offense as do the Bengals. The Bengals have a young and hungry head coach as do the Rams.

If you are one to root for underdogs, it is hard to not be in the Bengals’ corner. They haven’t been to a Super Bowl since 1989, and they lost that one to the 49ers. If you are a fan of the older guard of NFL players, the Rams sport an amalgamation of players who have been really good for a really long time by NFL standards.

Either way you lean, this Super Bowl looks to be exciting if nothing else. I don’t know if it will even approach the excitement of the Chiefs vs. Bills game a few weeks back, but I’m crossing my fingers and hoping. If nothing else, I (and most of my generation) look forward to the half-time show. It will be a slate of artists, who I and my contemporaries grew up listening to, all together on one stage doing what they do best, increasing the viewership of an event that might have been lackluster otherwise. So, break out your old Raiders’ jerseys and pimp cups, and show your teenagers what being an original O.G. is all about.

And if none of that floats your metaphorical boat, there are always the commercials.

Happy Birthday, Mom! And to the rest of you, gentle readers, have a safe and loving February season.

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

USDA announces Conservation Reserve Program signups WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2022 – Agricultural producers and landowners can sign up soon for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a cornerstone conservation

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

The Grand Prairie gets another February snow The Grand Prairie got another February snow in 2022, but it wasn’t quite as bad as the major snow that we had in February, 2021. The snow and ice are a pain to drive in and play havoc with local offices and businesses, but kids and long-haired dogs love it.

Here are some snow pictures provided by Wendy Perry, Trudy Johnson, Patti Rye, and members of the Bradow family.

HES gets book drop...

Members of the Hazen High School FCCLA have placed a book drop outside the nurse’s office at the Hazen Elementary School so that those students can get a book to read with their parents. The books are free and will be changed out each week.

Red Wolf bound...

Former Hazen Hornet football star Blayne Toll, pictured during a game in 2018, recently signed to play this fall at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Toll started his collegiate career at the University of Arkansas, playing seven games for the Razorbacks in 2020. He transferred to the University of Colorado where he played for the Buffalos in 2021, playing in three games before entering the transfer portal. (Mark Buffalo photo)

The Prairie County Republican Party Committee announced today that filing for county and township offices will begin at noon on February 22 and end at noon on March 1, 2022.

Candidates will file at 216 Main St. Des Arc, AR. from 5-7p.m. on February 22, 2022.

A member of the local Republican Party will be present to accept candidate filing fees and provide appropriate forms.

Filing fees: $250.00 County Offices: County Judge, Sheriff & Collector, Circuit & County Clerk, Treasurer, Assessor.

Filing Fee: $75.00 Justice of Peace, Constable Filing Fee: $25.00 County Committee Candidates wishing to file should contact John Dobson at 501-516-6062 or Rick Dobson at 501-516-6061 or rickdobson@hotmail.com.

The preferential will be held on May 24, 2022.

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 9, 2022

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Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Hazen High School honors basketball seniors Hazen High School held its annual Senior Basketball Night on Tuesday, February 1, in the Hornets’ Nest in front of proud parents and friends. The pictures were taken by Wendy Perry.

Those honored were (pictured clockwise below): Senior Lady Hornets Trellby Gipson was escorted by her parents, Carolyn Gipson and

Zantrell Gipson. Trellby is a member of FCCLA Beta Club, FBLA, and Art Club. After graduation, Trellby plans to enlist in the Air Force as active duty.

Faithe Hussey is the daughter of Rickey Hussey and the late Barbra Hussey. She was escorted by her father, Rickey Hussey, and her sister, Shaterika Hussey. Faithe is the president of FBLA and is a member of FCCLA,

Art Club, Beta Club, and the National Honor Society.

After high school, Faithe also plans to enlist in the Air Force as active duty.

Alexandria Jacobs was escorted by her parents Lawrence and Tamika Harris and James and Darcelle Jacobs. After school, Alex plans to further her education and become a registered nurse.

Laney Shultz was escorted by her parents

Lance and Amy Shultz.

Laney is the president of FCCLA, and she is a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, FCA, student council, and the Calvary Baptist Church Youth Group. After graduating with honors in May, Laney plans to further her education to become a dental assistant and a real estate agent.

Senior Hazen Hornets

DAHS receives school garden grant Des Arc High School was recently recognized as one of the recipients of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture Arkansas School Garden Grant Program. DAHS was one of 62 schools that were named as grantees of the pro-

gram.

A total of 88 grants have been approved for funding of $37,500 through the Arkansas School Garden Grant Program and the Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program.

“School gardens and taste tests have proven to be valuable tools in

teaching children about agriculture, nutrition, and a variety of skills. The lessons learned through these programs can have a lasting impact on children, their families, and entire communities,” said Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

The Arkansas School Garden Grant Program was established to help schools start or expand gardens on school grounds.

The Department will award $500 grants to the schools to purchase soil, specialty crop seeds and plants, and gardening equipment.

Austin Duck is the son of Ricky and Jenifer Duck. He was escorted tonight by Blake Beckwith. Austin plays football, basketball, and baseball and is a member of the Beta Club and Art Club. After high school, Austin plans to attend college and pursue a degree.

Randall Edwards is the son of Whitney Wright and Randall Edwards.

He was escorted by his mother, Whitney

Wright. Randall is a member of FCCLA and the Art Club. After high school, Randall plans to go to college.

Shedrick Ward, III, was escorted by his parents Shedrick Ward and Barbara Anderson.

Shedrick is a member of the Hornet football, basketball, and baseball teams. He is also a member of the FCCLA. After high school, Shedrick plans to attend Quincy University.