July 6, 2022 edition

75¢

Des Arc holds Fun Day in the Park (See p. 6.)

Volume 121 Number 27 - USPS 225-680

Community Calendar of Events Tuesday July 9 Thank you event for Emergency Workers Hazen City Park East Monday July 11 Carlisle Special City Council meeting 10:00 a.m.

Serving all of Prairie County and the Grand Prairie

Dare Saul wins AR State Quality Dealer award

By BHPH Report Staff Dare Saul wanted to raise money for the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) Foundation. And the Arkansas operator wanted a highline model he could immediately list online, too.

Saul accomplished both goals last week during the final day of the NIADA Convention at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Saul, owner of D3 Auto Sales in Des Arc, Ark., made good on his goal by bidding $33,500 to out-

with just 22,000 miles on the odometer in an auction held Thursday.

“I was going to buy this car,” he said in a news release from NIADA. “One hundred percent.”

The vehicle was donated by Manheim, which held the auction at the NIADA Dealers Lounge in the Convention’s Expo Hall. All proceeds of the sale go directly to the NIADA Foundation, which coordinates the association’s commitment to charitable giving and education.

In addition to making numerous donations to

Tuesday July 12 Quorum Court Meeting 6:00 p.m.

Annex Building Des Arc Thursday July 14 DeValls Bluff City Council meeting 6:00 p.m.

City Hall Monday July 18 Rice Festival meeting Bancorp Community Room 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday July 19 Hazen School Board meeting HHS Library 6:00 p.m.

Des Arc City Council meeting 6:00 p.m.

City of Hazen Big Items pickup day

Dare and Randa Saul and their children were all there to receive Dare’s Arkansas State Quality Dealer award. Dare was fourth in line for the National Quality Dealer Award. last his friend, Colorado dealer Tim Gaylord, and claim a sparkling white 2018 BMW 330i SPT

charities nationwide and providing matching funds for local charitable projects, the foundation

Hazen Chamber of Commerce

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

Dare Saul and his daughter, Lyla, show off the 2018 BMW 330i SPT he purchased in a benefit auction for the NIADA Foundation during the NIADA Convention and Expo. (Image courtesy of NIADA.) has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to assist members of the automotive community affected by hurricanes and other disasters, and has established endowments that fund university scholarships for students pursuing careers in the automotive industry.

The BMW is certified by the NIADA Certified Pre-Owned program, having undergone a 200point digital inspection from Carketa, and comes with a threemonth/3,000-mile limited warranty backed by ProGuard Warranty, an NIADA Certified administrator.

Saul will receive complimentary transportation of the vehicle by NIADA Certified 360 partner ACERTUS. Later that evening, Saul was honored as

Arkansas’ State Quality Dealer and a finalist for the National Quality Dealer award, NIADA’s highest dealer honor.

Two years ago, Saul also was among Auto Remarketing’s annual Remarketing & UsedCar Industry’s 40 Under 40 The winning bid was the highest ever in the benefit auction’s 10-year history. But Saul said he was ready to go even higher.

“I was going to go $40,000,” he said. “Then I was going to let Tim pay 41 for it. But $33,500? I do worse than that at the auction!”

Saul said he was determined to win after his first experience with the NIADA Foundation auction in 2019, when he let a 2016 Acura TLX slip away.

“One of my buddies had

bid it up but I was too shy to put my hand in the air – it was my first time at the convention,” he recalled. “I was like, well, if they do that again…

“I had already looked at this car yesterday. I was throwing my ears back and I was going to buy it.”

Saul said his prize won’t be his for long.

“It’s going on the lot, baby. It’s for retail right now,” he said with a smile. “We went live on Facebook with it. It’s a good advertising tool and, of course, Manheim is donating the money and it goes to a good cause. Everybody wins.”

Over the past 10 years, benefit auctions at the NIADA Convention and Expo have raised a total of $252,000 for the NIADA Foundation.

Rice Festival to return this fall A group of interested Hazen citizens met in a Hazen Chamber of Commerce meeting held on Monday, June 27, to decide whether or not the Grand Prairie Rice Festival should be discontinued or reinstated. Over a dozen people attended the meeting, which was held in the Community Room of BancorpSouth.

Those in attendance unanimously decided to reinstate the festival this year.

Festival Chair David Hardke handed out a list of things that would need to be done before and during the festival in order to keep the festival going.

The group divided up the many responsibilities among themselves which included contacting vendors and food trucks to participate, contacting owners of antique farm equipment, purchasing liability insurance for the event, coordinating

Local citizens divide up the Rice Festival responsibilities. advertising, and lining up entertainment for the day.

Saturday, October 22nd was chosen as the date for this year’s festival, and Megan Anderson asked for permission to begin having the Princess Rice beauty contest again. The group liked the idea and

Thursday July 21 Hazen City Council meeting Lonoke County Museum Community events brought to you by

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

agreed to hold the pageant on October 15th, the weekend before the festival. The Little Farmer Contest will also be held this year.

The committee is searching for groups and individuals to provide enter-

tainment for the day, and welcome suggestions. Any person or business that would like to have a booth should contact Hazen City Hall or any member of the Hazen Chamber of Commerce.

If you are interested in

helping with the festival, you are invited to attend the next meeting which will be held on Monday, July 18, in the B a n c o r p S o u t h Community Room at 6:00 p.m.

seeks family histories The Lonoke County Museum Board of Directors voted to sponsor the writing and publishing of a book length history on Lonoke County.

The primary content of the book will be family histories. Each Lonoke County family will be asked to write a historical sketch not to exceed 500 words. The book will also include a general county history.

Other possible inclu-

sions will be histories of various organizations, businesses, schools, churches, landmarks, etc.

The hardbound, library book will be published

by Acclaim Press, a company which has published hundreds of county history books nationwide.

For more information you may call 501 676 6750 or e-mail lonokecomuseum@yahoo.com

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

Carolyn Bernice Clark

Carolyn Bernice Clark, 77, of De Valls Bluff passed away on June 30th, 2022.

She was born in Des Arc on A u g u s t 31st, 1944 to the late E l m e r Swink and Inez Mackey Swink. Carolyn loved to be surrounded by the laughter of her family and friends. She enjoyed time in the outdoors while camping, hunting, fishing, and floating rivers. Listening to clas-

sic country and gospel music, calling Bingo at the American Legion, "shooting the moon" during intense domino games of Moon, and enjoying the company of everyone that frequented The Scrapper Dairy Bar were also favorite pastimes of Carolyns. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Inez; daughter, Sheila Ann Chandler; three brothers, Bobby Swink, Woody Swink, Jerry Swink; and four sisters, Faye Hawkins, Jean Prince, Glenda Priest, Kay Stock.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her twin sis-

ter, Marilyn Taylor; one son, James Terrell Chandler Jr.; two daughters Martie Terrin Chandler-McKown, and Gretta Chandler-Clem; six grandchildren, Misty (Luke) Hoadley, Christie (Zach) Roland, Amy McKown, Dalton Chandler, Glen Clem III, and Jackson Clem; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and a host of other family and friends. Funeral service were held at the Biscoe First Assembly of God Church on Sunday, July 3rd at 3:00 pm with visitation one hour prior.

Burial followed at Sand Hill Cemetery, Des Arc.

Dementia care program launched (LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — The Arkansas Legislative Council on Friday, June 17, approved the creation of and funding for the Dementia Respite Care Pilot Program to support the 93,000+ Arkansans providing care for loved ones with Alzheimer's or other dementias. The program, the first of its kind in Arkansas, was established by the Alzheimer's and Dementia Advisory Council, part of Act 391 of the 93rd General Assembly.

In addition to authorizing the Respite Program, the Council has worked to update Arkansas's Alzheimer's and Dementia Disease State Plan. Key entities involved in the Council include the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS), Alzheimer’s Association, and Alzheimer’s Arkansas.

“Alzheimer's disease has a devastating impact not just on those living with the disease, but it also places an extreme burden on their caregivers,” said DHS Secretary Cindy

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Gillespie. “It’s a job that usually falls to family members and friends, and the toll it takes emotionally, physically, and financially can be devastating. This program will help.”

The Respite Program provides $500 respite grants to enable caregivers to take a break from caregiving – whether that’s time to focus on self-care, recharge, take care of other family members, or just get out of the house to do routine activities non-caregivers take for granted.

Respite care benefits both the caregiver decreases social isolation and withdrawal; provides time for a caregiver to rest; reduces stress and anxiety associated with daily caregiving duties – and the care recipient - provides a social connection outside of a family member; establishes a level of comfort and confidence in receiving care from an outside caregiver.

Under the Respite Program, families can receive two grants during a calendar year (with at least six months between

approved dates). To qualify, care recipients must live in Arkansas and have a primary or secondary diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or other dementia. Additionally, the diagnosis must state that the patient requires daily assistance.

Respite Program grants come from a $200,000 investment, funded through the Social Services Block Grant.

The program will ensure the money is invested in the families that need access to critical respite services, and the funds will be used exclusively for grants to provide respite services. None of the funds will be used for administrative costs.

The Alzheimer's and Dementia Respite Care Pilot Program is administered by the DHS Division of Provider Services and Quality Assurance.

To learn more about the Alzheimer's and Dementia Respite Care Pilot Program and to apply for assistance, please visit www.ALZark.org/grants , email grants@ALZark.org, or call 501-224-0021, extension 210.

DAR elects new officers...

Pictured are the newly elected officers of the Grand Prairie Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The new officers were installed at the May 21 meeting at the Arts Center of the Grand Prairie in Stuttgart. Past Regent and Parliamentarian Glennda Fread installed the officers. From left to right, Parliamentarian Glennda Fread, Regent Nonnie Carroll, Vice-Regent Cheryl Vickers, Chaplain Ashli Ahrens, Secretary Sarah Snider, Treasurer Joanne McMickle, and Historian Claudia Ahrens. Not shown are Registrar Laura Beth Place and Librarian Louise Gibbons.

Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. Contact grand.prairie.chapter@arkansas-dar.org for more information.

Carlisle FFA students attend camp...

Carlisle FFA members Adrienne Barnett, Nina Catherine Brown, Jaywon Sloan, Hayden Parker, and Allie Jones went to Camp Couchdale for Arkansas Leadership Camp Week.

Please join us at Pleasant Ridge MBC for revival services July 11 thru July 15 at 7:00 p.m. each night Bro. Terry Parrish, Evangelist Bro. Dyrek Foshee, Pastor Specials welcome 7474 Hwy 86 North, Hazen, AR

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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

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Christopher Homes Inc. does not discriminate e on the basis of disability status in the admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its federally assisted progr rams and activities. The Senior Site Coordinator, P.O. Box 7565, Little Rock, AR 72217, (501)664-1881 TTY-711, has been n designated to coordinate compliance with the nondiscrimination

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Page 3 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Des Arc Schools to purchase 7th Street property

By Lisa Mills At the June 27th School Board meeting, a motion was passed to purchase property that was offered for sale to the school. The property is located at 208 N. 7th and owned by Fonda English. This is the only property on the block that is not owned by the school.

The purchase price is $85,000 and will continue to be rented by Paul Guess for $600 per month.

The board accepted a resignation from school board member Sylvester Holloway effective immediately.

Brent Calhoun was appointed to fulfill Holloway’s term.

A resignation was accept-

ed from HIPPY paraprofessional Amber Walicki.

New employees hired for the 2022-2023 school year were 5th grade teacher Kendra W i l l e f o r d , Kindergarten teacher Rachel Davenport, 2nd grade teacher Cory Gibson, elementary paraprofessional Lee Garth, Pre-K paraprofessional Linda Geisler and HIPPY paraprofessional Monica Keathley.

Superintendent Sherrell reported that a $93,000 grant has been awarded to repair and restore the old Home Ec building.

Sherrell also noted that the free school lunch program for all

Brent Calhoun will take the place of Sylvester Holloway who resigned from the board. students has ended.

He stated that everyone needs to make all parents aware of how important it is to fill out the free/reduced lunch application for all students even if they know they are not eligible.

Money the school receives is based on the poverty percentage and the higher the percentage the more money so to have an accurate percentage, applications from all

students need to be counted. Dr. Sherrell reported that the new flooring is about halfway finished and looks really good.

Dr. Sherrell told the board that he had met with the Police Department and School Resource Officer to discuss the school’s safety plan. He said there is a possible grant that will help pay for an additional SRO which he thinks would be a great idea so there could be one on each

campus.

Drew Widener asked “should we consider hiring an additional officer whether we received a grant or not?” Sherrell said he would have to check into the financial part of it since the SRO’s pay is split between the school, city and county.

Johnny Reidhar asked “how are we doing with safety drills, entrance to the schools and safety overall?”

High School Principal Paschal said he had been looking over the safety plan and feels that it is good but does need to be reinforced and made a priority.

Elementary Principal Holland said she agreed the same needs to be done at the Elementary campus.

The board approved the handbooks for the High School, Elementary School and athletics. Dr. Sherrell noted that a major change in the High School and Athletic handbooks was random drug testing for all athletes, clubs/organizations and all extracurricular activities. After much dis-

cussion, the board voted to approve the handbooks without this portion, to be added later after a representative from a drug testing company could bring information explaining exactly how it would choose students to be tested, how often, etc.

The board voted to retire assets from the 2021-2022 school year.

A motion was passed to approve the Statement of Assurances for Federal Programs.

A motion was passed to approve the 2022-2023 School Level Improvement Plan.

A motion was passed to approve the District Model Policy from the state.

Attending the meeting were Superintendent Dr. Marc Sherrell, High School Principal B. J. Paschal, Elementary Principal Cheryl Holland, District Treasurer Natasha Richards and board members Billy Hinson, Jordan Smith, Johnny Reidhar, Charlie Brown, T. J. English, Drew Widener and new member Brent Calhoun.

IT’S FARM FAMILY TIME!!!

The Meagan and Gore family will be honored with a special Farm Family section in the Grand Prairie Herald during the month of July, so

GET READY TO CELEBRATE WITH US! Call 870-255-4538 to place an ad to congratulate them.

- Request For Interest WHITE RIVER IRRIGATION DISTRICT 207 E. Front St. P.O. Box 348 Hazen, AR 72064 The White River Irrigation District is soliciting information from individuals, companies and other interested parties with interest in assisting the District construct certain elements of the Grand Prairie Irrigation Project. This project consists primarily of construction of an earthen canal system with pipe off-takes, irrigation pipelines, syphons, and county road crossings.

Those interested in providing services, equipment (with and without operators) or materials should attend this meeting and be prepared to submit information about the services they may provide, the type, size, number of units of equipment available, and the type of materials of interest to be supplied.

Examples of services needed include, but are not limited to: • Earth work: Tractors and Dirt Pans to excavate and move earth, track hoe work • Welding Metal Pipe • Trucking of Materials and Equipment • Concrete Delivered • Equipment Drivers and General Labor

A public information meeting will be conducted by the White River Irrigation District at the White River Irrigation District Shop, Hwy 63 South, Hazen, Arkansas 72064 at 9 a.m. Friday, July 8, 2022.

The District will discuss general operations, general insurance, liability, and workman’s comp requirements.

The District will develop a list of interested parties, and at its sole discretion, contact parties from the list to negotiate work items and associated costs.

For additional information and clarification contact: Tony L. Stevenson, PE 446 Chimney Rock Drive, Sherwood, AR 72120 501-680-7888

Page 4 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Hazen schools plan ag building The bid from SchelleArchitect of Cabot to design the new agriculture building was accepted by the Hazen School Board at its regular meeting held on Monday, June 20. The project to build an agri building has been spearheaded by Board Member Mason Sickel.

Only Board Member Darlene Connors was absent. Also present were outgoing High School Principal Mark Price, Superintendent Donnie Boothe, Superintendent Assistant Cindy Ciganek, and Financial Officer Sarah Snider.

The Schelle engineers intend to take soil samples of the building site and do a survey of the property, but Sickel said that a survey had already been done and the contract would need to be changed. Plans to build an agri building were in the original mileage request which was passed several years ago, but it was dropped.

The proposed 2022-23 elementary handbook was given to the board, but the new high school handbook will be developed by the new high school principal, Amy

FCCLA attends leadership conference...

Local FCCLA members from Des Arc High School and Carlisle High School attended the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in San Diego, California, on June 29-July 3. Pictured above is Callie Baxter (on the left), a Des Arc High School junior. Callie is the Arkansas State Vice President of Public Relations.

She was accompanied by FCCLA advisor May Lynn Guidry.

Pictured below are Carlisle FCCLA Vice President of Competitive Events Daisy Duke, and First Vice President Kristen Moran. They were accompanied by FCCLA Advisor Shea Wilson.

Marek, who began her work at the district on July 1. Both handbooks will be voted on at the July meeting.

Summer school has begun at both the high school and elementary school.

The board voted to approve the purchase of playground equipment for the pre-Kindergarten from Play with a Purpose. The $29,184.47 that will be spent will come from a Department of Human Services quality improvement grant that was applied for and received by Pre-K Head Teacher Jennifer Smart.

The board also approved the purchase of reading and writing curriculum materials for elementary Special Education classrooms for $39,154.50 from Benchmark Education. The funds for the materials will be paid with ESA-Special Education funds.

The board was informed by Boothe that the elementary school will be getting a new roof, and that classrooms are being moved around this summer.

Boothe also recommended that the board accept a legal transfer of a student from the Hazen

School District to the Stuttgart district. The student lives in the Slovak area and has never attended Hazen schools.

In personnel matters, the board accepted the resignation of Cafeteria Supervisor Anne Burroughs effective June 30, 2022. They also accepted the resignation of Paraprofessional Nancy Price, H.I.P.P.Y Paraprofessional Jessica Powers, and Elementary Art Teacher/Cheer Sponsor Sydney Reid.

Wesley Nobles was hired to be the part-time Technology Director for the 2022-23 school year.

The board also extended the contract of the elementary counselor from 195 days to 200 days beginning the next school year.

At the end of the meeting, Price thanked the board for the opportunity to serve the Hazen School District for the past three years. Price will begin his new job as High School Principal in the England School District this summer.

The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 19, at 6:00 p.m. in the High School library.

Page 5 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 6, 2022

The City of DeValls Bluff is taking applications for a temporary part-time position for the summer as a general laborer. Must be able to operate mower, weed eater and have driver’s license.

Apply at DeValls Bluff City Hall.

CDL DRIVERS NEEDED

House to House Yard Sales in the Brown Grove Community, Hwy 86 North, Saturday July 9th. 8 AM until? We have 6 Houses and Pleasant Ridge Church participating so far. There will be a bake sale at the church. Something for Everyone.

Bargains Galore.

Local hauling. Home every night. Weekly pay. Call T J Pauschert Trucking at 870552-9400.

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

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Page 6 - The Grand Prairie Herald - Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Des Arc celebrates Independence Day with park Fun Day On Sunday afternoon, July 3, from 5:00 p.m. until dark, the City of Des Arc held a Fun Day in the Park in Des Arc, to celebrate our great nation’s birthday in style.

Attendees were encouraged to take a stroll on the Tom Roe Memorial Riverfront Park and Walking Trail beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Des Arc Industrial Development Corporation (DAIDC) and the Parks and Recreation Committee sponsored the event.

Bottled ice water was provided for attendees by Merchants and Planters

Bank, and at 6:00 p.m. the DAIDC and the Des Arc Parks and Recreation Committee handed out free grilled hot dogs, chips, and ice-cold bottled water. Volunteer Bob Childers was the Griller in Charge.

The Brad Knupp Band played music from 7:00 p.m. until the fireworks began. There was a spectacular fireworks show fired from the White River Bridge at 9:00 p.m. with fireworks donated

by Eagle Ag Flying Service.

(Thanks to Harvey Joe Sannner and Lisa Mills for the photos.)