Booher selected as the 2023 Realtor of the Year

By Ethan Nahté

Tabitha Booher of Holly Springs Real Estate was selected as the Realtor of the Year for 2023 at the Mena Area Board of Realtors (MABR) August meeting.

“I’m still trying to peel myself off the ceiling! It was so unexpected,” she said.

Booher has plenty of sales experience, but she has only spent five years in real estate. Moving to the Mena area from Indianapolis in 2002 was a choice she has enjoyed. Originally, she and her family are from Kansas City, Missouri. After moving to the Ouachita Mountains region, she not only has sold millions in real estate to clients, but she sold her family on the area, as well.

“My whole family moved here. I imported my husband, Greg, here from Tennessee.”

Apart from one sister, her grandparents, parents and other siblings moved to the Mena area.

“That was before I was a real estate agent. That is now part of my sales technique when I’m showing properties. I tell them I love it so much that my entire family moved here. Somebody told me that means ‘you’re the heart of your family.’”

As for her own family household, she and Greg have five children.

New territory

One would think the competition, regardless of size or population of an area, would be tough… even cutthroat, but Booher said, “For the most part, everyone gets along really well. The realtors in Mena are a great group of people. They help a lot of groups, too, such as Special Olympics and others, so we’re always working together and interacting, even though we’re competitive in real estate.

“I was kind of freaked out and the first time I got to a meeting. There’s all of these people and I had no idea who they were. I was wondering, ‘Are we supposed to talk with them? They’re our competitors.’ I was in computer software before this and we never spoke with our competitors on the convention floor.”

MABR was chartered in 1988 and averages between 37 and 52 members according to their website. They have an all-volunteer board of directors and serve not only Polk County, but also parts of Scott and Montgomery counties in Arkansas and parts of McCurtain and LeFlore counties in Oklahoma.

“I’m in the Top 5 salespeople of units sold in Polk County and surrounding areas in 2023.”

Being in the Top 5 wasn’t what earned her this year’s title. She was nominated by someone, but she said,

“The Realtor of the Year is about being a member of your community, a good citizen, full of realtor spirit, and volunteerism, versus a realtor’s amount of sales. Your commitment to your clients, ethics and integrity are what count.”

Beyond real estate

When not busy helping to raise a family or selling real estate, Booher also enjoys horses. In particular, she enjoys competing in rodeos. Just this past weekend she was barrel racing at the 70th Annual Polk County Rodeo. Three weeks prior, she was competing at the 55th Annual Grannis Rodeo.

With her laughter and personality, there’s no doubt she probably gets along as well with her competitors at the rodeos, the same as she gets along with her real estate competition and her clients.

Instead of being The Real Estate Agent, she said, “A client called me The Friendestate Agent because I end up making so many friends with the people moving to the area.”

Mamie Page of Mena was the seventh winner of the family four-pack of Magic Springs Theme and Water Park tickets. Her name was selected from our eight sponsors. Page was signed up for the contest at Holly Springs Real Estate. See the Magic Springs ad on this page for details and sponsor locations. You have one more chance to win.

Mena Fire Department received a new ladder truck on Aug. 10. Mena was one of two cities placing a sealed bid for the year-model 2000 ladder truck from Texarkana, Arkansas, Fire Department. Brand new in 2000, the truck sold for approximately $350,000-$360,000. Today, a new ladder truck would cost $1-$2 million or more. The new acquisition will replace a couple of other trucks currently in use by MFD

(Jamie Hammack/Pulse)

It’s time to think about the fair:

Photography

Submitted by Kathy Hagler

Do you enjoy photography? Did you know you can enter your photographs in the Polk County Fair? Here are some things to know about entering your photos:

• Photos can be in color or black and white;

• Photos must have been taken since the last fair;

• Photos must be entered on Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 1-7 p.m.;

• “All” photos must be 8” x 10”;

• “All” photos must be matted with an 11” x 14” mat with no frame. This rule complies with Arkansas State Fair regulations;

• Photos submitted with glass will “not” be accepted;

• Exhibits must be appropriate for viewing by all age audiences.

If you have questions about matting your photos, please call Chris at 479394-1169.

For a complete list of rules and categories, please refer to this year’s Polk County Fair Catalog.

See you at the fair!

Fair Training! There will be a volunteer training session on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 11:00 a.m., in the Education Building at the Polk County Fairgrounds. This training will be for volunteers who wish to help out in the Education Building during the fair. You do not have to belong to a particular group or club to volunteer. For more information, please call the Cooperative Extension Office at (479) 394-6018.

Humane Society of the Ouachitas next monthly meeting Aug. 17, 5:30 p.m. at La Villa Mexican Restaurant in Mena. All pet lovers welcome! For info 479-394-5682

The Back Country Extension Homemakers Club meets the second Friday of each month at 1 p.m. at the UA Extension’s Education Building, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. We are a service organization affiliated with UA’s Division of Agriculture with a mission to have fun and learn new things while enriching our community and creating a more contented family life. We believe the greatest force that molds character comes from the home. Come join new friends and old as we together grow. For more info, contact Ginger at Gingerkm@protonmail.com.

Narcotics Anonymous meet at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, noon - 1 p.m. on Wednesday, 7 p.m. on Thursday, 7 p.m. on Friday, and 6 p.m. on Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at (479) 2345289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

The First United Methodist Church of Mena will be collecting dry cat and dog food for the Humane Society of the Ouachitas, a no-kill animal shelter, during the month of August.

If you’d like to donate to this wonderful

Around Town

organization, bring the food to the church, 501 Ninth St., across from Janssen Park, Monday-Thursday between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or bring it on Sunday at 10 a.m. and stay for church. Everyone is welcome.

The Polk County Republican Committee will meet on Monday, Aug. 21, at 5:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the basement conference room of the Polk County Courthouse. Members and the public are encouraged to attend.

Come play Pickleball! Open play Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m., Aubrey D. Tapley Park - 2562 U.S. Hwy 71, Mena.

Bring your own equipment and come have fun. All levels are welcome. Unsure or interested? Come watch before purchasing equipment.

The Polk County Housing Authority has Rental Vouchers available. They are also in need of Applicants and Landlords. Contact them at 509 S. Morrow, Mena, (479) 394-1565 or polkarhousing. com

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a study, “The Evolution of the Bible”, in its Adult Sunday School Class on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45. The class will be conducted by Earl Harrell. Anyone with an interest in this study is invited to attend. Classes will be at the church in the parlor, 904 Church Ave., Mena.

The Ouachita Beekeepers Association is now meeting on the second Thursday of the month, 7 p.m. in the Education Building of the UA Extension Office, 211 DeQueen St., Mena. Come early and enjoy refreshments and bee talk with other beekeepers.

GriefShare continues to meet every Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon at First Presbyterian Church Mena for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The Hatfield Branch Library is open every Tuesday and Friday from noon-4 p.m. The library is located at 121 Cemetery Rd. (old Agri building) in Hatfield.

The Cove Branch Library is open Monday and Thursday from noon-5 p.m. The Library is located next to Cove Town Hall at 5568 Hwy. 71 S.

The Mena/Polk County Senior Center will have The Gator and Friends band performing in Mena every Thursday, 10:30-11:30 a.m.

The Center has an exercise class on Mondays and Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Contact Trena Looney with questions, (479) 3945459.

Bluegrass Jam Session is open to musicians and fans alike. Bring your instruments for an unplugged session to the Daisy Room (behind Janssen’s Avenue Florist & Gifts) the first and third Thursdays of each month, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free event. Some snacks are provided.

Free meal and a message at Living Word, 171 W. Johnson, Hatfield, Wednesdays @ 6 p.m.

The Cossatot Senior Center in Wickes has meals and activities for seniors. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 385-2373.

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove gathers every Tuesday, 8:309:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

Hatfield First Baptist Church

“Shepherd’s Closet” Open Wednesdays, 10 a.m.-noon. Large selection of good, used clothing & a limited supply of non-perishable food items. Free to anyone in need.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at The Crossing Church, 3 p.m., Sundays; at 5 p.m., Tuesdays; and at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn. For information call (479) 234-8366 or (479) 216-3786.

The Food Pantry at the Mena Seventh Day Adventist Church is open every first and third Monday of each month, 4-6 p.m., located at Fair Grounds Road. For more information, call (479) 437-4018.

American Legion meets every 2nd Tuesday at the Legion Hall in Acorn. Potluck at 6 p.m., meeting follows.

Come play Bingo, Saturdays and Mondays, starts at 6 p.m., doors open at 4 p.m.

Reynolds Gardner Community Men’s Breakfast every Tuesday, First United Methodist Church, Mena, 8 a.m. (full breakfast for small donation). All men from the community are invited to attend.

Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Fridays at the First United Methodist Church, Ninth Street and Port Arthur. Discussion/Book Study for information call (479) 243-0297.

It’s easy to have your event listed in Around Town, which will be read on radio stations KENA and KQOR daily. Simply send your Around Town announcement to news@mypulsenews.com or call (479) 243-9600 and let us know about your event! To have it in the Polk County Pulse newspaper, we need to know by FIVE on FRIDAY. We look forward to continuing to serve the community!

- CLASSIFIEDS -

- SERVICES -

Wendell’s Tree Service - Tree Removal and Trimming. Experienced and fully insured for ALL your tree-trimming needs. Call (479) 394-0227 or (479) 216-4328. T0823

Carter’s Excavating - Licensed Contractor: Heavy and light dozer work, heavy excavation, soft ground to rock excavation, heavy off-road hauling, road design and construction 50 years in trade, 40 years in area. Subsidiary of RCI Construction (479) 394-9227

T0906

Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate. T0830

Carter’s Excavating - Licensed Contractor: Roads, bridges, house pads, building pads, basements, land clearing, small lots to large tracks, ponds, stream crossings, farm roads, building demolition, site planning & prep.

50 years in trade, 40 years in area. Subsidiary of RCI Construction. (479) 394-9227

T0906

Mobile lawnmower repair and repair flats. Minimum, $20 service call. For details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204. T0816

Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, and roads. Military discounts. Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T0830

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T0823