OLT celebrates Benson Awards

Submitted by Julie Ulmer

The biennial Benson Awards banquet and honor ceremony was held June 1, at the Crossing Facility. The theme was “A Night on the Town” with black and gold decorations to accent the semi-formal affair.

The purpose of the awards is to pay homage to the outstanding volunteer members of Ouachita Little Theatre who serve both on the stage and behind the scenes in various roles. Since COVID-19 protocols interrupted the usual semi-annual schedule in 2020, both the 2019-2020 as well as the 2021-2022 seasons were honored in the same ceremony.

Close to 100 people attended the event. After a tasty catered meal from Papa’s Mexican Café, President Alex Night opened the awards portion of the program. Several different presenters associated with Ouachita Little Theatre made the presentations to the individual award recipients in technical, acting, artistic, and directing categories.

The names of the award recipients and the categories for which they won acclaim can be viewed in the OLT newsletter located on the OLT website or Facebook page.

Inaugural awards

Two inaugural awards made their appearance. The first of two legacy plaques presented was the Howard Goins Memorial Award for Excellence in Sound Production, named posthumously for the sound pioneer who paved the way for the optimal sound at OLT.

Jocelyn Biard won for the 20192020 season and Lexie Payne won for the 2021-2022 season.

The second legacy award is named the Lorraine Timmerman Award for Excellence in Set Painting and Artwork. Lorraine is the initial recipient of the award bearing her name for the nearly 40 years from 1983 to 2022.

Judy Kropp was also honored for Excellence in Musical Direction for seasons 2019 through 2023. Linda G. Johnson was honored as well for the same years for her Excellence as Property Master. Both of these talented women have dedicated extraordinary time and effort to fill their respective roles in every show for the four-year span of entertainment.

MaKayla Ortiz was honored with an individual plaque in ap - preciation of her excellent performance as Stage Manager for almost every production in season 2019 through 2022.

Leda Award

The final award presented was the coveted Leda Award named for the founder of Ouachita Little Theatre, Leda Benson. This award is reserved for only those who have made a long term and lasting impression on OLT. As only the fifth recipient of this prestigious award, Bill Hays was honored with a standing ovation from the audience. The trophy will be enjoyed by Hays at home for a time, and then on permanent display at the theater until the next time it is awarded.

Congratulations to all those who took home a Benson Award. Many volunteers not mentioned have worked very hard throughout the pandemic years through today to bring quality entertainment to the Polk County community.

Thanks, too, to all those patrons who have supported Ouachita Little Theatre through the difficult pandemic years and continue to do so.

Wickes Trade Day

Saturday, July 8, 9 a.m. - TBD

Located in Wickes on Hwy. 278 on the lawn between Union Bank and the fire station. Vendor set-up is at 8 a.m. Support local businesses. Enjoy Hispanic food, BBQ, baked goods, tumblers wood works, items from Double R Forge, freshies, homemade cards, floral arrangements, key chains, clothes, jewelry, pony rides, face painting, and more.

Vendors are not guaranteed to be present as unforeseen circumstances may arise. Call 479-216-8234 for any questions.

Free sack lunch each Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., for all ages, at Janssen Park pavilion. Bubbles, chalk, free books, games, and music. Sponsored by First Presbyterian Church. Meals will be available all summer, May 30 through August 15.

The Polk County Housing Authority will be closed Monday, June in observance of Juneteenth.

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) 234-5289 or Candice at (501) 356-8300.

Humane Society of the Ouachitas will meet Thursday, June 15, 5:30 p.m. at La Villa’s Restaurant in Mena. All pet lovers welcome!

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. in downtown 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.

DIY Learn Something New, Saturday, June 17 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Extension Education Building at 211 DeQueen St. We will learn to make a mug rug. Fabric and batting scraps will be available. We will have some sewing machines or you may bring your own. Come

Around Town

have fun with us and learn something new!

The Polk County Republican Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Monday, June 19, in the Community Room of the Polk County Library. All members of the public are invited.

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 Extension Homemakers Clubs will be hosting a free mug rug making class on Saturday, June 17, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., at the education building at 211 DeQueen St. in Mena. Participants will need to bring a sewing machine, thread, and scissors. A rotary mat and cutter, along with a 12-inch acrylic ruler would be helpful, but not required. Fabric will be provided. There is no fee for this class and it is beginner friendly. Participants will learn to “quilt as you go” while making a mug rug to take home. For more information, call the Polk County Extension Office at (479) 394-6018.

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) 394-5459.

Polk County Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary will be hosting their meetings at the American Legion building in Acorn on June 1. Potluck begins at 6 p.m. with meetings to follow.

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, 8:30 - 9:30 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.

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.

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!