An Arkie’s Faith The Petersens

music filled the room as the group’s tight harmonies captivated the audience. The Petersens played a wide variety of traditional, pop, and country music. Matt, guitarist, and vocalist with the band, entertained the crowd with his quick wit and humor as he announced the songs.

As the evening progressed, the rain began to fall. Matt told the audience they had learned the next song for a concert in Portland, Oregon, but he thought it was appropriate for Mena. As the rain beat down on the roof, they began to sing, “It rains everywhere I go. Storms appear, and the winds they blow. I got nothin’ but trouble to show, ‘cause it rains everywhere I go.” The heavy rains seemed like a cozy backdrop to the music.

with a group of musicians that I had never seen before.

In the notes for the video, she wrote, “I’ve been a big fan of The Petersens ever since I saw their cover of Jolene, and I was so thrilled it worked out to do a couple of songs with them while we were both in Dallas earlier this week on tour. They are as nice and genuine as they are talented, and it was a total honor to make music with them. I hope there will be more opportunities to jam in the future! Check out our cover ‘Southern Nights’ with the Petersens on their channel!”

I checked out The Petersens channel, and I loved it. Before too long, I had watched every video on their channel. I found out they had regular concerts in Branson, Missouri, and hoped I could go to a show, but it never worked out. Then one day earlier this year, a post popped up on my Facebook feed with a photo of The

Petersens. One short sentence accompanied the photo. “The Petersens are coming to Mena April 28th.”

When the tickets went on sale for The Petersens concert at Avalon Keep, I was among the first to purchase tickets. I contacted Michael and suggested a promotion for the concert. Richie’s Discount Auto Glass would give away two tickets while promoting the concert. I eagerly waited for the night of the show.

It was a cloudy and dreary evening with a light mist falling as we pulled into the packed parking lot at Avalon Keep and tried to find a place to park. The show was sold out, and the beautiful Avalon Hall was bursting at the seams. The crowd eagerly waited for the concert to begin.

The dobro followed a few bars of solo banjo, then the rest of the band joined in. “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man.” The

A hush fell over the room when the dobro began quietly playing the first few bars of Amazing Grace. “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.” There is something about the song that touches people’s hearts. It is so familiar and yet so meaningful. It is the gospel in a nutshell. As the music continued, the audience reverently joined in. “When we’ve been here ten thousand years, bright, shining as the sun. We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”

Gentle Reader, God doesn’t love you because of who you are or your actions. He tells you, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

God made you. He loves you. You can’t make God love you more. You can’t make God love you less. He loves you just as much on your bad days as on your good ones.

The Bible has a word for this: grace. And it’s amazing. “God’s mercy is great, and he loved us very much. Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God’s grace.” Ephesians 2:4,5 (NCV)

DELISSA continued from page 1 her a little nervous.

Defender’s Boxing Club Coach Richard Hexamer said, “She’s a sweet little girl. She started training down at our gym in De Queen with D-Two Boxing about nine months ago. She’s got ear problems and wears real high-volume hearing aids.”

Delissa said the most fun for her in boxing are her coaches at D-Two Boxing & Fitness Club, Melissa and Jesse Self.

Melissa said, “I always thought it was awesome. [Delissa] just came in the very first time and she’s just really good with her body, and really knows how her body works and how to throw a punch.”

When asking Delissa what her best punch is, Self volunteered, “I would say her hook that she caught me with the other day right in the jaw.” They both laughed.

“She caught me good. I had my mouth open. I was going to speak to her while we were sparring and she caught me. I had to stop.” Delissa smiled and nodded, trying not to laugh too much. “She stopped a grown adult,” Self continued.

Delissa said the most difficult thing to learn is to stay in stance.

“When I move, I always move this foot first,” she said, pointing to one of her feet, “before I move this foot, and I fall.”

She said she does not have balance issues due to anything related to her hearing.

Bittersweet news

As she prepped for her public debut, Delissa received unexpected news.

Hexamer said, “She’s going to do a cochlear implant in May. She just found that out three weeks ago. Once they do that implant, she’ll never be able to box again. She’s always wanted to be a boxer and she hasn’t had a chance yet.”

One would think once Delissa discovered she was going to be getting an implant she would be excited, but she responded, “I’m not very happy about it, but I’m kind of nervous too. I never wanted to get one. I already don’t like wearing hearing aids. It’ll make hearing better for me, and for my speech. That’s what I’m happy about. But getting them, I’m not happy.”

Delissa denies the concept of not being able to box again. She confidently stated, “I will. I just can’t get punched in the ear.”

Her parents stated that the first doctor did tell them she would never be able to box again. The second doctor had more promising news. They said they have to go speak with the doctors soon regarding the implant.

“They do surgery and put a metal plate in your head so she can hear better,” Bevis said. “It’s going to be straight on her eardrum.”

Bevis also has hearing issues. Delissa, who is one of six daughters, is not the only child affected by the genetic trait. Bevis said, “Her and another sister and Annie all have a hearing impairment. Her [8-year-old] sister has a cochlear implant, too. Her hearing is worse than Delissa’s.”

Bevis does not have an implant. She explained, “I’ve tried hearing aids. As you get older, it’s a little more difficult to get hearing aids.”

Delissa’s family share the desire that she can continue doing what she loves. Bevis said, “We’ve got to talk with her surgeon. We’re hoping she can keep competing once she gets it.” and the crowd remained standing for the fight’s entirety. Once the bell rang, she met Malachi at center ring and immediately landed a left jab to his head.

The two fought three rounds, trading blows in a fairly even match.

Malachi, of Team Trio Boxing, thought Delissa put up a good fight and he enjoyed the competition. They both were awarded championship belts almost as big as their own bodies.

After the fight, Delissa said, “I was happily amazed that I actually won. I thought I would lose. When I got started, I was kind of nervous, but then I overcame it and I started thinking about in the past when I started fighting with coach Jesse and Ms. Melissa.

“When I got to the second round, I got used to it and started actually fighting. Then he got a hold of me, but then I got out and got a hold of him.

“I was so happy! It was it was the best day of my life!” thing else in another type of sport.”

Her parents are proud of her. Their advice, “Support them, no matter what. Stand by them and support them to the fullest,” Ahumada, said.

As for anyone with a disability of any sort, Delissa believes, “It doesn’t matter what you have. You’re just the same as someone else.”

Since her boxing future is uncertain, a match was arranged to take place at the Arkansas Junior Olympics Boxing Championships in Mena.

“We’re going to do a special bout with her taking on a boy from a friend’s club,” Hexamer said. “They can do intergender matches at that age. I call it the Dreams Do Come True match to give her a chance to be in the ring. It’s going to be one of those no-loser matches. She’s really good. She’s shy, but once she warms up, she’s really decent in the ring for only doing it for nine months.”

Self said, “She has progressed pretty well. She’s a little bit nervous and that’s to be expected. She’s never had a fight [pubic] fight before. We’re excited to see how she does. I think she’s going to do really well.”

She has never met her opponent, Malachi Pruitt, but she’s looking forward to her bout and believes in herself. “I can win — and if we both win, it’ll be a big tie. It’ll be the first time I’ll be very happy.”

When it’s suggested she’s probably been really happy before, she smiled and said, “Sometimes.”

Fight day

The following morning, before the bout, Delissa could be seen playing with balloons with two of her sisters. One would never guess she was nervous or that she was even a contender due to get up in the ring in a couple of hours.

Once Delissa was standing on the canvas, wearing all of her protective gear like the rest of the boxers were wearing, she appeared anxious to begin. The announcer asked the audience to cheer the boxers on. A standing ovation ensued

Bevis added, “We’re thankful to Coach Melissa and Coach Jesse for starting up the boxing in De Queen. The kids have an opportunity to do some-

ROSS continued from page 1 Representative District 4, Parliamentarian, Historian, President in 2004-2005, 2005-2006 and recently President in 2021-2023. She has sat on numerous committees for the Association during her time as a clerk.

Outside of the Association, there has been two committees that were very special to her:

She was asked to sit on the Supreme Court Committee on Automation for two terms, which added up to six years.

She was also included in the Supreme Court Committee that worked on the Administrative Plan for the State of Arkansas. She had the opportunity to get acquainted with Court employees from all walks of life.

Ross was a participant in a Designing & Presenting Programs Effectively: Arkansas Faculty Development Workshop that was provided by the National Judicial College.

Ross has taken six different classes in Little Rock to become a Certified Court Clerk which she completed in August 2016. She has taught numerous classes during the Continuing Education programs she attends. And even though she is no longer an officer for the District Court Clerks Association, she will sit on the Executive Board for the next four years.

Ross was awarded the Clerk of the Year award in 2010 and once again, she was nominated and chosen to receive the Clerk of the Year award for this year, 2023.

HSO’s annual Volunteer Luncheon

Humane Society of the Ouachitas volunteers were honored on April 24, at HSO’s annual Volunteer Luncheon, held at the Concord Baptist Church fellowship hall in Ink.

Each year, the event is a potluck lunch full of yummy dishes, as all potlucks are, plus games and gifts for attendees to enjoy a festive time togeth- each year. HSO could not help that many animals without its dedicated volunteers. Thank you all!”

Each year HSO recognizes a “Volunteer of the Year.” The 2023 award was presented to HSO Vice President of the Board Denie Westphal.

Westphal received a plaque as well as a “paw print” trophy. She has vol- er. Much thanks goes to HSO’s Shelter Manager Kelly Otts for coordinating this year’s event, with the help of some HSO volunteers, of course.

All of HSO’s volunteers are honored for their service. HSO volunteer President of the Board Neal Fosdick opened the event by asking for self-introductions from all present.

As HSO volunteer Secretary of the Board Cheryl Murphy stated during her introduction, “My catch phrase for HSO is ‘HSO may be small, but it’s mighty.’ The last few years, our smalltown shelter helped over 700 animals unteered a number of years as a board member, helping in the office, and fostering new litters of kittens and their mamas at her home. The past two years, Westphal has worked on behalf of HSO’s spay-neuter clinics, taking and processing applications, speaking with applicants by phone, awarding spay-neuter grant-funded vouchers to eligible pet owners, and scheduling all the spay-neuter surgeries for both dogs and cats.

Westphal is a humble soul and seeks no glory, but her dedication has been invaluable!

May is a big month at OLT

Submitted by Julie Ulmer

Ouachita Little Theatre is having a busy month full of wonderful entertainment opportunities.

First up is the hilarious off-Broadway musical, “Little Shop of Horrors.” Directed website.

The last day to purchase tickets for the semi-annual Benson Awards Ceremony and dinner is May 18. The “Bensons” will be held June 1 at the Crossing facility at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person and include a catered meal from Papa Poblano’s by Alex Night with musical direction by Judy Kropp, this show by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman opens Friday, May 12, at the OLT, 610 Mena St.

More performances continue May 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21. Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at oltmena.com for $15 (adults) and $10 (students and seniors.) Get your reserved seats early online or in the office during regular office hours, or at the door. This show is not recommended for young children or sensitive viewers due to some subject matter and mild adult language.

Another musical show coming later this summer is “The Fantasticks,” directed by April Renee’ Burt. Auditions will be held May 15-17 from 6-9 p.m. at the theatre. Audition details can also be found on the OLT

Mexican Café. Children under 12 eat free, but reservations must be made for them. Come see your favorite theatre talent receive awards from the years 2019-2022 seasons. There will be video clips from your favorite shows, and a chance to dress up a bit for “A Night on the Town.” You may see more details and purchase your tickets at oltmena.com, but only until May 18

The annual business meeting and officer election meeting will take place at OLT on May 24 at 6 p.m. If you are interested in running for office or the board of directors, you may contact OLT through Facebook, website, or phone number at 479-216-2538. Only OLT members can vote or run for office, but anyone in the community who is interested in OLT is invited to attend and give input on entertainment suggestions for the upcoming seasons.

Around Town

A benefit account has been set up at Union Bank of Mena in the name of Jami Hale for her mother JeriDee Moore Lawrence to help the family with funeral and other expenses as a result of Chris Lawrence’s untimely death.

The Disabled American Veterans and auxiliary will be having their monthly meeting on Thursday, May 4, at Veterans Park in Acorn. There will be a buffet at 6 p.m. with meetings to follow.

2800 Craftsy meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m., 2800 Jerry Lee Dr., Mena. Free to all who are interested in crafting. (501) 617-7261. Visit 2800 Craftsy on Facebook groups.

The Polk County Social Seniors will be meeting at noon on May 9 at La Condesa, 7532 Hwy. 71 South, Wickes. New to Polk County? Come and meet with other social seniors and have fun. Any questions? Contract Linda Johnson at (956) 241-2633. Bring a friend or more and enjoy socializing and eating. Need a ride? Meet at Walmart at Mena parking lot by gasoline pumps before 11 for carpooling. Will leave at 11:15 a.m.

The Dave Melton Family Singers will be in concert May 7 at 7 p.m. at First Christian Church of Mena at 1010 Port Arthur. The Melton family share the love of Jesus through song.

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.

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.

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) 394-5459.

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.

The VFW Service Day is May 6 at the American Legion in Veteran’s Park. Open to the public. Begins at 2 p.m. They will be making care packages to send to guards being deployed and need volunteers.

Also, if you’d like to donate items for the packages, contact Linda Johnson at (956) 241-2633 to see what items are still needed.

The Democratic Party of Polk County Arkansas will meet Monday, May 8 at PaPa’s Mexican Café, 1317 Hwy. 71 South. Meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., so come early if you plan to socialize and eat. We welcome newcomers and all residents of Polk County. Any questions or concerns call Linda G. Johnson at (479) 234-7966.

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) 2348366 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.

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

The First Baptist Church of Mena will observe the National Day of Prayer on the lawn of the Polk County Court House, noon, Thursday, May 4. In case of rain, it will be moved to the First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. For more info call 479-394- 2541.

Mollie Gann Cemetery Decoration Day, Sunday, May 14 , 10 a.m. Will include meeting to discuss new and old business.

Owens Chapel Cemetery Cleanup Week is May 7 - 13. Decoration Day will be observed, Sunday, May 14.

Ink-Concord Cemetery Decoration Day will be Sunday May 21, with annual meeting at 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall of Concord Baptist Church. You may bring your maintenance donations then or mail them to P. O. Box 696, Mena, AR 71953