Veterans Day

November veterans events Memoir recalls WWII and more

By Ethan Nahté

Mena resident Linda Gandy has published a memoir that primarily takes a look at events and anecdotes from her own life in a chronological order, more or less. “I Will Lift up Mine Eyes – Psalm 121:1” (Page Publishing) reveals some of those earliest memories was during her childhood, such as remembering principal Louise Durham at her fifth birthday party, but not long after stepping into her classroom to watch the children as Gandy’s teacher stepped out into the hallway to tell her boyfriend goodbye as he was shipping out for World War II.

Then her father enlisted and shipped out, as well.

Another story tells of her father inviting them to New Orleans as the merchant marine ship he was stationed was docked for repairs. Daily, she and her mother would tell her fa- ther goodbye because he never knew when they’d embark, and for security reasons, would not be allowed to notify their families. Fortune was on their side as she recalls President Harry S. Truman coming over the P.A. system at the hotel where she was staying, announcing the war was over.

There is even a story of a friend’s antique rocking chair that travels through time, back through the Civil War and the Revolutionary War.

There are plenty of other recollections leading up to 2021: Some funny, some dramatic, some sad.

There are also a pair of historical fiction pieces that begin the book, and another harrowing tale of her great-grandparents and their kids running from an oncoming tornado and being trapped between two creeks overflowing their banks and becoming a life-threatening situation.

Despite the book’s title, this is not a religious text, per se, although there are several mentions of faith and religion, not to mention Gandy’s work as a church organist and her family’s participation in church events.

Many may think a memoir is meant for the author’s family and closest friends, but Gandy’s book has subjects that many can relate to. It also might take several people back through time, as if listening to stories from one’s on grandparents. There are also references to people and places that serve as a historical reminder, such as Mena City Hall once being the post office, or where the First Baptist Church is located across from Janssen Park was once the property where Central School was located.

The book has a few minor typos, but overall, it is put together well and makes for an interesting afternoon read.

“I Will Lift up Mine Eyes-Psalm 121:1,” with its cover featuring our own view of the mountains, is available from such as retailers as Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million or Amazon in print or eBook formats.

Friday, Nov. 10

• Veterans Breakfast

7-9:30 a.m.

Papa’s Mexican Cafe

Free for veterans and their families. Bring your classic car for a chance at cash prizes of $100, $75 or $50, courtesy of Papa’s Mexican Cafe.

Mena: Bacon, sausage, eggs, biscuits, gravy, hashbrowns, toast, fruit, yogurt, milk, juice and coffee.

For more info contact the Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce at 479394-2912.

Saturday, Nov. 11

• Veterans Day Parade

10 a.m.

Mena Street

Honoring all military branches. Line-up at 9 a.m. at The Crossing parking lor. Call 479-234-0738 for more information or to enter the parade.

• Veterans Day Memorial Service

11:11 a.m.

The Mena Elks Lodge

124 Elk Drive, Mena

Lunch to be served following the memorial. All veterans and their families are welcome to attend.

• Chili Supper

5-7 p.m.

Dallas Masonic Lodge No. 128, 701 Port Arthur, Mena (across from Janssen Park)

In honor of retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Robert Lancaster.

It’s all you can eat with five different recipes to choose from, along with all the fixings and beverages. Veterans eat for free, and others can donate any amount. Monies raised go toward scholarships.

Thursday, Nov. 23

• Thanksgiving Lunch

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mena Senior Center, 401 Autumn Lane, Mena

Veterans, don’t eat alone on Thanksgiving, Join us for a free Thanksgiving lunch. Open to all veterans and their immediate family. Sponsored by VFW.

72nd Annual PTO Thanksgiving Supper, Cossatot River Primary School cafeteria (Vandervoort Campus), 4-7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11. They will be serving chicken and dressing, giblet gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, hot roll and pumpkin pie. $8 per tray, dine-in or takeout.

The Polk County Sociable Seniors will be meeting on the second Wednesday this month only instead of Tuesday due to the fact that American Artisans is closed on Tuesdays. Meeting at noon on Nov. 8 American Artisans Eatery & Gallery, 815 Mena St. Parking in the rear.

The Polk County Housing Authority will be closed Nov. 10 in observance of Veterans Day.

GriefShare at First Presbyterian Church Mena meet every Wednesday at 1 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

GriefShare at The Crossing in Mena meets every Thursday from 6-8 p.m. for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

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.

Christ’s Church of Cove, 5234 Hwy. 71 S, Cove gathers every Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 a.m., for free coffee and conversation.

Come play Pickleball! Open

Around Town

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 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.

Jam session every Tuesday night, 6-9 p.m. at Shady Mountain Events, 428 Hwy. 375 East, Mena. No charge, everyone is welcome. All genres of music. Bring your own instrument, come watch or dance. Call (479) 234-7174 with questions.

First Presbyterian Church will be presenting a series on the Book of Revelation in its Adult Sunday School class on Sunday mornings beginning at 9:45. Earl Harrell will be the presenter and will focus on the titles of Jesus as revealed in the Book of Revelation. The public is invit- ed to attend. Classes will be in the Helen Barham Room at the church, 904 Church Avenue, 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.

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.The hours are 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. If you need to make delivery arrangements or changes call (870) 3852373.

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.

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!

The following information was received from Polk County law enforcement agencies. The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts. Individuals charged and whose names appear in this column may submit documentation to us at a later date that the charges have been dismissed, or that they have been found innocent, and we will include that information in this space in a timely manner.

POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG

October 30, 2023

Elena Hendershot, 40, of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Probation Violation Warrant.

Katelyn Enyeart, 30, of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Parole Hold and on a warrant for Possession of Methamphetamine or Cocaine with Purpose to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Kings Lane near Acorn in reference to an unattended death.

October 31, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 17 near Vandervoort in reference to an altercation.

Deputies were dispatched to Elks Lane near Mena in reference to a possible assault.

Kenneth Sipe, 41, of Mena was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Jason Robertson, 44, of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a charge of Violation of a Protection Order.

Dawn Rios, 43, of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Warrant for Failure to Comply with an Order of the Court.