New shop offering crystal singing bowl meditation experience

Article and photo by Ethan Nahté

Kelsey Mullins and James Dye are the owners of Hand Crafted Holistic Gift Shop. They took over the location at 711 Mena St. that was Pickled Pisces at the beginning of August. They moved to the Mena area from Phoenix, Arizona. The shop is something a bit new for them, but having their own business isn’t.

“We were both licensed massage therapists,” Mullins said. “But I’ve been a stay-at-home mom the past few years, but we took this on because I wanted to help contribute to my family’s financial situation.

For those customers who enjoyed Pickled Pisces, and Moonies before that, Hand Crafted has similarities and some new options.

“We feature over 12 local artists that make things from candles to teas, jewelry and paintings,” Mullins said. “We like to support local artist with our storefront and in the back, we offer massage therapy services. I specialize in cranial-sacral therapy, and he specializes in injury rehabilitation. It’s a holistic shop in that we’re helping people care for their minds, bodies and spirits.”

Crystal singing bowl meditation

Something new at their shop and is gaining popularity online in several places across the nation, is crystal singing bowl meditation. Hand Crafted will be offering their first session, led by Monica Myers, on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. The session is voluntary donation based. It coincides with the Hunter full moon.

Mullins suspects the event will last about an hour. They will have seating areas, but she suggests for people to bring a blanket, pillow or whatever makes them comfort- able… a yoga mat, perhaps because being right next to the bowls will not be necessary to hear them.

“The different vibrations can help clear chakras and emotional blockages. They can help promote peace. It’s a whole-body experience. Your ears hear it, but you feel it through your whole body.”

She demonstrates, taking a bowl attuned to D 289 Hz, which is slightly less than the frequency of middle D (D4), which the frequency is 293.665 Hz in an equal-tempered scale. Mullins rubs the mallet around the outer edge of the bowl in a circular motion. The sound

The Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) and ALC subcommittees convened this week. In these meetings, members received an update regarding the implementation of LEARNS, an update regarding a study of our state’s firearms laws, and approved funding to expand nurse training programs in the state.

Education Secretary Jacob Oliva updated the council on the use of Education Freedom Accounts. Education Freedom Accounts (EFA) is a school choice initiative that provides funding for eligible students to attend participating private schools. Secretary Oliva told the council that 4,795 students and 94 schools are currently participating.

For this school year, EFA’s are limited to first-time kindergartners, students coming from “F” rated schools, students with a disability, foster care children, or children of active-duty military.

Students with a disability identified under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act represent the largest share of participating students, amounting to 44% of total participants. First-time kindergarteners likewise represent a sizable share of the total participants, making up 31% of the participants’ population.

Upon request, the council approved the disbursement of federal American Rescue Plan funds including a request from the Department of Commerce for $25 million to educate more nurses in Arkansas. The department says the funding will be used for a grant program to expand nursing apprenticeships, increase nursing program capacity, and tuition reimbursement. A portion of the funds will also be used for career center licensed practical nurse pathway development. These centers provide high school seniors and juniors college credit while in school.

The Council was also informed that the Game and Fish and State Police Subcommittee will meet on Monday, November 13 at 1 pm in the MAC building behind the Capitol to begin hearing information presentations regarding federal laws related to firearms.

This is the beginning of the Arkansas Firearms and Concealed Carry Laws Study. The public will have an opportunity to provide comments at the meeting. There will be a link on the General Assembly website for public comment, and there will be a signup sheet at the committee meeting. Only those members of the public who have signed up in one of those two ways will be allowed to come forward and present their comments to the Subcommittee.

You can watch all ALC meetings and subcommittee meetings at www.arkansashouse.org.

One of the ongoing developments in state government over the past six months has been the efforts of the Human Services Department to reduce the number of people on Medicaid.

The goal is to return the health coverage program to levels more closely resembling those prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic the federal government issued emergency regulations that prohibit the state from dropping people on Medicaid, regardless of whether or not their financial circumstances changed.

In April, when the federal government announced the expiration of its emergency orders, the Arkansas Medicaid program was able to restore its traditional criteria for determining whether or not a family was eligible to receive services.

Since then the Department has been conducting an extensive process to redetermine the eligibility of all people on Medicaid. Department officials are calling this a period of “unwinding.” Standards for determining eligibility in normal times are also set by the federal government.

In the six months since Arkansas has been “unwinding” its Medicaid rolls, the department has determined that 427,459 people are no longer eligible for services.

The Arkansas Secretary of Human Services said that she was proud of the department’s staff who did the work of “unwinding” the Medicaid rolls, because it is important that the program has the resources to serve the people who truly need health coverage.

If you believe the department mistakenly dropped you from Medicaid, you can get information about re-applying at this website address: ar.gov/ cover

You also can call 855-372-1084 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or go to your local

DHS office.

In August, enrollment in Arkansas Medicaid had decreased to 915,926 people. That compares to pre-pandemic levels, such as in March, 2020, when enrollment was 921,066 people.

Supreme Court Rules on LEARNS Act

Since the legislature adjourned its regular session in April, another ongoing issue has been the legal battle over the LEARNS Act. It is a broad reform of public schools proposed by the governor and enacted by the legislature that was challenged in the courts soon after it was signed.

The state Supreme Court, in a 6-to1 ruling, dismissed the challenges of plaintiffs who argued that the legislature had failed to properly vote on the act’s emergency clause.

The act creates Education Freedom Accounts that provide funding to families who send eligible students to private schools. This year 4,795 students in 94 schools are benefiting from the program.

Most of the families will receive $6,672, although families of 628 students who had been getting Succeed Scholarships will receive $7,413.

According to a report to legislators from the Education Secretary, 59 percent of the students live in central Arkansas and 16 percent live in northwest Arkansas.

Students with a disability make up 44 percent and first-time kindergarteners make up 31 percent of the recipients.

The Education Department received 5,660 applications. The reason for most of the rejected applications was lack of documentation or clarification. Education officials estimate that the state will distribute $32.5 million this school year to families of eligible students.

Brenda Louise (Foster) Willis

Willis, Yvonne (Willis) and Kenny O’ Daniel, who meant the world to her and were just like her family.

Archie Richard Wheat

that became more like family too numerous to mention.

Brenda

Louise (Foster)

Willis, 75, was born January 14, 1948, in Mena, Arkansas, to LJ Foster and Mildred Bates Foster.

Brenda loved all dogs, cats, and most other animals. If you died, you would want to come back as Brenda’s dog or cat. She was known to her granddog and grandcat as granny. All of them knew exactly who Granny was. She loved to watch TV, especially westerns and police dramas. Her favorite show of all time was Gunsmoke, she probably saw each one of them twenty times or more. After graduating high school in 1966, she married her loving husband, Virgil. They were married for 45 years till he passed away in 2012. She worked as a nurse’s aide at the hospital on the hill and the one here in town. She enjoyed taking care of her patients. She was a wonderful housewife who made the best chicken and dressing there ever was.

Brenda is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 45 years Virgil, a son, Dewayne Willis, brother and sister-in-law, Gene and Pat Earhart, nephew, Richard Earhart, and brother-in-law, Rod Willis.

She is survived by, one daughter, Angela, and husband Slade Cunningham of Mena, “Sister-Cousin” Linda Mourton, of Little Rock, her adorable fur babies, Sadie and Margaret, brothers and sisters-in-law, Frankye Ripley, June Willis, James (Jim) and Francine Willis, Jeffrey and Carol

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Beasley Wood Funeral Home Chapel in Mena, Arkansas, with Brother Dan Hill Officiating. Interment will follow at Owens Chapel Cemetery in Acorn, Arkansas. There will be a scheduled visitation held on Monday, October 23, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Sandra Jean McCulley Sandra

Jean McCulley passed in peace October 19th. Sandra was born to Cliff and Loraine Miller in Dallas, TX, on December 28, 1946.

A nurse of 30 years, Sandra is survived by her children Cathy Miller, Randy Turner, Avy Luthor, and Brittan McCulley and grandchildren TJ and Brad Batten, Victoria Kelley, Anastasia and Naudia McCulley, and Jayden Bishop.

Sandra’s greatest passion in life was to go on cruises, so please join the family in wishing her one final bon voyage as she sets sail into eternity to be reunited with her lost loved ones and countless pets.

A private family memorial will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Mr. Archie Richard Wheat, age 81, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, October 22, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas. He was born November 14, 1941, in Corcoran, California, to the late Melvin Archie Wheat and Adaline (Kimes) Wheat.

Mr. Wheat was an aircraft technician by profession, working for the United States Air Force for 34 years. Archie served active roles in Guam and Okinawa as well as supporting roles in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Iran. Archie was a car lover by nature, spending time rebuilding older cars and attend car shows with his wife Linda. The two married March 14, 1965, in Stockton, California. Music also played a big role in Archie’s life, leading music in several churches.

Mr. Wheat is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin Archie Wheat and Adaline (Kimes) Wheat, brothers, Marion Brazell, and James Douglas Wheat.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, 7 months, and 8 days, Linda Jean (New) Wheat; son, David Richard Wheat; daughter, Stephanie Leina Jones and husband Jeremy; grandchildren, Miranda Ybarra, Marc Jones, Ty Jones, Heather Amen, KatieAnne Davis; great-grandchildren, Dallis O’Rand, Khalessi Jones, Penelope Hodges, Denver Hodges, Emma Jones; brother, Doyle Ray Wheat and wife Pam; as well as a host of friends

Cremation Services for Mr. Wheat were entrusted to Beasley-Wood Funeral Home, there are no services scheduled for this time.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Ruby McClung

Ruby McClung, age 82, of Smithville, Oklahoma passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at her home surrounded by family. She was born on Thursday, May 22, 1941, to Maxi Lee and Dorothy Elliot Rainey in Golden, Oklahoma.

Many knew Ruby as a devoted fan of television classics, including Dr. Phil, Jerry Springer, and Deal or No Deal. These shows not only offered her entertainment, but revealed her spitfire nature, penchant for speaking her mind, and love of laughter.

Always the homebody, Ruby was most comfortable surrounded by the warmth and familiarity of her own abode. Yet, she never allowed this to limit her love for games and recreation. She had a deep fondness for puzzles and card games, often inviting her family for a game. These moments revealed Ruby’s playful, competitive streak while bringing her the joy of time spent with her big, loving family.

Although she loved staying at home, Ruby had a fondness for the thrill of the Casino and shopping on occasion. At home, Ruby found immense happiness in many things: feeding her family, going through her recipes, doing puzzles, and tending to her rose bushes. Everyone who passed through her house was guaranteed to leave with a full belly and a heart warmed by her sweetness. Her rose bushes, meticulously cared for, reflected her nur- turing spirit and her ability to create beauty around her.

Ruby McClung was an unforgettable woman. She was a homebody, a spitfire, and an undeniable sweetheart all rolled into one. Her memory, filled with shared laughter, games, and love, will continue to be cherished and celebrated by her loving family and everyone who was fortunate enough to know her.

She is preceded in death by her parents; one brother, James Randall Rainey; and two sisters, Mattie Speck and Anna Sue Rainey.

Ruby is survived by her loving husband, James Donald McClung of Smithville, Oklahoma; three sons and daughter-in-law, Danny Ray Martin of Smithville, Oklahoma, Kenneth Eugene and Ellen Martin of Smithville, Johnny Lee Webb of Watts, Oklahoma; two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra Gayle and Arley Pollard Rathdrum, Idaho, Teresa and Steve Finley of Stillwater, Oklahoma; one stepson and daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Pam Pollard of Texas; six sisters, Margaret Duncan of Sweet Home, Oregon, Doris Sitton of Sweet Home, Oregon, Joyce Crebs of Rainier, Washington, Jeannette Wallace of San Gabriel, California, Cathy Davis of Nevada, and Debbie Deaton of Rosemond, California; eight grandchildren, Andrea Dawn Pfeifer, Misty Rae Pollard, James Randel and Jennie Fowler, Mindi and Randy Cox, Terah Pollard, Steven Webb, Angel Webb, and Jordan Webb; twelve great-grandchildren, Kaizia, Sierra, Kaiden, Kaileb, Justin, Katelyn, Jessie, Tristin, Braeden, Gus, Kolby, and Adeline; two greatgreat-grandchildren, Roman, Maycee, Londyn, and Emma; numerous nephews and nieces and a host of other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Watson Cemetery in Watson, Oklahoma, with Brother Todd Webb officiating under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Martin, Randel Fowler, Kenny Pollard, Bradley Johnson, Justin Cox, Tristin Cox, Nick Charlton, Gary Baxter, and Gus Fowler.

Online guestbook: bowserffh.com

Elizabeth (Blanton) Hensley

Elizabeth (Blanton)

Hensley, 97, of Mena, Arkansas, passed away Friday, October 20, 2023, in Oklahoma City, OK.

She was born on December 8, 1925, in Baker Springs, Arkansas, to the late Houston and Susie (Brock) Blanton. Elizabeth was united in marriage to Frederick Hensley, and they lived in North Fairfield, Ohio, before moving to Mena, AR. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend.

She enjoyed endless hours of dominos, swimming in the Cossatot River, auction sales, and her beloved log house. Many thanks to those that helped her stay active for as long as she could. Special thanks to those following, Brian Hilton, Elda Jones, Martha Cunningham, Debbie Fairless, Brytnea Hollman, Rita Mounts, Barbara Emert, ,

Crossroads Hospice and the staff at Meadowlake Assisted Living.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Hensley; two brothers, J.R. Blanton and Billy Blanton and three sisters, Macy Moler, Helen McClain, and Hazel Bender.

Survivors are one daughter, Carol Rogers of Mena, one son, Charles (Vickie) Hensley of Oklahoma City, OK; one sister, Margie (Wayne) Smith of Tucson, Arizona; seven grandchildren, Richard (Elizabeth) Lucal, of Millbrook, NY, Greg Morris of Charlotte, NC, Candace (Nathan) Looper of Benton, AR, Sarah Hensley of Norman, OK, Christine (Daniel) Chang of Tulsa, OK, Jimi Rae Rogers of Mena, Billy Joe Rogers of Mena, great-grandchildren, Andrew McGrath, Na’jhea Conner, Sierra Hillyer, Shai McGirt, Agusta Rogers, Caiden Kirkendoll, Brayden Rogers and great-great-grandchildren, Emberlee Compton and Brailee McGirt.

Services for Mrs. Hensley will be held Thursday, October 26, at 10:00 a.m., at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Mena, Arkansas. Brother Donnie Jewell officiating, under the direction of the Beasley Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Wednesday, October 25, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be David Harris, Brian Hilton, Daniel Chang, Nathan Looper, Kevin Wolfinbarger, and Michael Hoover.

The Honorary Pallbearer is Richard Martin.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com