Polk County Pulse - October 4, 2023

By Jamie Hammack

If you have tuned in to 105.3 FM and listened to the music, you may have noticed a change. Gone is the name “Classic Hits 105.3” and it’s pop and rock songs from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

Now in its place we have 105.3 The Mountain. Now you will hear George Strait, Dolly Parton, John-

ny Cash, Reba McEntire, George Jones, Hank Williams Jr. and other artist from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s country music era.

This was done to better suit our listeners and the demographic they represent as well as to make the station more attractive to advertisers. Tune in to 105.3 The Mountain and enjoy the greatest era in country music!

Submitted by Mena Fire Department

As Fire Prevention Week approaches, Mena and Polk County’s Fire Departments reminds residents:

“Cooking safety starts with you. Pay attention to fire prevention.”

The City of Mena Fire Department and Polk County’s Fire Departments is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW) for more than 100 years — to promote

Jeep’n at the Ouachita Mountains Jeep Jam

By Jamie Hammack Jeep owner and GM of Ouachita Broadcasting and The Polk County Pulse

If you want to name a few iconic American made cars and trucks that have woven their way into the fabric of our lives you can begin with vehicles like the Corvette, Mustang, and Ford F-Series. They have all been in production over 50 years each. Millions have been sold. But one reigns above them all. The odd-looking little vehicle called, the Jeep. It began as an idea by the American military. Once the U.S. Government knew a war with Germany was imminent the word was put out to 135 manufacturers to create plans for a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The manu-

facturers were given only 49 days as a deadline to submit those plans. Just two companies would reply. Willys-Overland and the American Bantam Car Company.

At Bantam a man named Karl Probst went to work and drafted plans in 2 days. The Army liked Bantam’s plans, but knew the company was small and lacked the ability to manufacture on the large scale required to move an army. So, the plans were given to Willys and Ford with instructions to make the vehicle better. Eventually the Willys design won final approval and the vehicle began production at both Ford

and Willys.

Through the development process and initial manufacturing, the name “Jeep” was never in use. The Ford prototype was called the “Pygmy” and the Willys version, the “Quad.” Nobody really knows where the Jeep name came from. Some say it was a slang of GP (General-Purpose) and that Army grunts began to call it by its now famous name. The name stuck and today Jeeps are known world-wide as one of the best offroad vehicles you can buy.

And that brings us to the here and now, far from the former battlefields of Europe and The Pacific Islands where the Jeep first proved its worth. It brings us to the Ouachita Moun-

Approximately 90 Jeeps were at the first Ouachita Mountains Jeep Jam. (Jamie Hammack.Pulse)

1168 Hwy 71S

Mena, AR 71953

Phone: 479-243-9600

Fax: 479-243-9603

Email: news@mypulsenews.com

KENA 104.1 - KQOR 105.3

MyPulseNews.com

Our Team:

Jamie Hammack - General Manager

Ethan Nahté - Production Manager/Editor

Patrick Massey - Contributing Reporter

John Russell - Graphic Design

Alexis James - Account Executive

Erica Watts - Account Executive

Curt Teasdale - Programmer /On-Air Personality

Ariel Varner - Receptionist/On-Air Personality

Distribution & Insertion Staff: Chaz Welch

The Polk County Pulse is the area’s premiere and fastest growing news publication. The Polk County Pulse is FREE and published weekly on Wednesdays, with a distribution of 8,000 and an estimated readership of 10,000. MyPulseNews.com has hundreds of visitors daily and KENA and KQOR have thousands of listeners hourly.

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Today is Sept. 27, 2023, and the deadline approaches for funding our government. The ensuing bickering between both parties about how to distribute monies (we borrow) to keep the wheels turning again makes for TV drama.

The threat of a government shutdown takes stage front and center. Never is a balanced budget considered, we just keep spending money we do not have, and the national debt grows larger. Though both parties have gotten us to this point, neither wants to do what needs to be done to fix this once and for all.

In Newsweek recently Samantha Powers of the U.S. Agency for International Development revealed that $1.2 billion of the aid going to Ukraine was to pay the salaries of 57,000 first responders. When we are facing shortfalls and a shutdown that may leave us unable to pay our own military, among others, I question who thinks we need to fund other countries before our own. Those opposing more money to Ukraine may have a valid argument.

Rather than fix the issues at our borders our government allows a record-breaking number of illegal immigrants to flood our country. Rather than turn back illegals that can clearly see barriers put in place to stem their flow, our own agents cut or remove them to facilitate their entry.

I get the part about children and the heart-rendering scene the media is so fast to put on the news but what parent puts their children in such danger? Look at the news footage of these illegals and look beyond the crying children. What you will see are young adult males capable of defending their own country who choose to

Want to share your opinion?

run to the USA and bring their problems with them rather than fight for their own country. Either we wake up and say enough or devastate our own country trying to save people that are not willing to save themselves.

In the event you did not see the news, on Sept. 22, 2023, in the Canadian House of Commons, Trudeau and Zelensky, along with all present, gave a standing ovation to Yaroslav Hunka. Mr. Hunka is a 98-year-old surviving member of Nazi Germany Waffen SS responsible for atrocities beyond comprehension. Do we really want to send our support to people who bestow honors to such as Mr. Hunka?

So much is happening in our republic right now it is easy to get misled. I implore you to pay attention, ask questions, stay informed, and come next election make your vote count for what is important to you and your family. Mock me if you want, but if we do not take back our country the flood of illegals will dictate to us in the next 20 or so years. Such is the beauty of a free republic as well as it’s weakness. Watch a video on Fox news from Sept. 25, 2023, of the Texas DPS removing a foreign flag planted by illegals on an island in the Rio Grande. What better statement of intent do you need?

Thank you for a forum to express my thoughts though we may peacefully disagree.

With respect and kindest regards, Ronald Goss, retired, Mena

The Polk County Pulse welcomes letters to the Editor addressing any topic of interest to our readers. To be published, letters must not contain obscene or libelous language. Letters do not reflect the viewpoints or opinions of Pulse Multi-Media.

The letter must include a signature to be considered for publication. Signatures will NOT be held out by request. Letters will be restricted to 500 words. Any letters longer than 500 words will require purchase of advertising space.

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Letters are published at the discretion of the Editor and Publisher.

Letters may be submitted by e-mail to news@mypulsenews.com; mailed to P.O. Box 1450, Mena, AR 71953 or dropped off at 1168 Hwy. 71 South, Mena, AR. A drop-box is provided by the front door for after-hour convenience.

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CORRECTION: The Sept. 27, 2023, edition stated on page 23 that the Wheel A’Mena event will happen on Oct. 10. It should have read that the event is on Oct. 7.

Fabulous Fall Festival open to vendors and creative arts

By Ethan Nahté

Autumn has begun and the temperatures are about dip into a more comfortable range. With the cooler weather and leaves changing colors, it’s also a sign that it’s coming up time for the Fabulous Fall Festival. The festival will be held at the Polk County Fairgrounds once again.

The festival does not take place until Nov. 3-4, the same weekend as the Ouachita Quilt Show, which will be next door to the Fabulous Fall Festival.

It is time for vendors to reserve space. Last year’s event contained a variety of custom, hand-made items such as pottery, soaps and candles, handsewn items, jewelry, leather goods, knives, pies and cakes, jams and jellies, upcycled and repurposed items, kid’s stuff, wood-carved art, kitchen and household items, pet items and more.

Contact festival coordinator JoAnn Mitchell at mtchro9@yahoo.com or call 479-216-9033 for rates, booth/display information, vendor set-up and strike, or to obtain an application. It’s not too late to reserve a booth.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when the world unites in a sea of pink ribbons, illuminating the urgency of breast cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.

In Arkansas, more than 2,400 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. It is the most common cancer for women in Arkansas and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women both in Arkansas and the United States.

One of the most crucial aspects of this observance is promoting early detection. The saying “early detection saves lives” couldn’t be more accurate when it comes to breast cancer. Routine mammograms, clinical breast exams, and self-examinations are essential tools in identifying breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage.

The Breast Cancer Act of 1997 was signed on March 11, 1997, by the Arkansas General Assembly, which led to the development of the ADH’s BreastCare program. Women ages 21-64 can be screened for cervical cancer, and women ages 40-64 can be screened for breast cancer regardless of ethnicity or

nationality. Since its inception, the BreastCare Program has enrolled over 128,000 women for breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services. Additionally, the program provides educational information to communities about the importance of regular breast exams as well as the risks associated with breast cancer.

In the 2021 Regular Session, the General Assembly passed ACT 553. This act clarifies that an insurer, upon the recommendation of a woman’s physician, must offer screening mammography as an essential health benefit if the woman has a prior history of breast cancer or the woman’s mother, sister, or any first- or second-degree female relative of the woman has had a history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other risk factors.

We hope this Breast Cancer Awareness Month prompts conversations about prevention and early detection.

For more information about BreastCare, call 1-833-693-2942 or visit ARBreastCare.com to see if you are eligible and to find a provider. Chances are there is a BreastCare provider near you.

The state Transportation Department has written a plan to reduce carbon emissions by improving traffic flow and connecting highways more efficiently with railroad terminals and ports.

The department is due to receive $87 million from the federal government, between now and 2026, for projects that reduce carbon emissions.

According to federal studies, 26.6 percent of the carbon emissions in Arkansas come from transportation.

Trucks represent 4 percent of the registered vehicles in Arkansas, but large and mid-size trucks account for more than 4 percent of emissions for a couple of reasons. First, passenger car engines emit less carbon than heavy truck engines.

Secondly, a lot of the truck traffic in Arkansas was not counted in the energy study because they aren’t registered in Arkansas, but instead drive across the state on pass-through trips. Sections of Interstate 40 and Interstate 30 carry more than 20,000 trucks every day.

More than 2.1 million passenger vehicles are registered in Arkansas. In a typical year, Arkansas drivers are on the road less than the national average. Arkansas drivers average 26.6 miles a day, compared to 36.1 miles a day driven by the average American.

It stands to reason that if cars and trucks are stalled on the highway, the pollution they emit is greater than if they travel more quickly to their destination. That’s why the Department of Transportation will use some of the federal funding on traffic congestion and management.

For example, when a contractor wins a bid on a highway project, the Department uses a variety of techniques to minimize congestion in work zones.

If an accident is blocking lanes the Department can set up portable signs to alert drivers, so they have time to exit to another road and detour around the blockage.

In partnership with the State Police, the Transportation Department has trained 10,000 first responders to coordinate their duties at the site of an accident to clear the highway as quickly as possible. In 1,800 crashes that occurred in the first quarter of 2023, the median duration of lane blockage was 47 minutes.

Under state law, if you’re in a traffic accident in which there are no injuries, you’re expected to move your vehicle off the roadway. Removing your vehicle does not mean you are admitting liability, and it does not constitute a waiver of your rights to file a claim for personal injury.

Moving freight is an essential part of the Arkansas economy, and 18-wheelers move the bulk of it. Last year trucks moved 360 million tons of freight in Arkansas, compared to railroads moving 160 million tons and eight million tons being moved by waterway.

However, trains and barges are more efficient than trucks, in terms of the amount of air pollution they create. One barge can carry the tonnage of 16 train cars and 70 truck trailers. The Department can stimulate competition and lower carbon emissions at the same time, by improving connections between highways, train terminals and ports along waterways.

Other projects include expansion of bicycle and pedestrian paths, and building more roundabouts that eliminate waiting at red lights. Electronic vehicles are gaining market share, so the Department is developing plans to install charging stations along highuse corridors.

John Maddox Terry Rice

Wildia

Mae Prather

Wildia Mae

“Ninny” Prather, 98, died September 27, 2023, in Mena, AR. She was a caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Wildia was born August 13, 1925, in Newhope, AR, to Thomas Edward “Eddie”, Sr. and Florence Addie Turner. She was the 5th of 7 children. After graduating from Newhope High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Sgt. Lloyd Coffman, who was missing-in-action during World War II that same year. She later met and married Curtis Rex Lankford and together they had two children, Curtis Mitchell and Michael Thomas. Many years after Rex passed, Wildia met and married Marion “Pop” Prather until his death in 2004.

Wildia was a homemaker who loved spending time with her family and friends including, Barbara Roberts, her lifelong friend. Breakfast was one of her specialties. She made the best scrambled eggs and gravy! After meals, she would pull out the Wahoo board. She rarely lost using her yellow marbles and lucky dice with the worn-off dots,

She was a member of Holly Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Dierks, AR. She served faithfully as a Sunday school teacher and worked at various church activities and events. When members would lose a loved one, she was always willing to make a dish for the family.

She especially enjoyed providing

kids’ snacks during Vacation Bible School every year.

Her interests throughout her life included cooking, gardening, canning, reading her Bible, church events, playing Moon at the Senior Citizen Center, dominos, traveling with the Senior Saints, Wahoo, watching the Razorbacks along with calling the Hogs, word finds, hanging out with friends, camping, and fishing. She devoted much of her time to caring for family members including her parents until they passed away in their 90s.

Wildia moved to Peachtree Assisted Living in Mena, AR, in 2015. During her time there, she attended Bible study, went to exercise classes, and played games with the residents. Holidays were extra special because she loved to showcase her festive spirit by participating in yearly costume contests. She made many good friends while living there and was especially close to her assistant, Maria, who loved and cared for her.

In 2022, Wildia moved to The Green House Cottages of Homewood in Mena, AR. She enjoyed visiting with the residents. Her activities included exercise, playing Bingo and Connect Four, and sitting on the patio listening to the fountain and birds.

Mrs. Prather is survived by her two sons, Curtis Mitchell (Ila Rae) Lankford of Mena, AR, Michael Thomas (Carol) Lankford of Mesquite, TX; 3 grandchildren, Tiffany Dawn (Brian) Stewart of Conway, AR, Candice Rae (Brian) Robinson of Conway, AR, Christopher Michael (Stacy) Lankford of Fayetteville, AR; 1 step-grandchild, Shaun (Rocky) Baker of Scurry,

TX; 8 great-grandchildren; and 5 step-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Eddie and Florence Turner; 6 brothers, Lloyd, Eule, Clarence, Gerald, Glen Dee, and Eddy Joe Turner, Jr.; and 5 sisters-in-law; and 3 husbands.

Family visitation/viewing will be October 6, 2023, at 1 PM with funeral service beginning at 2 PM at Holly Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Dierks, AR Graveside service to follow at Dierks Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her memory to Holly Creek Missionary Baptist Church, 705 Main Avenue, Dierks, AR 71833.

You may leave a condolence online at wilkersonfuneralhomes.com

Ella Dee Garrett

Ms. Ella

Dee Garrett, passed from this life on Friday, September

22, 2023, at the age of 93. She was a lifelong resident of the Cherry Hill community. The daughter of Roy and Helen (Germa) Shirley Garrett. She taught school for over 40 years starting her career at the Cherry Hill schools. She then when to complete her education at Southern Arkansas College and upon completion, taught in Columbia County and taught 2 years in Florida. When her father was killed in a farming accident, she returned to Polk County and secured a job with Mena Public Schools. This is where she completed her career. In retirement she continued to farm with a herd of angus

cattle for several years, finally selling out and was content to garden, travel, and cheer on her beloved Razorbacks! Her last years she had caregivers that took excellent care of her to the end.

She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Leroy (Lee) and Chester (Chuck) Garrett; sisterin-law, Kay Scott Garrett; sisters, Shirley Windham; brother-in-law, Horce Windham; and nephew, Roy Windham.

She is survived by sister, Willa Burton; nieces, Brenda (Virgil) Hampton, Holly Garrett; greatniece, Stephanie (Marshall) Butler; and great-great-nephew, David.

Special thanks to her loving caregivers who loved and cared for her like family, Helen Dunse, Debbie Alley, Bonnie Stiltner, Maria Porter, and Dala Baker. And her guardian, Rene Roberts. Also thank you to Elite Hospice and their wonderful caring staff and Area Agency Hospice.

In lieu of flowers make donations to either Elite Hospice or Area Agency Hospice or to the Mena Lioness Lions Back Pack Program.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Keep

your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.

~Helen Keller

HOLY GROUND

Roy Seth Dean, 67, of Vandervoort, Arkansas, passed away on September 29, 2023. Roy was born on February 8, 1956, to Vernon Eugene Dean and Alice Pauline (Barrett) Dean in Mena, Arkansas. He worked at the feed mill and the rock quarry for most of his life; when he wasn’t working, he could be found in the pasture rounding up cattle. Roy loved to hunt and anything to do with farming. He would say he wouldn’t do a garden next year, but it never failed he would be out there next year doing it all over again. He loved to watch comedians, but everyone who knew him knew he was a comedian on his own. He loved talking about the good ole days and listening to the old-timey country music, but overall, his pride and joy were his nephews.

Roy is survived by, one brother, Keith, and wife Iris Dean, two sisters, Mable, and husband Lemuel Pennington, and Mildred Sherrouse, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John, Delvin, Franklin, and Gene Dean, and sisters, Ollie Faye Keeney, and Margaret Jones. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, October 2, 2023, at Witherspoon cemetery in Vandervoort, Arkansas with Brother Tim Smedley officiating. The pallbearers will be, Mitchell, Gary, Tony Gatlin, David Dean, Rodney Jones,

and Jonathan Dean.

Online obituary and guestbook at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Everly Faye Jackson

Everly Faye Jackson, infant daughter of Nicholas Gabriel Jackson and Catelin Maye Watkins, entered her heavenly home on Thursday, September 21, 2023, in Mena, Arkansas.

She leaves behind her parents, Nicholas Gabriel Jackson and Catelin Maye Watkins; brother, Elijah Jackson; sisters, Elizah Wilson, and Havyn Jackson; grandparents, Cindy Faye Watkins, Tammy Dearmen, and Eddie Jackson; as well as a host of other family too numerous to mention.

She is preceded by her grandfather, Phill Watkins; great-grandparents, Edith (Jo) Faye Roberts and Jerry Roberts, Dale Watkins and Tinker Watkins, Louise Holloway and Gene Holloway, and Juanita Jackson.

Services for Everly Faye Jackson will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2023, at the Center Cemetery in Hastley, Arkansas. Brother Donnie Jewell will be officiating under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Jackson Watkins and Chad Stewart.

Online obituary at beasleywoodfuneralhome.com

Exodus 3:1-5

“We are standing on Holy Ground, and I know that there are angels all around, so let us praise Jesus now, we are standing in His Presence on Holy Ground.”

So much to learn. So many stories of the people of God. So many Truths to put into place in our lives. And so it was with Moses and the burning bush. God encounters us in so many ways, often in ways that we would never have expected. And when He contacts us it is never accidental or incidental; He always has something important to say.

Moses would be used of God to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage, but first he must learn something very important about God. Having turned aside to see the bush that burned but was not in itself consumed by the fire. And as he approached God spoke to him. “Moses, Moses... do not come near here. Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.

“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look at God.”

Moses did not know a great deal about God, but he knew there was something very, very special about the place where he was standing; he sensed the sacredness of the occasion and the place.

Jesus Christ is the person and presence of God. As it was with God and Moses, so must it be with Jesus and us. We say, correctly, that the building in which we Christians worship is not the church, but we miss something very, very important if we do not learn the lesson Moses learned about the Presence of God. Any place where we meet with Him is holy... no matter where it may be. And, as it was for Moses so it is for us: the Presence of God makes the place holy. When we assemble the very first thought in our minds and upon our hearts is that we are now going into that same Presence that Moses experienced. And as it changed Moses entire life so will it change ours.

The real encounter with Jesus in the experience of His holiness will inevitably change one’s life.

Real worship is a time and place that touches and changes lives. It is a time to put everything else aside, and focus on the One Who delivered us from incredible danger into His own eternal kingdom. In order for worship to be real everything else must yield to this holy occasion.

Sometimes churches spend weeks or even months to get ready for a “revival meeting,” when all revival needs is for the church, person by person, is to get in the Presence of God on HOLY GROUND. Nothing can take the place of this experience. Remember: Jesus is in our assembly. Remember that His presence makes it a holy place and a holy occasion. Remember to leave everything else behind and focus on Him. He will bless, and lives will be changed... and so will churches.

But we must “take off our shoes,” that is, anything that would keep us from His Presence.

PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF JESUS

FEMA and FCC plan nationwide emergency alert test for Oct. 4

Test messages will be sent to all TVs, radios and cell phones

WASHINGTON — FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) this fall.

The national test will consist of two portions, testing WEA and EAS capabilities.

Both tests are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

The WEA portion of the test will be directed to all consumer cell phones. This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on the language settings of the wireless handset.

The EAS portion of the test will be sent to radios and televisions. This will be the seventh nationwide EAS test.

FEMA and the FCC are coordinating with EAS participants, wireless providers, emergency managers and other stakeholders in preparation for this national test to minimize confusion and to maximize the public safety value of the test.

The purpose of the Oct. 4 test is to ensure that the systems continue to be effective means of warning the public about emergencies, particularly those on the national level. In case the Oct. 4 test is postponed due to wide -

spread severe weather or other significant events, the back-up testing date is Oct. 11.

The WEA portion of the test will be initiated using FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), a centralized internet-based system administered by FEMA that enables authorities to send authenticated emergency messages to the public through multiple communications networks. The WEA test will be administered via a code sent to cell phones.

This year the EAS message will be disseminated as a Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) message via the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System-Open Platform for Emergency Networks (IPAWS-OPEN).

All wireless phones should re -

ceive the message only once. The following can be expected from the nationwide WEA test:

• Beginning at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, cell towers will broadcast the test for approximately 30 minutes. During this time, WEA-compatible wireless phones that are switched on, within range of an active cell tower, and whose wireless provider participates in WEA, should be capable of receiving the test message. For consumers, the message that appears on their phones will read: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.”

• Phones with the main menu set to Spanish will display: “ESTA ES UNA PRUEBA del

Sistema Nacional de Alerta de Emergencia. No se necesitaacción.”

WEA alerts are created and sent by authorized federal, state, local, tribal and territorial government agencies through IPAWS to participating wireless providers, which deliver the alerts to compatible handsets in geo-targeted areas. To help ensure that these alerts are accessible to the entire public, including people with disabilities, the alerts are accompanied by a unique tone and vibration.

Important information about the EAS test:

• The EAS portion of the test is scheduled to last approximately one minute and will be conducted with the participation of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.

• The test message will be similar to the regular monthly EAS test messages with which the public is familiar. It will state: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.

Keep your home cozy in cool weather with these upgrades

(StatePoint) When the temperatures drop and the precipitation turns cold, efficiently keeping your home cozy and warm is likely a top priority.

As you make home upgrades this fall, be sure to use materials designed to withstand extreme weather events and which help manage indoor climate control. Doing so will mean greater comfort and more affordable energy bills, not only when it’s cold, but all year long.

Roofing

As your first defense against all kinds of weather, your roof sustains a lot of wear and tear. Consider prioritizing durability, strength and weather resistance in a new roof by opting for metal. The good news? You can get a classic appearance with this material, thanks to updates in roofing technology. For example, the energy-saving metal roofing offered by ProVia has the textured appearance of natural slate or shake shingles, but is constructed of highly durable 26-gauge steel, for added strength and lifetime protection from wind, rain, hail and corrosion.

Siding

Is your home is ever drafty or chilly when the temperatures drop and the wind kicks up? The culprit may be insufficient insulation. Keep in mind that most wall insulation is placed only between the studs, and wall studs make up to 25% of the wall surface of an average home. You can fill in these insulation gaps with insulated vinyl siding that’s been tested and proven to increase the R-value (a measure of a material’s resistance to heat flow) of an exterior wall. One of the most energy-efficient exterior claddings on

the market, CedarMAX insulated vinyl siding is one such choice that can help reduce your energy bills. Plus, its strong, rigid foam backing offers greater impact resistance against rain, hail, sleet and snow, making a siding upgrade a good project to consider before the first winter storm.

Windows

Windows are a common point of heat transfer, and as such, they play a huge role in the comfort of your home. It’s not often that you have to purchase windows for your home, but when you do, you’ll want to ensure that they deliver the best in energy efficiency and comfort. ProVia’s vinyl windows, for example, are ENERGY STAR-certified, to help keep your home warm in winter (and cool in summer).

Interior Décor

You may not think about your interior decorating choices as something that could potentially improve your home’s energy efficiency, but many such updates will not only make your home look more cozy, they’ll actually help keep it warm. Thick area rugs are a good place to start, as they provide insulation underfoot. Likewise, cellular shades or Roman shades can help stop heat transfer around windows, and wall tapestries or fabric-like wallpaper can provide a touch more insulation on walls.

To learn more about building and renovating with comfort and energy savings in mind, visit provia.com. By selecting the right products during a renovation, you can prepare your home for greater comfort and energy savings in cool weather.

JEEP JAM

continued from page 2 takes money to put these things on folks. Let’s support them.

tains Jeep Jam. Now, the Jeeps hitting the forest service roads and such this weekend will not have to dodge a German Panzer tank or a Japanese banzai attack. More than likely a participant in this weekend’s adventures will dodge a rut on the trail or a wayward squirrel crossing a dirt road at Shady. The chance of danger is quite low.

What will be high though is the amount of fun to be had. The Ouachita Mountains Jeep Jam is in its second year and starts this Friday and ends Saturday evening. The concept was developed by Vernon and Tonya Bayne, two locals with a love of Jeeps and offroading. Last year’s event was a big success. If I recall correctly, over 90 Jeeps were registered.

This year the Bayne’s have turned over the duties of organizing the Jeep Jam to Pasha Watson and the Mena Advertising & Promotions Commission. If you have a Jeep you really should participate. You’ll ride backroads, see beautiful sites, get out amongst nature and socialize with like-mind people.

Putting on an event like this is comparable to herding cats. Its time consuming and takes a lot of effort. The $25 registration fee goes towards the expenses and helps to bring the Jeep Jam back again next year. It

Naysayers like to gripe that there isn’t anything ever happening in this town. Well, here ya go. If you don’t have a Jeep you can still come out and watch the Jeeps at Tapley Park, visit the vendors and attend the Jeep show. Support local events!

Ok, off my soap box and onto the Jam. The Ouachita Mountains Jeep Jam has a little something for every Jeep owner. Friday night, Oct. 6, there is a meet and greet on the north side of Mena Street. A portion of Mena Street will be closed between the intersections of Church Avenue and Janssen Avenue from 5:30-9 p.m. This includes the intersections at Port Arthur Avenue Maple Avenue.

Saturday, Jeep owners will gather on the south side of Mena Street where the Poker Run through the mountains begins downtown on Mena Street with stops at Thibodeaux’s Country Store in Shady, The Big Fork Mall, The Cherry Hill Country Store, and lastly at Tapley Park in Mena. There will be a Jeep obstacle course at Tapley Park, a Jeep show and live music.

It’s another home-grown event that the entire county can be proud of. Gather the kids. Load up and come to the Second Annual Ouachita Mountains Jeep Jam this weekend in Mena.

Reflections from History and Faith: The hand of God

By Jeff Olson

In looking back on the history of our great nation, there have been ordinary Americans who contributed in extraordinary ways to the freedom and future of our country. With some of these patriots, the extraordinary was inspired and guided by their religious faith as much or more than love of country or even survival itself. One such American is the subject of this writing.

Born the third of 11 children in a two-room log cabin on December 13, 1887, Alvin grew up a hard-working young man farming land which grew rocks much better than it did corn, but he was also rambunctious with quite a wild streak. Not long after one of his best friends was killed in a bar fight, and through the love, prayers and patience of his mother and pastor and most of all by the grace of God, Alvin accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in January 1915. His life was forever changed and soon after he was very active in his local church, serving as song leader, teacher, and elder.

After America entered World War I, the military draft arrived in Alvin’s hometown of Pall Mall, but he initially refused to register because of his religious convictions. A coward he was not, but a hypocrite he was also not. As he later stated, “I was worried clean through. I didn’t want to go and kill. I believed in my Bible.” Encouraged by his pastor, Rosier Pile, Alvin applied for exemption as a conscientious objector, but his request was denied as was his appeal.

With some reservations and reluctance, he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917, and reported to Camp Gordon, Georgia. However, unanswered questions remained. During a time of soul-searching back home on furlough and upon receiving insightful guidance (rooted in the Bible and American

history) from two of his commanding officers, Alvin came to understand the justification and necessity of war in protecting his home, family, and way of life and in preserving the freedom to worship and serve God according to his conscience and beliefs.

Alvin’s early life in rural northern Tennessee gave him reason for and experience in becoming an excellent marksman. This skill proved very useful when the 82nd Infantry Division was sent to France to defeat the German army. One hundred five years ago, on October 8, 1918, Alvin’s faith, courage, marksmanship, and resolve were put to the ultimate test in the Meuse-Argonne offensive which would become the final Allied push against Germany’s forces on the Western Front. On Castle Hill (Hill 223) Alvin Cullum York silenced 35 machine guns, killed more than 20 enemy soldiers, and then almost single-handedly captured another 132.

The Commander of the American Expeditionary Forces, General John J. Pershing, called Alvin, “The greatest civilian soldier of the war.” Pershing presented him with America’s highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor

and promoted him to Sergeant.

Marshal Foch, Supreme Allied Commander said, “What York did was the greatest thing accomplished by any soldier of all the armies of Europe.”

France awarded him the Croix de Guerre, Médaille militaire, and the Légion d’Honneur. He also received the Croce al Merito di Guerra from Italy, and the Order of Prince Danilo I from Montenegro. When York returned to the United States, he received a hero’s welcome and a ticker-tape parade in New York City. In York’s words, “In the war the hand of God was with us. It is impossible for anyone to go through with what we did and come out without the hand of God. We didn’t want money; we didn’t want land; we didn’t want to lose our boys over there. But we had to go into it to give our boys and young ladies a chance for peace in the days to come.”

York’s fame soon attracted those who wished to capitalize on it, so he was highly sought after by American businessmen, mostly in entertainment, advertising, and publishing. In all, the offers he received totaled more than $100,000 ($1.7 million in 2023 dollars), but York refused them, convinced that “Uncle Sam’s uniform ain’t for sale.”

Instead, he returned home where he married his sweetheart Gracie Williams (1900-1984) in June 1919 and resumed farming and serving his church. Alvin

York wore the mantle of “war hero” with integrity, dignity, and humility. He dedicated the remainder of his life to raising a family (of eight children) with Gracie and championing rural education, economic development, and charitable and civic causes in his native Fentress County and the State of Tennessee. The school he founded in 1926, The York Institute, is still in operation in Jamestown.

In 1941 a motion picture about his life, “Sergeant York,” was released, not only exposing new generations to Alvin York, but also serving as a strong patriotic and morale boost to Americans facing World War II.

York attempted to re-enlist in the Army as an infantryman, but he was 54 years old, overweight, nearly diabetic, and suffering from arthritis. Though his request was denied, he was commissioned as a major in the Army Signal Corps, touring training camps and taking part in bond drives to raise funds for the war effort. The Sergeant suffered a stroke in 1954, which left him bedridden for the remainder of his life. He passed away on Sept. 2, 1964.

Not long before his death, York said that he preferred to be remembered for what he did after the war, “for helping improve education in Tennessee, bringing in better roads, and just helping my fellow man.”

Today, more than a century after that day on Hill 223, Alvin York’s example and legacy endure and continue to inspire generations of Tennesseans and countless other Americans, including me. Yes, he was a genuine American war hero but most important of all — he was a great man.

Paying a visit to Pall Mall, Tennessee, and York’s home, grist mill and beloved and beautiful Valley of the Three Forks of the Wolf River would be a memorable experience for most anyone. It sure was for me.

How to navigate your Medicare options during the annual enrollment period

(StatePoint) The average Medicare beneficiary in 2023 has access to 43 Medicare Advantage plans, the largest number of options ever, according to KFF. With so many plans to choose from, the Medicare and Prescription

How urologists detect bladder cancer with blue light cystoscopy

ers, prescription drugs or services no longer covered. Make sure to review it carefully to understand if these changes could impact your plan benefits.

• Next, you’ll want to assess your healthcare needs and financial standing. Are there services you know that you’ll need in the coming year? If your finances have changed, can you still afford your current plan? Are you taking a new prescription that your current plan doesn’t cover?

(StatePoint) Like many bladder cancer survivors, Karen S. often reflects on her personal experience with the disease, and the support she received throughout her healthcare journey.

Karen was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2010 at age 54, after experiencing symptoms for two years. As an oncology nurse for more than 40 years, she was well aware of the many forms of cancer. Nevertheless, she assumed her frequent urinary tract infections and discomfort were gynecological in nature and never expected her doctors to discover a tumor or to be diagnosed with bladder cancer.

a second opinion. Once diagnosed, they should explore support groups and do research on bladder cancer, including learning about the latest treatments and technologies available.

“It’s especially important for me to inform others about the benefits of BLC, since many people may not be aware of this option. BLC may help others diagnosed with bladder cancer the way it helped me,” says Karen.

Drug Plan Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), taking place from October 15 to December 7, may be overwhelming and confusing.

“The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is when you can shop for a new plan, if you want to,” says Kate Long, consumer financial wellness advocate at Assurance IQ. “If you have a new doctor, are taking new prescriptions or if your existing plan simply no longer meets your needs, it could be time for a change.”

As Long points out, shopping for a new plan doesn’t necessarily mean you cannot stay with the same carrier. They may have multiple plans available in your area. The important thing is finding a Medicare Advantage plan that addresses your unique healthcare and budgetary needs. To help you navigate your options, consider these tips from Assurance IQ:

• The first tip is to review your Annual Notice of Change, which should have been mailed to you before October 15. This document explains changes to your plan, such as provid-

• Now it may be time to shop around. Before enrolling in a plan, make sure that your preferred doctor, specialists and any prescriptions you need are covered. Ask which out-of-pocket costs you will be responsible for. It’s important to find an affordable plan for you.

• You could also speak with a licensed insurance agent about your needs. Prep for the conversation by having a list of your prescriptions on hand, having your Medicare card nearby, and having a list of your doctors and medical equipment you use. Knowing which company provides your medical equipment is also important. Be sure to also read the “Medicare & You” handbook that is mailed to all Medicare beneficiary households in late September. You can also find it online by visiting medicare.gov/medicare-and-you.

Medicare options are more expansive than ever. And while that makes the Annual Enrollment Period more complicated, the upside is that by doing your homework, you’ll be more likely to find a plan that works for you.

After receiving a variety of medical treatments, Karen still had persistent disease. She transferred to a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center where her bladder cancer specialist informed her about a technology called Blue Light Cystoscopy (BLC) that would allow her doctor to see tumors that white light alone may miss.

“BLC was a quick and easy procedure that gave my doctor the ability to identify tumors early on, allowing for earlier and less aggressive treatment,” says Karen.

Each year, about 81,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with bladder cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Symptoms in both men and women can mimic common urinary tract infections, like they did for Karen. For men, however, the more common symptom is blood in the urine. Whatever the symptoms, it is important to see a doctor.

According to Karen, people with bladder cancer, or those who suspect they may have bladder cancer, should ask their doctor questions and seek

A cystoscopy is a medical procedure where a urology healthcare professional uses a thin, tube-like telescope called a cystoscope to look directly into the bladder for a close examination of the lining. This procedure is used to help find the cause of symptoms and to treat and monitor the condition. Historically, the only type of cystoscopy available used white light. BLC, however, uses both white and blue light to offer significantly improved detection of suspicious areas compared to white light alone and has been proven to increase the detection of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Today, Karen is cancer free and continues to support those affected by bladder cancer, including patients, caregivers and their loved ones, by hosting support groups and working with the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network. These resources can be found by visiting https://bcan.org/. People experiencing symptoms of bladder cancer and those who have been recently diagnosed should ask their urologist about BLC, because it’s not available everywhere. To search for a location where BLC is offered near you, visit https://rebrand. ly/BLC-Locator.

This article is sponsored by Photocure Inc.

[(c) Prostock-Studio / iStock via Getty Images Plus]

Lioness’ capture the scratch at Annual Tailgate Fundraiser

Article and photos by Ethan Nahté

The Mena Lioness Lions held their annual Tailgate Fundraiser Dinner & Auction on Thursday, Sept. 28, raising money to help fund the Polk County Backpack Program.

Tickets for the event were $40 per

made a few announcements, including the purpose of the evening’s event. She then introduced Nick Fowler of Fowler’s Auctioneers after the main course came out, which is when the bidding began for which table would get to be the first in line. That bid reached nearly $600.

person or $280 for a table of eight. Many companies and businesses in Polk County purchased tables and filled most of the available space at The Ouachita Center on the UARM campus.

And what’s a tailgate party without a tailgate? Mena Ford parked a new truck within the building, decorated with football memorabilia to help set the mood.

The evening began with a variety of finger foods, chips and snacks on tables with a football theme while a re-run of an Arkansas Razorback vs. Texas Longhorn game on multiple screens. There was also a drawing for a rifle and another drawing for two locally handmade quilts.

Lioness president Ravan Wagner

Once everyone got settled and had eaten, the Dessert Dash was held. Each table chose one person to represent them. As table numbers were called, the runners raced across the room trying to get one of the scrumptious desserts on a table before someone else got the one they wanted in particular. The video footage of that race is available on the Pulse Facebook page.

The bidding then started up once more with a long row of items to bid on. Nidec created a couple of large metal pieces of art, one of a bearcat and one of a razorback. There were fancy chairs for two to use for tailgating or camping, there was a handmade recipe book that obviously took a lot of time and effort

to collect, layout and design, there were baked goods, stays at resorts and cabins, and much more.

The attendees seemed to have a great time, enjoying the food, camaraderie and taking home their winnings all for a great cause.

The Lioness’ raised over $15,000.

Wagner said, “It was a smaller crowd than normal, but I think we still had a lot of fun and raised good money. The auctioneer, Nick Fowler, was amazing and kept the crowd entertained.

“While we didn’t raise enough to fully sponsor the backpack program, we are already talking about numerous other ways to get out in the community to raise the excess funds needed as well as continuing to apply for grants.

“We couldn’t help these children and the other organizations we do without our community. I personally couldn’t do it without the amazing women that are the Mena Lioness Lions Club.”

Free presentation and solar eclipse glasses for October’s annular eclipse

Submitted by Brenda Miner

Ouachita Mountains Regional Library and the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain will host Dr. Gyanwali’s free presentation on the annular eclipse at the Lecture Hall on the UARM Campus, 1100 College Dr., Mena, at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6.

Since the Sun is never completely blocked by the Moon during an annular eclipse, it is not safe to look at the Sun without specialized eye protection. Therefore, everyone in attendance will receive solar eclipse viewing glasses courtesy of STAR Net. To prepare for Western Arkansas’s

Wounded Warrior Project honors

Boozman as 2023 Legislator of the Year

WASHINGTON—Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) honored U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) with its 2023 Legislator of the Year award in recog-

those who have worn America’s uniform,” Boozman said.

In addition to recognizing Boozman’s advocacy for passing legislation enhancing breast cancer screenings for at-risk former servicemembers, making it easier for veterans with service-related conditions to receive the clothing allowance benefit they earned as well as enhancing support for survivors of military sexual trauma, WWP applauded the senator’s leadership in successfully delivering landmark legislation expanding care and benefits for toxic-exposed veterans and their families to the president’s desk.

Ouachita Mountains Regional Library (OMRL) has received NASA approved solar eclipse viewing glasses from STAR Net, and in conjunction with UARM’s Lifelong Learning, OMRL will help residents prepare for the annular eclipse happening on Oct. 14, 2023. Dr. Gyanwali will present information about the upcoming eclipse that will cross North America. It begins in Oregon at 9:13 a.m. PDT and ends in Texas at 12:03 p.m. CDT. It will be visible in in western Arkansas between 11:57 a.m. and 1:32 p.m.

An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth at its maximum distance from Earth. It will not have the same impact as April’s total eclipse but is expected to have approximately 65-70% coverage in Polk County.

total eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024, Ouachita Mountains Regional Library and the University of Arkansas at Rich Mountain’s Lifelong Learning will hold additional presentations in the spring. Watch for details in the coming months.

The United States will not experience another total eclipse until August 23, 2044.

To find out more about the annular eclipse, visit https://solarsystem.nasa. gov/eclipses/2023/oct-14-annular/ where-when/.

To find out more about the total eclipse, visit https://solarsystem. nasa.gov/eclipses/2024/apr-8-total/ overview/ or https://visitmena.com/ events/solar-eclipse-festival.

Seating is limited for Dr. Gyanwali’s presentation so call (479) 394-7622 for more information.

nition of his steadfast commitment to America’s veterans and championing legislation to improve their benefits and services.

“Senator Boozman has always been there, ready to meet with veterans and address their most pressing needs,” said Jose Ramos, vice president of government and community relations for WWP. “He is an outstanding champion of wounded warriors and the entire veteran community, and we’re so honored to be able to recognize him with our Legislator of the Year award for 2023.”

“Wounded Warrior Project has been a tireless advocate for veterans and their families, and it has been an honor to work together to strengthen benefits and services these heroes earned. I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish. I look forward to continuing our productive collaboration to ensure our nation fulfills the promise made to

“The ‘PACT Act’ has been one of WWP’s key legislative priorities for years, and the bill faced significant hurdles in the Senate,” Ramos said. “Senator Boozman was with the veteran community every step of the way, and he deserves so much credit for the bill being signed into law.”

As a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee responsible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) funding, Boozman has been a leader in delivering additional resources to support the needs of veterans and their families.

Boozman is currently leading the floor debate on the Fiscal Year 2024 Senate Military Construction and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. In recent days he introduced legislation to preserve veterans’ access to lifesaving emergency medical transportation and a bill to enhance oversight and accountability practices at VA medical centers.

WWP CEO Mike Linnington and Jose Ramos, Vice President of Government and Community Relations, presented Sen. Boozman with the Legislator of the Year award Thursday, Sept. 14.

By Richie Lawry

I walked into Dr. Hefley’s office in Little Rock with a few minutes to spare before my appointment. Just a minute after checking in, I was called to the door leading to the exam rooms. The X-ray technician led me to the X-ray room and took images of my knees. When he was finished, I was directed to an exam room to wait for the doctor.

As I waited, I wondered what the process would be. I was changing orthopedic doctors, and this was my first visit. A man in scrubs walked into the room and said, “My name is Kenneth Weaver, and I am a physician assistant. Dr. Hefley couldn’t be here today, so I will examine you.”

My heart sank a little. Would this make the process take longer? Would I have to make more trips to Little Rock? I had been suffering from knee pain for several years and finally decided to have the knee replacement done. Now that I was ready, how long would it take before the surgery would be scheduled?

While I was lost in my thoughts, the doctor examined the X-rays on his computer. When he had finished, he turned to me and said, “You don’t have a leg to stand on.”

I know my left knee has been in bad shape for a long time. Three years ago, my X-rays showed that it was bone on bone. My previous orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bean, told me the answer was a complete knee replacement. I resisted the idea, and he said to me that when it hurt bad enough, I would get it replaced. But I hadn’t realized how bad my right knee was.

The doctor said, “We need to schedule knee replacement surgery as soon as possible.”

“I have a fiftieth high school reunion to attend,” I told him. “And I have tickets to see the Beach Boys in concert. But after that, I am ready.”

“On your way out, talk to the girl who does the scheduling, and let’s get

An Arkie’s Faith A leg to stand on

you a new knee so you will have a leg to stand on,” he replied. When I told the scheduler that I was ready to schedule the surgery any time after the Beach Boys concert, she put me on the schedule for the day after the concert. As I write this, it is the day before my knee replacement surgery. By this time tomorrow, I should have a brand-new knee.

To prepare for the surgery, I had to travel to Little Rock for a pre-op physical. Passing the physical was the final hurdle to getting relief from the pain I had been experiencing. The doctor requires that I be off all pain medications before the surgery, including arthritis medication. My pain levels over the last couple of weeks have been high, and I have had extreme difficulty climbing stairs and getting in and out of chairs. I am looking forward to having a leg to stand on.

As I limp around with a cane and must have help to get out of my chair, I think about a passage in Ecclesiastes 12:2,3 (ICB). “When you become old, the light from the sun, moon and stars will seem dark to you. It will seem as if the rain clouds never go away. At that time your arms will lose their strength. Your strong legs will become weak and bent.”

What will it mean for me to have a

leg to stand on? In a physical sense, it will be a relief for me to have a new knee. But when we use the phrase, “He doesn’t have a leg to stand on,” what do we mean?

If you say that someone doesn’t have a leg to stand on, you mean that a statement or claim they have made cannot be justified or proven. There is no evidence, support, or justification for one’s argument or actions, or they have no chance of success. This metaphor dates from the 16th century and applies the lack of physical support to an idea or hypothesis. The Elizabethan satirist Thomas Nashe in “The Unfortunate Traveler,” written in 1594 stated, “Faine he would have pacht out a polt-foot tale, but God knows it had not one true leg to stand on.”

How many of our beliefs and claims can be proven, and how often, when

we speak, do we not have a leg to stand on? I have often thought I could accomplish God’s will for my life with my own effort. I think I still have one good leg to please God with, and I believe I can accomplish His purposes without His power. I hobble my way through life, seeking to walk the Christian walk.

I’m sure that I am not alone in this. Paul thought he could be righteous through his efforts. Only when God knocked him off his high horse and had a face-to-face encounter with him did Paul realize he didn’t have a leg to stand on. He later wrote, “For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing.” Ephesians 2:8 (VOICE)

We must admit we do not have a “leg to stand on.” The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to want to please and serve God. We must recognize our weaknesses and remember we are dependent on God’s grace moment by moment and step by step.

Isaiah 64:6 (GW) tells us that “all our righteous acts are like permanently stained rags. All of us shrivel like leaves, and our sins carry us away like the wind.”

Why would we rely on saving ourselves when God tells us that in our own works, we don’t have a leg to stand on?

Gentle Reader, in a beautiful poetic passage in Psalms 139:9,10 (NIV), David wrote, “If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

The only way we can navigate through life’s pitfalls is if God guides us and holds us up. Otherwise, we don’t have a leg to stand on.

don’t

why my wife bought an electric can opener. We don’t have any electric cans.

(Illustration by Bowen Hefley Orthopedics)

Dry, hot summer may create lackluster fall foliage display

By Patrick Massey

One of the greatest shows in Arkansas will soon be underway — maybe.

That is, of course, the fall color change. Every autumn nature paints the mountains and valleys of the Ouachitas here in our corner of the state with in-

state, typically late October.

It remains to be seen what effects the hot summer temperatures and lack of rainfall — which was scant enough to force Polk County into a burn ban — will have on the upcoming fall foliage display.

“There’s a lot of drought stress going around,” Ford said. “When drought hits, one of the tree’s survival mechanisms is to cut sap flow to its leaves, preventing moisture from evaporating from the leaves, which leads to browning and early leaf fall.”

If the dry spell is upended, the chances for color might improve slightly.

“Any moisture in the next couple of weeks could produce color in places that are marginal,” Ford said.

Speaking from Hope, he said, “Elms are just turning totally brown, and the privet has wilted completely.”

Then there are the oak trees with foliage being stripped bare by an outbreak

of variable oakleaf caterpillars. Sherri Sanders, who is the county extension agent-agriculture from the U of A Division of Agriculture office in Searcy wrote on the uaex.uada.edu website, “Although outbreaks have not been uncommon throughout much of its range, it has been several years since I can remember an outbreak of this magnitude.”

The caterpillars begin with a deep pink or reddish color dorsal band. They tend to leave a lot of nasty “debris” behind, which stains and ruins the paint of porches and decks, gets into swimming pools, and pet water and feed bowls. They also can cause blisters if a person attempts to pick one up. Not only do they destroy the leaves, but they can eventually kill a tree.

The good news is area residents don’t have to look far to experience the fall color change — however short and dull it may be.

The Talimena National Scenic Byway offers spectacular panoramic views of the Ouachita National Forest. No doubt, both first time visitors and longtime residents of Polk County already know the Talimena National Scenic Byway is one of the most scenic drives in the state. The road goes for 54 miles along forested mountain tops between Mena in southwest Arkansas and Talihina, Oklahoma. The drive is beautiful year-round and stands out in fall because of the color that can be seen there. In Mena, the route goes up Rich Mountain, Arkansas’ second-highest peak, and by Queen Wilhelmina State Park.

There is usually a period of a week or so when the fall foliage in a particular area is at its prime. Typically, the peak occurs around two or three weeks after color changes begin.

credible hues of gold, red and orange. Thousands of visitors travel here each fall to see the transformation.

However, researchers with the Cooperative Extension Service say a combination of dry days and brutal highs in the 100’s earlier this summer may cause Arkansas’ fall foliage display to fizzle out in 2023.

“It’s going to be a pretty bad fall across the state,” said Vic Ford, a forester who is head of agriculture and natural resources for the Cooperative Extension Service. “A lot of trees are already turning brown.”

Arkansas is about a month away from the start of the seasonal color change. Arkansas Tourism predicts the most dramatic displays of fall foliage for our area traditionally falls between early and mid-November. That happens a little earlier in the northern half of the

(Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Photos by Ethan Nahté

Thrifty Thursday now appears on MyPulseNews

By Ethan Nahté

The new Thrifty Thursday page is live on My Pulse News, specifically at https://mypulsenews. com/home/thrifty-thursday/ or visit our homepage and look for

the Thrifty Thursday link below the Home page icon in the main menu.

You’ll find links to each of our Thrifty Thursday advertisers and information about what weekly deals they have to offer.

The Knights of Columbus will be campaigning for People with Intellectual Disabilities. All proceeds of this annual event go to PCDC and the Special Olympics. In return for a donation, donors get a tootsie rolls and smiles. The Knights will be visiting local Polk County businesses over the next couple weeks. Saturday, Oct. 7, they will be in front of Walmart. (Photo courtesy of the Knight of Columbus)

The Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Sept. 14 to celebrate new member Rock Creek Cabins, LLC. They are located at 549 Polk Road 41 South in Mena. They offer four cabins for travelers to relax in. Find them on Facebook at Rock Creek Cabins, LLC.

(Photo courtesy of the Mena/Polk County Chamber of Commerce)

Around Town

The Polk County Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary will be holding their monthly meetings on Oct. 5 at Veterans Park in Acorn beginning at 6 p.m. A potluck will be served with meetings to follow.

The Polk County Housing Authority will be closed Monday, Oct. 9, in observance of Columbus Day.

The Happiness Extension Homemakers Club will meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Hatfield City Hall. You are invited to attend.

Dallas Valley Rural Volunteer Fire Department members, firefighters and board of directors of the would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to join us for our Annual Business Meeting and dinner, which will be held at the fire station on Old Airport Rd. (aka 229 Polk Rd 52), Saturday, Oct. 14, starting at 5 p.m. There will be a donation boot available for any non-members who wish to attend. Please join us if you can.

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.

Celebration of Life luncheon for the late Earl Westbrook Jr. at The Elks Lodge in Mena, 2 p.m., Oct. 14. We would love to see everyone and hear some of the stories you’d like to share. Come as you are.

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.

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 Democrat meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9, at PaPa’s Mexican Café on Hwy. 71 South. Come early to eat and socialize. Bring a friend or tw. Any concerns or questions call Linda Johnson at (479) 234-7966.

The Polk County Social Seniors will be meeting at Stillwell Restaurant, 301 West Stillwell Ave., De Queen, at noon on Oct. 10. Come and meet new friends as well as socializing. Bring a friend or two. Need a ride? Meet at Walmart by the gas station . Leaving no later than 11 a.m. Call Linda Johnson at (956) 241-2633 with any questions?

Live Oak Baptist Church of Cove, will have a Fish Fry Fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 6. Eat in, take out or delivery from Hatfield to Wickes. You may pre-order if you would like by calling (870) 387-0013. Suggested Donation $10 per plate. Each meal includes catfish nuggets, hushpuppies, dessert, drink and choice of 2 (French fries, cole slaw, baked beans, or pinto beans)

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.

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.

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 invited 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.

GriefShare at First Presbyterian Church Mena meets every Thursday from 10 a.m.-noon 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.

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.

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) 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) 2348366 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) 2439600 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. T1025

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

T1025

Tree services, forestry mulching, storm cleanup, stump grinding. Signs and light replacement. Give RC Customz a call at (479) 216-2976 for Free estimate. T1101

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

T1025

Handyman Service - Electrical and plumbing. prefer small jobs. For more details, call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204. T1004

Construction, steel buildings, welding, pads, ponds, and roads. Military discounts. Insured. Give RC Customz a call for free estimates at (479) 216-2976. T1101

Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also, light deliveries. (870) 490-1191 T1025

- PETS FOR SALE -

For sale - AKC English Bulldog puppy, female, standard colors, and ready for their nw home. Facebook Arklatex Bulldogs to see this beauty. Call 870-642-3104 for more information. TFN

- FOR RENT -

- FOR SALE -

For Sale 30-ton log splitter bought last December, garage kept $1,000. 2017 250cc dirt bike Japanese made, only 95 miles on it, like new. $1,000. Call Bill Duff (479) 216-5204 T1004

60-plus 1.5 liter reusable clean green glass wine bottles w/screw caps. Labels removed. A little dusty on outside. $1.00 per bottle or $.75 cents per bottle if you take all. (479) 394-8009 T1011

- YARD SALE -

Large Family Yard Sale, Oct. 6-8, located at 115 Polk Road 107, Mena. T1004

Inside Sale, 1803 Hwy. 71 North. New items added, Christian fiction books, table-folding sides, cook books, nice children’s clothes, adult clothes, Thrusday, Oct. 5 and Friday, Oct. 6. T1004

Sale - U-Lock-It Storage, Hwy. 715, Friday-Saturday. This week: Kitchen, cookware, fabric, crafts, Christmas books, Native American, knickknacks, wooden chairs. T1004

- HELP WANTED -

F.M. Dix Foundry is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

T1025

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for an experienced CNC Machine Operator. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

T1025

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for a technical/phone sales position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, answering technical inquiries, providing product information and recommendations, troubleshooting with potential and current customers, and processing orders in a fast-paced office setting.

Parts, automotive, and computer experience would be helpful.

Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment.

T1025

Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for general labor positions. Applications may be picked up at the Brodix office, located at 301 Maple Avenue in Mena, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Competitive starting wages with benefits available.

Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment

T1025

$ $ $ $ $

Apartment For Rent - appliances and utilities furnished. (479) 234-1492

T1025

- LEGAL NOTICE -

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF POLK COUNTY, ARKANSAS CIVIL DIVISION

ARVEST BANK PLAINTIFF vs. No. 57CV-23-95

ALICIA VILLALPANDO; ANGEL VILLALPANDO DEFENDANTS

WARNING ORDER

TO THE DEFENDANTS: ALICIA VILLALPANDO AND ANGEL VILLALPANDO

On July 24, 2023, a complaint was filed against you by ARVEST BANK in the Circuit Court of Polk County, Arkansas, for the purpose of foreclosing on real property in the principal amount of $44,517.71, together with accrued interest, attorneys` fees, costs and late charges, if any. The above-mentioned real property is described as follows:

A part of the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 19, Township 2 South, Range 30 West, Polk County, Arkansas, described as follows: Commencing at the NE corner of the NE 1/4 of the SW 1/4; thence South 0 degrees 59 minutes 54 seconds West 525.00 feet along the forty line to the Point of Beginning; thence North 89 degrees 24 minutes 00 seconds West 104.00 feet; thence South 0 degrees 59 minutes 54 seconds West 169.74 feet; thence South 87 degrees 04 minutes 06 seconds East 104.06 feet along the North right of way of Hope Avenue; thence North 0 degrees 59 minutes 54 seconds East 173.97 feet along the forty line to the Point of Beginning and containing 0.4103 acres. Also known as Lot 8 of the Harold Berg Subdivision. Subject to Protective Covenants as set out in Polk County Miscellaneous Book 90, pages 454. Subject to any public utility and roadway easements and city zoning ordinances as may now exist.

The property is more commonly known 813 Hope Circle, Mena, AR 71953. You are hereby warned to appear and defend by filing an answer or other responsive pleading with the Court within thirty (30) days from the date of the first publication of this Warning Order.

Your failure to file a written answer within thirty (30) days may result in a default judgment being entered against you for the relief sought in the complaint.

WITNESS my hand and seal as Clerk of the Circuit Court of Polk County, Arkansas on this __________ day of

Polk County Circuit Clerk

By:___________________ Deputy Clerk

Every little bit helps with clean-up at the Queen

Article and photo by Ethan Nahté

The clean-up at Queen Wilhelmina State Park occurred Saturday morning. The skies were clear, the temperature was in the high 60s and there was a slight breeze, making for a pleasant couple of hours to walk the trails, public areas and along the Talimena Scenic Drive within the boundaries of the park to help Keep Arkansas Beautiful for the fall clean-up. In addition to Arkansas State Park Interpreter

“twine” and how it was utilized to sew together moccasins.

Detter also spoke about how many people showed up for the Pleiades meteor shower. There seemed to be enough interest from both out-oftown visitors staying atop the mountain, as well as several local people. She felt it was promising enough that she is considering doing another meteor shower viewing party but didn’t say when. Discussion of the Geminids came up, but that’s early-to-mid-December, meaning the weather is very

Respectfully Submitted,

MACKIE WOLF ZIENTZ & MANN, P. C. Redding Building

1701 Centerview Drive, Suite 207

Little Rock, AR 72211

(501) 218-8111

By: Michael Tackett (2018110)

Attorneys for Plaintiff

Ivory Detter, there were only six other people, all park employees, to assist with the clean-up.

As Detter awaited more volunteers or for the six to return, she spoke went into ‘interpreter mode” and talked about some of the plants in the park that are very uncommon, not just on Rich Mountain, but in general. She demonstrated which ones could be eaten and the difference in their tastes. She also made a type of twine from the leaves of a plant dying off for the winter and demonstrated how to make the surprisingly strong

unpredictable on the mountain and the roads could be hazardous.

All-in-all, the morning started out refreshing and, educational and informative.

You can go to the Arkansas State Parks official website and look up any of the state parks in Arkansas and find out what activities and events they have going. For queen Wilhelmina in particular, visit https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/queen-wilhelmina-state-park and click on the Events link to the right. The majority of the programs are free.

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

September 25, 2023

Deputies responded to a report of Criminal Mischief near Iron Mountain.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to harassment.

Deputies were dispatched to a business near Wickes in reference to a theft.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to financial identity fraud.

September 26, 2023

Jonathon Woody, 29, of Mena was arrested to be held for another agency.

Bradley Brumfield, 33, of Mena was arrested on fifteen Failure to Appear Warrants.

September 27, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a business near Cove in reference to an altercation.

Charles Welch, Jr., 43, of Hatfield was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Felony Failure to Comply with Registration and Reporting Requirements.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 659 near Board Camp in reference to an unattended death.

Deputies were dispatched to a

residence on Polk 54 near Mena in reference to a physical altercation. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 76 E near Acorn in reference to harassment. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney for further consideration.

Deputies were dispatched to an ATV accident near Polk 304. Travis McCubbin, 60, of Pencil Bluff was arrested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Clifford Harrison, 62, of Mena was arrested on a warrant for Harassing Communications.

September 28, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on 3rd Street near Grannis in reference to vandalism.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Sugartree Lane near Mena in reference to a welfare check.

September 29, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Polk 99 near Vandervoort in reference to an unattended death.

Deputies responded to a report of missing hikers near Caney Creek Wilderness Area.

Johnny Webb, 43, of Mena was arrested by an officer with Probation Parole on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Vicky Fussell, 55, of Mena was ar-

rested on a Failure to Appear Warrant.

Deputies responded to a walk-in complainant in reference to a property dispute.

Deputies responded to a report of an unattended death on Polk 55 near Mena.

September 30, 2023

Deputies were dispatched to a vehicle accident near Polk 656.

Deputies responded to a report of a stolen firearm.

Deputies were dispatched to Polk 71 near Yocana in reference to a report of cruelty to animals.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Hwy 375 E near Shady in reference to a dirt bike accident.

October 1, 2023

Timothy Murphy, 50, of Smithville was arrested by an officer with the Arkansas Game and Fish on charges of DWI, Driving on a DWI Suspended License and Additional Penalties Ignition Interlock Device.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office worked 0 vehicle accidents this week.

MENA POLICE REPORTS

September 24

A report of financial identity fraud was taken at a residence on 8th Street.

September 25

Eugene Watson, 65, was charged with Disorderly Conduct after a disturbance call to Walmart.

A report of disorderly conduct

was taken at EZ Mart.

September 26

A report of harassment was taken from a walk-in complainant. A report of commercial burglary, criminal mischief and criminal trespass was taken from Walmart.

September 27

Allen Henry, 34, was served with a warrant at the police department.

September 28

Gregory Brewer, 54, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Simultaneous Possession of Drugs and Firearms and April Page, 28, was served with warrants after a search warrant was served at a residence on Westmoreland Drive.

September 29

A report of theft of motor fuel was taken at Exxon.

Jose Munoz, 20, was charged with Possession of Methamphetamine, DWI, and Possession of Open Container Containing Alcohol in a Vehicle after a traffic stop on Hornbeck Avenue.

September 30

A report of stalking was taken from a walk-in complainant. Tanner Milham, 25, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Reine Street.

The Grand Illusion Theatre invites actors to a read-through

By Ethan Nahté

The Grand Illusion Theatre finished up their first month-long acting workshop on Saturday. Owners Lou and Denni Longoria considered it successful overall. Although some participants could not attend every class, the workshop appeared to average 24 participants.

Tim Hesse, one of the four acting workshop facilitators said, “We had a core group of about eight people who were consistently there.”

Most of the attendees had no previous acting experience, while a few had a minute amount of experience.

“A couple of them are in a play at the OLT and that’s their first play,” Hesse said. “I’m glad we got them up here, too. A lot of them said the same thing, ‘I’ve been around it all my life. I’ve been interested in it all of my life.’ I’m glad they decided to do something.

“I think it was a success. Obviously, we didn’t find any Marlon Brandos in the bunch. We got people who were genuinely interested and did the work that they needed to do. Some people put in more work than the others. Some people had it memorized,” Hesse said, referring to the scene performances from well-known plays such as “Steel Magnolias” that the actors performed onstage in front of their peers.

The group and the facilitators then critiqued each performance after they finished, explaining what they liked, how it made them feel, or if there were things that needed work.

“All of these different scenes, we had facilitators working with them,” Hesse said.

Read-through

The Longorias are hoping to continue doing something monthly with the acting workshops. The next project on their list is a read-through for the play “Al Capone’s Bird” they are considering performing at The Grand Illusion Theatre, which has a cast of eight characters.

Hesse said, “Al Capone’s Bird is a plane. The story of the play is that it takes place out in the mountains of California that at one point the plane went down in these remote mountains. It was kind of like D.B. Cooper… it was a legend that nobody knew if it was re-

story.”

There will be a read-through of the play, and it is not limited to the participants of the acting workshop.

“A read-through is basically just the script,” Hesse said. “You start on the first page. Somebody is usually ap-

also getting an idea of who we’d like to be in it. Maybe a week later, if we decide on this play, we could have auditions. We probably don’t want to do this play before Christmas because there is lots of stuff coming up and the OLT has got a thing coming up, too. We’ll probably actually do it next year, so we’ll probably have auditions next year.”

“Anybody from the community, or from this group we just had, can jump in and read a character. We’ll probably switch off and you’ll get to read for a few pages then we’ll switch to somebody else. They’ll probably steal from you. If you did a Brooklyn accent, they’ll probably try a Brooklyn accent. By the end of it, hopefully we can find all of the characters.”

ally out there, but supposedly it had all his money — his loose cash — inside this plane. Anybody who finds the plane would be rich. All these people for all of these years have been looking for Al Capone’s Bird.

“In this play, supposedly one of the characters finds it, then he gets killed. It’s kind of a murder mystery but it’s more about the characters than really the mystery of the murder.

“We’re going to switch it so it’s in the Arkansas mountains because Al Capone was big out in Hot Springs — he started the racetrack and the hotel there. We’re going to switch it so it’s local so it seems more appropriate to the [local] people.

“One character is a gangster, one is a policewoman pretending to be somebody else — everybody is kind of pretending to be somebody else — you’ve got one of the twins pretending to be the other guy. It’s an interesting

pointed to read all of the stage directions, so you understand the locations and what’s happening. Then everybody else picks a character and you read the character. You get to hear the characters in different voices and for the first time, they start to make sense. You can delineate between who’s talking.”

“We’re kind of auditioning the play itself, because we’ve each read it. To me the play really doesn’t make sense, or you don’t know if this is a good play until you have a read-through. If you’re sitting around and somebody is doing a funny accent and there are funny lines and if we’re all laughing, then maybe the audience will like this play, too. If during the read-through, nobody is laughing; nobody is reacting to this play, you go ‘Maybe this isn’t a good play.’

Hesse, who said he will also be probably directing the play, said, “We’re

Hesse said, “The board room holds 20 people, so we can fit in there, otherwise we’ll bring them into [the theater]. If they want to call the resort and tell us they’re going to be here, that would be really great so we can plan on how many people we’ve got. If they forgot to do that, don’t hold that against yourself. Still come. We’re hoping to get people loving theater, hoping to play a character. We also want people who are wanting to do sets, costumes, or any aspect of theater. We want to work with the OLT. We don’t want to feel like we’re letting anybody out or that we’re better than anybody. In a real place, this is what actor’s do… they act all of the time and go to classes when they’re not acting.”

The read-through will occur at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 10. At the Mena Mountain Resort, located at 2817 U.S. Hwy. 71. The resort number is 479394-3110.

“This is a play you’re not going to find on YouTube,” Hesse said. “A lot of plays, if it’s an old play like the one we just did, ‘You Can’t Take it With You,’ everybody’s school did it. This is a play that was written by somebody in college, and it never really was performed professionally, so you can’t really look it up and see it.”

Judy Weir (left) and Jeanie Bunyard perform a scene from “Steel Magnolias” at the acting workshop. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

OLT holds auditions for holiday shows

Submitted by Julie Ulmer

It has long been a tradition for Ouachita Little Theatre to perform live shows at Christmastime to give our community a special way to celebrate the holidays with their family and friends. OLT just announced that this year there will be not one, but two shows to help you get into the holiday spirit.

First will be “The Gift of the Magi,” which will be a special performance by our Lyric Players Group, wellknown around town for their Readers Theatre shows. Directed by Ann Glenn, this will be their most elaborate show yet, with costumes and set pieces that will require seven actors. Most performers will be able to rely on their scripts and won’t necessarily have to move around the stage a lot, but Ann is looking for a couple of young performers who will need to memorize their lines to play the newlyweds in the famous O. Henry story.

The cast for “The Gift of the Magi” calls for four women and three men: Jim and Della (a young couple, celebrating their first married Christmas together), Mrs. Boyd (a motherly neighbor), Madame Sofronie (a businesswoman), Felice (her as-

Polk County’s

sistant), Mr. Hartman (a clerk), and the Narrator.

Auditions for “The Gift of the Magi” will be held at the OLT on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 4-7 p.m.

This production also has a special venue for two performances. The Dec. 8 and 9 weekend shows will be held at The Ouachitas at 7 p.m. where you can also enjoy the restaurant’s ambience, dinner, and beverages. On Sunday, Dec. 10, there will be a traditional show on the OLT stage at 2:30 p.m.

The second Christmas show will be “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” directed by Brad Storey. According to the director, this full-length comedy will delight audiences with a portrayal of the famous Scrooge character seen in a “different light.” The script is full of laughter, good fun, and a Christmas message that will warm your heart as much as the original Dicken’s classic tale always has done.

The performance schedule will run differently than our usual dual weekends, and instead will run five straight days, Thursday, Dec. 14 through Monday, Dec. 18. All performances will be at 7:30 p.m. except for the Sunday matinee at 2:30 p.m. Storey is looking for at least eight adults to fill roles for this show, with a possibility that some characters may fill multiple roles.

Auditions for the “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” will be held at the OLT on Thursday, Oct. 12, from 3:30–5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 14, 9 a.m. until noon.

Check the website at oltmena. com, or the Facebook and Instagram pages @oltmena for up-todate information.

Revolutionary War connection: The Battle of Musgrove Mill

Submitted by Kathy Hagler

The Battle of Musgrove Mill took place on Aug. 18, 1780, near Cross Anchor, South Carolina. During the course of the battle, 200 hundred Patriot militiamen defeated a combined force of approximately 300 Loyalist militiamen and 200 provincial regulars.

By the summer of 1780, the backcountry fighting of South Carolina tended to be especially brutal and retaliatory. And few of the men from either side had ever seen Great Britain.

On the evening of Aug. 18, two hundred mounted Patriots prepared to raid a Loyalist camp at Musgrove Mill. The mill controlled the local grain supply and guarded a ford of the Enoree River. The Patriots, under the joint command of Colonels Isaac Shelby, James Williams and Elijah Clarke, anticipated surprising a garrison of an almost equal number of Loyalists. However, a local farmer informed them that the Loyalists had been reinforced by approximately 100 militia and 200 hundred provincial regulars on their way to join British Maj. Patrick Ferguson.

With their position compromised by an enemy patrol and horses too tired to go on, the Patriots had to stand and fight, despite the nearly 3-1 odds against them. They quickly formed a semicircular breastwork of brush and fallen timber about 300 yards long at the top of a ridge across the road leading down to Musgrove Mill.

Using guerrilla tactics, a band of about 20 men led by Capt. Shadrach Inman crossed the Enoree River and engaged the enemy. Pretending confusion, they retreated back toward the line of ambush until the Loyalists were nearly on the Patriot line. When the Loyalists spotted the Patriots, they fired

too soon. The Patriots held their fire until the Loyalists got within range of their muskets.

Patriot musket fire operated “with devastating effect,” but the Loyalists were well trained. They nearly overwhelmed the Patriot right flank with a bayonet charge. (Frontiersmen had no bayonets.)

Shelby ordered his reserve of “Overmountain Men” to support him. They rushed into battle shrieking Indian war cries, causing the Loyalists to waver. When a number of their officers went down, they broke. However, Inman, who had a key role in the Patriot strategy, was killed on the battlefield.

Patriots ran from their positions “yelling, shooting, and slashing on every hand.” The battle lasted approximately one hour, with 63 Loyalists being killed, an unknown number wounded and 70 taken prisoner. The Patriots lost four dead and 12 wounded.

Col. Isaac Shelby (1750-1826) was both the first and the fifth governor of Kentucky.(Painting by Matthew H. Jouett, 1788-1827)

FIRE PREVENTION

continued from page 1

— to promote this year’s FPW cam paign, “Cook ing safety starts with you. Pay atten tion to fire pre vention™.” The campaign works to educate every one about simple but important ac tions they can take when cooking to keep themselves and those around them safe.

According to NFPA, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.

“Year after year, cooking remains the leading cause of home fires by far, accounting for half (49%) of all U.S. home fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “These numbers tell us that there is still much work to do when it comes to better educating the public about ways to stay safe when cooking.”

The Mena and Polk County Fire Departments encourages all residents to embrace the 2023 Fire Prevention Week theme, “Cooking safety start with you,” Mena Fire Chief Steve Egger said. “A cooking fire can grow quickly. I have seen many homes damaged

2023 Rural Fire Show to be held on Oct. 7

LITTLE ROCK, AR – The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division and the Arkansas Rural and Volunteer Firefighters Association (ARVFA) will host the 2023 Rural Fire Show on Saturday, Oct. 7. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Conway Expo and Event Center.

with door prizes.

Departments offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire.

1. Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

2. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.

3. Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 meter) around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.

To schedule FPW programs in Mena, please contact the Mena Fire Department at 479-3941234. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and cooking safety, visit www.fpw.org. For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org.

The Rural Fire Show is a free event held in appreciation for Arkansas firefighters and their families to honor the service and protection they provide throughout the state. The event will include training opportunities, equipment demonstrations, resources and information, networking opportunities, and a catered lunch

“We have more than 850 rural fire departments that partner with the Forestry Division when we fight wildland fires,” said State Forester Kyle Cunningham. “We are proud to host this annual event with ARVFA to show our appreciation for those firefighters and their families.”

All firefighters are welcome to participate. Interested individuals can RSVP by emailing Lisa Clark at lisa.k.clark@agriculture. arkansas.gov. Learn more about the Forestry Division’s Rural Fire Protection Program at agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry/rural-fire-protection-program/.

Broken Bow woman killed by landing aircraft

By Patrick Massey

BROKEN BOW, Okla. — A woman was struck and killed by a landing airplane at approximately 2:30 p.m. while at an airport in neighboring McCurtain County, Oklahoma on Friday.

Samantha Hayes, 27, of Idabel, Oklahoma, was struck and killed by the wing of an approaching 1972 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza at Broken Bow Municipal Airport on Friday. Hayes, an employee of Broken Bow’s parks department, was mowing a field adjacent to the runway when she was struck by the aircraft.

The pilot, 70-year-old James Baxter, was preparing to land on the runway at Broken Bow Airport when he noticed Hayes on her mower in the field.

Baxter attempted to pull up to get the wing over Hayes but failed to do so, fatally striking her in the head with the wing of the plane, according to the

Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Authorities say that Hayes was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident due to head injuries.

On Facebook, Hayes was remembered as a loving friend and devoted single mother to her three children.

No further information has been revealed about Baxter and no charges have been filed against him.

“We’re investigating whether any charges could filed against the pilot,” OHP spokesperson Sarah Stewart said Monday, “Did the pilot do anything wrong or was this just unavoidable?”

Stewart said other questions about the episode remained under investigation, including whether the woman was wearing reflective clothing and if she even saw the airplane.

Stewart said the Federal Aviation Administration was investigating any potential regulatory violations regarding the pilot and the aircraft.

and people injured by fires that couldly have been preventLocal Fire

Annual nut sell fundraiser for conservation district

The annual nut sale fundraiser has started at the Rich Mountain Conservation District.

There is a variety of nuts to choose from such as pecan halves and pieces, praline pecans, white chocolate pecans, amaretto pecans, dark chocolate pecans, milk chocolate pecans, honey pecans, chocolate peanuts, chocolate almonds, cashews, and walnuts. Orders will be taken until Oct. 20 and nuts are scheduled to be received mid-November.

Proceeds from the nut sales go towards the Rich Mountain Conservation District annual schol-

DAR donation to Acorn students

arship that is awarded to Polk County students who will be going into an agriculture or conservation related field in college. Please help to support this worthy cause by purchasing some of these items. By doing so you are supporting our local youth with the opportunity to continue their agricultural education.

An order form can be picked up at the conservation district office at 508 7th Street in Mena or you can call 479-437-6054 and request one to be mailed, faxed or emailed to you.

Submitted by Tammy L. Young

Polk County’s James K. Polk Chapter, National Society Daughters of

The Daughters of the American Revolution organization was founded in 1890 with the mission of promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism. These timeless, over-

The 2023-2024 Mena Middle School FBLA Officers were recently elected: President Paeyton Hostetler,co-vice presidents Madi Fowler and Jakob Hostetler, secretary Jaslynn Turner, treasurer Francesca Vacca, reporter Lily Kate Doughty.

(Picture courtesy of Mena Public Schools)

the American Revolution organization distributed pocket guide copies of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence to students at Acorn Public Schools in September.

The pocket guides are a valuable resource to enhance research for students learning about our nation’s founding documents and beliefs.

arching principles keep the DAR strong and vitally relevant in this ever-changing world.

Acorn Schools would like to extend our appreciation to the Polk County DAR Chapter organization for providing the donation to our students and history classes!

10/10 - CRSD @ Mena

10/05 - CRSD vs. Nevada 10/09 - CRSD @ Waldron

Cross Country

10/10 - Mena @ Acorn

10/06 - Mena vs. Nashville Volleyball

10/05 - Mena @ Malvern 10/07 - Mena @ Paris Tournament Sr. Varsity

10/09 - Mena @ Ashdown

Boxers battle at Mountain Mayhem III

By Ethan Nahté

The commercial building at the Polk County Fairgrounds was decked out with a fall harvest theme, the smell of hot dogs, nachos and popcorn wafted through the air. Meanwhile, a very full house of boxers, families, coaches and boxing enthusiasts were loving the action of Mountain

Military, past and present, invited to Home Game Tailgate party

By Ethan Nahté

Veterans, service members, active duty and family are invited to come to the Home Game Tailgate this Friday before the Mena Bearcats take on the Nashville Scrappers. The VA Mena

merly Pilgrim’s Pride) and Arkansas Elks.

If tailgaters proceed to Friday night’s game, they might notice the student section wearing pink to “Pink Out!” October is National Breast

Cross Country 10/07 - UARM @ University of the Ozarks Invitational

10/08 - UARM @ Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College

Mayhem III on Saturday.

The event began at 3 p.m. and lasted five hours as 32 bouts of three rounds each were scheduled to battle it out in the squared circle. Boxers, male and female, 8-years-old to adult, came from all around Arkansas, Oklahoma, and eastern to central Texas.

CBOC (Community-Based Outpatient Clinic) will host a tailgate party at 4 p.m. on Oct. 6 at their location, 300 Morrow St., next door to the post office.

The event is sponsored by Polk County CVET (Community Veterans Engagement Team), Pilgrim’s (for-

Cancer Awareness Month. Students and some of the public will surely be wearing pink to show their support.

The No. 4 Bearcats and No. 5 Scrappers are both 0-1 in conference play. They should be relatively well-matched as the Bearcats are 3-2 overall and the Scrappers are 3-3.

Jesus Prado (blue) takes a punch in his fight against Vincent Gardner in the Pee Wee 9-10 Male division. (Ethan Nahté/Pulse)

Mena Fire Department increases certified ARFF personnel

Submitted by Mena Fire Chief Steve Egger

Joe Quinn, Emory Zakin and Dustin Stover recently completed the 40-hour Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) class. They went through the program at Dallas Love Field Airport. They said it was one of the best classes ever. That brings the Mena Fire Department up to 11 certified ARFF per-

sonnel.

The FAA requires operators of Part 139 airports must provide aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) services during air carrier operations that require a Part 139 certificate. The guidance and resources below address ARFF training, ARFF vehicles, and other aviation fire and rescue requirements.

Staff members of Arkansas Tourism met at Queen Wilhelmina State Park last week to discuss planning efforts and initiatives for the coming year. At the meeting, 13 staff members were certified as Travel Consultants with U.S. Travel.

The group visited with Mena representatives including Mayor Seth Smith, Pasha Watson and Melanie Wade to learn more about the town’s tourism offerings and upcoming events, including preparations for the 2024 Great North American Eclipse.

For more information about Arkansas Tourism or to explore trip ideas and travel inspiration, visit www.arkansas.com/. (Submitted photo)

(Photos courtesy of Mena Fire Department)