Pulse THE POLK COUNTY
FREE WEEKLY 1168 Hwy 71 S Mena, AR 71953 479.243.9600
March 31, 2021
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Ouachita Little Theater
INSIDE:
Happy Easter
Fighting for Vets Bills introduced by local congressmen to combat injustice
Page 11-14
By Jeri Pearson
Greater Tuna promises Henderson House
Page 10
great laughs with dynamic-duo performance By Justin Richmond
I
Ouachita Expressions
t can be quite jarring, the first few moments of witnessing what is unfolding on the stage. But, it doesn’t take long to realize that you are in the hands of masters of the craft. Scotty Jenkins and John Puddington bring “Greater Tuna” to life at the Ouachita Little Theatre with their tour de force performances. Set in the fictional town of Tuna Texas, the third smallest town in the state, the pair play a multitude of characters, male and female, following the death of Judge Buckner. Through this fever dream kaleidoscope of obtuse accents, colorful costume changes, perfectly timed dialogue and witty satire, the OLT seems to have found it’s messiah after the long determined struggle to entertain our community safely during this covid crisis. One can only hope
Page 16
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Pulse THE POLK COUNTY
Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the Vietnam War have left marks on the health of the nation’s veterans. However, William (Bill) Rhodes, a local veteran, knows first hand how difficult it can be to receive assistance after being exposed if a service record does not reflect specific information. Legislation has been attempted to correct this for veterans, and after failed attempts to pass laws, bills have been introduced in the house and senate by Sen. Bruce Westerman and Rep. John Boozman. Senator Boozman introduced an initial version of the bill, S. 2105, in 2017 with Rep. Westerman filing a companion version in early 2018 (HR 4843). This bill granted the extension of VA benefits to Vietnam-era veterans serving in Thailand and were presumed exposed to herbicides. According to Boozman’s office, the biggest obstacle to passing the Thailand exposure language is the estimat-
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THE POLK COUNTY
March 31, 2021
GREATER TUNA continued from page 1
VETERANS continued from page 1
this marks the beginning of the normal lineup of shows. For John, what made this opportunity so enticing was the freedom that comes with being able to create the characters he plays. “The task of creating characters is what the job is all about. You’re not just using your personality, that’s boring, there is no art to that. Something like this is fun because you’re able to play like a child, because you’re able to create.” One of the most commendable feats of the show is the speed at which the cast changes in and out of their costumes. Scotty relays “There is a certain scene in which I play four separate characters. We have to wear our costumes in layers so we can keep up with the script.” Of course this incredible feat would not be possible without the help of the show’s costumers, Sharon Hose, Ann Glenn, Debbie Thompson, along with Tia and Angel Moe. With a little help from local legend Brad Story, John and Scotty are sure to bring laughter and a much needed smile to all who come to
ed cost of ~$1.1-1.5B. However, there is an increasing show of support for this bill. Boozman had 79 other members cosponsor in the House last year (HR 2201) and he is optimistic for this language to be included in a future toxic exposure package. While cost concerns are important, and leaders are working to lower that score, Boozman said caring for veterans is a priority. “Our United States veterans were promised upon their retirement from service that they would be provided benefits and care for life, but they have often been denied benefits despite ample evidence of a connection between their time in service and their health status,” said Congressman Westerman. “It is our responsibility to make good on our word. Those who served during the Vietnam War in Vietnam and Thailand deserve care for exposure to Agent Orange, which they endured in service to our nation. These bills set a precedent for all veterans that their country has their backs and will keep its promises.” Rhodes has been working relentlessly, despite several medial issues that may have been caused by exposure during his service in Thailand. “This year we have litigation against VA in US district courts,” Rhodes said. “We expect a decision from the court sometimes next year. Hopefully this will cause congress to be mindful of the situation.” Despite the failing bill from years past, Rhodes is optimistic the bills now have the support needed to be passed into law. “This time there are many more cosponsors on the bills and that may be the thing we need to bring attention to this and get it passed into law,” Rhodes said. Rhodes has spent years attempting to tend to his medical issues- researching, following paper trails and now finally cutting red tape. “I knew as I learned more about my own situation that there were more like me,” Rhodes said. “It has been a long journey, but hopefully the leg work we
watch the show. Audience members will quickly recognize all the effort, planning, and hard work that goes into putting on the community entertainment at the Ouachita Little Theatre. The amount of heart that each one of these individuals puts into a show is more than commendable. Not just by the beloved actors and directors, but the entire board as well, which include: Rudi Timmerman, Judy and Jessica Kropp, Julie Ulmer, and Lamar Austin. Beneath all the technicalities there is so much love and passion for our community. We often forget what a joy it can be to escape our life for a moment, to take a break from all of our worries. What better way than to experience live art just a few feet in front you? The Ouachita Little Theatre is one of the many hidden treasures of Mena, Arkansas, and “Greater Tuna” is for certain their latest gem. Performances will be April 16 & 17 at 7:30 p.m., and April 18 at 2:30 p.m. Don’t forget to bring a friend, and your mask!
Pulse
have done to change the law will help someone else.” Rhodes, along with the efforts of fellow veterans caught in a legislative loophole, brought the issue to legislators. While the Department of Veteran’s Affairs does cover medical expense and treat veterans exposed to Agent Orange, it only covers veterans who served in certain locations. If the current bill passes, it would amend the law to protect service men and women who were in Thailand during the Vietnam War-era and exposed to hazardous herbicides. “I greatly appreciate Bill Rhodes’ efforts to raise awareness of the injustice he has faced personally,” Boozman said. “If it were not for his tireless advocacy, many would not even be aware that some veterans have been, and continue to be, denied a basic opportunity to prove their eligibility for service-related benefits. I will continue working with Mr. Rhodes to right this wrong. “Veterans who honorably served during the Vietnam War-era in Thailand to this day are paying a high price as a result of having been carelessly hindered by the limitations on the presumption of toxic exposure to Agent Orange, but they aren’t forgotten. I’m grateful for Congressman Westerman’s leadership in the House of Representatives to ensure these veterans get the benefits they’ve earned,” said Boozman, a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. VA currently awards service-connected benefits for exposure to toxic chemicals to veterans whose duties placed them on or near the perimeters of Thai military bases from February 28, 1961 to May 7, 1975. For more than 20,000 conditions determined by the VA to be eligible for service-connected exposure to toxic chemicals in Fiscal Year 2016, 12,025 claims were filed by veterans who served in Thailand during the Vietnam War-era. Only 14 percent of those claims were approved for additional benefits.
THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse
March 31, 2021
Radio - Print - Web 1168 Hwy 71S Mena, AR 71953 Phone: 479-243-9600 Fax: 479-243-9603 Email: news@mypulsenews.com
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Ashley Smith- General Manager Jeri Pearson - Editor Tori Stockton - Production Manager John Russell - Graphic Design Trey Youngdahl- Digital Producer Curt Teasdale - Programmer/ On-Air Personality Jim Pinson - Morning Personality Jackye Pruitt - Senior Account Executive Justin Richmond - Receptionist Distribution & Insertion Staff Dan & Linda Deramus, Jason Sharp, Ryan Lewis, Zane Steele 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. POLICY: The publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement at any time. All property rights, including any copyright interest, in any advertisement produced by Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse using art work and/or typography furnished or arranged by Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse shall be the property of Pulse Multi-Media and/or The Polk County Pulse. No such advertisement or any part thereof may be reproduced without the prior written consent of Pulse Multi-Media and The Polk County Pulse. POLITICAL ADVERTISEMENTS: Advertisements of a political nature must be prepaid and must also include the name of the entity paying for the advertisement. If an entity other than the candidate the advertisement is endorsing is paying for the ad, a statement must be signed by the candidate verifying the candidate has seen and approved the advertisement.
Editor’s Pulse! One of my favorite things to read is news about news. I enjoy seeing what other publications are doing, how they are overcoming obstacles and how they are facing the changing ways readers enjoy getting their news. I’ve noticed a few times in the past 10 years that a publication decided to send a message with a blank front page. But why would a publication do something like that? Meryl Kornfield, of The Washington Post, explains the most recent blank page display in an article last week: “Editors of Kansas City’s Northeast News opted for an unusual choice for the front page of their March 21 issue: They left it blank. “It was not a printing error, they assured confused readers who called and emailed their newsroom. Like many other local newsrooms, the News has lost advertising revenue at an unprecedented rate during the coronavirus pandemic. So the six-member staff kept its front page empty, a warning sign to the community about what might come if it ceased publication. “That’s the message we wanted to send: What happens if we’re gone?” publisher and co-owner Michael Bushnell said. “If we print a blank front page with no news, people are going to see what it’s like if we’re gone.” “The 89-year-old weekly newspaper with a circulation of 8,500 was already struggling financially before the pandemic as advertising dollars waned. The newspaper is free, and the website does not have a paywall. When the economy spiraled in 2020, two laundromats, a charter school and a grocery store pulled their ads, a monthly loss of about $2,700, Bushnell said. “The pandemic has exacerbated the strain on already-cash-strapped newsrooms, leading to the closure of more than 60, according to the Poynter Institute, a journalism think tank. “In 15 years, one-fourth of newspapers nationwide were forced to close, according to a 2020 study by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At least 1,800 communities that had a local news outlet in 2004 were without one at the beginning of 2020, the UNC
team found. “This repeated almost weekly across the country, another community newspaper closes up and a community loses its voice,” Bushnell said. “While many in the Zip codes the paper serves have the privilege of internet at home, like many urban core areas in Kansas City and throughout the U.S., more than a few do not, and they rely on this print product for vital information.” I am so very thankful to belong to a community that knows the value of hyper-local print publications. I have seen too many community publications close in the past five years. Most are small towns with populations less than 8,000. Where do those residents learn about local elections, water issues, county and city projects? What are their elected officials doing to work for them? How will they know? Oh, social media I suppose. We all know how reliable that is. Instead of supporting a local business with advertising dollars, the owners of social media and Big Brother take the proceeds from small towns - which tend to fall by the way side shortly after local publication ceases. It honestly breaks my heart for those communities. But here in Polk County, we are blessed. I was once told to look at a community’s local paper and judge the area’s economy based on it. How many locally owned businesses are there? Do cooperations invest in the local community? Do the businesses understand the importance of advertising? Are the stories and articles engaging, interesting and informative? One look at the Pulse and you can tell this area is thriving - despite 2020 and everything it brought with it. To the advertisers that know the Pulse has a dedicated readership, to the readers who look forward to the Pulse each week, thank you for knowing our value and allowing the team at Pulse Multi-Media to continue doing what we love: serve the community. Your Editor -Jeri Pearson
Editorial 3
Want to share your opinion? 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. The letter must include a signature to be considered for publication. Signatures will NOT be held out by request. The following contact information is required when the letter is submitted: NAME, AGE, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER. 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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THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse RMEC will supplement charges and spread fees over 9 bills
Submitted by Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative
The historic winter weather event in February caused an unprecedented energy crisis for the utility industry which resulted in a large increase in energy usage and extremely high electric bills. During the week of Feb. 14, Rich Mountain Electric requested that members voluntarily limit the use of electric service to ensure that electric service was not interrupted. This request was necessitated by a record demand and a potential issue with capacity in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) regional transmission organizations (RTOs). Unfortunately, the predicted crisis reached a dire situation on Tuesday, Feb. 16, as demand reached record levels and RTO capacity struggled to meet load requirements. On that date, Rich Mountain Electric’s wholesale generation provider, Arkansas Electric Co-
March 31, 2021
operative Corporation (AECC) set an all-time peak firm load of 2,983 megawatts, which exceeded the previous peak of 2,760 megawatts set in January 2018. Although some electric utilities were forced to implement rolling outages, Rich Mountain Electric was able to avoid service curtailments. AECC has a diversified portfolio of electric generation which includes coal, natural gas, hydro, wind and solar. During the winter storm, the demand for natural gas skyrocketed not only to produce electricity, but also for natural gas used in industries, businesses and homes. As demand increased, supply decreased causing natural gas prices to rise. The wholesale natural gas cost paid by AECC to generate the power is passed on to Rich Mountain Electric and the state’s other 16 electric distribution cooperatives. This cost is ultimately passed on to you as a fuel cost adjustment on your bill. This line item usually does not get much atten-
Holly Springs Real Estate, LLC 1114 A Highway 71 S, Mena, AR 71953 Hershel Bell Executive Broker
cell: 479-243-5613 hbell.hollysprings@gmail.com
tion. However, during times of extreme weather, it can add several dollars to your electric bill. Neither Rich Mountain Electric nor AECC earn any margins from these charges. The charges are purely market-driven and is a direct passthrough. We understand this is a financial hardship for our members and we are here to help. Rich Mountain Electric has jointly worked together with AECC to lessen the impact of nearly $93 million in fuel cost adjustments incurred during the historic winter event. To minimize the financial impact on you, the fuel cost adjustment charge incurred during the winter crisis will be spread over nine electric bills. Additionally, the Rich Mountain Electric board of directors approved a plan to further assist our members by releasing up to $540,000 in margins to supplement your electric bill over the next nine months. Although this will impact Rich Mountain Electric’s year-end margins, as a local, member-owned cooperative, the board believes it is simply the right step to take
to assist you, our member. Rich Mountain Electric and AECC are working with state and federal officials to analyze costs that were incurred during the extreme winter weather to ensure that they are accurate. In the event that any fuel cost adjustment fees are changed by future federal or state legal action, any savings or refunds will be returned to you. We greatly appreciate our members for assisting in reducing the demand for energy during the unprecedented winter event. Your efforts made a difference in preventing service interruptions. We are truly grateful and thank you for being a member of Rich Mountain Electric. If you are having difficulty paying your electric bill, please call us immediately at 877-828-4074 to see what payment arrangements may be available to you. Rich Mountain Electric is offering delayed payment arrangements for up to 18 months. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds may also be available for those households that qualify. Funds are limited, so apply now! For more information and to apply, go to http://www.acaaa.org.
We understand this is a financial hardship for our members, and we are here to help.
479-394-4200 hollyspringsrealestate.com
New Listing-Local Hometown Gas Station & Cafe! This has been a thriving business in a small community serving south Polk county. In 2019 they added a cafe with new equipment. The fuel pumps are 3 yrs. old. New metal roof installed in 2020. Heating and Air system is 3 years old. Contact Hershel Bell for more information, financials available for qualified buyers. MLS20039360 $146,000
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RETURN THE EGG TO THE POLK COUNTY PULSE OFFICES AT 1168 HWY 71 S. IN MENA TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!
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Pulse
Obituaries 5
March 31, 2021
Clifton Kent Dover Mr. Clifton Kent Dover, age 65, of Mena, Arkansas died March 24, 2021 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born June 28, 1955, to Jerry Dover and Johnnie Frost Dover. Cliff is survived by his mother, one son Daniel Dover (Jodie) of Lakeway, Texas, and two sisters Diana Davis and Sabrina Stafford, both of Mena; two grandsons Aden Dover and Owen Dover, of Lakeway, Texas; several aunts, uncles, and cousins, and many friends. He is predeceased by his father and three brothers, his paternal grandparents Dan and Viva Dover and his maternal grandparents, Pat and Rudell Frost. Cliff was a graduate of East Texas College in Commerce and the University of Texas at Austin. Cremation services were provided by Beasley Wood Funeral Home. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
What we have once enjoyed we can never lose: all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. -Helen Keller
Lillian J. Harned On Saturday, March 20, 2021, Lillian J. Harned, a loving mother and grandmother passed away at the age of 87. Lillian was born on October 26, 1933 in Caddo Gap, Arkansas where she went to school and married her high school sweetheart, Milton M. Harned. The couple first moved to Texas where they had three children and then settled in Valencia, California. Lillian and Milton moved back to Arkansas to retire here in Mena. Lillian had a passion for restoring old houses and gardening. She loved collecting antiques and she was frequently seen at auctions. She had several antique booths around town and enjoyed shopping for items to fill them. She was a very sweet lady and enjoyed talking with everyone she met. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who would do anything for her children. Lillian is preceded in death by her son, Milton M Harned Jr. and her husband, Milton M. Harned Sr. She is survived by her daughters, Peggy Parkinson of Stevenson Ranch, California, Judy Stickler and husband Brien of Mena, Arkansas; granddaughters, Paula Gerhart and husband Marc of Valencia, California, Jennifer Norman and husband Samuel of Mena, Arkansas, Michelle Block of Mena, Arkansas, Christina Randall and husband Jason of Santa Barbara, California; great granddaughters, Devyn Purcell, Vivian Randall, Geneva Randall, and Ila Randall; great grandsons Zachary and Jacob Gerhart. Funeral service will be Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. in the Beasley-Wood Chapel. Interment to follow in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena, Arkansas under the direction of Beasley-Wood Funeral Home. Visitation is general.
Sadie Mae Musick
Sadie Mae Musick, age 89, of Mena, Arkansas passed away Friday, March 12, 2021 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She was born on July 13, 1931 in Melbourne, Arkansas to Ransom and Sylbia (Collier) Blankenship. Sadie was a loving mother and grandmother who dedicated her life to her family and God. She was the perfect combination of kindness and strength. Sadie enjoyed country and gospel music and watching westerns on TV. As most of us can relate, her guilty pleasure was yummy sweets. Her family loves her more than words can say. We have peace knowing she is walking with our Heavenly Father. She is survived by her son, Verl Musick (Melanie); daughters, Lisa Hawkins (Gary) and Carolee Mu-
sick (Cindy); six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brother, Donald Blankenship; and sisters, Snowdy Olderstreet, Mary Mercer, Sharon Mountjoy, Linda Taylor, and Robbie Sims. Sadie was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Gulley and Huey Blankenship; and her sisters, Inez and Nobie Blankenship, Viva Musick, and Versie Cooper. Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at the First Christian Church in Mena with Gary Garrett officiating. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Mena under the direction of Beasley Wood Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers are Matthew Musick, Gary Hawkins, Phillip Hatley, Chris Head, Gary Page, and Amanda Page. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Crawford, Andrew Hawkins, and Alexander Johnson.
Complete Up-to-Date Obituaries at
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6 State News
THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse
March 31, 2021
From the
State House of Representatives
The 11th week of the session those once in foster care. was an abbreviated one as the SB410 will now go before the General Assembly took a recess full House for a vote. for Spring Break. Before memIf approved, it will still rebers left the Capitol, the House quire federal approval from Public Health, Welfare, and Lathe Biden administration for a bor Committee advanced a waiver of Medicaid rules. new version of the Medicaid While the General AssemJohn Maddox bly had previously planned expansion program. SB 410 establishes the on wrapping up the session by framework for a new program called April 9, it now appears it may take a few ARHOME which stands for Arkansas more weeks to complete our business. Health & Opportunity for Me. The House approved a resolution that Currently, more than 300,000 Ar- will provide for an extended recess to kansans receive services under the Ar- begin no later than April 30 and return kansas Works program. However, the when census data becomes available to federal government is moving to end complete congressional redistricting. the work requirement, and the current Currently, census data is expected to waiver expires at the end of this year. be released in September. ARHOME would continue to offer The resolution states that bills passed low-income families private insurance, without an emergency clause or speciwith incentives for taking advantage of fied effective date will become law 90 career and work opportunities, educa- days after the date the recess begins. tion and skill development, and health The Arkansas Legislative Council or other activities that will lead to long- will meet on Monday morning to conterm economic independence. sider a request by the Governor to exIn addition, ARHOME would offer tend the public health emergency. The the following targeted plans: House will convene again that after• RuralLife360 –For Arkansans liv- noon. ing in rural areas. We will continue to update you on • MaternalLife360 – For pregnant the latest developments from the seswomen and families. sion. You can watch live streams of • SuccessLife360 – For veterans, all House meetings at www.arkansasthose who were incarcerated, and house.org.
Contact Your Legislators!
John Maddox john.maddox@ arkansashouse.org 520 Church Avenue Mena, AR 71953 Call: 479-394-6060
John Boozman 1120 Garrison Ave. Suite 2B Fort Smith, AR 72901 Phone: (479) 573-0189 Fax: (479) 575-0553
Larry Teague Larry.Teague@senate.ar.gov P.O. Box 903, Nashville, 71852 870-845-5303
Bruce Westerman 101 Reserve St. Suite 200 Hot Springs, AR 71901 Phone: (501) 609-9796 Fax: (501) 609-9887
From the
State Senate
The legislature voted to exhealth emergency. tend the 2021 session until Typically, new laws take April 30, and then to recess effect on the 91st day affor an extended period rather ter sine die. This year is far than to adjourn. from typical, and under a There are several reasons resolution passed by the legthe legislature chose to go islature new laws will take into extended recess, rather effect on the 91st day after than adjourn sine die. the April 30 recess. The legislature has a duty to Larry Teague Some bills have emergency redraw the boundaries of the clauses and as always they will take efstate’s four Congressional districts fect as soon as they are signed by the every 10 years. That will require new governor. population data compiled by the Fairness in Sports U.S. Census Bureau. However, the Both chambers have approved and Covid-19 pandemic caused delays in the governor signed Senate Bill 354, counting and canvassing. Those de- which prevents transgender students lays pushed back until September 30 from participating in women’s sports. the expected date when census infor- Specifically, it allows students to seek mation becomes available. injunctive relief and monetary damAnother reason the legislature ex- ages if they are deprived of the optended its recess is that Arkansas is portunity to participate in activities going to receive federal relief funds because their school allowed transunder the new American Rescue gender students to compete on the Plan Act passed by Congress. Initial female team. estimates are that $2.8 billion will be Postponed tax deadlines allocated to Arkansas schools, cities, The governor announced that May counties and state agencies. The U.S. Treasury Department will 17 will be the new deadline for filing set rules on how those funds may be individual state income tax returns. spent, and those rules are not expect- The IRS has also made the deadline for filing federal returns May 17. ed to be finalized before April 30. Traditionally the tax filing deadWhen the legislature is in recess, the Senate and House can re-convene at line is April 15. This year the date was the call of their leadership. If the legis- postponed to help people whose medlature adjourns sine die it cannot. Af- ical and financial situations got worse ter adjournment the legislature could during the pandemic. only re-convene if the governor called Universities Go Back to Classroom The Board of Trustees of the Unia special session, and in that event the governor also would have the power versity of Arkansas passed a resoluto limit the issues that could be con- tion directing its campuses to prepare for in-person classes and activities in sidered. During the extended recess, the the fall. The system oversees five uniPresident Pro Tem of the Senate and versities, seven colleges and the state’s the House Speaker may call the leg- major medical school in Little Rock, islature back into session for the pur- the University of Arkansas for Medipose of completing Congressional cal Sciences. Arkansas State University at Jonesredistricting and for distribution of federal Covid relief funds. Another boro has also decided to return to allowed purpose is to consider legis- normal classes in the fall, as has Arlation related to the Covid-19 public kansas Tech University in Russellville.
THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse
History 7
March 31, 2021
Reflections from History and Faith : The Preservation of Community
By Jeff Olson When we think about early champions of America’s civil liberties, the names of Anne Hutchinson and George Mason should be among the first to come to mind. There are of course others who played prominent roles, but none more courageous and consequential than these two. I highlighted Anne Hutchinson’s contributions in last week’s column, so this week I will address that of George Mason. However, his role will not be my theme but rather it will serve to define my theme. The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the United States owe a great debt of gratitude to George Mason. He feared that the powers of the states might be consumed by a strong, overreaching central government and that God-given personal liberties originally preserved from English common law and American colonial experience might be encroached upon and perhaps even endangered in the long term. He expressed his reservations about the new constitutions in his “Objections to This Constitution of Government.” More than Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, George Mason institutionalized America’s civil liberties. While he chose not to sign the Constitution and actually lobbied against its ratification in his home state, it was his courageous and relentless pursuit of securing our individual freedom that gave us our Bill of Rights. George Mason knew that individual liberties can exist only within a social order – within community. This is why he championed the powers of states and the volition of communities within those states. He understood that when communities begin to collapse, the most fundamental civil liberties cannot be secured. This is because within community reside the most essential human bonds created and sustained by a common moral ethos most often derived from personal faith rooted in the transcendent and eternal. At the dawn of civilization people unite in search of communion with a higher power, and from that search
and discovery a common union is create a conflict of beliefs and values only by manipulation and/or direction formed and it is from this which will eventually call on us from the anointed elite and political that all other aspects of to choose between servi- class through legislation or worse yet culture flow: its politude or freedom. It is not through direct edicts or proclamations “Every society, tics, its economics, poverty that induces from the top. its arts, its sciencall government, and the people to support While the name democracy remains, es and so on. This totalitarian parties, government is exerted from the top would lead us to every kind of civil compact but the longing downward, not from the bottom upunderstand that for certitude and ward as America’s founders designed. c o m m u n i t y therefore, is or ought to be, membership or In the words of Arthur M. Schlesingis much more belonging – what er, Jr., “In the short run, the failure of calculated for the general than just an community has voluntary initiative invites the spread good and safety of aggregation of historically provid- of state power. In the long run, the disindividuals. Eded. appearance of voluntary associations the community.” mund Burke, an We must always re- paves the way for the pulverization of eighteenth centumember - democracy the social structure essential to totali- George Mason ry British statesman and freedom are prod- tarianism. and political thinker, ucts of local institutions and By the revitalization of voluntary asbelieved that the true comself-reliance. sociations, we can siphon off emotions pact of society is eternal: “it joins Perhaps our most pressing challenge which might otherwise be driven to the dead, the living, and the unborn. is this: how best to confront and defeat the solutions of despair. We can create We all participate in this spiritual and those people and movements which, strong bulwarks against the totalitarisocial partnership because it involves through politics, media, academia, anism of society.” the love of neighbor, the sense of duty entertainment, and corporate entities, Certain things are key to keeping as ordained by God. Mutilate the roots have come to look upon society as a ho- community intact and viable and a bulof society and tradition, and the result mogeneous mass of identical individu- wark of freedom, not only for ourselves must inevitably be the isolation of a als whose happiness can be obtained See HISTORY page 9 generation from its heritage, the isolation of individuals from their fellow men, and the creation of the sprawling, faceless masses.” As our nation moves ever so much closer to becoming a social welfare state, our intermediate local institutions – what are the mediating structures of society - can be eliminated at worst and at best be at risk of atrophying and not functioning to the degree they should and once did. These are what Burke called the “little platoons.” For Burke, the best life begins in the little platoons—family, church, civic organizations, etc. in local community—that orient men and Artie & Dora Carnes women toward virtues such as temperMinisters ance and fortitude. As government incrementally assumes the roles that were once the domain of the private sector, Sam & Brenda Ray political and economic centralization Praise & Worship ensues and then so does collectivism and collectivism is the antithesis of COVE, ARKANSAS Devin Shoonech community. While to some in our country this Youth/Outreach NORTH OF COVE ON HWY 71 may seem like a fortress of security, its For more information call: 918-942-8869 insistence on economic leveling and EASTER SERVICE BEGINS WITH “THE TEXANS” IN CONCERT AT 10:00AM social conformity will sooner or later
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March 31, 2021
An Arkie’s Faith: The Village Blacksmith
By Richie Lawry
“Under a spreading chestnut tree, the village smithy stands.” I can still remember these words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow from my high school English Literature class. I never thought about blacksmiths and their role in society and the economy until I was married. My wife’s grandfather was a blacksmith on the plains of Eastern Colorado in the early 1900s. My father-in-law would tell stories about growing up with a blacksmith for a father. From the Middle Ages until the late 1800s, the blacksmith was considered indispensable in every town. The village blacksmith was skilled in making various tools, household objects, weapons, and repairing any metal item. As Europeans traveled across the Atlantic, blacksmiths came with them. Having a local blacksmith proved crucial in providing tools and building supplies for early settlers. With the Industrial Revolution came the ability to produce large numbers of goods in a factory. Factory production of firearms, tools, and all types of metal parts made work hard to find for individual blacksmiths. By the end of the 19th century, most blacksmiths found themselves out of a job, and many became the initial generation of automobile mechanics. By the 1930s, the village blacksmith was a thing of the past. But in the early 1900s, there was still a need for a village blacksmith in small rural American communities. During this time, my wife’s grandfather was a blacksmith in Stratton, Colorado. Her Daddy would tell her stories about the blacksmith shop and her Grandpa. Because he died before she was born, my wife only knew her Grandpa through these stories. Everyone in the small town of Stratton knew Winfield, the blacksmith. Whenever he was at work in his shop, they could hear the sound of his hammer ringing against the anvil. Longfellow put it this way. “Week in, week out, from morn till night, you can hear his bellows blow; You can hear him swing his heavy sledge. With measured beat and slow.” While recounting stories of his childhood, my wife’s Daddy, known as Red when he was a kid because of his red hair, told her, “When the anvil quit ringing, you had better get home. It was time for supper.” All of the local children were afraid of Red’s father, the blacksmith. He was always dirty and covered with
soot from the fire in the forge at his shop. When kids came by the blacksmith shop, he would run them off. The blacksmith shop was a dangerous place for a kid, and he didn’t want them getting hurt. He could be pretty harsh with them and had a reputation for being disagreeable. One day, Red’s buddies wanted to go to the general store and get some penny candy. “I don’t have a penny,” Red told them. “Why don’t you ask your Dad for a penny,” they answered. “I don’t ask my Dad for money,” Red replied. His buddies continued to pester him about the penny. Finally, Red decided that he would ask his Dad if he could do some work to earn a penny. When he went to the blacksmith shop, his buddies stayed on the other side of the street and wouldn’t go near Red’s Dad. When Red asked his Dad if he could work and earn a penny, his Dad asked, “what do you need a penny for?” Red replied, “I want to go get some penny candy with my buddies.” “Here is a nickel,” said Dad, “go get candy for you and your friends.” When Red crossed the street and showed his buddies the nickel, they couldn’t believe their eyes. They were afraid of this disagreeable man, but he had
given Red a nickel to treat them to candy. The story of the penny candy and the blacksmith reminds me of my relationship with God. When we look at God’s law, we sometimes see a harsh God who seems to want to restrict us. Because the blacksmith didn’t want kids to get hurt, he wouldn’t let them near his blacksmith shop. The kids perceived this as being harsh, and they feared him. Many of us look at God that way. But God, in His love for us, has given us His law as a place of peace and safety. “Those who love Your law have an abundance of peace, and nothing along their paths can cause them to stumble.” Psalms 119:165 (VOICE) Many times we look at God’s law as a jail. We feel that it creates uncomfortable restrictions. We need to ask God to give us a love for his commandments, to instill in us a desire for the peace and safety of His law. “For this demonstrates our love for God: We keep his commandments, and his commandments are not difficult.” 1 John 5:3 (ISV) Another lesson we can learn from the blacksmith is the importance of fire. When a blacksmith is working with metal, the only way that he can shape it if he has heated it in the fire. In Isaiah 44:12 (NET), the Bible says, “a blacksmith works with his tool and forges metal over the coals. He forms it with hammers; he makes it with his strong arm.” And in Isaiah 48:10 (NIV), God says, “I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Have you ever felt like God was testing you in the furnace of affliction? I know I have. Gentle Reader, I can’t say that I enjoy the heat, but I’m thankful that God is refining and shaping my life. Steel in the hand of a skilled blacksmith is malleable and not resilient. If the steel was resilient, then it would always bounce back to its original shape and be useless to anybody. I want to be useful, and the only way for a bar of steel to be transformed into something useful is to be put in the fire and shaped on the anvil. Remember that if you are being tried and shaped in the fires of life, “God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NCV) Longfellow expressed this idea in the final verse of his poem. “Thanks, thanks to thee, my worthy friend, For the lesson thou hast taught! Thus at the flaming forge of life, Our fortunes must be wrought; Thus on its sounding anvil shaped Each burning deed and thought.”
Joke of the Week: If someone inherits a dairy farm does that make them a dairy heir?
Replacing windshields in Polk County for forty years. Give Richie a call at 479-394-9938 Located at 3008 Hwy 71 South
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but for posterity as well: Those include: the inherent dignity of each other created in the image of God; the primacy of the individual, family and faith, consideration and mutual respect in our relationships with others in personal and group associations and local institutions; and the sustaining of the public square as a forum to keep the market place of ideas open, civil, and informative where each of us can contribute if we wish and feel comfortable in doing so. I’ve seen this in our community for most of 40 years and some of you have for much longer. As Edmund Burke reminds us: Each of us must learn or continue “to learn to love the little platoon we belong to in society.” It has been my honor and privilege to serve in several of these little platoons over the years. Sure, we didn’t always get everything right and still don’t but we understood that if not then we learned from it and worked harder to get it right the next time. This resilience, this humility and even forgiveness and reconciliation was/is a part of what it means to be truly and fully human and to recognize and acknowledge our own value, fallibility, and need for redemption. I am so very thankful for the spirit of community - for the many good neighbors in our homes, churches, schools, businesses, civic organizations, media, medical care, law enforcement, and beyond. Perhaps never was community more fully realized than during the aftermath of the tornadoes of 1993 and 2009. Our little platoons became a full-fledged army and the hard fought battles were won, but it took some time. Sadly, there was loss of life but not loss of hope nor loss of resolve to go on. And even though the tragic events of September 11, 2001 were far away in distance, the shock, the sense of loss, the anger, and the pain didn’t seem so far away personally. They were felt in the hearts of people in communities throughout our nation all the way from New York to California to Polk County, Arkansas. It was evident then and it is still evident that the tie that binds has not
come undone. However, today we need to be more vigilant than ever before and stay united in our core values in the ordinary days when in keeping the home fires burning we will be better prepared to face those fires from the outside when the time comes. Let’s not forget to count our blessings each and every day and be thankful for family, friends and all we have and should appreciate in and of our community. And, if you are not a member of a little platoon then I hope you will join one and become part of the lifeblood that makes community possible and more of what it needs to be. To quote Burke one more time: “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.” As I opened with George Mason, so I shall close with him: “Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community.”
got medicare???
By Clet Litter from the Ozarks The Barbershop Think Tank took on a discussion of Barbie Doll. First off, the name is Barbara Millicent Roberts. Mattel Toys revealed the doll on March 9, 1959, which was also her birthday. Does that make her 62? If you thought that, you ain’t getting in the Think Tank. Turns out, Barbie was 80 years old this month. Here’s how we come to that age. It’s not exact cause we did some guesstimating since she was sposed be a teenager in 1959 with, (perlitely speaking), an adult body. So, we reckoned her 18 when she showed up on the retail shelves in 1959. So, 62 + 18 = 80. That kinda reckoning is what makes this Barbershop Brain Trust special. Barbie is enjoying the recliner-after-breakfast days, but Mattel is still out there hustling. Sales are high with the accessories: Barbie Medical Alert Fashion Bracelet, Barbie Chair Stair Lift for the Malibu Dream House second story, Barbie Walk-In Tub, and Barbie Pink
and Chrome Walker. The hottest item is the Barbie Plus Size Muumuu. We was wondering what happened to Ken, so this is what we found: Ken’s ashes are for sale in a Mattel Mantle Urn. Here’s the Think Tank member's list: Tony the barber, Mumford Pickens, Jimmy Suspenders, me, (Clet Litter), and Morton Trubletoof, even though he thinks that a six-floor building has a new elevator since the sign says it has six landings. Old Man Grimely joins the group whenever he can break away from his afternoon nap. The town held the Annual Beauty Pageant Saturday night at the high school auditorium. There were 45 girls this year. That’s a record number. A few folks who don’t cater to being politically correct figured the count was huge cause so many ugly girls entered, probably since the contestants had to wear facemasks. Mumford Pickens says, “The cost of lumber is rising. The price for wood trusses is going through the roof.”
Mena Lions Club GUN & KNIFE SHOW
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March 31, 2021
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March 31, 2021
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Henderson house named in honor of rich legacy
H
ellen Louise Henderson was born in Mena in 1926. Her ancestors were among the founding members of Trinity Lutheran Church, where she was a lifetime member. During her early years she lived in many different cities, but returned permanently to Mena in 1961, where she raised her seven children, three of which are now nurses, two are doctors and one an attorney. While establishing her life in town, Hellen earned her GED and supported her family working in jobs as a dishwasher and at a local garment factory. At the encouragement of a cousin, Ms. Henderson began working as an aid at the local hospital. Just as she encouraged her children, she continued her efforts at self-improvement and completed the LPN program at Rich Mountain Community College, scoring at the top of her class. She began her career as a nurse in 1977, and spent 37 years serving her community. She worked until her death in 1999. She loved her patients, her community and her family, all very much. Due to her accomplishments and dedication, the Henderson House at the Green House Cottages of Homewood, is named in her honor.
The
Green House Cottages of Homewood
NURSING & REHABILITATION CENTER
Reinventing The Nursing Home
LOCATED IN MENA CALL TODAY
(479)3377115 WWW.HOMEWOODGHC.COM
THE POLK COUNTY
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March 31, 2021
Easter 11
12 Easter
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March 31, 2021
Easter celebrations are upon us! The Christian holiday will fall on April 4 this year. While the central story may sound familiar, there's a lot left to learn about the unique traditions surrounding this special Sunday. Between the cute bunny rabbits and copious amounts of chocolate, the celebration has evolved over the years with a whole host of customs both new and old. Here a 20 Easter tradition fast facts that explains the little-known origins
HAPPY EASTER! Southwest Outdoor Center
394-4899 1167 Hwy 71 S. Mena, Arkansas
Easter Traditions
behind your favorite traditions.
1
Easter baskets have special symbolism. The woven containers represent nests and new life, especially when filled to the brim with eggs. Plus, they're a pretty utilitarian way to collect goodies on your Easter egg hunt.
2
There's a reason you probably eat ham for Easter dinner. Historically, most early Easter celebrants would have eaten lamb for this special occasion as the holiday has its roots in Jewish Passover. Most American Easter dinners now feature ham, however, because of the timing of the holiday. Years ago, hams cured over the winter months would have been ready to serve in the early spring.
3
Easter lilies are a relatively new tradition.
These beautiful blooms first originated in Japan and later arrived in England in the late 18th century. The U.S. only caught onto the trend after World War I. The transition from dormant bulbs to delicate flowers brings to mind hope and rebirth, two important themes of the day.
upper-class New Yorkers would quite literally strut their stuff coming out of mass in beautiful and well-to-do Fifth Avenue churches. This tradition become the basis of the modern, and decidedly less elitist, Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival in New York.
4Think Easter eggs had a medieval twist. Easter egg hunts are odd?
Easter eggs date back way before Easter. There's evidence showing that Easter eggs originated from Medieval Europe and Christians may not have actually been the ones to start the tradition of giving eggs — a symbol of fertility and rebirth in many cultures.
Listen to this medieval game children's game: The priest would give one of the choir boys a hard boiled egg, and the boys would pass it amongst themselves until the clock struck midnight, when whoever was holding it then got to eat it. Sounds ... fun?
5
Easter clothes used to be considered good luck. Old superstition held that if you wore new clothes on Easter, you would have good luck for the rest of the year. In fact, it was so widely believed that It’s surprising what you’ll find in your carpet these days.
The Elks Lodge
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The holiday was named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre. Scholars believe that Easter was named after a festival celebrating Eostre and the coming of spring. Her sacred symbols are thought to have been the hare and the egg.
8
Eggs are dyed to represent the blood of Jesus Christ. Well, at least that might be one of the reasons, which stems from early Christians in Mesopotamia. There isn’t a concrete reason behind the tradition, but there are several theories.
9
Good Friday is recognized as a holiday in only 12 states. Occurring two days before Easter Sunday, Good Friday commemorates Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, but it isn’t a
Happy Easter from all of us at
Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative, Inc. Owned By Those We Serve
515 Janssen Ave, Mena, AR 71953
(479) 394-4140 W W W. R M E C . C O M
THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse federal holiday. Residents in certain states experience closures, including: New Jersey, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
10
In 2020, 77% of American adults celebrated the holiday. About half of those chose to mark the occasion with holiday meal, and a third decided to visit family and friends virtually, according to the National Retail Federation.
11
We can thank Germany for the bunny. The idea of the Easter bunny giving candies and eggs is said to have originated in Germany during the Middle Ages, with the first written mention of this tradition dating back to the 16th century. Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania brought the bunny to the United States in the 1700s.
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Easter 13
March 31, 2021
Easter and Halloween often compete for the highest candy sales every year. The two holidays are always going head-to-head to have the most candy sales, usually coming close to each other. In fact, some years people buy more candy the week before Easter than the week before Halloween, but that’s because Halloween purchases are more spread out over the month leading up to the spooky night.
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Easter Traditions
Americans eat about 1.5 million Peeps during Easter. That makes these colorful marshmallows the most popular non-chocolate Easter candy. The Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, factory makes an impressive 5.5 million a day.
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In 1953, it took 27 hours to make one Peep. That’s back when they were still new to the world and were handmade with a pastry tube. But don’t worry, it was sped up to six minutes thanks to a unique machine called The Depositor.
15
More than 1.5 Million Cadbury Creme Eggs are made every day. Even more impressive is that the Bournville factory in Birmingham, England, makes 500 million every year. If you piled those eggs on top of each other, they’d be taller than Everest.
Happy er
East
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16 Americans consume more than 16 million jelly beans during Easter.
The White House Easter Egg Roll tradition started in 1878. It’s said that President Rutherford B. Hayes was taking a walk when children approached him asking about a possible Easter egg roll. He loved the idea and it’s been a yearly event since then.
That’s enough jelly beans to circle the globe not once, not twice, but three times — or to fill a plastic egg the size of a nine-story building. First introduced as an Easter treat in the 1930s, we can’t imagine this day without them.
20 In the old days, pretzels were
17
Around 90 million chocolate bunnies are sold for Easter. Considering $2.6 billion is spent on candy alone during this religious celebration, it makes sense. Oh, and that’s only in the United States.
associated with Easter. Why? Because the twists of this salty treat resemble arms crossing in prayer. We say it’s time to bring back this savory snack to the sweets-filled holiday.
18 A surprising 59% of people eat the ears first.
Family Fun
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14 Easter
THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse Easter Fun and a Big Fuzzy Visitor in Downtown
March 31, 2021
Submitted by Judy Thompson
Mena Downtown Partners president, Linda Ostman, advises that more activities will be coming back to downtown. She emphasized that safety guidelines are a part of this planning. On Friday and Saturday, April 1 and 2, Easter comes to downtown. For both days, visitors are invited to visit participating businesses for an adult egg hunt. Eggs will be able to be seen. Select one and discover a store discount, freebie or other special. It is requested that only one egg per day per business be selected. Once again, Mena Downtown Partners is partnering with the local elementary school art classes in our Decorate an Egg activity. Students have been given a sheet with egg outline to color or decorate in any way they choose. There will be five semi-finalists from each class. These drawings will go to downtown to be displayed in business windows after being further judged. Winners will be selected from each grade for Most Colorful, Most Original and Best Overall. Also, a Best of Show will be selected. Drawings will be on display April 2 and 3 and for the following week. Ostman invites everyone to stroll downtown to admire the artwork of our local students. On Saturday, from 10:00 until 1:00, youngsters can enjoy going into participating businesses for activities or freebies. For example, Ostman notes that decoupaging eggs will be done at Wild Hare Art Glass Studio. Judy Thompson, Downtown Partners Events Committee Chairman said there will be a very special guest visiting downtown on Saturday from 10:00 – 1:00. The Easter Bunny will be at Suzy Q’s. While a professional photographer will not be available, parents or friends are invited to take photos of their kids with Mr. Easter Bunny. The youngsters may also register to win an Easter stuffed toy. Thompson who also serves as Cash Mob coordinator notes that tentatively the Mob will begin once again in May. Ostman advises everyone to watch for other activities which will be coming to downtown.
It’s been 2 years since we’ve been able to have an Easter Celebration, so we’d like to invite everyone to meet with us THIS Easter Sunday for a GREAT and MIGHTY
EASTER CELEBRATION! EA
10 AM - Resurrection Breakfast 10:55 AM - Worship Celebration
THE POLK COUNTY
Pulse Disabled American Veterans and auxiliary will meet on Thursday, April 1, at the American Legion Hall in Acorn at 6 p.m. St. Agnes Church will host a food distribution on Thursday, April 1st from 10:30 - Noon at 203 8th St. in Mena. Distribution will be at the church office. For your safety and the safety of others please wear a mask. Dairy Foods Contest 2021 Who enjoys cooking? This is the contest for you! This contest is open to anyone ages 5-19. There will be awards for the top 2 in each category! This will be a drop off style contest. You will bring your dish prepared and drop off at the Extension Office April 12th before 5:00 pm. If that time does not work for you, please contact us to make other arrangements. The winners will be announced on April 13th via video posted on Facebook and texted out. For questions about the contest rules please visit the Arkansas Farm Bureau website. Sign up by April 5th, 2021. Call the Extension Office if you have any questions! The Mena Area Ministerial Alliance (MAMA) is sponsoring a Community Easter Sunrise Service on April 4th, beginning at 7:00 a.m.! The event will be held at the first overlook on the right, on Highway 88 West, going up the mountain toward Queen Wilhelmina State Park. The overlook is about 3 miles outside of Mena, 1.9 miles past the Visitor Center. Rev. Scott Stewart, Pastor of First United Methodist Church will deliver the Easter message, while music will be provided by the Praise Team of Christ Community Fellowship Church. Car-pooling is encouraged if you plan on attending! In case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled. We will make that known on the radio station as well. Social Distancing will be practiced at the service.
Around Town 15
March 31, 2021
Around Town
Trinity Lutheran Church, 1010 Dequeen Street in Mena invites you to worship with them this Holy Week! Good Friday Service of Darkness will be held on April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. where we remember the suffering, crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus! The congregation leaves this somber service in silence meditating on the supreme sacrifice of our Savior! Then we return on Easter morning to see the Risen Christ who lives forever! Easter breakfast will be held from 8:30-9:40 a.m., followed by our Easter Festival Worship at 10:00 a.m.! Everyone is welcome to worship with us! Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Halleluiah! For more information, please call the church office (479) 394-1290 or Pastor Timothy Henning (479) 280-8245. Women – 40 and Over Have you had your mammogram this year? The UAMS Mobile MammoVan will provide on-site mammograms at the Polk County Health Department in Mena. This service is provided by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. May 19th 2021 at 9am at Polk County Health Department , 702 Hornbeck Avenue in Mena Contact: UAMS Mobile Mammography at 1-800-259-8794 * Mammograms are by appointment only. Please call the office to schedule. With or Without Insurance. Pre-registration is required.*Must be 40 and older Alcoholics Anonymous meet at 3 p.m. Sundays, at 5 p.m. Tuesdays and at 8p.m. Saturdays at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call 479-234-8366 or 479-216-3786 Narcotics Anonymous meet at 7 p.m. Monday, at 7 p.m. Thursday, at 7 p.m. Friday, and at 6 p.m. Saturday at the old bus barn at the Crossing Church. For information call Erica at 479-216-7249. The Mena Lioness Club is asking the community to make donations to the Backpack Program,
which sends food home with children during the school year. It cost $126 to sponsor one child for the year, or $14 a month. To help assist the program and help a food insecure child through this program, drop off donations at UnionBank, to the BackPack program or mail donations to Mena Lioness Lions, PO Box 688, Mena AR 71953. GriefShare is starting a new 13 week series at First Presbyterian Church in Mena. Meetings are each Thursday from 10 am until noon and are open to anyone in the community grieving the loss of a loved one. For more information call 479-234-3419. The Ouachita Expressions Show at the Mena Art Gallery is open through April 24th. This multi-media show includes blown glass, fused glass, pine needle baskets, ceramics, wood, paintings, drawings, photography, fabric arts, and an antique doll
with hand-made dresses. Something for everyone, and the Gift Store is full.
OLT Presents “Greater Tuna” this April! Opening night is Friday, April 16 at 7:30; another evening performance is Saturday, April 17, and a Sunday matinee will be performed April 18 at 2:30 PM. Season tickets will be honored, or tickets may be purchased for $10 at the door. You can also buy advance tickets at the OLT office on Main Street on Fridays between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM.
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!
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(479) 394-4140 W W W. R M E C . C O M
16 Community
Ouachita Expressions announces winners The Mena Art Gallery has announced the winners of the 2021 Ouachita Expressions competition. The show will remain on exhibit at Mena Art Gallery, 607 Mena Street, through April 24. Winners are: Best in Show “Textures”, Oil by Carolyn MacMahon First Place “Dragon”, Blown glass by Marvin Gentry Second Place “Summer Sisters”, Pastel by Anita Bogard Third Place “Oak Leaf Topper”, Wood by Steven Knott Honorable Mentions “Hanging Garden”, Ceramic, by Pamela Andrews (Bennett) “Costa Rican Folk Art”, Photograph by Ann Glenn “Arkansas River Grass”, Photograph by Lowell Thomas Outstanding Animal, bird, or wildlife work “Morning Light”, Oil by Barbara Lewis RL Norris award (outstanding photograph, any subject) “Genesis”, Photography by Brittany Matthews Outstanding Ceramic work “Underwater Jar”, Ceramic, by Tammy Free Outstanding Floral work “Crazy for Daisies”, Oil by Nancy Youngblood
March 31, 2021
THE POLK COUNTY
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THE POLK COUNTY
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March 31, 2021
NOT EVEN A SPARROW LUKE 12:6,7 Jesus revealed to us as much about God as we are able to receive. And there is infinitely much more, it is just that our little minds cannot comprehend it. For example: there are literally thousands of kinds of sparrows, yet Jesus said that God takes note when even one of these falls to the ground. But the word that Jesus used that is translated “sparrow” in some Bible versions, and “bird’’ in’ others literally means “small bird.” Which means that God is watching even the smallest among us. Hummingbirds are tiny little things, yet they are covered in the word of Jesus. They are “small birds.” This tells us something very important about God, and something very important about ourselves. I watch the sparrows on my patio almost every morning. But if I watched every day for a year, I would not be able to miss one that wasn’t there anymore. I see the crowd, but not the individual birds. God is infinite in Himself, and there are no words, no illustrations, no examples that get us to a full understanding of Him. How could He see one little bird out of hundreds of thousands? Impossible? Yes. For us. But He does. This is God. He is far, far more than we can ever fathom. And in this same teaching by our Lord, He tells us that the “hairs of our heads” are numbered. No jokes. This is God. He is more, much more God that our minds are able to understand. We know enough about Him through His Son to form a personal relationship with Him, and, for now, that is enough. He has given to us all that we need to know about Himself. And of all that we know nothing is more important than what Jesus said about “little birds” and “hair.” What He wants us to understand is something of the depth and width and scope of the Love of God. The God who knows about “little birds” knows far, far more about us, and “you are of more value than many sparrows.” When a sparrow dies, we don’t notice. Sparrows (“little birds”) are not song birds. They don’t entertain us with the music that some other birds make. They are not pretty like blue birds or red birds, or parrots, or any of many others. And there are so many of them why would anyone take note that one is missing? Why? There would have to be a love that is far beyond understanding in order for this to happen ... yet, with God and us that is exactly what happens ... with us. He notices. Sometimes it may not seem like it. The ways of God are far, far above our ways. His thoughts are infinitely above our thoughts. His plans for our lives are far, far better than we could ever understand. From Isaiah the Prophet comes these words: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord, for as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts .. “ (Isaiah 55:8,9). God has not called us to be “good people.” We measure “good people” by flawed standards. God designed us and has called us to something infinitely higher and better than to be “good people.” We are called by God to be His people, to be with Him forever, in short, we are called to be like Jesus, and that is something far, far higher than just being “good people.” He sees all of the changes that need to be made, and knows how to make those changes. But sometimes before He even gets started, we yell out “stop! I don’t like this.” Too bad. My name is Gene Stacks and I approve this message.
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Community 17
True Crime: Complacency
By Ray Shelley, Ret. Mena Police Chief
Sitting here looking out my window, memories of my police academy days come to mind. There was of course, a ton of information to absorb about law enforcement, but one particular short block of instructions stands out above the others: Complacency. We were taught to handle each event with the utmost caution. Never assume anything, always be on guard. Our goal was simple; to always go home at the end of shift. The instructor brought the point home when he told us of a situation that he was familiar with. This incident occurred in a smalltown USA. An officer made a vehicle stop for speeding. The officer happened to know the driver he was stopping. But, what he didn’t know was the person driving the car, in a fit of rage had just beaten his wife to death. The last thing on the officer’s mind was that his friend thought the stop was related to his criminal offense. As the officer casually approached the driver’s window, (probably with thoughts of letting his friend go with just a warning) he was shot in the chest, dead before he hit the ground. This reminds me of a story that occurred on a Wednesday morning November 19, 1891. It involved United States Deputy Marshal Bernard “Barney'' Connelly, born 1849, who perhaps was too complacent on his last assignment while serving a felony warrant for adultery on former Deputy Marshal Shepard Busby… and it cost him his life. I wonder what was going through the mind of Deputy Connelly on that early Wednesday morning. Maybe he’d dropped by the office in Fort Smith to visit? But when he was asked by the Chief Deputy if he wanted to make some easy money, it sounded good to him. He was told a felony warrant had been issued for Shepard Busby, and he could take a couple of posse members and ride northwest of Fort Smith, 15 miles to Busby's residence to effect the arrest. Being paid on the fee system, Connelly calculated in his
head, at six cents a mile going and ten cents a mile for the return trip, plus two dollars to serve the warrant, he would end up with four dollars and forty cents for the day’s work. Connelly also figured that he wouldn't have any trouble with Busby, after all he was a former Deputy Marshal, and so he chose to make the trip by himself. Now, $4.40 for a day's work may sound like peanuts to us. But, in 1891 $4.40 was a good chunk of change for a day’s work. After the civil war, Barney Connelly and his wife left Pennsylvania and moved to Hico, Arkansas (currently Siloam Springs). Barney was a ranch hand until his wife died in childbirth in 1882. After his loss he decided on a career in law enforcement and commissioned a United States Deputy Marshal for the Western District of Arkansas. He was stationed in Vinita, Indian Territory, presently Oklahoma. Former US Deputy Marshal Shepard Busby (58) lived in Indian Territory about ten years. His first wife died around 1884; three years before her death, they took in a 12 year old orphan girl named Tennessee Burns. Then, Shepard married Louiza Bolin (22) and had an on-again-off-again relationship with her, until March 1891, when Florence Jones (15) came to live with Busy. So, here is the scenario: on August 9, 1891, Busby was in his front yard as Deputy Connelly approached to serve the warrant on him for adultery. Busby shot point blank, killing Connelly. The Marshal was notified that afternoon of Connelly’s death and deputies rode out to the murder scene. Shepard had departed, leaving his son William (22) and the young family there to face the music. After evidence gathering was completed, William was arrested. Burn powder evidence was found between the logs inside the cabin. A week after the killing, Busby turned himself in, saying he was tired of run-
TRUE CRIME continued on page 18
18 Police Reports
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S LOG
Little Rock, Arkansas, on a Warrant for Delivery of Meth or Cocaine and Delivery of a Schedule I or Schedule II Controlled Substance.
March 22, 2021 Report from complainant on Hwy 71S near Hatfield of trespassing. Deputy responded. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration of charges. Report from complainant on Dogwood Springs Lane near Acorn of an incident with an unknown individual.
March 27, 2021 Report from complainant on Golden Lane near Mena of being bitten by a dog. Deputy responded. Report from complainant on Polk 41S near Potter of a telephone scam. Deputy responded. Report of the violation of an Order of Protection. Deputy responded. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration of charges. Report of a disturbance on Hwy 71S near Cove led to the arrest of Patricia Brown, 27, of Cove, on Charges of Public Intoxication, Indecent Exposure, and Disorderly Conduct. Report of the violation of an Order of Protection. Deputy responded. Information forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration of charges. Report of a vehicle doing doughnuts in a church parking lot. Deputy responded.
March 24, 2021 No reports filed. March 25, 2021 Report of a disturbance on School Street near Cove led to the arrest of Patricia Brown, 27, of Hatfield, on Charges of Disorderly Conduct, Public Intoxication, and Criminal Trespass. March 26, 2021 Report from complainant on Polk 14 near Wickes of a fraudulent account being opened. Deputy responded. Report from complainant on Polk 18 near Vandervoort of a stolen vehicle license plate. Deputy responded. Arrested was Shane Hogan, 31, of
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March 31, 2021
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.
March 23, 2021 Report from complainant on Polk 168 near Hatfield of a domestic assault. Deputies responded. Information has been forwarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further consideration of charges. Report from complainant on Race Lane near Acorn of issues with an acquaintance. Deputy responded.
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March 28, 2021 Report of a vehicle being backed into at a convenience store parking lot near Cove. Deputy responded. Investigation continues. Report from complainant on Spencer Lane near Board Camp of problems with renters. Deputy responded. Polk County Sheriff ’s Office worked one vehicle accident this week. Polk County Detention Center Jail Population: 27 Incarcerated Inmates, with 18 Inmates currently on the Waiting List for a State Facility.
MENA POLICE REPORTS March 21, 2021 A suspicious person report was taken at Walmart. A littering report was taken at Salvation Army. Garrett Puerto, 25, was served with a warrant at the police department. Christopher Huddleston, 42, was served with a warrant at Lime Tree Inn. Eddie Clovis, 36, was charged with Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass, and Public Intoxication after a suspicious person complaint on 3 rd Street. James Smith, 52, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Highway 71.
on Miller Street. A report of theft was taken from a walk-in complainant. Herbert Slater, 35, was served with a warrant after a suspicious person complaint at the Southside General Store. A report of found property was taken from a walk-in complainant. Contact the police department if you are missing a bank bag containing money. March 24, 2021 Darrin Cannon, 52, was served with a warrant at the police department. March 25, 2021 A report of theft was taken from a walk-in complainant.
March 22, 2021 Bradley Verba, 22, was served with a warrant after a traffic stop on Morrow Street.
March 26, 2021 A report of a missing person was taken on Miller Avenue. A report of criminal mischief was taken on Polk Street. A theft report was taken from a person at Bunch’s Laundromat.
March 23, 2021 Randell Burkett, 28, was charged with Possession of Meth, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Driving on a Suspended License after a traffic stop on Mena Street. A report of a disturbance was taken
March 27, 2021 Dakota Bullard, 21, was charged with 3 rd Degree Assault on a Family Member, Obstruction of Government Operations, and Terroristic Threatening after a disturbance call to a residence on Dallas Avenue.
TRUE CRIME
continued from page 17
ning. Ironically, the deputies who brought Busby to Fort Smith also had Adultery warrants pending. Actually, in the latter part of the 19th century and early 20th century, there were 55 adultery warrants issued out of the Western District Court of Arkansas. Currently, there are 21 states where it is still a crime to commit adultery. On January 21, 1892, Judge Parker sentenced 58 year-old Shepard Busby, the oldest man and first deputy, to be hanged on the gallows of Fort Smith. William Busby was sentenced to serve ten years at the Detroit House of Corrections for manslaughter. George Maledon, called the Prince of Hangmen, asked to be excused from hanging Busby because both had been Union soldiers. If Deputy Connelly wouldn’t have been so complacent with the arrest of Busby, would he have safely returned home that evening?
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Puzzles 19
March 31, 2021
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ANSWERS FROM PUZZLES ON 03.24.21
Humane Society of the Ouachitas PET OF THE WEEK
Hello! My name is Oreo Baby! I am a friendly and engaging lady cat. I love to be petted and will come to greet you for petting. If you are looking for a curious affectionate cat, I might be the new best friend you have been waiting to find. I have a beautiful black and white coat with green eyes. I am an independent cat, who enjoys people. I am about 4 years old and weigh in at about 7 pounds. I am litter box trained. In fact I would need to go to home where I can be kept indoors because it is all I have known. All selected Pet of the Week animals come with a gift package. This special starter pack for cats includes a collar, bed, toys, shampoo, and litter box liners. All animals at the Humane Society of the Ouachitas are current on their vaccinations and spayed/neutered prior to adoption.
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE OUACHITAS TUES. THROUGH SAT. 10 A.M. TO 2 P.M. 368 POLK 50, MENA, AR 479 3945682 WWW.HSOMENA.ORG
20 Classifieds
March 31, 2021
Mowing, weedeating, and hedge trimming- When you need an extra hand in Mena/Polk County call 479-234-0509. Please leave a message 070721 Ladies, I will quilt your quilt tops. Will take your keep-sake t-shirts and make a quilt for you. Please call (479)394-6209 to text (479)243-3232 Mena Shuttle - Ground transportation to AR and TX airports. Doctor and emergency appointments. Also lite deliveries. (870)4901191 T120220 If you like the Pulse’s photos, contact Trey Youngdahl at (479)234-7827 to schedule a photo shoot today! Instagram: @youngish.trey; Facebook: @treyyoungdahl/photography; website: treyyoungdahl.com
479-394-7301
1102 Crestwood Circle Mena, AR 71953
Jeremiah’s Lawn Care- Friendly service. Reasonable rates. (479)394-7599
- EMPLOYMENT Brodix, Inc. is accepting applications for a full-time office position. 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; benefits available for full-time positions. Notice to Applicants: Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment. T040721 Couple to manage local theater. Are you retired, looking to down size but want something to keep you active and part of the community. Silver Screen Theater would like to reopen and needs a management couple. The right candidates will need an outgoing personality, ability to work with the public, plus manage day to day operations of the theater. The position(s) will be part time. For the right couple, living accommodations will be provided on site. Salary is negotiable but open to profit sharig/partial ownership possibilities. Background check will be required. Contact Greg Davis at 713-502-6046.
IMMEDIATE JOB
OPPORTUNITY MENA REAL ESTATE
Part-Time Maintenance and Groundskeeper For qualifications, job description, list of benefits, and application process, go online to EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES at: UARichMountain.edu
www.MenaRealEstate.com
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Prescribed Fire Notice for Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
CLASSIFIEDS - SERVICES Land Clearing, Tree Service, RC Customz can handle your construction needs, mulching and more. Military discounts available. Insured. Call (479)216-2976 for Free estimate. T12302020
THE POLK COUNTY
EEO/AA/ADA EMPLOYER Qualified women, minorities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
NOTICE: National forest fire managers are currently conducting prescribed burns in areas across the Ouachita National Forest and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. This notice provides information on the day's expected activities. The USDA Forest Service Southern Region is taking a risk-informed approach to managing prescribed fire by evaluating the following factors: (1) the ability to maintain fire responder viability and sustainability; (2) potential smoke impacts to communities from prescribed fire and how that interacts with COVID-19 effects; and (3) the ability to use local resources so inter-state travel is not necessary. Smaller scale prescribed fires will resume in select locations to achieve critical forest management objectives. We will continue to pay special attention to smoke management and the safety of the public and firefighters during all
operations. Ouachita National Forest Caddo-Womble Ranger District County: Montgomery, Vicinity: Mt. Ida Acres: 1,160 Oklahoma Ranger District County: Okmulgee Vicinity: Okmulgee, OK Acres: 200 County: McCurtain Vicinity: Smithville, OK Acres: 1,497 Poteau-Cold Springs Ranger District County: Scott Vicinity: Waldron Acres: 3,337 Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Sylamore Ranger District County: Baxter/Stone County Vicinity: Fifty-Six, AR Acres: 1,821 Daily prescribed fire updates can also be found at: www.fs.usda.gov/ouachita or by calling 1-888-243-1042.
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Pulse Listen up! “The Ear” takes first place at playwright competition Photo by Trey Youngdahl Justin Richmond was recently presented with a trophy by Stacey Bean (not pictured) for his play, "The Ear". Richmond won Playwright of the Year and a $500 prize in April 2020, however due to COVID precautions, the event, which is typically held at the Ron Robinson Theatre, was held via Zoom.
Community 21
March 31, 2021
Imhoff named CNO of MRHS Photo courtesy of MRHS
Mena Regional Health System welcomes Kathleen Imhoff, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC as our new Chief Nursing Officer. Kathleen has a vast experience in nursing leadership, including most recently as the Chief Nursing Officer, System Clinics at Washington Regional Medical System in Fayetteville. Among her other experiences are Medical/Surgical Unit Director and Outpatient Services Unit Director in Tahlequah, OK, Kathleen earned her Associate Degree in Applied Science (2004) and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2006) from Bacone College and her Master of Business Administration from Benedictine University in 2015. Kathleen will be touring the facilities and meeting staff and providers, as well as learning the various departments and operations. Please welcome Kathleen to Mena Regional.
Resendiz Nurser y 1420 Red Bridge Rd. DeQueen, Arkansas
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22 Outdoors
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March 31, 2021
OUACHITA BUSHCRAFT AND SURVIVAL
TRAPS, SNARES, DEADFALLS AND PESKY VARMINTS By Steven E Stillwell
This article is for informational purposes, so proceed with caution and check your State’s regulation book before setting any traps. In a survival situation, a person has to do whatever it takes to stay alive, so in essence, there’s THE LETTER OF THE LAW, and there’s also, THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. When I was a police officer, we discussed this philosophy, because it might be necessary to break a law in order to avert danger, or save someone’s life. We called this, EXIGENT CIRCUMSTANCES, because of viable threats, or an emergency! A civilian speeding to the hospital because their child is severely injured would be a classic example. To sum this disclaimer up, obey the laws, but, ALWAYS DO WHAT’S MORALLY RIGHT.
Nuisance trapping is allowed in most states, especially if varmints are killing livestock, or destroying your crops. If you have chickens, you’re going to encounter predators, this is inevitable! Bobcats, Coyotes, Opossums, and Raccoons are the furbearing mammals that will try to penetrate your coop and kill your birds. Raptors, such as Hawks or possibly Eagles will hunt them during the day if they’re free-roaming. And, don’t forget that your precious pets, tiny dogs, or small cats are easy prey if left unattended. So the question remains; how can you circumvent these problems and guard your animals? PLEASE TAKE NOTE; Eagles and Hawks are federally protected, and it’s against the law to kill them, but you can legally take some proactive measures to detour them. ONE OF THE BEST DETERRENTS IS A RELIABLE FARM DOG. German Shepherds, Great Pyrenees and Sheep Dogs, are some of the popular choices, but other breeds are suitable, especially
if they bond with your family and livestock. Canines are loyal, but they’re also territorial and protective. Larger dogs will usually protect the smaller ones in their pack. My Yorkshire terrier never goes outside by herself. Most predators, including raptors will avoid bigger dogs, and if you have more than one, the odds are even better. SCARECROWS ARE SMARTER THAN YOU THINK. My coop, and the outside run is totally enclosed with Chicken-wire, and I have two decoys situated on top. A bobble-head owl, and a black crow decoy were inexpensive to purchase, and these work well during the day. Hawks, Crows and Owls hate each other and they’re mortal enemies! In the past, I’ve used full size scarecrows to ward-off unwanted pests in my garden. If you have some old clothes, a touch of creativity, and a good imagination, they’re easy to make. THE EXPERTS DIDN’T DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS OVERNIGHT. If you’re going to be an efficient trapper,
479.394.4248
104 Port Arthur Ave. Mena, AR 71953-3344
observation skills should be at the top of your list. Understanding animal patterns, habits and food preferences are an integral part of this equation. Box-traps, snares, deadfalls, and spring-loaded leg-hold traps are some of the popular devices and strategies that an outdoorsman can employ to capture various mammals. Each method requires a certain amount of finesse, and like the old saying goes, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. A seasoned trapper can also handcraft catching, or killing devices in the field from raw materials with a few simple tools, some wire, and cordage, but this isn’t as easy as it sounds. A lot of trial and error is involved, and it might take several dry runs to get it right. If, and when an animal escapes, AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL, standback, take your time, and investigate the surroundings! Most of the time, you’ll figure out where you went wrong, and you’ll be able to correct your mistakes. We invite you to join our Facebook page, and to listen to our podcast shows! Your comment and suggestions are always welcomed.
394-1938
TIRES • BRAKES • CUSTOM EXHUAST • SHOCKS & STRUTS
Winter Hours: Mon - Fri 8 am - 5 pm
1500 Hwy 71 South, Mena
Owners: Stacy & Julie Nash
THE POLK COUNTY
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Community 23
March 31, 2021
Ranching for Future Generations
By Juliet Carter, NRCS Soil Conservationist
Lee Putty has been involved in agriculture in one form or fashion her entire life. She grew up on a farm, near Vandervoort, in South Polk County, Arkansas. Growing up on a farm and living the farm lifestyle developed and shaped Lee’s path for her future career. It also helped prepare her for the rigorous demands of the ranch where she now lives and operates. As a child, Lee was expected to help with all the farm chores including milking the cows, mucking the stalls, piling brush, egg collecting, caring for the broiler chickens, and cleaning out the broiler houses. In high school, she earned money as a “chicken catcher” or “cooper,” gathering chickens before shipping. Lee worked summers and holidays at a poultry processing plant to help pay her way through college. She graduated from Henderson State with a bachelor’s degree in education. With her years of experience with chickens, Lee was able to secure a position with the United States Department of Agriculture-Agriculture Marketing Services (USDA-AMS), Poultry Division. She began as a Commodity Grader for turkey, chicken, and eggs. Lee worked at USDA in an era when women were a minority especially in her specialized field. Lee was proud to work for the USDA-AMS and enjoyed the positive attitudes, sharing of experience and knowledge, and the “sensitivity” of the fellow male coworkers.
Later in her career with USDA-AMS, Lee became a Surveillance Inspector of small production operations. She covered a 200-mile radius inspecting small operations that supplied products to hospitals, nursing facilities, and schools, etc. Lee worked for AMS for eleven years when she met and married her husband. After having her son Kyle, she left the USDA-AMS to raise her family. In 1995, Lee continued in the field of agriculture when she moved with her husband, Johnny Putty, to the ranch he and his parents owned near Hico, Texas. Although Lee had plenty of agricultural background, ranching was new to her. Lee worked as a ranch hand doing every task required and gained volumes of experience. Over time, she began to take over some of the day to day operations and business decisions of the ranch. Lee shared that Johnny believes “the ranch is a gift,” and that he had a dream for the ranch. It is Lee’s goal to carry out his dream to make the
ranch “better than the way they found it, something special for the next generation.” With their shared goal in mind, Lee began her relationship with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in 2015 to improve the 2666acre ranch, make it sustainable, and improve its natural resources. While Lee admits to being overwhelmed at first, she has successfully entered into and overseen four Environmental Quality Incentive Program contracts. She actively works with her local District Conservationist to plan, schedule, and implement conservation practices on the ranch. To begin improvement, more than 1000 acres of juniper and mesquite have been cleared and replanted to native grasses or improved grasses. Forty-nine thousand feet of cross fence have been planned or installed to improve grazing distribution for their cattle. These fences divided the ranch’s original two large pastures into nine
manageable pastures. Two livestock watering systems were also developed and installed to provide water to all pastures. All these practices have helped Lee create a ranch that is fully functional and sustainable. Lee recently remarked that she was “grateful for the patience and long hours of education that NRCS has provided her.” It has allowed her to help realize the dream of “making the ranch better than they found it.” Because of her hard work and dedication, on her daily rides through the ranch with her husband, she is pleased to hear him say, “Pretty! Pretty! Pretty!” knowing in her heart, the ranch is indeed “something special for the next generation.”
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TAKING YOUR DREAMS
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