Volume 9 - No. 40

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Holiday cheer is here p. 6

Question of the Week

Other than family, what are you most thankful for this year?

KIX 103 and the Salvation Army join forces to help the community

« Payton Scarlett “Food.”

In the spirit of giving, KIX 103 and the Salvation Army joined forces for the KIXGIVING Care Drive and the Salvation Army Turkey Drop, collecting more than 60 turkeys for the nonprofit’s community-wide Thanksgiving dinner and a trailer full of canned goods to restock the food pantry.

Despite cold and rainy weather last Saturday, KIX radio personalities held a live broadcast at the Brookshire’s north location to help collect food donations for the local nonprofit. Held annually, the care drive aims to restock the Salvation Army food pantry with dry goods and nonperishable food items. The local radio station, owned and operated by Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation, has been hosting the event for

» Hunter Fletcher “Friends.”

« Kaitlyn Wright “God.”

KIX continued on Page 12 Sharing is Caring: Alexis Alexander, executive director for the United Way of Union County, drops her turkey in the Salvation Army truck on Saturday, Nov. 23, during the annual KIXGIVING Care Drive and Salvation Army Turkey Drop. — Caleb Burger / South Arkansas Leader

» Megan Wright “I’m thankful for everybody.”

All the bAnk you’ll ever need. w w w. f i r s t f i n a n c i a l b a n k . c o m

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Session to help small businesses navigate the Affordable Care Act

Area small business owners and employees can learn about new health insurance options and requirements for small businesses on Tuesday, Dec. 3 in El Dorado at “Informed Businesses: Navigating the Affordable Care Act.” The training is presented by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Southern Arkansas University in partnership with the Arkansas Insurance Department. There is no charge to attend.

“We want to help Arkansas small business owners understand the law and make informed choices about health insurance coverage for themselves and their employees,” said Janet Roderick, ASBTDC state director.

The session will discuss key provisions of the federal health care law – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 – and the new Health Insurance Marketplace. The training will highlight: » The Arkansas Health Connector website (arhealthconnector.org); » SHOP, the Small Business Health Options Program; » The compliance and notification requirements that began Oct. 1 for employers; » New tax reporting requirements for employers; » Available tax credits, potential rebates and premium reduction

programs; and » Potential financial penalties for non-compliance.

The session will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, located at 111 West Main St., in El Dorado.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested in advance. For more information, contact Julia Nipper at julianipper@saumag.edu or 870.235.5033.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia is a partnership of the U.S. Small Business Administration, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business and Southern Arkansas University College of Business. ASBTDC assists start-ups, existing businesses and technology businesses. Core services include free consulting and market research, plus low- and no-cost training. Learn more at asbtdc.org.

The Arkansas Insurance Department established the Arkansas Health Connector division to manage and implement the new Health Insurance Marketplace in Arkansas in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. As a state partnership marketplace, AHC is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Meeting a TV Legend: Jerry Mathers (right), TV icon who starred as Beaver Cleaver in “Leave It to Beaver,” signs a book for Shannon Riley (left) and her father David Riley on Thursday night, Nov. 21, at the El Dorado Conference Center. — Heath Waldrop / South Arkansas Community College

‘The Beaver’ draws a crowd in El Dorado Classic TV legend Jerry Mathers, who played Theodore “Beaver” Cleaver on “Leave It to Beaver,” shared stories of his life and acting work with a crowd of nearly 300 at the annual South Arkansas Community College Lecture Series last Thursday, Nov 21, in the El Dorado Conference Center.

During his lecture on “The

Golden Age of Television and Media Trends Today,” Mathers shared personal, behind-thescenes stories about “Leave It to Beaver,” which originally aired in the late ’50s and early ’60s, as well as other interesting experiences he has had working as a professional stage, movie and television actor.

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Couple’s college-aged son is about to head down a road of hard lessons Dear Dave, We’ve been supporting our son while he’s in college. He just finished his sophomore year, but he told us the other day he has dropped out of school and isn’t going back. He’s been playing in a band on weekends, and he has this vague idea of becoming a musician. We don’t think this is a good idea, but we still want to be supportive … just not too supportive.

We want him to be financially independent, as well. How should we handle this?

— Karen Teen Leaders: Members of the Union County 4-H Teen Leader Club recently elected officers for 2014. Attending were (from left) John Dillard, president; Michael Collier, reporter; Davis Roden, treasurer; Brooke Roden, parliamentarian; Joy Senn, 2013 president and new song leader; Sue Ellen Dillard, leader; Tiffany Pennington, secretary; Cherry Sweeney, leader; and Amber Sweeney, vice president. The club meets on the third Monday of every month. — Courtesy photo

Youth prepare to take the lead in 4-H leadership club The Union County 4-H Teen Leader Club recently elected officers for the new club year at its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 18.

The club elected the following members to office for the 2014 club year: John Dillard, president; Amber Sweeney, vice president; Tiffany Pennington, secretary; Davis Roden, treasurer; Michael Collier, reporter; Brooke Roden, parliamentarian; and former 2013 president Joy Senn, song leader.

During the meeting, members wrote cards of thanks to U.S. servicemen and women for the holiday season.

As well, the members worked with adult 4-H volunteer leaders Cherry Sweeney and Sue Ellen Dillard to plan the 4-H Recruiting Social for 2014. The activity is scheduled to take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014 at the Activity Building on the Union County Fairgrounds in El Dorado. The social will give youth ages 13 to 19 years old who have an interest in joining a 4-H Club and the Teen Leader Club the chance to meet with current members and learn more about the organizations.

The Union County 4-H Teen

Leader Club meets the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Union County Cooperative Extension Service office, located at 307 American Road in El Dorado.

Sponsored by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, 4-H is an education program open to all youth between the ages of 5 to 19. There are no membership dues to be a part of the program.

“The 4-H mission is to provide opportunities for youth to acquire knowledge, develop life skills and practice behavior that will enable them to become self-directing, productive and contributing members of society,” said Cynthia Ford, Union County 4-H program assistant.

The 4-H membership and project work are designed to provide opportunities for youth to serve in leadership and community service roles, compete in competitive activities, attend camps and earn educational scholarships.

For more information or to organize a club in community, contact the Union County Cooperative Extension Service office at 870.814.1916 or email Ford at ccford@uaex.edu.

Dear Karen, This kid is about to have some problems. Not only has he made a bad decision, but he should have consulted with you guys before he quit school. He owed you that much if you were supporting him this whole time.

In my opinion, you and your husband have one job right now. That job is to stand back and let life happen to this kid. If he thinks he’s a man, let him go out and prove it.

Wish him the best and tell him you hope he becomes the rich and famous rock star he wants to be. But make sure he understands you’re not going to support him financially when he’s doing something you both feel is a bad idea. The First National Bank of Mom and Dad is officially closed!

Understand that I’m not suggesting you turn your backs on this guy.

Let him know how much you both love him and that you’ll be praying for him. Invite him over for dinner once in a while, stay in touch, and make sure he knows that family deals like Thanksgiving and Christmas are still business as usual.

However, as far as paying for his rent, utilities, gas, food and cellphone bill? That stuff’s not happening. This may sound tough, but it was his decision.

In the end, let him know you’ll be there to help just like before if he wises up and decides to finish school. But until then? Little boy, you signed up for this trip!

— Dave

DAVE Says Dear Dave, Should I lower my 401(k) contributions in order to pay off my car and home?

— Jack

Dear Jack, If you’re following my plan, the first thing you should do is set aside an emergency fund of $1,000.

That’s Baby Step 1.

Next comes Baby Step 2, which means paying off all of your debt except for your house. This would include your car. During this time you should temporarily stop any kind of investing and retirement contributions.

Once the only debt left is your mortgage, it’s time to move on to Baby Step 3. Now you concentrate on growing your emergency fund to the point where you have three to six months of expenses set aside.

Once this is done, you can attack Baby Step 4, which is investing 15 percent of your pre-tax income for retirement. For you, it would mean re-starting the contributions to your 401(k).

The rest of the plan goes like this.

Baby Step 5 is putting money into your kids’ college funds, while Baby Step 6 is putting everything you can scrape together towards paying off the house early.

After that comes the real fun.

Baby Step 7 is the point where you simply build wealth and give.

Follow these steps, Jack, and I promise you’ll have lots of fun and lots of cash. You’ll have financial peace!

— Dave Dave Ramsey has authored four New York Times best-selling books: “Financial Peace,” “More Than Enough,” “The Total Money Makeover” and “EntreLeadership.”

The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 5,000,000 listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations.

Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the Web at daveramsey.com.

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State Police crackdown on seat belt usage during holiday season LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas State Troopers are joining forces with other state and local law enforcement officers during the holiday season in a crackdown on seat belt law violations.

The Thanksgiving holiday is typically one of the busiest travel periods, both in Arkansas and across the nation, according to the Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Office. Traffic crash statistics from 2011, which represent the latest data set currently available, indicate that there were 249 passenger-vehicle occupant deaths nationally during the Thanksgiving reporting period.

Fifty percent of those killed were not wearing seat belts. In Arkansas, during the holiday reporting period, three people died and 241 people were seriously injured.

“You will see our state troopers out in force beginning Nov. 25, and we’ll be showing zero tolerance for anyone who is not wearing a seat belt,” said Col. Stan Witt, director of the Arkansas State Police and Governor’s Highway Safety representative. “Our goal is simple. We’ll strictly enforce the law in order to save more lives. If you are caught

not wearing your seat belt, you can expect to be ticketed.”

An intensified enforcement emphasis will be noticed along Interstate 40 during the most heavily traveled hours of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Despite the law that requires the use of seat belts and the proven safety benefits, too many people are failing to get the message, Witt said. In 2011, 52 percent of the 21,253 passenger-vehicle occupants killed in motor vehicle crashes did not wear seat belts at the time of the crash.

“Buckling up is a proven life saver, but it’s often forgotten during the rush of holiday travel,” Witt said.

“Whether you’re driving across the country or just across town, buckling up is one of the best ways to ensure that you arrive safely at your destination. Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a traffic ticket to get people to pay attention to this very simple message.”

The Arkansas State Police encourage motorists to practice safe driving habits year round beginning with buckling up before leaving the driveway. For more information, visit TrafficSafetyMarketing.gov or call 501.618.8136.

Hunter Education: Arkansas state law requires anyone born after 1968 to attend a hunter education course. One will be offered next Saturday, Dec. 7 in El Dorado free of charge. Registration is required to attend. — Courtesy photo

Hunter Education course to be offered next Saturday The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will offer a hunter education course from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Marrable Hill Chapel, located at 110 Chapel Ave., in El Dorado.

Arkansas law states that anyone born after 1968 must possess proof of successful completion of an approved hunter education course while hunting in Arkansas. Youth under age 16 may hunt without hunter education as long as they are under the direct supervision of an

adult who is 21 years old.

There is no specific age requirement to enroll in hunter education.

However, the educational material is based on a sixth-grade reading level. Students under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

The class if free but registration is required. Those interested in attending the course can text 870.818.6378 or email larogers @agfc.state.ar.us before Dec. 7 to register. For more information, go online to www.agfc.com.

Educator, politician and patriot leaves impression on the state Ken Bridges

South Arkansas Historical Foundation

Bob Riley was an educator, politician and patriot. He would not let wartime injuries slow him down, overcoming them to become Arkansas governor.

Riley was born in Little Rock in 1924. He had a fascination with politics from an early age, serving as a page in the state senate in 1937. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, he knew his country needed him. Barely 17, Riley left school and enlisted in the Marines.

In 1944, while stationed in Guam, Riley was critically wounded as he led his squad into battle. He lost one eye (which he would wear a patch over the rest of his life), and was so badly hurt in his legs that he had trouble walking unaided the rest of his

life. He spent months in the hospital, where he would lose most of his vision in his other eye.

Undeterred, Riley was determined to finish his education.

He enrolled at the University of Arkansas and won a seat in the state legislature in 1946, serving for two terms while he completed his studies. He earned a doctorate from the University of Arkansas in 1957, dictating his doctoral dissertation to his wife, Claudia, as his vision problems would not allow him to type.

In 1957, Riley was hired to teach at Ouachita Baptist University.

Arkadelphia quickly embraced Riley and elected him to the city council in 1960 where he served ably and became mayor in 1965.

In 1970, Riley was easily elected lieutenant governor. He won a

H

South Arkansas Historical Foundation presents

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great deal of respect from legislators and the general public. In 1974, with Gov. Dale Bumpers running for the U.S. Senate, Riley decided to run for governor.

David Pryor, however, would go on to win the governor’s race, while Bumpers won his Senate campaign.

An unexpected twist emerged.

Though Riley was soon stepping down as lieutenant governor, Bumpers would be taking his seat in the U.S. Senate on Jan. 3, 1975, before Pryor would be sworn in. Anxious to begin his

Senate duties, Bumpers resigned, making Bob Riley the new governor of Arkansas.

For 11 days, Riley quietly served as governor. In the process, he also became the first legally blind governor in American history. He returned to Arkadelphia to teach at Ouachita Baptist University for several more years. But his health problems mounted in the late 1970s, forcing him to retire in 1980.

He and his wife continued to live in Arkadelphia, widely respected in the community, until his death in February 1994.

Organized in the 1970s, the South Arkansas Historical Foundation has been dedicated to educating the public about Arkansas’s rich history for over 30 years. The SAHF offices are located at 422 North Jackson in El Dorado. For more information, about SAHF call 870.862.9890.

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‘Hunger Games’ confirms Katniss as best heroine in movie history Nathan Ligon

Red Carpet Crash

One of the most consistent problems in the history of popular filmmaking has always been a lack of strong female roles. This is the case in just about every genre across the board, but it is especially the case when it comes to heroes of major Hollywood tent-pole films.

If you look back over time at the history of blockbuster-movie heroines, you will find it a very small list. As a matter of fact, it is so small a list that if you were to list the Top 50 highest-grossing films of all time, you could count the amount of female leads on one hand.

That’s right: Of the Top 50, there are only four with female leads. If that isn’t bad enough, when you consider that two of those films are “Twilight” movies (the other is “Alice In Wonderland”), the situation seems even more dire. I mean, even most diehard “Twilight” fans would not tell you that Bella Swan is a great female role model.

However, these pathetic statistics are what make the accomplishment of “The Hunger Games” so unique.

It is a female-lead blockbuster that not only cracked the Top 50, but currently sits as the 14th highestgrossing film of all time.

That’s mighty impressive, but doing that well the first time out (the first film is also a really great movie) adds a lot of pressure to not screw up the sequel, perhaps even more pressure than most sequels have. Luckily, not only is the new film better than the first, it is also one of the better films of 2013 and officially cements Katniss Everdeen as the greatest female heroine to ever grace a major blockbuster. I know, those are big words, but I think the evidence shows me to be right, and moreover it is how I feel.

Ninety-nine percent of the credit for this statement belongs in the hands of the unfairly talented Jennifer Lawrence. This girl just seems to make acting look like it is something she could do in her sleep. She was wonderful in the original film, but surpasses it in “Catching Fire” in almost every way possible.

After winning an Oscar, many actors begin phoning in their performances for a while, but it could be

the Middle East experienced to lead to “Arab Spring” – the botThe Hunger Games: Catching Fire them tom line being that people can actually learn something from the script » Release date: Nov. 22. and likely will be moved to tears » Run time: 146 min. several times.

That’s not to say that the film isn’t » Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some entertaining. The actual Hunger frightening images, thematic Games part of this film is very exHarrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Jeffrey elements, a suggestive situation and Wright, Jena Malone, Philip Seymour citing. They throw the whole book language.

Hoffman, Jack Quaid, Sandra Ellis at these contestants (lightning, baLafferty, Donald Sutherland, Lenny » Director: Francis Lawrence. boons, poisonous fog) and it is cerKravitz and Stanely Tucci. tainly exciting to watch. However, » Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody » RCC Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. the writers and director Francis Lawrence knew that this story can only be so fun; it is important that argued that this is the most deeply the interesting political themes of things remain dire, and they do. heartfelt performance of Lawrence’s our day. Whether it is the burden What we end up with is an excityoung and brilliant career (I read of celebrity, the pain of serious ing, contemplative and moving exthat her mom certainly thinks so). government or corporate control, perience that left me very eager to She completely understands the the inhumanity of a world without see what happens next. I’m not sure character of Katniss inside and out. freedom, or the horrendous nature how the world will react to this film, In fact, she understands her so well of how we send some of our young- but I think it’s great and Katniss that I never once thought of the ac- est and brightest to die in war, there Everdeen certainly is the girl on fire. tress as anything different than Kat- is plenty to chew on. niss Everdeen. Jennifer Lawrence is Red Carpet Crash provides review writI personally feel that this series ing on films, DVDs and television; news Katniss – flesh and bone. should help Americans to better unand updates on all things entertainment; Katniss is not the only character we derstand the type of oppression that and the occasional free stuff. care about, though, and everybody used to be endured around the world, Find RCC at www.redcarpetcrash.com in the film gets a chance to shine. and (to some degree) what those in or facebook.com/RedCarpetCrash.

As a matter of fact, every actor in this film is so fantastic at delivering these performances that it should make other actors in big-budget movies feel a bit underwhelming.

Josh Hutcherson has worked his way quite well into the soulful body of Peeta Mellark; Woody Harrelson earns our sympathy as Haymitch; Pet adoptions are available at the Union County Aniand even Elizabeth Banks, as the mal Protection Society shelter, 1000 Sunset Road, costume queen Effie, is a fullEl Dorado. UCAPS’s is open from noon to 5 p.m. fledged person this time around.

Wednesday through Saturday. For information about There are also a number of other adadopting or sponsoring a pet, call 870.862.0502. photos provided by Alex Martin ditions to the mix that include such wonderful actors as Jeffrey Wright and Jena Malone as victors, Beetee and Johanna Mason, who are forced to fight in a 75th anniversary of the games. Yet, my favorite new addition is Philip Seymour Hoffman as the new head gamemaker for the games (his character’s name, Plutarch Heavensbee, is pretty terrible, but who cares). He leaves you constantly wondering what his motivations are and whether or not we should care.

Still, you could have a whole slew Angel and her babies were abandoned Lucilla is approximately 1 year old and of great actors and this would have about a year ago. Angel is spayed, current available for adoption. Adoption costs been nothing without a great script. on all vaccinations and ready for a home. $50, which includes spay and all vaccines.

Luckily, the writers had some wonderful source material in Suzanne Want To Help? Find the Union County Animal Protection Society on Facebook for Collins’ novel, and this particular more information about supply or monetary donations or volunteer opportunities. story deals much more heavily on

AdoptMe

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HappyHolidays

Despite the weather, El Dorado kicked off the holiday season last Thursday with Main Street El Dorado’s annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony. From now through the end of the year, the community will be filled with holiday sights and sounds.

The annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony was set to include performances from the Bravo Dancers, which includes 70 children; and the Champagnolle Creek Men’s A Capella Chorus; as well as rides on the PJ’s Holiday Express train and horse-drawn carriage and hay rides throughout downtown. While the lights are on, inclement weather

» THE FESTIVAL OF TREES — The South Arkansas Arts Center will host its 13th annual Festival of Trees, sponsored by Deltic Timber. Individuals, businesses, and civic and social groups adopted and decorated the trees under the theme “A Vintage Christmas.”

Following the end of the exhibition, trees will be donated to families in need through the Salvation Army, or decorators can opt to donate their tree to the charitable destination of their choice.

When: The exhibition will begin on Friday, Nov. 29 with an awards reception at 7 p.m. and runs through Dec. 8.

Where: South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information on The Festival of Trees, call the SAAC office at 870.862.5474 go online to the website at www.saac-arts.org. » SAAC’s ‘RADIO CHRISTMAS CAROL’ — The South Arkansas Arts Center’s holiday production of Walton Jones’ “A 1940s Radio Christmas Carol” is sponsored by Simmons First Bank of El Dorado and will open this weekend. The comedic production recreates the mayhem and magic of an authentic World War II live radio broadcast on Christmas Eve of 1943.

The Feddington Players are set to present its contemporary take on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” taking the audience into the vintage radio era of the 1940s. The SAAC box office is

City gets in the holiday spirit moved event organizers to reschedule the festivities for a later date, according to the offices of Main Street El Dorado. Follow MSE on Facebook at facebook.com/mainstreet eldorado for further updates on the rescheduled date.

The PJ’s Express train will keep chugging along, along with the horse-drawn carriage and hay rides, every weekend through Christmas. The rides will run each Friday and Saturday night from 6 to now open. Tickets cost $45 for students, $10 for SAAC members and $15 for the general public.

When: Nov. 29 through Dec. 8; Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

Where: Callaway Theatre, South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For tickets, call 870.862.5474. For more information on the production, visit www.saac-arts.org. » FCA RACE FOR THE MANGER 5K — The El Dorado Christmas Parade will include a new feature this year – the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Run to the Manager Christmas Fun Run. The 1.5-mile run will go along the parade route immediately preceding the parade, which begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5. Costumes are encouraged. Registration forms are available at goeldorado.com/parade.

When: Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6:55 p.m.

Contact: For more information, contact Danny Rivers at 870.814.4064. » RELAY FOR LIFE SKY LANTERN CEREMONY — Relay for Life of Union County will release its sky lanterns immediately following the Christmas Parade in downtown El Dorado. Sky lanterns can be dedicated and released in honor of friends and family.

A minimum donation of $20 is required to reserve a sky lantern. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

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10 p.m. now through Saturday, Dec. 22. The hay rides will load in front of La Bella Gourmet Gifts and Delicatessen, while PJ’s Express will load in front of PJ’s Coffee, both located on the corners of West Main and Washington streets in downtown El Dorado.

The fees for both rides cost $5 for adults and $3 for children; infants Forms are available at United Insurance Agency, located at 116 West Elm St. in El Dorado; or on the Facebook page at http://on.fb.me/1g3kVt5.

When: Thursday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.

Where: Bancorp South Bank parking lot, 101 West Main St., El Dorado Contact: For more information or to request a sky lantern, contact Tamie Erwin at 870.866.4987. » SANTA AT THE SPOT — Santa Claus is taking over The Spot, located between PJ’S Coffee and the El Dorado Creamery on West Main Street. Children of all ages are welcome to come visit with Santa from now through the week before Christmas.

When: Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon; Dec. 14 from 3 to 6 p.m.; and Dec. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Where: The Spot, adjacent to PJ’s Coffee on West Main and Washington streets in El Dorado Contact: For more information, call PJ’s Coffee at 870.875.1409 or follow the coffee shop on Facebook at http://on.fb.me/170bSck. » CELEBRATING THE GIFT — The orchestra and bell ringers from First Baptist Church of El Dorado will celebrate the Christmas season with musical arrangements from Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Mannheim Steamroller.

The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at fbceldorado.org.

When: Sunday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.

and toddlers sitting in an adult’s lap can ride for free. As well, there will be a Romance Carriage Ride offered for $30 per group. The rides will allow patrons to view the lighting displays throughout Union Square District.

In addition, community members and guests can enjoy the longstanding Union County tradition of driving under the Big Christmas Tree, located at West Main Plaza, off West Main Street in El Dorado.

See the holiday calendar below for a list of more upcoming events and activities. For more information, visit the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce at goeldorado.com.

Where: First Baptist Church, 200 West Main St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact Debbie McAdams at 870.310.3300 or Tony Forbess at 870.918.3375.

» HOPE LANDING’s ‘The NATIVITY’ — HOPE Landing and the South Arkansas Arts Center will present “The Nativity” with the story of Christ’s birth being portrayed by the children of HOPE Landing. Admission is free to the public; however, donations will be accepted. The Night Owls Quilting Group donated a quilt, on display at First Financial Bank on Main Street, to be raffled off at the event.

Raffle tickets may be purchased for $1 or six for $5.

When: Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.

Where: South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, call HOPE Landing at 870.862.0500. » HUGH GOODWIN’S ‘The Nutcracker’ — Second graders from Hugh Goodwin Academy for the Arts elementary school will present their performance of “The Nutcracker.”

The school’s third- and fourth-grade choir will also perform at the event.

When: Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

Where: El Dorado High School Auditorium, 2000 Wildcat Drive Contact: For more information, contact Hugh Goodwin at 870.864.5071.

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Grand Marshals

Chamber of Commerce announces the 2013 Christmas Parade grand marshals Seven schools across Union County each selected a fifth-grade boy and girl to represent their school as grand marshals of the 2013 El Dorado Christmas Parade, slated for Thursday, Dec. 5.

According to parade chair Kelli Harrison, this year they decided to break tradition and open the grand marshal competition by including the schools on the vetting process. In past years, Harrison said fifth-grade students were asked to write essays, which were then ranked by judges, with the top two serving as grand marshals, the second two serving as banner carriers, and the remaining selected students riding on the float.

“This year we allowed the schools to pick the students to allow more children to have a chance to participate,” Harrison said.

The schools chose the selection process, with some opting to select students based on academics and behavioral merits and others choosing to stick with the essay. During a press conference announcing the winners on Thursday, Nov. 21, the students posed in front of a city fire

truck with Tom Burger (pictured above, center), plant manager for Entegra – Union Power Partners, title sponsor for this year’s parade.

The grand marshals include (pictured above, from left): » West Side Christian School: Jillian Callender and Garrett Williamson; » Smackover Elementary School: Dawson Inzer and Rylee Darden; » Junction City Elementary School: Cameron Frazier and (not pictured) Cameron Martindale; » Washington Middle School: Micaela Martizez and Dominick Bell; » Norphlet Elementary School: Karis Robinson and Dylan Novack; » Parkers Chapel Middle School: John David Risinger and Alyssa Frisby; and » Strong Elementary School: Noe Gonzalez and Daylan Howard.

MARSHALS continued on Page 9

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PLAYERS WEEK OF THE

W I L D C A T S

KAWON LOVE sponsored by

Michelle Balstad State Farm

FABIAN SIMS sponsored by

Smackover Motors

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Local Salvation Army prepares for holiday season The local Salvation Army will be holding and participating in a number of events throughout the upcoming holiday season. » Community-wide Thanksgiving Dinner. The Salvation Army invites the community to come out and enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner at its facility from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Salvation Army will be closed on Nov. 28 and 29, but the regular Nov. 29 meal will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. » El Dorado Christmas Parade.

Members of the organization will participate in the annual parade at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5. As well, they will be providing hot chocolate to parade spectators in the parking lot of the Salvation Army Thrift Store, located at 1324 North West Ave. » Smackover Tree Lighting. The Salvation Army will provide hot chocolate in downtown Smackover during the community’s annual tree lighting ceremony at Kennedy Park following the city’s Christmas parade, which begins at First Baptist Church on Seventh Street at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6.

tune in from

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Holiday Spirit: Noah Carr, son of Capt. Bobby Carr (right), dons a reindeer suit last year in as he rings the bell for the iconic red buckets the Salvation Army uses to collect donations throughout the holiday season. — File photo

» Toys for Tots Run. On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Salvation Army invites bikers from across the area to participate in the annual Toys for Tots Run. Registration will open at 9 a.m. and run until 11:30 a.m., with

am to noon on

Thanksgiving Day

coffee and donuts served at 10 that morning. The run will depart from the Arkansas Welcome Center, located at 3315 Junction City Highway in El Dorado at 11:45 a.m. Following a short ride, the run will parade down

North West Avenue and around the Union Square District, ending at The Spot, located adjacent to PJ’s Coffee on West Main Street, at 12:15 p.m.

Guests are asked to bring a new toy or a $10 donation. Toys and donations will be collected by Santa at The Spot and distributed by the Salvation Army. Barbeque sandwiches, ribs, trimmings and drinks will be provided by JJ’s Barbeque and Main Street El Dorado until 2 p.m. For more information, contact Joe Gallea at 870.665.6380. » Friday Night Groove Toy Drive.

HealthWorks Fitness Center will hold a toy drive for the Salvation Army on Friday, Dec. 13 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. during its Friday Night Groove Toy Drive. The center will offer one-hour Zumba and line dancing classes at its location at 304 North Madison St., in El Dorado. Admission is one toy donation. For more information, contact HealthWorks at 870.862.5442. » Donations Day. The Salvation Army will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on

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A special thank you to all of our readers this holiday season! Here’s to a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday! from your friends at the

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Girl Scouts stay busy

The Union Service Unit of Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas will be holding a fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the inside area between T.J.Maxx and JCPenney in Mellor Park Mall, at 1865 North West Ave. in El Dorado.

Don’t have the time, supplies or desire to wrap your gifts?

The Girl Scouts can help, as they will have present wrapping available. Wrapping prices cost $1 for small items, $2 for medium and $5 for large. Pictures with Santa will also be available for $5 each.

Funds raised at this event will be used to provide scholarships, which were implemented in Union Service Unit beginning May 2012. This annual scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who meet the qualification requirements. The amount is a one-time gift of a preselected amount determined by the service unit to be used as desired by the recipient. In order to be eligible to apply for this scholarship, the senior scout must meet the following requirements: maintain membership as a Girl Scout for all four years of high school; participate in cookie sales all four years of high school; and have a 2.5 grade-point average at the time of graduation.

In addition to preparing for its holiday fundraiser, the Union Service Unit has also been busy with other events.

In October, the unit hosted a spay day at First Presbyterian Church in El Dorado with 39 girls from five troops attending, along with 12 adults. The day’s activities included: touring Spa on Main; decorating cupcakes; playing birthday games; getting nails done by older scouts and leaders; making sugar scrub and bath salts; and learning traditional Girl Scout songs.

The cupcake decorating was to remember the Oct. 31 birthday of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scout movement in

Atlanta, Ga. in 1912. The girls of Union Service Unit send a special thanks to Susan Smith, event coordinator; First Presbyterian Church; and Spa on Main for making this event a success.

On Nov. 16, scouts Rebecca Pratt, Kennedy Wells, Addie Tumey and Raley Tumey from Troop 2322 attended Program Aide Training at the Radford House in Hot Springs. This training prepares Cadette scouts to share their expertise directly with younger girls under the supervision of an adult volunteer.

In order to attend this training, each girl was required to complete the Leadership in Action award through a variety of ways while working with younger scouts. Each girl must work directly with younger girls over six different activity sessions, such as assisting with badge workshops, helping during service unit events or teaching songs, in order to receive their Program Aide Pin. Program Aides are personally responsible for maintaining their status as an exceptional role model and in making and keeping realistic commitments to girls and adults. A few of the outcomes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience are that girls develop positive values, seek challenges in the world, develop critical thinking, advance diversity in a multicultural world, connect to their communities locally and globally identifying community needs, and feel empowered to make a difference in the world.

For more information on volunteering with or joining Girl Scouts Diamonds, contact Elizabeth Pratt at uniongirlscouts @yahoo.com or 870.875.2692.

Union United showcases the United Way of Union County 14 nonprofit partner agencies. For more information, call 870.862.4903.

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Saturday, Dec. 14 to accept monetary, food and toy donations at its office, located at 419 South Madison Ave., in El Dorado. The organization will also be collecting toys, food and Angel Tree gift donations at both the El Dorado and Camden Walmart locations during the Fill the Truck drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Sunday, Dec. 15 will be the last day to return Angel Tree gifts, which can be dropped off between 1 and 5 p.m. at either the El Dorado or Camden Walmart locations.

MARSHALS

South Arkansas Leader

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» Angel Tree Distribution. The Salvation Army will distribute its Angel Tree gifts in El Dorado from 8 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m., and in Camden from 8 a.m. to noon on Dec. 20. » Community Christmas Dinner.

The Salvation Army invites the community to come out and enjoy a Christmas dinner at its facility from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Christmas day. The Salvation Army will close at noon on Christmas Eve, but the regular Dec. 24 meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

For more information on any of these upcoming events, contact the Salvation Army at 870.863.4830.

parade will begin at the intersection of 18th Street and North West Avcontinued from Page 7 enue, proceeding down North West The 14 middle schoolers will col- to the downtown area and ending at Jefferson and Peach streets. lectively serve as grand marshals “This is an annual tradition and of the parade riding on El Dorado perhaps one of the best examples Mayor Frank Hash’s 1940s-era of Christmas in the South,” Harfire truck. rison said. “I look forward to The theme for this year’s parade, seeing our community come to“Christmas in Candyland,” was sub- gether to continue this wonderful mitted via Facebook by Alberto Am- El Dorado tradition.” aro and selected by an overwhelming For more information on the pamajority during the online voting. rade, contact the El Dorado ChamOne of the longest in Arkansas, the ber of Commerce at 870.863.6113.

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COMMUNITY calendar

» CROCHET CLASS — South Arkansas Community College will offer the non-credit class Candy Cane Ornaments as a part of its Crochet Project Series, offered through the Corporate and Community Education department.

Students must bring a skein of yarn and a set of hooks size D and up. The cost of the workshop is $15 per person.

When: Monday, Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Center for Workforce Development, SouthArk East Campus, 3696 East Main St., El Dorado Contact: To register, call 870.864.7163. For more information, contact the offices of Corporate and Community Education at 870.864.7192 or email ce@southark.edu. » FOUR STATES CATTLE CONFERENCE — A Four States Cattle Conference will be held for Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas to address the persistent problems beef producers face, including general and breakout sessions on weather trends, economic forecasts, herd health and more.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Where: Four States Fairground in Texarkana Contact: For more information, contact Paul Beck with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture at 870.777.9702 or email pbeck@uaex.edu. » MEDICARE HOLDS OPEN ENROLLMENT — During Medicare Open Enrollment, recipients can review current Medicare choices and compare them to coverage that is

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Your guide to events happening in communities in and around Union County.

available for next year to make sure they have the plan that is right for them. Many may be able to save money, get better coverage or both.

Recipients can also take advantage of new benefits, including wellness visits, preventative care and lower prescription drug costs.

When: Now through Dec. 7 Contact: For more information, call toll free at 800.633.4227 or go online to medicare.gov.

» NATURE NIGHTS — On the second Thursday of each month, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and South Arkansas Community College’s Corporate and Community Education will team up to offer Nature Nights, a series for the entire family. The program is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so registration is requested.

Program: Oh, Deer! Participants will learn a little about the white-tail deer and make something using its antlers.

When: Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

Where: Center for Workforce Development, SouthArk East Campus, 3696 East Main, El Dorado Contact: For more information or to register, contact CCE at 870.864.7192 or email Laura Rogers at the AGFC at larogers@agfc.state.ar.us. » CAMDEN HOLIDAY MOVIES ON THE RIVER — The City of Camden presents Movies on the River Holiday Series on select Saturdays in November and December. The public is invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and stadium seats to watch holiday Hollywood blockbuster movies under the stars on a giant movie screen with theater-style sound. While guests are

Tell Us Something Good!

Submit your event, announcement or story idea to the South Arkansas Leader at leader@noalmark.com at least one week before the date of the event. All material must be received the Friday before publication on Wednesday. For more information, contact the Leader staff at 870.863.6126 or by email.

welcome to bring their own drinks and snacks, concessions, including warm drinks, will be available for sale.

Admission is free.

Movie: “Arthur Christmas” (PG).

When: Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m., following the Christmas parade Where: Riverwalk Amphitheater, 405 Washington St. SE, downtown Camden Contact: For more information, call the city at 870.837.5500 or visit the website at www.camden.ar.gov. » LI’L WILD ONES — On the second Saturday of each month, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources will team up to offer Li’l WILD ones, a 90-minute program offering interactive, hands-on outdoor activities that will immerse participants in the environment of South Arkansas. The program is free and open to children in kindergarten through fifth grade. Space is limited, so registration is requested.

Program: Christmas for the Birds.

Participants will make treats for birds that spend the winter months in Arkansas, and get a bird’s-eye view of visitors on the museum grounds.

When: Saturday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.

Where: Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, 3853 Smackover Highway, Smackover Contact: For more information or to register, contact the museum at 870.725.2877 or Laura Rogers with the AGFC at larogers@agfc.state.ar.us. » SOUTH ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ‘THE NUTCRACKER’ — The South Arkansas Symphony will present its traditional Christmas concert, “The

Nutcracker,” featuring the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet and local community dancers, along with the South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for K-12 and college students.

When: Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3:30 p.m.

Where: El Dorado Municipal Auditorium, 100 West Eighth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the South Arkansas Symphony office at 870.862.0521 or 800.792.0521; or visit the website at www.SouthArkansas Symphony.org. » SOUTHARK’S ‘WRITERS’ INK’ CONTEST — South Arkansas Community College is seeking entries for the creative-writing contest that is the basis for the literary magazine, “Writers’ Ink.” The contest is open to all Union County high-school students, and 18 cash prizes will be awarded in three literary genres (poetry, essays and short fiction), with first, second and third place winners in the junior (ninth and 10th grade) and senior (11th and 12th grade) divisions. Winning manuscripts will be published in the spring in the 17th volume of the magazine along with other entries selected by a panel of SouthArk judges.

Submission Deadline: Feb. 21, 2014 Rules: A complete set of rules, requirements and guidelines are available at www.southark.edu/writersink.

Contact: Students who wish to enter should contact their English teachers for more information. Home-schooled students can submit manuscripts by enlisting high-school English teachers in Union County to serve as a sponsor.

Crossword and Sudoku Answer Key

Nov. 20

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SUDOKU

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To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box.

You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

Union County's free source for community news and more

Noalmark Broadcasting

General Manager Jay Helm jay_helm@noalmark.com

CROSSWORD How It Works

South Arkansas

2525 North West Ave. El Dorado, AR 71730 Office: 870.863.6126 Fax: 870.863.4555 leader@noalmark.com

WEEKLY RECIPE

Chocolate cookies make a perfect holiday indulgence

Baking is popular come the holiday season, and aspiring bakers may want to try the following recipe for “TripleChocolate Cookies” from Michael Recchiuti and Fran Gage’s “Chocolate Obsession” (Stewart, Tabori & Chang).

Triple-Chocolate Cookies

Editor Brooke Burger brooke.burger@noalmark.com Advertising Harry Dyer harry@noalmark.com Stacey Turner stacey.turner@noalmark.com

The South Arkansas Leader is owned and operated by Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation. The views and opinions expressed in the South Arkansas Leader are those of the staff and contributing writers and do not represent the official views of Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation. All material published in this newspaper and on its website is copyrighted.

The South Arkansas Leader publishes every Wednesday.

All materials for publication must be received no later than noon the Friday before publication. For more information on submitting news releases, photos, event announcements, story ideas or photo opportunities, please contact the editor.

The South Arkansas Leader is a weekly communityinterest newspaper serving Union County, Arkansas.

South Arkansas Leader

Ingredients:

Makes about 48 cookies » 7 ounces all-purpose flour » 1.5 ounces unsweetened natural cocoa powder » 1/2 teaspoon baking soda » 6 ounces unsalted butter with 82 percent butterfat, at room temperature » 3.5 ounces granulated cane sugar

Directions:

» 4.5 ounces dark brown cane sugar » 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract » 1/2 Tahitian vanilla bean, split horizontally » 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel in fine grains » 3 ounces 41 percent milk chocolate, roughly chopped » 3 ounces 65 percent chocolate, roughly chopped

To make the dough, sift the flour, cocoa and baking soda together in a bowl. Set aside. Put the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed until creamy. Add both sugars and the vanilla extract. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the bowl. Sprinkle the salt over the top. Beat on medium speed just until combined.

Reduce the speed to low. Add the dry ingredients in three additions, pulsing the mixer to incorporate each addition before adding the next one. Pulse just until a crumbly dough forms.

Add both chopped chocolates and mix on low speed just until incorporated. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead a few times to incorporate any crumbs.

Divide the dough in half. Roll each half into a log about 1 and a 1/4 inches in diameter and 12 inches long. As you roll, gently push the ends toward the center occasionally to prevent air pockets from forming and to keep the logs at an even thickness. Wrap the logs in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least three hours or up to three days.

To bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line the bottoms of two 12-by-18 inch sheet pans with parchment paper. Remove the logs from the refrigerator and unwrap them.

Using a ruler to guide you and a sharp knife, cut each log into rounds 1/2-inch thick. If the dough crumbles as you cut it, reshape each slice. Place the rounds on the pans, spacing them 1.5 inches apart. Bake on the middle shelves of the oven, rotating the pans 180 degrees halfway through the baking time, until set but soft enough to hold a slight indentation when pressed with a fingertip, about 14 minutes. Let cool completely on the pans on wire racks. Cookies will keep for about one week.

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25. Go in advance 28. Ancient Egyptian King 29. Insert mark 31. Palm fruits 33. Peels a fruit’s skin 34. Many not ands

35. Cathode-ray oscilloscope 36. Bo __, “10” 38. Satisfies to excess 40. More dry 41. Of he 42. Lay a tax upon 45. Ed Murrow’s home 46. Newsman Rather 47. Swiss mountain 49. Till 50. Potato, tossed or green 52. Italian automaker 53. Birthplace of Abraham 54. Scheduled visits 57. Yemen capital (alt. sp.)

59. Assisted 60. Persian kings 61. Accumulate

CLUES DOWN 1. Unkeyed 2. Recable 3. Sea eagles 4. Small social insect 5. __ Paulo, city 6. Two man fight 7. Honey (abbr.)

8. Anno Domini 9. Malibu and Waikiki 10. To burst in 11. Mild yellow Dutch cheese 12. Liquefied natural gas 15. Douroucoulis 16. Spoiled child 17. Founder of Babism 21. Ireland 26. Love intensely 27. One who confronts boldly 28. Atomic No. 52 29. Feels concern or interest

30. Got up from 32. Sound of disappointment 33. Out of 100 (abbr.)

36. Actress Kerr 37. Irish Gaelic 38. 10 Commandments mountain 39. Morning 40. Straight downhill ski run 41. Angel’s crown 43. Canonized individuals 44. Old school tablets 46. Dip lightly into water 48. Traumatic anxiety disorder 50. Mineral spring resorts 51. Desoxyribonucleic acid 52. Greek cheese 54. Express pleasure 55. Don’t know when yet 56. 13th Hebrew letter 58. Chinese tennis star Li

Answer key on page 10.

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KIX

continued from Page 1

as long as its senior-most employees can remember.

“It’s important to KIX because it allows us to give back to our community,” said Jay Helm, general manager of Noalmark’s El Dorado stations. “Using our resources allows us to reach listeners and encourage them to open their hearts for those who may need food to feed their family.”

While this is Helm’s first KIXGIVING as general manager of the station, he said he has worked for a number of years with the United Way of Union County, which includes the Salvation Army as one of its 14 nonprofit partner agencies.

Helm said his close working relationship with the United Way raised his awareness of how the care drive and Turkey Drop make a difference in so many families’ lives through the Salvation Army.

“Can you imagine Thanksgiving without a meal?” Helm said. “Everyone should have something to be thankful for, and KIX is thankful for the Salvation Army because

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they feed so many people this time and remote radio broadcast in conof year who need it.” junction with the Salvation Army’s According to Salvation Army Thanksgiving food drive.

Capt. Bobby Carr, the goods raised “It’s very helpful because it helps from the care us to get the word ————————— drive will go to out for people “[The care drive] is stock the orgawho may not nization’s food important to KIX because know,” Carr said pantry, which the broadit allows us to give back of is available to cast. “It helps citizens in need to our community. Using those who want throughout the our resources allows us to give connect year by appointto a way to give, to reacah listeners and ment. The Turkey and it gives them encourage them to open a chance to give Drop asks community members their hearts for those who back to those to donate turkeys in need.” may need food to feed specifically for Both KIX 103 their family.” the communityand the Salvawide Thanks- Jay Helm tion Army will giving dinner, General Manager, El Dorado continue the seascheduled from Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation son of giving 11:30 a.m. to throughout the ————————— 1 p.m. on Christmas holiThanksgiving day. Carr said they day, with the Salvation Army expect to feed anywhere from 250 to hosting another community-wide 300 people at the event. Any left- dinner in addition to its other over turkeys will be saved for the endeavors (see more on Page 8) and KIX community-wide Christmas dinner 103 holding its annual toy drive.

Helm noted that KIX 103 will join next month.

Carr said the Salvation Army forces with another local nonprofit appreciates the support from next month to raise toy donations KIX 103 in holding the care drive for children in need this Christmas.

Slated for Dec. 12-13, the annual Make-A-Smile-Happen Toy Drive aims to collect toy donations for the children of 13th South Judicial District CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates), which services children throughout Union County who are going through the court system.

“These children are usually alone and without their families during the holidays and without M.A.S.H they may not receive any Christmas presents,” Helm said. “Some of the children who benefit from M.A.S.H have never had a Christmas and these are not kids from another state or city – these are children right here in Union County. This drive is crucial in helping those children displaced from their homes and families to have a Christmas that every child deserves.”

The KIX 103 M.A.S.H Toy Drive and live radio broadcast will take place in the parking lot of the El Dorado Walmart from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 13. For more information on the drive, contact Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation at 870.863.6126.

Thanks to these great sponsors Title Sponsor

El Dorado Chemical and Speed-o’s Car Wash & Fast Lube