Volume 9 - No. 43

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South Arkansas

EADER

The 11th annual M.A.S.H: Make A Smile Happen toy drive raised approximately $1,800 and a substantial amount of new toys, bikes and more for children in need across Union County.

A partnership between the 13th Judicial District South CASA (courtappointed special advocates) and Noalmark Broadcasting Corporation’s KIX 103 radio station, the annual event ran for a three-day period last week in the parking lot of the El Dorado Walmart. The event aims to raise donations to benefit the children serviced by CASA. In Union County, the 13th South CASA services about 100 children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or both, according to CASA executive director Robin Krneta. For many of these children, a traditional Christmas with presents and family has never been a possibility.

“For many children, uncertainty exists for what the future will hold.

Some may wonder where their next meal will come from, where their

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Labradoodle-s of fun p. 6

Question of the Week

How far along are you with your Christmas shopping?

KIX 103 partners with CASA to ‘make a smile happen’ for children in need

« Betty Linda Nolan “I am not very far along with mine. I always like to do mine at the last minute.”

» Shana Smith “Not very!”

« Joy Sugg “I’m finished because I had to ship mine early.”

» Linda Sweeney

MASH continued on Page 12 M.A.S.H: Sidney Lacase, daughter of 13th Judicial District South CASA executive director Robin Krneta and student at Parkers Chapel, helps sort through toys on Saturday, Dec. 14, following the 11th annual M.A.S.H toy drive. — Brooke Burger / South Arkansas Leader

“I love the pressure of last-minute shopping. It doesn’t seem like Christmas if I’m done before Dec. 24.”

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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‘The Desolation of Smaug’ proves well-worth the time Derek DiCiccio Red Carpet Crash

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” clocks in at 161 minutes.

This is the second part of a threepart movie series in which the first entry, “An Unexpected Journey” (2012), ran 169 minutes. It is safe to assume the third film, due out in Christmas of 2014, will hit that run time as well.

Director Peter Jackson will never be accused of brevity.

Thankfully, “The Desolation of Smaug” avoids all the negative things that the first entry in this bloated series featured. It’s not talky, it’s not overly cute, and it avoids, for the most part, Three Stooges-like behavior from the group of dwarves.

This movie does get the benefit of picking up right where the last one left off and doesn’t bother with any intros or story catch-up. If you missed the first one, well, you are just out of luck.

Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and the group of dwarves led by Thorin (Richard Armitage) are on the run, fleeing from a group of orcs bent on keeping Thorin from reaching the Misty Mountain. Their initial escape, in a movie seemingly filled with escape after escape, involves going into a haunted elfish forest.

That forest is the first of a handful of fantastic, gorgeous and fairly intense action sequences that actually push the story forward. If you are a bit squeamish at the sight of spiders, the first 45 minutes of this movie are going to be the stuff of nightmares. The giant spiders in this film make the giant spider from

Oddly enough, the titular character, Bilbo Baggins has been a bit of The Hobbit: a passenger. Sure, he gets to fight spiders and run around using his The Desolation of Smaug newfound magic ring, but he hasn’t » Release date: Dec. 13. had much to say.

All of that changes once Bilbo » Run time: 161 min. enters the Misty Mountain. As he » Rated: PG-13 for extended sequences searches for the Arkenstone, the of intense fantasy action violence, and jewel that Thorin needs to estabfrightening images.

Evangeline Lilly, Aidan Turner, Luke lish his legacy, he awakens Smaug.

Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate » Director(s): Peter Jackson.

This entire scene, with Bilbo slidBlanchett and Stephen Fry. ing on gold coins and jewels, is the » Stars: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Orlando Bloom, » RCC Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. most entertaining in the movie. The dragon is a spectacle to see, as it moves over piles of gold, snarls, and breaths gorgeously dangerous fire.

“Return of the King” look like for an audience.

The back-and-forth dialogue be1920s Disney cartoons.

The biggest problem with this Eventually, a handful of elves movie is that it is impossible to like tween Bilbo and Smaug is delicious. show up and they are naturally led Thorin. He is an arrogant, overbear- It’s funny, snarky, and every single

by Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and ing jerk to his dwarves and even word from Smaug is loaded with the object of his affection, Tauriel after Bilbo saves his bacon again dread. This is the moment that will (Evangeline Lilly). While these and again, he condescends and pa- probably define this entire movie characters inject some amazing ac- tronizes him. At some point, you series. It is tiny Bilbo standing up to tion, they feel a bit out-of-place may ask yourself, “Hey, do I real- a giant, fire-breathing dragon and it and forced – mostly the odd bur- ly want this guy to be King Under is a scene that you may never want to see end. geoning romance between Tauriel the Mountain?”

Smaug is voiced by Benedict and the dwarf Kili (Aidan Turner).

If you’ve read “The Hobbit,” there Apparently, people fall head-over- will be a high level of glee when Cumberbatch and it’s just another heels in love in mere minutes in Bilbo and the dwarves meet Bard entry into his exceptional 2013. His deep, throaty voice is truly creepy Middle Earth. of Laketown (Luke Evans). He aids and scary, yet so perfect that it’s While the action scenes are all the company once they reach Lahard to imagine anyone else’s voice truly beautifully shot and eye popketown, which is at the foot of the ping, they are a bit long. There is HOBBIT continued on Page 5 absolutely nothing wrong with mov- Lonely Mountain. ies running long, but there are a few moments that just feel like overkill.

There is a lengthy side story that follows Gandalf after he leaves the company of Bilbo and the dwarves.

In an effort to not ruin the surprise, let’s just say that this side story begins to tie “The Hobbit” films into “The Lord of the Rings” films. It’s a very cool, albeit easy, way to drum up geeky excitement

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Put a temporary hold on investing when working to eliminate debts Dear Dave, What would you recommend for 401(k) contributions while getting out of debt?

— Chaz

DAVE Says

with laser intensity on knocking out debt. Once that’s out of the way, you can pour even more money Dear Chaz, I recommend putting a temporary into saving, investing and achieving stop to investing while you’re get- financial peace!

— Dave ting out of debt. Lots of people are shocked by this advice, because Dear Dave, they’re afraid of missing out on the My wife and I make about wonders of compound interest or $100,000 a year. We have $63,000 their employer’s match. But the key in the bank, and we owe $47,000 word here is “temporary.” on our home. The house is worth Millions of people have followed about $250,000, and it’s our only and been successful with the pro- debt. We’d like to go ahead and pay gram found in “The Total Money off the house, but we’re worried Your Dorado, Community Guide Makeover.”

TheEl first step, Arkansas Baby about depleting our savings to that Step 1, is to save $1,000 as a starter extent. What would you do? emergency fund. Baby Step 2 is pay —Hits Matt a Month Website A 10-Million+ off allEldoark.com: of your debts, except for your house, from smallest to largest with Dear Matt, the debt snowball plan. During this helps If I were inEldoark.com your situation, I’d cut time you’re attacking your debt with a check and pay off the house. Keep keep you and your incredible intensity and putting ev- in mind that by doing this we’re not ery penny you can scrape together saying you’ll keep your savings at family up to date on toward knocking out debt. that lower point. Once that mortThe average person working gage payment is offinyour backs, all things my plan can pay off all their debt, you’ll be able to save more and save excluding their home, in 18 to faster than ever!

El Dorado and 24 months. Some folks can do it fastThat’s my advice. Pay off the South Arkansas. er, and for some it takes a little bit house and become completely debtlonger. But during this time I want free today. You’ll still have $16,000 Log on today! your financial focus to be squarely dollars in the bank and a six-figure on getting out of debt. Once that’s income. It won’t take you long to redone, you’ll find that you have a build your savings all the way back Visit Eldoark.com be part of a community thatbefore, receivesif12that’s lot more control overto your biggest to what website you had wealth-building tool: yourStay income. both want.

You could do it million hits per month. up to datewhat on El you Dorado with the community Many times in life we try to ac- in just a few months. complish too Sandy’s many things at more! once.Also,I’m calendar, Blog and enter our weekly nibbler looking at this as antrivia opportuOne problem with this is often it di- nity to achieve the kind of financial contests a chance to win every minishes ourfor ability to focus.

Whenweek! independence everyone wants but you spend all your time nickel-and- few actually have. Go for it, Matt!

— Dave diming everything, the result is that One very Stopwell.

For Everything EL DORADO! nothing Your gets done You Dave Ramsey has authored four New need to really move the needle and York Times best-selling books: Visitfinance Eldoark.com For: see results because personal “Financial Peace,” “More Than is 80 percent behavior and only Enough,” “The Total Money Calendar, News, Real Estate 20 percent headClassifieds, knowledge.

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The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more really a math issue because if you’d Newsthe Video On Demand, Employment, Pets:5,000,000 Lost & Foundlisteners each been doing math all along, you Movies, Contests,than week on more than 500 radio stations. wouldn’t have a bunch of debt.

Follow Dave on Twitter at South period Arkansas Leader That’s why, for aTheshort of Online & Much More! @DaveRamsey and on the time, I want you to concentrate Web at daveramsey.com.

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Helping Hands: Salvation Army Corps assistant Johnathan Flowers (right) and volunteer Xavier Thrower help load a Christmas tree onto a family’s car on Dec. 8 following “The Festival of Trees.” — Brooke Burger / South Arkansas Leader

Working together Local groups, businesses, individuals work together to spread holiday cheer

In a collaborative effort, members of the community, the South Arkansas Arts Center, Deltic Timber and the Salvation Army helped spread a little extra holiday cheer to area families in need with the SAAC’s 13th annual “The Festival of Trees.”

The live Fraser Fir trees were provided by Deltic Timber to the South Arkansas Arts Center, where they were adopted by individuals, businesses, schools, and civic and social groups. Decorated to fit the theme “A Vintage Christmas,” the trees were on display at the Arts Center for two weeks, beginning

with the SAAC visual arts committee’s lighting ceremony and awards reception in November.

The award for Best of Show went to HealthWorks Fitness Center Aquacise and Deep-Water Pool Pals for its tree, “Remember When.”

First place was awarded to Rhetta Brown Academy of Communication and Technology for its “Have Yourself a Vintage Christmas” tree.

Union County Master Gardeners secured second place with its tree, “A Children’s Vintage Christmas,” and third went to First Financial

TREES continued on Page 9

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Shingles: Vaccine now available for painful skin disorder Rosaline Fraser, MD

South Arkansas Family Care Center

Remember those itchy red bumps from that childhood run-in with chicken pox? It can return – and the consequences can be much more severe and long-lasting. Any adult who has had chicken pox – 95 percent of the nation’s population – is susceptible to an outbreak of shingles.

The good news is that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently put its stamp of approval on a shingles vaccine, now officially recommended for all people over age 60. This vaccine is administered by a one-time injection. In recent tests, the vaccine eliminated shingles outbreak in half of clinical trial participants, and reduced shingles-related pain and complications in two-thirds of vaccinated individuals.

An estimated 1 million Americans are affected by shingles every year. Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox, known as the herpes zoster virus. A shingles outbreak is simply a reactivation of this virus.

Certain conditions – stress, a

Unusual shingles treatment found in dojo Those who have an aversion to needles may want to explore the benefits of martial arts.

A surprising self-remedy for shingles prevention is tai chi, a traditional Chinese martial art characterized by slow, deliberate and graceful movements that improve concentration and balance. In addition to these benefits, several industry studies have shown that tai chi actually increases immunity to shingles – particularly in older adults.

A 2007 National Institutes of Health-funded study found that tai chi helped increase immunity to the virus that causes shingles, as well as boost the effectiveness of the vaccine. The study was the first clinical trial to suggest that a behavioral intervention, alone or in combination with a vaccine, could

help protect older adults from the virus that causes both chickenpox and shingles.

The preventive effect of tai chi is not clear, but experts conclude that the ancient art form’s immunity-boosting properties also help to stave off the reactivation of the virus, since the body’s immune system weakens with age.

weakened immune system, certain drug treatments and aging – can reactivate the virus, which results in shingles. Some experts even speculate that sunburn or the flu could be

among the potential triggers.

Shingles starts with a tingling feeling, pain, burning, itching or numbness locally on one side of the body or face, followed by the

development of painful, fluid-filled blisters. The blisters develop on your skin along the distribution of nerves: along the chest, abdomen, back, face, neck, limbs or lower back. The area can be painful, itchy or tender. The blisters eventually heal and form scabs, although the pain can become continuous and deeper. This pain, which continues after the scabs have healed, is known as postherpetic neuralgia and can continue for months, or even years.

The initial outbreak can be treated and controlled with prescription medication. However, a shingles outbreak is not to be taken lightly: shingles-related complications can be very severe, and can linger long after the outbreak has run its course. As many as one half of senior adults who have suffered an outbreak of shingles experience chronic pain, scarring, secondary bacterial infections, pneumonia, and visual and hearing impairments. Another rare complication is a brain infection, known as meningitis.

SHINGLES continued on Page 8

Renowned writer overcomes severe adversity in childhood Ken Bridges

South Arkansas Historical Foundation

No one would have imagined what would become of the small, 3-year-old girl when she arrived in Arkansas in 1931. Today, she is recognized around the world as one of the most acclaimed writers of modern times. Maya Angelou overcame a life of poverty, racism and violence to become one of the nation’s most celebrated writers.

Maya Angelou was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1928 in deep poverty in a dangerously unstable family. Her parents broke up several times and ended up abandoning her and her older brother. At the age of 3, she and her brother were sent to live with their maternal grandmother, Annie Henderson, in the small town of Stamps in Lafayette County.

Henderson and her husband had built a very successful general

store that allowed them to not only withstand the poverty of the Great Depression, but also to help their neighbors. In Stamps, the family was subject to racism, from segregated schools to being refused service by doctors and dentists to terrifying raids by the Ku Klux Klan. In spite of this, her grandmother taught Angelou the importance of family, hard work and faith.

This relative stability would end in 1936 when her father arrived suddenly in Stamps and took Angelou back to St. Louis to live with her mother. Not long afterward, her mother’s live-in boyfriend raped the 8-year-old girl. Her attacker was convicted but sentenced to only a day in jail. Shortly after his release, he was killed, possibly by members of her own family in retaliation.

So traumatized by these events,

H

South Arkansas Historical Foundation presents

ist o ry minute

Angelou lost her ability to speak.

Only the help of a family friend, who tutored her and instilled a love of great literature in her, allowed her to begin talking again five years later.

She struggled for several more years. As a teenager, she briefly dropped out of high school but returned and graduated at the age of 17, three weeks before giving birth to her son. She took a number of different jobs, including work as a singer and actress.

She came to know a number of prominent African-American artists who encouraged her to move to New York and work as a writer

by 1960.

In 1969, she chronicled the story of her early life in her first autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” The graphic depictions of assaults and exploitation shocked many, but the book served as a powerful testament to one woman’s determination to succeed in spite of so much against her. Angelou was nominated for a National Book Award in 1970. She would write many more popular books and eventually become the nation’s poet laureate in 1993, reading one of her poems at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton.

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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Child passenger safety technician training will be provided next month

HOBBIT

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Murphy USA to hold grand opening next Friday, Dec. 20

Child Safety: Many new parents may need assistance learning the ropes of child safety-seats and car restraints. A training seminar will be offered in Hope for those interested in becoming a Child Passenger Safety technician. — Courtesy photo

HOPE — The University of Arkansas Community College at Hope will host a Child Passenger Safety technician training on its campus in January.

The UAMS Child Passenger Safety Education Program will cover the cost of the training so that the class will be offered free to the community. Anyone can attend the training, but must be able to commit to the entire training, which will run from Jan. 22-25, 2014.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, there are more than 36,000 certified Child Passenger Safety technicians in the nation who serve as advocates and as a resource in their communities. Certified CPS technicians can offer a variety of

South Arkansas Leader

activities, including community presentations and child safety seat checks, which allow parents and caregivers to receive education and hands-on assistance with the proper use of child restraint systems and seat belts.

The training is a standardized program designed to educate individuals who wish to become certified Child Passenger Safety technicians. Sessions will include a variety of topics related to child passenger safety and will include lecture, hands-on practice and group discussion. Students should be prepared for the substantial physical activity required to install safety seats.

In order to receive the two-year

TRAINING continued on Page 9

traveling companions, and ultimately, conveys bravery and fear all with continued from Page 2 his eyes.

Up until now, Freeman had been come out of one of the most perfect along for the ride. Here, he shows CGI creations in movie history. exactly why he is the perfect choice However, the final 30 to 40 min- for Bilbo Baggins. utes are absolutely on Martin FreeThat’s not to say that “The Desoman. He shows all of the traits that lation of Smaug” is not without make him such an endearing ac- problems. It is loaded with them. tor, as he comically falls on gold, There are moments when Legolas shrugs at ominous threats from his looks like gravity simply doesn’t

Murphy USA will hold an El Dorado Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of its El Dorado retail store, located at 2720 North West Ave., on Friday, Dec. 20.

The celebration will begin at 11:30 a.m. as Murphy USA President and CEO Andrew Clyde cuts the ribbon on the company’s 1,200th store.

The community is invited to attend the grand opening celebration from noon to 7 p.m. The event will include hot dogs at the

BancorpSouth tent and pizza from Larry’s Pizza of El Dorado. Guests will have the chance to win door prizes, including a TV, gift cards and a video game system. Noalmark Broadcasting will be on site for live remote during the event.

The Murphy USA El Dorado store officially opened its doors last week on Dec. 11.

For more information, contact the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce at 870.863.6113, or connect with Murphy USA on Facebook at facebook.com/MurphyUSA.

Application deadline for single parent scholarship approaches The deadline for applications for the Union County Single Parent Scholarship is Feb. 3, 2014.

To be eligible, one must live in Union County, be enrolled in any college or university and be a single parent providing support of a dependent child or children under the age of 18 in the household.

Applications are available online at www.aspsf.org/students_sp scholarships.html and at the South Arkansas Community College financial aid office.

For more information about donating to the scholarship fund or applying for a scholarship, call 870.864.7150.

South Arkansas Community College’s publication takes home regional award The South Arkansas Community College Foundation 2012 Annual Report has been selected for a Gold Medallion by District 4 of the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations.

The regional award represents first place in the category.

NCMPR is an organization for marketing professionals at community colleges. District 4 is comprised of a six-state area including apply to him; one action scene just goes on entirely too long; and there are those moments where you realize you’re watching nothing more than CGI characters having a conversation and it’s pretty much a cartoon.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is heads and tails better than the first “Hobbit” movie. It’s way more fun and never boring, not even for a five minute span. Not only that,

Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming.

The publication was designed by marketing and communications coordinator Heath Waldrop, with contributions from Foundation director Cynthia Reyna, SouthArk president Dr. Barbara Jones and others.

The 2013 Foundation Annual Report will be released later this month. it ends on perhaps the bravest and jarring cliffhanger in movie history.

It takes some serious gumption to end a movie the way that Peter Jackson and crew do here and it should only leave people begging for more.

Red Carpet Crash provides review writing on films, DVDs and television; news and updates on all things entertainment; and the occasional free stuff.

Find RCC at www.redcarpetcrash.com or facebook.com/RedCarpetCrash.

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Canines with a cause spreading across county Brooke Burger Editor

Man’s best friend has a new job description as of late. Therapy dogs are becoming increasingly popular across the nation, as canines find themselves employed in facilities ranging from libraries and schools to hospitals and nursing homes, and even federal prisons. The trend has not missed South Arkansas, with Union County welcoming yet another therapy dog to the area last week.

The Labradoodle named Wilson joined the ranks of a number of area therapy dogs that work with young and old alike, as he made his introduction at the South Arkansas Developmental Center for Children and Families. Wilson’s owners, Gary and Karen Millican of El Dorado, indicated that Wilson will work predominately with children, making weekly visits to the SADCCF and HOPE Landing and occasional visits to Barton Junior High School.

Karen Millican said she named Wilson after the iconic volleyball in “Castaway” (2000). With his handprint face, Wilson the volleyball provided Tom Hanks’ character help and support during his isolation on the deserted island, and Karen said she feels that’s what Wilson the Labradoodle is – a source of help and support to children who need someone to lean on.

That is, perhaps, the therapy dog’s main task.

Long ago dogs wove themselves into the fabric of human existence, creating a symbiotic relationship between man and beast that has stood the test of time. With job descriptions ranging from hunting and herding to search-and-rescue and sniffing out cancer, dogs have long been an invaluable asset to societies across the world in a number of capacities. But perhaps the dog’s most influential role is reflected in the oftused phrase “man’s best friend.”

There are plenty of animals that work to the benefit of man, but no other animal has served so faithfully as companion to humans as the dog.

That companionship became of greater value to humans shortly after World War I when the use of “service dog” began developing.

While the service dog is defined by the American’s with Disabilities Act as a dog “individually trained to do

Making Friends: Ultimate Canine trainer Julie Case helps the Labradoodle Wilson meet with students at the South Arkansas Developmental Center for Children and Families on Dec. 10.

— Brooke Burger / South Arkansas Leader

work or perform tasks for the benefit of a person with a disability,” a therapy dog’s training is less specific.

The therapy dog is trained to work with a variety of people in an array of situations and settings. Currently, Union County has at least two other therapy dogs in addition to Wilson – Max at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home and Lucy at HOPE Landing.

It’s no surprise that dogs have a positive effect on humans’ physical and psychological health, and studies continue to show the benefits from reducing stress and lowering blood pressure to helping facilitate rehabilitation and treating depression. According Lucy’s owner and speech pathologist at HOPE Landing Suzanne Bledsoe, the benefit that a dog can have on people, especially children and those with disabilities, is profound.

Lucy, a 3-year-old Labrador mix, has worked at HOPE Landing since January. Within her first year, she has already helped one child have

DOG continued on Page 7

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DOG

continued from Page 6

a major breakthrough that Bledsoe said still gives her chills.

Though the young girl started out with a powerful fear of dogs, often freezing at the sight of one, she eventually became so accustomed to Lucy that she wouldn’t participate in therapy unless Lucy did it first.

And Lucy did it, Bledsoe said, from having her hair brushed to jumping on the trampoline. Bledsoe said it was especially beneficial in helping the young girl feel more comfortable with specific tasks that she had previously been adverse to – if Lucy did it, the child was quick to follow.

“It was just amazing,” Bledsoe said. “There’s such an acceptance there – the dogs don’t care if the child doesn’t speak clearly or walks with a limp – it’s just a beautiful thing.”

Bledsoe said her husband found Lucy and her siblings abandoned on the side of the road about three years ago. While they waited to find homes for all of the pups, Bledsoe said her family noticed that Lucy was different. She didn’t scramble

South Arkansas Leader

certify dogs), the one defining characteristic of dogs in this field is temperament. Wilson, Case said, has an excellent temperament that’s perfect for therapy work with children.

According to Wilson’s owners, adopting a therapy dog was an easy next-step.

“This is something Karen and I had wanted to do,” Gary Millican said of his and his wife Karen’s decision to adopt Wilson. “We love dogs and wanted to help kids, so it was just a kind of natural fit for us.”

In addition to taking Wilson on weekly visits to HOPE Landing, SADCCF and occasional visits to Barton Junior High School, Karen Millican said they will eventually take him to work with children at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, A New Start: Ladonna Collins, a resident at Hudson Memorial Nursing Home, which requires all dogs be at least meets the facility’s therapy dog for the first time. Max was trained by Arkansas 1 year old to work there.

Paws for Prison and placed by Arkansas Paws 4 Seniors in July. — File photo Shirley Myers, a social worker at and fight and cause a ruckus like the top trainers in the nation, Case is SADCCF, said she is thrilled that other dogs. Observant and reserved, a certified master K9 dog trainer, the facility will now be able to reap Lucy was not the runt of the litter, owner of Ultimate Canine in Indi- the benefits of a therapy dog.

“Animals are instrumental in helpshe just had a more relaxed and calm ana and the official trainer for Wildisposition than the average puppy. son’s breeder, Meadow Park Labra- ing children to relax and relate,” Myers said. “[A therapy dog] will According to Wilson’s trainer Ju- doodles, also located in Indiana. lie Case, temperament is extremely While there is not a unifying board give them exposure to animals and important in selecting a dog for that certifies therapy dogs (leaving provide a positive one-on-one intertherapy work. Noted as one of the a number of options to train and action with an animal.”

M*A*S*H

Annual Union County Make A Smile Happen toy drive

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Chamber announces 2013 Christmas Parade winners Despite a postponement due to weather, the 2013 El Dorado Christmas Parade, “Christmas in Candyland,” showcased more than 100 candy-themed floats to thousands of spectators.

Sponsored by Entegra-Union Power Partners, the annual event is managed by the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, with parade chair Kelli Harrison and co-chair Carlee Alston leading this year’s parade committee.

The parade will re-air on Immanuel Baptist Church’s KCIB-LD TV 5.1, SuddenLink cable channel 14, at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. It will also air at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. As well, the parade will again be available on DVD, which will include narration by parade emcees, Austin Barrow, president and executive director of El Dorado Festival & Events; and Laura Barrow, owner of Spa on Main.

The DVDs cost $10 each and can be purchased through Immanuel Baptist Church by calling 870.862.4264 or at its location at 701 South West Ave., in El Dorado.

The winners of the 2013 El Dorado Christmas Parade are:

Overall Winner

» Union County Sheriff’s Office Search-and-Rescue Vehicle in the Car/Truck category

Large Float

» First – KLBQ / Real American Country 98.7 with “Candyland Express Train” » Second – Professional Cosmetology Education Center » Third – Calvary Trails Cowboy Church

Small Float

» First – New Olive Branch Baptist Church » Second – Executive Dance and Fitness with “Welcome to Candyland”

» Third – Smackover Daisy Girl Scout Troop No. 2331

Car/Truck

» First – Faircrest Volunteer Fire Department » Second – SAMA HealthCare Services » Third – “Love for Tori – Fighting Leukemia”

Customized Car/Truck » First – South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra

Walking

» First – The Salvation Army » Second – SAMA HealthCare Services » Third – Junior ROTC Color Guard / Drill Team

Bands

» First – Norphlet High School Leopard Marching Band » Second – Smackover Buckaroo Band » Third – Junction City High School Band

Motorcycle

» First – Southark Cruisers: Arnold Furlough » Second – Southark Cruisers: Johnny Benton, Robert Nelson, Anthony Harris

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SHINGLES

had shingles, it’s a good idea to get the vaccine, as a past outbreak of continued from Page 4 shingles will not protect from getting the skin disorder again.

Though shingles is not highly For more information on the contagious, it can be transmitted prevention and treatment of to individuals with a compromised shingles, the shingles vaccine and immune system, such as those with its benefits, contact the Mediadvanced HIV disease or on checal Center of South Arkansas at motherapy. It can be debilitating 870.864.3245. More information and a severe outbreak can result in about the shingles vaccine can vision loss, physical impairment also be found online at http://1.usa and depression. While advanc.gov/1cMNpqx. ing age is the primary risk factors for shingles, other groups at risk About the Author: Dr. Rosainclude people with HIV infection line Fraser, family practice, is a or compromised immune systems, part of South Arkansas Family cancer, or those taking steroids.

Care Center and a member of the Getting the vaccination early is medical staff of Medical Center of recommended for best results.

South Arkansas. After receiving It’s important to know that the her undergraduate degree from the vaccine is intended to prevent – University of Illinois at Chicago, not treat – shingles, and the vacFraser completed her medical cine’s effectiveness in reducing the training at the George Washington incidence of shingles is lower for University School of Medicine in older adults. In clinical trials cited Washington, D.C. and her resiby the CDC, the vaccine was dency with St. Francis Hospital in 64 percent effective for adults ages Wilmington, Del. Fraser says she 60 to 64; 41 percent effective for is enjoying the family-oriented people ages 70 to 79 years old; but nature of the local community only 18 percent effective for indiand looks forward to meeting new viduals 80 years and up. However, patients. She is currently acceptshingles is so pervasive among the ing new patients and appointoldest Americans and the side efments may be scheduled by calling fects are so severe that the vaccine 870.875.5500. still has a major impact among this Located in El Dorado, Arkansas, the age group, according to the CDC. Medical Center of South Arkansas is a Anyone considering the shingles 166-bed, general acute care hospital vaccine should remember that the accredited by The Joint Commission. For earlier it’s administered, the better. more information, call 870.863.2000 or visit www.themedcenter.net.

Even for those who have already

Horse

» Best Decorated Wagon – The Quilted History, nonprofit organization » Best Decorated Riding Group – Holly Grove Riders: Phil Hamaker and Ashlyn Hamaker » Best Decorated Horse – Furninza Davis

Texas Bragg Trailers

For more information on the 2013 El Dorado Christmas Parade, contact the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce at 870.863.6113, or go online to www.goeldorado.com.

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Defining girl power Union County Girl Scouts provide opportunities for girls to grow

What do you want for the girl in your life?

You want her to become selfconfident, strong and compassionate. You want her to respect herself and others, make good decisions, and use her skills and talents to make her world a better place. You want her to build strong friendships, be a leader, and put her values into practice in her everyday life.

You want her to become her best self.

Social pressure, image issues and uncertain security – there are so many potential hurdles to girls’ well-being. For over 100 years, Girl Scouts has been helping girls realize their full potential and everything that the Girl Scout Leadership Experience provides.

What Do Girl Scouts Do?

Girl Scouting is fun with a purpose! Girl Scouts provides girls with opportunities to address the important issues in their lives.

Girl Scouts do almost anything girls like to do. Whether it’s leadership programs on healthy living and body image at the Boys and Girls Club in El Dorado, archery and other outdoor events, or service projects that address community needs, Girl Scouts in Union County are teaching girls important life skills while having a blast with friends and positive adult mentors and role models.

Developed through years of experience and based on research, Girl Scouting is designed to provide engaging and worthwhile activities that respond to

the needs of today’s girls, with flexibility that respects their busy lives – and yours!

Your Time, Your Life.

Your calendar is full. Your todo list is jam-packed. You want your girl to join and you want to help out, but it’s almost impossible to find the time.

Don’t panic. You don’t have to give up your life to support your Girl Scout.

Because there are only so many hours in a day, girls, along with their parents and guardians, have to balance many growing and diverging interests, commitments and responsibilities. You’ll be surprised at how flexible Girl Scouting is today. You can choose how little or how much time and energy you can give – both girls and adults can choose activities ranging between a few hours, a few weeks, or even the school year. YOU decide!

It’s never too late to join!

Contact the Girl Scouts through email at membership@girlscouts diamonds.org to find out how to get your girl active in the leadership programs of the Girl Scouts – Diamonds Council today!

Union United is a section showcasing the news and happenings of the 14 nonprofit partner agencies of the United Way of Union County.

For more information, call 870.862.4903, email liveunited@uwucar.org or visit the website at www.uwucar.org.

TREES

continued from Page 3

Bank with “Home, Sweet Home.”

Hugh Goodwin Academy for the Arts’ “Remembering Our Troops, Yesterday and Today” received honorable mention.

The Captain’s Tree award, selected

by Capt. Nakisha Carr of the El Dorado Salvation Army, was presented to HealthWorks Fitness Center Aquacise and Deep-Water Pool Pals.

TRAINING continued from Page 5

certification, students must attend all phases of the course, and pass the performance evaluations. Students also are required to participate in the car-seat checkup event.

The course will begin at noon on Jan. 22 and will run until 5 p.m. The following two days (Jan. 23-24) will run all day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The checkup event, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, will allow parents and guardians to come in for evaluation and assistance in properly using child restraints and seatbelts,

South Arkansas Leader

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The Arts Center works hand-inhand with the Salvation Army during the annual “The Festival of Trees” to ensure that the decorated trees are given to less fortunate families throughout the community at the conclusion of the festival. Carr was on hand Dec. 8 with Blood and Fire Initiative youth pastor and Corps assistant Johnathan Flowers to help load up the trees for families on a first-come first-serve basis. A total of 39 trees were dispersed throughout the county. beginning at 10 a.m.

The classes and checkup event will take place on the campus of the U of A Community College at Hope, located at 2500 South Main St. Students must be at least 18 years of age to enroll in the course, which is limited to 15 students. To register, contact instructor Holly Terry at 501.364.2478 or email hmterry@uams.edu to receive a registration form.

For more information on CPS certification, visit Safe Kids Worldwide’s National Child Passenger Safety Certification online at cert.safekids.org.

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South Arkansas Leader

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COMMUNITY calendar

» MUSEUM’S HOLIDAY LIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA — The Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources will light up Oil Field Park with more than 200,000 lights during its Holiday Light Extravaganza. The walking tour is wheelchair accessible and features a number of lighted vignettes and scenes from the holiday season. Admission costs $3 for children under the age of 12 and $5 for adults; children under 2 get in free. Package deals are available for $15 for a family of four (two adults and two children, plus $3 for each additional child); and $3 per person for groups of 10 or more.

When: Now through Dec. 23, 6 to 8:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday Where: Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, 3835 Smackover Highway, Smackover Contact: For more information, call the museum at 870.725.2877. » HOLIDAY RIDES — Each Friday and Saturday night through the holidays, hay rides and the PJ’s Express train will take passengers on a tour of the Union Square District to see the holiday lights. The hay ride will load in front of La Bella’s, while PJ’s Express will load in front of PJ’s Coffee.

Both rides cost $5 for adults and $3 for children. There is no charge for infants and toddlers sitting in an adult’s lap.

There will also be a Romance Carriage Ride available for $30 per group.

When: Now through Dec. 21, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays Where: Union Square District, downtown El Dorado Contact: For more information, go online to the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce at goeldorado.com.

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

» COUNTY HOT CHECK OFFICE CLOSED — The offices of the Union County Hot Check Program will be closed to process the end of the year.

The office will still accept payments through the mail or in the drop box located at the Hot Check Office.

When: Closed from Dec. 18 through Jan. 2, 2014 Where: Room 113, 307 American Road, El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact program coordinator Debra Stevens at 870.864.1963. » ‘AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS’ — The performance and media arts department of South Arkansas Community College will present the one-act Christmas-themed opera “Amahl and hte Night Visitors.”

Tickets are $10 for general admission seating and free for students. The opera stars Sophia Meyer, Liz Slater, Steve Harrell, Ricky Green, Shelton Harden, Joe Smith, Beth Moses, Anne Moses, Rick Morgan, David Joyner and Jim Roomsburg, as well as members of the SouthArk Choral Society.

When: Thursday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Callaway Theatre, South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact Victoria Harden, SouthArk Music Department, at 870.864.7176. » NOEL: Not One Elder Left out Donations — The community organization NOEL: Not One Elder Left out, led by Katie Roberson, is accepting donations to distribute to area nursing home residents who may not have family to spend the holidays with. The group hopes to fill at least

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.

40 gift bags with items such as fleece blankets, lotions, socks, lip balm, facial tissue packets, sugar-free candy, large print crossword and word search books, pens and bookmarks. Anyone interested in participating can prepare their own gift bag, donate any of the items listed, contribute funds to purchase the items, or volunteer their time on the day of the delivery, scheduled for 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23.

When: Donations must be received by 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 Where: Donations can be dropped off at Discount Tobacco No. 3, located at 3214 North West Ave., El Dorado.

Contact: For more information, contact Katie Roberson at 870.310.4003 or go online to facebook.com/Not OneElderLeftout. » COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS DINNER — The Salvation Army invites the community to come out and enjoy a Christmas dinner on Christmas Day. The Salvation Army will close at noon on Christmas Eve, but the regular Tuesday meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Where: Salvation Army, 419 South Madison, El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact Capt. Bobby Carr at 870.863.4830. » U LEAD CLASS 3 OPENS ENROLLMENT — The El Dorado Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for Leadership Union County Class 3, sponsored by Great Lakes Solutions and NexansAmerCable. The 10-month program, which begins Feb. 26, 2014, is designed to strengthen the community by

developing leadership through community interaction, teamwork, networking and hands-on experiences.

When: Deadline to apply is Jan. 17, 2014.

Where: Applications are available online at goeldorado.com/leadership, or at the Chamber office, located at 111 West Main St. Contact: For more information, contact the Chamber at 870.863.6113 or email chamber@goeldorado.com. » SOUTHARK 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.

Have an event to announce?

Submit your event or announcement to the South Arkansas Leader at leader@noalmark.com.

Crossword and Sudoku Answer Key

Dec. 11

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L

SUDOKU

EADER

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

A less traditional yet tasty take on a holiday dinner

For those looking to branch out from the typical holiday dinner, the following recipe for “WinterStuffed Pork Tenderloin,” from Laurey Masterton’s “The Fresh Honey Cookbook” (Storey Publishing), is sure to make a splash at your holiday dinner table.

Winter Fruit-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin 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:

Serves 8 » 1/2 cup dried apricots » 1/2 cup dried cherries » 1/2 cup dried figs » 2 pork tenderloins (about 3 pounds total) » 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

» 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper » 1 cup crumbled blue cheese » 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil » 4 tablespoons butter » 1/4 cup honey, preferably sourwood honey

Mince the apricots, cherries and figs by hand or in a food processor. Slice the tenderloins lengthwise, almost all the way through. Open them up and lay them flat. Place each tenderloin on a large piece of plastic wrap. Cover with another piece of plastic wrap and pound each piece of meat with a meat tenderizer until it is about 1/2-inch thick. Remove the top piece of plastic.

Season the surface of the pork with the salt and pepper.

Divide the fruit mixture in half and spread evenly on the cut surface of each tenderloin. Top each with half of the cheese. Roll up each tenderloin, using the bottom piece of plastic to help you, tucking in the fruit and cheese as you go. Tie kitchen string every 2 inches around the tenderloins, continuing to push in any fruit or cheese that may fall out.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the tied tenderloins, turning as each side is browned. Be careful when searing the open side, as some fruit and cheese might fall out. You are just trying to seal in the meat juices, not trying to cook the pork all the way through.

Combine the butter and honey in a microwaveable bowl and microwave on high for about 20 seconds, or until the butter is melted. Drizzle the butter over the tenderloins.

Place the tenderloins on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees. Remove the baking sheet and allow the tenderloins to sit for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This will keep the juices in the meat rather than all over your kitchen counter.

Snip off and discard the strings. Slice the pork into 1-inchthick pieces and serve.

CLUES ACROSS 1. Leopold’s partner in crime 5. Black furs 11. Truman’s hometown 14. Dean residence 15. Chief Polish port 18. Grin 19. Complied with 21. Explosive 23. Perennial woody plant 24. Expression 28. Small Japanese deer 29. Denotes past 30. Bullfighting maneuver 32. Deaf signing language 33. Assistance

35. What part of (abbr.)

36. Parts per thousand (abbr.)

39. Two-toed sloth 41. Exclamation of surprise 42. Extinct European ox 44. Moving in a circle 46. College army 47. Radioactivity unit 49. Give a quick reply 52. Spanish appetizers 56. Environment 58. Gold, quartz or iron 60. Fellowes’ Masterpiece series 62. Old style recording 63. Questions

CLUES DOWN 1. Box top 2. Small integers 3. Mild yellow Dutch cheese 4. Bolivian savanna 5. Open air performing for love 6. No matter what or which 7. Religious degree 8. Lower limb 9. Prefix meaning inside 10. Crust covering a wound 12. Assail repeatedly 13. Samoyedic (alt. sp.)

16. Damascus is the capital 17. Peeps (Scot.)

20. Transaction 22. Touchdown 25. Associated press 26. An opening between things

27. Increasing 29. Cologne 31. Ethiopia (abbr.)

34. A 24-hour period 36. Kitty sound 37. Prefatory discourse 38. -frutti 40. Biblical Sumerian city 43. Criticize harshly 45. 25th state 48. Comedian Carvey 50. A wild disturbance 51. Pueblo American Indians 53. 9-banded armadillo 54. Arbitrageurs 55. Thai language of Khammouane 57. Atomic No. 105 58. First weekday (abbr.)

59. Fleur-de-___ 61. The seventh tone

Answer key on page 10.

11

12

South Arkansas Leader

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MASH

continued from Page 1

next home will be, or even worse, what painful conditions await them in their own home,” Krneta said.

“Waking up to a morning filled with joyful laughter and a decorated tree with wonderful surprises underneath is inconceivable.”

But through the M.A.S.H toy drive, CASA and KIX are able to provide Christmas gifts to all of the children the organization serves, Krneta said, making a smile happen for at least some children who need it the most.

“We just make sure that with everything they’ve been through, that they can still have a Christmas and that we make it a special time of the year for them,” Krneta said.

Jay Helm, general manager of Noalmark’s El Dorado stations, said that he is glad that the company can provide the reach of radio to help local nonprofits, like CASA and the Salvation Army, provide for residents who need it most, especially during this time of the year.

“We can use the power of radio to encourage people across

M.A.S.H: Jayme Walton (left), volunteer coordinator for 13th Judicial District South CASA, was making a list and checking it twice during the annual M.A.S.H toy drive on Friday, Dec. 13.

Walton and CASA training facilitator Laverne Rainey kept track of the donations as they rolled in during the threeday toy drive that ran through Dec. 14.

this region to come and do something worthwhile for a nonprofit agency,” Helm said.

Noalmark also partnered with the 13th South CASA, which also services Columbia County,

holding a separate M.A.S.H toy drive with its KVMA and KVMZ stations in Magnolia earlier this month. As well, the El Dorado cluster of stations also assisted the Salvation Army last month with its

AdoptMe Pet adoptions are available at the Union County Animal Protection Society shelter, 1000 Sunset Road, El Dorado. UCAPS’s is open from noon to 5 p.m.

Wednesday through Saturday. For information about adopting or sponsoring a pet, call 870.862.0502.

— Brooke Burger / South Arkansas Leader

Feel

the

annual Thanksgiving food drive and turkey drop.

“Radio’s powerful if it’s used the right way. The people who work at our stations – from the DJs to the office staff to the corporate office – all want to do something to try to help our community.”

Helm said he was impressed by how quickly area residents responded when the live broadcast started on Thursday morning, Dec. 12. Within five minutes, Helm said there were people there to pick up a Christmas wish list and start shopping. He also noted that many of the area’s companies took up donations from their employees to help purchase sizable donations for the toy drive, from fleets of bicycles to an oil drum full of toys.

“Thank you to the people in Union County and El Dorado who participated in this event and for making it a success,” Helm said.

“Just knowing that what they gave will make a smile happen is what it’s all about.”

For more information about the 13th Judicial District South CASA, call the office at 870.862.2272 or go online to 13southcasa.com.

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Puff Daddy and his girlfriend Gypsy are looking for their forever home.

He is a Pomeranian and she’s a Chiweeniewah. These two love birds are inseparable and need to be adopted as a pair. The are used to the outdoors, but would adapt well to indoor living.

Sable is sweet girl who was recently rescued. She is about 1 year old and may be a cross between a Chihuahua and a Beagle (Cheagle). Sable was formerly a pet and is well-behaved with a gentle disposition. This precious girl is kennel trained and is available for adoption.

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