Volume 9 - No. 52

L

Union County’s source for community news and more

South Arkansas

Feb. 19, 2014

EADER

Volume 9 – No. 52 WANT MORE?

facebook.com/saleader

Navigating ACA

Small businesses to get help with Affordable Care Act Area small-business owners and employees can learn about new health insurance options and requirements for small businesses on Thursday, Feb. 20.

The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center of Southern Arkansas University will present the training, “Informed Businesses: Navigating the Affordable Care Act,” 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, set for 9 to 11 a.m. at South Arkansas Community College’s East Campus, will discuss key provisions for the federal health care law – the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 – and the new Health Insurance Marketplace, which opened Oct. 1, 2013.

The training will highlight: » The Arkansas Health Connector website, created by the Arkansas

Affordable Care Act Session

Insurance Department to provide consumers with the information and tools needed to obtain health insurance through the new Health Insurance Marketplace; » SHOP, the Small Business Health Options Program, a marketplace designed to help businesses

provide health coverage to their employees; » Compliance and notification requirements that began last October for employers; » New tax reporting requirements

Get Heart Smart p. 4

Nominate Arkansas brands for ‘Battle of the Brands’ during Entrepreneur Week LITTLE ROCK — In honor of the Eighth Annual National Entrepreneur Week, the Arkansas Capital Corporation Group is reminding businesses to nominate themselves to be part of the Second Annual Battle of the Brands tournament, designed to shine a spotlight on the legacy and future of entrepreneurship in Arkansas.

Nominations for brands to be included in the top-64 bracket are being accepted through Friday, Feb. 21, and brands can be nominated at arksourcelink.com/brands.

Customers can also nominate their favorite Arkansas brands for the tournament.

All registered businesses in Arkansas that meet the following criteria are eligible for inclusion in the tournament: » The business or entrepreneurial roots must be here in Arkansas. » Must show evidence of growth and innovation. » Business must have been in business for at least one year. » Businesses can be self-nominated or nominated by individuals with no affiliation to the business.

Sixty-four companies representing some of Arkansas’ most iconic brands and entrepreneurial upstarts will be randomly selected to fill the first tournament-style bracket,

ACA continued on Page 6

BRANDS continued on Page 12

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

|

2

South Arkansas Leader

02•19•14

Log on to www.eldoark.com ...

Remake of ‘RoboCop’ is a smarter, but less witty reinvention Nathan Ligon

Red Carpet Crash

RoboCop

Count me as an extremely surprised individual. Like many who first heard that they were remaking “RoboCop,” I was a bit leery. The first film is such a unique thing, and so well remembered by all who have seen it that it’s hard to see why you would need another one.

Yet if you think about it for a while, you can probably say that about most really good films. If you have a connection to a movie then you don’t want to see it get done again. It was already done right the first time. That may be true in a lot of cases; that may be true in the case of this film, but that doesn’t mean that it was not worth remaking. RoboCop is an iconic character, and his story is ripe for reinterpretation. Just like Batman or Superman, RoboCop can be remade to try and get at something new for a new generation. It may not end up being a superior film, but it might just say something new for its intended audience to chew on.

That’s the thing that I really like about the new “RoboCop” movie.

Yeah, it has all the bells and whistles. The new suit is pretty cool.

The action sequences are kind of

fun. I also really like the motorcycle that RoboCop drives around on. But that is not why I am recommending it. I am recommending it for the clever way it makes a political point about our current drone program and the fear of drones eventually being used on U.S. soil.

The story here is still fairly similar to that of the original (with little changes). A detective named Alex Murphy (played by a superior Joel Kinnaman) is nearly killed in a horrible car bomb. His wife, Clara (played with great empathy

by Abbie Cornish), is then forced to decide whether to let Alex live as a blind, amputated, burn victim or give him a new life as a robot cop.

She votes for the robot cop side of things and we are off to the races.

The South Arkansas Arts Center and El Dorado High School’s Drama Department will hold auditions for the upcoming spring production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s “Les Misérables” on Feb. 25 and 26.

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m., with auditions starting at 6 each night in the El Dorado High School Performing Arts Auditorium, located at 2000 Wildcat Drive. Parts are available for a large cast of up to 30, with starring roles, featured ensemble roles, older roles and children’s roles.

According to Darrin Riley of SAAC, the show is an excellent showcase for trained singers and

there is minimal dance required.

Individuals interested in auditioning should prepare at least 16 bars or one verse of a song that best showcases their singing ability. Those auditioning for a featured character should prepare a song performed by that character in the show. Either an accompaniment CD or sheet music is required for all auditions.

Call backs for major roles will be held with Craig Schulman, the show’s director and star, on Friday, Feb. 28.

For more information about the upcoming auditions for “Les Misérables,” contact the SAAC office at 870.862.5474 or go online to saac-arts.org.

» Release date: Feb. 12. » Run time: 108 min. » Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of action including frenetic gun violence throughout, brief strong language, sensuality and some drug material.

» Stars: Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton, Abbie Cornish, Samuel L. Jackson, Jackie Earle Haley, Michael K. Williams, Jennifer Ehle, Jay Baruchel and Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

» Director(s): José Padilha.

» RCC Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

SACC, EHS to hold ‘Les Mis’ auditions

The reason for the robot cop option is the more interesting part of the story. You see, in the future version of this world (not now of course), the U. S. has outsourced security overseas to a company called OmniCorp. OmniCorp creates robot drones that feel no emotion whatsoever. They just judge right from wrong and dish out justice accordingly. They patrol the streets of Middle Eastern countries as if martial law has been enforced and promote peace (while destroying all semblance of freedom) around the world.

Sadly for OmniCorp, the American public (the biggest moneymaking market for some reason) is not okay with the idea of robots dishing out punishment on

American streets and there is a law (called the Dreyfus Act) preventing drones. You see, they want human emotion behind American law enforcement and a robot just can’t feel, right? Well, that gives the CEO of OmniCorp, Raymond Sellers (played by a devilishly corporate Michael Keaton), a great big idea: Let’s put a man in a machine.

So, Sellers forces an OmniCorp scientist named Norton (played by a fantastic Gary Oldman) to create technology that will mix organic with android and create a robot cop.

Norton is a good man, but needs the money from OmniCorp to continue his research. With the right scientist to lead the program, they just need the right police officer for the job.

Insert Alex Murphy.

That is all just the setup to a film with lots of ideas about morality, humanity, corporate greed, defense contracts, using drones for defense, and the bias of the media towards certain political points (Samuel L. Jackson plays a fabulously slimy Fox News-like talk show host).

Still, that doesn’t mean that this movie is without issues. There are actually enough issues here that I almost did not recommend it.

ROBOCOP continued on Page 9

02•19•14

... for hundreds of FREE classifieds!

South Arkansas Leader

3

Husband wants to get in control of credit offers, wife keeps spending Dear Dave, How can I get credit card companies to stop sending us preapproved offers? My wife continues to sign up for these, and now we have $40,000 in credit card debt.

— Dan

Cemetery Walk: Guided historic tours with Civil War re-enactments take festivalgoers back in time at annual Daffodil Festival in Camden. — Courtesy photo

City of Camden gears up for 21st annual Daffodil Festival CAMDEN — The first weekend of March will mark the city of Camden’s 21st annual Daffodil Festival, one of South Arkansas’ largest events.

The annual festival will take place March 7 and 8 in downtown Camden as thousands from across the region (and even the nation) attend the weekend event geared towards the entire family.

Festival-goers can: tour several daffodil gardens with over a million blossoms; enjoy the rich history of South Arkansas with guided tours through Camden’s museums, antebellum homes and historical sites complete with costumed re-enactments; or shop along the sidewalks of downtown

Camden, featuring a myriad of food, collectables and crafts.

The festival will also include several other traditions and features, including the annual 5k run, the Kiwanis-Pancake Breakfast, an artsand-crafts show and sale, live musical acts and stage events, the Daffodil Poker Run, and more. Other highlights of the festival include: the Civil War Encampment and show; downtown booths; children’s activities; the Antique Car Show; and the festivals steak cook-off competition.

The Championship Steak Cookoff will take place on Saturday, March 8 with the “world’s finest” char-grilled black angus

DAFFODIL continued on Page 9

Dear Dan, Chances are you’ll never get credit card companies to stop sending stuff, but there a few things you can do that might help slow things down. Access your credit bureau report, and opt out of marketing offers. You can also freeze your credit report, and send direct requests to the credit card companies to take you off their mailing lists.

I’ve been telling people not to use credit cards for 20 years and, believe it or not, even I get offers in the mail. The more mailing lists you get on, the more your mailbox will fill up with junk mail. If you have magazine subscriptions and things like that, your contact information is circulating all over the place.

The next thing I’m going to say may sound cruel, but I really don’t mean it that way. You don’t have a junk mail problem, Dan. You have a relationship problem. You two are not on the same page about money. Either she doesn’t feel like you two have enough money, and she’s resorting to credit cards for this reason, or she does this because she’s a spoiled brat who thinks she should always have what she wants when she wants it.

Her behavior is destroying your financial lives and driving a wedge between you.

My advice would be to sit down and have a gentle, loving talk with her about all this. Try to find out why she feels the need to have all these credit cards, and explain that you’re worried about what it’s doing to your marriage and your finances. That may mean having to spend some time with a marriage counselor, but that’s okay, too.

There’s no reason to be ashamed of something like that.

The truth is, most of us who have been married more than 20 minutes could use a little help in that area of our lives!

— Dave

DAVE Says

Dear Dave, I’m trying to pay off my credit card and get out of debt. Do you think I should transfer the balance to one with a lower interest rate while I do this?

— Kelsey Dear Kelsey, I’m not against this idea, as long as you understand that you’re not really accomplishing much. All you’re doing is moving money around, and maybe saving a tiny bit on interest. If you were planning on keeping the debt around for 30 years it would become a big deal. But if you’re talking about a few months, just until you get it paid off, it’s not that much money.

The problem with balance transfers is that you feel like you took a big step forward when you really didn’t. Lots of times this causes people to lose focus on other things they can do to get out of debt, like picking up an extra job or selling a bunch a crap they don’t want or need.

That kind of stuff, along with living on rice and beans and a strict written budget, is 98 percent of the battle when it comes to getting out of debt!

— 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.

4

South Arkansas Leader

02•19•14

Log on to www.eldoark.com ...

Med Center closes out Heart Month with seminar Free seminar to focus on overall heart health

As National Heart Month comes to an end, Medical Center of South Arkansas will host its Heart Smart Seminar at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 to inform the community on the importance of heart health.

Interventional cardiologist for Medical Center of South Arkansas, Dr. Donald J. Voelker, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FSCCT, FASA, will present the latest results from research studies and information on ways to keep the heart healthy and how diet affects the heart. A question-andanswer session with Dr. Voelker will immediately follow the seminar.

Sponsored by Healthy Women and the Heart and Vascular Institute of Medical Center of South Arkansas, the Heart Smart Seminar is free and no reservation is required.

Men and women of all ages are invited to attend.

Dr. Voelker is board certified in cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology and cardiovascular computed tomography. He serves as a clinical professor of medicine at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. With over 20 years of experience in private practice, Dr. Voelker’s current clinic practice is with the Heart and Vascular Institute of Medical Center of South Arkansas where he is acting Medical Director of Cardiac Computed Tomography Services and Medical Director of the Cardiac Catherization Laboratory.

In addition to his clinic in El Dorado, Dr. Voelker operates a satellite clinic in Magnolia. He is a founding member and Fellow of the Society for Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and a Fellow of The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention.

Dr. Voelker remains extremely involved in heart research and has published, along with his colleagues, over 100 medical journal research articles. As well, he was recently certified on age management medicine.

“His enthusiasm, quality of care and genuine desire for wellness for

American Heart Month: Across the nation health-care providers look to raise awareness of heart disease and promote heart health during American Heart Month in February. Medical Center of South Arkansas will close out the month with a Heart Smart Seminar on Thursday, Feb. 27. — Courtesy photo

each one of his patients, has earned him the designation of a much admired and respected physician in our community,” said Rachel Scriber, MCSA’s director of marketing.

The Heart Smart Seminar will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27 in Voelker Conference Room No. 3 (near the main entrance) of Medical Center of South Arkansas, located at 700 West Grove St., in El Dorado.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit MCSA at themedcenter.net.

02•19•14

... for hundreds of FREE classifieds!

Barton Public Library to host local Conserving Arkansas’ Agricultural Heritage annual Seed Swap in April Barton Public Library will host a local Seed Swap from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 5.

The CAAH! (Conserving Arkansas’ Agricultural Heritage) project establishes a master collection of endangered seeds and related cultural and agronomic information and distributes the seeds at annual seed swaps throughout the state.

The gardeners who plant and harvest the heirloom seeds bring excess seeds to contribute to the seed bank; trade open-pollinated seed; and share stories, beautify yards and feed the public.

“If you have no seeds to swap but want to get started, come mingle with the gardeners and farmers who can help, and perhaps bring along some coin envelopes, garden implements or good cheer to trade,” said Brian C. Campbell, director of the CAAH! project

and associate professor of anthropology at the University of Central Arkansas.

The Seed Swap will take place on the grounds of the Barton Public Library, located at 200 East Fifth St. in El Dorado. For more information, contact library director Nancy Arn at 870.863.5447.

Learn more about UCA’s Conserving Arkansas’ Agricultural Heritage project online at http://bit.ly/1mbuNnG.

South Arkansas Leader

5

Girl Scout Cookie booth sales begin locally Saturday, Feb. 22 TEXARKANA — For those who missed out on placing an order for the famed Girl Scout Cookies, booth sales will begin this Friday, Feb. 21 across the Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas council.

According to the Girl Scouts Diamonds, the classics are back and there are a total of eight flavors to choose from, including: Do-si-Dos, Dulce de Leche, Samoas, Tagalongs, Thank You Berry Munch, Thin Mints, Trefoils and Savannah Smiles. From the tartness of lemon flavor or the richness of chocolate and peanut butter combinations, all Girl Scout Cookies contain zero trans fats. Boxes cost $3.50 a piece.

Locally, Girl Scout Troop 2322 will begin booth sales this Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. at Walmart, located at 2730 North West Ave., in El Dorado. For more booth sale times in Union County, or in other locations, go online to girlscout cookies.org, or download the

Official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app for Android or Apple devices.

The Cookie Finder app can also be found in the Marketplace for Android users and in the iTunes Store for iPhone users.

The Girl Scout council also suggests different ways to enjoy their cookies, from baking to sharing.

Those who enjoy baking may want to try a new way to enjoy their Girl Scout Cookies with the recipes for creative uses of Girl Scout Cookies, available at www.girlscouts diamonds.org.

Another option is to share Girl Scout Cookies with military personnel serving overseas through the Girl Scouts’ “Gift of Caring” cookie share program that allows girls to collect donations of cookies to send to U.S. military bases.

For more information, contact Union County Girl Scout Troop 2322 at 870.875.2692 or union girlscouts@yahoo.com or find them at facebook.com/troop2322.

Lt. Bliss not ignorant of importance of abolishing slavery in U.S. Ken Bridges

South Arkansas Historical Foundation

Calvin C. Bliss was one of the thousands of Arkansans caught in the chaos of the Civil War and Reconstruction, but he came to Arkansas as an educator and became the state’s first lieutenant governor.

Bliss was born in Vermont in 1823. As a young man, he attended a theological college in New York but left with a group of students after the college forbade abolitionist activities. He married a young schoolteacher, Caroline Eastman, in 1854, and the two left for Arkansas. At Helena, the newlyweds established a school for girls, with himself as principal and his wife as teacher. Soon afterward, the two moved to the Batesville area where he farmed and worked in real estate.

When war came, Bliss and many other Unionists in NorthCentral Arkansas refused to join the Confederate Army, but as

control of Independence County rocked back and forth between northern and southern armies in 1862, Bliss left for Missouri to join the Arkansas Union Infantry to fight for the North. Bliss was commissioned as a lieutenant, but the unit lost half its men to disease and never made it to the battlefield.

Left alone, Bliss’s wife decided it was not safe for her and her children to stay in the area and left for her parents’ home in Maine. She would die shortly after her arrival.

By the fall of 1863, Little Rock had fallen and Arkansas was split into Unionist and Confederate camps, both determined still to conquer the other. President Abraham Lincoln wanted to end the war as quickly as possible to restore the Union and rebuild the shattered nation. Protected by the Union Army, a group of Arkansas Unionists from the 24 Union-held counties out of 57, met to form a

H

South Arkansas Historical Foundation presents

ist o ry minute

new state government loyal to the United States. This produced the Constitution of 1864, which led to a series of major changes in state government.

The new constitution was approved overwhelmingly by Unionist voters in northern Arkansas. As a result, slavery would end in Arkansas, outspoken Unionist Isaac Murphy was elected governor, and the new office of lieutenant governor was born to ensure added stability in government and to fall more into line with other state governments. Bliss was elected to be the first man in Arkansas to hold this office.

His term, though the job was mostly ceremonial, was dominated

by the end of the war and the problems of Reconstruction.

He traveled back to New England to bring his children back to Arkansas and worked with organizations to bring Bibles to the freedmen. He also bought the Little Rock True Democrat and converted it into a voice for Unionism, The Unconditional Union, in a state stinging over losses from the war. However, while Bliss was in Washington in 1866, his newspaper office mysteriously burned down.

Once his term as lieutenant governor ended, he left politics. He and his children farmed in Pulaski County where he would spend the remainder of his days. He died quietly at his farm in 1891.

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.

6

South Arkansas Leader

02•19•14

Log on to www.eldoark.com ...

Mount Holly public history forum scheduled for March 6

Event marks second in partnership between historical foundation and public library

MOUNT HOLLY — The South Arkansas Historical Foundation and the Barton Public Library will team up once again to present a second public history forum, this one for the communities of Mount Holly, Lisbon, Marysville and their environs.

The forum will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 6.

SAHF executive director Patrick Hotard and Barton Library genealogist Dorathy Boulden will moderate the program, to be held at the Burks Life Center of the Mount Holly Community Church, located at 2935 Stephens Highway in Union County. The forum is free and open to the public.

“We are very excited to moderate this open forum,” Hotard said. “We hope that local citizens and former residents of the Mount Holly / Lisbon region who now live in other areas will attend this program and bring photos of the historic buildings and original settlers.”

Both moderators said they hope that this forum will bring forth ideas about subjects and periods in the history of the Mount Holly / Lisbon / Marysville communities in need Looking Back: Strong native Carolyn Williams (right)

FORUM continued on Page 12

ACA

continued from Page 1

for employers; » Available tax credits, potential rebates and premium reduction programs; and » Potential financial penalties for non-compliance.

Pre-registration is required; call 870.235.5033 or visit asbtdc.org/ training/magnolia-events to register. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested in advance.

The training will take place in Room 121 of the Center for Workforce Development on the East Campus of South Arkansas Community College, located at 3696 East Main St., in El Dorado.

For more information, contact Julia Nipper at julianipper@sau mag.edu or call 870.235.5033.

The Arkansas Small Business and

shows Patrick Hotard, executive director of the South Arkansas Historical Foundation, an artifact from the 1940s

Rufus Ely general store of Strong at the SAHF and Barton Public Library’s first public history forum last fall. The next forum will focus on the Mount Holly area. — File photo

University College of Business. The ASBTDC assists startups, existing businesses and technology businesses, providing free consulting and market research, plus low- and no-cost training.

Learn more about the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center online at asbtdc.org.

Affordable Care Act Seminar The Arkansas Insurance Departfor Small Businesses ment established the Arkansas Health Connector division to man» Free to attend age and implement the new Health » Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Insurance Marketplace in Arkan» SouthArk, East Campus sas in accordance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care » 870.235.5033 for more info Act of 2010. As a state partnership marketplace, AHC is federTechnology Development Center at ally funded through a grant from Southern Arkansas University is a the U.S. Department of Health and partnership of the U.S. Small Busi- Human Services. ness Administration, the University More information about the Arof Arkansas at Little Rock College kansas Insurance Department can be of Business and Southern Arkansas found at insurance.arkansas.gov.

Do you know someone ...  who needs their GED?  who needs to update their computer skills?  who needs help with reading, writing, math or driver’s education?  who would like to volunteer?

Training and tutoring materials will be provided. Just a couple of hours per week can make all the difference in someone’s life.

For more information, contact:

El Dorado Connections Volunteer Center 824 Camp St., El Dorado, AR 71730

870.864.7081 eldoradoconnections.com

02•19•14

... for hundreds of FREE classifieds!

South Arkansas Leader

7

Chamber announces members of U-Lead Class 3 The latest class of emerging future leaders has been selected for the third installment of Leadership Union County, sponsored by Great Lakes Solutions and Nexans AmerCable, according the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce.

The community is invited to meet Class 3 at a welcome reception sponsored by Martin Operating Partnership on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

The reception will begin at 5 p.m. at the South Arkansas Arts Center, located at 110 East Fifth St. in El Dorado. The 10-month program of the Chamber begins next Wednesday, Feb. 26 and is designed to develop leadership through community interaction, teamwork, networking

Union County,” said Sam Allen, Leadership Union County chairman. “I look forward to the great things to come from these leaders.”

The 25 members of Leadership Union County Class 3 include: E.J. Billedeaux, Lion Oil; Carlos Buie, Murphy USA; NaKisha Carr, Salvation Army; Lori Coke, El Dorado Chamber of Commerce; Marsha Cowling, Life Touch Hospice; Brad Cousins, Nexans AmerCable; Traci and hands-on experiences.

Dutchover, Murphy USA; Amy “Leadership Union County Class Fries, Trotter Nissan Dodge Jeep 3 is getting ready to embark on a Chrysler RAM; Scott Griffin, South series of class sessions aimed at de- Arkansas Telephone Company; veloping their leadership skills and Christy Gunter, Clean Harbors; John introducing them to the unique chal- Lowery, First Presbyterian Church; lenges and opportunities that face Clay Mills, United Insurance

Agency; Daniel Mullen, Chemtura; Jessica Nash, El Dorado Festivals & Events; Amber Pauley, Medical Center of South Arkansas; Brian Price, Murphy Oil Corp.; Denise Robledo, South Arkansas Community College; Haley Rowan, Evers, Cox & Gover; Robert Rushing, Baim, Gunti, Mouser & Worsham, PLC; Clemente Saenz, Physiques Fitness Center; Cheryl Splawn, El Dorado Connections; Alex Talley, Martin Operating Partnership; John Tolin, El Dorado Chemical; Brent Waters, Clean Harbors; and Cristen Woods, BancorpSouth.

For more information on Leadership Union County, contact the Chamber at 870.863.6113.

Seasonal, temp positions now available at Moro Bay State Park JERSEY — Moro Bay State Park recently announced several openings for seasonal and temporary positions available at the park.

Applications for all positions are available at the park, and must be received by 5 p.m. on March 1. The park is accepting applications for the following positions:

» Park Maintenance:

Two positions are available for part-time employees in park maintenance. Maintenance extra-help will work for the full-time maintenance staff and assist with the upkeep of the park grounds and facilities.

Applicants will be weed eating, picking up trash, picking up limbs, painting and performing various other duties as assigned, including help in other sections.

The positions will start in May and end around Labor Day, but could be shorter or longer. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily and will require weekends. Pay is $7.25 per hour.

» Store and Marina:

Two part-time positions are available for the park store and marina.

Employees will be under the direction of the facility manager and will be running a cash register, helping visitors, assisting on the marina and performing other duties as assigned.

The positions will start in

March – May and end around Labor Day, but could be shorter. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and will require weekends and holidays. Pay is $7.25 per hour.

» Housekeeper:

The park is also looking to hire one part-time housekeeper.

The employee will work for the full-time housekeeper and be cleaning cabins, restrooms, other facilities, doing laundry and other duties as assigned, including help in other sections.

The position will start in March and end around December but could be shorter or longer. Hours are from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily and will require weekends and holidays. Pay is $7.25 per hour.

All positions must be able to work a varied shift, including weekends and holidays; be able to traverse rough terrain; and must possess a valid driver’s license. The jobs will require applicants to be able to work in the heat of the summer.

A background check is required for all positions.

Send application or resume to: Moro Bay State Park, 6071 Highway 600, Jersey, AR 71651; or email to paul.butler@arkansas.gov.

For questions or more information, call the park at 870.463.8555 or email paul.butler@arkansas.gov.

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

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

Double the Support custom collars » Funds raised from these hand-crafted collars go to support both UCAPS and the Arkansas Paws In Prison program. » L: $20; M: $15; S: $10. » Order yours today at ucaps1@yahoo.com.

8

South Arkansas Leader

02•19•14

Log on to www.eldoark.com ...

KidsNGolf continues speaker series with Mayor Frank Hash Local organization KidsNGolf will hold the second installment of its Signature Series this Saturday, Feb. 22, with guest speaker El Dorado Mayor Frank Hash.

The group will convene at City Hall at noon, allowing the youth the opportunity to visit the government building as Mayor Hash meets and speaks with members of KidsNGolf and fourth-grade students from Retta Brown Academy of Communication and Technology elementary school. Hash will be joined by El Dorado City Council members Billy Blann, Dianne Hammond and Willie McGhee.

The KidsNGolf Signature Series provides opportunities for young people to be inspired and encouraged by local community leaders in business, education and government, said Art Noyes, KidsNGolf executive director.

“We want our kids to hear words of challenge, guidance and encouragement from some of the exceptional people that live and work in our community,” Noyes said. “At each event, accomplished men and

In Brief Local Boys and Girls Club announces spring sports

Registration is now open for the Boys and Girls Club of El Dorado’s spring sports, baseball and volleyball.

Registration for baseball is open until Friday, March 14. Baseball is open to all youth ages 4 to 15, with age determined on April 30 of this year. The fee for tee-ball and pitching machine costs $55 plus $5 for Club membership, and the fees for C, B and A League costs $60 plus the $5 membership. Age groups include: tee-ball ages 4 to 6; pitching machine 6 to 8; C League 8 to 10; B League 10 to 12; and A League 13 to 15.

Tryout dates for each age group are as follows and all players must attend: » B League: 5:30 p.m. on March 18 at the B League field » C League: 5:30 p.m. on March 20 at the C League field » Pitching Machine: 5:30 p.m. on April 1 at the pitching machine field The Boys and Girls Club will hold an Opening Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 26 at the El Dorado High School Memorial Stadium for all baseball teams.

KidsNGolf youth and Retta Brown Boys Academy to visit City Hall, meet El Dorado mayor and City Council members

women share their personal per- saying that the two groups share spectives on achievement and suc- a similar view for the youth of cess. We believe kids will begin to the community. realize that prosperity “The program for and respect are worthy young men at the Retta goals that can be attained Brown Boys Academy, when opportunity and led by principal Kimpassion meet hard work berly Thomas, embraces and dedication.” the goals and life lessons JJ’s Barbeque will prowe hold as standards in vide lunch for the youth, KidsNGolf,” Ellen said. who will come directly “The Signature Series is from the Lions Club another way our comGolf Course after golf munity leaders show kids practice.

KidsNGolf how much this commuHash board member Scott Elnity cares about them and len extended his gratitude to the their future.” local establishment.

The fourth-grade Boys Academy “We appreciate Joe stepping up, as at Retta Brown is a classroom of 27 he so often does, to support an event geared towards learning life-long that benefits our community and our lessons to prepare them for the fuyoung people,” Ellen said. ture with the help of role models Ellen also noted that the KNG who will encourage sound decision group is excited to welcome the making and communication skills.

Academy students of Retta Brown, Thomas shared in Ellen’s Girls’ volleyball registration is open through Feb. 28 for girls in the first through third grades. Divisions include first and second grade; third and fourth; and fifth and sixth. The fees for first and second grades cost $55 per player plus $5 for Club membership.

Fees for third through sixth grade are $60 plus the $5 membership fee.

Player evaluations will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 10 at the Boys and Girls Club, with the season opening on Saturday, April 5.

For more information, contact Billy Lester at 870.863.8753 ext. 106.

SouthArk to offer Intro to Video Production class

South Arkansas Community College will offer the non-credit class Introduction to Video Production from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Tuesday throughout March at the Center for Workforce Development, located on the college’s East Campus at 3696 East Main St. in El Dorado.

Chris Franklin of 828 Marketing and Productions will teach composition and framing techniques in a hands-on style, requiring students to bring their own video cameras. The course fee is $79 and registration is required.

For more information or to register, call 870.864.7163.

excitement of the partnership between KidsNGolf and the Retta Brown Boys Academy.

“We are excited to have this opportunity for our young men of the fourth grade at Retta Brown to learn a little about the game of golf and meet the mayor of El Dorado, as well,” Thomas said. “We believe this will be a wonderful experience.”

KidsNGolf is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that focuses on teaching young people the game of golf while emphasizing the life skills and values that are inherent to the game. KidsNGolf youth meet every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Lions Club Golf Course in El Dorado. The program is open to all youth ages 8 to 18 in the South Arkansas area.

For more information, go online to kidsngolf.org, or find the organization on Facebook at facebook.com/ kidsngolf.

announces

Games!

Horseback riding!

Crafts!

Low-ropes course!

Saturday, March 15, 2014 • 8:30 am to 5:15 pm Location: Beech Springs Camp • Smackover, AR Ages 6–17 • Fee $15.00

Helping youth express grief through a safe & fun experience Application Deadline February 28, 2014

For more info call 866-378-0388 or www.lifetouchhospice.org Sponsored by: Crotty Casing Crews • El Dorado Chemical Jerry Langley Oil Company • United Insurance Agency

02•19•14

... for hundreds of FREE classifieds!

Feeding the hungry

New Union County Hunger Relief Alliance meets to discuss area needs In 1984, a group of anti-hunger advocates in Little Rock noticed that local food pantries were turning down truckloads of food donations because they lacked the space for them. So they community where no one has to found an empty storefront in go hungry. a commercial building, incorInside their warehouse is a porated as a 501(c)(3), joined cooler dock and freezer, which the national Feeding America allows them to receive, store organization and and distribute began acquiring, dairy products, processing and meats and other distributing food protein-rich to a handful of foods for local pantries, soup agencies like kitchens and the Salvation shelters.

Army, St. Paul’s For 15 years, Helping Hands the Arkansas Food Pantry Foodbank foor the Liberty cused on getting Baptist cheap food in Association. and out its doors To work on and into the alleviating this homes of those and other probwho needed it. lems associated By 1999 it with hunger, the was time to lay Foodbank and the foundation Get the details next week in the United Way of for the kind South Arkansas Leader Union County of growth that have partnered a struggling to develop the Union County economy demanded. Hunger Hunger Relief Alliance. relief was no longer The newly-formed Union an emergency situation, but a County Hunger Relief Alliance daily necessity, and Arkansas met Feb. 19, to discuss senior eventually found itself rankhunger issues, childhood huning fourth in the nation in food ger and programs and services insecurity. The Foodbank has provided by the agencies repreworked since then to increase sented at the meeting, including assistance to those unemployed church groups, food pantries, workers, under-insured senior nonprofits, civic clubs and other citizens, struggling single parcharitable organizations. ents and others who are unable For more information on the to afford food.

Union County Hunger Relief AlThe numbers show the result liance, contact Alexis Alexander of its efforts: Distributing 20.9 at 870.862.4903. million pounds of food in 2013 to their 300 member agencies Union United is a section showcasing in 33 counties, which transthe news and happenings of the 14 nonprofit partner agencies lates into an estimated 166,200 of the United Way of Union County. people served annually. Through For more information, call these 30 years, their vision has 870.862.4903 or email remained unchanged: to create a liveunited@uwucar.org.

South Arkansas Leader

9

DAFFODIL

The Daffodil Festival events will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fricontinued from Page 3 day and Saturday with a variety of events for all ages in downtown 14-oz rib eyes.

Camden, complete with live music Garden tours open at 9 a.m. and starting at 2 p.m. Admission to the run through 4:30 p.m. on Friday and festival is free. Tickets to the tours Saturday. The tours feature six daf- will be available at the Daffodil Fesfodil gardens, including 13 acres of tival booth downtown. daffodils at the renowned Daniel’s For more information, contact Garden. The guided historic tours the Daffodil Festival offices at will take visitors back in time with cfreeland@cablelynx.com or call tours of the historic Oakland Ceme- 870.836.0023. Further information tery, featuring Civil War re-enactors, about the festival can be found at and the city’s historic homes. camdendaffodilfestival.com.

ROBOCOP

continued from Page 2

The biggest problem with the film is the lack of emotion when it comes to the loss of Alex Murphy the man. Not that the actors do a bad job conveying the emotion, but that the director does a bad job of manipulating our emotions.

The score is underwhelming in the emotional scenes and the sequence of Alex’s initial accident seems to move on too quickly to create resonance. Then there is the way the action sequences are shot all tightly

and shaky. I know this is a new style, but I do not like it.

While these are not small issues, the intelligence of the script and the acting makes up for a lot of those problems. So, if you are in the mood for some intelligent science fiction this weekend, or already like the brand, then this movie will be a good time at the theater.

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.

10

South Arkansas Leader

02•19•14

COMMUNITY calendar

» GIRL SCOUT COOKIES — Area Girl Scouts will be selling cookies for the Girl Scout Cookie Program at local booths beginning Feb. 21. There are eight flavors available at $3.50 per box, and all cookies are trans-fat free.

All proceeds support local Girl Scout troops and programs. The Gift of Caring Program also allows consumers to purchase and donate cookies to U.S. military members through the Girl Scouts – Diamonds Council bakers.

When: Feb. 21 – March 16 Where: Union County Contact: For more information, contact local Girl Scout Troop 2322 at 870.875.2692 or at uniongirlscouts@ yahoo.com, or go online to facebook .com/Troop2322.

Log on to www.eldoark.com ...

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

addressing UWUC priority issues – education, health services, culture or recreation, safety and violence, and healthy behaviors. Applicants must operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Union County and demonstrate an ability to meet a need in the community.

Deadline: noon on Thursday, Feb. 27 Contact: To request an application or for more information, call 870.862.4903 or email alexis@united wayunioncounty.com.

» CLASSICAL GUITARIST IN CONCERT — Barton Public Library will host classical guitarist Peter Fletcher in concert for the ninth year.

Fletcher will perform his Carnegie Hall repertoire. For more information about Fletcher, go online to www.peter fletcher.com. The concert is free and open to the public.

When: Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

Where: South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact the Barton Public Library at 870.863.5447.

» SAAC SEEKS DIRECTOR — The South Arkansas Arts Center is accepting director applications for its 2014 summer production of “9 to 5: The Musical.” Audition dates are set for May 5-7, with performances running July 10-20. Qualified applicants should submit a letter of introduction, brief production plan and a short resume. Salary schedule is competitive and will be set according to experience. Qualifications include some directing experience and knowledge of community theater.

When: Deadline to apply is Feb. 28.

Where: All applications should be mailed to South Arkansas Arts Center, 110 East Fifth St., El Dorado, AR 71730, ATTN: Executive Director.

Contact: For more information, contact the SAAC office at 870.862.5474.

» COMMUNITY IMPACT MINI GRANTS — The United Way of Union County is now accepting applications for Community Impact Mini Grants. These funding requests ($500 or less) should present innovative approaches to meeting the health and human service needs of the community. Priority will be given to projects

» KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL POSTER CONTEST — The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission invites students in kindergarten through fifth grades statewide to submit art entries in its annual youth poster contest. Public schools, home-schoolers, 4-H clubs, scouts and other organizations are all invited to submit entries.

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 by noon Monday the week of publication. For more information, contact the Leader staff at 870.863.6126 or by email.

Prizes will be awarded in two divisions – grades K-2 and 3-5, and winning art will be displayed at the Thea Foundation art gallery in North Little Rock.

Deadline: Saturday, March 1 Where: Mail or deliver all entries to Elizabeth Philpott, Keep Arkansas Beautiful, One Capitol Mall, Suite 4A-007, Little Rock, AR 72201.

Contact: For a full list of contest rules, visit KeepArkansasBeautiful.com, call 501.682.3507 or email elizabeth. philpott@arkansas.gov. » HUNGRYTOWN FOLK DUO IN CONCERT — Barton Public Library will host modern folk duo, Hungrytown, for a fifth time in El Dorado. Hungrytown is the musical and married duo of Rebecca Hall and Ken Anderson of New Hampshire. For more information on the folk-singing duo, visit Hungrytown’s website at www.hungrytown.net. The concert is free and open to the public.

When: Saturday, March 8 at 7 p.m.

Where: Barton Public Library, 200 East Fifth St., El Dorado Contact: For more information, contact the Barton Library at 870.863.5447. » PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING — The Union County Cooperative Extension Service will offer a pesticide applicator training for county agriculture producers who utilize chemicals to control pests on crops or livestock. The Arkansas Plant Board requires applicator training in safe handling and environmental stewardship every three years for use of restricteduse pesticides. The cost for training is $10; checks should be made payable to Cooperative Extension Service.

When: Monday, March 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Union County Fairgrounds Contact: For more information or to register, call the Extension service at 870.864.1916. » 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: What Have We Here? Participants will learn about plants, animals and conservation as they embark on a scavenger hunt.

When: Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m.

Where: South Arkansas Arboretum, adjacent to the old El Dorado High School on Timberlane in 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. » DWIGHT YOAKAM LIVE IN CONCERT — Main Street El Dorado will present Dwight Yoakam live in concert. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are reserved-seating and are on sale now through mainstreet eldorado.org or by calling the MSE office at 870.862.4747. Ticket prices are: Golden Circle $100, Orchestra $60, Parquet $50, Loge $40 and Balcony $30.

When: Friday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Municipal Auditorium, 100 West Eighth St., El Dorado Contact: Email mainstreeteldorado@ suddenlinkmail.com for information.

Crossword and Sudoku Answer Keys

Feb. 12

02•19•14

... for hundreds of FREE classifieds!

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

WEEKLY RECIPE Satisfying your sweet tooth If your sweet tooth wasn’t quite satisfied this Valentine’s Day, try your hand at crafting your own confectionery concoctions with “Triple-Chocolate Cookies” from Michael Recchiuti and Fran Gage’s “Chocolate Obsession.”

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 Monday the week of 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.

CLUES ACROSS

Triple-Chocolate Cookies Ingredients:

Editor

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

South Arkansas Leader

Makes about 48 cookies » 1 1/2 cups unbleached allpurpose flour » 1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened natural cocoa powder » 1/2 teaspoon baking soda » 12 tablespoons unsalted butter with 82 percent butterfat, at room temperature » 1/2 cup cane sugar

Directions:

» 3/4 cup 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 into 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 3 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 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 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 3 hours or up to 3 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 prepared pans, spacing them 1 1/2 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. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.

1. Int’l. language specialist’s org.

6. Filament container 10. Amounts of time 14. Double curves 15. Clumsiness 17. Incapable of compromise 19. Mekong River people 20. Chinese broadsword 21. Rescue squad 22. Cablegram (abbr.)

23. Mold-ripened French cheese 25. Don’t know when yet 27. Rivulet 30. Wild Himalayan goat 32. Astronaut’s OJ 33. Scientific workplace 35. Xenophane’s colony 36. Exchange

CLUES DOWN

38. Semitic fertility god 39. Chit 40. Sylvia Fine’s spouse Danny 41. Sole 42. Benne plant 44. Small amount 45. Sodas 46. Sino-Soviet block (abbr.)

48. UC Berkeley 49. Express pleasure 50. __ Paulo, city 53. History channel’s No. 5 show 59. Divertimento 60. Ridge on Doric column 61. Pastries 62. The “It” Girl 63. Hand drum of No. India

1. Labor 30. Vietnamese offensive 2. North-central Indian city 31. Expression of sorrow 3. About aviation or pity 4. The sheltered side 32. Scot word for toe 5. Salem State College 34. Journalist Nellie 6. Twofold 36. Compress 7. Unusually (Scot.)

37. Whiskies 8. Floral garland 38. Feathery scarf 9. Birthplace (abbr.)

40. White clay for porcelain 10. Tooth covering 43. Keeps in reserve 11. Confederate soldiers 44. Infectious lung disease 12. Signing 46. Draws off 13. Point midway between 47. Chinese chess piece S and SE 48. Parrot’s nostril opening 16. Ground where each golf 49. Once more hole begins 50. One from Serbia 18. A lyric poem with 51. Fleshy, bright seed complex stanza forms appendage 22. Atomic No. 73 52. Plural of os 23. Thin wire nail 53. The horned viper 24. Ancient Germanic 54. Japanese apricot tree alphabet character 55. Taxi 25. Jupiter’s fourth satellite 56. Bustle 26. Woman’s undergarment 57. Feline 28. African antelope 58. Malaysian Isthmus 29. Afrikaans Answer key on page 10.

11

12

South Arkansas Leader

02•19•14

BRANDS

continued from Page 1

which will be announced March 3.

For each round, voters are encouraged to visit arksourcelink.com/ brands during specific time windows to vote for their favorite companies and move them into the next round.

The bracket of 64 will be whittled down to one entrepreneurial champion who can claim sole bragging rights as the “Emperor of Entrepreneurship” for Arkansas. The winner will be announced March 31.

The upcoming nomination and voting schedule is as follows: » Nominations: Now – Feb. 21 » Round 1 – Top 64: March 3–7 » Round 2 – Top 32: March 10–14 » Round 3 – Top 16: March 17–18 » Round 4 – Top 8: March 20–21 » Round 5 – Top 4: March 24–25 » Final – Top 2: March 27–28 » Winner Announced: March 31 In 2013, the top four companies included Yarnell’s Premium Ice Cream, Whole Hog Café, The Twisted Purl and Guillermo’s Gourmet Grounds. The Twisted Purl was crowned the champion of the competition.

Log on to www.eldoark.com ...

“It’s the last week for nominations before we move on to the tournament,” said Sam Walls, senior vice president for Arkansas Capital Corporation. “We have already received some tremendous brand nominations from around the state who are engaging their customers in the nomination process, and I’m anticipating a fierce battle once the tournament begins.”

Ongoing results will be available at arksourcelink.com/brands, facebook.com/arksourcelink or on Twitter @arksourcelink. Battle of the Brands is hosted by Arkansas SourceLink, which is powered by U.S. SourceLink.

The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group of companies aims to empower entrepreneurs by providing capital in conjunction with community banks to businesses through its capital availability products and advocating for entrepreneurs through capital, educational and technological improvements. The Arkansas Capital Corporation Group serves as the platform from which new opportunities are launched.

For more information, go online to arcapital.com.

FORUM

Public History Forum

continued from Page 6

of additional research. The coordinators urge forum participants to bring photos, documents and family papers to share at the forum.

According to the coordinators, the pre-oil boom (pre-1920s) era is in need of greater focus and they said they believe that the forum will add to the understanding of the history of these communities by bringing new information to light and possibly adding new resources for future research.

“It is hoped that the information and ideas generated by this forum will allow the SAHF to create some comprehensive vertical files on the various towns and communities in Union County and beyond,” Boulden said. “Family history information can also be gleaned from these types of meetings, further increasing the genealogical resources at the library’s main branch.”

Last autumn, the South Arkansas Historical Foundation and Barton Public Library organized the first public history forum for the Strong and historic Hillsboro communities.

» Free to attend » March 6 at 6 p.m. » Mount Holly Community Church, 2935 Stephens HWY » 870.862.9890 for more info Close to a dozen current and former community members convened to share photos, documents and other artifacts, as well as anecdotal accounts and family histories, specific to the two communities and their environs.

“We are hoping to get information that can start as a basis for further research and we hope these types of forums will lead to that,” Hotard said.

For more information on the upcoming public history forum, contact the South Arkansas Historical Foundation at 870.862.9890 or email info@soarkhistory.com.

More information can also be found on Facebook through the Barton Library and Newton House Museum pages, as well as on the SAHF website at soarkhistory.com.

the

HOPE

a do

nation box benefiting HOPE Landing

Donate rolls of Paper Towels at any HOPE Box to help HOPE Landing, a nonprofit serving kids in Union County with disabilities! » Poppy’s Pizza

Highway 15, Parkers Chapel

» Regions Bank

East Peach Street, El Dorado

» South Arkansas Collision & Repair Strong Highway, Strong

» Gallery of Shops

Downtown El Dorado

» Yocum Primary School

box Like The

HOPE B

ox

BARTON PUBLIC LIBRARY » North College Salon

College Avenue, El Dorado

» Brookshire’s

South West Avenue, El Dorado

» Teague Auto Group

West Hillsboro Avenue, El Dorado

» Timmins Hardware

East Fifth Street, El Dorado

» Adult Reference » Fiction and Nonfiction » Teen and Children Titles » Cookbooks and MORE! » $2 reference works » $1 hardbacks » 50¢ softbacks, CDS, etc. » 25¢ paperbacks » 10¢ magazines

Book Sale March 19 - 26 noon to 6 p.m.

TAC House

1101 North West Ave. El Dorado