The Voice of Van Buren County - January 12, 2021

Of the people, By the people, For the people

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Darrell Black

TUESDAY, January 12, 2021 / Vol. 7 Issue 2 / 75 cents

Resident has more questions than answers of Ozark Health Director Guest Editorial by Adam Kuipers

Smoke continued to rise from Lowder house on Sunday afternoon.

Photo by Mary Jean Hall

House fire destroys Lowder house in Scotland In the early hours of the morning last Friday, sirens' filled the air in Scotland.

Flashing lights were visible, rolling toward the home of James and Maxine Lowder.

The Lowder's house, which sits right beside their General Store on State Highway 95, was engulfed in flames. Firefighters were unable to save James and Max-

ine's house, which is a total loss. They did keep the fire from spreading to other structures, including the Lowder's store building.

On Sunday after-

noon, smoke continued to rise from the remains of their home. The store was open for business.

James is a lifetime resident of Scotland.

Head-on leaves woman fighting for her life

Darla Smith On the night of January 6th, Darla Smith of Dennard was in a car wreck near Botkinburg involving a driver who crossed the center line. The head-on collision destroyed Darla's vehicle and left her in critical condition and fighting for her life.

Some of her injuries include broken legs, arms, feet, ribs, sternum, and vertebrae in the neck. She also has a lacerated kidney, liver, and spleen in addition to brain bleeds. She has undergone two surgeries to date and is on a ventilator.

Darla's sister, Veronica Robertson, has set up a gofundme account, Darla Curd Smith Medical Fund.

Robertson issued this statement, "Darla was involved in a head-on collision Wednesday evening that has left her fighting for her life.

She is in critical con-

Coronavirus By the numbers January 10, 2020 State of Arkansas • Total Covid Cases: 251,746 • Confirmed Cases: 204,893 • Probable Cases: 46,853 • Recovered Cases: 219,887 • Total Test Reported: 2,442,518 • Percentage Positive PCR Test: 9.5 • Percent Positive Antigen Test: 19.4 • Covid-19 Negative Test: 2,182,303 • Total Deaths: 4010

Van Buren County

• Total Cumulative Cases: 870 • Total Active Cases: 127 • Active Confirmed Cases: 66 • Probable Cases: 61 • Total Deaths: 9

dition with so many injuries they have no idea where to start to help her, and the Doctors have told us that anything they do to try to help with one thing could harm her because of her other injuries. We believe in the power of GOD. When she pulls through this, she will need a lot of rehab and care. She will be unable to work for some time. My mom is struggling already, and Darla was a huge help to her. I'm asking for your help; anything you can do to help my sister and my mom will give her the ability to stay close to

Darla while hospitalized, which is very appreciated. They have always stepped up to help everybody. Now they need our help.

Please, donate whatever you can. This journey doesn't have a time limit, and at the present moment, it seems it will be a long one. Thank you for your help. Please pray without ceasing for my sister."

Darla is the daughter of Elaine Curd of Dennard and a 1992 graduate.

The Voice will update the story in a future issue after police reports are obtained.

Surrounding Counties Cleburne Stone

• Total Cumulative Cases: 1491 • Total Active Cases:273 • Active Confirmed Cases: 191 • Probable Cases:381 • Total Deaths:42

• Total Cumulative Cases:823 • Total Active Cases:71 • Active Confirmed Cases:33 • Probable Cases:38 • Total Deaths:24

Conway

Pope

• Total Cumulative Cases:1613 • Total Active Cases:306 • Active Confirmed Cases:236 • Probable Cases:70 • Total Deaths:19

Searcy

• Total Cumulative Cases:8861 • Total Active Cases:1294 • Active Confirmed Cases:836 • Probable Cases:458 • Total Deaths:103

• Total Cumulative Cases: 6196 • Total Active Cases:740 • Active Confirmed Cases: 550 • Probable Cases:190 • Total Deaths:65 • Total Cumulative Cases: 539 • Total Active Cases:37 • Active Confirmed Cases:9 • Probable Cases:28 • Total Deaths:13

Faulkner

Following Van Buren County voters' rejection of the request for a ¼ cent sales tax in the March election, David Deaton, CEO of Ozark Health Incorporated (OHI), appeared before the Van Buren County Quorum Court at its regular meeting in May of 2020 to request a special election to consider a tax increase for OHI. This new request was that a permanent ½ cent sales tax be levied in Van Buren County that would exclusively benefit OHI to fund its maintenance and operations expenses, as well as capital improvements.

At its June 2020 regular meeting, most of the Van Buren County Quorum Court voted to place an amended form of this proposal on the general election ballot, inserting a sunset clause that would expire the proposed tax increase in 2036.

JP Virgil Lemings was the lone "nay" vote.

The voters defeated a sales tax issue for the exclusive benefit of OHI for a second time in eight months on November 3rd of 2020.

This time with 59.3% of the electorate voting against the proposal.

Following the renewed and increased request for public money, I began to research the financial position of OHI and Van Buren County's relationship with this private corporation.

With the help of many people in the community, I learned a lot. Many of the facts that came to my attention created concern for me and many community members with whom I shared them. Though there is not currently a proposal for the public subsidy of OHI on the table, several issues that came to light over recent months remain unresolved.

Per the terms of our lease agreement, Van Buren County contributes the Hospital Millage (derived from our property tax) to assist with the facility's maintenance.

Reviewing records obtained from the County Clerk's office, I discovered that the entirety of these funds had been paid to NOACON Incorporated since September 23rd, 2019. NOACON Inc. is owned by a sitting member of the OHI Board of Directors. Over the nine months spanning from September of 2019 through June of 2020, NOACON Inc. was paid over $230,000 from the hospital millage fund. In prior years money from this fund had been paid out to over 30 different ven-

dors.

In October of 2020, I obtained the Lease agreement between OHI and Van Buren County from the County Clerk's office.

Upon reviewing this contract, OHI appears to be in breach of a number of its terms.

For example, Article 18.2 of the contract stipulates that OHI supply monthly financial reports to the County and independently audited quarterly financial statements. To their recollection, neither Judge Dale James nor Clerk Pam Bradford has received any of these reports while they have been in office.

Article 18.2 further prescribes that OHI is obligated to provide copies of these financial reports and make its independent auditor available to present the quarterly report to the Quorum Court upon its request.

To my knowledge, the Quorum Court has not made a formal request for any of these reports to date.

Article 3 specifies that OHI pays $25 annually to Van Buren County to rent the multi-million dollar facility the County paid to construct. County Clerk Pam Bradford had no recollection of having received any rent payments from OHI during her term as Clerk when I inquired about these payments.

Article 10 stipulates that OHI may not sublet the County's property without prior written consent from the County. According to its 2017 IRS Form 990 (The most recent filing available publicly), OHI generated over $130,000 in revenue from real property rental in 2017 alone. I have repeatedly asked OHI if it is subletting the County's facility and if it has obtained written permission to do so, and it has refused to answer. I have conferred with various County officials, and, as yet, no one has produced any written permission for the subletting of County property by OHI. Despite the fact that Van Buren County voters resoundingly rejected the OHI sales tax proposal last November, these apparent breaches of the contract remain unresolved.

Does it matter?

Do the residents of Van Buren County have a right to know how it came to be that over $230,000 of our Hospital Millage tax dollars ended up being paid to a company owned by an OHI Director? Do we have a See Guest Editorial on page 6

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 2

Edna Byerley.

Emma Hudson

James Allen Whillock

January 12, 2021

Maud Whillock

The Whillock Family Of Van Buren County Part 5

by Eugene Smith cover George and Mar- son (1897 - 1936) mar-

This Whillock series began witWW John Wheelock (1750-1843) and wife, Sarah Kincheloe (17541837), their son, Enoch (1794-1853) and wife Lucinda (1800-1850), their son, George Washington Whillock (1838-1882 and wife, Margaret Irene Robertson (1846-1918) all of Tennessee.

George and Margaret moved to Marshall in Searcy County and had four sons and one daughter. The last parts of this saga covered the first three sons and their families: John William, Joseph Tolliver, and Jacob Shem settled in Van Buren County.

This installment will

garet Whillock's fourth child, daughter, Emma Catheryn, and the fifth child, son, James Allen. Both of them settled outside of Van Buren County, Emma in Carroll County, Arkansas, and James in California.

George and Margaret Whillock's fourth child was Emma Catheryn Whillock, born in Marshall, Arkansas on September 13, 1878, and died on December 14, 1958, in Berryville, Carroll County, Arkansas. Emma was married in Marshall on October 26, 1894, to William Polk "Bill" Hudson (1872 - 1931), a US Marshall. Emma and William had eleven children: Dawn "Don" Hud-

ried Finley Benton and had Helen Lucille Benton.

Altha Jewell Hudson (1899 - ?) married a Montgomery.

Joseph Kenneth "Joe" Hudson (1902 1985) Ralph Howard Hudson (1908 -1965) married Hazel Taylor and had two sons, James H. Hudson and William J. Hudson. Laverne L. Hudson ( 1812 - 2000) married Faye Ross.

Margaret E. Hudson (1914 - ?) Mary Ethel Hudson (1918 - 2003) married Jeff T. Wallis.

Bernelle Blaine Hudson (1921 - 2006) married Earl Garrison.

Three other children died as infants or very young: Jenny, Francis, and Frank Hudson.

The fifth and last child of George and Margeret Whillock was James Allen Whillock.

James was born October 25, 1881, in Humansville, Polk County, Missouri, and died October 09, 1951, in Huntington Park, Los Angeles County, California. He was married in 1903 in Van Buren County to Maud Daugherty, who was born March 31, 1886, in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri, and died November 20, 1969, in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.

James and Maud had one child, Edna Whillock (1909 - 1979,) who was married first to John Valentin Vierheilig Nier and second to Fey Quenton Byerley.

The night the mayor of Clinton went to jail

by Tina Johnson the mayor of Clinton, told his wife he would arrived at his office, and

One night, Jim Bill Berkowitz and his buddies were hanging out in downtown Clinton.

The streets were already rolled up for the night, and the businesses were closed.

The street lights had been on for a while, but the teenagers felt the night was young and there was still plenty to do. They roamed around the sidewalks and empty streets with no one about to disturb their fun. No one except the sheriff.

County Sheriff Jake Williams, newly elected in 1965, felt that it was about time for the young men to go to their houses. It was getting late, and surely a few boys hanging around downtown with no supervision would not be a good thing.

He asked them to go home.

Like most teenagers his age, Jim Bill did not like being told what to do and decided he wouldn't go home. Jim Bill and his pals were going to continue with their fun, and if the sheriff didn't like it, that was too bad. His mother, Floy Berkowitz, was

and surely her position in the town entitled him to some amenities. Sheriff Williams disagreed, and after a heated discussion between them, the boys ended up in the county jail, Mrs. Berkowitz arrived at the jail ready for battle. She was outraged, and she let the sheriff know how angry she was. She demanded he let the boys go, but he refused. They argued back and forth until the sheriff was done discussing the matter. He finally said, "If you don't hush, I'll put you in jail with the boys!"

Floy Berkowitz was not a lady to back down from a fight. She got right up in his face until she found herself behind a set of steel bars. Then, her husband, Abe, stepped up to finish the battle and called the county judge and his attorney.

Opie Rogers was in bed when a call from Abe Berkowitz awakened him. It was not uncommon for Opie to get a call at night. He had been a self-taught attorney and practiced law for many years. He

be back in a little while; he had to go to the office.

He arrived at the county jail to find Clinton's mayor behind bars with her son and his friends. Her husband, the county judge, and the sheriff were at a standoff. Opie knew from experience as a school teacher how tense a situation can become when dealing with parents and their unruly children.

The angry father told the county judge to overturn the sheriff's decision and sign the mayor and the boys out of jail. Opie knew that only a criminal judge could overturn a sheriff's decision, and a county judge had no authority. He told the group legally there was nothing the county judge could do.

Abe became furious. He hit the desk with his fist and pointed at the county judge, and yelled. "Sign the darn thing!" he demanded.

Opie told the group they needed to figure it out on their own because he was going to the house. The next morning, Opie Rogers

the sheriff was there to greet him. He told Opie the group was there all night when finally, he let everyone go home at daybreak.

We wish to thank Danece Rogers-Bowling for sharing the story about her father in an interview. Danece will be 99 years old in March.

Kathy Boone the former Postmaster in Choctaw won the singles tournament at Burns Park in Little Rock on Sunday

For the record December Weddings

Cody Overturf, 40, from Shirley and Abigail Sowell, 19, from Shirley Jordan Williams, 30, of Prattsville and Jennifer Gasaway, 33, of Prattsville Jacob McChesney, 36, of Bee Branch and Rachel Martin, 26, of Bee Branch Tyler Lanphere, 24, of Tupelo, MS, and Daly Dufrene, 22, of Clinton Carlos Waldman, Jr., 26, of Clinton, and Miranda Lamb, 21, of Clinton Joshua Cintron, 34, of Clinton and Jordan Brown, 31, of Clinton Lindsay Stroud, 33, of Damascus and Kristy

Vicknair, 43, of Damascus Bryson Steely, 23, of Clinton and Madalyn Pennington, 20, of Bee Branch Ray Byrd, 69, of Houston and Terri Byrd, 52, of Casa

December Divorces

Harvey Moudy and Cindy Payne Sherry Buckelew and Michael Buckelew Beth Crouch and Troy Couch Jennifer McCarver and Jimmy Moudy Brenda Boley and David Evans Keri Mulligan and Seann Mulligan Brenda Rhoda and Ronald Rhoda

New life for an old church building

Mayor Floy Berkowitz

Sheriff Jake Williams

In the January 5th edition of the Voice, we published an article about the Pleasant Grove Cemetery Chapel's history. The Pleasant Grove community is between Scotland and Cleveland.

The Voice received many phone calls and emails over the past week from members of the community. The old church building, which was built by the congregation in 1933, is currently undergo-

ing renovation. Crews are leveling the building with floor jacks. Additionally, the workers have removed the old stoop, and it appears a concrete porch floor is under construction.

The Voice is pleased to learn the building is receiving a makeover.

Hopefully, the chapel will continue to serve the community for many years into the future with the work taking place.

The VOICE of Van Buren County

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The Voice of Van Buren County

January 12, 2021

James & Joyce Burns Scotland

Scotland Community Corporation will continue to cancel their First Saturday Breakfast until the virus gets much better. There are too many Scotland folks that have health issues and cannot take a chance on being exposed to the virus.

I understand there are SEVERAL families in our community that are in quarantine and have tested positive. Some have been in contact with someone that has it. James and I think it is too close for comfort for us to go anywhere, so we stay in and keep warm.

James is doing good, and his foot is healing so well that we will just keep on keeping on. Things will get better sooner or later. We are waiting to see when we go back to UAMS for another check-up. It may be a while yet.

During the wind and rain this last few months, the roof on the

old Library Building (My art studio) has had a lot of damage, and it is going to be very costly to repair, but the building is in too good of condition to let it go.

We are getting an estimate. We think we will have about half of what we need. We have had a few people that said they would help with some donations. We wanted to have a fundraiser but do not think it is a good idea with the virus spreading like it is. We have had many blessings during this last year, so we will wait and see what the good Lord has in mind.

Just before 7 am this morning, fire trucks and sirens seemed to come from everywhere, and later, we found out that James Lowder's house burned. This is a very sad thing when this happens, and we are so grateful for the great community that we have.

Scotland Community Center News: Due to the Covid virus being on the rise, they have decided to keep the Scotland commu-

nity center closed a little longer. We will keep you posted on when we plan to reopen.

If you have Scotland News and want it in the paper, call 5923935 and let us know.

Stay warm, safe, and healthy.

Sammy Story on Tuesday.

Donna and Richard Sherrod went to Pea Ridge last Saturday to visit her sister, Marty Lehman. They went shopping for Donna's grandbaby, who will be here in February.

Donna went to Searcy on Thursday for a dental appointment.

She had lunch afterward with her daughter in law, Tabby, and granddaughter, Brandy Crossen.

Some of my comments were misunderstood last week. The only domino game I think is excellent is the one I win! On New Year's eve, that wasn't the case.

We are praying for everyone to stay safe and well.

God bless and have a great week!

Patsy Ward Formosa

DeLane Story is getting ready for her son and daughter in law, David and Pinyan Story, to come for a visit. I know she is looking forward to it.

Barbara Ashley of Maumelle, along with Carla and J B Story and their girls, Isabella, Maggie and Emmaleigh, and Samantha Krahmer and her children, E J and Andrea Rolen, all came to visit

Thelma Murray Shirley

Lois Compton's visitors were Mary Beth Price of Conway and Lois's cousin Karen and John Christopher of Little Rock. I think Lois is doing well.

Jonathan McCabe, son of Donna and Greg McCabe and grandson of John and Rhonda Carlton, has been vis-

Page 3 Puddy Jr. Memorial Scholarship, for graduating high school seniors. For more information contact an EHC member.

EHC meets on Thursday, 1:30 p.m., at the Alread FUN Park, weather permitting.

Bring a chair and wear a mask. Activities, at their building in Rupert, continue to be on hold.

Saturday night, around 8:30 p.m., high in the southern sky, the Pleiades open star cluster, also called the Seven Sisters, will be visible. To the naked eye, only six of the stars can be seen. Due to its shape, it’s sometimes mistaken for the Little Dipper, which is only visible in the northern sky.

Wednesday, the first quarter moon will be official at 3:01 p.m.

Last week’s winter weather event missed us for the most part, with a few neighbors reporting a very light dusting of snow flurries. That makes a total of three separate snow flurries events, in addition to the two inches plus of snow awhile back. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is saying we could get another snow before the end of the month. Otherwise, they’re saying warmer on average and drier for the rest of the winter. I’m up for another snowfall. Who wants to go sledding with me?

If you have info Jeffry Burgess about the greater Crabtree and west Hwy. 16 Crabtree community, call or text Applications are Jeffry Burgess, 745available for the J.D. 1249. iting family and friends for two weeks. Jonathan left recently to start work at a job in West Moore, Minnesota.

All of John and Rhonda Carlton's family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren got together at the home of their daughter, Steve, and Lea Ann Jones, for their Christmas meal of hotdogs and chili.[ That sounds good ].

It was nice to have a phone visit with Ruth Hodge; she is as sweet as pie.

Jim Hooten attended the wedding of his oldest granddaughter Emma, at Lamar, Saturday.

I had the pleasure of calling Jason Housley of Chimes on his 95 birthday, on January 6th; I wish I could have been there and talked to him. Maybe next year.

I have been busy deciding what to put in my garden next spring.

I plan on making myself some herbal tea when the plants begin to grow.

New Extension Agent Danna Lawrence

Jessa Heavin Hello! My name is Jessa Heavin and I am the new Family and Consumer Science/4H County Extension Agent. I’m really excited to be working here in Van Buren County! Here are some fun facts about myself to help you get to know me a little bit. I moved here from Paris, Arkansas where I’ve lived for the past 12 years. In May of 2020, I graduated from Harding University. While at Hard-

ing I was a part of the Family and Consumer Science department and obtained my degree in Child Life. Outside of work, I enjoy baking, crocheting, and playing many different musical instruments. I have a lot of learning to do and a lot of people to get to know in VBC. I hope that someday soon we will all be able to meet! Until then, I’ll be posting some things on our Facebook pages, website, and sending out emails so be watching for that! I’m excited to be here and start this new journey.

Feel free to contact me by phone, (501) 7457117 or by email jheavin@uaex.edu.

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution.

Community Profile

business three years

One of Clinton's longest-running businesses is still going strong. Danna's Beauty Shop opened its doors 59 years ago. Six decades is a milestone for any company, but in Van Buren County, it is a testament to stability, good reputation, and community loyalty.

When Danna Lawrence was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a beautician.

She would put a watermelon rind on a stick and pretend it was a hairdryer. She grew up watching her aunt Rebekah Simmons cut and style hair and imagined that she would be just like her one day.

Danna is from the community of Culpepper and graduated from Clinton High School in 1958. Mr. Morton, the Agri teacher, and the class sponsor was very encouraging to Danna and would eventually help her when she began her hairdressing

day, Mr. Morton brought Danna an air conditioner from his home. They were expensive during that time, and he knew Danna would not have the money to afford one.

After graduating from Blackwood Beauty School in North Little Rock, she opened her first beauty shop on Main Street in a building she rented from the Davenports. The date was July 29, 1961. She remembers the day well because it was also her mother's birthday.

The cost of a haircut was 75 cents, shampoo and set was $1.25, and perms ranged from $7.50 to $10.00.

In October of 1969, Danna moved from the rental building to the shop she now owns at 191 Boykin Court, Clinton. She has been there ever since.

Like most businesses in downtown Clinton during the 1982 flood, Danna's shop was destroyed. The water lev-

by Jeff Stansbery later. One hot summer

Danna Lawrence is still going strong after 59 years. el rose above the door, and when it receded, the contents were beyond repair. The community helped Danna and donated items she needed to get back to business. She still keeps in contact with a generous lady from Clinton, Massachusetts, Mary Ann Moore, who donated many valuable items.

After six weeks of clean up, Danna was back in business.

As is often the case when business owners build trust with their customers, folks who moved as far away as

Conway travel to Clinton to get permanents at Danna's shop. She has developed confidence with many customers over the years.

She continues to serve the community as a source of business inspiration and exudes the friendly demeanor that attracts so many people to our area.

Danna has two daughters and two grandsons. She lives on a farm on the outskirts of Clinton and raises cattle. She regularly attends church and pieces quilts together in her spare time.

Page 4

Obituaries

Betty Sue Clark

It has been said that parents keep trying until they have the perfect child. After five attempts, including a set of twins, Clyde ''Bear ''and Clem Brown achieved perfection on March 13, 1948, on the day Betty Sue Brown was born. Betty grew up in the town of Shirley, surrounded by her three brothers and three sisters. Betty gained her home in heaven on January 2, 2021.

Betty loved the community - especially Shirley School. After she completed college in 1969, Betty returned to Shirley to be discovered riding her bicycle through town by superintendent Glen Hackett.

He asked if she was that Brown girl who had just finished college. She responded she was. He asked her if she wanted a job teaching school.

Betty answered that she would have to ask her daddy first. Mr. Hackett told her the job was hers if she wanted it.

Bear approved, and that became the start of a 42-year commitment to Shirley schools. She demanded hard work but offered compassion for every student who sat in her classroom. Betty continued to support the Shirley Blue Devils and the students of this community with her attendance at basketball games, as well as many school-sponsored events throughout her life.

Betty had a mischievous side to her as well.

Students who had Betty as their teacher recall a hole in the chalkboard in her fifth-grade classroom. She told a story about how she had put that hole in the wall when she was in fifth grade due to being mad at a male classmate.

She cautioned her students not to make her angry. While in college, Betty didn't have a car.

She told her parents her then-boyfriend, Johnny Clark, would drive her to college and pick her up. Actually, Betty would drive Johnny's car to school and keep it for the week. She had an ornery side that was rarely shown, but when seen, it made for fun times.

In 1969, Betty Sue married John Clark, Jr., becoming Betty Clark, and began many more life adventures.

Betty was an avid Arkansas Razorbacks fan, trying hard not ever to miss a football game. She was not a fair-weather fan. Betty attended no matter the success of the team or the weather. Evidence of her love of the Razorbacks was when she was seen on television sitting in the south end zone watching the five hour Ole Miss game in the lightning and rain.

Betty loved to travel. From family vacations with Johnny and the kids to cruises with friends and family, and world tours to places like China, Australia, Africa, and the Holy Land, Betty tried to see the world. It was often said that if the wheels were rolling, Betty would join the trip.

When she wasn't globetrotting, most mornings, Betty could be found at the HART Center in Fairfield Bay. She loved exercising and swimming with her workout friends.

Betty was a member of the Shirley United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school, led the singing, and produced and helped with the church's youth programs for many years.

She volunteered at the Clinton United Methodist Thrift Store and the Van Buren County Literacy Council.

Above all, Betty loved her family. She supported them no matter the activity or endeavor. Whether it be an event for a grandchild, niece, or nephew, she could be found in the stands. She attended many sporting events, graduations, weddings, and vacations. No matter the distance, Betty rarely missed out.

She especially enjoyed her time with her brothers, sisters, and families at the annual Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter holidays.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband John E. Clark, Jr., son CPL Matthew Evan Clark, parents Clyde and Clem Brown, sister Lou Ann Brown Ragsdale, in-laws John E. and Hazel Clark, and Uncle Jim Clark, brothers-in-law Johnny Harper and Kenneth Ragsdale, sister-in-law Ann Brown.

She is survived by her daughter Rachael Clark Henderson (Blake) of Scott, Arkansas; son Dr. Nicholas Clark (Kristin) of Little Rock, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Matthew Evan Henderson, Emmeline Henderson, Ellison Clark, and a fourth grandchild due in February; three brothers, Clyde Benny Brown (Doris) of Shir-

The staff of The Voice of Van Buren County extends sincere condolences to all who have lost loved ones.

If you wish to express your appreciation to friends, neighbors, family, church and community members with a Thank You on the obit page, call (501) 745-8040 or email voiceads@artelco.com

The Voice of Van Buren County ley, Dr. Charles Brown (Jennetta) of Russellville and Fairfield Bay, Lane Brown of Marshall; two sisters, Jo Nan Harper of Shirley and Emma Hink (Dickie) of Clinton.

Betty is also survived by a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and colleagues.

Hebrews 13:2 says, ''Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.'' Betty lived this daily. She was kind and loving beyond measure. Many have entertained angels unaware.

For those who spent any time at all with Betty, you have been blessed to have entertained an angel.

Private family funeral services were held at Settlement Baptist Church in Shirley, Arkansas, on Friday, January 8, 2021, at 2:00 pm. The family livestreamed to Facebook.

Interment followed at Bradford Cemetery in Shirley, Arkansas, and the public is welcome to attend.

The family hosted a drive-thru memorial celebration Friday, January 8, 2021, from 5:30 pm 7:00 pm at the Shirley High School Rotunda.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Shirley Community Church.

To express condolences online, visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton.

gis.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Florence Ann Veazey; children, Barry (Kathy) Veazey, Denise (Newt) Guenard, Tonya (Steve) Tindell, Duane Garman, Gregory Garman, and Kenny Garman; stepchildren, Leroy (Lora) Turknett, Rebecca Turknett, Hank Turknett, John (Romonda) Turknett, and Sandra (Joseph) Boswell; twenty-three plus grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; brother, Elza Veazey; sisters, Doris Montgomery and Barbara Rousseau; a host of family and friends.

A graveside service was held at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 8, 2021, at Republican Cemetery.

January 12, 2021 step-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, one sister, Shirley Archer Barnett (Charles) of Dennard, Arkansas, a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

A graveside service was held in her honor at 2:00 pm on Friday, January 8, 2021, at the Dennard Cemetery, with Pastor Darrell Black officiating.

To express online condolences, please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton.

2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021.

Brother Jim Campbell, an old family friend, officiated the service.

Family and friends served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be all the loving, caring people of St. Joe, who were there for Jim during his illness, and are there now for our brother, Bob, doing everything possible to help him. God bless you all.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Canaan Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 237, Marshall, AR 72650.

Jimmy Renfroe

Gradle Bea Eskridge

Jimmy Jack Renfroe, age 71 of St. Joe, passed into Heaven on January 1, 2021. He was at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. He had experienced several ailments in recent years, but the final one was lung cancer.

Jim was born at Marshall, Arkansas, on August 4, 1949, to John and Nancy Ray (Cohey) Renfroe. Jim was a lifelong resident of St. Joe, where he and our brother, Bob, were well known and much loved.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an older brother, John Kenneth Renfroe.

Survivors include two brothers, Paul Ray Renfroe and his wife, Shirley, of Harrison and Bobby Joe Renfroe, of St. Joe. Visitation was from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Coffman Funeral Home in Harrison on Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Graveside services followed at Canaan Cemetery in Marshall at

Karen Beth Davis

Karen Beth Davis, the daughter of Louie Haynes and Mildred Edrington Haynes, was born in West Memphis, Arkansas, on January 15, 1960, and passed away in Clinton, Arkansas, on January 2, 2021, at the age of 60 years.

She was a homemaker, and her religious belief was of the Baptist Faith. She enjoyed her Indian Heritage, the outdoors, parties, and her friends and family.

She liked riding her motorcycle and loved her dog, Lacy Marie.

Karen was preceded in death by her parents Louie and Mildred Haynes, and a son Daniel Peters. Survivors are her husband Terry Gilliam, one daughter Stephanie McNabb and one sister Kathy Weaver and her husband, Jo-

Gradle Beatrice ''Bea'' Eskridge, 88, of Dennard, Arkansas, was born on June 18, 1932, in Dennard to the late Homer and Mittie (Chalk) Archer and went to be with her Lord on January 04, 2021, in Conway, Arkansas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband of 49 years, Roy Lee Eskridge, two brothers, Willie Archer, Raymond Archer, and one sister, Faye Griggs.

Left to cherish her memory are three children; Pam Hopkins (Henry Lopez) of Clinton, Arkansas, Beverly Roesch (Ralph) of ShirDennis Veazey ley, Arkansas, Mike EsDennis "Papaw" kridge (Sandi) of DenSee Obituaries Paul Veazey, 82, of nard, Arkansas, three on page 5 Greenbrier, Arkansas, grandchildren, two passed away on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at Baptist Health Medical Center in Conway, Arkansas. Dennis was born on October 11, 1938, in Gerty, Oklahoma, to Raymond Patrick Veazey and Fay Conover Veazey.

He began his lifelong love of service to the community as a radio operator in the United States Marine Corps, continuing as a musiThomas Huie cian, programmer, and broadcaster where his talents and passions Words can not express how grateful we are for were enjoyed by many. everyone who helped us during our loss of Tom. Dennis is remembered The Huie family wants to thank you for by many in Clinton as all of the prayers and an on-air personality on KGFL in the 1970s and heartfelt condolences we received. early 1980s.

We will always remember your kindness.

Dennis hosted a program called the 'Big The Tom Huie family.

D Jamboree.'

Dianna He is preceded in death by his parents, Greg Raymond Patrick and Debra Fay Conover Veazey, and sister, Louis Stur-

South Side Bee Branch Needs to Hire a Full Time Bus Driver

The position is a classified position and is a morning and afternoon route. Applications may be filled out online at southsidebb.org or at the Central Office.

Applicants must pass a background check and have a CDL. Starting salary is $7,300 annually.

For more information, contact Greg Bradford at gbradford@southsidebb.org or 501-626-4486.

Job Description:

• training expenses paid for by school district • positions starts when training is complete • benefits include health insurance and retirement

The Voice of Van Buren County

January 12, 2021 their first son, William Obituaries Adam Treat, on Sepfrom page 4 tember 22, 1981. They added to their famiey, two grandchildren ly in 1984 with another Kayden Summers and son, Justin Drew Treat.

Austin Merryman, oth- Patricia was a cherer relatives, and many ished mom and mother-in-law. Along with friends.

A Celebration of Life being a devoted mothService was held on er, Patricia was an avMonday, January 11, id, warm-hearted listen2021, at 2:00 P.M. at er to her three grandbaClinton Funeral Service bies: Cody, Catie, and Brian. She also loved Chapel her fur grandbabies, Daisy Mae and Oscar Lou. Her granddaughter, Catie, describes her as a good listener and someone that was always there. She had a kind soul that welcomed all around her.

Patricia will forever be missed, but those that love her know they will Patricia Treat see her again one day.

Patricia Karen Pike Patricia is survived Treat was born on Octo- by her husband of 41 ber 8, 1958, to her lov- years, Bill Treat; her two ing parents, Verl and devoted sons William Forest Pike of Quitman, Adam (Valerie) and JusArkansas. tin Drew (Erika) Treat; She was the young- her three grandbabies, est sister to her broth- Cody, Catie, and Brier Joe Pike and sis- an; her steadfast mama, ters Amy Pike and Alice Verl Pike, and sister, AlJohnson. ice Johnson; along with Patricia attended numerous other relaQuitman Public School tives. from Kindergarten to Patricia is proceedSenior Year. She gradu- ed in death by her loving ated in 1977.

Patricia father, Forest Pike; her met her soulmate, Bill protective older brother, Treat, in the year 1979, Joe Pike; her sister Amy working at Skil Corp. Af- Pike; her caring grandter a year of dating, the parents, James and two were joined in Holy Addy Pike, and Thermatrimony at the How- man and Lydia Hodgard General Baptist es; her sweet mother Church of Quitman. and father-in-law, Ray They welcomed and Virginia Treat of Bee

School Menus

Jan 11 -15, 2021 Clinton Pre-school/ elementary menu

Monday Breakfast: cereal, fruit, milk, Lunch: cheeseburger, french fries, fruit, milk Tuesday Breakfast: mini french toast, fruit, milk, Lunch: chicken fajita, cheese/ salsa, pinto beans, fruit, milk We d n e s d a y Beakfast: cereal, fruit, milk, Lunch: beef veg soup, grilled cheese, fruit, milk Thursday Breakfast: sausage biscuit, juice, milk, Lunch: grilled chicken breast, broccoli, wheat roll,

fruit, milk Friday Breakfast: cereal, fruit, milk, Lunch: turkey sandwich, carrot sticks, baked chips, fruit, milk

Clinton Pre-school/ Elementary Menu

Monday Breakfast: cereal, fruit, milk, Lunch: cheeseburger, french fries, fruit, milk Tuesday Breakfast: mini french toast, fruit, milk, Lunch: chicken fajita, cheese/ salsa, pinto beans, fruit, milk We d n e s d a y Breakfast: cereal, fruit, milk, Lunch: beef veg soup, grilled cheese, fruit, milk Thursday Breakfast: sausage biscuit,

Branch; and her brothers-in-law, Jeff, Kenny, and Charlie (Jackie).

A memorial service was held at 11:00 am on Friday, January 8, 2021, at Olmstead Funeral Home.

Lucille Sitton

Lucille Mae Williams Sitton, 93, was born in Van Buren County, Arkansas, on May 5, 1927, to Thomas Isaac and Rosa (Guffey) Williams.

She was married 77 years to the love of her life, Vern Wade Sitton.

Lucille passed from this life on January 2, 2021, in Clinton, Arkansas.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Vern, seven siblings; daughter, Shirley Faye (Garry C.) Hoover, two grandsons; Jeffrey Wayde Smith and Mark Allen Hoover.

Singing was her passion. At 93, she could still sing the old gospel hymns she loved so well. After God, she loved her family, Pee Dee Baptist Church, and for as long as she was able, she loved working in her flowers.

One of her favorites scriptures was Jesus

juice, milk, Lunch: grilled chicken breast, broccoli, wheat roll, fruit, milk Friday Breakfast: cereal, fruit, milk, Lunch: turkey sandwich, carrot sticks, baked chips, fruit, milk

South Side Menu

Monday Breakfast: French Toast Fruit, juice, milk, Lunch: Frito chili pie, corn, oranges, crackers, milk Tuesday Breakfast: Ham bar, toast, craisins, juice, milk, Lunch: Chicken quesadilla, salad, ranch, sugar cookie, peaches, milk Wednesday: Breakfast: pancake on

comforting His disciples in John 14:1-3. "In my Father's house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am you will also be." Mother would repeat this scripture, and then she would say, "I won't have a log cabin in heaven. Jesus has a mansion prepared for me...and I am ready to claim it anytime."

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Glenda (Charles E.) Smith, grandson, Kevin (Melissa Harville) Hoover, granddaughters; Natalie Barber and Carla (Jason) Ramsey, twelve great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Services are pending at this time.

Page 5 was born in Altamont, Illinois, to the late Roy and Anna Mae Davis.

She was also preceded in death by her late husband, James R. (Bob) Fox. Shirley is survived by one daughter, Brenda (Barry) Toothman of Greenbrier, Arkansas; granddaughters, Shelly (Andy) Martin of Fairdealing, Missouri, and Tonya Nohren of Greenbrier, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Katie (Sonny) Robinson, Sarah Martin, Russell (Alexis) Martin, Jordan Cutler, Logan (Jessica) Cutler; great-grandchildren, Jackson, Madison, Savannah, and Landon Robinson, Andy, Sammy and Esme Martin, Kasen, Brooklee and Everleigh Cutler.

The family will have a private viewing at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Greenbrier, Arkansas.

She will was laid to rest alongside her late husband in Windsor Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois.

Shirley J. Fox

Shirley J. (Davis) Fox, age 87, of Greenbrier, Arkansas, went to be with our Lord on Mason L. Harmon Mason L. Harmon, January 2, 2021. On December 17, 1933, she 35, of Clinton, Arkan-

a stick, raisins, juice, milk, Lunch: Barbecue chicken, green beans, sweet potatoes, banana, roll, milk, High school: Chicken strips, green beans, sweet potatoes, banana roll milk Thursday Breakfast: Powdered donuts, applesauce, juice, milk, Lunch: Fish shapes, potato wedges, baby carrots, celery sticks, mixed fruit, tartar sauce, ketchup, milk Friday Breakfast: Cereal cereal bar, raisins, juice, milk, Lunch: Sloppy joe, baked beans, coleslaw, pears, milk, High School: Cheeseburger, tots, salad cup, pears, milk

Make every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Pain

by Joe W. Jones

If pain was like dust upon the wind, maybe it would blow away and not come back again.

If sorrow was like rain that fell upon the ground, maybe it would hit the dirt and soak on down.

The empty feeling we have inside may lin-

sas, was born on February 11, 1985, to Mitchell Harmon and the late Paula (Bartley) Harmon in Tulare, California, and passed from this life on January 05, 2021, in Conway, Arkansas.

He is preceded in death by his mother.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Jade Harmon, his father, Mitchell Harmon, his sister, Kayla Cross (Nicholas), a host of other relatives and friends.

A memorial visitation was held in his honor at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 09, 2021, at the Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Chapel in Clinton, Arkansas.

If you would like to assist with Mason's funeral expense, please use the following options: for online giving, please visit Fund A Family at; https://fundafamily.com/Donation.aspx?M=23882&C=128930, to help by phone, please call (501)7452151, to assist by mail, please send to PO Box 177, Clinton, AR 72031 or you may visit the funeral home at 1902 Highway 65 South in Clinton.

To express online condolences, please visit www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/clinton.

ger there for years, even after we have shed all of those tears.

God made all the mountains, trees and plains, so if we will trust him, he will take care of everything.

Sometimes we think our load is heavy and more than we can bear but Jesus will take care of us. He is our only prayer.

When you look back and think of all the joy you shared, and saw the twinkle in her eye. That is what is so hard about the last goodbye.

So tomorrow may bring more sorrow or the sky may be bright and blue, but one thing we know. GOD CARES FOR YOU.

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 6

January 12, 2021

There’s Music Comin Out of Them Hills

by Jeff Wieners Monty, Sam Sr., Sam Elites (Nate Rolen, Rick Breez members include Park. The large cov- few, begin their musi-

Jr., and his son Garrett.

I have had the pleasure of meeting Joel and Randall Housley and Bill Isom and his son Chris which further cements my beliefs.

The local talent can be found simply by visiting French Feed Store and talking to owner John French (one of the best guitar players I have had the pleasure to know). While just turning on the local radio station you can hear the voice of owner Sid King who is a talented drummer.

Previous Sherriff Scott Bradley is a talented singer, as is his daughter Gwendolyn, while his father Charlie and Cousin Larry are both quality drummers.

The area’s local bands include Lucky Draw (John French, Roy Webb, Bob Collister, Darrin Ward), Lucky Rooster (Brandon Witt, Darrell Ragland,Tom Hendrix, and Geoff Perry), Sean Sikes Band, Train Wreck (Larry Wayne Huie, Sam Collumns, Mike Bilderback, and Darrell Parker), and Nate Rolen and the

& Janice Sundelin, and Art Gomez) plus many others. I am no longer surprised to see individuals such as Kasey Kimmons, Dawn Jaeger, or Annetta Collister come on stage, belt out a tune, and wow a crowd. I have been welcomed and encouraged by these musicians who seem happy to share their wealth of knowledge and help me understand how these local talents spread.

Of all these individuals, several stand out as ambassadors of music. The newspaper’s own Jeff Stansbery is one of them.

He invited me to several open mics in Marshall, Fairfield Bay, and Little Rock where the NSA (Nashville Songwriters Association) met to showcase songwriters from all over Arkansas. Jeff is a talented songwriter, singer, guitar player, and utilizes whatever instrument he can get his hands on to create his sound. He plays multiple genres and leads the Breez Band in Gospel, Country, Rock, and Blues.

Don Saucier, Amanda Cowles, Rusty Allgaier, and occasionally others such as Art Gomez, Janice Sundelin, and myself. I have been inspired and encouraged by him as have many others.

Thomas Anderson created the Buffalo River Blues Society that encourages and supports the spread of blues music in the area. The Society has sponsored blues competitions in years past with winners gaining prize money and the coveted ticket to compete in the International Blues Competition held annually in Memphis.

This competition has brought many talented groups and individuals to our area. Past winners include, but are not limited to, Roger King, The Griffins, The Natural State Band, and William “Mudhead” Holloway, to name a few.

Tim Clark with the Clinton A&P Commission, Tony Soyani, and Mayor Richard McCormac have promoted the Rockin on the River series at Archey Fork

Guest Editorial tributing to its success. from page 1 In return, OHI is contractually obligated to right to monthly financial maintain the properstatements and quarter- ty and facility we allow ly audited financial re- it to use. It is obligated ports from OHI as the to provide furniture, fixlease stipulates? Do we tures, and equipment for have a right to the da- the operation of the hosta detailing the actual fi- pital. It is obligated to nancial position of OHI provide the aforemenwhen it requests that we tioned financial reports subsidize its operation- so Van Buren County al, maintenance, and can verify our corporate capital improvement ex- partner's financial stabilpenses? Do we have ity. a right to know if OHI Twenty years ago, is subletting our prop- Van Buren County deerty at a profit when it cided to make a wise doesn't even pay its investment. We built a nominal rent of $25 per state of the art faciliyear? Do we have a right ty and furnished it with to know the mutual ob- state of the art equipligations to which OHI ment at the cost of and Van Buren County around $40 Million to have voluntarily agreed? taxpayers. We entered OHI has a lucra- a sound contract with tive deal. It operates as a private corporation a 501(c)(3), which ex- (OHI) to operate and empts it from tax liabili- maintain a hospital withty on its profits. It gets in our facility. I believe to use our $40 Million our hospital's presence facility and furnishings rent-free. It depreciates the buildings and equipment purchased with taxpayers' money. It receives the Hospital Millage from the County to help with maintenance expenses. These few benefits do not factor in the many generous donations and volunteers in the community, con-

has played a significant part in our community's survival, as we have lost so many other industries over the past 25 years. It is excellent comfort for residents to have two nursing facilities in the County where their family members can receive care near home when that can no longer be provided at home. The ability to receive many procedures and treatments so close to home significantly improves the quality of life for many in our community. We need a hospital, but we also need a responsible partner to operate it. We need a relationship of mutual respect with our Tennant, but it is not evident to me that OHI respects this community.

If OHI is unable or unwilling to fulfill its contractual obligations, it needs to request a renegotiation of its contract

with Van Buren County. Both parties can then determine if we can pro- Crossword Solution ceed in a mutually beneficial relationship.

I have shared these questions and concerns with the County Judge and the JP for my district directly, and I believe that they will do their best to get answers and rectify these problems.

David Deaton, CEO of OHI, is reportedly going to provide an annual financial report to the Quorum Court at its regular meeting on January 21st, 2021. OHI's fiscal year ended in June of 2020.

I was fortunate enough to move to this area over fifteen years ago and enjoy the scenic beauty and outstanding recreation the area offers. I was surprised, however, to discover the abundance of talented musicians the area harbors. As a want-to-be musician myself, I have met many talented people here and wondered how so many could be congregated in such a sparsely populated area. I can only think credit goes to musical church groups and tight families having passed down these talents through generations.

I know of several area family members such as the Huie family, including Larry Sr., sons Kerry and Larry Wayne, and his young son Jimi, all talented musicians. Talented folks such as Steve Nunley, whose family members include father Don, Sister Debbie Pryor, and Cousin Darrin Ward, further my beliefs. The Collums family musicians include

ered stage at this park offers a great venue to highlight outdoor concerts. Additionally, Alex Kienlen helped organize the Pickin on the Square where many local musicians came and played their favorite songs. Choctaw Post #4764 Commander Scott Bramlett continues to support live music at this venue bringing quality acts to the area regularly.

All the while, young musicians such as Peyton Loeschner, Shelby Pistole, and Jacob Robertson, to name a

cal journeys indicating the local talent will remain strong in the future. Area native Nathan Eaton placed in National Thumb Picking contests and also builds custom guitars.

No wonder individuals such as Heath Sanders are harvested from this area for opportunities to make it big in Nashville, and I am sure he will not be the last.

Let me apologize for all those talents not mentioned; I look forward to meeting and making music with you all in the New Year.

Sudoku Solution

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Where to find the Voice Austin

of Van Buren County

• The Austin Store (Inside sales)

Bee Branch

• Snappy's (Outside Rack sales)

Choctaw

• Alon Gas Station (outside rack sales) • PEH Supply (inside sales)

Clinton • • • • • • • • • • •

Assessor's Office: (inside sales) Goode's CashSaver (outside rack sales) Doublebee's Exxon (outside rack sales) Flash Market-Citgo (inside sales) Huddle House: (outside rack sales L'Attitude Bistro: (inside sales) McDonald's (outside rack sales) Ozark Health Medical Center (outside rack sales) Petit Jean Electric (outside rack sales) The Voice of Van Buren County (inside sales, outside rack sales) Western Sizzlin (inside sales)

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• Craven's - Dollar General Shopping Mall (outside rack sales) • Jack's (inside sales)

Leslie

• Misty's Conoco & Convenience (outside rack sales) • Smith's Citgo (inside sales)

Scotland

• Lowder General Store (inside sales)

Shirley

• First Service Bank (outside rack sales) • Reaves Food Store, Hwy 330 S (outside rack sales)

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The Voice of Van Buren County

January 12, 2021

January 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . Cameron Cullum January 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary L. Hanks January 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Herr January 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gary Harris January 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Robin Snyder January 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wyatt Thomas January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lorna Beach January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eric Coffman January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Roy Brewer January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike Guynes January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Britteny Hughes January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Miller January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin Moses January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Shawn Overbey January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faye Rodgers January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan Rowe January 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte West January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Bixler January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June Elliott January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . Charlotte Lunsford January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Mincey January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tim Stone

Make us your Birthday Headquarters!

Main Street Florist & Gifts Happy Birthday Wishes Tammie Williams, owner 374 Main Street Clinton, AR • (501)745-3569 We deliver same day.

Teleflora & FTD Wire Services Available

www.mainstreetfloristclinton.com

Page 7

January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grant Weaver January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Irene Williams January 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Wilson January 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Loy brobruk January 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kendra Habelitz January 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kyle Hensley January 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tyler King January 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tabitha Thomas January 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jesse Barnett January 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Edna Beasley January 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lori Bolarick January 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marrissa Lamb January 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Niel Manning January 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kristy Palmer January 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jack Poteet January 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Barry Anderson January 18 . . . . . . . . . . . Rebekah Chasteen January 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jamal Farrell January 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenneth Jenkins January 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kimberly Linn January 18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Schenck January 18 . . . . . . . . . Richard Scudlarczyk

We will have a Monthly Drawing from the Birthday names for a gift from one of the Birthday Page Sponsors!

Simply stop by our office and add your family and friends to our birthday list or email names and dates to us at thevoice@artelco.com or call us (501) 745-8040.

Sign up once and you are done.

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Happy Birthday Wishes to You! Cletes "Bill" Blantz, owner MMC (SW) U.S. Navy (Ret.) 4319 Highway 65 South Clinton, Arkansas 72031 Phone: 501-745-6222 Fax: 501-745-2102

Happyhday birthes! wis RadioShack®

Northside Shopping Center 117 Bone St

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The Voice of Van Buren County

Fun & Games

Music Trivia

Sudoku: The objective is to fill a 9x9 grid so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3x3 boxes (also called blocks

or regions) contains the digits from 1 to 9.

A cell is the smallest block in the game. A row, column and region consists of 9 cells and the whole game consists of 81 cells.

Where in the county is this?

We had Seasons in the Sun in 1974 Band who Couldn’t Get it Right in 1976 Duet who was Stumblin’ In 1979 You could write to me and ESCAPE in 1979 He thought he was in TROUBLE in 1981 He had a little ditty ‘bout Jack and Diane in 1982 He sung about his girlfriend, Sherrie in 1984 Answers

Climax Blues Band Terry Jacks

1 Wash with a mop 2 Tablet 3 Opposed 4 From the pope 5 Worshiped 6 Frigid 7 Government agency 8 Tie down 9 See ya!

10 Branch of learning 11 Fewer 13 Dozen (abbr.)

15 Upper body 20 Where animals are kept 22 Head cover 25 Curved 26 Animals in a region 27 Boundary 29 Type of wrench 30 Ghost's greeting 32 Frown angrily 33 Provide housing for 34 Pacific Time 35 Evening 37 Sphere 39 Wooden sheet 42 American Kennel Club (abbr.)

43 Cloudlike mass made up of tiny water droplets suspended in the air near the ground 47 Company symbol 49 Swedish citizen 50 Possessive pronoun 52 Large, long-handled scoop for digging or scooping heavy material 55 Coverings for the feet worn for protection 57 Overly fat 58 Containers 59 Spoken 60 Spring flower 61 Prong 62 Gross national product (abbr.)

63 Long fish 64 A spinning toy (2 wds.)

65 Prying 68 Large number

Sudoku

Chris Norman, Suzi Quatro

Down

Puzzle solutions on page 6

Rupert Holmes

1 Resort hotel 4 Tempos 9 Calorie 12 Gust 14 Take into one's family 15 Wheel 16 Singing voice 17 Pertaining to the north or south ends of the earth 18 Makes hot cereal 19 Heavy and widespread snowstorm of lengthy duration 21 On the other side 23 Bullfight cheer 24 Old-fashioned Fathers 25 Hairstyle 28 Pat lightly 31 Ritzy 34 Express approval 36 Lavatory 38 Police officer 40 Water film 41 Heroism 43 Out of bounds 44 Decade 45 Stretch to make do 46 Slovenly 48 Sprint 51 Central nervous system 53 Stare at 54 Net 56 Greedy person 58 Short open jacket 61 Runnertess sled that is curved upwards 66 Waterless 67 Fatty vegetable 69 World organization 70 Strong wind 71 Sounds with reference to pitch, strength, or duration 72 Experts 73 Wily 74 Inscribed stone 75 Observe secretly

Solve the Word Find or Where In the County Is This? for your chance to win a one-year subscription to The Voice.

Puzzle entries may not be a photocopy; originals from newspaper only. A drawing from correct entries will be held each month and the winning name will receive a one-year subscription to The Voice. There will be one winner each month.

To enter, mail your puzzles to The Voice/P.O. Box 1396/Clinton AR 72031 or drop them by our downtown office, 328 Main St., Clinton. You can also call 745-8040 to tell us where the week's picture was taken.

Deadline to enter is February 1, 2021 at 2 p.m. The drawing will be at 4 p.m.

Lindsey Buckingham

Across

Rules

John Cougar Mellencamp

Weekly Crossword

January 12, 2021

Steve Perry

Page 8

Where in Van Buren County can you see this?

Tell us for a chance to win a one-year subscription to The Voice. Rules on this page.

January 12, 2021

Central Arkansas

Greers Ferry Lake

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 461.91 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.04 feet msl). (updated 1-7-2021) Fish ’N Stuff (501-8345733) in Sherwood says the lake is 2 feet low and the upper end is stained, while the lower end is pretty clear. Bass are good on the upper and lower ends on Alabama rigs, jerkbaits, Rat-LTraps, crankbaits and football jigs in 10-20 feet of water.

North Arkansas (updated 1-7-2021) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service says that during the past week, they had rain, sleet and snow,over a three day period that combined for a total of 1.75 inches in Cotter), along with cold temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals rose a halffoot to rest at 0.3 foot above seasonal power pool of 659 feet msl.

This is 35.7 feet below the top of the flood pool.

Upstream, Table Rock rose 1.6 feet to rest at

The Voice of Van Buren County

Fishing Report

0.4 foot above seasonal power pool and 15.6 feet above the top of the flood pool. Beaver Lake rose 0.7 foot to rest at 0.5 foot above seasonal power pool and 9.1 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had variable generation with no wadable water.

Norfork Lake fell 0.1 foot to rest at 0.2 foot below seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 26.5 feet below the top of the flood pool. The Norfork tailwater had some wadable water.

All of the lakes in the White River system are now below or near power pool, and anglers should have wadable water in the near future.

The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam is closed through Jan. 31 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park will be seasonal catch-and-release for the same period. All brown trout must be immediately released. In addition, night fishing is prohibited in this area during this period. The section will reopen to fishing on Feb. 1.

On the moderate flows, the White has fished well. The hot spot has been Rim Shoals.

The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (sizes

14, 12), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead sizes 16, 18), pheasant tails (size 14), ruby midges (size 18), root beer midges (size 18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (size 10), and sowbugs (size 16).

Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective (John’s current favorite combination is an egg pattern with a size 18 ruby midge).

Remember that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive algae.

Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soles that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

John also says, “For several days around Christmas, my wife, Lori, and I were in Memphis visiting family. Lori’s 90-year-old mother had a stroke a few months ago. While they have caregivers around the clock, Lori stayed there before and after Christmas to help her parents however she could. I felt that I was in the way.

My brother-in-law, Larry, was headed up here to fish and offered me a ride. I left my suburban so Lori could bring the dogs back with her. We were both concerned with the coronavirus and wore our masks during the entire drive here.

This was the first time in almost a year that I had been in an automobile with anyone other than Lori.

“Larry and I decided to fish the next day.

We were both interest-

ed in wade fishing the White River. Neither of us had fished the Narrows in a long time, so we decided to fish there.

We left Cotter at 7 a.m.

Larry stayed in our guest house. We donned our waders and rigged our rods before leaving. We took separate cars and were on the river around sunrise. I walked far upstream, while Larry remained closer to the access.

“I started fishing with a partridge and orange soft hackle, a fly that I have done well with, when fishing the Narrows. I fished it for about 45 minutes and never got a bump. I thought about the last time Lori and I had fished together, about a week before.

We had fished the Norfork and Lori had fished an olive Woolly Bugger, while I had fished a twofly nymph rig, a root beer midge below a pheasant tail. She caught 25, while I caught nine.

“I changed over to an olive Woolly Bugger and fished on. After several minutes, I had not caught anything and was ready to change flies, when I landed a nice rainbow.

I was working my way downstream and began to catch trout on a regular basis. After a slow start, I was beginning to have a good day. By the time I had worked down to Larry’s location, I had landed 15 nice rainbows.

“Larry had not done as well. He had stayed in the same basic spot and had started with an olive Woolly Bugger, a fly he fishes often. He had caught one on it but the going was slow. He decided to switch over to a partridge and orange soft hackle, a fly that had been very productive for him the last

time he fished here. He caught a few but it never really started producing.

We were both ready to end the day and reeled in our lines. We finished the day by having a hearty breakfast at the White Sands Restaurant in Cotter, my neighborhood restaurant.

“Our individual success on that day had depended on our fly selection. We both fished the same flies but I had stuck with the one that produced for me.

Change flies when the one you are fishing does not work. It can make a difference.”

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Lake

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.64 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,120.43 feet msl). (updated 1-7-2021) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-2333474) said “Well, it's a new year and I am hoping for a great 2021. The lake had some influx of fresh water with a fair amount of mud and debris. The mud goes from Neils Bluff on the White to Piney Creek and from Piney Creek up to Camp War Eagle on the War Eagle arm. Lots of big floaters, so be careful.

Stripers are fair to good from Horseshoe Bend up to the islands at Prairie Creek. On that note the fish we are catching are real trophy size right now. We have put numerous 20-plus fish in the boat this week.

Crappie are fair in and around brush in 15-25 feet of water. Jigs and minnows are working.

Look from Hickory Creek down to Horseshoe Bend as that is where

Page 9

the water is not muddy.

Catfish have been good on shad in 45 feet of water. Walleye are staging; time to hit the flats and points near Point 12.

Water is at 45 degrees, give or take where you are located. Check out Jon’s Facebook page at FishOn Guides Goshen Arkansas for updated reports as conditions change quickly this time of the year. (updated 1-7-2021) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said stripers are good on topwater baits early in the day and late in the evening, as well as on brood minnows. Anglers report they are catching good-size fish.

No reports on bream.

The crappie bite is good; use minnows or jigs and work the brush piles for best results. Black bass are fair; anglers are having best luck using spoons, Alabama rigs and jerkbaits. No reports on catfish. The lake clarity is muddy and the surface water temperature is ranging 46-48 degrees. Water level is normal.

Beaver Tailwater

(updated 1-7-2021) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “Well, I hope you all had a happy holidays.

As for fishing, the trout bite has been decent in the tailwater. Most have been caught with Pautzke bait products, fished with light terminal tackle. However, spoons and small jerkbaits have produced nice numbers, too. Most of the fish have been caught between Spider Creek and Parker Bottoms. When the Army Corps of Engineers has water flowing, drift-fishing is the way to go. I would also work the spoons a little more.

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The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 10

January 12, 2021

CHURCH PAGE

Photo by EuGene Smith

Thanks to those of you who called and correctly identified last week's featured church as Bethel Community Church. If you can identify this week's Church call 745-8040.

(Remember to give me a contact for the history of your Church. We want to print the history of every Church in Van Buren County. With your help, we will!)

Antioch General Baptist Church 1608 Highway 9, Fox (870)363-4509 Archey Valley Community Church Highway 254, Chimes Bee Branch Baptist 11509 Hwy 65 South, Bee Branch 654-2630 Bethel Community Church 17904 Highway 95 W, Cleveland Botkinburg Baptist Church 9297 Highway 65 N, Botkinburg 757-2069 Botkinburg Community Foursquare Church 7054 Highway 65 N, Botkinburg 745-2311 Burnt Ridge Community Church 5846 Burnt Ridge Road, Clinton 745-6737 Calvary Missionary Baptist Church ABA 144 Nickie Ave., Clinton 745-3245 Choctaw Baptist Church 208 Highway 330 E, Clinton 745-7370 Choctaw Christian Center 4157 Highway 65 S, Choctaw 745-8264 Choctaw Church of Christ 233 Highway 330 E, Choctaw 745-8264 Christian Fellowship Church 674 Highway 658, Clinton Church of Christ 20452 Highway 16 W, Alread 745-5498 Church of the Nazarene 1664 Highway 65 S, Clinton Clinton Church of Christ 184 Third Street, Clinton 745-4252 Clinton Seventh-day Adventist Church 125 Skyhill Drive, Clinton 745-4532 Clinton United Methodist Church 636 Joe Bowling Road, Clinton 745-5181 Colony Church of Christ Hwy 92 E, Bee Branch Corinth Baptist Church 5158 Holley Mountain Road, Clinton Cornerstone Evangelical Church 3351 Highway 330 S, Fairfield Bay 884-6657 Crabtree Foursquare Church 11301 Highway 16 W, Crabtree 745-2894 Culpepper Community Church 6055 Highway 336 W, Culpepper Culpepper Mountain Church of Christ 118 South Essie Road, Culpepper Damascus United Methodist Church 17194 Highway 65 S, Damascus Eagle Heights Baptist Church Independent Fundamental VBC Fairgrounds, Clinton 757-0013

Eglantine Church of Christ 3796 Highway 330 S, Shirley 884-6880 Fairbanks Community Church 4753 Arkansas 356 E, Bee Branch Fairfield Bay Baptist Church 481 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3371 Fairfield Bay United Methodist Church 765 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3373 Faith Christian 10839 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-8109 Faith Church Highway 65 N & Harper Mountain Lane, Dennard, AR 72629 Faith Lutheran Church 310 Snead Drive, Fairfield Bay 884-3375 First Assembly of God Church 2466 Highway 65 N, Clinton 745-2285 First Baptist Church of Clinton 211 First Baptist Road, Clinton 745-6113 First Baptist Church of Damascus 43 Oak Tree Road, Damascus 335-7440 First Baptist Church of Sugarloaf 557 Arkansas 337, Higden 654-2354 First General Baptist Church 664 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-4043 First Pentecostal Church of Clinton Highway 65 S at 1128 Lyn Road, Choctaw Formosa Baptist Church 630 Highway 9 W, Clinton 745-7709 Formosa Church of Christ 6603 Highway 9 West Clinton AR. 745-4446 Friendship Baptist Church 1321 Third St., Clinton 745-7177 Full Gospel Tabernacle 128 Catland Lane, Shirley 723-4500 Grace Church 3793 Highway 65 S, Clinton 472-7462 Half Moon Baptist Church 1031 Half Moon Road, Clinton 745-2273 Harmony Mountain Church of Christ Quattlebaum and Harmony Mtn Roads 745-2059 Hope Community Church 905 Damascus Road, Quitman Immanuel Baptist Church 498 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-8528 Kaley Hill Missionary Baptist 6505 Highway 356, Bee Branch Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses 3624 Highway 65 S, Clinton 745-8781

Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church 250 Dave Creek Parkway, Fairfield Bay 884-3304 Landmark Missionary Baptist Church ABA 229 Third St., Clinton Lexington Baptist Church 9525 Highway 110, Clinton 723-4787 Liberty Missionary Baptist Church 2712 Highway 254 W, Chimes Community Low Gap Community Chapel 4320 Low Gap Road, Alread Lute Mountain Community Church Lute Mountain Road, off Highway 16, Shirley 723-8299 Main Line Full Gospel 114 Mariposa Loop, Bee Branch 253-1005 Maranatha Assembly of God 11929 Highway 16 E, Shirley 723-8181 Mount Zion Church of Christ 1202 Highway 16 W, Clinton 745-2572 Mount Zion General Baptist 2333 Mount Zion Road, Bee Branch 362-3807 New Beginning Church 12200 Highway 254 E, Dennard New Hope Baptist Church 4198 Highway 65 N, Clinton 757-2332 New Liberty Church of Christ 4815 Highway 95, Cleveland 669-2575 New Life Apostolic Church of Clinton 198 Richard Road, Clinton 745-6411 Peace Lutheran Church of Edgemont 10849 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-4726 Pee Dee Baptist Church 2744 Highway 16 E, Clinton 745-4115 Pine Grove General Baptist Church 102 Silvertree Road, Shirley Pine Mountain General Baptist Church Gravesville Cutoff Road, South of Bee Branch Plant Baptist Church 4897 Highway 110, Clinton 745-6887 Pleasant Grove Friendship Church 22210 Highway 16 W, Alread 745-8450 Pleasant Valley Baptist Church 5092 Banner Mtn Road, Shirley 723-4737 Pleasant Valley General Baptist No. 1 5153 Highway 92 W, Bee Branch Point Remove Baptist Church 10954 Highway 336 W, Formosa

Rabbit Ridge Church of Christ 215 Rabbit Ridge Road, Bee Branch 745-4634 Red River of Life Church of God 10839 Edgemont Road, Edgemont 723-8109 Rupert Baptist Church 21434 Highway 16 W, Clinton 745-8593 Salem Primitive Baptist Church Gravesville Cutoff Road, Bee Branch Sand Springs Missionary Baptist Church Highway 124 E, Damascus 335-8003 Sardis Freewill Baptist 4141 Highway 124, Gravesville 335-8027 Scotland Baptist Church 278 Postal Lane, Scotland 592-3787 Scotland Church of Christ 297 Scotland-Formosa Road, Scotland Scotland Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church 1476 Scotland-Formosa Road, Scotland 592-3311 Settlement Baptist Church 10277 Highway 16 E, Shirley 501-215-1595 Shady Grove Baptist Church 5448 Shady Grove Road, Shirley 723-4273 Shady Grove Chapel 4790 Highway 254 E, Dennard Shirley Church of Christ 10509 Highway 16 E, Shirley 723-8101 Shirley Community Church/First United Methodist 784 Matthew Clark Memorial Drive, Shirley 723-4387 South Side Baptist Highway 65 N, Damascus 335-7423 St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 250 Woodlawn Drive, Fairfield Bay 884-3349 St. Jude Catholic Church 3178 Hwy 65 S, Clinton 745-5716 Tabernacle of Praise 159 Boston Fern Road, Shirley 723-8280 The Gathering Ministry Outreach 80746 Highway 16 W, Rupert 745-3883 The Zoo Church 12174 Highway 65 N, Dennard 514-8535 The Power House (non-denominational) 159 Mt. Zion Road, Bee Branch, AR 253-2385 Trace Ridge Bible Church Highway 254 W at Morris Road, Chimes Walnut Grove Church 6940 Highway 95 W, Clinton 745-3445 Zion Hill Missionary Baptist ABA 29129 Highway 16 W, Jerusalem 745-4467

Last Week's Featured Church

Bethel Community Church 17904 Hwy 95 West (at Conway County Line), Cleveland

Pawn • Shooting Sports

VAN BUREN COUNTY PROUD 794 Highway 65B Clinton, Arkansas

Tournament Fishing Tackle

(501) 745-2581

OPEN TIL 6:00pm MON-SAT (501) 745-6991

1863 Hwy 65 South, Clinton, AR 72031

195 Highway 16 E, Clinton, AR 72031 www.garypack.com GaryPackLumber

Deb's Fashions

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OPEN M-F 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

SAT 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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314 Ingram St behind EXXON off Hwy 65 in Clinton

The Voice of Van Buren County

January 12, 2021

Page 11

Classifieds • Legal ANNOUNCEMENTS

MISC. FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE

FOR SALE OR LEASE Shop Booth 94 at Howard's Antiques PERSONALS

for crocheted items, knickknacks, dishes and jewelry.

EMPLOYMENT

THINKING BIG

“Love all, trust a few.”

-William Shakespeare

PUN OF THE WEEK I'm reading a book about anti-gravity.

It's impossible to put down!

RESEARCH

Applicants must have their own tools.

Reliability, cleanliness and the ability to meet deadlines are necessary for this position. ************

ESTATE SALE

Estate Sales ************** Nice Table & chairs $48.00/set Formal Table & chairs $350/set

For Rent

REAL ESTATE For Sale

IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF WILMA KAY NEWELL, deceased NOTICE OF PROBATE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF DECEDENT: 1501 FRANKLIN LANE

Ellen Davis was appointed Executrix of the estate of the above-named decedent on December 9, 2020.

A contest of the probate can be affected only by filing a petition within the time provided by law.

All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, duly verified, to the undersigned within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of this notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in the estate. Provided, that claims for injury or death caused by the negligence of the decedent shall be filed within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of the notice, or they shall be forever barred and precluded from any benefit in such estate.

THIS NOTICE first published this 15th day of December, 2020.

Ellen Davis, Personal Representative

For Rent

By: /s/ Kent Tester KENT TESTER, ID No. 89123 Tester Law Firm, P.A. Attorney at Law 230 Hwy. 65 North, Suite 7 Clinton, AR 72031 501-745-7077 Fax 501-745-6161 kent@testerlaw.com

LEGAL

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION NO. 71CV-20-115 FAIRFIELD BAY COMMUNITY CLUB, INC. PLAINTIFF VS. ESTATE OF LULA MAE LEVELS, and any UNKNOWN HEIRS OR SPOUSE OF LULA MAE LEVELS DEFENDANTS WARNING ORDER TO: ESTATE OF LULA MAE LEVELS, and any UNKNOWN HEIRS OR SPOUSE OF LULA MAE LEVELS: You are hereby notified that the Plaintiff, Fairfield Bay Community Club, Inc., whose attorney is Melanie Beltran, has filed a Complaint for Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure against you. A copy of the Complaint, Summons, and Notice of Lis Pendens shall be delivered to you or your attorney upon your request.

You are also hereby warned to appear in this Court and defend by filing your answer or other responsive pleading within thirty (30) days from the date of first publication of the Warning Order; in the event of your failure to do so, judgment by default will be entered for the relief demanded in the complaint as circumscribed by the laws of this State and you may be barred from answering or asserting your interest.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal as Clerk of the Court on this 1st day of December, 2020.

Debbie Gray, Circuit Clerk

By Olivia Gilmore D.C. /s/ Olivia Gilmore D.C.

2 BR, 1Bath Apt near School and DownTown ***************** Trash removal and Water Furnished Call: 745-8644 or 253-0664

IN THE COUNTY COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS NO. 2020-3

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION NO. 71CV-20-114 FAIRFIELD BAY COMMUNITY CLUB, INC. PLAINTIFF VS.

N & C LAND COMPANY PETITIONER

DUPLEXES FOR RENT Nice 1000 sqft 2-bedroom Duplexes with appliances. No Pets. No Smoking. $600-$650/month plus deposit.

Call: 501-745-5858 or 501-412-7682

Children's clothes 4 pieces/$1.00 More goodies Come and See

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FOURTH DIVISION NO. 71PR-20-116

Bee Branch, AR 72013 DATE OF DEATH: NOVEMBER 28, 2020

is looking to hire a full time small engine mechanic.

364 Main Street Clinton, Arkansas

MISC. FOR SALE

Call 501-940-5448

FL Davis Cash Lumber

Applications may be picked up at 160 Park Street, Clinton AR 72031 Reflect A Moment He said, "You pore over the scriptures for you imagine that you will find eternal life in them.”

20x40 Office with 8x40 Covered Porch and 3 Green Houses on 1 acre on Highway 65 South, Clinton, AR

REAL ESTATE

FOR RENT Apartments and mobile homes in Bee Branch area. $450-$650/month.

Deposit required.

IN RE: LOTS 1-19 AND LOTS 21-31 OF EAGLE VISTA SUBDIVISIONREVISED VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS NOTICE OF PETITION TO REDUCE PLATTED LOTS TO ACREAGE Notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the County Court of Van Buren County, Arkansas, to revert Lots 1-19 and 21-31 of Eagle Vista Subdivision-Revised to acreage.

A hearing has been scheduled for the 23rd day of December, 2020, at 9 A.M., in the Van Buren County Quorum Courtroom, Clinton, Arkansas, at which time the Petition will be presented to the County Judge for approval.

Any person having an objection to the Court granting said Petition is hereby notified to appear at the hearing to demonstrate why the aforementioned platted lands should not be reduced to acreage.

First published December 1, 2020 /s/ Kent Tester .

KENT TESTER #89123 TESTER LAW FIRM, P.A. Attorney for Petitioner 230 Highway 65 N., Suite 7 Clinton, AR 72031 (501) 745-7077 kent@testerlaw.com

JOE CORREA, and any UNKNOWN SPOUSE DEFENDANTS WARNING ORDER TO: JOE CORREA, and any UNKNOWN SPOUSE: You are hereby notified that the Plaintiff, Fairfield Bay Community Club, Inc., whose attorney is Melanie Beltran, has filed a Complaint for Judgment and Decree of Foreclosure against you. A copy of the Complaint, Summons, and Notice of Lis Pendens shall be delivered to you or your attorney upon your request.

You are also hereby warned to appear in this Court and defend by filing your answer or other responsive pleading within thirty (30) days from the date of first publication of the Warning Order; in the event of your failure to do so, judgment by default will be entered for the relief demanded in the complaint as circumscribed by the laws of this State and you may be barred from answering or asserting your interest.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal as Clerk of the Court on this 1st day of December, 2020.

Debbie Gray, Circuit Clerk

By Olivia Gilmore D.C. /s/ Olivia Gilmore D.C.

Call for availability (501) 581-8640

Small 2BR, 1BA in Leslie.

Corner of 5th and Elm close to school close to Buffalo River

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF FRANK EUGENE HARTSOCK, deceased NO. 71PR-20-120 NOTICE Last known address of decedent: 820 Holly Leaf Road Clinton, Arkansas 72031

**********

Date of Death: November 21, 2020

Big yard Good for single or couple

An instrument dated March 23, 2001, was on the 30th day of December, 2020, admitted to probate as the last Will of the above named decedent, and the undersigned has been appointed Executor thereunder. A contest of the probate of the Will can be effected only by filing a petition within the time provided by law.

********** $24,000 negotiable call (501) 757-1617

All persons having claims against the estate must exhibit them, duly verified, to the undersigned within six (6) months from the date of the first publication of this notice, or they shall forever be barred and precluded from any benefit in the estate.

This notice first published the 12 day of January , 2021.

Deborah Wheeler, Executor By: /s/ Chad J. Brown CHAD J. BROWN, I.D. No. 2010085 Attorney at Law 203 Court Street Clinton, AR 72031 501-745-8801 FAX 501-745-6262

LEGAL

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION BEN C. MATTOCKS PETITIONER VS. NO. 71CV-20-134 CHEE-CHIEH T. JAN, and any unknown spouse or heirs; JOSE S. PEREZ and GLADYS A. PEREZ, husband and wife, AND The following lands in Van Buren County, Arkansas: LOT 110 BLOCK 19 LAKEWOOD ADDITION, FAIRFIELD BAY, AR RESPONDENTS NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION As required by A.C.A. § 26-38-203, et seq., notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Van Buren, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in the surface rights of the following described property in Van Buren County, Arkansas which was sold under the authority of Act 626 of 1983, as amended, at a public sale of tax delinquent lands after the property remained unredeemed following the expiration of the time required by law, and by Limited Warranty Deed from the Commissioner of State Lands of the State of Arkansas to Ben C. Mattocks to: LOT 110, BLOCK 19, SECTION 9-T11N-12W, LAKEWOOD ADDITION. All persons, firms, corporations, or improvement districts that can set up any right to the property so conveyed and forfeited must appear and show cause why the title to the surface of the real property should not be confirmed, quieted, and vested in the Petitioner in fee simple on or before 30 days from the first publication of this notice and assert his/her title or interest in said property and to demonstrate why title to this property should not be quieted and confirmed in Petitioner. If no one has so appeared within the time allowed by law, then the Petition shall be taken as confessed and the Court shall render a final decree confirming said sale.

WITNESS my hand and seal of the Court this 7th day of December, 2020.

First Published: 01-05-2021 DEBBIE GRAY /s/ Debbie Gray VAN BUREN COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK

BY Olivia Gilmore D.C. /s/ Olivia Gilmore Prepared by: Melanie Beltran Attorney at Law Sprott, Golden & Bardwell PO Box 1155 184 Griggs St. Clinton, AR 72031 (501) 745-3111 office melanie@arkansaslawpartners.com

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION VENABLE PROPERTIES, LLC PETITIONER VS. NO. 71CV-20-136 CARL D. BUSBY and ELGIE BUSBY, husband and RESPONDENTS Wife; JIMMY MCENTIRE and NELLIE MCENTIRE, husband and wife; and MANUELL RODRIGUEZ LAND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY and any other interested parties, unknown spouses, heirs, successors, or assigns of the named parties herein; AND The following lands in Van Buren County, Arkansas: LOT 12; LEWIS SUGARLOAF; FAIRFIELD BAY, ARKANSAS NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION As required by A.C.A. § 26-38-203, et seq., notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Van Buren, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in the surface rights of the following described property in Van Buren County, Arkansas which was sold under the authority of Act 626 of 1983, as amended, at a public sale of tax delinquent lands after the property remained unredeemed following the expiration of the time required by law, and by Limited Warranty Deed from the Commissioner of State Lands of the State of Arkansas to Venable Properties, LLC to: LOT 12; LEWIS SUGARLOAF; FAIRFIELD BAY, ARKANSAS. All persons, firms, corporations, or improvement districts that can set up any right to the property so conveyed and forfeited must appear and show cause why the title to the surface of the real property should not be confirmed, quieted, and vested in the Petitioner in fee simple on or before 30 days from the first publication of this notice and assert his/her title or interest in said property and to demonstrate why title to this property should not be quieted and confirmed in Petitioner. If no one has so appeared within the time allowed by law, then the Petition shall be taken as confessed and the Court shall render a final decree confirming said sale.

WITNESS my hand and seal of the Court this 15th day of December, 2020.

First Published: 01-05-2021 DEBBIE GRAY /s/ Debbie Gray VAN BUREN COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK

BY Olivia Gilmore D.C. /s/ Olivia Gilmore Prepared by: Melanie Beltran Attorney at Law Sprott, Golden & Bardwell PO Box 1155 184 Griggs St. Clinton, AR 72031 (501) 745-3111 office melanie@arkansaslawpartners.com

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 12

Freeda Baker Nichols home place painted by her sister as they remembered it.

THAT

BANNER MOUNTAIN GIRL

The house where I grew up on Banner Mountain was mostly an unpainted house.

The boards on the front of the house were finished, and smooth and painted white, but the sides and back of the house were constructed with rough wide, unpainted boards.

Remembering the house of my childhood, I think of the book “A Painted House” by John Grisham. If you’ve read the book, you’ll recall that the family in the story lived in an unpainted house.

As a kid, I never noticed what houses looked like on the outside, but remembering our neighbors’ houses, some of them were rock, some were painted, and some were unpainted.

Regardless of their outward appearance, those dwelling places contained friends, cousins, and neighbors, and that’s what I noticed, and it’s what I remember.

Our house was built

by Daddy, and our family moved into it when I was one year old. Before that time, my family had rented houses and moved around quite a lot. They had lived at Burnt Ridge, Damascus, Springfield, and Pleasant Valley before moving to the Banner community near Shirley.

Our house had three bedrooms, a living room, and a kitchen, as well as porches on the front and at the back. It had a roof made of wood shakes.

The heat was provided by a wood heater in the living room. The heater had a stove pipe through the ceiling and

by Freeda Baker Nichols

into a brick flue that extended through the roof. The kitchen stove was also fueled with wood and a stovepipe extended through the attic into another flue through the roof.

A short distance from the back porch, we had a well. It was a drilled well, and there was a long slender bucket with which we drew water. There was another well, which was a dug well farther away from the house.

In our side yard, there was a peach tree.

It had some of the tastiest peaches. But that little tree also provided keen limbs that Mama used to settle any discipline problems with us kids. I never ever thought I’d be thankful for that tree. But I am.

I think hers and Daddy’s discipline made a big difference in how my siblings and I turned out as adults.

As I recall the days and years that have gone by, I think once again of the day our house caught fire. While not remembering the exact year, I was prob-

Local man memorialized family and other Veterans

by Warren Johnson Isom stated.

Hubert Isom of the Barrens Community recently completed work on a war memoriPhotographer al on his property. Isom Robbie Watts caphand-painted plactured this stunning ards, which he placed image on Banner in front of flags. The Mountain. It was the monuments range from childhood home of the United States CivNova Scroggins il war, which lasted from 1861 - 1865, and go to the Vietnam war 1964 1975.

Isom said he had family members who served in each of the conflicts." I wanted to honor their service and water onto the fire, put- all of our veterans," ting it out. We were fortunate. The fire had only just begun when Mama and I heard the crackling noise. Looking back on that incident, Mama put a lot of faith in me by sending me on that mission. And she must have been tremendously proud of her sons, just young teenagers who put the fire out. I’ll never know why I looked up in the attic instead of going outside to look at the roof. But if I had gone outside first to look, I would not have seen any fire or smoke. And the fire would have had more time to flame higher before we found it.

I felt a lot of pride in our family team that day. Mama and I were fire detectives while Aaron and Bill suited up as firemen out there in the country with no hoses, just well water, buckets, a ladder, and a desire to protect our house––our home––on Banner Mountain.

How We Saved Our House From Fire ably around eight or nine years old. I was in the living room with Mama and my little sister, Yvonne. My brothers, Aaron and Bill Baker, were out in the yard.

Aaron was working on a car which was parked in the side yard.

There was no one else at home that day.

At about the same time, Mama and I heard a crackling sound, like something in the attic.

Mama said to me, “Go look to see if there’s a fire!” She meant for me to go outside and look at the roof. I didn’t do that.

I went to the kitchen, where the crawl space to the attic was located. I stood on a chair to reach the door to the attic and I opened it. I saw the fire. I ran outside and told my brothers.

There was no smoke coming yet to the outside. But Aaron got a ladder and set it up against the side of the house. Bill carried water in a bucket to Aaron, who then climbed onto the roof and poured the

January 12, 2021

The first placard reads, " In Memory of George E. Isom, 1839 1910, who was a confederate army sharpshooter for the Barksdale Brigade." Followed by, " In honor of all civil war veterans. " George E. Isom was Hubert's Great Grandfather.

The other displays memorialize Charles Wesley Isom and Uncle Bob Isom, who fought in the two World Wars.

Isom's brother, A.D., 1938 -2019, served in the Korean war, and his cousin Gerald Don 1949 - 2017, was in Vietnam.

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