The Voice of Van Buren County - February 23, 2021 by The Voice of Van Buren County

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TUESDAY, February 23, 2021 / Vol. 7 Issue 8 / 75 cents

Winter storm Uri slams Van Buren County by Warren Johnson

Assessor Emma Smiley laying books to dry Thursday morning.

Some referred to it as Once in a Generation. Old Man Winter, known as winter storm Uri, plummeted much of the country into the deep freeze last week, leaving roughly 150 million Americans under winter storm warnings. Temperatures fell in Van Buren County to lows many residents have not experienced in their lifetime. David Haughenbury, Sr. reported a temperature of nine below zero on Tuesday morning in Simlock Acres, with the Clinton Airport as the official reporting station concurring. One citizen recalled the last time he recorded the mercury dipping close to this

was thirty-two years ago during the winter of 1989. He remembered as a kid hearing his elders talking about a bitterly cold winter near the turn of the twentieth century when temperatures fell into double digits below zero. The deep freeze left many frozen water pipes in the county for the first time in decades, even as residents left faucets dripping. More than a foot of snow fell over two days, bringing travel to a standstill, with four-wheel drive trucks, utility, and snowplows being the lone vehicles on the roads for a time. Reports came in about a six-wheel-drive motor grader and 4X4's sliding off the road-

bed and requiring assistance to get out of the ditches. Threats of rolling power outages compounded the bitterly cold weather, frozen pipes, and cabin fever, leaving many discouraged. A glimmer of light shined through between the two snow events when the sun made an appearance. Although well below freezing, the radiant heat allowed water pipes, streets, and highways to begin thawing. The bright skies afforded the Voice the ability to travel to the print shop and pick up last week's edition with only a slight delay getting it to the post office. By Friday, we were able to stock all of our outside news

racks countywide. The winter storm event left snow-coated sand as far south as the Gulf Coast beaches and allowed El Paso, Texas, children to enjoy sledding. Reports came in that some parts of West Texas were colder on Monday than Anchorage, Alaska. I remember the temperature being so cold as a kid in the 1980s that it hurt to be outside. Last week after only being out for five minutes, I relived the experience. Some sensations are better as memories. To borrow the title from Jeff Stansbery's front-page article two weeks ago, It's still cold, and it's still winter. Hopefully, the worst of it is behind us.

A record room at the Courthouse Annex that flooded on Thursday morning.

Temperature plummets and pipes burst at Courthouse Annex by Warren Johnson

On Thursday morning, the County Judge's administrative assistant, Denice Hill, was the first person to arrive on the job at the courthouse annex. Denice was greeted by what she described as the sound of a waterfall. Hill stated, "Water was rolling down the hall and looked like a river as it made the corner and flowed down the ramp before exiting the building and rolling across the parking lot." A three-quarterinch water main in the ceiling burst in the overnight hours between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, flooding a record room and leaving a wake of fiberglass insulation, ceiling tiles, and drywall scattered along the path of the water flow. County offices had been closed due to inclement weather in the days leading up to the calam-

ity; however, County Judge Dale James had been at the annex daily. He was putting in overtime as his crews worked to blade snow from the county roads. James said, "I made sure the water kept running to prevent frozen pipes." As it turned out, the pipes that burst had been capped off in the ceiling when the construction crews removed the former hospital building. Without water running through the pipes and temperatures plummeting to nine degrees below zero last week, a perfect storm culminated and created broken pipes and, in turn, a flood. James said, "We had some books get wet which have been wet before during floods. We did not lose any of the computer equipment or servers, and no one was hurt. It is only property. It is insured property at that. It made a nasty mess to clean up, but we are in good hands."

After low temperatures last week of nine degrees below zero, we began to climb out of the deep freeze. This impressive ice formation which resembles a bird, was submitted by reader JoAnn Isom.

A frozen snow covered Greers Ferry Lake and beautiful sunset captured by Clarence Phillips last week.

You are walking on thin ice We have all heard the old saying, "You are walking on thin ice." Our ponds, rivers,

and lakes appear to be frozen over but are not safe. Walking across frozen waterways may

place citizens in danger, including death. Authorities remind the community that first

responders are put at risk every time they respond to these situations.

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 2

THAT

BANNER MOUNTAIN GIRL

by Freeda Baker Nichols

Our First President And The Cherry Tree

stranger than finding out that the famous little story of a little boy whose little hatchet chopped into a cherry tree may not be a true story. Or so they tell us. Yes, now they tell us–– that the story of “I cannot tell a lie” is a myth. I grew up, being taught in school, that George, as a small boy, actually cut into a cherry tree and admitted it to his father because he could not tell a lie. I believed that. I had no reason not to believe it. Myth or not, there is a lot of truth in the comment “I cannot tell a lie.” For me, the story shows a bond between a trusting boy and his dad. In the innocence of a child, he tells it like it is no fear of reprimand. Or perhaps the

Last week was Presidents’ Day. A day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present. Originally established in honor of President George Washington, our first president. Research shows two birthdays for George Washington. He was born in Virginia on February 11, 1731, according to the Julian calendar. But in 1752,

the Gregorian calendar moved Washington’s birthday a year and 11 days to February 22, 1732. So, we now celebrate his birthday on the third Monday in February, a federal holiday and a three-day weekend for the nation’s workers. Somehow, that seems a little strange to me that it’s not his actual birthday. But not

Notice to Bee Branch Water customers

We get Letters

The Bee Branch Water Association is asking customers to continue to conserve water. The freezing temperatures have affected all water departments in various ways. We have found another eight-inch break. The break is in the area North of Delta asphalt and will take time to fix. Everyone from Niagara Road south will sustain low pressure or no water. Customers can help our water department by isolating any water leaks immediately. If you own property that you have not visited this week, please check on it immediately. If you see water bubbling, pooling, or running down the road, please contact Bee Branch Water at 501-654-2292 to report a possible water main break. As the temperature rises, we will see an increase in broken pipes and water mains. If you suspect your pipes have frozen, please shut off your water and contact a plumber. We ask that you delay showering, doing laundry, and washing dishes unless necessary until our system is back up to normal. If the temperature is above thirty-two degrees, please do not drip your faucets. Thank you for your continued patience during this difficult time. All departments have been out morning and night trying to isolate and find busted pipes. Thank you again for your patience, help, and understanding.

Dear Editor Today I would like to discuss the Esoteric Elite. Yes, get used to the idea. There are an elite group of people who know everything. Unfortunately, you and I aren't invited. They will increasingly tell us that they have exclusive rights to all information and data and are not in the loop. Our role is to listen and comply - no questions asked. The most effective weapon of control in their esoteric arsenal is demoralization. And since the word "eso-

teric" relates to 'knowledge which is exclusively restricted to a small group or circle,' then those outside the circle have to be satisfied with our part by simply being compliant. Compliance is always to the advantage of those in charge of the sheep. It makes their lives a whole lot easier when everyone cooperates with the powers that be. We all must learn to know our place. That is at least something we can have in common when the esoteric movement

February 23, 2021

courage to face the aftermath of truth and the consequence of his action. Maybe little George did not like cherries. Maybe he wanted to try out his new hatchet, and the cherry tree was the closest tree to him. Lots of maybes can swirl around in the mind. Was the story just an untruth used within our educational system to teach and reinforce morals in American children? Many questions may arise when we dwell on the origin of this well-known story. Or myth. Surely, it was not a myth. Not a lie. I first heard the story as a child in the tworoom schoolhouse on Banner Mountain. I had not known any-

thing about it before then, and I heard it many times after that. Why would I have any reason to not believe my teacher? She knew way more than any of us in that school building. I looked up to my teachers. They were the adults guiding me. Would they err in their teaching? This question fast-forwards my thoughts to my college class at the University of Central Arkansas. A science class when the professor showed a film on the Big Bang Theory. Just before the professor turned on the film, he faced the class and said, “I want you to know that I don’t believe this theory.” He was a professor who could not “teach” a lie,

but it was his job to educate the whole class on the theory of how life began. To this day, I respect that college professor. The film on the Big Bang Theory did not impress me because I did not believe it. I already knew the truth about how life began. Education has its place in our lives, but the program does not own our thoughts and beliefs. We control that when we give ourselves the freedom to choose our own thoughts. Our thoughts and no one else’s. There is joy in believing truth and courage in searching for it. Whether George Washington said it or not, “I cannot tell a lie” is a great line.

puts its fist up and declares autonomy for them and theirs. Isolationism is a game that excludes others, and it is played according to the rules of the isolationist. 'Buck up and accept your fate as being excluded from the elite,' they will imply. Then they'll tell us what to think, how to think, and, if we're outstanding - they might even give us a small nugget of why we should think the way they do. After all, they are in the know. We should be grateful that they will let us know what's going on from time to time. Don't get cocky, though, and question

their motives. The facts are a gift from them because they have complete access to them. You see, they have the connections and the resources to make the call for the rest of us. Aren't you glad you don't have to think anymore? It should be a load off of your mind. Not only will we be privileged to receive their advice, but they will let us know if we are a little off-base with our thinking. They can quickly determine that by knowing what our intentions are when we say something. Sometimes they know even before we say something. They are so

smart; they can read our minds when we open our mouths to speak. They will break down the real reason we said it, what we meant by it (whether or not we're aware of it), because, remember - they know how to psychoanalyze us. They are the esoteric elite. Don't tell me; you forgot that already? Don't worry, though. They will remind us and correct our thinking to bring us back in line with their diagnosis. You never know; we may need professional help. Jeff Stansbery Dennard, Arkansas

Coronavirus by the numbers for Van Buren County

Notice to citizens of Fairfield Bay

POTHOLES are coming After the record snow, record low temperatures, record salt and sand applied to the roads, we will have record potholes. Potholes are one record we don’t need! The City of Fairfield Bay will have a crew out daily taking care of them until they are all filled. If you spot one,

please call 501-8846020; please give them the street name and nearest cross street. In the past, they threw a shovel of cold mix in them and left. Now we cut out a square with a saw, pack it in with a gas-powered tamper. Fixing potholes the correct way the first time makes it where they last, and we don’t

have to do it over and over. We have over eighty-five miles of roads, and we need your help and your calls letting us know where they are. Please call 884-6020, Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5 pm. Thanks in advance David Byard

The number of active Coronavirus cases fell drastically in Van Buren County over the past week and continued to drop throughout Arkansas. State officials said the number of hospitalizations and people on ventilators rose slightly. The state reported 268 new confirmed and probable cases of the virus, bringing the total to 249,176. There were 6,478 active cases.

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Total Active Cases: 19 Active Confirmed Cases: 7 Total Cumulative Cases: 1,154 Confirmed Cases: 761 Probable Cases: 393 Active Probable Cases: 12 Total Recovered Cases: 1,118 Recovered Confirmed Cases: 741 Recovered Probable Cases: 377 Total Deaths: 17 Confirmed Deaths: 13 Probable Deaths: 4

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Terry O’Connor - voiceads@artelco.com Subscription Rates: $35 per year in Van Buren County $45 per year outside of county Subscriptions or Circulation Customer Service voiceads@artelco.com or (501) 745-8040 To Submit News: voiceeditor@artelco.com Letters to the Editor: voiceeditor@artelco.com Display and Classified Advertising: voiceads@artelco.com or (501) 745-8040 Deadline to submit news items, letters and all advertising: News Deadline: 4:00 p.m. Thursday Ad Deadline: 4:00 p.m. Friday The VOICE of Van Buren County is published weekly on Tuesday by VBC Communications, LLC 328 Main Street, Clinton AR 72031 USPS Permit # 16970 effective 10-13-2015 Periodicals Postage paid at Clinton AR. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to The VOICE of Van Buren County P. O. Box 1396, Clinton, AR 72031

The Voice of Van Buren County

February 23, 2021

James & Joyce Burns Scotland

Brrr*** It is cold outside in Scotland. We left the water dripping at the cafeteria, but the water froze, and the pipes burst. Now we have to see what has to be fixed. It was three degrees a couple of mornings. We also have drains and water lines frozen at the Burns house. Thanks to good neighbors and great people in this community. They are out in the cold, helping to turn off the water and mop up the mess, and doing what they can. We usually get to be some of the helpers, but this time we are some of the ones that need help. We certainly appreciate all of the support. I had my surgery and am doing very well. Before my surgery, the doctor asked if I was ready to get this over with and when I said yes, he said he had talked to GOD, and he and I were both going to do good. I think that was a great comment, and we both did

well. The next project is for the roads to thaw so I can safely go on Monday morning and get the drain and the stitches out. Stay safe and warm, and if you have Scotland news, call 592-3935.

Patsy Ward Formosa

I talked to Marva Ward; she says she and R.G. are making it okay. Scott was visiting. I guess he got cabin fever! DeLane Story made it through the deep freeze without any problems. She is expecting her son to be here on Monday. She's probably ready for some company! It's not good when everyone is snowed in and can't get out of the house or visit. Sammie Story is

doing good; she and I are ready for some Skip-Bo! Donna and Richard Sherrod were blessed with their first great-grandchild this week. She was born on February 17, 2021. Her name is Charleigh Danielle Crossen (pronounced-Sharlee). She weighed in at seven pounds, seven ounces, and she is twenty and one half inches long. Her parents are Brandi and Josh Crossen of Searcy. She is a beautiful baby girl! My great-nephew was born on February 18, 2021. His name is Koy Anthony Blair; he weighed six pounds and seven ounces and is nineteen inches long. His parents are Ashley and Keith Blair. He looks a lot like his big brother, Kliff, and that means he is a cutie! I bet he will be proud of him! Ruth Webb talked to her son, Ronny, in Houston, Texas. He told her they have no electricity or water. I sure hope they get it all back soon. Ann Mann said she had a good family snow day on Thurs-

day. All the family and friends went to Shelby and Kyle Guerrieri's place and went sledding and played in the snow. Ann reported they all had lots of fun! I made it through the worst nights I have seen in ages. My water is still working, and the electricity stayed on, so I feel blessed. I pray that everything gets back to normal soon, and a special thanks to the utility workers and people who have taken care of the wrecks all over. That is a stressful job! God bless and have some better days this week.

Thelma Murray

Page 3 aunt one more time. It was seven degrees here Sunday at 10 pm, three degrees Monday at 7 am, minus 4 degrees Tuesday at 7 am, and fifteen degrees Tuesday at 8 pm and I got too cold to record it after that. I think this has been the worst weather I have ever lived through. It has been this cold before, but it didn't last as long, but maybe it was more challenging because I am older. We have been praying for God to help with the Covid, and we can accept this as his answer. Only God can we give credit for this, and his ways are not our ways. I got my schedule for the Shirley Museum in the mail today; Margaret will be opening the museum on March 3, from 10 am till 2 pm. There are many new things in the museum; we need to start a fund to build on.

Shirley

Emma Swofford's sister Norma of Harrison has had Covid-19, and she developed pneumonia, but she is recovering well. Emma was concerned about her for a while. Bruce and Alicia Blair got a new grandson born on Thursday, February 18; he weighs six pounds and seven ounces and is nineteen inches long. His name is Koy Anthony, the son of Keith and Ashley Blair of Clinton. Koy has an older brother named Kliff. Koy made me a great

Jeffry Burgess Crabtree

The Crabtree Senior Night Potluck, normally held the last Friday of each month at the Foursquare Church, will not be held this Friday.

The full Snow Moon will be official Saturday at 2:17 a.m. Also called Hunger Moon and Storm Moon, it is the last full moon of winter. ARSCCA holds a RallyX Test And Tune Event Saturday in Crabtree. Check out their Facebook page for details. Sunday morning, just before first light, bright Mercury reaches its high point in the sky. Look low in the east. Jupiter and Saturn will be nearby. Now through Sunday is the last chance for archers to harvest deer this season. Check the Regs for details. ACRDC holds a virtual board meeting on Monday at 4 p.m. Interested persons can call 745-5278, or email Burtie at burtie@artelco.com for confirmation and a Zoom invitation. Next Thursday, the Volunteer Fire Department holds its monthly meeting. For more info call Tammy at 2535071. After traveling seven months through space, Jeff Burgess landed in Jezero Crater on Mars last week, along with the names of eleven million other earthlings, laser etched on computer chips, mounted on the Mars rover Perseverance. If you have info about the greater Crabtree and west 16 community, call or text Jeffry Burgess, 7451249..

Christina Allen Wedding Shower

Christina Allen to Cade Brown

Wedding plans announced Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mays announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their daughter Christina Allen to Cade Brown. The wedding celebration will be 5:30 PM, Friday, March the 12th, at the Barn at

Fawn Hollow. “2075 Goff Road in Quitman, Arkansas. Christina is the daughter of Robert and Angela Mays of Center Ridge and the granddaughter of Timothy and Flora Honeycutt also of Center Ridge. Cade is the son of

David Brown of Bee Branch and the late Janet Moore Brown. He is the grandson of Lorene Brown-Martin of Bee Branch, the late Louis Brown, and the late Doyne and Peggy Moore of Clinton. All family and friends are invited.

There will be a come-and-go wedding shower on Saturday, March 6, 2021, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm to honor Christina and Case. The shower will be held at 17050 Highway 65 South in Damascus, directly across the road from John Deere. If guests feel more comfortable, they can wear a mask and drive by and leave a gift. Hostesses will be Kathy Davis, Keri Edwards, Sandra Edwards, Peggy Eoff, Jami Fooshee, Brenda Linn, Dapple Eoff McCraken, Shannon Riner, and Susan Stacks.

A new self service community food bank and library has been installed courtesy of the Clinton Police Department. It is located on the east side of the Police Department at 274 US 65 Business.

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 4

Obituaries

Anna Corine Harper Williams

A private (due to the weather and covid) family service will be officiated by Brother Sam Brown at Roller McNutt Funeral in Clinton on Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 10 a.m. and burial will follow at the Pee Dee Cemetery on Highway 16 East near Clinton. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in honor of Anna Corine (Harper) Williams to the Shirley Public School Foundation, Inc.

Anna Corine Harper Williams went to the Lord on Saturday, February 13, 2021. She was 85 years old. She was born on February 7, 1936 to William H. 'Hop' and Kate Bradley Harper at home in the Pleasant Valley community near Shirley, Arkansas. She attended Shirley, Arkansas schools from the first through eleventh grades. On October 2, 1953, she married Willard Williams of Clinton, Arkansas, on October 2, 1953 in Clinton. They had three children Randall, Diane, and David that they raised in Clinton. Corine was preceded in death by her parents Kate (Bradley) and William (Hop) Harper and her in-laws Milda (Harness) and Troy Williams. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Henry, J.D., Sherman Dale, and Connie Mack Harper and three sisters Mary (Holderfield), Louise (Williams), and Billie Sue (McKay), and her nephew and niece Joe Tom and Jackie (Barnett) Harper. She is survived by her husband of 67 years Willard Williams, two sons Randall (wife Tonya) and David (wife Jennifer), and her daughter Diane (John) Welch. She is also survived by two granddaughters Sadra (Justin) Standridge and Katherine Williams and two step granddaughters Ashton and Greyson (Randall's family), Lucian (Debra) and Logan (Robin) Welch (Diane's sons), and Ian and Ryan Williams (David's sons). She is also survived by five great grandchildren Sadra's children Brody, Bree, and Brydon Standridge, and Logan Welch's son, Mason, and Ashton's son Cash. Corine's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was also survived by 34 nieces and nephews, several great and great great grandchildren.

ter) and Caroline Koone Parham (Quin); cousins, Ila and Kim Newberry with whom he resided for the final years of his life. He is also survived by eleven nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by Beatrice (Bea) Kincannon Koone, his wife of 34 years and mother of their children; his parents Albert Koone and Gertie Bost Koone; his brother Harold Koone ; and a sister Nelma Faye Williams. The Family wants to thank his sitters and the nurses and staff of St. Vincent Infirmary for all the care and comfort they provided. A memorial service and internment will be held at a later date.

Carl D. Koone

Carl D. Koone of Little Rock and Cleveland, Arkansas, died February 18, 2021 in Little Rock. He was 98 years of age, born August 26, 1922. Carl was a graduate of Scotland High School and the University of Arkansas graduating with a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Carl’s formal education was interrupted during the 1940’s by military service in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. He served in the Fifteenth Air force, 99th Bomb Group, completing fifty combat missions as an armament specialist and aerial gunner posted in North Africa and Southern Italy. His professional career was spent in Central and South America, residing in several countries over the period of 29 years, assisting in the identification, design and implementation of economic development programs essential for improving their living standards. Since 1980 his major achievement was establishing and managing a tree farm in Conway and Van Buren counties. He was an avid, life-long fisherman and always enjoyed his fishing buddies. He is survived by his daughter, Marsha Koone Gassan, her husband Mark and children, Virginia (Sean Melendreras) and Matthew (Rebecca Landau); a son, Dr. Donald Koone, his wife Catherine and children Adrian Koone Kistner (Pe-

Bernice Beeson

If ever there were a treasure and an icon in this world, we lost one on February 15, 2021. Joye Bernice "Miss Bernie" Beeson was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on July 24, 1927, to Nick and Gladys (McGowan) Holloway. She graduated from Little Rock High School (now Little Rock Central), where she was well-known for her outgoing personality and dancing at Robinson Auditorium. After graduating high school, she attended Arkansas Tech to attain her Associate's Teaching degree. It was here that she saw a young, blonde-haired country boy in the student center and wanted to meet him so badly, she yelled out, "Hey, Blondie!" He promptly told her where to go, but as fate would have it, the two did get together and soon fell in love. On December 22, 1946, she married O. V. Beeson. She soon moved with him to Hattieville, Arkansas, where the "city girl" who was used to weekly hair appointments and manicures began life in the country, learning that potatoes grow underground and the best way to cool off in summer is with a swim in the creek. Having left her teaching position at David O. Dodd Elementary in Little Rock, she became one

February 23, 2021

of the three teachers at the three-room Hattieville Elementary with Mrs. Etta Peck and Mrs. Audley Williams. This was the beginning of over thirty years of teaching grade-schoolers in northern Conway County and changing the lives of every student who passed through her classroom. Early in her career, she attained her Bachelor's Degree from Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas.) She spent seven years teaching at Nemo Vista Elementary and the remaining sixteen years at Wonderview Elementary, retiring in 1987 after having taught four family generations of students in some of her classes. After her retirement, she continued helping local children's education by tutoring them in her home for another 20 years. Her career also included working at the Conway County Welfare Office and working in the couple's store, O. V. Beeson General Merchandise (now Beeson's Grocery) Hattieville. She helped on the cattle farm, keeping house, and taking food and water to O. V. when he was fighting fire for the National Forest Service. She also served as a volunteer with St. Vincent Morrilton Hospital, CASA, Conway County Library, and other local civic programs. She was also a member of Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, Pathfinders Club, Friends of the Conway County Library, Conway County Extension Homemakers, and numerous other organizations. A strong Methodist, she was a Pulaski Heights Methodist member in Little Rock, Morrilton Methodist, and finally Plumerville Methodist Churches. One of her fondest activities was her annual "Miss Bernie's Easter Egg Hunt," which she and her daughter started with a small family gathering grown to over 100 participants in the last few years, including kids who participated bringing their kids and grandkids. This kept her active and in touch with the children, she loved so much. Her activities also included entertainment as a part of an all-female barbershop quartet in Hattieville in the late 1950s and early 1960s, performing with Audley Williams, Dorothy (Dot) Brents, and Rena Stout in various venues in the area, including competition in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

But she is best known for her "Minnie Pearl" act that played on the character created by Sarah Cannon telling jokes with her flower emblazoned hat with the price tag hanging from the side and a boisterous "HOW-DEE! I'm just so proud to be here!" She performed for various civic organizations, hospitals, churches, and nursing homes while never taking a payment dime. While she never met her Grand Ol'Ol' Opry and Hee Haw idol, a trip through Nashville was not complete without a stop at the late entertainer's residence for a photograph and to pay homage. She left an impression with everyone she met with her infectious laugh and upbeat tone. She never met anyone she did not like and treated everyone the same regardless of their background or status. She always lent an ear and left everyone with a smile on their face. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, step-great-grandson Zachary Bragg, son-in-law Danny Mourot, and her brother Nick Holloway, Jr. She is survived by her children Nicki Jean Beeson Mourot of Hattieville and Terry Virgil Beeson (Cindy) of Springfield, Missouri. Six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, seventeen great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and hundreds of those who were part of her classroom over the years who she considered her "children" plus a wealth of friends. The family has no immediate plans for services due to COVID and weather restrictions but will have a public celebration of her life on July 24, 2021, on what would have been her 94th birthday. All her friends, family, and "children" are encouraged to attend and say a fond farewell to "Miss Bernie." The family wishes to thank all the people who helped during her last few years, especially Glenna Schmidt and Jen Reid. The family requests no flowers, but donations in her honor to Plumerville Methodist Church or Conway County Library will be appreciated.

Death Notices

Jerry Milam Johnny K. Rhoda Randy Weeks

Meetings Rescheduled Due To Weather Event The Clinton City Council meeting which is normally on the second Thursday of each month will be on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 6:30 pm at the Clinton Municipal Airport. The Van Buren County Quorum Court meeting which is normally on the third Thursday of each month will

be held on Thursday February 25, 2021,at 6:00 pm at the Courthouse Annex. The regularly scheduled meeting of the South Side School District Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 6:00 pm in the administration building. Roy McCallister's family built this igloo last This beautiful image was captured by Ashley week. Lewis Paulin on a family outing.

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

If you would like to share a special birthday with Voice readers, email voiceeditor@artelco.com

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

February 23, 2021

Sadie Robbins married on Christmas and murdered on New Years Eve.

Lonnie Robbins found guilty of murdering his mail order bride for money.

Page 5

Sadie Sue Robbins was murdered by newlywed husband, Lonnie Robbins being questioned about his wife's murder by sheriff Lonnie Robbins. Casinger.

Bridegroom escapes marriage with Life Sentence by Tina Johnson band's death, and Sa- and the marriage end- bride. After the meal, as the beneficiary. The farm, a used bottle of

It was Christmas morning 1947, and Sadie Sue Dudley was packing her bags. She had already filled several boxes with her silver, linens, and homemaking supplies. Her wallet contained her postal savings of $1,850, which Sadie had cashed out earlier. She was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Lonnie Ambrose Robbins, her fiance. Today was to be their wedding day. It had been five years since her husSudoku Solution

Crossword Solution

die, now 57, no longer wanted to be alone. She employed the use of a marriage agency and was introduced to Lonnie, 49. Through correspondence, they developed a relationship, and she agreed to his proposal of marriage. Sadie was from Texas and had lived there all her life. She had been married twice. She married Thomas when she was 23 years old. Because of their 28 year age difference, they found themselves incompatible,

ed in divorce. She was 38 when she married Charles, a widower, 20 years her senior. He had been married twice and had several grown children from his previous marriages. He died fifteen years later, leaving Sadie with no children of her own. In her letters to Lonnie, she professed her love and admitted he was the man she had been waiting on for five years. When he arrived on her doorstep, she met her future husband face to face for the first time. He was to take her away to a town in Arkansas named Scotland. It would be very different from her home in Abilene, Texas, but she was anxious to go. She kissed her sister and brother-in-law goodbye and left with a man she barely knew. After a week of honeymoon in Texas, they drove all day and arrived in Scotland in the late evening on New Year's Eve. Her new home was a farmhouse owned by Lonnie and his mother. They would be living with her and her farmhand, Henry Petty. Jewell Robbins prepared supper that night for her son and his new

the newlyweds retired early. Sadie applied cold cream to her face and laid down beside her husband. Four hours later, the household was awakened by the sounds of a woman crying in excruciating pain. Sadie was doubled over in bed, holding her middle. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to speak. Her body went into convulsions, and finally, after twenty minutes of unbearable pain, Sadie took her last breath. Henry felt for a pulse but found no sign of life. Lonnie went for the doctor, knowing it was too late to save her. After the doctor arrived, he pronounced Sadie dead. Without so much as a bruise on her body, it was believed she died from a heart attack. After hearing the news of Sadie's death, her brother-in-law in Texas spoke to Sheriff Walters of Abilene, who in turn called Van Buren County Sheriff Doyce Casinger. Walters explained to the sheriff that Sadie left home with $1850, a $750 diamond ring, and a $500 life insurance policy with her new husband

family wanted an autopsy of the body and was willing to pay the $150 to have her remains examined. Sheriff Casinger notified Lonnie of the news and asked him to come by his office the next day. Afterward, Sheriff Casinger discovered a postmortem would cost much more than initially believed. Upon learning this new information, the family rescinded their request for an autopsy. They could not afford the $300 expense. The following day, the sheriff waited for Lonnie to arrive at his office as planned to inform him the autopsy was canceled, but Lonnie never arrived. The sheriff went to his farm, but his mother said she had not seen her son. Lonnie was missing, and nobody knew where he was. Because of Lonnie's unexplained absence, Sheriff Casinger became suspicious and ordered the autopsy to be performed. Strychnine, a dangerous poison, was found in the digestion. The sheriff called for a manhunt, and a search warrant was issued. At the

the poison was found. A thorough inspection of the mother's undergarments revealed a hidden pocket stitched inside her corset with $720 in cash tucked inside. A week later, Lonnie Robbins was found and arrested after he was pulled over by a police officer in Russellville, Arkansas while driving a recently purchased car with borrowed Texas plates. By his side was a woman wearing a diamond engagement ring on her ring finger. His underpants contained a hidden pocket with $500 in cash stitched inside. Jewell Robbins and Henry Petty were absolved from any wrongdoing. However, Lonnie was found guilty and received life in prison for murdering his wife with poisoned whiskey. Sadie Sue Robbins was laid to eternal rest at Foster Cemetery in Scotland by a small group of strangers. For 72 years, strangers have decorated and attended to the lonely grave marked with a small headstone that simply reads "Sadie Robbins."

The Ballad of Shirley, Arkansas by Ken McWilliams on

She was posted to the National Register of Historic Places on January 21, 2010. The Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad Bridge at Shirley, Arkansas, as it appeared in 1984. Notice the two people sitting on top. Authorities do not want any adventure seekers to attempt to recreate this moment. It could be deadly.

It was coffee time morning in the small Shirley, Arkansas, town. Where old folks would meet and stories could always be found. The best of our memories always grew better with time. The youth that has left us still lies in the back of our minds. I remember, was always the first line that everyone shared. We laughed, and we listened, and topping that story was fair. There were John and his mules and Rick

the quarter machine. Our town in the forties and Gerald recalled the most, it seemed. There's fish in our river and a park where our children can play. Our flag flies for freedom, and we have churches where people can pray The older we get, the more we all realize we love drinking coffee while all of us are still alive Brad, Cliff, Mike, and Jimmy and all the ones that exist Don't forget Floyd and John, who we truly will miss. The love in that building meant more than the world to the guys Thank God for Shirley while all of us are still alive. The hometown excitement when all cheered our basketball team The first lady mayor who fought to keep our city clean The magical moments that help let our stories survive Thank God for Shirley while all of us still are alive Yes, thank God for Shirley while all of us are still alive.

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 6

February 23, 2021

Remembering Carl Simpson Whillock Carl Simpson Whillock was born in Van Buren County community of Scotland on May 7, 1926. He was the son of Joe and Johnnie Whillock. Carl graduated from Clinton State Technical Vocational School in 1943. During World War II, he joined the Navy at 17 and was commissioned an ensign at 19. He attended Arkansas State Teachers College at Conway and Emory University at Atlanta. He received a bachelor of science degree in social welfare from the University of Arkansas in 1948, a master of arts in history and political science in 1951. While working for Congressman Trimble, a law degree from George Washington University in 1960. Whillock became a lawyer, one of the state's leading educators, an adviser and confidante to governors, senators, and the president of the United States, and CEO of a corporation that changed the economic life of much of rural Arkansas. Whillock grew up embracing the liberal democratic tradition and the Democratic Party. In Van Buren County, he taught school and was in the livestock feed and wholesale petroleum business with his parents at Clinton and was a parttime pastor at Methodist churches in Farmington and Goshen. Carl served on the county hospital board, chairman of the Clinton

water and sewer commission, and the Clinton School Board president. In 1952, he was elected to the state House of Representatives from Van Buren County, and he was re-elected in 1954. Before the second term was out, he joined Congressman Trimble's staff as his executive assistant. For eight years, he was the congressman's right-hand man in Washington and his political coordinator back in the district. He never exploited his intimate knowledge of the Ozarks and its people personally, but it would serve his political acolytes well, notably Clinton, Pryor, and Bumpers. He returned to Clinton in 1963 to practice law, and the next year he was elected prosecuting attorney for the 14th Judicial District. Near the end of his term as prosecutor, the University of Arkansas hired him as director of university relations. In two stints at the Fayetteville campus, he also would be assistant to the president and vice president for governmental relations and public affairs. In addition to those duties, he occasionally taught political science classes. When Dale Bumpers, a Charleston lawyer, ran for governor in 1970, he sought Whillock to help him. In January 1974, Bill Clinton, a young law professor, came to his house to talk about running for Congress. Whillock dug out his files on the Third District. They soon took

off through the mountains, with Whillock introducing Clinton to political friends in every town. Clinton would credit that effort with his future political success. "He's most important to me," Clinton told the Arkansas legislature in 2001. "The first trip I took out of Fayetteville, in the first race I ever made in 1974, was across the hills of North Arkansas with Carl Whillock. Only my mother thought I had any business in that race." Clinton would lose that race barely. A few days after the journey with Clinton, David Pryor asked Whillock to manage his campaign for governor. He stayed on with Governor Pryor as his executive secretary, chief of staff, and chief policy adviser. In two years, he would return to the University of Arkansas as vice president. He would shortly leave that job in 1978 to be president of Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. In 1980, the Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. and Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Inc. hired him as president and CEO, managing its power distribution system. He took over at a time of skyrocketing power costs. Over the years, he would stabilize the system, build three hydroelectric dams on the Arkansas River and collaborate with old business foe Arkansas Power and Light Company on coal-fired generation. One of the hydro plants at Morrilton is named for him. He

retired in 1996 but not for long. For sixteen years, he headed the Arkansas Electric Cooperatives Corp., which produced electricity for much of the Arkansas countryside and small towns. He built three hydroelectric dams on the Arkansas River, which brought cheaper power to rural dwellers. He used cheap electricity to lure the Nucor Steel Corporation to Mississippi County. President Clinton asked him to come to Washington in his troubled second term to be a special assistant for agriculture policy and liaison with the Agriculture Department and farm interests. His wife, Margaret, accompanied him and was deputy director of the White House Visitors Office. Carl and Margaret both served numerous appointments to the public, private and charitable boards and commissions, national, statewide, and locally. He was on the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas when he went to Washington in 1996. Clinton appointed him in 1987 to chair a state commission on tax reform. The commission recommended numerous state tax laws to make the tax code more progressive and fairer to working people, but the legislature adopted only a few. He was a member of the Board of Directors of Georgia Systems Operations Corp.; a director of the Electric Power Research Institute, the University of

Carl Simpson Whillock served during World War II photo from Van Buren County, Arkansas: Thanks for the Memories

Arkansas Foundation, the Arkansas Museum of Science and History, the St. Vincent Infirmary Foundation, the University of Arkansas Industrial Advisory Council for the College of Engineering and the Greater Little Rock Chamber of Commerce. He was chairman of the Arkansas Advisory Council of the Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development. He was elected twice to the state House of Representatives from Van Buren County, first in 1952 at 26. He later was elected prosecuting attorney of the 14th Judicial District. That was the extent of his electioneering, but he exercised a powerful influence on Democratic elections and government policy across the last third of the 20th century. He was an administrative assistant

to U.S. Rep. James W. Trimble of Berryville, a New Deal liberal who represented the Third Congressional District for 11 terms. He was a pivotal adviser to Dale Bumpers, David Pryor, and Bill Clinton early in their political careers. He closed that long chapter of his life as the special assistant to the president for agriculture, trade, and food assistance from 1997 to 2001. Along the way, he was vice president of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, an institution with a lifelong romance, and president of Arkansas State University at Jonesboro. Carl Simpson Whillock was Clinton High School's Distinguished Alumnus in 1981, and passed away on November 7, 2005, at the age of 79.

Where to find the Voice Austin

of Van Buren County

• The Austin Store (Inside sales)

(501) 745-8040

Bee Branch • Snappy's (Outside Rack sales)

Choctaw The Clinton community center on Factory road as it appeared in 1984. The swimming pool was lifted out of the ground and cracked by floodwaters in December 1982. The expense to replace the pool was prohibitive. Through the years, it was filled in and is now the location of a basketball court. On February 5, 2008, a tornado blew the small building to the left away. The house on the bottom right burned down a few years ago.

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

Clinton • • • • • • • • • •

Courthouse Annex (outside 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) Doctor's Building (outside rack sales) The Voice of Van Buren County (inside sales, outside rack sales) Western Sizzlin (inside sales)

Damascus • Goode's CashSaver (outside rack sales)

Fairfield Bay • 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)

www.voiceofvbc.com

The Voice of Van Buren County

February 23, 2021

February 23 . . . . . . . . . Carrie Ann Huggins February 23 . . . . . . . . . . Charles A. Wilbers February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clifford Tracy February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Coy Bryant February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Danny Day, Jr. February 23 . . . . . . . . . . Jennifer Treadwell February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Owens February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Justin Farquinn February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Duckett February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patricia Walker February 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trinity Crow February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Betty Price February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Billie Duncan February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carl Tate February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Shue February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jimmy Taylor February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . Krystil Snowden February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Lowrance February 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Neda McBride February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Al Winn February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ava Swartz February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Wilson February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bill Bonds February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brianna Conley February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clay Bullard February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delane Story

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

February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jim Erby February 25 . . . . . . . . . . John Hastings, Jr. February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Story February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Martin Dyer February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stacey Lack February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Susan Grillot February 25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toby Donley February 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abigail Hensley February 26 . . . . . . . . . Ashley Black Biggs February 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . Brenda Huggins February 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Delois Frantz February 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Hink February 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gene Pyles February 26 . . . . . . . . . . . Ginger Lee Wood February 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harvey Henson February 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Johnny Moore February 27 . . . . . . . . . Sharon Brown Best February 27 . . . . . . . . . . . Linda Hiatt Lucas February 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gilbert Lasater February 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jaret Bradley February 27 . . . . . . . . . . . Charly McAllister February 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hunter Cole February 27 . . . . . . . . . . . Dawson Hamilton February 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jeff Jackson February 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Henry Lunsford February 28 . . . . . . Amanda Grace Rogers

Page 7

February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chris Henley February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cody Watkins February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Courtney Lamb February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hadrian Smith February 28 . . . . . Jennie Mayfield Barnett February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . Johnny Ray Delk February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . Kelsey Roberson February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . Lonnie Densmore February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Richard Sayner February 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Bagley March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alice Moore March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allison Burt March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clint Kimbrell March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darrin Doubleday March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Donald Morros March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Herb Fendley March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Davis March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joseph Baus March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joyce Stark March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Ellen White March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Frances Peel March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mikala Mosley March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . Nancy Crow Bennett March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randy Polston March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tonia Gatlin March 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Virginia Gates

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.

Clinton - 179 Elm Street - 501-745-2441 Fairfield Bay - 121 Lost Creek Pkwy - 501-884-3384 www.regions.com Member FDIC

from

Susie Allen’s Salon Please call for appointments

501-745-4247 for you and your family.

P.E.H. Supply Inc. Plumbing, Electrical, Hardware, Industrial.

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

501-745-4988

The Voice of Van Buren County

Fun & Games

1 Evil guys (2 wds.) 2 Green, like a banana 3 Fashions 4 Throb 5 Sketched 6 Movie 2001's talking computer 7 Night bird 8 Rain bringers 9 Arctic 10 Relating to birds 11 Not (refix) 12 Fasten 13 Peculiar 21 Dislike intensely 23 Compass point 25 Snaky fish 26 Congressional vote 28 Merely 29 Animal's hind part 30 Self-esteem 32 Not against 35 Fire remains 36 Friday (abbr.) 37 Mexican food brand 38 Duck "beak" 39 Location 40 Nobleman 41 Advertisements 42 Marsh 43 American sign language 45 Constrictor snake 46 Appalled 48 Brazen 49 Hard worker 50 Hot, after exercising 52 Fooled 56 Throw in the air 57 Bottomless 58 European monetary unit 59 In possession of 60 Winter hazard 61 Before (prefix) 63 Deer 64 Computer makers

Puzzle solutions on page 5

Sudoku 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? Music Trivia Who Sang It? In 1983 they were Fightin' Fire with Fire, huah; Burning down the House. In 1984 he was confident; “They call me the Fireman, that's my name.” In 1984 he proclaimed, I can take you higher, oh, oh, oh I'm on Fire. In 1987 they asked, How can we sleep while our beds are burning? In 1989 he stated, We didn't start the Fire. It was always burning, since the ....

Answers

Talking Heads

1 Public transportation 4 Special case only (2 wds.) 9 Major division in a long poem 14 Picnic pest 15 Baby locomotion 16 Elliptical 17 Lose moisture 18 Salutation 19 Layered 20 Become moldy 22 U.S. Department of Agriculture 24 Fencing sword 25 Ceases 27 Write down quickly 31 Bird's home 32 "_ porridge hot..." 33 Pester 34 bird 36 Folded sheet of paper 38 Operatic basses 40 Boy's name 42 Beginning 43 Tax payer's fear 44 Bullfiqht cheer 45 Lays in the sun 47 Dines 51 Happy 53 Gawk 54 Cultivate 55 Western state 57 Pet name 59 Hippopotamus' nickname 62 Bye 65 Wing 66 Land measurements 67 Serious 68 Fisherman's tool 69 Plant starters 70 Musical time 71 Attempt

George Strait

DOWN

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 March 1, 2021 at 2 p.m. The drawing will be at 4 p.m.

Bruce Springsteen

Across

Rules

Midnight Oil

Weekly Crossword

February 23, 2021

Billy Joel

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. (Last week’s “Where in the County...” was Burgess & Daughters’ Pawn, 794 US-65 bus., Clinton)

The Voice of Van Buren County

February 23, 2021

Page 9

CHURCH PAGE

Photo by EuGene Smith

Thanks to those of you who called and correctly identified last week's featured church as Shirley Community Church/First United Methodist 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 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

Shirley Community Church/ First United Methodist 784 Mathew Clark, Memorial Drive, Shirley 723-4387

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

Fashions

OPEN M-F 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. SAT 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

debsfashionsonline.com

501.745.3901

314 Ingram St behind EXXON off Hwy 65 in Clinton

The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 10

February 23, 2021

Classifieds • Legal RESEARCH

EMPLOYMENT

REAL ESTATE

LEGAL

For Rent

Reflect A Moment He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Wanted Live in Care Provider

NOTICE OF FILING APPLICATIONS FOR RETAIL BEER OFF PREMISES & SMALL FARM WINE - RETAIL PERMITS Notice is hereby given that the undersigned has filed applications with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the State of Arkansas for permits to sell wines produced at Small Farm Wineries and beer at retail to be carried out and not consumed on the premises described as:

Live in Care provider wanted for widowed elderly man in Pee Dee. Room and Board provided and wages are negotiable.

MISC. FOR SALE

489 Hwy 655 Street Address

Contact Randall at (479) 747-0996

Clinton City/Town

REAL ESTATE

Van Buren County Said application was filed on January 28, 2021. The undersigned states that he/ she is a resident of Arkansas, of good moral character; that he/ she has never been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude; that no license to sell alcoholic beverages by the undersigned has been revoked within five (5) years last past; and, that the undersigned has never been convicted of violating the laws of this State, or any other State, relative to the sale of controlled beverages.

For Sale

For Rent 2 BR, 1Bath Apt near School and DownTown ***************** Trash removal and Water Furnished

For Sale:

Call: 745-8644 or 253-0664

37acres +/-. Wooded, on county road, has power available. Nice views and wildlife.

Donnie Miller Name of Applicant Choctaw Shell Name of Business Sworn to before me this 5th day of February, 2021 Lee Ann Lewis Notary Public My Commission Expires 3/30/2023 Commilalon # 12392433

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FIRST DIVISION

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS FOURTH DIVISION IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID LEE JOHNSON, deceased NO. 71PR-2021-7 AMENDED NOTICE TO CREDITORS LAST KNOWN ADDRESS OF DECEDENT: 408 Sitton Place Clinton, Arkansas 72031 DATE OF DEATH: August 7, 2020 The undersigned was appointed Administrator of the estate of the above-named decedent on January 29, 2020. A contest of the probate can be effected 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 16th day of February, 2021. CATHERINE JOHNSON, By: /s/ Nathan Morgan NATHAN S. MORGAN, Bar No. 2009269 MORGAN LAW FIRM, P.A. Attorney for Estate 244 Highway 65 N, Suite 5 Clinton, AR 72031 (501) 745-4044

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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 /s/ Debbie Gray DEBBIE GRAY VAN BUREN COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK

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

/s/ Olivia Gilmore BY Olivia Gilmore D.C. 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

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.

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BEN C. MATTOCKS PETITIONER

WITNESS my hand and seal of the Court this 15th day of December, 2020. /s/ Debbie Gray DEBBIE GRAY VAN BUREN COUNTY CIRCUIT CLERK /s/ Olivia Gilmore BY Olivia Gilmore D.C. 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 ROGER WILEY AND TINA WILEY PLAINTIFFS VS. No. 71CV-21-11 CHRISTOPHER RAND, EQUITY TRUST COMPANY AS CUSTODIAN FBO CHRISTOPHER RAND SEPIRA, ALL PERSONS CLAIMING ANY LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RIGHT, TITLE, ESTATE, LIEN, OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT ADVERSE TO PLAINTIFF’S TITLE, OR ANY CLOUD ON PLAINTIFF’S TITLE THERETO: THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED LANDS: LOT 38, ISLAND AT CHOCTAW BAY SUBDIVISION VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS, AS SHOWN REVISED PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 7, PAGE 91 THROUGH 98, RECORDS OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS DEFENDANTS NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION AND CONFIRMATION Notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Van Buren County, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in and to the following described property in Van Buren County, Arkansas: LOT 38, ISLAND AT CHOCTAW BAY SUBDIVISION VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS, AS SHOWN REVISED PLAT RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 7, PAGE 91 THROUGH 98, RECORDS OF VAN BUREN COUNTY, ARKANSAS Any person claiming any title or interest of any kind to said property is hereby notified to appear on or before 30 days from the first publication of this notice to assert his/her title or interest in said property and to demonstrate why title to this property should not be quieted and confirmed in Plaintiffs. WITNESS my hand and seal of this Court this 15th day of February, 2021. VAN BUREN COUNTY CLERK BY _____________________________ DC

February 23, 2021

The Voice of Van Buren County

Fishing Report 914.20 feet MSL (regular conservation pool: 915.00 feet MSL). Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock had no report this week. Bull Shoals is clear with a surface temperature of 47 degrees. The lake is adjusted below average conservation level with a heavy generation at the dam for power needs.

Norfork Lake Central Arkansas

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) reported Wednesday that Lake Conway was covered in snow. However, before all the snow hit the area when temps were relatively normal for late winter, they said: Bream were good on redworms, crickets and Dynamax hand-tied jigs. Crappie like those hand-tied jigs as well, along with minnows and regular jigs, and the bite was good. Black bass was good on crankbaits, Chatterbaits, jigs, and shad. Catfishing was good with stink bait, dough bait, nightcrawlers, trotline minnows, and goldfish.

Little Red River

Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips.com (501-690-9166) said the only fisherman I could find out in this weather was his neighbor. "The fish are biting on the Little Red if anyone is crazy enough to be out. With the snow melt and rain coming this weekend, the river may be muddy. Just have to see. The generation

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has been pretty heavy during the extreme cold but should be reduced as the milder weather arrives this next week."

Greers Ferry Lake

The Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 460.77 feet MSL (regular conservation pool: 462.04 feet MSL). Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 460.78 feet MSL and falling with generation. It's 1.26 feet below the regular pool of 462.04 feet MSL. Please be careful as some of the lakes are frozen over, creeks, rivers, etc. You can hit it and be in trouble quickly. It will take a while for it to thaw, so CAUTION, please. Some fish have made an initial move toward spawning with longer days and the last few weeks of warmer nights until recently. But the 10-day forecast does not look conducive to shallower movement much or at all. It seems like when it happens; it's going to happen fast, as has been the case in recent years, so get ready – it will happen overnight and be over.

Crappie will eat if you get the bait in front of them in 18-40 feet of water in and around brush piles, or pole timber, or just floating around guts of deep pockets. Use jigs and minnows—no reports on bream. Bass catching is good with crankbaits, traps, spinnerbaits, jigs, hair jigs, jerk baits, and C-rigs from super shallow out to 60 feet. The lake walleye are not doing much, while the river walleye are spread out all over; try crankbaits and grubs, or a jighead tipped with a minnow. No report on catfish, but the blue's good bite is fast approaching shallow. Hybrid and white bass are eating in river bends, creek bends, deep guts, off the side of humps, points, etc., on spoons, grubs, swimbaits, inline spinners, Largo Specials, and live bait in 30-80 feet.

North Arkansas

Bull Shoals Lake

The Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake's elevation at 657.33 feet MSL (regular conservation pool: 659.00 feet MSL). The reported lake elevation at Table Rock Lake was

The Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake's elevation at 552.42 feet MSL (regular conservation pool: Sept.-April, 553.75 feet MSL; April-Sept. 555.75 feet MSL). Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort had no report. Click on the resort website link in the preceding sentence for more information. Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters had no report. Look for new accounts in March.

Norfork Tailwater

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-4352169) said that Norfork Lake fell 1.3 feet to rest at 0.8 feet below the seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet MSL 27.1 feet below the top of the flood pool. The Norfork tailwater had little if any wadable water. All of the lakes in the White River System are now below the power pool. With the severe weather, the region is experiencing high levels of generation to supply extreme power demand. The Norfork is fishing well. Navigate this stream with caution as things have changed a bit during the recent flooding. There has been significant gravel recruitment at the bottom of Mill Pond

and the dock hole. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (sizes 18, 20, 22) like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead), and soft hackles (sizes 14, 16) like the Green Butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very useful. Try a pheasant tail size 14 with a root beer midge dropper. "My wife, Lori, did well recently with an olive Woolly Bugger. The fishing is better in the morning." Dry Run Creek is fishing well. There is less pressure with the colder weather. The Norfork National Fish Hatchery is open, but the restrooms are still closed. The hot flies have been sowbugs (size 14), Y2Ks (size 12), various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink, and cerise size 10), mop flies, and egg patterns. Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. 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.

Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-4352169) said the Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are navigable. With the cooler temperatures, the bite has slowed. John's favorite fly is a Clous-

er minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Lake

The Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,119.30 feet MSL (regular conservation pool: 1,120.43 feet MSL). Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said, "As you know, we are in a historic cold blast. The ponds and part of Beaver Lake are icing over. The Arkansas River is frozen over in places. Now, for you all that have not been here long, all you have to do is wait this out, and things will snap back. It is supposed to be near 60 degrees come next Tuesday. Talk about a flip-flop. Not sure what this will do except a significant shad kill, I assume. That can turn on the fish. "There have been some die-hards catching some fish. We are supposed to get another 5 inches of snow by the time you read this. Fishing reports are nonexistent, which I can understand; 10 below is cold here. Be safe, take care. Be safe out there. Spring is close, believe it or not. Good time to get all your gear ready. I like to tie flies. Re: spool reels and dream of warm spring days. I think it's going to be a good one this year."

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The Voice of Van Buren County

Page 12

Amy Johnson's dog Sophia enjoying the snow.

Jordan Yatska made a trip to the Glory Hole in Steve Evans captured this rustic winter image Newton County this week. last week.

“12 Months of Gardening” by Jeffry Burgess bacteria in the soil, that portions of their gar-

By this time of year, my longtime friend and fellow organic gardener Lalla Ostergren used to be highly excited about the imminent beginnings of the planting season. She would have dozens of seedlings on her window sills, ready to go out in the garden when, in her opinion, the perfect time had arrived. I was never sure about what exactly determined her “perfect time” as she would talk about several factors including moon phases, plants in the woods starting to bud out, wild animal behavior, the appearance of certain insects, and smells in the air. Also by this time, she had already ordered most of her seed choices for the year, including at least one choice she had never tried before. Additionally, she had her map of where everything was to be planted in her garden. She was something of a poster child for garden preparedness. Most of us will never achieve her level of performance but we don’t want to let that stop us from participating in one of the most richly rewarding activities available to almost everyone. Even those with physical challenges can start a window sill herb garden, or a pot, bucket or tub of greens near the back door. I have several raised grow boxes that do not need bending over to work in. And positive benefits can start immediately for us with even the smallest of gardening efforts. An article by Allie Gouveia, distributed by UNC Health Talk, lists “8 Surprising Health Benefits of Gardening”: 1) Gardening is a self-esteem builder. Even a little success with growing things lifts our spirits and gives us more of a sense of being in tune with the natural processes of earth. 2) Gardening can reduce stress. It helps get our focus off our problems and onto a goal. Watching things grow and thrive imbibes us with a sense of well-being. 3) Happiness can increase with gardening. There is a healthy

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when inhaled, raises the level of serotonin in our body and that reduces anxiety. 4) Gardening can keep your hands nimble and strong. Digging, planting and pulling helps keep the kinks worked out and builds strength. 5) Outdoor gardening can boost your vitamin D levels. Exposure to the sun produces vitamin D which strengthens bones and our immune systems. Remember to use sun screen. 6) Heart health can be enhanced through gardening. Depending upon your level of exertion, cardiovascular health can improve. 7) The whole family can benefit from gardening. In addition to the bonding and sharing experience of a family garden, kids exposed to dirt early have been shown to have reductions in allergies and autoimmune diseases. 8) Eating healthier can be a natural extension of raising your own food. Being intimately involved with the process increases the importance of the outcome. It doesn’t get any fresher than straight from your garden to your table. Looking back briefly, the recent visit by a polar vortex made winter gardening really difficult this year. Even with coverings, many cool weather crops expired under the relentless well below freezing temperatures. A few neighbors report, having made extraordinarily efforts, and In conjunction with the insulating effect of the snow, that at least

February 23, 2021

dens survived the frigid temperatures. This kind of success most often has to do with good southern exposure, protection from north winds and a willingness to quickly cover plants when extreme cold is predicted. Some winters are a lot easier than this one was. Thank goodness spring is just around the corner. March is a wonderful month to get serious about the spring and summer garden. I would guess, and it’s always a guess with the weather, that well developed plants from indoors can start being prepared for set out in the garden soon. Get them use to the outdoor conditions by setting them outside for a few hours each day for about a week before planting. This is called “hardening off.” And be prepared to cover them if overnights drop below freezing. Even cold hardy plants are not as resistant when young. Additionally, seed to direct sow now could include broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard, kale and rutabaga. A little later in the month plant beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, endive, lettuce, mustard, onion, parsnip, salsify and turnip, to name a few. Shelling, snow and snap peas can all be planted as soon as the ground thaws. It depends upon how long the soil stays wet. Seed, and potatoes, can rot if kept wet too long. Good draining soil helps but keep an eye on the forecast and check your soil for moisture content before planting.

Getting seeds to germinate properly requires a balance between moisture and temperature. Even with the perfect balance, seed like carrot, can take up to two weeks. Also, once planted, don’t let seed dry out as that will delay germination. I like to soak my seed in a kelp solution overnight before planting. This softens the seed coat and gives germination a bit of a jump start. Longtime gardeners are fairly clear in their minds about their plans at this point but here are some questions beginners should consider. How much time will you devote to your plants? A big garden is no good if you don’t have the time for it. Will you plant in pots, boxes, buckets, tubs or the ground? Each will require a different amount of soil, amendments and seed. Where will you get your soil? Beginners should be checking what’s available at the local nursery. Longtimers are making their own. Will you use a tiller for your garden, or use a shovel and hoe? I like a shovel and hoe for the close feel of connectedness it gives me with my soil. What to plant? If you don’t like to eat it, don’t plant it. Will you have supplemental water available? We can’t depend on rain always coming in a timely manner so we need to be prepared. I favor rooftop collection with well water backup. What fertilizers will you use? To keep my conscience clear I have to use organic. How will you store your produce? Canning was my first choice for years but recently I’ve moved towards dehydration

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Frigid temperatures made success difficult for winter gardens in the county this year but spring is just around the corner. and freezing. Do you have a person to cover for you when you can’t be there for your garden? For more considerations like these, get a good book. One last item deserving mention now, plenty of warm weather plants can still be started indoors, including bean, eggplant, okra, melon, pepper, squash and tomato, to name a few. Just remember not to transplant outside until the last chance of frost has passed, which can vary from year to year, but generally tends to be towards the end of April. Check seed packs for information about days from seed starting to transplanting outside. Knowing when the last frost is

expected allows you to know when to plant your seeds. For this example, let’s say the last frost will be May 1. The seed pack says 8 weeks from planting seed to transplanting outside, so that seed should be started about March 1. It’s ok to transplant out a little later if you get started late, and you can always purchase transplants at the nursery. Now that the worst of winter’s cold weather is behind us, it’s time to be thinking spring. Before you know it buds will be swelling, flowers will be blooming and there will be wholesome, fresh and local vegetables available. Embrace the change. Hope to see you in the garden next month.

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