Greenwood Life APRIL 2020. VOLUME 2. ISSUE 4
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C O M M U N I T Y | S C H O O L | FA M I LY | FA I T H
Greenwood ranks
TOP
Places to Live in State
First Year at Bat Baseball Coach Mercado is ready for a great first year
PLUS:
Showcase of Spring Sports
MISS ARKANSAS
ALL DAHLEM DARYNNE
SMILES
Like What We Do? Support Us.
If you live, work or play in Greenwood, Arkansas, you’ve likely come to realize the city is a special place. This vibrant and growing community takes pride in its children, schools, faith and overall feel of small-town U.S.A. Each month, it’s our goal with Greenwood Life to showcase the people, events and stories that make Greenwood so special, in a format that makes everyone just a bit more proud. In bringing the community a publication that tells the good news, sometimes we’ll be there with you - taking creative photos and talking with you one-on-one. Other times, we’ll rely on our community to share with us the stories and pictures that you know capture the essence of Greenwood. We’ll be a team. In the end, we hope you’ll be proud to keep each and every issue of Greenwood Life. We hope you’ll keep it on your coffee table, show it to family and friends, and beam with pride as you share the events and people who are making a difference in this great community. These small actions help! But, very simply, we also need your financial support. Whether you have a business that could benefit from increased exposure through advertising, you’re a person who could benefit from services or products offered by businesses who advertise, or you can subscribe to have Greenwood Life delivered to your home each month — each of these actions help to support the magazine.
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Greenwood Life COMMUNITY | SCHOOL | FAMILY | FAITH
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Greenwood Life EDITOR/COORDINATOR
SUMMER AINA
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
KRISTYN SIMS
PRODUCTION
CHRISTY MORRISON RACHEL POWELL
DISTRIBUTION ADVERTISING
contents
BILL NEEDHAM JULIE NEWMAN TARA LYNCH KATHIE SMITH ASHLEY YEARY MIKE OPOLKA MATTHEW MOCK BETHANIE STARR ANNA HERNANDEZ
All opinions, beliefs and views presented in editorials and letters are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Greenwood Life. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: Greenwood Life, 5111 Rogers Ave., Suite 471, Fort Smith, AR 72903 (USPS 229-440)
06 Top 10 Cities Greenwood named one of the top 10 Cities to live. Read why here.
Greenwood Life is a publication of
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Call 479-996-4494 or email greenwoodlife@gatehousemedia.com for more information.
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Artist of the Month
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Hometown Hero
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Greenwood Life
Local Pastor, Ronnie Deal tells us all about what Easter means to him.
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Here Comes the Bride
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All about the Kristin and JR Wheeler Wedding. See their big day here!
Julie Mayser is this month’s Artist of the Month. Read about her work here.
SUBSCRIBE TODAY: Have every issue of Greenwood Life delivered to you monthly. Subscribe online today at GreenwoodARLife.com. One-Year Subscription (12 issues) rates are Sebastian County, $30; In Arkansas, $38; Outside Arkansas; $42.
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2019 Miss Arkansas
Some events may have been cancelled, but there are still so many to look forward to.
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Check out some of this months list of book recommendations from our library.
The New Baseball Coach Chad Mercado has worked hard to be head coach of Bulldog Baseball. Read his story here.
Greenwood Graduate was named Miss Arkansas 2019. See her story here.
Recommended Readings
Hometown Happenings
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Spring Sport Teams
Seasons may have been cut short, but these athletes still deserve to be recognized.
OUR CREW THIS ISSUE Our talented batch of contributors for April 2020
SCOTT CUTLIP
SCOTT SMITH
MORGAN SKAGGS
SHARLA DERRY
Writer
Photographer
Writer
Photographer
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The Small Town
THAT EXCELS
STORY BY Scott Cutlip
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Morgan Skaggs
Greenwood Named Top 10 City In January, the website HomeSnacks (https:// www.homesnacks.net/best-places-to-livein-arkansas-122274/) , which combines information from the Census, FBI, and other sources to rank communities in the United States, published their report for the top 10 cities in Arkansas, with Greenwood listed as number 10 (after being listed as number 5 in
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2019). Criteria included jobs, housing, safety, education, and affordability, among others. In addition, HomeSnacks ranked Greenwood the second safest city and the seventh cheapest in Arkansas. Additionally, the Safewise website (https://www.safewise.com/blog/ safest-cities-arkansas/), which also places Greenwood as Arkansas’s second safest city,
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lists Greenwood as having Arkansas’s lowest property crime rate. In October, 247wallst. com listed Greenwood as number 19 in the nation’s most affordable places with the best schools. We turned to some of the members of the Greenwood community to explain why Greenwood is a top 10 city.
Doug Kinslow
Mayor of Greenwood According to Mayor Kinslow, it’s the people who make Greenwood the special place it is, citing the city logo of “a great place to live” being changed “from a good place to live” was less about advertising than truth. “Everybody that moves here for whatever reason,” Kinslow said. “We have a great school system. Some of the amenities in town: we have a lot of walking trails, things like that, that people are looking for. It’s a little bit slower than a bigger, larger city. People get along. We come together as a community. We take pride in what we do and in what we are, and we encourage people to come and see what we got and what’s going on.”
Ronnie Deal
Pastor of First Baptist Church “I think a lot has to do with the culture in this town,” Deal said. “There’s a not a lot of distractions, so the emphasis can be put more on the home and more on what kids are doing. I think there’s a good commitment to support one another.”
Tammy Briley
Greenwood parks director When interviewed about Greenwood’s Freedom Fest, Briley spoke about the overarching Greenwood philosophy: “It takes a village. The whole area is involved. Rarely do we ever have anyone that says no.” Both the Freedom Fest and the Christmas Trail of Lights are huge events not only for Greenwood, but for the surrounding areas, also.
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Suzy Wilson
Greenwood School District Assistant Superintendent “Any time you talk to city leaders,” Suzy Wilson said, “they will say our city is successful because of the schools. Any time you talk to school leaders, we will say our school is successful because of our city, our strong community support, and leadership. So I think it’s a complete circle, with all of it working together.” According to Wilson, the district is consistently in the top 10 academically in the state. Greenwood scores above the state and national average on ACT scores. “We have a very strong philosophy that all kids need to be involved in something,” Wilson said.
“They need to feel like they’re part of something. So in all areas, from K through 12, we have extra clubs, extracurriculars, to find some type of niche for every child. It gives them an opportunity to be good at something they’re interested in and to interact with kids that have the same interests.” Wilson also pointed out the high level sports activities that Greenwood participated in, from football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, cross country, and even esports.
nity. I’ve always called it ‘Bulldog Pride.’” Hicks pointed out that because so many of the business owners in Greenwood have family there, it helps with the personal connection. “Our businesses support everything in this town,” he wrote. “It blows me away the things that businesses do that the people are not aware of, and not just for the schools, but for everyone.”
Jennie Walker
Owner of J. Walker Studio
Phil Hicks
Shelter Life Real Estate “There is almost an indescribable pride amongst not only current citizens but also those that don’t live here anymore,” wrote Hicks. “Greenwood citizens tend to circle the wagons around our commu-
“I think that’s such a huge perk of a small town,” Walker said.. “That’s what a small town is for--that community, and it is a huge thing. When we started, my church, community, my family and friends, they helped me keep my head above water and supported us in everything.”
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APRIL
ARTIST OF THE MONTH Julie Mayser
Artist of the month of April is Julie Mayser. Her works will be on display through the month of April at Greenwood City Hall. Julie Mayser received her first art schooling at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Subsequently she studied at CASC in Poteau, Ok, and at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Ok. She has also studied with leading artist-teachers in the U.S. and Europe, continuing her art education into the present. Mayser paintings are in private, public and corporate collections across the U.S., & private collections in Canada, Europe, & Asia. Recent collectors are Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Mary Fallin, Ft Smith Mayor Ray Baker, Ft Smith Convention Center, and the Arkansas Sheriffs Youth Ranches. Her paintings may be seen in galleries in Ft Smith, Rogers, Bentonville & Eureka Springs, AR, as well as in special exhibits. She recently was chosen as one of the singular artists to demonstrate her work at the recent 5x5 gala for the Center for Art & Education. She resides in Greenwood, AR. “My reason for being a painter comes down to a few basics; My love of nature, the positive beautiful glimpses of life which surround us, and wanting to share these personal visions and joy with the viewer. I find my greatest fulfillment when my art has touched a person’s heart. Through the use of vibrant color and selective amplification and interpretation, I hope to convey to the viewer the vision of the beauty I see.”
her at jampaints@centurytel.net or www.artwanted. com/juliemayser.
The Greenwood Art Guild meets every fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at the main branch of Farmer’s Bank in Greenwood. The next meeting is on hold due to social distancing, however watch for updates on our To or see more of Julie’s works of art, contact Facebook 10inquire WWW.GREENWOODARLIFE.COM | APRIL 2020 | Greenwood Life page.
Seven Greenwood Cub Scouts Achieve Highest Award
Arrow of Light
Pack 1989 of Greenwood held its Blue and Gold Banquet at the Bell Park Glass Pavilion on Saturday, February 29th, 2020, where seven Cub Scouts were awarded the Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light award is the only award that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform. The Arrow of Light signifies the end of a Cub Scout journey through the Cub Scout program and the beginning of the scout’s journey into Scouts. Often Eagle Scouts (the highest honor in Scouting) will display their Arrow of Light award alongside their Eagle Scout medals. The following Cub Scouts were recognized for their Arrow of Light achievement: Carter Davidson, William Doss, Nathan Dyer, Henry Garner, Logan Gunderson, Hudson Jacobs, and Blake Rolewicz. To earn the honor, the boys had to work on outdoor skills, physical fitness, learn about citizenship and working with others. The Arrow of Light award is worn on the left pocket flap of the blue Cub Scout Uniform or
below the left pocket of the tan Scout Uniform. It’s customary to honor Arrow of Light recipients with a ceremonial arrow with stripes on the shaft of the arrow to symbolize the boys’ achievements during their Cub Scout careers. The banquet was a combination of a Crossover Ceremony and the Arrow of Light award. During the Crossover Ceremony, graduating Cub Scouts ‘crossed over’ a symbolic bridge to their new Scout Troop. As each Scout crossed over, they retired their Webelo neckerchief and navy uniform shoulder loops for green and received their Scout handbook. All seven Scouts joined Troop 1989 of Greenwood. The ceremony marks a new tradition for Greenwood Pack 1989 and is a reminder to all scouts to live by the Scout Law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” Congratulations to all Arrow of Light recipients and good luck on your journey through Scouting!
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HOMETOWN HERO:
By Scott Cutlip CONTRIBUTING WRITER
LOCAL PASTOR CASTS LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
RONNIE DEAL Ronnie Deal didn’t set out to be a pastor. In fact, he went to college in pursuit of a business degree. However, his father died during his junior year in college, and that redirected Deal’s life. After his graduation from Lenoir-Rhyne University, where he played on the football team, in 1980, he attended Southwester Seminary in Fort Worth. He went on to be a youth minister in Fort Worth and in Charlotte, North Carolina. That was when he came to Greenwood to become the senior pastor at First Baptist Church, and he’s been here roughly 20 years. John McKinney, owner of 4Mac Inc.
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Hometown Heroes!
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PASTOR DEAL ABOUT
First Baptist Church bills itself as a diverse church, which is open to people of all backgrounds and ages. The church runs four services on Sundays, in addition to Wednesday night ministries. Additionally, there are different Bible studies throughout the week, a clothes closet, a recreation outreach center, and room for meetings. “We go from birth through senior adult,” Deal said. “In a lot of ways, we’re a typical church. Probably one of the big things that we try to do is help people have good solid relationships with each other.” Deal, a native of Newton, North Carolina, sees it as his mission to encourage people to be involved in the commu-
nity. Deal and Rae, his wife of 34 years, have four children, two who are adopted, and two grandchildren. Deal’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, and biking. During the timeframe of our interview, the coronavirus had changed the way we currently have to live our lives. While Deal cannot at the moment hold services to a packed church, he is filming services that can be watched online at the First Baptist Church website. First Baptist Church is located at 19 N Adair St. Its website is https://www. greenwoodfbc.com/.
Easter Sunday WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE IN ATTENDANCE IN EASTER AND DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR? “In the past we’ve had two services at the PAC (performing arts center). This is what we had planned for this year; we’re just not sure right now how it’s going to go. We try to really mobilize our folks to invite folks that don’t have a church home on Easter. It’s to help our people just really develop a love for others and desire to see people know Christ…;so we usually had around anywhere from 1500 to 1800 people in those two services.”
DO YOU PLAN ANY SPECIAL EVENTS?
“We’ve done Easter egg hunt and things for children in the past, but because our two Easter services on Sunday morning are so big, there’s a lot of what we do that centers around the preparation and the outreach. We try to keep it simple and focus on people worshiping together on Easter Sunday morning.”
WHAT WAS EASTER LIKE AS A CHILD?
“I knew it was a big event. I grew up in a Christian home, and I knew it was a big Sunday. There were Easter eggs and a big family time at our home after church. It probably wasn’t until I was in college that I began to really see the significance of what Easter means.”
DOES IT MEAN ANYTHING DIFFERENT TO YOU AS A PARENT/ GRANDPARENT?
“With my family and grandkids, I feel like it’s important to let them know the whys of this day, why it’s different than any other day. Why do we celebrate it?”
DO YOU HAVE A MEMORY OF A SPECIFIC EASTER?
“It’s just the anticipation every year. This will be a different year. This will be a memory of the first Easter in my lifetime that there was no church. We’ll look back and say, of all the Easter Sundays, this in 2020 was a Sunday that no churches in America were able to meet.”
WHAT TOOLS ARE YOU USING TO REACH CHURCH MEMBERS?
“We have our website. Tomorrow night I will do a full worship service , and my staff will record it, and it’ll be out there on Sunday available. We’re encouraging people to connect on Sunday and worship as a family. We’ll do that every Sunday that we’re not able to have services here on campus.”
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J.R. & Kristin
WHEELER All Photos by Jade Graves Photography
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Married February 29, 2020
at Greenwood First Assembly of God Reception at Chateau on the Greens Bridesmaids: Kiyah Wheeler, Ashton Spencer, Anna Scherff, Bethany Adams (flower girl Kynslee Wheeler). Groomsmen: Jim Wheeler, Darren Adams, Boone Gilbreath, Dave Moore, Tyler Dunavin (honorary ring bearer Ethan and Zeke Adams)
HOW WE MET: Our story is definitely not typical. I tried to follow
JR and his late wife’s cancer story as they struggled to bring a Christian based educational wildlife park to our region while raising two young daughters while fighting a deadly cancer. I was struggling with my own cancer battle and tried to look to his late wife for motivation. Sadly before I was able to meet her she passed away. JR and his family still welcomed me to help the park with their “Wild About Reading” program and taking animals and books to local school districts. We stayed in contact over social media trying to plan how I would help once the time came to start visiting schools. We first met face to face in the Walmart meat aisle. JR had actually went to church on a Sunday night with his girls, which was out of the ordinary for them to go on a Sunday night but JR said he kept feeling God leading him to go to that service for some reason. During the service he said he felt nothing and couldn’t understand why God wanted him at that particular evening service. At this point I was facing a lot of social anxiety from my cancer and still trying to find where I fit in. I had went from a collegiate national champion in cheer, to someone struggling to understand who I was as a woman, a follower of Christ, and struggled to even leave my own bed. The same day JR went to that church service I had went to a UAFS cheer event, which put me out in public, which was extremely rare for me at this point. After church, and the cheer event, we both found ourselves at Walmart. This is where we made eye contact from across the store and as we met we asked if we were the person we had been talking to and commenced to talk to each other for almost two hours. God has a way of putting you where you need to be if you just listen and obey. After that I began to help JR with the book program and we began to fall for each other and the rest is history…….
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THE PROPOSAL: JR has a lot of cool guns with silencers that I LOVE to shoot. Our second date he took me shooting with one of his silenced 22 rifles. The targets we shot helped me get over some baggage that I struggled with from my past. The date would seem insignificant to most but to me it meant the world. On the two year anniversary of when they found my tumor, JR said he wanted to take me shooting as a stress relief. He took to the same spot on our land to shoot the same rifle as we did on our second date. He didn’t let me see the target as he set it up. I shot the target twice (horrible shots actually) and JR asked why I didn’t have a comment about the target. I couldn’t see it through the scope but as I walked up to the target it had typed on it “let’s make this date mean something else, WILL YOU MARRY ME”. When I turned around he had the ring in his hand sitting in the truck door and Kynslee (the
3 yr old daughter) was screaming “daddy has you a wedding ring”
OUR WEDDING DAY: The girls and I spent the day at the house getting ready before heading to the church. JR was actually almost late to the wedding. He showed up about 20 minutes before the wedding started and still had to get dressed. He was late because he went with his dad to help him pick out the prettiest pearl necklace and diamond bracelet that his dad wanted to give me as a wedding gift before he got the honor of walking me down the aisle with our pastor.
OUR HONEYMOON: We went to this breathtaking cabin that sat on a rock bluff overlooking the most tranquil river ever. The balcony overlooked the whole river bottom and we got to watch the sunrise each morning through the early morning mist as otter, wild hogs, beaver, and other animals played just yards from our feet.
ADDITIONAL INFO: Many know our story because of JR’s family and now myself forging ahead with Roo Doo’s Wildlife Park and our passion to bring this park/zoo to our region. Our story is one of hope even when the whole world seems to be falling down around you. God always has a purpose for you even when it feels like not a soul cares for you or when the cards just don’t fall your way. Cancer destroys lives but it is not bigger than our God. Don’t ever give up. JR and I’s family is testimony to this.
SPECIAL THANKS TO: HUGE thank you to the best wedding planner ever, Mary Ann Sandifer (and Tara and the one who always is left out, Troy) with “I do” Wedding Consulting. Tommy Jay Boyd was the best DJ and he also married us even though he left out Kristin’s “I DO” part Thank you to Great American Cookie and Tara Gamble for the awesome cakes and cookies. Thank you to Kim and Olivia Boyd for the gallons of amazing homemade salsa. Special thank you to JR’s mom (Linda) for being the best mother/mother in law ever and going above and beyond helping us and essentially gathering up everything we needed
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MISS ARKANSAS
ALL DAHLEM DARYNNE
SMILES STORY BY
Scott Smith
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
Sharla Derry
She’s 23, she’s Miss Arkansas and she has quite a lot to smile about these days. Daryne Dahlem is a 2015 Greenwood High School graduate who is loving every second of her time as Miss Arkansas. Her current Miss Arkansas duties have her speaking to school students, school staff, parents, civic organizations, library patrons and others across the state, and she embraces the busy schedule with a smile and open arms. “I am literally in a different town every single day, and I love it,” said Darynne, who is the daughter of Ron and Traci Lewellen of Greenwood and now lives in and works from the Miss Arkansas Apartment in Conway. “As Miss Arkansas, I was given a Chevy Equinox that was donated by Bale Chevrolet — they’ve given it to me to drive for a year — and it’s been great. “They say the average person drives 15,000 miles a year,” she added as her eyes widened. “I’ve already driven over 38,000 miles, just since June. I’m busy, and it’s great.”
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Darynne, who also competed in the Miss America Pageant late last year, said she’s proud of the platform she used during the Miss Arkansas competition. Her platform, “Know Who You Are,” was designed to inspire children and teenagers, as well as adults. “You know, we always tell kids to be themselves and not do drugs, but unfortunately, there’s been a gap,” Darynne said. “We haven’t really given them the right tools to say no to drugs. Unfortunately, kids fall into a trap with that, but I tell the kids that, ‘It’s OK to feel like you’re not the best at everything,’ and ‘It’s OK to like or believe in something that maybe not everyone else likes or agrees with.’” One who strives to stay active, Darynne graduated with honors with an animal science degree from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville in 2019, and she recently was accepted into the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. When she was younger, Darynne envisioned working as a veterinarian, but her encounters with children and her working closely with Arkansas Children’s Hospital over the last few years steered her interest into another area. “I want to be a pediatric cardiologist,” she said. “Which is kind of funny, because when I was in high school, I was like a lot of other high schoolers in that I wasn’t really wanting to be around a lot of younger children, but in college, I found myself drawn more to children. “I am hoping to work at Arkansas Children’s Hospital someday and still continue to be a guest speaker for others,” Darynne added. “I love going to schools, to Rotary clubs, to other groups and meeting and speaking to people.” Darynne’s admiration for school teachers, staff and students no doubt was fostered by her grandmother, Patti Gilstrap, who taught mostly English and world history at the Greenwood district for 43 years. Darynne, when she was a Greenwood student, seemingly couldn’t get enough of school. The
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talkative young woman helped boost the spirits of Greenwood athletes, coaches and fans while serving as the Greenwood High School Bulldog mascot during her sophomore and junior year. “Once you get past the smell of (the mascot outfit), it’s great,” joked Darynne, who also was a cheerleader during her senior year at GHS. “I loved it because being the mascot helped get the younger generation into sports. Little kids don’t understand what offsides is, or an interception, but they do understand when a mascot is jumping up and down, excited. Kids also understand when a mascot has their head low during a tough time in a game. Being a mascot can help give kids that perception.” Darynne’s favorite school classes were AP U.S. history and AP world history. She names Mr. Bridges and his AP world history class as major inspirations for her years studying before tests. “Mr. Bridges, still to this day, has to be one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met,” Darynne said. “He was so knowledgeable, and his class was so great. I loved how Mr. Bridges would have all this knowledge, but he would encourage people to think. He showed us the importance of showing respect for others.” Darynne’s first victory in the Miss Arkansas “system” was winning the Miss Western Arkansas title when she was 18. She remembers those early days of pageants and competition fondly. “I always had stage fright — really, really bad stage fright — when I was younger,” Darynne said. “But doing the private interviews for competition was always something I loved. I loved the interview and I loved answering political questions and other questions. “I’ve never been nervous for an interview; I still love doing interviews,” she added. “But before, to have me sing, I would freeze up, but my experience of competing in the Miss Arkansas system has helped me overcome that stagefright. Through competi-
“AS MISS ARKANSAS, I WAS GIVEN A CHEVY EQUINOX THAT WAS DONATED BY BALE CHEVROLET — THEY’VE GIVEN IT TO ME TO DRIVE FOR A YEAR — AND IT’S BEEN GREAT!” Daryne Dahlem MISS ARKANSAS 2019
tions, I’ve been able to get more comfortable doing the things that used to make me uncomfortable.” For the most part, Darynne sings Broadway songs in public. She names “Hamilton,” “West Side Story” and “Chicago” as her favorite Broadway productions, and she freely admitted that she loves to read books whenever she has free time. “I also am into exercise, but not as much lately; I love long-distance running, and I love riding horses,” Darynne said before laughing and rolling her eyes. “I’m not very athletic and I’m not very coordinated — I’m always bumping into things because I’m kind of clumsy — but I’ve always been good at riding horses.
“I was riding horses at 8 years old, and I was better at riding horses then than I am at walking now,” she added. “I know that’s strange, but it’s true. I can ride better than I can walk a straight line.” In Darynne’s mind, the events between her grade school years and her winning Miss Arkansas seemed to happen in a flash. “I remember when I was in the eighth grade, and I was like, ‘I’m an adult!’” Darynne said with a laugh. “Now I look at these students these days and say, ‘Oh, they’re just babies.’” One of several near-future events that will make Darynne feel like a kid again will be the World’s
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Smallest St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which will take place in Hot Springs. “The biggest thing that I have coming up as Miss Arkansas next is that parade, and I am so excited about it,” she said. “There also will be Cheech Marin of ‘Cheech and Chong’ fame there. Won’t that be amazing? “The parade is a fun thing and they always have celebrities, so I’ll get to hang out with Cheech,” Darynne added with a grin. “It should be a really fun time.” Darynne, who also has been tapped to crown her Miss Arkansas successor on June 20 in Little Rock, has made a promise to herself that she would never forget — and never taken for granted — her life experiences. When asked how her Miss Arkansas crown and sash has changed her in recent months, she smiled before answering. “For me, it’s amazing to be a part of something so great, and yet, in a way, it’s so simple yet still important,” Darynne said. “There aren’t many jobs where you can just make someone’s day by smiling at them or visiting with them. I am so fortunate to be able to be a part of that experience. “One person I met asked to carry my bag for me — he was so excited and it was great to see him that excited,” she added. “Then later, I overheard him say to someone else, ‘I carried Miss Arkansas’ bag.’ He was so proud and so happy, and that made me happy.” Darynne finds herself in an even happier mood when mingling with young Arkansas students. Whether it’s encouraging college and high school-aged students or its simply sitting on the floor with kindergarteners, the thrill of interaction has yet to fade for Darynne.
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“You know, those kindergarten students might not remember it, but I hope they do,” she said. “I think their parents will remember it, so that interaction is so important. I love being a part of that, and being able to share that with other people.” WWW.GREENWOODARLIFE.COM | APRIL 2020 |
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&
with
Miss Arkansas
DARYNNE
DAHLEM
WHAT WAS IT LIKE WINNING THE 2019 MISS ARKANSAS TITLE? It was incredible. I had been in the Miss Arkansas system for five years, so I had worked my way through it, competing. It was such an exciting thing. (Smiles).
WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMPETING IN THE MISS AMERICA 2019 EVENT?
I loved it. What I take away from that is, I met five of the most amazing people from different states, and we are so incredibly close now. We have a great bond and we talk in a group chat every day.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD?
Can ice cream be classified as food? (Laughs). I can say that I don’t like sour cream or oysters. I can’t do oysters at all. But I will admit that I will try anything once. (Smiles).
ARE YOU AND YOUR PARENTS, RON AND TRACI LEWELLEN, CLOSE?
Yes. We are a very close family. My family has supported me through all of the five years of the Miss Arkansas system and beyond. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family. They’re wonderful.
WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU SO FAR?
I was speaking for a group of kindergartners at a school, and one of them asked how old I was. I told them I was 23, and then the entire auditorium was like, “Wow!” After I spoke to the kids, one of the girls came up to me, hugged and me, and then she said, “You still look really good for being 23.” I thought that was so funny.
Q&A with Scott Smith • Photo by Sharla Derry
WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES?
Oh, that’s a tough one. Good question. I remember when I was a kid and my mom telling me that I was getting a cat. (Smiles). My mom told me that my grandfather found a cat — he was a black-colored stray cat — and I was so excited. I was telling everyone at school, ‘Hey, I’m getting a cat!”
ARE YOU A BIG FAN OF MOVIES?
Oh, wow. Well, the movies I like probably aren’t like the movies that other people would pick. (Laughs). I love “My Cousin Vinny,” “The Blues Brothers,” “Animal House” and “Vice.” (Laughs)
YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU ENJOY POLITICS. IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE YOU WOULD CHANGE, OR ANYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD YOU WOULD CHANGE?
There seems to always be this team mentality. It’s a “My team has to win; your team has to lose,” and I hate to see that. I wish people would be more open-minded, and be open to listening to other people and respecting other people, even if that other person believes in something or likes something that you don’t agree with. We have to be more open to compromise, and we need to be more understanding of where other people believe and enjoy.
WHAT CONTINUES TO DRAW YOU TO GREENWOOD? WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT THE GREENWOOD COMMUNITY?
It kind of sounds like the stereotypical thing, but I love that it’s a small town where everyone gets together on a Friday night for a game. The town comes together and it’s wonderful. In Greenwood, it almost seems like you can’t go anywhere without bumping into people you are related to, or people you know. I really love that.
Recommended Reading
SCOTT-SEBASTIAN REGIONAL LIBRARY
18 NORTH ADAIR, GREENWOOD, AR • 479-996-2856 OPEN MON. 9 A.M. TO 7:30 P.M.,TUES. - FRI. 9 A.M. TO 5 P.M. AND SAT. 9 A.M. TO NOON.
Books are available at the library or through ebook form at https://lib2go.overdrive.com/
VOTE FOR OUR FUTURE! (2020)
by Margaret McNamara illustrated by Micah Player Wonderfully illustrated, Vote for Our Future explains the voting process for children to understand. It demonstrates how even those who are too young to vote can still be involved in the process!
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Greenwood Life
MIDDLE SCHOOL:
MASTER OF DISASTER (2020)
by James Patterson #13 of the Middle School series, Rafe and Jimmy uses their powers for good this time…throwing a book festival! As party preparations begin, little mess ups start piling up, and the festival might be cancelled. Readers will be pleasantly surprised to discover all characters in James Patterson’s children’s books show up in Master of Disaster!
WHERE THE WIND LEADS (2020) by Vinh Chung
This true account story follows the refugee journey of three year old Vinh Chung and his family forced to flee Vietnam in 1979. No possessions and no knowledge of the English language, Chung and his family settle in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Having to leave everything behind, Chung’s family begins a new life from scratch with the added challenges of learning a new language and culture. Through hard work, determination, and the help of community, the family flourishes.
OUR COUNTRY I am really worried about our country. It is suffering from a terrible addiction. It seems to me as if everyone from a baby sitting alone to people my age are addicts. Although I have been able to escape it because I haven’t been exposed. It has affected both hands, fingers and even appears on one ear or the other. You can’t go anywhere now days, and even church, that you don’t see some one with this addiction. I don’t care if you are in the isle of a grocery store you are expose to it. A restaurant seems one of the places that you come nearer being exposed to it. You can just bet that most patrons in a restaurant has one somewhere either in their hands or on their ear. I’m talking
about Cellphoneitis. One cannot go any where there is people that most of them are not using their phones. The other day, during one of the Lenten Services at the church a woman was on her phone the whole service. She was sitting in front of me where I could see it. The brightness of the phone bothered me as I could not take my eyes off of it. One time I was in a restaurant eating when a family of six was at the table next to me. Five of them played with their phones, one boy was reading a book while waiting for their food. I did not see them engage in a conversation. How sad. Other times you will be eating when a person at the next table is talking on the phone. That is when
you get to hear every thing, good or bad. I don’t know why most people talk so loud on a cell phone. Another addiction is face book and I don’t have that either. One reason I know I would stay mad all the time. It is awful what some people write especially between the political parties. It is hard for me to be believe what terrible things people write that they would never say to your face. People you would never expect to think such things much less write them. I know face book is a good way to keep in touch with friends and family if it was only used for the good. I do have a flip top cell phone for emergencies and I do have a tablet where I can get an email. My family has tried to get me to get face book and I know I wouldn’t have to read the bad things but
By Drucilla Hughart I know I would so just say no to it. What is so important that a person has to talk on the phone while others are eating? I realize some people are on call and need to have the phone on the table and that is o.k. If you have to take a call, be polite and step outside or tell the other person you will call them later. I think children need to be reading books instead of playing on a cell phone. Maybe I was born thirty years too soon!
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Greenwood Native Secures
MEDICAL RESIDENCY Provided By NYITCOM at Arkansas State University Ross Lenzen, a Greenwood native and fourth-year medical student at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine at Arkansas State University, learned last week that he has secured a family medicine residency at Conway Regional Health System in Conway. Upon the completion of medical school, physicians must complete a residency to obtain their license to practice medicine in the United States. Residencies typically last three to seven years, depending on the specialty. During their final year of medical school, student doctors apply and interview
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for residencies. Once they’ve completed their interviews, the student doctor ranks their preferred programs, and the programs rank their preferred candidates they’ve interviewed. The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) uses an algorithm to “match” candidates with programs based on the rankings submitted by the students and programs. Last Friday (March 20), medical students around the country celebrated “Match Day” as they learned where they’d secured residencies. Lenzen is a member of NYITCOM at A-State’s inaugural class and will earn his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.)
Greenwood Life
in May before relocating to Conway to begin his residency in July.
for residencies. I’m just so proud of every one of them.”
NYITCOM at A-State was established in 2016, and this year marked the first time the college participated in the Match. Of the NYITCOM at A-State student doctors who participated in the 2020 Match, 95% received placement into programs.
Among NYITCOM at A-State students who participated in the 2020 Match, 72% - including Lenzen - were placed into primary care programs, including 36 percent who matched into Family Medicine programs, 27 percent into Internal Medicine residencies and another eight percent who will specialize in Pediatrics.
“I just couldn’t be any happier for Ross and all of our students,” said Shane Speights, DO, Dean of NYITCOM at A-State. “It takes a special group of students to commit to being part of the inaugural class of a new medical school. These students trusted us to provide them with a top-notch medical education, and they dedicated themselves to working incredibly hard to make themselves quality candidates
“Our country and especially our region are facing significant shortages in primary care physicians, so we’re pleased that so many of our students are pursuing those paths,” Speights said. “They have an opportunity to make a real difference.”
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HOME TOWN MAY 4
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU CONCERT Monday, May 4, 2020 at 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Greenwood Freshman Center/Junior High Choirs end of the year performance. 501 Bulldog Loop, Greenwood, Arkansas 72936.
MAY 9
RUMBLE FOR VETS Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 11 AM – 8 PM - Urban Acres Sanctuary. 4816 south Hwy 253, Greenwood. FAMILY FRIENDLY, biker/kids games, dunking booth, music, BBQ pork, $2.00 beer, Axe and horseshoe competition, AR15 Raffle ticket sales. $10 for Adults and $5 for kids (includes lunch). Combat Vets Motorcycle
Happenings NOTICE: Please check closer to time of event for any closures or cancellations due to Covid-19.
Association AR 7-3. Proceeds are nonprofit and go to veterans in or areas that are in need. 501c certified. Rain out date: May 16.
MAY 9
SECOND SATURDSATURDAY COFFEE & CONNECT May 9, 2020 at 10 AM - Rags n' Roses. 100 N Main St, Greenwood. Come by, grab a cup of coffee or tea, pastry, wander around the store and make new friends! This is for everyone!
MAY 16
PARROT ISLAND - OPENING DAY 2020 Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 11 AM – 6 PM. Parrot Island Waterpark 7300 Zero St, Fort Smith.
MAY 16
THE FRO 2 PERSON SCRAMBLE Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 9 AM Vache Grasse Recreation 891 Country Club Dr, Greenwood, Arkansas 72936
MAY 29
2020 BEST OF RIVER VALLEY PREPS AWARDS SHOW Friday, May 29, 2020 at 6 PM – 9:30 PM. Experience the redcarpet, the bright stage and a night like no other, at the 2020 River Valley All-Star Preps Award Show coming Friday, May 29 at the Fort Smith Convention Center. Join the community in honoring more than 300 student athletes and coaches from 28 local schools and see Emmitt Smith
live in Fort Smith for a special presentation. General admission ticket includes dinner, awards ceremony, and presentation by Emmitt Smith. For more info, visit swtimes.com/ preps
JUNE 13
LEFTY PARKER 3 PERSON SCRAMBLE Saturday, June 13, 2020 at 9 AM - Vache Grasse Recreation. 891 Country Club Dr, Greenwood.
JUNE 15
17TH ANNUAL SPRING FLING SHOP HOP 2020 Friday, June 5, 2020 at 9 AM – 6 PM Crooked Creek Quilt Shop in Greenwood, Arkansas, 1736 W Center St, Greenwood.
GREENWOOD LIFE COMMUNITY EVENTS are Sponsored By: 28
415 E Main St, Charleston, AR 72933 • (479) 965-2369
FS-SPAD0403150002
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Greenwood Life
FARM BUREAU WEEK DECLARED Judge Hudson signed a Proclamation that next week March 16-20th will be declared as Farm Bureau Week in Sebastian County. Pictured here with President Lynn Strang signing the proclamation and board members: Reuel Holland, Massie Silva, Danny Dalmut-Board Vice President , Jared Clark, and Terry DuBoise
GREENWOOD AREA BIRTHS
Nancy and John Wilkinson of Greenwood announce the birth of a son born on February 18, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Ashly and John Martin of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on February 21, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Kirsten and Juddson Thomlison of Greenwood announces the birth of a son
born on March 5, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Jordan and Damon Keyes of Greenwood announce the birth of a son born on March 5, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Mayra Anaya Delrio and Alfanso Martinez of Greenwood announce the birth of a son born on March 10, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Katie Brown of Greenwood announces the birth of a son born on March 13, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Kayla Wegrzyn and Brenton Cates of Greenwood announce the birth of a daughter born on March 14, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
SEND US YOUR MILESTONES! Email a photo and the details to greenwoodlife@gatehousemedia.com.
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AREA WORSHIP GUIDE ASSEMBLY OF GOD
BAPTIST
FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD Hwy. 10 Spur and Park, 996-6030, John D. Miller, Min.; SS 9:45 a.m.; Worship 10:30 a.m & 6 p.m..; Wed. 6:30 p.m.
ARKOAL COMMUNITY BAPTIST Pastor Gene Gullick 8937 Old Arko Rd., Huntington, AR., SS: 10 a.m.; WS 11 a.m., 7 p.m., Wednesday Service, 7 p.m.
ECHO ASSEMBLY OF GOD 1202 Echo Rd., Barber Community; Steve Quick, Pastor 928-4424
BURNVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH 5 mi. East on Hwy. 10, Tyler Thompson Pastor, SS 10am; Worship 11am & 6pm
MIDLAND ASSEMBLY OF GOD 6th & Adams, Midland, AR., SS: 10 a.m.; WS 11 a.m. Sunday Evening 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 p.m.; Pastor, Tim Cothran; 639-2096 CALVARY CHAPEL ASSEMBLY OF GOD 201 Greenwood St., Hackett; 479-561-8998, Pastors Tim & Gaylene Smith, SS 9:30 am, WS: 10:30 am & 6pm, Wed: 7pm Bible Study calvarychapelhackett@yahoo.com LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY WORSHIP CENTER Hwy. 71 S., Witcherville, 479-928-5654, Pastor Tommie Rhamy, SS 9:45 am; Worship 10:45 am; Prayer 5:30 p.m.; Sun Eve 6 pm; Wed., Bible Study & Youth 7 pm
CENTRAL FREE WILL BAPTIST 17 E. Central Ave, Central City. Steve Mclain Pastor, 452-2308; SS 9:45 am, WS 10:45 am, 6:00 pm; Wed. 7 pm DAYTON BAPTIST CHURCH Pastor Robert Presson, 2305 Apple Blossom Rd., Mansfield, 479-996-5495, 912-294-2281
EXCELSIOR BAPTIST CHURCH 3421 Smokey Rd, Greenwood; Pastor Mark Griffith; Sunday School and Worship 10 am
HOWARD HILL ASSEMBLY OF GOD Past. Quinton Rowan, 3515 Gate 9 Rd., 996-2496 howardhillag.com
FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 14511 Old Jenny Lind Loop; 996-6456, James M. Jones, min.; SS 9 a.m.; WS 10 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m. FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH Atlanta & Adair St, 996-2166; Pastor Ronnie Deal, Worship 8am, 9:15 & 10:45 am FIRST FREE WILL BAPTIST 504 S. Fowler St, 996-4374, Jim Walker, SS, Worship 10:50am, 6pm; Wed 7pm
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PLEASANT HILL FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH 5733 AR-10, Hackett, AR 72937 Buddy Loyd, Pastor
FS-SPAD1105185825
803 West Denver 996-7510 Don Lamberson, Owner
LIBERTY MISSIONARY BAPTIST 705 E. Gary St. • P.O. Box 3225, Pastor, Cavan Gappmayer SS 9:45 am; WS 10:45am; SEW 5 pm, WEW 6 pm
PALESTINE BAPTIST CHURCH 1207 Young Ridge Road, Pastor Jordan Martin, SS 10:00 am, Worship 11am & 6pm. and Wed night for Children & Youth 6-7:15 pm
BONANZA ASSEMBLY OF GOD 701 McConnell Ave., Bonanza, AR. 72916, Rev. Ricky Yarberro
GREENWOOD TIRE & ALLIGNMENT
JENNY LIND FIRST BAPTIST 1910 Gate Nine Road, 996-2513; Clay Kibler, min.; SS 9:30 a.m., WS 10:45 a.m.; SEW 6:30 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m.
WESTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH Hwy. 10 Spur - 996-6220, Dewey Hickey, pastor, SS 9:45 a.m.; Worship 11 am, 6 pm; Mon. 7:10 pm, Wed. 7 pm
DENVER STREET BAPTIST CHURCH 1413 W. Denver St., Greenwood; Alan Davis, Pastor, 479-9967544, SS 9:45 am; WS 10:45 a.m. & 6 p.m., Wed. 6 pm
301 West Center, Greenwood • 996-4440
HACKETT FIRST BAPTIST 401 E. Greenwood St. 638-7363; Pastor, Joe Silva 597-6644. Sun 8:30am coffee/donuts, 9:01am SS, 10:10 WS, 5pm Discipleship Training, 6pm EW. Wed. 5:30pm Adult Prayer Meeting, 6pm Youth Services, 5:45pm AWANA Registration, 6pm-7:30pm AWANA.
SHADY GROVE FREE WILL BAPTIST 6425 New Hope Road; SS-9 am, Worship 10:30 am; & 6 pm; Wed. nights 7 pm. Danny Owenby Pastor.
CATHOLIC
SSTS SABINA & MARY CATHOLIC
Jenny Lind; Saturday Mass at 4pm. Father Matt Garrison. OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC 616 Cherry St., Booneville, Pastor-Fr. Alejandro Puello; Regular Liturgy Schedule, Sat. Vigil Mass: 6pm; Sun. Mass 8:30am; Wed: Mass: 6:00 meal & youth activities, Thurs. Mass in Chapel 8:15 am, First Fri. of Every Month Mass at 5:30 pm adoration followins. Confessions; 30 min. before Wed/Sat/Sun Masses or by appt. This local church directory is made possible by these supporting businesses that are positioned around the Worship feature and this directory. The basic church listings are provided at no charge to all our area churches in Sebastian County. If your church is not listed or an information change is needed, please contact us at greenwoodlife@gatehousemedia.com or call 479-996-4494.
McConnell FUNERAL HOME 137 N Main St, Greenwood, AR 72936
(479) 996-2131
AREA WORSHIP GUIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST
DAYTON CHURCH OF CHRIST 2230 East Hwy 252, Huntington, 479-928-4034. Sunday morning Bible class 9:30 am, Sunday morning worship 10:30 am evening worship at 6 pm and Wednesday night Bible classes at 7 pm. GREENWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST Hwy. 10 & Bell Rd, 996-6635 WS 10 am, 6 pm; Wed. 7 pm. JENNY LIND CHURCH OF CHRIST Old Hwy. 71, Sunday WS 9 a.m. NORTHSIDE CHURCH OF CHRIST 1240 W. Center, 996-2626; WS 10:45 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 7:30 p.m. VALLEY VIEW CHURCH OF CHRIST Hwy. 10 West, 996-6040; WS 10:50 a.m., 6 p.m.; Wed. 7 pm WASHBURN CHURCH OF CHRIST 9911 Old Hwy 10, 252-1213. Sun Bible Study 9:30 am, Morning worship 10:15 am, Evening 6pm, Wed Bible study 6pm
CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS GREENWOOD WARD: CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST 915 West Center St, Greenwood. Sun 10:00 am. English. http://Churchofjesuschrist.org FORT SMITH WARD: CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST 8712 Horan Drive, Fort Smith. 479-484-9907, English and Spanish. Sun 10:00 am. http://Churchofjesuschrist.org
EPISCOPAL ST. BARTHOLOMEW’S 2701 Old Greenwood, Ft. Smith 783-2101, SS 9:15, WS 8 & 10:30 Sun., WS 5:30 Sat.
LUTHERAN
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 18218 Hwy. 71 S, 996-7747; Jason Zirbel, Pastor; WS 10 am SS 9 am
METHODIST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 10 W. Denver, 996-6397, Wed.: Meal 5:30 p.m., Youth Wed. & Sun. nights, Traditional Sun.: 8:15 & 11 a.m. in Sanctuary, Contemporary 9 a.m. in Family Life Ctr. SS:10 a.m., Rev. John Embrey, Senior Pastor. Rev. Lyn Poplin, Associate Pastor
NAZARENE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE Hwy. 10 West, 996-4688; SS 9:45 a.m. WS 10:45 a.m., 5:30 p.m.; Wed. 6:30 p.m.; Jon Newlin, pastor.
PENTECOSTAL CALVARY TEMPLE UNITED PENTECOSTAL 47 Ware Rd (Off of Hwy. 96), 996-HOPE; www.ctupc.net; SS & WS 10 a.m.; Sun. eve. WS 6pm, Wed 7 pm Family Connect; Trent Hampton, Pastor. CITY HARVEST PENTECOSTAL CHURCH OF GOD Hwy. 10 East & Dawson. Sun. 10-12pm, Wed. 6:30 pm. Billy L. Goines, Pastor, 996-1663 FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP 12311 Hwy. 96, 479-221-8740; CV Lewis, Pastor; Sunday. 10:30 a.m. & 6 p.m. CROSS ROAD CHURCH 15024 Hwy. 71 S. Jenny Lind Community; 252-6700. Pastors: Michael & Keshia Tom; Sunday WS 11 a.m., Sun. eve. WS 5:30 p.m., Wed. services, and Youth Night 7 p.m.
400 S. Coker, Greenwood • 996-4125
Golden Years Retirement Village
GOOD SHEPHERD PRESBYTERIAN Bass & Denver St., 996-0750. SS 10 a.m.; Worship 11 a.m., Orin Frank, min.
OTHER
WASHBURN UNITED METHODIST Paster, Geral L. Holloway, Sunday: 9 a.m.
Pink Bud Nursing Home
PRESBYTERIAN
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP OF GREENWOOD 110 S Coker, Ste 1, Greenwood. Sunday bible study - 10 am, Morning Service 11 am, Evening Service 6 pm, Prayer Service Wed. 6 pm COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH-GW 601 Ulmer St., Greenwood. Communitychurch.com. Service time is Sunday at 10 am HUNTINGTON COMMUNITY CHURCH 216 East Vine St., Huntington Sun. Worship Service 11 a.m. LIVING WORD TABERNACLE 1848 Hwy 10 • Booneville, 675-4820; Pastors Robert & Melissa Jones; Sunday Worship 10:30 am, Wed. WS 7:00 pm RIVER VALLEY COMMUNITY CHURCH Pastor Phillip McClure and Pastor Adam Kareus. 7030 Taylor Ave, FS in Chaffee Crossing. Sevice Sunday 10am Modern Worship, Classic Christianity ROSE GARDEN FULL GOSPEL Jenny Lind, 928-5745; SS 9:45 am, WS 11 am, 6 pm; Wed. 7pm; Weldon Bratton, min. THE POTTER’S HOUSE APOSTOLIC CHURCH 9516 Robison Court Fort Smith, Arkansas 72916 TYRO COMMUNITY CHURCH 8401 W Hwy 252. Hackett. Pastor: Chris Scott, Sun. 10am & 5 pm, Wednesday 7pm
Tricia Miller 314 W. Center St., Suite B, Greenwood • 996-9311 TMiller@ShelterInsurance.com
Residental Care & Independent Living 1570 West Center, Greenwood • 996-9945
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Chad Mercado
New Baseball Coach
Takes the Lead By Scott Cutlip CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Greenwood Bulldogs baseball season is currently on hold because of the coronavirus, but Chad Mercado, in his first season as coach, looks forward to getting his team back on the field, whether it be this season or next. The Bulldogs opened with a 3-2 record before the season was suspended. Mercado felt like, despite the slow start (Greenwood lost their first two games), the team had a bright future this season and hopefully still does. The team Mercado took over has had success in the past and has a talented mixture of veteran players and new blood. Despite this being his first season at Greenwood, he didn’t feel the need to change a lot when it came to training and preparation, pointing to Greenwood’s success in the past. “Coach (Trey) Holloway did a great job before,” Mercado said. “Josh (Holloway) has always been here and Sandy’s been here, and our volunteer Brad Kramer was here. So the question is what do we tweek. So, not
like crazy, overarching changes.” The biggest challenge, Mercado said, has been coming into an already existing and successful system, starting to learn what the athletes need. Another challenge, he said, is of multiple-sports players. Multiple-sports players are beneficial to the team, because those players are already performing athletically. The issue is that the team must balance training the players who participate only in baseball with those who play other sports throughout the year. Asked about some of this year’s standouts, Mercado pointed to Colton Sagely, a senior. “He’s our most talented guy,” Mercado said. “He’s just a terrific kid. A lot of the kids look up to him, and we know we can count on him every day to be a tough at-bat, and to play awesome centerfield and to run the bases hard.” According to Mercado, Sagely will be attending Oklahoma’s Connors State in the fall. “If he continues to do what he does, and has the mentality that he has, he’s got a
Greenwood’s new head baseball coach, Chad Mercado
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Greenwood Life
chane to play baseball for a long time,” Mercado said. Another standout is Matthew Munday, sophomore. Munday has played multiple roles for the team, and Mercado sees him as someone who will excel at pitching. “He’s very versatile,” Mercado said. “He’s done a tremendous job getting himself in shape for this season and really transforming his body. He’s just been a really great example of hard work.” Landry Jurecka, a junior, is another player Mercado was looking forward to having on the team, but Jurecka unfortunately tore his ACL. “He looked fantastic, and he would have gotten the ball first day,” Mercado said. “He would have been our opening day third baseman if he wasn’t pitching. He’s one of those guys who got dealt with an adverse situation. He’s already throwing. He’s already lifting weights. He’s not going to play this year, and we’re taking him to every game, and he’s running a chart. He’s cheering on these guys.” If the season starts again, and even next season if it comes to that, Mercado says they will be facing an incredibly tough conference, with teams like Little Rock Central, Greenbrier, Russellville, and Vilonia. “These are all good teams,” he said. “You can go from first or second place in our conference, you get swept in a doubleheader you’re not supposed to get swept in, and you’re not going to the state tournament.” Mercado, who joined the team after being an assistant coach at Beebe High School, said his reception by the administration and community has been fantastic. “Everybody here is family-oriented,” he said. “They want to make sure you’re comfortable. If you talk to any coach or teacher here, the ongoing theme has been the support system. It’s consistent. It’s effective. They care, and it makes my job really easy.” The attention had happened in the stands, also, with packed attendance. Student Assistance was added this year, with students running charts, creating videos, working the scoreboard, and packing lunches. Mercado, a Marmelle native, also teaches at the high school, specializing in drone technology and financial literacy classes. His wife of nine years, Stephanie, is a fifth-grade teacher in Greenwood. They have two children: Penelope, 5, and Theo, 2.
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VARSITY GIRLS
SOCCER Front- Kneeling L to R: Caylee Ciesla, Andi Bush, Erin Fowler, Olivia Walker, Veronica Vargas, Anna Maner, Kaylee Coble, Mattyx Allen, Hannah Mars, Allison Rose Middle L to R: Emory Brewer, Bree Steinfeldt, Molly Denison, Brooklyn Wann, Bella Mora, Molly Odell, Ella Austin, Tula Whittington, Chaise Hanna, Coach Matt Francis Back L to R: Coach Andrew Post, Coach Steven Thessing, Kayla Rogers, Amber Frey, Sami Stilley, Ava Thomas, Kylie Gonzagowski, Madison Philpot, Kassidy Powell
GIRLS SOCCER
SENIORS ERIN FOWLER ELLA AUSTIN AMBER FREY BELLA MORA MOLLY ODELL VERONICA VARGAS
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VARSITY BOYS
SOCCER Front Kneeling L to R: Ben Pschier, Gavin Ciesla, Ralph Meeker, Cole Meyers, Aaron Waldron, David Ambriz, Evan Walker, Jack Golding Middle L to R: Evan Williams, Alessandro Moggio, Jabin Huff, Deacon Drennan, Matteo Cacciamani, Ben Moy, Riley Wann, Luis Morales, Jackson Stewart, Coach Tyler Woods Back L to R: Hunter Kirkes, Devan Lamb, Adian Gray, Travis Johns, Landon Henning, Lenas Jahn, Johnathan Lamb, Jesus Garcia
BOYS SOCCER
SENIORS AARON WALDRON LANDON HENNING JACKSON STEWART
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GIRLS VARSITY
TRACK Front L to R: Madeline Ciesla and Elisa Lopez Middle Row L to R: Abi Coston, Taylor Koeth, Destiny Stallings, Annalee Buso Back Row L to R: Caitlyn Thorne, Macie Cash, Maliah Norman, Brooke Jones, Megan Efurd
GIRLS JUNIOR HIGH
TRACK
Front Kneeling L to R: Addi Williams, Izabella Hollon, Abby Strozier, Kalia Tung, Brooklyn Espinosa, Krista Bailey, Ashley Koeth, Madelyn Wilkinson, Kaitlynne Elmore, Meredith Pierce Middle Row L to R: Coach Hardy, Joslyn Caz, Audrey Anderson, Isabelle Hamilton, Laci Cox, Lydiah Belue, Brooklyn Woolsey, Sierra Adkins, Carley Sexton, Paige Andrews, Maddie Cash Back L to R: Fallon Van Lare, McKenzie Thomas, Laynee Post, Makenna Lewis, Gracyn Newcity, Anna Trusty, Abby Webb, Piper Gill
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Greenwood Life
BOYS VARSITY
TRACK Front Kneeling L to R: Dalton Oxford, Trey Merreighn, Jacob Childers Middle L to R: Austin Daigle, Vincent Gonzales, Seth Stevens, Griffin Kerr, Michael Hurt, Rhett Clements Back L to R: Jordan Owens, Halen Carter, Kevin Douglas, Riley Farr, Nick Lewis, Trey Smith
BOYS JUNIOR HIGH
TRACK
Front Kneeling L to R: Joe Black, Nevan Mayo, Dalton Carter, Luke Lorenson, Carson Hobbs, Aaron Skinner Middle Row L to R: Lucas Wittig, Aidan James, Kheiron Duran, Lucas Dolan, Kadden Geddes, L J Robbins, Noah Chaser, Joshua Merritt Back L to R: Hudson Trice, Cody Nave, Eli Whitaker, Hayden Webb, Joshua Ligon, Kent DeCoster, Noah Embry
Greenwood Life
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TRACK
SENIORS Top: Dalton Oxford, Halen Carter, Kevin Douglas, Vincent Gonzales Bottom: Taylor Koeth, Destiny Stallings, Maliah Norman, Brooke Jones, Annalee Buso
FRESHMAN TEAM
TRACK Front Kneeling: Ashley Koeth Middle Row L to R: Lucas Wittig, Kaitlynne Elmore, Madelyn Wilkinson, Sierra Adkins, Noah Embrey, Back L to R: Joshua Merritt, Hayden Webb, Hudson Trice
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Greenwood Life
YOU ONLY STRIKE OUT WHEN YOU QUIT! GOLD-N-GEMS 310 West Center Street Greenwood, AR 479-996-2792
YS ALWA TING R SUPPOLLDOGS!! U THE B
FS-0001325442-01
TAYLOR YLOR OR FAMILY Y VI VISION
WHEN BASEBALL IS NO LONGER FUN, IT’S NO LONGER A DREAM!
FS-0001327280-01
DR NICOLE TAYLOR, OD
1268 W W. CE CENTER, GREENWOOD
479-996-2400
GREENWOOD PHYSICAL THERAPY
515 Forrest Park Way Greenwood, AR • 479-996-5078
FS-0001325938-01
- Joe DiMaggio
Supporting The
BULLDOGS!
1405 West Center St • Greenwood, AR
479-996-2100
Greenwood Life
FS-0001327189-01
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BOYS VARSITY & JUNIOR VARSITY
BULLDOG BASEBALL Front Sitting L to R: Baylor Hossley, Harrison Adams, Chris Daggs, Caden Brown, Chance Eoff, Colton Sagely, Bryce Morgan, Andrew Elliott, Myles McCain
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WWW.GREENWOODARLIFE.COM | APRIL 2020 |
Kneeling L to R: Weston Pschier, Tatum Sadler, Braden George, Jake Baxley, Jay Wright, Elijah Thorne, Preston Jurecka, Jayden Martin, Coleton Payton, J T Stanfill,
Greenwood Life
Third Row L to R: Coach Josh Holloway, Head Coach Chad Mercado, Zane Denson, Hunter Houston, Aiden Kennon, Ethan Clark, Cade Shrum, Hayden Weaver, Reed Carroll, Landon Karnes, Jake Spoon, Coach Bradley Kremers, Coach Travis Sandifer
Back Row L to R: Dawson Holt, Landry Jurecka, Sam Forbes, Dylan Strozier, Jace Presley, Matthew Munday, Nick Phelps, Luke Brewer, Cooper Young
GIRLS VARSITY
SOFTBALL L to R: Bottom: Ireland Cooper, Emma McCorkle, Macey Cutsinger 2nd Row: Brooklyn Chittenden, Scotlyn Wells, Madison Fontenot, Riley Cowart, Kya Schmidt, Claire Chapple, Riley Golden (manager) 3rd Row: Angela Price, Rheding Wagner, Paige Pugh, Paxtyn Hayes, London McKinney, Ally Sockey, LilyAnna Gigerich, Charlize Taylor Top Row: Coach Sockey, Madelynne Casset, Katelynn Youngwolfe, Natalie Thomas, Harley Terry, Kailey Lawson, Haven Clements, Lily Williams, Coach Elmore
GIRLS JUNIOR VARSITY
SOFTBALL Bottom: Brooke Taylor, Ireland Cooper, Brooklyn Chittenden, Emma Huff, Lexy Hastings, McKenna Lee Middle: Lexi Dedmond (manager), Scotlyn Wells, Riley Cowart, Summer Wells, Gracie Been, Charlize Taylor, Claire Chapple Top: Coach Brandon Elmore, London McKinney, Lily Williams, Katie Barrow, Katelynn Youngwolfe, Madelynne Casset, Paige Pugh, LilyAnna Gigerich, Coach Ronnie Sockey
Greenwood Life
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SENIOR GIRLS
SOFTBALL KATELYNN YOUNGWOLFE EMMA MCCORKLE SCOTLYN WELLS PAXTYN HAYES ANGELA PRICE RHEDING WAGNER KYA SCHMIDT HARLEY TERRY
SENIOR BOYS
BASEBALL PRESTON JURECKA LANDON KARNES JACE PRESLEY COLTON SAGELY NICK PHELPS CADE SHRUM JAYDEN MARTIN
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Greenwood Life
KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION 2020 ONLINE NOW
Child must be 4 years old before or on August 1, 2020.
Enrolling Now This program provides a variety of opportunities for kids in a safe and structured environment. This program is for students who have completed one year of kindergarten through the age of 12.
June 1st through July 24th $25.00 application fee/per student
$12.00 a day *$8.00 each additional child
Registration Forms are available at www.greenwoodk12.com under Departments GSpire FS-0001300833-01
Greenwood Preschool Center Registration 2020
Limited Seats available.
Child must be 5 years old before or on August 1, 2020. Registration online will start March 30th Register online at: www.greenwoodk12.com Registration Tab NEW STUDENT After completion, you will be prompted to choose an appointment time. Present all required documents at appointment to complete enrollment. Early Enrollment will be at the Administration Office April 27th and 28th 4:00 - 7:00
Packets can be picked up at Westwood Elementary office or downloaded from the website at www.greenwoodk12.com on the PreK page after March 30th. Complete forms and turn in with all required information to determine eligibility and to be enrolled in the program. For more information contact: candice.long@greenwoodk12.com
Happy Easter
Wishing you all of the wonderful spirit of the Easter season and a quick “hop” into Spring.
Phil Hicks 1740 W Center Street, Greenwood, AR 72936 479-996-2171
AUTO • HOME • LIFE
ShelterInsurance.com
FS-0001300851-01
We’re your Shield. We’re your Shelter.
