White river journal, sept 3, 2015 by charles walls

75¢ Labor Day Parade - NYC (year unknown)

Monday, September 7, 2015

1 SE CT I ON - 14 PAGE S V OLUME 109 (4TH WEEK OF 109TH YEAR - 5,639 WEEKS TOTAL)

ACTIVITIES CALENDAR THURS., SEPT. 3, 2 TO 4 PM Paula Campbell Reception M & P Bank, Des Arc

20± city streets chip-sealed;

THURS., SEPT. 3, 5 PM PALS meeting DAES Cafetorium

Some asphalt paving possible in 2016

THURS,,FRI, SAT., SEPT. 3-5 Des Arc Eagle Football Jr. Eagles 5:30/7pm Sr. Eagles @Bald Knob 7pm Cross Country@ Arkadelphia MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Labor Day Holiday Banks, Post Office and Schools closed TUES., SEPT. 8, 12 NOON Lions Club Methodist Church TUES., SEPT. 8, 6 PM Quorum Court Courthouse Annex in Des Arc TUES., SEPT. 8, 6 PM PeeWee Eagles Hazen Field TUES., SEPT. 8, 7 PM Farm Bureau Annual meet Tollville Parish Hall TUES., SEPT 8-TUES., SEPT. 14 Early Voting School Election MON,, SEPT.14, 2:30-6:30 PM Local Blood Drive First Baptist Church WED., SEPT. 15, 11-2 Friendship Luncheon Methodist Church DeValls Bluff SAT., SEPT. 19, 4:30 PM Prairie County Fair Parade SUN., SEPT. 20, 7 AM Men’s Union Breakfast Methodist Church WED., SEPT. 23, 7:30 AM See You at the Pole High School Campus MON-SAT, SEPT. 20-26 Prairie County Fair Week MON, SEPT. 21, 9 AM Plea Day Hearings Courthouse, DeValls Bluff TUES., SEPT. 22, 9 AM Plea Day Hearings Des Arc Courthouse SAT., SEPT. 26, 6 PM Princess Rice Pageant Hazen Community Ctr. SUN., SEPT. 27, 6 PM Fellowship Worship Gospel Mission MON., SEPT. 28,6:30 PM School Board Report to Public Meeting Follows

Obituaries Pg . 7

A.C. Atkins, 64, DeValls Bluff Rhonda Sue Berry, 51, Carlisle Esta Cranford, 92, Beebe Shirley Cotton, 60, DeWitt Irma Duch, 89, Slovak Dean Duncan, 90, Little Rock Barbara Phillips, 76, Hazen Fretha Stewart, 95, Stuttgart Alice Tye, 82, Stuttgart Mary Marie Weems, 99, Lonoke Kathryn Williams, 85, Beebe

Week’s Weather See Page 13

Per Mayor Jim Garth, chip-sealing of 15-20 streets, which began three+ weeks ago, was recently completed. The work area included most of the streets east of 1st (Hwy 323), Whipporwill Rd., Calhoun, 8th St. and Eoff-Conder Rd (from Hwy 11 west to city limits). The mayor advised also that the city has filed an application for a State Grant of $200,000 for asphalt paving of some city streets, to be selected upon approval of the grant. An answer on the application is expected by the end of this year.

“A F REE P RESS AND A F REE P EOPLE - A N U NBEATABLE T EAM ” D ES A RC , A RKANSAS (C OUNTY S EAT ) P RAIRIE C OUNTY

P UB LI S H E D E A C H T H U R S D A Y S I N C E 1 9 0 7

TH URSD AY, SEPTE MBER 3, 2015

Tri-County Farmers new owner of Sanner Oil Company Tri-County Farmers Association is now located in Des Arc having acquired the Sanner Oil Company effective Tuesday, September 1. Des Arc is the sixth location in the TriCounty Farmers Association family. Tri-County began with its Brinkley store in 1956. Jim Sanner and Sanner Oil Company opened for business in the spring of 1986. Pictured left to right are Kevin Willhite, who will be manager

for the Des Arc and Hunter stores and Tri-County’s Chief Operating Officer Mark Browning and Jim Sanner, right. Sanner advises that he will stay on with the new owners for two years to assist with the transition. Sanner Oil Co. employees will also remain with the new owners. A grand opening is planned for a later date. (Story on Page 14)

Early Voting Starts Tuesday City relocates storm warning sirens to ensure better hearing by citizens Early voting in the Des Arc School Election begins Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Des Arc School Board recommended that only early voting and absentee ballots be considered for the annual school election as there are no contested races or requested millage increase. The Election Commission approved the recom-

mendation. Early voting begins Tuesday, Sept. 8 and will continue through Monday, Sept. 14, at the County Clerk’s office in the courthouse at Des Arc during regular office hours, 8 a. m. to 4:30 p. m. The only candidate filing for the Des Arc School Board was Charles Brown in Zone 2.

Apologies to Beebe subscribers for 6-day postal delivery of last week’s Journal SPECIAL apologies to our BEEBE subscribers who didn’t receive their Aug. 27 Journals until yesterday, Sept. 2! Fairing some better were subscribers in Carlisle, Ward, Lonoke, Stuttgart, Cabot, Searcy, Jacksonville, and Conway, who received their Journals on Sat., Aug 29. Hazen, DeValls Bluff, Biscoe, Brinkley, Cotton Plant and Griffithville received papers Fri., Aug 28. (Griffithville was Journal-delivered) Still, for as many locations as possible, we strive for next-day delivery (Friday) by US Postal “Service”. A related, recent Washington Post article entitled “Slow Mail Service” appears on Page 2 of this paper.

Thursday and Friday of last week, crews from The Fishel Co. (Columbus, Oh) and Storm Sirens (Norman, Ok) relocated and refurbished three existing storm warning sirens in the Des Arc area. Following the initial testing of two recently installed new sirens and the combined system of five total sirens, city officials concluded that there remained areas in town which needed additional volume. Thus the three older sirens and poles were relocated to achieve a better balance and distribution of sound. While relocating the three older sirens, workmen also replaced their burned out electronic systems. The three older sirens, which have no battery backup as do the two new ones, have one row of 12 horns each (see photo at right) while the two newer sirens have two rows of 8

horns each (16 total). The new sirens, which were furnished by Sentry Siren of Canon City, Co., are “handbuilt by a single individual - not an assembly line”. Workmen advised that the new sirens produce about 128db (decibels) and project sound a maximim of 6000’±, compared to the older sirens which produce ±120db and project to 4000’±. Estimated total cost for the City’s storm warning improvements is $53,900: $12,000 - 3 existing sirens (replace electronics & relocate): $41,900 - 2 new sirens Above $41,900 amount, of which $20,000 was provided by a State grant, was paid in June. The remaining estimated $12,000 for last week’s work has yet to be paid. For map locations and more photos - See Pg 3

Existing Siren erected at Des Arc Elementary School Aug 28

Kirk Berry is lottery winner Kirk Berry of Des Arc was notified Tuesday, Sept. 1, that he was a $50.000 winner in the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. The winnings came as a result of playing $20.00 200X the Money Instant Ticket purchased from ASL retailer Ring-Glo Supermarket in Des Arc. Kirk said, “The first thing I did was call my mother to tell her.” James Kirk Berry is the son of Norman Berry and Connie Berry. He works with his mother in operating the M-Triple-J Sanitation Service of Des Arc and is also a postal worker with the Des Arc Post Office.

Kirk is also the grandson of Sue Kirkwood Berry and the late A. L. Berry. Kirk said the money is going to build a new home. His family consists of a son, Aiden, and Aiden’s mother, Kimberly McMullen, Des Arc Kindergarten teacher. Aiden is in elementary school. Subchapter 2 of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Act establishes the creation of the Arkansas Lottery Commission. The subchapter establishes the Commission or Lottery as a self-supporting and revenue-raising agency of the state.

The Jour nal w elcom es y our input (c omments , s ugges tions , pers onal new s, photos , etc )

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Remembering Dean Duncan BRINKLEY-- A few minutes after Dean Duncan slipped peacefully into the next life, one of his family had an idea, a very good one. A nephew who had been looking after Dean’s mutt, Poochie, rushed home and brought him to the hospice. Poochie was entitled to his own farewell. Twice Dean had rescued Poochie from the specter of euthanasia: first, when he was too many dogs, then again when a tumor appeared on the creature’s spine. At who knows what price Dean had unhesitatingly taken Poochie to a canine radiologist in Springfield, Missouri. Now, lifted onto Dean’s bed, the devoted Poochie seemed mystified. He pawed at the blanket, nuzzled the man beneath it. Finally, unable to revive his master, he settled alongside him. It was a moment, and the memory of it, like the man who inspired it, will never fade. The academy does not demand of its professors that they become friends with their students. Rather the contrary: to some understandable extent it may overtly discourage any personal relationship between the instructor and the instructed lest, in a scandalous scenario, the institution be compromised along with the individuals. I am happy to report that, in his 23 years at what is now the University of Central Arkansas, Dean Duncan disregarded any such admonitions. And that not a whiff of scandal ever attended him, even as his apartment became the classroom he, and so many of his students, came to prefer. And that he, and so many of his students, became lifelong friends. Dean was a Van Buren County product. His ancestors were a hybrid of Scotch and Welsh and English who had followed the path of so many other 19th Century settlers: coursing the ocean to a mid-Atlantic port, then west through Tennessee and to Arkansas, acquiring a tincture of Cherokee along the way. For the Duncans, there was a spot called Choctaw. Then east, to the big city of Brinkley. World War II created Private Duncan, fresh from high school, and saw him in the Azores. Near enough for a furlough was Rome. The newly liberated Eternal City offered the young solider a two-week tutorial in the world beyond Arkansas. It was fuel for an already blazing curiosity, of the sort that makes newspapermen. First, a bachelor’s degree from then-Arkansas State Teachers College. A graduate degree at Northwestern. Then the Arkansas Gazette: a rookie in ’51, he had moved to the State Capitol (and the first years of the Faubus administration) by ’55. To Memphis, then to Louisville. To Washington, D.C., as a Peace Corps writer. Back home to Arkansas and (by then) State College of Arkansas. Where he would change lives. Nurture careers. Encourage. Correct gently. Edit sympathetically. “A professor is someone who talks in someone else’s sleep,” wrote Auden, who Dean had once interviewed and whose verse Dean admired. Those of us he took under his wing quickly and invariably ceased regarding him as a professor (a title that probably embarrassed him) and began to think of him as equal parts big brother and favorite uncle. Of such components are mentors made. Dean never married, to his regret. Though what woman could have tolerated the aforementioned apartment? His were the digs of an Oxford don: books and magazines and newspapers in teetering piles, professional journals and student research papers and fine art reproductions and photographs scattered everywhere. The faint (or not so faint) aroma of feline urine (this was Dean’s pre-Poochie epoch) colliding with chicken from a bucket or burger from a bag, his treat. Amid the clutter and across the years two generations of aspiring journalists gathered for the (decidedly) informal evening seminars Dean liked to assemble, which often featured a friend visiting from New York or Washington or California, or a former colleague at the apex of Arkansas newspapering. They were Socratic salons disguised as bull sessions. Each was the equal of two textbooks and a semester. We fished with Dean. He attended our weddings, then our childrens’ weddings. His checkbook helped some of us finish college. A few years ago we funded a scholarship in his honor, the least we could do. We gathered last autumn to toast his 90th birthday, suspecting it might be his last yet somehow presuming he would live forever. He had always been there for us, those of us who needed a certain someone in our university days and then our professional years, a navigator in the lives we made. We, his pupils, many of whom mustered here to see him to his rest, can only hope you had such a figure in your college years, and beyond; and that your children and grandchildren find one. We are Dean Duncan’s mutts, we lucky few, some of us rescued by him; and he left his mark on us as surely as the veterinarian’s isotopes tinted the midpoint of Poochie’s back. Poochie, who will live with Dean’s nephew, knows our loss. We loved Dean, and we owe him. And we will hear his voice in our sleep, always. 424 Main Street P. O. BOx 1051 DeS arc, arkanSaS 72040 OPen: M-F 8:30 aM - 6:00 PM

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WHITE RIVER JOURNAL

The White River Journal is published by White River Journal Inc. each week at 424 North Main Street in Des Arc, Arkansas. Founded in August, 1907, the White River Journal is an independent publication. It’s policy is to print truth and facts and it is dedicated to working and serving the best interests of the people. News and advertising are welcomed, but before being published are subject to verification. The White River Journal publisher reserves the right to edit all news copy and advertising, and if necessary, to reject same without recourse. Advertising rates are available upon request. The White River Journal welcomes responsible “Letters to the Editor”. No anonymous letters will be published. All letters must be signed and include phone number. This information will be withheld at the writer’s request. In such cases, the information is confidential. We reserve the right to limit the length of letters and to edit for spelling, punctuation and grammar. Letters to be published only at the discretion of the publisher. Yearly Subscription Rates (paid in advance): $15.00 - in Prairie county . . . . . . . . . . ($29 for 2 years) $25.00 - Out of county (in Arkansas) . . ($48 for 2 years) $30.00 - Out of state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ($56 for 2 years)

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2015

O P I N I O N S

Cecil reminds us that animals are also God’s creation . . . If I got on a soap box today, I guess it would be a fight for the protection of animals, all animals. It does not matter that it’s “the law of the fittest” that some animals prey on other animals, or that some are vicious and unlovable. Humans have always exploited animals for their own pleasure, money, entertainment or some other satisfaction. We’ve read of sadistic people who get their highs from torturing other living things. I hope all these and trophy crazed people eventually receive their deserved punishment! And some have! Since the unprovoked killing of Cecil, a protected lion, by a trophy-craving dentist from Minneapolis, Waler Palmer, if Minneapolis, Delta Airlines and DHL Express have refused to transport trophy animal remains. UPS should listen to the masses calling for a ban on the transport of the dead animal parts, rather than the few wealthy hunters who would see our ecosystems implode by their arrogant sense of selfentitlement to kill other living creatures. Cecil’s death has opened up a renewed interest in protecting the animal kingdoms of this world. Palmer’s dental office, closed since July, has re-opened but he has not returned. All animal cruelty is not the work of trophy hunters. For example, just this past week, a man in North Little Rock who sawed the ears off a dog for chasing chickens was justly fined and placed on probation (he could have gotten a six-year sentence). An animal does not understand that kind of punishment - it only knows pain. Someone reported it and the dog luckily is now being treated for its infected ears at a vet’s clinic. If you have never accepted the unconditional love from a pet, whether it be a dog, cat, horse, pig, or whatever, you have missed a joy that God intended you to have. We can learn a lot about kindness and empathy from animals - especially from dogs. There is a dark side to having pets - that’s the hurt and perhaps guilt you may feel when they die. I experienced that many times; in fact, recently. Another pet has been missing for over a week. He was always home at night after wandering off into an area where a lady just recently advised “a man poisoned my cat” I fear our Mittens may have suffered a similar fate. What kind of person puts out poison where an animal, or a child, could get it? I have watched an animal die from being poisoned - it is heart wrenching to watch a beloved pet die with convulsions. if you ever saw it, and you have any empathy at all for animals, you

would never put out poison where an animal could eat it. Did you know that several greyhounds die on race tracks every year? - not only are they exploited for money by their owners, but if they do not perform, get sick or become worthless, they are euthanized. Horses are exploited in the same fashion; however, I have not heard of any horses being put down when they can no longer run - only when they break a leg. As far as I know they are allowed to live out their lives in comfort and grazing on green pastures. I read that 383 beautiful Greyhound dogs die every year because of illness, injury, or euthanization at a race track in Asia. Does that not The English men who once made a big sport of the fox chase; it seemed to be lots of fun except for the poor little frightened fox that the dogs viciously and with much delight, brought its suffering to an end. I am grateful to some Englishman (or woman) who saw no fun in this unfair practice and it was stopped. Of course, someone is always making a plea for some species of animals. For instance, the gray wolves in the western states, are raised to provide sport for wolf hunters. The numbers are increased to provide sport; this is followed by ‘killing season” because of their threat to ranch animals. That becomes more real frequently when we go out and find a cat or other pet that has met a quick end when it ventured out onto “death to animals street (North 5th Street). It is not always accidental. Large or small, all animals have a right to live unless they threaten something orsomeone. A recent story about an elephant was heartbreaking. The elephant had been made to perform tricks in a sideshow for 20 years. Someone has gone public with a need to retire the animal that is getting too old to bend in unnatural positions. What fate awaits this faithful creature? Millions of animals die to satisfy our appetites for entertainment. I would say if your children have a desire to see other than domestic animals, go to the internet or visit their habitat. Domestic animals have become a daily source of food for people, that’s just a fact. I am hopeful that market animals are raised and slaughtered in a more merciful way than some that I have read about or have seen on videos - better still, let’s quit eating meat! Final thought: Those great elegant animals, the elephant, will be extinct by 2030 if current poaching continues. An elephant is killed for its ivory tusks every 15 minutes.

SLOW MAIL SERVICE

said Stephen Kearney, executive director of the Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers, calling mail a “lifeline for curing diseases, helping returning veterans, informing consumers” and other services. Service gradually has rebounded a little each month since January, with scores for both 2- and 3-day mail within .914 and 10.9 percent, in June of where they were during the same month last year. But the inspector general cautioned that mail still is not reliable. Postal Service spokesman David Partenheimer, in a statement, described the changes in January as the “greatest operational changes the Postal Service has ever implemented. “Despite our best efforts to minimize the impacts of the changes, there were some insurmountable challenges that negatively affected service performance, especially when considering the impacts of severe winter weather conditions,” he wrote. “We remain totally committed to identifying and correcting errant processes in our operations as early as possible.” But the agency did not agree with the inspector general’s recommendation that plant closings stay on hold until service improves across the board. Postmaster General Megan Brennan has temporarily halted the closings; it’s unclear when they’ll resume. In recent years, the Postal Service has tried to shutter thousands of post offices and end Saturday delivery to save billions of dollars. Politicians stopped these efforts because they weren’t popular with constituents. The consolidation of mail-sorting plants went further before anyone really started to feel the effects. Members of Congress are now hearing from angry constituents whose mail is taking longer to arrive. The House took a drastic step this spring, passing a measure that requires the Postal Service to return mail delivery standards to 2012 levels. It raised the possibility that some shuttered plants would have to reopen. The Congressional Budget Office said the cost to turn back the clock was so high that it would be unrealistic. The Senate didn’t take up the bill. Plant closures have long been a concern for postal unions, who fear a shrinking workforce. Two weeks ago, Brennan met with labor leaders as well as civil rights and consumer groups calling themselves “A Grand Alliance to Save Our Public Postal Service,” and slow mail delivery was among the issues on the table. After foundering in three Congresses, legislation to stabilize postal finances is still a possibility, congressional aides say. One of the key issues a bill is likely to address is how to make sure that as the post office cuts costs, it doesn’t shortchange its customers, particularly those in rural areas. That’s the primary thrust of a bill sponsored by Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., who started a campaign last year called “Fix My Mail.” Hundreds of residents wrote to her complaining of late deliveries, nonexistent deliveries, mistakes with mail forwarding and short hours at post offices. Heitkamp, joined by three senators with rural constituencies, introduced legislation this summer called the “Rural Postal Act.” Its No. 1 requirement would be restoring service standards so mail reaches its destination faster.

WASHINGTON — Amid a significant downsizing of the money-strapped U.S. Postal Service, the number of letters arriving late has jumped by almost 50 percent since the start of the year. And that’s as measured against the agency’s own newly relaxed standards. The delays have become so serious that the Postal Service’s watchdog issued an urgent alert earlier this month recommending that postal officials put all further closures of mail-sorting plants on hold until service stabilizes. “The impacts on customer service and employees have been considerable,” Inspector General Dave Williams wrote. Mail that’s supposed to take two days to arrive took longer — anywhere from 6 to 15 percent of the time during the first six months of 2015, investigators found, a decline in service of almost 7 percent from the same period last year. Letters that should take three to five days took longer anywhere from 18 to 44 percent of the time, a 38 percent decline in performance over the same time last year. First-class mail has gradually been traveling more slowly since the Postal Service started closing dozens of mail-sorting plants in 2012. But in January, something more drastic happened: To prepare for another round of plant closings, the agency eliminated overnight delivery for local first-class letters that used to arrive the next day. And up to half of mail traveling longer distances was given an extra day to reach its destination. These longer delivery times became the new normal, or “service standards” in postal parlance. Mail was considered on time if it took four to five days to arrive instead of three. But postal officials have struggled this year to meet even these lower standards. The delays have been compounded by two factors, the inspector general found: Severe storms last winter and changes to plant operations that started when the new standards took effect. Thousands of postal workers were reassigned and shifts were changed, resulting in a disorganized, inefficient workplace. From January through June, 494 million pieces of mail did not meet the standard for local or cross-country delivery, a 48 percent jump from the same period last year, investigators found. Snail mail still is a dying business for the post office, which is ramping up its e-commerce business with packages and same-day delivery of everything from groceries to Amazon orders. But the mail still matters to Americans, who sent or received 155 billion pieces in fiscal 2014. Checks, medicine, magazines, mail ballots, newspapers, greeting cards, court documents — they’re all in the mail stream. “The volumes are still immense,” said Steve Hutkins, whose blog Save the Post Office reports on consolidations facing the postal system. “There’s a lot of important stuff in the mail. The whole goal of the postal system is to deliver the mail in a speedy, timely way.” The slowdown “is a huge issue for many nonprofits that rely heavily on mail to fund their critical missions,”

QuoteoftheWeek

Though President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a national holiday in 1894, the occasion was first observed on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City. - Brendan I. Koerner

Laugh-In Corner ESTATE PLANNING . . . Dan was a single guy living at home with his father and working in the family business. When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly father died, he decided he needed a wife with which to share his fortune. One evening at an investment meeting he spotted the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away. He had to find a quick way to get her attention. "I may look like just an ordinary man, he said to her, "but in just a few years, my father will die, and I'll inherit 20 million dollars." Impressed, the woman obtained his business card and three days later, she became his stepmother.

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Livestock Show Grounds in Des Arc Sept. 18-19. $350.00 in cash prizes will be distributed. Officers of the Livestock Show Association are: Linville Brown, president; John Sims, vice president; R. H. Romunder, treasurer; Raymond Farris and S. L. Wesson, directors; General Director of the Show, C. J. Rister, assistant, J. E. Berry; FFA secretary in charge of stock, Bruce Kirk, FFA secretary in charge of ribbons and awards, Gene r. J. Elmer Berry of Horne. this city, who was tty. E. W. Brown of recently appointed Post Little Rock visited his Master for Des Arc, was confirmed by the U. S. Sen- mother, Mrs. M. W. Brown ate on last Thursday. He will in this city Monday. Atty. succeed Mr. W. M. Mc- Brown, member of the Queen, who has served the Arkansas Tax Commission, public, Des Arc, and vicinity was invited to appear beas post master for several fore the Prairie County Equalization Board to disyears past. cuss tax matters. roducers will receive r. and Mrs. Tom a seven-pound gross Felts of the Northweight allowance for all cotton marketed from now on side neighborhood, attendin bales covered with cotton ed Trades Day in Des Arc on fabric patterns, Jason Hull, Saturday. member of the Prairie r. W. R. Pace, expert County Triple A committee, typewriter repair announced today. Cotton man of Brinkley, was in the patterns (covering) are a city Wednesday. He insubstitute for the tradition- formed us that he would al jute wrapping. probably make Des Arc at n spite of personnel regular intervals to repair demands of the war ef- typewriters for users here. fort and a definite shortage JUNK RALLY will be of cotton pickers, the big held in Des Arc as majority of Arkansas part of the National Scrap schools will maintain edu- Harvest. Junk helps make cational standards this year, guns, tanks, ships for our according to the opinion of fighting men. Bring in anythe State Department of Ed- thing made of metal or rubucation officials. The prin- ber - get paid for it on the cipal loss of teacher person- spot. Bring your family and nel resulting from induc- spend the day. One old disk tion into the armed services will provide scrapmetal our year terms for all needed for 210 semi-autoconstitutional officers matic light carbines; one with a provision that the old plow will help make 100 armor-piercing governor could not succeed 75.mm. himself was recommended projectiles; one useless old by the Arkansas Advisory tire provides as much rubber as is used in 12 gas Tax Study Commission. masks; one old shovel will he Annual Prairie help make four hand County Livestock grenades. Show will be held at the

Thursday, S eptember 10, 1931

H U R S D A Y

aste Never Won A War. Waste can, conceivably cause the loss of the very things our sons and brothers are fighting to protect and preserve. We are now engaged in the most costly war of all times. Already we have obligated ourselves to the extent of 200 billion dollars and the end is not in sight. Arkansas’ share of that staggering sum will approximate four billion dollars.

(Compiled from White River Journal files)

everal thousand Texas cotton farmers gathered at a mass meeting in Austin, Tex., Sept. 9, to cheer Gov. Huey P. Long of Louisiana as he made an impassioned radio appeal from Shreveport, La., for Southwide legislation to prohibit cotton planting next year. Governor Sterling of Texas, speaking after Long’s radio talk, asked, “What would Sam Houston think if he would suddenly return to this life and see the governor of Louisiana telling the people of his beloved Texas what to do.” nnouncement has been made by Congressman John E. Miller of Searcy that every schoolroom of every school in this congressional district may within a few weeks after the opening of the new school term, receive a beautiful portrait poster of George Washington, executed in colors. The poster-pictures are being distributed to stimulate interest among the thousands of school children of the district in the coming celebration of the 200th birthday of the birth of the Father of Our Country. riends of Circuit Judge W. J. Waggoner in the 17th District are circulating a petition urging him to seek nomination for governor in 1932. The petition was started at Brinkley by Attorney George W. Craig. Judge Waggoner, age 41, a native of Lonoke has held public office his entire adult life except for a year in military service during World War II. He served in the legislature two terms from Lonoke County. 22-year old man of DeValls Bluff was shot and wounded by a 17-year old man on Sept. 9. The

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younger man was said to have shot 10 times with a shotgun and 45 shot took effect. The trouble was said to have dated back to last spring when the older man was said to have accused the younger man of stealing fish from him. r. Harvey Drewry of Abbington is driving a span of Black Beauties instead of a green Chevrolet lately. r. Alpha Liles of McRae has accepted a position with the Peoples Store in Des Arc. He is an affiable young man and no doubt will make friends at this busy store. enry Bell of the Oak Prairie neighborhood, is attending the Junior A & M College at Beebe this term. iss Lena Richardson, “Hello Girl” at Searcy, is spending part of her vacation here with home folks in Des Arc. here’ll be a crowded house at the Dixie Theater in Des Arc to see “Daddy Long Legs” coming soon. essrs. Homer Pinson and J. W. Speight, progressive farmers of the Hickory Plains neighborhood, were in the city on business this a. m. ine weather for haying, and the farmers are losing no time. There is more good pea hay made and saved this year than ever before in this part of the country. ur young friend, Clee Kirk of Johnson Chapel, was in town trading yesterday. We understand Clee is seriously thinking of entering the race for tax assessor in next year’s

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i two blood donors he received their onegallon pins during the Red Cross Bloodmobile’s visit here last Tuesday, namely, J. G. Purvis and JewelHinshaw. They were among 47 persons who came to give blood during the unit’s annual visit

he first load of rice of the 1981 harvest at the Des Arc Grain Dryer was brought in Thursday, Aug. 27, from the Ernestine DeVorak farm west of Des Arc by Mrs. DeVorak and son, Jerry.

rairie County Judge Guyman DeVore is pictured signing a proclamation designating September as “Drug Abuse Awareness Month.” With him is Woody Hill Jr., president of Concerned Parents Against Drug Abuse.

fficials at the Bunge Corporation plant east of the river, said this week that a larger “leg” (elevator) is being installed at the facility. The large crane was brought to the plant Tuesday and will hoist up a new elevator for carrying grain to the storage tanks. A new sider belt is also being installed, increasing the size from 32 inches to four feet.

es Arc Mayor signs proclamation designating Tuesday, Sept. 8, “Green and White Day”. Participating in the signing ceremony were Kelly Sanner, Jane Ann Morton, Beth Newton and Susan Guess.

ive Riceland employees received tenure awards at the annual Employee Awards program held August 26 at the Des Arc Drying Cooperative offices. They were Raymond Hollis, JoAnn Clark, Homer J. Collins, J. Gwin Smith and Jimmie Southard. Presentations were made by Dryer manager Eugene Holloway.

raig M. (Mike) White of the Prairie County Sheriff’s Department, was first in a class of 40 officers participating in the Basic Police Training Class in Camden recently.

ew owners at the White River Diner, located on Highway 11 North, Des Arc, are Shag and Kathy Treadway and Benny Smith. Friday specials include Catfish, all you can eat, for $5.00 per person, and $1.00 off Steaks. Open seven days a week.

he number of students enrolled at Des Arc Schools as of Tuesday, Aug. 25, is 888; 448 in elementary and 440 in high school.

awrence Holloway, who owns the old Ira Dixon property at 5th and Anderson here, said the Dixon home is being razed at this time by Charlie Parker and Sons. The lots will be used temporarily as trailer sites, Holloway said.

arry Kirk and Paul Cobb played five games Saturday to decide the championship in singles matches at the ping pong tournament held last weekend at the Des Arc School.

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City sewage pump

Hickory

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Elementary School (Relocated)

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4th & Curran (NEW) (Southwest corner)

203 E. Curran (Relocated) (directly south of Dondie’s)

Daniel Chaney from Noel, Mo. tightens last connections on refurbished siren before pole’s lifted into position at Des Arc Elementary School last Friday, Aug. 28. (His wife, Tabatha, not pictured, assists him) They are with Storm Sirens based in Norman, Ok. Joe Payne of McRay, Ar operates crane to lift 45’ pole with sirens into position. (Joe is also with Team Fishel of Columbus, Oh.)

Hwy 11 N

Canyon Vancil of Cabot guides pole into 7’ hole dug with hydraulic auger on crane (Canyon is with Team Fishel based in Columbus, Oh.)

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Dondie’s Restaurant

Gordon Claire

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Chester

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Words of Faith/Church News

Words of Faith FAITH TRACKS By Rev. Dee Harper

Pastor, First United Methodist Church Des Arc, Ar

Work: 870-256-3757 - Cell: 501-593-8978 e-mail: cdharper1979@yahoo.com

Elisha: “Digging Ditches” Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7 Many of you may have listened to Dave Ramsey on the radio or maybe you have heard of his book Financial Peace and the companion program Financial Peace University. Some of you, however, may not know Dave’s perspective on debt and the incredible problems people can get into comes not just from education but from personal experience. According to his own testimony in Financial Peace he was kind of a real estate wonder kid. At the age of 26 he had projects worth 4 million dollars and was one of the youngest realtors to enter into the Graduate Realtors Institute. But after the changing of the tax law in 1986 his investments and more importantly his borrowing practices were looked at and loans he had out were called in to the tune of 1.2 million. It took him changing his behaviors both personal and business wise for him to burrow out of debt. It was his faith that helped to strengthen him as he went through this process. Debt is not a new problem as we can see from the story in 2 Kings 4:17. In the days of Elijah and Elisha there were groups of prophets that were located at Bethel, Jericho, and Gilgal. The woman in our story is the wife of one of these men who have died. According to Jewish tradition she may have been the wife of Obediah, the steward of Ahab and Jezebel. If that is true, we could see how they might have been in debt. Obediah was said to have sheltered and supported 100 prophets. It was said that he had great wealth but that in sheltering these men he went into debt. We don’t know for sure about that, but what we do know is prophets did not make much money, because they spent a good portion of their time serving God and being on the run from the powers that be that were not happy with them. So this widow would have been facing debt with no means of supporting herself or her sons and her creditor coming to take her sons as slaves to work off the debt. Bond servants or slaves were common in that time in Israel and Judah and it was abused greatly compared to the instructions on how to treat

servants and how long they were supposed to be kept that are found in the Old Testament. So the woman says, “I have nothing but a little oil in a jar.” So Elisha tells the woman to borrow all the jars that she can from her neighbors and to go into her house, shut the door and fill each jar. This she did then Elisha told her to sell the oil and use it to get out of debt and to live on. What can we learn from this passage? Well, as Christians, our greatest resource is not money or wealth or things, it is God. God has overcome the powers of this world and given us His son Jesus Christ as a offering for our sin. We have an indefinable resource in our relationship with God. We need to ask forgiveness when we seek prosperity from God instead of finding it in God. It has been said, “The danger of prosperity is simple: it binds us to the world. Prosperity leads us to think that we have found our place in the world.” Of course, the reality is that the world has found its place in us. We can also learn from this passage to look at the resources around us that he has given. The lady had a tiny jar of oil and God used it to amazing result. What are the resources around us that God wants us to use when we feel overwhelmed and when we find the resources we usually go to are tapped out? Maybe there is more than we know. Along with this when we do identify those resources we need to give them up to God just as the widow followed the instructions that God gave through Elisha. I also want to suggest that just as God filled the jars of clay, jars of all shapes and sizes, God wants to fill us not with oil but the Holy Spirit wants to fill us up to use us in amazing ways and when we are weak God can walk with us. I don’t want to minimize or trivialize those feelings of being overwhelmed. My prayer is that the words today will encourage you and bless you. I hope you have a blessed week.

Sunday School Church Attendance

Good Ole Days. . . .

Sunday, August 30 IN DES ARC First Baptist Church...226/224 Gospel Mission.....................220 Lakeside Miss. Baptist...76/103 First United Methodist.........80 Faith Missionary Baptist.50/61 Family Worship Center.........48 First Assembly of God....49/57 Fellowship Miss. Baptist....... 40 Church of Christ............15 Church of God of Prophecy.. 23 Living Waters Full Gospel....... 23

When I was little, we had no electricity or running water. By the back door, we had a wash stand. Wish I had it today. On it was a bucket of cool water with a dipper in it or the dipper hung on a nail that was put there especially for the dipper. There was a wash pan as well as soap to wash your hands. The water you didn’t drink from the dipper was poured in the wash pan (at least you hope it was.) There was also a towel that always hung there. Everyone would drink from the same dipper and I do mean everyone. Not only family but anyone that came down the road and needed a drink. Guess no one thought of germs and that’s just how it was. If anyone passed, daddy would insist they come in. At meal time, we always had food for one more. Doors were never locked at night even if you were gone. We had an ice box and the day the ice man came, if you wanted ice, you had a four-sided card with numbers on each side. If you wanted 50 pounds, that was the number you put at the top and put on your door. I remember mother putting an old quilt around it to help insulate it. Daddy dug a large hole at the North end of the house, a little larger than a trunk. He put a heavy lid made of lumber on it. There, he kept his melons and if we had extra ice, mother could put some milk in, also. There was a grape arbor over it, so it stayed cool. Now, when I had to get in it for anything, I did so carefully because frogs also loved that cool spot. Not that I’m afraid of frogs, but I let them go their way and I go mine. As long as my younger sister lived, she never said refrigerator, it was always an ice box to her. Carlton’s job was pumping water and all we had was a small pitcher pump, so pumping a bucket full was a job. Also, we had a cow, so her trough had to be kept full. It would make him so mad when he pumped so long and she could gulp it down before he could come back with another bucket of water. And on wash days, it took some doing to fill the black pots. We had a pet crow and we really had to watch him on wash days. He would take the clothespins off and the wet clothes would fall to the dirt. One day, Lloyd was there and he didn’t know about the crow. He had on his overalls with no shirt. The crow landed on his shoulder and he fainted dead away. That was funny later, but sure scared us when it happened. I prefer a bath over a shower and a friend said, “Not me. I’m not sitting in that dirty water.” Well, I don’t get that dirt and I told her so. But it made me think of our long ago baths. You had to put the water in early, so the sun could do most of the warming and you wouldn’t have to heat as much water. Also, more than one used that water. I think poor mother used it last. One evening, we decided to walk the picket fence in the front yard. Irma and Carlton walked and then I went. I got all the way to the end before I fell off. That was okay, didn’t hurt, so I came around to do it again. They looked at me and started to scream. I looked down and my right arm between the wrist and elbow had a big bend, so naturally, I started to scream, also. Mother came running and grabbed my arm and pulled it straight. Somehow, I don’t remember, she got me to the doctor and when we came back with my cast on, Carlton was so mad. He said, “She just did that so I would have to dry dishes.” Right then, it was fun to have a cast, but after only a couple of days, it really got old. Not many people had automobiles. Thedford Eans had a car as well as his brother, Howard. But the best was when you would see Mr. A.D. Turnage coming. You knew that he was going to pick you up as long as he could cram you in that big black truck of his. Later, daddy got a big flat bed truck. Irma would sit on the back and mumble, “Wish I had a box to go over my head.” I couldn’t understand why anyone would be embarrassed to ride instead of walk, but now I can see. She was in her “growing up” years but thought she was already grown up. Sure wish I could walk back down that road as I am today and see us as we were then. Of course, I couldn’t even walk down the road now.

AREA CHURCHES Hickory Plains Miss. Bap 76/101 Morris Chapel Miss. Baptist..42 Pleasant Ridge Miss. Baptist.22 Hickory Plains Methodist..... 32 Hickory Plains Nazarene...... 30 Judson Memorial Baptist...... 24 Sand Hill Miss. Baptist........... 8 Reported by churches. To report Sunday School Attendance and other church news, call 870-256-4254. Also, if your church is not on this list and you wish it to be, call the number here to get it included.

“See you at the Pole” event coming September 23 The annual “See You at the Pole” at the Des Arc High School campus will be held on Wednesday, September 23. Students, teachers, adults and officials will meet around the flagpole at 7:30 a.m. A breakfast will be held at the First Baptist Church at 7:00 a.m. Come have breakfast and walk over afterward to the high school campus for prayer. For the last 25 years, See You at the Pole has been about one simple actprayer. See You at the Pole is about students uniting together in prayer before God to intercede on behalf of friends, classmates, teachers, parents, siblings, our nation, state and local officials.

Brother Dee

Ramblings. . . . by Verna Herkamp There is no doubt kids learn faster than we did when the technology of today was not there to teach us things that help kids learn so much so young. Two weeks before Christian’s sixth birthday, we were the only ones at home. I went into the living room to check on him and he was watching a game of tennis, not his usual Star Wars or cartoons. I asked him what channel he was watching and he said, “It not, it’s a movie I orderded.” I asked him if his mom and dad knew he was ordering movies. At six, Jack and I had never crossed the county line. Our biggest adventure was to go to town with daddy in a wagon. From the book of Hymn Stories, it tells of a man named Robert Raikes. Back then, the children were mostly ignored when it came to any part of church or any services including them. Robert Raikes became intensely concerned with the spiritual and social conditions of the poor, illiterate children. Except for the wealthy, there was no education for four out of five children. Child labor was exploited. Robert Raikes must have had a very compassionate heart because he started taking children off the street and teaching them about God and the Bible stories. He also taught them to read and write. Later, the followers of John and Charles Wesley, the Methodist began establishing Sunday Schools. It became apparent that children worked better with music, so Fanny Crosby along with other writers began writing simple songs that children could enjoy. It was a great help in teaching children about Christ and the importance of the Bible in our lives. I can only imagine how joyful this must have been to the children to have Sunday School which included them in religious services and songs they could join in singing, having been ignored for so long. How could parents leave children completely out of church and not let them have a part is something so vital to becoming a part of the church later in life. If children is our greatest treasure, why not include them while they are young and impressionable. How far we have come. Who can understand why some teenagers of today would deliberately harm themselves, like running their car into a brick wall to see what a broken bone would feel like. In childhood, I remember mashed toes, little cuts and bruises, but they were all accidents. Springtime meant barefoot time. We had to toughen our tender feet so the little things didn’t hurt. One of the two best movies I ever saw was filmed in the Ozark Mountains in North Arkansas. It was a true story about how a preacher bought some land there and settled in a community of backwood, uneducated people. He preached to them on Sundays and taught them how to read and write during the week. Betty Fields played the part of the pretty girl who would run barefoot through those wooded hills to tell any news to the people who rarely knew anything about the outside world. I will never forget the scene where Betty Fields went flying down the hillside to take the message that “a preacher man wants to buy some dirt land.” After seeing the movie, I read that Betty Fields said she had to practice walking barefoot on rocks to get her feet tough enough to play her part in the movie. I’ve heard the saying, “Ignorance is bliss.” Being raised in the country or any place away from where all the wheels of modern civilization turn faster, doesn’t mean a person can’t be successful in life. There are many famous people today that is living proof that hills or flat land is no hinderance to success. My favorite president is Abraham Lincoln. I have read everything I could find to read about him. There is a new book out called Abraham Lincoln’s Daily Treasure. I am anxious to read it. Who could forget the story where he lost his penny pencil in the woods on his way

by Lou Speed

Bro. Michael McDaniel takes student ministry position at Cullendale Baptist, Camden Brother Michael McDaniel, youth minister at the First Baptist Church in Des Arc, has accepted a student ministry position at Cullendale Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas. Bro. Michael‘s last offi-

cial day at the church will be Sunday, September 6. Bro. Michael also has been a fixture on the sideline, court or baseline filming Des Arc Eagle sports. He also put together with the help of the men of the church the Faith and

Football event held in the fall prior to the football season. Best wishes to Bro. Michael as he continues his ministry serving the Lord.

Dinner is being served!

Sunday, Sept. 6 Serving from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Adult Buffet $9.95 Bring Your Church Bulletin and Receive Free Beverage Dondie’s White River Princess 103 Curran Street-East End of Riverfront Park Des Arc, Arkansas Regular Open Nights: Thursday, Friday and Saturday

NOW SERVING BIG DAD’S BARBECUED RIBS

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Social Announcements and Locals Family, friends join Victor P. White for 90th birthday celebration Victor P. White, of Cotton Plant, recently celebrated his 90th birthday with approximately 90 friends and family at the Cotton Plant First United Methodist Church. Vic graduated from Cotton Plant High School in 1943, served his country in the U. S. Navy stationed in Guam, and then upon returning to the States, finished his degree at LSU in electrical engineering. In 1990, he retired from Raytheon Corporation after 39 years. He and Elizabeth Ann Chilson Muse married in 2001, and they returned to their hometown of Cotton Plant. Vic has two children, two stepchildren, three grandchildren and two living older brothers. His wife, Elizabeth, is the daughter of Dorothy Berry Chilson and Albert Chilson, and a niece of Sue Berry of Des Arc and the late A.L. and Elmer Berry.

Mr. and Mrs. Victor P. White

Princess Rice Pageant is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, at Hazen The GFWC of AR Ruth Barrett Fox Club of Hazen announces the 39th Annual Princess Rice Pageant. The pageant is open statewide to girls ages 3 through the 12th grade and boys ages 3-5 years old. Deadline for the entry is Friday, September 25, 2015 There will be a late fee of $5.00 for entries received after September 25, 2015. Practice will be held at the Hazen Community Center on Front Street at the time indicated on the entry form. There will be a Photogenic contest for ages 3 up to 12th grade for a $10 entry fee. The traditional “ Pretty Baby” photogenic contest will be held in conjunction with the pageant. A trophy will be awarded to 1st place winners and ribbons to the runners up in each division. All babies 0 - 36 months are invited to enter. This year’s pageant will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 6:00 pm at the Hazen Community Center on Front Street in Hazen. If you are interested in entering the pageant or Pretty Baby Contest, you may pick up entry forms at the following locations.

Grand Prairie Arts Festival in 59th year

Shea Wilson, left, presenting training certificates to Dawanna Keys, Mitzi Osborne and Juanita Hutchinson, all local Get Fit volunteer instructors

Local volunteers trained as Extension “Get Fit” Instructors Shea Wilson County Extension Agent-FCS/4-H

DeValls Bluff, Ark. – Ten volunteers are now part of a statewide group of specially trained instructors for Extension Get Fit, a community-based strength training program for adults that helps improve balance and flexibility. “We are so glad to welcome these 10 to our lay-volunteer network of instructors for the Get Fit program,” said Shea Wilson, Prairie County extension agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “Their time and energy spent in this program will help many of their neighbors improve their health and quality of life.” The newly trained instructors are: Dawanna Keys of DeValls Bluff, Mitzi Osborne and Juanita Hutchinson of Biscoe, Donna Nelson of Kensett, Linda Marshall, Anita Jenkins, Sarah Cobb, and Barbara Martin of Searcy, Amy Young of Harrison, and Ekko Barnhill of Lonoke. The 10 were certified Aug. 27 at a session in Searcy in which they learned the latest exercise recommendations and research, teaching techniques and modifications, program management and evaluation, and how to structure a class. Extension Get Fit was developed by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and follows a unique model in which lay

volunteers lead groups in specially formulated strength and balance exercises. Across the state, county extension agents lead bi-weekly one-hour Get Fit programs for 12 weeks. Near the end of the 12 weeks, volunteers are identified from each group to become trained as Get Fit instructors to teach the course by a certified instructor. The newest volunteer instructors learned two complete strength training routines including balance and stretching exercises to take back to their class and received a Get Fit program guide, t-shirt, water bottle, and lunch. Volunteers were trained by Dr. LaVona Traywick, assistant professor-Gerontology as well as nationally certified Extension Get Fit Agent Trainers Shea Wilson-Prairie County FCS/4-H Agent and Dianna Bowen-Lonoke County FCS Agent. To learn more about Extension Get Fit, contact the Prairie County Extension Office at 870-998-2614 or email smwilson@uaex.edu. The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Personally Speaking Prayers are sent to Rickey Pirtle was released from the hospital Tuesday. Doctors had been unable to control his blood pressure. His wife, Phyllis and family are tending his recovery. He is the son of the late H.L. (Slew) and Jerri Pirtle. -------DeLise York, wife of Ed York, was rushed to the emergency room this past weekend for a mashed finger. She was helping to split wood and her finger was trapped between a log and the splitter frame crushing her finger. Doctors have said her finger was not broken but she is in a lot of pain. Prayers are sent her way.

--------J.J. Walicki was rushed to the hospital with high fever, high sugar and difficulty breathing. He was doing better and came home but had to be rushed to UAMS on Saturday. His wife, Amber, reports he will remain in the hospital until his kidneys function properly. J.J. is the son of Wo and Kim Walicki of Des Arc. --------Charlene (Gary) Holloway received great news this week from her doctor. She was adivised that results of her PET/CT scan show her cancer is in remission. Charlene is the daughter of Margarite Parker of Des Arc and the

late Charlie Parker. Charlene and Gary have two sons, Jason and Stephanie Holloway of the Northside Community and Jeremy and Traci Holloway of Cabot and four grandchildren. Gary is retired from farming. --------Mr, John Kelly of the New Bethel Community, is recovering at St. Vincent’s Rehab in Little Rock following recent surgery. He suffered a break below his hip socket in a fall at his home. His wife, Donna, who writes the New Bethel News column for local newspapers, is with him. Keep him in your prayers.

The Grand Prairie Arts Council is pleased to announce the 59th annual Grand Prairie Festival of the Arts to be held in Stuttgart Arkansas September 25th – 27th. For 59 years the festival has been open to artists of all ages and have their works professionally judged and to showcase their individual talents. The festival is now located at the Grand Prairie Center on the campus of Phillips Community College Stuttgart Campus. Admission to the festival is free of charge. Interested artists and writers may submit their works for admission by simply visiting the Arts Center of the Grand Prairie’s webpage to obtain an application. The deadline for submitting entries is September 11 for creative writing and September 15 for art entries. All fees and rules can be found at www.grandprairiearts.com. You may also email the center at arts001@centurytel.net for further information. All ages are welcome to enter. The festival is professionally judged each year by professional artists. In addition to the exhibits the festival features food and children’s activities. Tickets for all events can be purchased at the door.

You may also contact Judy Foot at (870)830-3733. Hazen - lSchools , Gail’s Beauty Shop, and Farmers and Merchants Banks Carlisle - Carlisle Public Schools and The Big Teeze Stuttgart - Maynard and Company DeWitt - Southern Surprise and DeWitt Public

Schools Des Arc - Des Arc Schools and Farmers and Merchants Banks Clarendon - Clarendon Schools Gillett - Gillett Schools England - Delbert’s Searcy - Reba’s Lonoke - Lonoke Community Center

New Arrivals

James David Canada Proud parents, Reuben and Lori Canada, are happy to announce the birth of their first son, James David Canada. Born on Friday, July 31, 2015 at Baptist Health Center in Little Rock, David weighed 9 pounds 8 ounces and was 21 inches long. He is the grandson of Lynda Andrews and the late David Andrews of DeValls Bluff and Jim and Anne Canada of Subiaco, Arkansas. Photo by Rachel Coney Photography, Benton, AR

MOVIE NIGHT Saturday, Sept. 12

Start Time: 6:00 pm - 99 Minute Movie

Community Center DeValls Bluff, Ar

Baseball superstar Jimmy Easton returns home after a devastating knee injury cuts short his promising career. In search of a new purpose for his life, Jimmy faces dark memories from his past as he tries to make peace with a world he once left behind. His life takes a transforming turn when he is involuntarily thrust back into the world of baseball. Not as a player, but as the coach of an underachieving college team struggling to rise above mediocrity. Coach Jimmy’s rocky relationship with Brandon Elliot, the team’s only star, forces both of them to deal with their similarly checkered pasts. One Hit from Home is a unique sports drama that explores the unpredictability of life and reminds us that we can find hope in the midst of broken dreams. Genre: Drama

Cone by and see Our new Fall Selection *New Aromatique-Cinnamon Cider *Sassy & Splendor Bodywash/Lotion *Grapevine Wreaths *Stuffed Animals

*Scarves, *Jewelry-necklaces, bracelets *Wallets *Beanie Boo’s

New! Southern Trend T-Shirts Register for Door Prize with Purchase

Izzy says,” Come out and see our new inventory of flowers and gifts!”

Lynn’s Flowers & Gifts 870-256-3191

Des Arc

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H U R S D A Y From the Kitchen of Rev. Jaimie Alexander, Methodist Minister at Bella Vista

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“Latin Flare” Recipes From Rev. Jaimie Alexander

Easy Enchiladas ,Pico de Gallo, Mexican Egg Casserole,and Lemon Coconut Squares are recipes with a Latin flare. For more a spicy taste and the cool taste of citrus to follow try these recipes. So tie on your apron and enjoy preparing this week's favorite recipes!

Easy Enchiladas 2 tablespoons canola oil 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour One 28-ounce can enchilada or Mexican red sauce 2 cups chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Meat: 1 pound ground beef 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon salt The Rest: Canola oil, for frying 10 to 14 corn tortillas Two 4-ounce cans diced green chilies 1 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup chopped black olives 3 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese Cilantro, for garnish For the sauce:

Ready to shop! Gladene Hicks, at back and Cara Bradshaw are ready to go shopping on Tuesday, September 1. Both enjoyed the outing and looking at all of the new fall decorations. Teresa Henley, Activity Director, drove the ladies.

Des Arc Nu rs iN g & re hA b il i tA ti o N ce N t e r by Activity Director, teresa henley

Hello from Des Arc Nursing and Rehabilitation Center! The weather has gotten a tad warmer. We have enjoyed the cooler days and have been able to be outside and enjoy the sunshine. We will be having a Yard Sale at the facility on Saturday, September 5 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Proceeds will go for our Alzheimers Walk on October 17 at the Clinton Presidential Park in Little Rock. If you would like to donate items for the yard sale, please contact Teresa Henley at 870256-4194. You may bring the items by the facility or she can arrange a pickup time. She will need to know as soon as possible. Tuesday, Cara Bradshaw and Gladene Hicks were shopping divas. They came home with all they needed plus enjoyed seeing all of the new fall decorations. Next week, we will have a French Toast Breakfast on Thursday. Our Volunteer cooks do a wonderful job. We

appreciate them so very much. We have been pampered this week with Pretty Nails and Feet. Those foot massages feel so good. We have played Horseshoes, Ball Toss, Snowball has paid us a visit, listened to current events, Wheelchair racces, movies, Bingo and listened to music. We are looking forward to Thursday this week as we will be making a Road Trip to Sonic. Boy, those shakes are wonderful and that Route 44 size drink lasts a very LONG time. We are also looking forward to Jordan and that delicious popcorn she makes. Pair that with a good movie and Ouala! A great afternoon. The Disciples will be here on Friday and the churches will be here on Sunday to share the Gospel with us. We will have Bible Study with Bro. Paul Fowler, Pastor of the Assembly of God Church.

Monday is the Labor Day holiday so that means the last long weekend until Thanksgiving. Be safe and enjoy the day. The Prairie County Fair is coming up in a couple of weeks and we are excited to be attending the Gospel Singing on Thursday, September 24. The Disciples will be “Singing for their Music” on Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m.. The group is having a fundraiser to purchase new equipment. Donations are welcome. Let’s help this fine group of singers continue their ministry at DANRC and other Senior facilities. That is all for this week. Please stop by and see if there is a “treasure” at our yard sale on Saturday. Until next time, have a great holiday weekend! Teresa Henley Activity Director

seNior citizeNs ceNter DES ARC, ARK By Barbara Williams, Site Director

We want to give special thanks to the local business that gave us our coverall prizes for our Bingo games: LaDue Fish Market, Lux Candles, Dondies, and Los 2 Amigos. Monday we had Bean Bag Baseball practice. Tuesday, we read our Medicare Minutes, had Joke of the Day and took the bus out to the new Dollar General store out on Hwy 31/38. Wednesday we had our morning homemade breakfast and Bingo. Special thanks to our volunteers who help out with this; Herndon Barnes, Mary Sue Roe, Jimmy Jackson, WR Petty, Ada Kunkel and Ray McVay. Thursday we had Birthday Recognition for the month of August. Friday is our recycling day. We will let you know soon about our yard sale room. God Bless and have a great weekend!

Cotton Plant Library Opens The Cotton Plant Library officially opened on Monday, July 27. A grand reopening event is being planned. Tor more information about the library or to find out about dates and times it is open, call City Hall at 870-459-2121.

In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the canola oil and flour. Whisk together and allow to bubble for 1 minute. Pour in the red sauce, chicken broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer while you prepare the other ingredients. For the meat: While the sauce is simmering, brown the ground beef with the onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain the fat, add the salt and stir to combine. Turn off the heat and set aside. For the rest: In a small skillet over medium heat, heat some canola oil. Lightly fry the tortillas just until soft. Do not crisp. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat until all the tortillas have been fried. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in the bottom of a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Next, one at a time, dip each tortilla into the sauce. Set the sauce-soaked tortilla on a plate. Place on some of the meat mixture, chilies, green onions and black olives. Top with a generous portion of grated Cheddar. Roll up the tortilla to contain the filling inside. Place the tortilla seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas and pour the remaining sauce over the top. End with a generous sprinkling of cheese and any other bits of chiles, green onions or olives you have left over from the filling. Bake the enchiladas for 20 minutes, or until bubbly. Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the top and serve.

Pico de Gallo 3 yellow or red onions 12 Roma tomatoes (slightly under ripe is fine) 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves

2 to 3 jalapenos 1 lime Salt Dice up equal quantities of onion and tomato. Roughly chop the cilantro. Now, slice 1 or 2 jalapenos in half. With a spoon, scrape out the seeds. (If you like things spicy, leave in some of the white membranes.) Dice the jalapenos very finely; you want a hint of heat and jalapeno flavor, but you don't want to cause any fires. Now dump the four ingredients into a bowl. Slice the lime in half and squeeze the juice from half a lime the bowl. Sprinkle with salt, and stir together until combined. Be sure to taste the pico de gallo and adjust the seasonings, adding salt or more diced jalapeno if needed.

Mexican Egg Casserole 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 12 eggs, lightly beaten 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided 2 cups (16 ounces) 4% cottage cheese 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained 4 green onions, sliced 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce 1 teaspoon dried oregano 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Salsa, optional In a large bowl, combine the flour and baking powder. Add the eggs, 3-1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, cottage cheese, tomatoes, chilies, onions, hot pepper sauce, oregano, cilantro, salt and pepper. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Monterey Jack cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 400° for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°; bake 30 minutes longer or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting. Serve with salsa if desired. Yield: 8 servings.

Lemon Coconut Squares 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar 3/4 cup cold butter, cubed 4 eggs 1-1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup lemon juice 1 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 cup flaked coconut In a small bowl, combine flour and confectioners' sugar; cut in the butter until crumbly. Press into a lightly greased 13in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in another small bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, lemon juice and baking powder until combined. Pour over crust; sprinkle with coconut. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Yield: 4 dozen.

AACF statement on Medicaid and Private Option Renewals

The following is a statement from Rich Huddleston, executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. You may use it in your coverage on today's news. AACF is pleased with today’s announcement that the state of Arkansas must give Medicaid and Private Option clients 30 days to respond to notices from DHS before terminating their health coverage. This policy change not only aligns with federal regulations, but also prioritizes the health and financial security of thousands of Arkansas families. But the fact remains that over 50,000 people have already been terminated or will soon lose their coverage. This will result in dangerous coverage gaps. Our own Ada Kunkel was crowned beauty and photo- Arkansas must take steps genic winner of the “over 60” group at the Prairie County ensure that eligible people Fair Pageant held at DeValls Bluff onl Saturday, August 29. who are losing coverage maintain it. The state should reinstate coverage for everyone who has recently been terminated unless there is proof they are no longer eligible. At a minimum, the state should immediately send notices • Model # 303 Little Rock $38,525 BALANCE OWED $15,900 ★ stating their coverage can • Model # 402 St. Louis $40,850 BALANCE OWED $17,000 ★ still be reinstated, if they • Model # 403 Augusta $42,450 BALANCE OWED $16,500 ★ respond within 90 days. • NEW - HOMES HAVE NOT BEEN MANUFACTURED These are only short• Make any design changes you desire! • Comes with Complete Building Blueprints & Construction Manual term solutions. If Arkansas • Windows, Doors, and Roofing not included values the health and well• NO TIME LIMIT FOR DELIVERY being of our citizens, we View at www.loghomedream.com - Click on House Plans must make long-term im-

provements in the enrollment and renewal process for Medicaid and Private Option coverage. The state also should rollback policies that prohibit important investments in consumer outreach and education. These bans only serve to keep critical information out of the hands of families who need it the most. Consumer-friendly policies must be implemented. Consumers should receive clearly worded notices at the appropriate reading

“Queen Ada”

level. Multiple notices should also be sent before coverage is terminated— which is a common and expected practice in the private sector. At Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, we believe the greatest investment we can make is in the children and families of our state. We must commit to supporting these hardworking families, by ensuring that have access to quality health coverage and a secure economic future.

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Mary M. Weems burial Wednesday at Center Point

Barbara Sue Phillips Irma O. Duch Kathryn W. Williams Esta Claudine Cranford Barbara S. Phillips Kathryn Williams, burial was Saturday Esta Cranford, Irma Duch at Hazen Cemetery Gregory native, was long-time Des Arc native, Barbara Sue Phillips dies at Beebe Slovak resident dies at Beebe born September 26,1938 went to be with her Heavenly Father on Saturday, August 29, 2015. She is survived by her son, Richard Berry; daughters, Michelle Strickland and Haley Berry-Matthew Fuller; granddaughters, Baley Berry, Heather Strickland, Holly Strickland and Abby Palsa; great-grandchildren, Kaleb Boyle, Brooke Boyle, Calee Fuller, Hadley Fuller, and Saygan Ashcraft; sister Carolyn Freeman-Jerry Freeman; brothers Tommy Townsend, Ann and Jerry Townsend, nd her beloved friend Audrey Swaim. She was proceeded in death by her husband William Phillips; her son George Berry; her niece Cyndi Townsend, and her parents Charles and Frances Townsend. A memorial service was held at 2 p. m. Tuesday at Immanuel Baptist Church in Carlisle. Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen was in charge of arrangements.

Alice Calvert Tye, Stuttgart resident, burial Saturday Lottie Alice Calvert Tye, 82, of Stuttgart went to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Alice was born June 30, 1933, in Snake Island to Dave C. and Jewel Churchwell Calvert. She worked as an aide at Stuttgart Memorial Hospital and later became Dr. Jerry Morgan’s nurse for many years. She also worked with her husband, Harold. in their sign company as a manual crane operator and bookkeeper. Alice was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She loved everyone and never met a stranger. Though she was little, she was fierce. She loved her church Southside Baptist Church, and her pastor, Sunday school class and teacher, Glenda Landreth, but most of all, she loved Jesus. She also loved jewelry, baking her famous cakes, laughing, joking around with family and friends and her dogs and dolls. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Tye; son, David Cecil Reaves; two great-grandchildren; and the father of her sons, George C. Reaves. She is survived by one son, Clifford and wife Tina Reaves of Stuttgart; two brothers, David B. Calvert of Carlisle and Marion and Patricia Calvert of New Edinburg; one sister, Bernice and Bobby Mashburn of Stuttgart; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. Alice will be missed by her family, her many friends and special friend, Sharon Vaughn. Funeral services, officiated by Bro. Gregg Greenway, were held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at Southside Baptist Church. Intermentl followed in Hamilton Cemetery. Her family requests memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, P.O. Box 424, Stuttgart, Ark. 72160.

Esta Claudine Cranford, age 92, of Beebe, Arkansas passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at the Beebe Retirement Center. She was born on September 13, 1922 in Gregory, Arkansas to the late Calvin and Myrtie Eula (White) Baker. She married Charles Cranford in Little Rock on November 13, 1943. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary last year before his death in May. She was also preceded in death by two sisters: Martha Jo Hooten and Gayle Edwards and five brothers: Calvin, Bob, Jerry, Darrell and Ross Baker and son-in-law, Ricky Strayhorn. Claudine was primarily a homemaker and a volunteer in school and church while raising her daughters. She was a secretary/bookkeeper at Branton & Branton Painting Contractors in Little Rock when her children were in high school and college. After her husband retired, they moved from Little Rock to Beebe, Arkansas where they were active in the church and the community. She volunteered at the Christian Outreach Center and enjoyed activities at The Shepherd's Center. She was a member of Beebe First United Methodist Church for 26 years. Previously, she was a member of Henderson United Methodist Church in Little Rock for 40 years. Claudine is survived by her daughters, Linda Temple of Weaverville, NC, Joan Strayhorn of Beebe; grandchildren Douglas Temple (Laura) of Mooresville, NC, Scott Temple ( Jessica) of Huntersville, NC and Melissa Strayhorn of Beebe; great-granddaughters Abigail and McKenna Temple of Mooresville, NC. Visitation was held at Ruebel Funeral Home, Little Rock, on Thursday, September 3, 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a graveside service at 11:30 at Forest Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, Beebe Christian Outreach, or Beebe First United Methodist Church.

Fretha Stewart was resident at Crestpark Fretha Elizabeth Stewart, 95, of Stuttgart, died Friday, August 28, 2015, at Crestpark of Stuttgart. Fretha was born July 28, 1920, in Stuttgart to the late Wilma and Otis R. McCollum. She was a member of First United Methodist Church. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilton Stewart; brother, Otis E. McCollum; and sister, Hazelle Shook. Survivors are one son, Terry Stewart of Las Vegas; and one brother, J. W. McCollum of Stuttgart. Graveside services, officiated by Dr. David Bush, were held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Lone Tree Cemetery, Stuttgart. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church.

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR OBITUARIES PUBLISHED IN THE WHITE RIVER JOURNAL

Irma Alyne Osborne Duch, of Slovak, widow of Albin R. Duch, passed away Monday, Aug. 31, 2015, at the age of 89. She was born on April 5, 1926, in Garner, Ark., to Issac Thomas Osborne and Annette "Nettie" Marlar Osborne. She was the fifth of six children. Irma was nine years old when her father died. Her mother later married John Mertens of Biscoe, Ark., who had also lost his spouse. The two families became one and eventually moved to Biscoe. Irma went on to attend and graduate from DeValls Bluff High School in 1944. Her favorite subject was literature and she loved playing basketball for the DeValls Bluff Lady Scrappers. During WWII she moved to Little Rock to live with her sister, Ruth, and to work at the Jacksonville Ammunition Plant. She married Albin when he returned from his tour in Europe with the Special Forces. They made their home in Prairie County in the community of Fairmount, near Stuttgart, Ark. Albin and Irma made their dream come true when they purchased their farm land and started a family. They were married 58 years and were blessed with four children. Irma and Albin were long time members of the Sts. Cryil and Methodius Catholic Church in Slovak, Ark. She was a member of the Church Altar Society and the Fairmount Home Extension Club. After she and Albin retired from farming, she went to work for the Stuttgart "Daily Leader". She loved the people she worked with and the job. She was recognized by the Prairie County Museum of Des Arc for her professional contribution to the county as a department head for the "Daily Leader". She retired at the age of 62 so she and Albin could have time to enjoy blue grass festivals. Irma was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, gardener, seamstress, graincart driver, awesome cook, wonderful bread maker, and crossword expert. Irma and Albin's home was always full of music, laughter, and delicious food. She was an incredible woman who never ceased to demonstrate her strength, faith, and humor to her family and friends. She loved being a mom, grandma, and great-grandma. Irma was preceded in death by her husband; her parents and stepfather; three brothers, infant James Taylor Osborne, Thomas Leo Osborne and Charles Wayne Osborne; two sisters, Iris Ruth Osborne and Mary Annette Osborne Costello; four step-brothers, Cecil Mertens, Marcellis Mertens, Vernon Mertens and J.W. Mertens; and one step-sister, Vannoy Mertens Dodson. Irma is survived by one son, Gary (Sheila) Duch of Texarkana, Texas; three daughters, JoAnn (Bob) Craig, Janet (Don) Smith and Jacqueline (Mel) Bradford, all of Little Rock; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Helen Osborne of Charleston, S.C., Darline Mertens Sickel of Biscoe and Virginia Mertens of Modesto, Calif.; a host of other relatives, dear friends and extended family of the Slovak Community. Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart, Ark., is in charge of final arrangements.

Kathryn W. Williams, age 85, of Beebe went to be with her Lord on Monday, August 31, 2015. She was born December 31, 1929 in Des Arc, Arkansas to the late George A. and Della Weatherley. She was also proceeded in death by her husband Charles B. Williams; and siblings Homer, Calvin, Herbert, Walter, Buster, Ace and Jim Weatherley, Fred and Will Thompson, Mary Thompson Weatherley and Modean McFarlin. She loved her family and spending time with the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. She loved working out in her yard and enjoyed shopping with her daughter. Kathryn is survived by her daughter, Margaret and son-in-law Gary Walters of Ward; two sisters Lorean Cross of Stuttgart and Esther Crane of Beebe; three grandchildren Kimberly (David) Woosley of Cabot, Krystal (Trey) Jones of Ward, Kari Thompson of Beebe; five great-grandchildren Darya (Eric) Bontempo, Kylee Thompson, Shae Woosley, Tyler and Katelyn Jones; best friend Faye Reimers and a host of other family and friends. Funeral service will be Thursday September 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Ward First Baptist Church with visitation held one hour prior. Interment will be at the Hickory Plains Cemetery. Arrangements are by Thomas Funeral Service in Cabot, Arkansas In lieu of flowers donations to be made to the Ward First Baptist Church Food Pantry. To send online condolence www.thomasfuneralservice.com

Shirley Cotton dies at DeWitt Shirley Ruth Cotton, 60, of DeWitt passed away Thursday, August 27, 2015, at her home. She was a certified nursing assistant at Crestpark of DeWitt and was of the Assembly of God faith. She was preceded in death by her father, Arthur Williams; and a son, Joseph Cotton. Survivors are her husband, Harold James Cotton; two sons, Jerry of Humphrey and Billy of DeWitt; two daughters, Tonya Gilcrease of Humphrey and Shelbi Cotton of DeWitt; one brother, Arthur Williams Jr. of Augusta; one sister, Pamela Reynolds of Shelbyville, Tenn.; and eight grandchildren. Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in Stuttgart. Interment followed in Williams Cemetery with Turpin Funeral Home o f Stuttgart in charge of arrangements.

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Mary Marie Weems, 99, of Lonoke, died August 31, 2015. She was a wife, a homemaker, and later became an author having one book published and another written. She was of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; her parents; two brothers and three sisters. She is survived by nieces and nephews. A graveside service was held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 2, at the Center Point Cemetery. The Westbrook Funeral Home of Hazen was in charge of arrangements.

Rhonda Sue Berry dies at Carlisle Rhonda Sue Berry 51, of Carlisle, passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2015. She is survived by her daughters, Blaze Tipton and Marsha (Bobby) Banks; grandsons, Braxton Banks and Bradley Banks; brother, Jessie (April) Tipton and her father and mother.

A. C. Atkins, DeValls Bluff resident, dies Anthony Charles Atkins, 64, of DeValls Bluff, died Thursday, August 27, 2015, at Baptist Health-Little Rock. Anthony was born February 16, 1951, in DeWitt to Charles and Mary Pollard Atkins. He was of the Pentecost faith. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Atkins. Survivors are one son, Anthony Charles Atkins Jr. of Landmark, Ark.; one daughter, Leslie Carol Atkins of DeValls Bluff; three brothers, Doug Atkins of DeValls Bluff, Brent Atkins Sr. (Pam) of Hazen and Dennis Atkins of Edgemont, Ark.; one sister, Judy Jones (Bobby) of Almyra, Ark.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services, officiated by Lanny Brannon, were at 2:00 p.m. Monday at Turpin Funeral Home in Stuttgart. Interment followed in the Almyra Cemetery. His family requests memorials be made to American Heart Assn.

Dean Duncan, veteran newspaperman, was former Biscoe resident Dean Duncan of Brinkley, a veteran newspaper reporter and retired University of Central Arkansas journalism professor, died Saturday (Aug. 29) at the Hospice Home Care on S. Bowman Road in Little Rock. He was 90. During his long career, Duncan worked as a reporter for the Arkansas Gazette, the Memphis Commercial Appeal and the Louisville Courier-Journal, covering events such as the Kentucky Derby and the integration of Central High School in Little Rock in 1957, and interviewing well-known Americans ranging from Adlai Stevenson to Elvis Presley. He spent two years as a press officer for the Peace Corps in Washington, D.C., before accepting a position in 1967 as professor of journalism and public information officer at Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway (now the University of Central Arkansas). During 23 years on the UCA faculty, Duncan taught scores of students how to be journalists. Many went on to become leaders in print and broadcast journalism, journalism education and related communication fields in Arkansas and numerous other states. He retired in 1990 and moved back to his childhood home in the eastern Arkansas community of Brinkley. Duncan was born in 1924 on Bald Mountain near Choctaw in Van Buren County, the third and youngest son of Benjamin Andrew Duncan and Dicie Edna (Huie) Duncan, both members of pioneer families in the area. His family moved to the small town of Biscoe in Prairie County when he was a child, then to nearby Brinkley, where he attended high school. He quarterbacked the Brinkley Tigers' football team before graduating in 1943 and joining the Army

Dean Duncan Air Corps. After World War II, he earned a bachelor's degree in English and journalism at Arkansas State Teachers College in Conway and a master's degree in journalism at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. In 1959 he studied modern British government at Oxford University, then traveled through western Europe gathering material for a series of newspaper stories published in the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Duncan was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Burl, of Little Rock, and Weldon, of Sylvan Hills. He is survived by a niece and four nephews: Martha Duncan Carter of Cortland, Illinois; Andy Duncan of Eugene, Oregon; Bud Duncan of Summerville, Oregon; William Huie Duncan of Mexico City, and Richard Duncan of Little Rock. Also surviving are several great, and great-great, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at the First Baptist Church, corner of S. Main and Elm Streets, Brinkley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dean Duncan Scholarship Fund, Arkansas Pro Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists, 10810 Executive Center, Room 308, Little Rock, Ark. 72211.

Thank You!

It’s not often that words fail me - but where do I even begin to express my thanks and appreciation to so many of you for your acts of kindness during my recent surgeries. Let me start by thanking you for your prayers, love and concern. Please know that each and every prayer was truly felt and carried Karan and me through an extremely difficult time in our lives. I am doing remarkably well and am convinced that I would not be in this stage of my recovery without your prayers and love. Hospital stays are not the most pleasant experiences but your visits, calls and cards made such a difference in our days spent there. We also appreciate each and every one who cooked, baked and provided the delicious meals for us. This definitely took some stress off of Karan. It’s a blessing to live in such a wonderful community and you have all helped make this time a little brighter for us. Thank you from the bottom of my heart - I will never forget this. Mike and Karan Skarda

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Corn Harvest Photo and comments by Harvey Joe Sanner

This corn harvest is being done 12 rows at a swath at a ground speed that combine operators would not have dreamed of a few years ago. With yields so much higher now and the equipment so advanced, the biggest problem today is being able to keep the corn hauled away from the combine and to the bin! Scott Mitchell's farming operation is very impressive and he along with his neighbors have adapted the latest technology in seed selection, irrigation practices and all facets of producing a crop that causes them to be the most productive farmers in the world. While Scott is bringing in his corn crop his neighbors are harvesting rice and grain sorghum and the days are not long until soybeans will be harvested. In a period only a few months time span, the farm fields have gone from the brown of winter to the lush green growth of summer to producing golden grain at harvest. It's amazing to see the transformation each season brings. It's a pretty special occupation when one can take a set of farm tools and a patch of brown dirt and nurture a crop from it. The management required by today's producing farmers must rate right up there

with many professions that some might consider more sophisticated. However, there is nothing simple about farming today! Personally, I'm glad I'm no longer under the kind of pressure required to operate a farming enterprise of the size and scope of today's farms. But having farmed for many years causes me to admire anyone that can do what this generation of American farmers do. They have to be on top of the game and their margin of error is not nearly as wide as it once was. So, hats off to Scott and Luke Mitchell and everyone else in Prairie County that still plant seeds and harvest crops to feed a hungry world. You are appreciated. You are also appreciated for the economic activity that your production practices creates for the rural economy. Farms are larger and fewer as the years go by but the employment numbers and the businesses that service your operations make up quite an economy. Too often I think the impact that production agriculture has on our local area is often misunderstood and taken for granted. But then I am a bit biased! (Thanks Scott for letting me ride along down the corn rows today. It was a treat for me!)

Corn harvesting on the Mitchell Farm west of Des Arc. Scott Mitchell operating the combine and son, Luke Mitchell operating the grain cart.

“Walks Through History” tour to visit Titan Missile Site The Arkansas Historic Preservation Program’s next “Walks Through History” tour will visit the Titan II ICBM Launch Complex 374-7 Site at Southside in Van Buren County on September 12, AHPP Director Frances McSwain announced today. The Titan II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Program was a Cold War weapons system with 54 launch complexes in three states, 18 of which were in Arkansas. Titan II missiles could be launched from within their silos in less than a minute and had a range of 5,500 miles. On September 19, 1980, Complex 374-7 became the site of the most highly publicized disaster of the Titan II program after its missile exploded within the launch duct, fatally injuring an Air Force airman. The tour will begin at 11 a.m. and will

WHITE RIVER JOURNAL

Area Community News

GreGory GleaninGs

Opal Crider, Correspondent

By Rosetta Lockhart

from Tracy Norman Monday. Sorry to hear she has been sick two weeks now with Lyme Disease. Keep her in your prayers. Send her a card, 8484 Graham Rd., Des Arc, AR 72040. Clara Clark returned Tuesday afternoon from San Antonio, TX. Bob took her to the airport, Tuesday, Aug. 25th and I picked her up this Tuesday. She flew down to spend a week with her oldest son and family, John, Misti and their two boys, John Jr. and Ryan Clark. She thanks Jim, Lynda and Nikki Kirk for keeping her dog, JB. JB has never been away from her that long. Nikki brought JB home Tuesday evening. Our Mom, Annie McArthur has been in Heaven for 3 years Sept. 2nd. Vanessa Graham’s Mom, Frances Walker has been in Heaven 1 year Sept. 2nd. They are better off, but sorely missed. Good luck and Prayers for safety as Des Arc Eagles start their real football games this week. The next “Ladies Drop By” will be Tuesday, Sept. 8th at the Hickory Plains Methodist Church at 1 PM. Come join us, we have FUN! Exercise classes will start on September 9 at 7:30 A.M. at Hickory Plains Methodist Church. Everyone is invited to come and join us. HPOS wants to let everyone know that Tracy will serve breakfast on Sunday

Keathley Family Reunion scheduled at Northside The Keathley Family Reunion will be held on Saturday, September 12 at the Northside Community Building on Highway 11 north of Des Arc. Come early, stay late and enjoy all the good food, fun, fellowship, and talk about all those wonderful Keathley memories, get acquainted with those that you haven’t seen and reacquainted with those you haven’t seen in a long time.. Gathering will begin around 11:00 a.m. The potluck meal will be served at noon followed by

Please report your news to the Correspondent in your local Community

CROSS ROADS/

HICKORY PL AINS Carter Harrison was in surgery two hours last Wednesday to try to fix his little finger. Please pray Doc did fix it. He is wrapped up like a mummy, almost to his elbow. He’s learned to do a lot of things left handed. Send him a card, 9952 Hwy 13N, Carlisle, AR 72024. Sympathy and Prayers to family of Tommy and Ernestine Bradley. Their son, Phil and wife Debbie live in Delaware. Debbie’s sister, Karen was taking their parents somewhere and they got rear ended, killed their Mom and their Dad is in a full body cast. Karen, is ok, but I’m sure she was an emotional wreck. Phil was a Coach at Sylvan Hills High School for many years. Clara Clark’s three grandkids really love and miss him. Bob and Monte got banisters on Clara’s ramp and porch and Bob and I got it water sealed Saturday. Clara was very pleased to see it. If we can ever get bad boards all replaced on our deck, bleached and water sealed , we will finally see light at the end of the tunnel. Bob slipped off side of his truck few weeks back and is not good for whole day after that. Monte has helped on our deck a lot. I saw my brother, DL and son, Nick McArthur at HPOS Saturday evening. Haven’t seen them in a long time. To live so close, we never get tp see each other, Was glad to get a call

last no more than two hours. The site is located on the west side of U.S. Hwy. 65 about 3.5 miles north of Damascus and one mile south of the South Side Bee Branch School District. The tour is co-sponsored by the Van Buren County Historical Society. In the “Walks Through History” program, AHPP historians each month provide free guided walking tours of historic structures and districts across Arkansas. Most tours begin at 11 a.m. on Saturdays. The American Institute of Architects offers two HSW continuing education learning unit credits for members who attend a “Walks Through History” tour. All tours are free and open to the public. For information, call the AHPP at (501) 324-9880

family activities. All descendants of the Dr. John R. Keathley family are encouraged to attend and all friends of the community are welcome. . A display area will be set up if you have any pictures that you would like to share or display of those family members we no longer have with us. If you have any questions or need directions, you may contact Susan Alford Maxey at 901-7348395 or 662-895-0472 or Faye Keathley at 870-2564781.

Last week I told you about the American Legion Auxiliary going to have a YARD SALE—didn’t say what town—Sorry! It is in Augusta, on Hwy 64 at the Richard and Linda Cooper place — across from the Fred’s Store’s driveway. It is this Friday and Saturday Sept. 4th and 5th. 9 am till??? That 9 am will rush me as I don’t get out of bed before 9—but I CAN—so see you there. OKAY? Thanks. I told you last week that I was ‘poorly’, well, that is over!! Friday, I had business in Searcy, Fannie went with me and after cruising town we went to Cloverdale Nursing-Rehab Center and visited with Rosie Turner and her visitors, Jimmy Turner and her sister, Ruth Brooks, who now lives in Searcy. Monday, I put in a call to Rusty Copeland in Cotton Plant and she said hello and then a MAN came on –Billy Duncan and he asked me to come down. So, off I went in my work clothes and visited with him and Carletta and his sister, Sue and Steve Fullbright of Batesville and ate a piece of Rusty’s famous Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in coconut cake (one was sold all circumstances, for this is for $110 at a Cancer Bingo). God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT0LL

mornings. She will also have a Sunday lunch special for $4 .99. Dinner SPECIALS on TUESDAYS amd FRIDAYS! Come out & enjoy! Please support Hickory Plains Post Office by purchasing stamps, mailing packages & etc. there.. Support our OWN local Postmaster, Tammy Bruce. The Hickory Plains Post Office hours are Mon.-Fri. 12:30 PM- 2:30PM, Sat.10AM1:30PM. (REMINDER) For people to call 870-854-3703 or email me (OpalCrider@centurytel.net) their News. Please call or send!!! If you want birthdays in my column and you know I don’t put them in, please let me know! Have a Good Week In The Lord! Happy Birthday Sept. 7th to Isaiah Williams, Judy Anderson, Ford Briggs and Zach Hamric! Happy Birthday Sept. 8th to Gina Sanderson ! Happy Birthday Sept. 9th to Mary Grace Smith and Derik Graham! Happy Birthday Sept. 10th to Evie Evans! Happy Birthday Sept. 11th to Christian Harrison!

On the way home I visited nephew, Babe Vincent and Debbie, then at Dixie with Helen and O.B. Fields. Got home and found a big bag of Lima beans and some turnip greens from Fannie and a jar each of Blackburn’s peach and apricot preserves dropped off by Sue Martin given by Tammy Carlisle all the way from Daingerfield, Texas!! They met in Brinkley. Folks, I can go again tomorrow --??? Virginia Davis of Caldwell visited her Mom, Fannie Peters, Saturday afternoon. David and Gatha Oltmann of Monticello came to O.B. and Helen Fields Saturday and they all went to Memphis to visit O.B.’s sister, Thelma McClure and family. Karla Clark spent Sunday at UAMS with Paula McKnight who is in ICU and has been for 2 or more weeks. Karla’s dad, Brent, remains in Houston near the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. This is hard on Rowland and Karla, one family member being ill is enough. They spent last week at Brent’s farm at St. Joe cutting-baling hay. Waymon Lewellon made my day Sunday and didn’t know it. He and Holder boy

have been friends forever and he lives in Springfield ,Mo. and this Gregory friend went to Branson and didn’t go to see Waymon, then tried to make it my problem. My putting it in the paper got Holder boy in trouble!!! Great fun. This Postal System is getting bad-er—Patty Armstrong, my dear friend and who was the first Postmaster after me-is having to fill in at Gregory some till someone is hired ,AND the problem is with the office having been cut to 2 hours a day - she does not have time to do much talking to me. UGH on these new fangled changes, and world wide things—no store. Saturday, I found George Eldridge’s wad of keys and took them to him at the Tamale Factory (he was some kind of happy) and that parking lot was slamdunk full. I didn’t go in as I had my ‘work’ clothes on, so I don’t know how he seated them all. Good for him! Don’t forget: Yard Sale Friday ,Sept 4th and Saturday Sept. 5th at Cooper’s Place in AUGUSTA across from Fred’s at 9am !! till ?? Rosetta

This Week’s Special at

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FARM/HOME WOTUS Rule Implemented in 37 States On Friday, August 28, the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule took effect in all but 13 states. Late last Thursday night a federal judge in North Dakota issued a preliminary injunction that temporarily prevents the rule from taking effect in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. “Efforts to improve water quality and conserve natural resources will fail unless farmers, landowners, and others are given clear and common sense guidelines to follow,” commented Johnathan Hladik of the Center for Rural Affairs. “The Waters of the U.S. rule helps set this standard. We look forward to stakeholders working together toward responsible, reasonable, and cost-effective implementation.” According to Hladik, “Many farmers welcome the clarity this rule brings. For them, removing uncertainty means it will now be easier to achieve conservation and stewardship goals while improving the longterm health of their opera-

tion.” On May 27, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized the Clean Water Rule to protect the streams and wetlands that form the foundation of the nation’s water resources from pollution and degradation. According to the Center for Rural Affairs, the Clean Water Rule, also known as the “Waters of the U.S.,” seeks to cut through the chaos and confusion surrounding Clean Water Act enforcement, which arose from Supreme Court decisions in 2001 and 2006. The rule goes to great lengths to ensure that farmers and ranchers benefit from preserving water quality but are not overly burdened with the rule’s implementation. Hladik concluded, “It is important that states and others who question EPA’s authority to add clarity to the Clean Water Act have an opportunity to be heard. We hope for a timely legal resolution that removes uncertainty and allows those impacted to begin implementing plans to move forward.”

CROP REPORT Brent Griffin CEA-Staff Chair Prairie County Cooperative Extension Service P.O. Boxll 388 DeValls Bluff, AR 72041 (Office) 870-998-2614 (Mobile) 870-351-54616

Week of August 24 Days of field work: 7 Top Soil Moisture: 100% Short Sub Soil Moisture: 100% short Livestock Condition: Fair Main Activities: Corn and rice harvest picked up steam as harvest moisture dropped. Yield reports from both crops are 10 to 15% below averages. year last Sorghum harvest has progressed well with good yields. Soybean continue to be irrigated and cotton has reached cut out. Final hay cuttings were being made. Growing Progress: Corn: 100% Mature, 60% harvested Rice: 100% headed, 30% harvested Soybean: 5% Mature Sorghum: 100% color, 85% harvested Cotton: 65% Boll open Crop Condition: Corn: 100% Fair Soybean: 100% Fair Rice: 25% Poor 75% Fair Sorghum: 25% Poor 75% Fair Cotton: 100% Fair Hay/Pasture: 100% Fair

RICE HARVESTING: Rice harvesting is underway on the Pioneer Farm east of Des Arc. The farm has an out of state owner now and operated by local farmers, Greg and Steve Fields. HJS Photo

September marks 25th Annual Arkansas Rice Month September marks the 25th annual Rice Month in Arkansas. The Arkansas Rice Council will hold events throughout the month to help promote the top rice-producing state and support local agriculture. The rice industry will also donate over 100,000 pounds of rice to the Arkansas Rice Depot to help feed hungry Arkansans. Thanks to a new partnership with the Department of Education to raise awareness in the top rice-producing state, students enrolled in Future Farmers of Amer-

ica or Family and Consumer Sciences classes are eligible to win $500 towards their national convention by participating in the "30 tweets for #ArkansasRiceMonth" contest. Contest details as well as a list of tweets are available by visiting arkansasricemonth.com. The Rice Council has also partnered with Charlie Southern, a southern apparel brand based in Fayetteville, to create a rice t-shirt and promote local agriculture

First Soybeans.....

Arkansas Farm Bureau says injunction to block EPA Water Rule is ‘right call” Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach said Thursday’s preliminary injunction to block implementation of the Environmental Protection Agency rule to regulate water on private property was a breath of fresh air in a debate that has been heated and frustrating. U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson of North Dakota ruled that EPA’s plan to greatly expand its regulatory authority over water was inappropriate. “It appears likely that the EPA has violated its Congressional grant of authority in its promulgation of the rule,” he said as part of the ruling. Judge Erickson said the rule suffered from a “fatal

defect” of allowing regulation of ditches and streams that were not connected to navigable waters. “The judge clearly made the right call,” said Arkansas Farm Bureau President Randy Veach, a cotton, soybean and corn farmer from Manila (Mississippi County). “I’ve never met the man, but I want to shake his hand. He obviously sees the world with clear eyes and that should be applauded. “This has not been a debate about how water should be regulated. It has been an effort to see just how far the U.S. citizens would allow a government agency to get into their business. Hopefully, this

injunction is the first step toward total dismissal of EPA’s efforts to supersede local and state authority.” Arkansas will be among 13 states excluded, at least temporarily, from implementation of EPA’s Waters of the U.S. rule. In addition to Arkansas, the 13 states included in the injunction are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Arkansas Farm Bureau is a nonprofit, private advocacy organization of more than 190,000 families throughout the state working to improve farm and rural life.

Jeffrey Reidhar (operating combine) was seen last Friday (August 28) unloading a hopper of soybeans harvested on a field along Highway 38 East (Gary Carter field) The field was cutting 34.2 bushels to the acre and was of the Dyna Gro 39RY43 variety. Moisture was 12.6 percent. Terry Kendrick was operating the grain cart.

16” bar “This saw is brilliantly engineered and obviously made by people who take pride in their product. That is a rare and precious commodity these days.”

18” bar “It has ample power for a homeowner saw; well balanced, well made, and easy to start and use.”

Amanda Williams talks to 4-Hers about safe driving 18” bar “From the moment I began using the saw, it has performed beyond what was expected. It starts easy, is light enough to use for long periods of time and the power is up to all the tasks I have performed.”

Prairie County 4-H teens get tips on driving safely Amanda Williams, Safety Coordinator for Arkansas Farm Bureau, recently visited the Prairie County 4-H Teen Leader Club and presented the “Distracted Driving” program, a video presentation focused on accidents by young people who are texting and driving at the same time and the tragic consequences that at times result in death. "The No. 1 killer of American teens is distracted driving," Williams said. Williams explained that it is against the law in Arkansas for anyone under 18 years of age to use a cell phone be it with or without a hands-free accessory while driving because tex-

ting while driving is the most dangerous and the most distracting. She further mentioned that text messaging is prohibited for all drivers, no matter what age they are. Williams also said, "Remember, texting just doesn't affect you, but someone else. There is no text message that is so important that it can't wait until you can pull over on the side of the road or into a parking lot." There are various things that can cause distraction while driving, such as eating and drinking, talking on a cell phone, texting, talking to passengers, fiddling with GPS devices and

car stereos, grooming, and so on. Williams travels throughout the state presenting 14 different safety and informational programs FREE of charge to schools, churches, county Farm Bureaus, civic and charitable organizations. If you are interested in scheduling one of these educational programs with your organization, visit http://www.arfb.com/education-youth/safety-education/default.aspx or contact your local Farm Bureau at 870-255-4596. This program was sponsored by the Prairie County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee.

MS 250 Retail Price will be reduced to $299.95 during the promotional period of 9/1/15 - 10/31/15

18” Bar WAS $349.95 SSW-SRP

Offer valid 9/1/15 - 10/31/15 at participating dealers while supplies last.

“It is VERY EASY to start. And it will restart easily after it has been in use for a while. GREAT SAW. A JOY to own and operate.” Offer valid 9/1/15 - 10/31/15

Buddy Bowie, Manager Tel: 870-256-4121 1806 Main Street, Des Arc

H I T E

I V E R

O U R N A L

More Scrimmage game highlights

H U R S D A Y

E P T E M B E R

2015

RAVE Panic Button new app feature initiated to keep Des Arc Schools safe data such as exact location, floor plans, emergency exit locations, emergency contacts and key procedures and can deliver critical emergency notifications to on-site contacts. The Panic Button app may be down loaded on Smartphones from the App Store or Google Store by key school personnel and staff. If someone does not have a Smartphone, these personnel will still receive the texts. Once the Panic Button is set, there is a two-second response time to anyone listed in the Panic Button system. A specific area has been geocached into the system for the Elementary and High School. The Elementary person-

Des Arc School Superintendent Nick Hill met with administrators and staff of the Des Arc Elementary School on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 1 to explain the RAVE Panic Button app. The Arkansas Legislature passed School Safety Act 950 so that every public school student, faculty and staff member in the state will be protected with the RAVE Panic Button for a faster response to an active shooter or other emergency situations. The RAVE Panic Button connects to 9-1-1 while simultaneously notifying selected on-site personnel of the location and nature of the emergency. 9-1-1 and emergency responders automatically receive critical

nel will not receive the High School’s texts and vice versa. Parents also will not be able to receive the texts. The panic buttons on the app are Medical, Police, Fire, 9-1-1 and Active Shooter. Once a selection is made, a response is sent to the proper authorities. Supt. Hill stated,” We hope we are never faced with any emergency situation. The safety and wellbeing of our children, staff and personnel is of great importance. A faster response time means a faster resolution to emergency situations.” To learn more about the RAVE Panic Button app, go to www.ravepanicbutton.com

Preventing a score: Senior Noah Kennedy #14, left and Junior Austin “Bulldog” Weatherley, #22 right, tackle the Riverview ball carrier preventing a touchdown on Tuesday, August 25. The Eagles will play at Bald Knob Friday, September 4 to take on the 4A Bulldogs.

Stiff Arm: The Des Arc Junior Eagle ball carrier, bottom left, puts the “stiff arm” on the Riverview defender as a swarm of Junior Eagles clear the way in their scrimmage game on August 25.

Hold on! Senior Jacob Adams crosses the goal line carrying a Riverview Raider with him for the touchdown. The officials are right on top of the play to make the call. The Eagles scrimmaged against the Raiders on Tuesday, Aug. 25

Hooten’s Arkansas Football Rankings © Hooten Publishing, Inc. Hootens.com Rankings Class 2A, Week 1, 2015 Copyright Hooten Publishing Co. 1. Junction City 2. Rison 3. Hazen 4. McCrory 5. Gurdon 6. Mount Ida 7. Hector 8. Cross County 9. Bearden 10. Lafayette County 11. E. Poinsett County 12. Earle 13. Brinkley

14. Magnet Cove 15. Murfreesboro 16. Conway Christian 17. Des Arc 18. England 19. Dierks 20. Walnut Ridge 21. Bigelow 22. Hermitage 23. Hackett 24. Marked Tree 25. Parkers Chapel 26. Poyen 27. Carlisle 28. Mineral Springs 29. Woodlawn 30. Mountainburg 31. Salem

32. Cutter M. Star 33. Quitman 34. Strong 35. Palestine-Wheatley 36. Foreman 37. Union Christian 38. Spring Hill 39. J.C. Westside 40. Clarendon 41. Magazine 42. Augusta 43. Midland 44. W. Yell County 45. Decatur 46. Marvell 47. Rector 48. Mountain Pine

HOOTENS.COM GAME OF THE WEEK

Outta my way! Senior Colt Covington, #18, center, heads toward the goal line as the referee seems to be pacing him and the Raider defenders chasing him. Hayden Flud, #2 second from left, is making sure no defenders sneak up on his teammate. The Eagles will open their 2015 season with a game at Bald Knob with the 4A Bulldogs. Game time is 7:00 p.m.

2015 Des Arc Eagle Pee Wee Football Schedule Tues., Sept. 8

Hazen

There

6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm

Sat. Sept. 12

DeWitt

Here

10 am, 11:30 am

Sat. Sept. 19

Stuttgart

There

10 am, 11:30 am,

Tues., Sept. 22

Palestine

There

6 pm, 7 pm

Sat., Sept. 26

Lonoke

There

10 am, 11 am, 12 pm

Tues., Sept. 29

Beebe

Here

6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm

Sat., Oct. 3

Carlisle

Here

10 am, 11 am

Tues., Oct. 6 pm

Clarendon

Here

6:30 pm,7:30 pm,8:30

Sat., Oct. 10

Brinkley

There

10 am, 11 am, 12 pm

Playoff games Mon., Oct. 12 Tues., Oct. 13

At Clarendon At Clarendon

Playoff games Sat., Oct. 17 Sat. Oct. 24

At Brinkley At Beebe

Championship Games Sat. Oct. 31

At DeWitt

Third and Fourth Grade Fifth and Sixth Grade

No. 4 McCrory at No. 11 E. Poinsett County McCrory expects to dress a modern-era high 41 players for the opener, including 16 seniors. Newcomers Trevor Williams (6-1, 200), a receiver/defensive end, and offensive tackle Ty Alumbaugh (6-4, 330) boost title hopes even more. Senior WR/CB Montel Hall and junior DT Rafeal Reed (6-2, 270), who missed last season, are talented additions. No. 11 EPC, which returns just three defensive starters, has defeated McCrory four years in a row, including 36-32 last fall. All-conference QB/S Clay Malone (905 receiving yards, 76 tackles) and tailback Kyler Gordon (1,173 total yards) return for EPC. HOOTEN'S TV SHOW Hooten's Arkansas Football TV show airs 11 a.m. Saturdays this fall on KATV 7 (ABC-Little Rock) and previews the Arkansas Razorbacks and the day's opponent. LAST YEAR Hootens.com picked 254 of 305 games (83 percent) involving Class 2A teams. WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS (favored teams in ALL CAPS) 6-2A MCCRORY (12) at E. Poinsett County: See Game of the Week. Clarendon at DEWITT (7): The Mark Courtney (49-51-1 at Dumas) era beings at De Witt where the Dragons enter 2015 off their best two-year run (seven wins) in 15 years. Augusta at MARIANNA (36): Augusta (1-8 in 2014) enters its second season under head coach Chad Floyd. 2-3A member Marianna won this matchup 38-0 a year ago and should contend for a playoff spot. Marvell at BARTON (45): Marvell hired former Minden (La.) Glenbrook coach Chris Norton in June as its fifth head coach in seven years. Norton coached at West Memphis Christian in 2012-13. Barton blasted Marvell 42-0 a year ago. Des Arc at BALD KNOB (6): Bald Knob lost four turnovers but big-played Des Arc in last year's 21-13 win. Des Arc first-year coach Drake Widener inherits 17 returning starters off a 10-win team. Bald Knob all-league junior RB DeShawn Gulledge rushed for 940 yards and 11 TDs in 2014. HAZEN (21) at Earle: Defending 2A state runner-up and No. 3 Hazen will start three young linemen on offense, but senior (all-state) DTs Donovan Gurley (6-1, 320) and Khalid Mills (6-0, 220) spearhead a formidable defense that allowed just nine points per game in 2014. Hazen will not enjoy the depth of a year ago, but No. 12 Earle breaks in new starters at four spots on the offensive line and must replace graduated leading receiver/safety Tevin Scott and tackler Markus Lane. BRINKLEY (19) at Western Yell County: Numbers are down at No. 13 Brinkley, but its thunder and lightening, all-state RB/LB Daquan Greene (6-1, 220) and allleague scatback Johnny Aldridge (5-8, 150), are back. Rector at PAL-WHEATLEY (12): P-W's defense, which allowed 36 ppg last year, should improve after its 2014 junior high team didn't allowCarlisle at ENGLAND (12): England big-played its old 6-2A rival Carlisle 54-22 a year ago, and the Lions still own a decisive speed advantage.