Stories from Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Leslie Griffin (center) the daughter of Greg and Janice Griffin of Waldenburg was named Miss Mallard Queen. First alternate is Laura Raper (from left) the daughter of Kay and Ronnie Raper of Hazen, second alternate Lauren Keiter the daughter of Rhonda Keiter of Monette; third alternate Kandace Jones, the daughter of Angie and Michael Jones of Trumann and most photogenic, Misty Reeves, the daughter of Wanda and Maxwell Reeves of Trumann...

Arkansas rice producers have benefited from the Rice Research Verification Program (RRVP) for more than 20 years. As input cost continue to rise, it is extremely important to maximize net returns. "One of the main goals of the RRVP is to provide optimum yields and economic returns in rice production through implementation of University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture rice research recommendations," says Stewart Runsick, program associate and RRVP coordinator for the University Of Arkansas Division Of Agriculture. ...

DeAnn Penter joined the Cedar Park staff this year as a second grade teacher. This is DeAnn's third year to teach. She grew up in Wynne and graduated from Cross County High School. She continued her education by receiving a BSE PK-4 from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro...

"My memory is in my fingers," said Jules Martin during a special gathering in his honor Monday morning. Trumann Mayor Ronnie Harrison declared Sept. 24 through Sept. 30 as Jules Martin Week. The proclamation read, "Jules Martin has contributed his music on many occasions for the enjoyment of our citizens in events such as weddings, banquets, baccalaureates, graduations, church services and funerals and is himself a musician who is held in high esteem by the citizens of Trumann."...

Jonesboro Elks Lodge 498 is pleased to announce the Elks National Foundation's 2007 "Most Valuable Student" contest will be available beginning Sept. 1. Applications are available at local Elks lodges or on-line at elks.org. Jonesboro Elks 498 will sponsor the program and applications for 2007 contest must be submitted to the local lodge by Jan. 12, 2007...

Arkansas will receive $700,000 in grant funds from the federal No Child Left Behind program to improve P-16 education partnerships. The U.S. Department of Education awarded the funds to the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE), which establishes policies for dispersing the funds, oversees the grant and advocates professional development for teachers...

In October of 1953, Miss Joan Nelson, music director for Trumann High School, formed a group of seven singing young girls. The junior and senior girls were chosen not only for their vocal talent but also for their ability to harmonize. After the group was organized they needed a distinctive name, a name that could be identified with the town. ...

Week of Sept. 25 -- 29 Monday -- cheeseburger, French fries, lettuce and tomato, pork and beans, apple crisp and milk. Tuesday -- burrito w/chili, refried beans, chips and dip, peaches and milk. Wednesday -- chicken nuggets, potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, diced pears and milk...

Arkansas State University in Jonesboro awarded 348 diplomas on Friday, Aug. 4, during the Summer Commencement Ceremony in the Convocation Center. Graduates from this area: Bay - Rebecca L. Keith, MSHS, Health Sciences; Todd S. Meyer, BA, English, Magna Cum Laude...

April Gardner, 223 Redwood, was arrested on Sept. 8 by Ptl. Glen Smith. She was charged with possession of a controlled substance (meth) with intent to deliver and possession of a controlled substance (pills) According to police reports, Gardner was stopped for a traffic violation and a consent to search her vehicle resulted in the illegal substances being found...

A new fun activity in this year's Wild Duck Festival is the "Strut Your Mutt" contest. It is set for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30 at the sports complex. Entries do not have to be a pure breed. All dogs are welcome. The entry fee is $5 and all dogs must have proof of the current year's vaccinations...

Thanks to voter turnout, the school will receive approximately $10 million from the state in matching funds to the $6 million that will be raised from the millage increase voters approved in a vote Tuesday. The vote passed with 927 votes for the millage increase and 629 against the increase...

The Bay Harvest Festival is completing plans for the town's upcoming festival. The theme for this year is, "The sights, the smells, the sounds...it's all in the mix, Bay Harvest Festival 2006." The fish fry kicks off from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 6 in the school cafeteria. Price is $9 for "all you can eat and drink."...

The Trumann City Council tabled discussion of banning bull dogs until its October Meeting when it met in regular session last week. They also voted to waive the permit fees for the Trumann Wild Duck Festival. The Duck Festival is set for Friday, Sept. 29 and Saturday, Sept. 30 at the sports complex on Pecan Grove Road...

Poinsett County officials and first responders were put to the test at an earthquake functional exercise held at the fire department in Marked Tree last Tuesday morning. Poinsett County emergency management coordinator Merle Williams planned and directed the simulated catastrophic event which was designed to help leaders and first responders discuss and evaluate their plans, procedures and capabilities in light of a major earthquake...

The St. Bernards Diabetes Management Center will host a back-to-school mini-conference for children and adolescents who have diabetes on Tuesday, Sept. 26. The event is designed for diabetics, their parents and families and others who are interested in childhood diabetes...

Arkansas Sate University's Department of Nursing, the Regional Training Center for Disaster Life Support, will be sponsoring two disaster-related training courses. Basic Disaster Life Support (BDLS) is offered on Friday, Sept. 15, in the Mockingbird Room in the Student Union or Friday, Oct. ...

The 2006 Riceland Rice Cook-Off, an official event of the Arkansas Rice Festival, will be Oct. 14 at the Weiner Christian Church, 321 West Second St., in Weiner. Recipes may be entered in six divisions -- hors d'oeuvres, salads, breads, vegetables, main dishes and candies/desserts. Recipes must be original, unpublished and include rice or a rice cereal as a primary ingredient...

The third annual "Ridin' for the Man" Outreach Festival is set noon on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Cedar Park across from Cedar Park Elementary. Activities will include guest speakers, various music ministries, a dunk tank, an air jump tent, clowns, face painting, hot dogs and sodas, prize give-aways and much more. The Christian Bikers Association will also be there...

Central Baptist Church, 610 W. Speeway, is having a revival featuring evangelist Ron Lovins at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24 and 7 p.m. nightly, Monday Sept. 25 -- Wednesday, Sept. 27. Everyone is welcome to attend. For a ride to the revival call Danny Hooker at 483-2301...

Bay High School's Beta Club is sponsoring the Miss Harvest beauty pageant on Saturday, Sept. 30. Girls ages one to 18 and boys ages one to three are welcome to participate. The entry fee is $15 plus $2 each for optional categories of best dressed, prettiest hair and prettiest eyes...

The Trumann Masonic Lodge is sponsoring a pancake breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the lodge on Hwy 463 in Trumann. Proceeds from the breakfast fund the organizations annual scholarship program.

The First Baptist Church in Trumann will present "Seven Laws of the Learner" from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14. Parents, teachers, business professionals and those just wishing to be a better communicator will find this seminar interesting and informative...

Air Force Airman Terry L. Mross has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations...

The Poinsettia Club met in the home of Frances Montgomery on Sept. 11, a week late due to the Labor Day holiday. After minutes and financial reports were read and accepted, the ladies got down to future business. Plans for the Duck Festival, which will be Sept. 29 and 30, were discussed. The club sold tickets for the $1,000 give-away at Wal-Mart Sept. 16. They will be at Wal-Mart again starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 23. This one way the club finances the award of scholarships...

The Maple Grove EHC met Monday, Sept. 10 in the fellowship hall of the church. There were eight members present. The group enjoyed a pot luck lunch before the meeting started. The meeting was called to order by vice president Wylma Parrish. The thought of the month, "Talking comes by nature, but silence comes by wisdom," was read by Mary L. Johnson. The inspirational thought, "Septembers Gifts," inspired by Psalm 103:2, was read by Lorene Sadler...

Mr. Roy Van Arms, 91 of Trumann, died Friday, Sept. 15, 2006 at Trumann Health and Rehabilitation. Mr. Arms was born in Cord and had lived most of his lifetime in Trumann. He was retired from the Consumer Gas Service and member of the First Baptist Church in Trumann...