Stories from Sunday, September 25, 2011

Trumann's Masonic Lodge 693 will have a pancake breakfast at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. There will be all the pancakes, bacon or sausage you can eat for a $6 donation. The lodge is located at 500 Hwy. 463S in Trumann.

The "See You at the Pole" prayer event for students in Trumann will be observed at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at the high school and intermediate school flag poles. Adults are welcome to gather at the United Methodist Church and the Healing Hands Church across from the schools. A SYATP rally will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at the First General Baptist Church for all students. The church is located one mile west of Trumann and just south of Hwy. 69.

New laws concerning cell phone use while driving through school zones and construction areas will go into effect in Arkansas starting in October. The new laws -- statutes 27-51-1609 and 27-51-1610 -- prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving in school zones during school hours or while children are present and in construction zones while workers are present. Gov. Mike Bebee signed the legislation into law in February and the laws take effect Oct. 1. Trumann police chief Tony Rusher said his officers will be watching for violations during times when students are being dropped off or picked up at school. "The whole purpose of the law is the safety of the kids," Rusher said. Lawmakers recently have been stiffening up laws regarding cell phone use. Laws that are already in effect include: all drivers are prohibited from text messaging; drivers under 18 may not use cell phones, regardless of whether a hands-free accessory is employed; drivers 18-20 must use hands-free attachments while talking on cell phones, and school bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving.

The Community Birthday Calendars are due the month of September. The calendars are still $6 per household (up to 10 names). All money is due in advance payable to the C.C.C. PO Box48 Lepanto. Please send any birthdays, anniversaries and memorial information with your payment. Your continued support is appreciated.

In conjunction with the Cotton Pickin' Jubilee, Judy Byran Webb will be in concert at the Marked Tree High School Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 24. All proceeds go to the Marked Tree Senior Class. "Come join us for a fun-filled night of music from every decade," a spokesman said. "If you like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Patsy Cline, Shania Twain, and many others, you will love this show." Tickets will be on sale from members of the Senior Class, or persons may contact Carolyn Wages or Bobbie Pharis. Tickets are $5. Show starts at 7 p.m.

In conjunction with the Cotton Pickin' Jubilee, Judy Byran Webb will be in concert at the Marked Tree High School Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 24. All proceeds go to the Marked Tree Senior Class. "Come join us for a fun-filled night of music from every decade," a spokesman said. "If you like Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Patsy Cline, Shania Twain, and many others, you will love this show." Tickets will be on sale from members of the Senior Class, or persons may contact Carolyn Wages or Bobbie Pharis. Tickets are $5. Show starts at 7 p.m.

The Cooperative Extension Service offers educational opportunities throughout the year in the county. The Poinsett County Extension Homemakers Clubs are reorganizing and seeking new members. Extension Homemakers Clubs offer educational programs in cooperation with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, as well as leadership and community service opportunities. Last year Poinsett County EHC members were recognized for contributing over 8,000 volunteer hours to worthwhile projects such as Christmas stockings for the DHS Foster Home, Chemo caps for Arkansas Children's Hospital and NEA Women's Cancer group, quilts for senior citizens and many more. Membership and their program benefits are open to all persons in the county, regardless of age, race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (large print, audiotapes, etc.) should contact the County Extension Office as soon as possible prior to the activity. Extension Homemakers Clubs in the county include: White Hall EHC meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in various locations*. Lucky 13 EHC meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Jean Weeks*. *Contact the Extension office for the upcoming meeting location. For more information about meetings, Extension Homemakers Club membership, 4-H Youth Programs or program benefits, contact Sharon R. Lowery, County Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences, email at slowery@uaex.edu or the Poinsett County Cooperative Extension office located at 302 North Main Street in Harrisburg, 870-578-4490.

The staff at Lake Poinsett State Park invites persons to attend the annual Fall Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 1. The celebration will start at 2 p.m. and continue until 7.Admission is $5 per car and concessions will be available for purchase. It will be a fun-packed Saturday afternoon with hayrides, pumpkin decorating, Dutch Oven Cooking Demonstrations and hand-led horseback rides. The Fall Celebration will also feature a 3:30 p.m. performance by Roger Fountain and Friends.Roger is a long-time Ozarks fiddler who plays regularly at the Ozark Folk Center, and has recently judged the Arkansas State Fiddle Championship. Billy Wayne Martin, a talented multi-instrumentalist with a rich singing voice, and Gresham McMillon, whose over-the-top bass playing is enjoyed by all who hear him play, will join Roger. This is the schedule: * 2 p.m. - Pumpkin Decorating ñ The pumpkins are in and waiting to be decorated.Guests can decorate a pumpkin to take home. * 2:30ñ3:30 ñ Hand-Led Horseback Rides ñ The weather is cooling down and it is the perfect time for a horseback ride. Kids of all ages are welcome to go for a ride. * 3:30-6 p.m. - Kid's Corner Activities - Face Painting, Crafts, Scavenger Hunt, Games, and an inflatable jumping castle and obstacle course. * 3:45 p.m. ñ Concert by Roger Fountain and Friends, regular performers at the Ozark Folk Center.They will be performing a variety of music for the whole family. * 5 p.m. ñ Dutch Oven Biscuit Cooking Demonstration ñ "Everyone loves homemade biscuits but they are even better in a Dutch oven," a spokesman said."See how they are made and try a sample." After the Fall Celebration, there is a free movie at 7:30 p.m. to be shown at the amphitheater. This year the park will be showing the new "Yogi Bear"."You can't beat a free movie outdoors," the spokesman said. "Make sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets." Lake Poinsett State Park is one of the 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The 135-acre park offers camping, a boat launch ramp, a standard pavilion, picnic sites, restrooms and bathhouse on 640-acre Lake Poinsett. Along with the visitor center and gift shop, the park offers two nature trails and year-round interpretive programs.For more information about the Fall Celebration or any park events, persons may contact the park at (870) 578-2064 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.

There will be a battle of the decades at the Lepanto Terrapin Derby First Annual Kick-Ball Tournament. The event will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Lepanto Sports Complex. Competing teams are Class of 1960-69, Class of 1970-79, Class of 1980-89, Class of 1990-99, Class of 2000-10 and Class of 2011. The charge is $10 per person, with 12-15 on each team. For more information, persons may contact Wilma Pierce at 870-919-3604 or Tammy Betts at 870-919-2399.

Two children's authors will set up aLocal Authors Booth at this year's Delta Cotton Pickin' Jubilee from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24,in Marked Tree. Authors interested in wanting more information about when the author's club meets in Jonesboro are encouraged to stop by and visit. Carol Dabney from Marked Tree will have signed copies of her children's poetry book "Military Mommy" as well as musical CDs with original songs composed and sung by the author. Margaret Fransworth from Bay will have her "Christmas Mouse" storybook with Christmas pillows and jams. She also plays the part of Mrs. Claus during the Christmas season, and this is a good time to schedule her for upcoming Christmas events. The authors booth will give the public an opportunity to interact and meet the two authors as well as view several books by two other local authors who are in the Local Authors Club of Jonesboro: Linda Nance, author and illustrator of "Journey Home" and her children's book "The Pumpkin Field", plus adult romance adventure writer Jetta Stone, author of the book "Silver Moon." The booth will also have crafts and baked goods. The baked goods will benefit the Women's Progressive Club of Marked Tree.

The Rotary Club of Marked Tree will host a 5K Walk/Run in honor of Peggy Bankston on Saturday, Sept. 24. Bankston was a community leader, working tirelessly at school and church events and bringing a smile to all she knew. The kickoff for the walk will begin at 8 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 304 Frisco St. in Marked Tree, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. The registration fee is $25 and the first 90 to register will receive a free t-shirt. Persons who would like to pre-register, may contact First Delta Bank, Iberia Bank, and/or Unico Bank in Marked Tree. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Paint the Town Orange is the annual celebration for the week of the Harrisburg football homecoming. Festivities begin on Oct. 3 and last until Saturday, Oct. 8. Harrisburg will hold a Paint the Town Orange Contest with the judging on Thursday night and the winner announced Friday night. The winner will receive a cash prize. Paula Miller will be available for window painting. She can be contacted at 870-926-8841. Hornet yard signs can be purchased for $10 each at the Chamber office and Charmallie Boutique. The Chamber and Alumni Association will be selling "Paint the Town Orange" t-shirts. They are orange with black print, with a Monopoly theme hosting area businesses. The cost is $15 for sizes S through XL and $17 for sizes 2XL and 3XL. Thursday night the Jr. Hornet will play the Corning Bobcats at 7 p.m. and Friday night the Sr. Hornets will face the Piggott Mohawks at 7:30. Each night the homecoming ceremonies start 30 minutes before the game. The Homecoming Parade will start around 1:15 p.m. and there will be a short ceremony when it reaches the Courthouse. Balloons will be released as the parade passes several stops. To reserve an area in Tailgate City for Friday night or for more information about class reunion events, persons may contact the Harrisburg Alumni Association at 870-219-3472. On Saturday, the Alumni Association is sponsoring a "Glory Days" football game with performances by alumni players, cheerleaders and majorettes. The event will be full of energy. The deadline to register is Sept. 23. To participate, visit www.HarrisburgChamber.com for the Participation Form or contact Jamie Redd-Wright at 870-219-3472. This is the full schedule: * Monday, Oct. 3, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. there will be a picnic lunch with a balloon launch and bake sale for the Bread of Life Food Pantry at the east side of the courthouse. First National Bank is sponsoring this event. * Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. there will be a Business After Hours with the HHS football players, cheerleaders and award-winning band in the Food Giant parking lot. * Friday, Oct. 7, is Hornet Day. Be sure to wear orange. From 1:15 until 2 p.m. there will be a homecoming parade and balloon launch. From 5 until 7 p.m. there will be an alumni reunion in Tailgate City. At 7 p.m. homecoming ceremonies will take place and at 7:30 Harrisburg will face the Piggott Mohawks. * Saturday, Oct. 8, is the HHS alumni football game and starting at 7 p.m., music, fun and fellowship will begin. For changes, updates and more information about the city of Harrisburg, visit the chamber's website at www.HarrisburgChamber.com.

Trumann Junior High students really got ready for Thursday night's homecoming game against Westside. They have participated in Spirit Week by having Cowboy and Indian Day, Baby Day, Animal Day and Black and Gold Day on Thursday. Thursday's game will begin at 7 p.m. The 2011 TIS Homecoming Royalty includes seventh grade maids Elle Eaves and Skylar Byerly, eighth grade maids Heather Wood and Ashton Parker and ninth grade maids Alli Victory and Blaire Jones. The 2011 Queen is Macey Davis. Trumann Senior High students will have a pep rally at 1:30 Friday followed by the Homecoming Parade. The parade will start at the High School, turn on Willow, pass the Elementary School, cross the highway and end up at Trumann Intermediate School. The 2011 Homecoming Game against Pocahontas will begin at 7 p.m. The 2011 Wildcat Homecoming Royalty includes 10th grade maids Haidyn Blasingame and Jennifer Zuniga, 11th grade maids Skylar Jones and Morgan Taylor, 12th grade maids Gabby Santos and Maegan Williams, and Queen Julianna King.

Harrisburg School Board member Byron Neal lost his re-election bid to Jeb Bass, who won by a margin of 104-59, Poinsett County Circuit Clerk Fonda Condra said. Neal was elected in 2009 and served on the board for a year before being removed from an interim board created after Harrisburg and Weiner school districts consolidated. The state Supreme Court restored Neal to the board after ruling in May that the district violated state law by removing him. A Harrisburg school tax, which would have determined a uniform rate of taxation for Harrisburg and Weiner districts, failed by a margin of 144 for, 458 against. In the EPC school district, voters approved a four mill increase by a margin of 164-85, bringing the total millage rate to 35.2. The millage increase will be used to replace windows in both the Tyronza and Lepanto elementary buildings to make them more energy efficient and to make the school's salary schedule more competitive. Stephen Chad Henderson was elected unchallenged to the EPC school board. In Trumann, Adam Jones won the school board position with 312 votes. Don Cole had 46 votes, and Todd Qualls had 24 votes. Jones will replace Ronnie Everhart, who did not seek re-election. The Trumann school tax, which was to continue the rate of 35.8 mills, passed by a margin of 214-163. In Marked Tree, Vickie Green was elected unchallenged to the school board.

Harrisburg School Board member Byron Neal lost his re-election bid to Jeb Bass, who won by a margin of 104-59, Poinsett County Circuit Clerk Fonda Condra said. Neal was elected in 2009 and served on the board for a year before being removed from an interim board created after Harrisburg and Weiner school districts consolidated. The state Supreme Court restored Neal to the board after ruling in May that the district violated state law by removing him. A Harrisburg school tax, which would have determined a uniform rate of taxation for Harrisburg and Weiner districts, failed by a margin of 144 for, 458 against. In the EPC school district, voters approved a four mill increase by a margin of 164-85, bringing the total millage rate to 35.2. The millage increase will be used to replace windows in both the Tyronza and Lepanto elementary buildings to make them more energy efficient and to make the school's salary schedule more competitive. Stephen Chad Henderson was elected unchallenged to the EPC school board. In Trumann, Adam Jones won the school board position with 312 votes. Don Cole had 46 votes, and Todd Qualls had 24 votes. Jones will replace Ronnie Everhart, who did not seek re-election. The Trumann school tax, which was to continue the rate of 35.8 mills, passed by a margin of 214-163. In Marked Tree, Vickie Green was elected unchallenged to the school board.

True Light Apostolic Ministries, 406 Railroad St., Marked Tree, will have a Joyful Jubilee Singsperation Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. Pastor Anthony Brown invites everyone to attend. There will be singers as well as groups and lots of activities. Food will be available to purchase.

The Tyronza Library has been closed since June, but Emily Glover is working to change that. Glover has been seeking possible grants to fund the construction of a new building to house the library, is working on programs the library will host and is looking for monetary and equipment donations to get the library running. There will be an Open House during the Community Block Party at 6 p.m. Oct. 4 in the old library behind city hall where Glover will talk about the programs she hopes to have and the equipment she wants to purchase. "I'm really excited," Glover said. "We need the library back open." Glover wants to have an after school program Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 5 p.m. and reading programs in the summer. Movie nights will be on Fridays, and there will be activities on Saturdays for different age groups. EPC school district has donated computers, and the library will have internet access. Glover also wants to purchase a copy/fax/printer, a TV, DVD player, and a Wii. "We need all the help we can get from the community and local businesses," Glover said. The library is currently in need of book, movie, monetary, and equipment donations as well as volunteers. Glover said any donations would be greatly appreciated. She can be reached at egloverrn@yahoo.com or 870-284-0786.

TRUMANN - Mrs. Patsy A. "Pat" Marvel, 75, of Trumann died Saturday morning at the family residence. Mrs. Marvel was born and had lived most of her lifetime in Trumann. She was a retired employee of Trumann Water Works and a member of the Providence Baptist Church in Trumann. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Robin A. Marvel; one sister, Jane Marvel, and was the daughter of the late R.V. and Lela Mangrum Robbins. Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Walter T. Marvel of the home; one daughter, Mrs. Judy Stanis Marvel and husband Carl of Georgetown, Ind.; two grandchildren, Miriam Sophia and Nicolas Aaron Stanis, both of Georgetown, Ind.; two sisters, Mrs. Lucille McCarty Greer of Trumann and Mrs. Faye Swanner of Chino, Calif. Funeral service was Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Trumann with Rev. Bobby Brooks officiating. Burial followed in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark. Active pallbearers were Doug Timbs, Larry Parsley, Tommy Anschultz, Gary Pruitt, Ed Ross, Billy Brooks and Jim Fowler. Visitation was Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann, Ark. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

BAY - Mrs. Emma Jean Lancaster, 68, of Bay, died Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, at the family residence. She was born in Savannah, Tenn., and had lived most of her lifetime in Bay. Mrs. Lancaster was a housewife and of the Baptist faith. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Irvin Douglas Lawrence, two grandsons, Jeffery Dewayne McLaughlin and Gary Lawrence; four brothers, Hershell, Willie, L.B. and Warren Martin, two sisters, Dorsic Qualls and Elsie Parker, and her parents, Harvey and Omie Lee Dickerson Martin. Survivors include five daughters, Pamela McLaughlin, Lisa Ealley and Tamela Kay Dever, all of Trumann, Emma Denice Lawrence and Netia Ann Lawrence, both of Bay; three sons, Mark Lawrence of Jonesboro, Doyle Lawrence and Irvin Lawrence, both of Bay; one sister, Lessie Davis of Trumann; three brothers, Jimmie Martin, Earl Martin and J.C. Martin, all of Collinwood, Tenn.; 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Funeral service was Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. in the chapel of Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann with Bro. William "Dub" Holt and Jimmy Martin officiating. Burial followed in the Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark. Pallbearers were Irvin Lawrence Jr., Paul Lawrence, Michael Hellums, Tyler Blanchard, Mark A. Lawrence and Kevin Lawrence. Honorary pallbearers were Cody Welch, Steven Lawrence and Thomas Ealey. Visitation was Tuesday from 5 until 7 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home. An online guest book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net.

TRUMANN - Mrs. Viola Brooks, 79 of Trumann passed away on Sept. 10, 2011, at Woodbrier Nursing Center in Harrisburg, Ark. She was born in Philadelphia, Miss., and had lived most of her life in Trumann. She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was also a member of the Providence Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Eddie Cleveland Vance and Artie Missy (Neece) Vance; one son Eddie Lee Brooks Sr., two sisters Lena Pearl Tucker and Mary Prestage, and two brothers, L.C. Vance and Willy Dee Vance. Survivors are her husband of 62-plus years, Bennie Ray Brooks of Harrisburg Ark., three daughters, Viola Louise Chambers of Trumann, Ola Mae Dertinger of Philadelphia, Miss., Norma Sue Bell of Trumann; three sons, Raymond Ray Brooks of Phoenix AZ, Billy Frank Brooks, Bobby Joe Brooks both of Trumann; 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services were Monday, Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. at the Providence Baptist Church in Trumann with Bro. Bobby Brooks, and Bro. Leroy Franks officiating. Burial followed in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark. Serving as pallbearers were Todd Williams, Eddie Brooks Jr., Joe Dertinger, Cody Craig, Charles Pankey, and Cody Eichorn. Honorary pallbearers were Kelley Walters, Keith Coffell and Jacob Brooks. Services were directed by Thompson Funeral Home of Trumann, Ark. Visitation was Sunday evening at Providence Baptist Church in Trumann from 5 to 8 p.m. The family asks that those who wish to make donations to consider the Providence Baptist Church in Trumann. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net

TRUMANN - Mrs. Betty Jean "B.J." Wallace, 83, of Trumann, Ark., died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro, Ark. She was born in Paragould, Ark., and had lived in Trumann for the past 26 years and was formerly of Houston, Texas. Mrs. Wallace was a housewife and member of the First Baptist Church in Trumann. She was preceded in death by one brother, Dillman Lawrence, and her parents, Clarence and Geneva Wilkerson Lawrence. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, James R. Wallace of the home; one daughter, Lisa L. Gillett and husband, Humphrey of Fulshear, Texas; one brother, Ray Lawrence of Temple, Texas; and one grandson, James Allen Dozier of Pflugerville, Texas. Funeral service was Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Trumann with Dr. Tad Rogers officiating. Burial followed in the Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery in Jonesboro, Ark. Pallbearers were Dennis Morgan, Jan Morgan, Taylor Morgan, Scottie Taylor, Phil Ball, Scotty Jones, Gary Baldwin, and Beau Ballard. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Michael L. Isaacson, Joe Parnell, Curtis Gifford, Bill Morrison, Ed Richardson, Eric Lowery, and Donnie Pipes. Visitation was Monday evening from 5 to 7 at Thompson Funeral Home in Trumann. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 575, Trumann, Ark. An online register book can be signed at www.thompsonfuneralhome.net

Felicia Moore (left) of Manila recently had her hair cut by Kasey Laxton. Kasey is enrolled in the cosmetology program at ASUN Technical Center in Marked Tree.Felicia donated her hair to the Locks of Love program. Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses provided help to restore their self-esteem and confidence, enabling them to face the world and peers.

The 2011 Trumann Wild Duck Festival will take place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 23 and 24. Events will begin on Friday, starting at 3 p.m. and lasting until that night around 10 p.m. On Saturday, the festival will pick up at 9 a.m. and end around 10:30 or 11 p.m. Activities this year include a car and motorcycle show, a horseshoe tournament, a BBQ cooking contest and a parade Saturday morning. There will also be Trumann Wild Duck Festival tee shirts available for purchase at both city hall and at the festival. Regular sizes of the shirt can be purchased for $10 and sizes extra-large and double extra-large will be on sale for $12. Entry forms for the car and motorcycle show can also be picked up at city hall. The car show will take place on Saturday at the Trumann Sports Complex. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the fee is $20. If those who are entering the car show would like to also be in the parade, they may meet at the old Price Chopper building on Hwy. 463 at 9 a.m. Plaques will be awarded for best paint, most club entries, oldest vehicle, mayor's choice and farthest driven. First, second and third place trophies will be awarded to the following classes: classic cars, street rods, mopars and muscle cars, trucks, and motorcycles. All participants will receive a plaque with a photo of their car. This event is sponsored by the Trumann Walmart Supercenter and all of the proceeds go to Children's Miracle Network. For more information on the call show, persons may call Dana or Brandy at 870-483-6491. The Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the BBQ contest for this year. The categories include chicken, ribs, Boston butts and cook's choice, which is any meat, fish or foul, excluding pork. Entry applications are still being accepted. The grand prize for the BBQ contest is $1,000 and each division will have its own prize. The rules will follow the Kansas City BBQ regulations and the Chamber will furnish the meat in the chicken, ribs and Boston butt categories. The contestant will have to furnish any meat in the cook's choice category. All of the meat will be cooked on site starting at 8 p.m. Friday. Judging will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday. The entry fee is $100 per team and the fee and application must be turned in by Thursday, Sept. 22. Applications can be picked up at the Chamber office or Unico Bank. The 6th Annual Horseshoes Tournament will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Trumann Sports Complex. Sponsors include Unico Bank and Trumann Parks and Recreation. First, second and third place will receive plaques and cash prizes. The Adult Division, anyone 17 and older, will be doubles at $20 per entry and the Youth Division, 16 and younger, will be singles at $10 per entry. Entry forms can be picked up at City Hall or through Tim Collins at 483-3294. The Trumann Wild Duck Festival would like to thank all of their sponsors for their monetary donations: Thompson Funeral Home, Ritter Communications, WalMart, Patterson Gin, Gary's Pharmacy, The Box Shop, UNICO Bank, Speedway Sales, Columbia Forest, Entergy, Trumann Ambulance, Tropical Twist Pizza, Victory Insurance, H & R Block, Paw Paw's Bar B Q, Trumann Mart, Trumann Citgo, Checkerboard Fine Gifts, Baker Lumber Co., Dayspring Behavioral Health and Jerry's Steakhouse. For more information on any of the events, persons may call Trumann City Hall at 870-483-5355.

Trumann police chief Tony Rusher reviewed grants the department has applied for while serving as guest speaker this past Wednesday at the Trumann Lions Club meeting. He also talked about several new state laws. Rusher said the grants that have been applied for are for a defibrillator and two new police cars. He cited some new laws and also about changes to others. One new law, which will be a secondary offense, is that persons caught using cell phones in a construction or school zone are subject to an additional fine. "We need to be very safe in these two areas," Rusher said. "This will take effect Oct. 1 of this year." Some changes to laws have been made, the chief said. Brass knuckles possession has gone from a felony to a misdemeanor. Herbal snuff requires the individual to be 18 years old or older to buy. Citizens under the age of 18 who are caught smoking can now be court-ordered to do community service or take a course. Pharmacies now have the right to decide if they want to sell sudafedrin to an individual. Wal-Mart requires a prescription to purchase it. Persons who have a doctor's excuse for not wearing a seat belt may contact the revenue office and the information can be added to a file that will appear if stopped by the police. Another change involves smoking in a vehicle with children. The old law was that, if a child was under six years of age and 60 pounds, persons could not smoke in the car. It has been changed now to any children aged 14 or under in the vehicle. If anyone has any questions about changes in law, Rusher said the police department is available for information.

Marked Tree Rotary Club presented dictionaries to third graders at Marked Tree Elementary, Tyronza Elementary and Lepanto Elementary last week as part of The Dictionary Project, a program the club has participated in for the past eight years. The goal of the program is to assist students in becoming good writers, active readers, creative thinkers, and resourceful learners by providing them with their own personal dictionary. The dictionaries are a gift to each student to use at school and at home. Each dictionary has the Rotary emblem on the inside cover and place for the student's name. The Dictionary Project seeks to provide every student in the United States with his or her own personal dictionary through the help of local sponsors and volunteers. According to The Dictionary Project's website, the idea for The Dictionary Project came in 1992 when Annie Plummer of Savannah, Ga., gave 50 dictionaries to children who attended a school close to her home. She continued to do this every year and raised enough money during her lifetime to buy 17,000 dictionaries for children in Savannah. Bonnie Beeferman of Hilton Head, S.C., heard about Plummer's project and began selling crafts to raise money to buy dictionaries for students in her community. By 1995, Beeferman was getting so many requests from teachers to be involved in the project that she wrote a letter to the editor of the Charleston Post and Courier explaining the project and asking for someone to help meet requests for the Charleston area. Mary French realized providing dictionaries to all the students in Charleston would require serious fundraising, so she and her husband, Arno, started a nonprofit association in 1995 which became The Dictionary Project. The original goal of The Dictionary Project was to provide dictionaries to all the third grade students in South Carolina every year, a goal they achieved in 1999. In 2002, The Dictionary Project went national and expanded its mission to include students in all 50 states. Today, individuals, businesses, and civic organizations participate in the program and give dictionaries and other reference books to children in all 50 states, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, three Canadian provinces, and more than 15 other countries throughout the world. To date, over 15 million dictionaries have been distributed to children. The Marked Tree Rotary Club has been participating in the project for the past eight years and had given out 912 dictionaries as of last year. Rotarian Bill Stanley said the dictionaries they distributed last week puts them well over 1,000.

At the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce meeting, Mayor Randy Mills spoke about the East Arkansas Planning and Development District, or EAPDD. The EAPDD is a non-profit, regional planning and development agency, whose purpose is to support and promote the economic development of the regional community. The agency's main focus is on infrastructure in east Arkansas. EAPDD also is engaged in community planning, such as computer mapping application and geographic information systems, community development, such as grant and loan application assistance and web services, business development and waste management. Each month EAPDD holds local meetings with community volunteers on the committee, but will also hold three large public meetings over a two-year period to get the community involved and includes committee members from the surrounding 12 counties. Mills hopes that EAPDD will hold its three large meetings in Harrisburg at the school's Fine Arts Building. "We have what they need for a place to meet," Mills said. Mills is also looking for volunteers who would be interested in joining the EAPDD committee. All committee members will be reimbursed for their time at the meetings. If anyone is interested in joining, please call the Chamber at 870-578-4104. The board members also: * approved the Chamber's purchase of four metal trashcans to place around the Courthouse. Two of the trash cans have been bought by local businesses and will have a plaque placed on them with their name. The Chamber hopes to sell the other two. Each trashcan is $406, holds 36 gallons and is 43 inches tall. They also come with a rain-guard and will help with the cities efforts in beautifying the downtown area. * discussed selling Boston butts as a fundraiser for the Chamber. Members will be pre-selling the butts up until Friday, Sept. 30. The butts will be wrapped and cooked Thursday, and the Chamber will begin delivering the meat Thursday afternoon and throughout Friday. They will cost $25 and are around eight pounds each before they are cooked. The Chamber feels that the Boston butts would be an excellent and easy meal choice for the Friday, Oct. 7 homecoming tailgate. * postponed the Poker Run fundraiser until spring. With all of the activities going on in Harrisburg, the Chamber decided to wait to do the Poker Run until March or April.

The Trumann School Board approved several bids which will help improve the system through technology in a meeting this week. The board first approved a bid for HP Laser Jet printers and toners to CDW-G at $5,626.74. They also approved a bid for LCD projectors to CDW-G at $13,188.36 and a bid for iPads, Macbook and iPad Learning Lab to Apple at $61,566.10. All of the bids were made through IDEA-ARRA Funds. In other business the board: * approved the transfer of Austin May into Trumann School District from Bay School District. * approved the Gifted/Talented Student Progress Report, Program Evaluation Plan and GT Teacher Hiring Rubric in preparation for GT monitoring. * approved Cedar Park Elementary Handbook change concerning field trips. * approved the Migrant Education Application. * approved Myra Graham, Trumann's superintendent, to increase (referee) officials' pay for athletic events to be equal to other schools in the conference when it does not meet that level. * approved submitting an application for a permit to issue bonds (refinance at a lower rate) and to authorize Graham to accept or reject the best bid submitted in consultation with the fiscal agent. * discussed the proper procedures for the Safe Room. * distributed voting procedure for Homecoming elections for board to consider at next meeting. * heard an update from Graham on the following enrollment reports. Enrollment for the year is 1,536, which is up 19 from last year. Regarding yearbook changes, there has been an increase in price from $30 to $35 in order to have a full color annual. * set a special School Board meeting to approve the budget for 6 p.m. Sept. 27. * set the annual report to the public at 6 p.m. Oct. 10, prior to the regular board meeting at 7 p.m. * recognized Ronnie Everhart for his service on the Trumann School Board from 2001 to 2011.