Monticello Live

“I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country and my world.” These words can be heard from the mouths of millions of young 4-H members across our nation. What started in the early 1900s to educate the young children of rural farmers has now grown into one of the country’s largest extracurricular youth programs. 4-H is not absent in Monticello. In fact, one of the fastest growing features of our local 4-H is the shooting sports program, and this group is mainly organized by Terry Koone. This is his story:

Terry Koone grew up in Conway, Arkansas. His dad worked for Southwestern Bell and his mom was a Farmers Home Administrator. He was the second oldest of four boys in his family. He grew up hunting, fishing and camping. All of these were a family affair and happened almost every weekend. He attended UCA and received a degree in business. He has worked for Farm Bureau as a claims adjuster most of his life.

In 1981 he married Jackie who was from Vilonia. That same year they moved to Monticello and made it their home. Terry and Jackie have two children, Kristen, 21 and Steven, 16. Terry became involved in 4-H for them. When his daughter was nine, she joined the organization. She was involved in several aspects of the club. She won state competitions in cooking. In photography she once was featured in the national 4-H calendar. Although Terry was not a part of 4-H when he grew up, he loved that his kids were a part of a group that had a “hands-on” philosophy. He loved to see them “grow and excel.”

His son, Steven, received a bow for Christmas at age 12. Terry didn’t bow-shoot and found the Drew County Bow Club ready and willing to help him and his son with their new hobby. At that time, Terry realized that 4-H had a shooting sports program on a national level but not in Monticello . He made a decision then to help begin one for the Drew County 4-H.

This is now the sixth year for the 4-H shooting sports program. The first year there were two students. In the third year, they had 8 students but no full teams to compete on a state level. In 2005, they had enough students to compete on a state level. They had a Junior Team (ages 9-13) and a Senior Team (ages 14-19). That year the Junior Team brought home 34 trophies and received a total of 60 ribbons. Last year they raised the bar and brought home 86 ribbons. The group is excited about the possibilities this year now that it has grown to over 40 students.

The 4-H Shooting Sports Progam has been a “blessing” for Terry. He does not get paid financially for his involvement or time but says that watching the kids grow and learn is payment enough for him. Terry is passionate about the organization and what it teaches the kids.

Although there are no gun clubs in Drew County, and there are no gun ranges around for the kids to practice, it didn’t stop Terry from making this possible for the kids of the shooting club.The 4-H shooting club started and still meets in Terry’s 20-acre backyard. He uses old signs from around town for targets, and there is always a firearm for someone to use. When the program started they had no equipment. Terry has used his own money at times to see that the needs are met. He has also involved as many people and parents as he can to see the program succeed. The Drew County Bow Club lets the 4-H club run a concession stand for their invitationals and have also given several bows to the 4-H group. The Friends of the NRA has a grant program that the Drew County 4-H applies for each year, and the 4-H students sell raffle tickets for the Friends of the NRA which allows the 4-H to receive some of the proceeds and/or equipment. Terry has seen the program grow by leaps and bounds and says it is “the best kept secret in the state of Arkansas.”

This program is not just about kids and firearms. The 4-H Shooting Sports Program has 4 disciplines: shotgun, .22, black-powder and archery. Terry has completed the instructional programs to train in these areas both on the state and national levels. The participants not only shoot targets, but they also learn the importance of safety, competition, life skills and practice. 4-H is open to all students ages 9-19, and there are many different 4-H programs here in Drew County. For about 40 shooting-sport students who meet twice a month in Rock Springs, the lessons they learn and fun they have make them thankful for Terry’s dedication and vision. He is a great example of the 4-H pledge. His heart has helped many young Monticellonians. Thank you, Terry Koone – one Monticello life.

On March 3, 1932 Thurston and Maude Berryman welcomed to the world a baby girl and named her Peggy. Seventy-five years later she’s just as full of life as ever. Peggy Berryman Evins is proud to call Monticello her lifelong home.

In 1950, Peggy married George Stanley Evins, a serviceman, and they began a family. Peggy spent her life caring for her late husband George, who became a parapalegic, and her children. Phyllis Evins Bone lives in Dardanelle, AR, David Evins in Waterloo, IA, and Michael Evins in Jonesboro, AR. Although they visit and remain close at heart, Peggy has no relatives here in Monticello. She is not alone, though, and considers her church family and her fellow employees her family.

In June 2002 Peggy went to work for Union Bank and has not regretted it at all. What started as a courier position has now become something much more. Not only does Peggy deliver bank mail between brances, she takes care of most of the mail, sometimes operates the switchboard, helps get monthly statements to customers, and more. She loves her job, especially the parts that involve helping others in the community. As a bank representative she sends newspaper clippings to children and adults who’ve made newsworthy accomplishments, assists with the Grand Club of Union Bank, and took part in developing a benevolence program to reach out to Monticellonians who have lost a loved one. In addition to helping the bereaved, Peggy sends cards to shut-ins, customers who are ill and those living in nursing homes or other facilities. Basically, she’s in the business of doing whatever needs to be done. Having such a wide array of jobs definitely keeps her from becoming bored! Peggy says her favorite things about working for Union Bank are that she works for good people and that it’s such a good feeling to know that she’s helped others.

It’s apparent that the Union Bank family loves and cares for Peggy as much as she does them.

Brandon Hogg said in his recommendation of Peggy for One Monticello Life: “Peggy does a wonderful job for the bank, but I believe her true gift to our community is the heart and soul that she puts forth in her duties. She truly has a burden for the people of Drew County (and the surrounding counties) and I cannot tell you how many compliments and how much appreciation she receives. She goes above and beyond anything required of her by the bank.”

Michelle LaFever said: “She’ll do anything asked of her and really enjoys it. She just has a way with people!”

Ashley Echols said: “There’s so much to say but I can’t find the words. She loves entertaining customers and serving them. She’s a great help on customer appreciation days, Open House events, the Grand Club, and more. She knows everybody by name and is a ray of sunshine. She’s really a hoot. Mrs. Peggy thrives at what she does and has sincerity, which makes her a great voice for the bank.”

Kathy Lyons said: “I think she’s wonderful. She gives invaluable insight that’s age related for the Grand Club, our community group of senior citizens, and I’m honored that she helps me. She is such an asset to our bank as a people person who is so generous with her time. She has traditional values but is in touch with today and is a big part of our link between the bank and community. In a nutshell, everyone needs a Peggy working with them. She gives 110% and her effect on this bank is immeasurable.”

Peggy remembers her youth in Monticello with fondness. Things have changed a lot over the years. The bobby socks and long, swirly skirts are a thing of the past. It was a time she remembers as having nothing to be afraid of. She and friends could play in the street, walk to and from a movie at night, and go about daily life without fear. A favorite pastime was skating (roller-skating, that is). There were no computers, no world wide web with news in a flash; but there was a full and enjoyable life. At seventy-five she continues to live what she calls her wonderful life to the fullest.

Her advice to the younger generations is, “Thank God for your life because you don’t really know how fragile and short it is. Obey your parents and the law. Be honest in everything you do. Be active and stay healthy. Thank God for all He’s done for you.” Words of wisdom worth remembering from this one Monticello Life: Peggy Evins.