Monticello Live

Shown in picture is Ray Ryburn, Lions Club President welcoming Hope Place Executive Director Robin Caldwell and Director Bianca Stowell. Hope Place gave a presentation to Lions Club, March 6, 2014, at Western Sizzlin Restaurant. Directors Caldwell and Stowell said Hope Place, 103 N Main, Monticello, telephone 460-0067, is a volunteer Pro-Life Faith-based non-denominational organization that helps young Mothers and Mothers-to-be learn life skills from pre-birth through taking care of babies.

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The Drew County Historical Society met on February 9, 2014 at the Monticello-Drew County Chamber of Commerce building. Connie Mullis, president of the Drew County Historical Society, called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. Mullis reported on the progress and concerns of the museum and the society. Beth Thurman, program chairman, reported that the society currently has approximately 160 members.

Dr. Jack Lassiter, UAM Chancellor, was the featured speaker for the meeting. Lassiter credited Dr. Curtis Merrell with motivating him to become involved with the historic preservation of Southeast Arkansas. Lassiter began his presentation by discussing a Drew County property for which UAM recently took responsibility. This property is 4.66 acres and contains an historic home and cemetery. The house is thought to be the only two-story, cyprus log, dog trot in Arkansas. The structure was built between 1840 and 1846 and was occupied through the late 1920s. While displaying a 1914 image of the home, Lassiter drew the audience’s attention to a cistern, detached kitchen, and porches on each side of the house. (more…)

Monday December 30 at 6 pm Eureka Lodge #40 installed the following officers for the year 2014.

First Row L to R: Dr. Mark Cheek- M.O.C., Ricky Flemming -J.D.,   Don Connard- J.W., Glenn Beer- W.M., Ben Crossett- S.W., Louis Maxwell-Tyler

Back Row L to R: Brian Rodgers- M.O.C., Andrew Brannon –S.D., Jim Searcy- Treas., Scott Woodward- Sec., Jack Bennett- Chaplain

Left to Right President Brandon Hogg, Michael James , Tom Wingard

Monticello Rotary Club members presented Drew Central fourth graders with dictionaries which included a thesaurus. Students will use the dictionaries to revise and edit their writing pieces. At the end of fourth grade students will keep the dictionaries for personal use.

Several members of the Drew County Extension Homemakers Council attended the Delta District AEHC Rally in Brinkley AR recently. The theme of the rally was “Reaching Your EHC Dreams”. The ladies also enjoyed a delicious fish dinner with all the trimmings.

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The Koinonia 4-H club sponsored a goat project class, where we learned the different breeds of goats, the breeds best for showmanship, how to care for them, and what to look for when your buying a goat.

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The Night Owls Extension Homemakers Club met October 14 with Maria Daniels hosting. Members joined in singing “Dry Bones.” Daniels presented the Inspiration sharing two poems; Outlook by Priscilla Leonard and Count your Blessings, author unknown.

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David Anderson, Monticello Lions Club Sec-Treas, received the Outstanding Zone Project Award from Roger Reves of Crossett, Zone Chairman. The Award was given for the Club’s 2013 performance, on October 17, 2013, at Western Sizzlin Restaurant.

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Eva Arrington Treasurer, Laura Ferguson Corresponding Secretary, Cindy Luper
Secretary, Joy Graham Second Vice President, Kimbraly Greer First Vice
President, Trudy Jackson President, Candace Martin Kappa State President

The Gamma Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma installed officers for 2013-2014. Kappa State President Candace Martin helped with the installation and shared news about Kappa State. In addition, she shared a brief history of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a women educator society. For more information about attending a meeting or becoming a member of The Gamma Beta Chapter contact Eva Arrington.

Dr. Jodi Skipper

Please join the Tunican Chapter of the Arkansas Archeological Society Tuesday evening, October 1 at 6:30 PM for an archeology program titled Selling the South: The Complications of Tourism and Heritage.

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Fourteen members and guests of the Colonel David Love Chapter of the NSDAR welcomed four new members on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. New members, Kathy Ross Norris, Dolores Brown, Pearl Persons, and Judy Person, were installed by Chaplain Jan West. Regent Jody Gladden then presented each of them with a DAR pin and a gift from the chapter.

Gladden also presented Jan West with a ten year certificate honoring her DAR membership.

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Cemeteries are important landmarks for families and communities and essential resources for historians and genealogists. Some cemeteries are visible and well maintained, while many others have been forgotten or lost.

On Tuesday, September 3, at 6:30 pm LaRhonda Mangrum will discuss her work documenting cemeteries in southeast Arkansas for the Arkansas Gravestones Project. Mrs. Mangrum, a Chicot County native, is the coordinator for southeast Arkansas and the coordinator for Ashley, Chicot and Drew counties.

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The August meeting of the Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association was called to order on August 15, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the UAM Agricultural Center in Monticello, Arkansas by President Jason Cater.

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The May meeting of the Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association was called to order on May 16, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. at Cater Cattle & Equine Clinic, Monticello, Arkansas by President Dr. Jason Cater.

Our meeting this month was a lot different than the usual meeting held at UAM. Our Association President treated us to a farm tour and demonstration at his farm and business.

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After an accumulation of 4 years of work, practices, and many long hours of study, the Drew County Wildlife Habitat Education Program team has earned the right to go to the National W.H.E.P. Invitational. The competition will be held in Indiana this year. This event was officially established as a national event in 1989. This will be the first team ever from Drew County. We are asking as many organizations and individuals as possible to help us get to Indiana and compete for the National title.

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From left to right top row: Jennifer Sneed, Jessie Henson, Jacob Henson, John Michael Gray, Nancy White, Anna Owen, Lynn Lanthrip, Jana Owen, Sam Owen, Alexis White, Victoria Stewart; middle row: Brianna White, Haley Kissell, Robbie Kissell, Bree Lanthrip, Chase Owen, Joshua Henson; bottom row: Jeremy Smith, Sonya Sneed, Emma Wright, Hanbee Jung, Kyle Smith, Brittany Brown, Jadon Henson, Sy Lanthrip, and Jeffery Lambert.

The 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program statewide competition was held at the Camp Robinson day-use area near Mayflower, AR. All of the members of the Drew County Koinonia 4-H club placed either individually or in team events.

Participating Cloverbuds were Sy Lanthrip, Jadon Henson, Alexis White, Eva Wright, Sam Owen and Jeffery Lambert. Individual Junior winners were Jennifer Sneed (1st place) and Jeremy Smith (2nd place). Individual Senior winner was Jacob Henson (1st place).

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The Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition is currently accepting applications for the 2013 class of the Cornerstone Leadership Development Institute’s (CLDI) Southern Leadership Academy. “Strong leadership is the key to success for our communities and region.” says Zack Tucker, Director of the Cornerstone Coalition.

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April is considered Confederate Memorial month, and the ladies of William F. Slemons went to Campground Cemetery and cleaned the graves of five, unknown soldiers buried there. Local lore says that these men were in a Confederate hospital that was located there during the War Between the States.

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Rebecca & Mark Spencer Community Leaders Award, Eva Arrington SEARK Literacy Chairperson, Mary Hobbs Educator Award Winner, not pictured Adeliah Overstreet for Mazzio’s Pizza Agency Winner

SEARK Reading Council held its annual Literacy Awards Banquet on April 15. The SEARK Reading Council is composed of educators from a five county area.

The council awarded Mary Hobbs the Educator Literacy Award for her dedication to her to students. She is a fourth grade teacher at Drew Central Elementary.

The Agency Literacy Award was awarded to Adeliah Overstreet, manager at Mazzio’s Pizza, for sponsoring a reading incentive “Food for Thought”.

The community Leaders Award was awarded to Rebecca and Mark Spencer for opening their famous home the Allen House for literacy-related events for students.

Colonel William F. Slemons Chapter 977 held a luncheon on Tuesday, April 30, at the Monticello Country Club to honor four ex-military men at the Crosses of Military Service Ceremony. The men were ex-Mayor David Anderson, a Vietnam veteran, Larry Fuller, a former Air Force veteran during the Korean Conflict, Levin Johnson and Joe Rawls of Rison, who were former Army veterans serving during the Korean Conflict.

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The February meeting of the Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association was called to order on February 21, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the UAM Agricultural Center in Monticello, Arkansas by Vice President Nita Carpenter. (more…)

Our first meeting of the New Year was called to order on January 17, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. at the UAM Agricultural Center in Monticello, Arkansas by Vice President Nita Carpenter. After a blessing of the food was complete, we enjoyed roast beef sandwiches with all the trimmings, potato salad and many delicious desserts provided by our members. Thank you to Drew Farm Supply for sponsoring our supper.

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Girl Scout cookies are now on sale!

Cookies will be on sale thru January 27th. They are $3.50 a box. The profit that troops make from the sale of cookies helps pay for their badges, programs, trips, and service projects. If you are not contacted by a Girl Scout and want to order cookies, call Linda Beam at 870-367-7805 to place an order.

The Master Gardeners of the Delta group is seeking new participants for upcoming spring 2014 training. The group consists of gardeners from Ashley, Chicot, Desha, and Drew counties. The successful program is conducted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service.

The program began in 1972 in Washington State and has since encompassed the entire nation with Arkansas joining ranks in 1988. There are currently 2,452 Master Gardeners who call Arkansas home. Collectively, these individuals have contributed over 120,000 hours in community service projects during 2013 alone.

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Officers were elected for the Koinonia 4-H Club, recently were….. (more…)

The Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association met November 15, 2012, at the UAM Agriculture Building. President Jason Cater opened the meeting and Glynn Gibson asked the blessing. The members and guests enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving feast.

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Pictured: Back Row: Lynn Lanthrip, Karen Kolb-Spencer, Matthew Spencer, Robbie Kissell, Jennifer Sneed, Bree-Anne Lanthrip, Liz Kissell, and Sonya Sneed. Front Row: Nancy White, Hanbee Jung, Sy Lanthrip, Brianna White and Haley Kissell.

The Drew County Koinonia 4-H Club participated in the state wide “One Day of Service” community service day October 6th to kick off 4-H promotion week October 7-13. The members of the club visited The Woods Nursing Home, where they handed out gifts and handmade card to the residents. They had a wonderful time visiting with the residents.

The Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association met September 20, 2012, at the UAM Agriculture Building. President Jason Cater opened the meeting and Glynn Gibson asked the blessing. The members and guests enjoyed a delicious supper of BBQ sandwiches with all the trimmings, provided by State Farm Insurance. The members brought desserts.

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The William F. Slemons Chapter 977, United Daughters of the Confederacy, met at the home of Connie Mullis, September 25, 2012, at 2:00 p.m.

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Left to right on the pictures are Joy Graham, Laura Ferguson, Cathy Long Kappa State President, Trudy Jackson, Cindy Luper, Jerrielynn Mapp, Eva Arrington

The Gamma Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma held it’s first meeting September 15 at The Monticello Country Club. The meeting’s guest speaker was Cathy Long Kappa State President. She addressed new bylaws being voted on and shared information about the regional conference.

The Gamma Beta Chapter Grant is open to any first year teacher, teacher changing subject area or MAT teacher in the Drew Central School District and Monticello School District.

The recipients will receive $400.00 which may be used for teaching materials.

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L to R: Jim Lee, John Whaley, Jack Netherland, Vickey Haycox, Tommie Robinson, Keith Jefferson, Glen Kellebrew, Anthony Scott, Billy Wayne Johnson, Nora Turner-Briggs, Coleman Randall, Charlie Branch, Tommy King, Raymond McGaughey.

York W. Williams, Jr. Child Development Center, Inc. in Dermott was the recent recipient of the Arkansas and American Flag and a flag pole to proudly fly them. The flagpole base was constructed by the Woodmen of the World. The pole and flags were presented by the Woodmen of the World, Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion. The dedication of the flag pole and flags was held on Friday, August 10, 2012.

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The Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association met August 16, 2012, at the UAM Agriculture Building.

Our scholarship recipients were also on hand to accept their awards. This year we were able to give two $500 scholarships to deserving students, Amber Lawson and Kristen Lybrand.

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Representing the Northside EHC Club, State Representative Sheilla Lampkin presents the club’s contribution of $100.00 for the Diaper Drive being held at the Hope Center to Stacey Owens, a Hope Center board member.”

Northside EHC has long been active in the affairs of Drew County and is honored to be able to help such a worthy organization as its final dispensation before merging with another club

The Woods of Monticello representatives, shown in picture, Pam Leeper, Alzheimer’s Care Director, and Ulrica Trotter, Social Services & Admissions Director, spoke to the Monticello Lions Club, recently.

 Ms Leeper gave an interesting and informative overview of The Woods’ treatment and care of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She said patients are admitted to the Alzheimer’s Unit during the mid-stage of Alzheimer’s or related dementia. Patients do have to have the proper diagnosis by a Doctor before admission.

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