The Monticello Lions Club recently awarded the Policeman of the Year award.

Eddie Deaton, Police Chief, recommended Kenny Cox for the award.

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Johnnie Merrion “Cowboy” Hilburn 82, of Tillar, Arkansas passed away April 14, 2012. He was born July 23, 1929 in Bluffton, Arkansas to the late Thomas and Ocie Hilburn.

He was a member of Richland Baptist Church in the Richland Community and a retired farmer. His son Johnnie Hilburn and daughter Peggy Hood preceded him in death.

His wife Juanita Hilburn and two sons, Jimmy Hilburn of Monticello, Arkansas and Tommy Hilburn of Crossett, Arkansas, one sister Vivian Carter of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren survive him.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 17, 2012 from 6-8 pm at Griffin Funeral Home Chapel and services, Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at Griffin Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 pm and burial following at Jefferson Cemetery with Rev. Bill Hilburn officiating. Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas, Arkansas.

One young girl caught the attention and the heart of one local mom (and the rest of Monticello) last week when she showed an act of kindness to the mom’s son who came up empty handed during a mad rush at the Easter egg hunt. Seeing the young man with an empty basket, the young girl gladly shared her spoils. The mom was so moved, she wrote in to MonticelloLive to share the story. A story which ended up with a new day, but similar story when the same two children crossed paths again the next day, and, again, a moment of grace was exchanged when the young girl shared her eggs with her newfound friend (see the story below). At the recommendation of a few readers, this week’s One Monticello Life highlights BrookLynn White.

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Katlin Lidge was tragically taken from us on March 5, 2011. Katlin may well be remembered by the public as a fine athlete, but to those who knew him well Katlin was far more. He was a kind soul. He was a young man of character and spirit.

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Heaven received a new angel…….Sara Frances McMahon Marter, age 61, of Monticello passed away Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 at the home of Jennifer and Randy Gavin after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Sara was born March 11th, 1951 in Monticello, Arkansas to Van Felton Sr. and Marguerite McMahon. She was preceded in death by her parents, Van and Marguerite, a very special friend, Mary Vining and by her husband of 40 years, Charles R. Marter, Sr.

Sara’s biggest pride was being “Granny”. She loved her grandchildren and loved spending time with them. A lot of the children that called her Granny weren’t related at all but that hardly seemed to matter. She enjoyed drawing and sketching, arts and crafts, taking pictures, researching family history, “her girls night out”, shopping, time spent with friends and she was an avid “facebooker”. She was raised as an Assembly of God; she loved the Lord Almighty and Jesus Christ.

Survivors include two daughters, Jennifer Gavin and husband Randy of Monticello, Krista Newkirk and husband Lester of Hot Springs, one son Charles Marter, Jr. and wife Andrea of Monticello. Six grandchildren; Heath Loveless, Cassidy Gavin both of Monticello, Jeffrey Newkirk of Hot Springs, Taylor, Trenton and Sydnee Marter all of Monticello, and Shannon Gavin of Rye. Two great-grandchildren Autumn and Noah Gavin of Rye. One honorary great-granddaughter, Micah Montgomery of Hamburg. One sister, Diana Shoptaw of Magnet Cove, one brother, Van McMahon, Jr. of Monticello, two brothers-in-law, James Marter and wife Debbie of Monticello, Don Marter and wife Donna of Monticello, two sisters-in-law Nancy Forrest Doggett of Monticello, Juanita Smith and husband Shine of Oak Grove, LA Sara left behind many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. A day-care of children that new her as Granny, and a very awesome group of ladies she called her best friends; Deed Shoptaw, Kim Reed, Lynn Marshal, Erma Lee Maness Foster, Dolly Rhodes Farmer, Jeannie Coffman, Sharon Hoppers Barnes and Lisa Coon. One dog, Sheba, her crazy cat, Dahli and his sidekick Toby.

A special thank you to Dr. Tim Simon, his staff at Monticello Medical Clinic, especially Mandy Hayden, Dr. Mark Gibbs and the nurses of the 6th floor oncology wing at Baptist Hospital and to Dr. Omar Atiq and his staff at the Arkansas Cancer Institute…….each and every one of you were so loving and kind.

Sara donated herself to science through the Genesis program in Memphis, TN. Any memorials can be made to Relay for Life at Arkansas Cancer Institute, Team Name “The Incredibles” Contact Person is Kelly Peckham 7200 S. Hazel St., Pine Bluff Ar, 71603.

There will be a memorial service held at a later date. This lady will be forever missed and if you knew her she will always be engraved somewhere in your heart.

This display is an assortment of home made nails and is on display in the Taylor cabin along with a number of tools from a long gone era. Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

James Roderic Dye, 57 of Heber Springs passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012 at his home. He was born Saturday, December 4, 1954 in Monticello, Arkansas. James was of the Baptist faith and served the country he loved as a life-long U. S. Marine. James was preceded in death by his father, James Roderic Dye Sr.

James is survived by his wife of the home, Janet Dye; his mother, Nellie Chambers; sons, Jimmy Dye, John Dye, Shawn Dye; a brother, Chuck Dye (Melanie); Sisters, Nancy Tranthan (James), Carolyn Taylor, Karan Mathis (Bryon), Jane Coleman (John), Jackie Williams (John); a grandchild, Steven Dye; nieces, nephews, numerous other relatives and many friends.

Visitation for James will be 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2012 in the Chapel of Heber Springs Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2012 at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church located on Good Springs Road in the Pine Snag Community. Arrangements are entrusted to Heber Springs Funeral Home, 1199 Wilburn Road, Heber Springs, Arkansas, 501-887-9152. You may sign James’s online guestbook at heberspringsfuneralhome.com

Doris Allene Harrell Witcher, 97, of Monticello passed away Thursday, March 15, 2012. She was born and raised in Cato, Arkansas and then moved to North Little Rock where she spent the majority of her years and raised her family. She spent her latter years in Monticello close to her family. She was a member of Sylvan Hills Community Church, the Ladies Organizations in Monticello and enjoyed spending time with her friends and family.

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Happy 43rd Birthday, Charlie!

Love Becky C.J.

And all the Hammock and Meier bunch

If you look all over Facebook these days you will see photos of peoples brooms standing up, Well check this broom out, It is made of corn shucks and is in the Taylor plantation Cabin on display at the museum.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

Ben Crossett has announced his candidacy for Alderman for the City of Monticello, Ward 4, Position 2.

Ben is a 1994 graduate of Monticello High School, a 1994 graduate of Forest Echoes Technical School (now UAM College of Technology) in Crossett and a 2005 graduate of SouthArk Community College in Eldorado.

Ben has been an Emergency Medical Technician for 17 years and a certified Law Enforcement Officer for 12 years. He is currently employed by Southeast Emergency Medical Services (SEEMS) of Monticello and is a part-time dispatcher for the Monticello Police Department.

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“I would like to thank District 1 for the opportunity to serve on the Quorum Court and hope that I have reprented well. I do have the people at heart. It is with this thought in mind that I decided to file as a Republican this term.

Although locally we may share similar views, the Democratic Party has increasingly moved away from the principles and values that I grew up on. I hope that my decision is viewed with my heart’s intent and that everyone will take a closer look at the direction our country is headed. I will do everything in my power to stand for what I believe.”

Change your light bulbs. Not just when they burn out. Exchange any incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents. You will use only 30% of the energy and still get just as much light.

Look for the Energy Star logo. The symbol designates appliances that are energy-efficient. If you purchase only those that are certified, you may pay more initially for these items. Over time, however, you’ll save on energy bills while helping the environment.

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Click here.

Linda Gail Sloan Rainwater, 52 of Dumas, Arkansas died February 28, 2012 in Dumas, Arkansas. Linda was born December 15, 1959 to the Commadore Edward Sloan, II and Juanita Varnell Sloan in Monroe, Louisiana. Linda attended the Pentecostal church and was a homemaker.

Survivors include her husband, Clinton Rainwater of Dumas, Arkansas two sons, Wesley Damon (Janice) Rainwater of Hot Springs, Arkansas & Tracy Andrew (Lisa) Rainwater of Monticello, Arkansas, daughter Amanda (Billy) Wright of McGehee, Arkansas. Her mother, Juanita Sloan of Tillar, brother Commadore Edward Sloan, III of Du Quoin, Illinois and 2 sisters, Janet Stoner of Batesville, Arkansas and Tommy Sue Hill of Pine Hill, Arkansas 10 grandchildren, Dylan, Delaina, Morgan, Ava, Kenneth, Codi, Kaylee, Hunter, Hayden and Hannah and 1 great grand daughter, Jaycee survive her.

Visitation held from 6-8pm, February 29, 2012 at Griffin Funeral Home.

Services are 2 PM Thursday, March 1, 2012, Griffin Funeral Home with Rev. Michael McFall officiating and burial in Walnut Lake Cemetery.

Arrangements by Griffin Funeral Home, Dumas, Arkansas.

Check out this old tricycle, Made entirely out of steel except for the seat ,wheels and tires, Note that the tires are pieces of flat rubber around the wooden rim, Never had to worry with flats.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

Chris Barnett, of the Greenhill community, has announced her intention to seek re-election to the position of Justice of the Peace for District 6 on the Drew County Quorum Court.

She and her husband, Buddy, attend Wilmar Methodist Church.

Barnett is a life-long resident of Drew County, and owns Chris’ Hair Care, formerly known to many residents as The Hair Pen.

These are two baby carriages that are on display in the museum complete with antique dolls,

These are real working carriages and I can just imagine them strolling down Main Street when it was a dirt road, which would explain the need for springs separating the axles from the carriage.  There’s quiet a difference in these and the newer ones of today.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

Happy Birthday Chief Deaton

Hope you have a great day and many more!

Love your family and co-workers

Check out this turn of the century wheel chair, complete with a “wicker” woven back and seat for comfort.

This old chair probably saw a lot of action at the old Drew County

Hospital.Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

Lyna Gulledge of Monticello has announced her candidacy for her 5th term to the office of Drew County Clerk in the upcoming May Democratic Primary Election. Mrs. Gulledge is a member of the Association of Arkansas Counties, Association of AR County Clerk’s and she has served from 2006 – 2011 as secretary for the County Clerk’s Association and currently the second Vice-President of the County Clerk’s Association. Mrs. Gulledge is a member of the Church of Christ.

Lyna and her husband, Greg, have one son, James. “It has been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Drew County as County Clerk. With my experience in the office, I would like to ask for your continued support and vote in the upcoming Democratic election.”

Last week we featured the loom, this week the spinning wheels.  We have the one large and a smaller spinning wheel in the upstairs bedroom of the museum.  The larger one still has some twine and cotton fibers on the spindle and are a light brown in color either from age or dyeing.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Being a member gives you the right to attend meetings and have a voice for the museum and you will receive the yearly journal that the museum produces. All though your presence is not required at the meetings to become a member. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

Tommy Gray has announced his intent to seek re-election to the Drew County Quorum Court, as District 5 Justice of the Peace.

Gray is a native of south Arkansas and a resident of Drew County for more than 35 years, Gray is president and manager of Monticello Tire and Service, Inc.

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This old loom still has some weavings on it that was started and never finished by the owner who donated it to the museum. 

Several pieces of the looms work are hanging nearby.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership.

Being a member gives you the right to attend meetings and have a voice for the museum and you will receive the yearly journal that the museum produces. All though your presence is not required at the meetings to become a member. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

This display has just about every camera one can imagine, and probably some you couldn’t , come by and see if you have seen some of these in your lifetime.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

This is a homemade kerosene lamp made by MM Hardy.  This goes to show the ingenuity of the people back then to be able to take old parts, weld them together and make a lamp to light the house and be safe enough to do so.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

We have all heard the saying that “what goes up…must come down”. For some reason, there are those people who do not believe this saying (or the law of gravity) applies to bullets fired into the air from a gun during the course of celebration. Over the New Year’s Eve holiday, a stray bullet pierced the hood of my car parked three feet away from my house during someone’s trigger happy celebration. There was also another incident in the Monticello area where a stray bullet went through someone’s roof and stopped in the family’s headboard where the parents were asleep in that bed with their small child. And this isn’t the first year this has happened.

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Pat Scifres Savage announces that she is seeking re-election for the position of Drew County Circuit Clerk. She is currently serving her fourth term of office as the Circuit Clerk.

She graduated from Monticello High School and attended the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Pat is a Baptist and has three children: Chris Savage and wife, Kelly of Crossett; Brian Savage of Monticello, and Ashley Savage, a student at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. She is a grandmother of two, Gavin and Jaxson Savage from Crossett. Pat is the daughter of Martha Scifres and the late Tommy Scifres.

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Grant presented by Delta Kappa Gamma

FEED THE KIDS RECEIVES GRANT

Delta Kappa Gamma recently awarded a grant of $500 in support of Feed the Kids weekend snack bags. The Extension Homemakers also contributed the proceeds from their winter fundraiser and the Shepherd Center gave a portion of their fall session registration to support the project. Feed the Kids is funded strictly through donations with some assistance from Rice Depot and a few grants. The group is awaiting final determination from the IRS to become a 501c3 entity.

Bags prepared for students.

Feed the Kids is a snack pack weekend feeding program active in Monticello and Drew Central Schools. The mission originally started by the Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church has grown in the past five years from an experiment with six children to more than 150 children in both school districts. Children in Pre-K through 8th grade are identified by counselors, teachers, other school personnel, and sometimes even the children themselves as needing additional food.

beanie weenies to be distributed

The cost of each snack bag is about $6.00 and contains enough food to supplement a hungry child over the weekend. Clean-up bags are sent home on a quarterly basis and contain soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and seasonal items like socks, hats, and gloves. The cost to provide the bags has grown to over $2,000 per month.

Volunteers from the Methodist Youth Group, Second Baptist Church ladies’ mission group, Vera Lloyd Achievement Club, and individual community members pack and deliver the bags. The bags are packed the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. during the school year at the Fellowship Hall of First Presbyterian Church. For more information, to volunteer, or to donate to Feed the Kids, contact Louisa Smith, Chair 367-7439 or Allison Collins, Vice Chair 367-2987

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Kellie Moore, a sophomore at Drew Central High School, performed in the 2011 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, which aired on ABC nationwide. Kellie performedwith the National Cheerleading Association. She qualified for this by being chosen as an NCA All Star Cheerleader at cheer camp last summer.

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This is a 1930’s Icebox.  Back in the day, delivery people would make weekly trips and deliver everything from groceries to milk and even ice from the ice house.  A block of ice would be set in the top portion of the icebox, with the perishables in the bottom portion.  The old ice house in Monticello is still located on McCloy Street.  It is not a ice house anymore, but you can still see remnants of the operation out front, including the chute that the ice would come out of onto the loading dock.

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays from 2pm till 5 pm and Sunday by appointment..

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

This is a Little Boys “Sunday best” early 1920’s clothing along with other clothing from different periods on display,

Come see this and many other interesting items on display at your Drew County Museum, We are open Fridays from 1pm till 5pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 pm till 5 pm.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Drew County Historical Society, memberships are $25 Dollars for a single membership or $40 for a family membership. Please mail your membership request to The Drew County Historical Society 404 South Main Monticello, AR 71655.

Taylor Eubanks, a 2009 graduate of Monticello High School and former captain of the MHS cheerleaders performed with the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders recently in a halftime performance at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington Texas.

Taylor is a Junior Theater Arts major at UT-Arlington, and also head cheerleading coach for a local gym in the Dallas area.

Taylor is the 21 year old daughter of Von and Terri Eubanks.

Happy Birthday, Sue!

And many more!

Love you,

Joe.