Monticello Live

Drew County Historical Society meeting is scheduled for Sunday March 14, 2:00 P.M. at the Drew County Chamber Meeting Room.

Program will be presented by Mary Heady UAM Library Special Collections, Dept on the l00 years of UAM History.

Well, it’s that time of year again, the time of year when we have to try to figure out which way to set the clocks.

This is the week when most parts of the country will turn their clocks FORWARD. So if it’s 2 a.m., it becomes 3 a.m.

Rember that extra hour of sleep we gained last November??  It just go repo’d.

For the previous two years the UAM Art Department has organized an Empty Bowl benefit. (The Empty Bowl program is a craft-based, grass roots effort to eradicate hunger. To find out more visit www.emptybowls.net  Professor Scott Lykens praised, “everyone at UAM was extremely supportive from the students who made the bowls, to the faculty and administration who attended the event.” But Lykens added; “the purpose of the event is to promote community, in a larger, more inclusive capacity.” 

Kim Wilson, who was hired as Art Specialist at Monticello Intermediate School last academic year, also wanted to host an Empty Bowl event at her school. She approached Lisa Brown, the EAST (Environmental and Special Technology) facilitator at MIS about hosting such a community event. “I knew there were students at our school who benefited from the ‘Back Pack’ program.” (Back Pack Program is designed to meet the needs of hungry children at times when other resources are not available, such as weekends and school vacations. To find out more visit www.feedingamerica.org.“I thought that if we could host the event, featuring our students’ artwork, or bowls, then the money made could benefit our students in the Back Pack Program. It really gets down to our students helping each other; it just seemed like a perfect project.” Lisa Brown also liked the idea and the two began creating their list of the challenges to resolve in order to make the idea a reality. Read the rest of this entry »

 ESTATE AUCTION
March 20th, at 110 Katie Lane, Monticello
Preview begins at 9 am – Auction starts at 10 am.
www.orrellauctions.com

Read the rest of this entry »

ACA 2010 Spring Conference for Area V, including Ashley, Bradley, Cleveland, Calhoun, Dallas, Delta, Desha/Drew, Lincoln, and Ouachita Associations, will be held at the UAM Agriculture Building, on March 18, and starts at 3:00 pm.

 Speakers are Dr. Ron Morrow, NRCS Grazing Specialist, Travis Justice, Arkansas Beef Council, and ACA State Staff and Leadership.

Meal following program sponsored by: AgHeritage Farm Credit Services of Dermott & Star City, Farm Bureau, Drew Farm Supply, Saline-Ouachita Valley Livestock Auction, Cater’s Veterinary Service, andGibson Cattle

All members and anyone interested in the cattle industry are urged to attend.

Contact Glynn Gibson at 870-392-7712 if you have any questions.

Bethannee Horn of Monticello, participated in the Valentine’s Day Twirling Festival in Rockwall, Texas.

Horn, the daughter of Robert and Teresa Horn, placed 2nd in Basic Strut, 2nd in Senior High Field Solo, and 2nd in Novice 2-baton. Participants from Arkansas, Texas, and Missouri competed for trophies and medals in several categories, from 6 years old to 23 years old, and from Novice to Advanced.

Horn is coached by Janice Jackson-Seamands , who has twirling studios in Conway, Arkansas and Dallas, Texas. Mrs. Jackson-Seamands also coaches feature twirlers on the Baylor University, TCU, Oklahoma State, and Ohio State majorette lines, as well as several students on the USA World Twirling Team.

The family of J.B. Smith, Jr., would like to express their sincere appreciation for the kindness shown, during the illness and loss of our loved one.

We have truly been blessed with an outpouring of love from our family and friends during this difficult time in our lives. All who knew him, loved him, and it showed. Thank you seems so little to say, for all of the visits, text messages, Facebook messages, cards, flowers, phone calls and most of all for your prayers. Without your prayers, we could not have made it through these past few weeks. We would like to say a special thank you to, Dr. Michael Fakouri and Staff, Drew Memorial Hospital, Drew Memorial Home Health, Hospice Home Care, Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Home, and Season’s Floral and Gifts. You all went above and beyond your call of duty.

May God Bless each and every one of you.

 Sincerely, Nelda Smith; Jim, Julie and Jacob West; Zack, Jade and Halle Ross; Jeff, Jamie and Jaxon Rawls; Jack and Tammy Martin and family; Ted and Jayce Gray;  and Kristin & Ian Smith.

Earlier this month, in Orlando, Florida, R.D. “Sonny” Jones was installed as a member of the Executive Board of the National Association of Conservation Districts.

Sonny represents the south central region which consists of Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma. NACD is a national organization committed to conservation and wise use of natural resources.

Jones has been on the Drew County Conservation Board since 1982 and is presently serving as its chairman. He is also on the executive board of the Arkansas Association of Conservatin Districts and has served as state president.

The photo shows Sonny and Lee McDaniels of Baltimore, Maryland, as they are installed by NACD President Steve Robinson of Marysville, Ohio.

Larry Fuller, a retired CPA, and Ed Nichols, will be at the Monticello Senior Citizens Center, 203 Henley Street,  870-367-2434, Tuesday mornings from 8:00 to 12:00, now until April 15.

They will prepare Federal and Arkansas Income Tax Returns for individuals with middle and low income with special attention to those age 60 and over. Tax counseling and return preparation as well as computerized filing of all returns will be provided free of charge. Mr. Fuller and Mr. Nichols are volunteers for AARP Tax-aide program. No appointment is required—simply walk in and register with the Senior Citizens Center. Read the rest of this entry »

Southeast Arkansas Community Action Corporation will receive U.S.D.A., food commodities. Items available will be: Green Beans, Potato slices, Tomato Soup, Spaghetti Sauce, Apple juice, Apricots, Frozen Ham, Canned tuna, Great Northern Beans, Instant Milk, and Macaroni.

In Drew County, on Thursday, February 25, 2010, at 8:00 a.m.. the program will be at the National Guard Armory, 809 Jordan Drive, Monticello. Read the rest of this entry »

The Monticello Film Academy is still accepting student for the Spring semester.

Contact Rebecca at: 224-2271

Monticello resident Roger Darren High has been awarded a Target Field Trip Grant, designed to help bring learning to life for students.

Roger Darren High, an art teacher for Dermott Elementary School, has been awarded an $800 Target Field Trip Grant that will fund an educational trip for his students.

High’s grant will enable 120 students from Dermott Elementary School to take a guided tour of the Arkansas Arts Center and visit the Little Rock Zoo where they will observe a variety of live animals. Read the rest of this entry »

The Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association invites you to join us for our February meeting on Thursday, February 18, 2010, beginning at 7:00 p.m., in the UAM Agriculture Building. Our meal of Barbeque sandwiches and sides will be provided by John Bigham from the Saline/Ouachita Valley Livestock Barn. Members please bring a dessert.

Our featured speaker will be Brett Barham, Professor – Breeding/Genetics from The University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

You do not have to be a member to attend. Please join us for a good meal, interesting information and good fellowship with you fellow cattlemen.

University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart is proud to announce the names of the local undergraduates who earned a place on the chancellor’s list for the fall 2009 semester. The students named to the chancellor’s list have earned a 4.0 grade point average in at least 12 hours of classes during the semester.

Katelyn Burch, Business Economics, Sam M. Walton College of Business, Junior 
Steven Morrison, English, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, Junior 
Mikio Ranahan, Biology, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, Junior 

Dean Cynthia Nance of the School of Law is also proud to recognize the law students named to the dean’s list. A law student must earn a 3.0 grade point average for the semester and be enrolled for a minimum of 12 credit hours to qualify for the Law School dean’s list.

Craig Cockrell, Third Year

HAPPY 28th ANNIVERSARY to Brenda and Ronny Reed.

From your little sister,

PS WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Monticello Police Dept. officers and staff recently held a raffle fundraiser for Special Olympics.

The winner of the lady’s sweetheart basket was Jeremy Chapman.

The winner of the man’s sweetheart basket was Herman Fleming.

Proceeds from the project will benefit Special Olympics.

The Hypotermic Heros “Polar Bear Plunge” team will be made up of the Polar Police, the Freezin Firemen and the Popsicle Paramedics.

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

18 photos of the event are posted on this link. Read the rest of this entry »

A Monticello resident, who is a Hamburg School District educator,  is one of 281 Arkansas teachers to earn their 2009 National Board Certification.

Pam Ferrell, a counselor at Hamburg’s Albritton Elementary, is in her twenty-ninth year of counseling school age children.

Ferrell, a graduate of Hermitage High School, received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Arkansas and a master’s degree in education with certification in elementary and secondary counseling from Southern Arkansas University.

The Drew County Single Parent Scholarship Board is now accepting requests for scholarship applications for the spring semester. Requests may be sent to:

Drew County Single Parent Scholarship, PO Box 234, Monticello, AR 71657

 The deadline to receive the request is January 22, 2010. The deadline for the completed application is February 12, 2010.  Only requests and applications mailed to the above address will be accepted.  Please include a phone number with the request.

For more information concerning the requests or applications, contact Brenda Jacobs at (870) 367-3779, Lou Lambert at (870) 723-4590, or Faye Branch at (870) 367-3566 after 5 p.m.

As a community outreach for the fifth consecutive year, Ms. Angela Jackson, Marshelvia Thompson-Collins, Arlicia Thompson-Jackson and other volunteers have taken it upon themselves to continue the Saturday Benchmark Tutorial program. This program is designed to help students increase their performance level on the state mandated assessment known as the Benchmark Exam.

The dates for the tutoring will be January 16, 30, February 13, 27, March 6, 13, April 3 and 10. Tutoring will last from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon at the Workforce Training Center located on HWY 278 East.

Students will be provided a healthy snack during break and a carry-out lunch at the end of each session. A certificate of appreciation and participation will be obtained by each student attending. A culminating event will also be held on April 10, 2009 for their effort.

In collaboration with the Monticello School District personnel, MEDC, Workforce Training Center, Monticello Branch( NAUW) National Association of University Women, Adult Education personnel, parents and local volunteers have once again geared up to provide students with an extra push to increase their Benchmark Exam scores. The students, as well as, parents are anxiously waiting for this opportunity once again, in a continuing effort to prepare for the Benchmark Exam. The sessions will focus on Literacy and Math for students in grades 6-8.

Anyone interested in volunteering or making donations for snacks and lunches may contact Angela Jackson at Monticello Middle School, 367-4040, Arlicia Thompson-Jackson at the Workforce Training Center, 367-4074 or Marshelvia Thompson-Collins at WTC, 367-4075.

Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, January 13, as the date of the Southeast Arkansas Cornerstone Coalition, Inc. January Board of Directors meeting.

The meeting is scheduled for 2 pm and will be held at the Chamber of Commerce.

Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are Eligible for Conservation District Scholarship

The winning essay on the topic, “Aquifers and how they work” (Minimum length 500 words) will give a young person in our county the opportunity to win $250 towards college expenses when they choose a conservation-related course of study at an accredited Arkansas college or university. The winner will also be eligible to compete for scholarship funds at the area and state level contests.

For more information, please contact the Drew County Conservation District at 870-367-8400 ext. 3. The closing date for entries at the district level is January 15, 2010.

This is a program sponsored by your local conservation district, the Southeast Area conservation districts, and the Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts in an effort to assist young people interested in careers in the conservation of our natural resources.

Courtesy of Donna Francis, County Extension Agent – Family & Consumer Sciences, Drew County Cooperative Extension Service
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Extremely cold temperatures are forecasted for Drew County and the state of Arkansas over the next few days. Here are some tips to help you cope:

1. Create a warm room in your house by closing off any un-used rooms. Close off the registers and use a blanket or towel to create a seal at the bottom of the doors.

2. Dress warmly. A hat is your number one friend at times like this. A large percentage of body heat loss occurs in the head region, so it is crucial to keep your head covered. You should wear slippers or socks. Dress in layers, especially with wool or cotton clothing. Don’t wear your winter coat in the house or you will have nothing else to put on when you go outside. When you are sitting still put on a blanket.

3. Cook. Steam will raise the moisture level in your home, making you feel warmer. While you are at it, you may wish to make a soup or stew in a boiling pot. Make cookies or a pie, too, as your oven will help to heat the kitchen area. The kitchen will be warm while you are cooking, and then you can eat the warm food.

4. Drink warm beverages. Make a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Sip some warm broth.

5. Find a pet or friend to snuggle with. The living body of any warm-blooded being is a furnace unto itself.

6. Be active. Moving around produces heat!

7. Use a hot water bottle. Great for warming your hands and lap while sitting; also put it under the covers at the foot of your bed.

8. Turn on the lights. Incandescent and halogen bulbs create light through heat and can significantly increase temperatures in the room.

9. If you can afford it, leave other heat-producing appliances on, such as computers/monitors or strong lamps.

Here are a few warnings to consider: Read the rest of this entry »

Eureka Lodge, #40, F&AM,held their annual Christmas dinner and installation of new officers meeting on Monday evening.

Officers installed were; Front row, Robin Hood, Worshipful Master; Second row, Tommy Gray and Damon Lampkin, Masters of Ceremonies; Jack Bennett, Junior Deacon and Louis Maxwell,Tyler; Third row, Jimmy Hood, Senior Warden; Jim Searcy, treasurer,, Scott Woodward, secretary; and, Back row,Brian Rodgers,Junior Warden and Lee Pinkus,Senior Deacon

Hugh and Vicky Smith celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on Saturday, December 5th, and on Sunday their family gave them a surprise anniversary party at their church, Faith Missionary Baptist in Monticello.

Outreach Food Pantry, located at 939 Barkada Rd, will be closed December 26 and January 2.

We wiil reopen January 9, 2010 at 9:00 AM.