Monticello Live

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 Extension Homemakers Cooking Club met on April 25 to learn how to make “outstanding, prize winning” meringue to top cream pies or lemon ice box pie. Those present watched as club member Sue Hartness shared her recipe and demonstrated the process of meringue making. Sue emphasized the importance of keeping the meringue free of egg yolk or any kind of oil as the presence of these contaminants will prevent the proper aeration of the egg whites. After the demonstration everyone enjoyed a piece of lemon ice box pie and lots of discussion about pie making in general.

The EHC Cooking Club is the newest EHC in Drew County and is open to anyone 18 years of age or older who has an interest in sharing and learning more about food preparation. Each month a member or a guest will present a demonstration involving special techniques, methods, new and/or old recipes, and sometimes the use of special cooking equipment. Meetings are held at the First United Methodist Church in their Family Life Center kitchen and are held on the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. The next scheduled meeting will be on May 30, come join us. (more…)

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…)

Hope Bragg was honored for her five plus years of service to Monticello’s Cub Scout Pack 69.

She was recently awarded the DeSoto Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America’s District Award of Merit for 2012 by the DeSoto Area Council’s Senior District Executive at the Pack 69′s recent Blue and Gold Banquet, at the Methodist Church in Monticello.

The Girl Scouts of Monticello Ridge Service Unit held their annual Thinking Day Program Feb 16 at the First Baptist Church of McGehee.

Monticello Ridge has 6 troops in Monticello, 1 in Dumas and 1 in McGehee. 7 of the 8 troops participated in the program. Thinking day is observed world wide with troops learning about girl scouts in different countries. The countries represented this year were Austraila, Egypt, Greece, Honduras, Scotland, Sweden and Thailand.

Through With Chew Week: February 17-23; this is an annual week-long event to draw awareness to the dangers of smokeless tobacco use. Through With Chew offers tools and resources for educators and businesses in order for them to raise awareness to their students, faculty, staff, etc. as well as to work towards providing a tobacco-free workplace.

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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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The Drew County 4-H Horse Club will meet Monday, January 7, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. in the Club Room at the Drew County Courthouse. Any 4-Her who loves horses is encouraged to attend! You do not need to own your own horse to be a member of our club!

The Drew County 4-H Club will meet Monday, January 14, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. in the Club Room at the Drew County Courthouse. Anyone(grades K-12) in Drew County who is interested in 4-H is invited to attend.

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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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Several cub scouts from Pack 69 attended Adventure Weekend at Camp DeSoto in October.

While at camp, the scouts learn how to shoot BB guns, bow and arrows, steer a canoe, and proper ways to fish. They also competed in a fishing derby.

Two boys took home trophies in the Bear Division. Ashton Arnold won longest cast and most accurate casting. Cole Hawkins won most accurate casting.

Kelly Reid received the Fireman of the Year Award from Lions Club President Don Hogue, along with a $100 check from Lions Club for the annual award.

Kelly is married to Melissa, a Kindergarten Teacher at Monticello Elementary School. They have two children, John Parker, age 5 years, and Jay Dylan, age 9 months.

Kelly trains fellow firemen and teaches at the Arkansas Fire Academy in Camden. He also volunteers as a referee at Jr High football games. In his “spare time” Kelly said he loves to hunt and fish.

Fire Chief Steve Faulkner selected Kelly for the award from 11 full time firemen and 14 volunteers on the City force. Chief Faulkner said the Fire Department has been successful in lowering the fire insurance rating down to four from five last year. This lower rating will significantly reduce fire insurance premiums in future years.

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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Matthew Spencer, 17, a resident of Drew County and a member of the local Koinonia 4-H club, recently placed third in the nation in the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program’s competition held at Texas A & M and King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas.

His team placed third in the national team competition, as well. This is the first time in the history of Arkansas 4-H that any individual member or any team from Arkansas has placed in the top three at the national level.

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The SEARK Poultry Club has available some FREE hatching eggs from the University of Arkansas-Fayettville. These are high quality exhibition hatching eggs. They must be picked up starting Sunday afternoon through Monday evening. Join us at http://www.facebook.com/groups/SEARKPoultryClub/ to learn more or phone 870/723-3724. Preference is to 4H and FFA members. However, these are available to anyone. (more…)

The Girl Scout Troops of the Monticello Ridge Service Unit collected items for gift bags for children in Drew Memorial Hospital.

Items such as books, small toys, coloring books and crayons and puzzels were placed in the bags. Girl Scout Troop 1170, on behalf of the Service Unit presented the bags to Hospital auxiliary member Stella Judkins to be taken to the hospital.

The Desha/Drew Cattlemen’s Association met June 21, 2012, at the UAM Agriculture Building. President Jason Cater opened the meeting with the blessing of the food. The members and guests enjoyed roast beef sandwiches and potato salad provided by Drew Farm Supply, as well as, great desserts prepared by the ladies. (more…)

The William F. Slemons Chapter 977 of the UDC met at the Drew County Museum on June 26, 2012.

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The Drew County Historical Society held its final meeting of the year at the Sixteen Section Missionary Baptist Church at 3396 Hwy. 278 E. in May. Connie Mullis called the meeting to order, and Beth Thurman introduced the members present to the representatives from the church and community. (more…)

(L-R) Girls: Bree Lanthrip (Green hat), Haley Kissell (Brown hat), Brianna White (Purple shirt), Jennifer Sneed (Green Shirt). (L-R) Boys: Robbie Kissell (brown shirt), Matthew Spencer (green shirt), Jacob Henson (White Shirt)

Drew County 4-Hers attended the Delta District 4-H O’Rama on June 21st at the East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City, Arkansas.

The Delta District O’Rama is a Regional 4-H event that is held in June every year where 4-Hers from the ages of 9 to 19, from 25 counties in the Delta District, come together to compete in a wide range of events. (more…)

In this week’s contribution for the history of the Drew County Extension Homemakers Clubs, we will honor the history of the African-American EHC organization in Drew County. I want to give credit and honor to a very special lady and friend for this information. Thank you, Mrs. Inez Lindsey!

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The Monticello Boys & Girls Club recently set up a 160 ft. long “home made” water slide for the youngsters to enjoy.

The Monticello Fire Dept. helped get it off to a good wet start, and MPD officer Chris Owen, a regular volunteer at B&GC also helped out with the project.