Congratulations to Charlotte McKiever for winning the 2011 Helen Shanbrom Ace of Clubs award for Unit 211 which is composed of duplicate bridge clubs in northeast Louisiana and south Arkansas. This award is given to players at various levels for winning the most points while playing at local clubs during a calendar year.

Girl Scout cookies are now on sale. The girls opened the 2012 Cookie Sale with a lock-in Friday night. The girls went to different stations that taught them about safety, money management, how to sell cookies, and to set goals. They also played games, ate pizza and stayed up most of the night.

Cookies will be on sale thru Jan. 28th. They are $3.50 a box. If you are not contacted by a girl scout and want to order cookies, call Brenda Chisom, service unit cookie chair at 870-723-0738 to place an order.

The members of the Drew County Koinonia 4-H Club went to In the woods of Monticello nursing home caroling and handing out Christmas cards to the residents. The members had a great time bringing some Christmas cheer to the nursing home.

We have invited Bruce Alford from Lewisville, Arkansas to join us. He owns a large cattle ranch and is in the process of changing how he does things in order to keep up with the cattle market. He will share some of his ideas with us.

We will enjoy a supper of finger foods and sweets provided by our members.

If you chose to select a name or two from the list of children we are sponsoring from the Arkansas Baptist Home for Children in Monticello, please remember to bring your wrapped gifts to this meeting. It is not too late to contribute to this cause and you may do so by calling Nita Carpenter at 460-0806 or by going by Town & Country to see her. We want to make this a very special Christmas for the children.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope to see you at the meeting.

Proceeds from this project will go to help fund scholarships for students attending UAM. Scholarships given by the extension homemakers are available not only to new freshman students but may also go to students in need or to students wishing to return to school and need a little financial assistance.

The drawing for the cakes will take place on Dec. 28th at the Drew County Courthouse Club Room along with a cake and punch open house. You do not have to be present to win but you are invited to attend.

Lion Virginia Grizzell presenting $100 check to Boy Scout Leader Terry Crook

Terry Crook, Boy Scouts Leader, spoke to Monticello Lions Club at their bi-weekly meeting and dinner at Western Sizlin Restaurant, December 1, 2011.

Mr. Crook is the Boy Scouts Leader of Troop 67, Monticello Chapter of Boy Scouts of America. He said that Boys Scouts membership is open to all boys, ages 11 through 17, who take an oath to honor their Family, County, and Belief in God.

Scout Leader Crook said their Troop has a current membership of ten boys. They have overnight camping and many outdoor activities with emphasis on leadership and volunteerism. At the conclusion of his presentation, Virginia Grizzell presented the Boy Scouts a check for $100 for appreciation and annual support from the Monticello Lions Club.

Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts from Troop 69 ringing the bell for the Drew County Salvation Army Kettle Drive.

A special thanks to all the Cub Scouts and Boys Scouts of Troop 69, their leaders and their parents for their hard work and community service.

You all did an awesome job.

The Woods of Monticello executives told about their Rehabilitation Wing dedicated to recently hospitalized patients needing professional nursing or physical rehabilitation services.

They pointed out with much pride their Monticello facility on North Chester is one of the few Certified Alzheimer’s Care Units in Arkansas. Additionally, The Woods of Monticello offers a traditional skilled care home.