Monticello Live

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Editor’s note:    There will be a reception held in honor of the Noble family, Sunday, June 21st,  from 7pm – 9pm, at the BCM on the UAM campus.   All friends are invited to attend this come and go style reception. 
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Next month brings big change for one Monticello family. The Nobles, Jeff, Carolyn and their children Sam and Adelyn, will be moving to Blacksburg, Virginia where Jeff will become pastor of Northstar Church.  

The family has called Monticello home for 15 years, beginning in 1995 after graduating from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  His role began his influence in the community when he began serving as a campus minister at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry at UAM. In 2003, after 8 years, Jeff resigned from his position and embarked on a new calling as pastor and church planter. He started Journey Church which has continued to grow. As a bivocational church planter, he also started a business, Noble Design and then in 2006 this website, MonticelloLive.com. Read the rest of this entry »

It was meant to be a reunion of sorts. Jeff and Carolyn Noble, with their children Sam and Adelyn flew to Alaska on March 19 to visit former Monticello residents Mike and Kristy Hales and children Abby and Lilly. The Hales are members of Journey Church, where Jeff is lead pastor, having moved to Alaska in 2007 to serve at a Christian radio ministry as volunteers.  Read the rest of this entry »

Eight local girls auditioned and were selected for the Arkansas Ballet’s 2008 performance of the Nutcracker at Robinson Center Music Hall this weekend. From left to right, back row: Summer Chase, Madison Chase, Adelyn Noble, Anna Dixon, Katherine Dixon; front: Caroline Atwell, Mary Beth Wigley, and Anna Beth Atwell. This is the second year in the performance for Adelyn Noble.

Tickets may be purchased online at the Arkansas Ballet website.

A local pastor is part of a unique collaboration via the internet, involving 237 marketing professionals who blog from 29 states throughout the U.S. and from 14 other nations from Australia to the Ukraine. Jeff Noble, of Monticello, joined online with other bloggers to write The Age of Conversation 2, a book that is being published this month. All proceeds from sales of the book, available in hardcover and softcover editions, as well as a downloadable e-book, will be donated to Variety, the international children’s charity.

Jeff is the founding pastor at Journey Church and is also the founder of MonticelloLive.com and owner of Noble Design. He writes a blog called Notes from the Trail.

The book has an unusual story behind it, involving online connections between people around the world who have never met each other. Read the rest of this entry »

MonticelloLive.com’s Joe Burgess was the first speaker at Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Homes Guest Speaker Series.

The program is outlined in the article below. Read the rest of this entry »

At Monticello Middle School, two female students related to school officials earlier this afternoon that they had seen “a guy” walking near the school with what looked like a gun in his hand. Officials immediately contacted local law enforcement, and with their help began a thorough search of the buildings in the school district.

The lockdown comes just a week after an incident at Drew Central Schools was determined to be a “childish prank.” Last month, a University of Arkansas at Monticello employee was arrested after making threatening comments and spitting on law enforcement officials.

The high school office related that everyone is “ok,” and that after a thorough search of the school, no weapons had been found. The students who reported seeing the individual were interviewed thoroughly and assisted officials by providing a description of the individual.

While police did find an individual meeting that description, no weapons were found, and the lockdown was lifted before school was dismissed. Officials will continue looking into the incident to ensure the safety of the students.

According to Assistant Superintendant Tommy Tyler, the principals of the schools had just completed a revision of the district’s crisis plan last week, and it allowed all officials to proceed smoothly through today’s incident.

“We were not going to take it lightly. The police responded great. We’re thankful,” said Tyler.

Two people were left homeless after a house fire broke out in the Green Hill Community. The flames began around 9:00 pm on Tuesday and with the aid of both the Greenhill Volunteer Fire Department and the Wilmar Fire Department, the flames were extinguished nearly 2 hours later.

There were no reported enjuries, even the family dog whose location was unknown until over an hour after the fire was extinguished escaped without a scratch. Nothing remained for the homeowner, David Bawcom and daughter Brittany but a few charred remnants of what used to be their home. David and Brittany plan to stay with family until plans can be made to replace their home.

A few of the many things that must be replaced: bed sheets, pillows, mattresses, furniture, linens, clothes, and basics such as paper towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies, vacuum cleaner, etc.

If you would like to help this family by donating any of these items, or if you would prefer to make a monetary contribution you may do so by clicking the button below:

or your contribution can be left with David’s grandparents, Billy and Merle Hickam, in the Greenhill community, or if more convenient, you may also leave any contribution with Chris McCall at 147 S. Chester St (directly behind the Court House) in Monticello. McCall can be reached at 870-367-1313.

This swarm of bees was seen Sunday morning in the North Park shopping center, on a shrub just outside Alltel Telephone.

MonticelloLive recently received a copy of a letter which was sent to Camden schools warning of a new form of crystal methamphetamine being manufactured, apparently to sell to children. From as far away as California and Nevada, and as close as Texas and Missouri, strawberry flavored crystal meth, known as “Strawberry Quick” has been finding its way into the hands of young people.

According to a recent USA Today report, crystal meth use has been on the decrease in recent years, and dealers and manufacturers have had to resort to new tactics in order to market the drug. Because methamphetamine is commonly white or brownish and bitter-tasting, the pink color and sweet taste make it more appealing to younger children, authorities say. Meth cooks have also been known to manufacture the drug in flavors such as cola and chocolate.

In a report aired on San Francisco television earlier this year, Dr. Alex Stalcup, a drug counseling expert, warns about a newer and more alarming danger associated with the drug. Whereas long-term addiction has been the biggest problem for meth users in the past, the new danger posed by flavored meth is overdose. Since dealers will often claim that it is a milder form of the drug, or not even meth at all, new users are prone to ingest potentially fatal doses.

According to an item from a Missouri TV news report, it hasnÂ’t taken long for this latest threat to spread to this part of the country. Parents and teachers are urged to educate themselves and talk to their children about the dangers associated with drugs.

Entergy Arkansas has announced that it will be disconnecting power to the Dumas area for several hours on Saturday. Entergy officials state that they will disconnect power to the Dumas area from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. on Saturday to install a bypass switch that will allow electricity to flow from other sources in case of another storm or a mechanical failure.

A strong tornado damaged a substation that powers the city of Dumas on February 24, also injuring 37 people. Over 2800 residents in the Dumas area were without power for several days until a mobile sub-station could be made operational.

According to officials with the Chicot County Sheriff’s Office, a Monticello man drowned this morning while fishing on Lake Chicot. According to sources inside the Sheriff’s Department at approximately 8:30 a.m. Charles F. Davis, age 80, of Monticello was fishing in a small boat when winds from an inbound thunderstorm capsized the boat. Witnesses saw Davis enter the water but were unable to assist.

The Drew County volunteers for the American Cancer Society have started planning for the annual fundraiser event. In previous years, Drew County has hosted the Relay For Life event in April. However, this year, the planning committee has decided to take a year off from the huge event planning and have a smaller, slimmed down version of the Relay For Life.

This year the event will be a “get-together”. ACS volunteers are pairing up with Rough and Ready Days volunteers. The event will be held on Friday, May 11th at 7:00 p.m. The title will be Celebration of Survivors. Ashley Echols is heading up the planning committee and can be contacted at 460-6458 with questions.

“We want the community to participate as always”, says Ashley. “We still want teams to form and do team fundraisers. The only real change is we won’t have an overnight event this year, and our teams won’t need to set up a campsite as they have done in the past.” Sandra Norris will be in touch will all teams and can be reached at 723-2920 or 367-9213 with any questions about team fundraisers or forming teams.

At 7:00 p.m. on May 11th, there will be a luminaria ceremony. The ceremony has always been a part of the regular Relay For Life event. It will be a time for those that have lost loved ones to cancer to reflect back on their lives and will also be a time to honor those that are battling cancer or who have won their fight against the disease.

“We will also recognize any cancer survivor during this time,” adds Echols.

Each survivor that registers (no charge) will be given a special t-shirt and survivor recognition item. If you are a cancer survivor, you are encouraged to come out and participate in the event.

Teams around Drew County have already started forming and are doing their team fundraisers. All team fundraiser money will need to be turned in on Friday, May 11th at the ACS tent during Rough and Ready Days. A team meeting is being planned for all Drew County teams to disperse information needed. If you are interested in being on a team or forming a team, please contact Sandra Norris at the above numbers.

Saturday was cold and dreary, but a promise is a promise, and when the men and women of ABATE (Arkansas Bikers Aiming Toward Education) District 18 and ABBA (Arkansas Baptist Bikers Association) Kingdom Riders promised the kids at the Arkansas Baptist Children’s Home they’d be on campus to cook out and give motorcycle rides, they weren’t about to disappoint.

The folks from ABATE District 18 have been making runs to the Baptist Home semiannually for years. They make their annual Toy Run at Christmas (Christmas 2006 was their 6th), where they throw a big party and give gifts to all the children. Every spring they do a cookout. Weather permitting, they give motorcycle rides around the campus at each visit.

Chapter president Dennis Ellis, and V.P Todd Grubbs both say that the highlight of the day is seeing the kids having a good time and getting to ride them on the back of their bikes. This trip was special for one rider in particular: Terry Jackson, a founding member of District 18. He will be leaving the area to return to work for his former employer, traveling around the southeast U.S. The District 18 members consider themselves to be a big family and lament the loss of any member. In a show of appreciation and affection for both the children at the Home and for his fellow ABATE members, Mr. Jackson bought and donated all the food for Saturday’s cookout.

Helen Wesson, who serves as ABATE state treasurer, District 18 board representative and newsletter editor, explained the goals and ideals of the organization. Among them:

• Political education
• Motorcyclist rights
• Monitoring of laws and bills that affect riders statewide, and keeping members and citizens informed
• Eradication of negative stereotypes of motorcyclists and motorcycle organizations

ABATE is also heavily involved in charity causes throughout the state of Arkansas, including raising money in order to do the Toy Run and their spring trip to the Baptist Home. They also participate in charity events sponsored by other groups and organizations, including the upcoming Teddy Bear Run in Crossett, where motorcyclists will deliver stuffed animals to the sheriff’s department. Sheriff’s officers in turn will give them to children affected by incidents such as drug busts and car wrecks. ABATE District 18 will be having a bike show at Rough and Ready Days on May 12, which will help them raise funds for their civic and charitable efforts.

Joining ABATE at the Baptist Children’s Home this past Saturday was the Kingdom Riders chapter of Arkansas Baptist Bikers Association (ABBA). ABBA was formed approximately 3 years ago as a ministry outreach of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, and is partly funded by the Dixie Jackson offering for state missions.

The Kingdom Riders chapter, which covers southeast Arkansas, was chartered in September, 2006 at the annual meeting of the Bartholomew Baptist Association, held in Monticello. Shelby and Martha Huffman, Kingdom Riders president and secretary, stated that the ministry has experienced remarkable growth – from a founding membership of 12, to a current membership of 180. They exist to foster Christian outreach within the motorcycle community, and many ABBA members are also ABATE members. In fact, Shelby Huffman is chaplain for ABATE District 18, and Todd Grubbs and his wife Tinetha are ABATE officers and members of ABBA. Huffman said that the best part of the day at the Baptist Home was seeing the kids smile and have fun riding.

In addition to ministering at the Arkansas State Motorcycle Rally in Hot Springs, and the Bikes, Blues and BBQ Rally in Fayetteville, among other events, the Kingdom Riders will also have a presence at Rough and Ready Days, setting up right alongside the ABATE bike show.

Pictures from the Kingdom Riders web photo album. 

One Monticello resident is dead, and two others are injured after a one-vehicle accident in Drew County yesterday.

According to a report by the Arkansas State Police the accident occurred at 12:48 p.m. on Midway Route in Drew County. The report states that a 1999 Mercury Sable driven by Don Simpson, age 18, of Monticello was traveling north on Midway Route at a high rate of speed. The driver lost control after over-compensating for a curve, and the vehicle left the roadway and overturned multiple times. All three passengers were then ejected from the vehicle.

Also injured in the accident were Steven Piper, age 34 and Austin Piper, age 4, both of Monticello. According to the State Police report Simpson was pronounced dead at the scene by a Drew County coroner. The other passengers were transported to Drew Memorial Hospital and Austin Piper was later transferred to Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. The report states that no seatbelts or child restraints were in use by any of the occupants. According to officials at the Arkansas State Police, toxicology tests results are pending.

Each year the Monticello Junior Auxillary hosts Bugs & Mugs Charity Crawfish Boil and Auction. This cookout has proven to be one of their most successful ways of gaining support from the community.

It will be held at 6:30 this Saturday, April 14 at the Monticello Country Club. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from any JA member or by emailing rtjm@seaark.com. They will also be available at the door. For more information please call 367-6615.

In addition to the tasty crawfish there will be a silent auction that boasts some highly sought after items. Many local businesses and individuals have donated to the cause. The list includes: a framed Razorback print from Keepsakes, teeth bleaching trays from Dr. Tim Chase, Mikasa stemware from City Drug, Razorback tickets, boat seats, a gas leaf blower, jewelry by Memorie Dickson and much more.

The Monticello Junior Auxillary began in 1938. Then called the Junior Service League, the group’s goal was to provide milk to underpriveleged children. Now with 28 active members, the JA’s give back to the communtity more than any other organization through swimming lessons, Backpack to School, Christmas Boxes, a scholarship and more. They give about $14,000 or more annually for projects to help kids right here in Drew County.

President Gayle Brown is proud of the group and all they accomplish. She is glad to be part of a unique organization and hopes to see many with charitable hearts this Saturday at Bugs & Mugs.

The Monticello Optimist Club gives two $500 scholarships each year, one to Drew Central and one to a Monticello High School senior.  The counselors at each school have the application that must be submitted by May 1, 2007.  Grade point average is important, but emphasis is also placed on financial need.

Please contact Carla Smith at 367-6221
for more information.

Information submitted by Becky Phillips.

In another large media sale, Monticello radio stations KHBM, KGPQ, and KXSA owned by Community Radio Network were purchased recently by Pines Broadcasting Inc., owned by Jimmy and Gwen Sledge. The sales prices of the stations was $1.05 million, according to the broadcastingcable.com site. In a letter to advertisers and businesses, Jimmy Sledge stated, “We have retained all of the employees at the stations, and we appreciate your patience during this time of transition of ownership.”

Pines Broadcasting announced that it plans to provide more local news, weather, and sports, as well as offering six different music formats to listen to on the stations.

Country roots run deep around here, especially in the lives of some Monticellonians. Shannon Carter is no exception. Although the show’s producers aren’t allowing much information to be released at this time, he is soon to be featured on a new docu-reality series on Country Music Television.

CMT gave MonticelloLive this information:

BORN COUNTRY (eight, one-hour episode series; June premiere) — Each episode of this docu-reality series follows the parallel lives of three people who have country roots in common. From karaoke queens to over-the-top country weddings and die-hard “Dukes of Hazzard” fans, BORN COUNTRY highlights the best and bizarre in country culture. BORN COUNTRY is executive produced by Lauren Lazin (“MTV True Life”).

His sister-in-law, Rachel Carter, says, “The entire family is incredibly excited for Shannon. This is an opportunity of a lifetime and we know he’s going to do an excellent job in representing our community and have a great deal of fun in the process.”

Monticello will be waiting and watching to see where the show takes Shannon. We wish him the best.

Photo by Matt Terry

Four local ladies traveled to Tunica, Mississippi this past weekend (March 30-April 1) for the World Barrel Racing Production Classic Equine Race for the Cash III. Their winnings, (left to right in the photo) are:

• Kim Eubanks placed first in the 6D competition, and won $1000 and a Martin trophy saddle.
• Lisa Kilcrease placed sixth in the 4D competition, and won $500 and a trophy bronc halter.
• Melinda Loveless placed third in the 2D competition, and won $900 and a World Barrel Racing trophy jacket.

Also competing was Deanna Duncan.

Submitted by Shelley Smith 

Drew Central High School senior Quanica Bealer raised over $2,000 in a charity tournament for the Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

Now in its third year, Senior Project at Drew Central High School has evolved into learning how community service benefits others. Bealer, along with fifty-six other seniors at DHS must complete a project that consists of a ten-page research paper, project, portfolio and presentation. Projects do not have to be directed to community service. Students can select projects that are geared toward careers or a personal learning experience. Each phase of Senior Project is part of their senior English grade.

Having completed the paper and project now, Bealer will be putting her portfolio together that demonstrates her project and presenting before a panel of community leaders who will serve on the panel of judges May 14.

Tracy Rodgers, Senior Project Coordinator volunteered during the tournament to run the scoreboard and announcements. “I had no idea how to run the scoreboard but with the help of one of our students Sam Prescott I learned and had fun. Quanica did a wonderful job with this project and I am so proud of her. I really appreciate the teachers, staff, community, and the students for helping her and more importantly helping Arkansas Children’s Hospital” Rodgers stated.

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It has been confirmed by MonticelloLive that Community Communications Company, better known as Cablevision, has been acquired by former general manager Bill Copeland.  Discussions have already begun on upgrades and the addition of new services.

Cablevision provides cable television to 27 South Arkansas communities and both cable television and high-speed Internet services in Monticello. Cablevision was founded in 1973 and was owned by the late Paul Q. Gardner, Jr. until his death in June 2006. His widow, Donna Gardner and sons, Chad Gardner and Paul (Chip) Q. Gardner III, assumed control of the company at that time.  Community Communications Company still remains the largest independently owned cable company in Arkansas.

An official press release has been promised by the new management, and MonticelloLive will publish it as soon as it’s released.

On Saturday night, March 24, Faith Reed, two-year old daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Chris Reed of Rison, AR, died after drowning. Her death is the result of an accident on a Polaris Ranger four-wheeled ATV. The accident occurred at Monticello Speedway in a resevoir used for watering the dirt track.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Drew County Sheriff’s Department.

Other News Sources:

• Log Cabin Democrat story (Conway)

The Monticello Branch Library is now using an automated system for their materials. If you have a library card, it will no longer work. In order to get a new card for the new system, just go to the library, located on the corner of Main and Jackson Streets.

Parents also need to get new cards for their children in order for them to check out material. Without a new card, a child cannot check out books or use the computer.

For more information, please call the library at 367-8583.

On a beautiful Tuesday afternoon at the campus of the Arkansas Baptist Home for Children, a gathering of 60+ board members, donors, staff personnel and local officials and clergy witnessed history in the making as ground was broken for a new 11,000 square foot duplex cottage.

The present duplex, which was home to 16 elementary and intermediate school-aged children and their houseparents, is being torn down to make way for the new, $1.25 million state of the art cottage. Demolition of the 52 year old building has been held up by inclement weather and unforeseen structural obstacles, making for the somewhat unique situation of having a groundbreaking for a new structure while the old one is still standing. However, as Mr. David Perry, Executive Director of ABCHomes noted, it stood as a symbol of transition from old to new.After Mr. Perry’s opening remarks, Charles Flynn, ABCHomes Program Director and Chairman of Improving Existing Facilities Committee, commented on the upgrading of children’s home facilities from dormitory-style to a more home-like atmosphere. Mrs. Cora Hatcher, retired Duplex Boys Cottage houseparent took the crowd on a short trip down memory lane, and thanked everyone for their prayers for the children and staff down through the years. Kelly Lindsey, current Duplex Girls houseparent spoke about the anticipated blessings and advantages that the new cottage would bring. Other speakers included Randy Luper, ABHC Campus Director, Susan Akin, ABCHomes board member and John Ross, ABCHomes Development Officer, who was most instrumental in raising funds for the construction of the new cottage.

With the partially demolished duplex looming in the background, various officials, dignitaries and board members, including County Judge Damon Lampkin, Monticello Mayor Joe Rogers, FBC Monticello pastor David Mitchell, Monticello School District Superintendent Bobby Harper, Monticello Elemenatary School Principal Tish Thomas and others, took their places behind their respective shovels for the ceremonial turning of dirt. Also participating were Maria B. and Michael B., 2 of the children who will call the new cottage home.

The Arkansas Baptist Home for Children has been in Monticello since it’s beginnings back in 1894, and is operated by ABCHomes, and agency of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.

Many thanks to the Monticello Economic Development Commission for providing minutes of its March 13 meeting:

The Board of Directors of the Monticello Economic Development Commission met at noon on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at the Monticello Country Club. The following directors were in attendance: Carolyn Brown, Ron Echols, Rich Goddard, Bettye Gragg, Bobby Harper, Tommy Maxwell, Mike Reeves, Bennie Ryburn III, and Al Womack. The following directors were absent: Dave Dickson, George Harris, Chris Lampkin, Jack Lassiter and Bill Wisener. The following members and guests were in attendance: Kathryn Collier, Damon Lampkin, Nita McDaniel and Mayor Joe Rogers. Derrill Pierce of the staff was also in attendance.

President Bennie Ryburn III called the meeting to order at 12:25 p.m., noted that a quorum was present for the conduct of business and presided. Upon motion made, seconded and adopted minutes of February 7, 2007, meeting was approved as printed, and the treasurer’s report was accepted.

Derrill Pierce presented the staff report, noting that:

• Centers for Youth and Family expect to break ground this spring, creating a million dollar annual payroll. The facility is on target and as soon as the details of acquiring the site have been completed a public announcement, including the creation of more than thirty new jobs is anticipated;
• Mayor Rogers has been in touch with principals of the distribution company expressing interest in a Monticello location, and are expected to return to Monticello in the very near future.
• Principals of the construction services firm considering location in Monticello remain interested in Monticello and plan a return visit in the near future.
• Heavy equipment sales, service and parts operation is seeking a location in the Monticello area. A suitable facility meeting their requirements has been identified and a return visit is anticipated in the near future.
• A Call Center project has contacted ADED seeking a suitable location. Monticello will reportedly be recommended along with two other Arkansas communities.

It was also reported that Ron Echols has expressed interest in establishing an on-going community clean up campaign, which initiated an enthusiastic round table discussion. It was agreed that MEDC would initiate an effort to result in a discussion among community leaders of ways and means of sustaining such an effort.

Pierce also reported that the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has a new interest in assisting smaller communities to establish community centers, broadly defined. Planning grants that could lead to project funding are currently on an invitation only basis. It was reported that there are two Foundation directors in Arkansas who might be able to arrange such an invitation for Monticello: Neal R. Pendergraft, Esq. practicing in Fayetteville, and Barbara H. Hannah a resident of Fort Smith. Pierce asked that anyone having established contact with either contact the MEDC office. Kathryn Collier asked to be called later about this subject, indicating that she has a contact in Fort Smith who probably knows Barbara Hannah.

Ryburn presented an overview of the recently completed Washington Mission sponsored by Twenty for the Future. While acknowledging that federal funding for local projects is increasingly rear because of our commitments in Iraq, discussions were held concerning the following items:

• Arkansas Forest Resources Center & The University of Arkansas at Monticello
• Southeast Arkansas Intermodal Authority & the Port of Yellow Bend
• New City of Monticello Governmental and Community Center
• Ridgeway Hotel Affordable Housing Projects
• New Southeast Arkansas Regional Library and Technical Support
• Support of a New North-South Bypass
• Drew Memorial Hospital Expansion & Technology Upgrade
• Completion of I-530 (I-69 Connector)

Kathryn Collier reported that while some applications are being processed for housing up-grades and new affording housing units more applications are needed. A new 10 unit complex for the handicapped has been approved for Monticello as well. Ryburn and Collier reported that the properties adjacent to the Ridgeway Hotel are being reviewed by Lee Jones as possible renewal project sites.

It was noted that director Al Womack is participating in an effort to involve churches in the purchase of U.S. flags to be flown at the Intersection of US 278 and 425, three checks from area churches were delivered to MEDC at the meeting, and were much appreciated.

Ryburn referred to a good faith offer made to principals of Centers for Youth and Family for the community to supply an appropriate site at no cost to the company. An acquisition price of $50,000 appears likely after the timber is harvested from the site. Ryburn asked for Board approval of an MEDC contribution of up to $25,000 to make good on the promise made. Upon motion made, seconded and adopted the expenditure was approved.

Plans are being made for the Community Design Center (CDC) planning team to return to Monticello to review and explain the results of their work in Monticello. In the meantime, the book completed by CDC for Monticello has been posted on the MEDC website.

Ryburn reported that following the recent tornado actual clean-up costs in Dumas are approximately $5,000 per day. He suggested that Twenty and MEDC work together to develop a fund to assist our neighbors in Dumas.

Ryburn reported that a customer of a local company is in need of storage space. While it now may be too late to be of assistance he suggested that MEDC agree to lease the Spec Building where and as is for fifty cents per square foot per year. Upon motion made, seconded and adopted the proposal was approved.

There being no further business before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 1:15 p.m.

“Do you remember a time and place where the smallest of tasks turn into the biggest of adventures? Mamaw and the Girls is a story of two young sisters spending time with their Grandmother at her house on Cherry Hill Lane.”

For a year and a half, Shelly Ashcraft and her sister, Cheryl Hunter, have been hard at work on a project. Together they have written a children’s book called Mamaw and the Girls, a story about the simple pleasures of life and weekly trips to grandma’s house. They have fond childhood memories of days gone by with their Mamaw, Evelyn Norris.

Shelly said, “We just wanted the book to be funny and entertaining and tell kids about a simpler way of life than what they’re used to now!” It has great stories about going to grandmas to spend time with her and helping with the daily things like washing dishes and washing the car.

The book was published early this month by Tate Publishing and is available there now. It will be sold nationwide beginning May 1, 2007.

Monticello leaders of Twenty for the Future had a busy morning today as they met with four different congressional leaders in the span of four hours.

While Representative Marion Barry was unable to meet due to scheduling conflicts, the group from Monticello met with his chief of staff as well as with Congressmen Mike Ross, John Boozman, and Vic Snyder.

Bennie Ryburn III was the spokesman for the group in all meetings today as he shared Twenty’s eight-point priority list. The group received a positive welcome from the delegation, and the congressmen pledged their support in many of the projects.

Representative Mike Ross said, “It’s a done deal, as far as I’m concerned,” in reference to the need for a north-south connector from Highway 278 to Jordan Drive to alleviate traffic around the hospital and schools.

Representative John Boozman said, “We’ll help you in any way we can.”

Members of the Congressional delegation and their staff remarked consistently what a positive impact the Monticello group is able to make by having such a large group of concerned civic, business and educational leaders present to advocate the needs of the community.

MonticelloLive is proud to present you with the podcast from the group’s meeting with Representative Mike Ross today:

Pictures of Tuesday’s Washington activities can be found here.

Here are the items that are currently needed for people in the Dumas area:

• Diapers
• Baby Food
• Toddler Food (for elderly people)
• Ensure
• Hygiene Products
• Hand Sanitizer
• Toilet Paper
• Non-Perisable foods
• Baby Wipes
• Water

There are multiple dropoffs around town. If your business is one of those, please contact us so that you may be listed. In addition to the above, Dad’s Place is collecting the following:

• small stuffed animals
• coloring books
• colors
• side-walk chalk
• cards
• jump ropes
• small cars
• barbie dolls
• colored pencils
• paper
• balls
• baby food
• baby wipes
• diapers