After 31 years of teaching dance, gymnastics, and cheerleading to amazing students from Monticello and Southeast Arkansas, I am excited to announce my retirement from KDF.

From our humble beginnings at the old skating rink on 425 south to our dance and gymnastics spaces on the Monticello Square and, finally, to KDF’s current home since 2001, The Lord has blessed us with countless relationships with students and families over the years. Big thanks to them for the support and love they have shown me and my family. The Monticello / SEARK community has supported KDF and has made my career in dance such a joy!

I want to thank my husband, Steve, for his tireless support and for helping me make KDF a reality. Thank you to my sons, Cody, Clint, and Cade, for always supporting me and all the “dance projects.” To my parents, thanks for giving me the gift of dance when I was young that fueled this incredible journey. Thank you to my sweet friends who were always there to help and support !

To all members of the KDF Team over the 31 years, thank you!  We couldn’t have done it without you. Special thanks to Mary Ramsey, the best gymnastics teacher around, for our wonderful 24 year partnership.

KDF is very near and dear to my heart!
News about its future will be announced in the coming days!

?? Ms. Kim

The meeting has been moved to the Monticello area chamber of commerce building, due to the air conditioning being out at the library.

Maggie Fakouri recently hosted and organized a youth tennis tournament with the support of her sponsors, Michelle Fakouri with Trademark Real Estate and Commercial Bank.
The event had around 50 players and raised over $1,000 for The CALL of Southeast Arkansas

We have an incredible opportunity available in our community for kids. 
Between now and July 31st, any kids ages 5-10 that register to join cub scouts will save $40! Instead of $125/ year,  it’s only $85!
We are also having an end of summer day camp August 1-3 for $65.
That’s three days of messy experiments,  outdoor fun,  and lunch included! Kids 6 and under must have an adult partner with them,  7-10 can be dropped off daily @ 8:30 and picked up at 5. 
We also have options for year-round school kids who cannot attend Friday and for siblings. 
They may register online at beascout.org and use the code JULY40

Lee Busby, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Monticello, recently received the firm’s Service Award for 25 years of hard work and enthusiasm with Edward Jones.

The Service Award is first earned after five years of service at the firm and at every five-year increment thereafter.

“I can’t believe it’s been 25 years,” Busby said. “This firm has proved to be everything I expected. It is truly dedicated to individual investors and understanding each investor’s unique financial goals. For that reason, I am proud to represent this firm in South Arkansas.”

Busby and senior branch office administrators Karen Withers and Penny Sturgis can be reached at 611 W Bolling St. in Monticello, or by phone at (870)367-5347. You may also visit Lee Busby’s website at www.edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/lee-busby.

Edward Jones is a leading North American financial services firm with more than 20,000 financial advisors. The firm serves more than 9 million clients with a total of $2.2 trillion in client assets under care as of March 28, 2025. Edward Jones’ purpose is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm’s approximately 55,000 associates and our branch presence in 68% of U.S. counties and most Canadian provinces and territories, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

http://safecenterinc.org/moneycamp