Stories from Thursday, May 14, 2015

The largest spring in Arkansas and the second largest spring in the Ozarks can be found locally at the Mammoth Spring State Park. The park is a natural attraction that brings visitors from near and far. The Mammoth Spring Park Tourism day was held on May 9, 2015...

Relay for Life is a movement that raises funds and awareness to save lives from cancer and to raise money to find a cure. Every year more than four million people in more than 20 countries join together to help raise money and awareness for the cause. Relay for Life was started in Oregon County in 2002 and 13 years later the community is still making an effort to fight cancer...

A Cave City man was arrested May 5, following a May 4 search warrant at his home north of Cave City. According to a press release from the Sharp County Sheriff's Department, a search of the Jonathan Miller residence, which was executed when Miller was not home yielded several items of drug paraphernalia, unidentified pills as well as several stolen items. ...

The Elks Lodge is an organization that was founded in New York City in 1868 and has grown to become a fraternal order with almost a million members. There are more than 2,000 lodges across the country. The Elks Lodge aims to promote and practice charity, justice, brotherly love and fidelity. ...

Couch High School recently announced the honor graduates for the Class of 2015. The Valedictorian is Alessandra Moss and the Salutatorian is Kensey Hunt. Alessandra is the daughter of Allen and Elisha Moss. Alessandra's plans are to attend Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. Kensey is the daughter of Kenny and Leita Hunt. Kensey's plans are to attend the St. Louis College of Pharmacy...

Jean Grooms 90th birthday celebration will be held May 16 in Thayer, Mo at the Stateline Pentecostal Church from 1 to 3 p.m. No gifts requested.

A Cave City man was arrested May 5, following a May 4 search warrant at his home north of Cave City. According to a press release from the Sharp County Sheriff's Department, a search of the Jonathan Miller residence, which was executed when Miller was not home yielded several items of drug paraphernalia, unidentified pills as well as several stolen items. ...

Students from Thayer Elementary recently competed in the 30th Annual Missouri Elementary Student Mathematics Regional Contest. The contest was held at Missouri State University in West Plains and was sponsored by the Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The four events were Target, Sprint, Number Sense and Team Event...

Burgin Shelby received the second annual Matthew Huff scholarship at Mammoth Spring's graduation on Thursday night. Huff, a Mammoth Spring alumni, presents his scholarship to the student he feels will carry through with their dreams and future plans. Congratulations to Burgin on being the recipient of this scholarship...

Rose Hill Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting May 23 at noon. A potluck lunch will follow in the Rose Hill School Building. Everyone interested is invited to attend. Donations for upkeep of the cemetery are welcome. The cemetery is located on Highway 142 East of Thayer on County Road 249 South...

Alton High School Alumni Reunion will be held on May 23 at the Alton FEMA building. Registration will be from 4 to 5:15 p.m. followed by the business meeting. All alumni welcomed.

This week we celebrated the backbone of our nation's economy with National Small Business Week. America's small businesses create about seven out of every 10 new jobs. Half of our nation's workforce is employed at a small business, and 99.7 percent of all U.S. employers are small businesses. Sadly, though, it is getting tougher and tougher for our entrepreneurs to create businesses and live the American Dream. We must stop this trend now and do more to help job creators grow opportunities...

Over the last year there has been a lot of talk about education. Talk about failing school districts, charter schools, virtual schools, school funding, you name it. Education really is a top priority for lawmakers and Missourians alike. One thing not all of us can agree on is how beneficial House Bill 42 may or may not be for schools across the state, in particular small school districts like those in the 33rd District...

Names of two officers from Missouri who died in the line of duty during 2014 are added to memorial's Wall of Honor. A Missouri police officer and a Missouri sheriff's deputy who lost their lives in the line of duty during 2014 were remembered during a solemn ceremony at the Missouri Law Enforcement Memorial on the grounds of the State Capitol...

A benefit ACA Rodeo for Charolete Williams will be held at the Fulton County Fairgrounds Arena in Salem, Ark. on May 23. The Riding for Charley Benefit Rodeo will have a bounty bareback, saddle bronc and bull. The rodeo is produced by Hall Rodeo Company, LLC and starts at 8 p.m. ...

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host a "Kids Fishing Derby" for youngsters 12 years old and younger, at the Commission's Jim Hinkle/Spring River State Fish Hatchery on Saturday, June 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Jim Hinkle/Spring River State Fish Hatchery is located 2.5 miles south of Mammoth Spring, Ark. ...

The Oregon County Extension council, faculty and staff, extends an invitation to the public to attend their Open House on May 15. From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., we will be serving grilled burgers and hot dogs, chips, sides, desserts and drinks free of charge. Come out and visit with our faculty and extension council members, and see what Extension is all about...

Mammoth Spring First Baptist Church proudly sponsors the fifth annual "John Romine Memorial" Freedom Run on Saturday, May 16. Get out your motorcycles and meet at the Simmons Bank in Mammoth Spring for sign up at 9 a.m. Riders will be leaving from the parking lot at 10 a.m. A BBQ lunch will be served. For more information, call Jeff Case at 417-293-7867, Keith Goodman at 870-710-2476 or the church office at 870-625-3273. All riders are welcome...

Hi Oregon Countians! This week has been pretty busy here at the center. On Monday we had our giveaway drawings; volunteer birthday, senior birthday, and volunteer incentive drawings for April. It is always so nice to give back to our supporters and our volunteers. ...

"National Nurses Day" is a very special celebration at Shady Oaks. We have nineteen dedicated R.N. and L.P.N.'s who care deeply about each one of our residents. We host a big celebration for them every year. This year, several of our local pharmacy's joined in and donated beautiful gifts for door prizes. ...

Old Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival's 8th Annual Mule Jump Competition, sponsored by Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply, will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 20, in the parking lot near the West Plains Senior Center at the corner of East Main and South Curry Streets. Admission to it, as well as all festival activities, is free...

The 29th Annual Art Show will be held on Wednesday, May 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the elementary gym. Each elementary student chooses their favorite piece of art to be displayed. Once again, we will have a community artists' section! Local artists will have an opportunity to display art work, too. ...

Fulton County has a new community service program that is designed to help people with unpaid fines, or individuals who are sentenced to community service in court or have past due fines. This gives the individuals an opportunity to pay off their fines rather than having to serve time in jail. ...

The Ozark Mountain Music Makers is a family oriented place where anyone can come out and listen or play music on Saturday nights. It was originally intended to be a learning center for musicians and singers to come and refine their talent. Staff members are trying to bring the music barn back to life like it once was decades ago...

For many, the days prior to Mother's Day are spent trying to come up with the perfect gift that is both personal and sentimental, but the act of giving gifts that honor mothers on Mother's Day goes back in history to the ancient Egyptians who had an annual festival honoring the Goddess Isis, who was believed to be the mother of the pharaohs...

Photo/ A.K. Barnes Four seniors were presented scholarships by the County Line Masonry Lodge #373 at the academic ceremony held for seniors at the Viola High School on May 6.

Photo/A.K. Barnes Children with Mrs. Kim's Preschool and Mrs. Sha's Preschool who will begin kindergarten in the fall made a trip to Cherokee Elementary School on May 11 to meet their new teachers and tour the school before their summer break. Kindergarten teachers welcomed their new students and hoped to ease the fears for the new year...

William Harold Davenport was born the son of Lewis Thomas Davenport and Beulah Mae (Woods) Davenport on July 9, 1922, in Slick, Okla., and departed this life May 6, 2015, at Eaglecrest Nursing and Rehab Center in Ash Flat, Ark., at the age of 92 years...

Lynn Freeman -- also known to her friends and family as "Tequila Overfield", age 58 of Williford, Ark., passed away on Monday, April 20, 2015. She was born to and survived by Joe Markss and Barbara Redden on July 4, 1958. Lynn "Tequila" worked for Dowell trucking for 21 years and enjoyed life out on the road...

Funeral services for Viola Lucille Englen, 84, of Myrtle, Mo., was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, West Plains, Mo. under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Englen died at 1:35 a.m., Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Shady Oaks Healthcare Center, Thayer, Mo...

Avalene Taylor, 95, of Palm Springs, Cali., died May 1 in Palm Springs, Calif. Arrangements are under the direction of Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City. Norman Fred Guinnip Sr., 72, of Evening Shade, died May 4 at Ash Flat Nursing and Rehabilitation. Arrangements are under the direction of Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City...

So far I have reviewed 15 area restaurants in this column. I think it's time we had a conversation, admittedly a little one sided, about how I go about this and what I look for. I am, as you can guess, not a professional writer nor have I ever owned or operated a dining facility. ...

VFW Auxiliary #7831 installed officers for the coming year at their May meeting. Installed were Kim Schamel- Trustee, Wanda Sellers- Chaplain, Sue Vanderpool-Treasurer, Diane Pierce- Historian and Patriotic Instructor, Dorothy Parks-President, Elsa VanMeter-Junior Vice President, Rita Turner-Guard, Charlotte Hurtt-Secretary, Judy Smith-Senior Vice President, Mary Razinha-Conductress and Trustee and not pictured, Marlene Haney- Trustee. ...

April showers that drive corn farmers crazy make better grass, and hay, for livestock farmers. Early grass growth made 200 pounds of dry matter per acre per day in early April. "That's amazing," says Rob Kallenbach, University of Missouri Extension forage specialist...

Couch Project Playground will hold a Trap and Meat Shoot on Saturday, May 16 at 10 a.m. at Couch School baseball field. The cost to enter Trap Shoot is $5 per round. No shot size larger than 7 ½, only factory loaded ammo, and 2 ¾ length. Prizes will vary, included but no limited to money and meat prizes. The cost to enter Meat Shoot is $3 per round. Stock 12 gauge with no larger than full choke. Ammo will be included in entry fee. Great prize for Winners round...

In recognition and remembrance of our fallen Veterans the Thayer American Legion Post 344 will sponsor the following. On Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m. We will place gravesite American made flags along both sides of the entrance roadway in the Thayer Cemetary. Please feel free to pick up the Flags and place on Veterans graves...

Pictured is John Thomason, HOEC Member Service Representative, at an event called "Kids Fest" held recently at the West Plains Armory. "Kids Fest" is an annual event designed to teach kids how to stay safe and to be aware of potential dangers around them. ...

The Women with Heart Committee recently donated $12,000 to the Ozarks Medical Center Foundation to be used in the Sleep Center. The funds will be earmarked for the purchase of one Sleep Study Machine. The machine costs $19,000 and anyone wishing to make a donation toward its purchase should contact the OMC Foundation. ...

Robert and Cari Long of Salem would like to announce the engagement of their daughter, Cori Lynn Long to Heath Cody Curtis. The bride to be is the granddaughter of Bob and Theresa McCarty of Viola, Linda Long of Glencoe, and Hassel and Lori Long of Edgemont. She currently teaches second grade at Salem Elementary School...

Michaela Thompson of Viola, Ark., has been selected for the 2015 edition of Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Thompson is a junior at Williams Baptist College majoring in business administration. College faculty and editors of the directory select students based on their academic achievement, service to the community, leadership in extracurricular activities and potential for continued success. ...

Mr. and Mrs. Terry Brown of Viola, Ark. announce the upcoming marriage of their daughter Savannah Brown to Derek Culpepper, son of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Culpepper of West Plains, Mo. The marriage will take place on May 16 at the Byron Community Church at 3 p.m. All family and friends are invited. Reception will follow at the church...

Horseshoe Bend Mayor Bob Barnes is among 118 officials in 62 counties who have declared May as Historic Preservation Month and Arkansas Heritage Month, AHPP Director Frances McSwain announced today. "As we enjoy these month-long celebrations of our Arkansas heritage, we hope all of the people of Arkansas will take time to reflect on the importance of their local historic sites, especially those listed on the National Register of Historic Places," McSwain said. ...

The Calico Rock Museum and Visitor Center commemorated Arkansas Heritage Month with a series of programs this past weekend. The theme of the event was "Through the Captain's Eyes: Different Landscapes, a Common Heritage." The events included portrayal of historical figures, painting demonstrations, family painting opportunities, they debut of the museum's first interactive learning kiosk, and a temporary exhibit...

On May 14, one chapter of local business will end and a new one will begin. Local Optometrist Roger B. Totten will retire from his over 40 year career serving the Melbourne and Salem communities. Dr. Totten graduated from Optometry school in 1974 and promptly opened his practice at 102 Spring Street, Melbourne providing the community with comprehensive eyecare and eyewear. ...

Violet Hill Alumni Association will host its all school five-year reunion on May 23 in the cafeteria at the old Violet Hill campus. All former students (1931-1985), faculty and staff are invited. The building will be open at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. At 4 p.m., a short business meeting will be conducted with roll call of classes and a remembrance service for those who have passed...

The Fulton County Fair Foundation recently awarded $1,000 scholarships to five graduating seniors in the Fulton County schools. Selection is based on participation in the county, district and state fairs and leadership and community service to the county fair and to the community...

Runners and Walkers are invited to Salem, Ark on May 23 for the Bank of Salem Mark Thomas Memorial Apple Pie 5K Run. Online registration is available at www.register-wizard.com/events/applepier.... The entry fee is $15. For those who do not have internet, a paper entry form can be obtained by calling 870-895-5565. Entry fee on the day of the race will be $20...

At 6:30 on Friday morning, we left Salem for Jacksonville, Ark. for the 6th Annual Bean Bag Tournament. We got there about 9:30 or so and played at 10:15 a.m. We played a team from the Senior Center at Bryant, Ark. who had been playing for over ten years and never won. ...

We would like to Congratulate Clint and Ashley Hall on the birth of their daughter, Chloe Ann Hall. Chloe weighed 9 pounds 7.8 ounces 21 inches long. Proud grandparents are Johnny and Nicky Sollock, Joey and Mika Alexander and Steve and Marilyn Hall...