Family, friends and co-workers gathered in honor of long-time Chambers Bank branch manager, Gina Epperson.
Epperson has served 42 years in the banking industry, and on Thursday, December 28, Epperson was celebrated for her decades of service.
Epperson began her career in September of 1981 at the Scott County Bank in Waldron. After nine years at that location, she was transferred to Mansfield where she has worked for the past 33 years.
Although she has witnessed many changes in the industry, Epperson’s heart of service has been a mainstay.
She admits that the best part of her job has always been helping customers with their banking needs.
“I believe the people that I have worked with through the years have helped me keep going at Chambers Bank,” Epperson shared. “My fellow co-workers, whether they be at Mansfield or any other location, are like family to me and have treated me as ‘bank family’. When you work with good people, it makes your job so much better.”
She and her husband, Tracy Epperson are parents to Tymber Moreton and son-in-law, Anthony Moreton; and a heavenly daughter, Cheyenne Dakota Epperson. They also have two granddaughters, Selah Cheyenne Moreton and Brey Dakota Moreton.
Epperson says she plans to enjoy more time with her family and church. “The Lord has truly blessed me with my family, friends and my career…I look forward to taking care of my granddaughter and being able to take my 89-year-old mother to her doctor appointments.”
Branch Manager Retires with 42 Years of Service
Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives Announce 2024 Board of Directors
Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives (AEDCE) proudly announces the election of its 2024 Board of Directors, a dynamic team of leaders poised to drive economic development and community advancement in the state. The terms for the newly elected directors officially commence on January 1, 2024.
“These extraordinary servant leaders from across the stateconsistently work to improve Arkansas communities, support businesses and improve our workforce. I am greatly looking forward to leveraging the experiences and expertise this board will bring to the AEDCE association in 2024,” said Candice Lawrence, executive director of AEDCE. The statewide leaders appointed to the AEDCE board of directors for 2024 are as follows:
• Colleen Bailey, City of North Little Rock
• Alicia Payseno, City of Cabot
• Leo Cummings III, IOM, Conway Area Chamber of Commerce
• Anita Brackin, Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Tonya Fletcher, PCED, Paris Area Chamber of Commerce
• Bentley Story, Entergy Arkansas
• Logan Molock, Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce
Bailey is the director of economic development for the City of North Little Rock. She joins the board representing the SecondCongressional District. Her term expires December 31, 2024.
Payseno is the director of economic development for the city of Cabot. She joins the board representing the First Congressional District. Her term expires December 31, 2025.
Cummings III is the senior vice president of development for the Conway Area Chamber of Commerce. He joins the boardrepresenting the Second Congressional District. His term expires December 31, 2025.
Brackin is the vice-president of workforce development at the Fort Smith Regional Chamber of Commerce. She joins the board representing the Third Congressional District. Her term expires December 31, 2025.
Fletcher is the executive director of the Paris Area Chamber of Commerce. She joins the board representing the FourthCongressional District. Her term expires December 31, 2025.
Story is the senior project manager at Entergy Arkansas. He joins the board as a member At Large. His term expires December 31, 2024.
Molock is the vice-president of economic development at the Stuttgart Chamber of Commerce. She joins the board as a member At Large. Her term expires December 31, 2024.
The officers of the board of directors for 2024 are President Gary Troutman, IOM with the Hot Springs Metro Partnership/Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce; First Vice-President Steve Cox, IOM with the Rogers Lowell Chamber; Second Vice-President Julie Allen, PCED with the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce; and Treasurer/Secretary Allison Hestand with the Paragould Regional Chamber and Economic Development Corporation of Paragould.
Nancy Lee McNew, CEcD, PCED of the Economic Development Alliance for Jefferson County completed her term as board president at the end of 2023 but will remain on the board as immediate past president and an officer through 2024.
Other returning board members are:
• Steven Lamm, Jonesboro Unlimited
• James Bell, Greater Bentonville Area Chamber of Commerce
• Ashlee Vaughan, Arkadelphia Regional Economic Development Alliance
• Randy Zook, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/AIA
• Clint O’Neal, Arkansas Economic Development Commission
• Jack Thomas, Little Rock Regional Chamber
• Candice Lawrence, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas
About Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives (AEDCE): AEDCE is the state’s premier association representing professional and volunteer economic developers and chamber executives in Arkansas. AEDCE’s objective is to advance, through educational and professional efforts, the business climate and quality of life in Arkansas by the development of employment opportunities through economic growth and community development. This is accomplished through education, advocacyand our connected network of association members. More information is available at aedce.org.
Obituary – Almus Scott (1945 – 2023)
Almus Freemon Scott, 78, of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, December 24, 2023 in Waldron, Arkansas surrounded by his loving family. Almus was born January 27, 1945 to Charley M and Grace (Roberts) Scott in Alva, Oklahoma.
Almus was married to the love of his life, Shirley Jean Allen for 48 years before Shirley went on to Heaven to wait for him. Together they raised one son Scotty Scott and then became treasured grandparents. Almus was a devoted family man and would do anything for his wife and family. He was a committed hard worker and never missed, even if he was sick. He enjoyed watching western movies and spending time at home with his family. The memories they made will forever be treasured.
Almus leaves behind to cherish his memory, one son Scotty Scott and wife Stefanie of Yukon, Oklahoma and two twin granddaughters, Alexus and Haelle both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Almus will also be missed by his sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws: Kathy Helton of Waldron, Arkansas; Francis Scott of Mena, Arkansas; Lynn Craze of Waldron, Arkansas; Larry Allen, Donny Allen, Kenny Allen, Gary Allen, Troy Allen and David Allen all of Waldron, Arkansas. Almus will be missed by all that knew him, including a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and church family.
Almus was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirely Scott; his parents, Charley and Grace Scott; one brother, C M Scott; one sister, Charlene Craze; one nephew, Travis Helton and one niece, Charlotte Allen.
Almus’ life celebration will be at 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2023 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Bro. Travis May officiating. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Almus’ honorary pallbearers will be: Jerry Morris, Garrett Morris, Gary Allen, Kenny Allen, Danny Allen and Dustin Allen.
Almus’ visitation will be Thursday, December 28, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.
You may leave words of remembrance for Almus’ family by visiting: www.heritagememorialfh.com
Arrest Reports 12/17
Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department:
Nathan Dean Churchwell of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 17 at 1:09 a.m. and released on signature bond December 17 at 10:02 a.m. Churchwell was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
Juanita Eillen Cottingham of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 20 at 5:06 p.m. and released on signature bond December 20 at 8:30 p.m. Cottingham was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Jeremiah Luke Edwards of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 21 at 9:19 p.m. and released on signature bond December 22 at 3:03 a.m. Edwards was charged with Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Jesse Emery of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 22 at 8:24 p.m. and released on signature bond December 23 at 4:54 a.m. Emery was charged with Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others.
Jason Lee Hill of Bonanza was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 23 at 6:42 p.m. and released on signature bond December 24 at 12:29 a.m. Hill was charged with Theft of Property <$1k, Criminal Trespass, and Failure to appear at FINS review.
Arresting agency – Hartford Police Department:
Judy Lee Dooley of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 22 at 5:19 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Dooley was charged with Failure to Appear – Class C Felony, Petition to Revoke – Felony, Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, absconding and parole violation.
Steven Derek Mathis of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 22 at 5:04 p.m. and released on signature bond December 23 at 2:13 a.m. Mathis was charged with Obstructing Governmental Operations-ID.
Arresting agency – Mansfield Police Department:
Joshua Jacob King of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 20, at 8:05 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with bond. King was charged with Possession of [Schedule I/II Controlled Substance] <2g-inmate, Petition to Revoke – Felony, and Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor.
Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office:
Jody Williams Knight of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 23 at 1:28 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond December 23 at 12:44 p.m. Knight was charged with Furnishing a Prohibited Article-Correctional Facility, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine, and Possession of [Schedule I/II Controlled Substance] with the Purpose to Deliver >2g.
Garlin Wayne Miller of Mansfield was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 20 at 11:17 a.m. and released on legally sufficient bond December 21 at 11:17 a.m. Miller was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.
Jerry Paul Quick of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 19 at 2:52 p.m. and released on cash bond December 19 at 10:51 p.m. Quick was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.
Timmy Don Scrivner Junior of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 19 at 2:46 p.m. and released on December 20 at 12:42 p.m. Scrivner was charged with Released from ADC has previous charges they have not bonded on.
Arresting agency – Arkansas State Police Troop H:
Mary Kretchmer of Hartford was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 22 at 4:48 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with bond. Kretchmer was charged with Careless Driving – Failure to Maintain Control, Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule VI Misdemeanor <4oz, and Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.
Christopher Hugh Mclaughlin of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 21 at 6:23 p.m. and released on signature bond on December 21 at 10:19 p.m. Mclaughlin was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Michael Aaron Mcwhorter of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 18 at 12:02 p.m. and released on signature bond December 21 at 3:36 p.m. Mcwhorter was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Cody Lee Sales of Fort Smith was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on December 22 at 11:14 a.m. and remains at the SCADC with bond. Sales was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine, Refusal To Submit To a Chemical Test-adult, and Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense.
Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Office:
Mason Alexander, 25 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on December 19 at 2:22 p.m. Alexander was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a schedule VI-controlled substance with the purpose to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, theft by receiving, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Allen Lindstrom, 25 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on December 19 at 2:54 p.m. Lindstrom was charged with possession of a schedule VI-controlled substance with the purpose to deliver, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine or cocaine with the purpose to deliver and maintaining drug premises.
Shelby Moore, 24 of Oark, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on December 22 at 3:08 p.m. Moore was charged with forgery, 2nd degree.
Christopher Butler, 35 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on December 22 at 9:22 p.m. Butler was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree.
Brianna Butler, 31 of Booneville, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on December 22 at 10:27 p.m. Butler was charged with endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree.
Dustin Contreras, 31 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on December 22 at 11:23 p.m. Contreras was charged with body attachment.
Adam Capo, 37 of Ratcliff, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on December 23 at 5:08 p.m. Capo was charged with violation of probation/suspended imposition of sentence, and failure to pay.
Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Office:
Michael Dunn, 27 of Ozark, was booked into Franklin County Detention Center on December 23 at 1:55 p.m. Dunn was charged with criminal mischief – 1st degree/property of another w/value of $1k or less, assault on family or household member – 3rd degree / apprehension of imminent physical injury to a family or household member.
Joseph Hadley, 38, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on December 21 at 2:15 p.m. Hadley was charged with hold for another agency.
Kelly Powell, 48 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on December 20 at 9:45 p.m. Powell was charged with hold for another agency.
Michelle Sieckman, 45 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on December 20 at 5:56 p.m. Sieckman was charged with domestic battering – 3rd degree / purpose of causing injury, causes serious injury, criminal mischief – 2nd degree/damage >$1k <$5k, and failure to appear on unclassified misdemeanor (FTA).
Samantha Rogers, 36 of Ozark, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on December 20 at 3:40 p.m. Rogers was charged with deliver of meth or cocaine GT 2GM but LT 10GM, and deliver of meth or cocaine GT 2GM but LT 10GM.
William Blake Pendergrass, 36, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on December 20 at 2:03 p.m. Pendergrass was charged with possession of schedule I or II LT 2GM.
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
52 State Police Recruits Commissioned into Service
Fifty-two certified officer recruits became Arkansas State Troopers tonight during a graduation ceremony at Camp Robinson, making it the largest graduating class since 1977.
The new Troopers were among an initial field of 230 applicants who were tested and interviewed before entering a 10-week training program, where they completed approximately 760 hours of specialized instruction and practical training.
The graduates were sworn under oath as Arkansas State Troopers by Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Cody Hiland, who served as the keynote speaker.
Colonel Mike Hagar, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety, Major Roby Rhoads, Corporal Keondrick Thompson, and Sergeant Chad Staley addressed the class during the ceremony. ASP senior command staff, troop and company commanders, the training section cadre, ASP Commissioners and ASP Foundation members were among the audience.
Special recognition and awards were presented to the recruits who attained the highest scores within the respective training categories listed as follows:
Academics:
1st place – Lydia Rogers
2nd place – Trey Smith
3rd place – Dylan Evans
Physical Fitness:
1st place – Justin Shackleford
2nd place – Shane Fox
3rd place – Hunter Grubbs
Firearms:
1st place – David Whipple
2nd place – Dylan Evans
3rd place – Lydia Rogers
Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC):
1st place – Tyler Ryals
2nd place – Mark Fallis
3rd place – Tre’ Davis
The recruit graduates and their first post assignments are listed as follows:
Thomas “Dylan” Evans, 2023-B Class Leader, will be assigned to Highway Patrol Division, Troop D.
Highway Patrol Division
Troop A
Milton “Alex” Bratton
Amber Cass
Tre’ Davis
Andrew Garrison
Raul Parada
Robert Plyler
Tyler Ryals
Trey Smith
David Whipple
Troop B
Joshua Haley
Justin Parrish
Troop C
Christopher Dunham
Victor Garcia
Cody Jackson
Carter Lazenby
Lydia Rogers
Nash Thomas
Christian Underwood
Troop D
Dakota “Blake” Davis
Thomas “Dylan” Evans
Troop E
Jonathan Nutt
Lincoln Smith
Troop F
Alan “Mitchell” Butler
David Menotti
Troop G
Akari Alexander
Micah Brown
Richard “Zane” Butler
Matthew “Trent” Coffman
Landon Loe
Jacob Meadows
Gannon Tiller
Troop H
Dalton Lewis
Tucker Phelps
Justin Shackleford
Troop I
Jared Curtis
Cody Lee
Troop K
John “JD” Crow
Hunter Grubbs
Mathew Hall
Corbin Rideout
Mason Robinson
Cody Rollins
Jayson “Sean” Weston
Troop L
Tyler Smith
Brandon Walker
Criminal Investigation Division
Company A
Eric Varner
Company C
Mark Fallis
Judson “Dalton” Myers
Company D
Thurman “Kieth” Lunsford
Company E
Erick Riggs
Company F
Shane Fox
Internet Crimes Against Children Division
Danny Harris
Upon reporting for duty at their respective troop headquarters, the new troopers will be placed with a certified departmental Field Training Officer (FTO). Each graduate will work in tandem with their respective FTO for a transitional period prior to being released to their assignment.
Obituary – Emma Brown (1949 – 2023)
Emma Dean Brown beloved wife and mother was called to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, December 22, 2023. Emma was born August 5, 1949 to Ralph and Edith (Miner) Johnson in the Y-City community. She was a member of the Waldron Pentecostal Church of God.
Emma married the love of her life, Larry on August 11, 1967. She embarked on a journey of being his partner in work of many different positions. She loved her family. It was evident in anything she done. She loved antiques. Many happy memories were of her on antique trips with her sister’s. She loved the outdoors, taking rides in her mule, enjoying her cabin and the hunter’s, even though she had to listen to deer and turkey stories dozens of times.
Emma leaves behind to cherish her memory, her loving husband Larry, two sons: Larry “Bang” Brown and wife Sheila of Greenwood, Arkansas, and Jason Brown and wife Traci of Waldron, Arkansas as well as three grandsons: Dylan and wife Alisha, Payton and Ryder Brown all Waldron, Arkansas and two step grandsons: David Russell and wife Jenna of Greenwood, Arkansas and Jimmy Russell of Waldron, Arkansas, one great grandson, Sterling and one great granddaughter on the way, step great grandchildren: Dalton, Joseph and Maebree Russell all of Greenwood, Arkansas. Emma is also survived by her sisters: Lorene Beck of Mena, Wanda Holdron of Mena, Violet Becker of Ft. Smith, JoAnn Betterton of Alma, Patsy Ward of Altus and brothers: Jerry Johnson of Mansfield, David Johnson of Nashville, and Micheal Johnson of Mena. Emma will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family, friends, neighbors and loved ones.
Emma was preceded in death by one son Marcus Heath, one grandson Tyrone Ryder Brown, her father and mother, Ralph and Edith Johnson, one sister Sandra, and brothers in law: Audie Powell, Robert “Bob” Becker, Doyle Beck and Wayman Betterton and her best and dearest lifelong friends Deloras and Larry Horn.
Emma’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 24, 2023 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Rickey Hunt officiating.
Interment will follow in the Friendship Cemetery near Waldron. Arrangements are being entrusted to Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Emma’s pallbearers will be Dylan Brown, Payton Brown, Ryder Brown, David Russell, Jimmy Russell, Jarrod Johnson and Russell Powell. Honorary pallbearers will be Sterling Brown, Randall Barnett, Jerry Bottoms, Brian Horn,
Emma’s visitation will be Sunday, December 24, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.
Obituary – Michael Sleeman (1958 – 2023)
Michael Stephen Sleeman, 65, of Waldron, Arkansas passed from this life on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 in Longview, Texas surrounded by his loving family. Michael was born October 11, 1958 to Lyle Herman Sleeman Jr. and Elizabeth “Betty” Jean (McGurn) Sleeman in Manhattan, Kansas.
Michael was married to the love of his life, Diana (Chudleigh) Sleeman for 38 marvelous years. Together they raised their children. Michael loved history, the sciences, air planes and old cars. The memories he made with his loved ones will forever be treasured by them.
Michael leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife Diana Sleeman of the home. His children, Michael Sleeman Jr. of Arkansas; Mary Mathews, Dallin Sleeman, Daniel Sleeman, Kristin Sleeman, Kyle Sleeman, Kelli Sleeman, Kalvin Sleeman and Curtis Sleeman of the Houston, Texas area; two brothers: Mark Sleeman of Nevada and Lyle Sleeman III of Texas and two sisters: Catherine Gowing of Texas and Elizabeth “Betsy” Armstrong. Michael is also survived by many more family members, extended family, friends and loved ones dear to his heart.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Lyle and Elizabeth Sleeman.
Michael’s life celebration will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 29, 2023 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Bishop Chris Loftin officiating. Interment will follow in the Sehorn Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Michael’s pallbearers will be Michael Sleeman Jr., Jacob Lyle, Phil Thompson, Manuel Herrera, John Ravenburg and Scott Bartholomew.
Michael’s visitation will be Friday, December 29, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. until the funeral begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.
Timepiece: The Old Home Place
By Dr. Curtis Varnell
The school kids excitedly took pictures of the old home place and talked among themselves. Wonder who lived there? What was that building used for? If those walls could talk, wonder what stories they could tell? My mind drifted to those days growing up and visiting in my grandmother’s home.
The old house was built in dogtrot style, one large room on each end with smaller bedrooms in the middle. The kitchen and dining room were building blocks attached haphazardly to the back of the house. Planks covered the original log structure, the paint long deteriorated leaving the stark grey exposed board.
Behind the house sat the smoke house, barn, the well, and more importantly, the outhouse. The hog-wire fence surrounding the garden was immersed in sweet smelling honeysuckle vines. My grandmother loved flowers and roses, daffodils, and iris grew abundantly. Yet, it wasn’t the appearance of the house that made it important to my childhood, it was the life within.
My grandmother cooked and heated with wood. Nothing like getting up early in the morning surrounded by the aroma of breakfast cooking. With a large family of working men, breakfast was important. Grandma always had a huge pan of biscuits sitting on the open cooking stove door and a dozen or more eggs cooked and ready to serve. She fried up fat back, bacon, and sausage and used the leavings for milk and red-eye gravy. Red-eye gravy was just grease with coffee interspersed. The coffee sank to the center bottom of the bowl and gave the concoction its unique name. I much preferred the chocolate gravy, butter and biscuits! The left over eggs, bacon and sausage were inserted into the middle of the three-inch high biscuits and placed in gallon lard buckets and carted away for the men’s lunch. The men worked hard at rock quarries, lumber yards, or cotton fields while we were at school. My grandmother stayed busy around the house, milking the small jersey cow, slopping the hogs, tending the garden, or canning.
Get outside and play! That was our instructions when we got home. Grandma didn’t have television until I was twelve and, for a large part of that time, no electricity. Some of my fondest memories were short winter days when we came in early. The pop-bellied coal stove glowed fiery red in the semi-darkness of the room and the adults and visitors sit around talking, telling jokes, and discussing news. I loved to read so I sat further back, near the kerosene lamp, listening to the conversation and straining my eyes to read Zane Grey westerns.
No-one that hasn’t experienced the trip in the dark to a freezing out-house can explain the convenience of modern restrooms. Then time for bed. My grandparents slept in a bed in the living room, the rest of us in scattered unheated bedrooms. Usually two or three of us shared a bed and a pile of the hand-sewn blankets that kept us warm.
My favorite time were spring nights. Winds whistling around the house, lightning flickering through the windows, and the gentle sounds of rain falling on the old tin roof as I drifted into sleep.
Yes, those walls could tell a story and they still whisper to me in my dreams!
Timepiece: One Man’s Story
By Dr. Curtis Varnell
With more than eight billion people on this planet, many of us feel like we’re a small cog in a large machine and there is little that we can do to change or affect the world around us. I love visiting Eureka Springs with its historic and quaint shops, its unique mountainous streets, and its old buildings. Visitors explore the numerous nooks and crannies of the various shops, finding that unique and original item found nowhere else in the state, visit the kite shop, and explore the large springs that gush from the hillside. Nostalgia creates an aura of better days, simpler times, and remembrances of times past. Much of what we see stands as a testament to what can be achieved by one man, determined to work with others to make his world a better place.
John Fuller Cross came from a distinguished family that succeeded and achieved the American dream through hard work and determination. His grandfather was a common workingman. When John S. Cross was of age, his mother worked in a boarding house to help pay tuition for his education. John S. Cross worked at various jobs with the U.S. Department of the Interior and was instrumental in the creation of the Promenade at Hot Springs National Park. Later, even though past draft age, he was in the Navy and a WW. II veteran. He and his wife were the parents of John F. Cross (1934) and brother Claude (1935). It is interesting that both of them spent time in the military with Claude becoming a naval officer in charge of the USS Poseidon, a position in which he held the same “nuclear” button as the president and the power to destroy a big portion of the world.
John F. graduated from the University of Arkansas, and after his military years, started to work as a teller in the bank of Eureka Springs. Always interested in the outdoors, he took the local job in his grandfather’s bank rather than more lucrative job elsewhere so that he would have plenty of time to hunt, fish, and explore.
Always interested in promoting and building the city he lived in, he purchased the Basin Park Coffee shop, the Basin Park Hotel, the Ozarka water company, the spring, and other real estate. He was successful in restoring and preserving these enterprises for future generations. With an astute head for the market and investment, John moved up the ladder in the bank and. In 1968, became the youngest bank president (age 33) in Arkansas. Today it is one of the top five community banks to work for in the U.S.
John’s biggest impact in the region came from his interest in history and his efforts to preserve and restore his home town. In 1978, he was elected to serve as the chairman for the Eureka Springs centennial committee. At that time the downtown area was decaying and rundown with buildings in shambles. Seeking to restore the historic old city rather than to demolish it, the committee decided to clean up, polish up, and rebuild the natural attractions rather than build a sterile theme park. John was instrumental in locating grants and in finding matching funds, obtaining donations, and in organizing the reconstruction. Old buildings were repainted, aluminum siding removed, and buildings redone to match the decor of the historical city. In many instances, building that could not be repaired were removed and replaced by beautiful fountains, parks, and gardens. Trolleys were purchased to roam the streets, transporting tourist from the new upper town to the historic district. Cross worked with Gerald L.K. Smith to get the huge Christ of the Ozarks statue constructed. Latter the Passion Play, which attracts thousands to the city, was added to the attraction.
In his 70th year of banking, he is the oldest working banker in the state and perhaps the oldest working in the U.S. Still involved in the region, he assisted the efforts to preserve Carnall Hall at the U/A and helped create the Bank of Eureka Spring Museum.
When we think we are only an unimportant cog, let us remember John F. Cross and the many men like him that stand as an example of how one person can change and make the world around them a better place.
Time: A key element of investing
Who knows where the time goes? We’ve reached the end of another year, so it’s appropriate to reflect on the nature of time and how it affects us. And time certainly is a key element in the pursuit of your financial goals.
As an investor, time can be your greatest ally. If you hold some investments for the long term, you could achieve an impressive cumulative growth in value. Furthermore, if you keep adding shares to these investments, possibly through a dividend reinvestment plan, you could attain “growth on growth” through the power of compounding. Of course, when you own equity investments, you will experience market fluctuations, but in general, the longer you hold these investments, the more you can reduce the effects of market volatility.
But you also need to consider aspects of time in these contexts:
• Checking progress on achieving goals – When you establish a goal, such as saving for a child’s education or your own retirement, you know the end date of when you’ll need the money, but it’s also important to mark your progress along the way. So, each year, see how far along you are in meeting your goal. If you’re falling behind, you may need to adjust your investment mix.
• Choosing an appropriate strategy – The time needed to achieve a goal should drive your investment strategy for that goal. For example, when you are saving for a retirement that won’t happen for three or four decades, you will need to invest for growth by placing a reasonable percentage of equities and equity-based investments in your portfolio, based on your comfort with the various types of risk, including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. You will experience some bumps along the way — keep in mind that the value of investments will fluctuate and the loss of some or all principal is possible — but you likely have time to overcome the “down” periods. On the other hand, when you are saving for a short-term goal, such as a vacation or a new car or a wedding, you’ll want a set amount of money available precisely when you need it. In this case, you may need to sacrifice some growth potential for investments whose principal value won’t fluctuate, such as certificates of deposit (CDs) and bonds.
Keep in mind, though, that when you’re investing for long- and short-term goals, it doesn’t have to be just one strategy or the other. You can save for retirement with primarily growth vehicles but still have room in your portfolio for shorter-term
instruments. And even when you’re specifically investing for some short-term goal, you can’t forget about your need to save and invest for retirement.
And here’s one final point about the relationship between time and investing: Your risk tolerance can, and probably will, change over the years. As you near retirement, you may feel the need to adjust your portfolio toward a more conservative approach. That’s because you may want to consolidate any gains you might have achieved while also recognizing that you simply have less time to bounce back from down markets. Still, even in retirement, you’ll need some growth potential in your portfolio to help you stay ahead of inflation.
When you invest, one of your biggest considerations is time — so use it wisely.
This article is provided by Jeffrey O’Neal, Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
20 N Express St, Paris, AR 72855
479-963-1321
jeffrey.o’[email protected]
edwardjones.com/jeffrey-o’neal
Edward Jones, Member SIPC