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Timepiece: All-American Sport

1958 Scranton Baseball team

By Dr. Curtis Varnell
Drive through any small town in Arkansas on a spring and early summer night and you will see banks of lights illuminating small and large baseball fields crawling with youngsters and their parents.  Hilarious to watch, the small kids might be chasing fireflies in the outfield, laying down in the base paths, or even running around the bases in reverse.  Warm weather, lawn chairs, popcorn, baseball, and family are an integral part of American life.

Now primarily a sport for children, baseball was once the primary sport of adults in America.  Every community had one or more teams of athletes who represented the town or workplace.  Organized into leagues, the men would travel throughout the area playing in tournaments or leagues of very competitive teams.  Mining towns like Paris, Altus, Ozark, Clarksville, Charleston, and Greenwood would have company teams complete with equipment, uniforms, and travel supplied by the company.  If you were good enough, the mine might provide you release time or even a salary to compete.  

I grew up listening to my father talk about the athletic ability of John Needham, James and Harold Hatcher and others.  Several of them had enough ability to play minor league and even try out for the majors.

My dad never played but he was a true fan.  Dad’s cousin, Lindal Parsons, was a left-handed phenomenal hitter who had played military baseball in Europe.  With demands for his abilities, he played for Midway, Paris, and Scranton teams. During one tournament in Dover, he hit so many home runs, they took the right field fence down during mid-tournament.  The controversy this move created was nothing new for the sport.  Men and teams took winning seriously.  High inside fastballs that resulted in players dropping to the ground for protection was a norm; although hitting someone would result in retaliation or even brawls.  

Many Sunday afternoons were spent watching baseball in Scranton.  Dressed in purple with pinstripe pants and caps bearing a large gold S symbol, the team looked every bit a professional group.  One of my favorites was Ross Rogers.  A large and strong guy with a most unusual stance and wind-up, when he connected with the ball, it would sail forever.  Bill Beshoner, although my age, often played with the team.  Watching them try to hit a Travis Cooper curveball was a treat.  The ball started at eye level and then disappeared, leaving the batter swatting futilely.  I tried it years later with about the same type of luck!

My dad loved to listen to the Cardinals on KMOX radio.  We cheered for Bob Gibson, Lou Brock, Curt Flood and all of those stars of the 60’s and 70’s.  Didn’t matter that we were from the South and that they were Afro-American; race and ethics had little to do with it, they were ball players.  Beginning with Jackie Robinson, I believe baseball has been one of the great things that have united us as a people. 

Travel through Waldron, Hackett, Dardanelle, Ozark, or Booneville during this time of the year and life is much the same. A warm spring evening, the smell of fresh-cut grass, the crack of a bat, and the excited cries of children having fun. Whether you have a child playing or not, go out to the ballpark and share the joys of life in small town America.

Top Tips To Help You Keep Your Water Filter Clean

Reverse osmosis filters, while being some of the most effective at filtering, are quite hard to maintain if you don’t know what you are doing. Here are some of our top tips to help ensure that your water filter is kept clean!

Change Your Filters Regularly

Whether you use sediment filters, carbon filters, or pool filters, you can’t avoid the reality that they will need a replacement at some point. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. One thing you should do is change them when the time comes. It will be a waste of money to replace them too soon. Similarly, leaving them in your water for too long can cause difficulties—imagine the taste! So, what is the maximum amount of time you should go without changing the filter? There isn’t a definitive solution to this question. Some commenters from one source claim that updating them every few weeks is sufficient. Maybe once or twice a month.

Have a Regular Cleaning Routine

You must ensure that contaminants do not accumulate in your filter system. Keeping it clean on a regular basis is the simplest way to achieve this. Many systems, fortunately, will come with instructions on when and how to clean them. You may be fortunate enough to have one that already includes a cleaning kit. In any case, you should clean them regularly to keep them in good working order so that they can continue to give the output you require for longer.

Let the Water Settle

Check to see if there is any sediment in your water before pumping it. If there is, one suggestion is to wait for it to settle. Apart from not drinking contaminated water, one of the benefits of doing so is that it prevents dirt from clogging your filters. Having a little patience is the key to keeping your water and system clean. Before you use it, wait for the water to settle and become clearer.

Store Out of Sunlight

You do not want your filters exposed to direct sunlight for too long. This appears to contradict the earlier remark about allowing it to air dry after cleaning. It’s fine to leave it out in the sun for a short while. However, exposing it to the sun for an extended period will shorten the filter’s life. Anyone who has ever left a plastic item out in the sun for an extended period knows what can happen. The same goes for your filters.

We hope you have enjoyed our recap of our top tips to help ensure that your water filter is kept clean. While it can be hard to know how to maintain your UV water filter or RO water filter, learning how to properly support its functions will ensure that your water purification system stays in working condition for a long time!

Greenwood Native Retires After Three Decades in the Banking Industry

Greenwood native, Greg Stanfill, officially retired from the banking industry after three decades of service.

Stanfill retired from his role as Executive Vice President with Arvest Bank on May 2, 2022.

He began his career with the banking giant in 1992 as a branch manager in Lowell. Later, he would be promoted to President of that location. In 2012, Stanfill would become Executive Vice President and Community Executive at the Rogers branch. Finally, before retiring, Stanfill would be named Regional Director of Community Banks.

Stanfill has a storied career, which includes two gubernatorial appointments to the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority. He is also celebrated as the “face of the financial institution” and a staple within the banking community.

Mercy Shows Interest in Property Adjacent to Westwood Elementary

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The Greenwood School Board met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2022 in the Administration Building. Members present were Dr. Brad Johnson, Mr. Jeff Turner, Mr. Greg Hasley, Dr. Kelli Henning, Mr. Cliff James, Mrs. Rozanne Sterling, Mrs. Stephanie Griffith and Superintendent, John Ciesla.

CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by President, Brad Johnson. The Board and audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance. (6:00 p.m.)

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
The consent agenda was approved as submitted. (6:01 p.m.)

SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Dr. Brad Johnson recognized Rozanne Sterling and Jeff Turner for their years of service to the Greenwood School Board. Mrs. Sterling and Mr. Turner are retiring from service this year. (6:04 p.m.)

WESTWOOD PROPERTY
Mr. Kevin Holleran, Executive Director of Mercy Real Estate appeared via Zoom and discussed Mercy’s interest in the property adjacent to Westwood Elementary. Mr. Holleran explained in order for Mercy to pursue a building site evaluation, a contract would be needed to conduct the necessary suitability protocol. Holleran said Mercy would be willing to pay $1.50 per square foot for three acres of property and asked for an agreement to be confirmed to let them move ahead with feasibility studies on the property. On a motion by Mr. Greg Hasley and a second by Mr. Jeff Turner, the Board voted 7-0 to authorize Mr. John Ciesla, Superintendent to review and enter into a contract on behalf of the Greenwood Board of Directors. (6:14 p.m.)

PURCHASE OF LEASE VEHICLES
Mr. Kevin Hesslen, Deputy Superintendent requested Board approval to purchase the three Chevy Equinox vehicles leased by the district for approximately $16,000 each. He reported that the lease will expire soon and the residual payoff is
exceptionally low. He noted that each of the vehicles have fewer than 32,000 miles each. On a motion by Mr. Cliff James and a second by Mrs. Stephanie Griffith, the Board voted 7-0 to approve the purchase of the lease vehicles for approximately $16,000 each. (6:17 p.m.)

COVID LEAVE POLICY EXPIRATION
Mr. Kevin Hesslen, Deputy Superintendent requested Board approval of removing
the Certified and Non-Certified Covid Leave Policy from the current School Board policy. He explained that the Arkansas Department of Health has loosened its quarantine and isolation protocol and both PPC’s unanimously voted to remove
policies 3.56 and 8.45 Covid Leave policies from Board Policy. On a motion by Mr. Cliff James and a second by Dr. Kelli Henning, the Board voted 7-0 to remove Covid Leave policies 3.56 and 8.45 from Board Policy. (6:19 p.m.)

2022-2023 SPECIAL EDUCATION BUDGET
Mr. John Ciesla, Superintendent presented the 2022-2023 Special Education Budget for the 2022-2023 school year. He explained the Special Education department is required to submit their budget prior to the close of the current fiscal year due to state and federal requirements. Mr. Ciesla requested formal approval from the Board. On a motion by Mrs. Rozanne Sterling and a second by Mrs. Stephanie Griffith, the Board voted 7-0 to approve the 2022-2023 Special Education Budget. (6:20 p.m.)

2022-2023 PURCHASED SERVICE CONTRACTS
Mr. John Ciesla, Superintendent requested formal Board approval of the 2022-2023 Purchased Service Contracts. He explained the contracts are for services such as Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Pediatric Therapy, Physical Therapy, School Based Mental Health, Psychological Services, and BCBA for the upcoming school year. On a motion by Mr. Cliff James and a second by Dr. Kelli Henning, the Board voted 7-0 to approve the 2022-2023 Purchased Service contracts as presented. (6:21 p.m.)

2022-2023 SALARY SCHEDULE PROPOSALS
Mr. John Ciesla, Superintendent presented the 2022-2023 Salary Schedule Proposals to the Board for consideration. He recommended a 2.3% increase to the base salary of the certified and administrator salary schedules. Mr. Ciesla recommended a 2.3% increase to all non-certified salary schedules and a 2.7% increase for hourly employees. Mr. Ciesla noted that the district health insurance contribution rate will increase to $300 per month to comply with state law. He informed the Board that all salary schedule adjustments have been voted on and approved by the certified and non-certified personnel policy committees and the staff of Greenwood School District. Mr. Ciesla requested Board approval of the 2022-2023 Salary Schedule recommendations.

Mr. Jeff Turner made a motion to approve salary schedules as presented. Haley seconded the motion. Dr. Brad Johnson inquired whether the 2.3% increase will be applied to all
administrators including Central Office administrators. Mr. Jeff Turner amended his original motion to approve salary schedules to include a 2.3% increase to the base for certified teachers and all administrators. Mr. Greg Hasley seconded the motion and the Board voted 7-0 to approve the salary schedules as amended to the 2022-2023 school year. (6:25 p.m.)

PURCHASE ORDERS
Mr. John Ciesla, Superintendent presented the following purchase orders for Board approval.
Acme Janitorial 69,627.72 (Purchase of qualifying supplies and equipment to assist in preventing the spread of transmissible viruses and diseases from an Arkansas Department of Health Grant for the ELC Reopening of Schools. Grant totaled $62,84)
Presidio $114,932.77 (Upgrade to the Greenwood School District network. E-rate funding will cover 60% of the cost of the upgrade project. E-rate reimbursement $68,959.66) IT Savvy $207,368.49 (Five hundred ten Chromebooks) On a motion by Mr. Cliff James and a second by Mr. Jeff Turner, the Board voted 7-0 to accept purchase orders as presented. (6:29 p.m.)

EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board retired to Executive session. Upon return to the open meeting, the Board voted to approve the following personnel items:
On a motion by Mr. Jeff Turner and a second by Mr. Cliff James the Board voted 7-0 to accept the resignations of Bruno Bloede, Kaytlan Scott, Jake Hindman, Ronnie Sockey, Allison Angel, Amber Quillman, and Leslie Cook. (7:02 p.m.)

On a motion by Mr. Jeff Turner and a second by Mr. Cliff James the Board voted 7-0 to hire Tommy Coleman, Teacher and Coach, Rhonda Black, Secretary, Christina Crenshaw, Para, Jonnie Iglesias, Teacher, Danielle Durbin, Special Education Teacher, Crystal Demon, Para, James Vines, Para, Emmanuel Maya, Para, Melissa Melton, Para, Troy Jarrell, PAC and Teacher, Lorrel Thompson, Teacher, Berkley Cooper, Teacher, Autumn Mendenhall, Para, Jennifer Baker, Para, Kelsey Porter, Teacher, Jillian Hollinsaid, Para and transfer Rachel Fontenot to SPED Designee. (7:04 p.m.)

ADJOURNMENT
The Board voted 7-0 to adjourn on a motion by Mr. Jeff Turner and a second by Mr. Cliff James. (7:04 p.m.)

Tips for Being Safe When Working in the Yard This Summer

You work in the yard throughout the year but it always seems as if it needs the most work done in the summer. Everything is growing and needs attention, but you always need to be careful when you are out and about. Here are some tips for being safe when working in the yard this summer.

Do Some Stretches

Yard work is by no means easy, and if your body is not ready to do some heavy lifting or bending over, you will have a bad time. Be sure to do some stretches and get your body flexible. You will protect yourself from any accidental muscle tears or general soreness. Not only will you be protected from hurting yourself, but some stretches can also help you work outside longer and not feel worn out as quickly.

Stay Cool

Summer is one of the hottest periods of the year, and you need to be sure that you protect yourself from the extreme heat when you are working outside. It’s easy to quickly become dehydrated or suffer from heatstroke, and if you are working for too long without proper protection, you can potentially develop skin cancer. Avoid this by staying hydrated, wearing loose and breathable clothing, taking frequent breaks in the shade, and wearing proper sunscreen.

Protect Your Knees

A lot of work that you will end up doing outside will have you sitting on your knees, and any extended period can hurt you after a while. There are a lot of alternatives, such as knee pads and garden pads, that you can use to protect yourself. However, if you only think that you will be working for a short time, other options are available. For example, you can fashion a doormat or blanket into a knee protector. This way, after a day of working, your knees will feel less stiff and sore.

Keep Your Equipment Protected

Another thing that comes up a lot when you start to do summer work is that your equipment may be faulty. Your equipment likely hasn’t been used in a year and likely has lots of dirt and dust on it. Check all your equipment before you use it. This way, you won’t use something faulty that can end up hurting you or your landscaping.

These were only a few tips for being safe when working in the yard this summer, but the main thing that you need to know is to take your time. It’s easy to quickly overwork yourself, convincing yourself you must do a job in one day. Instead, go at a reasonable pace. Your body will thank you.

How To Prepare Your Horses for Warmer Weather

With the summer season approaching quickly, caring for your horses is paramount. Allow your horses to get accustomed to the warm weather to hoof it under the sun. Here is how to prepare your horses for warmer weather to ensure they can handle it.

Provide a Cool Air Supply

The air in their stall must be fresh, and you can achieve this by placing standing fans throughout the barn. The fans will provide a breeze throughout the complex, ensuring there is no standing air. Misting your horse is another technique to keep them comfortable. Installing misters in your stable is a great option because your horses can absorb water via their skin, thus staying hydrated.

Encourage Hydration

Humans load up on fluids to prevent dehydration in sweltering temperatures, and you should do the same for your horses. They must have constant access to cold, clean water on hot days.

To guarantee that the water is cool and fresh, you may have to move their water stations to a shaded area. Water heats up when it’s under the sun for extended periods, and your horses will probably find that it’s not satisfying. This can cause them to dehydrate themselves without even knowing it.

If your horses struggle to stay hydrated, put a salt block near the water supply. They tend to enjoy salt blocks, which encourage your horses to drink more water on hot days.

Limit Nuisances

Standing water is a pest magnet. One of the best ways to minimize bug infiltration is to avoid standing water altogether. However, this isn’t always practical, so be sure to empty any buckets that accumulate debris and bugs throughout the day.

Another integral job is cleaning the stalls regularly. Their dung attracts flies, and those flies will bother your horses. If the flies continue to annoy your horses, give them each a fly mask or a warm-weather flysheet to help relieve the situation.

Adjust Your Schedule According to the Temperature

You may want to change your riding hours during the warmer months, or else you’ll both risk heat exhaustion. Instead of conducting one intensive workout, consider several less strenuous activities during the day. This strategy allows you to continue with your riding regimen while also giving your horse time to relax and hydrate between sessions. Riding in the morning and evening is preferable because the temperatures are milder. Note that evenings are usually warmer than mornings, so consider early starts over late nights.

Now that you know how to prepare your horses for warmer weather, you won’t have any issues as the temperatures rise. Keep an eye on the signs of heatstroke like excess sweating and an elevated heart rate to know if you need to do more for your horses. Following these tips should curb the most severe circumstances.

Greenwood Scholarship Recipient to Study Electrical Engineering

U of A alumni Sherman Black and Lynnette Reeder Black have announced this year’s recipient of the Black and Reeder Scholarship, which is awarded to a Greenwood High School student seeking a degree in engineering or business at the U of A.

Gavin Holland will graduate from Greenwood High School on May 20 having earned a 4.0 GPA and a 35 on the ACT. He plans to study electrical engineering.

Holland is president of the Greenwood chapter of the National Beta Club and participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a classically trained pianist who also plays cello, often playing at his church or other churches in the community. He studied robotics at the University of Fort Smith and said he looks forward to learning more about the intricate designs behind new technologies.

The Blacks created the scholarship as a way to give back to the community and honor their parents, Galen and Wilma Black and Van and Carolyn Reeder, longtime residents of Greenwood. Recipients’ $4,000 annual awards are renewable as long as they meet scholarship requirements.

Black and Reeder Scholarship recipients whose awards will continue are Noah Doss, a sophomore in business, and Trey Smith, a sophomore in biomedical engineering.

Recipients Chase Izell and Hannah Swilling will graduate from U of A this month with degrees in business and chemical engineering, respectively.

Obituary – William Lamar Hunnicutt (1959-2022)

William Lamar Hunnicutt, better known as Billy, passed from this life, Friday, May 6, 2022 in Waldron, Arkansas. Billy was born November 23, 1959 in Kansas City, Missouri to Bruce Hunnicutt and Nella Mae (Harberson) Hunnicutt. He was 62 years old.

Billy grew up in and around Fourche Valley Arkansas. He graduated from FV High School in 1978. He was a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling. He especially looked forward to spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Billy leaves behind to cherish his memory, two daughters: Randi Brown and husband Joey of Waldron, Arkansas, Kaitlin Hunnicutt of Missouri and three stepsons: Eric Green, Aaron Green and Shawn Green. Poppa Bill will forever remain in the hearts his grandchildren: Bain Hunnicutt, Shelby Parsons, Hannah Ashmore and husband Ben, Hayden Brown and Levi Brown as well as his great grandchildren.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Bruce and Nella Mae Hunnicutt, and one sister Linda Mae Sayre.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory in Waldron, Arkansas.

Billy’s visitation will be 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 20, 2022 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

Unbuckled be Warned: Two Weeklong Click it or Ticket Enforcement Plan Scheduled

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Now is the time to change an unsafe practice.  Beginning Monday (May 23rd) law enforcement will have patrols across Arkansas watching closely for motorists not using their seat belts.  The stepped-up enforcement operation will continue through June 5th as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Click It or Ticket defined enforcement action plan which spans the Memorial Day holiday period.    The Arkansas Highway Safety Office reminds drivers and their passengers that the regular practice of using seat belts is a proven lifesaver.    “The objective is to change the ways of so many drivers and passengers who never use their seat belts,” said Colonel Bill Bryant, Director of the Arkansas State Police and the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.  “We want the act of buckling up to become instinctive for everyone anytime they get in a car or truck to travel.”    As a part of the Click It or Ticket plan for 2022, NHTSA has asked authorities in every state to participate in the kickoff event, Border to Border (B2B), a 4 hour national seat belt awareness event coordinated by participating state highway safety offices and their respective law enforcement liaisons scheduled for May 23rd.  The B2B program is intended to increase law enforcement participation by coordinating highly visible seat belt enforcement involving drivers at heavily traveled, highly visible, state border locations.   “During the Click It or Ticket campaign, we’ll be working with our fellow law enforcement officers across local and state lines to ensure the message is getting out to drivers and passengers,” Colonel Bryant said.  “Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life in a crash, and it’s the law.”  According to NHTSA statistics from 2020, there were 10,893 unbuckled passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes in the United States.  More than twice the number of males died in crashes as compared to females.  Additionally, the use of seat belts was lower among males.  More than half the males who died in motor vehicle crashes (55%) were not wearing a seat belt.  Among females who died in crashes during the same reporting period, 43% weren’t buckled up.   The 2020 statistical analysis indicates 58% of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes at night (6 PM – 5:59 AM) were not wearing seat belts which has led to additional attention to be directed by troopers and other law enforcement officers to seat belt enforcement seat belt enforcement during the evening hours during the upcoming campaign.   Participating law enforcement agencies will be taking a no-excuses approach to seat belt law enforcement, writing citations day and night.  More information about the Click It or Ticket mobilization can be found at https://www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/click-it-or-ticket or by calling the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.  News and facts about Arkansas’ ongoing Toward Zero Deaths campaign to eliminate preventable traffic fatalities can be found at https://www.tzdarkansas.org/

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

Hello everyone! As I write this it is Friday the 13th.

I’m not superstitious as a rule, but my mother-in-law sure was. If you brought a new pair of shoes in the house, you better not put them on the table, because that meant someone was going to die. If a black cat crossed the road in front of you while you were driving you had to turn around and go back the other way. Never walk under a ladder…the list is endless. I used to tease her so bad about putting shoes on the table. I also used to tell my sister Pam that she was born on the 13th just to aggravate her. I bet that shocks y’all. It would make her so mad.

I saw an old classmate of mine today, John David Moore. I haven’t seen him since we were in high school. We had some good laughs talking about some of the teachers and stuff we did. Now I really don’t want to tell this story, but I’m going to let the cat out of the bag. When we were in about the eighth or ninth grade, we had a teacher named Mr. Massey. He was as nice as he could be, but an easy target. I’m so sorry for how rotten I was, but it’s water under the bridge. One day at lunch, they had English peas. John David, Lonnie Efurd, and I decided to take some English peas back to class. We had Mr. Massey after lunch. I’m going to blame this one Lonnie Efurd, it was his idea and we went along with it. Lonnie was so, so, funny. We sure used to have lots of laughs.

It started out as one of us throwing an English pea at someone. Needless to say, it got out of hand and it ended up being a sort of food fight in class. We got called to the office. That was the first time in my life I got suspended for three days. But, we only got suspended from Mr. Massey’s class. Do you think my mom got onto me or grounded me? Nope, I got away with it. It was worth getting suspended over. It was so funny. So were the spit wads that got thrown at the film screen in Mr. Blanton’s class. I was a class clown and went to school to socialize.

This week’s recipe comes from another one of my classmates, Shelia Williams Carson. She is an excellent cook, and she makes the best cakes around. She stays busy with Shelia’s Sweets, Give her a call if you need a cake for a special occasion.

Peachy/Strawberry Delight
1st layer:
1 cup of flour
1 tablespoon of sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
1/4 cup chopped nuts (your choice)
Mix flour, sugar and softened butter. Then mix in the nuts. Spread in the bottom of a 9×13 pan and bake for 20 minutes in a 350-degree oven. Let it cool.
2nd layer:
1 cup sugar
1 9oz. Cool Whip
1 8 oz. cream cheese softened
3 cups sliced peaches or strawberries, whichever flavor you are making. To prepare this layer, mix cream cheese and sugar, then fold in the Cool Whip.

Spread this over the cooled crust layer. Top with the peaches or strawberries.
3rd layer:
1 cup sugar
4 tablespoons corn starch
1 1/2 cup water
1 small package of peach or strawberry Jello. To prepare this layer, mix sugar, corn starch and water. Cook this mixture until thick. Mix in the Jello. Cool this mixture then spread this on top of the fruit.