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Paris Jr. Boys Basketball Season Comes to an End at the Jr High District Tournament vs Booneville

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Paris Jr. Boys Basketball Season Comes to an End at the Jr High District Tournament vs Booneville

A long, tough season for the Paris junior boys basketball team came to an end on Monday night. The junior Eagles lost to the top seed Booneville Jr. Bearcats. Paris played hard as they have all season, but it was not enough to overcome the talented Bearcats. Paris will now turn its attention to the off-season and an opportunity to develop their individual and team skills under new coach Josh Ferrell.

The Paris junior girls will play Wednesday at 4 p.m. in their first game of the tournament that is being held at Booneville High School. Paris will play on Thursday if they win their game on Wednesday.

Both the Paris boys and girls teams have a lot to be proud of this year, and their future is bright. For the Paris girls, several could move up to the varsity roster as soon as the junior district tournament is over. The freshmen that will join the Lady Eagles will provide much-needed depth and minutes for a varsity team that has played with as few as five players at times. It will also be an opportunity to provide varsity experience for the freshmen who will be heavily counted upon next season.

And speaking of varsity basketball, the Lady Eagles and the Eagles travel to Cedarville tonight for an important, late-season conference match-up with the Pirates. First game begins at 6 p.m. at Cedarville High School.

Finally, Eagle fans will not want to miss next week’s special feature on Paris basketball player Cameron Reed. Cam’s story will be a feature on what it is like to be “the consummate team player” in this time of seemingly selfish play and athletes in high school, college, and professional sports. You will not want to miss this heart-warming story on this outstanding Paris student-athlete!

So, drive carefully, and I look forward to seeing you in Cedarville tonight!

Love is the Core of the Teaching Apple

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Love is the Core of the Teaching Apple

By Krista Hinton

Fred Rogers stated that, “The best teacher in the world is someone who loves what he or she
does, and just loves it in front of you.”

Early in my teaching career, I often wondered what made the difference between those who
“love” to teach and those that simply “show up” to teach. Now, after 18 years in the field of
education, I have come to realize that the difference is in the attitude of being teachable.

Those few special teachers who made a positive impact on my life were those that accepted their
limitations, acknowledged what they didn’t know, and displayed humility in knowing they had
not “arrived”, but that learning was a life-long process. In being teachable, they demonstrated
that seeking knowledge and loving people go hand-in-hand to create a love of teaching.

Every time I step into my classroom, I experience the immense privilege of learning from my
students. I am encouraged as I watch them share ideas, work together, celebrate successes as
well as failures, and express their hopes for the future. I am saddened by their struggles with
personal insecurities as well as physical and emotional needs. I am strengthened by their resolve
to overcome the challenges of life. Each day is filled with the excitement of a new adventure!

To pour every ounce of energy, expertise, and commitment that I possess into the life of my
students is both exhausting and rewarding. Knowing that at the end of the day I have given
everything I’ve got to enable my students to become successful in small tasks and big challenges
is one of the greatest honors I will ever obtain. That is why I love teaching!

Krista Hinton, M.Ed. is the Gifted Education Program Coordinator, K-12 for the Lavaca Public
School District. She is a 2021-2022 Arkansas State Teachers Association Advocacy Fellow and
has served in the field of education for 18 years. Mrs. Hinton has a strong interest in Project
Based Learning practices and supporting creativity in the Gifted Education setting.

AGFC Internship Program

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AGFC Internship Program

The AGFC Internship program helps students gain education and practical experience related to conservation and hands-on training requirements necessary some degrees in the conservation field. This training is critical to students pursuing a conservation career and is often the deciding factor in gaining employment after college.

The AGFC Internship program operates under these guidelines:

  • Internships are up to 400 hours and paid an established hourly rate of $12.75 per hour.
  • Selected interns will coordinate directly with their college or university to obtain course credit for the internship. 
  • Applicants must meet the following prerequisites:
    • Must have a declared degree in a conservation field;
    • Must have 60 hours of college credits earned by the time the internship begins;
    • Must be a college student, be enrolled in a post-graduate program or must have graduated within the previous 12 months.
    • Must have a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Visit www.jobs.agfc.com to view internship opportunities and complete an application.

Obituary – Dorvin Dewayne Hutchens (1960-2022)

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Obituary – Dorvin Dewayne Hutchens (1960-2022)

Dorvin Dewayne Hutchens, better known as Dewayne, passed from this life, Friday, February 4, 2022 in Mena, Arkansas. Dewayne was born April 5, 1960 to Jerry Bob and Linda Hutchens in Powell, Wyoming. He was 61 years old.

Dewayne grew up in Waldron, Arkansas. Being the oldest of 6, it was only natural he always enjoyed being surrounded by a host of family and friends. He loved being in the outdoors and he could almost always be found helping someone with their cows or on a farm doing what he could. Dewayne loved his grandchildren and spending time with them brought joy to his days. 

Dewayne leaves behind to cherish his memory, his children: Jennifer Summit and husband Josh, Jessica Hutchens and Zachary Hutchens and wife Valerie. Dewayne is also survived by his mother Linda Hutchens and his siblings: Jerry Ray Hutchens and wife Delores, Sandra Kay Oliver and husband Keith, Jimmy Hutchens, Kim Russell and husband Pee Wee, Josh Hutchens and wife Charla. Papa will forever remain in the hearts of his grandchildren Nikki Allen, Trevor Bates, Briar Summit and Aiden Vaughn Hutchens and one great-grandchild Thomas Black. Dewayne will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends he loved dearly. 

Dewayne was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Bob Hutchens, one very special uncle, LeeRoy Craig and one very special cousin JP Hicks.

Dewayne’s visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 7, 2022 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.

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

How To Tell If Your Parent Needs Assisted Living

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How To Tell If Your Parent Needs Assisted Living

There comes a time that many people must face: moving their parent out of their home. This situation can be uncomfortable and harmful if the parent is uncooperative. Still, if you’re unsure if your parent needs the extra help, here are some signs to look out for on how tell if your parent needs assisted living.

They Forget Where They Are

Occasional memory loss is typical with age, but dementia and Alzheimer’s are serious cognitive ailments you should never ignore. Both reflect poor cognition and brain function. Dementia is actually an umbrella term for common symptoms such as memory loss, poor reasoning, and poor thinking skills, while Alzheimer’s is a specific brain disease resulting from complex brain changes and cell damage. If you think your parent is suffering from a dementia-related illness or have a physician’s confirmed diagnosis, it’s time to move your parent into an assisted living facility, where they’ll receive appropriate care.

Their Home Is Too Dangerous

No one wants to feel fearful at home. Getting older means that even basic amenities may seem perilous. Wet bathroom floors, unsteady kitchen counters, and even clutter can wreak havoc on unsuspecting victims. If your parent faces these perils on a daily basis, first, clean up the home. If they still feel uncomfortable in their surroundings, it may be time to move them to a safer environment. Residential danger is just one of the many signs your parent needs assisted living.

They’ve Stopped Caring for Themselves

Another sign of how to tell if your parent needs assisted living is if they’ve stopped caring for themselves. Personal hygiene is key for longevity no matter your age. However, as one gets older, they may spend less time on themselves to the point of personal neglect. If you notice your parent has stopped bathing or eating, they may be dealing with depression, anxiety, or another mental health problem. Part of this may also be due to forgetfulness, which you can often attribute to medicinal side effects, dementia, or improper sleeping habits. If your parent refuses help with basic care, it’s time to consider alternative living arrangements.

So talk to your parent about why they’re not taking care of themselves. Sometimes, this is simply due to circumstantial reasons such as lack of time. Still, if you notice this is an ongoing pattern, get help. If your parent has trouble sleeping or their memory loss is affecting their personal well-being, it’s time to consider assisted living. Assisted living facilities have full-time staff to care for your parent’s basic hygiene and ensure they receive proper care.

Timepiece: Knights of the Golden Circle

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Timepiece: Knights of the Golden Circle

By Dr. Curtis Varnell

Climbing nearly vertically up the cave wall, I could see my two companions waiting eagerly to hear what I had discovered.  I had descended some twenty foot down the wall and then journeyed two-hundred foot west thru the cave to a point directly beneath a formation known locally as Chimney rock.  For years, people had observed steam like clouds emitting from the deep fracture on the east end of Rich Mountain.  Located a short distance away, three symbol covered rocks led many to belief that gold had been buried in the area by the Knights of the Golden Circle (KGC).  James “Bear” Tucker and Randy Trusty were convinced we had found the location. 

Shaking my head, I explained that the cave did lead directly beneath the Chimney but there was nothing there but a few bats and scattered rock.

“Empty your pockets!”  I thought they were joking but seeing the serious look on their faces and looking at the size of both men, I decided to comply.  People take the notion of hidden gold seriously!  

The plausibility of gold being hidden in the Ouachita’s by the KGC is actually pretty high.  In fact, there is a documented case and accompanying T.V. program about a KGC gold discovery at Mena.

The K.G.C. were a secretive organization formed in 1854 to establish a slaveholding empire from the South as well as Cuba and Central America. Similar to the Freemasons, they established chapters all across the South and attracted as many as 16,000 followers.  Known members included Vice-president John Breckenridge, Albert Pike, John W. Booth and Generals John Marmaduke and Joseph Shelby. Active during the Civil War, the K.G.C. were supposedly involved in the Lincoln assassination. When it became evident that their goals could not be meet through war, they determined to take their funds and other Confederate gold and hide it away for future use.  This money was to be secreted away and hid and protected until needed by members known as the “home guard.”  Some of the members, Jessie and Frank James, the Younger brothers, the Cole family, and other men of such ilk were to collect additional funds. 

Many of the men are associated with the River Valley.  Albert Pike, one of the founders, lived and taught in Sebastian County and had property in Mena. General Shelby traveled often through Yell and Logan county and was close friends of the Titsworth family of Roseville.  The James gang operated in the area and knew all the hideouts.

The K.G.C. had an elaborate set of rituals, codes, signs, and passwords that could only be interpreted by other members.  When the supposed gold was hidden, a “home guard” member and his decedents were responsible for hiding the money and marking the area where it could be located in future years.  In Warren Getler’s book, Rebel Gold, these symbols are examined and explained.  Reading through the book, I was amazed to discover that many of the symbols were exactly the same as those found on the boulders on Rich Mountain.  In talking the state archeologist, I found that his examination and explanation for the symbols of Rich Mountain fit the mid-1800’s timeframe for the K.G.C. Hopeful wishing? Coincidence? Fantasy?  I don’t know but my friends and others are convinced the gold is there somewhere, just waiting to be discovered.  One thing I know for sure, it is not in Chimney Rock!

The absence of gold bothered me none at all.  Like everyone else, it would be exciting but the joy is in exploring our history.  Even though people continually search for riches, the River Valley’s true treasure is not the things that can be bought and sold.  Our true treasure is our people, our culture, and the mountains and valleys in which we exist.

2022 Arkansas Century Farm Applications due May 31

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2022 Arkansas Century Farm Applications due May 31

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is now accepting applications for the 2022 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years.
“Arkansas Century Farm families have persevered for at least ten decades and have contributed greatly in making Arkansas agriculture the success story that it is today,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “As Arkansas’s largest industry, agriculture contributes $19.4 billion to the state’s economy annually and provides one in six jobs.”
To qualify, Arkansas farms must meet the following criteria:

  • The same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2022. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption.
  • The farm must be at least ten acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income.

Online and printable applications are available here. Applications must be received via email or postmarked on or before May 31, 2022 to be eligible for designation as a 2022 inductee. There is no cost to apply for the program.
Qualifying Arkansas farms will receive a personalized Arkansas Century Farm certificate and metal sign listing the farm name and year established. Contact Beth Moore at 501-539-4027 or beth.moore@agriculture.arkansas.gov with questions.
Arkansas is home to more than 42,200 farms, of which 96 percent are family owned and operated. Since the program began in 2012, 526 farms have been certified. Find a list of previously inducted Arkansas Century Farm families here.

Arkansas School Garden Grant Program, Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program Recipients Announced

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Arkansas School Garden Grant Program, Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program Recipients Announced

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is pleased to announce that a total of 88 grants have been approved for funding of $37,500 through the Arkansas School Garden Grant Program and the Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program.

“School gardens and taste tests have proven to be valuable tools in teaching children about agriculture, nutrition, and a variety of skills. The lessons learned through these programs can have a lasting impact on children, their families, and entire communities,” said Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward.

The Arkansas School Garden Grant Program was established to help schools start or expand gardens on school grounds. The Department will award $500 grants to the schools to purchase soil, specialty crop seeds and plants, and gardening equipment. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture recognizes the following 62 schools as grantees of the Arkansas School Garden Grant Program:
● Cook Elementary School, Fort Smith
● Cotter High School, Cotter
● Crestwood Elementary, North Little
● Anne Watson Elementary, Bigelow
● Archford Crossroads West, Atkins
● Armorel High School, Armorel*
● Baseline Bilingual School, Little Rock*
● Bayyari Elementary School, Springdale
● Bobby Barrett Elementary, Mount Ida*
● Bright Beginnings Learning Center, Inc., Arkadelphia*
● Butterfield Trail Elementary, Fayetteville
● Cabot High School, Cabot
● Cabot Middle School South, Cabot*
● CCCEC Step by Step EIDT, Perryville
● Cedarville Elementary School, Cedarville*
● Centers for Youth and Families, Little Rock*
● Charleston Middle School, Charleston
● Civilian Student Training Program, North Little Rock
● Clarksville Head Start, Clarksville
● Clinton High School, Clinton
● Clover Community School, Bentonville
● Des Arc High School, Des Arc
● Drew Central Elementary, Monticello*
● Early Childhood Education Program at Trinity Cathedral, Little Rock*
● Elmdale Elementary School, Springdale
● Emmanuel Learning Center for Children, Jacksonville
● Eureka Springs Middle School, Eureka Springs
● Flightline Upper Academy, Little Rock
● Genoa Central School District, Texarkana
● Good Earth Learning Center, Austin*
● Greenwood Preschool Center, Greenwood
● Health Wellness and Environmental Studies Magnet Elementary, Jonesboro
● Hope Academy of Public Service, Hope
● Hot Springs Child Care Center II, Hot Springs
● Hoxie School District, Hoxie
● Jasper High, Jasper
● John Tyson Elementary School, Springdale
● Kindergrove, Rogers
● Lake Nixon Outdoor Preschool, Little Rock
● Little Scholars Schools, Little Rock*
● Manila Elementary, Manila*
● Marvell-Elaine Elementary School, Marvell*
● Monticello Intermediate School, Monticello
● Monticello Middle School, Monticello
● Mountain View Middle, Mountain View
● Nettleton Junior High, Jonesboro
● Ozark High School, Ozark
● Ozark Junior High, Ozark*
● Pike View Early Childhood Center, North Little Rock
● Pine Bluff High School, Pine Bluff
● Pinnacle View Middle School, Little Rock*
● Quitman Elementary School, Quitman*
● Salem Elementary School, Benton*
● Spring Hill High School, Hope
● Stagecoach Elementary, Cabot
● The Delta School, Wilson
● The Farm at Pediatrics Plus, Conway
● The New School (TNS), Fayetteville
● Two Rivers School District, Ola*
● Vilonia Pathways Academy, Vilonia
● Washington Elementary, Fayetteville
● White Hall High School, White Hall
*Recipients marked by an asterisk were also recipients of the Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program.
The Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program was established to help schools lead cafeteria taste tests of locally grown, specialty crops. The Department will award $250 grants to the schools to purchase kitchen equipment and utensils, serving materials, and specialty crop seeds and plants. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture recognizes the following 26 schools as grantees of the Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program:
● Alma School District, Alma
● Armorel High School, Armorel
● Baseline Bilingual School, Little Rock
● Bobby Barrett Elementary, Mount Ida
● Bright Beginnings Learning Center, Inc.,
Arkadelphia
● Cabot Middle School South, Cabot
● Cedarville Elementary School, Cedarville
● Centers for Youth and Family, LittleRock
● Drew Central Elementary, Monticello
● Early Childhood Education Program at
● Lincoln Elementary, Lincoln
● Linda Childers Knapp Elementary, Springdale
● LISA Academy Springdale, Springdale
● Little Scholars Schools, Little Rock
● Manila Elementary, Manila
● Marvell-Elaine Elementary School, Marvell
● Nemo Vista FCS High School, Center Ridge
● Ozark Junior High, Ozark
● Pinnacle View Middle School, Little Trinity Cathedral, Little Rock
● Good Earth Learning Center, Austin
● James R. Tate Elementary, Van Buren
● Kiddie Town Learning Center, Little Rock
● Quitman Elementary School, Quitman
● Salem Elementary School, Benton
● SAU Tech ABC Preschool, Camden
● Two Rivers School District, Ola

The farm to school grant programs were available to public and private K-12 schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments. In addition to the funding, the Department’s Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program staff will provide technical assistance to grantees upon request. The grant programs were developed using funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to increase production and consumption of specialty crops in schools. Specialty crops, as defined by the USDA, are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.

“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

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“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor

By Sheri Hopkins
Lifestyle Contributor

Hello everyone! By the time you read this the ice and snow should be gone. It was pretty and thank the Lord I didn’t lose electricity. We made snow ice cream. If you’re a Wagoner it’s cream cream. We have names for everything. Ketchup is keppy, any kind of dip is lapa lapa. That’s how we roll. Everyone has nicknames, I will have to tell them in a later story.

This recipe is one I like to make in the summer. Since it’s so cold, I am going to give it to y’all now. And, since I am on the summer recipe, I am going to tell you a summer story.

Every year we always went to Dogpatch USA. Daddy took us, and my brother Larry and his wife always went with us. Daddy took a big ice chest full of pop and snacks. We had the best time. So many fond memories of those trips. I loved the characters and shows.

Have you seen a chicken play a piano? Daddy always went trout fishing. We would drive the old-timey cars I’m sure all of y’all have made a trip or two there. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Dogpatch USA closed.
That’s when we started going to Magic Springs. I always had to tag along with my brother Larry, a.k.a. Toby, and his family on trips.

This particular trip, Lisa Favela went with us also. Does anyone remember the roaring tornado? You had to climb all these stairs to ride it. It was a roller coaster that looped and turned you upside down. Larry, Michael, Lisa and me, all got up the nerve and rode it. We screamed the whole time. I bet my mouth was wider than anyone’s. I know it can open big because one time I rode buzzsaw falls at Silver Dollar City. Before I could get off, Chuck was in line to buy the picture they took of me with my mouth wide open. He was so proud of that picture, he showed everyone.

Back to roaring tornado. We rode it, and when we got back, we were all scared to death. As my brother joked, as he always does, said “that was so much fun, let’s do it again.” As I am yelling at the top of my lungs, “NOOOO” the man operating the coaster, pushed the button, and off we went again. That was my first and last ride at roaring tornado at Magic Springs. Fun times with the Wagoner crew.

You know Jason Wagoner was not about to ride that ride. I am not going to say he was chicken, just smart.

This recipe is an easy peasy, fun cake to make and you can make many varieties, just use your imagination and go wild.

STRAWBERRY CAKE
1 strawberry cake mix (dry)
1 can strawberry soda pop, 12 oz.
Mix together with an electric mixer for two minutes. Spray a 13×9 cake pan with nonstick spray and cook in a 350-degree oven for 30 minutes. Let it cool and put Cool Whip on top. Add sliced strawberries on top. It’s a pretty cake and very tasty. The best part is, it’s easy.

Tax Tips from a Local CPA

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Tax Tips from a Local CPA

By Anita Mize, CPA

Do you have a farm or business, or do you have a hobby?

Each year, many people want to start filing a business or farm on their taxes so they can write off losses.   On the other hand, some taxpayers don’t want to file a business or a hobby because they didn’t make any money.  Unfortunately, whether you make a profit, or not, doesn’t determine what you need to file for your taxes!  It’s important to understand what you have and how to report it for tax purposes.

A business or farm is defined as an activity that operates to make a profit.  You can’t just say you have a business or farm so you can write off all the expenses.  There must be an intent to make a profit.

A hobby is an activity you engage in for sport or recreation, not to make a profit.  Although this activity wasn’t started to make a profit, income earned from hobbies must be reported on your tax return.

So, here are the things to consider, to help you determine if you have a business, farm or just a hobby.

  1. Are you carrying out the activity in a businesslike manner – keeping complete and accurate books and records?
  2. Do you put in the time and effort needed to show that you intend to make a profit?
  3. Does this activity provide money to assist in your household living expenses?
  4. Are any losses in the startup phase typical of a business of this type or beyond your control?
  5. Do you adjust your operations to improve your profitability – make changes so you don’t continue to lose money?
  6. Do you have the knowledge to carry out this activity in a businesslike, profitable manner?
  7. Have you been successful and profitable in similar activities in the past?
  8. Did you have profit in some years or were all years losses?
  9. Do you have assets that will appreciate in value and result in profits in future years?

The general rule is that a business or farm must be entered into with plans to make a profit in future years.  The IRS wants to see a business profit within 5 years and a farm profit within 7 years.

My recommendations:

  • Have a written business plan that outlines your steps to grow the business and when you plan to make a profit.  Documentation is a key factor in convincing the IRS you have a legitimate business or farm.  Most businesses won’t make a profit in year one, but you should know when you plan to make a profit.
  • Keep good records – what did you do to get the business going, changes made to increase profitability, education you took to get more informed, clubs you joined to network with other similar business or farm owners.
  • Get organized – keep all receipts for expenses and records of income.  Even if you have a bank transaction for an expense – you still need the receipt for proof of what you purchased.
  • Be neat and organized so you have the information readily available to answer any questions that may arise during an audit.  
  • One bank account!  If you want to start a business or a farm – open a checking account for all expenses and income to run through.  One place for all income and expenses makes record keeping much easier than trying to track down expenses from multiple accounts or credit cards. 
  • Talk to a professional before starting the business.  Business entity (type of business structure) is very important so be sure you choose the correct one.

Good Luck to all you entrepreneurs out there!!   

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