Wildlife photography can be a fun and rewarding hobby. It is a challenge at times to time the right photo and catch your subject in the right moment. Contrary to almost every other type of photography you cannot easily replicate what happened again if you miss the first shot. Additionally having a good focal distance is imperative!
The first tool in getting impeccable photos is having the right gear. Any camera with zoom will work, but let me discourage the reliance on a camera phone. In order to get close enough to get a good photo with a camera phone you run the risk of spooking your subject. Even a point and shoot with a long zoom is more reliable than just your phone if this is a hobby you are looking to take up.
The next tool is patience. It isn’t enough to know deer or turkeys frequent an area, it is also a lot of waiting for the right moment. Animals are on less of a schedule than humans, and their schedule is determined by much more than the time on the clock. The moon patterns, weather fronts, and seasons all wreak havoc on a photographers ability to be in the right place at the right time. Patience and determination are key here.
Studying your subject and knowing where they may be is the name of this game. If I am looking for photos of wild birds I will often head to lake Hinkle early in the morning. Ducks, eagles, hawks, cranes, geese, and more have found their way in front of my lens with my tactics. Without taking too many steps from the parking lot at Little Pines Recreation Area I can capture a variety of feathered characters.
Water sources in general are superb looking areas for any wildlife you wish to capture. Since all animals have to drink to sustain life, at some point they will wonder to a pond, stream, or river. Looking for signs of life around your watering hole will tell you if your location is a productive one or not. Look for fresh foot prints, waste, scraps, or any other signs an animal has been present recently.
Somedays it seems animals are bedded down and just not moving. A day spent in the fresh air of nature is never wasted. Change your desired animal and instead capture photos of squirrels, birds, or just the beauty that is nature if larger game isn’t moving.
It has been a whirlwind of a week for new Paris boys basketball coach, Josh Ferrell. Immediately after being hired by the Paris school board as its next boys basketball coach, Ferrell was in Paris the very next day, meeting and practicing with his new team. Ferrell told Resident Press that the team, “had 100% attendance; that all 17 players had reported and participated in the team’s first workout under their new coach.” So, as most people know by now, former Eagles coach Blain Brewington submitted his resignation to become the new head coach at Bartlett High School in Memphis. Not wasting any time, the Paris school district took action to quickly secure its next head coach, and Josh Ferrell of Caddo Hills High School in Norman, Arkansas, was hired as the Eagles’ new coach.
Josh Ferrell is no stranger to success, both on and off the court. Josh was heavily influenced by his family who were heavily involved in basketball and public education for his entire childhood. Josh’s father, David, is currently the head basketball coach and athletic director at The New School in Fayetteville. Before that, he was the head coach at West Fork high school for all of Josh’s childhood, including his years as a high school basketball player for the Tigers. Josh grew up as a “gym rat”, hanging around the sport, spending countless hours around players and coaches, and playing and working out in the gym for many hours each day, perfecting the skills that would make him an outstanding high school, and later on, college basketball player. And that career later extended into the start of a successful coaching career at Caddo Hills in Norman. But as fate would have it, father and son would meet in the first round of the state tournament. A meeting of destiny for both father and son, and for their teams and schools who were both focused on winning in the state tournament. In this epic match-up, it was the son, Josh Ferrell, defeating his father’s team from Fayetteville.
Earlier tonight, I had the opportunity to visit with Josh’s dad and former coach, David Ferrell. I asked him about the infamous meeting between the two schools last year in the state playoffs. And frankly, I expected to hear something along the lines of all the cliches and expressions that you commonly hear about father-son relationships and coaching. But from Coach Ferrell’s comments, it was nothing short of being an awkward moment for he and Josh. Coach Ferrell, speaking of the game against his son’s team, said, “It wasn’t any fun. It was zero fun playing him. We kind of saw it coming, but, we couldn’t avoid it. From a dad’s standpoint, you want nothing but the best for him, but, if my team did good, it would hurt him. It was the weirdest moment of my 35 years of coaching. You just couldn’t win.” I asked Coach what he could tell me, without disclosing anything deeply private or personal, that the two talked about when they embraced each other after Josh’s team defeated his father’s team in the playoffs. Coach Ferrell said, “It was just a weird moment for both of us. I don’t think he knew what to say, and I did not know what to say. We were dreading it (the match up), but, looking back, I think we both feel like it was a cool moment. But at the time, it was just an awkward moment for both of us.”
Josh Ferrell (on the right) and his father, David, share a private moment after a playoff win over The New School. (Photo Credit: Montgomery County News)
Josh Ferrell grew up as a “gym rat” under his father’s influence and in the world of coaching and basketball. Coach Ferrell, again, speaking of his son Josh, said, “My father was a coach and later went into administration. And then my wife’s father coached basketball at West Fork and then was superintendent of schools for 30 years. Josh basically grew up “on the bench” since he could walk. He went with me, and on all the bus rides, and I could tell you a million stories about the bus rides and him growing up. He basically learned how to count off of the scoreboard. He just lived in the gym. Basketball has always been a common denominator with us because he loved it (basketball). Countless hours of his growing up was spent in the gym, working out on his own.”
After a stellar career playing for his father at West Fork, Josh went on to the University of the Ozarks where he made an immediate impact with the Eagles. The conference named him as the Freshman of the Year in his first year at U of O. He played all four years and was known as a tenacious guard who could run, shoot, and score at will. On defense, he was known for his intense, full-court defense and ability to create defensive turnovers with multiple steals throughout a game.
Josh Ferrell (3), University of the Ozarks (Photo Credit: Ascssports.org)
When I asked Josh about what attracted him to Paris, the new Eagles coach indicated that he had spoken to several coaches who were familiar with the basketball program at Paris. Josh said that the overwhelming response from other coaches was that it (Paris) is a good school district with great fan support, and great athletes.
But somewhat concerning to Eagles fans is the fact that Ferrell will be he third coach in three years for the boys basketball program. When I asked him if that was concerning to him when he contemplated the Paris offer, he said, “I am familiar with being in this position. When I took the Caddo Hills job, I was the fifth coach in five years. So I know how to handle this type of situation.” Eagles fans are hoping that Ferrell will be in Paris for many successful years to come.
Ferrell will be the beneficiary of several Paris players who received significant playing time as underclassmen throughout the 2020-21 season. Many of those players are returning and are currently playing on summer club teams throughout the state and region. When the new coach called practice on his first day, all 17 returning players answered the call. Coach has been impressed with the work ethic and the quality of the players, saying they “work extremely hard and are yes sir, no sir kids.” And that work ethic will be an asset for the Eagles under their new coach who will install a system of intense defensive pressure and a fast-paced offense that will run more than they have in the past few years. The Eagles are an athletic, and now, experienced group that should adapt well to Coach Ferrell’s system.
On behalf of Resident Press, I would like to welcome Josh Ferrell and his wife Ashton to Paris! We wish him nothing but the best of success as coach of the boys basketball program at Paris. And Eagles fans, I think this is a very big hire for Paris, and I also believe next season has a lot of potential for great success and a possible run in the post-season playoffs. If the Eagles play the way their new coach has played and coached in the past, Paris will be an exciting team to watch this coming winter! And once again, Resident Press will be here to bring you all of the action!
Not being particularly musical, and to my family that is an understatement, I would read through the hymnal while the rest of my family sang. A reoccurring theme in those hymnals were that they were produced by the Hartford Music Company and that my favorite songs were written by a man named Albert Brumley.
Years passed before I discovered both were a part of our River Valley heritage. Hartford Music Company originated in the small Arkansas town of the same name, Hartford. Eugene Bartlett, a native of Missouri, wanted to establish a school where people learned to read and sing music. He also wanted to write and print Gospel songs with a message. To him, Hartford, with its location on the rock island rail system and the home of songwriters Will Ramsey and David Moore, offered the perfect location.
Beginning in 1918, the company began producing and shipping hymns from the small town. By 1931, the company was printing one-hundred thousand books a year and were establishing branch offices throughout the country. Trains rolled in carrying paper and rolled out carrying thousands of church books. More than 80,000 pounds of paper was shipped in each year to make the hymnals, making it one of the largest Gospel printing companies in the world. The company also hired instructors to teach voice, piano, harmony, and stringed instruments. Instructors were sent out surrounding areas where they would hold county singing conventions to teach music to church groups.
Albert Brumley
These were held yearly at different towns in the river valley and continued occurring up until at least the mid-’70s. They also taught gifted writers and singers on-site, hosting a small school in Hartford. In the 1920s, a penniless young man with big dreams showed up in Hartford. Wearing a fifteen-dollar suit and with two dollars and fifty cents in his pocket, Albert Brumley left the cotton fields of Spiro, OK determined to make a career of sharing the gospel through music.
Many of his songs are still sung in churches today. In 1929, he wrote and produced the song, I’ll Fly Away. It became the number one recorded song in history and the second most known Gospel song in history after Amazing Grace. I still love hearing and trying to sing it. Some of his other well-known songs were I’ll Meet You in the Morning and Turn Your Radio On.
The gospel songbooks are full of songs he wrote and with songs from the Hartford Music Company. A journey through the small town today shows little of the bustling coal-mining town of the twenties. Many of the stores are closed, the school no longer open but a sign at the edge of town alerts you that it was once the Gospel capital of the South.
Our church choir seemed to locate you on stage according to ability. The stage held three rows of pews extending from the podium to the baptistery. Seemingly, those with the most ability were on row one, and others were placed in rows according to the quality of their voice. I realized singing might not be my forte when I found myself knee-deep in water in the baptistery. That never prevented me from enjoying the beautiful old gospel hymns and the best are from our forgotten legacy, the music of the Hartford Music company.
Leroy Clinton Bass, age 70, of Waldron, Arkansas passed away from this life on May 26, 2021 to his Heavenly home.
From the day he was born, God had a special plan for Leroy Bass. God knew that Leroy would be the man able to touch so many lives by showing them true love, compassion, and that having God in your heart was the only way to make it to Heaven. Leroy didn’t just preach it, he lived it. In 1976, he dedicated his life to Christ and on July 23, 1977 he preached his first message. Later on in 1997 he became the pastor of what is now known as The Gospel Lighthouse Church. Some of his passions were leading the Church, writing and singing and playing his guitar. Leroy met his beautiful wife Mary and married her. They shared a strong love for one another for 45 years. Together they had 4 children that he loved very much, 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren that he loved very much.
Leroy is survived by his mother, Eula Mae (Dilbeck)Bass, his loving wife of 45 years, Mary (Meredith) Bass, daughters: Cheryl and husband Kenley Flynn of Charleston, Arkansas, Rosanna and husband Brad Dick of Waldron, Arkansas, his sons: Marcus and wife Sarah Bass of Zafra, Oklahoma and Stephen and wife Megan Bass of Waldron, Arkansas and other son Zach Campbell and Harlee of Mena, Arkansas. Leroy is also survived by his 15 grandchildren: Jacob, Isaiah, Kyler, Jayse, Emily and Brycen Flynn, Tyler (Athena) and Aiden Hayward, Spencer Dick, Caleb and Kaidence Bass, Colton and Aison Loyd, Alex, Hailey and Olivia Bass as well as 3 great grandchildren: Hailey, Matthew and Siren Pelt. Leroy also has 7 siblings: J.B. Bass, Joann and husband Ron Steele, Danny and wife Teresa Bass, Kathy and husband Joseph Rowland, Johnny and wife Glenda Bass, Amanda Bass and Sammy Bass. Leroy will be missed by all that knew him and the many whose lives he impacted including numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Leroy was preceded in death by his dad, Roy Bass Jr. and his nephew Jared Meredith.
Leroy’s graveside life celebration will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 29, 2021 at the Rock Springs Cemetery near Mena, Arkansas with Rev. Brad Dick and Rev. Bert Montgomery officiating. Interment will follow. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Leroy’s pallbearers will be Rick Owens, Allen Brumbelow, Isaac Bass, Aaron Meredith, Greg Brumbelow, Jaylin Brumbelow, Dustyn Brumbelow, Steve Bass and Benji Bass. Honorary pallbearers will be Tyler Hayward, Aidan Hayward, Jacob Flynn, Caleb Bass and Aison Loyd.
Leroy’s visitation will be Friday, May 28, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Leroy Clinton Bass, please visit our floral store.
Scott County will host an inaugural event, retiring and disposing of worn flags, on Monday evening, June 14 at 6:30 p.m. The ceremony is set to take place at the Scott County Fairgrounds in Waldron.
Schedule of events:
Formation of participants – Danville Cub Scouts, Pack 37; Ouachita Mountain, VFW Post 1345; The John Tolleson, American Legion Post 46; Waldron Volunteer Fire Department; and Owen Ridenhour, Bugler
Lighting of the fire – Waldron Volunteer Fire Department
Color Guard Presents Colors – The John Tolleson, American Legion Post 46
Chaplain offers prayers – Greg Shively
Hand salute – all hands
Flag detail places flags on the fire – Ouachita Mountain, VFW Post 1345
Bugler sounds “To the Colors” – Owen Ridenhour
Reading of Old Glory and the American Flag’s colors, stripes and stars meaning – Greg Shively
Ledora (Wagner) Martindale of Waldron, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday May 25, 2021 in Waldron, Arkansas. Ledora was born August 8, 1930 to Walter D. and Trulie (Sparks) Wagner in Waldron, Arkansas.
Ledora married the love of her life Ercle Brown August 5, 1946 at the age of 16. She could always be found in the kitchen cooking up a good meal for her family. She love to go to yard sales and work in her flower beds. She attended the Packsaddle Church and grew up in the Friendship Pentecostal Church. She loved her family with all her heart and loved spending time with all her grandchildren.
Ledora leaves behind to cherish her memory, 3 daughters: Ella McCullah (Odean) of Mulberry, Arkansas, Dorothy Moore of Waldron, Arkansas, and Ladonna Nix (Rod) of Bates, Arkansas, two sons; Johnny Brown (Debra) of Waldron, Arkansas and Larry Brown of Waldron, Arkansas, three children by heart, Tina Brewer, Dub Black and Ricky Don Black all of Waldron, Arkanas, two sisters; Anna Reynolds of Waldron, Arkansas and Leverda McCafferty of Charleston, Arkansas, 4 brothers; Carl Wagner of Waldron, Arkansas, Mondale Wagner of Waldron, Arkansas, Verdell Wagner of Waldron, Arkansas, and Donnie Wagner of Waldron, Arkansas. Granny will remain in the hearts of her 15 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren. Ledora will be missed by all that knew her and the many whose lives she impacted including a host of extended family, friends and loved ones.
Ledora was preceded in death by her parents, Walter D. and Trulie (Sparks) Wagner, her husband Ercle Brown, and husband, Odell Martindale, two sons; Alford Brown and Daniel Brown and one grandson Nathan Brown and one brother, Archie Wagner.
Ledora’s life celebration will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday May 28, 2021 at the Friendship Pentecostal Church in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev. Donnie Wagner and Rev. Jeff Wilkerson officiating. Interment will follow in the Lamb Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Ledora’s pallbearers will be grandson: Jackie Moore, Shane Brown, Heath Owens, David Moore, Mickey Brown, Bobby Brown, Lyndell Brown and Brandon Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters.
Ledora’s visitation will be Thursday May 27, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home where Ledora’s family will receive family and friends.
Our family had the pleasure of taking a weekend vacation recently. Most weren’t out in full summer mode, which made everywhere less crowded than I imagine it will be in the coming weeks. So what do you do in Hot Springs with a 3.5 year old and an 11 month old, while on a budget?
Well, for starters we stayed on Lake Hamilton. Being right on the lake meant when us parents were tired, but the kids wanted to do something we could take the few steps to the lake and be “doing something”. We fished a lot, watched the boats, and waded in the cool waters. If we hadn’t stayed on the lake we likely would have found somewhere with a pool. Airbnb is my favorite way to vacation, though. We don’t have to worry about our noise level, or those around us like we would in a hotel. Our cottage was pricey, and we could have chosen more cost effective places to stay but it was important to me to be very close to the water.
Lake Hamilton Sunrise
While I think my older child would have had fun at Magic Springs, the thought of taking both kids there seemed daunting. The baby wouldn’t ride anything, save maybe the carousel. So Magic Springs was not an attraction we visited this time. I also will add, it’s quite expensive for just a day ticket, and while we already weren’t planning to go that should be considered when budgeting. It would easily feel a whole day, and could be a good option for families with older children.
We did choose to go to Mid America Science Museum, and it was my personal highlight of the trip. We went on a drizzly day, but that just made the Dino trek much more bearable and not swelteringly hot. Even the baby enjoyed all the sights, and can now tell us how dinosaurs roar! There is much fun to be had, and lessons to be learned. It is a must go back place in our minds. Total cost for a family of four $30.
Walking the Dino Trek, very stroller friendly!
After we got to our lake cottage we planned to stay in for the night until the oldest saw an ad for miniature golf. Off we went to Fun Trackers for a round of golf! I believe 3.5 is probably the most comical age for this. Each hole we came to, he would carry his ball right up to the hole and knock it in. A hole in one every time! The baby enjoyed the water fall and the cars going by on the highway. He sat in our stroller wagon, and this course was very stroller friendly! It was easy to maneuver for the whole family. Total cost for a family of four $17.
On Saturday we ventured over to the Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t go back. It is a neat concept to see so many alligators in one place, and have the option to feed them from a stick. Feedings also happen in the large pens at noon most of the year, but we didn’t stay for that. Overall, if you have a child who is really into alligators this would be awesome for them. Also they hand out bread to feed to goats, miniature donkeys, and emus; which is fun for kids. I think it is more of a one time attraction, at least for our family, and not something to necessarily return to annually. Honestly in hindsight I would have rather saved this money and made another trip to Mid America. That is just my personal opinion, read other reviews before making a decision if you are planning a trip. Total cost for a family of four $25.
The last place we went to was Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. I can vaguely remember going here as a kid myself, and it was very neat to take my kids! The decorations here are creative and fun. The place is overrun with pirates! But don’t worry, they are pretend my big kid kept reminding us. There are two courses to choose from, or you can choose to do both. We did Blackbeard’s course so we could go across the pirate ship. Again, the baby rode in the stroller wagon. This location is not very handicap or stroller friendly. It has an abundance of stairs. We managed to get all the way around, but it was not an easy task. I do recommend this course, but if you have a baby you will have to find a way to carry them other than a stroller, or be prepared to navigate the stairs by carrying the stroller often. Total cost for a family of four-$15 (we had a $1 off coupon from a tour guide book).
The total for all our excursions for the weekend was $87. We took coolers with our food on the trip, but ordered through DoorDash a couple times to keep from having fussy kids in a restaurant. Having a full kitchen made it possible to make most meals at the cottage, though. Total estimated cost for a family of four for the weekend (housing, DoorDash, gas, and attractions, I didn’t include food we brought because it came out of our food budget)-$550.
Could we have gone for less money? Absolutely. We booked close to our date, which meant a lot of houses were booked up. If you plan in advance by a couple months there is a better likelihood of having your choice of places to stay. Additionally, we could have stayed in a hotel for a lot less. The lake cottage was just my personal preference. We could have skipped the Alligator Farm and second miniature golf course and opted to go to Hot Springs National Park to check out Bathhouse Row and hiked. All would have been free. Or we could have simply spent more time playing on the lake. We set our budget and were even a little under it! The point is, if you want to take a trip there likely is a way, just think out of the box and utilize as many free attractions as you can!
Larry and Debbie (Calhoun) Bilyeu of Greenwood will be celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday, June 6th at Greenwood First Baptist Church ROC between 2-4 pm. The celebration is hosted by the Bilyeu Life Group and daughter Charity Fingerhut. Everyone is invited to come. No gifts, your presence would be the priceless gift.
Larry and Debbie were married on June 5th, 1971 at Main Street Baptist Church in Stigler OK. They have a daughter Charity Fingerhut and husband Colby of Pea Ridge and the late Jonathan Bilyeu. They have two grandsons: Bryar Bilyeu age 7 of Alma and Callen Fingerhut age 2 of Pea Ridge. Larry taught English and coached for 38 years at Greenwood. Debbie taught science for 33 years at Greenwood and completed her education career as AR AIMS Science Content Director the Arkansas for 12 years. She retired last June. A trip to raft the Colorado River and Grand Canyon and a family Caribbean cruise are planned for this summer.
Cars lined the square to help raise money for Compassion Legacy
It was a fitting start under cloudy skies and ended with sunny skies. It was as if it were foreshadowing life post-pandemic. Cars lined either side of the square to help raise money for Kennedy Holland’s Compassion Legacy Project.
Cars ranging from a Model T to “Batmobile” Bel-Air’s to latest generation Mustang, Camaro, and Challengers made the journey to Greenwood. While the early skies may have kept away some entrants, there were enough smiles all around as this was the first Car Show in Greenwood since 2019.
Here are a few of the sights from around the Square:
Event organizer Kennedy Holland Photo Courtesy: Tommy John Photography
It was a night of pomp and circumstance on Saturday evening, May 22. Two hundred fifty-nine seniors received their diplomas.
Dr. Cody Chatman addresses the Seniors
It was a year filled with uncertainty, the highest of accolades, and that familiar Bulldog spirit. The 2021 class of Greenwood will be remembered as the class that endured so much to get to graduation, a pandemic, shifting to online learning, unknown opponents week to week in sporting events, and unusually cold temperatures with the most snow seen in quite some time.
They never gave up, they banded together and were able to make it to that all-important night, where “pomp and circumstance” is legitimately the soundtrack. One hundred eleven of the 259 Seniors had gone to Greenwood K-12 with 67% of the seniors receiving scholarships.
As the rain continued to fall on Friday the decision was made to delay the Graduation to Saturday, seemingly apropos for what this school year has brought. Class of 1996 Graduate Dr. Lance Bridges gave a great commencement speech to the soon-to-be graduates.
Congratulations to the seniors for their accomplishments on the field and most importantly in the classroom.
