GG’s Roots & Remedies Brings Natural Wellness and Local Goods to Huntington
What began as a personal journey toward better health has grown into a thriving homestead business rooted in natural living and community connection.
Gus and Gina Gustafson have not only found a home in Huntington, but have also established what they describe as the retirement homestead they once only imagined.
For Gina Gustafson, the path to launching GG’s Roots & Remedies started with a search for alternatives. Frustrated with medications that left her feeling worse, she began researching more natural approaches to wellness.
“GG’s Roots & Remedies was created to help people be healthier and feel better,” Gustafson said.
Her research led her into the world of tinctures, salves, and herbal remedies. What started as a personal solution soon caught the attention of others.
“Neighbors began asking me to make them something, and it just grew from there,” she said.
As demand increased, it quickly became clear the business had outgrown the family home. After considering smaller options, the Gustafsons ultimately chose to expand with a new modular building to house the growing operation.
Today, GG’s Roots & Remedies — Rooted in Nature, Made with Intention offers a variety of handcrafted products, along with goods from other local producers.
Among the offerings are fresh baked bread from Jennifer Briley, local raw honey from Yeakley Bee Company, raw milk from the Farmhouse Ranch at Persimmon Hill, Heavenly Blessings goat’s milk products, organic eggs, and more.
The business reflects more than just a marketplace—it represents a collaborative network of local homesteaders.
“This is a community of farm stand operators,” Gustafson said. “We aren’t competing against each other—we want to help one another.”
GG’s Roots & Remedies is located at 811 W. Clay St. in Huntington. More information can also be found on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586642043280
As the homestead continues to grow, the Gustafsons’ effort stands as an example of how small-scale agriculture, natural living, and community partnerships can come together to create something lasting in rural Arkansas.
State Capitol Week in Review from Senator Terry Rice
LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Legislative Council recently voted to approve a contract worth up to $12 million to offer the Classic Learning Test (CLT) in high schools across the state for the next four years.
The contract is between the Arkansas Department of Education and Maryland-based Classic Learning Initiatives LLC. The contract begins on July 1 and ends in June 2030, with an extension available through June 2033.
Like the ACT or SAT, the CLT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States to measure high school students’ readiness for college. According to the CLT website, the test is “…designed to serve students from a variety of educational backgrounds…our assessments emphasize timeless academic skills and promote critical and logical thinking.”
According to Classic Learning Initiatives, the Classic Learning Test provides a more comprehensive measure of academic formation, accomplishment, and potential and offers a better test-taking experience: “By including reading passages from classic and historical texts, CLT exams offer a unique opportunity to engage students with the influential authors and ideas that have shaped history and culture.”
Its reading and writing passages draw heavily from classic literature and major historical authors such as Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Dante, Chaucer, and John Wyckliffe; early modern writers such as Erasmus, Shakespeare, and Thomas Hobbes; and late moderns such as Jane Austen, Charles Darwin, Fyodor Dostoevsky, J.R.R. Tolkien, Langston Hughes, and Mark Twain.
The CLT suite of tests is also approved for annual testing requirements for homeschool students and those using Education Savings Account funds.
Sponsored by state Sen. Jim Dotson, who represents District 34 (which includes parts of cities of Bella Vista, Bentonville, Centerton and Hiwasse in Benton County), and state Rep. Keith Brooks, who represents House District 78 (which includes portions of Pulaski, Perry, and Saline Counties), Act 724 of 2025 mandated Arkansas public and charter high schools to offer the CLT along with the ACT and SAT.
The cost will cover students’ testing fees. The online forms of the Classic Learning Test and its ninth and 10th grade version cost $34.50, while paper forms cost $44.50.
The actual amount that Arkansas will pay Classic Learning Initiatives will depend on how many students take the Classic Learning Test instead of the ACT or SAT.
More than 300 higher education institutions nationwide accept the Classic Learning Test for admissions. U.S. service academies have also announced that they would accept the exam for the 2027 admissions cycle. Currently several Arkansas colleges and universities accept the test, including The University of Arkansas, The University of Central Arkansas, Harding University, John Brown University, the University of the Ozarks, Williams Baptist University, Ecclesia College, Crowley’s Ridge College, and Arkansas Tech University.
The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship recognizes the CLT, with a qualifying score of 58, which is roughly equivalent to a 24 score on the ACT.
Farmers, consumers may be riding the egg price waves in the coming months
By Mary Hightower
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Egg prices are heading upward from their February dip, but consumers should get used to a price rollercoaster, said Jada Thompson, poultry agricultural economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
In February, prices declined to their lowest levels since 2023.
“Since then, they’re back up, likely due to Easter demand,” Thompson said on Tuesday.
“The story with egg prices now is in the uncertainty,” Thompson said. “We know there is seasonal demand, but with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza rolling around and biological lags in replenishment, farmers really don’t have a lot of control when it comes to planning and egg placements.
“They and consumers just have to ride the waves, and those waves have been bad these past few years,” she said.
The Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its March outlook that table-egg production in January 2026 totaled 656.7 million dozen, up 2.2 percent from January 2025. The increase was the result of a 1.8 percent higher average layer inventory and a 0.4 percent higher lay rate.
However, HPAI claimed 2.8 million commercial egg layers in January 2026, and “while this is down month to month, it is still a year-over-year increase of 2.9 percent,” ERS said in its report. “In the month of February, an additional 9.5 million commercial table-egg layers were lost to HPAI, primarily in Pennsylvania, but also in Wisconsin and North Carolina.”
ERS said it revised its table egg production forecasts downward for both the first and second quarters of 2026.
“Fewer eggs tighten supply and can drive prices up,” Thompson said. “The change in those prices will depend on how many HPAI cases we get throughout the year. Nobody likes it, but we’ll have to wait and see the supply and demand working in real time.”
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station at aaes.uada.edu.
“Just Roll with It” Serving up Recipes and Humor
Hello everyone! Beautiful days in the River Valley!! The Chamber of Commerce sponsored a huge Easter egg hunt at the City Lake Park in Mansfield Saturday, and the weather was perfect. We had around 3,000 eggs, and there were a lot of kiddos there. A good time was had by all.
I went to lunch with my big kids, Jacob and Loren. We went to Cheddar’s and had the best time. We always sit and visit awhile since I don’t see them often. Jacob decided to give us a geography quiz. He knows I’m not smart, so why does he always want to ask me questions like that? I don’t know north, south, east, or west, so why does he want to make me look bad? If I asked my husband for directions, he would say go south, then turn due north??? Okay, Christopher Columbus, just give me a restaurant as a marker and quit acting like I know what you mean—like turn at the red barn or by McDonald’s or something easy.
When we got married and moved to Owego, New York, I was driving down the road and everyone was waving and honking. I had heard New Yorkers were not friendly, but these folks were very friendly. I’m driving down the street, and when I get to the end and notice the one-way sign, I realized I was driving the wrong way down a one-way street—so that explained why they were waving and honking.
I learned something else about New Yorkers—they could not understand Arkansas “hick” language. I could not order at a drive-thru; they never could understand what I wanted. It was so frustrating. When Chuck was with me, he had to order for me. They just loved to listen to me talk. When we would go to California to visit Chuck’s family, they would always say, “Say something so we can listen to you talk.” They loved it and would just laugh. I’m glad I could entertain them—it didn’t bother me a bit.
Here’s just a little funny to end on. When we went to Nashville, my niece Kelly went with us. She had lost weight and was walking in front of me wearing black leggings. Let me tell you, her legs looked so skinny I hollered, “Are those your legs, or are you sitting on a chicken?” My brother thought that was hilarious—we laughed and laughed. If you see Justin Weaver in a pair of shorts, ask him that same question. He has the skinniest legs I have ever seen in my life.
Y’all have a good week and get your eggs colored for Easter. This is another dessert for Easter—very light and tasty.
Twinkie Strawberry Cheesecake
Line the bottom of a 9×13 pan with Twinkies.
You can buy strawberries with sugar (frozen), let them thaw, and spread them over the Twinkies.
You can buy a 24-ounce tub of Philadelphia no-bake original cheesecake filling, or you can make your own using two 8-ounce cream cheese packages, two cups of sugar, and some vanilla. I just guess at my cream cheese filling recipe. Spread this evenly over the strawberries.
Top with a tub of Cool Whip, and you can decorate with sliced strawberries on top.
Sooo easy—you can buy everything and don’t have to mix anything up.
Have a great week and have a happy Easter!
Timepiece: The Golden Age of TV
by Dr. Curtis Varnell
Visiting my Oklahoma grandmother for a weekend was a treat. She could actually pick up, believe it or not, six televisions stations with her antennae. Heck, we didn’t even have a T.V. until I was around ten and we got one channel, CBS. Saturday mornings at grandmas was a smorgasbord of cartoons. All my favorite stories and characters that I still remember like they were dear and best friends; which they were in my young, easily imprinted mind. The Hanna-Barbara cartoons were some of my favorites. Let’s see, there was Deputy Dawg, Yogi Bear, the Jetson’s and, of course, The Flintstones. My favorite was the Roadrunner; the little underdog always got the best of that Wiley coyote. In the afternoons, I could always locate my favorite Tarzan or Jungle Jim movies and set entranced in front of the T.V. Babysitting we five kids must have been easy back then; of course Roger could never sit still more than ten minutes so grandma had to keep an eye out for him or he would be taking spark plugs out of her car or seeing which facet worked best on her milk cow.
The shows were entertaining but what I remember most were the commercials. Saturday morning’s it was all breakfast cereal. I can still remember the characters and lines. Everyone knew Corn Flakes were made in Battleship, Michigan, that Fruit Loops were for kids, and that Tony the Tiger absolutely loved Frosted Flakes. Later in the 60’s, NASA made the first space drink just for astronauts and kids- TANG. The price of it was so astronomical you had to be an astronaut to afford more than a taste of it. 7-Up introduced the Uncola, Pepsi developed the taste test, and R.C. and peanuts were sold as a pair. Beech-nut was a popular chewing gum but Double Mint gave you double the fun and pleasure. Never mind that both were made by the same company; the goal was to get you to remember the jingle and buy the product.
We could all sing along, Plop, Plop, Oh What a relief it is!! My Bologna has a first name, it’s O S C A R !! Later, Wendy’s came out with the even more popular granny repeating, “Where’s the Beef?” Commercials were sometimes more fun than the show.
In the afternoons, Burma Shave and Gillette competed to sale you razor blades and shaving equipment. Every cigarette known to man hypedtheir wares; I even saw Barney and Fred describing smoking an entire pack of Winston. Winston competed with the Marlboro cowboy, the Lucky Strike gentleman, and the cool taste of Salem. Desi Arnaz smoked one cigarette after another on I Love Lucy. I guess that wasn’t too unusual for that age since they handed out Skoal to us at agri and FFA school events.
In the 60’s, instant coffee became a fad. We could hear the perking of Maxwell house and watch Juan Valdez gather Folgers but that wasn’t enough. We needed everything quickly-thus instant coffee you simply dumped into hot water. No matter it tasted like warmed over mud; it was fast, hot, and black. When in Costa Rica, the farmers explained to me that they drank their best coffee, sold the second best to Europe, and sent the rest to America because we would drink anything. In fact, instant coffee was often made from the ground up hull of the coffee bean, the stuff they discard in other countries. Ah, what advertising and T.V. can do for us Americans!
A Life of Patriotism and Service: Greenwood Remembers Kelly Arrington Hendrix
A familiar sight across the corners of Greenwood—rows of American flags waving in the breeze—stands as a lasting tribute to a man whose love for his country and community never wavered.
Kelly Arrington Hendrix, a lifelong Greenwood resident known for his unwavering patriotism and servant’s heart, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the age of 64.
Born October 10, 1960, in Greenwood to Barbara Hendrix and the late Jerry Hendrix, Hendrix spent his life rooted in the town he loved. For many in the community, he was more than a familiar face—he was a symbol of pride, generosity, and dedication.
Hendrix became widely known for personally placing American flags throughout Greenwood, often using his own funds to ensure they lined the streets during patriotic holidays. When the flags showed signs of wear, he replaced them without hesitation, determined that the symbol of the nation he loved would always be displayed with honor.
His commitment extended far beyond the flags. Hendrix played an active role in some of Greenwood’s most cherished traditions, including the city’s Fourth of July and Christmas parades. Whether behind the scenes or in the midst of the action, his helping hand was a constant presence.
He also shared his time and energy with the rodeo community, assisting with events in both Greenwood and nearby Fort Smith—another reflection of his deep connection to the culture and people of western Arkansas.
In recognition of his contributions, Hendrix was named Citizen of the Year by the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce in 2002. He was also honored by Walmart for his patriotism, a testament to the visible and lasting impact of his efforts.
Professionally, Hendrix worked as a DJ at KTCS, where his voice became familiar to many across the region. In later years, he served as a night watchman, continuing a quiet life of dedication and responsibility.
A man of faith, Hendrix was a member of Greenwood First Baptist Church. He was also involved in several local and regional organizations, including the Greenwood Roundup Club, the Greenwood Fair Association, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Among his many joys, Hendrix held a special admiration for country music legend George Strait—a passion that culminated in the opportunity to meet the singer he so admired.
He is survived by his mother, Barbara Hendrix, and a close-knit extended family including cousins Ricky Hendrix, Brenda Hendrix Sweeney, Donna Hendrix Newbold, Cindy Hendrix Atchison, Danny Hendrix, and Robin Hendrix VonHemel.
As Greenwood reflects on Hendrix’s life, the legacy he leaves behind is one of quiet service, steadfast patriotism, and a deep love for community. The flags that continue to wave throughout the town serve not only as symbols of country—but as reminders of the man who placed them there, one by one.
A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 27, at McConnell Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, with burial to follow at Stroud Cemetery. Viewing will begin at 9 a.m. prior to the service.
For those who knew him, and even for those who simply passed by one of his flags, Kelly Hendrix’s presence will not be forgotten.
In the words often shared by those closest to him—rest easy in the arms of Jesus.
Community Easter Egg Hunt Returns to Greenwood, Honoring the Legacy of Alex Gustafson
A beloved community tradition is set to return this Easter season, carrying forward both a spirit of celebration and a heartfelt tribute.
For the past several years, Alex Gustafson helped bring smiles to families across Greenwood through a community-wide Easter Egg Hunt that blended fun, creativity, and local engagement. Now, following his passing, a group of those closest to the event are working to ensure that tradition continues in his memory.
DeeAnna, Nancy, Veliria “Vee” Bascue, and fellow organizers have come together to revive the event, not only as a tribute to Gustafson, but as a way to continue the positive impact it had on the community.
“Alex put his heart into this,” organizers shared. “We wanted to keep it going because of what it meant to him—and what it brought to everyone else.”
The event, which will run Monday through Saturday next week, invites community members to take part in a unique Easter egg hunt across Greenwood. Throughout the week, organizers will hide eggs in various locations, each containing a prize. Rewards will range from small treats, such as candy, to larger items including gift certificates and even a one-month membership to Wolf-Pack MMA.
Local businesses have stepped up to support the effort, donating prizes and helping fuel the event’s broader purpose.
Organizers say the hunt offers more than just entertainment. It creates opportunities for connection among residents, encourages families to explore their community, and provides a boost to small businesses through increased visibility and participation.
“This is about bringing people together,” organizers said. “It’s about community, connection, and supporting one another—something Alex truly believed in.”
Clues to the hidden eggs will be shared daily in the form of riddles posted on Facebook, challenging participants to solve them and locate the prizes.
The week will culminate on Saturday with the hiding of a special golden egg. The finder of that egg will receive a $100 cash prize.
As the event returns, those behind it hope the community will not only participate, but also reflect on the legacy that inspired it.
“Continuing this tradition is one way we can honor Alex,” organizers said. “It’s something positive, something fun, and something that keeps his memory alive in the community he cared about.”
Hints for the community egg hunt will be posted on Hey Greenwood! What’s Happening?
Arrest Reports 3/15
Arresting agency – Greenwood Police Department:
Dakota James Battles of Waldron was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 17, 2026, at 5:04 p.m. and released on cash bond March 18, 2026, at 4:55 p.m. Battles was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Arresting agency – Fort Smith Police Department:
David Joseph Bentley of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 15, 2026, at 2:45 a.m. and released on bond March 15, 2026, at 3:28 p.m. Bentley was charged with criminal trespass, and Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others.
Chloe M Fulton of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 20, 2026, at 2:12 p.m. and released on signature bond March 20, 2026, at 10:19 p.m. Fulton was charged with Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.
Terry Don Simmons was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 21, 2026, at 5:52 p.m. and released on signature bond March 21, 2026, at 6:43 p.m. Simmons was charged with Obstructing Governmental Operations-ID.
Arresting agency – Lavaca Police Department:
Johnny Lee Casey of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 16, 2026, at 6:04 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond March 16, 2026, at 9:27 p.m. Casey was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense and Endangering the Welfare of a Minor in the First Degree -Conduct.
Arresting agency – Sebastian County Sheriff’s Department:
Jeremiah James Cunningham of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 16, 2026, at 6:39 p.m. and released on bond March 16, 2026, at 11:10 p.m. Cunningham was charged with petition to revoke – felony.
Lanita Beatrice Dye of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 18, 2026, at 11:07 a.m. and remains at the SCADC at an ADC commitment hold.
Corey Allen Helms of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 24, 2026, at 10:41 a.m. and remains at the SCADC with legally sufficient bond. Helms was charged with petition to revoke – felony.
Lonnie Mack Lawson of Paris was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 20, 2026, at 8:07 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with jail time. Lawson was charged with Driving on Suspended or Revoked DL – DWI, and Violation of Restricted Driver’s License.
Kevin Dale McCaslin of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. and released on signature bond March 18, 2026, at 10:34 a.m. McCaslin was charged with Petition to Revoke – Felony.
Barbara Yvette McGee of Huntington was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 18, 2026, at 6:28 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond March 19, 2026, at 9:18 a.m. McGee was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine.
Blaine Garrett Moses of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 17, 2026, at 8:55 p.m. and released on legally sufficient bond March 18, 2026, at 2:10 a.m. Moses was charged with Domestic Battering in the Third Degree – Purposely.
Lorin Taylor Nhongvongsithi of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 18, 2026, at 7:39 p.m. and released on March 22, 2026, at 8:04 p.m. Nhongvongsithi was charged with two counts of Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Ingest Meth/Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Inges, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Pack, Repack and others, Tampering With Evidence Felony, and Delivery of Methamphetamine or Cocaine >10g.
Sarah Stuart of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 17, 2026, at 10:26 p.m. and remains at the SCADC without bond. Stuart was charged with Fugitive from Justice Out of State.
Ronny Floyd Stone of Booneville was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 15, 2026, at 9:40 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with legally sufficient bond. Stone was charged with Driving While Intoxicated 1st Offense, and Possession of open container.
Amy Townley of Lavaca was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 21, 2026, at 11:09 a.m. and released on signature bond March 21, 2026, at 1:33 p.m. Townley was charged with Overdraft/Violation Of The Arkansas Hot Check Law Misdemeanor.
Bruce Olen Wheeler, Third of Hackett was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 16, 2026, at 3:49 p.m. and remains at the SCADC with bond. Wheeler was charged with Criminal Mischief in the First Degree > $1,000 but < $5,000, Failure to Appear – Class A Misdemeanor, and Contempt-willful disobedience (Failure to Pay Fine).
Mary Louise Williams of Magazine was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 16, 2026, at 1:39 a.m. and released on signature bond March 16, 2026, at 2:35 p.m. Williams was charged with Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Anastasia Zivotic of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 19, 2026, at 2:35 p.m. and released on cash bond March 20, 2026, at 11:17 p.m. Zivotic was charged with two counts Failure to Appear – Class B Misdemeanor.
Arresting agency – Hackett Police Department:
Rodney Earl Francis of Rogers was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 20, 2026, at 8:16 p.m. and released on March 23, 2026, at 1:24 p.m. Francis was charged with Public Intoxication – Danger to self or others, and Possession of Controlled Substance – Schedule I/II Felony <2g.
Arresting agency – Barling Police Department:
Joe David King, Junior of Greenwood was booked into the Sebastian County Detention Center on March 20, 2026, at 5:23 p.m. and released on cash bond March 20, 2026, at 9:27 p.m. King was charged with Contempt of Court–(child support), FTAS, FTRespond Subpoena, FTComply WCO.
Arresting agency – Logan County Sheriff’s Department:
Braiden Marsh, 22 of Tulsa, OK, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on March 15, 2026, at 4:11 p.m. Marsh was charged with rape.
Colten Adcock, 30 of Paris, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on March 17, 2026, at 9:46 p.m. Adcock was charged with refusal to submit to a chemical test DWI, driving while intoxicated, driving while driver’s license cancelled, suspended, or revoked, endangering the welfare of a minor in the third degree, and parole hold.
Kevin Simmons, 55 of Ozark, was booked into the Logan County Detention Center on March 19, 2026, at 4:02 p.m. Simmons was charged with body attachment.
Arresting agency – Franklin County Sheriff’s Department:
Brandon Everette Darne, 22 of Fort Smith, was booked into the Franklin County Detention Center on March 24, 2026, at 10:24 a.m. Darne was charged with domestic battering – 3rd degree / purpose of causing injury, causes serious injury.
**The charges against those arrested are allegations and the cases are still pending in the courts.**
