Tribute to fallen heroes

BY PAT HARRIS White River Valley News

FAYETTEVILLE -- A living memorial ceremony honoring fallen soldiers in American wars is going to be much more at the Sept. 13 ceremony. Inolene Skelton, who lost a son in war, began the living memorial tribute on the grounds of the Veterans Home in Fayetteville two years ago. Each month a dedication ceremony takes place. “This year we’re doing - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Community Events

Elkins Transportation Elkins Senior Center van is resuming transportation services for seniors. If you are 60 plus and need to go into Fayetteville for doctor’s appointments, shopping, visiting friends, etc., we can take you. We have a suggested donation of $6.00 for the round trip fare. This is a donation -- you pay what you feel you can afford. We’ll be running the van into Fayetteville on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please call Jennifer to make an appointment—643-2741. We need several days notice if at all possible. - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Quilters win big at fair

BY KATHY MARTINE White River Valley News

Local shop owners Kathy Penrod, sister in law Mavis Smith and mom, Clara Smith, of SitN’ & StitchN’ Quilts are so happy that the quilt they plan to raffle off for the Susan G. Komen Foundation won first place at the Washington County Fair last week. The quilt was made and quilted by Kathy Penrod. The ladies wanted to make the quilt and then raffle it off with all proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen Foundation to offer financial support and bring awareness to the Foundation. “But we are very frustrated,” Smith said. “Harp’s has been the only local business that will allow us to sell tickets on the quilt raffle.“ The ladies are worried that they won’t have sufficient sales to offer to the Foundation unless some other businesses will allow them to set up a booth in front or inside so they can sell tickets. “Breast Cancer touches so many lives, and we just want to do what we can.” Smith said. Tickets to win the quilt cost $2 each, or six tickets for $10. Currently they can be purchased at the quilt shop at 2421 - Thursday, September 4, 2008

West Fork teachers learn first hand about recycling

BY KATHY MARTINE White River Valley News

The week before school started for local children, their teachers were already working hard preparing the classrooms and lesson plans. On Thursday, Aug. 14, West Fork teachers were invited by Washington County to participate in a solid waste tour as they were getting ready for the coming school year. The tour began bright and early at the Washington County Conference Center. The teachers were joined on a bus by hosts Sophie Stephenson and Beth Scism of Washington County Environmental Affairs and Recycling. The group headed out to the Fayetteville Recycling Center for a first hand look at how recycling is handled in Fayetteville. Then it was on to lunch and more information. A presentation on composting was offered by Stephenson. Teachers were shown what an amazing job wors do when composting. Baridi Nkikheli, the director of Department of Sanitation with City of Fort Smith, spoke about how the City of Fort Smith handles their landfill and recycling. Teachers learned more about how city trash is handled. Nkikh - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Festival showcases variety of artistic expressions

BY TRISH HOLLENBECK Northwest Arkansas Times

Driving around the countr yside one day, photographer Diana Michelle Hausam saw a fence made with bicycles. - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Give, receive encouragement

What a nice cool day that makes me think of fall, I’m ready to see the weather turn cool and see the beautiful colors that come with fall. I’m thinking there will be more hot weather though. - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Preserving the past: Youth discover intergenerational art of canning

BY DUSTIN TRACY Northwest Arkansas Times

It’s an old-time hobby gaining popularity with a younger crowd, and this year’s Washington County Fair Junior Canning category has more entries than it has seen in years, according to Canning Co-Superintendent Mary Loftus. “A lot of the fruit and vegetables reflect this year’s garden,” Loftus said. “We had a good spring.” The fair saw 481 junior canned good entries. Loftus said that’s a little higher than the 400 they’ve averaged in past years. The hobby involves skill in the garden, kitchen and packing. Kids had to choose a few vegetables, fruit or jellies to start with. Loftus said that they can choose to water bath, pressure cook or dehydrate the food. Finally they must put the product into a glass jar in such a way that it looks appealing to the eye. The idea is to keep the food fresh for a full year. “This one you can see the knife cuts, and this one you don’t,” Loftus said while holding up two jars of peaches. “It’s definitely an art.” 12-year-old Samantha Childress of Prairie Grove got into canning a f - Thursday, September 4, 2008

A true friend

What are the makings of a true friendship? I believe it is someone who is loyal and honest, someone you can to talk to with the comfort of knowing they really care about your life. A true friendship is never just one sided, many times it requires for you to be the one who is giving comfort instead of just taking. You can have many acquaintances in your life but a real friendship that last a lifetime is very rare. Why? Because normally the price is too high, it requires too much dedication, too much loyalty and too much respect. First, let’s look into the life of David and Jonathan, two people who knew what real friendship meant and was willing to help each other in times of need. - Thursday, September 4, 2008

WANDERING THE OZARKS : Bethlehem Church, Courtney family continues

BY VELDA BROTHERTON

When I met with Earl and Charles Courtney at Earl’s home, his wife Shirley and daughter Carmen joined us along with lifelong friend Dobe Martin. It was difficult to keep up with the “do you remember?” stories bouncing among the three men, but hopefully I managed to keep the tales straight. - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Lee Creek Cleanup set for Saturday

Northwest Arkansas Times

The first Keep Arkansas Beautiful: Lee Creek Cleanup campaign will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The cleanup will span from Devil’s Den State Park to Natural Dam. Cleanup from Devil’s Den to the old Silver Bridge on Arkansas 220 will be cleaned by teams on foot, horseback, canoe and vehicles, including allterrain vehicles. Members of the Northwest Chapter of the Arkansas Canoe Club will be on hand to assist in the cleanup along this route. Members of the River Valley Chapter of the Arkansas Canoe Club and local landowners will clean the lower portion of the river. Headquarters for this event will be located at the Day Use Horse Parking Area at the west end of the park just off Arkansas 220. There will be additional check-in areas at the Arkansas 220 bridge over Lee Creek and Natural Dam Park. The purpose of this cleanup is for swimmers, whitewater paddlers, bass-anglers, nature enthusiasts, landowners and concerned citizens to take part in keeping a designated Extraordinary Resource Water in conditi - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Area residents win Washington County Fair Pageant contests

Northwest Arkansas Times

Seven women took home titles from this year’s Washington County Fair Pageant. The competition was held Aug. 16. Ashley Shelton of Fayetteville was named Miss Washington County. Shelton is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas. She’s majoring in broadcast journalism. Ella Wood of Winslow was named Miss Baby Washington County. Atianna Collins of Fayetteville was named Miss Toddler Washington County. Jacy Sabatini of Springdale was named Miss Tiny Tot Washington County. Helen Olivia Maynard of Fayetteville was named Little Miss Washington County. Linzee Leann Spurlock of Farmington was named Miss Pre-Teen Washington County. Shea Ivy Dorman of Prairie Grove was named Miss Teen Washington County. - Thursday, September 4, 2008

From four-legged kids to the unknown

I’m in a heap of hurt because I haven’t mentioned my four-legged kids recently. Sorry, Missy. Sweetie, this singing schipperkee, hasn’t been real pert lately. I suppose it is because of the heat and her age. She was a mature kid when she came live on the Possum Farm four years ago. Folks, the heat and accumulated years takes it’s toll on all of us, even us two-legged kids. Neither have much affect on the new kid. Sha Mai, the shih-tsu, is a yearling and it takes a lot to phase her. For some reason, I have started calling her Little Girl, and we all seem pleased with it. I have noticed how she sometimes strikes a pose that is reminiscent of lion watching it’s prey. That explains why shizi means lion in Chinese, with gou being the word for dog. Folks, I have known and loved many dogs in my life, but I have never seen an animal love another animal they way Little Girl loves Sweetie. She will spend 10 to 15 minutes at a time, several times a day, grooming that old kid’s face. Sweetie sleeps a lot, at least she tr - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Changes happening at the Senior Center

Good morning. It’s nice and cool this morning and that’s the way I like it. Today my friend Lena Collier is on my mind. Her daughter went to heaven to live with her Savior on Sunday morning. Please remember Lena and her family in your prayers. As for our Senior Center, we are having a lot of changes again. All this is hard for my brain and heart to comprehend. Kay Curtis was over from Harrison yesterday. She told us Tammie is quitting. We asked her when, and she told us, “Today is her last day.” We could not believe Tammie would leave and not tell us good-bye or something. I don’t blame you, Tammie, for retiring. You have put up with us for a long time (me, especially -- always griping at you for not making gravy). I didn’t want you to take it to heart and quit, because I love you. We are also getting a new director. Jennifer’s last day will be Sept. 11. Of course, I don’t blame her either because she is expecting a new baby and wants to stay home and be a mommie. What mother doesn’t want to do that? But not - Thursday, September 4, 2008

Rural Friendship Day brings in city folk

BY TRISH HOLLENBECK Northwest Arkansas Times

Lauren Cheevers groomed her awarding-winning Red Angus heifer as she explained the finer points of preparing an animal to show. - Thursday, September 4, 2008