The Daily Press http://www.bentoncourier.com http://www.bentoncourier.com/apfeed.xml--1 Copyright The Daily Press 2012-05-16T18:35:26-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:48192012-05-16T18:35:26-04:002012-05-16T18:31:53-04:00The Saline CourierTimothy Berthelson, 46, whose home address is listed as 22660 Interstate 30 in Bryant reportedly walked away around 2:45 p.m. while performing work duty at the courthouse. Berthelson was served a warrant on Sunday for three counts of failure to appear on four counts of hot check, traffic and other violations. According to the Saline County Sheriff's Office, Berthelson had been incarcerated for 33 days, but was expected to be released — pending a court appearance — tomorrow.Jail Administrator Lt. Don Birdsong said though there appears to be a hold on Berthelson for non-payment of child support. Birdsong song said deputies and assisting agencies are search for Berthelson, but said he could be out of the Central Arkansas area.Berthelson now faces "a multitude" of felony charges.Benton, ARMatt BurksInmate walks away from courthouse; manhunt continuesThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4819Change0Usable2012-05-16T18:31:53-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:48182012-05-16T17:39:51-04:002012-05-16T17:39:51-04:00The Saline CourierThe council approved a resolution, submitted at the request of the Benton Utilities Commission, to review the section of the ordinance that "provides a method for determining whether or not an increase in deposit should be demanded as a condition of continued service."The 2010 ordinance adopted customer service rules, regulations and fees for Benton Utilities. It provided for the semi-annual review of business and industrial customer accounts to determine whether the deposit made by these types of customers provides sufficient security. The ordinance was written to provide a means by which repeated late payments by business and industrial customers would result in an additional billing to their account.Lisa's Bait Shop was one of the business accounts billed an additional $900 for their deposit. Lisa and Steve Spencer are owners of the bait shop and voiced their complaint to the Public Utility Commission on May 7.When told of the council action, Lisa Spencer commented Tuesday morning that "we were aware of the suspension as of May 7 when Steve, along with four other business owners, went to the (Public Utility Commission meeting). But we are far from pleased with just a suspension at all."The commission also requested that all pending increases in utility deposits be held in abeyance until a determination is made by the council on whether the ordinance should be modified. A 60-day suspension of all pending utility deposit increases of existing business and industrial customers was approved by the council.In other business, the council approved allowing Mayor David Mattingly and Chief of Police Kirk Lane to apply for an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant for the purchase of computer equipment for the police department.The eight council members present unanimously approved an ordinance amending the policies and practices for the creation of public information officers for various city departments.According to documents attached to the ordinance, "The Mayor and General Manager of each commission shall designate a Public Information Officer (PIO). The PIO shall review all releases of official information to the public which pertain to the operations or general business of the city or of the commissions. Once the release has been approved, the PIO shall forward the release to the designated recipients. The PIO may be the Mayor, general manager or a designated employee of the city."The Mayor shall also have the authority to designate a separate PIO for the police and/or the fire departments. No other employee or volunteer worker for the city and its commissions shall be authorized to disseminate official information to the public and to do so is a violation of this ordinance. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, releases of information to the news media as well as posting on the Internet."At the conclusion of the meeting, City Attorney Brent Houston announced that a special meeting of the Benton Parks Commission is set for 6 p.m. today at the Gene Moss building in Tyndall Park. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the reinstatement of Executive Director Curtis McCormack, who had been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the operations of the concession stand cash account from 2011.Kitty Smith, a former assistant in the parks department, was terminated as a result of the investigation. Aldermen Frank Baptist and Joe Lee Richards were absent from the meeting.Benton, ARBrent DavisBenton Council approves suspension of increased utility depositsThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4818Change0Usable2012-05-16T17:39:51-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:48002012-05-14T16:17:33-04:002012-05-14T16:17:33-04:00The Saline Courier The event is scheduled Sunday, May 20, at Ebenezer United Methodist Church and will begin at 10 a.m.The first Old Folks Singing took place on the third Sunday in May in 1885.In keeping with an established pattern, singing during the morning segment will come from the original Christian Harmony hymn book.According to Karen Westbrook, a spokesperson for the event, these hymnals have been used since the first Old Folks’ Singing in 1885. The hymnal includes such songs as “Happy Land,” “When I Am Gone,” “Soft Music” and “Angel Band,” which are traditionally sung at Old Folks SingingJeff Westbrook, mayor of Tull, is slated to give the welcome address. The response to the welcome address will be given by Mike Phillips of California.A potluck dinner on the grounds is set for the noon hour and will be followed by additional singing at 1:30 p.m. The hymnal used during the afternoon portion is the Cokesbury, which includes such songs as “Love, Mercy, and Grace,” “The Awakening Chorus,” “The Church in the Wildwood” and “Peace, Peace Be Still.” Westbrook said the afternoon session will include a memorial service for those who died in the past year but who had attended Old Folks Singing at one time.The day will end with prayer and the singing of “God Be with You Till We Meet Again.Westbrook noted that 264 people signed the guest book at the 2011 event.In addition to Arkansas, states represented included Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Tennessee and California. Speaking for residents of the Tull community, Westbrook issued an invitation to everyone to attend Old Folks Singing "and enjoy the singing and fellowship."Westbrook serves as secretary of Old Folks Singing. Other officers are: Richard Tull, president; Wilson DuVall, vice president; Sue Shults, treasurer; and John Victor Burton, chaplain.Additional information about the event is available by contacting Westbrook at 778-6242 or Virgie DuVall at 778-9057.Benton, ARLynda HollenbeckOld Folks Singing set for Sunday in Tull CommunityThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4800Change0Usable2012-05-14T16:17:33-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:47742012-05-10T17:41:31-04:002012-05-10T17:41:31-04:00The Saline CourierElizabeth and Joe Ogden. The couple met in 1969 at the Wesleyan Foundationon the campus of the - then - Arkansas Agricultural and Mechanical Collegein Monticello, where Ogden worked.“I’d come in for a free meal on Sunday nights," Anna muses. “I didn’t havea car, and he offered to give me a ride back home.”“Two weeks after we met, I told her,‘I’m going to marry you',” Ogden says.“I told him, ‘that sounds like a pretty good idea to me,’” Anna laughs.They wed six days after graduation and have been inseparable ever since.Their commitment to one another, faith in Christ, a love for others and ahealthy sense of humor have equipped them to confront Joe’s 16-year journey with cancer.Wearing a blue polo-knit shirt with “Winthrop P. Rockefeller CancerInstitute” monogrammed on the front, Joe explains he has just returnedfrom his weekly trip to Little Rock, where he volunteers as a counselor tonew cancer patients.Not only does Joe have personal experience from which to draw, he hasprofessional credentials to support him in serving the patients.Upon graduating from Arkansas A Social Work at the University of Missouri – Columbia, as well as completedsome post-graduate coursework at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. Hebegan working for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, in 1969, inboth the mental health and youth services divisions, prior to retiring in1999.“I always ask my patients what their biggest fear is,” Joe says. “Death iswhat I hear the most. They’ll ask me, ‘Aren’t you afraid of dying?’ I tellthem no, because I have strong faith.”As Joe begins to share his own experience with cancer, he urges Anna tojoin the discussion.“You’re the caregiver; you are more important than me," he says. Besides, I forget some things, but I have an excuse. I have chemo-brain,” he says smiling.“No, you were that way a long time ago,” Anna retorts."I'm sympathetic to caregivers. A lot of tears have been shed on her part," he explains. "I tell the patients that I counsel, 'If you're an inpatient, don't complain. Yes, you may be poked and prodded, but you can push a button if you need help. Caregivers come home to an empty house and uncertainty," he says."So much was hitting us in the face at once," Anna says. "I would go in the closet and cry." The Ogden's children, Kim and Kyle, were young adults at the time."If Kim so much as had a cold, she would not come by the house," Anna said. "They were very protective of us."Prior to Joe’s cancer diagnosis, the couple would run 5Ks together. Joeconsidered dropping out of a race in Hope, Ark., due to excruciating backpain, but Anna - who had polio as a child and spent three months in aniron lung and six months lying flat on her back – was not one to acceptexcuses or defeat. She encouraged him to participate.“I ended up winning second place in my age division,” he says. “Anna’s myhero.”The pain continued, increasing in severity. Joe vividly recalls having to set down his luggage, his back ached so badly, when was returning from a conference in Overland Park, Kansas.“It was Nov. 6, 1996,” Anna says, “I woke up at 3 a.m. to a blood-curdlingscream.”Unable to move, Joe was transported to the emergency room at SalineMemorial Hospital. A radiologist said he had multiple myeloma, cancer ofthe plasma cells in bone marrow.Two days later, Joe was admitted to the Arkansas Cancer Research Center(currently, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute), where testsconfirmed the diagnosis of Stage 2 Multiple Myeloma. He also learned hehad sustained a broken back from a tumor on his L-1 vertebrae.“I was initially told I had five years to live and that I would have towear a back brace and use a walker the rest of my life,” Joe says.The doctor said that Joe, at only 57, would be a viable candidate for abone marrow transplant. Joe’s sole sibling, a brother – Sydney, took ablood test to check compatibility. He was not a match, however, physicians said they could use Joe's own stem cells.Anna began keeping a journal.On Friday, Nov. 19, 1996, she wrote: We entered ACRC for the first time,and Joe was barely able to walk. We entered the waiting room and felt likelepers. The feeling we both had - at this moment – will always be with us.There was a young boy, about 15 years, who was undergoing treatment forleukemia. Joe began to weep, saying he is just a kid, and I have had a goodlife. He said it hurts me to see children with cancer.There was no room in the myeloma unit; therefore, Joe was admitted to the nephrology floor to begin chemotherapy.With a broken back and muscle spasms, the pain was so great that Joe wasunable to feed himself, and he required a steady supply of morphine.Thanksgiving day 1996, Day 2 of chemo: I know I was hard to be around attimes, but I had never faced anything like this with a loved one,especially my best friend in the whole wide world … It is so hard to watchsomeone you love suffer, hurt and not be able to put a band-aid on it andmake it all well … God is with us always. This is a Thanksgiving we won’tever forget.Joe’s most poignant memory is of the man who shared the semi-private roomwith him at ACRC.“We noticed my roommate would take his kidney meds then leave at night.He’d return each morning in time for breakfast. As it turned out, he washomeless. On the day I was to leave, I notice this homeless guy was on hisknees praying for me,” Joe recalls, pausing to compose himself. “Here’ssomething – I was being prayed for by someone who had lost everything.”Minutes later, Joe was to receive another blessing.When he pulled into his driveway, he was greeted by friends from church.“They were mowing the yard, cleaning gutters, cleaning the house, and theyhad even brought us a Christmas tree – already decorated,” he shares.“Seeing them inspired me. I went into the bathroom and made up my mind Iwould remove the back brace and walker. I began practicing and eventuallyresumed normal ambulation.”December 1996: He wanted me to take him to Cherry’s Hallmark in Benton sothat he could try to go in and buy me a Christmas present himself. I feltso sorry for him. He could hardly get in and out of the Honda, but hewanted to buy me something himself. I will always remember the sweatshirtthat he gave me, it said to follow your dreams. It meant so much to me onChristmas morning.In May of 1997, on Anna’s 50th birthday, Joe received his first stem celltransplant at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. It wasautologous, meaning the doctors were able to use Joe’s own stem cells.Joe breaks into a grin, as he remembers that day. His brother hadaccompanied them to the hospital. “Sydney was pushing me in a wheelchair. We stopped on a hill, and he forgot to set the brake. I began rolling. I asked, ‘You trying to kill me?’”Joe received a second autologous stem cell transplant in September of1997. One month later, tumor markers (blood work) indicated he was inremission. He was put on maintenance treatment which involved taking steroids and thalidomide.Joe recalls a grocery shopping outing to Kroger in which he was denied hissenior citizen discount.“The steroids puff your face out; they hide the wrinkles,” he says. “Thecashier wasn’t going to give me the discount. The store manager came over,and."“They gave the senior citizen discount to me!” Anna interjects. “He’seight-and-a-half-years older than me!”October 28, 1997: We went to see the doctor for our three week check upthe doctor said you are in complete remission. We were elated to say theleast. We longed and prayed for this day to come. Just to hear those wordswas a wonderful experience.Though Joe was in remission, he encountered other health issues. In 1998 hewas diagnosed with shingles, and in 1999 he had to have a kidney stentsurgically inserted. Joe also had to have surgery at Arkansas HeartHospital after having an abdominal aortic aneurysm in 1999.With a weak immune system, Joe had several cases of pneumonia over the months.In over to boost his immunity, staff infused him with immune gamma globulins. He had an adverse reaction to the IGGs and coded."They revived him and kept hymn the hospital for observation," Anna says.Still on the maintenance treatment plan, Joe was on a mission to helpothers. He completed Community of Hope training and was commissioned as aChaplain by the Episcopal Church in 2001.In 2003, he facilitated the Community of Hope chaplain training at theFirst United Methodist Church of Bryant.From 2003 to 2005, Joe remained in remission with no medication.However, tumor markers spiked in 2005, and Joe was declared out ofremission, which required him to resume Thalidomide and Velcade.That same year, Sydney Ogden was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer– stage 4; he died of the disease five years later in May of 2010.From 2005 until 2009 Joe was once again declared in remission, but was kepton maintenance medication as a precaution.“I wasn’t satisfied with one cancer,” says Joe.In February of 2009, he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) – Stage4. Surgery for a partial resection of the lower colon was conducted,followed by 25 radiation treatments that April.“When I learned I had the colorectal cancer, I just saw it as another bumpin the road. It is fine just as long as it doesn’t become a pot hole,” Joesays.In June of 2010, however, 25 percent of Joe’s liver had to be resectedbecause the CRC had metastasized.“I tell patients that if you have pain, you know you’re still alive,” Joeadds.A surgical biopsy of the lungs in September of 2011 revealed the CRC hadmetastacized to both lungs as well. Bi-weekly infusions of Fluorouracilwere administered immediately. Currently the tumorous nodules on the lungs are stabilized.“I am off everything now but thalidomide - a maintenance plan for myeloma,”Joe says.“It is $5600 per 28 capsules,” Anna adds. “Thank goodness for AFLAC andinsurance. I encourage all my friends to get a cancer policy. It is notthat expensive, and it is a real blessing.”Joe suffers from neuropathy, where he experiences numbness or loss offeeling in his hands and feet, but he says his fine motor skills are good.“I can still button a shirt. It’s taught me patience, and that’s sayingsomething,” he says.“Patients who are newly-diagnosed have hope when they see Joe who has beenfighting cancer for 16 years,” Anna says."While cancer is a terrible disease, having cancer brings out the best inpeople who try to help you. They love you, and they have a need to help you as part of being obedient in their faith," Joe explains."Cancer has changed my life; it has been kind of like a friend that has moved me from being religious to spiritual. There is a difference. It's not just going through the motions; it gets deeper."Joe Ogden will be speaking at the Luminaria Ceremony to begin at 9 p.m. as part of Saline County's Relay for Life at Bishop Park Friday.“I’m glad to get back to Relay for Life,” he said.Benton, ARTammy ShawOgden encourages cancer patients to fight backThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4774Change0Usable2012-05-10T17:41:31-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:47692012-05-09T16:10:36-04:002012-05-09T16:10:36-04:00The Saline CourierThe family of Daniel Bruce Eakin — would who be 59-years-old today — has been notified and no foul play is suspected at this time, according to the Saline County Sheriff's Office. Eakin was reported missing on July 17, 2007 from El Dorado. According to the North American Missing Person's Network, www.nampn.org, Eakin told his sister that he was going camping in the Ouachita National Forest and left in his 1991 Ford Ranger truck. On July 17, 2007, the sister reportedly found a letter from Eakin in which he told his family goodbye and instructed the sister what to do with his belongings. Eakins truck was later found on Fire Road 132 in Perry County. The website also said that Eakin previously made comments to family about taking his own life.Reportedly a note was also found in the truck urging family "not to look for him." On Dec. 15, 2011, human remains were found in the National Forest off Arkansas Highway 9 in Paron on Dec. 15. Det. Ron Parsons said the area was "very remote" and there was also remains of a campsite along with the human remains discovered. Parsons said no weapon was found in the area, but they found a backpack with the remains of a tent, clothing and ammunition. He said the area where the remains were found "had flooded several times" since 2007 and that most of the items had likely "washed away." After the discover on Dec. 15, 2011, the Sheriff's Office sent the human remains to the Arkansas State Crime Lab for DNA processing to make identification. Parsons told The Saline Courier on Monday that the remains were identified as Eakin, but waited until the family was notified before releasing the information to the public. Benton, ARMatt BurksRemains identified as man from El DoradoThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4769Change0Usable2012-05-09T16:10:36-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:47682012-05-14T18:13:03-04:002012-05-09T15:59:38-04:00The Saline CourierSome participants will walk in support of someone struggling with cancer, others in memory of those who have fought the deadly disease and died, as well as those who join the cause in celebration of loved ones who have won the battle.Cancer is the one disease that affects every human – whether directly or indirectly, and there is still time to get involved. With events planned for the entire family at Bishop Park, members of the community can be a part of the team to support cancer research without being on a relay team, as each team will have a fundraiser at its campsite.The annual silent auction will begin at 7 p.m., and according to Everett Pontiac Buick GMC Relay Team members Carrie Pope and Fran Steinhart, auction committee co-chairs, the event has something for everyone, at a variety of price ranges.“We have at least $15,000 worth – retail value – of items donated this year,” Pope said. “We also have priceless items such as autographed jerseys from Cliff Lee and Travis Wood, a signed baseball from Nolan Ryan, a basketball from Mike Anderson, and an autographed football from Bobby Petrino.”Other items include: a 42” LED TV, jewelry, artwork, a variety of themed baskets donated by local merchants, guided fishing trips, movie passes, a Kindle and Kindle Fire, and a Willie D’s VIP party for 8, to name a few.“We have items for men, women, children and families, at every price range,” Pope said.The silent auction will close at 8 p.m. As of press time, the following relay teams had submitted their fundraisers:•Avilla Baptist Church – carnival games•Bryant Elementary School – bracelets•Baxley-Penfield-Moudy Realtors – raffle Razorback scentsy warmer; kick ball tournament•Bryant Varsity Dance Team – baked goods•David’s Dreamers – caricature drawings•Everett – bounce house and rock climbing wall, popcorn, soft drinks•Fearless for Cody – cookies•Hope Soldiers – HOPE bracelets•Pop’s 6-pack – face painting and cake balls•Sardis United Methodist Church – food•Summit Sparklers – pickles•Team Pepaw – drinks•The Bearded Ladies – pancakes•The Bearded Men – t-shirts•The Committee Clowns – taco bar•The Entertainers – burritos and cake pops•The Pine Knots – pine knot necklacesThe Relay for Life drive began April 28 with county and city officials declaring the date "Paint the Town Purple." The proclamation encouraged local businesses and individuals to decorate with purple in support of the American Cancer Society's Relay.The survivor dinner, also held on April 28, was a time to celebrate survivors and their caregivers.Friday’s Relay schedule is as follows:•5:30 – 6 p.m. - Team Captains visit registration tent; Survivors •6 – 8:30 p.m. - Luminaria Sales•6:30 p.m. - Opening Ceremony at the main stage•6:50 p.m. - Survivor •7 p.m. - Live Entertainment; Silent Auction begins•8:30 p.m. - Silent Auction Ends•9 p.m. - Luminaria Ceremony•9:45 p.m. - Fight Back Ceremony at the main stage•10 p.m. - Mr. Relay•12 a.m. - Zumba•1 – 4:30 a.m. - Various Games •5 a.m. - Wake up stretches•5:30 a.m. - Hope Has No Curfew•6 a.m. - Closing CeremonyFor more information call Renee Taggart at 501-529-3839 or visit the Relay for Life of Saline County webpage, www.relayforlife.org/salinear. Additionally, Relay for Life of Saline County is on Facebook. People can register for the event on the website.Benton, ARTammy ShawRelay for Life set for FridayThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4768Change0Usable2012-05-09T15:59:38-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:47612012-05-07T16:54:52-04:002012-05-07T16:54:52-04:00The Saline CourierAccording to Donna Peters, math teacher and coach, the contest is an elementary math problem-solving contest held twice a year.Peters said 12,630 young students, representing 649 teams across the country, participated in the spring contest.  "The purpose of participating in the contest is to stimulate our students’ interest in math and to inspire them to excel in math," Peters said. "The contest results show that our students can rise to the occasion and can meet the challenge. It also demonstrates our students’ great math skills and talents."Jade won the National Honor Roll title, awarded only to the top 10 percent of participating students in the country. "Jade was very pleased. She blushes, smiles and nods when accolades come her way, but where others would react loudly, she just blushes and smiles," Peters said.The Noetic contest is nationally-based in Overland Park, Kan. Peters said she downloaded practice papers for her team, Peters' Patriots, to use prior to the actual competition."Each competing team has one opportunity to score well. The teachers post results, the Noetic organizers compile and publish the results, and the results were presented to us on May 1," she said.Peters' entire class — minus one absent student — competed in the voluntary, challenging contest on April 12."There were 20 written math problems to be finished in 45 minutes. No calculators or manipulatives were allowed," she said.Peters has maintained a rigorous practice schedule since August."I kept a class practice going all year with Math Olympiadproblems copied from two practice books," she said. "Students could work on them at school or at home, had to show all their work, and got stars on their papers until they finally got all five problems on the page done correctly. Then the student got to pick a prize from the 'jar'."With no prior screening or pre-qualification, the contest was not limited to GT identified students. Peters said her class was just eager to compete."I am very proud of Jade and the team, not just for this win, but for the voracity that five of my students have held all year for high-level math competition. This entire year has been a joy for me, just being part of this amazing team, Peters' Patriots. I am looking forward to next year already," Peters added.Benton, ARTammy ShawDavis Elementary student wins prestigious national math awardThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4761Change0Usable2012-05-07T16:54:52-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:47602012-05-07T16:50:35-04:002012-05-07T16:44:51-04:00The Saline CourierThe building now serves as a polling site with its upkeep overseen by the Avilla Extension Homemakers Club, which sponsored the event.According to Saline County Justice of the Peace Barbara Howell, the fundraiser was a "tremendous success," exceeding expectations by bringing in more than $3,000 that will help keep the facility in use for many years to come."Everyone that came said they had a wonderful time," said Howell, one of the organizers of the event."The building is such a heartwarming place to even visit," Howell said. "Displayed on the front row was a recitation bench that the students used to recite their homework back in the mid-1930s. "Many area residents came to visit and support the building," she said.Among those attending the event were 20 politicians, many of whom brought desserts to be auctioned.Cakes and pies were sold at premium prices in this setting under the glib "auction-speak" of John Saugey, known for his auctioneering talents throughout the Central Arkansas area.She noted that one cake, which was auctioned twice, brought in a total of $625. U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin, R-Arkansas, initially purchased the cake for $400, then returned it to the auction items. The second time around, it brought in another $225 for the project"The cake was a creation of Frances West, who is known for baking her five-layered coconut cake for the event," Howell said."Two years ago, the cake sold for $250, but West outdid herself this time," Howell said. "Frances was so overwhelmed that she cried."Howell pointed out that funds are needed continually for the building's upkeep."Since it is over 100 years old, something is always need of repair," she noted.At the recent event, the group was raising money to pay for general upkeep and roof repairs on the building.Many people were involved in preparations for the event, Howell said. She noted that Dawn and Jeremy Hammonds repaired a walkway and repainted it preceding the event, Howell said."And April Burchfield came to the rescue and mowed the yard a day before the event," she said.Approximately 100 people attended, Howell said."A lot of people enjoy seeing the building," Howell said. "It's a nostalgic experience for many people of the area."She noted that the building is open by appointment by calling her at 681-7577."If anyone ever wants to help with the building, they also should call me," she added.The next event at the center will be on May 22 when it will serve as a poling site in the preferential primary election. "Then it will be used again next November for the general election," she said.Avilla Extension Homemakers Club members who helped with the event were Frances West; LaVerne Massey who made a quilt that was raffled and won by Lucy Murray; April Burchfield, Dawn Hammonds, Pam Lawhon, Linda Murray, Karen Watkins, Billy and Teresa Ellis, Peggy Hudson, Myra Pritchett, the treasurer of the group, and her husband, Bud Pritchett; and Howell."Many others sent desserts," she added. "And Nancy and Steve Carlton of Salem Pharmacy donated patriotic jewelry that was auctioned off. A quilt was made by LaVerne Massey and Lucy Murray won the quilt.Howell expressed appreciation to everyone who helped with the event.Benton, ARLynda HollenbeckPolitical talk, culinary delights at Avilla Community Center fundraiserThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4760Change0Usable2012-05-07T16:44:51-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:47592012-05-07T16:18:03-04:002012-05-07T16:18:03-04:00The Saline CourierDr. Hollenbeck died Friday at Saline Memorial Hospice House, following a brief stay at Arkansas Heart Hospital. He had recently celebrated his 82nd birthday.The retired minister had served numerous Cumberland Presbyterian and United Methodist congregations in Arkansas. His final pastorate was at the Cumberland Presbyterian Fellowship in Bryant, where he continued to be active as much as his health permitted.Son Allen Campbell of Little Rock called Hollenbeck a "caring, loving and inspiring father" who motivated and encouraged all of his children to "do more and to do better.""He was a teacher in all that he did," Campbell said. "No matter the situation, he was concerned for you and had pearls of wisdom and a remarkable dry sense of humor.  He always ended conversations with 'I love you,' and that is probably why I never get off the phone with my wife or son without doing the same thing.  I strive every day to be as good a father to my son as Ed was to me."Another son, Paul Campbell of Portland, Ore., reflected on Hollenbeck's "kindness, intelligence and incredible patience.""He didn't insist you see it his way ... even when he knew you were wrong... he would quietly let you figure it out on your own, or more likely let you determine that you needed his help. Even though he could have easily said 'I told you so' or 'you didn't have to do it the hard way if you had listened to me,' he never did. We both knew the lesson without revisiting it. It is something that I've tried to learn to do in my own life."Most of all, he was my dad, my father, my friend," Campbell said. He added that he has tried to emulate Hollenbeck's patience in his relationship with his own son and to "remember what he would do in a similar situation.""For me, he will never really be gone. There will always be part of him in me and my life. To paraphrase someone more clever with words than I, I'm going to try very hard to not be sad that Ed is gone ... I'm going to try very hard to be glad that Ed happened in my life."Daughter Kathy Allen of Russellville said she was "blessed with an amazing dad. When I think of him, I will feel his unconditional love. He was nonjudgmental and accepting of others. His ability to focus on the positive and be grateful in all situations was incredible."His sense of humor was remarkable," Allen said. "He always had a positive word. His positive influence will continue into prosperity. One of the last things he told me was, 'Thanks for being you.' I feel the same way. Thanks, Dad, for being you."Daughter Karen Brannnon of Benton also spoke of Hollenbeck's kind nature. "If I had to think of a way to describe Ed, it would be 'a kind-hearted, caring man.' I never felt like a stepdaughter. He was my dad. He was always there when I needed him. He walked me down the aisle on my wedding day and then performed the ceremony."He was the light of my children's eyes," Brannon added. "I have great memories of him singing silly songs with them, usually ones he made up. I will miss him."Dr. David Stewart, who was Hollenbeck's physician for nearly three decades and also a family friend, called Hollenbeck "a great man.""It was an honor to have had the privilege of being his doctor," he said.Saline County Clerk Freddy Burton and wife Brenda recently reflected on the positive influence Hollenbeck had on them as a young married couple."He was such a positive, encouraging minister," Freddy Burton said."And he was one of the best preachers I ever heard," Brenda Burton commented.Before Hollenbeck's passing, Benton businessman Lib Carlisle, in expressing his concern to the family, noted that Hollenbeck was widely respected in the community."Everybody liked Ed," Carlisle said. "Ed was just everybody's friend."Hollenbeck's wife, Courier senior editor Lynda Hollenbeck, said one of the things her husband was most proud of was that "all of the six children we shared received a college education.""Education was extremely important to him and he never tired of learning," she said. "Books were treasures, as anyone who ever walked into his office can tell you. It was the equivalent of an annex to a public library."Lynda said Ed was pleased with the service he was able to give at many churches, but also felt he made a significant contribution to the local community when, as executive director of the Benton Public Housing Authority, he was able to obtain federal funding to construct and develop Whispering Pines, a 77-unit housing complex for elderly and handicapped families."This was a wonderful project that was so needed and has continued to help so many people," Dr. Hollenbeck said recently.A celebration of his life will take place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church in Benton with Dr. George Estes and the Rev. Skip Shanley officiating. Dr. George Hollenbeck will give the eulogy.A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Cotton Plant Memorial Cemetery in Cotton Plant (Woodruff County).Serving as pallbearers are Dr. David Stewart, Shannon Moss, Ron Kettles, Freddy Burton, Michael Nickerson, Doyle Webb, Tommy Harris and Richard Hughes.Visitation is set from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ashby Funeral Home.Memorials may be made to the Cumberland Presbyterian Fellowship, 2754 Mountain View Road, Benton, AR 72019; Royal Players, P.O. Box 1743, Benton, AR 72018; or Humane Society of Saline County, P.O. Box 305, Benton, AR 72018.Benton, ARCourier StaffRetired minister, former housing director, dies at 82The Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4759Change0Usable2012-05-07T16:18:03-04:00 urn:publicid:dailypress.com:47332012-05-05T13:02:27-04:002012-05-05T12:49:31-04:00The Saline CourierWith co-worker and friend Coach Jon Watson by his side, Harrell struggled at times to hold back the tears. After 52 years of living, the man that has dedicated his life to mentoring youth — both as a sports coach and administrator for the Bauxite School District — was told that his body, which began aching severely recently, is dying. On days that the stage IV prostate cancer becomes too much to bear, he understands the hard decision he made and why he picked up and packed with his belongings the paper weight on the desk that reads, "The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender."Harrell has faced adversity before, but this time, this disease he fights is proving to be the most difficult challenge. It has forced him to make heart-wrenching decisions. As he leaned back in the chair, often fighting off tears, Harrell told The Saline Courier why he chose to wave goodbye to the Bauxite Middle School; a place in which he was instrumental on establishing and setting administrative roots."I just can't put in the time this job requires anymore," he said. "I've missed more days of work this year than I have in my entire career. If you add 23 years up, I haven't missed that many days. You just can't do this job missing work this much. It's not fair to the people here."The Man That Got Into The Head Of A LegendBorn across "the river" — the State of Mississippi specifically — Harrell said he was actually raised a few miles west of the Mississippi River in Vidalia, La. Like many boys growing up in the south, the young Harrell had a strong passion for sports, particularly basketball, baseball and football. Though he said "I wasn't a great athlete" his high school football coaches felt confident enough to place him in two positions, as a linebacker on the defense and tight end on the offense. After graduating from Vidalia High School in 1978, Harrell was given an offer he couldn't refuse. Coach Ralph "Sporty" Carpenter, who was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, recruited Harrell to play outside linebacker at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Ark. "I didn't get to play very much. I wasn't a great athlete, but it was an opportunity for me to play college under the tutelage of a real good coach," Harrell said. "I enjoyed the time I was there. A highlight of my life was those four years that I spent at Henderson."Harrell though made such an impression on Coach Carpenter that his name is mentioned in the George Baker Jr. book "When Lightning Struck The Outhouse: A Tribute To A Great Coach" as a person the legendary coach admired. After graduating from HSU in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and a minor in social sciences (and later a Masters degree in Educational Leadership), Harrell got his first coaching opportunity in El Dorado as a Junior High football coach. He then headed west and spent several years in Texas, working as a coach in Longview, Henderson, Pine Tree and Mansfield. He made his way back to the Natural State, with coaching stints in De Witt and Bismarck school districts. It was a game against the undefeated Bauxite High School Miner football where Harrell set the mark on his future. "Al (Harrell) was the only coach that ever got in my head," Watson admitted. "You know we ended up going 11 (wins) and 1 (loss) that year when Coach Harrell brought his Bismarck team down here."Harrell was the defensive coordinator for Bismarck and Watson said "every time" he made an offensive call Harrell was prepared. Watson admitted to being stumped."(Harrell) had that defense set for every play perfectly," he said. "I would switch things up and set the next play, but he had an answer for everything we tried to do. He was the only coach that frustrated me on the sidelines. I knew that if I ever had a chance that (Harrell) was the guy that I wanted to coach Bauxite's defense."Even years later, the two coaches rib each other about there battle on the football field. Harrell said "I lucked up" on the victory over the mighty Miners, but Watson also reminded him that he "lucked up" the next year and pulled out a victory of his own by "doing the exact opposite of every play the previous year."And Watson got his wish, as well as Harrell got his wish — Bauxite hired a new defensive coordinator/assistant high school football coach in 1998. Harrell also coached football and track for the Junior Miners. With his wife Tammy and children at his side, life was good, Harrell said."For a football coach, this place was a gold mine," he said of Bauxite. "You knew week in and week out you were going to win. It was one of those situations when you knew when you got it, you didn't want to leave. Only a fool would leave because you aren't going to find many better jobs anywhere else for coaching (high school) football."He added, "I've had more fun coaching football here than anywhere else I've ever been. Of course we were more successful here and that has a lot to do with it too."Watson said that Harrell is also the "hardest working man he's every been around." "Hard nosed, hardest working, get the job done and enjoy the success when the job is done, and give credit to the kids that made you successful. That is the type of coach he was," he said of Harrell. "And he never complained about how much time he put in, and he put in more time as a coach and administrator than anyone I know. Up against Coach Harrell, I'm lazy. He worked a lot harder than me and still works harder than me."After six years as the assistant football coach, Harrell was promoted to athletic director. Watson said that Superintendent Fred Dawson "wouldn't have hired anyone else to do it better than Coach Harrell." And in the summer of 2010, Bauxite had it's first Middle School facility and quickly named Harrell as principal.The Great Leader"Boy, you talk about a great two years. All the success that we had in football, doesn't really compare to how much I've grown and how rewarding it has been for me working with him the last two years here," a teary-eyed Coach Watson said about Harrell. "Working with him has been the best. I've learned so much."Watson, the Bauxite School District Dean of Students who is regarded as one of the most respected football coaches in all of Arkansas, has heroes and people he admires too. And he isn't shy about his showing his respect for Harrell. The man that can intimate just about anyone with just the look in his eyes isn't afraid to let a few tears stream from them when talking about the co-worker he longs to have a friendship with outside of school grounds. "Al (Harrell) came in this middle school and laid this foundation," Watson said. "All he has ever asked of anybody is to come to work on time, do your job as best you can, and when he walks by classroom, he wants to see a conversation between that teacher and the students, where information is being exchanged. And that they care first and foremost about our kids education and well being."He added, "(Harrell) established the work ethic of what he expected from the staff and the kids. I've just been riding his coattails. And that is the truth."Watson went on to say that one of the greatest attributes of Harrell is that when children were under his care, "You knew they were going to come back (home) better than you left them." He said despite that both he and Harrell are known for being tough, he said "it doesn't mean we were being mean or unfair" but rather pushed the youth to be successful. Watson said the students they mentored "come back later and appreciate the work ethic that Coach Harrell gave them.""The funnest thing in the world is when you take a group of kids who aren't very good, and aren't very talented but they'll listen," Harrell said. "They'll do what you tell them to do and work extremely hard, and then they are able to overcome the things they aren't very good at and have success. The world opens up for them."He added, "I hope we got the point across of what we want done. We want kids to be successful. They want to win, but they can't win unless they have somebody that loves them and wants to work to help make them successful."Harrell means success academically, not just success in sports, he explained. He said when he got the job as Middle School principal, his immediate focus was finding ways for students to improve state and national test scores. Harrell admitted that he also put "a lot of pressure" on the teachers, and though the scores were good in certain areas, he still wants to see scores improve. It is that never stop attitude that made Harrell successful and he has always wanted others to find their own success as well, he said.Fighting The DiseaseAfter many days and months of increasing pain in his body, Harrell was told things by doctors that would rock his family to the core. It was July 6, 2011."I've got phase IV prostate cancer. It's metastasized into my bones and it is where the pain comes from," Harrell said. "That's what we are fighting right now. That's why I am having to retire."Harrell is taking treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. He said the first medicine he was placed on only helped him for about three months "and then it stopped working." Another medicine only worked for a month. He is now starting a third medicine with "hope that it will work.""It's a process that we go through and hopefully the medication I'm on now will continue to fight the disease," Harrell said. "If it doesn't we'll go to another medication. And we keep going. I will eventually end up on chemotherapy, that's waiting down the line. I just do what the doctors tell me to do, that's all I know. And I pray a whole lot."If that isn't horrible news in itself, Harrell has been told devastating news. "The doctor told me I have about two more years. It could be longer, it could be a little less, we don't know," Harrell said. "The hardest times in my life right now is when I am sleeping and I hear my wife crying. I reach over and I hold her. And that is when I pray the hardest. When there is nothing else I can do, I just turn it over to the Lord. That's where I find my strength. And then she'll fall asleep."It is in these moments Harrell fully understands about having "somebody that loves" him and who wants to work to help him be successful." He said it is faith that carries him through each and every day.Transition And FaithCoach Harrell may be leaving behind the building where he mentored students, but he isn't stopping his mentoring skills by any means. His lßife just took a transition into a new realm of possibilities.Harrell said that before "I got sick last summer" a church he was attending in the small community of Lono suddenly was without a pastor to lead them. After speaking with a few church members, Harrell stepped up and offered his services for a small circuit of churches that were without pastors — in Carthage, Tulip, Waverly, and Lono."They are so small that in order to keep the doors of the churches open, the congregation rotates from one church to the next," Harrell explained. "I've been pastoring every since last spring. I thought that I would eventually get into it, and I am not an ordained minister, but the churches started having problems getting pastors to take them. They allowed me to preach and I continue to do that today."Just as soon as he started his ministry, Harrell got sick. He said though he thought "everything was going right" when he was told about the prostate cancer it was like "you feel good about where you are at and then boom, it hits." But instead of losing his religion, he pulled it closer.Harrell said that by October, he will be officially ordained. Besides preaching in the circuit of churches, he will also marry his niece and he has hopes to baptize people, particularly a certain unnamed "little boy at Bauxite."He also said that his wife Tammy is retiring in July from the Arkansas Department of Education. She is also expected to be officially ordained soon as well.Waving Goodbye To Bauxite And Continuing The Good Fight"I've been to a lot of places, and by far this is the best school district I've ever been in," Harrell said before exiting the doors of the Bauxite Middle School as an administrator on May 1. "It's because of the people that send their kids here. It's because of the faculty. It's because of the strong leadership. I know this is an excellent, safe place to send your children."He added, "You always look back and hope that you have been a positive influence on everyone. My one regret is that I used to chew tobacco and I hope I didn't lead anybody into (using) that. And sometimes I treated some kids pretty tough, and I hope they can understand that we pushed them to help them."In retirement, Harrell said there are no plans to travel. He prefers the comforts of home and being near his grandchildren that he wants "to watch" grow up. Watson, though, said he plans to take Harrell on a fishing trip.Harrell said that Watson and former Superintendent Dawson were "the two people instrumental in my career. If they weren't here and confident in me, I wouldn't have been able to move up in my career." He sheds another tear as he also thanked a young girl that he heard stood up in a Little Rock church and asked the congregation to pray "for her principal."Before he waved goodbye to the Bauxite Middle School, Harrell said that if there is any person reading this story that is dealing with similar medical conditions as he, he wants to share these words:"Doctors say I am dying, but that is OK. I am going to be OK one way or the other. If I beat this thing and live another ten years I'm OK. If I die tomorrow, I'm going to be OK," he said. "I have the utmost confidence in that and it is because of my relationship with Christ. I want to be able to introduce people to a relationship like that. There's something better out there and you're going to find it in Christ."He added, "The only thing I can tell you is that you can't do anything about it. You have to turn it over to a greater power, and that is Jesus Christ. The power of prayer is all we've got. You think you have control of everything, but the only thing you've got is your relationship with Christ. If you don't have that, if it's not there, then it's going to be hard to figure out what makes you happy."Benton, ARMatt BurksCancer Forces Bauxite Principal To Retire; Doctors Say Harrell Is DyingThe Saline Courierurn:publicid:dailypress.com:4733Change0Usable2012-05-05T12:49:31-04:00