By JOHN NELSONTailgate News Editor

The Gurdon Class of 2020will be given a graduation cere-mony in July, or at least that isthe plan as of this week.

Superintendent AllenBlackwell said officials with theArkansas Department ofEducation, along with recommen-dations by Gov. Asa Hutchinson,have determined that 7 p.m. onFriday, July 24 in the CabeAuditorium on the GHS campuswill be the time and place forgraduating seniors, family andfriends to come together at a timewhen all can participate in a safe

environment in regard to CoronaVirus danger.

Blackwell wrote the followingletter to seniors, praising theiraccomplishments as Go-Devilsand apologizing for some of thetraditional events of their senioryear being deleted to protectthem from the virus epidemic andgive them a better chance to stayhealthy as they start their futuresafter high school.

Seniors, 2020; To the graduating Class of

2020. As your superintendent, it

has been very hard to watch your

senior year turned upside down.

Not only has your routine of

coming to school every school

day with your friends ended, you

have also missed out on partici-

pating in baseball, track, soccer,

softball and attending your Senior

Prom.

Sometimes in life, we learn a

hard lesson and things do not

seem fair.

You have a choice in how

you handle these adversities that

are thrown your way. How you

respond shows the strength of

your character and integrity.

I believe in all of you and

know that you will come out

stronger when this is over.

A Nelson Publication accepting news from: GURDON, MALVERN, Arkadelphia, Prescott, Hot Springs, Bismarck, Fountain Lake, Haskell,

Glen Rose, Magnet Cove, Bryant and Benton. We are a magazine covering community progress, Christian testimonies and sports highlights. Online “Current issue”

every Friday on dash. Check out our archives since going digital in April of 2012. See “Oldies” on dash. PDFS, past and present, free to copy. Enjoy the read.

YEAR 14: 2020 ISSUE: MONTHLY, MAY 4, 2020 VOL. 7 12 Pages

FirstIssue:May

2007

The Southern Arkansas

TAILGATE NEWS

FREE

Poetry: Out in the Middle of Nowhere; P-4

Gurdon

honors Class

of 2020; P-11

GATE INDEXMaking a DifferenceIN GOD WE TRUST

Happy Easter!

JOHN’S SERMONA second chance

is the Lord’s stock and trade

Page 3

School Boardto choose

SuperintendentGurdon School Board to

interview top 8 contestantsfor new superintendent

Page 5

Mayor notesstorm damage,

dry weather soonMayor Kelley says

Henrndon-Fuqua amongtree damage victims

Page 6

Rose HedgeCemetery dues apply

to mowing costsGurdon office worker

notes cemetery mowing,record keeping, markers

Page 8

Easter storm killslights many places

185,000 lose power; P-9

Obituaries:Clift, Oller, Moore; Pg. 10

Classifieds; Page 11

Ph: (870) 353-8201;Leave Voice Mail! Email:

tailgatenewskid77@gmail.com;Address: John Nelson, editor:

216 N. 16th Street, Arkadelphia,AR 71923 (Continued on Page 2)

(Continued on Page 2)

Stuck In OkolonaEbenezer Cemetery visit

means mud bath for reporter

STUCK IN OKOLONA - Vance McCauley, retired firefighter and

Okolona resident, attempts to get editor John Nelson, yours truly, out

of the mud on Tuesday evening , April 7. It took McCauley and a larg-

er tractor owned by his brother-in-law for all concerned to escape the

tree root mud hole near Ebenezer Cemetery. (John Nelson photo)

By JOHN NELSONTailgate News Editor

It was a Tuesday afternoon. I was done selling but something oneof my son’s co-workers said was bugging me.

Mr. Johnny Vancamp, a Gurdon body shop man, or at least that ishow I know the guy, told me there was a cemetery out Okolona waythat had been ran over by a log truck, a fence dragged and stonespulled over. He asked me to do a story.

I said I would do my best. Well, I never found the evidence I waslooking to photograph but I did have a great day meeting VanceMcCauley, a retired firefighter who grew up in that area and movedback when his teacher wife and him both opted for the retiree lifestyle.

They are really nice people. But without further ado, here is whathappened. I took off for what I believed was the cemetery area thatJohnny Vancamp was upset about. I found my Davidson Campgroundand then began to back track where I thought he had said the ceme-tery in question would be.

Well, that is when I saw the Ebenezer Cemetery sign, proclaiming

Corona Virus scare can not stop Gurdon honor!

The Gurdon Go-Devils Class of 2020 will graduate on July 24

VALEDICTORIAN - Rachel

Ledbetter is the 2019 Gurdon

High School Valedictorian.

Congratulations again to our top

senior from last year.

Every senior at Gurdon High

School is very important and we

are proud of your accomplish-

ments throughout your career as

a Go-Devil.

We will be honoring all of you

in the weeks to come. We miss

you and wish you nothing but the

best as you transition to the next

chapter of your life.

We are moving forward with

graduation plans by following the

guidelines from the Division of

Elementary and Secondary

Education and the Governor’s

Office as of April 17, 2020.

Graduation has been moved

to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 24 in the

Charles and Anita Cabe

Auditorium on the GHS campus.

We are making the best of

this tough situation, but we still

want to honor you in a traditional

ceremony where all of your family

and friends will be able to come

and watch each and every senior

walk across that great stage as

an alumni of Gurdon High School,

sincerely, Allen Blackwell, super-

intendent.

Blackwell said if anyonewants early updates on changesbetween now and the projectedgraduation date, they can call hisoffice at: (870) 353-4454.

THE TAILGATE NEWS, southernarkansastailgatenews.com * MAY 4, 20202

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Stuck next to Ebenezer Cemetery

prompts lonely walk near Okolona

GURDON HOME DISASTER - This mobile home, at 7th Street and Maple in Gurdon, was destroyed by

a huge tree falling through its middle, blown down by a 50 mph wind storm Easter evening about 8 p.m.

The trailer, owned by Miles McKenzie of Gurdon, was being rented by Christie Stewart and her children.

Nobody was injured during the incident. Jacob Blair, of 111 East Cherry Street, said Monday that the fam-

ily got out of the way of the tree crashing about 3 minutes before the incident. The wind storm resulted in

electricity being out four days for the majority of Gurdon residents. (John Nelson photo)

GHS sets July 24 for Class of 2020 graduation(Continued from page 1)

it had been a cemetery since 1867, and I thought that surely had to bewhat Vancamp was talking about. I went down a mile or so gravel laneto get to the old cemetery. It was nice enough, well kept up.

I took a few photos, noticed some evidence of loggers sure, butno real damage to Ebenezer Cemetery that I could tell. It was gettingabout the time when I usually tried to be back home on a Tuesday so Ibacked up to get on the gravel road and then made the mistake ofpulling forward just a little.

My new friend, Vance, told me later that my car ran off in a treeroot hole that had been cleared and not filled up. In short, my “golfcart” Saturn fell into a mud hole and there she stayed. I walked a cou-ple of miles, met up with Vance and his wife and Vance and I wentback to the cemetery with his small tractor to get my car out.

Vance’s tractor got stuck too. So we called up his brother-in-law,who had a huge tractor, and that good guy, Jack I think, got me andVance both out of our mud holes. His first attempt with me found mestill sinking. But once he pulled me back a little further, I drove for high-er ground and landed on solid gravel - very shortly then to be back onpavement and on my way!

So no, I did not have a boring Tuesday afternoon. It was quiteinteresting. I am proud to say I did not throw a fit but rather simply toldGod that I loved Him and if I was to be stranded out in the middle ofnowhere so be it.

As for a damaged cemetery, I invite anyone interested to shootyour own photos and send them to me at my email: tailgate-newskid77@gmail.com. Me, I am not looking for any other graveyardsout there in the Okolona area. If somebody wants to drive me to theperfect one, I will ride along. But enough cemetery fun is enough. Atleast at Ebenezer Cemetery, I could see that someone was doingmowing around the tombstones and the fencing seemed in fairly goodshape. For a facility that claims to be in operation since 1867, I thoughtit looked great!

So there you go. A beautiful day to get stuck it was. And it wasworth it to meet Vance and his family. It is refreshing to know that thereare still good-hearted people in this world who are willing to lend ahand when someone is in trouble. I thank them all for their efforts tohelp this roving reporter turned cemetery inspector for an afternoon.One thing is for sure, I did not think about the Corona Virus for severalhours and I call that an accomplishment for my mental health.

(Continued from Page 1)

Have a safe and fun spring!

A second chance

is the Lord’s

stock and tradeBy JOHN NELSONTailgate News Editor

The Corona Virus is creatinga lot of change in our UnitedStates of America, most of whichis very unpleasant for a personwho enjoys the company of oth-ers.

But one thing good that hascome out of all of this is it makesmost of us realize we can nottake anything for granted.Customs like shaking hands prac-tically disappeared over night.Even going to church has becomenearly impossible unless you wantto do the Internet thing.

I read today where someonetook a shot at just six churchmembers trying to have servicetogether...

Our health is allegedly under

threat by this new virus but our

freedom is under threat by a very

old know-it-all philosophy, which

is the hypocrite’s way and has

been for many years.

But there will be an end tothis nightmare. Or at least that iswhat I believe. I tend to believe“this too shall pass” is a truestatement and love will endurepast the crisis.

My research tells me it is notin the Christian Bible that this tooshall pass, but the 23rd Psalm isin there and it should encourageus now (1).

Change is the only con-stant in this universe and real-izing that is a big step towardliving a long life. Once it sinksin, I find it comforting some-how.

The big deal in life to me is tofind a silver lining and concentrateon that when all hope seems lost.For example, I am in the processof trying to give myself and a girl I

have known for many years asecond chance at a healthy lifethrough a set of circumstancesthat probably took both of us bysurprise.

In short, I am quitting a 40-year cigar smoking habit toencourage her to quit a life-longcigarette habit. I was not ready toquit. But she was given sixmonths to live if she did not quit.

I am taking the chance thatwe can help each other, if theJesus Christ we both love is will-ing to bless our efforts.

This brings me to a secondBiblical passage very familiar tomost of us: “Many times you havenot because you ask not (2).”

In short, always ask yourFather in heaven for what youneed in regard to righteous,wholesome or decent needs.Most of the time in my life, Hehas given me much better thanwhat I have asked for in regardto solving a seriously disrup-tive situation.

Now, if you think you needsome sort of sinful thing it is myhumble opinion that He probablywon’t grant you that. But if youneed money for a hamburger, andyou are pretty hungry, He justmight. He did me one time backin Paragould, Arkansas about 23years ago. I was dead broke anddown and out.

I had just been able to land a

job at a convenience store andwas walking to work on an emptystomach.

I looked up at the goldenarches of McDonald’s and said,“Lord, I sure wish I had $5 to getmyself a little something to eat.”

I looked down at my feet andthe wind had blown up a $5 bill.You may say that was luck orcoincidence.

Me, I say it was Jesus lettingme know in His way that He wasstill there with me and His lovewould endure whatever I had togo through.

That $5 meant an awful lot atthat moment and I did go getsome food at Mickey Dees, aswe called it back then.

As my title says, secondchances are our Lord’s stock andtrade. Jesus Christ gives peoplechance after chance to first,accept Him as Savior and as Lordof their lives, and second, bethankful enough to muster up thefaith to try and do whatever theLord asks.

As far as knowing what Godis asking, studying the Word ofGod, that is the Christian Bible, isthe only way you are really goingto know its God doing the askingand not some smoke and mirrorsdeception created by our buddythe devil...

True Christians do not just gooff in the woods and think thingsup and do them. SincereChristians, if we feel led to takeaction, pray about it, research thesituation in our Bible and then geton with the work at hand.

But here is the deal. Goddoes not force us to do His will.He invites us and then the ball is

in our court. Accepting Christ inthe first place is the most impor-tant acceptance we can do inregard to hearing from the Savior.

There are differentthoughts on how many timesan individual will be invited toaccept Christ before the Lordfigures out the man or womantruly wants their own rewardand then Jehovah God turnsthat individual over to a repro-bate mind - a prelude to claim-ing a front seat in hell for eter-nity...

Let’s look at the ChristianBible’s most famous case of sec-ond chances; the story of theprodigal son (3).

This young man simply toldhis father he wanted his portion ofhis inheritance early for what mygeneration would call wine,women and song. And so thefather gave his son that early

reward and let the young manlead his life his way.

I am sure that was a blast fora little while. As my pastor friend,Bro. James McCain, of the BeirneSycamore Full Gospel Church,likes to say, “If sin were not fun,nobody would want to do it.”

But when the prodigal sonran out of money, had to work fora hog farmer eating what thehogs ate and generally the fun fellthrough and the rent came due,that boy got to thinking aboutgoing home.

He reasoned that his father’sworkers had a much better placeto sleep and better food to eatthan he did so maybe it was timeto hit his dad up for a job andhope and pray for the best.

The son decided to make thejourney home. He got word to hisdaddy what he wanted. The father

(Continued on Page 4)

THE TAILGATE NEWS; southernarkansastailgatenews.com * MAY 4, 2020 3

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responded, as most of us wouldto our kids, he forgave the boy,got him a fine rob, killed the fattedcalf for a feast and put a prizefamily ring on his finger.

In short, the father rejoicedbecause his son had come hometo him on a voluntary basis andmade his intention known that henever wanted to leave his daddy’sside again.

It could be this is what JesusChrist, Father God or the HolyGhost part of the Trinity, wantsfrom us; our unconditional loveand our extreme desire never tobe out of the presence of AllMighty God again - for all eternitywanting to be in the presence ofJehovah God, our provider.

Unconditional love involves alot of second chances but even soour Lord God will not be mocked.

Make no mistake, our God AllMighty is a gentleman.

If you time after time chooseto turn your back on His ways infavor of sin, there will come a daywhen He will say about your verysoul and being, “You have yourreward.”

You don’t want that saidabout you! Your sought afterreward should be that eternalmansion in the sky and for yoursoul to have a presence in heav-en with Father God forever andever.

SCRIPTURES1) HE PREPARES A TABLE

FOR ME, 23RD PSALM - Psalm23 King James Version (KJV) 23The Lord is my shepherd; I shallnot want. 2 He maketh me to liedown in green pastures: he lead-eth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: heleadeth me in the paths of right-eousness for his name’s sake. 4Yea, though I walk through thevalley of the shadow of death, Iwill fear no evil: for thou art withme; thy rod and thy staff theycomfort me.

5 Thou preparest a tablebefore me in the presence ofmine enemies: thou anointest myhead with oil; my cup runnethover.

6 Surely goodness and

mercy shall follow me all the daysof my life: and I will dwell in thehouse of the Lord for ever.

2) YOU HAVE NOTBECAUSE YOU ASK NOT ORYOU ASK AMISS - James 4King James Version (KJV) 4 Fromwhence come wars and fightingsamong you? come they nothence, even of your lusts that warin your members?

2 Ye lust, and have not: yekill, and desire to have, andcannot obtain: ye fight and war,yet ye have not, because ye asknot.

3 Ye ask, and receive not,because ye ask amiss, that yemay consume it upon yourlusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulter-esses, know ye not that thefriendship of the world is enmitywith God? whosoever thereforewill be a friend of the world is theenemy of God. 5 Do ye think thatthe scripture saith in vain, Thespirit that dwelleth in us lusteth toenvy?

6 But he giveth more grace.Wherefore he saith, God resisteththe proud, but giveth grace untothe humble. 7 Submit yourselvestherefore to God. Resist the devil,and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and hewill draw nigh to you. Cleanseyour hands, ye sinners; and purifyyour hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn,

and weep: let your laughter beturned to mourning, and your joyto heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in thesight of the Lord, and he shall liftyou up.

11 Speak not evil one ofanother, brethren. He thatspeaketh evil of his brother, andjudgeth his brother, speaketh evilof the law, and judgeth the law:but if thou judge the law, thou artnot a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver,who is able to save and todestroy: who art thou that judgestanother? 13 Go to now, ye thatsay, To day or to morrow we willgo into such a city, and continuethere a year, and buy and sell,and get gain:

14 Whereas ye know notwhat shall be on the morrow. Forwhat is your life? It is even avapour, that appeareth for a littletime, and then vanisheth away. 15

For that ye ought to say, If theLord will, we shall live, and dothis, or that.

16 But now ye rejoice in yourboastings: all such rejoicing isevil. 17 Therefore to him thatknoweth to do good, and doeth itnot, to him it is sin.

3) THE PRODIGAL SONRETURNS TO HIS HOME - Luke15:11-32 King James Version(KJV) 11 And he said, A certainman had two sons: 12 And theyounger of them said to his father,Father, give me the portion ofgoods that falleth to me. And hedivided unto them his living.

13 And not many days afterthe younger son gathered alltogether, and took his journey intoa far country, and there wastedhis substance with riotous living.14 And when he had spent all,there arose a mighty famine inthat land; and he began to be inwant.

THE TAILGATE NEWS; southernarkansastailgatenews.com * MAY 4, 20204

John’s Sermon - Ask the Lord to start again; He has mercy for those in trouble...(Continued from Page 3)

(Continued on Page 12)

Poetry Musings...

Out in the middle

of nowhere, God

came through...It was a history photo,

simple, not gonna take long.

I drove for 30 minutes,

knowing I might go

just a little wrong.

But onward I went anyway,

after all a friend had said

the cemetery I was looking

for was more than just

for the dead.

We never know in life,

just where a story will lead.

I thought this one

would be simple, but

alone I was indeed.

Not a soul was there

but Jesus when the mud

took over my car. I had no

phone service. God does that,

tells us to come as we are...

So there I was out

in the middle of nowhere

without a wing or a prayer.

But alas, I did thank God

for all He has done for me.

I tried all I knew

to get the car out.

Then down the road

I did proceed.

I found some wonderful

people. They got me

straightened out for home.

What Satan intended

for destruction, God

proved that I was never

really alone.

So if you are in trouble

and everything seems grim,

call on the Spirit of Jesus,

you can really trust Him...

By JOHN NELSON

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By JOHN NELSONTailgate News Editor

Veteran school administratorand superintendent recruiter Dr.Kieth Williams presented eightcandidates Thursday for furtherconsideration and evaluation byGurdon School Board membersto find “the right person” to takeover as Gurdon School Districtsuperintendent this fall.

Dr. Williams, who representsMcPhereson and Jacobson high-er education vetting firm out ofSearcy, said the eight top candi-dates had been selected from afield of 44 applicants.

Dr. Williams said GurdonSchool Board members andSuperintendent Allen Blackwellhad given him 12 possibilities tovet originally.

“They went through our appli-

cation process and we also got

another 32 applicants,” he said. “I

began looking for high test

scores, researching work environ-

ment reactions and determining

the top eight candidates who I

believe will also be most likely to

fit into the small district of Gurdon

and be someone who will be liked

and respected here - as well as

increase test scores and get the

job done to put the needs of the

kids first.”

Dr. Williams praised theGurdon book keeping system asthe board heard a positive auditreview for 2019 “with no weak-ness findings reported.”

“A good audit report isalways music to my ears, after mymany years in education and asolid book keeping system willhelp your new superintendentstart out with less pressure aswell,” he said.

“In my vetting process, skillsare important in selecting a candi-date but it is also important thatyou like the person and can getalong with him or her in order tohave a successful match up,” Dr.Williams said.

The Gurdon School Boardwill conduct two nights of inter-views of the top eight candi-dates selected by Dr. Williamsfor the job from 6 until 8 p.m.on Monday, May 4 and

Thursday, May 7. Dr. Williams named the eight

candidates in open session atSchool Board, pointing out strongpoints for each.

He then dismissed the pressas the board went into executivesession to watch movie clips oneach candidate being asked thesame three questions so boardmembers could get a feel for thedifferent personalities.

Dr. Williams presented posi-tive attributes on the followingcandidates for the position ofGurdon superintendent: TylerBroyles, an assistant principal atBauxite with a law degree andteaching experience in math;Gerald Hatley, as assistant super-intendent at Malvern who grew upin Gurdon;

Frank Jenaski, the MiddleSchool principal at Fountain Lakeand band director there for 15 to18 years; Charlotte Leon, princi-pal at Texarkana, school coun-selor and 13 years experience atForeman and Ashdale districts.She deals with 1,800 students inTexArkana and would love to getback involved with a smaller dis-trict.

Williams explained a lot ofwhat he had found out about thefirst four candidates but summedit up with positives that he hadheard in interviews from staff andco-workers.

“When you hear that peoplewould love to have an individualto stay or that they are seen as a

valuable co-worker more than asa boss yet they still get thingsaccomplished and are go-getters,then the vetting becomes encour-aging,” he said.

The fifth candidate of theeight Williams submitted for theGurdon School Board to consideris Caroline Nail, who got herundergraduate in elementary edu-cation, taught and was elemen-tary principal at Clinton andMagnet Cove before becomingthe assistant principal in Bentonwith her staff saying, “She’s agood one.”

Number six on the list is Dr.Donald Roads, a superintendent

who retired in Texas about 15months ago after bringing aschool back from troubled times.

He was a principal and superin-tendent 18 years saying,

THE TAILGATE NEWS, southernarkansastailgatenews.com *MAY 4, 2020 5

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Gurdon School Board narrows list for new superintendent

TO INTERVIEW EIGHT CANDIDATES FOR GURDON SUPERINTENDENT - Kieth Williams,

Ed.D., representing McPhereson and Jacobson of Searcy, tells Gurdon School Board members Thursday

about eight likely candidates he wants evaluated to determine a replacement for Superintendent Allen

Blackwell, left. Blackwell has accepted a superintendent’s position at Rosebud. (John Nelson photo)

(Continued on page 7)

Dry weather ahead

is a good thing

for Gurdon areaBy SHERRY KELLEYGurdon Mayor

At this writing, the weatherforecast shows five days of dryweather ahead. That’s good news.Gurdon has had several rounds ofsevere thunderstorms since thebig Easter storm.

The latest was overnightTuesday. A huge oak tree fell onthe Herndon Fuqua Funeral Home.No one was injured but the dam-age to the building looks exten-sive. We are all on our toes whenthe weather threatens and stormclean up continues in the city.

Grass is growing at a rapidrate, but wet ground makes it diffi-cult to mow. We are doing our bestwith the riding mowers, althoughthey have been stuck more thanonce.

We are also using a pushmower and weed eaters to keepthe grass down as best as we can.One thing is for sure, everyonehas plenty to do.

Gwen Thomerson is doing herpart to keep Gurdon beautiful. Onfront street, Gwen has a seeminglyendless variety of greenery, flow-ers and planters for sale andGurdon residents are flocking tomake their purchases. I bought ageranium planter about 4 weeksago and it has gotten so big that it

has completely overtaken my out-door table.

It is HUGE and getting evenbigger. I wonder where this isgoing. It’s truly amazing. Mymom’s yard is covered in colorfrom all of her flowers.

She has a plan; bright red,yellow and white in the front andpastels in the back. I “toured hergrounds” yesterday and it is mag-nificent. I believe that Gwen willcontinue selling plants until theend of May.

The Gurdon Walking Trail hasblooms around nearly every turn,especially in the back near theRock Elm. Soon, we will dress ourdowntown planters for summer.

I plan to begin Main Streetfacade improvements very soon,thanks to a grant from the RossFoundation. I am looking forwardto sprucing up the thoroughfarewith Gurdon School colors of pur-ple and gold. It has been a whilesince the last improvement tostorefronts, which resulted in thesale and refurbishing of the build-ing next to the former Kuhn’sHardware.

Look for that enterprise,Game On Tumble and Cheer, tobe open soon. The remodel of thespace is looking great, it’s been alot of hard work for the owners, butdefinitely worth their while. All theMain Street buildings are now “inthe dry,” except two.

Maybe the recent USDARBEG grant I submitted will comethrough to complete another.

THE TAILGATE NEWS; southernarkansastailgatenews.com *MAY 4, 20206

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now available on threeswap shop locations everyweek for your readingpleasure. With 6,300Facebook likes, the maga-zine now has more than7,000 viewers a week. Ifyou like us, pass it on. Wecharge $24 for one busi-ness card run and $100 torun seven weeks!Interested? Call: 870-353-8201 andleave a voice mail. I willcall you back. Sincerely,editor John Nelson.

Bible VersesBible verses is a section pub-

lished to honor the late JamesCrews, a Gurdon businessman,who believed exposure toChristian scriptures would encour-age readers to seek and acceptJesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Ephesians 4:15 King JamesVersion (KJV)

15 But speaking the truth inlove, may grow up into him inall things, which is the head,

even Christ.

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Gurdon sets

July 24 graduationGurdon High School gradua-

tion, for the Class of 2020, hasbeen scheduled for 7 p.m. onFriday, July 24 in the CabeAuditorium on the GHS campus.

Superitendent Allen Blackwellalso said the latest plans of Gov.Asa Hutchinson and theDepartment of Education is to havetraditional school this fall, alongwith a football schedule.

According to Coach AustenHalliday, traditional football practiceshould start in June.

Real Recovery

needs a callA Real Recovery Christian

help group is meeting from 6 until 8p.m. every Thursday at the oldGurdon Nursing Home at the cor-ner of Seaborn and South10thStreet, or at least it was before theCorona Virus epidemic.

Red Springs MissionaryBaptist Church Pastor John Woodssaid, “We start off with a meal, thenpreaching and then adjourn to a12-step meeting.

According to Pastor Woods,Pastor Jeff Efrid can be reachedfor more information at: (501) 229-4383. Before assuming the groupis active, due to social distancing,make the call before you make thetrip.

LARGE OAK UPROOTED ON EDGE OF FUNERAL HOME - A

large oak tree was uprooted and fell over on the front edge of the

Herndon-Fuqua Funeral Home, Gurdon branch, during a storm

Tuesday night. Lights were on at the funeral home Thursday, April 30

although the extent of the damage has not been reported as of press

time. (John Nelson photo)

“Children want to learn. We justhave to let them.”

The seventh candidate is Dr.Mark Roberts. He has been anadministrator at Hall High Schoolin Little Rock the past three years“and meets students where theyare and has made a positive dif-ference in areas such as readinglevels.”

Roberts is married to a wifefrom Carlisle and wants to work ina smaller district but to stay inArkansas.

The eighth and final recom-mended candidate for the Gurdonsuperintendent position isJennifer Niki Thomas, who is prin-cipal at Arkadelphia High Schooland has been principal atArkadelphia at all three levels;elementary, middle and now highschool.

Thomas is a HendersonState University graduate with allof her experience in the

Arkadelphia District except forone year at Bismarck. Thomas,according to Dr. Williams, is hightech savvy and very student ori-ented.

“She has also been effectivein dealing with a student declineand budget decrease inArkadelphia.

“Her co-workers say shewants the kids to enjoy learning,”he said.

NEW OFFICERSIn addition to taking steps

toward acquiring a new superin-tendent for the district, GurdonSchool Board elected board offi-cers for the upcoming schoolyear.

They were the same as lastyear; Bernard Hatley, president;Steven Orsburn, vice president;and Chris Harper, board secre-tary.

Moreover, the boardapproved a $27,856 final paymentto GEO Systems on the turf proj-ect to pay for sponsorship namerecognition by way of track andfield advertising panels.

The board also approvedsalary schedules for personnel.

The next regularly scheduledSchool Board meeting will be at 7p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.

An update concerning thenew superintendent search will begiven.

THE TAILGATE NEWS; southernarkansastailgatenews.com *MAY 4, 2020 7

(Continued from Page 5)

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Selection process under way for new superintendent

GURDON FISHING POND OPEN AGAIN! The Gurdon

Pond, located in front of the Gurdon Park on Highway 67 just down

from the high school campus, was closed the last few weeks due to

more than 10 basketball players being congregated for the sport and

viewed by officials as a Corona Virus spreading risk. Mayor Sherry

Kelley and Gurdon Marshal Don Childres have loosened the restric-

tion a little, as the fishing pond is now open but play at the park is still

prohibited for now in cooperation with the new social distancing sug-

gestion by health officials. (John Nelson photo)

By JOHN NELSONTailgate News Editor

Rose Hedge Cemetery inGurdon is about 9.5 acres ofrolling hills and the cost of mow-ing alone is more than $6,000 ayear - even with city employeesdoing the job.

Mayor Sherry Kelley said,“When we used to hire it done,the cost was nearly $10,000 andthat crew wanted an extra amountif wet weather presented a needfor extra mowing in a particularyear.

“The cemetery dues are usedto help pay our mowing fees buthave not covered the entire costin the past.”

Amy Woods, city office work-er who is also in charge of thecemetery, said Monday at least3,000 of the burial plots are occu-pied by deceased loved ones withanother 500 or more plots are forsale at $150.

If a plot is bought with inten-tion to use right away for a friendor loved one, then there is one-time dirt leveling fee of another$150. Otherwise, plot owners areasked to pay a $50 a year duesfee in the spring to help keep theplace mowed and lookingrespectable.

“If we had more to pay theirdues, and mowing was covered, Iwould love to see enough moneyin the cemetery fund to createsome modern day record keep-ing,” Woods said. “Last year we

only had 136 plot owners to paytheir $50. I am not mad aboutthis, as I believe many of our fam-ilies do not realize we need the$50 in dues every year to keepthe cemetery up right.”

Woods said cemetery stones,dating back to 1877, are onrecord at Rose Hedge and therefor the viewing.

“There are, however, someplots that do not have markers. Ifthe dues account does go up,another thing we need is some$100 permanent markers tomaker sure plots are availablerather than already in use,” shesaid.

“We’ve got more than 500plots left to sell in my opinion.Realistically, I would say two-thirds of our 9.5 acres are alreadyin use but that still leaves plentyof space for our families. If youneed a plot, let me know.”

Mayor Sherry Kelley said thebasic cost of hiring the mowingdone and maintaining the ceme-tery was approximately $8,000 ayear plus around $800 extra foreach mowing not on the schedulebut needing to be done.

In 2018, Mayor Kelley saidthe city spent $10,262 to hire outall of the mowing and necessaryweed eating at the cemetery.

Then in 2019, the city tookover the mowing. The cost was$5,800 to do all of the mowingand weed eating from Januaryuntil the end of July.

Another $3,305 was spentfrom August until December.However, Mayor Kelley said thiscost, when done by the cityemployees, should go down to aslittle as the afore mentioned$6,000 a year.

Woods said all of the moneycollected on dues goes towardmowing and upkeep at this point,but if dues paying increases towhere there is more moneysomeday than what is needed formowing maintenance, the ceme-tery records and plot markers willbe the next items considered withdues.

“The first goal is to get thedues up to where they coverwhatever the mowing expensesend up being for a year,” Woodssaid.

“There have been years inthe past where the dues coveredless than half of what the cityended up spending for mowingmaintenance.”

Mayor Kelley said putting themowing responsibility on streetworkers and Animal Control work-er Brandie Mathews has been agood move for the city financially“and it is saving us money pluswe can work on the cemeteryevery week if needed without dis-cussing added costs for extramows with a mow for hire compa-ny.”

Amy Woods said she was in

THE TAILGATE NEWS, southernarkansastailgatenews.com *MAY 4, 20208

Tailgate Newscan use your contribu-tions.If you have talent insales, help us sell adver-tising. If you love to write andcover events, we can useyou. Serious inquiries only.Call John at 870-353-8201. Leave voice mail.

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Dues due every spring; only 136 paid last year of more than 3,000 families

Rose Hedge Cemetery needs mowing money, consistent record keeping

RECORDS NEED BETTER SYSTEM -Amy Woods, city office

worker and manager of the Gurdon Rose Hedge Cemetery, holds a

1980ish plot locating map up for inspection. She said recent records

are kept but a modern record keeping system is needed to better serve

the public. (John Nelson photo)

(Continued on Page 9)

charge of Rose Hedge Cemeteryfrom 2002 until 2010 and thentook the task back over from for-mer office worker Angie Harper in2019.

“We have people who paytheir dues one year and quit,and then there are those whonever pay,” she said.

“Again, the $50 goes strict-ly for the cemetery mainte-nance and is not used for anyother city projects. I do encour-age families using Rose Hedgeto start paying it every springso we can make them proud oftheir cemetery’s appearanceand afford to maintain it as pro-fessionally as possible.”

Woods said cemetery duesbilling reminders are mailed outfrom her every spring and will begoing out this month. Recordsindicate that 3,351 plots havebeen sold and are attached tofamilies who technically owe the$50 a year maintenance dues fee.

“We realize some of theseare for ancestors of families nolonger in our area, but the majori-ty are right here,” she said.

According to Woods, thereare normally around 300 familieswho pay the dues faithfully andthe 136 who paid this past yearwas an especially low response.

“I am getting the reminderbills out a little late this year, butthey will get them in May. Mostyears, I send them in April orMay,” she said.

Mayor Kelley said her motherpurchased a lot several years agoand pays her $50 dues every yearto do her part in maintaining theappearance of the cemetery.

Woods said, “We realizemany families in Gurdon havefinancial hardship problems, butall we are asking is to get on thelist of things to be paid annually ifyou have a plot at Rose Hedge sowe can make the place lookright.”

Woods stressed that nofamily is expected to pay morethan the $50 a year from here

on out. No back bill will becharged or expected.

“If a family can afford it andwants to pay for more than oneyear, OK. But all we really expectis the current year’s payment andwe will be very grateful for that,”she said.

Woods said anyone search-ing for a particular grave can giveher a call at: 353-2514 and shewill do her best to find it for them.

“Horne’s Funeral Hometurned over an old plot diagram tous when they left here and I havebeen keeping up with many of thenew ones, as did Angie. Our sys-tem needs help, but give us achance. We may very well beable to find your relative’s RoseHedge grave.”

Mayor Kelley said the areasof the cemetery have been toomuddy for mowing lately but withdry days in the forecast, that willbe taken care of shortly.

By JOHN NELSONTailgate News Editor

A severe wind storm cut thepower in 20 Arkansas counties,according to weather authorities,during a tree ripping, straight-linedwind blast that caused uprootingand de-roofing from Arkadelphiato Gurdon to Prescott to Malvernlate Easter night, April 12, to earlyMonday morning, April 13.

Weather reports said 185,000were without lights at one time.

This editor’s home, at 216 North16th Street in Arkadelphia, waswithout electrical power fromabout 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 12until 9 p.m. on Monday, April 13.

A Monday morning ride fromPine and 16th Street inArkadelphia toward the downtownproved to be nearly lightlessexcept for a few strays that mayhave been powered by genera-tors. The local postman told us togo the other way on Pine Street,

toward the Interstate 30 andWalmart, if we wanted to seebusinesses still lit up and func-tional.

Serious electrical power linedamage, along with trees down,were evident on Highway 7toward Caddo Valley Monday.Three or four large trees hadbeen uprooted near ArkadelphiaPet Care. In addition, at least one

THE TAILGATE NEWS; southernarkansastailgatenews.com * MAY 4, 2020 9

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Rose Hedge Cemetery dues

help with mowing upkeep(Continued from Page 8)

ANIMAL CONTROL HELPS WITH MOWING - Brandie Matthews, Gurdon’s Animal Control Officer,

works part-time by the hour with mowing at the Rose Hedge Cemetery and is shown on the job Monday.

Amy Woods, city office worker in charge of cemetery maintenance, said Matthews and street crew mem-

bers are out at the cemetery for trimming and mowing nearly every week. Woods did say she apologizes for

certain sections getting long grass lately but the wet weather has made it hard to get equipment in and out.

She asked the public to be patient. Annual cemetery dues, which are $50 a year, should be mailed to City

Hall every spring to pay for mowing and possibly an improvement in record keeping. (John Nelson photo)

Gurdon Trash Rules• 5-bag weekly limit placed by

6:15 a.m. at roadside on pick-

up day. • No bags over 40-pound weight limit.• All trash must be in a closed

bag. • Weekly trash pick-upfor household trash only. Nometal, wood, leaves, grass orlarge plastic. • All cardboard

boxes must be collapsed. PH:

353-2514.

185,000 lose their lights on Easter night

(Continued on Page 10)

large tree had been uprooted onHenderson State University cam-pus, as could be seen from thatsame 10th Street/Highway 7 trav-eling vantage point.

As to downtownArakadelphia, a power line down,along with tree damage, in next toKentucky Fried Chicken, causedsome of the Monday darkness -even a dark stoplight nearStewart’s Auto.

The Exxon at Pine Street and10th Street was dark, but theExxon at the corner of Pine Streetand Twin Rivers Drive wasbustling with business.

Lee Walker, of PrescottAutomotive, said roof tops weremissing in Prescott and trees uprooted.

The Gurdon PoliceDepartment had City Hall lit upwith a generator but residentssaid it was about the only Gurdonlight there was all day on Mondayor on Tuesday. Allen’s Barbecuedid set up a portable restaurantfacility for feeding those withoutlights out on Highway 67 next toSonic. Gurdon Mayor SherryKelley said Wednesday (April 15)afternoon Gurdon should be backon completely, as to lights, byThursday evening (and it was).

Calley’s Service Station hadpower, perhaps a generator, onTuesday in Gurdon as well. Carsand trucks were lined up for fueland other services.

Terry Davis, of Davis HealthFood Store on Main Street inMalvern, said the winds hitMalvern Sunday evening (April12), as in other SouthernArkansas areas, taking out a lot oftrees and electrical wiring.

Davis said the cemetery onPine Bluff Street was hit hard asto trees, as was North Malvern.

“We are still not completelyback to power as a community(he said that Wednesday) but weshould be this week sometime.Our shop came back on Tuesday,which was fine as we open ourhealth store on Wednesdays eachweek. I was playing cards withfriends Sunday and did not evenknow it was storming until ourlights were gone,” he said.

James “Rocky” Clift, Sr.,64, of Emmet, ARpassed away Sunday,

April 26, 2020 at his home.

Mr. Clift was born May9, 1955 in El Dorado,AR to Odell and Billie

Murray Clift. He was a retiredtruck driver for Tyson Foods. Hishobbies include, riding motorcy-cles, wood working, spendingtime with his family and loved ani-mals.

Rocky was preceded indeath by his parents;a brother, Clark Clift;

and brother-in-law, Mark Sinclair.Survivors include, his wife of 40years, Rebecca “Susie” Ponder

Clift; a son, James Clift, Jr.; adaughter, Amanda Jordan(Brady); a sister, Susan Sinclairand Ed Downey; a host of friends.

ACelebration of life serv-ice will be held on alater date. In lieu of

flowers, the family request dona-tions be made to your local ani-mal shelter. Herndon-FuquaFuneral Home in charge.

Jessica M. Oller, age 34,of Hope, Arkansaspassed away Friday,

April 24, 2020 in Texarkana,Texas. Jessica worked for Smilesof Arkansas as an office manager.She was a member of Bethany

Baptist Church in the SpringhillCommunity. Jessica loved herfamily, friends, making peoplelaugh, camping, cruises, HobbyLobby and Vacation Bible Schoolat Bethany Baptist Church.

She was preceded indeath by her parents,Mike and Debra Miller;

her grandparents Till and FayeStout, all of Hope, AR.

Jessica is survived by herhusband of 13 years,Daniel “Frog” Oller; son,

Carson; daughter, Landri; threebrothers, Chris Bradford (Sadie)of Hope, AR, Shanon Bradford(Michelle) of Joplin, MO, andCody Miller of Johnstown, CO; aswell as close friends who weremore like family; nieces,nephews, cousins, and extendedfamily. A memorial service was tobe held at 2 p.m. on Saturday,May 2, 2020 in the BethanyBaptist Church with Bro. EricFisher officiating, under the direc-tion of Herndon-Fuqua FuneralHome of Hope.

At the request of thefamily, in lieu of flowersa memorial contribu-

tion can be made to the BethanyBaptist Church Vacation BibleSchool Fund.

Ralph Clay Moore, age61 of Bismarck AR.passed away Sunday,

April 26, 2020. Born in Michiganon Tuesday, July 22, 1958 to thelate Merill E. and Joy B(Thomason) Moore. Ralph workedin area healthcare facilities asMaintenance director as well hemoved and sat up mobile homes.

Ralph is survived by hisloving wife WandaKitchens Moore of

Bismarck. Following the recom-mendations of the ArkansasHealth Department and the CDCa drop in visitation was to be heldfrom 6 until 7 p.m. on Friday, May1 at Ruggles Wilcox FuneralHome with a graveside serviceSaturday, May 2, 2020.

THE TAILGATE NEWS; southernarkansastailgatenews.com * MAY 4, 202010

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Easter storm packs 50 mph winds(Continued from Page 8)

Rocky Clift

Truck Driver

Jessica Oller

Smiles of Arkansas

Ralph Moore

Maintenance director

THE TAILGATE NEWS; southernarkansastailgatenews.com * MAY 4, 2020 11

The Southern ArkansasTailgate News216 N. 16th Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

E-mail:tailgatenewskid77@gmail.com

website: southernarkansastailgatenews.comJOHN NELSON, editor, ad sales, composing; Danielle Cooper, reporter

The Tailgate News is a Southern Arkansas newspaper published weekly.Circulation: Website; southernarkansastailgatenews.com.

linked to Facebook. WE NOW HAVE A PRINTED VERSION ON THE FIRST MONDAY OFEVERY MONTH, PLACED ON 30 PLUS COUNTERTOPS IN GURDON, ARKADELPHIA,

MALVERN AND PRESCOTT & Banner/Hyper Link Ads

Site hits on line have varied weekly since 2013 from 1,500 to 8,300. We nowhave 6.300 likes. For news or ads, call John at: 870-353-8201 and leave a

voice mail. open rate: $6/col. in. Want an ad? Mail money to: John

Nelson, editor, 216 N. 16th Street, Arkadelphia, AR 71923. That is $24 forone business card run. Test us out in print and run your card 2months for $45 or 4 months for $80. Want a story about your busi-ness? Run a half page ad for $150 and we will put your story onpage one. Classifieds; $3 or 4 runs for $10; 10 runs for $20. Rather be in

our online weekly? Test us out, 7 weekends of your biz card for $100. Getyour billboard in front of a crowd! Our 12 weekly Read Pages appear on theCurrent Issue Home Page. We are now available on Clark County Swap Shopand Guys and Dolls Swap Shop in Malvern.

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(870) 353-8201

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Classifieds Work!THE SOUTHERN ARKANSAS GURDON TAILGATE NEWS

1 Week’s worth of Classifieds; $3; four weeks for $10 and $20 for 10 runs.Mail your payment to: John Nelson, Editor, 216 N.16th Street, Arkadelphia, AR71923

Give Us Your Classified as you want it to appear; 40 words or lesssuits our room best. A few words more is OK. Thank youfor using the Tailgate News!

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OUR GRADUATES -

Even though the Corona

Virus scare has closed

schools in Arkansas until

the fall, seniors at

Gurdon High School,

who have completed

successfully the first

three nine-week periods

in the school year, are

graduating, according to

Gurdon teacher and

coach David Davis.

Delanie Self, one of

those in the GHS Class

of 2020, is honored by

her school, family and

friends, both here and

elsewhere on GHS web

site. Congratulations

Delanie and good luck

with all of your hopes

and dreams from John

Nelson, editor, Tailgate

News. (photo provided)

15 And he went and joinedhimself to a citizen of that country;and he sent him into his fields tofeed swine.

16 And he would fain havefilled his belly with the husks thatthe swine did eat: and no mangave unto him.

17 And when he came tohimself, he said, How many hiredservants of my father’s havebread enough and to spare, and Iperish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to myfather, and will say unto him,Father, I have sinned againstheaven, and before thee, 19 Andam no more worthy to be calledthy son: make me as one of thyhired servants.

20 And he arose, and cameto his father. But when he was yeta great way off, his father sawhim, and had compassion, andran, and fell on his neck, andkissed him.

21 And the son said untohim, Father, I have sinned againstheaven, and in thy sight, and amno more worthy to be called thyson.

22 But the father said to hisservants, Bring forth the bestrobe, and put it on him; and put aring on his hand, and shoes onhis feet:

23 And bring hither the fattedcalf, and kill it; and let us eat, and

be merry: 24 For this my son wasdead, and is alive again; he waslost, and is found. And they beganto be merry.

25 Now his elder son was inthe field: and as he came anddrew nigh to the house, he heardmusick and dancing.

26 And he called one of theservants, and asked what thesethings meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thybrother is come; and thy fatherhath killed the fatted calf, becausehe hath received him safe andsound. 28 And he was angry, andwould not go in: therefore camehis father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to

his father, Lo, these many yearsdo I serve thee, neither trans-gressed I at any time thy com-mandment: and yet thou nevergavest me a kid, that I mightmake merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thyson was come, which hathdevoured thy living with harlots,thou hast killed for him the fattedcalf.

31 And he said unto him,Son, thou art ever with me, andall that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that weshould make merry, and be glad:for this thy brother was dead, andis alive again; and was lost, andis found.

Thoughts by Max Brown

Let Jesus wash away

your sins like a good rain;

endure Corona, get strongI’ve always loved rain ,the sound of it coming down and as

a kid to play in the mud puddles and ditches, wow it was fun!Today I still love it , just not as much of it at once.

As the rain comes down today, let the love of Jesus comeinto your heart. Cleanse the fear out, wash away the worriesand make yourself feel as clean as the inside of a Mr. Cleanbottle.

Let today be a new beginning in your heart. Let the bloodof Jesus wash away your sins and then let it take you to a newYou! A new Creature, a loving you and a clean you!

Rain, rain come today wash my worries away!!! This virusmay have your daily routine changed, but use this time to getcloser to Jesus! That will help you no matter what your routineis. We all go through things, good and not so good.

The word says it rains on the just and the unjust - so thereare times you may get a little wet... But the best thing is thatyou are more prepared for it. We all love it when everything isgoing great but remember when we’re going through wet timesor the valleys “to fear no evil for thou art with me, thy rod and

thy staff they comfort me.” I’m so thankful that my Jesus tells me that he will never

leave me nor forsake me and that if I abide in Him, He willabide in me!

Have a great day and if you get a little wet you’ll dry offand with Jesus you’ll come out stronger than before. What wego through is what makes us stronger in the end . God Bless...

Love ya! Be Good!!

THE TAILGATE NEWS, southernarkansastailgatenews.com * MAY 4, 202012

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Sermon- Jesus will endure your hardships ( Continued from P-4)

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104 N. Main Street * Malvern

Phs: (501) 337-5072 or (888) 722-7285

Enjoy your

favorie game

with an

excellent

TV!

MORE CHANNELSFOR LE$$ with DISH!

921 Main St, Arkadelphia, AR 71923

(870) 246-2446Hrs: 8 a.m. ~ 5 p.m. maryandmarthasflorist.com

MARY & MARTHA’S

Florist & Gifts

Let us help show

your Mom some love

on Mother’s Day!

Call us

with your

order today!

Mother’s DaySunday, May 10