Nolan Richardson was the special guest speaker at Tuesday Night’s Bearcat Bash, put on by the Bearcat Foundation at the CMA Iron Mountain Facility. Richardson, who has a decorated career highlighted by being the one-time head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball team, entertained and encouraged the large crowd with his stories and message. (Photo by Andy Philpot)
Nolan Richardson, special guest speaker
The memorial service for Arkansas Game & Fish Officer Joel Campora was held Friday afternoon at the Waldron High School Athletic Complex, where he was honored by family, friends, fellow law enforcement and Game and Fish officers, and a large turnout of community members. (Photo by Don Jones)
Campora’s life honored, celebrated at memorial
The mood was somber, the sun was bright and the field was packed with law enforcement officers as mourners filled the Waldron Athletic Complex for the second time in a week last Friday, June 7, to pay tribute to a second fallen hero. Black ribbons lined a processional route and a Untied States flag was proudly displayed from the ladder of a fire truck. All this to pay respect and extend a tribute to Joel Campora who lost in life in a rescue attempt on Friday, May 31.
Preceding Joel Campora’s body placed in the back of his pick-up truck, a processional of bag pipes and law enforcement personnel led the way for Joel Campora’s body to be memorialized. His body was carried for tribute by members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Honor Guard. One by one, the speakers stood before his flag draped casket and told of his love for the Lord and his passion for youth.
With a life devoted to law enforcement, Campora had served as reserve officer for the Mena Police Department, a deputy for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department and was part of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as a Wildlife Officer since 2007. While the AGFC was a part of who Campora was, it was his faith that was at the forefront of Campora’s character. Both, Joel and his wife, Rebecca, were passionate in their desire to pour heart and soul into the youth. Before coming to Waldron, they were active with the Pencil Bluff First Baptist Youth Program and at Waldron First Baptist Church, they continued their ministry there. Campora's life will be continued in the June 13th, 2013 edition of the Mena Star.
Strother-Bilt grand re-opening Friday
Just over five months since the January 11th fire consumer the Strother-Bilt business, the rebuilding and renovation is receiving its finishing touches. The crew at Strother-Bilt is inviting everyone out to their grand re-opening celebration this Friday, June 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a family fun day of reopening the business back to the community. Events have been planned to include all ages in the celebration.
There will be a horse shoe pitch, skillsaw toss, bob for boards, live blue grass music, free hot dogs, free hamburgers, free cotton candy, as well as free popcorn and slushies. This article will be continued in the June 13th, 2013 edition of the Mena Star.
New music studio to open in Mena
Something exciting is about to occur in the space belonging, and adjacent to the Ouachita Little Theatre at 610B, Mena St, where manufacturing of a different kind gets a boost in Polk County with the opening of The Music Factory on June 17, 2013. Directed by Lisa Screeton, The Music Factory will offer group and individual voice classes, as well as piano lessons and audition coaching and accompanying for singers and instrumentalists. Instruction in music video production and marketing will also be part of the curriculum.
Mena Star Intern
14 questions with...Jeremiah Foster
1. What was it about The Mena Star that interested you to want to spend your summer intern time here? Knowing that I want to go into to Mass Communications field, I felt that The Mena Star would give me a look at most of what I want to do after college.
2. What is one thing you hope to get more comfortable with during your time at The Mena Star? Definitely writing, and getting out in the public.
3. How has being in the Upward Bound program helped you in both your education and your personal life? For education, they’ve helped me get further by offering me things I wouldn’t otherwise get to do. It has allowed me to do things with my friends and I’ve been able to meet people from other schools.
4. What are your college plans, and what do you plan to major in? For college, I’m going to Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia and get my Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications.
5. If you were writing the script of your life, where would you like to be five years from now? I’d definitely like to be with a great job, have a wonderful wife, a big home with the works (swimming pool), and starting a family.
6. If you had one trip in a time machine, where would you go and what would you want to see? I would take the time machine into the past, back to the last time I got to see my grandpa on my mom’s side of the family. I was in Colorado on a trip when he had a heart attack, and I couldn’t get back home before he passed.
7. What’s the most memorable trip you’ve taken? I’ve had lots of good trips, but the trip to Colorado with my dad, grandpa, and other family members for two weeks back when I was in the sixth grade has been the most memorable.
8. What is a skill, talent, fact, or hobby we may not know about you? I may not show it, but I’m a country boy, and I spend time working on the farm. I started as a country boy, then wanted to be a city kid, but have gotten back to being a country boy as I’ve gotten older. I like the wide open and peacefulness.
9. If you were to take a month’s vacation to a deserted island, what are three things you would make sure and take with you for survival? Definitely my phone for all the fun stuff, a radio for music, and I can’t forget my phone charger.
10. If you could have anyone’s autograph, who’s signature would you want? Sean Casey, who is the creator of the Tornado Intercept Vehicle.
11. If Hollywood makes a movie about your life, which actor do you choose to play the role of you? Tom Cruise.
12. If you had entrance music that played every time you arrived somewhere, what is your entrance song? “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.
13. If you could have two super powers, which do you choose? Control of the elements, and super strength.
14. What is a piece of advice, a saying, quote, or Bible verse that stays with you? “Everything happens for a reason, and God is always by your side”.
For the Full Articles, please pick up the June 13th issue of The Mena Star
In our lives, there are many things that make us recognizable for who we are. Sometimes it’s for being in the family that we are, sometimes it’s for a collaboration of all the things we’ve done in our life to this point, and sometimes people are known for one moment or one event.
Musicians or bands sometimes get one song that makes them famous, then never produce another hit. These people become what’s known as “one-hit wonders”. While that may not be the best category to be in for a musician, it does still represent fame for something, and that’s what we remember them for. Jun 13, 2013, 10:55
