December 2016 Premiere | 3 CONTENTS 8 Veterans Day Parade Honoring the Military
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Wintee Wonderland Creating Holiday Smiles Veterans Day NEA Seniors: Brick Sisters Jaycees December Toy Drive 2016 A PUBLICATION OF MOR MEDIA, INCORPORATED December 2016 Premiere | 3 CONTENTS 8 Veterans Day Parade Honoring the Military 12 Living A Better Story Jared Pickney 15 Hunting At Christmastime Chuck Long 16 Harvest Craft Show 40th Annual Version 22 Cajun Fest Raising Funds for NEA Crisis Center 24 Wish Granted Headed to Disney World 26 Jaycees Toy Drive Helping Those in Need 28 Winter 11Wonderland Christmas-themed extravaganza 33 NEA Seniors News for Active Seniors 56 Our Wedding Story Paige Cook & Josh Tarry On The Cover: Winter Wonderland 4 | Premiere December 2016 8 16 28 56 December 2016 Premiere | 5 From The MANAGING EDITOR... Richard Brummett hen the calendar page rolls owners for a donation; when your kids America is in a period of great upheaval over to December, thoughts take part in sporting events, or concerts or and respect for our flag and our values naturally turn to the Christmas the staging of high school plays, it is local seems to be disappearing rapidly in certain Wholiday experience -- especially if you’re merchants who buy many of the tickets segments of society. But listening to the a child. that help fund those activities. stories of the men and women who fought for our freedom and our right to make the Kids dream of getting presents while It seems only fair that if your community choices we make -- regardless of how they parents wonder where they’re going to is making a financial investment in your may seem to others -- helps bring us back find them and how they’re going to pay children, when it comes time to buy gifts to reality. We are free because of a great for them, getting the ball rolling in the for those same youngsters you would give price paid by many. world of shopping. your local business men and women the first opportunity to meet your needs. Thank a veteran at any time during the We encourage all the grown-ups to Shop at home first. year and indicate your appreciation for seriously consider looking for those gifts at *** all they have done. And, as more than one home first. It’s a worn out battle cry from This month’s Premiere looks back at guest speaker said this year, “Respect those who support hometown businesses some of the Veterans Day programs and my flag.” and their owners, but it’s worth shouting events staged in Northeast Arkansas this *** out each and every year. year, and we hope you will take time There are also a number of holiday-related to give them a good look. Programs in stories, including the cover feature which Before jumping in the vehicle and particular at Greene County Tech High details Jonesboro’s Winter Wonderland heading out of town, or before scrolling School, Paragould High School and in the and all it has to offer, and there is another Internet shopping sites, consider this: Downtown Paragould area proved to be version of NEA Seniors, a special section When your kids are in the midst of a outstanding productions. dedicated to senior citizens and events fundraiser and need someone to purchase that capture moments related to everything from Boston butts to candles The prevailing theme from most of the their lifestyle. to cookie dough, it is quite often a local guest speakers was this: Don’t wait for an merchant who makes a contribution; annual holiday to come around to express Read and enjoy, and from all of us at MOR when your children hit the streets to your thanks to the men and women who Media, “Merry Christmas.” sell advertisements for their high school have served -- or are currently serving -- in yearbooks, they call on local business our country’s military. 6 | Premiere December 2016 publisher/advertising sales Dina Mason l [email protected] managing editor Richard Brummett l [email protected] contributing writers Caitlin LaFarlette l [email protected] Anthony Childress l [email protected] Chuck Long l [email protected] Jared Pickney l [email protected] graphic designers — advertising Jordan Lewis l [email protected] Leisa Rae l [email protected] advertising sales team Dina Mason l [email protected] Perry Mason l [email protected] Ashley Mason l [email protected] Brian Osborn l [email protected] Sarah Dawson l [email protected] PREMIERE is a publication of MOR Media, Incorporated. Editorial, advertising and general business information can be obtained by calling (870) 236-7627, faxing to (870) 239-4583 or e-mailing to dina @mormediainc.com. Mailing address: 400 Tower Drive, Para- gould, AR 72450. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements, unless otherwise noted, do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Publisher, or the staff. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information presented in this issue is accurate and neither MOR Media, Incorporated, or any of its staff, is responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Copy- right © 2016 MOR Media, Incorporated. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo- copy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publisher. All pictorial material reproduced in this book has been accepted on the condition that it is reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent of the photographer concerned. As such, MOR Media, Incorporated, is not responsible for any infringement of copyright or otherwise arising out of publication thereof. For advertising, distribution or editorial contribution, contact Dina Mason at 870-236-7627 or email to [email protected]. December 2016 Premiere | 7 PARAGOULD VETERANS DAY PARADE or the second consecutive year, Downtown Paragould played host Fto a Veterans Day Parade and program. People lined the sidewalks as parade entries made their way up Pruett Street before interested spectators were then encouraged to assemble at the Collins Theatre for the patriotic program which followed, highlighted by Mayor Mike Gaskill’s heartfelt presentation. 8 | Premiere December 2016 VETERANS DAY SALUTE wo high schools in Paragould honored members of the military with impressive Veterans Day programs. TGreene County Tech staged its annual event, inducting three men into the Veterans Hall of Fame, including the day’s featured speaker Todd Harris. Harris is a former Marine and currently an Arkansas State Trooper. Also inducted were Dean MacDonald and Lester Wayne Brightwell. At Paragould High School, below, Major Jim Largent addressed the crowd and then the veterans in attendance were presented with American Legion buttons by PHS students. December 2016 Premiere | 9 Joe. They were also expecting another child. Papaw Ted passed away the year before I was Ted, my “Papaw,” was stationed in Pearl born. One year, one month, and two days to Harbor during that time. He knew he would be exact. Although I was never able to meet not be home for the birth of his new child. him face-to-face, my family always made sure This was at a time during the war when the I heard stories about him. Sometimes, it felt members of the military were not allowed to like he was living just down the road from give their whereabouts to anyone. me. Both Mamaw Pearlie and my great-uncle Teddy Joe passed away four years ago. I was Ted wanted Pearlie to know where he was so blessed to grow up next door to Mamaw stationed so she wouldn’t worry as much. Pearlie. We spent a lot of time swinging on Mamaw Pearlie was raising Teddy Joe herself her front porch eating “Nutty Buddies” and on the family farm while she was expecting. talking about the past. I now am honored to Ted knew how difficult this was on Pearlie own some of the letters Papaw sent home to Ted, Pearlie, and Teddy Joe Ford already. He wanted her to know where he was her and the pictures he took while stationed in case anything bad happened anywhere. in Japan. PEARL HARBOR That way, she would know if anything happened near where he was stationed. He Three of Ted and Pearlie’s four sons (Teddy MEETS PINE KNOT wrote a letter home telling her that if the new Joe, Andy, and Russell) followed in their By Savannah Johns baby was a girl, he wanted her to name the father’s footsteps and served this great baby Janie Pearl. He underlined Pearl enough country. Our family has fought in every war times that Pearlie figured out that Ted was the United States has been a part of. I always am only twenty-one years of age but I grew stationed at Pearl Harbor! I can only imagine feel so honored to be able to clean the grave up very connected to the past. I was raised how relieved Pearlie must have felt, knowing site of Papaw, displaying a plaque presented on the land that has been in my family where Ted was stationed. for his service. Isince the early 1800s. It is a small and close- knit community outside of Paragould, called On April 30, 1945, a baby girl was born just as I also am honored to be able to clean around Pine Knot. One of my favorite stories about Ted had hoped for. Of course, Pearlie followed Uncle Teddy’s grave site. I only wish the my family’s past is how my grandmother his wishes and named her Janie Pearl. Many people of “my” generation would be more received her middle name.